getting myself in a tizz

[foursimplewords]

I saw an endo specialist privately end of Feb. He said over 50% chance I have it. But, couldn't feel any nodules on physical examination. My CA 125 came back fine.

Since then I have been supplementing with magnesium, selenium and zinc. I also tried pre-loading my painkillers a few days before for this cycle. My last two cycles have been better as a result of these interventions (shorter and less painful). Now I'm worried it's all in my bloomin' head and I'm having an op for no reason (I'm waiting for my lap on the NHS). They have said it is likely end of May/early June.

Also, as I have coeliac disease and am lactose intolerant I naturally follow a fair bit of the 'endo diet' anyway.

Ahhhhhhh. Anyone been in a similar situation?

[Healthnut25]

I do find that larger than normal doses of magnesium and selenium do help reduce symptoms. In fact I ran out of selenium a few months ago and didn't replace it - and my symptoms got worse which reminded to buy some more. Also taking pain relief before the period does reduce the pain too. So I guess it would make sense that these interventions would start to mask your original symptoms. If your periods are still generally more painful than the average woman, and a lot heavier, then I guess it could be useful to find out why. Weirdly I was getting symptoms in 2010 and had the lap cos my doc thought it was endo. However, it wasn't - it was 3 fibroids (one was 4cm big) and a simple cyst. But then in 2011 my symptoms got even worse and then endometriomas started appearing on my scans, which diagnosed endometriosis. Since then my symptoms have developed further. So - even though I didn't have endo at the time of my lap, I did have other things going on, which was useful to know - and I went on a clean eating diet immediately afterwards to shrink my fibroids to half their original size.

[mmaybs]

I was sort of in a similar position - the doctor told me he wasn’t sure if he would find endo but I had the option of a lap. I found it so hard to make a decision as I hate the thought of being operated on, esp if nothing were to be found. The two months leading up to my lap, my pain was so much better and I had no clue why.

I had it on 5th April and he did find minor endo, and now I’m sooo relieved I chose to do it. It’s such a weight off of your shoulders having an official answer to it all. I think purely for peace of mind, a lap is worth it - to simply find out what’s going on and then work it all out from there xx

[Lizzie21]

I was in the same boat- doctor even told me he was pretty sure he wouldn’t find anything but was happy to do it for my piece of mind if I was going to worry about it for years (i’m 21). I wasn’t sure as didn’t want to waste everyone’s time or go through the procedure but had my lap last Tuesday and they did find Endo which he was able to treat for now! So I recommend going for it, the peace of mind to know you do/don’t have it is worth it for your future! X

[foursimplewords in reply to Lizzie21]

Thanks hun - did you have a similar thing with your symptoms reducing?

[Lizzie21 in reply to foursimplewords]

Yes! I started to doubt myself all the time like ‘is the pain really THAT bad, maybe this is normal, am I overreactig’ ect ect. I think it’s normal when you’re nervous about having surgery you try to convince yourself you don’t need it at all.

Also based on what you’ve said you’ve started to actively try and reduce your symptoms so it would make sense for them to be feeling a bit better! It’s always best to know what’s going on just to be sure xx

[foursimplewords in reply to Lizzie21]

Thank you I'm glad someone else has been in a similar situation! I'm just over thinking everythingggg