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chrisv664
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| Posted: Jan 11 2008 at 6:48am | IP Logged
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My 20 –yr. old dd has been getting incapacitating menstrual cramps on the first day of her cycle and they seem to be getting worse. Yesterday was terrible. I am thankful she was home and I was here to hold her hand through it. One time I had to meet her at work and follow her home in my car because she was too nervous to drive with the pain. Anyway yesterday’s episode lasted several hours and seemed to respond to motrin, a warm compress and a good massage on her lower back. She and I were just wondering if anyone has any experience with any natural remedies that have worked for them. We talked about her need to limit caffeine, sugar and salt, drink lots of water and be more consistent with taking her multivitamin. Any other thoughts? Also, does anyone know if these types of cramps can be symptomatic of a larger problem? I have never experienced this type of problem personally… but while she was going through it, all I could think was “She seems like a woman in the throws of labor”. Thanks in advance for any help.
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Chris
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Lori B
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| Posted: Jan 11 2008 at 7:58am | IP Logged
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Both my older daughter and I have suffered with ovarian cysts (not serious, but seriously painful). If I were you I would have a doctor look into it, as there are ways to lessen the pain.
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aiereis
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| Posted: Jan 11 2008 at 8:01am | IP Logged
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I had dibilitating cramps similar to what you daughter is having. In fact, for two days every month I was reminded again that I did not ever want to have children. I figured that if my cramps were like this, labor must be a lot worse. When I ended up in labor with my first child, it hurt like the dickens but I kept on waiting for it to get really bad because it "only" felt like cramps. The nurse and midwife were amazed at how I handled labor! The only difference was that I took ibuprofen every month to help the pain, but ibuprofen doesn't work in labor. If I didn't take about double the daily recommended dose, I would be curled up in the fetal position for the first two days.
So, what worked for me? Having children!  I haven't had any cramps since I had my first. Other than that, only one thing worked and I found it too hard to adopt while I was in college. That was the Blood Type Diet. There is a book called Eat Right for Your Type which my mom read when I was in college. One summer I came home and she said, "You're going on this diet." The whole summer I followed it and I barely had any cramps at all. I also had a couple very minor health problems disappear while I was on it. But it was much too hard to follow away at school.
Sometimes cramps can be indicative of other health problems. I think that polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis might have painful cramps as symptons, but I am not sure. My family couldn't afford to go to the doctor, so we never checked it out.
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~Rachel~
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| Posted: Jan 11 2008 at 10:14am | IP Logged
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Typically it is either indicative of a medical problem OR a dietary problem. Definitely get her checked by the doctor, and then if he finds nothing, start working on Nissa's Fit in 40 habit changes because it is an anti-inflammatory diet 
With luck your DD can be helped!
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folklaur
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| Posted: Jan 11 2008 at 11:00am | IP Logged
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Mine are like that. I know endometriosis has this as a symptom, but we've never found anything medically wrong with me. But the 2nd and sometimes 3rd day of my cycle is debilitating. Aspirin/tylenol help, but only a little.
My oldest daughter is the same way, only for her it is the 1st day, and we know she does get ovarian cysts, but they always resolve on their own.
Mine were always pretty lousy, but after having my last child, they have been much worse. It was my only labor with any complications afterwards....don't know what the significance of it there is, if any.....
Lower back massage is the most helpful for me.
Hope she finds some relief!
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MaryM
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There are lowered blood calcium levels for many women from mid-cycle until about day 2 or 3 of their periods. The amount of decrease varies among women. I first became aware of it when a well-known lactation consultant mentioned this as affecting milk supply for some women before their periods. This lower blood calcium level can also be the cause of uterine cramping before and in the first days of the period.
So what I have heard recommended is from mid-cycle until day 3 is to increase calcium/magnesium supplement to total 1500 mg of calcium with the accompanying 750 mg of magnesium. If someone is using dairy or other calcium rich foods as a major calcium/magnesium source, then the suggestion would be to take 500 -700 mg additional calcium (which need to be accompanied by magnesium at half the calcium amount)
The more meat that we eat the more Ca/Mag we need. Usually it takes the higher doses to accomplish the desired goal. Vegetarians could begin with the 500mg
dose.
I wish I had known this when I was younger and been able to try it. I had really bad cramps until after I had my first baby. Since that time they have been mostly mild or non-existent.
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mary theresa
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I second the Calcium /Magnesium thing.
Take a TON!
Also, Vit. D and F help with Calcium absorption. If she is not getting enough of these, more Calcium won't absorb as much.
Oh, the homeopathic remedy Magnesium Phosphorica is good for cramping -- menstrual, afterbirth, B-hs, etc.
Also there is an herb called "Cramp Bark" -- I think?
And, there are those heating pad thingys from the drugstore that you stick to the outside of your underwear -- those helped me
I really sympathize! I had periods like this all through college and it was HORRIBLE! I was in the fetal position for two or three days.
I had a doctor tell me that alot of times it really is alot due to not having a baby yet and being a virgin.
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JodieLyn
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red raspberry leaf (either in tea or capsules) may help, it helps normalize hormones and promotes the smooth functioning of the uterus.. it can be used when pregnant because it supports the normal function of the uterus.. which can be both holding onto a baby and in sloughing off the lining.
also calcium.. if you don't have enough calcium the smooth muscles (uterus!!) can't contract smoothly.. hence cramping. My midwife gives me lots of extra of my calcium (it's a cal/mag/vit D/phosporus/zinc combo) for afterbirth pain.. and it really helps.. most women I talk to say it gets worse each time.. but mine doesn't.. it's quite managable.
Also bromelain.. it's an enzyme in pineapple.. you can just eat pineapple or drink pineapple juice or get the caps with bromelain.. it's an anti-inflammatory but without the problems that ibuprophen has.. for one thing you don't develop a resistence to it.. it keeps working at the same level no matter how long you've been taking it. Also, it's plant based and so very safe.. studies have yet to find a max. dose.
Ginger when pregnancy is a concern, since it can thin the lining of the uterus, but otherwise, it is also an anti-inflammatory.. and combining ginger and pineapple actually makes them work better than the sum of their seperate actions. They work slightly differently so are quite complementary. To use fresh ginger it's excellent grated into a pineapple smoothie.. a bit of milk or yogurt or ice cream will help protect your mouth and tummy from the acid. but you can get it in caps as well.
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humanaevitae
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I also had horrible cramps as a young woman, to the extent that I had to take atleast one day off every month from school. I was finally able to find relief by taking Advil earlier. I started taking Advil atleast 1 day before my period would start. I made sure to keep on top of the dosage and take it every 6hrs even if I wasn't in pain yet.
Previously I hadn't started taking Advil until my period started and by then I was rolling on the ground. Starting the Advil a day early worked miracles!
Having children also significantly lessened my cramps.
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: Daughter's Cramps
