QuestionI am 34 and had a hysterectomy in Nov of 2005 and removal of one ovary due to endometriosis.Lately I been having several other symptoms and wonder if it is endometriosis. When I empty my bladder I have pain, burning and the feeling that I still have to urinate, pelvic pain and tenderness. the pain is so uncomfortable that I have to be careful when I sit down, if I'm not my it will feel as if someone kicked me. And the most irritating is the bowl problems. Since the surgery almost 1 year ago my bowels have never been the same. I am constantly constipated and live a cycle of stool softners, prunes, fiber etc. And lately I have noticed that theres pain if I try to have a bowl movement, I cannot use my pelvic muscles without pain. I'm wondering if this is endometrosis that has attached to other organs? I really didn't have any pain for the first few months after the hysterectomy, in fact I had never felt better. But now the old familar pains are back and because I still have one ovary the pains are during ovulation and when I would have had my period. I have read a little about medication to control it such as Lupro ( I think that is the name). And personally I would rather go in and have it removed rather than take a medication. I am a diabetic and have read that autoimmune disorders can contribute to the growth of endometriosis. Could this be what's going on? I know that endo can attach to other organs so I would like to know what the symptoms are when it does become attached to other organs. Becky
AnswerHi Becky,
I am sorry to hear that you are in pain again.
This does sound like Endo rearing its' ugly head once more.
A few things in your letter really concerned me so let's discuss those things first.
It bothers me that your doctor preformed a hyst at your young age and the way it sounds, without first giving you the typical treatments for Endo. Lupron ect. If you requested the hyst the doctor should have tried to persuade you into trying other options first. If your doctor reccommended they hyst right off the bat....be careful. In my opinion, that's not a good thing.
A hyst can give you pain relief, but most women with Endo has it in other areas than the reproductive organs. 99% of the time, there is Endo left behind. Most Gyns (unless thay are specialists) will do NOTHING about bowel Endo. It is a very delicate surgery so they will just leave it there. I had a GYN that didn't even tell me I had Endo on my bowel. My only thought on that was he didn't tell me because he didn't want me to question his expertise. If you have not got copies of your pathology reports and post op reports....do so. This is very important. I found out many years later how my doctor botched my chances to ever have children. Don't make the same mistake I did. Insist on getting those reports.
Now that I am off my soap box...onto your letter. Your bladder problems sounds to me like Endo...so does your bowel problems. If your doctor found Endo in these places, it should be in the post op report. Many women who undergo a hyst find themelves back in pain anywhere between a year and 10 years.
If you find out that you do still have Endo and would like surgery again, try to go to a specilists. There are many specialists who use a technology called Exsicion surgery. This is where they will go in and CUT the Endo out, not just laser the surface stuff. The results are astounding....women are claiming to be totally pain free. There is no cure for Endo at this time but it is my belief that Exsicion surgery could be the answer. Since it is still relatively new, there is not enough numbers to say that it is a cure yet. I do think it is the best we have right now.
If interested, visit www.centerforendo.com. Lok around the site. You will find an address and if you send your medical records Dr. Sinervo or Albee will review them for free and call you. When they call you, they will tell you what they found and how they can help. Many women go there after a hyst and get help. The doctors are very nice. I you have insurance, they will guide you through the steps of having your insurance cover surgery with them. They are also very good at that.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to write to me again.
Sincerely,
Angie
