First appointment coming up - advice? Unsure if endometriosis?

[Midders19]

Hi All,

I have been suffering with symptoms of endometriosis since I was 12, but have always been told “you’re just unlucky and have bad periods”. Due to not coping with the intense pain, I was placed on the pill which stops periods completely. This was fantastic as I wasn’t having heavy bleeding or intense pain however, I was still suffering from chronic fatigue, back pain and issues with bowels. I have been on the pill for 10 years.

I decided two months ago that I didn’t want to be on the pill anymore, as I want it to be natural. The intense pain I have for 3 days over my heavy period is excruciating with constipation/diarrhoea/nausea/severe bloating and I realise this isn’t normal and isn’t ‘normal for me’. I suffer from migraines/headaches, depression/anxiety, lower back pain, rare pain near left hip joint (can be pins and needles or feeling like the joint is about to pop out!), left and right lower abdomen pain sporadically, sex is uncomfortable but deep penetration is very painful and the frequent need to urinate.

I definitely want to have children in the future, so I want to know now if fertility could be an issue, but I’m worried that they will just advise me to have the coil or pill and I’ll be back to square one with no answers. I’m suspecting endometriosis but keep thinking am I just crazy and am I just weak?

I changed to a new doctors surgery and got referred to a gynaecologist at the hospital without even having an examination. I’m aware they may do a trans-vaginal scan but apart from that I’m unsure of what to expect. I have a diary of what’s painful and when to help them, is there anything else I need to bring and what should I expect for a first appointment?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

[Hidden]

Hello Midders, sorry for all this pain you are having.

I have the exact symptoms and was suspecting endo and I was right. During my appointment i had a transvaginal ultrasound and they could see the endo behind the uterus and also on the bowel.

I'm on primolut n pill for now.

It's a good thing that you keep a diary of your pain it helps the doc in diagnosing your symptoms. You can also expect an internal pelvic exam and a rectovaginal exam if necessary.

Try to relax and I wish you all the best of luck

xx

[Midders19 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Sam-05,

Did they suggest a lap? Some people have said they had an MRI scheduled too.

Thank you 🙂 xx

[Hidden in reply to Midders19]

Hi there ,

So far no. The gynae wants first to see how it goes with the medicine. And yes some do have a MRI but I didn't get one either. I have read that they do the MRI before a lap. Guess I differed from one doc to another.

Have a good day xx 🙂

[Midders19 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the help! You too! xx

[Hidden in reply to Midders19]

You're always welcome! Feel free to ask anytime.