Dysfunctional Dysmenorrhea

Dark gray clouds overcast the skies like a big wet blanket. The feeling is “heavy” and dreadful, or could it be just how I’m feeling, perhaps both? I had awakened to the ultimate pain killing coma, a cocktail of anti-inflammatories & muscle relaxers. The combination for me is mind-numbing. I need it, I’m in pain. For approximately 3-4 days out of the month, my uterus gives me complete and utter hell. The pain is so extreme, that at times, I pass out and even vomit from the severity of it. The pain can last up to 5 hrs even after taking pain killers. This can last up to 3-4 days. Ever since I was twelve years old, my extreme menstrual pains have debilitated me, where I couldn’t function, so my mom would give me 800 mg of Motrin for relief. Throughout the years, my stomach started giving me problems because of all the NSAID usage. I’ve been diagnosed with dysmenorrhea, severe uterine pain, to the point of debilitation. I’ve been checked for fibroids and everything else under the sun that could give me pain. The doctor told me I had an overactive uterus, so the only thing I can do is take an antacid before the NSAIDS, muscle relaxers or do the unthinkable: remove my uterus.

After my cycle, the pain doesn’t end there. It starts off with heartburn, stomach cramping, acid reflux and severe bloating in the upper abdominal area. Sometimes, it’s so severe, that I vomit blood. So after the menstrual cramps are gone, gastritis, heartburn and acid reflux takes its place. I have good days, but very few. If you see me out, it’s most likely a good day. I’ve been eating small meals throughout the day so it’ll lessen the pain. I’m being monitored by my doctor and getting an endoscopy to look into it further. I’m hoping these symptoms that plague me are before the stages where I need to be operated on. If I don’t treat this now, I can develop esophageal or stomach cancer which scares the hell out of me.

My uterus has caused me so much grief. It’s limited my career opportunities, due to the amount of sick days. It’s also limited my social life, to where I can’t go out as much as I used to, or would like to. Some of my friends and family offer me such delicious food to where I have to decline because I know I’ll pay for it dearly hours later. At times, my mother gets offended if I say “no” to her incredible homemade Italian food. She doesn’t quite understand what kind of pain I go through, and believes I’m trying to diet or thinks her food isn’t good, instead of realizing I’m only trying to treat my stomach issues. I decline many dinner invitations, in fear that I’ll have pain or stomach problems. I usually don’t eat out if it’s more than 30 minutes away from home now. I have to be careful. The ride home may be a choppy one.

I feel like my uterus is ruining my life, which is why I’m thinking about removing it altogether. I can’t go through this, because now, it’s not only 3-4 days out of the month that debilitates me, it’s the entire month, which equates to every. single. day. of my life. Through the fog and unclear state of mind I’m in right now, I’m surprised I even wrote this entire post out. If anybody knows any home remedies or tips for any of my above complaints, please let me know. I apologize if this post was a bit whiney, but I’m in too much pain to think about anything else.

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