Re: Please Read
From: Anna (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun Oct 31 21:10:36 2004
Hi Amalia,
I am 26. I found out I had endo exactly two years ago, through the
strangest set of events. I had gone off the pill and a very painful
lump appeared in my groin area, about the size of a large almond. I
went to a clinic and was told it was a cyst. She said, "We could pop it
out right now if you want, but I should consult with my mentor first". I
went to my family doctor who was positive it was a hernia. I told him
about my very painful periods and nightsweats and he got a little
grumpy, "If you want to discuss those things, you'll need to make a
separate appointment," he told me. *sigh* So he sent me to a general
surgeon who told me, "That doesn't look like a hernia to me. That looks
like lymphoma". So I was facing cancer head on, or so I thought. He
did I "biopsy" with local anaesthetic, and ended up removing a large
mass. Pathology report said, "Endometriosis". At that point, was
ecstatic about the good news. "Yayy!! It's endo! (not cancer)." I'm
still grateful it wasn't cancer, but since then I've learned that endo
is no walk in the park either.
I have had a GYN who tried to shove Lupron down my throat on the first
visit, a 2nd opinion GYN who downplayed it all to nothing, a
gastroenterologist who refused to consider endo, and in the end I just
did my best to ignore it until this month when I had the period from
hell (vomiting, fighting passing out, not being able to sit down or move
or anything without excruitiating pain). Now, people seem to be
listening.
Thanks for sharing your story. It means a lot to me to be able to
connect with others who are going through similar things. This is my
first day posting to this discussion board.
-Anna
At Thu, 28 Oct 2004, Amalia wrote:
>
>I am 24 yrs old and 5 days ago exactly I had my 4th video laparoscopy
>done. I was officially diagnosed with Endometriosis in 2002, however in
>2001 I underwent my 1st surgery due to pain in my lower right quadrant.
>I was told that nothing appears to be abnormal expect for a few Pelvic
>adhesions. Symptoms got worse and I began to have other problems, such
>as stomach problems. The pain varied from mild to severe, from annoying
>to downright disabling. 1 year I underwent many tests, upper GI tests,
>lower GI tests, colonoscopy, a cystoscopy to check my bladder, you name
>it I did the test. Doctors were pointing fingers at each other.
>Symptoms experienced with my digestive system included persistent,
>abdominal discomfort or pain, usually in the lower abdomen and altered
>bowel habit (change in frequency or consistency) chronic or recurrent
>diarrhea, constipation, or both in alternation.
>
>I was finally diagnosed with IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is the
>catchall diagnosis that is given to people who are experiencing
>symptoms, usually chronic, with their gastro-intestinal system that are
>not being caused by a known GI condition or disease. Ok so I did
>research and learned all about it and learned to eventually deal with
>and make changes to tone down the symptoms.
>
>Everything I went through that whole year, trust me was difficult
>physically and emotionally. However I was not content, I knew something
>else was wrong. I continued to do more research and began to read about
>endometriosis, 1 year later and a new doctor I was told that I have
>endometriosis.
>
>Since then I have had 4 surgeries, removal of adhesions and
>endometriosis of my bladder.
>I have read and learned so much about endometriosis I learned of
>experiences of hundreds and thousands of women.
>
>I decided that I would continue on with NO treatments, I found myself
>weighing short-term relief against long-term risks. For now I try my
>best, the surgeries help, the thing we can’t forget is that there is no
>cure.
>
>Aside from the physical aspect of endometriosis it’s difficult to deal
>with emotionally also.
>
>Every woman's story will be different, but we all experience the pain.
>
>If anyone needs anything, someone to talk to, ask advice etc. I am here!
>There is so much more but it's too much to type....
--
-Anna
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