Is this my endo coming back?

[aabb]

I have been getting my injections and HRT about a year now. It is great having no pain or periods but recently I have been feeling discomfort, thrush like symptoms, back ache etc. Could this be my endo flaring up again?

Aabb

[Impatient]

Are you on depo shots?

[aabb]

Decapeptyl (triptorelin GnRH)

Aabb

[Impatient]

Not likely as the Decapeptyl has shut down the pituitary gland in the brain, this in turn stops the production of hormones to trigger a menstrual cycle - without the menstrual cycle the endo is dormant.

It is much more likely to be side effects from the loss of the hormones.

The drug is only recommended for use 6 months maximum in your lifetime. So extended use at your own risk will carry some additional risks including but not limited to bone thinning in the spine. I would speak to your GP and askfor a Dexa scan which checks the bone density of the spinal bones to see if their strength has dropped too low possibly causing back aches. Or if your weight bearing exercises which you should be doing at the same time as being on the drug may have caused a back injury instead.

The pituitary gland is the production point for GH or growth hormone which governs the growth of the insides of bones, without that there is little or no bone growth going on and the bones get thinner inside and more fragile to injury.

You can get back aches with bladder infections that have spread to the kidneys - so that is also something to be on the look out for.

The drug will dry out the vagina, and depending on the environment you can get fungal infections like thrush - but also BV or bacterial vaginosis, a bacterial infection.

If thrush then try the usual remedies available from the chemist and if that doesn't solve the problem then again it's off to the GP to get a swab taken to see what bugs might be causing the problem. you can get vaginal moisturisers to help out till you stop the drug and the sex glands and cervix start producing their mucus goop again.

Have you got a surgery date due very shortly? there shouldn't be any need for GnRH provided you have had a decent op to remove all existing endo. It is not a substitute for surgery. it doesn't cure your endo, and prolonged use can can cause serious long term health problems with bones, especially the trunk ones - skull, spine, ribs and pelvis.

the drug should only be used to ease pain while waiting for an op or to reduce fibroid growth before an op.

Please be careful, and get your bone density checked now before you decide on whether to carry on a bit longer, but then what will you do after that?

If you want to stop periods but on a much lower hormone dose then mirena coil gives up to 5 years period free and no remembering to take tablets, BC pills are a daily pill but can reduce the number or periods or stop them.

Both are far far safer for you that GnRH.

If you opt for mirena then get it put in when you have surgery to avoid a painful insertion.

[aabb in reply to Impatient]

I have had endo for 12 years. Had pain killers, surgery, laser treatment etc. Last time I went in for more laser treatment but unfortunately surgeon said it was too dangerous to laser because it is in sac of Douglas. My left side is completely stuck and my right side is heading that way too. My Gyno said he wants me to be on injections 4-7 years on one condition I take HRT which I do.

Aabb