Reluctant to take hormones: Hi, I've just... - Endometriosis UK

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Reluctant to take hormones

Meekos profile image
4 Replies

Hi, I've just had my two week follow up after excisional surgery. This was my second surgery after being diagnosed 6 years ago. My specialist wants me to try vissane. I'm very reluctant as I have tried 3 different pills in the past all of which made me severely depressed and non functional. It took me a long time to feel like my normal self after these experiences. I got the impression that my specialist thinks my endo will likely return and progress unless I take hormones to suppress it. So now just feeling really guilty, that I have made this decision and if I become symptomatic it's my own fault. Also feeling like I have to choose between pain or depression/mania. Are there any ladies out there with severe endo who have chosen to abstain from hormones? And.. Which drugs have you tried?

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Meekos
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KML22 profile image
KML22

Hi :) I literally just posted about this yesterday/the day before, sorry you're in a similar position. I get awful side effects from hormones and psychiatric meds so just don't feel I can risk it. I know I might be setting myself up for more health problems in the future but becoming suicidal again is a more immediate risk, so at the moment I'm coming down on the side of not taking hormones. It's such a hard decision though, I feel for you.

Meekos profile image
Meekos in reply to KML22

Hi. Thanks for replying. I feel like a bit of a dummy, missed your post by a day. I've just been reading some of the responses. Now I'm even more conflicted.

KML22 profile image
KML22 in reply to Meekos

Even if you had noticed it it's still good to write your own post, everyone's experience is a bit different! I bet lots of people are in a similar situation if we can write about the same thing a day or two apart.

Meekos profile image
Meekos

It's worth noting that I have been hormone free for six years since my first lap. My endo did return with a vengeance but was probably going to either way as it was severe when diagnosed and the technique that my (then) non-specialist ob/gyn used was ablative not excisional. I just feel that I'm on another level now as my (now) endo specialist has hinted that it is likely to return even after excision. I feel I have a responsibility to do everything to stop it. But that will likely come at the expense of my mental health. Impossible decision.

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