Just how badly do contractions hurt? Do they feel like period cramps?

I had always heard the same thing that contractions were just like bad period cramps. With my labor all I can say is BS. My contractions hurt a lot worse than anything I had ever experienced before. The good news though as while waiting for an epidural they can give you pain meds thru your IV. At my hospital they wanted me to have to fluid bags before they'd give me an epidural. The pain meds were the only thing that helped. I could still feel the contractions they just made me not care.