Ladies, Midol & Pamprin....do they help?

[DisneyBeagle]

Do any of you use Midol or Pamprin to help with your time o' the month symptoms? I usually just use ibuprofen, but I was wondering if perhaps one of these other meds would be better.

Also, do you take the pills just when you are experiencing cramps or do you take them throughout your period to try to prevent cramps?

 

[MushyMushy]

I don't like them because they contain caffeine, and I don't do caffeine. They also don't have enough ibuprofen in it to really help me, so I'm better off taking extra ibuprofen and some diurex for the bloating.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

For cramps, I have always taken Aleve. Even before it was over the counter, I had a prescription. It works. You should try to take it the day before (I know that's not always easy to predict!) and then it will be in your system. Won't do anything for other symptoms (bloating).
Good luck!

 

[azgal81]

I take 4 advil right when I start to feel the cramps coming on. I generally only get them the first day so I just take 4 advil sometimes I'll take two more later in the day. But that is generally enough for me.

 

[mommasita]

Aleve for pain, it helps with the unbearable.....

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

I would experience SEVERE cramps every month, so severe I would double over in pain, pain shooting down my legs, etc. Midol did work, BUT even with the caffeine, it really wiped me out. I personally would take Advil, it became so bad I had to pop them every 2-3 hours. That being said, I'm really into alternative health, etc., and starting taking courses in natural health, nutrition, for other reasons also, and learned about calcium and magnesium helping with menstrual cramps. I SWEAR TO GOSH this really really really worked for me. My cramps improved about 90 percent, it was absolutely amazing. You have to take them regularly. Calcium and magnesium are called "nature's tranquilizers" and they work on muscle relaxation, etc. It really worked for me.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I also used to have severe cramps every month (so bad that I was out of school/work for the first day or two, and was sick to my stomach.) I used to take Midol when I was younger, but it didn't really help.

Three things that HAVE helped:
1. Anaproxen. I took this muscle relaxant in college, and was stunned at how great it was for helping relieve my cramps. My understanding is that there's an OTC med containing this drug. I would highly recommend it!
2. The pill. I still had cramps, but they were very mild in comparison to what I'd gone through before.
3. Childbirth. After having children my cramps were never as bad as they were before.

Oh, and a 4th thing: Once we were done having children (and had a few medical reasons for the surgery), I had a hysterectomy. I still get the bloating and a bit of nausea every month, but no cramps!