Adenomyosis - support and any lifestyle advice.

[Annabel28]

I've recently been diagnosed with adenomyosis. I haven't seen a doctor yet - it was just seen on a scan but I have suspected endo/adenomyosis over the past year due to the severe pain I've been getting. I also get awful bloating when the pain comes.

I have a history of a significant mood disorder and had to stop lithium last year so I could take mefanamic acid (can't take lithium and NSAIDs together). In the past oral contraceptives have worsened my mood and I had terrible issues with the coil (both insertion and not getting on with it once it was in). I accept I may end up on hormonal treatment eventually, but I don't want to feel pushed in to it and I would like to see as a first step if addressing my lifestyle would help.

I was wondering if other people have found natural/lifestyle changes that actually help? I've read about magnesium, exercise, salty baths etc. and I've seen this sensible-sounding article online which does not advocate cutting specific foods out (I've seen a lot of this online) but to focus on food you can add in:
https://www.healthnutritionist.co.uk/post/stop-the-endo-belly-our-nutritionist-gives-4-tips-and-4-myths-to-avoid

I guess I'm just reaching out for a hand hold but also to see if anyone else has managed to get by with lifestyle/pain relief only? I'm happy to take pain killers, I would just rather initially avoid hormones but I'm worried in case my GP or gynae (I've been referred) will think I'm somehow "difficult". I know it's my choice but my recent experience of maternity care included having to cope with some very paternalistic staff who thought they knew their body better than I do... DOI - I am actually a doctor myself, so I have seen from the inside how patronising and paternalistic some staff can be when it comes to women's health, I know this may not be the case for me but it worries me.

Following as dd also suffers

I had both endo and adenomyosis and sadly nothing helped, either natural or prescribed; it wasn't resolved until I had a hysterectomy, which I had privately after years of being messed about by the NHS.

I completely agree with you about the patronising and paternalistic attitude of some professionals, it's very difficult to get taken seriously. I was often bent double and nearly passing out with pain; all I got was endless referrals to years-long waiting lists. Private consultant took one look at my medical records and booked me in for a hysterectomy two weeks later; what came out was apparently a tangled mess of adhesions, cysts, fibroids etc.

I have stage 3 endo and adenomyosis and it's hell. Had a laparoscopic surgery a few months ago but now I'm going to go for the hysterectomy later this year.

I've tried everything and nothing works so I feel this is my last resort

Thanks for your input.
I'm really feeling quite low about the situation.

I've recently been diagnosed with adenomyosis. I recently started taking magnesium, vitamin D & vitamin B complex, and I've went from constantly bleeding to no period, less bloating and pain. No idea if it's a coincidence or not. But I've went through years of constant heavy bleeding and a cycle of anaemia so taking this win while it lasts. Still waiting to see gynaecologist but I have a feeling they will push for the coil based on what doctor has already said. I've tried cerelle and noriday contraceptives but neither made much of a difference.