I don't know for sure about that. I have a hemangioma on my liver and have read hormones can cause it to grow so it would make sense that it could be endometriosis. It's to bad all these doctors don't take the time to explain all these things to us better. Good luck!

Thanks, Angel...You are correct about the hormone induced growth. And no, I've not encountered doctors who even make eye contact (and it's getting worse)

I've been on a rollercoaster of specialists since early August (PCP, urologist, gynecologists (3) specializing in treatment of endometriosis(supposedly) gastroenterologist, orthopedic surgeon who has now referred me to a neurosurgeon. I've had THOUSANDS of dollars worth of tests, with no answers or solutions. Each doctor throws me to the next. NOBODY seems to give a damn.

I work for doctors so I definitely know how they can be and how they can just pass the buck to the next doctor. I pray you get the answers you truly deserve. Someone out there must be able to help you and get you some relief.

I need some support, please...Tomorrow is my appointment with a neurosurgeon (read original post)

My orthopedic surgeon is pissed because I won't consent to knee and hip replacement (massive bone loss/degeneration) post Lupron (2 series) and surgically induced menopause at 33. I hurt so badly in my neck, back, hips and knees (on top of pelvic/abdominal pain) She saw "something" on my MRI to consult this new doc tomorrow.

My question is this...IF I AM NOT willing to have spine surgery (I'm not, unless paralysis is looming) then WHAT can a neurosurgeon do for my pain? I'm guessing "nothing"...but I'm afraid to not keep the appointment.

Any thoughts? I'm guessing he won't prescribe any med for pain? I'm so fucking sick of getting "passed around" to the next specialist. I swear I'm so depleted from this lifetime of tooth-clenching pain, I'd gladly invite Dr. Jack K. into my home for the "holidays" if he were still alive.

Hi pup. You should at least go to see what it is about and if he or she has a diagnosis then they can refer you for pain management if that is what is needed. I know it majorly sucks, but just gotta keep going.

Hey Vans...Thanks, sweet girl for encouraging ME as you recover from your surgery. How are you feeling today?

Yea, I KNOW I have to go tomorrow. I'm just being a "whiny baby". I'm just so TIRED of it all. I have to soldier on...Maybe I need my big girl panties tattooed on. That way I could save the effort of having to pull them back up every time they fall=)

Maybe some sort of PT/OT? I honestly don't know but I hope it's something better than the standard "try ibuprofen". Good luck my friend, please keep us posted. I'll be thinking of you :)

A neurosurgeon can also recommend some nonsurgical treatments. They may recommend nerve blocks, steroid injections, PT, decompression therapy or give you meds to make the pain more bearable. Unfortunately he may send you to other doctors for some of those, like pain management specialist. Please let me know how your appointment goes. I've been thinking about you.

Hi pup, i am doing ok, nausea is the worst. Not shure what is causing it right now. So many changes in my body suddenly. It will be a week now do just trying see if it passes.....sigh...

THANKS to all of you...I don't have tattoos of my "big girl panties", but I've given it my best shot with my favorite...SHARPIES. If you've ever had to "color" the little fella on the diagram for pain, you'll understand that =) I have an overwhelming urge to draw a penis on "him" to confirm that "dude" status that Alana talks about=)

When all else fails...and it usually does...I pull out my wicked sense of dark humor and PROCEED.

Good luck tomorrow. Hoping that you get some sort of resolve and pain management.

UPDATE: I drove 4 hours round trip (alone) in rain and sleet to see a neurosurgeon who told me that "surgical repair" has a 90% failure rate, so I "just have to LIVE with it". Oh, yea...and the windshield of my new Jeep caught a rock that split the glass from frame to frame. That'll be another $500 to replace. Guess I have to live with that, too.

I knew in my gut this doctor would be useless to me, but I had to try. I have to be honest in that I considered purposefully slamming into a concrete underpass. The only thing that keeps me from trying to take my life is my fear that I will be maimed rather than dead.

I don't want this any more. I think my husband deserves a better wife and a happy life. This disease has killed me...I'm walking dead.

Ah crap! Were you able to get a referal to a pain management specialist? I agree surgery is dangerous especially on your spine and I wouldnt want to do it with the high failure rates unless you are out of other options. You may have to manage your condition rather than cure it unfortunately and I dont beleive you have explored all the pain management options yet. Also, I know you said you suffer from nausea and there are lots of meds out there for that and I feel like that could help you also. Just my two cents. Have a plan for the next step and just take it one day at a time.

Hi speckled pup
I use to be a pretty active member here on ds, but haven't been on in awhile. Just came back and saw this post and had to respond. I don't have much to add to exactly what your going through, but your most recent response, about how your husband deserves better and the concrete underpass, broke my heart to read. I have been there, ready to give up, thinking things won't get better, that my guy derserved more. In addition to endometerosis, I also have a very rare disease. It took years for a diagnosis, no joke I saw over 30 doctors, with my primary even saying he wasnt sure I would make it before I was diagnosed. I didnt feel like I could take another minute of the pain, both physical and seeing my loved ones hurt from seeing me so sick. Here I am rambling, I guess my point is that there's more options, more doctors to see, pain management to try. Dont give up, I know how truly exhausting it is to keep going to doctors when it feels like none can help, but you never know when you will find the one that will help. I know its so much easier said then done, but keep on trucking. Keeping looking for a good doctor, they may not be able to cure you, but to at least help manage your pain and other symptoms. Keep finding the positives and counting your blessings. Don't worry that your hubby deserves better, he's with you because he loves you.

I hope this doesn't sound preachy or anything like that, definetly not my intention. Just want you to know your not alone and there's always hope. Hope you are able to have a good Thanksgiving
Thoughts and Prayers

Thanks, Vans....How are you feeling? Yes, you're correct about "managing" the pain. This massive spinal clinic had the capabilities to send me right across the hall to their PM clinic. I asked "how am I supposed to "live" with this in addition to everything I already "live" with...can't you send me across the hall and help me TODAY?" He said no, that he wasn't a miracle worker. I'm scheduled for the 18th. We all know that ONE PHONECALL from him to his colleague in PM would have gotten me STRAIGHT into that clinic that afternoon. Doctors can get it done if they care enough to do so. Obviously he didn't.

Sorry for the rant=(

~~Pup