Mid-cycle pain - ovulation? Getting worse ...

[bluegreeneyes]

Can anyone help with a problem I've had on and off for years which is now worse than ever?

Basically mid-cycle pain - 2 months out of every 3, always on the right side. I've had it for the last 6 or 7 years. About 4 years ago my GP arranged a scan - no problems found. I also get heavy and prolonged periods and had a hysteroscopy (sp?) but no problems found other than anaemia. So I got a mirena which dealt with the pain and bleeding and was fabulous for 2 years.

Had dc3 6 months ago and the pain since then has been crippling. Always on the right side, sometimes for as long as 6 days per month. It builds up over the days until it reaches a peak and then just stops. At the worst the pain shoots down my right hip/leg and wakes me up in the night. Going to the loo (especially bowels) is agony.

I'm no cissy with pain, managed to have 2 dcs with no pain relief (dc3 was a cesarian) but this pain is honestly worse than being in labour. What can I do?

The specialist I saw for the hysteroscopy said maybe endometriosis - but I didn't think that caused heavy and prolonged periods? And I never had problems conceiving? If I just ask for painkillers from my GP would that be OK? I don't really want anything more investigated but I don't want this pain anymore. I'd rather not have another mirena but I guess it might be another idea?

Endo can also cause heavy and prolonged periods apart from the pain aspect of it.

The first word thst came into my head when I read just the first para re the symptoms was endometriosis. The second para to me only unfortunately confirmed those suspicions further.

Mid cycle pain particularly if cyclical in nature is highly indicative of endometriosis.
Bowel and or bladder involvement can also be seen in some women with endometriosis as well.

Not surprised to see that no scan detected it - no scan will detect endo if it is there because the endometrical deposits are too small. Endo is only usually diagnosed through a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy.

I can well understand why you don't want any more investigative tests but painkillers are no real solution really particularly in the longer term. Also such things can become less effective over time.

Bowel involvement with endo is certainly not unknown - some cases of endo are misdiagnosed as IBS.

Such problems as well are not really within the GPs remit of understanding - a referral to a gynae is a prerequisite here.

www.endo.org.uk is a useful website to look at.

Hmmm, sounds rather like endometriosis to me, too. Rather than the Mirena, have you thought about (already tried?) going on the pill with no breaks for "periods". (I assume it's only certain types of pill you can do this with - i.e. not the ones that contain 7 placebo pills.) On the recommendation of a Consultant, it's what I did until I wanted to TTC. The pill (Femodene) worked pretty well for me but I suppose it's only an option if you don't mind the non-stop hormone dosage.

My endometriosis is only "suspected" but I think that is the case with a lot of people.
Like Attila says, scans usually come up negative (mine did) and many people refuse further tests on the grounds that they are too invasive. I'd have had a laparoscopy if I had problems conceiving - but, luckily (so far) I had no problems there. I think whether or not it causes problems with conceiving depends on the location of the endometrial deposits.

Anyway, I hope you find a solution that works. The pain is awful, I know.

Thanks both, will have a think about what to do next - maybe the mirena again as at least it deals with both the pain and the bleeding. I haven't tried the pill as I'm getting on a bit and not sure if its a good idea? The specialist before said although it was suspected endometriosis there was no benefit to a definite diagnosis as the treatment options would be the same, which I can understand. Agggh just want the pain to go away!!

I'm in my early 40s and have endometriosis. I'm on the pill and can stay on it for the foreseeable future. I won't come off it without a fight (have been on receiving end of too many GPs who are ignorant of endo and what it does).

The pain won't go away without some sort of treatment; infact this disease can become chronic in nature. A lap operation can be used as a treatment as well as a diagnosis; the endo deposits can be lasered out.

I would go all out to find a gynae who has a specialist interest in endo because this person is likely to have more up to date information/knowledge.

Am not at all sure about the gynae's premise that there is no benefit to a definate diagnosis as the treatment options would be the same.

Mirena, the pill etc will dampen down the symptoms but won't make endo go away.

I would also have a look at the website posted up earlier as there's lots of info on it (as well as a phone helpline).

Thanks Attila, I'm also the other side of 40 - the options I was given were mirena, ablation or hysterectomy so I just went for the least invasive option. I will definitely have a look at the website as despite what he told me I seem to know next to nothing about endometriosis (I just went for the mirena option and hoped it would all go away). As always its interesting a mumsnetter knows more about this stuff .... just not sure I can bear another visit to the GP .... I'm a coward at heart.

Would also add that a hyst is not necessarily advised these days in such cases.
Ablation is more feasible.

It is vitally important that you seek out a gynae with a specialist interest in endometriosis. Up to date information is essential for you to make an informed decision. Knowledge as well is power!.

If you were to have a hyst the ovaries would need to be removed at the same time thus putting you into menopause.

Endo can also occur post hyst - it is not always the answer as endo can also occur on the bowels too.

Me is a big wuss as well (and I've had endo since I was 14, it was not diagnosed till I was 31!) but its better to face this head on because this does not go away of its own accord.

Thanks Attila for taking the time and trouble to reply, I had a look at the website - I didn't realise heavy periods were a symptom. I need to bite the bullet and see someone again . DH has been on at me for a couple of months anyway as I've noticed a bit of mid-cycle bleeding (only a tiny bit but it's there) and has said if I don't make the appointment he will (bless him).

Hi Blue. Well I've had endless trouble since I was 14 with heavy periods and pain during and in between periods. On 4 Feb 09 I have nova sure procedure ( ablation ) which worked a treat when it came to my periods, which are now non existant. As for the pain well, I still have the pain even more so now then anything and its getting me down. I wish I could give you an answer as to what will help. All I can say is its worth a go to have ablation, everyone is different and maybe it will work for you. I too have endo but doc doesn't seem to bothered by that. I have arranged to see my gyn asap and see what are my options now. Best of luck to you. I know exactly how u feeling and u not alone.

PS: Sorry forgot to say I am now 34.

Hi just wondering if i may have endi ? have been diagnosed with IBS but get very bloated around ovulation and have dull sometimes sharp pains around this time , i have very short cycle 25 days sometimes this can vary 23 to 30 but generally 25 , what other symptoms is there ?