QuestionHello Kaye,
I have had Endo for almost ten years or possibly more. I have only recently discovered that I have it. The only reason why I decided to see a doctor was purely accidiental. Someone that I know had it and after she described her symptoms to me I was sure I had it too. I went see my doctor and sure enough after having a laparoscopy they found it. I was wondering if you could help me understand a few things about Endo. Firstly, I haven't used any drugs, I only use strong pain killers when I need them,I like to go as natural as I can so I use herbs and a yeast free diet to help me cope. It's as though as the years go by, new symptoms seem to appear to the already unbearale ones I already have. Lately I have been experiencing nausea and dizziness. Not to mention extreme fatigueness. Some hair loss and pain just about all the time. More food allergies and I always seem to be getting over some virus or whatever. Oh yeah, it's lots of fun. I've just about had enough and I'm thinking of having a hysterectomy. I one of the lucky ones in a sense in that I have had four great kids, so I not too worried about going ahead with it. I've heard it doesn't always work but it worked for my mother, so I'm hoping it will be the same for me. My poor old grandmother wasn't that fortunate, she lived with it until she reached into her menopausal years. Any information you can provide will be much appreciated, thank you for you time, I know how precious it is.
Regards,
Maria.
AnswerMaria,
I experienced alot of the symptoms you mentioned. My thoughts on the allergies, dizziness, etc. is that it's endo related. Alot of experts think endo is an auto-immune disease and I tend to agree.
Over the years, I took alot of ibuprofen and I have tried natural progesterone cream which did ease the symptoms.
But, the best thing I ever did was go to Atlanta to The Center for Endometriosis Care. I had surgery with Dr. Robert Albee and in my opinion he's the most wonderful person in the world. He is one of the few experts in the US on endo. He excises the endo, to the roots. After many surgeries and treatments that did nothing for my pain, I can finally say that endo isn't a part of my life anymore, thanks to Dr. Albee. He's the reason I volunteer here. (And to help other women suffering with endo) I had posted a question concerning problems I had after a laparotomy and his partner, Dr. Lyons answered me. He told me to do myself a favor and go to their website.
Please visit their website and consider getting treatment. Dr. Albee's skills are remarkable and after being told for years that my endo would return after each surgery and I would eventually have to have a hysterectomy, I can honestly say that one caring doctor did more for me than anyone. He's a miracle worker. I now have a 14% of it returning, which amazes me. I'll take those odds!
If you're not on the east coast or midwest, there are 2 other experts who do this type of surgery: Dr. Cook in CA and Dr. Redwine in Oregon.
The address for CEC is www.centerforendo.com. If you want to know more, please feel free to ask. I have been pain-free for almost 2 years, and that's something I have never known after over 25 years of endo.
Take care,
Kaye
