OWIE! Help! For women only.... I'm warning you!

[Elliesmommy]

One month from today I will be arriving at WDW with my husband to celebrate our 1st anniversary.

Here is the kicker.. today I got my period, with some nasty cramps, and it is HEAVY!

1. This means that next month I will be at WDW with a cycle from hell!

Grrr... so I need your best tips on how to reduce all the symptoms of such a nasty cycle so that I can walk the parks without being doubled over in pain

 

[gifchick]

I find Raspberry tea helps me (please check to make sure it doesn’t interfere with any other medications you might be taking)

I also avoid all deep fried food.

HTH

 

[Swmr359]

I find that 2 midol every 4 hours and one of those thermacare heat things works for me. And lots of hot tea with sugar.

 

[goofykb03]

I take ibuprofen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner when I have bad cramps and I adore it. Although make sure you eat actual food too! Ibuprofen can harm your stomach if you take it on an empty stomach. I usually take 600mg three times a day when I'm at my worst.

 

[Juliegirl1]

Check with your doctor but you can also continue your pills and skip a cycle. Had a friend who just did that so she wouldn't have her monthly during her wedding/honeymoon.

Unfortunately I think the period after that would be a killer but I don't know for sure.

 

[VeeHam]

I will be facing the same dilema this week.
Due Monday, our first day at DW ever. (Man I know how to plan!) I'm taking a heating pack for in the room and ibuprofen/tylenol. Sometimes excedrin works, so I am packing all three.
You'll be able to spot me easily. I'll be the woman who is doing the ugly cry one moment and the next threatening to kill someone.

 

[calliemom]

I feel your pain. If you are interested in going the natural route you can start taking immediately 4000mg daily of Evening Primrose Oil. In addition I take a vitamin called EstroSense 2capsules daily and Vitex 2 capsules daily. I find it makes the world of difference.
Best of luck to you.

 

[MissChris]

Definitely the Thermacare heat pads. I have historically had absolutely killer, can't go to work, lie on the couch and whimper cramps and I found that heat works wonders. At home I take a hot hot hot bath and drink some wine and that usually gets me down to manageable level but when I'm out I use the heat pads 2 at a time, one on front, one on back. I also found that Premsyn works really well. I had always relied on ibuprofen, I figured the "period relief" pills were just taking advantage of our desperation to charge us extra. One day a girlfriend gave me the Premsyn and it totally worked. It actually knocked me out a little. but I never take medication so it doesn't take much to make me loopy.

Also, I recently started taking a high dose of calcium/magnesium for a different issue and I found it has also almost completely eradicated my cramps. You take it throughout your cycle, or, if you're aware of when you ovulate, for the time between your ovulation and your period. It really seems to make a difference. I still know I'm having my period, but the discomfort is minor.

Good luck.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Just a warning: threads like this have been closed, I assume for being too graphic so if this thread disappears, that could be why.

Anyway, to the OP, if you take a BC pill (not Beach Club! ) you can just continue taking the active pills of the pack and skipping the spacers. There's no harm in it and it's pretty much how pills like Seasonique or Seasonale work. I take the seasonal type pills and only get a period every 3 months and it's great, but those 4 are killer (I actually get a prescription for Lortab for my cramps, yes they're that bad). Painkillers and heat are your friend. Exercise, as yucky as it is, can help too. And remember, you'll be at Disney! So smile, and enjoy your vacation with your hubby, and grin through those feelings of wanting to cry and smack everyone around you.

 

[lisateaches]

ibuprofen also slows your flow

 

[BecBennett]

This is exactly why I'm on the pill and don't ever want to go off it!!

I suffer from anemia occassionally and for this reason my Dr. Recommends skipping my cycle regularly. I find the next one is always much lighter and shorter then usual, and don't think I've ever had bad cramps after doing this, but I suppose everyone is different.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

i feel for you!! been there done that, walking around using 2 forms of protection in case of leaks. ugh!!! i have a horrible period every month, my doc actually has put me on a blood clotting drug to help alleviate it. not that im suggesting it, as im not a doc. but i would suggest getting an appt to see if anything else is going on. i've also skipped the sugar pill week or started a pack after taking the 21 day pack. i've never done it for disney, but did for my honeymoon years ago.

 

[brenalexacamp]

walking may actually help a bit- a shot of brandy will help with the cramps-
don't be sipping brandy all day-haha Midol works very good- Just bring a little care bag for you in case you need a change- that will take some stress off you.

 

[marmalade]

Technically a cycle is 28 days so if you started yesterday you are due again on December 30th so you might be a few days in before you arrive. Which if that's the case hopefully you will have a better more manageable time.

But I do like the suggestion by goofykb03 to take ibuprofen for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

 

[YukiPhnx]

I agree with those that take ibuprofen. I used to get cramps from hell, but now I take ibuprofen as soon as I start to feel the slightest discomfort and keep taking them for 2-3 days. It works wonders.

I also agree with heat packs! I have those regular heat packs that are usually meant for your back and has an adhesive to stick to your body. I stick it onto my lower abdomen and go around the day like that. It's flat so hides well and makes a huge difference. Just be sure to trim down there or taking it off can be extremely painful.....Skin down there is very delicate.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

It may also be prudent to through an extra pair of undies and pants in a bag to bring with you. Luck favors the prepared.

 

[mom0299]

Avoid caffeine. It makes cramps worse.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Anyway, to the OP, if you take a BC pill (not Beach Club! ) you can just continue taking the active pills of the pack and skipping the spacers. There's no harm in it and it's pretty much how pills like Seasonique or Seasonale work. I take the seasonal type pills and only get a period every 3 months and it's great, but those 4 are killer (I actually get a prescription for Lortab for my cramps, yes they're that bad).

Same advise if you take BC just start your next pack. Skipping a month does not hurt you.

Everyone has very different expereinces. I take Seasonique and have for 5 years. I have found over the years my monthy (well every 3 months) cycle has gotten lighter and shorter.

It is 100% better than it was when I had one every month - when I started taking it I asked my DR. about the theory that if you only had it every 3 months that it would be much worse. He told me there was no truth to that and I would not notice any increase - lucky I haven't.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip

 

[Elliesmommy]

lot's of good info here that I have never tried. Thanks all!

 

[Zuzu03]

Totally do the BC trick - I did it for YEARS without any problems and LOVED it. I could really plan it around my travelling so I wouldn't be bothered with Auntie Flo. Now I can't because I'm no longer taking them - I started getting headaches and migraines so my ob/gyn said no more BC's. I haven't had a headache in months, but the downside is Auntie Flo comes regularly. Oh and she'll be visiting me while I'm in WDW too. Tea, ibuprof, brandy, thermacare heat packs, all great stuff!!! Good luck!