She is very lucky to have you for support and understanding. It must be hard for you seeing her in pain.
Ask GP for a referral to the pain clinic. If the Gynae she is under is part of a BSGE team they will have a pain specialist so the consultant can organise it. If she isn’t under a specialist endo surgeon ask GP to refer to them as well. Check out where your nearest centre is and specify the consultant to the GP.
Check out the Endo UK site and NICE guidelines, invaluable information.
Personally I take Amitriptyline (from pain consultant) and Oramorph, sometimes Tramadol, depends on level of pain. Wheat bags help me as well.
Depending on circumstances meds like Zoladex have been successful for some in reducing pain, but it does put you in fake menopause and is only licensed for six months for endo.
I echo Moon_maiden, I'm glad your wife has such an understanding, supportive and sympathetic husband.
Unfortunately, pain relief is trial and error. Over the years I have found:
The pill taken back to back relieved most of my symptoms (but I can't take it now for health reasons & obviously no good if you are trying to conceive)
Naproxen with co-codamol worked wonders for me - you can get Naproxen over the counter as Feminax Ultra (but ensure you check it can be taken with other tablets). Co-codamol contains codeine and paracetamol - but it is an opiate and can be addictive
Zoladax - puts you in a temporary menopause
Good luck, hope you can find a good solution for your wife
I’m so sorry that you and your wife are going through this. I use a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit to help block my pain - I got mine at Ovira.com
This TENS unit is worn on the low back or low abdomen and blocks the nerve sensors from sending pain signals to the brain. It doesn’t treat the underlying endometriosis but it reduces my pain levels (my pain is not as severe as your wife’s pain so I don’t know if it will block it entirely but it probably is worth a try). The good thing is that it will not interact with any tablets she is taking so you can combine it with other things.
If you want more natural alternatives to the medication suggested these are an option:
Both yoga and pilates have helped me.
At 1hr 20 mins of this video below there are stretches from a physio at Royal Free Hospital. They are good for the pelvic floor but many of them are good for endo too.
Resuming Endometriosis Services: What happens next?
If you can afford it I would seek out a good traditional Chinese specialist. If they have the understanding they can be outstanding at helping with endo symptoms. If you are in London I have a great one that I can suggest.
Pycnogenol (extract from pine bark) is clinically proven to help with endo period pain. It reduces it by at least 30 percent in all patients. Study used 60mg a day. Takes 1 month of daily use to start having an effect. I use 80mg a day and 120mg week before my period and during my period. Reduced pain from 8/10 to 2 or 3 out of 10. I couldn't find any side effects through research and don't experience any myself. Its a powerful anti inflammatory.
Serrapeptase is also meant to be helpful, please start on the lowest dose if you try it to judge the effect
These plasters were recommended by my Chinese medicine specialist. To be used daily on the affected areas. My pain regularly goes away within an hour or 2 and will last for more than 12 hours. If used for 12hrs daily sometimes it doesn't return. Plaster to be used for no more than 12 hours. Can replace with a new one if you want to use for 24hrs
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