Is it endometriosis?

[Lehec84]

Hi all

I'm struggling with my doctor who doesn't want to take my symptoms seriously 😕 Basically I've always suffered from painful and heavy periods and since having my three children I've been losing more blood in a shorter space of time (used to bleed for 7 days now it's between 3-5 days) and have heavy blood clots. My period leaves me physically drained each month but throughout the rest of the month I also have to endure constant lower pelvic pain and lower back pain. I also noticed a small amount of blood in the my stool but my doctor believes I'm depressed although the only reason I would be depressed is because of the constant pain I'm having to endure! I'm now looking into changing GP's but does anyone have any ideas regarding my symptoms? Just wish I could afford private medical insurance as I would've been dealt with better than this. Thanks in advance x

[Lehec84]

Thanks for your reply. Yes my cycle has shortened since having my third child (3 yrs ago). They are so much heavier and I'm loosing clots each month. I've also started having painful ovulation- mostly tummy pains. I have an app on my phone which records my cycles and I am quite regular (give or take a few days) but my periods are only lasting 2-3 days at a time! I was told at 18 that I had ibs and have suffered with alternating diarrhoea and constipation ever since 😣 I've also started noticing pain during intercourse. We use condoms as protection but two years ago I had the copper coil fitted and was told I had a tilted womb. I had it taken out a few months later as I bled so much and felt exhausted but I wonder if my symptoms have started from then?

[Lehec84]

Thanks so much for your detailed reply! Everything you have said is so true to me and my symptoms! When I originally said to the doctor about endometriosis they brushed it aside and said as I have had 3 children it definitely wouldn't be that! I'm looking at changing GP practices ASAP and even looking at buying private medical insurance so that I can get a quicker diagnosis! I'm in Kent, England and will have a look at your link x

[Tboag in reply to Lehec84]

Hi, I'm in Leigh on sea Essex, I've just started seeing a specialist at the Maidstone hospital, he is on the BSGE list,

Go back to your GP with a list of BSGE centres and the contract from nhs, on Lindles post, make a list of all symptoms and take a copy of endometriosis uk, list of symptoms, and tell him you want a referral to this consultant at this hospital, then if you get no help from him, tell him you want it in writing that it cannot be endometriosis,

Hopefully this will shake the boat enough for a referral,

If not, then you should consider a change of GP,

I wish you luck,

Xxx

[Lehec84 in reply to Tboag]

Thank you I will certainly give it a shot! Maidstone hospital isn't far from me either. It's good to know that there are good specialists in my area. Now the challenge will be to convince my GP 😒 Xx

[Tboag in reply to Lehec84]

Miles from me, but not to bad, as long as bridge is ok, but the closet best centre, the BSGE centre is another hospital, but he holds his clinics at Maidstone, then if you require treatment ops, then you go to the centre,

Good luck, let me know how you get on,

Xx

[Lehec84 in reply to Tboag]

Shame there isn't one closer for you 😔 But at least you're getting the help you need. Forgot to mention I'm also b12 deficient (this was discovered in July) not sure if this is linked to endo at all as doc did blood tests but couldn't find a reason why I was deficient? xx

[Tboag in reply to Lehec84]

Not sure about b12. But I think I read somewhere that it's a good supplement to take if you have endo, I take an aloe Vera drinking gel, that has it in,

Your doc sounds more like a receptionist lol,

Xx

[Lehec84 in reply to Tboag]

Yeah...completely useless 😁 I used to have a brilliant GP but when we moved just 5 miles down the road they said we couldn't remain at the practice as we didn't live within their catchment area - absolutely gutted as finding a decent GP is difficult where we live 😕 xx

[Mommy2]

Thank you for this information. I suffer from many of these symptoms too, and it's amazing to read your descriptions. It all makes perfect sense.

[Lehec84 in reply to Mommy2]

Let's hope we can get the help and diagnosis we need 😁 X

[emma-85]

Don't give up! Change Gps! If it helps in pain all the time too, this test that test, feeling unbelieved! Good luck! Don't be fobbed off! xxx

[Lehec84 in reply to emma-85]

Thank you! I'm definitely changing gp's tomorrow and hoping for someone a bit more sympathetic 😟 xx

[emma-85 in reply to Lehec84]

Don't blame you hun. I have found this too. You are not alone! Only staying with my GPs to find the actual cause! Got Mri and ultra sound on Thurs. Told on last ultrasound multiple follicles, then heard nothing more...only questions of polycystic ovaries. How can they not know?...xxx

[Lehec84 in reply to emma-85]

It's ridiculous that they don't follow up your scans but at least your gp did refer you for one! I've been told that as I've had 3 kids I don't fit the criteria for endometriosis as it causes infitality - although I've read about quite a few women who have been diagnosed after having children! If I mention that I feel fatigued due to the pain my gp claims I'm depressed! She only hears what she wants to hear. When I originally approached her earlier this year I listed my symptoms but she didn't want to look at them! I read them out to her and she still branded me as being depressed....didn't know that pelvic pain and heavy bleeding could be related to depression but hey ho what would I know! Hope you get some news on your results soon xx

[emma-85]

A family history of endo! and being told contraceptive or family! so family it is once mri done! xxx

[emma-85]

Lol!! You are not depressed! In pain! I had IBS because of my odd bleeding! oh and fibromyalgia too! Giggles! Dr actually turned psychologist in front of my husband... never laughed so much! Never liked me after I told them this was not the case! Capital numpties, these GPs! xxx

[Shubhra-Rastogi]

The symptoms of endometriosis differ from woman to woman. It is also quite possible that some women show no symptoms at all. The most common symptom is the pelvic pain which has been present for six months. This pain is usually felt like a period pain and is more prevalent during or before a period pain. The other symptoms are tiredness, depression, blood in urine, pain during sex, difficulty in becoming pregnant and changes in periods like heavy bleeding. You may also have blood in faeces during your period. If you have any of these symptoms then please consult your GP.

[Felma]

You need a thorough gynae checkup could be endometriosis with its uterine counterpartvadenomyosis.

[Felma]

Rectal endo can cause blood in stool but what about your cervical papsmear and any blood after having sex?