Pregnant, Endometriosis, or Something Else??

It could be so many things. Pregnancy can sometimes help women with endometriosis, but that's not always the case. Also, pregnancy tests are pretty sensitive now, and you don't necessarily need to wait for your morning urine. All you can do is wait it out at this point. BUT....from a medical standpoint, if you are having severe symptoms of something get to a clinic.

~L.

A. - I wish I had some useful information to provide you regarding what it could be, but I just wanted to encourage you to get a medical evaluation. Even if it costs you money out of pocket without insurance, it's your body and your life. It's worth it! If you feel like there is something wrong, get to a doctor or clinic.

Also, I wanted to comment on what your doctor told you about post-pregnancy clear-up of endometriosis. It's not true! Pregnancy CAN help clear-up issues with endometriosis, but does NOT always do so.

Dear A. G.

I don't know if you want to keep doing the pregnancy tests, but in my town they sell them for $1 at the Dollar Tree store and they say on the package that they are over 99% effective.
If you do decide to do another pregnancy test I would perform it when it is your first urination of the day when the hormones are the strongest.

I would wait until you go to your doctor appointment on October 1, though, and tell the doctor you feel pregnant. He/she can order a blood test. I believe the blood tests for pregnancy usually pick up even more than the urine tests for pregnancy do.

Hang in there. You know your body better than everybody else does.

I was wondering if it could possibly be an ectopic pregnancy? Inside the falopian tube?

L. C.

Being one of ten kids myself, the biggest piece of advice my mother gave me was that breastfeeding in not birth control!! She was obviously speaking from experience!!

When you see the doctor, I hope you find some answers!

Hard to say what is happening for sure, but the mind is pretty powerful. If you convince yourself that you are with child, then your body will act that way. Ouch.

My suggestion is to pray hard for 10 days - then it will be October 1 and you can find out what is going on. :) Or maybe you want to try a clinic?

Hang in there.

S.

I'd check out WebMD before you go to your doctor's appointment, but until you speak with your doctor/get the labs ran - you won't really know what the deal is.

Just a bit of background as to where I'm coming from...in my situation, I also had a baby this year and when they had me open for the C-section they said the word "biopsy" totally unexpected - to say the least. Needless to say, it took the docs from March to the middle of July to have a remote idea what was going on - but finally I got a diagnosis/treatment plan.

My advice would be to be patient. You have your appointment scheduled and there isn't much that you can do until then.

Pray to your higher power (or start) and try to focus your attention/energy on other things in your life you can control - getting good grades in your graduate classes, taking great care of your baby, being a great partner to your husband...

Also, realize that you are doing all that you can in the situation to see that you are being healthy until your doctor can give you some information that is more than a guess.

I know it's difficult not to worry/be anxious in situations like this, but until your doctor does lab work anything else is just speculation and sometimes too much speculation can lead to needless worry on your part.

Do what you can to take care of yourself before your appointment.

A. ~
Have you used any method of birth control? Breast feeding is not a method. You can definitely get pregnant while breast feeding, even without a period. You need to ovulate, not have a period, to get pregnant.

The test measures how much HCG is in your system. Sometimes it's just too early to pick it up, so it comes out negative.

If you are pregnant, you can wait until Oct. 1st to go to the doctor. I assume that since you're breast feeding, you're probably not drinking or taking any medications that would hurt the baby if you are pregnant.

But, it's just as likely that it's your endometriosis. Pregancy usually helps, but not necessarily. I wouldn't feak out about it and go to the ER. Just keep your scheduled appointment.

Hope you feel better!
D. (OB nurse)

Hi A.,

It is just too wierd that you put this request on mamasource because I have no experience with endometriosis. However, I had a baby 3 1/2 months ago and am also breastfeeding and started experiencing horrible migraine headaches and back aches and considered taking a pregnancy test as well. I also experience extreme nausea, but no vomiting. I too, have not had any bleeding since the birth of the baby, but I do have insurance. After reading all the responses you received, I think I am going to make an appointment with my own doctor. But, I'm not sure if I will go to the OB/GYN. I think I will contact my PCP. I also have hyperthyroidism and am not taking the medicine prescribed because of the fact that I am nursing. But, once I see the doctor, I will let you know what I find out. Good luck and God Bless!!!

H.

If your truley have Endometriosis you need to have the lasaer treatment and go on the pill to help avoid the horrible periods. Keep gpong to an og/gyn to have the laser treatment and change dr.s if you have to, to get the right treatment. as once saide that stuck with me either the og/gyn loves women and wants to help or they don't keep that in mind when you go. I have been there. I am not sure what to tell you about thinking you are pregnant.

I have been experiencing similar symptoms: lower back pain, slight pain while nursing, dizziness, headaches and a random bout of vomiting right after Labor Day, but I just chalked it up to sinus problems and the change in weather. I am not sure about endometriosis, but in the past my OB has told me that if you are far enough along to experience pregnancy symptoms, you are far enough along to get a positive pregnancy test result. There's a free clinic in Detroit that you can go to supported by my church-- PM me if you're interested and I will get you that information.

GOOD LUCK!

Hi A....I feel your pain... I really do, cause I've been through all of this. First off- breast feeding is NO means of birth control. It can help suppress your period which in turn suppresses ovulation but it's not fool proof, especially in someone who has past medical issues. Second, endo is tricky. It DOES come back after pregnacy, it's just a question of how fast. It flushes out when you give birth but it WILL grow back. To ME what it sounds like more than anything is that you have an ovarian cyst. They feel like abdominal cramps, they can make it hard to sit, cause dizziness, cramping, back pains, hormanal fluctuations that can cause breast tenderness (once before I ever had children I had one that caused lactation). They can be horrible. Since you are nursing it's a little tricky. Usually a period aliviates a cyst but since you haven't had one in a while you're kind of in a bad situation. You can try easing up on nursing a little... skipping one nursing a day to see if you can cause a period to come and as soon as it comes reintroduce that feeding again. I would for sure continue with the pregnancy tests however. Dollar stores carry them for a dollar and believe it or NOT...they are stronger than some of the name brand ones !!!! My OB informed me of that. Weird huh? If you are able to pay for it, I would schedule a pelvic ultrasound to chek for a cyst. Your OB may be able to help you with assistance in payment if they're aware something may be medically wrong... good luck.

Just a thought - but did they check you for a UTI? Quite a few of the things you are describing have happened to me - inculding the dizziness. For me, that came from being dehydrated because of the constant peeing.

Good Luck and keep us posted!

K.

I am just getting over a flu that is almost exactly what you described... thoguh yours seem to be lasting a little long but thought I would give you the thought at least.

You could be pregnant or you may not be eating enough calories for breastfeeding this will also make you sick and dizzy. Talk to your doctor about what is going on.