I HAVE FOUND THAT HEAT PATCHES OR MUSCLE RUB DOES THE TRICK. IT SMELLS STONG BUT WORKS.

When I take Ibuprofen, the pain goes away but seems to be worse when it wears off. My GF takes it because it makes her period "get over with" fast, makes her bleed a TON for fewer days, so maybe that's why it comes back more painful for me.

Excedrin (tylenol&caffeine) works the best for me :)

Maybe you could try taking an electric heating pad to the office. It wouldn't be too obvious, since you wouldn't need to heat it or refill it like a hot water bottle. Or if you don't mind disposable, you could buy a few "Hot Hands" hot packs and keep them in your desk for when it gets really bad. :)

I agree the heat patches work well for work and Advil is better than Tylenol because it helps with inflammation and muscle cramping. however be warned that if you bleed heavily Advil has a component that can make you bleed a little bit more. But to me it's the only thing that helps besides the heat. Heat patches... awesome :)

Hot showers, and I take super strength motrin (which is like a strong advil, but you can get it over the counter). Tylenol does nothing for endo, as it is not an anti-inflammatory.

I agree with the other ladies...ibuprofen is great to help with the inflammation and cramping.

When I was in a lot of pain (pre-surgery and pre-Lupron) I LOVED the disposable heating pads. Thermacare is a brand you can find, although there are now generics out as well. They are VERY thin, just stick to your clothing, odorless, and the heat lasts for over 8 hours. They are all that got me through the days of 24/7 pain, as I worked through it. It does get expensive at $2-$3 a pop, but that is worth it.

Hi.
Just want to echo what the other ladies have said.
If I'm not able to use a hot water bottle, i use the stick on heat patches they are good, don't get as hot as the bottle (obviously) but are still good.

Hello Heidi

The sticky heat pads also work best for me. A hot water bottle is too hot, then when you put a cover on you can't feel the heat. Also have you tried the wheat bags that you heat in the microwave?

I started taking naproxen and co-codamol for my pain about 12 months ago. I've been admitted to hospital twice that the pain has gotten that bad, and they gave me tramadol (morphine family) which is a godsend, when the pain gets so bad i know i can take that.

If you can ask your GP about naproxen give that a go.

Its not what medication you take, its knowing how to take it correcly. certain meds you need to have in your system for up to 48 hours prior your period. This is what i do with all my meds (cocodamol and naproxen). i start taking them 2 days before i know my period is due so it can start attacking the pain signals as soon as they appear.

yes i still have pain, but fingers crossed i do have it under control ...for now x

Big hugs, bev x

I recently used some stick on heat pads for a back injury that I had - the ones I liked the best were by salonpas and have capsicum in them - it was hot all day and helped with my muscle strain a lot.

I disagree with the statement that Tylenol won't work because it's not anti-inflammatory. Tylenol is a Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) just like Naproxen and Ibuprofen and Aspirin. Some people do better on Tylenol and others do better on Naproxen (Aleve) or Ibuprofen (Advil).

For me, the combo of Tylenol and Caffeine works the best, but doesn't make it go away 100%. Vicodin didn't make it go away 100% either. Ibuprofen works a little bit temporarily and then I can barely get out of bed for the next 2 days -- so it's definitely not a good choice for me personally, and certainly not the best choice for everyone.

I recommend experimenting! Try a few different options and see what works the best.

I mostly use the "thermacare" type heat stick ons for the pelvis or back area. I was in an active job and could not carry around anything.
So this was the solution and no one knew because they are so thin, but do provide quite a bit of heat and comfort. As for me.... I also took 800 mg of motrin (ibuprofen) during the worst days and this seemed to help. I've since had a pulmonary embolism....so I can only take tylenol or a few other prescription type pain meds like vicadin. The tylenol doesn't even touch the pain, but I realize everyone is different. The vicadin helps, but puts me into la-la land. I have about three days during my mentrual cycle that I have to stay low at my house and not move around a lot.
Hot baths and heat packs at home....

Tylenol is NOT an NSAID! Glamgrif. Just wanted to clear that up from your post.
As for the heat pads, i'm not sure I've never used them but I have been thinking of trying them out one of these days. Heating pads are a pain when you're trying to sleep with one on ya...lol Usually you wake up and it's on the floor laying. Pff..lol

hi Heidi, when i am having my real bad cramps i have on several occasions brought my heating pad to work. its by a company called Endofemm and it it the best money i have spent on this disease so far! it goes right in the microwave or freezer depending on how you want to use it and it is FABULOUS!! i googled it to find the website to order it and it is perfectly shaped to hit all the right spots. i highly recomend it to anyone who has endo and is looking for some extra comfort.
best of luck!

I have a heating pad I keep in my desk drawer for when I need it.