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Followup To
Question -
About 2 years ago, I began having serious problems. We were TTC, and could NOT get pregnant!
So I began all the usuals, paps, birth control pills for regulation, everything! Nothing seemed to work. In November of '03, I began seeing a Family Practicioner about the SEVERE pelvic pain I was having. He said he thought I had endometriosis, and began me on a treatment of Depo-Provera for the pain associated with Endo. Here is where I have a problem. The normal dose of Depo is 150cc every 3months. He was injecting me with 100cc's every 2 weeks! He said he would continue this 4 times, then move it to 100cc's every 4 months. Since this man is a DOCTOR, i think nothing of it. I stopped taking the depo on Dec 17th, as he wanted me to start self-injection, and I could not. Pelvic pain is still there, but on March 11th I started having some kind of vaginal bleeding/discharge, but it wasnt red or white, it was more like BLACK. every day I have this problem, until 2 days ago, now its blood. I have been having symptoms of a stroke, and problems breathing, and I am not sure if this is due to an OVERDOSE of Depo, or what? Have I been overdosed? What can I do to find out? I have had a NORMAL ultrasound, and a NORMAL pap since this. Thank You for all your help!
Answer -
Lici,
I hesitated answering you because I am not a medical expert and don't want to give you the wrong advice. I also do not know much about Depo-Provera. But, when you mentioned the black blood, I felt like I needed to address it. I experienced the same thing after the birth of my child and was told it was a combination of old blood and infection. My guess is it's old blood in your case.
Have you had a laparoscopy to diagnose endo? That's the first step. That's the only way to definately know if you do have endo. There's no other way.
I have also had the shortness of breath, numbness, unsteady, dizzy feeling in the past and although I was convinced it was a stroke or heart attack, I contribute it now to anxiety due to my frustration over endo. I'm not saying the depo might not be contributing to your symptoms and if you feel like you should investigate further through testing, by all means, do that. I think I had panic attacks and believe me, after talking to my friends, it's not uncommon.
Here's my advice to you as far as endo....have a lap to diagnose and hopefully get some of it removed so you can conceive. (Make sure the dr. checks your tubes for blockage), check out the website www.centerforendo.com and whatever you do DON'T let anyone convince you that Lupron will cure your endo. I had endo for over 25 yrs and finally found a wonderful doctor in Atlanta, Dr. Robert Albee, who removed all my endo and I feel great. He gave me a life and I will be grateful to him forever.
If I can help you in any other way, just ask.
Good Luck,
Kaye
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FOLLOW UP-
I have not had a lap. because my ultrasound came back completely healthy, and my gyno said that more than likely, its either IBS or Chronic Pelvic Pain. As far as Lupron goes, my gyno mentioned starting me on it, but I will NEVER take that. I have read too many accounts of bad things happening after taking it, Plus I can't afford $2100.00 for 3 months of medicine! But, as of now, I think I am just going to stop worrying about it, and keep TTC. I have been married for one year now, so I'm sure that when it is meant to be, it will happen. My pelvic pain has gotten less intense... Since getting OFF that depo. If my cycle continues to be erratic, I will begin BC PILLS to regulate it, but I do not think that Depo is a wise choice for ANYONE who wants to have a child in the near future. Come to find out, my doctor should not have started me on Depo due to 2 factors... 1) I had irregular cycles and 2) I was TTC, and he should have known that after depo, it is harder to concive. But thank you very much for all of your help!
AnswerLici,
I wanted to tell you that alot of women with endo are told they have IBS. I was told the same thing 4 years ago, before my surgery in Atlanta. That's the usual "I'm not sure what to do" answer, so they give you a diagnosis, thinking they'll pacify you for awhile. I'm sorry if I sound bitter, but I went to too many doctors for too long, telling them I had endo and they dismissed me.
An ultrasound will NOT show endo and your dr. should know that and probably does. They go through the routine because insurance dictates it. You know your body. Don't accept what you're told if your body's telling you something different. Doctors are human, they're not gods.
Keep researching and you'll find the answer you're looking for.
Take care,
Kaye
