Tough decision: Zoladex and HRT or perservere with the pain somehow (trialling TENS)

[SEELiz]

Hi all,

In January, I had a laparoscopy to remove an 8cm endometrioma from my right ovary and adhesiolysis. I was found to have severe endo in my pelvis and they couldn't remove all of it nor the growths which are on and around my bowel and right kidney.

I have had two hospital stays since the op due to infections. A haematoma in my pelvis has been blamed for a lot of the pain I have had in my pelvis but now endometrial growths are. They removed a lot but a lot was only half and a lot of what is left is deep infiltrating and/or on nerves etc.

I have a lot of pain, deep inside, above my bladder and feel like I need the loo all the time. My back (Inc nerve pain) has been bad but milder at the moment. It seems all the meds I am taking are helping my back but not the front

When I saw my consultant (also the surgeon) last week, he showed me images of where the endo still is, including on ureters.

A bowel resection is needed and now last week he said that with a hysterectomy (endo in my womb) and removal of one ovary should be done at the same time alongside removing as much of what is left. They will need a bowel surgeon and urologists.

He and I want to delay surgery if possible as recovery is expected to by l be 3-6 months minimum and I still haven't returned to mi job as a teacher since the op in Jan

I have been booked in to have a Zoladex injection and start HRT tomorrow and am really anxious about doing so. The aim is to reduce the pain but I am not in a position to experience all the nasty side effects. I am a single mother of a three-year-old and don't want anymore delays to returning to work (not that I can right now due to the pain).

I am just trialling a TENS machine. I have used it twice and it seems to help a little. I need to be more mobile without pain. Also trying to reduce wheat, gluten etc. I am desparate to be pain free.

If I start the chemically induced menopause tomorrow, it will be for 3 months before surgery as the next step is discussed. They are scheduling an MRI scan (never had one before).

What do I do? I know medicines have side effects and with the combination of Norithisterone, Gabapentin, Omeprazole and Naproxen, I am tired a lot but at least I don't have hot flushes, sweats, migraines, bad mood swings etc. I am don't think I hav will be good dealing with bad mood swings as I get anxious now. Recovering from the next surgery will require a lot of help from family and friends but I don't want random situations due to Zoladex when I am alone with my daughter as people may not be available quickly enough when I feel bad.

Experiences and advice are warmly welcomed. Thank you. xx