Stage IV Endo + Hashimoto's & now advised... - Endometriosis UK

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Stage IV Endo + Hashimoto's & now advised Stage 2 CKD

uplivity profile image
16 Replies

You'd never believe that 4 years ago I was fit & healthy - riding my custom built road cycle all over London, going to the gym, going fell-walking in Cumbria... now it's all I can do to get myself to work! I was diagnosed with primary Hashimoto's & secondary Hypothyroidism in Oct 2013 & I take Levothyroxine. In Oct 2015 I was diagnosed with Stage IV Endometriosis + Adenomyosis + 7cm Uterine Fibroid sitting across my fundus. I started a GnRH-a (Prostap) with add-back bio-idential hormones (Estradiol gel, Progesterone pessaries & Testogel) and Actonel Combi (Calcium & Vitamin D3) and have just had my 13th Prostap injection. My next gynae review is on 14/11/2016 and I have just received a letter from my Consultant Gynae Surgeon advising me that unfortunately my last x2 Creatinine blood tests are showing that I have stage 1 CKD and now stage 2 CKD. My Creatinine was within normal range approx 1 year ago - this deterioration in my kidney functioning appears to have happened quite quickly. My thinking is that it could either be an auto-immune kidney disease, or it could be that the Endo (which had invaded my Ureters) is affecting my kidney function, or it could be the iatragenic affects of the Prostap medication. Has anybody experienced anything similar to this disease process? My Consultant Gynae Surgeon has now referred me to the Nephrology team, and my GP has referred me to Endocrinology. I cannot believe that I am suddenly, in the last 3 years, facing so many health problems. I wonder how much of a role stress & the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines has had, and continues to have, in my disease development & progression... has anybody done any research in this area? Feeling utterly fed up. It seems that no matter what lifestyle changes I make (getting out of London to live & work rurally, maintaining an AIP lifestyle etc) my health is deteriorating. It's frightening... and confusing. I donlt know whay this is happening to me...

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Stellauk profile image
Stellauk

I had endometriosis effecting the ureter causing the kidney to dilate. Once this was diagnosed, the consultant arranged a diagnostic lap and inserted a stent urgently. Did you see an urologist about this? Did you have a Renoscan to check kidney function? Normally prostap injections help with endometriosis, however most people don't have it for long. I had 3 months in between my two operations to shrink the endometriosis lesions.

Sorry to hear you have so many health issues. Hope you can get this sorted most urgently.

uplivity profile image
uplivity

Hi Lindle, thanks for the reply :-) I was investigated & diagnosed within a specialist BSGE centre. I had just started a new job & said that I wasnlt in a position to have immediate surgery (hysterectomy & extensive excision surgery including possile small bowel re-section & hopefully temporary ileostomy, as well as possoble re-section or stenting of ureters) & I asked to delay until Spring 2017. I was offered the GnRH-a as a temporary non-surgical measure, and it has worked extremely well for me (despite the horrendous effects in the first 3 months as my system was adjusting). I didn't think at that time that the ureteral endo would cause CKD & this wasn't ever discussed or explained to me. My creatinine at time of Endo diagnosis a year ago was still within normal therapeutic range. My understanding about Prostap is that it reduces Endo adhesions - it certainly has done with the Endo in my small bowel because when I had the sigmoidoscopy 3-4 months after starting the Prostap there was no longer an evidence of small bowel adhesions despite these being very evident on the U/S & the MRI pre the Prostap, though I know I have to be off the Prostap for a while before I can have surgery. I haven't been having my BP monitored, no. My Next Consultant Gynae Review within the BSGE Centre is on 14/11/2016 so I'll be able to discuss things more then. Thnak you for your thoughts Lindle... you have given me some more things to think about and query/clarify on the 14th.

Shelly92 profile image
Shelly92 in reply to uplivity

And with that kind of dx I can't believe they make you wait

Ask them who is sicker than me ?

Because it sounds like you need their attention last year

And now

uplivity profile image
uplivity in reply to Shelly92

Thanks Shelly. The Prostap was a pre-surgical temporary bio-chemical intervention to determine whether I would benefit from a hysterectomy. It's clear I will. Jut not sure about the Endo picture any more now. Has it all gone? Has the Prostsp enabled the nodules & adhesions to shrink? Will it all return now Prostsp has been stopped.. etc. So many Q's!

uplivity profile image
uplivity

Hi Stella, thank you for your reply. No, I haven't seen a Urologist but my Consutlant Gynae Surgeon has now referrred me to Nephrology Consultant. I have noticed that I am having difficulty wee-ing... its like its becomeing a bit more difficult to get the flow going, I have to push to get to create pressure to push it out. I donlt mean really really push but, you know, there are definite changes over the last few months (sorry to be so base!) I will make a note of some of the things you have said so that I can ask about them at my renal appointment, which unfortunately isn't until January 5th. The Prostap injections & bottoming out of my Estrogen has definitely shrunk the adhesions in my small bowel but perhaps hasnlt had the same effect with the Uretral Endo, unless it has but the kidneys were already damaged when I started the Prostrap and perhaps that wasn't know then a year ago, but then I did have a pelvic U/S back then & there wasn't any obvious concern about my kidneys then. I'm just trying to make sense of why in the last less than 6 months my creatinine has gone from being within normal range to now not just CKD stage 1 but stage 2. I just had my first full renal panel bloods done last week, which my GP requested, so it will be interesting to see what they show re what my creatinine is now, and my GFR (which will be the first time I have had this investigated) etc. I'm sorry you needed a Ureteral stent... do you still have that? How are things now for you?

Stellauk profile image
Stellauk

Even though there is significant enlargement of my kidney and ureter from the stricture caused by the endometriosis lesions. There is no kidney function damage. I had stents for 4 months. I am now completely stent free and back to normal 6 weeks post operation. I am due to have another renoscan to check my kidney function in a few weeks time. I understand work pressure may force you to delay your operation. I had to delay my treatment due to work/ study commitment. However in hindsight I should had it done earlier.

I had difficulty emptying my bladder for the first few weeks post operation. The operation involved removing part of my bladder and I had to have catheter for a few weeks. I was told to practice 2nd voiding to avoid urinary retention. It basic means after you first wee, wait for another few minutes then try to empty your bladder again. It is amazing how many cobwebs you notice and also help your bladder too!

Hope they can stabilise your kidney conditions soon.

Shelly92 profile image
Shelly92

You are smart

It could be all of what you are thinking

It could be the drugs are getting your kidneys to not function well

You need to get to the dr and get a plan of action

If you must say it out loud at front desk in front of other patients

This sounds stupid but I've had the best results with this way .

It's sad we have to yell at them and jump up and down to get what we need

But do it anyway

Yes maybe there are some sicker and that's sad but it does not mean you get ignored

A different kind of specialist maybe a dr that specializes in auto immune

Endo is auto immune as well

I'm sorry

Keep us posted

uplivity profile image
uplivity in reply to Shelly92

Thank you Shelly x x

Shelly92 profile image
Shelly92

I did not know blood pressure had anything to do with that .

This is very interesting

I am past endo age but the blood pressure thing just hit a nerve because of other stuff I'm going thru

Is it because pain raises it or another reason

Shelly

Shelly92 profile image
Shelly92

So Lindie

You had no endo until 7 years past menopause

I had menopause early

About 15 yrs ago and am pain free

I wonder if surgically induced menopause can be worse for endo pain ?

I had early menopause because a stupid dr put me on fertility drugs to ovulate high dose for 13 cycles.

Since I found I was ovulating just fine so I ran out of eggs with that treatment

I was probably shooting aboit a dozen a month which made me fall to the floor in pain

Shelly92 profile image
Shelly92 in reply to Shelly92

I have high blood pressure now but past menopause for over 15 years

Shelly92 profile image
Shelly92

Lindie

Are you saying you had no endo until after menopause ?

I'm sorry I forgot if yours was surgically induced or natural menopause .

My dr said something about the Aden one at 25 he said not real common as I was young for that

I'm glad I did not get at the time that there could be more to come years later

uplivity profile image
uplivity

Hi Lindley, thank your message. Yes, this was at a BSGE centre. The Prostap was a temporary bio-chemical management intervention to enable us to determine whether I would gain any benefit from a hysterectomy as well as excision surgery. The Prostate has been excellent in that it bottomed out all my sex hormones (I used a little bio-identical add-back Estradiol, Progesterone & Testosterone), stopped my periods & stopped all the immense swelling & bloating immense pain & bed-ridden lost days off work & from life! However, the side effects of the Prostap are really difficult bare, particularly the pain in my bones & the zombie-like exhaustion & feeling very very low. We've stopped the Prostap now as my Gynaecological surgeon said that I have been taking it for 14 months & it is only licenced for 6 months & it may be the cause of the deterioration in my kidney functioning. I've now been seen by Nephrologist & he said that he is not aware of Prostap causing a deterioration in kidney functioning, buy will do a literature search & check, rather that it is most likely the Diclofenac medIcation & he has told me to stop this immediately. I'm now have CKD stage 3 with just 60% functioning. He also mentioned that it could be Endometriosis causing this. He does not think I have developed an auto-immune kidney condition but he has requested a scan for which I received a phone call just 3 days later offering me appt for this Saturday (just 9 days later), which all seems very quick which I'm pleased about. BP was good: 125/80. I am going to write to my Gynae surgeon with questions that I. now have regarding the hysterectomy. I was barely able to think at my last review with him, so exhausted I was by the Prostap.. I was actually laid down foetal on the chairs in the waiting room with my head on my partners thighs! Anyway.. it was then he stopped the Prostap, told me that all of the Endo in my small bowel has disappeared & that at this point he wants to book me in for a TAH, re Adeno, X2 large Fibroid & x1 large uterine 'polyp' (which they have tried but failed to biopsy via laparoscopy) with BS & perhaps a single Oophorectomy. He offered me LAH or TAH but said that because of the size of my uterus & the very large fibroid sitting across my fundus he isn't confident he can get my uterus out without making a horizontal incision so he thinks that even if I opt for a LAH that he may need to progress to a TAH. I was initially adamant that I wanted to try an LAH but after discussing with my amazing GP who I respect very much - she spike about my degree of pathology & how it would be much easier for my Gynaecological surgeon to get in there & really have a proper look around with his eyes AND fingers via a TAH. so.. I am going to write & let him know that & put several questions to him & ask him if I can see him again to discuss.. e.g. do I absolutely need to lose my cervix? I'm thinking about loss of sexual pleasure because I know the sensation against my cervix is a big part of that for me. Also, what do we do if a lot if the Endo returns after stopping the Prostap? As before the Prostap he was talking about sharing surgery with his BSGE colo-rectal surgeon (who I've also seen) & me possibly needing a bowel re-section with posSible & hopefully temporary stoma. Why has that changed? Because the 14 month Prostap has shrunk everything? I'm also wondering if the kidneys scan will look at my Ureters.. I imagine it will won't it? I've been off work since October & I'm supposed to be trying to meet with my manager soon to do a phased return.. need to contact hime today / tomorrow & not really sure what to say, except I can try a phased return but I don't know what I'm going to be able to manage or when I'll received a date for my hysterectomy surgery etc..

uplivity profile image
uplivity

this is fantastic information Lindie! Thank you so so much. I'm making notes & these will firm part of my letter to & subsequent meeting with my Gynae surgeon. Thank you!

uplivity profile image
uplivity

I've just checked & yes I seem to be..

sarus73 profile image
sarus73

Hi I'm kindathe same as you, having hashmotos /endometriosis stag 4 / blood clots Dvt -Pe

Waiting to have a hysterectomy.

But now I have had a blood test from gp and my GFR came back 48 so she said to redo the next week so I did this time I was 47

So i have a appointment today I'm just really worried.

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