Looking for advice

[Future-friend]

At age 14 I took my daughter to the GP after her having seriously bad periods since she started at age 12.In her bed for days, off her food , feeling sick sometimes was sick,pain,changing pad 12 times plus a day, problems with bowel movements.

I felt the Gp didn’t dismiss things and eventually he said based on symptoms he thought she had endometriosis.She was out on pill at 15 and although she has had to change a couple of times it has been life changing for her and she now only has a period 4 times a year roughly.She still feels sick a lot and has pain.She also takes an acid tablet when she starts period that helps clot her blood.When I’ve asked about her having a procedure to allow us to know if she has and how bad it is if she has I was told the pill is how they would treat it and why would I want to put her through a procedure.She is now 18 and although isn’t looking to start a family any time soon is worried about her future regarding falling pregnant.

Should I be supporting her to ask for a referral for a procedure to see if she has or is this something she doesn’t need at the moment.

Thanks for reading.

[TennisCourt]

Awww bless your daughter!! Can I just say, you have done absolutely amazing advocating for her and getting her the help she needs. It’s not easy, so well done you!!!

I’m 26, I’ve had problems since 15, no doctors listened to me unfortunately when I was younger but I’ve been battling non stop with doctors for 2-3 years now I realised I need to fight it.

As far as I’m aware the surgery is the only definitive way to diagnose endo. Sometimes it can be seen on MRI but it doesn’t always show on both MRI and Ultrasound.

Personally for me, to get that diagnosis is worth the surgery as like I said it’s been a battle and I’m desperation for validation.

Also I’m desperate to learn where it is on my body as I do think that will me try manage symptoms.

And doctors don’t take me seriously when I say “suspected endometriosis” so to have a diagnosis I feel will or should improve my care.

And also if you have the surgery and have it with a endo specialist they should be able to do excision if they can which is meant to improve symptoms, try to slow down re growth etc

The scary thing to me about endo is that it can grow and grow. Looking back at 15 I had early symptoms but 11 years later I’m now really poorly and I feel if I had intervention earlier I wouldn’t have got this bad.

There’s obviously pros and cons and I’m sure everyone in this group would be really helpful to you! But your daughter is very lucky to have you on her side❤️ xxx

[TennisCourt in reply to TennisCourt]

It’s worth noting that the NHS waiting lists are rammed so it might be worth getting on it for now.

My area is 18 months. I’m having to go private on the 9th Jan as I cannot wait that long.

So I appreciate your daughter is only young however she could be near on 20 come surgery so worth a thought xx

[Future-friend in reply to TennisCourt]

Aw thank you so much for your reply.Im so sorry your going through this.Thanks for sharing your lived experience.Its really given me food for thought.Her B12 is also non existent and is on the injection.Gp reckons it’s the pill that’s caused it.Although thankfully not looking to take her off the pill as they recognise it’s really helped her.

X

[TennisCourt in reply to Future-friend]

I am so glad the pill works for her. I personally have never really got on with birth control (9 years of it).

But when I was younger it did help mask the symptoms more, but when I got to 22/23 I started bleeding 24/7 and I tried implant, pill, pill+implant, injections and nothing ever stopped it. I’m now completely off it all and have monthly periods but they are absolutely traumatic so it’s really hard to find the balance.

So again it’s worth another thought incase the pill does stop doing as a good a job as it is now!

Lots to consider and lots of trial and error for each woman unfortunately xxx

[E-ZEE]

Hi,It is better to diagnoses first, if its actually an endo or its something else by MRI or diagnotic Laproscopy .It will clear the future directions for her.Addionally,she is just 18,women get pregnant with endo,its not unusual.Then,if it will confirm it is endometriosis,please go to the Endometriosis consultant ,do not take a treatment from gernal gynecologist.They may make the case worst.

Finally lot of thoughts and wishes for this lil girl 😊