One Day Nightmare...Caution...
By twoey68
@twoey68 (13627)
United States
March 27, 2008 1:43pm CST
For those ladies and gentlemen that get queasy talking about that time of the month, you may want to go on to another discussion b/c this is a vent. You've been warned!
I started my first period when I was 12 and my Mom immediately put me on birth control with the logic of I'd be better able to handle a pregnancy at 17 or 18 then at 12 or 13 and our neighborhood (East Dallas) was not the safest place for a fully developed teenage girl to be...which I thank her for.
I was regular as clockwork every month for years. I started on the 28th and ended 4 days later. Very little cramps, mild flow and no violent mood swings. Then that all changed.
I had surgery back in '93 or '94 and had a tumor the size of a large man's fist taken off my ovary. After that, I could never get my periods straightened back out. They tried birth control as a means of regulating it with no luck. After several drugs, they just decided I had to learn to live with it.
So now about every 2-3 months I have a 1 day nightmare to live through. Yesterday was that day. I started off feeling drained and weak. It moved on to running to the bathroom every 10 minutes where my flow could only be compared to the Grand Rapids and add to that the fact that whenever I do have these lovely 1 day periods there are the added joys of having to pass large (about the size of a small egg) bloodclots. I also get very depressed over the least little things. Yesterday it was a MyLot discussion that several ppl were fighting in. I ended up going back to bed and then to bed early. I couldn't get anything done on the pc and was almost crying over Buffy and Angel breaking up in the Buffy the Vampire Series I was watching online. Not to mention the Migraines and upset stomach.
Today I'm right as rain again. Thankfully. I don't think I'd survive 4 days of that. I do wish I could go back to the original period I started with...it was so much nicer.
So has your periods ever changed b/c of surgery or childbirth? Is it better or worse? Do you ever want to just crawl in a hole and wait for it to be over? And most important, why don't men have to go through this???
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
8 people like this
19 responses
@jillmalitz (5131)
• United States
27 Mar 08
I did not start till I was 16 and even then it was not every month. The only time I was regular was when I was on bc. Peri-menopause was tough because of the irregular and increased flow. I do think that maybe you need to have an indepth exam. Have you been to a good gyn lately? I would be checked again if I were you expecially since you have had a cyst or tumor removed. Also your hormones, even thyroid might not be right. It would be worth it to have a complete gyn exam cause this does not seem normal. I would consider having a complete blood workup and complete hormone check as well as having your ovaries, tubes and uterus examined. It may be nothing but some of what your are talking about is suspicous of problems. Good luck.
2 people like this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
27 Mar 08
As shocking as it sounds, that surgery in '93 or '94 was the last time I had a female exam. I just refuse to do it. The last time was so traumatic that I just can't face it again. I take 2 aspirins every day to keep any tumors or cyst's from forming and that's about it. I know I probably need a good checking out but terror has a way of keeping me from doing it.
Thanks for responding!!
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
1 person likes this
@saigonwarrior (1331)
• United States
27 Mar 08
I have always had bad periods and I dread to see it come. Four days of pure H*ll. Not to mention the PMS the week before. I used to take birth control pills, too. But, they didn't stop the moodiness.
I start taking Ibuprofen a few days before, if I know when it is coming on..it has a mind of it's own as I become older. If it sneaks up on me, then I have such horrible cramps that sometimes I have to walk bent over until the Ibuprofen kicks in.
And yes, the huge clots I have sometimes, too.
Speaking to my doctor, he said that I have always been this way and it is just the way my periods are. The Ibuprofen does help it I can take it in time and not miss a dose :(
I hate it.
Yes, moody, irritable, weepy, crampy, bloating..ugh
I started at age 11.
My pregnancies were worse or I would have stayed pregnant to not have the stupid thing...lol
2 people like this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
27 Mar 08
Men don't go thru it because they couldn't handle it, they can be big babies. I am sorry to hear about your nightmare day. I am one of the lucky ones. I am very regular, sometimes a day early or late. Usually not too moody, cramps if any usually mild. I have noticed that as I have gotten older I do have more clots and they are bigger, but I don't get pain or cramping. Overall my periods are no big deal, one thing I have noticed I do retain more fluid around that time of month. My ankles get swollen, and I get puffy.
2 people like this
@Cajunhellcat (2073)
• United States
29 Mar 08
Oh i'm glad to hear that someone else has the same that I do I hate that time of the month but I have mine every month and the cramps and the blood clots to go with it
1 person likes this
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
31 Mar 08
You poor thing- I am still on birth control and it regulates my period wonderful- I do get cramps though- And some months the period is a lot worse than others- heavier compared to light! I am thinking of getting my tubes tied—I’m 35—I don’t want to be on birth control forever—and want no more children. But I want the shorter periods--- and to be able to skip if needed (beach trips, etc.)--- so I am leery of stopping birth control.
I have a friend who has periods like you explained- I stay right away from her that day- it’s usually 2 days- and she says it is so heavy that she is constantly in the bathroom – I thought she was exaggerating but after reading this- I feel for her as well.
That stinks! I tell you!
@SheliaLee (2736)
• United States
27 Mar 08
I had a hysterectomy back in 2001 so I don't have to worry about periods anymore LOL. But I do remember when I used to have them. I would be fine one month and the next month be sick as a dog!!! I would cramp really bad and a lot of times throw up. There was one time I passed out sitting on the commode in the bathroom. If my mother had not come in when she did I would landed in the tub!! Thankfully my daughter hasn't had it that bad. She does get cramps but doesn't get sick like I used to and I hope it stays that way for her sake.
I certainly don't miss those days LOL. I hated to have to have surgery but it was worth it to not go through all that again.
Shelia
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
28 Mar 08
every 28 days until I had my child then every 45 days after that, I always thought I was pregnant and wasn't.
the about 20 years later, it became 28 days again,
and now I get them maybe 4 times a year and they make up for all the lost time, they are awful.
I am so tired and cranky and full of craps that while I have it I am completely zonked out.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
28 Mar 08
I have always been very fortunate in that department. I've never gotten cramps very bad - on or off the pill. After I had my tubes tied my friends all said I would have horrible cramps and bleed like nobody's business. Nah, not me. Sometimes I do get VERY emotional and will find myself about to cry at something stupid or about to bite someone's head off for almost no reason. And sometimes I do have some discomfort. But, for the most part I'm pretty lucky.
I had friends in school that would miss days because of their period - and my neice is the same way. I never understood it, but I know we're all different.
1 person likes this
@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
28 Mar 08
Wow... unfortunately (?) a discussion that I can relate to, as well. I have a lot of trouble now (in my early 40's) but never did prior. Used to be a breeze for me every month. I now have a "hell day" a lot like what you described, twoey... to the point that I'm terrified of having to leave the house on that day. I also get a migraine on that particular day -- never used to get them at all. I discussed it with my doctor and she told me it's not uncommon for women who have had tubal ligations (tubes tied) to experience these things. I had that procedure done when I was 30 and never knew this could be a possibility.
My doctor's solution for me was to give me a pill to take for, I believe it was, 5 days. This pill is the equivalent of a "chemical d&c"... and, although those 5 days weren't pretty, I went back to pretty much regular cycles after that. She says that I can expect it to get worse again over time but that we will repeat the meds and handle it in that manner until menopause, if needed. I'm sensing that I'm getting close, again, to the med treatment but that's ok. At least I have some hope of keeping things bearable.
1 person likes this
@34momma (13882)
• United States
28 Mar 08
when i was younger i use to get my period for 7-10 days. I would be layed up with cramps so bad for the first three days that i could not go to school. I could hardly get out of bad. I mean pain like no other. i remember when i was about 16 my Aunt came over and saw me layed out on the couch in so much pain. she said "you know when you have kids those cramps will start to go away." just a few months later i was pregnant with my son! LOL I now have three kids and now no more cramps. and the flow is normal. so thank you Auntie, and thank you babies
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
28 Mar 08
My wife would probably rather have 1 day of hell every 3 months like you than a week every month of being absolutely dismal. She'd just take off, medicate herself real good & sleep most of that day away.
Of course now that I've said that she'll probably get on here & say the opposite & slap me for it later.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
28 Mar 08
Yes yes yes!! I had the very same thing all through my period days and oh was it ever hell!!!! I finally had to have a hysterectomy because no matter how much I tried, I couldn't get pregnant. Everything else worked just fine (of course!) but that. I finally found relief when my doctor prescribed me Naproxen 500mg. It made me sleep for a few hours but once I awoke, I was good as new. But it has to be taken at the first sign of cramps or it won't work. Strange as to why, I don't know but it is true. So ask your doctor for a prescription and you'll feel so much better!
1 person likes this
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
28 Mar 08
I was every 28 days like clockwork for a good 10 years. After I had my son they went back to fairly normal. For the last 3 years I have been having my period every 2 weeks with the exception of the 9 months I was pregnant with my daughter.
1 person likes this
@wickedangel (1636)
• Dominican Republic
28 Mar 08
OMG I am with you there girl, know EXACTLY what you mean. I started when I was 11 and they were brutal. I could barely move and they lasted 8-10 days. I hated being a girl. Things slowly got better once I got on the Pill (once they found the right one that didn't give me horrendous side effects) and the next 15 yrs were great. That is until my blood pressure was too high and so I had to come off them.
Now it is pure hell. I've not had any operations or anything like that but they seem to have taken over my body. Now I get severe PMS about 7-10 days beforehand. And EVERYONE has to keep out of my way. The worst is that you know it is happening but there is nothing you can do and you just get even madder with yourself for not being able to control your own emotions. Vicious cycle. The flow depends on which side I'm on (left side is long (6 days) but not too painful, the right side is crippling but not for so long).
And my BF just says, well at least you don't have to shave every day. UUUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH try putting up with this every month, we only get about 2-3 weeks of peace! 
1 person likes this
@jewel76 (2305)
• Canada
28 Mar 08
Mine actually changed twice..the first time, because of a change of climate, however weird that may sound and the second time, because of child birth. When i started my period, i was 11 and it would last about 6-7 days, and be a bit painful, but nothing dramatic. Then, in 93, i went to Myrtle Beach SC with my aunt, uncle and cousins, and it started the day we got there, but only lasted 3 days, which i was happy about cuz i wanted to swim in the ocean!! From then on, my period was always about 3-4 days long, but EXTREMELY PAINFUL with migraines, big cramps, irritability, exhaustion, etc. Up until april 2007, when i had my last period, and then found out i was pregnant. Well,i gave birth on january 22nd of this year, and have just gotten my first period yesterday. Now ,i don't know how long it will last, but one thing's for sure, the big cramps are gone!!!!!!!!! YAY!! I'm still very tired though, but no cramps!
1 person likes this
@mbs730 (2147)
• Canada
28 Mar 08
Oh man WOW that just sucks. I am sorry to hear this. My cycles haven't changed at all just from having kids alone. The only surgery I had since them was a tubal and it had no effect. But... when my weight changes that has a huge affect on my cycle. I have been seriously lately sticking to a 1500 calorie intake as I need to lose weight in addition deal with my compulsive over eating and I am already a few days late and uncomfortable.. but NOTHING compared to what you had to deal with.
1 person likes this
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
28 Mar 08
THAT sucks!!! I can imagine the horrible pain that must be!
When I first started my period it would be like several times a year with little to no warning. Every so often I'd have extremely bad cramps. Then slowly it started regulating into an every month thing - but still only the occasionally severe cramps. Then when I had my first D&C with my first miscarriage my cramps got worse (which is wild because a D&C is said to help those with bad cramps). Now they're pretty intense the first day I bleed 'heavy' (as I really don't have real heavy periods). But if I feel them start to come on and take some medicine right away I'm good.
Oh yes I've most certainly wanted to crawl in a hole and wait it over LOL.
Aww...the joys of being a woman!
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
28 Mar 08
I am sorry you have such a s... time with your periods.
I believe when there is medical intervention, it sometimes changes your hormones so much, that nothing is ever the same again.
My periods were always completely normal, a bit on the light side, but very regular.
Now I am going through menapause. I hardly ever get them, & wouldn't know from one month to the next if I was getting a period. For Easter, we went away for four days, staying in a cabin, & I was excited about the possibilty of a few nights "fun", with hubby, but guess what happened? I got my periods the very first night.
What was the big fight on My Lot yesterday? I never get to see these arguments...
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
28 Mar 08
Least yours are one day nitemares. Mine are 6-day nightmares with intense cramping that I can't even work let alone walk and having to wear depends cause I will go thru 20 pads + a day for the first 2 days. This all started after having a miscarriage which was 7yrs ago and hasn't stopped. It really started getting bad a few years ago but dr. just gave me some pain meds and told me to come back if they don't help. Well, they helped for bout a year and back in beginning of Feb. they started up again and was the worse yet. I went to the ER and they ordered an ultrasound done on me. I have 5 fibroids in my uterus with the largest being about 5cm wide/long. I also have a cyst on one of my ovaries. Just had a uterine scraping today along with a pap smear and will go back in 2wks to see if they are begien (sp) or not. I was also passing clots as big as yours and taking iron pills during my period. My periods are also sporatic. Once I had it twice in same month. Mostly they come every couple months. I will start a discussion on it when I feel the time is right.
1 person likes this
