Seeking Helps from Moms Who Have Endometrioisis

Dear L.,
I KNOW what you are going through. I had stage IV endometriosis years ago...I had 3 surgeries to remove the scar tissue and was on Lupron therapy and COUNTLESS drugs...nothing worked until I went organic...did yoga regularly...took healing herbs...I was in pain and infertile for years...now I'm 32...no pain from endo...and I have two children I conceived naturally...I would love to talk with you more...IT WILL BE OK! you are not alone.
M.

Hi L.! I have had endo since I was about 15 and I am now 28. I had pain for years so bad that I could not get out of bed for days and if I did I had to crawl with agony. I finally got tired of what the doctors were telling me and I went to an organic diet , like Megan, and it has really helped me too. I found that it was a hard diet to follow at first but it has really paid off. I slip and eat things that I "shouldn't" but it is yours bodies over all health that is important. I still have pain during my periods(which come twice a month), but I can control it now with over the counter drugs. I rotate Motrin and Tylenol so that I get a constant flow of medicine without over dosing on one. By the way, my doctors told me that my endo got worse when I was pregnant. Just some food for thought. I hope that you get better.

L., I'm sorry you have to go through this also! I did the same. I had horrible pain and was told to have children soon so that later on when pain gets worse I can have everything removed. (Runs in the family). I would try the Jones Institute and go see Dr. Stadtmauer. She has managed my pain well and also got me pregnant. But if that's not what you want to do, she can suggest other means of controlling pain. A Reproductive doctor is someone who specializes in female disorders such as PCOS and Endometriosis (Endo). If your insurance don't cover the Reproductive doctor, check into pain management. I do know that the CRC (clinical research center) is doing trial drugs to manage Endometriosis. Give them a call at: ###-###-#### and ask for the research center. My doctor also mentioned a new drug that she wanted my friend to try as she was a good patient. Definately view all your options before getting anything removed.
Good luck!

I was diagnosed with endometriosis at 18. (That was 17 years ago though.) The doctor was well-known for treating it. First he gave me birth control pills to regulate my period (it had been irregular for years) and then he gave me prescription strength naproxen and non-narcotic pain relievers. He performed a laparoscopy with laser surgery to remove the endo. It worked well. I remember him telling me that sometimes it will go away after giving birth, but he did NOT receommend having a baby just to get rid of the endo! He said it doesn't even work all the time. (I didn't have a baby until I was 30. I was *not* going to be a mother at 18 just to hopefully get rid of endometriosis.) What I would suggest is that you find a different doctor, one who specializes in endo. I think everyone should get second and even third opinions on things. I think you might come to resent a baby you had just to get rid of endo, especially if it doesn't go away. Check with another doctor before doing anything you're uncomfortable with.

Hello,
I had the endo when I was a teenager and early 20's. I really noticed it with my first pregnancy. The doctor said that it usually goes away when you're pregnant. Well mine has never really gone away but the pain is no where as often or painful. I never really looked into because my doctor made real light of it. But reading your other responses makes me want to research it some more. I really don't know much about it. I can only tell you my experience. By the way I'm 29 now and my first pregnancy was when I was 25.

My doctor told me getting pregnant would get rid of the endometriosis, at least temporarily. Well, here I am 7 months pregnant, and my OB said, "yeah, well, it doesn't always work!" True! It actually has at times made the pain worse! And there's nothing they can do! It isn't constant, but when it hurts, it really hurts.
So, I agree, find another doctor, cuz getting pregnant does NOT always take care of the problem.

I highly recommend you consider taking Vitex (AKA Chastetree Berry). It's available in health food stores. This article may be helpful. http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/15/60...

Wishing you all the best,
A.