well when it comes to u doubting ur doc in any way get a 2nd opinion im in the process of doin the same before i have the laproscopy and as for ur family maybe have a doc explain to them wat ur goin thru i gave my loved ones the brochures on endo and the surgery that way they could get a idea of what i was goin thru best of luck to you

ha, well my dad told me today, its all in my head, but i told him quite simply that he is a guy and doesn't understand. i dont know if everybody will EVER understand the full extent of what we go through. But my dad just believes everything is 'mental', but really the pain i'm feeling is quite physical. I think my family understands to a point, but then i dont think they really realize that what i'm going through is really tough on me mentally and physically.
i think thats a great idea what mariafranca did, but giving her loved ones brochures... i might have to do that.... but this was a great question!!

no man would understand and it's really hard to explain to anyone who hasn't experienced it. I kept it to myself...it was just too painful otherwise.

Ive been keeping it to myself since monday. I dotn think hubby really cares anymore. This has been hard on me physically and mentally. I mean in January we just thought it was PID now I dont have a diagnoses so everyone has told me it is in my head and im a loony. So keeping it to myself to an extent. brochures sound like a good idea that i will look into the next time i go to the dr. my counselor today said that the pills should help with the pain. I just think hubby doesnt understand how this affects me.

I think our loved ones may be frustrated at times when they can't wrap their head around something they have never been through and they see you in pain and feel helpless to ease it.

I talked to my mom about the possiblity of endometriosis which quite honestly I had speculated that I had for some time now, but out of irrational fear, put it in the back of my mind so it wouldn't be "real." Anyhow, when I told her I had gone back to the doctor and that it was most likely endo. all she said was "oh." Then she changed the subject to her stupid website that she wants me to work on. I was hurt.

I know sometimes they don't react the way we want, don't empathize with our situation, can be insensitive, but I think our family and friends just usually don't know what else to say so they default back to what is comfortable to them. I'm not saying it's right or excusable, and all be it a little selfish, they are only human and I guess we have to lean on those who do understand! That's what we're all here for, right. STRENGTH and SUPPORT. :)

I have had this problem too. I have some friends that I just stopped talking about it with. My Dad was totally clueless too! My doc gave me a book about endo...can't remember the name right now sorry! But this book had a chapter called "If Joe had endo" and it put all the pain and problems into a man's point of view. That really helped my Dad. There are a lot of things you might not want to specifically spell out to your male relatives and this chapter did the explaining for me!
Also I agree with Mariafranca, if you doubt your doc get a second, third or fourth opinion. My first doc has been in practice for a long time and did my first 3 surgeries. After he removed my uterus he just couldn't accept that I was still having pain. So, I went to a couple of other docs before I found one I was comfortable with. I just had what I hope will be my last surgery in January. I had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. The doc didn't see any endo but the scar tissue from my previous surgeries had caused one ovary to become attached to my bowel and the other was twisted.
You're not crazy, no matter what others think.
Keep your chin up and keep fighting to be treated for your disease!
Good luck!
Good luck to you!

I tell my hubby its like mario inside of me with a knife. I found some 3D computerized videos online and had my hubby watch them.
Good luck.

I found the book you were talking about kimedou "The endmetriosis sourcebook". thank you all so much for your help and understanding. you guys it helps a lot. i still dont know if i have endo or not because in my lap they didnt see any but hopefully these pills work and something gets figured out soon. So much pain tonight. and i cant call anyone. just take a motrin or 3, a bath, and try to sleep i guess

The bookie Kimedou was referring to is called
"The Endometriosis Sourcebook" In my eyes, it's the Endo bible for anyone newly diagnosed.

I think the BEST way is this letter.
http://www.hcgresources.com/SurvivorLetter.html

It brought tears to my eyes when I read it. It was written by a fellow Endo sister, Heather Guidone, Director of the Center for Endo Care.

As far as your doctor goes...through my journey I have learned that there are only a hanndful of actual Endo "specialists" in the country! Your average GYN is not specifically trained to treat Endo or know how to see all the different colors, shapes etc. that Endo comes in.

Good luck!