https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:01:53 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-543424 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:10:28 +0000 ButterflyLady 543424@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>kimlee - sending lots of hugs, and I hope you find a treatment that works well for you.</p> <p>I don't have endo, but I do have fibroids - I will be 48 this year so, with my doctor's advice and guidance, I am 'sticking with it' - I take a treatment to lessen bleeding, which means I can leave the house - it was that bad and hoping the menopause will be the end of it all. I don't want to have to have a hysterectomy, if I can avoid it (or actually, any surgery at all). I can't take the pill, partly because of my age, and partly because the hormones in it make me an evil old witch </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-543246 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:46:41 +0000 mrseccentric 543246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Kim! no endo here, just a lot of other medical predicaments. like elisabeth said, "Every woman's case is different." It's your body. You can do research, get second opinions, etc. I've learned a lot just from reading this thread!</p> <p>re: using birth control pills. It's a good idea for anyone using bc pills to be familiar with the symptoms of blood clots. The risk is not great, but it is there and is more of a concern for smokers and people with clots in the family. The trouble is a clot can kill you pretty quickly if it gets into your lungs and you don't have the right chemicals to fight it off. </p> <p>Blood clots or Deep Vein Thrombosis is very treatable once it is diagnosed, so learning the symptoms and being aggressive with your doc if you think this is occurring will stand you in good stead.</p> <p>I got a DVT from a medical treatment (PICC line), they run in my family, and my landlord just had a bad experience with one, so i like to 'increase awareness'. Here's a good starter link:<br /> <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/deep_vein_thrombosis/page2.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.medicinenet.com/dee...../page2.htm</a> </p> <p>if, god forbid, you think you might have a DVT, be sure to emphasize to your doc all your risk factors and symptoms.</p> <p>Of course, surgery and pregnancy also increase the risk of DVT. Who designed this world i would like to know sometimes!!!! : )</p> <p>Best of luck to all! steph </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-543203 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:14:28 +0000 Freckles 543203@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No experience or advice for this particular condition but great big cyberhugs for a healthy, pain free outcome.</p> <p>My son, now 20, was an ivf baby and the medical profession is certainly amazing in it's ability to treat conditions. I'm so glad you're being treated by a skilled professional. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-543114 Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:30:56 +0000 kimlee 543114@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am sitting here with tears in my eyes - overwhelmed by the loving and support that each of you has given me. I have made this post a favorite, so that I can quickly refer back to it as I need, and have also made a list of follow up questions to ask my doctor when I see her again. I will keep you updated as things progress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542499 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:54:09 +0000 Aziraphale 542499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I second the motion to try hormones first. My friend who has endo (and indeed, it was not diagnosed until she had exploratory laparoscopic surgery) is doing very well on the hormones.</p> <p>Having said that, hormones did not work for my particular condition, and the less invasive surgical treatment failed. And I think I was excessively frightened of surgery and the potential repercussions. That fear caused a lot of unnecessary stress, and turned out to be unfounded. So I'm offering sympathy and also encouragement. You have options. Every woman's case is different. Only you can determine the degree to which your condition is affecting your life, and how much pain and inconvenience you are willing to put up with. You need to work with your doctor on this; he or she is there to offer an expert's opinion and advice, but in the end it's you who chooses the treatment(s) you feel comfortable with. Trying the less invasive treatments first seems sensible.</p> <p>Also, I've heard that some reproductive system problems can be alleviated, to some degree at least, by modifying your diet. I met a woman, a friend of a friend, who was unable to conceive due to gyno problems, and her specialist told her that pregnancy was highly unlikely for her. She went to a naturopath who put her on a very strict diet (EVERYTHING had to be organic -- she spent a small fortune on groceries!), and after a year, she got pregnant and carried that baby to term. So her regular specialist had to eat crow. She said the special diet was a major pain in the neck, but clearly worth it. :-)</p> <p>Anyway, pregnancy may not be one of your goals, but it's good to know that gyno symptoms can sometimes be alleviated with non-medicinal or surgical treatments. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542462 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:07:23 +0000 Isabel 542462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ms. Maven...yes, you are right. The only way to diagnosis is to actually see it during surgery. There is no other way.</p> <p>And I should have also menitoned, that it is imperative to rule everything else out, like a hormone imbalance. That is why it is important to see an endocrinologist. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542457 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:59:43 +0000 MsMaven 542457@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was diagnosed with endometriosis by one doctor. Went to see an ob-gyn and he doubted it, but said it was possible. I had a D&amp;C to help with heavy bleeding. Several years later the true cause appeared--my problems were caused by hormonal imbalance due to peri-menopause. (I had been on oral contraceptives but had gone off because of silly scare stuff that it was bad for women in late 30s onward. That has been proven not so--the medical profession is much better now at fine tuning hormones.)</p> <p>One MD told me the only way to diagnose endometriosis for certain is to take a look laparoscopically. That was a few years ago--I don't know how hard it is to get a certain diagnosis. </p> <p>Good luck--I'd try hormones first. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542431 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:01:33 +0000 Isabel 542431@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Kim, Oh, I am sorry to hear about this. I was diagnosed at 19 ( I am 48 now ). My specialist in Boston ( who is now the Director of Endocrinology at a major hospital ) says that I am 1 of the worst 2 cases he has ever treated. I have been going to him for 16 years. </p> <p>When my daughter was born, I had to have an emergency C section and a retired doctor was called in to help with the surgery. He had been practicing for 42 years and asked if he could "look" around because he had also never seen such a bad case. There, with that said, I have been in your shoes. Though it is not understood, it is manageable. I have done both the medical and surgical. The medical works really well for a few years, then I have a surgery ( very quick and easy ) and then back on meds. I have been doing this for 29 years. For years, I did a pseudo pregnancy many times : where I took the pills every day, without the inert pill ( which I skipped ) for 9 months. Then I would do the regular thing for 3 months. There are different strategies to take with the pill.</p> <p>You may not be completely symptom free, but it will help. I used to get horrible headaches, so massages on my neck helped. I had to be more careful about what I ate and exercise really, really helps.</p> <p>One of the most successful ways to manage the conception, is to have a lapproscopy and burn off all the tissue before starting. I had two children in my late 30s despite all this.</p> <p>It is very manageable, so please don't be too nervous about this, though I know first hand how it feels. </p> <p>PM if you would like. ( I should tell you that by surgeries I meant laproscopies, the tissue is burned off, not a hysterectomy - I have endometrial tissue on my bladder, a kidney and my diaphram too ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542427 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:57:33 +0000 ManidipaM 542427@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry to hear that, kimlee. I don't have the condition myself, though I understand it is common enough (was suspected in my case when I was in my 20s) and several friends have it, and have been treated/are being treated for it. </p> <p>From what I know, there are two issues to take into consideration for treatment options --- of course the severity is one, but the other is location. Not all surgical treatments for endometriosis would involve removing the ovaries or womb --- so has your doctor actually said this would be likely in your case?</p> <p>Hormonal treatment has worked very well for three of my friend's, and two of them went on to have children following it; for the third, it did not help as much and she was advised to try for a baby as soon as she could --- she did, had her son (it took a longer while of trying than the norm of 9 months, I believe), and was oddly much better after quite spontaneously, though she also had an ablation more recently when symptoms seemed to have worsened. </p> <p>This last friend is a trained nutritionist, and she also swears by reducing your phytoestrogen intake, while increasing omega-3s, calcium and magnesium. I figure none of that can hurt, and certainly magnesium supplementation helps my (thus far idiopathic) painful and heavy periods as well as related hormonal issues. She suggested this link: <a href="http://www.endo-resolved.com/diet.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.endo-resolved.com/diet.html</a> (it does sound a tad overwhelmingly to me, but I'm not in her shoes and I daresay if I were in pain and looking at an uncertain prognosis, I'd probably try anything that wasn't likely to harm!).</p> <p>Do hope you find a solution that works for you, and feel better soon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542421 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:49:38 +0000 Janet 542421@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My mom had endometriosis, and was told she would likely never have another baby -- and then six years later I proved that theory wrong! Keep in mind this was the 60s and medicine has come along way since then. She had trouble on and off for years and finally had a hysterectomy when I was very young, so I'm guessing she was maybe 45 then. </p> <p>I am having some symptoms that are part early perimenopause but mostly due to fibroids (the largest is apparently the size of a small orange). My doctor and I have decided to hold off on doing anything about this unless my symptoms worsen, since most days I can totally forget it's an issue.</p> <p>It sounds to me like you're taking a good course of action, trying the less invasive treatment method first. I hope it works well for you! I don't really have any good advice for you but just wanted to sympathize and send you good wishes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542407 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:31:31 +0000 Aziraphale 542407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so sorry to hear you are suffering from endometriosis. I don't have it, but my mother had it, and two of my friends currently have it. It's not uncommon. And I recently ended up with a partial hysterectomy due to a different gynecological problem (massive fibroid), so I can sympathize. </p> <p>So, I know quite a bit about the condition and treatment options. Apparently it can be mild to severe, in terms of how extensive the extrauterine tissue growth is. And the symptoms don't necessarily correlate with the the actual severity of the condition -- i.e. people with severe endometriosis can have only mild symptoms, and vice versa.</p> <p>My mother's was severe. She was diagnosed as a young woman, and had years of terrible pain and hemorrhaging. She was told that, for her, the only treatment option was hysterectomy, but she resisted for many years because she held out hope that she might one day have a baby. As the doctor predicted, she was never able to get pregnant (my brother and I were adopted). By the time she had the hysterectomy, at 30, her pelvic organs were such a mess that the doctor could not save her ovaries. The premature menopause caused by surgical removal of her ovaries, along with the fact that she didn't take hormone replacement therapy (she said it made her cranky) led to advanced osteoporosis and chronic bladder problems. She's 71 now, and not in great shape. </p> <p>I'm not saying this to scare you; my mom was just about the worst-case scenario! And this all happened many years ago. Surgical techniques have improved; there are new, non-surgical treatments; and they can often surgically remove some endometrial tissue without performing a hysterectomy. I think endometrial ablation, where they destroy the lining of the uterus, is an option too, although I could be wrong. However, I wanted you to tell you that story because my mom left it far too long and ended up with a much worse outcome than she might have, had she listened to her doctor earlier on. Losing your ovaries can be a BIG deal.</p> <p>My one friend who has endometriosis is being treated successfully with hormones. In her case, the endometriosis is pretty extensive, but she only has minor pain and bleeding issues. The other friend's is relatively mild, and I don't think she is having any treatment for it yet. </p> <p>As for the most invasive option -- hysterectomy -- you can PM me if you like and I'll tell you about my experience, and hopefully reassure you. After my mother's less-than-awesome outcome, and after reading all the HORRIFYING stuff on the internet (I'd advise ya not to do that!), I was terrified of hysterectomy. I can now say that, despite the fact that the actual surgery and early recovery is officially Not Fun, the outcome was overwhelmingly positive. I feel great, my symptoms have completely resolved and everything still works as it should! Except, of course, I will never have another baby. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542367 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:47:56 +0000 teri 542367@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>so sorry you are having problems.</p> <p>I have really large fibroids. About 4 years ago I finally convinced my Dr. that I was serious about not wanting to have children and wanted my tubes tied at age 36.<br /> We also chose to do an endometrial ablation because I was having periods for extended days. I was also tired of taking birth control pills.</p> <p>My bleeding stopped for about a year, but now I have light periods, but I stil get some months of severe cramping. I'm thinking it's due to the fibroids. My new Dr says the ablation probably didn't fully take because I have such large fibroids. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542305 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:44:14 +0000 Louise 542305@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't offer any advice so just sending (((hugs))) and hopes that they get you sorted quick x </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542295 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:24:17 +0000 Transcona Shannon 542295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Kim - I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I work in a Women's Hospital and am quite familiar with endometriosis and different treatments, etc. I do know that the birth control treatment is quite successful and of course will not affect your fertility for later pregnancies. Definitely give that a good try before looking at surgical intervention. Here, the most successful surgical treatment is endometrial ablation which pretty much permanently corrects the problem but unfortunately affects fertility.</p> <p>Sending lots and lots of hugs and good vibes for those pills to do their job!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542289 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:19:55 +0000 kimlee 542289@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sara - Thanks for sharing your Mom's story.</p> <p>Sveta - Thank you for the hugs. They are much needed and appreciated! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542278 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:10:29 +0000 Sveta 542278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have no advice on this but I have HUGS for you!<br /> I hope you can sort it all out soon and get better! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542276 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:06:21 +0000 Mochi 542276@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh you are definitely not alone. It is a very common situation. If I recall correctly (long time since I read up on it), they're not even understanding the causes that well. It could be hormone-related? I'm glad you're being cautious and always keep studying up on your own if your doctor recommends something that doesn't sound right for you!</p> <p>Good luck. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542275 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:05:55 +0000 Sara L. 542275@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My mom had endrometriosis after my sister was born. She took hormone treatments and it cleared up and has never come back. I think it's highly individualistic though and affects everyone differently. I hope the treatments work and you feel better soon! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542274 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:03:40 +0000 kimlee 542274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mochi - My symptoms started out pretty mild - bleeding between cycles, cramping during the month (and not during ovulation) and have progressed to heavy periods, more intense pain, and other issues. I had a c-section with my daughter, so I may scar tissue which could complicate the issue. My doctor and I are going to give the medicine a 90 day evaluation period - unless symptoms grow worse - at which time we will reevaluate. My ultimate concern is how this might effect fertility as my husband and I want to try for a 2nd child in the near future. Thank you for sharing experience. It's nice to know I am not alone! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542271 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:59:40 +0000 Mochi 542271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had it supposedly (meaning it flared up, and I haven't been having any issues since that point, around ten years ago). </p> <p>At the time I was bleeding a lot. Like, periods that went on for two weeks. That's what led doc to have me have a D &amp; C. I've also had fibroids (I don't know if there's a connection). It's weird and unpleasant but every woman seems to have different issues with it--mine were relatively mild and now non-existent, while my friend decided to get a hysterectomy, she was bleeding so badly and in so much pain (disclaimer--she was a marathoner/triathlete and didn't want kids, so rather than do a trial medication route, she went straight for what was most convenient for her, I'm sure). </p> <p>I hope and feel confident that your choice of treatment will have you feeling much better soon. Please keep us updated. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-endometriosis#post-542263 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:47:35 +0000 kimlee 542263@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been fairly silent on the forums lately, due to a health problem. For the past few months, I have been battling a myriad of strange and painful symptoms that led me to finally see my OB/GYN. After extensive labwork and ultrasound, my doctor decided that I am sufferring from Endometriosis. She stated that it can be treated medically (with birth control) or surgically. I opted for the medical route. But I was wondering if anyone else has this condition....and what treatments you have pursued. </p>