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Midol or other PMS medicine and UC meds

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Posted 6/3/2008 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
I asked my doctor about this when I saw him last week, but since I think he's been giving me the wrong advice regarding other interactions with my Sulfasalazine medicine (if you haven't read my other threads, he wouldn't prescribe folic acid for me), I'm not entirely sure I trust his answer on this question. I'm trying to find a new doctor, but until then...

My question is, can I take midol with my Sulfasalazine pills? Or should I take tylenol instead? Or would either of these be bad to take?

I really need to take something or I'm not going to be able to sleep tonight.

I'm less concerned about flaring than interactions between the meds.

I took my last sulfasalazine pill about 20 minutes ago.

Thanks for the help!
Posted 6/3/2008 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
I think either would be fine to take. I just looked at rxlist.com and webmd.com and did not see any contraindications for using Tylenol or Midol with sulfasalazine. I know some of the Midol formulations have NSAIDs in them, which can cause problems for a lot of people with IBD (just read your ingredients label). I would stick to the Tylenol if that works for you. It personally does nothing for me so I take Aleve (also an NSAID) once in a while when I have menstrual cramps or a bad headache.
Posted 6/3/2008 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply. I tried to go to bed without the painkillers, but by 2:30 am, it was unbearable. I took tylenol, waited approx 40 minutes until they finally started working, and then slept delightfully for the rest of the night.

Midol/Tylenol works about 50% of the time forme. I used to take prescription strength Naproxen, but it always made me very dizzy, and since I'm already dizzy, I'm going to avoid it.

Since Tylenol worked last night, I'm going to take it again now and hope for the best.
Posted 6/3/2008 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
My fav PMS pain killer is Pamprin - the blue bottle. No NSAIDs and it works well for me. I've also used it for UC cramps.

Hope you're feeling better!
Posted 6/3/2008 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Midol has a formula that contains acetaminophin, the active ingredient in Tylenol and really the only pain killer GIs seem to agree is safe for use on IBDers. That's what I take - or the store brand version of the same. I avoid ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin, unless I'm desperate. I also rely on my heating pad.
Posted 6/3/2008 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, you really want to avoid NSAIDs as much or completely if possible, that alone can promote bleeding in the bowels.

:)
Posted 6/3/2008 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
I use Tylenol. If my cramps are really bad, I'll use Darvocet but it makes me really drowsy.
Posted 6/3/2008 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
The tylenol pretty much did nothing for my cramps today (which was why I had the naproxen prescription in the first place for past months.)

Sigh. Looks like this is something I'm just going to have to get used to like everything else that comes with UC. Luckily i only have very bad cramps one or two days a month.

On the bright side, I found a new doctor and have an appt in early July. This guy comes highly recommended by a few people. Try to focus on the good things, right?
Posted 6/4/2008 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
Before I had my endometrial ablation, I used to get horrendous cramps. I have always had terrible cramps (the last few years, the pain tripled) but I would resort to Darvocet if Tylonel didn't help. I also had a prescription for Naproxen and personally that did nothing to help my cramping. One of the best things I found that works are those stick on charcoal heating pads. I would stick to my belly and it lasts for 8 hours. The heat was so soothing. Do you take birth control? If not, can you take it because I have heard that it can help ease menstrual cramps. I wasn't able to take them because they gave me migraines.
Posted 6/4/2008 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
Kasey,
Sorry to hear about how bad your cramps are. I take 3 tylenol when they are bothering me. I used to love to take Ibuprofen for them, that worked great, but not good for the UC. So glad to hear that you will be seeing a new GI, I hope he is a good fit for you. It is so important to find a GI that we feel is competent to treat this DD. Hope you have better days coming your way.
Posted 6/4/2008 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I swear by the stick-on heating pads! They make my work day much more bearable.

I think the cramps have subsided this month, so that's good. My flow is unusually heavy, much moreso than ever before, it freaked me out a bit this morning because (and sorry if this is gross) there were a lot of clots. Had a bit of an issue commuting this morning between that and UC. Luckily I have to switch subways in Grand Central so I was able to get to a bathroom, but I did have to pay an extra subway fare, grrr.

The excessive blood loss is not helping my dizziness (and I dn't want to get my blood tested for anemia until my period is over. I'm losing enough blood as it is.)

I don't take birth control. Some women in my family have had major problems with it (like becomming dependant and not being able to get their periods naturally anymore). Since it's happened to more than one person in my family, my doctor doesn't want me to go on it. And frankly, I don't want to either!

Yes, I am thrilled about finding a new GI! My grandma, who also has UC, is going to switch to him also, haha.
Posted 6/4/2008 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
You may want to have your hormone levels tested and investigate bioidentical hormone therapy if you're out of balance. That could possibly give you alot of relief.
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