Severe Menstrual Discomfort
Age: 20 Gender: Female Height: 165 cm Weight: 56 kg Relevant Medical Condition: Diagnosed with POTS Hello again, I'm reaching out for some assistance. I received my period on Wednesday after a delay of two weeks, and I've been feeling extremely unwell. Typically, I experience intense menstrual cramps (I've consulted with doctors several times), but this time it's been significantly more severe. I'm feeling weak all over, with the pain extending into my legs and feet, but the intensity is truly overwhelming this time. At one point, I considered going to the emergency room due to the unbearable pain; I was in tears and felt like I might faint. However, my parents advised against it and suggested I get some rest instead. My feet are cold and painful, and no amount of warmth seems to ease the discomfort. The ache in my legs and feet is nearly as severe as the cramps themselves. I feel incredibly weak, as if fainting is imminent, and even lifting my arms is painful. Standing upright is a challenge because of the intensity of the cramps, and I'm experiencing drastic temperature fluctuations; one moment I'm too warm, the next I'm freezing, despite my feet remaining icy even when I feel overheated. Apologies for the graphic details, but even urinating is painful—it's not the typical burning sensation associated with a UTI, but rather a feeling akin to my uterus being compressed, as exaggerated as that sounds. I have been taking codeine, paracetamol, and ibuprofen/Nurofen, but none have provided any relief, not even a little. The pain in my legs and feet is a deep, persistent ache that refuses to subside. Although I generally prefer not to self-diagnose, several people have suggested that I might have endometriosis. I'm aware of my POTS diagnosis and wonder if it could be related, just thought I’d mention it in case it sheds light on my symptoms. I am currently 20 and had my first period at the age of 14. My menstrual cycle typically lasts around 8 days, during which I generally remain inactive due to illness. I don't mean to sound like I'm looking for pity; I genuinely seek advice about this situation since I'm uncertain about the next steps to take.
Answers (1)
8/1/2025, 11:31:13 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm really sorry to hear about the terrible discomfort you’re experiencing during your period. It sounds like you’re going through a profoundly painful time, and your symptoms, particularly the weakness, severe pain, and temperature fluctuations, are understandably distressing.
Main Points:
- Severe menstrual cramps and systemic symptoms warrant careful attention.
- POTS might play a role in your experience, and other conditions like endometriosis could be possible.
- Immediate self-care steps focus on managing pain and monitoring symptoms.
Explanation:
Menstrual pain, especially when accompanied by significant systemic symptoms like weakness, coldness in the extremities, and temperature changes, can indicate underlying conditions that may need further evaluation. Your diagnosis of POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) can indeed influence your menstrual symptoms, as hormonal changes can affect blood volume and circulation. It's also worth considering that conditions like endometriosis could cause the severe pain you’re feeling.
Prioritized Next Steps:
-
Rest and Hydrate: Ensure you are well-hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or herbal teas, to prevent dehydration, which can worsen feelings of weakness.
-
Gentle Heat Therapy: While warmth hasn’t helped much, consider applying a heating pad directly to your abdomen or feet, alongside taking a warm bath if it feels comfortable. Heat might help relax pelvic muscles and ease cramps a little.
-
Monitor Symptoms Weekly: Keep a diary of your symptoms, noting not only pain levels but also associated feelings (like weakness or faintness). Note if symptoms change, improve, or worsen over a week.
-
Pain Management Alternatives: If over-the-counter medications haven’t provided relief, and if your symptoms persist, consider asking for changes in medications with guidance from a healthcare professional. Hormonal treatments, like some types of birth control, are helpful for many individuals experiencing severe menstrual discomfort.
-
Seeking Medical Attention: Given the severity you described and the lack of relief from standard pain management, please consider returning to your healthcare provider. Be sure to explain the intensity of your symptoms and how it affects your daily life, as well as any thoughts you have regarding POTS and possible endometriosis. They may recommend imaging or additional tests to explore these possibilities thoroughly.
It’s important to take your symptoms seriously and seek help when needed. You’re doing the right thing by reaching out for assistance. Let me know if you have any further concerns or need more information.
Related Questions
Concerns About Potential Oven Cleaner Exposure: Should I Be Worried?
I'm a 23-year-old male, weighing 225 pounds, living in the United States. After shifting to a new apartment, I discovered that the oven still had dried remnants of oven cleaner that hadn't been washed off. My roommate had recently applied a different oven cleaner and scrubbed it with a Brillo pad, followed by rinsing. The next day, when I used the oven to heat some food, I noticed some leftover residue in the corners. A chemical odor caught my attention, and after about 15 minutes, I decided to transfer my food to the microwave for safety. Moreover, I had used the same Brillo pad to clean the oven tray before placing my food on it, unaware that it had been previously used with oven cleaner the night before. Now, I'm feeling anxious that I might have ingested some oven cleaner. I’m experiencing an unusual cold sensation in my mouth and throat, which comes with a scratchy or dry feeling. I'm wondering if the amount of cleaner I might have been exposed to is concerning or if it's merely a negligible trace. Any insights from others who have experienced this would be greatly appreciated.
Navigating Motion Sickness and Cybersickness
Hello everyone! I'm a 16-year-old female, with a height of 162 cm, and I’ve dealt with motion sickness for most of my life. Recently, however, it has worsened significantly, extending to cybersickness as well. Spending more than 25 minutes in front of a screen leads to severe discomfort—something that is particularly challenging since I need to use screens for my schoolwork and beyond. After these episodes, I often find myself unable to do anything but lie in bed for the remainder of the day, wrestling with nausea or even vomiting. This issue doesn’t just arise from screen time; I also experience stomach upset during walks or jogs, which leaves me puzzled about how to alleviate this condition. I frequently rely on over-the-counter travel sickness medication, specifically Avomine, and while it does offer some relief, the effect is minimal. I’m seeking advice or suggestions that might help me regain a sense of normalcy in my daily life. For your reference, I don't smoke and only consume alcohol on very rare occasions. I’m located in the UK! Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Persistent Pain in the Right Flank: Seeking Insights
Greetings, medical professionals. I'm a 38-year-old woman, having recently celebrated my birthday. My daily regimen includes multivitamins with iron, and I occasionally take Valtrex, though it hasn't been necessary for some time. Standing at 5 feet 3 inches and weighing 140 pounds, I have endured this discomfort for the last three to four months, although I've suffered intermittently for approximately five years, with no definitive diagnosis from various doctors. The pain manifests as a sharp sensation near my belly button, resembling a knife stabbing me. In addition, I experience a general ache in the right flank and my lower back. This discomfort ranges from my ribs on the right side right down to my hips and pelvis, affecting areas near my ovaries and the region close to my belly button. I’ve noticed that certain stretches can intensify the pain along the backside of my ribs during movement. I've undergone an abdominal CT scan and a thorough medical examination, revealing no kidney issues, gallstones, appendicitis, or ovarian cysts, and my blood work appears normal. A HIDA scan indicated that my gallbladder operates at merely 23%, but I have not experienced any gallbladder attacks. An endoscopy indicated mild gastritis, but otherwise, the results were acceptable. Does this situation resonate with anyone? I'm puzzled about what could be present near my navel if appendicitis is ruled out. My doctor suggested a connection to my IBS-C, but my bowel movements have been regular, occurring once daily with normal consistency. During my examination, my abdomen was pressed, and she noted tenderness near my belly button, attributing this to local inflammation, as there are no significant organs in that area aside from the small intestine. Any advice or insights would be appreciated, as this has been an ongoing issue since 2020.
Severe Pain in Lower Right Abdomen for Two Weeks
Hello everyone, I am an 18-year-old assigned female at birth, weighing 65 kilograms and standing at 5 feet 3 inches tall. I have been experiencing intense discomfort in my lower right abdomen since January 28th. On that evening, I sought medical attention and was given codeine for the pain before being sent home. However, due to the persistent agony, I returned to the hospital on January 31st, where I was admitted for the night. There, I underwent numerous tests, including blood tests, a CT scan, and two ultrasounds, yet all results appeared normal. Tests confirmed that my kidneys, intestines, ovaries, uterus, and, critically, my appendix were all unaffected. After a night in the hospital, I was discharged once more with codeine to help manage the pain. As of February 7th, the discomfort remains excruciating—so much so that even minor movements are painful without the assistance of codeine. My bowel and urinary habits remain consistent with my normal routine. Yet, I find myself feeling frightened. The level of discomfort I’m experiencing is unlike anything I've endured before, and there's been no improvement. I’m apprehensive about relying on opioid medication due to fears of developing an addiction, but the reality is that I can't manage the pain effectively without them. The symptoms I’m experiencing closely mimic those of appendicitis, except there's no accompanying fever, vomiting, or any indicators of appendicitis from my tests. The pain amplifies with movement and contact, and oddly, when my lower left abdomen is touched, it triggers pain in the lower right. I’m at a loss about what to do next. The possibility of pregnancy and a urinary tract infection have already been ruled out. Should I consult my general practitioner? I hesitate to do so, as I worry about overburdening healthcare resources, but I’m genuinely struggling to live in this state. The side effects from codeine, including severe memory loss and disrupted sleep patterns, only add to my distress—yet it’s the only solution I have that alleviates the pain. What steps should I take next? What might this condition be?
Frustrations with Ongoing Pain and Numbness on My Right Side
I'm feeling quite overwhelmed. Despite the notable compassion and efforts of various medical professionals over the years, my condition appears to be deteriorating, with symptoms intensifying in severity and frequency. I’m unsure whether what I’m experiencing are interrelated issues or separate anomalies that just happen to manifest on the right side of my body. Any suggestions or guidance on how to uncover the underlying causes would be greatly appreciated. For over three years, I’ve endured a numb sensation in the right side of my face, which tends to tingle upon rising and intensifies when I clean my ears. After undergoing an MRI to rule out a tumor, I was informed that it was psychosomatic, a diagnosis I accepted at the time. Around a year ago, I started experiencing severe, stabbing pains just beneath my right rib cage. Initially, these episodes were sporadic, occurring only once every few months, but following a particularly severe incident last year, I have been dealing with a low-level ache that has become a near-constant presence. Currently, doctors are still investigating these symptoms. Although an ultrasound did not reveal any clear issues—likely due to my slightly elevated weight impacting image clarity—a CT scan also yielded no results. I’ve been closely monitoring my diet since these pains reoccurred, but I see no meaningful connection. Interestingly, the onset of this discomfort was not triggered by movement; it has commenced while I was engaged in housework as well as during sleep. I have observed that lying too long can exacerbate the pain, especially if a pillow presses on my stomach. A colonoscopy yielded no findings, nor did stool sample tests. I have an appointment next week to further examine my stomach. Less than a year ago, I unexpectedly suffered a herniated disc despite having a lifestyle with regular walking and stretches between long periods of sitting at my computer. Prior to this, back issues were infrequent for me. The herniated disc affected the lowest lumbar segment, resulting in pain that radiated down my right leg's sciatic nerve. The pain became so unbearable that I required emergency surgery, and even after physical therapy, I still experience numbness and sporadic pain in that area. I routinely undergo blood tests, which generally showcase good results aside from a slightly elevated purine level. I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder since my teenage years; however, my condition is under control. I also manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypothyroidism, both of which are effectively treated. Two years ago, I underwent a hysterectomy due to complications arising from PCOS and excessive bleeding. As a citizen of Germany, my current medications include: * Bupropion 300mg (for bipolar disorder) * Duloxetine 60mg (to address facial numbness) * L-Thyrox 175mcg (for hypothyroidism) * Melperone 17.5mg (to assist with sleep) * Metformin 2000mg (for PCOS, paused to assess its impact on stomach pain) * Quetiapine Retard 100mg (for bipolar disorder) * Quetiapine 150mg (for bipolar disorder) * Spironolactone 200mg (for PCOS) * Venlafaxine Retard 187.5mg (for bipolar disorder) * Vitamin D 2000 IU (due to low sunlight in Germany) I strictly refrain from using any recreational drugs. I am of Caucasian descent, stand 175 cm tall, and weigh 110 kg. I am starting to question my sanity from constantly seeking medical advice; I worry that healthcare professionals might think I'm exaggerating or fabricating symptoms because of my bipolar diagnosis. However, I firmly believe that my abdominal issues cannot solely be attributed to stress or psychosomatic conditions (which, while valid, feel insufficient in explaining my current distress). I have consulted with my general practitioner, two neurologists, an internist, my endocrinologist, and an orthopedist. The waiting times for appointments in Germany can be quite lengthy, so any insights or suggestions would be immensely valuable. I sincerely wish to avoid inconveniencing even more specialists who may not specialize in these matters. If you've made it through this lengthy account, I genuinely appreciate your time and attention. I wish you a wonderful day, and I welcome any thoughts or advice you might have!