Endo

[aal2701]

I have been suffering with bad periods and all of the other endometriosis symptoms since I was 12. I need some advice. I had the implant put in last November but since my periods have become worse than they were. My pill was working and then just stopped, ive also had a laparoscopy but nothing has been said about this either. I’ve now been bleeding for 3 weeks and the pain is horrendous. What do you think I should do? X

[Kirst625]

You poor lovely, you're having a tough time huh? I'm far from knowledgeable about Endo as only just getting to grips with the diagnosis myself in the last few weeks, but I wanted to respond so hopefully you didn't feel quite so isolated. I don't know specifically what to suggest about the bleeding other than I would be asking for an appointment with my GP or gynae department. In terms of your laparoscopy when was this and are you due follow up? Was it carried out by a gynae with a specialist interest in Endo? As this is what should happen in line with the NICE guidelines. I believe you should be able to apply for a copy if your lap report and I think as well as finding out what to do about the bleeding this is really important to find out what was done / where was Endo looked for and what was the result. Knowing if you have Endo or not should help determine what is to used to help with the management of the condition. I'm sorry that you're suffering and you probably feel quite drained after a period that long (might be worth getting bloods done too to check for anaemia) but it's definitely important that you push for follow up x

[aal2701]

Aw thank you for replying my lovely! Yeah a really tough time at the minute it’s horrible, I feel absolutely dreadful. My laparoscopy was in December 2017, they told me they didn’t find anything but in appt last September there was something on the images that the doctor didn’t even know what it could be. It was carried out by my Gynae at the time. My periods have become longer since having the implant in comparison to the pill to the point where I don’t even know when I’ll be on next. The last two periods I’ve had have been 38 day cycles+. I think I’m going to ring my gynae to bring my appt forward as I cannot physically, mentally or emotionally deal with the bleeding or the pain. I will be going to my GP if it gets worse over the weekend x

[Kirst625 in reply to aal2701]

It sounds really rough I'm afraid I've read a lot about general gynaes possibly not being experienced enough to look everywhere they should or know what they're looking at as Endo can present in different visual forms. If it wasn't a gynae with a specialist interest in Endo this could be the case unfortunately. I saw two general gynaes before I knew what I know now and one fibbed me off with IBS and the other told me things I now know not to be accurate. Even the head consultant who said he had extensive knowledge of Endometriosis dischargec me back to my gynae after a clear Transvaginal Ultrasound which both me and my doctor knew wasn't correct practice. It sounds like the implant is having a really negative effect for you so I'd want to see what else could be offered instead. With regards to your gynae can you check out his credentials and see whether he has specialist interest in Endo. I don't know if symptoms match but I am also currently looking more at a related condition called adenomyosis where it's like endo tissue but in the wall of the uterus and can cause heavy bleeding and longer periods than normal, clotting etc. Might be worth a look too? X