I spoke too soon - the pain is BACK!!!! And talking of backs.......

[Bokkie]

Hi all,

about a week ago I was 100% sure that my symptoms and pain had improved AFTER stopping the Depo-Provera treatment but I now have to say that I was WRONG! It is back again. : ( . I stopped the Depo at the beginning of March because I felt I did not benefit at all from being on it as I still had constant daily pain and bloating. I have had about 3 weeks recently where I felt 'normal' for the first time in years, I had a very light period 2 weeks ago with very little discomfort during that time for 2-3 days only, and to be honest, I couldn't believe or understand how and why. I was over the moon though. BUT, I had spoken too soon and for the last 4 days the hot water bottle has come out again and according to my husband I have that 'look in my eyes' that shows I am in pain. For the last 2-3 nights I have also started having an aching pain radiating from my right hip up to just under my right shoulder blade and round to my upper stomach that is keeping me awake too so I am even more tired than usual! Also, during the last couple of days my boobs have become really tender and sore (no, I am not pregnant).

So I have 3 questions I would like to ask;

Have any of you ladies had (or have) this type of back and upper tummy ache (I have read that Endo can and does attach itself to the spine, back muscle and upper stomach). I have suffered with back and upper tummy ache on and off for years but it seemed to stop whilst I was on Zoladex and Depo-Provera and I thought it was just a co-incidence at the time! Maybe it is not???

Has anyone else found that their boobs got uncomfortable and sore after stopping the Depo?

Has anyone else had a short 'honeymoon period' of no pain after stopping the Depo, for it to return suddenly with a vengeance?

I would be really interested to know please? I am soooooo fed up at the moment. Nothing seems to work for me!

Thanks!

x

[Brownlow]

Hi Bokkie,

Sorry to hear of your symptoms. I have no experience of Depo Provera.

I am not a medical person so I'm only surmising but it sound to me as if all your symptoms and changes are due to hormonal fluctuations. Some of us are progesterone resistant a bit like insulin resistance so no matter how much progesterone we fill ourselves with our bodies can simply reject it. It will have some effect on oestrogen levels but perhaps not enough. This might explain why you had symptoms when on Depo. I also recently read that progesterone can backflip and turn into oestrogen but I still need to research that a bit more!

I should think that your oestrogen has now shot up again to pre Depo levels. The 3 weeks can be explained by the fact that the change in hormonal levels can take time. High oestrogen would explain your sore breasts.

Yes, I have also read about women with shoulder blade pain and upper tummy ache. Also hip ache. It might mean endo in these locations but it is rare. Issues with the liver can cause pain in these locations and a poorly functioning liver is one of the pieces in the endo jigsaw. Oestrogen and progesterone also have an effect on muscle flexibility. Try to look after your liver so it can work at eliminating oestrogen.

I had hip problems for a while and neck pain. I went to an osteopath who really helped me. I believe that endo and high oestrogen were causing my musculoskeletal problems. I love blaming everything on endo!

[Brownlow]

I just realised that another thread I started on magnesium might be useful for you especially your hip, shoulder etc. pain healthunlocked.com/endometr...

[Bokkie]

Hi Brownlow,

Thanks so much for both of your replies.

I did wonder whether the soreness might be something to so with a sudden influx of oestrogen. I have also acquired a couple of red spots on my nose now too! I feel like an adolescent again! (only on my nose tho)

I did have a blood test done at the GP's a couple of month's ago which I believe included a liver test of some sort and it was ok back then apparently. Two years ago I got an awful neck pain that went down my arm via the nerve and had 6 sessions with an osteopath who said that I also had a slightly twisted spine and that the upper back and tummy pain was referred pain in my muscles from my spine . The treatment did seem to sort it out at the time but this was before I knew that I had Endo. I am not sure now if the pain is due to my spine or the Endo. I too, tend to assume all my aches and pains are down to the Endo like you but you just don't know! My joints, especially in my legs, are also really giving me gip at the moment; lots of aching not dissimilar to flu type joint aching. Again, is that due to coming off my treatment or is it my age and genetics? I am pushing 50 and their osteoarthritis in my family. It is just so frustrating; I feel old before my time.......except still no sign of menopause which is the only thing that will stop the Endo for me it seems as hormone treatments do not like me one bit....x