Endometriosis Difficulties

J. I feel for you, I have been suffering from Endo since my early 20's, I am now 32. The only thing that has helped me was being pregnant. I only wish I could stay Prego for ever. The ten months I carried my daughter where the most pain free time that I can remember. I have been thru Menopause twice on Depo Lupron. I had a horrible time both times and had to go off of it. I ended up with multiple other health problems because of the menopause drug. I have also been thru every birth control and hormone medication there is. My suggestion is learn all you can. I have a few really good books on Endometriosis. And I know 2 really good, understanding, non-judgemental doctors. Please feel free to email me, I would love to share the information I have. I have been thru six surgeries for the Endo, laporoscopy, and a C section with my Daughter. I was dealthly afraid my Doc would have to do a Hysterectomy on me during the C section. Praise God she said it was VERY unlikely that she would need to do that. But she and her other counterpart in the office have said that a Hysterectomy may be my only option to lead a 'pain free' life. My periods are increditably painful and have been round and round with 'pain management'. Good luck to you and God bless you. ____@____.com

My sister has struggled for years with endometriosis and just had another surgery... She told me about something called Vitex or Chasteberry herbal supplement. Check it out. It's supposed to balance horomonal abnormalities that lead to severe PMS, endometriosis, irregular periods, and extremely painful periods. I'm struggling with some issues myself and may give this a try. Blessings in your pursuit for health.

Hello there. I am so sorry to hear of your plight. I was diagnosed at 12 yrs old when I first started my period. First of all--pregnancy cures all!! No joke, so if you want more, do it now! Sometimes, that keeps it at bay for a year or more after the birth. Beyond that, there is a more invasive surgery called a paratennial (sp?) stripping that works wonders!! I had this done when I was 15 and then went on the Lupron for the six months. I had no problems until I was 19, married, and started having my children. This surgery is also done laporoscopy, but they litterally remove the entire under side of abdominal wall (a VERY THIN layer) which is where the endometriosis grows (outside the uterus). I would most certainly talk with your doctor about this option and if they don't want to do it, get another docter. I am now 30, so this has been around a while. There is another condition that comes along with endometriosis that they found in me between my second and third son. It is called Pelvic Engorgement Syndrome which is essentially vericous veins in the uterus. They cannot fix this surgiclly, but that might explain how the pain is back so soon. If it is from this, than your options are limited to pregnancy and pain management. In the end, to actually cure it, the overies must be removed. I hope this helps and gives you something to ask your dr. about. Even as I sit here writing to you, I am cramping. I know what you are feeling. You are not alone and I am sorry to hear yours isn't under control. ~E.~

I went through the same thing you have in the beginning. After many, many, many dr's appts and tests for my lower abdomen pain along with disappointment and frustration I had the 1st laparoscopy in 2002. In which they diagnosed me with endometriosis and removed the tissue. Within 1-2 mos. I experienced sharp pain again and again went through many dr's appts before I decided to do another surgery after 5 months. Again, the pain returned in the same amount of time as the first but this time I lived with it for the next 4 yrs. Since scar tissue from surgeries puts you at higher risk for pregnancy, I no longer wanted to proceed with further treatment which was surgery again. I took alot pain killers during this time and finally took some advice and tried acupuncture treatment. I had so much pain for so long that it took a few months before I felt a difference with the treatments. But once I started noticing the difference it was all up hill from there. My husband and I decided to start our family once I started feeling better and this was one of the other methods that could permanently treat endometriosis. It's been almost 10 mos. since I gave birth to my first baby and haven't had any issues with the pain. None of the dr's I saw had a clue why I had the pain and why it reoccurred so quickly since I had no prior surgeries. It's one of those things the medical world doesn't have enough information on for effective treatment. Even though it's not fatal, there's not enough options out there to treat the pain.

I think my best advice for you during this frustrating time is try acupuncture treatment because this option could only benefit you in the long run and seek out support groups. There are a lot of information online that I've found as well. Unfortunately, it does come down to the realization that you may have to live and deal with the pain for the rest of your life since I believe it's not an option to go into surgery each time. Lots of ibuprofen on hand and learning meditation/prayer to help your mentality remain positive. No doubt it's hard work. I certainly empathize with you tremendously and I'm sorry there's not too much of advice I can pass on to you. Feel free to contact me if you ever need to vent or would like to discuss anything. Sending positive prayers and happy times.

My sister kind of went through this also. Her doctor put her on birthcontrol pills to keep the endometriosis from forming and that seems to have worked for her. Her pain went away and stayed away til she went off the B.c pills

I have not experienced this myself, so I don't have any advice, but my heart goes out to you. I hope everything is okay and you will regain your health soon.