Endometriosis...anyone have?

Hey guys. Just wondering if anyone out there has endometriosis. I went to the dr yesterday and was told I most likely have it (by my VERY trusted and always right-on dr). I am not willing to do the laparoscopy needed to fully diagnose the condition (as I don't want to be anesthetized), but am very sure I have it, due to the fact that my sister has it, and I have every symptom that is listed for it (not to mention my dr is very reliable).

I'm shaken up by my almost-diagnosis, and have a few questions about it, and was hoping someone here could answer them. Does anyone here have it?

PM Susie(kittylover4ever), She has it

***kinda graphic descriptions(gentlemen, please click your back button to exit) ***

I have a similar problem. When I developed a thyroid problem the end of 03', it ceased my 'monthly visits' for almost a year. Which my gyno told me was completley normal. Now I have to have a D&C(dilation and curretage) done because all that stuff from the past year... well, it has to go somewhere or stay there. I have been bleeding since June, along with a plethera of other problems. And of course I waited till now to go to the doctor(dont like the doctor) I am soooo not looking foward to this.
My doctor has suggested possible endometriosis, which I pray isnt the case. I will know very soon though.

I hope everything goes okay.

I'm not sure your age but i am 27 and had a laproscopy in dec 2000 and may very well be going in a couple of months I meet with the surgen next month to see if we need to go ahead and do it again my problem is endometriosis and my one ovary is way higher than the other and am having problems conceiving(my husband & I have been trying for a second child for a yr) the funny thing is I couldn't conceive before then had the procedure and got pregnant rite after they said my ovaries are lopsided and I had scartissue build up so hopefully nothing to serios for you I know quite a few women with this and have been prscribed meds. good luck

I'm 26 and have had 3 laproscopic surgeries due to endometriosis and ovarian cysts...i'd be glad to offer any advice!
PM me if you'd rather talk in private....

To answer your question, misspiggy, I'm 25. The thing I think I'm having most difficulty with at this point is the amount of pain that I'm in. I started my period not last night, but the night before, and the pain that had been achiness for the past year has now turned sharp, almost unbearable. It's frustrating to be in so much pain that the house has become totally messy, the dishes are all dirty, I don't have the energy to cook (right when my family was becoming used to home-cooked meals every night). I feel so bad. I don't know, for some reason finding this out has hit me pretty hard. It didn't occur to me that it could be endometriosis (and I'm someone that goes to the dr with at least SOME idea of what's wrong with me), so it took me by surprise.

My dr prescribed a rather strong bc pill that should help with the pain (I REALLY hope so) that I start on Sunday. What kind of treatment do your dr's have you guys on? Please tell me this pain at least lessens a little...it's do hard to live like this. I've had difficult back pain before, I had a really difficult labor with my daughter in having her 5yrs ago, I've had a serious kidney infection before (which, if you've had it, is VERY painful), I've perservered through a lot of different body pains...but for some reason, this is so hard to bear. I wonder if it's because of WHERE the pain is. It wakes me at night, and keeps me from doing much of anything during the day while my daughter's at school, and after she's home I find myself having to ask my husband to do some things for her that I normally do...I feel so bad about it, but he understands.

Argh...I think I just need a little hope. I saw what my sister had to go through with having this, so I'm a little scared, too. I'm not too upset about the prospect of possibly having difficulty conceiving (as we won't be trying for any more kidoos), but I also don't want to go through painful surgeries (I've never had surgery). I think more than anything...right now I'm scared.

You guys have any helpful suggestions, encouragement, advice?

I had my laporoscopy done in January, (nothing to it) and have been diagnosed with endometreosis. I have likely had it for the past 20 years, and am having a hysterectomy in January. Not that I"m looking forward to the actual operation, but am glad if it helps with the pain at all. I have it almost constantly now. PM me or ask questions here if you like.

I have it.

Well, my OBGYN says that I probably have it. And it's been affecting me since the week after I turned 12, my first period. I'm 21 now.

Because of my age, I've just been prescribed birth control, and told to take an anti-inflammatory. Not that they really help that much, but I'm going in to a real OBGYN again as soon as I can get an appointment (I've been seeing campus docs), and hopefully she'll be able to help me out. The pain is sometimes so bad that I'm suicidal, and I have a very high pain tolerance (so high that I have my fillings drilled without Novocane shots). The only thing that I've ever found to work is to just lay in bed all day and night with a hot pad. That doesn't help with bowl problems, but I can deal with that when I'm not in pain. And nothing stops the nausia.

When I was younger, my mother tried to get me to use herbal remedies (she's very religious, and didn't want me on BC). The black cohash helped a bit, the ginger tea wasn't bad, but I'm not sure it ever did anything, and taking calcium had no noticeable effect. I had a teacher who swore by black cohash and calcium, though.

As for a painful surgery... I'm actually looking foreward to it, should my OBGYN finally decide that I've been in enough pain for one lifetime. I'd gladly trade a couple weeks of pain for the 1/8 of my life that I've spent absolutely miserable. Just think of it in a positive light.

I have it. It was diagnosed via laparoscopy after 18 months of inexplicable pain. I had it all burnt off at the time, but it's come back.

It's horrible, it sucks, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Even thinking about it makes me angry it's not fair to be a woman sometimes!!

Originally Posted by KitEKats4Eva!

I have it. It was diagnosed via laparoscopy after 18 months of inexplicable pain. I had it all burnt off at the time, but it's come back.

It's horrible, it sucks, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Even thinking about it makes me angry it's not fair to be a woman sometimes!!

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I second that!

Originally Posted by KitEKats4Eva!

I have it. It was diagnosed via laparoscopy after 18 months of inexplicable pain. I had it all burnt off at the time, but it's come back.

It's horrible, it sucks, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Even thinking about it makes me angry it's not fair to be a woman sometimes!!

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Amen Tell the truth Sista

Originally Posted by blondiecat

Amen Tell the truth Sista

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Originally Posted by KitEKats4Eva!

I have it. It was diagnosed via laparoscopy after 18 months of inexplicable pain. I had it all burnt off at the time, but it's come back.

It's horrible, it sucks, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Even thinking about it makes me angry it's not fair to be a woman sometimes!!

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For the first time in my life, I'm starting to feel the same way.

So, it doesn't sound like things are very encouraging for me with this. I'm trying to keep from being scared about things, and am trying to stay focused on what I have to do on a daily basis, but it's hard.

On a happier note, I discovered today that I'm now an adult cat here, and I didn't even realize I'd made that many posts!! YAY!! I got to change my avitar! What do you guys think of it?

I was recently diagnosed with adenomyosis (similar to endometriosis, but in the muscle of the uterus). My problems have been with heavy bleeding, pain, clots, (ended up in the ER a few months back). I'm approaching menopause (to make matters worse as my hormones tend to be out of sync). My Ob-Gyn recommended that I try a Mirena I.U.D. It is primarily used for birth control, but it's also effective in controling and decreasing irregular bleeding (the I.U.D. releases a hormone directly into the lining of the uterus, so there are less side effects then taking birth control pills). I haven't made my decision to try this yet. I'm a bit squeamish. I started using an over the counter progesterone cream, which seems to be helping me. If things go bad again, at least I have a non surgical option now. We discussed surgery (ablation, hysterectomy, etc), but because I've had previous abdominal surgeries (with adhesions (internal scars) my doctor prefers not to go that route.

I had it most of my life! NOT fun!!!

ummmm sorry for my ignorance...but what is endometriosis????

Originally Posted by Nebula11

ummmm sorry for my ignorance...but what is endometriosis????

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***Taken from a website online***

http://www.endofacts.com/understanding/

What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue, the tissue that lines the uterus and is shed during menstruation, grows outside of the uterus—on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments supporting the uterus, and other areas in the pelvic cavity. Endometriosis can also appear in a woman's bladder, bowel, vagina, or other places in her body.

Like the lining of the uterus, these areas of endometrial tissue respond to the hormones of the menstrual cycle—they build up tissue each month, then break down and bleed during menstruation. But unlike the uterus lining, when these endometrial implants (also called growths or lesions) outside the uterus bleed, they can irritate a woman's body.

What causes endometriosis?
Despite continued medical research and investigation, the exact cause of endometriosis is unclear. But, there are several theories, including:

The Retrograde Menstruation Theory
This is the most widely accepted theory for the cause of endometriosis. During "retrograde menstruation," a woman's menstrual flow backs up through her fallopian tubes, implants in her abdomen, and grows. Some experts believe that all women experience retrograde menstruation, but that women with endometriosis may have either a hormonal or an immune system problem, and as a result, the implants are allowed to grow.***

There's more, but I didn't want to go overboard here.
There are many websites devoted to the subject.

Originally Posted by George'smom

***Taken from a website online***

http://www.endofacts.com/understanding/

What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue, the tissue that lines the uterus and is shed during menstruation, grows outside of the uterus—on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments supporting the uterus, and other areas in the pelvic cavity. Endometriosis can also appear in a woman's bladder, bowel, vagina, or other places in her body.

Like the lining of the uterus, these areas of endometrial tissue respond to the hormones of the menstrual cycle—they build up tissue each month, then break down and bleed during menstruation. But unlike the uterus lining, when these endometrial implants (also called growths or lesions) outside the uterus bleed, they can irritate a woman's body.

What causes endometriosis?
Despite continued medical research and investigation, the exact cause of endometriosis is unclear. But, there are several theories, including:

The Retrograde Menstruation Theory
This is the most widely accepted theory for the cause of endometriosis. During "retrograde menstruation," a woman's menstrual flow backs up through her fallopian tubes, implants in her abdomen, and grows. Some experts believe that all women experience retrograde menstruation, but that women with endometriosis may have either a hormonal or an immune system problem, and as a result, the implants are allowed to grow.***

There's more, but I didn't want to go overboard here.
There are many websites devoted to the subject.

Click to expand...

Wow...I have never heard of that...OMG...im sorry for all of you that have it....big hugs ...I appreciate the info