Update on last post

[Mags1b]

So, my granddaughter has been on the combined pill for over two months which has done what it was supposed to do, except that she is in more pain now than ever before. The GP has given her different pain killers but once again they have no effect on her. He said that in his opinion she may not have endometriosis but it may be a more psychological problem because she has been in pain for so long. She is struggling to move and when she does move the pain just escalates. We don't know what to do, we were told we had to wait until she had finished three months on the pill before they would look at doing anything else, and then it might be the 'temporary menopause'. I don't understand how that will work because if it is to stop periods that they've just got started again, then that will just put my granddaughter back to the situation she was previously in. Confused!

[Brambledoggy]

What are her symptoms? I’m no expert, but don’t AT ALL 😡 like the sound of a medical professional telling any patient in prolonged pain that they have a psychological issue and if that were a relative of mine my red flag signals would be waving like hell. Change of GP needed I would have thought. Second opinion, a lot of research and reading and if she does have endo, the correct diagnosis and relevant follow up procedures. A good start is endometriosis UK.org, leading UK charity for all things endo related.

[Mags1b in reply to Brambledoggy]

She has had chronic abdominal pain for over two years. Right now she can't move without said pain is excruciating. I have taken her to a private gynecologist who did diagnose her with endometriosis. She has been given pain medication but that isn't helping and the GP doesn't want to give her anything stronger than that given. My biggest problem outside of my granddaughter's pain is that I used to work in pharmacy which has led me to distrust most doctors in any case. My granddaughter's condition is just reinforcing that distrust.

[Pinkmice]

Chronic pain - May still have endo - may be just forming each time your grand- daughter

has the usual monthly cycle.

I was put on that mini pill - at your age to stop heavy ones with loads of pain.

Took over seven years for it to found- Medical issues could affect your grand daughter

with stress etc.

May also have other medical issues - bladder infections which mask in with monthies

cycle. Also because if bloated that also add to pain levels.

No saying that your grand daughter is not experiencing pain - life as a woman

is differcult - full of hope and dreams. Having family support helps, keep hoping

natural painkillers may help - herbal items.

Big hug ,keep safe

[Washington1]

Have they ruled out something like appendicitis going on as well? A family GP told my Mum he thought it was all in my head when I was in my teens but it turned out to be appendicitis. My surgeon came to see me after and told me it had stones in it, a cyst on it and had been at bursting point. It was around the same time that the endo pain started for me. I recommend a tens machine. I use an Ova tens (I've got the pink one) for the endo pain and this can take the edge off some of the pain, so worthwhile trying out. I think they've brought out a new Ova tens now that gives an option for heat. I would also recommend keeping a food diary. I found that there are foods that make things worse for me. The food avenue doesn't seem to work for everyone, but is worth trying. I tend to stay away from red meat for several days before my period and I also discovered that I'd be in agony if I drank more than 3 cups of green tea a month. I mention this as the same thing happened for my niece. Others have found that gluten caused them a huge amount of pain, but it can take up to 12 months of going gluten free to see full benefits. I would ask for an ultrasound scan to check things out if she hasn't already had one. I can't offer a lot of advice regarding the pill. I have been on them at times, but they caused me awful side effects so I came off them. About painkillers: She needs to take them either before pain starts or the moment she gets a first twinge for them to work. I mention this as I often used to wait until I was in considerable pain before taking them, but a friend who was a Macmillan nurse explained that they don't work like that. By waiting I was making their impact obsolete. I also discovered that Co-codamol doesn't work for me. Apparently a percentage of the population doesn't have the enzyme required to break it down into the pain relieving medicine it is for others. I hope some of this information will help and I really hope your granddaughter gets some relief soon.

[Bewrabbit]

Hi has your granddaughter ever had any scans I had an MRI scan which showed them how bad my endometriosis and adenomyosis was..I was also told it could have been psychological as I kept going back with pain untill the done an internal scan and found I had a hole in my C-section scar so from there I was checked more.. definitely get your granddaughter to keep pushing for test that she needs don't let them fob you off us as women know our bodies.

[Mags1b in reply to Bewrabbit]

She has had a few ultrasound scans, which showed nothing.

[BloomingMarvellous]

Nothing showing on the scan’s doesn’t mean she hasn’t got it. The GP’s attitude unfortunately is all too common where womens’s pain whatever it’s root is concerned and if she were my granddaughter I’d be fixing up a second opinion with a GP with an interest in womens health and insisting on a referral to a specialist in endo. You can self refer. To give you both more confidence listening to Dr Louise Newson’s podcast with Mr Chris Mann ( UK top endo specialist) on her website will underline how important insisting on proper attention is. Even he says change will only happen in endo care if patients and women make the noise to get it too. She needs care and support.