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.
Hello everyone! I was just recently diagnosed with endometriosis after spending a long time trying to figure out why I was in pain. I have spent the last few years dealing with increasingly painful periods which included shedding large clots and clumps and spotting in between periods. I had sever pain that would cause me to double over. I figured it was just a part of getting older and having had 5 pregnancies. Then in the last two years I started having to strain incredibly to move my bowels all for very little product. I began to experience pain in my lower left side that radiates to my back so that it feels like an arrow is going through me from front to back. In 1999 I had a extremely large ovarian cyst which had to be surgically removed and caused me to miscarry. Since then, all of this I just described kept me going back and forth to my family practice doctor and gyno to ensure I didn't have another cyst, always with no cysts resulting. So, April 2007 I went to my family practice doc again with horrible pain, and severe bloating. I was sent for an abdominal x-ray and was diagnosed with constipation. I started increasing my fiber and water intakes. Ok, so maybe my fiber and water wasn't what it should've been, but here it is November 2007, and I have the same problems! Well, I went in October 2007 for my annual gyno exam and mentioned that this pain and also the fact that it has been hurting during sex, especially with deeper penetration (sorry if TMI!). She referred me to a downtown civilian gyno (I'm military) who was able to determine that my uterus is the most effected by pain. He seemed to want to avoid the endo word, as if it was something horrible, but it's my diagnosis none the less. He's started me on an antibiotic for suspected uterine infection and an antiinflammatory to use when I feel the pain is worse during the month. He is also referring me to a vaginal physical therapist. Anyone ever been to one?? The next step if I get no relief from the pain is to start on a birth control pill to stop my period for at least 3 months to see if the pain is better. I have no idea what to expect with all of this, or what to question, or anything! I want to ask my mother why she had her hysterectomy, but we're not on good terms. Is endo genetic?
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
I had my first surgery in Mar 07 and since then I have still been having fairly heavy, painful periods with lots of clots some pretty large...and just pieces of lining. I have only been on here for two days and I have found so much support and love! I hope you do too! Welcome!
Definatly hereditary..the only lady in my family who does not have it is my adopted cousin
never heard of a vaginal physical therapist - sounds strange/creepy... you gotta tell me more about that... I can't imagine going to a gym to work my gina!?!?!
endo can also get in other parts of your body...
your constipations sounds similar to the way I felt when I had the endo on my bowel. the endo pinched it off so I could not go. they cut 2 inches out of my bowel and sewed it back up... things are moving now...
I'm not a doc... but the ladies (2 aunts and my mom) in my family who had hystos still have endo
I was originally told the same thing about my bowels and after consuming more fiber than any human should and a completely radical change in my diet it was finally determined that I needed to et checked for endo.
Kinda sounds like you dr. is a joke. My original gyno wanted to put me on depression medicine when I told her I was having painful intercourse. I left there pissed off and have never stepped a foot back in there.
Basically what I have learned so far is, "if it doesn't make sense demand for another opinion". Also, you need a laproscopy for a diagnosis, not drugs to treat anything it might be.
Hope this helps and welcome to the site, it has been the best information i could find.
Like many diseases I am sure there are cases where it is hereditary, but equally, there are many that are not.