Painful Period

Hey, I am hoping that someone can give me some advice. I am 5 weeks out from surgery. I started my period yesterday and the pain was so bad that I had to go to the doctor to get a shot. When I got up yesterday, I tried to drink my protein shake, got about 3 sips down and ended up in the bathroom with dry heaves. The same thing happened this morning. I dont know if this is surgery related or just period related. I always got nauseated before with the painful cramps but never really vomitted. I tried about an hour to get a few more sips of a protein shake and did the same thing. I am afraid to eat anything. I have a prescription for liquid vioxx. My surgeon said that would be fine for me to take. I am in so much pain. I cant get comfortable. Nothing is working. Is this how it is going to be from now on, every month? I really thought that losing some weight would help with these cramps but now Im beginning to wonder. I have the heating pad and I am alternating between my back and my abdomen. The pain is in my lower back and goes all the way to my knees. This is my second day off work. Can anyone offer any advice as to what I can do to take the edge off this pain? Rhonda -27

Have you ever been pregnant Rhonda? I'm curious because what is striking me is this: When you lose weight your hormones get evened out. Generally this means estrogen is released and progesterone increases. Progesterone is what causes PMS and is produced after you ovulate. When you are pregnant, your progesterone levels are usually high, and from what I was told, it's the progesterone levels along with the hcg that cause the morning sickness. As time goes on, your body gets used to higher levels of progesterone and hcg. I found that I was getting sick every other day. One day for increase, One day to get used to it, then one day for increase, etc. I wonder if what is not happening is that your progesterone levels are high and that you are super-sensitive right now, but that maybe you'll get acclimated as time goes on. I know my period was really bad this last time too, but it mellowed out after a couple days. I'm thinking (my theory only) that as time goes on our bodies will get used to the normal hormone levels and that we won't be sick anymore. Either way I would talk to your GYN and see if they can draw some labs on you to make sure everything is normal. Perhaps they can give you something for the nausea until it gets under control... Dina

Hey Dina, Those were some good things to think about. I have been pregnant before but I was 22 and it was a tubal pregnancy and I ended up losing my right ovary and my right tube. I have not been successful in getting pregnant since 1998. I got married in 1997 and we have been trying since 1998. I tried a few cycles of clomid but didnt have any luck. Do you think this hormone thing is good? I appreciate your insight. It makes sense. I have some suppositories left over from my surgery that I have been using if the nausea gets too much to bear. I did get some liquid vioxx and it really helped to take the edge off the pain. Thank you so much. I do need to go see my GYN anyway. Rhonda -27.5

Rhonda - The one thing about this surgery is that it creates babies and causes divorces! Seriously though, the thing is when we are obese we generally have our hormones out of whack. That is why infertility is so prevalent amongst us. So when we lose weight, our hormones get in check and many find it easy to get pregnant. That doesn't mean for you it will be a given, but it's a chance. I know with me, I have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). It's core is insulin resistance and it wreaks havoc on the endocrine system causing ultimately infertility. They estimate that 10% of all women have PCOS, but honestly I think it's higher. And amongst obese women, I'd say it's probably over 50%. That's my theory though. Anyway, when I started doing Atkins, I noticed I started having periods where I was anovulatory before. We never used birth control since we got married. I used the pill to regulate my cycles shortly before we were married though. But I was bad at remembering to take them so I quit trying. Well, as I did Atkins, we realized that it might be possible to have children so we started trying. I did Atkins and Metformin (a diabetic med used for PCOS also, even though I wasn't diabetic) and after 15 months of trying we conceived my son Mason. I hadn't lost a lot of weight - only 35 lbs, but it was enough and LONG enough for me that I was able to get my hormones in check and get pregnant. So yes, I see this as a positive thing for you. It's not a foolproof thing esp if you have other fertility issues going on, but it will increase your odds. Good luck to you - and definitely see the GYN. If you haven't been checked for PCOS, have her check now! Dina

My first period after the surgery was awful!!! I bleed really heavy and I never had cramps before but seriously I was in bed for 2 days with the heating pad on high pressed against my lower back!!! I was also very naseous! ~Nicole

Rhonda, You're not alone. I have never had more than a slight cramp a few times a year. Last month when I started my period the first time after the surgery, I wanted to curl up in a ball and die. The cramps were absolutely horrible. I stayed in either the fetal position in bed or in a hot bath for 2 days. I've got 2 weeks until next time and I'm praying it's nowhere as bad. Rachel -55

My period came early this time. It was nasty the first few days, and my mood went from nice to ***** in 1.5 seconds. No one liked me over the weekend. Even my cat avoided me. But on the bright side mine normaly lasts 10 days,and this time it was 6!! WOOHOOO

Ok i wake happy it didn't last as long, but it came back 2 days after it stopped. I am so happy about that, NOT!