QuestionThanks so much Angie - that's what I thought. My next quesiton is that since the first line treatment for Endo is Birth Control Pills (or stopping ovulation); is the lapro just for diagnosis purposes or will they do the lapro and then just put me on the pill anyway as a starting point for treatment? When I suggested that it might be Endo the Gyno said that it is treated with Birth Control Pills anyway so the lapro would only be to confirm the diagnosis - is there a benefit to having the lapro besides confirmation of the diagnosis? Thanks Again!!! :) Also, I am scheduled for a colonoscopy would that tell me anything?
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I have been through the gammit in the past 60 days I've been diagnosed with bladder/kidney infection/ovarian cyst rupture/ interstitial cystitis, and finally IBS. Finally I recognized that the severe and debilitating pelvic and abdominal pain I experience occurs at the same time every month. I am currently on Dilaudin for pain and trying to work, I've already missed 3 weeks of work and have been admitted to the hospital twice for pain management - all tests have been negative - blood, urine - ultrasound - CT scans, Hydra Scan and Upper GI/Small Bowel as well as peliv exams out the wazu. Gyno recently prescribed Birth Control pills (although could not give me a diagnosis) I'm terrified of being in debilitating pain 3 out of 4 weeks every month - should I be doing something more aggressive to identify endo or follow the gyn's advice and just wait to start the pill and keep taking narcotics.
Please help - what should I do?
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Hi Danielle,
Thanks for coming to me with your questions. It is very unfortunate but most women diagnosed with Endo have been through the same things (tests, inaccurate diagnoses...etc) as you.
It does sound like your problem could be Endometriosis. Especially considering the pain you are suffering with. IBS is a common diagnosis that women with Endo get. It is a shame that Endo is overlooked so much.
You need to INSIST on having a Laparoscopy done. It is a minor outpatient surgery where they insert a tiny micorscope type of device into your abdomen to look around. This is the ONLY way to diagnose Endo. Many doctors will do ultrasounds and things like that but it will not diagnose Endo. Tell your doctor that you suspect Endo and want a Lap. If your doctor makes light of this...find another doctor. It is known that Endo affects 5 million women in the US alone, and in my opinion, since it is so common, when a woman complains of these problems it should be the first thing looked into. Sadly, a woman goes 10 years without a correct diagnosis.
Now, if you are diagnosed with Endo, there is no cure. There are only treatment options. These options you will have to talk to your doctor about to find out what will best suit you. There are many hormones, birth control pills and shots, there is a diet, you can use pain meds, natural progesterone cream. Not everything works for every woman though. It will be a matter of trial and error finding what works best for you. Please know that a hysterectomy is NOT a cure for Endo. Any treatments that you are offered, please do a lot of research before deciding what to do. Every treatment option has its ups and downs. Just arm yourself with a lot of info.
I hope I was able to help. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask.
Wishing you pain free days in the future.
Sincerely,
Angie
PS A great Endo site with a lot of info is www.endo-resolved.com
AnswerHi Danielle,
If you have the Lap done, most doctors will do Laser Ablation at the same time. Laser Ablation just "burns" off top or surface Endo. This does help many women although only temporairily.
Usually, birth control is not the first treatment option offered. Lupron is. In my opinion only...just putting you on birth control is an "easy way out". Since there is no known reason or cure for Endo right now, getting a correct and deffinate diagnosis could help every other woman out there who is suffering with this disease. Knowing what is "wrong" with you also puts the mind to ease for a lot of women.
There are also women out there who are able to collect disabilty because of their Endo. It's a hard battle but can be won. If you are one of those women who MUST work and you are constantly missing work because of pain, you won't be able to hold down any job for any length of time.
So, when it comes down to it, you can just take the birth control but please beware that this treatment does not help all women....if you ind yourself still in pain, don't rule out Endo because your doctor tells you to.
I do not think a colonoscopy can tell you anything when it comes to Endo. Please remember I am not a doctor though. I can only give you the information I have collected through my research and staying abreast on the newest research being done for Endo.
Thanks again for writing and I hope you ind the answers you are seeking.
Stay strong and don't stop until you are satisied with what you are being told.
Sincerely,
Angie
