Not for the faint hearted

[4getmenot]

Everytime I'm on my period, usually the first morning I feel really faint and it takes me most of the morning to get back to feeling normal. Does anyone know if theres anything I take to stop feeling like this/

[merciasounds]

go and have a blood test, you may be a bit anaemic, or have an iron deficiency

[4getmenot]

had all of them and I was fine. Used to faint alot when teenager, not so bad now as I know when I'm going to faint. Feel ok all the other times its just that first morning. Do you think taking iron tablets would work?

[joannie10]

my friend has similar problems - she still suffers terribly with pain etc for the first couple of days of period but now has a biscuit before getting out her bed in the morning (just at period time) and has stopped the fainting and the worry of fainting. Worth a try but as mentioned maybe need to get your iron levels checked.

[NoMercy]

Low blood pressure?

[TheOtherHalf]

cut back on the malibu and coke and of course the dancing. Youre probably overdoing it

[4getmenot]

I dont get stomach pains at all just faint, and my iron levels are fine, had blood tests and also give blood just probably not ok at that time of the month. TOH I only drink and dance at weekends and I am never on a weekend, apart from the fainting/feeling faint I dont have pains and am only on for about 3 days

[redcrx]

try eating something like a banana before you get up, or first thing. The potassium is good when you feel faint.

Just hope it doesnt get worse the older you get. Mine knock me out for a day or 2 with a headache :(

[Sqad]

Almost certainly vaso-vagal in response to initial to blood loss.
Slowing of the heart, slowing of the pulse rate and fall in BP.

[4getmenot]

I get the migraines red. what would you recommend sqad? Would taking iron tablets work?

[Sqad]

4get...there is little that you can do.
Iron tablets would be a waste of time.
Sorry.

[4getmenot]

:-(

[gt43]

I used to get exactly the same thing - faint, weak, sweaty, nausea, the runs. I'm in my 40s now, and things began to improve in my 30s - it does get better eventually!

Your GP might consider something to regulate hormone levels, but my guess is, it's normal. The way I dealt with it was to start taking painkillers as soon as you know the period is beginning - that helped with the runs as well, for some reason. I take Anadin Extra, which includes caffeine, a nice cup of coffee (caffeine helps with the faintness, for some reason) and keep some chocolate by you for something easy to raise your blood sugar quickly if you feel weak and nauseous. In short, be gentle with yourself for a day or two, and treat yourself!

I believe this sort of migraine is oestrogen-regulated, so you could ask your GP specifically about that, if it's a problem.

Good luck

[4getmenot]

thanks gt, I'm 32 and hasnt got any better :-(