Understanding my endometriosis?

[Meg_M]

I’m 25 and I’ve recently been diagnosed with bladder and bowel endometriosis. This is all very new to me and I’m still trying to understand what classifies as normal ‘period pain’ and what is endometriosis.

I understand the impact bladder and bowel endometriosis is having. But I’m more keen to understand if the below symptoms are something normal that everyone experiences or if it’s due to my endometriosis. If so, what’re tips on dealing with this?

- Cramps typically start 5-6 days before my period begins. Including bladder and bowel related pain.

- Continuous pain of lower back which lasts for 10 days per month

- Severe bloating for about 10 days

- Very random and sharp/ piercing pain in abdomen the week leading up to my periods and the week of periods.

- Dizziness on days of heavy period

Additionally, does anyone have any experience using CBD to manage pain?

Thanks,

Meg

[L34B]

Hi Meg, I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I am 22 and after waiting almost 12 years for answers, I was finally diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis on my bowel, bladder and right ovary at the beginning of the month. Were you given an idea as to when you will be having your laparoscopy?

[mampa103]

Hi Meg,

Sorry you're having so many symptoms. I have severe endo affecting my bowel and bladder as well. I also get very dizzy on heavy period days.

I've recently come off the mirena iud as I'm trying to conceive but I did find some relief while on it - though I never really got on with it well to be honest. My periods were lighter and easier to manage than they are now.

The biggest thing that's helped me is going gluten free. It sounds mad but my pain halved in a week and I was off painkillers completely in two weeks. That was a few years ago and things have got worse again since then but eating gluten still causes massive flare ups so I live like I'm Coeliac now.

I also love my heated blanket and baths with Epsom salts - the baths are particularly good!

I'm currently looking into CBD products (thats how I came across your post). Drs have prescribed me various NSAIDs, codeine and now oxycodone but they all have such an impact on my bowel that to me they cause as many issues as they solve. CBD, possibly with low level THC, seems to have a lot of good feedback and theres emerging research papers on animal studies so I'm going to give it a go - just need to figure out what!

Hope you've found some relief x

[Meg_M in reply to mampa103]

Hi there!

Thank you so much for the gluten-free suggestion. It’s not something I’ve looked into before but will definitely consider it now.

Hoping you’ll see progress in your journey. Good luck!! Xx