QuestionOk - so I am beyond frustrated and tired of hearing the same cyclical treatments for endometriosis. I had my appendix out at age 13 for no reason. Soon after that, the doctors decided that I had endo and from then on, it has been a revolving door of hormones. Now I'm 27 and the pain is shooting down my upper right leg. Is this correlated? I know 'endometriosis' pertains to the endometrium lining so it may not be the same thing; but can scar tissue progress to other areas? And above all... what can I do to alleviate the pain besides birth control, depot shots, early menopause, lapraoscopy and pain killers? Eastern remedies? Sorry for so many questions... but thanks in advance.
-Ashley-
AnswerDear Ashley
I know exactly how you feel...I heard the same garbage for years myself...firstly,do you have an Endo Dr.? You need to get to a specialist that deals with womens diseases, specifically. I don't know where you live, but you need to look into this.
Next, yes, recent research as found that endo does travel to other areas of the body, even the lungs! I, too, had the shooting pains in my lower back and legs with endo. It was found by my DR. that I had a tipped uterus...and when my endo would flair up during periods or ovulation, I was in a great deal of pain. You are right, the endometrium wall does swell and will swell during certain times thus surrounding organs will swell. I tried the hormones also and had great luck with a low BC pill, until I started experiencing migraines.
The painkillers are useless also...endo is a hormone driven condition so the symptoms are only masked for the time being. I now use an anti inflammatory called Anaprox. I use it as needed, just before, during or after my period. It works pretty well! It will reduce nearly all the swelling in all the needed areas to prevent blood flow blockage, aches, pains, cramps. It also helps with the lower back pain, leg discomfort, etc. Oddly enough, Anaprox was first designed as an arthritis med...later to find that Endo women could use for cramps and discomfort.
I would also stay away from the depot shots, too...not a Lupron fan either. I'd start with asking my Dr about Anaprox, it really does help and you are not filling your body full of alot of hormones...and as usual, being an endo sufferer, it is important that you rest well, exercise and eat well...unfortunately, we all have the fatigue thing going on, too.
I hope you try Anaprox, you don't need to add frustration to your long list of symptoms, endo is hard enough.
Best of luck to you.
Martha
