Reading this thread has been great. Thank you all very much. I am dealing with cramps right now and at times the pain is beyond excruciating. I use every trick in the book to make it through each month. Yet I still wind up unable to function like a human being at least one out of four days. Some things that help me are exercise, meditation, affirmation, m idol, vitamins, veggies and hot baths... oh yeah, and sleep.