Endometriosis treatment NOT contraceptive pill or coil

[16yearsofpainsofar]

I'm waiting to see a gynae. This one took me seriously when I tearfully told her my symptoms. The debilitating pain I endure during ovulation and my period is worse than childbirth (I've had a baby). The bleeding is so severe that I flood a night time pad every half an hour. GPs have always been very dismissive. They keep pushing me to go back on the contraceptive pill or try the coil. I've tried many contraceptive pills and I didn't like any of them. I am reluctant to have the coil because I've heard awful stories.

I'm waiting for a laparoscopy to formally diagnose endometriosis. Hopefully the surgery will stop the pain that ruins my life. However, if this surgery didn't work for you then what other forms of treatment were you offered? Thanks!

[CrochetWitch99]

I'm in a very similar position. I've been put back on the mini pill but incredibly sceptical and my anxiety is horrendous so hoping for the best.

[16yearsofpainsofar in reply to CrochetWitch99]

I didn't like the mini pill either

[Lindle]

Have you had a scan?

[16yearsofpainsofar in reply to Lindle]

I had a scan to check for endo over a year ago. They didn't see any endo but I was told a laparoscopy is the only way to diagnose.

[Sunset-lady]

Agree with Lindle. Why are you bleeding so much and in so much pain x

[16yearsofpainsofar in reply to Sunset-lady]

I don't know why I'm bleeding so much and in so much pain. I have a baby who is a few months old now and the bleeding is comparable to the post partum bleed and the pain is like childbirth. Hopefully doctors will take me seriously now. I'm 27 and the severity has worsened as I've gotten older. Periods have always been bad though.

[Sunset-lady]

Obviously I understand you have endometriosis but where is it and how severe?

[16yearsofpainsofar in reply to Sunset-lady]

I'm waiting for a laparoscopy but I have all the symptoms of endometriosis. Possibly bowel endo too.

[Lindle]

Note that a lap is no longer the gold standard for diagnosis as it can miss endo, but is now the appropriate action after a clear scan. But be aware that scans in general gynae are usually done by songraphers who are aren’t trained to look for deep endo other than on the ovary.

When you’ve had worsening symptoms so long it is often a sign of deep rectovaginal endo. The lap needs to be done by a surgeon with a special interest in endo and if they do find it they can only treat any superficial disease. You would need referring on to a specialist endo centre if you have deep endo but hopefully this is a move in the right direction.

[16yearsofpainsofar]

Thank you for the info! Interesting that you mentioned rectovaginal endo because I have the majority of the symptoms of that. It's horrific. If I have this, would the surgeon diagnose me with deep rectovaginal endo and refer me onwards? I'm not sure if she's an endo specialist, but she's the only gynae to take me seriously and she was shocked I hadn't been offered a laparoscopy years ago!

[jen2023]

Hello. I have similar experience with heavy bleeding. Have deep infiltrating endo on my bowel, had laparoscopy excision surgery to remove multiple chocolate cysts on ovaries in the past. Been on the bcp for 15 years. Decided to get off the bcp, had my first period in 4 years. Had so much bleeding (3 weeks of continuous heavy bleeding), ended up in Emergency department, had blood transfusion and iron infusion. Bleeding didn't stop even with Traneximic Acid, a widely used med to stop bleeding. Recently discovered a uterine polyp, removed it and the bleeding stopped immediately. Have the doctors check for polyps or fibroids using an intravaginal ultrasound as they can cause excess bleeding. You don't need to do a laparoscopy to diagnose endo. Hope this helps in anyway. Sending you my best wishes.

[JOSANDY40]

Well. Painkillers. Judging when the pain might happen. So you reduce the inflammation and also a antihistamine before it starts. Fennel Tea for cramps. Hot water bottle. Belladona for pain when nothing else works. TENS machine to gate pain. Space the pads at sides of hips. Probably backpain setting. Set on lower setting where you only just can feel it tapping not pinging hard. Then reduce it lower til just a tickle. You may have to try different waveforms until you gate the pain. Never put the pads onto the pain. Perhaps the doctor will give you course of anti inflammatory pain killers or a type of drug Zoladex monthly implant. If you can seen at a Endo Clinic.

Message me if you need further info.

Best wishes