Return of the cramps

[zinny]

Like many people, my menstrual cramps decreased when I started juicing and eating raw, to the point that I now typically have some tenderness but no real pain/cramps. Prior to raw, I nearly always took ibuprofin to get through the first two days.

For some reason, my period this month is really painful. I woke up on Saturday night from the pain (the bleeding hadn't even begun yet), and now it's Wednesday and the cramps are still really bad. Any suggestions? I was laying low Sunday - Tuesday, but I can't stay in bed with a heating pad all week.

[climbing]

I use medicinal marijuana for my cramps. But I'm not sure if you want to do that. It's a hell of a lot better for you than taking Ibuprofin though, and if I don't do something I end up vomiting or passing out from the pain. I'm really, really hoping I can see some of the healing results from eating more raw like others have. I don't want to need cannabis for that reason, it's a stress if I want to go travel somewhere and can't bring it with me.

Something that gives me hope-the periods I've experienced after both my extended juice fasts were MUCH lighter and nearly pain free. That amazes me and makes me know that it must have something to do with food and inflammation levels. The problem is, it seemed when I went back to eating, even eating mostly raw, the cramps returned with a vengeance.

Another thing I've done which others have said helped them is switch from tampons to the divacup. Since then I've read a lot about how toxic tampons are and it makes me shudder that I used them for so long. It's been about 5 cycles now with the divacup and no noticeable improvement though. We'll see.

Are you 100% raw? Have you done any juice fasting?

[MysticTree]

Like many people, my menstrual cramps decreased when I started juicing and eating raw, to the point that I now typically have some tenderness but no real pain/cramps. Prior to raw, I nearly always took ibuprofin to get through the first two days.

For some reason, my period this month is really painful. I woke up on Saturday night from the pain (the bleeding hadn't even begun yet), and now it's Wednesday and the cramps are still really bad. Any suggestions? I was laying low Sunday - Tuesday, but I can't stay in bed with a heating pad all week.

How long have you been raw?
Are you 100% raw?
and when are you going to get it checked out?

It could just be a blip/detox/just what it is but if it is worse than it used to be before you went raw then I would be inclined to get it checked out.

[climbing]

I got it checked out a long time ago and all the doctors did was try and put me on BC pills (no thanks, a lot of my health problems started when I took them years ago)and prescribe me twice as powerful prescription ibuprofin which further destroyed my gut. Western doctors suck.

[MysticTree]

my reply was addressed to the op whose situation is a bit different from yours.

[siennagray]

Zinny, is there any chance it's not just a normal period? I had an early miscarriage not too long ago, and while it looked like a period on the surface, it was much more painful.

[Jewels]

For the longest time I was not able to get through the first two days of my period without taking ibuprofin also. Now I take motherwort and red raspberry leaf tinctures and I am amazed I can get by without taking a pain reliever. I just add two dropper-fulls each of motherwort and red raspberry leaf in a little water, taking it as often as needed (maybe 4 times a day the first day). For some reason, taking each alone isn't as effective as taking them together. At first I bought the ready-made tincture to see if it works, but find it is cheaper to make it myself.

That's what worked for me anyway. You may want to experiment with herbs to see if they help. I hope you feel better.

[MysticTree]

Zinny, is there any chance it's not just a normal period? I had an early miscarriage not too long ago, and while it looked like a period on the surface, it was much more painful.
well done for being brave enough to say that. It's a very tricky subject to bring up and I'm not normally so reticent!

[climbing]

my reply was addressed to the op whose situation is a bit different from yours.

Yeah, I know I'm just anti doctor sorry. Will restrain myself. :)

[MysticTree]

Yeah, I know I'm just anti doctor sorry. Will restrain myself. :)

lol ... some docs are ok ... but they are fewer and further between these days. I don't currently have one that I trust.

[zinny]

I've been high raw for 4 years, and the cramps basically cleared up in early 2007. I'm not sure why all of a sudden the cramps would come back with a vengeance, but I'm guessing/hoping it's a one-time thing and just looking for some relief. I did a juice feast last year, which felt good but didn't make any noticeable change to periods. So far today I've had some veg juice, juicy fruits, and a raw salad.

It's very unlikely that I am/was pregnant. This doesn't feel out of control, it is just very unpleasant. Pot and tampons are things I used to use a lot of many years ago but neither are options for me anymore! I will take a look for the tinctures if things are not better by this eve. Thanks for all the input!

[Amii]

Zinny, is there any chance it's not just a normal period? I had an early miscarriage not too long ago, and while it looked like a period on the surface, it was much more painful.

Oh dear... :( a doctor can confirm or deny that, fingers crossed for you that it wasn't.

[climbing]

I've been high raw for 4 years, and the cramps basically cleared up in early 2007. I'm not sure why all of a sudden the cramps would come back with a vengeance, but I'm guessing/hoping it's a one-time thing and just looking for some relief. I did a juice feast last year, which felt good but didn't make any noticeable change to periods. So far today I've had some veg juice, juicy fruits, and a raw salad.

It's very unlikely that I am/was pregnant. This doesn't feel out of control, it is just very unpleasant. Pot and tampons are things I used to use a lot of many years ago but neither are options for me anymore! I will take a look for the tinctures if things are not better by this eve. Thanks for all the input!

Is there anything that could have put a larger than normal amount of toxins in your system this cycle? I think that our bodies use our period to detoxify us, which fits with the way cramps seem to get better after being raw... less detox needed, less heavy period, less cramping.

But it makes sense then that if we spent more time than normal somewhere polluted (or whatever) then the period might be heavier than month. Just a random theory.