Coping with menstration

[sawyerlove.livejournal.com]

I couldn't find anything about this in the tagged entries. If I missed it, please point me in the right direction. I posted a little while ago about the possibility of skipping my cycle while on Yaz (I accidently wrote Yasmin in that entry-sorry for the confusion). I've decided not to mess with it and just go through with my period since I'll only be there for the first 24 hours or so of my cycle. My first day of placebo is Wednesday and I get my period two days later (on Friday). My problem is I get cramps and I get lethargic and kinda bitchy starting around Thursday on Yaz. I can cope with the bitchiness (I'm at a Christian camp and won't be around the people that aggravate that emotion the most).

My question is how can I deal with the cramps and lethargy most effectively? I can't use a heating pad or rice bag and stay in the cabin all day as it's fairly jam-packed days. I'd rather not rely on meds but if needed I will. If you are going to suggest medication, what's the best OTC product to bring? Thank you in advance for your help.

Comments

[yourkisshello.livejournal.com]

I would suggest Ibuprofin (you can buy your grocery store's genaric kind, but Advil is also ibuprofin). It has been my friend through many a painful period :]

Good luck!!!

[sawyerlove.livejournal.com]

Easy to find, thank you for the suggestion. I'm sure that if I forget or run out, I can get that at camp even.

[lilclerk.livejournal.com]

Making sure you get lots of iron before your period will help with the lethargy.

[sawyerlove.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll see how much iron is in my vitamins and, if the percent is low, I'll check into iron supplements (the week in question, I can't regulate my food intake because I'm at camp). Should I take it all month long or just the week I'm expecting my period?

[jacquelinewas17.livejournal.com]

I would recommend continuously taking iron supplements, not just for camping-times, but all the time if your period makes you lethargic and lazy and weak. Just try to always get the recommended daily dose

[sawyerlove.livejournal.com]

Thanks. *mental note to check the supplements section of the supermarket*

[mermaiddrowning.livejournal.com]

I think the best relief for cramps, a bad mood and feeling tired is exercising! I know it's hard to get the motivation when you're not feeling well to work out, but your body will feel somuch better when you do. Yoga and stretching can help a lot too.

Also, taking evening primerose oil supplements daily can help a lot with moods swings and cramps.

[manycolored.livejournal.com]

Gentle exercise is great. You can do something more vigorous if you start feeling better. Get a bit more protein and drink lots of water. Also, try to get a little extra sleep starting now. It really helps.

[sawyerlove.livejournal.com]

Sleep is not a problem. Well, it will be that week though. (We get up by 7 and don't go to bed til around 12 some nights at this camp. One night I won't be in my bunk at camp til around 1 or 2 and STILL have to get up at 7.) Note to self:start working out regularly.

[mermaiddrowning.livejournal.com]

And even if you can't work out everyday try to do some strecthes or go for a quick walk. Also, the Bridge Pose (http://yoga.about.com/od/yogaposes/a/bridge.htm) helps releive cramps too. I have a lot of pelvic pain (no cramps though) and I do this pose every day a few times a day.

[ivy-brandybuck.livejournal.com]

I second evening primrose oil. I use starflower oil, which is a stronger source of the stuff in evening primrose that helps, but it can be harder to find.

Also, if you can find some lavender oil, that really helps with cramps. Just rub it on your tummy. Also, it smells nice ^_^

[sawyerlove.livejournal.com]

Lavender oil is easy. My gramma sells essential oils so I just have to ask her about getting a new bottle of that (I'm nearly out). As for the evening primrose, I'll check it out. Any ideas how much that would cost and how often do you take it?

[mermaiddrowning.livejournal.com]

The recommended dose will be written on the label. I take About 1,000mg a day but the bottle recommends 500-1,500 mg a day with a glass of water. You can find them at your local health food store and I think Walmart even carries this supplement for a pretty reasonable price. Just make sure there aren't too many other ingredients listed. And the great thing about taking this oil internally is it's an Omega-6 so it will help out your body in several other ways.You can also apply it externally (prick a capsule with a pin and rub it into your vagina or vulva with your fingers) if you are ever feel really dry, it helps bring moisture to the vaginal tissue. It's a good oil to have on hand.

[lilduh.livejournal.com]

OTC, I suggest Pamprin, I had good results with that.

[auraesque.livejournal.com]

Expensive, dark chocolate. Actually, any dark chocolate will do. The chemicals in it do something to make your uterus happy, but when I'm on my period, I go for the good stuff. =)

[sawyerlove.livejournal.com]

Hahaha. I *love* dark chocolate (I eat the cheap hershey's stuff but it works the same). I don't know if you can bring it with you but I'll check the rules. If not, I can either have a care package sent or I can buy regular (milk) chocolate there. It's b/c of the endorphin release.

[auraesque.livejournal.com]

I've heard milk chocolate can make cramps worse because of something else in it. I hope you camp allows chocolate. If it doesn't, that'd be a travesty!

[fadingtogray.livejournal.com]

I swear by calcium.

No seriously. Take some with you (NOT just a multivitamin but a supplement that is just calcium) and take it every day before you start your period.

The months I remember to increase my calcium intake, or the months I've taken it all month (it's part of my daily supplements I'm just not always good about taking it) I notice distinctly less cramping. This from someone who used to have the school nurse tell her to go home as soon as she walked in the office door because they knew it was my cramps.

Try it. You'll like it. :)

[sawyerlove.livejournal.com]

Is a calcium/magnesium supplement as good? I'm really bad about taking it but I've already got that. If that works, I'll just have to remember to take it.

[fadingtogray.livejournal.com]

Haha, I actually take cal/mag myself (I didn't even think about that when I posted this comment) so yes, it should work fine! Calcium is also water soluble, meaning you can't really overdose on it, so during my period I take an extra tablet. Be sure to read the serving size on your supplement, I know for one single serving of mine it's 6 tablets because there's just no way for them to cram the serving into one pill without making it impossible to swallow. Too many people assume 1 or 2 will do the trick, but with supplements it's best to read the label :).

[sawyerlove.livejournal.com]

lol mine is supposed to be 3 a day but *if* i take all the pills in my pill case for the day (which is rare), i only get 2 of those (one morning & one night). should probably add one.

[alitaorg.livejournal.com]

iron supplements help a hell of a lot too...at least for me. =)

[sawyerlove.livejournal.com]

When we go to the store, I guess I better get iron supplements and evening primrose oil capsules. If I can find them. I *love* your icon. Bush-bashing plus Inigo=amazing!

[alitaorg.livejournal.com]

i know! it's one of the best ones i've found here. (the maker encouraged me to use it and pass it on. ;) )

yours ain't so bad either. (oh, cary! squee!!!)

[sawyerlove.livejournal.com]

:) I love that movie so much. I watched it with my friend (her first time) and bugged her so much quoting it line for line (she did the same thing today with The Breakfast Club-which I'd seen before-so I guess we're even).