Hi, I used to go to the gyn 2-3 times a year to check things out. Doing lupron is a very personal decision. Unfortunately endo can grow back quickly. Other things you can try are acupuncture, pelvic floor therapy, continuous birth control and pain meds to manage the pain.

Hi! I believe too it's a personal decision. I have done it twice. First time I had mainly menopausal symptoms. The 2nd time was last year, it was awful. I only did 4 months. I wouldn't do it again. Again, just my personal opinion. You can always try it, and stop.

Like the others have said, it unfortunately does grow back. My OB/GYN told me that I'd probably be looking at another laparoscopy only a year after my first one which was at the end of May. I've opted to do the Lupron injections and am on my second month. So far... no benefits, but it's hopefully just too soon to tell. I go in every 3-6 months (depending on if I feel like being prodded) for exams. Once a year is not often enough for me. That's how often I go to my GP for a physical when there's nothing wrong with me; so, I figure I need to see my OB/GYN more often than that since I actually have a problem. Of course, I see him once a month now with these shots. :/

As an alternative to Lupron, my doctor recommended Danazol. I have not started it yet, but he has several other patients who are really happy with the results.

Yeah, I'll weigh in on the times to see a doc. I've been going more often than that.

Then again, I'm newly diagnosed and I want a good relationship with my new doc so that when problems arise, they'll recognize my face. :-)

Whyme gave a great list of alternative treatments. I'd like to add to the list a sports psychologist. Mine helped me regain my life after years of intense pain. I'm now functioning much better even when I am in pain.

Agree with the team - all of our health treatment options are a personal decision. Many come on the board in tears because their doc wants them to do a hystorectomy (sp?) and that is DEFINITELY a personal choice. Doctors make recommendations, but we are in control of our bodies.

Lucky for you, because of this board, you can weigh the pros and cons based on others experiences. :-)

Personally, I would try Lupron once - if I were not TTC at the moment. Hope this helps.

My sister actually had very adverse reactions to lupron, so I myself would never go on it. That particular question was for a friend. As for myself, I am defiantly going to schedule another OB/GYN visit. My only fear is that if endo were growing back, how could they tell without a laproscopy being done? With my insurance, they cost about $2000, so it's not something I want to continue having to have done frequently. I am trying very hard to have a child, so birth control is certainly not an option for me. My biggest fear is that I am 34 and may never have a child because of the endo. I'm feeling like a time bomb.

Hi Kuno78. I struggled with severe endo without a diagnoses for years. I also had a hard time getting pregnant but was able to have my miracle girl in 1998 after a difficult pregnancy. In 2004 they finally did a lap after every other test possible and were appalled at what they saw. It was so bad they did a full hysterectomy leaving only my cervix. Well, 4 more surgeries later and lupron and removal of my cervix I still am in pain daily. I also know my situation is not entirely common. I've read some woman find treatments that truly help and never have problems or pain again. After reading your post I'm now relieved that I never knew I had endometriosis because I may not have had my daughter today. I wish I could also offer a helpful cure and am open to suggestions, but unfortunately all I can offer is empathy and understanding.

I would go see your OBGYN since you are trying to get pregnant. I had the surgery back in Feburary and by May it was back. I have stage 4 and with stage 4 doctors can usually see the cysts with a ultrasound. I have many ultrasounds each month since I'm doing IVF. I know my neighbor has stage 4 endo and got pregnant on her own after 6 surgeries. Her Obgyn would have her get a lap every 6 months, but I think that depends on the severity of your endo. What stage do you have? Has your OB done an HSG to make sure your tubes are open? Wishing you the best of luck!!

My endo is relatively mild, but my sister is stage four so I am afraid that the endo will grow back worse than before. Luckily, the endo did not affect my tubes, or so I was told. I know my sister had that problem and had to have her tubes opened before she could conceive.

Please keep in mind that your pain can be from other things too...such as adhesions or scar tissue or perhaps your body isn't fully healed from surgery which can take up to 9 months.
And the more surgeries you have done the more scar tissue you have.

9 months to fully heal? I never knew that so hopefully that is what this is? Anyway, I scheduled an appointment for the 28th to figure out what is going on.

It depends on what all they did to you but yes. Six months after one of my surgeries I still had tugging/pulling pain at one of my incision sites. Turns out it was scar tissue...during my third lap she couldnt cut thru my belly button.