How kratom helped me

My Long, Winding Journey with Period Pain and a New Hope with 1836 kratom

For as long as I can remember, my period has been a monthly ordeal, a storm of pain that swept through my life and left me reeling. It wasn’t just discomfort—it was a deep, relentless ache that seemed to take over my body and mind for days at a time. I’m sharing my story not to offer health advice or claim I’ve found a cure-all, but to reflect on my deeply personal struggle with period pain and how, after years of searching for relief, I stumbled upon something that’s starting to change things for me: 1836 Mints from Crystal River Herbs. This is my experience, not a recommendation—everyone’s body is different, and what’s working for me might not work for you. Please consult a healthcare professional for guidance on your own health needs.

The trouble started when I was a teenager, just getting used to the rhythm of my cycle. At first, I thought the cramps were normal, something every woman powered through. But as the years went on, the pain grew fiercer, more unforgiving. It wasn’t just a dull throb—it was sharp, twisting, like someone was wringing out my insides. The cramps would radiate from my lower abdomen, down my legs, and sometimes up my back, leaving me exhausted and defeated. Some months, I couldn’t get out of bed. I’d miss school, call out of work, or cancel plans with friends, mumbling vague excuses because I was too embarrassed to admit that my period was holding me hostage. The bloating, the heaviness, the fog of fatigue—it all piled on, making those days feel like a battle I could never win.

I threw myself into finding relief, determined to reclaim those lost days. I started with the basics: over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. I’d take the maximum dose, counting down the minutes until it might kick in, but the relief was minimal at best. The pain would laugh in the face of those pills, leaving me to grit my teeth and wait it out. Next, I turned to heating pads, pressing one against my stomach for hours at a time. The warmth was soothing for a moment, but it never reached the root of the pain. I’d alternate between curling up with the heating pad and soaking in hot baths, hoping the heat would somehow melt the cramps away. It didn’t.

Desperate for answers, I explored every remedy I could find. Herbal teas—chamomile, peppermint, ginger—became a ritual, their warmth a small comfort but no match for the pain. I tried cutting out caffeine, sugar, and dairy, thinking maybe my diet was to blame. No change. I read that exercise could help, so I dragged myself out for walks or tried gentle yoga, only to end up doubled over, regretting the effort. Friends swore by essential oils, so I rubbed lavender and clary sage on my wrists, inhaling deeply, hoping for relief. I even tried acupuncture, sitting through sessions with needles in my skin, but the cramps came back as fierce as ever. Online forums were a rabbit hole of suggestions—magnesium supplements, evening primrose oil, raspberry leaf tea. I tried them all, one after another, but nothing stuck.

I sought answers from doctors, too, wondering if something like endometriosis or fibroids was behind my pain. I went through ultrasounds, bloodwork, and exams, but the results always came back normal. The diagnosis? “Primary dysmenorrhea,” which just meant bad period pain with no clear cause. The advice was always the same: take pain relievers, use heat, maybe try birth control. I gave hormonal birth control a shot, but the side effects—mood swings, nausea, headaches—felt like trading one misery for another. I felt like I was running in circles, my hope dwindling with every failed attempt. There were moments when I wondered if this was just my life now, a cycle of pain I’d have to endure forever.

That brings me to a couple of months ago, when I found something unexpected on the Crystal River Herbs website. I was scrolling through their online shop one evening, probably looking for another herbal tea or supplement to add to my arsenal, when I came across 1836 Mints. They were described as an herbal product  made with natural, plant-based ingredients. I’d never heard of them before—no flashy ad or viral post led me there, just my own curiosity as I browsed the site. After years of trying everything under the sun, I was skeptical. A mint? Really? How could something so simple make a dent in pain that had defied every remedy I’d thrown at it? But I was tired of feeling stuck, so I ordered a pack, figuring it was worth a shot.

The first time I tried the mints, I was braced for the usual wave of cramps. I popped a couple as directed, not expecting much beyond a fresh taste. But as the day went on, I noticed something different. The pain, which usually hit like a sledgehammer, felt… softer. It wasn’t gone—let’s be real, nothing’s erased it completely—but it was more like a background hum than a screaming roar. For the first time in years, I could move through my day without feeling like my body was at war with itself. I went to work, tackled my to-do list, even laughed with a friend over dinner without wincing. It was a quiet victory, but to me, it felt like a breakthrough.

Over the past couple of months, I’ve made the mints a part of my period routine, ordering more from Crystal River Herbs as needed. The difference has been consistent. The cramps that used to knock me out are now more manageable, closer to an annoyance than a debilitating force. I still use my heating pad on tougher days, but I’m not chained to it like I used to be. I’ve also noticed I’m less bloated and a bit calmer during my period, which has been a welcome bonus. The mints aren’t a miracle cure, and I still have some discomfort, but they’ve given me a sense of freedom I hadn’t felt in years. I’m not dreading my period the way I used to, and that shift alone has been life-changing.

I want to be crystal clear: this is my story, not a prescription or health advice. I’m not a doctor, and I’m not claiming 1836 Mints are the answer for everyone. Period pain is complex, and what’s working for me might not work for you. If you’re struggling with severe pain, please talk to a healthcare provider to explore your options and rule out any underlying conditions. My experience is just one piece of a much larger puzzle, and I’m sharing it in case it resonates with anyone else who’s felt as hopeless as I did.

Looking back, I wish I could tell my younger self that she didn’t have to suffer in silence. The years of trial and error, the frustration, the moments of despair—they’ve shaped me, but they’ve also led me to this point, where I’m finally finding some relief. It’s not a perfect fix, and I’m still figuring out what works best for my body, but for the first time in a long time, I feel a spark of hope. Scrolling through the Crystal River Herbs website that night felt like a small, random act, but it’s opened a new chapter for me. If you’re out there fighting the same battle, I see you. I know how exhausting it is to keep searching for answers. Keep advocating for yourself, keep exploring, and don’t give up. Your story is still unfolding, and I hope you find what brings you comfort, too.