Endometriosis

[Notyetamummy]

Is anyone else suffering?

I've been really poorly with it recently and have missed three vital weeks of my university course (I am in my final year of studying medicine) and so now have to suspend my studies and join the year below in June .

I am really miserable.

I'm only 22 and am terrified about the effects of either GNRH analogues or surgery on my future fertility. Or ongoing endo for that matter.

Also, all of the doctors keep saying that I should have a baby as that really helps. Even the clinical sub-dean of the university said "We do have medical student babies, you know?"

I am happily married and broody (hence why I found my way onto mumsnet) but it's really not the best time for us to have a baby, and I wouldn't want one just for my health. I want to finish atleast my two foundation years of doctor training first.

My mother and grandmother had early hysterectomies due to endo, but they both had all of their children before they were my age.

I worry that if I don't have them soon it will be my fault if I'm infertile for postponing it.

Has anyone had a baby earlier than they planned for these reasons?

Hi,

So sorry to hear this!

I had endometriosis too and know how awful it is!

I went to a specialist and he put me on something - forgotten the name of course! - that suppressed my periods, for about 8 months, I'm surprised (and appalled frankly!)that they've only told you to get pregnant!
I also did natural healing stuff in that time, acupuncture etc

The whole lot together must have helped cos it cleared up and I became a mum at 36!

Do you know about this site?:

www.endometriosis-uk.org/

All the best!

There's a natural healing site called earth clinic that has some fab remedies like just a spoonful of molasses twice a day has healed people of endometriosis and fibroids etc.

My doc recommended having the coil or implant to stop my periods which would help endo. I'm pregnant now though and wanted to ttc when she suggested it which is why I didn't go for it.

I know each lasts a few years so would probably fit in with when you may want to start ttc.

I have also heard that the best 'cure' for endo is pregnancy but I got it back after. I also had laser surgery for it before I got pregnant. It did take me 3 years and we were about to start IVF. Just a warning that it can take a long time or may not be possible. Sorry.

I have endo and am currently pregnant - it took us three months to conceive so it doesn't necessarily harm your chances. A lot of it depends on where the endo is growing (Mine is between womb and bladder). The only thing that worked for me was drugs - tranexamic acid and strong co-codamols. Am really hoping it has calmed down a bit after pregnancy - we'll soon see.

Notyet

You have my sympathies as a fellow endo sufferer.

Have you looked at one of the UK based endometriosis websites; these are very helpful (far more useful any rate than the advice given to you to have a baby as this helps endo!). Endo can recur post pregnancy; I still get flare ups of it from time to time.

I am now a parent and became pg after having laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. Drugs like zoladex should be viewed by you with caution.

If you seek treatment and I really suggest you do so asap or at least when studies are finished, you need to find a gynae specialist with an interest in endo so NOT just a standard gynae chap. You need a specialist with vast experience in treating endo patients. A learned and knowledgeable gynae is worth his weight in gold when it comes to endo.

I was saddened to read what happened to both your Mum and grandmother; hysts these days are not recommended for endo as it can recur post hyst. Your ovaries would have to be removed during surgery as leaving these in can "feed" the endometriosis deposits. Also endometriosis can get onto the intestines and a hyst would not deal with that problem.

Do not be taken in by quack treatments such as molasses for treating endo. It needs proper management.

www.endo.org.uk is a good website.

I found that going on the pill kept mine at bay. I had awful pains every month and bowel movements were agony, diagnosed with stage 3 endo aged 30 following a laparoscopy. My gp suggested the pill so I started microgynon 30 and it just disappeared. It was wnderful. I came off the pill two years later to ttc and after 8 months concieved dd1 despite having cysts on both ovaries. Have resumed pill after stopping bf dd2 and - touch wood - no pain so far. In fact, at one of the scans during my second pregnancy the sonographer said one of my ovaries was now cyst-free.

I know the pill is not a long term solution and I really dread the thought of coming off it in a few years. I also know it doesn't work for all endo sufferers. But it definitely helped keep my endo at bay until I was ready to ttc.

HTH

Hi all,

I've had problems for years and after looking at the symptoms for endometriosis I was convinced that's what it was and went to my GP.

She sent me away saying I shouldn't attempt to diagnose myself and as proper diagnosis was invasive I should just wait until I want to try for a baby and if I struggle then they'll look at laser surgery, because if they did that now it might come back before I try to get pregnant and would've been pointless!!

Great help!

Good luck