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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Kimmygens 03/31/2015

I'm really having a tough time dealing with my levels of fatigue and exhaustion. Today I am miserably tired and had to drag myself out of bed to work, I look like crap cause I just threw on whatever clothes I could find but everyday is basically a battle for me... my energy levels are so low and I get tired very quickly. I drink plenty water about 2-3L a day and I take daily supplements i.e. multivitamin, oils(3&6) and a calcium & vit D supplement.... but feels like its just not enough! What else can I do??? I try to take walks and halfway through I literally feel sick with exhaustion... and like there's just too much pressure on my pelvis & lower back and i just need to lay down. I dread going shopping!

2yrs ago I didn't feel this drained?...The older I get the worst it becomes?
(I am 31yrs old now / no kids).

Any advise on how to up my levels would be greatly appreciated!

endowife 03/31/2015

I felt horrible during the worst part of endo for me. Question - is it only around your period?
Are you on birth control or any other meds for endo?

Kimmygens 03/31/2015

I am on a continuous bc called Visanne, i dont get a period anymore (I'm on it for 1yr already)...but i do think this pill is contributing to my fatigue...coz its just so bad.

Kimmygens 03/31/2015

Just to give you some background, I had an op done exactly a year ago (laparotomy) and discovered i had pretty bad endo with an endometrioma on my left ovary that was glued to the back of my uterus and lotsa "junk" in my abdominal cavity. I was put on this pill immediately afterwards. Went for my very 1st post op check-up last week and my obgyn said my uterus is not normal right now but its stable. We could actually see my uterus & ovaries on the ultra sound whereas before the op we could see nothing but black. So i have 20mm cyst on my left ovary now which she says its nothing to worry about because its a normal cyst (not the return of an endometrioma) because i no longer have a period/ovulate.

So i'm assuming there's some changes happening inside me or loads of inflammation? or could a cyst and all that contribute to how i feel? This cyst obviously developed after my op...i did have a period for 3 months before that pill kicked in also.

lindsayjune 03/31/2015

Have you had your iron and B12 levels checked ? I had really low levels and was put on an iron and B12 supplement.

I still get quite fatigued when my pain levels are really bad though.

endowife 03/31/2015

Also ask them to check your vitamin D level, I found mine was really low.

So fatigue is common because of endo and you have to find the root cause - is it the pain? I used to feel completely drained by the pain and just want to curl up in a ball for a couple days. Is it potentially a vitamin deficiency? And if yes, what's causing that? Turns out I'm gluten intolerant a condition which is also common with endo - so once I removed gluten my energy went up and then when I supplemented with vitamin D it went up more. I am also allergic to dust and mold so encasing my pillow cases, comforter, and no longer vacuuming or washing the tub (moldy spots!) has also increased my energy levels.

Or do you have another condition on top of it all like lymes disease, chronic fatigue syndrom, MS, or something else? I went to a rheumotologist to get tested for arthritis because my joints hurt and all immune diseases are more prevalent in patients with endo. Turn out I don't have arthritis, thank goodness! But she tested for a whole host of things and was very thorough. So I recommend seeing a rheumotologist, allergist, and/or neurologist if possible to keep digging till you find the root cause(s).

Endo is often not just endo but is often found with a host of other conditions.

Kimmygens 04/01/2015

Thanks for the feedback ladies, really appreciate it.

Actually I was having a bad day in terms of pain, my back was killing me.. I will do my blood-works to check if I have any deficiencies and also I do suffer from IBS but no other conditions I am aware of?.... hmmm, I will have to do some investigations maybe something in triggering it.

Scary that endo comes with a host of other problems!!!

EndoGrl 04/29/2015

Hello ladies- I find that fatigue is one of the most difficult symptoms to deal with because at times it feels relentless. I've been tested for vitamin & mineral deficiencies & am on a host of supplements. I've also been to an allergist. Would seeing a rheumatologist be beneficial and why do you think so?

endowife 04/30/2015

I find going to one has helped me. She looked for a whole host of other conditions and works with people with a lot of chronic conditions so she doesn't judge.

SayYesToCarbs 04/30/2015

i just had to throw in my two cents on the B-12. i thought i was experiencing the Endo fatigue again as well (i mean falling asleep at work fatigue) and i decided to take a B-12 complex shot. i perked up within 24hrs of that shot, i mean i felt WAY better. so, just 2wks later, yesterday, i took the shot again. I guess i will see when my cycle comes around in a few weeks, if that's what it is but i strongly suspect it was. I have suspected for a while that i am vitamin deficient and possibly iron deficient as well. I have IC too so my diet is very restricted plus i haven't been able to take a multiple vitamin.

i'm sure that when i'm in pain, i'll have the fatigue but i'm hoping the b-12 reduces some of how i was feeling.

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