I don't have all the answers for you that I'd like to have. But there are some experts that believe that endometriosis has an autoimmune component to it.

And there is something called the "Endometriosis Diet". Some women find that by eliminating gluten, dairy, caffeine, sugar, and/or meat......makes an improvement in their symptoms.

I avoid gluten and for the most part dairy. I find I feel clearer in my head and more balanced emotionally.

I think everyone finds that something different works for them. Some women eliminate these ingredients and still have pain. Some find some relief.

So there is some trial and error.

The naturopath I went to last year seemed to be of the thinking that if you have an inflammatory disease (which perhaps endo can be considered to me)---you should be on an anti-inflammatory diet. And things that aggravate inflammation can include gluten, dairy, nightshade vegetables (peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, peanuts, etc. etc.), chocolate, alcohol, sugar, and meat.

From what you are describing, it sounds like your pain comes on very suddenly AS you are eating. And I don't know if that signifies more of a digestive issue or if like you say the endometriosis is being aggravated.

I do know that when I have had very large endometriomas on my ovaries (which are endometriosis cysts) I get bloated very easily. Feel nauseous. Can't eat as much.

Is this lower right pain or upper right pain?

And like you said maybe it has to do with the quantity of food you are eating as well.

I would maybe pay a visit to the doctor to find out what may be triggering this mealtime pain for you.

So sorry you're going through this.

have you been tested food allergies and intolerances? Specifically gluten? I read theyre making a pill for celiacs to take before eating gluten, basically a cure.

Id see a GI, and find out particulars. A lot of us with endo have food allergies and sensitivities, but you seem to have more of a reaction than me. I am sensitive to some foods, but its no big deal to me. You may have an intolerance.

I have heard endo is an autoimmune disease, and Ive also heard it just compromises the immune system. Tho I tend to think it is an autoimmune disease. They're a tons of autoimmune diseases that aren't serious, like celiac (gluten intolerance), so don't be worried. But definitely keep digging until you find a resolution.

I hope this helps

Thank you both for your responses. I have been tested and not specifically allergic to anything (which is shocking cuz I'm allergic to EVERYTHING). I heard about the endo diet, but I love my food WAY too much to even consider it haha. But I guess if I could figure out what is wrong, maybe I'll just steer clear. Part of my other issue, is that I started eating crappy because I just got into a relationship, so maybe its just because I haven't got the correct food in me recently? haha I admit to that, and am definitely going to change back to my healthy ways because I just feel disgusting. But maybe I'll try taking out a lot of sugar and see what happens (the past few days have been MAJOR cheat days because we were celebrating haha I know no excuse, but at least I know I have an issue and can change).

Oh and its Lower right pain so I originally thought it was appendix when this first happened. I literally almost told my boyfriend to take me to the ER last night it hurt that bad. But I didn't want to worry him (he has his own medical issues to contend with so..) and luckily, it went away. I will def look into diet changes and include more healthy choices which I was doing but than I got lazy and its easy to eat like a fatty than plan everything thru haha but I admit I feel so GROSS. and the amount of food last night UGH! So I'm thinking that might have some component to it bleck

Yeah, I tried the gluten-free diet, its VERY hard to maintain and honestly didn't resolve anything for me. Maybe I didn't give it as much of a shot as I should have, but def eating healthier helps for sure, but that's true of anyone. Ugh this is such a mess!!! Once you get the surgery do you still have pain with food intolerances???

I know that if you are eliminating a foid it can take a month for your body to detox.

Prior to the diagnosis or even major suspicion of endo I had major digestive issues. Diarrhea all the time, worse with my cycles, docs thought I had IBS. After years if being sick with no real answers they found out I had Celiac disease. I also was diagnosed with Hashimito's disease. Both of which are inflammatory autoimmune diseases.

I've been off of gluten for almost two years and for the first year my periods were actually a bit more bearable. They returned to hell after a while but the diet change brought me some relief.

I do not eat any gluten. I've also discovered that I have a reaction to oats and no longer eat them. In the past I've cut out dairy, chocolate and caffeine and can't feel the difference either way with those. I avoid soy when possible too.

I haven't tried meat free because I think it would be torture. But I try to stick with the organic meats.

When I do get exposed to gluten it is not an immediate reaction and usually takes a day or two. But I know that I have been because of abdominal pain and diarrhea once the gluten passes into my digestive track. It rarely happens anymore because I have become that person who asks way too many questions if I'm not preparing the food myself. And when in doubt I don't eat it.

They have linked Hashimoto's to gluten and when I am exposed I can feel the physical change in my thyroid hormones. I get hot flashes, can't sleep, my skin itches and I'm depressed. One gluten exposure can mess up my thyroid for over a week.

I believe that endometriosis must be related to all of this and that diet plays a big part in it.

Eliminating gluten or other foods can be a lot easier than you think. You just have to find foods that you like. It took me a week to get used to gluten free. It might take some a few weeks. But it is very doable!

Also, A LOT of women with endo have hypothyroidism and thyroid issues including me; endo is linked to a very long list of other diseases, autoimmune or not. Endo is so complicated, there's no cut and dry answer for anything. I wish we were lucky enough to stop the endo from growing and our pain, infertility, etc. by eliminating certain foods, but that's not the case; tho some of us find it a bit helpful. I wish there were actual treatments that weren't so horrific that worked, but mostly, I wish they could find a cure. I have a lot of diseases unfortunately, endo has made me very sick. The worst part is, theres nothing they can do. Ive done eastern and western treatments, surgery's, eliminating foods, and it gets worse and worse. It can be impossible.
I did gluten free for like 6 months, I found it kind of easy. The brownies were really good, and some short bread cookies too. I didn't have any change in pain. I went to the bathroom more, which was a plus. Im a strong believer gluten is not good for anyone. It causes inflammation in us all, celiac or not.
I don't know how linked endo generally is with food...I think some of us have food allergies/intolerances that may be worse than their endo (meaning they are lucky enough to not have so much pain from endo, but the more pain from the allergy), or making it worse. I've tried all food eliminating diets for months each time, and nothing helped. So, I don't think its a generally an issue. Plus, women from all areas of the world, who are exposed to different foods and diets have endo.
That being said, my opinion, because no one really knows, a lot of women with endo have food allergies/intolerances, while a lot do not. I think we're more prone to other diseases, allergies like celiac included. But at least with celiac you know exactly what to do; avoid gluten 100%. Endo is not like that. There is so little info; they don't even know the real cause of endo!

You could do the elimination diets, but I would encourage you strongly to find out for sure if you have a food allergy and make it easier and go to GI and naturopath and get tested. If you do have an issue, you know what to do, and it could help you.

Hi Alana3,
Did they run an ANA and that is why they are thinking auto-immune? If it was an ANA, it is generally a nonspecific marker indicating an autoimmune disease, I could be wrong, but I don't remember the ANA being linked to celiacs. If you think you may have celiacs, there are several labs that can be run by your Dr. and it may be best for you to see a GI. Just so you know, not to scare you, but left untreated celiacs can have complications.
Also I am wondering if you know where exactly your endo is. I ask because I get similar pains after eating (and sometimes randomly) among other horrible GI issues. I don't have celiacs, but my GI Dr and R/E do believe that my intestines are covered in adhesions and that the endo is also on my bowels. This discovery came after being told by 3 different Dr's that I had IBS (2 GI's and 1 GYN).
Also, endo doesn't need to be on your bowels for it to cause GI issues/pain. As my R/E put it, endo lets off chemicals (like prostaglandins, which cause inflammation) and it causes a "toxic soup" and in general pisses things off. This can cause IBS like symptoms or IBS secondary to endo, either way it is the endo that is causing the issue.
From what I have read it is my understanding that those of us with endo are at a higher life time risk of autoimmune disorders...like hashimoto's and lupus (ect...)
I am sorry you are suffering, this disease sucks big time. I completely understand what it is like to not be able to eat what you want bc your intestines may get pissed. I personally almost never eat in public anymore, never eat at school and definitely wait until I am home from my clinical rotation to have dinner.
I hope you find some answers and relief soon!

Any disease left untreated can lead to complications...my nono had lyme and it left him paralyzed from the waste down, and his hands were frozen in a claw like way! Also, a friend of ours son, also had serious heart complications from lyme which nearly killed him. That's just one "common" disease that had potential serious complications. I have Lyme as well, and I just got it DX, I was probably infected 20 years ago, so I wont be able to cure it, and I don't consider it serious because typically its not. It does give me a lot of symptoms, but I think out of all of the things I have, the endo is by far the most serious and worst! Endo can have serious complications too; but the exception not the rule. Overall, all diseases have potential complications, but these complications are the exception not the rule. Overall, don't be worried. Just do what you're doing, get resolution, and you'll be fine! :-)

I have Fibromyalgia along with Endo. My pain sometimes does act up when I eat. I would get very bloated, nauseous and tired. One day I was considering changing my diet (even though I'm an EXTREMELY picky eater, very difficult!) and found the Endo Diet. As I read the list of things NOT to eat, I laughed and walked away. You might as well starve to death. I love my meat, I just can't give it up. To me, I want to enjoy whatever I'm eating, when I want to, but small amounts. Besides, I don't have a budget to even start a gluten-free diet. Those types of foods are so expensive. You would think they would make it cheaper as more and more people are suffering from a gluten allergy.

I have the same problem. I have to eat a little bit at the time so I won't puke... I feel full and bloated with just the little I ate. It really sucks and yes it is part of endo.. The hormones are so out of wack it thinks your pregnant when your not, I'm on birth control which helps but Zoloft is something you might want to consider for helping ease pain and tension with endo, also helps with mood swings anti nausea works ok so take that before you eat. Hope this helps. I struggle with this too.

It may be because the endometriosis is impacting your bowels. It is very common for adhesions to form on the lower bowels especially. It can create IBS like symptoms.

Also I carry some motion sickness meds with me for when I have one of these stomach episodes.