Brain Fog, fatigue, fainting, mood swings

[Sea_Dragon]

Hi lovely people!

Just wandering if any one else has had the following issues (other then the usual pain) with their endo?

- dehyrdation 1 week until period starts

- brain fog, forgetfulnesss and concentration difficulties certain times of the month

- ovulation pain

- painful bowel movements

- pain during sex certain times of teh month

- pain in rectal passage when I sit down

- fainting

- severe anxiety

- depression episodes / mood swings

- chronic fatigue

- dizziness

- Bloating and flatulence around period

Is this all endo, or something else ? Any diets that people recommend to help with inflamation? I've found cutting out refined sugar, dairy, caffiene, alcohol and gluten helps. but not sure if theres certain veg or meat I should or shouldnt be eating?

any help or advice or experience welcome

[Starry1977]

Hi depends your age some symptoms could be perimenopause. Or if you have any ovarian cysts, they can mess with hormones and give you strange symptoms on top if the endo symptoms.

[Sea_Dragon in reply to Starry1977]

Thankyou for replying ❤️

[635703]

Sorry it’s this rough for you lovely!

So….check out Jessica Duffin The Endo Belly Coach, fee podcasts stuff on insta and her website, she’s so lovely! Henrietta Norton’s book how to take control of your Endometriosis explains soooo much.

Haven’t got energy for a big response today x x x x

[Sea_Dragon in reply to 635703]

Thank you for your advice! I've got the books now xxxx

[635703 in reply to Sea_Dragon]

well done and there are lots of options to try. It takes a lot of time, money and energy to do some of them. Ask on here if people have tried something you’re considering. There might be good advice to cut costs or reviews on products from real people.

I so feel for you! This morning I have spoken to The Medical Psychologist who’s been excellent in helping me!!!

Still exhausted but feel held together by her helpful, supportive words x

[CeCeT]

Hi, I also suffer with all of the above. I’ve finally got my date for laparoscopy, so at this stage don’t know if it is endo. Sorry I’m not much help, but wanted you to know you’re not alone.

[Sea_Dragon in reply to CeCeT]

Thankyou for replying and for making me feel understood. I hope the laparoscopy goes well and the outcome is what u want. Xxx

[CeCeT in reply to Sea_Dragon]

Thank you, obviously no one wants endo, but I just want someone to say I’m not going mad.

I spoke to a friend today that has endo, she has cut out caffeine and alcohol , also cutting down on gluten, she said that she definitely feels better. So maybe worth a try, I’m also going to look into alternative therapies.

[Luna-24]

I go through phases of shakes, dizziness and tiredness. It took me ages to realise they sync around my cycle, usually 1-2 weeks before my period. I also found I had low iron which could also cause my symptom

[Sea_Dragon in reply to Luna-24]

Thank you for sharing. I will look into that. Shaking has started happening. Xxx

[EmB18]

Sadly endo and hormone imbalances can cause a lot of those symptoms. I also found that diet changes made a big difference to calming my symptoms down - wheat, sugar, caffeine and alcohol were also my triggers. I find an anti-inflammatory diet with lots of fruit and veg helpful. Trying to manage stress levels was a big part of the picture for me too - although easier said than done I know when managing endo symptoms is stressful enough. Good luck.

[Sea_Dragon in reply to EmB18]

Thabks so much. Doing this diet change now. Already finding my bloating and pain with bowel movements changed. Xxx

[littlefirtree]

Hi, I have endometriosis and PCOS. Diagnosed last month after my first laporoscopy. Yet to have my post-op appointment.

My symptoms are:

- Cramping and severe abdominal pain before and during my period (I can be doubled over in pain, unable to move around or even sit/lay comfortably)

- Headaches before and during my period

- Painful bowel movements during my period, shooting pains in rear

- Often constipated just before and during the first two days of my period

- Heavy periods and clots

- Fatigue, lack of energy

- Breathlessness

- Chest pain

- Low mood

- Back pain

- Leg pain, tingling legs, strange numb sensation in legs

- IBS (preexisting, but can flare up)

- Anxiety disorder (preexisting, but worsens around period)

- Sometimes experience pain and some of the above associated symptoms around ovulation

In terms of diet, I'm vegetarian and don't eat really salty or oily foods. It helps to keep my IBS at bay but I've been veggie for years and can't remember it improving my endo symptoms when I first made the switch. I also barely drink alcohol, don't drink caffeine and try to avoid things rich in milk and cream, but again, I don't know that those things have had any bearing on my endo symptoms.

I had to push really hard to get a gynae referral. Endometriosis was mentioned a few times during GP appointments over the years (took 8 years to get diagnosed), but they kept telling me that I was already on the meds that they'd prescribe for endo, so they didn't want to refer me for surgery. In particular, they weren't keen to refer for surgery due to me being young at the time.

Really hope you can get to the bottom of this and find something that works for you.

[Sea_Dragon]

Thank you for replying. I feel for you, sound quite similar to my own story. I too hope that this improves for you. Thankyou for caring. Xxxx

[Heloo85]

Endo is a systemic disease that effects far more than the pelvis! (Depending on the severity of your disease). Disease stages range and symptoms differ!

I’ll put it one way! Some people have uncomplicated disease that is easily corrected and controlled with medication and then some people, like myself, are at tertiary care because our disease is life threatening!

What’s known about Endo? It’s an abnormal tissue that responds to hormones! What are hormones? They are chemical messengers that balance the human body, not just the reproductive organs! Aka, guys take testosterone to increase muscle mass! Of course Endo and the treatments can have wide ranging effects!

Hope you find a way to manage your symptoms and find relief! Xx