Endometriosis Support Group

Endometriosis is a common medical condition where the tissue lining the uterus is found outside of the uterus, typically affecting other organs in the pelvis. The condition can lead to serious health problems, primarily pain and infertility. A major symptom of endometriosis is pain, mostly in the lower abdomen, lower back, and pelvic area.

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/ Endometriosis Support Group

Does this ever end?

YouGonnaEatThat
YouGonnaEatThat

My first period lasted 3 months and was super heavy and super painful at the age of 12. I was then diagnosed with Anemia. They put me on birth control to get in under control and that was that. While it lightened my period drastically I thought that horrible cramping and clotting was the normal when it came to periods. That was until recently. I don't remember much about sex when I first became active (age 14) but I know with my second and hopefully last partner I started experiencing horrible burning during and after sex and light vaginal bleeding after sex. I also experience random cramping throught the month unrelated to periods. It just gets worse and worse. After a year of my primary physician trying to figure out what's wrong with me (I've had him for a year and brought the problem up to him then) and being screwed around by a gynecologist, I went to a new gynecologist who quickly got me into laproscopic surgery (3 weeks ago) to try to diagnose what was going on. Turns out it was pretty bad endometriosis along with scarred tissue. He sent me to a woman who specializes in Endometriosis to set me up for endo removal surgery. I was so excited to get this all set up and get this stuff out of me. I'm ready to continue my life. I had plans to live my life and move in with my fiance who currently lives across country within 2 months. I guess plans change right? Today was my appointment with the specialist. She informs me that yes, while I will need surgery to remove the endo, she thinks I have a blood clotting disorder. I forgot the name. It was a long one. So she will not do the surgery until then. Oh, but wait! I have to see a blood specialist so that they can test the blood samples they recieved from me today. She also informs me that she really won't do surgery until I try something called the Lupron Depot shot. It supposedly surpresses and gets rid of the endometriosis. That's a 12-18 month long thing that I will need to get a shot every 3 months and take a pill every day. I took a trial shot (1 month) and will be taking 1 month worth of pills to see how I react. I looked it up once I got home and have already dreaded that decision. I will be getting surgery but she wants to wait 2-6 months before that. Does this ever end? I hate this. I'm tired. I'm so tired of being in pain and putting my life on complete hold. Am I not allowed to be happy? I'm 20 years old btw and feel like I shouldn't have to go through this.



I know this post is all over the place. I just need to vent.

kchandler83
kchandler83
Sorry to hear all you are going through! From what my doctor told me, you should not be on lupron longer than 6 months. 12-18 months does not sound right at all. Do your own research online about it and even print out what you find and give it to your doctor. You are only 20 years old and putting your body through menopause for that long of a period just seems crazy, in my opinion. I would try and push her to give you the lap asap. If they know you have endo, then why don't they just jump into doing surgery right away? If she still pushes to have you wait, I would try and get a 2nd opinion. Never hurts to get the opinion of another doctor. Her plan my work for some people, but may not work for you. Trust your gut and do what you feel is best for you. You know your body best! ☺
ashleyeliza314
ashleyeliza314
I am so sorry about your experience. The truth is, surgery is a pretty short term solution. It isn't a good way to consistently treat endo because it can make it come back faster. I had a doctor who did three laps on me before finally being told by a specialist that that wasn't a healthy treatment plan. DO NOT read the horror stories on Lupron. I am on then brink of starting it but my family is full of OBGYNs who consistently tell me that you mainly see the horror stories because those are the people wanting to post about it. It does tend to work but I know it is still miserable. They do give you hormones to replace the ones you're missing, which lessen the symptoms. With that said, I do realize it still isn't the best option for everyone. Another idea would be there are some middle ground options. I have the birth control arm implant Implanon and it lowers my estrogen levels (which then slows down the endo) but isn't as extreme as doing Lupron shots. I also take an oral dose of a medication to lower my estrogen a little more but it still doesn't put me in a full menopausal state like Lupron would. I have no symptoms except hot flashes and pretty mild weight gain (5 lbs). IT has helped A LOT with my pain and I don't get periods. Switching to a birth control that doesn't have any estrogen in it would be a good place to start before just jumping straight to Lupron. It's a middle ground kind of and I know it has worked wonders for me and makes my endo come back slower. I am really sorry you're going through this. I know how frustrating it can be. I have been consistently told by specialists that you should start estrogen suppressing medications and then have a lap done. The arm implant has worked wonders for me. Good luck and feel free to message me if you have questions.