discouraged - Page 2

OliviaLeigh · 12-04-2008, 10:41 AM

The best things for me have been:

Organic foods (especially organic eggs, milk, meat, vegetables).
Making sure I buy meat that has not been hormonally altered (same with milk).
Cut back on my fruit intake and supplemented with more vegetables (I eat veggies at almost every meal now).
Increasing my protein and calcium intake
Evening Primrose in the evening.
Hot baths and relaxation techniques

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise - although painful, it can be enjoyable and I feel soooo great when I'm on my routine.

I think you'll find that if you eat more veggies, protein, etc, you will not even *want* caffeine. Sometimes I think I do and I take a sip and it makes me feel sick!

You will find what works for you

Nancy23 · 12-04-2008, 04:58 PM

defenetly find another doc dont let any one tell u theres no solution

Tikki · 12-04-2008, 07:11 PM

The diet is pretty extreme...but it did bring my pain level from about 9-10 to a 6, or 7/8 (during the bad hours). I finally went to the GYN today to see what the heck was up with this 8 days of pain. Having blood work done in the morning, but apparently "My horomones are EXTRA screwed up with month"...go figure. He gave me 550mg of Naproxin and Some Tylonal with Codeine---which just makes me sleepy...*sigh* .

Quote:

Tikki, its nice of you to put the whole diet plan for me, and everyone to try. The whole caffeine thing interests me because i do drink alot of caffeine, and maybe eliminating almost if not all of it will help.

I used to be a caffeine freak, but I never drank tea or coffee... well, not like normal people do, I use to drink the frozen frappes and soda--with everything. I loved soda with my cereal in the morning (Im so pathetic). But for the most part, I've been caffein free for also two years. Although will admit to having a "cup o coke" at a holiday party when all that was left was diet drinks (nothing i hate more than fake sugar

). It was hard but well worth it!!! If you need like an "AA partner" for giving up caffien, Im here

metallicariotgrl · 12-04-2008, 10:24 PM

haha an "aa" partner for givining up caffeine...sounds good to me! lol
Keep me upated with your dr, im intrerested seeing as how we're pretty similar. I had alot of bloodword done and everything came back normal except my white blood cells which have come back high for 3 tries now. Anyway, naproxin does not do anything for me at all. Its all he has given me for pain thus far though. The er doctor did give me percocet about 2-3 weeks ago. I take that when it gets completly unbearable, and then i get a bad headache lol

Happy Holidays everyone!
best of luck!!

Tikki · 12-05-2008, 11:16 AM

What I've noticed about naproxin, is you need to build up your suseptability to it. Kinda like the more times you get stung by a bee, the more allergic you get. I've been using 'Aleive' the brand name OTC version of Naproxin, for just about every ailment (I get really bad migraines--and I am allergic to most migraine meds) and it workks really well for me now. Actually, today is the first day I've been able to wake up in the morning and actually get up and take a shower before 11am. I am a little crampy, but I can deal with it. The only thing I would sugest is to double the amount of water you drink, it tends to dry you up :/

metallicariotgrl · 12-06-2008, 07:26 PM

Another question to you wonderfully helpful laides...
Anyone else notice they are depressed. I've been depressed lately and just everything I try feels so pointless you know? Somedays it just gets to the point where im in pain curled up saying "why the hell am i even here?!" you know?

I just hate the way this is making me feel. I gotta control it so it doesnt control me.

OliviaLeigh · 12-06-2008, 07:33 PM

Are you on any meds?

What do you do for fun - hobbies? Special Interests?

metallicariotgrl · 12-06-2008, 09:34 PM

I write all the time and play the violin.
Im on medication, but not for depression and i'd rather not be you know?
I take Birthcontrol, metformin, and naproxin for pain.

OliviaLeigh · 12-07-2008, 11:47 AM

It's normal to have days where you feel down, but if it starts to happen daily or multiple times a week - talk to a dr. I see you are on birth control - every time I am on birth control I am not myself. I get very sad and upset a lot.

This may sound really weird, but I've noticed that the food I eat really impacts my mood. If I get off my food plan (eat things I really shouldn't!), I get very moody. It also happens if I'm not exercising. I'm much happier when I'm eating healthy and exercising. My dr always tells me to work through the pain and I thought she was crazy - but it actually helps - keeps my mind off the pain and helps me realize I can do it even though I'm in pain.

Everyone has down days, but you dont want them to dominate your life or keep you from enjoying your life. I find that when I get down, I do something that makes me feel better - you should play the violin or write. Sometimes I'll call a friend that is uplifting (not one of those that will exacerbate my sadness).

I think what helps me too is that I feel that anyone I come in contact with I want them to feel happiness. I try to focus on that a lot - to show that no matter what I'm going through, I still have happiness to share and give away.

You are def doing the right thing by wanting to control it - and you can, you just have to know that you can and that you will.

alaskaflygirl · 12-07-2008, 04:41 PM

I know what you're going through. I was first diagnosed with endo at 17, and had a cooperative doctor that surgically removed as much as possible. The operation brought me a lot of relief, but as there is no cure for this disease, I had my second (and long-overdue) surgery this summer at the age of 25.

I totally agree with the PP that recommended dropping caffeine. A shot (literally 2oz or so) of coffee, taken with a strong painkiller, is more effective than taking the painkiller by itself, but that's the only caffeine I allow myself, and am very encouraged by the relief I've gotten so far.

Keep your head up and don't give up! Definitely find a less conservative doctor, one who will be as aggressive with treating you as is necessary to give you relief.

cachcoco · 12-27-2008, 06:48 PM

depression is very common in women with Endo. I have endo and have had it for many years and didnt know it. I was told I was crazy and the pain was all in my head because I was molested as a child. For years I felt like the biggest loser. in June when they finaly decided to do a lap they found an amazing amount of endo. My uterus is fused to my bladder and they could not remove it all. I have been fighting infertility for over 8 years. The doctor that did the surgery said he had no idea how I was able to function. The endo is now back and I am laid up on the couch for the last two days in pain. The worst since the surgery. I could not excersize. There was no working through the pain. I could do the excersize but then not be able to move for days afterwards. Your Endo will not go away on its own and a lap is the only way to diagnose it. I have a funny feeling they will take my uterus when they do the next surgery. My point being this.... Find a doctor you have faith in . One that you are comfortable with and that listens to you! Dont let it go for years... it gets worse and can do irriparable damage. It can effect the rest of your life in ways that you cant go back and change. Take control of your healthcare and dont worry about making people mad. Be aggressive in finding answers.

lydad · 01-28-2009, 03:46 PM

First of all--I noticed this was posted in November of last year so I hope by now you have found some much needed relief! Secondly, I am 21 and was diagnosed with pcos at the age of 16. My doctor told me a few months ago I may have endometriosis bc of things I complained about-lonnnnnng heavy periods, I told them my cramps were as bad as labor pain. what does he prescribe me? prescription strength ibuprofen! I told him that never helped but take the edge off a little. But then again I have a two year old to look afatre I can't be whacked out on heavy pain killers. Still, there has to be something more effective that would help me off of the couch for the 2-3 weeks a month I have periods!
thanks for listening to me rant. I feel your pain! And I know you know what it's like t have docs look at you and judge you by your age not your ailments!
take care--good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cachcoco · 01-28-2009, 09:29 PM

lydad- I was recently put ontramadol, I have to take two 50 ml and a darvocet and that seems to help. When I have severe pain like when af shows up I take the tramadol and a hydrocodone! If your doctor wont give you something to help with the pain I suggest you find a new doctor! i WASTED A LOT OF TIME WITH DOCTORS THAT DIDNT TAKE ME SERIOUSLY! Oops caps lock was on. The combination of the meds seems to help more than anything I have taken, I am still in pain but can function. What are they doing to treat the endo?

metallicariotgrl · 02-03-2009, 12:46 AM

Ugh, ladies here i am 3 months later and still no one seems to listen to me. I am seeing a specialist on thursday though, I am rather scared as to what he will say to me, or what he will suggest we do. My other doctor, who thinks he knows everything but cant seem to help me, had alot of bloodwork done and for the past 3 times my wbc count has been really high, like 5 times high...but i have not been feeling sick. I dont know what that is about, perhaps someone has some insight on that as well? hopefully this specialist will take me seriously and get me on the right track! thank you all so much!

Ashleystar · 02-05-2009, 07:11 PM

Hello!

I have been reading this incredibly interesting thread. I am really sorry you are feeling so bad. I think I have endo since I have many symptoms and have done for years, but despite needing a lap for a diagnosis, I am still waiting. Hopefully in a few weeks when I see my gynae he will finally realise I am not joking!

I have been cutting out caffeine and fizzy drinks (not that I often have them), and have found it has made a difference.

I also have very little meat or dairy. It's veg, fruit and complex carbs mainly...oohh and fennel tea!

I am always in some form of discomfort, either "mild" like backache and pain in my uterus, or extreme, as though I have been run over!

Finding a doctor who is actually willing to help and take you seriously is so hard. They think they know everything, but nothing seems to be done. The amount of times I have been told to "just get on with it, you're a woman", is incredible.

It is all so confusing and tiring.

I hope you find some good help and advice so you feel better soon! xx