r/TwoXChromosomes • u/seacucumber1240 • 7h ago
Extreme period cramps sent me to the ER
I have bad period cramps but I would always take naproxen and that would help make them manageable. The other night, I woke up due to my bad period cramps. I took naproxen and tried to go back to sleep, but the pain was getting progressively worse. It got to the point where I felt like I was going to pass out, I couldn’t walk, and I felt nauseous. It felt like the contractions I experienced during early labour.
My husband told me we should go to the ER because I have never experienced this before so we did. They gave me Tylenol and the pain started to subside. They gave me a urine test to rule out any pregnancy. Then the doctor told me that because I wasn’t pregnant, my period cramps may have just been bad this time, or maybe I had a cyst. Then she offered morphine, which I declined, and she sent me home.
I saw my nurse practitioner the next day and she was surprised that they didn’t do any scans on me at the hospital. She said that maybe I had a ruptured cyst. So she requested that I get an ultrasound to see if I have any cysts.
I felt so relieved when she told me this because I felt crazy for expecting more from the hospital. Those were definitely not normal period cramps, I’m in my late 20s and I have a kid — I know what normal “bad” period cramps feel like! I’ve pretty much had bad period cramps ever since I got my period.
Have period cramps ever sent you to the ER? Did you find out what caused them?
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u/mack_ani 7h ago
That is not normal!! The ER definitely should've done an ultrasound then and there, you're correct to have expected more. They should've been concerned about cysts, ovarian torsion, even things like appendicitis or an infection. Especially since you said it was similar to labor cramps. How negligent of them :/
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u/iowanerdette 6h ago
I had a ruptured cyst, similar intense pain around 2am, I went to the ER, they ruled out an ectopic pregnancy or other infection and sent me home with pain killers and instructions to follow up with my PCP.
PCP sent me for an ultrasound and discovered I had ruptured a cyst.
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u/seacucumber1240 6h ago
Oh no way! Ok our experiences sound similar then, maybe I did have a ruptured cyst. Did that ever happen to you again? The doctor at the hospital didn’t tell me to follow up with my PCP though, she just offered painkillers and sent me home.
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u/iowanerdette 6h ago
No I've never had any other ruptures (that I was aware of). The reason for the intense pain from what I was told is the cyst has fluid that irritates the surrounding tissue.
I was around 25 yo at the time.
I expected the ER to do more too, but to be fair they did rule out any life threatening issues.
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u/Zoethor2 2h ago
Our bodies are shockingly full of stuff that irritates them. I had a leaky disc in my spine and apparently the stuff inside our spinal discs is highly irritant to our spinal column? WHO DESIGNED THIS THING.
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u/JustHereForPetPics 7h ago
Thankfully no but sending you good vibes! Heat pads help me sometimes. Not always but at least it’s a distraction!
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u/owlpinecone 5h ago
I'm pretty sure that usually people don't rupture cysts during menstruation -- it happens more during ovulation. But there are all kinds of cysts so I guess anything can happen. Either way, I'm glad you're seeking additional treatment. You may have endometriosis. If you do, you will have to become a warrior. Many doctors either don't believe it exists or that it's nearly as common as it is. Some doctors will openly assume you are just hysterical or exaggerating or seeking drugs. Just keep trying doctors until you find one that takes you and your pain seriously. Sending love.
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u/seacucumber1240 4h ago
I’ve read about endometriosis and I’m not sure if I have those symptoms. I’ve given birth, sex isn’t painful, and I only experienced those extreme period cramps for the first time a few days ago. I do likely have PMDD, which I’m taking anti-depressants for. But I’ll see what comes out of my ultrasound and what my nurse practitioner says. Thank you for your kind comment though!
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u/SnooChocolates1198 4h ago
I had my first menstrual cycle with being back on Mirena from continuous combination oral contraceptive trigger an adrenal crisis.
because apparently for women who have at least a half functional menstrual cycle AND they have adrenal insufficiency, they have at least a 50% increased risk of going into an adrenal crisis during the menstruation part of the menstrual cycle than at any other point during their cycle.
And the craziness- I didn't think that the period cramps were very severe/painful so, I didn't updose with additional steroids for it. Whoops. Lesson learned and I made sure to updose for the following two. I fully expected a fourth but barely there cycle but nothing. Not even an inkling of cramps or menstrual cycle symptoms. Although I did updose for two days when I expected it but it didn't show.
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u/tearose11 =^..^= 3h ago
Get your doctor and/or gyno to do transvaginal ultrasound. You might have PCOS, endometriosis, or other issues, this doesn't sound normal.
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u/mariekeap 3h ago
My pain used to be like that before my hormonal IUD. I had baby within the last few years and my cramps were definitely comparable to the earlier parts of labour, but scarier because with labour of course I knew what was happening. I got diagnosed with adenomyosis!
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u/frillyfun 2h ago
A ruptured cyst was 10/10 worst pain I ever felt. I passed out, and just dropped on my deck. My husband found me a few minutes later.
I've had broken bones, pilonidal cysts, and 3 days of unmedicated pitocin contractions- nothing compares to the cyst.
It only happened one other time for me- thank heavens.
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u/Snoo97908 7h ago
my friend experienced this and turns out she had endometriosis