Mental Health & Endo

[Geeandi]

Good afternoon… I just wanted to write a post and see if anyone is in a similar boat and can offer some advice. I’m currently being assessed for bipolar and will be possibly starting medication in a month or so.. I feel this stress on my body is effecting my endo badly.. I’m constantly bloated no matter what I do or eat.. I am in on and off pain 60% of the time... I just can’t seem to cope with life at the moment. I’m a single mum to my daughter and no matter how hard I try I just find myself in a bad place emotionally and physically.. is there anything anyone can recommend that’s worked for them to calm anxieties and help with the constant physically pain & bloating. I have tried psychotherapy and I meditate, go to yoga and train at the gym 3-4 times a week aswell as eating healthy.. just feel at a lost cause and have a constant negative mind. Any advice would be great.

thank you

x

[Moon_maiden]

Hi

When you’re in pain so much it gets on top of you at times. Been there a lot, unfortunately the professionals have no idea what to tell us.

What stage are you at with treatment, medication etc?

As painkillers go I find Duloxitine with Oramorph or Diclofenac as back up best so far.

[Geeandi in reply to Moon_maiden]

thank you for your reply! They really do not.. I have had to seek all information from endo UK and the nhs website and research articles! I have had one lap in 2020 and was diagnosed with stage 2 endo and adenomyosis… but haven’t had reoccurring pains for the past year with new symptoms too.. they haven’t given me anything for pain, I don’t really like taking medication on a reg basis I just try natural remedies.. they gave me the pill alongside my implant which hasn’t worked if anything it’s messed my cycle.. I have just transferred gynaes so hopefully the new team will be better as my old one is horrendous…! x

[Moon_maiden in reply to Geeandi]

Research gate is good for info if you haven’t seen it.

Hopefully new Gynae will be more helpful for you. Do you have an appointment lined up?

I’d prefer natural remedies but nothing seemed to work, pain everyday gets unbearable and very tiresome 😂 I even had prescription cannabis, expensive and no different than Oramorph for me. When pain is genuine it’s rare to get dependent on opiates.

Heat pads are always a great lifeline apart from in this weather.

[TennisCourt]

so sorry to hear you are going through this.

I am in the exact same boat as you in terms of bloating, I have tried everything with no success. The amount of breakdowns I’ve had trying on outfits to look pregnant or just be in pain as it’s all too snug. My advice would be find some new clothes that are looser so you’re more comfortable. But are also still nice and stylish for you. I’m at the one point of just accepting right now I can’t get into certain clothes, but I can still feel and look good with different options! I love a dress that has a shirred top then floaty! I just found some great options for summer dresses at H&M.

I do find peppermint tea can help a little with bloating.

I just wanted to let you know, you’re not on your own and there are more women out there like us feeling the exact same. It’s mentally draining!

Have you had your surgery or any treatment? I haven’t yet and I’m praying it can help with the bloating xxx

[Geeandi in reply to TennisCourt]

thank you so much for replying! You are right.. I am starting to come to terms with wearing different clothes that suit my body better! I know that has a big impact.. I haven’t tried peppermint tea so will give that a go! It is very mentally draining because it seems doctors aren’t really that fussed about finding a solution to the problems… I am praying your operation goes well and that it helps with the bloating! When is your op ? Is this your first one 🫶🏻 Xx

[Cailleach]

If you are diagnosed with bipolar it may be that the treatment will help your mood and how you feel about things. Whether or not you are diagnosed, you are under a lot of pressure and you could ask about access to counselling,

It is not right that you are in as much pain as you describe and it would be worth going back to your GP and asking for better pain relief.

You are using a lot of good strategies to feel better mentally and physically but I wonder if you are actually putting too much pressure on yourself with gym, yoga focusing on a healthy diet, on top of looking after your daughter. It sounds exhausting to me! Could you take a little break and focus on just being?

I hope things improve for you soon xx

[Geeandi]

This is very sweet of you to reply thank you! I really struggle to sit still and I’m not sure if its associated with the bipolar. I’m a currently in a gap year from uni studying children’s nursing so I was on constant placements and extremely stressed for 2 years especially with the separation from my child’s dad, i am trying to use this year as my wind down time until I return next year I just struggle so much to not do anything and with my upcoming assessment I’m either more anxious and it’s a viscous cycle because that then effects my hormones which then effects the endo… just not sure what to do at this point, im trying to work out who i am and how I can help myself.. I really don’t like taking strong pain killers 🥺 so I take ibuprofen or paracetamol when the pain is to much but I don’t know, life is just very difficult isn’t it.. I suppose it’s that way for everyone! Xx