I have PCOS (diagnosed March 2008), but I also have had symptoms that could also be indicative of Endo. My doctor wanted to wait a few more months to see if the Metformin worked before checking out the latter.
What I am wondering is what symptoms of Endometriosis don't normally occur with PCOS?
My symptoms (I haven't had AF since January so some don't apply right now):
Pre-AF spotting (3-7 days)
Post-AF spotting (3-7 days)
Cramping throughout abdomen during entire cycle
Periods were getting gradually more painful until they stopped
(Sorry-TMI):
Deep pain by ovaries (sometimes wraps around back) while going to the bathroom at times
Constipation
Before ever being pregnant, periods were so bad that I had to lay curled up in the hot bathtub for hours, but they haven't reached that level yet
I had severe severe pain. It got to the point I was having trouble standing (my job requires me to stand up to 11 hours a day). When I went to the bathroom it was almost unbearable at times. I felt like I had a huge gas bubble and I could not pass it, I was living on gas meds trying to feel better. Before I stopped having periods I was in severe pain and the bleeding was so heavy at times. Sometimes my job requires heavy lifting and when I would do that I could feel something pulling inside and I was told that endometriosis could do that if attached to certain areas inside. I also almost always (with pain or not) had a falling out sensation down there.
When I went to the doctor she told me all the pain was from endometriosis and that my absent periods were from PCOS. My ultra sound and blood work confirmed PCOS while my symptoms and family history strongly suggested endometriosis. My doctor also said that dealing with just one is hard enough, dealing with both is worse. The past few years have a been a rough ride for me.
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Endo very often gets misdiagnosed as IBS (irritable bowel) because of the problems with pain during BM etc. It does not only affect the ovaries and uterus, but also the bowels and often the bladder as lesions can adhere and swell during the cycle causing more pain at different times of the month. Sometimes on a pelvic u/s the tech can spot endo on the ovaries, but very often the only way to detect the endo on the bowel and bladder is through a lap.
PCOS tends to not be associated with that pain, though the PCOS cysts can be painful as they burst.
__________________ Me (29) DH (33)
Married since Feb 2006
Laproscopic surgery Sept 2007 --- Removal of Endo.
Glumetza 1500 mg (current med)
Official PCOS diagnosis March 2008
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Three rounds of Puregon/IUI.
Miscarriage May 2008
----
Coming to grips with being childless when...
BFP!!! No meds, no IUI, just God's gracious gift!
Beta #1 - 885
Beta #2 - 2080
HB - 119 at 7 week ultrasound
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Aryka your symptoms sound very much like mine did with the endo & PCOS. Eirenay I was also diagnosed with IBS until the lap. BM were the WORST!
Hope you get it sorted
I agree that PCOS is a pain but does not cause any pain
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Wow! I read your symptoms and thought I had wrote it. Having endo and PCOS is awful and I hope you (and I) can learn how to manage each disease. PCOS has taken my figure, my hair, and my ability to have children and endo has taken away my normal life due to the pain. GOod luck and let me know if you find anything that brings you relief.
__________________ Tori, 27 DH, 27
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New RE June 2008: Hormone levels in normal range & I ovulate on my own. Dh's swimmers are perfect. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. RE doesn't know why we aren't getting pg...we are almost in the unexplained category To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
New ttc plan: 500mg Met XR, Lap surgery 8/6/08 to check on endo changes since Sept '06.
Ok, the thing with IBS - is so confusing to me. One dr suggested that was my problem, however I can hold (sorry TMI) my BM for a long time b/c I dread going b/c it is so painful. I have friends with IBS and they cannot hold it at all - its like very sudden.
Also, IBS meds did not work for me. Or Immodium. But I did try
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Me~27 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Husband~28 Got Pregnant on Lupron Depot (EDD: 10/8/09) Endometriosis Surgery - Laparascopy, hysteroscopy & D&C done 7/08 Cystic Ovaries (Surgery for the cysts) Ruptured Cyst Scleroderma
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Symptoms of Endo vs PCOS 
