Endmetrosis and Me.

[WelshDizzyBird]

Hi everyone I've been reading through this page and seeing everyone's posts brings tears to my eyes as ino what each of you are going through, I've been living endometriosis since I was 15 maybe younger as I've always had terrible stomach, back, thigh pain just all over really, even at school it was effecting me there's days I can't even walk in in so much pain and it's effecting my work life, my relationship, my social life it's making me depressed and tired alot I just can't take much more , I've always got the pain but when I have my period it's ten times worse and nothing will help I use tablets and hot water bottles and I try and eat right and drink so much water, but the pain is unreal. Doctors ain't great they told me I've got the condition and since then has given me naproxen tablets but haven't done nothing else to help me I'm me it's like no-one takes me seriously and I think people assume it's just normal pain every woman have ect but it's killing me mentally and physically. If anyone would like to talk who has the same problems then that would be great.

[Hannah307]

I’m new to this whole thing and joined specifically to talk to other women who know the pain and what it’s like to live with such a debilitating condition. I was officially diagnosed last year on my birthday (I’m 26) and I’ve been fighting doctors for atleast 6years, to take my symptoms seriously and not just say “oh you’re just stressed” or “you’re just constipated”... I’m in a lot of pain today and I just give up. I can totally relate to the social side of things too, nobody understands unless they suffer the same condition.

Can I ask what medication you’re on to help control it? X

[WelshDizzyBird in reply to Hannah307]

I take naproxen and that helps ease the pain but it doesn't stop it, nothing seems to work, doctors never take me seriously keep brushing it off, I'm sorry to hear your going through it aswell is there anything you take that helps you?xx

[Hannah307 in reply to WelshDizzyBird]

So apart from being put on early menopause- I take tramadol only on really bad days. I have an appointment this month to discuss long term medication that will be better but I’m not holding my breath :/ I’d definitely keep pushing or try an alternative health centre/doctors. They can’t keep robbing you off, they aren’t doing their job properly. X

[rubywoo1 in reply to Hannah307]

I'm 17 and i'm due a laparoscopy in two weeks, it is heavily suspected that I have endometriosis on my bowel. My symptoms have suddenly and drastically worsened, so me and my mum did as much research as we could into pain relief. I was told by multiple women that the following medication helps:

Omega fish oil tablets, Nurofen red, Turmeric tablets, and CBD oil (herbal medicines are apparently very helpful, as opposed to ibuprofen and codeine that only worsen constipation and cause more pain). I have only just started taking these so I can't tell yet whether these have personally helped me, however I hope this information can help. I'm only just learning how to treat pain as I am very new to this, so I hope if anything this may help.

[Ouchiegrouchie]

CBD helps some and my heating pad. Some days I still need small amounts of narcotics.

A low residue diet as well, very helpful, sadly it's often unhealthy junk food (mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, processed soup etc). For example, ever noticed your pain areas increase when you are gassy or digesting difficult things (red meat as an example and for some dairy)?

All the specialists I have seen have said make your bowel movements as calm as possible, so as not to irritate the area. This means diet restrictions, lots of hydration, exercise that isn't too much and for me, and I feel most, supplements. Chinese herbs, fish oils, and high quality magnesium help me (the latter with muscle relaxing and sleeping). Tramadol may be suitable for more severe pain but for me low dose valium with aspirin is better. CBD helped me cut my pain killers in half (I have separate skeletal and muscle issues elsewhere). Were all different though.

Sadly, there is one thing you must do to get better - fight for the care you need. Hound your doctors, go in very organized with questions and symptom lists and side effects you felt trying whatever med or diet you already tried. Hate to say it, but getting the care you need with women's health seems to be like going to court and representing yourself, go in very prepared and ready to battle.

[lu-ann in reply to Ouchiegrouchie]

hi i never thought of that i come from the carribbean and ate a very health diet we hardly ate red meat as we live close to the sea. I had no symptoms of Endo untill i move to the uk at 18 i started having heavy periods then pain during and after sex. I got steralise and J-F-C i thought they had left some thing in me the pain was very bad for years, I resently decided to be very healthy i drink fresh crush tummeric-ginger and black pepper tea every morning.

[Ouchiegrouchie in reply to lu-ann]

Hi Lu-ann, how interesting (and oh my, what a change with moving to the UK!) about seeing the diet change. Absolutely, if I eat red meat versus say salmon nigiri or sashimi from a sushi restaurant I totally feel no issues from the salmon but the meat can cause issues for two days. Furthermore, you can bet your water source and lack of or even pesticide free local veggies also kept you endo free. Also dairy, for me, oooh I love it, however I see a difference there. Others also claim gluten triggers endo pain. I don't doubt the device attributed however it sounds like going back to your roots of a diet may be helpful. It is pricey being a pescatarian (I am in the US) so it can be difficult. Best of luck. XO