General advice please

[Levib1988]

Hi... I was finally diagnosed with endo just over a year ago after ten years of complaining about symptoms, having periods every 10 days since I was 14 and lots of pain and bloating. The pain seems to be mainly in my bowel area, I think this is why it’s taken so long to find as they never seem to check there. I have 3 ovarian cysts pop. I’ve really been suffering with constipation and extreme tiredness lately, the tiredness is fairly new and I’m struggling with this. I am a single mum with 2 young children and feel like I’m snapping at them constantly. Any advice or help?? The Coil has helped control how heavy my periods are but I seem to have pain or symptoms of periods all the time with no reprieve. The pain is not severe at moment but manageable on pain killers but these don’t help with the tiredness and hurt my bowel more. Just a bit fed up and docs don’t seem to acknowledge any of it or have much advice. Sorry to rant

[shadowxsong]

Have you tried senokot for the constipation? I have been on painkillers following a lap and that has helped me out. I don't think you are meant to take them long term though as your bowel can become lazy?

Regarding the tiredness have you tried vitamins and diet? This could help with the bowel issues too if you eat a lot of fibre. I also don't know your situation regarding children and friends/relatives involvement, but if you can I would definitely ask someone for some help. Even one day a week just to ease the stress. I am going through recovery from a lap at the moment and cannot even imagine having to look after anyone else! Even having someone round for a cup of coffee or arranging a playdate for them for an afternoon might give you some time to yourself? I don't have children, but I feel like having another adult to help you to look after them or distract them would be really helpful.

I wish I could help you out more. I have terrible fatigue at the moment and it's the worst! It's also a vicious cycle because you can't be bothered to eat healthy or exercise which should eventually boost your energy.

[Horlah]

Hi....I hope you feel a lot better soon. You didn't say anything about having the after effects (following your diagnosis) treated.

Did you have a surgery......this is usually to remove adhesions produced as a result of endo. These adhesions form in all areas especially around the organs in the abdominal region. Adhesions in or around your excretory organs would make you constipated.

If on the other hand these have been removed then I'll suggest a MIRENA COIL which although has a few side effects that later settle but are a lot better than what you're probably feeling now. Any contraceptive to at least put the whole menstrual process on hold would do until proper treatment is sought.

Lots of vitamins to get your energy up and eat as healthy as you can. Please try get help with the kids as much as you can.

[Abi_97]

Have you tried any vitamins or herbal tablets for the fatigue? 😮 I would go into holland and barret and ask if they have anything for fatigue.

[Levib1988]

Thank you all, I had the adhesions removed back in January although I don’t believe he found many this time, and then nothing more has been said. No follow up appointment was made, so I’ve been back to the gp numerous times.

I have a mirena coil fitted, which has regulated my periods somewhat but hasn’t stopped them. It has controlled how heavy they are but still seem to have all the general pain and aching as I did before hand.

I haven’t tried vitamins so will give them a go, in general I eat healthily but I don’t excercise much as it hard to find the time or the energy at the moment. My docs don’t seem to tell me much about the endo just to give me pain killers, I have to be careful with those as I suffer with a Haitian hernia. My mum helps with the kids where she can. But this exhaustion is a new thing, it was never this bad previously and seems have creeped in over the last 6 months. Hoping it will go away again . Hope you are all well x