Prayer request and advice for dd, female content

[Ibbygirl]

Hey ladies,

I'm hoping to get some advice from you gals who have BTDT already and to ask if you would all pray for my dd. She is having really bad menstrual cramps. She's been menstruating for over about a year and a half, but has never had cramps like this before. She says that they are making her throw up they hurt so bad. I gave her a pill for the pain and a heating pad for her stomach and told her to lie down and rest, but I don't know what else I can do for her beyond that. I'd really appreciate your wisdom on this ladies. Is it normal for the cramps to get so painful like that even though her cycles have been coming for a year and a half already?? Thank you so much to all of you who reply and pray for my poor girl. :grouphug::grouphug:

[Starr]

She is normal. It's time for her to really pay attention so she can take something before the pain gets so bad. I'm sorry she's having a rough go of it!

[SquirrellyMama]

My worst cramps came when I was a freshman in college. They were so bad I couldn't walk without leaning on something. It was awful.

 

Are her cycles regular? Maybe she could put it on the calendar so she's ready with some pain meds the day it is to start.

 

Kelly

[Random]

She may have cysts. An ultrasound would be the best dx tool, I think.

 

So sorry she's struggling. :grouphug:

[Ibbygirl]

She is normal. It's time for her to really pay attention so she can take something before the pain gets so bad. I'm sorry she's having a rough go of it!

Thank you. :)

My worst cramps came when I was a freshman in college. They were so bad I couldn't walk without leaning on something. It was awful.

 

Are her cycles regular? Maybe she could put it on the calendar so she's ready with some pain meds the day it is to start.

 

Kelly

 

Yes her cycles are like clockwork. I gave her a small notebook to keep track as soon as she started menstruating and she does it every month. She has always had cramps, just never this bad before. Poor thing. What do you take for your cramps??

[Denisemomof4]

it could be menstrual cramps but it could also be ovarian cysts. I developed the cysts sometime in my teens and they would be EXCRUCIATING until they popped. Popping wasn't painful, it was only relief. Does she have the cramps during her entire cycle? If so it's probably more likely cramping than cysts. I never had severe cramping as a kid until I developed the cysts (which cleared up on their own) so I don't know what would work.

 

Poor girl!!!:grouphug:

[Ibbygirl]

She may have cysts. An ultrasound would be the best dx tool, I think.

 

So sorry she's struggling. :grouphug:

 

it could be menstrual cramps but it could also be ovarian cysts. I developed the cysts sometime in my teens and they would be EXCRUCIATING until they popped. Popping wasn't painful, it was only relief. Does she have the cramps during her entire cycle? If so it's probably more likely cramping than cysts. I never had severe cramping as a kid until I developed the cysts (which cleared up on their own) so I don't know what would work.

 

Poor girl!!!:grouphug:

 

:eek: That sounds so scary!! Well, her period just started this morning so I guess time will tell if the pain lasts the entire cycle. What is the treatment for ovarian cysts?

[Giraffe]

I started with horrible cramps about 2-3 years after I started my cycles. They were excruciating. You might want to have her checked out by a GYN just to be sure there aren't cysts or endometriosis or some other problem. Nearly 30 years later I still have trouble, but knowing the cause makes it easier.

[mommymilkies]

Is it possible she has ovarian cysts or endometriosis? A friend in high school had really bad endometriosis and I had a fibroid tumor that made me pass out from the pain at age 16. I would at least get her checked out.

[RahRah]

Thank you. :)

 

 

Yes her cycles are like clockwork. I gave her a small notebook to keep track as soon as she started menstruating and she does it every month. She has always had cramps, just never this bad before. Poor thing. What do you take for your cramps??

 

She may have endometriosis....you may want to take her to a reproductive endocrinologist for an evaluation.

[Ibbygirl]

I started with horrible cramps about 2-3 years after I started my cycles. They were excruciating. You might want to have her checked out by a GYN just to be sure there aren't cysts or endometriosis or some other problem. Nearly 30 years later I still have trouble, but knowing the cause makes it easier.

 

Is it possible she has ovarian cysts or endometriosis? A friend in high school had really bad endometriosis and I had a fibroid tumor that made me pass out from the pain at age 16. I would at least get her checked out.

 

She may have endometriosis....you may want to take her to a reproductive endocrinologist for an evaluation.

 

So who would she go to first? The gynecologist? Would they be able to diagnose endometriosis?

[KristinaBreece]

Thank you. :)

 

 

Yes her cycles are like clockwork. I gave her a small notebook to keep track as soon as she started menstruating and she does it every month. She has always had cramps, just never this bad before. Poor thing. What do you take for your cramps??

 

 

When I could, I took ibuprofen. It was the only thing that helped me. Now my pain mgmt options are limited to Tylenol or narcotics. Well Tylenol doesn't work for me, and I don't work if I take anything like a narcotic, so I just don't take anything.

[binxsmom]

poor thing. best to have it checked out. that said, i had horrific cramps in college. debilitating. i saw my ob/gyn and nothing was wrong. i recall that my doc prescribed anaprox (which is now sold otc as aleve, a muscle relaxer) so definitely try the aleve. i had horrible cramps for 4 or 5 years and have, pretty much, been cramp-free since.

[Denisemomof4]

:eek: That sounds so scary!! Well, her period just started this morning so I guess time will tell if the pain lasts the entire cycle. What is the treatment for ovarian cysts?

 

it really isn't scary. I got some pain medication when my pain level got so bad I was rolling around on the floor. And again, once the cyst popped I was fine. The prescribed pain medication WORKED. I kept it on hand for a few years but then I just stopped getting them.

[Stacie]

A thorough check by a gyn to make sure nothing is amiss is the best course, especially with any sudden increase or change in pain. If everything checks out ok have her (or you) massage her lower back just above the hip bones. Then lay with an ice pack on her back and a heating pad on her lower abdomen, until the pain meds start working.

 

I hope she feels better tomorrow. Poor thing, I will pray for her.

[Denisemomof4]

I know the cyst and endometreus posts are probably scary to you, but it's very common for some young women to simply have painful periods. Please don't worry! I'd definitely get her checked out at the gynecologist just to make sure nothing else is going on.:grouphug:

 

ETA: Maybe strong exercise will lessen her flow, which will lessen her cramps. I definitely have lighter periods when I exercise more, and it's known to be the same for athletes.

[FeFe]

I would take her to the gyn.

 

It could be cramps but it could also be cysts. I had those when I was a teen and it was very, very painful.

[sixpence1978]

I agree. If the pain is a new thing, then you might want to see a dr. However, I had the same problems when I was a teen. I would regularly have cramps during my period, but there was always one day that would be very painful. Yes, nausea and throwing up, getting really pale, etc. were all part of it.

 

I would keep an eye out to see if it is a specific day of her cycle that is particularly troubling. Then take pain meds BEFORE the pain gets too bad. Sleeping and curling up with a heating pad were also very helpful, as was knowing that it would just be for 1 day.

 

I continued to have these issues until having kids. After having kids, my cramps are nearly non-existent.

[Ibbygirl]

Thank you all so much for your kind and wise replies. She is curled up in my bed right now upstairs. I went up to bring her an Alleve and some chocolate ;) and she was dozing. I asked if she was awake and she said yes and sat up and took the pill and ate the chocolate. hehe She said she is feeling a little bit better and that she thinks the nap helped. I told her to just stay in bed and rest. I'm going to call the gynecologist and set up an appointment for her. She hasn't yet gone so I guess she's due to go anyway. Thank you all again so much. I was hesitant to post this up because it is so private and I know my dd would feel embarrassed about it "being out there". I asked her if she wanted me to post it up and she said yes so I did. I just knew you ladies would have answers. Thank you so much for the prayers for my dd. You gals are so wonderful. :grouphug:

[Journey]

My 16 year old daughter takes 3 motrin every six hours for about 3 days from the day hers starts. She also drinks apple cider vinegar and water (she says it tastes horrible but it does work for the heavy flow and I think for the cramps) she gets a very heavy flow though. Have her try the vinegar and water...I think the brand is Braggs.

[Ibbygirl]

My 16 year old daughter takes 3 motrin every six hours for about 3 days from the day hers starts. She also drinks apple cider vinegar and water (she says it tastes horrible but it does work for the heavy flow and I think for the cramps) she gets a very heavy flow though. Have her try the vinegar and water...I think the brand is Braggs.

 

Thank you!! :) I have to run out to the store today as it is, I'll pick some up. :) What is the ratio of vinegar to water??

[Terabith]

Normal, but horrible. :grouphug: I'm so sorry. I would consider taking her in to see if she could get some medication she could take beforehand. I would throw up, have diarrhea, and feel faint. I remember being 13 and pondering if the devil offered to take the pain away, if I would be strong enough to resist him. I actually think labor was more manageable than cramps. However, good pain medication made a huge difference for me.

 

ETA: 800 mg of ibuprofrin as soon as cramps and/ or period starts can be very helpful.

Edited April 4, 2011 by Terabith

[Hedgehog]

It could just be normal. I had horrendous p*riod pain before I had children. I used to take the day off school, take codeine and paracetamol and sleep all day. I was completely non-functional! These days it isn't usually so bad, but I do get the occasional killer p*riod so I keep some of my codeine/paracetamol pills in, just in case. Just as well, since I can't take the day off and sleep any more!

[Impish]

Poor girl. :grouphug: I agree with what's been said already, and am glad that you're getting her an appt. If its 'just' bad cramping, its good to rule out other issues, and if its not 'just' cramping, that's needed info too. :grouphug::grouphug:

[EarleneW]

A hot bath will help as well.

[Ibbygirl]

Normal, but horrible. :grouphug: I'm so sorry. I would consider taking her in to see if she could get some medication she could take beforehand. I would throw up, have diarrhea, and feel faint. I remember being 13 and pondering if the devil offered to take the pain away, if I would be strong enough to resist him. I actually think labor was more manageable than cramps. However, good pain medication made a huge difference for me.

 

:grouphug::grouphug: Oh that's awful!! You poor thing! My thing is migraines. I get those when It's my time of the month. I mean I get cramps in my stomach and back too and they hurt, but nothing as debilitating as that. The migraines though, they stop me dead in my tracks. I get double vision, throwing up and feel like there is a spike through my head. It's horrible.

[Ibbygirl]

It could just be normal. I had horrendous p*riod pain before I had children. I used to take the day off school, take codeine and paracetamol and sleep all day. I was completely non-functional! These days it isn't usually so bad, but I do get the occasional killer p*riod so I keep some of my codeine/paracetamol pills in, just in case. Just as well, since I can't take the day off and sleep any more!

 

:grouphug::grouphug: Oh that's awful!

Poor girl. :grouphug: I agree with what's been said already, and am glad that you're getting her an appt. If its 'just' bad cramping, its good to rule out other issues, and if its not 'just' cramping, that's needed info too. :grouphug::grouphug:

Thanks. :)

A hot bath will help as well.

Haven't tried that yet. Thank you for the suggestion. :)

[Tap]

I would get her checked out. There are many causes of pain. Some are benign, some benefit from a diagnosis/treatment.

[Giraffe]

I forgot to add what helped/helps for me. Chocolate, heating pad, a firm pillow against the small of my back (why, I don't know). Stay ahead of the pain with the medication. If you wait for the pain to return to redose, you'll be behind and have a harder time getting relief. I found (as other posters have said) to keep dosing until I was sure it was done. I have 2-3 days of agony, even after having DD. I could take less pills if I kept up with regular doses as opposed to taking a whole bunch at once because it hurt so much. As someone else said, I would consider what I was willing to do to get rid of the pain. I decided that yes, I was willing to have a hysterectomy. The doctor wasn't so willing, given that I was 16.

 

Endometriosis here, and varicose veins on the ligaments that support my ut*rus. The veins swell and hit nerves, the doctor said. Nothing can be done. :(

[Ibbygirl]

I would get her checked out. There are many causes of pain. Some are benign, some benefit from a diagnosis/treatment.

Will do. :)

I forgot to add what helped/helps for me. Chocolate, heating pad, a firm pillow against the small of my back (why, I don't know). Stay ahead of the pain with the medication. If you wait for the pain to return to redose, you'll be behind and have a harder time getting relief. I found (as other posters have said) to keep dosing until I was sure it was done. I have 2-3 days of agony, even after having DD. I could take less pills if I kept up with regular doses as opposed to taking a whole bunch at once because it hurt so much. As someone else said, I would consider what I was willing to do to get rid of the pain. I decided that yes, I was willing to have a hysterectomy. The doctor wasn't so willing, given that I was 16.

 

Endometriosis here, and varicose veins on the ligaments that support my ut*rus. The veins swell and hit nerves, the doctor said. Nothing can be done. :(

 

Ugh that's so awful! You poor poor thing! :grouphug::grouphug:

[RahRah]

So who would she go to first? The gynecologist? Would they be able to diagnose endometriosis?

 

A gynecologist usually does a lot of different things related to women's health....so a gyn is a reasonable option to start with if you need to go to a "gate keeper" for an insurance referral OR if the gyn is also a sugeon who does enough endometriosis surgery with a good outcome rate....if it were me though, I'd go to the specialist if had a daughter with her symptoms - it can be any number of things and the RE does this type thing all the time.

[jewellsmommy]

I agree about a gyn. visit. I suffered horribly from period 1 thinking that every female endured that level of pain, only to find out at 17 that I had endometriosis, a large cyst, and PCOS. I was amazed at the pain difference after my first surgery.

[happypamama]

I'd vote for seeing the gyn first. She can then refer you to someone more specific if need be.

 

Btdt with what your DD's going through. Taking Advil or Midol round the clock for the first few days was the only thing that really helped. I probably have mild endometriosis, in retrospect, but neither my mom nor I thought it was anything abnormal (she had gone through the same things as a teen). It got markedly better after having kids; now I might have a day with some mild cramps, maybe an Advil or two, but it's manageable.

 

Also, you might want to look into cloth pads or something like the Diva Cup for her (they have a size that is made for young women). I have heard that the chemicals in regular pads/tampons can cause heavier bleeding and more pain.

[HeidiKC]

I had TERRIBLE cramps in high school. Not sure if they were worse than now (I think so) or if I just didn't have good meds then. I still get bad cramps, but the moment I take Naproxen Sodium (Aleve) they immediately go completely away. MIRACLE med - so have her try that as soon as they start coming on. I usually like to only take one, but sometimes I need two.

[Woolspinner]

Red Raspberry Leaf tea really helps with the cramps and heavy flow.

[Ibbygirl]

Red Raspberry Leaf tea really helps with the cramps and heavy flow.

 

Thank you so much. I'll try that.

 

Thank you all for your helpful replies. You gals rock! :grouphug: I'm so sorry though that so many you have suffered or suffer still. Ugh. Why did Eve have to eat that stupid fruit!!! :glare:

[mommymilkies]

I would find a sympathetic gynecologist. :grouphug:

[bluemongoose]

I had this too as a teen. The cramping, throwing up and all. It was awful! What worked for me was going off of things that had added hormones. So dairy, meat etc. It really made a difference. And it got even better after I had children. Now I hardly have cramping at all.

 

Sorry she is dealing with it! :grouphug:

[Annie]

Send your DD many hugs. Since having my DS my cramps have been pretty much non existent. If it stays this way, the 37 hours of unmedicated back labor were soooooo worth it. She has my sympathy.

[Ibbygirl]

I had this too as a teen. The cramping, throwing up and all. It was awful! What worked for me was going off of things that had added hormones. So dairy, meat etc. It really made a difference. And it got even better after I had children. Now I hardly have cramping at all.

 

Sorry she is dealing with it! :grouphug:

 

Send your DD many hugs. Since having my DS my cramps have been pretty much non existent. If it stays this way, the 37 hours of unmedicated back labor were soooooo worth it. She has my sympathy.

 

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Thank you ladies. :)

[littleWMN]

I had horrible cramping starting at 13 (I started my period at 12) and finally consented to going to the GYN when I was 15 (almost 16) and had surgery. They diagnosed endometriosis and took it out. I'm 36 now and have never had as painful cramps as before I had that surgery. Labor wasn't even as painful. I'd think she'd need more than one cycle of pain like this to justify surgery though. I did end up seeing a reproductive endocrinologist but started with a GYN.

 

I was prescribed Anaprox before surgery, which is the same as Aleve (it was the same as 2, but I'd check on that dosage with a Dr. before taking that much) and when things got *really* bad Tylenol with codeine. I can just take Advil now when my cramps get painful, which is not often.

 

:grouphug:

 

As someone else said, it could also be cysts. I've had them too and they are awful and the pain does just suddenly go away when they burst. I don't think there's anything they can do for them (but I could be wrong).

[kchara]

:grouphug: I haven't read all of the replies, but I'm sorry your DD is having to deal with it. Mine were like that, too. The only thing that somewhat helped was taking tylenol, then two hours later motrin, on a consistent schedule, every day of my period. That was recommended to me by a family practice doc, but that is a lot of pills for a teenager. When I moved in with my mom, she would give me a muscle relaxer and a hot chocolate with rum in it. Not sure if it actually helped or just knocked me out for the week. The only thing that finally cured it was childbirth. The more kids I have the less painful my periods are.

 

Wouldn't really recommend that for your DD, either. ;) I do hope visiting a GYN brings her some sort of relief.

 

Oh, I also hear that getting off of the artificial feminine protection products, like pads, and going to cloth can help immensely. I haven't tried it, as by the time I found out, my cycles were much calmer, but it might be worth a shot. :grouphug:

[DianeW88]

Peds nurse here. She probably just started ovulating. Girls generally do not have menstrual cramps (at least bad ones) before they start ovulating. Sometimes it takes a year or more after their menarche for ovulation to kick in. The cramps kick in as well. 800 mg (4 tablets of the OTC kind) of Ibuprofen is best for menstrual pain because Ibuprofen is a prostaglandin inhibitor and that is what causes menstrual cramps. No more than 2400 mg in any 24 hour period. You can always arrange for an appointment with an OB. If it does turn out to be a cyst or endometriosis, birth control pills are the first line of treatment.

[Mandamom]

This was me, too. About 2-3 years after my cycle started I started having serious cramps. The doc told me to take 900 mg of ibruprofen which, if I could get ahead of the cramps helped a lot. Napping with a heating pad was the best cure. I remember missing school because of it.

 

I do remember when I was a later teen that my cycles seemed to be a lot better with less cramping after spending a lot of time at the beach. I remember always wanting to go to the beach during the summer because I knew things would be at least a little better.

 

Interestingly, a few years ago I started supplementing with vitamin d3 and within several months my flow lightened a lot and the cramping almost completely disappeared (every now and again it pops up). Because of the seeming relationship between my cycle and improvement after being in the sun and supplementing with vitamin d3 I've started my 2 girls on d3 to see if we can prevent them from having similar problems. Of course, I'll probably never know for certain if it works but I'm hoping that things will be better for them.

[kalanamak]

Mine didn't get BAD until about 2 years after I started. Vomiting, diarrhea, you name it.

 

The cure besides taking BC pills, is an over the counter dose of naproxen or motrin twice a day for 3 or 4 days BEFORE her periods. The problem I had with taking motrin once there were there is that I was vomiting right off, and couldn't keep it down. Doing the pre-treatment, I could keep 400 motrin down easily and even stay at work!

[Ibbygirl]

Peds nurse here. She probably just started ovulating. Girls generally do not have menstrual cramps (at least bad ones) before they start ovulating. Sometimes it takes a year or more after their menarche for ovulation to kick in. The cramps kick in as well. 800 mg (4 tablets of the OTC kind) of Ibuprofen is best for menstrual pain because Ibuprofen is a prostaglandin inhibitor and that is what causes menstrual cramps. No more than 2400 mg in any 24 hour period. You can always arrange for an appointment with an OB. If it does turn out to be a cyst or endometriosis, birth control pills are the first line of treatment.

 

Thank you so much for chiming in here Diane. I appreciate the advice. :)

[3lilreds in NC]

I had awful cramps when I was a teenager. I missed a day of school almost every month once my p*riod started, they were so bad. Once I passed out at communion when I was staying with my grandmother. I don't think she ever forgave me. :D

 

I agree with all the others who said, have her start taking the meds a day or two before her cycle is supposed to start in order to get ahead of the pain. My cycles were never regular, so that was not something I did very well. It was pretty miserable. I do remember that I took Anaprox (which I think is Naproxen now), if Aleve or ibuprofen don't help.

 

:grouphug: Your poor dd. I am so sorry. That is just no fun. Definitely take her to the GYN and make sure nothing is amiss. I just had rotten cramps, no fixing them.

[Ibbygirl]

I had horrible cramping starting at 13 (I started my period at 12) and finally consented to going to the GYN when I was 15 (almost 16) and had surgery. They diagnosed endometriosis and took it out. I'm 36 now and have never had as painful cramps as before I had that surgery. Labor wasn't even as painful. I'd think she'd need more than one cycle of pain like this to justify surgery though. I did end up seeing a reproductive endocrinologist but started with a GYN.

 

I was prescribed Anaprox before surgery, which is the same as Aleve (it was the same as 2, but I'd check on that dosage with a Dr. before taking that much) and when things got *really* bad Tylenol with codeine. I can just take Advil now when my cramps get painful, which is not often.

 

 

As someone else said, it could also be cysts. I've had them too and they are awful and the pain does just suddenly go away when they burst. I don't think there's anything they can do for them (but I could be wrong).

:grouphug::grouphug: Yikes. That's terrible. I'm so sorry for what you went through.

 

 

:grouphug: I haven't read all of the replies, but I'm sorry your DD is having to deal with it. Mine were like that, too. The only thing that somewhat helped was taking tylenol, then two hours later motrin, on a consistent schedule, every day of my period. That was recommended to me by a family practice doc, but that is a lot of pills for a teenager. When I moved in with my mom, she would give me a muscle relaxer and a hot chocolate with rum in it. Not sure if it actually helped or just knocked me out for the week. The only thing that finally cured it was childbirth. The more kids I have the less painful my periods are.

 

Wouldn't really recommend that for your DD, either. I do hope visiting a GYN brings her some sort of relief.

 

Oh, I also hear that getting off of the artificial feminine protection products, like pads, and going to cloth can help immensely. I haven't tried it, as by the time I found out, my cycles were much calmer, but it might be worth a shot. :grouphug:

Thank you. :)

This was me, too. About 2-3 years after my cycle started I started having serious cramps. The doc told me to take 900 mg of ibruprofen which, if I could get ahead of the cramps helped a lot. Napping with a heating pad was the best cure. I remember missing school because of it.

 

I do remember when I was a later teen that my cycles seemed to be a lot better with less cramping after spending a lot of time at the beach. I remember always wanting to go to the beach during the summer because I knew things would be at least a little better.

 

Interestingly, a few years ago I started supplementing with vitamin d3 and within several months my flow lightened a lot and the cramping almost completely disappeared (every now and again it pops up). Because of the seeming relationship between my cycle and improvement after being in the sun and supplementing with vitamin d3 I've started my 2 girls on d3 to see if we can prevent them from having similar problems. Of course, I'll probably never know for certain if it works but I'm hoping that things will be better for them.

 

Interesting. I live in South Florida so the sun is pretty strong here. Maybe I'll start taking her out for daily walks. Thanks for the advice. :)

Mine didn't get BAD until about 2 years after I started. Vomiting, diarrhea, you name it.

 

The cure besides taking BC pills, is an over the counter dose of naproxen or motrin twice a day for 3 or 4 days BEFORE her periods. The problem I had with taking motrin once there were there is that I was vomiting right off, and couldn't keep it down. Doing the pre-treatment, I could keep 400 motrin down easily and even stay at work!

 

:grouphug::grouphug: That's awful!

[Ibbygirl]

I had awful cramps when I was a teenager. I missed a day of school almost every month once my p*riod started, they were so bad. Once I passed out at communion when I was staying with my grandmother. I don't think she ever forgave me. :D

 

I agree with all the others who said, have her start taking the meds a day or two before her cycle is supposed to start in order to get ahead of the pain. My cycles were never regular, so that was not something I did very well. It was pretty miserable. I do remember that I took Anaprox (which I think is Naproxen now), if Aleve or ibuprofen don't help.

 

:grouphug: Your poor dd. I am so sorry. That is just no fun. Definitely take her to the GYN and make sure nothing is amiss. I just had rotten cramps, no fixing them.

:grouphug::grouphug: I'm going to take her to the gyno.

[HeidiKC]

Peds nurse here. She probably just started ovulating. Girls generally do not have menstrual cramps (at least bad ones) before they start ovulating. Sometimes it takes a year or more after their menarche for ovulation to kick in. The cramps kick in as well. 800 mg (4 tablets of the OTC kind) of Ibuprofen is best for menstrual pain because Ibuprofen is a prostaglandin inhibitor and that is what causes menstrual cramps. No more than 2400 mg in any 24 hour period. You can always arrange for an appointment with an OB. If it does turn out to be a cyst or endometriosis, birth control pills are the first line of treatment.

 

From my own experience, I'd have to disagree. I'd take 800 mg of Ibuprofen, and it did help some, but no where near as much as Naproxen (Anaprox/Aleve) does. The Ibuprofen would make the pain barely tolerable, whereas the Naproxen makes them completely disappear. Maybe it depends on the person? So I'd try both! Also, I see that lots of people suggest taking in advance of period or pain. That's a lot of pills, but of course if it's necessary, I'd do it. But even when I get horrible cramps, if I take Naproxen, they are gone within the hour. I usually just take it when I start to feel them, and they don't have time to get really bad and go away completely. I have not had to take pills for several days ahead of time. So I'd at least try waiting until the cramps just begin.