Join Our Community!
Share
What is endometriosis and where does it occur on a woman's body? We outline the basics of endometriosis here, a condition that can affect millions of women....
Endometriosis can cause infertility...but what are the reasons that a woman might experience this condition? And what puts you at higher risk for developing it?...
Early symptoms of endometriosis can seem normal. But when should you ask your doctor for help? We outline the problem signs and symptoms here....
Avatar
Q: Endometriosis
asked by: lexyw on July 8th, 2007
Experienced User
I'm so sad right now.
i recently had a doctors appt because of lower abdominal pain. and now she's telling me that she thinks i MAY have Endometriosis. I just kept reading all sorts of information on it and it explains so many things that have been going on with my body. and the miscarriage i had as well. i don't know what to do. my family wants me to get a second opinion but i have no clue if i should.

please give any advice. thank you.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Replies(16)
Avatar
jesticle
replied on July 8th, 2007
Experienced User
Hi, I was diagnosed with endo 2.5 years ago I remember the first time my gp mentioned endo and I thought the same thing that they were wrong I also did alot of my own research and after some time I realised that it was an almost definite thing so I went back to my gp and spoke to him but he didn't refer me on to a specialist he took the wait and see approach and so did I, after countless nights in the emergency room I changed gp's and saw a specialist and was diagnosed. One thing I do remember is being really scared of being told I actually did have it I read alot of things online that were quite frightening but when it comes down to it things may not be as bad as what you read or are told, The best thing for you to do is see a specialist someone who is trained well and knows endo because the longer you leave it the worse it could get its good to get a treatment plan underway asap. I hope that helps and remember YOU ARE NOT ALONE Smile
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
lexyw
replied on July 9th, 2007
Experienced User
thank you so much!
everyone keeps telling me to get a second opinion because i am only 19. and now everytime i eat i always feel like puking afterwards like nausea. i don't know if that means anything but i just don't know where to start and i really dont want to call my mother right now because my great-unlce just passed away and i don't want to put more on her table.

what kind of symptoms did you have if you don't mind me asking?
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
lexyw
replied on July 11th, 2007
Experienced User
ok im getting worried and my gyn is off on vacation until next week. but just sitting tends to hurt my lower abdomin now. its just really sharp pains and i feel so naseous everyday especially after eating. i don't know what to do!

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.


THANKS.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
jesticle
replied on July 13th, 2007
Experienced User
Hi I was only 18 when I first saw a gyno but thats not too young I started having symptoms at 17. here's a list of the main symptoms

Pain before and during periods
Pain with intercourse
General, chronic pelvic pain throughout the month
Low back pain
Heavy and/or irregular periods
Painful bowel movements, especially during menstruation
Painful urination during menstruation
Fatigue
Infertility
Diarrhoea or constipation

not everyone will have all of these you may only have one or two or you may have them all.
Im now 20 and was diagnosed with moderate endo I've had a few different treatment plans at first it was scary but Im used to it now the pain and treatment become a part of your everyday life. If your finding it hard to cope with the pain I'd suggest changing doctors and when you see the new one explain that your last gp suggested endometriosis and ask to be referred on to a specialist. can I ask what are your symptoms? My first ones were severe period pain (bedridden for the first 3 days), back pain and I'd had a miscarriage and also had been having unprotected sex for 8 months but never fell pregnant in that time. now Ive got it all fatigue, Painful bowel movements,Pain with sex, hip pain, ovulation pain, but I cope with medication.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
lexyw
replied on July 16th, 2007
Experienced User
well i have really painful lower abdominal pains right before my period. i had a miscarriage around late october early november, i'm on birth control and my doctor changed to see if maybe i just needed a stronger one to control the cramping. about two or three years ago i was diagnosed with cysts on my ovaries. but that doctor told me that they were just blisters and would naturally go away during each period.
i'm 19 so my current gyn told me that she did not want to do the surgery to determine if it really is endo and to just wait and see if all i needed was a stronger bc.

sorry it was so long.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
jesticle
replied on July 22nd, 2007
Experienced User
Hey If I were you I wouldn't wana wait and see but I suppose if its not worring or bothering you too much then maybe try a different birth control. But If it is change gyno's I was younger than you are when I saw my gyno and he told me they've done laparoscopy's on 16 year olds. let me knows what you decide and how it all goes.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
lexyw
replied on July 23rd, 2007
Experienced User
well at first i constantly thought that i was experiencing endo but after i stopped thinking about it so much everything kinda stopped as well. so i guess i was just freakin out about it. but my boy friend and i talked about what exactly i should do and i decided to just wait and give my doctors advice a chance. even though having cysts really do worry me.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
Tain
replied on August 24th, 2008
New User
endo.
None of you are alone I had endo. four years ago my doctor done surgery and it went away for a month. I had and hysterectomy and all I have left is my uterus and cervix. I went to the doctor last Thursday because I was having pain in my lower ab. and back, swelling in my ab. can't wear any of my regular clothes. "I found that scrubs are very confortably" Anyway he does my exam and you no it I have endo. again. So he puts me on a progestrone med. again that we tried when this started four years ago it didn't work then and I know it want work this time. Even though ths really sucks to go through this again when I am back in school in the middle of a quarter, just wondering if i'll get to finish really hurts. But I always have to try to keep my head up and everyone can make it through. My husband and I have three children already think God before all this first started. But even though through all this he has always been supportive. But ladies keep your heads up and ask God to help you make it through and I will pray for you all. I am 30 now and I wouldn't trade anything that has happen in my life. Hold in there and you will be alright.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
Hell Fire
replied on August 26th, 2008
Experienced User
I was diagnosed with it at 20 years old. Dont be to upset, its nothing really bad to worry about really. I was upset at 1st but have learnt that its life and just me. I get a fare few problems with it even now and im still young at 23. But uve got to look on the bright side of things or u will only make urself feel worse. theres so many women with it so take comfort in knowing ur not alone and there is always someone worse off that you.
It takes time to come to terms with things like that, but i think you come out a stronger women for it. I know i am. Ive had a LOT of medical problems in my life so far at such a young age. I didnt want to give up and be depressive anymore as had had enough. Its hard to turn yourself around and think good stuff but you can do it and cope, you just have to find it in yourself!!! And everyone here is always here for you.
x
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
Jo_Shrubb
replied on January 17th, 2009
New User
im in ur boots
hy im 18 and im havin a lap next month for endo so if i were you i would tell your doctor to get your gyni to look into doin one before it gets worse regardless of your age i have like every symptom on that list apart from fatigue (well im not sure what fatigue means so i may/may not have that symptom too) but you really are not alone and im not gonna lie its really scary especially bieng so young i feel like my life has been thrown into turmoil but even tho im petrified i know that having this op will help alot with mainly anwers and possible treatment s i urge you to persist with your consultant and wish you all the luck keep in touch i know its not the best situation but it good to know someone of a similar age is going through the same thing
x
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
SexxxyVixxxen
replied on January 20th, 2009
New User
Endo Diagnosis
I was diagnosed in September 2003, after YEARS & YEARS of unexplained Lower Abdo Pain since I was 17....for years I was told that my Abdo Pain was nothing and "All in my head"....it was so frustrating cause I knew it wasnt all in my head, cause I can feel pain and I know if its real or not....so after years of being told this I started thinking it was all in my head.....In Sept 2003 I was rushed to the hospital with violent vomiting, fever, and severe abdo pain....they did an U/S and saw a 6cm cyst on my right ovary....they decided to perform surgery that night and in the morning after surgery, the doctor came in to tell me about the surgery, and told me the news, I had Endometriosis.....what..?? I was 24 at the time & had NO IDEA was this disease was....after A LOT of research and talks with my new Gyne/Surgeon, I was devestated.....but as time has gone on, I've pretty much become an expert on the disease.....yes, it's not an easy thing to deal with, daily living can become hard....my endo has gotten worse wit time and I have the RARE type of Endo....mine can develop anywhere in my body...so now it's developed on my bowels and bladder and has made it's was onto my abdominal wall...so needless to say....I frequent hospitals these days and have to be on pain meds daily to even function normally....Ive had 7 endo surgery's and was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in Feb 2006 and lost my left ovary.....my best advice to you is this, read as much as you can about this disease and dont be upset, cause it wont change anything about it, you just have to learn how to cope day by day with it...figure out a treatment plan that will fit your life, that in itself will take sometime to perfect...even my med treatment plans are still ironing out!!! My Gyne has suggested that I try and get pregnant as soon as possible and then really consider having a hystorectomy......Good Luck Sweetie!!!

OH BTW...The ONLY way Endometriosis can be diagnosed 100% is through Laproscopic Surgery....there is no other way it can be diagnosed/discoverd.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
Bond004
replied on January 29th, 2009
New User
Endometriosis :(
Last sumer I got a cyst on my right ovary. This was just after I had gotten my first job. I started seeing a gynecologist and got on birth control. I was told it would just go away. I guess it did, but I was still experiencing abdominal/back pain. Along with the pain I had diahrea for a week straight on my period. Not pleasant. If you can imagine I didn't want to go to work so I lost my job. Then I lost my boyfriend I had been dating for a year. My gynecologist thought I had endometriosis and researching and hearing from others I was pretty sure she was right. I got a laparoscopy in october. I definetly have endometriosis. They found adhesions on my intestines they fixed. I felt better for a while after that then I started feeling the pain again. I also had blood in my stool which I'm pretty sure is related. I started getting depot luprin shots. Each time I got a shot it helped for a couple days then the pain came back. I got my last one a little over a week ago. On top of all this I have been losing a lot of hair. Its a hard life. I'm only 19! I'm still going to school cause I feel like I need something in my life. I should be able to get my AA this summer, but its hard to make plans for what I'm going to do after that. Is there anything else that might help? I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
mbalayan
replied on January 31st, 2009
New User
suspecting endometriosis
well, my journey of having issues with my femalesness as been long and arduous. I started having symptoms of bleeding after sex, that was seven years ago, weight gain, having pain before or after my period. Having pain chronic pelvic pain and spotting during ovulation. I've had complaints with my bowels and the doc's have dismissed it with IBS. My right ovary always causes me problems, and again was dismissed by having ovarian cysts by my doc's. I have ended up many times in the emergency room, with ruptured cysts or chronic right side pelvic pain, and was dismissed by doc's saying that i have functional cysts and was put on ibuprofen.
Now, last X-mas did some digging in my family tree, and have two aunts who've had identical problems as myself. One aunt had one of her ovaries removed before age 25 and full on hysterectomy before age 40. My other aunt was diagnosed with severe endometriosis and was trying to get pregnant and was seeing fertility specialists before she did and miscarried. However, got pregnant a second time, and now has a 20 year-old son. I've been really frustrated, depressed, and have had my annual a year ago, and everything came back normal. My husband and I have been together for 9 years, and we've never been pregnant. So, i'm suspecting that I probably have fertility issues due to the endo. I just need to get diagnosed so I could put this at rest.
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
ssarah
replied on February 10th, 2009
New User
I have Endometriosis and just had a Laproscopic surgery
Hi
I have always had painful periods, and was on the the pill for for years and went off a year ago. And then my periods started to get worse and worse. I ended up having to have laproscopic surgery 3 weeks ago and they found out that I have Endometriosis. We are going to try for a baby in a few weeks because we are ready to start a family and also its a good time due to my Endometriosis. They say that your more likly to get pregnant after the first few months after a Laproscopic surgery, I hope so because I dont want to wait to long and have my painful periods return...
Did you find this post useful?
|
User Profile
ssarah
replied on February 10th, 2009
New User
Hey Bond04
I was just reading your message. I was thinking that you might want to talk to your doctor about the blood in your stools because it might not be related. I know you dont want to hear that, but it is better to make sure that there isnt anything else going on and blood in the stools is usualy not related to Endo because it is at the other end.

Dont want to worry you but just look into it.

Hope you start to feel better soon.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Avatar
Bond004
replied on March 12th, 2009
New User
Thanks
I did check into it. I guess its an anal fissure and I got stuff for it, but it hasn't gone away yet. I just don't understand why there are all these problems with my body.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Quick Reply
Search