Re: Do these symptoms sound like endo?
From: AGS (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed Apr 2 16:42:35 2003
Actually, these symptoms sound more like adenomyosis, which is endo's
cousin. With adeno, the endometrial tissue has infiltrated the muscular
walls of the uterus. And the symptoms you describe are very similar to
my experience.
Adeno is very hard to diagnose, unfortunately -- MRI and ultrasound can
only provide hints of it, and biopsy can miss the infiltrated areas
entirely. My understanding of adeno is that only a hysterectomy can
diagnose it with certainty (although the suspicion can be there from
other testing) and only a hyst is a true cure. They can try myomectomy,
but it is often not successful.
Adeno is more common in women who have had prior D&Cs, tubal ligation,
or c-sections. The biochemical effects of endo are still at play with
adeno -- it is still abnormal endometrial tissue that is found.
Good luck with this! I would certainly ask for at least a transvaginal
ultrasound to attempt to define the uterine anatomy and make sure that
nothing else (like a fibroid) is going on...
Audrey
At Wed, 2 Apr 2003, anonymous wrote:
>
>My symptoms started two months after I went off of the pill, nine months
>ago (trying to get pregnant). I didn't realize that anything was wrong
>until last month--just thought that odd things were happening for no
>apparent reason (like throwing up for no reason, being absolutely
>exhausted, and having horrendous stomach pains, spotting between
>periods, pre- and post-mentrual cramps, heavy menstruation).
>
>I thought maybe I had "a touch of the flu" and have spent a fortune on
>pregnancy tests (all negative) every month. Three months ago I passed a
>large black, hard blood clot (One week post-period) and thought maybe I
>had a miscarriage.
>
>Two weeks ago I developed severe diarrhea, stomach pains, and passed
>another blood clot. It coincided with the onset of my period, but
>lasted on and off for a week after. For a couple of days I had an acute
>pain in my right side. Also, I didn't ovulate this month (I tested.)
>Finally, I have put two and two together and figured out maybe I have
>Endo. as historically my symptoms are coinciding with the onset of my
>period. Flashback to two months after I went off the pill: I was
>bedridden with pain, heavy blood flow, headache, and fatigue. I went to
>the doctor the day of the most recent blood clot (accompanied by severe
>stomach pains, headache, and explosive diarrhea). The nurse
>practitioner, after verifying that there was no blood in my stool and
>that my cervix appeared normal told me that there was nothing wrong with
>me and gave me a pamphlet on fiber. I was outraged.
>Please, has anyone out there experienced these symptoms. Is it possible
>that I have endometriosis?
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