what do you suggest to do when you have really bad menstral cramps??
826213
Every woman needs to find a treatment that works for her. Perhaps the most common treatment, especially in the past, has been to lie down at the first sign of pain. It used to be that many women's restrooms contained a cot or a couch so that a woman who felt "indisposed" could lie down. A bed in the school nurse's office served the same purpose and girls were routinely excused from physical education or other classes because of menstrual cramps. \n\nCurrent recommendations include not only adequate rest and sleep, but also regular exercise (especially walking). Some women find that abdominal massage, yoga, or orgasmic sexual activity help. A heating pad applied to the abdominal area may relieve the pain and congestion. \n\nA number of nonprescription (over-the-counter) agents can help control the pain as well as actually prevent the menstrual cramps themselves. For mild cramps, aspirin or acetaminophen (Tylenol), or acetaminophen plus a diuretic (Diurex MPR, FEM-1, Midol, Pamprin, Premsyn, and others) may be sufficient. However, aspirin has limited effect in curbing the production of prostaglandin and is only useful for less painful cramps. \n\nThe main agents for treating moderate menstrual cramps are the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which lower the production of prostaglandin and lessen its effect. The NSAIDs that do not require a prescription are: \n\nibuprofen (Advil, Anaprox, Midol IB, Motrin, Nuprin, and others); \nnaproxen sodium (Aleve); and \nketoprofen (Actron, Orudis KT). \nA woman should start taking one of these medications before her pain becomes difficult to control. This might mean starting medication 1-2 days before her period is due to begin and continuing taking medication 1-2 days into her period. The best results are obtained by taking one of the NSAIDs on a scheduled basis and not waiting for the pain to begin. \n\nPrescription NSAIDs available for the treatment of menstrual cramps include mefenamic acid (Ponstel). \nIf a woman's menstrual cramps are too severe to be managed by these strategies, her doctor might prescribe low dose oral contraceptives containing estrogen and progestin or long-acting edroxyprogesterone. This type of approach can prevent ovulation (the monthly release of an egg) and reduce the production of prostaglandins which, in turn, reduces the severity of cramping and causes a light menstrual flow.
509445
Soak in a warm bath with epsom salts also take some tylenol or other OTC pain reliever. Go easier on yourself next time. Don't know of anything you can eat but keep drinking fluids(especially water to rehydrate)
551332
Exercise and ibuprophen. Also, calcium and magnesium taken every day decreases PMS and cramps, at menstrual time, to almost zero.
46635
Take some midol, wear a pad because tampons make cramps worse and get one of those heating pads to put on your back or stomach whichever hurts more.
1146208
midol...it doesn't work for me..i have to take extra-strength tylenol...and just so you know, I'm on the pill and it didn't help with my cramps.  If you are sexually active though, I suggest you get on the pill and do it quick.  If you don't want to get on the pill and midol/tylenol don't work for you, I suggest having your gynocologist prescribe some vicodin for you, but most people end up becoming addicted to vicodin.
1182332
I had really horrible cramps when I was younger.  My doctor prescribed naproxen Sodium which is the main ingredient in Aleve.  If you can move around this helps, but sometimes the pain is too bad and we all just have to relax with a heating pad.  For th future, keep track of your period and take 2 Aleve a night or two beforehand and this will help "weaken" the cramps before they start to get unbearable.  Good luck!
933469
Banannas/Yogurt\nAnything with lots of potassium is good....check out some home remedies. Like if you swallow down cumin and salt [drink helluh water down] it will sort of make your menstruation not as...severe?
760244
start taking the medication a day before you expect the pain....once it starts, it's harder to stop\n\ntry a heating pad or a warm bath and try to relax....sometimes breathing exercises even help\n\nalso, make sure you eat healthy and exercise regularly....I can't believe when I get off track how much worse my cramps are!\n\nyou might want to talk to your doctor, they could give you a prescription for the pain and check for any possible problems such as fibroid or endometriosis\n\nwhen I was your age, I had horrible cramps, and I got on birth control pills a couple of years later, and that reduced the pain probably by 80%.....so you may also talk to your doctor about that
754396
Go to the doctor! Here is something.....\n\nWHAT YOU SHOULD DO\nYou may take nonprescription medicine such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen for menstrual cramps. Use it only as directed. \nIf your doctor gives you a prescription for menstrual cramps, take it exactly as directed. \nApplying heat to your abdomen or back helps ease the pain. Do this for about 20 minutes once or twice a day. Use a heating pad set on low or a warm water bottle, or take a warm bath for 10 to 15 minutes. \nStay as active as possible. Exercise often helps relieve pain. You don't need to stay in bed. \nDon't drink too much caffeine (cola or coffee); and try to keep away from things that cause you to feel stressed-out. \nCall Your Doctor If...\nYour pain is not controlled with medication or lasts more than 3 days. \nYou have pain with urination or bowel movements, or pain that is located on one side only. \nThe medicine you are taking is causing any problems. \nSeek Care Immediately If...\nYour pain is so bad that you can't walk. \nYou have a high temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, dizziness, or muscle aches during your menstrual period.
356750
eat a banana! muscles cramp like that because of low potassium, so drink some gatorade or eat a banana!
267645
whenever i get a leg cramp. if i stretch it out, it tends to feel better. if that doesn't work, try something to make you body relax, aspirin, warm milk, you get the idea.
948556
I found that a good way to get rid of the cramps is to take a couple extra strength Tylenols.......eat bananas, they are natural pain relievers, trust me, they work for about a half an hour or more of pain relief. Apply heat to the area where it hurts (water bottle, heating pad). Allow her to curl up with a blanket, give her chocolate and bananas, and let her watch a good movie and sleep. They also say drink lots of water and exercise, but I think that's bologna. Lol......if they're really bad, she should talk to the doctor about taking birthcontrol to keep the cramping down :) Hope this helps
801075
Apple Cider Vinegar works fast in slowing down a heavy cycle. Wow! I discovered this quite by accident after I started drinking it. I recommend it for every woman suffering from a heavy flow!"\n\n"Drink 1 or 2 glasses of tomato juice, especially V-8, every day. You'll see significant improvment in your flow, and fewer cramps in your next period\n\n"I also found water helps. Laying in the bath (for 30 to 60 minutes or so depending on your situation) really seems to work well
536597
Potassium helps with leg cramps sometimes.  Eat bananas or get some pills...
597193
First, the best advice I can give you is to speakto your mum. She will be able to buy you some sanitary towels and tell you how to use them, when to change them etc.\n\nIf you get crampy pains in the lower part of your stomach, a hot water bottle often helps, as can a warm bath, or some pain killers. Gentle exercise usually helps as well.\n\nHaving your period shouldn't stop you from doing ANYTHING you would usually do. For things like swimming etc, you can use tampons, although I'd advise you stick with towels just now andjust avoid swimming when you're on your period. Having your period is not an illness and should not be treated as one. It is not an excuse to lie about the house and slack off your chores or anything like that - sorry!! It happens to 50% of the population once a month and if we all treated it as an illness, the world would grind to a halt!\n\nBut seriously, speak to your mum about it. She'll be able to help you out much more than anyone on the internet can.
841088
Try heat. I had endometriosis so bad I eventually had to have a hysterectomy. My doctor gave me ibuprofen 800 mg (the prescription strength) and a med. for stomach (Prevacid), but what worked best for me was heat, esp. moist heat. I used to put rice in a tube sock 2/3rds full, tie a knot in it, and toss it in the microwave for 2 or 3 min., and used it. They also make those heat wraps that you can buy at the store that also work well if you are somewhere you can't carry around heat or keep a heating pad plugged in. Hot liquids also help - try drinking herbal teas. Also - make sure you don't get constipated -that'll only make things worse. If your OBGYN hasn't helped you, then you should really pin him down and make sure he understands how bad these cramps are. There are new drugs out there that are not pain killers, and can help you. If he dismisses your symptoms, I'd look for a different doctor. Ask some of the women in your area who they use, and get some recommendations. Good luck!
468380
rub it; as a part-time personal trainer & former college athlete, trust me when I say I've dealt with quite a few muscle cramps! it also helps if you use something like Tiger Balm that heats the area and helps reduce the pain.