Could you have ibs? I was diagnosed with that earlier this year and, at times, it's worse than my Endo and pcos. The best part, they all feed off each other. I've had to add fiber to EVERYTHING for relief. I was flaring every day, now I'm down to once a week.

Yes, I definitely have IBS, and a "stricture" in my colon. My fiber intake is extreme, and I drink excessive amounts of water throughout the day by keeping a constant "sippy" cup in my hand. I drink a powder that dissolves in juice daily to draw water into the stool, as well as taking softeners. I still often end up in the bathroom floor with an enema. The mystery is that the distention, bloating, and pain is exacerbated the first 2 weeks of the month...the time that I always had my period.

I don't leave for my appointments until 11:00, so I'll check back for further posts. THANKS for listening.

Your situation does not sound FUN!! I'm not sure how much help I can be, but I also have really painful bowel stuff going on, constipation, etc. Not as extreme as you are describing. IBS does sound like part of the problem at least, but please let us know if you find out anything new at your appointment. I have been having some strange stomach stuff going on (this morning at 1:30am, for example, pain woke me up out of a dead sleep & I thought I had to use the bathroom but ended up sitting there for like 20/30 minutes in horrid pain!).

Tranadol?! That does nothing for me anymore! I hope your doctors consider at LEAST giving you something like Vicodin or Percocet for those bad "flare-up" days, just so you don't have to suffer for no reason! At least that is what I do...I always have some jsut in case. Although I have been taking them everyday for a few months pending my lap on Friday. Just a suggestion...it worked for me.

I have zero advice on the absorption issues, I wish I could give you something in that area. =( & I also wanted to say I'm sorry about your knees...I can't imangine having to stab myself in the knees everyday!! That has got to be painful. I hope at the very least one of these things calms down, because Endo, potiential knee replacements, & IBS issues by themselves are hard to deal with, let alone all three!! Please update us when you get home from your appointment. Oh, & write your concerns/questions down (or even print out this post!) & bring up as much as possible with the doc & be sure to take notes. That always helps me when I am a little lost & confused or have a lot to say. =D Good luck!

Is it possible that your digestive issues are due to the gastric bypass? I'm no expert but I would think that circumventing your small intestine makes it more difficult for your body to process fats and starches...have you tried any dietary modifications?

It's definitely possible that you have endo on your colon. My rectum and uterus are fused together with adhesions and it causes awful pain and constipation (or sometimes diarrhea; it seems to go back and forth) for a few days leading up to my period, then the full length of my period itself. No matter what I eat I'm crying on the toilet. I'm going to have my rectum resected the next time I go in for a lap, and I'm actually really looking forward to it!

Also, tramadol does NOTHING for me, not even for mild pain. I would definitely ask your doctor about switching to something stronger. I know that for me, it has to either be Vicodin or Percocet. Nothing else touches it. Good luck tomorrow!

Hi All,
My appointment with the new doctor(s) today was fruitless...a waste of my limited energy, a painful 2 hour drive (one-way). My understanding was that I was seeing a Gyno to hand me off to Pain Management. No...that's not how it went. I actually saw 2 Gynos, 1 male and 1 female. They lectured me on how MY body works, and how treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach. They suggested pelvic PT, and that I see a gastroenterologist.....Would I consider seeing a psychologist? My answers were no, perhaps, and no. In the 19+ years post surgeries, I have done it all from pelvic floor stimulation, biofeedback, relaxation, meditation, clear passages, and yes, a psychologist. The bottom line is that I need something I can tolerate for PAIN...plain and simple. The Tramadol is not IT!?! It was obvious today that their "approach to healing" does not include pain medication. They are more of the alternative mindset. The suggested NOTHING for pain control, and made me feel as though it was all in my head. DejaVu....It took 15 years, and almost as many "respected" gynecologists to get the diagnosis of endometriosis. All along, I was told my pain was psychological. By the time a cancer surgeon saw me, it was aggressive stage 4.