Tips and advice for pain?

[heyimalion]

Hey everyone,

I'm 23, last month I experienced the same symptoms during my period, it was different for the first time.

Because it came on so acutely, all together i underwent an ultrasound, an MRI and blood tests. The report and results specified that it strongly indicated endometriosis as well as polycystic ovaries (not the syndrome) and multiple haemorrhagic cysts on the right side.

I wasn't in pain after I finished my period last month. However I'm now in the intense pain I experienced last month, it started last night (day 2 of period) when the bleeding was heaviest. The best way to describe my pain is like contracting spasms , worse on movement, obviously not just the norm menstrual cramps. It's painful to pass bowel movements, like my stomach muscles are intensely contracting when I try. It feels like my abdomen is swollen and bloated.

Does anyone have any tips or tricks to minimise the pain? I've already got a hot water bottle, taken strong painkillers etc

My consultant gynecologist wants to repeat an ultrasound scan in 8 weeks regarding the cysts. But I'm due to go on holiday in June, I know endometriosis only ever gets worse, I'm scared I should be doing something before.

Thanks for any advice this is all new to me❤️

[RJS626]

I don't have any tips or tricks unfortunately. I don't know much about these but I know some people with endo pain are prescribed TCA drugs like amitriptyline which might be worth researching and discussing with your doctor if it might be an appropriate option for your symptoms.

There are also stick-on heat patches which last for many hours that you can wear while on the go which might be helpful for the holiday - I doubt they will bring anything more to the party than your hot water bottle but it is a better option for mobility.

Another option would be to research TENS units - if it works for you, it works for as long as you use it on the pain source, unfortunately it won't have a lasting effect once you stop using it like pain relief does for however many hours, but wired ones can be very cheap just to try out and you can always move onto a wireless device for increased mobility and discreetness if you feel it is effective in blocking pain, though many people seem to get on with the wires just fine.

It might be worth keeping very gentle stool softeners to hand or just adjusting your diet to suit with lots of fibre and plenty and plenty of water while on holiday so that you use your muscles as little as possible if bowel movements can bring on really severe episodes.

For bloating, I've heard charcoal tablets are supposed to help which you should be able to find at a pharmacy, and there are probably lots of other tablets they could recommend which shouldn't interfere with any other drugs you take for the pain. Plus your usual recommendations of peppermint tea and low FODMAP dietary choices where possible. Oddly, I find tight clothing can make my bloating unbearable and swelling considerably larger just for having any pressure on it, so wear as loose clothes as possible (although I'm sure you would anyway as tight clothing while bloated is not comfy!)

I hope you get a long enough break from the pain or effective enough management for it to still enjoy your holiday.

[Ova104]

I have complex ovarian mass multioccular and the CA125 is only 11 and they said that it can be normal even in late stage ovarian cancer!