ENDO Messages for March, 2003: The Power Within

The Power Within

From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Sun Mar 30 07:34:34 2003

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Mich: "right hand numbness"
Previous message: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Corrupt message detected"

Hi all involved with Endo

I have suffered with endo for 22 years & had over 30 operations for endometriosis, Adenomyosis including a total hysterectomy, appendix removal, bi-lateral hernia bowell & bladder repait and would like to share some information in this discussion in the hope that it may be of help.

1, Cure: there is no absolute cure to this disease. All medical offerings are a chance that it may help and for many this is the case.

2, Doctor: listen to your own body even if your doctor does not. There is no dishonour in obtaining a second or third opinion, remember doctors consult with each other all the time over diseases and issues. The sex of the doctor is not as important as your relationship woth the doctor - that is do they take you seriously, do they provide you with enough informtion to make an informed decision

3, Drugs: every drug responds to individuals differently, just the same as each woman's periods & menopause if different, therfore ask the doctor of each possible side effect or your local chemist and make an informed decision on what to take. Example why depro is given to stop periods in some cases it has been known to do the opposite - therefore think about taking an injection that will last three or more months perhaps a tablet form is more suitable as this can be stopped more readily.

4, Bleeding:, in heavy bleeding cases request your doctor conduct tests for bleeding disorders. After my 13th Operation it was found I had Von Willebrands disease which causes things such as blood noses and heavy periods - ensure that this is not an extra issue you are facing

5, Immediate Pain Post Operation: if immediatly after an operation the pain seems to continue request that a MRI is conducted. After my hysterectomy it was found that I also had Adenomyosis (endo growing in the Uterus Wall). Now doctors may state that this only affects older women - I was 30 years old - one sign in particular is lower back ache - however which way you look at an elimination can at least let you become more informed.

6, Hysterectomy:, understand that just like pregnency a hysterectomy may not be the total answer therefore prior to this decision condsider the loss of your ovaries that will place you into menopause. I have had operations since having a radical hysterectomy (removal of everything) as well as menopausal symptoms.

A hysterectomy should be avoided as much as possible at a young age as HRT is unavoidable when younger due to bone structure etc again you will be force to make a harsh decision - HRT for bone density etc versus increase chance of breast cancer - damned if you do - damed if you don't.

7, Ovarian Tissue re-growth:, understand that if any ovarian tissue is left behind however small that further issues can occur with the ovarian tissue re-growing. This has been proven by the removal of ovaries prior to cancer treatment and frozen and re-placed after treatment has ceased.

7, One Ovary:, as it only takes one egg from one oveary to fall pregnant the removal of one side does not autommatically mean you cannot fall pregnant this goes with finding endo in the first place - may women with endo have families

8, Bowell:, there is no doublt that the bowell is effected by endo more so after a number of operations & adhesion build up the best that you can attempt to do here is to ensure that your bowell works the best it can - enough fibre etc as the more build up the higher the pain

9, Partners, Family and Friends, if you are lucky you will receive the support that you require however this will not always be the case as this is still deemed a "womens problem area". The best tool is to be informed as you can and attempt to educate those around you. If you are in a relationship ensure that you partner attends doctors appointments with you. Remember your partner may have been bought up in a house where even the word period was never used. You can only try to educate however in the end it will depend on the willingness and ability of those around you to be open to this information

10, Surgery, limit the amount of surgery as best you can. Ask your doc can a laparoscopy be performed in the first place and a laparotomy only if the laparoscope shows that it is required. (These are done at the same time). This is especially imporant when the doc's themselves often do not really know until a visual inspection is completed.

11, Keep Occupied, as hard as it is at times (as I know the pain is enormous) keep as active as possible. Through my thirty operations I kept working (although I was lucky enough to work at home on may occassions) however by working it gave me other things to think about - part of my theory behind this was that I wanted to control the disease not let the disease control me.

Go out to dinner with friends, they will understand if you just want to nibble on bread sticks & if you leave earlier, if they don't then they are not friends.

Depression, if you are going through depression get some help for this as well. They are many low dose options nowdays. You have a long term disease this would get anyone depressed and there is no shame in reqiring help with this

Lastly ultimately you are the best judge of your own body. You should aim to feel the healthiest you can in order to fight the pain of endo. I found by going to a naturapath at the same time as undergoing main stream medical processes at least built my health in other areas helping to fight the pain.

All the best to all and remember the fight is with the disease and obtaining the correct information to make the decisions you must face. Be strong and take charge because no-one else can do it for you.

Next message: Mich: "right hand numbness"
Previous message: anonymous@obgyn.net: "Corrupt message detected"

Women's Insurance Checklist from Auto Insurance Quote

use when must restrict search to only the endometriosis forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: