Endometriosis

[CityLover]

(I'm not sure where this discussion belongs. Please move it if needed. Thanks.)

So I've been quite sick for a long time and am strongly suspecting endometriosis. I'm currently tracking my symptoms and plan to see my dr soon (I’m waiting for my insurance to kick in), but I’m anxious to learn more and would like to discuss endo with those who have it. I've been suffering from a lot of symptoms for many years, but only recently have found that they might be related and that they all apply to endo. These are the symptoms I have:

-Severe cramps, during my period mainly, but also before and sometimes randomly throughout the month.
-Vaginal and pelvic pain with intercourse, especially during my period.
-Abdominal bloating/pain every morning without fail.
-Frequent diarrhea and constipation, especially during my period.
-Nausea
-Depression
-Bloody stool/dark urine, mainly during my period.
-Back and side pain/cramps.
-Heavy/long periods.
-Upper leg, rectal and bowel pain, especially during my period.

Does this sound like endo? If you have endo, what are your symptoms?

I also get really flu-like during my period. I get extremely tired, dizzy, and short of breath. I also get terrible headaches, and what feels like hot flashes. Could these also be symptoms?

For those of you with endo who tried to get pregnant, what was that experience like? What treatment options are available and what treatments have you tried?

[laura]

I have Stage IV endo, and I have had it for 16-17 years. Even though I do have some of the same symptoms you've listed, I am hesitant to say 'you have it!' merely based on that. I think the best I could say is that you may have it. The trouble w/ endo is that the symptoms vary widely from patient to patient, in number and severity, and they also are corrollary to other illnesses. It is also certainly possible that some of your symptoms are endo and some are something else entirely. It seems to me like you have enough information already to see your doctor, however; when does your insurance kick in?

How long would you say you've had the symptoms? Over time have they changed in nature, ie. gotten better or worse? Have you ever been on BCP, and if so, did the pills alter your symptoms at all? Would you say you have the same symptoms consistently, and if so, are they ALL of the symptoms you've listed above or do they fluctuate?

Infertility issues are certainly another symptom (result?) of endo, but as with symptoms, the level of IF varies widely from patient to patient, and severity of the disease does not necessarily indicate severity of IF. I know people on this board w/ Stage IV endo who conceived w/ little or no help, and I have read about people w/ barely any endo and no symptoms who were unable to conceive short of IVF (or at all). For this reason I would caution you to not jump to conclusions if you are diagnosed with endo, even if your doctor says "it will mean IVF" - there is a very good chance it won't. However, take my thoughts for what you will, I know there are plenty of people around here who will disagree.

You can find more general information about endo if you search for it on the Family Planning boards. I'm not sure where all the threads got off to, but I would recommend searching the Infertility and Loss board, as well as Family Planning. I would not recommend googling randomly b/c you will pull up some scary infertility sites that are certainly extreme cases - but that's just my opinion. I'm happy to answer any specific questions you may have, either here or via PM.

[Eliezrah]

I have endo but my doc never told me any stage or anything (I didn't kow there were stages of it). He did tell me that being PG is the best way to alleviate my symptoms and it's true. I don't feel any pain when I don't O or get AF. After I weaned Seth, the ob/gyn kept me on Micronor (mini-BCP) since you don't get AF on it. NOw that we are TTC and I've been off them and had AF 12 days ago, OMG the pain was back and I can't stand it!! I do O on my own, but it takes anywhere from 6-12 weeks before I O. Because of this and the pain I get (my body tries to O several times and I get the pain each time as well as when AF comes), my doc gives me clomid. I got PG both times on round 2 of clomid and and waiting to O on round 1 TTC #3 right now. But I do know other women, like PP said, who got PG on their own with endo.