Possible endometriosis : Hi all! I'm new... - Endometriosis UK

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Possible endometriosis

CrochetWitch99 profile image
ā€¢16 Replies

Hi all! I'm new here. I've joined as I don't really know where else to turn to. šŸ˜”šŸ˜¬

I've been pushing with the Dr's for over a year now.

They have stated they can't find anything via an internal ultrasound so they believe it may be endometriosis so I am being put through to gynaecology.

Does anyone know how long this usually takes? I last saw the Dr about 3-4 weeks ago and they have referred me to a gynaecologist.

Basically, I'm on here just to understand more about it and my pain because I feel like some days I am just making it up and it's all in my head !

My symptoms are:

Severe pain over my right ovary all month long (sharp shooting pains and a dull ache)

This pain can then go into my right hip and down my right leg sometimes

Headaches

Fatigue

Feeling depressed/down because of the pain

Does anyone else have these? Or am I genuinely loosing the plot??? Lol

Please help.

Sorry for the long winded message!

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CrochetWitch99 profile image
CrochetWitch99
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16 Replies
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Moon_maiden profile image
Moon_maiden

Hi

You arenā€™t imagining any of it, unfortunately. Sorry itā€™s taken you so long. The Endo uk site has some great info, webinars and pain diary. Donā€™t let anyone say itā€™s in your head.

What has GP given you for pain?

Glad youā€™ve recognised that you only feel down because of the pain and not general anxiety, easy to get mixed sometimes.

Not sure how long appointments are taking for Gynae, if you can afford it you could go for a private consultation, choose a specialist who does NHS as well as itā€™s possible to transfer to their NHS list.

CrochetWitch99 profile image
CrochetWitch99 in reply to Moon_maiden

Thank you SO much! You're the first person in ANY forum that has responded and helped me.

I have got a really good pain app that has been helping me log every day. GP has given me some Tranexamic Acid I believe for when I have my period to lighten my flow and I have strong codeine already for my back pain but it's just constantly making me exhausted.

I just feel so drained with it all. And I just want an answer. I've been going through Dr's for years trying to get them to look into me having PCOS but they just ignored me and now to find out it may be endometriosis has thrown me off entirely. I'm just so stressed out.

Thank you for answering me - you've made me feel like it is real. šŸ˜Š

Moon_maiden profile image
Moon_maiden in reply to CrochetWitch99

Hi

Glad GP is sort of helping šŸ™‚ a pain nurse told me Tramadol was better than codeine for endometriosis. I did try it for a while, sort of helped. Iā€™ve probably tried most things, including Nefopam which is non opiate, Diclofenac (still use occasionally), currently take Duloxitine for nerve pain (itā€™s better than Amitriptyline) and Oramorph as well as paracetamol. Oramorph is really good when the pain picks up a bit.

Fatigue is all part of it, surprising how tired you can feel, try not to get too stressed over it, not easy I know. Keep in mind youā€™re getting closer to getting answers now and hopefully some decent help šŸ™‚ this forum is pretty good.

Feel free to ask anything, if I can help I will šŸ™‚

Justine89 profile image
Justine89

No itā€™s not all in your head at all and donā€™t let them tell you it is. I was fobbed off with IBS for many many years as I also suffered with horrendous constipation which was all to do with the endo šŸ¤¦ā€ā™€ļø I was diagnosed with stage 4 endo and suffered exactly the same areas as you do. Was all in my right lower abdomen, hip, groin, and also suffered down my legs and my back (on the right side). Ovulation pain was the worst. As on time I think it can all depend on your area. My first gynea appointment I waited 9 months for, then a further 3 for a diagnosis laparoscopy. I was then referred to a endo specialist to have it all removed at a different hospital and waited 2 years for that surgery which I had last month šŸ¤¦ā€ā™€ļøšŸ¤¦ā€ā™€ļø Iā€™m West Sussex based xx

CrochetWitch99 profile image
CrochetWitch99 in reply to Justine89

Wow that's a long wait! For the amount of pain we deal with! I'm so glad you got somewhere in the end though mate! Thank you so much for sharing with me.

My ovulation pain is so bad I just constantly have burns all over my right stomach. Xx

Jem33 profile image
Jem33

The other ladies have given great advice and my one add on would be donā€™t let them fob you off as endo grows and can get worse.

I was back and forth to my GP for 12 years to actually end up with a pain prescription that said ā€˜for unexplained abdominal painā€™. It is so disheartening but itā€™s not in your head. I feel your pain I thought I had lost the plot. I now have a diagnosis of grade 4 endo, adeno, all gynae organs stuck together and now getting a full hysterectomy/oopherectomy, excision of endo and bowel shave and Iā€™m only 39. Other ladies have had this done earlier and are worse off than me I just feel too young yet.

I feel like if I had known about endo years ago I would not be in this state now. I feel failed by the medical professionals that saw me over the years who made me feel crazy and I wish I had advocated for myself better.

Your symptoms are similar to what I have had over the years but now mine is advanced itā€™s so much more severe and they only took me seriously when my period changed last year, I had a raised CA125 blood test and general sonographer found one cyst on ultrasound. So I was seen in general gynae within the 2 week cancer pathway.

Thatā€™s another point if the sonographer is not trained to spot endo they can miss it. Mine certainly did as I was already at the stage of bilateral endometriomas, ovaries stuck to uterus and all that stuck to my bowel yet all they reported was the one mass on one ovary. No idea how they could miss all that.

Anyway best of luck, arm yourself with as much info as you can and be prepared to speak up for yourself at every opportunity.

mrskiki profile image
mrskiki in reply to Jem33

Agreed, yes why after years of pain, does it take the 2 week pathway and stress of a cancer scare to find out that all your insides are stuck together? Unbelievable isnā€™t it! How many thousands of us every year I wonder?

Jem33 profile image
Jem33 in reply to mrskiki

They didnā€™t even tell me it was a cancer scare either I found this out when I requested my medical notes and MRIā€™s so very scary what goes on behind the scenes or in some cases doesnā€™t!

Iā€™m extremely lucky as Iā€™m at a BSGE centre now but if it wasnā€™t for this and a Facebook group Iā€™m on I would still be flailing around wondering what I should do.

mrskiki profile image
mrskiki in reply to Jem33

So glad youā€™re at a proper centre, my op was by the oncologist, she was lovely surgeon but they werenā€™t prepared for the extent of the endo and focused on biopsies so I had half an op! I think the 2 week wait has targets, which speeds things up but not always in the right way, whereas getting the correct treatment is more important in the end.

Jem33 profile image
Jem33 in reply to mrskiki

Agreed hopefully you will get some relief after proper surgery

CrochetWitch99 profile image
CrochetWitch99 in reply to Jem33

Thank you so much for sharing your story! This has been so helpful and makes me feel so not alone anymore!!

Which Facebook group are you on? I'm trying to find one that works for me.

I think I just need some support atm as my mental health is suffering terribly. šŸ™ƒ xx

Jem33 profile image
Jem33 in reply to CrochetWitch99

Youā€™re welcome this and the Facebook group made me feel not alone as well.

Itā€™s called Endometriosis Guidance and Information Resource UK (EndoRevisited) you have to be accepted but once youā€™re on they are brilliant and directing you to the correct treatment pathways, identifying with symptoms etc. itā€™s not a support group but it has such valuable info. The ladies that run it have so much knowledge itā€™s incredible.

Maybe you should reach out to your GP or someone you trust so you get some emotional support. My family have been amazing I couldnā€™t do it without them even though I know they donā€™t really understand. I think Iā€™ll need some additional emotional suppoirt after my surgery so I get how you feel.

Message me on here anytime itā€™s such a lonely condition but youā€™re not alone.

Sending you a big hug

ccfd9 profile image
ccfd9

Hi, it may take ages to get an appointment, some people are waiting over a year for an appointment and then you may have to wait longer for an operation. However, there are some things that you can do for yourself. The pain down the leg implies that lumber 4/5 is out and putting pressure on your nerve. This happens because the inflammation caused by endometriosis pulls on a ligament which puts your back out, a good chiropractor (trained at Bournemouth) will help. Additionally you can is try changing your diet, may endo sufferers get some relief with their symptoms by avoiding wheat and gluten from your diet, others from avoiding bovine dairy - some of course need to avoid both. Just try it for six weeks and see the results. There are supplements that can help but you could read Dian Shepperson Mills book ā€œEndometriosis: a key to healing and fertility through nutritionā€. endometriosis.co.uk/

CrochetWitch99 profile image
CrochetWitch99

Thank you so much everyone! You've all been so so helpful! ā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļø

Cocoacupid profile image
Cocoacupid

Hun for me to be referred to gynea fast track I think is about three month wait ? I think thatā€™s how much I waited after I had scans and things and numerous times in a and e xxx but for my operation like diagnostic was told it was two years or more but because I was going to do a trial would have been sooner. But fast forward to this year my doctor fast tracked for the operation as was bleeding heavily on the coil and pain so intense that I couldnā€™t walk. Xx I hope you get the answers you need hun.

Cocoacupid profile image
Cocoacupid

I did also have adjustment s at chiropractor but the pain was so intense I had to stop going . Pain wise meds am on amitriptiline was on duloextine but was getting restless legs as I take other psychiatric medication. Was on pregabalin but that made me fall.

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