Severe Cramping & Potential Endometriosis: What to Know

Question
I have had 3 episodes of cramping in the ER over the past 2 years.  This is really severe pain.  My blood pressure goes down to about 50/20 and I stay in pain until I get severe pain meds and last time anti-nausea by IV as well.  Nothing is usually found in the ER and my Ob/Gyn thinks I have endometriosis.  I have some GI upset with this, usually 1 week before my period my stomache starts burning.  This pill they just put me on makes my stomache burn(feels like bad ulcer) for about 1 hour 8 hours after I take the lo/ovral pill.  Do you know if this sounds like endo.?  What would my upset stomache(ulcer-like feeling) have to do with the endo.?  Could I have endometrial tissue in my stomache that is being affected by the hormones?  Please help if you have any info..

Amile

Answer
Hi Amile,

3 episodes of cramping that was severe enough to send you to the Er certainly is a warning that something needs to be done before whatever is causing your symptoms worsens. "With your blood pressure dropping during these episodes and needing severe pain meds, it's my guess that you are experiencing symptoms of endo of the appendix, and intestines. The reason I say this is because you've described the things I'm all to familiar with myself. lol One sure way to tell from my own personal experiences is by the "blood pressure dropping"... I'm curious if you have spasmodic like cramping and alot of vaginal pressure that worsens with the symptoms that need pain meds. Most likely there's some endo of the cul de sac that creates pressure and fluid buildup a week or less before the period begins, and with the pressure - symptoms of burning stomach as a result to a small degree however, if you've noticed your  symptoms worsen 1 to 8 hours after taking the lo/ovral then the pill is obviously too strong and you might consider talking to your doctor about switching to something else.
If you drink coffee or other hot beverages I suggest that you stop them and drink more water which in itself will help tremendously. Amile, I think the best thing to do to end these symptoms is to request a diagnostic laparoscopy as soon as possible. I think you most likely *do have endometriosis* and the only way to know for sure is by laparoscopy. I hope you're feeling better soon and wish you all the best for a happy, healthy, and pain free future.

Bet ward