Anyone diagnosed with Endometriosis in their late 40's

[Redandpinkstripes]

I hope someone can help/advise please. I have been having severe abdo/gynae issues for a long time, but they have worsened in the past 12 months.
I am 48 and my gp thought it was Endometriosis as I am having bowel and bladder issues, linked to my cycle. The pain is so bad I nearly pass out.
I have seen gynae and although my scans were clear, she could feel 2 fibroids and said they were causing the issue. I am on Prostap and HRT. This helped for 2 months but now my symptoms have come back with a vengeance. The pain is unbearable and my bowel/bladder issues worse than ever. My whole abdo is on fire. Pins and needles/pain up and down my legs. Passing blood when I go to the toilet. I'm not having periods as a Mirena coil was fitted.
I've been signed off and my gp is almost certain it is classic Endometriosis. The specialist was adamant it couldn't be as I am too old. My gp disagrees with this. My appointment has been expedited.
I don't care what it is, I just want my life back.
Thanks for listening xx

Sorry to hear this. A fibroid has recently been picked up in an unrelated scan of mine; awaiting consultant checkup now. Meanwhile I've noticed some bladder issues and flare up of cramps which I've not had for years. Also on HRT as I am 45. Can't provide any insight to you but I can let you know once I see my consultant. Fingers crossed for you.

I hope your GP does not refer you back to the hospital in which you saw this female gynaecologist. Did this person fit the Mirena?. Did she talk about other treatment for the fibroids as these do not go away of their own accord.

And you are not too old to have endometriosis either. This is usually diagnosed via a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy. It can also affect the bowels and bladder. If funds permit I would contact your local private based hospital and pay to see a gynae for an initial consultation. I suggest that also as waiting times on the NHS for gynae currently in many areas are miles long.

Keeping a daily pain and symptom diary noting everything is a good idea if you do not already do this as well as it can give the gynae clues.

I had endometriosis suggested at about 45 though I hadn’t had years of issues. My pain was one-sided so the conclusion was that it could be attaching to scar tissue formed after the removal of that tube (ectopic pregnancy) about 10 years prior. For me, the pain was manageable with naproxen (mostly) so I didn’t have surgery to confirm it and I’m now on HRT with a coil to manage the menopause (52 now) so it has stopped.

I would have thought that you should have investigative surgery to find out what is wrong at this point? When I spoke to the gynaecologist, he said the menopause might be the point that the problems would stop but it wasn’t guaranteed. However, I don’t know a lot about endometriosis so I’m not sure how you would expect the HRT and coil to affect it. My was definitely cycle based so I assume that’s why it’s stopped but Im not sure that’s always the case?

I think you can get naproxen over the counter in Feminax (it’s a special one, not the normal Feminax which has ibuprofen)if you think a stronger painkiller would help. But I would push for more investigation too.

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this, it is grim.

Sorry you are going through this. I am early 40s and have endo. I once met a lady in hospital who had had it for decades and she told me it didn’t just end with menopause and HRT had been a problem in exacerbating it.

I know some people find relief with the coil but everyone of different, of course.

As horrible as it is, finding out whether you have it should help you and your drs work out the next steps. All the best.

Thank you for your replies. Unfortunately, Naproxen 1000g and 8 Paracetamol daily are not touching the pain. I just want to feel normal again. The Prostap (chemical menopause) is brutal too :(
The gp is requesting I have a laparoscopy.

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I’m sorry to hear that about the pain, is it permanent or cyclical? Ie are you expecting any relief soon? If not, has the doctor recommended any further pain relief? I think when you reach a certain level of pain, you’d need to be in hospital (at least I was sent to A&E for morphine when I had a kidney stone and the oral painkillers didn’t work). Otherwise, I was once recommended buscopan but I’m not sure this is as strong as naproxen so unlikely to help.

It does sound like you need a laparoscopy to sort this out, I hope this doesn’t take too long for you.

It is all the time but gets worse during my period. I'm on co-codamol now, which is helping in one way but causing constipation. Which isn't great as I have constipation already.

Diagnosed at 48 when they opened me up to remove an ovarian cyst. Turns out it was a chocolate cyst and my insides were a total mess. They took the lot and I am a new woman. Find a different doctor.

If it is endometriosis I would have thought your HRT will be making it worse. Find a different consultant, the pain of endometriosis is dreadful.

Endometriosis pain is horrendous. I take naproxen and zapain 30/500 together to combat it. Not a perfect cure, I often have had to take a day off work because of it, but it helps.
l’ve recently started Sertraline on a low dose (basically I’m taking half the prescribed dose due to horrible sicky side effects) and, weirdly, the pain hasn’t been so bad for the last couple of months. This is good as ibuprofen/naproxen is contraindicated with Sertraline.

I was wondering if the hrt is making it worse. I have a follow up with my gp next week, so will discuss then. I'm on Prostap , which in itself has been brutal, but nothing compared to this pain!

Poorbuthappy so glad you are all sorted now. So you can get diagnosed later in life.

The only thing that really helps is a hot bath and my heat pad from Argos!