Could I have endo?

[oogleboogle]

Hi all,

This is my first post and seems like such a helpful community I am wondering if I can get some advice from anyone with a bit more knowledge of these things than I.

I have suspected I have endometriosis for many years now. I am 26 years old and have suffered with extremely painful period cramps since starting at 14. They seem to have worsened over time. Pains are so bad that I appear to be in labour to other people when I get a cramp (have to squat if I'm standing, pant through it, can't even think straight, feel nauseated, can't speak). It's horrible and very embarrassing and obviously stops me driving, doing any normal activity and can stop me going to work.

I have small clots (about the size of a finger nail) but not big or many with each period.

Sister and mother both diagnosed with endo.

I have raised this with doctors many times over the years and at long last they sent me for an ultrasound a few months ago which they said showed no cysts or fibroids (I think that's what they said). They also said it showed a thin endometrium.

This was kind of the end of their investigation and just told me to get an IUD fitted to stop the periods all together and then I won't have pain.

My question is, does the fact that the scan showed a thin endometrium mean there is no endometriosis? My doctors are a little dismissive and very hard to get an appointment with so if anyone can advise me if I should keep pushing for further investigation or leave it at that I would be very grateful.

Many thanks,

J x

[JeanOsborne]

Hi , don't give up. The fact that both your sister and mother have it, you are at greater risk of having it. Ultrasounds very rarely show endo unless you have endometriomas or it is severe and even then it would depend on the training and experience of the sonographer.

Keep a diary of your symptoms and when you go to GP next tell you you want a referral to a gynaecologist preferably one at a BSGE centre.

Have a look on here for a lady called Lindle and read her posts on treatment pathways and on how to get a referral. You can also pm her if you need to.

She is fantastic and has helped so many of us. You know your own body so don't give up until you have answers. Good luck . We are here if you need anything.

[oogleboogle in reply to JeanOsborne]

Thank you so much for your quick response. It is lovely for someone to listen!

From what I have been reading so far I suspected as much with regards to the scan not being a definitive diagnostic tool. I will take your advice and keep pushing for an actual result one way or another. Possibly I will change doctors and start afresh as I do feel fobbed off at my current GP office. Thanks for the advice about the diary, I will do that too.

Funnily enough I have just been reading a post by Lindle. She certainly does seem to know her stuff. Very informative.

Thanks again for your reply and support.

J x

[JeanOsborne in reply to oogleboogle]

No problem Hun always here if you need to talk.