Possible endo?

[phocbc29]

Hi there,

I think I have endo and here’s my story of how everything has unfolded, I’m 19 years old now but I’ve been suffering with horrendous chronic pelvic pain since I was 14. My periods have been slightly heavy but very painful and have always suffered with abdominal pains/pelvic pains on and off not linking to ovulation pains or my period all year round since I was 14. I went into hospital with pain in my pelvic area when I was about 15/16 and it was investigated to come to no conclusion and was told it was just ovulation pains. Then I left it thinking some periods are just more painful and heavier until more recently I have been suffering so I decided to get some contraception to try and stop my periods to see if that would help my pain. This is where I got the implant which just constantly made me bleed for a year and worsened my pains. I went to the doctors about it at the age of 18 and had 2 ultrasounds and a transvaginal scan too which came with no conclusions again, they found no cysts or anything else. I’ve now changed my contraception to the combined pill (microgynon) which has stopped all the bleeding thankfully but my pelvic pains seem to still persist. I suffer with pains with bowel movements also. They are constantly dull but I get sharp stabbing pains frequently too. I’m debating going back to the doctors to ask for a referral to a gynaecologist but I don’t want to keep being ignored as I can’t live with these pains forever and I want answers and solutions. I’d really appreciate any advice on how to go about it, or if you think this is endo or maybe something else? Just not too sure at all what it is and endo isn’t diagnosed early on, always seems to take years to get diagnosed.

Thank you for any help xx

[Moon_maiden]

HiDefinitely go back to GP for a referral to gynae and ask for MRI scan. Endo is notoriously difficult to show on scans, an expert in endo can pick it up from an ultrasound, MRI has the better chance, pelvis and abdomen so they can check on intestines. Not much showed on any of my scans, but lots there. It’s important to rule out other things though.

Hopefully you have a reasonable GP, although NHS lists will take a while.

Are you on anything for pain relief?

It’s not easy to find something that works. I started Pregabalin a couple of days ago, on top of other things and I think it’s helping.

If the wait is a long time and you can go private just for a consultation it can be worth it, although I still don’t think we should. It gives you the opportunity to see a specialist that you pick instead of general gynae and a registrar. Although some are very good. They can add you to their NHS list if they choose to. Make sure they do both and/or check with secretary first.

I hope it turns out to be something else and easy to deal with. 🙂

[phocbc29 in reply to Moon_maiden]

Thank you so much for your reply that’s really helpful

I don’t take anything for the pain no, I used to take paracetamol, ibuprofen or bus loan but then stopped as it wasn’t helpful, so I might talk about that with my GP

I do think I will be asked to be referred to a gynaecologist, I think that’s my best bet

Thank you again

[Moon_maiden in reply to phocbc29]

Let us know how you get on. 🙂I find the online consultation form on GP website better, you can put it all down, symptoms etc. and they can’t ignore it. They should call you back quite quickly.

You shouldn’t be left in pain, there are many things to try. Naproxen is a stronger ibuprofen, Nefopam non opiate so if GP hesitates about drugs such as Tramadol there are others. If they go for opiates Tramadol was suggested by the pain clinic as best for endo but opinions vary. I also take Amitriptyline for nerve pain.

Do ask any questions here, the forum is very good 🙂