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.
Hi ladies,
I thought I would start a discussion. On Saturday I went to my first pain specalist appt. Very different to what you guys have told me about, he had alot of alternative options to pushing me full of pain meds. While he told me, anything he gives me has a 40% chance of working and a 40% chance of not and a 20% chance of maybe a little bit, he has found women in my position to find something effective even if it's just half way.
I have been placed on epilsepy medication on top of my pain killers - I take 1 x 75mg 2 x per day. I know this sounds odd but he explained it that our receptors become so senstivive that over the course of endo growing that e.g a spot of endo is somewhere, it then causes pain but since our receptors are so sensitive instead of sending 1 pain signal to our brain it send 4 or 5...and it's not that the endo isnt there, it is, it's just our brain is being sent alot more then it should. That is why he said, things like tramadol and morphine stop working and we become immune, because we're being sent more pain signals over time. I found the theory very interesting and have been on the medication since saturday and I can notice a slight improvement already. I don't think it'll run miracles, but if I can get to a point of 1-2 pills per day I'll be jumping for joy...or being able to get through a day and come home to take 1-2 tramadol and then rest, that to me is a miracle. High hopes I know, but trying everything is what we need to do sometimes. He hopes though to up my dose to a point my pain meds will only be needed for the days I have my periods (HIGH hopes for him) - this medication does not have the adverse effects like opiads (so no haziness and no constipation!).
At the end of the month/start of October I am to schedual ketamine infusion for 1 day to start and if it does not work, then for 5 days. He has had great success with this resetting nerves in the pelvis..he has a woman come in once every 3-4 months for a 1 day infusion and it helps her pain enough for that time where she takes minimal medication (mainly when she's due for another infusion) - I couldn't believe it. I am extremely willing to try it!
ketamine is commonly known on the street at "special K", it is yes a horse tranquiliser but it is also used sometimes on us when we're under aneasethetic to put us to sleep/ keep us unconscious. However most of us would have only had it for a few hours and thats IF we even had it at all, it's not always used.
I'll keep you updated, but I thought someone might be interested in these approaches, it's something I havn't seen/heard anyone try on this board =)
x
I thought I would start a discussion. On Saturday I went to my first pain specalist appt. Very different to what you guys have told me about, he had alot of alternative options to pushing me full of pain meds. While he told me, anything he gives me has a 40% chance of working and a 40% chance of not and a 20% chance of maybe a little bit, he has found women in my position to find something effective even if it's just half way.
I have been placed on epilsepy medication on top of my pain killers - I take 1 x 75mg 2 x per day. I know this sounds odd but he explained it that our receptors become so senstivive that over the course of endo growing that e.g a spot of endo is somewhere, it then causes pain but since our receptors are so sensitive instead of sending 1 pain signal to our brain it send 4 or 5...and it's not that the endo isnt there, it is, it's just our brain is being sent alot more then it should. That is why he said, things like tramadol and morphine stop working and we become immune, because we're being sent more pain signals over time. I found the theory very interesting and have been on the medication since saturday and I can notice a slight improvement already. I don't think it'll run miracles, but if I can get to a point of 1-2 pills per day I'll be jumping for joy...or being able to get through a day and come home to take 1-2 tramadol and then rest, that to me is a miracle. High hopes I know, but trying everything is what we need to do sometimes. He hopes though to up my dose to a point my pain meds will only be needed for the days I have my periods (HIGH hopes for him) - this medication does not have the adverse effects like opiads (so no haziness and no constipation!).
At the end of the month/start of October I am to schedual ketamine infusion for 1 day to start and if it does not work, then for 5 days. He has had great success with this resetting nerves in the pelvis..he has a woman come in once every 3-4 months for a 1 day infusion and it helps her pain enough for that time where she takes minimal medication (mainly when she's due for another infusion) - I couldn't believe it. I am extremely willing to try it!
ketamine is commonly known on the street at "special K", it is yes a horse tranquiliser but it is also used sometimes on us when we're under aneasethetic to put us to sleep/ keep us unconscious. However most of us would have only had it for a few hours and thats IF we even had it at all, it's not always used.
I'll keep you updated, but I thought someone might be interested in these approaches, it's something I havn't seen/heard anyone try on this board =)
x
I realise that your post is from last year but I'm just wondering how you got on with the ketamine infusion as this is something that I have been referred for. I hope it worked for you!
Thanks,
Nat
I have since moved on and now have a pacemaker inserted for my pain.
Goodluck! It does help some people greatly =)
Have also had coritsone injections on site where pain is... to kill the nerves causing the pain- that worked well and for a long period of time, along with using the Lyrica... It was 4 to 6 injections- ur awake during the procedure.. and the needle is loooong..and wide.. in case ur afraid of needles. I try not to use narcotics, but the pain clinic i am now going to prescdribed tramadol... i use it when i have to.. im in pain all the time- 20 yrs now... and in the 20 yrs... toradol did work the best,... it's back and forth with these meds, but these shots worked the best as far as not wanting those type of meds :)