Endometriosis Support--Welcome! - Page 2

leahdione · 07-15-2005, 10:17 AM

Hi Everyone!

Paisley, I don't think the continuous bleeding is normal. I did not have that when I had my lap. Have you talked to your doctor about it? What did they say if you have? I went straight on Lupon after my last lap, and had one really light cycle before they stopped b/c of the hormones.

leenerbups,
I am so sorry that you are hurting so much. I am right there with you with the cramps. I really hate that time of month. If the pain is really bad that could be causing the dizziness, I have had that sometimes. Or if you are bleeding extremely heavily, you could be losing iron too fast. Have you ever had the dizziness before or is it something new??

Mazie,
I didn't know there could be internal endo. I am so sorry. It really sounds painful. Can you describe the pains to me? I want to know as much as I can before I see my new doc next week. I hope that they have come up with something that can help you with the pain.

Flyingturtle,
welcome! Hope things are going good for you now!

Owl,
this is the right place to be. Endo is when lining from the uterus is growing outside the uterus, and attaching itself to your organs. At least, that is the easiest way for me to describe what I have learned from research. The pain is from the attaching to organs, adhesions and the fact that your body is trying to shed this during your cycles. Someone that has had it longer or done more research can probably explain it better. You can also search here for other posts about it. Just go to search and type in endometriosis, I hope this helps.

Rozlynn and Pirincess,
So sorry for your pain. I hope things improve for you soon.

jenna,
No, endo is no fun.

I am so glad that all of you have joined this thread. Hope everyone's Friday is going great!

Tiggamoo · 07-15-2005, 10:51 AM

Good morning! Thank you all for joining this thread!

Owl, you are absolutely in the right place to talk about endo. From MSN health, here's a description of what endo is.

Quote:

Endometriosis is a disease in which cells that look and act like the cells that line the uterus (endometrial cells) are found in other locations in the body, usually in the pelvis. These cells can attach to the ovaries or fallopian tubes; the outer surface of the uterus, the bowels, or other abdominal organs; or, rarely, to other organs and structures in the body. The places where the cells attach are called implants, or lesions.

Endometrial cells that are found outside the uterus respond to hormones released during the menstrual cycle in the same way as endometrial cells that are located in the uterus.1 At the beginning of the normal menstrual cycle, when the lining of the uterus is shed and menstrual bleeding begins, the sites of these abnormally located cells (implants) may swell and bleed.

The body responds to the swelling and bleeding by surrounding the cells with scar tissue. During the menstrual cycle, this scar tissue may become red, swollen, and painful. As the scar tissue increases, it can form adhesions that cover and bind the abdominal organs. Adhesions can interfere with an organ's normal function.

I hope that is a good basic description.

Rozlynn, I've totally been there. I've cried in my office, home, and sometimes everywhere else with the pain. I've definitely done the hot baths to try to ease pain. I'm so sorry you're in pain. I know is can be so miserable.

leenerbups, I'm glad you found this thread. Many of us have had laproscopy in the past and can provide you with support. You may want to check out this thread: http://www.soulcysters.net/showthread.php?t=81656
I received many great suggestions on things I could do to make it easier when having a lap.

princess5, I'm glad your here too. I'm sorry for your pain. You know we're here if you want to talk or rant about it. Pain can be so frustrating.

paisleystar, I'm sorry you're bleeding. After my lap, I didn't bleed but for a few days after my surgery. You may want to mention that to your dr. next week. I've never done the Lupron injections. You'll have to keep us up to date on how that goes.

jennthediva, you are right about small patches of endo. Those can cause much pain too. For a long time before my lap, I was taking pain meds daily. I've never dealt with polyps. I noticed this on MSN health...

Quote:

The cause of cervical polyps is not entirely understood. They are frequently the result of infection. They can also result from long-term (chronic) inflammation, an abnormal response to an increase in estrogen levels, or congestion of blood vessels in the cervical canal.

The part about the inflammation makes me wonder if it could be your bodies reaction to the endo.

Good morning, Leah!

leahdione · 07-15-2005, 10:57 AM

Morning Tiggamoo! So glad you are here! You know how to post definitive info and links. I am still learning all that. Hope you are feeling well today! Thanks for the info on my other thread. I think that is what it is based on your posts and the others. Why do we have to go through so much? Maybe it will be there when I go to the doc next week so I can ask him what it is.

Tiggamoo · 07-15-2005, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leahdione

Morning Tiggamoo! So glad you are here! You know how to post definitive info and links. I am still learning all that. Hope you are feeling well today! Thanks for the info on my other thread. I think that is what it is based on your posts and the others. Why do we have to go through so much? Maybe it will be there when I go to the doc next week so I can ask him what it is.

Morning! I'm glad you are here too. I've done quite a bit of research since being diagnosed with endo. I don't claim to be an expert by no means but I'll try to find out the answer if someone has a question.

You are very welcome about the info on the other thread. I hope that lump gets better for you soon.

I wish I knew why we all have to go through so much. I wonder that too. When I'm thinking more positively, I look at health problems as challenges to make me stronger. In a lot of ways, I am a stronger person for dealing with endo, PCOS, etc. It is hard to always think positive though.

I'm doing ok today except for my lower back muscles staying tensed up along with my leg muscles. I've had endo type pain and it tends to trigger that response with my muscles. How are you doing Leah?

leahdione · 07-15-2005, 03:36 PM

I am doing ok today Tiggamoo. The lump hurts and it hurts a little to walk. I am meeting with my personal trainer for the first time today at the gym. I have gone everyday this week, even when I haven't felt good. My back always hurts that is why I am going to schedule for surgery. I hope the other ladies keep posting. I feel as if you are my lifesaver on here. Your advice is always helpful, and you are always so kind. I have done tones of research, but you have done more I think. People like you make my days so much brighter even though we are miles apart.

Rozlynn · 07-15-2005, 03:39 PM

Just checkin in to see how everyone is doing - I'll be Lurking - Have a great weekend

leahdione · 07-15-2005, 03:41 PM

Rozlyn,
YOU have a great weekend too! Lurk Away!!!

Tiggamoo · 07-15-2005, 05:15 PM

Leah, I feel so flattered! You made my day and made me feel like an

I just want others to have a place to come and feel supported when it has to do with endo. You are really great too! I admire you for going to the gym everyday this week. I have a hard time motivating myself. I'm sorry that lump still hurts but hopefully it will go away soon. I hope the other ladies keep posting too.

Roz, I'm glad you dropped by. Come lurking back soon and have a great weekend!

I made a blinkie to help advertise us when we our posting on other threads. Ya'll feel free to take it to add to your siggy!

leahdione · 07-15-2005, 05:32 PM

Your Welcome Tiggamoo! Well, I am about to be off work at 5:00. I may check in later at home. If not, it will probably be Monday before I post. Have a great weekend everyone!!

Tiggamoo · 07-15-2005, 05:35 PM

Thanks for the harp, Leah! I'm like you. I may not be back on until Sunday or Monday. Weekends are busy! Hope you have a good one!

jennthediva · 07-15-2005, 05:43 PM

Tigg, I forgot to thank you for my gift!

leahdione · 07-15-2005, 05:45 PM

Tiggamoo,
Thanks for my gift! I love it!

Tiggamoo · 07-15-2005, 05:47 PM

Jenn, you are very welcome. I appreciate that you were so supportive.
Leah, you are also very welcome. You've been such a sweet cyster!

Mazie · 07-15-2005, 07:53 PM

Hi Everyone!

How is everyone today? I'm doing pretty well. Only a little pain in my back when I woke up and when I got off the treadmill. Other than that, I can't complain.

jennthediva ~ I had uterine polyps that were removed during my lap. I've always had trouble with mid-cycle spotting that would sometimes last until I got AF and my dr wasn't sure if it was caused by the polyps or my internal endo. So far, since the polyps were removed, I haven't had any spotting. Fingers crossed it won't happen anymore!! I didn't really have trouble with heavy bleeding due to the polyps. I do get a lot of clots but that's because of the internal endo.

leahdivine ~ I'm pretty lucky. I don't have pain everyday and when I do it's usually not that bad. Don't get me wrong, I have some pretty tough days, just not as many as some. The pain I get most often is in my lower back. It's a dull, very annoying ache. When it really flares up, it feels like my uterus is swollen and bruised. It also feels like I'm about to start bleeding. It's really weird. Internal endo is related to external endo but it really is a different disease. It has another name but it's long and nobody ever knows what I'm talking about so I just call it internal endo.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Hugs,
Mazie

theflyingturtle · 07-15-2005, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiggamoo

Welcome Flyingturtle, did your lap reduce your pain? My lap did help but I do have occasional flare ups of discomfort. I see that you run. How long have you been involved in running races?

The lap did help the pain a bit. At least for awhile. I've been hella bad about taking the BCP's lately and some of the pain has returned. I have ocassionaly problems too. Nothing like it was before the surgery. I have an extremely high threshold for pain. I like to explain this to everyone by telling about the day I busted my fingers at work (playing on the monkey bars with kids) and 1) didn't shout F@#$ in front of the kids! and 2) continued to work for three hours and return home only to decide to go to urgent care when my finger was THREE times the size of the others. I was like umm I think I broke my finger.

I started running last February -ish seriously, but then I kinda quit in July and started up again this past April. I've run 4 or so races total (two last year, two this). I am running one tomorrow. In Madison, there weren't as many races as there are here in Chicago. I plan on running a lot more now that I have the opportunity.