[MustacheFiend.]

I've been regular since I was about 12 years old. That's never varied, what varies is my pre- and during period symptoms. Most recently, they've been extreme chills the week before I start. Then two days before I start, my uterus seems to grab my intestines and put them in a choke hold. So, on top of feeling bloated and crampy, I'm also gassy and constipated. It's the best feeling ever /sarcasm.

I've found a bit of relief in taking painkiller and curling up in a fetal position with the heating pad on high. But, that's not good enough. I work 37 hours a week at a home improvement store and I like to exercise, I don't have time to spend three days curled up in a ball until my period goes away. When the uterus and the large intestine start wrestling, I spend more time in the bathroom than I do on the sales floor. This is the second month in a row I've asked to go home early because walking was painful. I'm really scared my boss is going to catch on. (Not too big of a deal, I guess, but it'd just make working with him...awkward.)

Besides the heat, is there anything else I can do for relief? Tylenol kind of works, but Ibuprofen only succeeds in making me feel worse. Would Aleve help me out? Maybe Midol? I'm just sick of feeling sick when I'm having Aunt Flo over for a visit. I'd love to feel human again, no matter what time of the month it is.

[Little]

What about Ibuprofen makes you feel worse? NSAIDs - that is, the type of painkiller Ibuprofen is - are supposed to be the best thing for cramps. They can irritate your stomach, though, so I can see how they might not help. You can try other NSAIDs, but I'm not familiar with their stomach-irritating properties or lack thereof. Tylenol is a different kind of painkiller (acetaminophen.) You can look on the labels of other painkillers at the store to see what's in them to make sure you're not trying a bunch of the same thing under different names.
If you happen to work at the blue home improvement store () there's a very nice combo "PMS Relief" medicine in the first aid cabinet. Avail yourself of it. It's got Ibuprofen and a few other things in it that always worked for me.

I know all about those concrete floors when period pain is bad. It is awwwwfullll. Wear your most comfortable shoes and clothes and try to up your fiber intake on those days so you can get into the bathroom, get out, and get on your way. You might even try a fiber powder.

Last-ditch, and this is a major undertaking but one that helped me feel human, are you on or can you take any kind of hormonal BC? That might be something you could consider to control your symptoms, since they appear to be making a large negative impact on your life.

[MustacheFiend.]

What about Ibuprofen makes you feel worse? NSAIDs - that is, the type of painkiller Ibuprofen is - are supposed to be the best thing for cramps.
They can irritate your stomach, though, so I can see how they might not help. You can try other NSAIDs, but I'm not familiar with their stomach-irritating properties or lack thereof. Tylenol is a different kind of painkiller (acetaminophen.) You can look on the labels of other painkillers at the store to see what's in them to make sure you're not trying a bunch of the same thing under different names.

Ibuprofen gives me crazy bad heartburn--like "I'm totally going to puke right now" kind of heartburn. Even on a full stomach. I used to be able to take it, but my body just can't handle it anymore. I avoid it like the plague now.

If you happen to work at the blue home improvement store () there's a very nice combo "PMS Relief" medicine in the first aid cabinet. Avail yourself of it. It's got Ibuprofen and a few other things in it that always worked for me.

I know all about those concrete floors when period pain is bad. It is awwwwfullll. Wear your most comfortable shoes and clothes and try to up your fiber intake on those days so you can get into the bathroom, get out, and get on your way. You might even try a fiber powder.

I work at Menards. It's like a Midwestern, cheap Lowe's. Our uniforms are blue. :P and our first aid toolbox (yeah...it's run by men...) is mostly just band aids. :| I currently just knock back ultra strength Tylenols every 2 hours. Though, they don't help with the gas. Peppermint helps a little bit. My mom's an all natural health nut, so I've got lots of herbs oils,and teas in my house.

Last-ditch, and this is a major undertaking but one that helped me feel human, are you on or can you take any kind of hormonal BC? That might be something you could consider to control your symptoms, since they appear to be making a large negative impact on your life.

I'm not on any sort of birth control, nor have I ever been. I'm very skittish about prescription anything. I've had some VERY bad experiences with prescription drugs. I'd prefer to just take vitamins or use some homeopathic remedies, if at all possible. I'd consider BC if the symptoms get any worse. God forbid...

[Little]

You might then look into herbal remedies and dietary control. I am not terribly familiar with the former - other than the herbs I have used to help boost my milk supply, fenugreek and milk thistle. The latter is supposed to help with digestive issues as well. You might use those two names as a starting block to research what might help you out.
As for the latter, dietary control, you can try to lower your intake of grains and soy right before and during your period. Cutting down on your dairy intake might help too. Pamper yourself with lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, and quality meats. Maybe avoid legumes like beans, since they've got a reputation of making gas worse.

[MelanieStOurs]

I'm so sorry that this has started happening to you!

I'm a clinical herbalist specializing in Women's Health, and though I can't advise on the specific herbs for you here (it wouldn't serve you well for me to do so since I'd really need to talk with you more to find out exactly what you need both in terms of herbs and healing foods/lifestyle support) I do want to encourage you to take a look at hormone disruptors in your environment first, then if you still need more help you can reach out to an herbalist or a doctor.

Little, your suggestion of Milk Thistle is a pretty good one. It supports the liver and is generally safe. Make sure that you get good quality Milk Thistle from a reputable company, and choose the tincture if you can rather than capsules. Fenugreek isn't indicated for cramping and menstrual difficulties, but it's yummy in food! (It's more specific for breast feeding and for certain people with blood sugar imbalances.)

There are many hormone disruptors in our food supply (pesticides, hormones added to meat & dairy, plastics). Check out the "dirty dozen and clean 15" if you can't afford to go completely organic and choose the "clean fifteen" when buying produce. Avoid soft plastics (water bottles, cling film, plastic containers in the microwave) and reduce the amount of dairy & meat you consume. Meanwhile, add some bitter foods to help support your liver (which has the job of clearing away excess hormones and toxins from your bloodstream.) Good foods to add to help your liver include dandelion greens, artichokes, fresh lemon juice, garlic, kale, and all leafy greens.

I hope this helps you get off to a good start. If you want to work with an herbalist but there isn't one in your area, feel free to reach out to me. I work via phone and Skype for clients who don't live nearby.

[Little]

Apparently the other herb indicated for breastfeeding issues is blessed thistle, not milk. I don't know the difference, or if there is one. But I looked at the bottle this morning and it said it was a digestive tonic and useful for "feminine problems." I recall buying it at a mall health/vitamin store, maybe something like GNC, so it should not be difficult to find if you want to try it.

[MustacheFiend.]

After a very, very normal, almost gas free period, (albeit still freakishly short), I'm almost 100% sure the chocolate/sugar I was forever craving on my period was the cause. I ditched the candy before hand, and gorged on potato chips instead ( still bad...but...can't be good all of the time, now can I? :P). I wasn't doubling over in pain or running to the bathroom every five minutes. It was great. Well, as great as a crampy, bleed-through-a-super-tampon-every-2-hours period can be.

After finding that too much dairy intake gives me ADD like symptoms followed by severe nasal congestion, I've gone down to about one serving a day. I need to find a replacement calcium supplement so I don't end up all stooped over like my grandma.

I will definitely take the advice of avoiding the dirtier foods,looking into those herbs and I do drink from an aluminum water bottle as often as possible.

Thanks for the help, gals!

[Little]

Sweet potatoes are great for those carb cravings. You can even slice them thinly and bake for a potato chippy taste