Re: ENDO....does it make you sick? PLEASE READ
From: Anna (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat Nov 20 23:09:23 2004
Dawn,
Thanks for your response. It is so important that we all do our
homework and find out more about what we are experiencing. It is
encouraging to me to hear about the research you have been doing. I
don't know anyone with endo who I can talk to about what I'm learning,
and it is just wonderful to share ideas with you -- someone who is
researching the same topics and concerned with the same issues. Thank
you for the connection!
I wish everyone who has endo could learn about the autoimmune connection
and maybe we can all push for research in this area.
-Anna
At Sat, 20 Nov 2004, Dawn wrote:
>
>Anna,
>There is an even more in-depth look at the immune connection and
>immunotherapy to endo in the latest book: Endometriosis: the complete
>reference for taking charge of your health. It is very interesting,
>especially the chapter by Grace I. Migaki, MD, called "A crash course
>in endo immunology", p. 159. The EA's research did show links between
>endo, allergies, and other signs of immune dysfunction, and that women
>with endo are at high risk for certain autoimmune disease. Some of
>their research from p. 158 (they analyzed surveys from 3680 women with
>endo):
>20 percent had more than one other disease;
>Up to 31 percent of those with coexisting diseases had also been
>diagnosed with either fibro or CFS, and some of these had other
>autoimmune or endocrine disease.
>CFS was more than 100 times more common than in the female population
>generally.
>
>I've also done a lot of reading lately on autoimmune diseases, since I
>had such a bad reaction to Lupron this year. The internist thought that
>the hormonal swing may have triggered an autoimmune disease, although
>I've never been "officially" diagnosed, I do have a lot of symptoms to
>suggest this, as well as an elevated C Reactive Protein. IMHO, there is
>definitely a correlation between hormonal imbalance and autoimmune
>disease, or it is at least a trigger. There is a lot of evidence that
>certain autoimmune diseases start during pregnancy or menopause, times
>of huge hormonal swings. I'm really hoping that the new research they
>are going to start doing at Vanderbilt might shed some light on this
>link!!!
>
>At Sat, 20 Nov 2004, Anna wrote:
>>
>>Montele and all,
>>
>>Please consider that endometriosis may be an autoimmune disorder. There
>>is
>>evidence to suggest that it is, but the scientific community has not
>>come to a consensus on this issue. A normal, healthy person having her
>>period should not have a weakened immune system. HOWEVER, it is
>>possible that there is an underlying autoimmune problem actually causing
>>endometriosis. For more information, read "The Endometriosis
>>Sourcebook" put out by the endo association. One possibility being
>>explored by researchers is that the reason some women get endometriosis
>>is that their immune system is unable to attack the endo growths and
>>keep them from growing. This theory states that the reason some women
>>do not get endo is that their immune system does keep in check any
>>growths that may present themselves.
>>
>>If the theory that endo is an autoimmune disorder is true, then there
>>would be every reason to connect endo with becoming sick with viruses
>>etc. more often. The immune system reacts to the endo growths when
>>endo flares up, so when a virus comes along, the immune system is
>>already working hard on the endo. This would make you prone to getting
>>sick.
>>
>>It makes sense to me! However, there is a lot of confusion about endo in
>>the medical field, as many of us know too well... and a lot of doctors
>>actually spread myths about endo. We really have to do our homework
>>ourselves.
>>
>>Once again, the endo association has a lot of information on this topic.
>>http://www.endometriosisassn.org
>>
>>How many of you are familiar with this line of thought (the autoimmune
>>implicatinos)?
>>
>>-Anna
>>
>>At Fri, 19 Nov 2004, montele wrote:
>>>
>>>I have always been told that your immune system is weak when on a
>>>period......even by DRs......WOW that a real eye opener.....I wish i
>>>would know that sooner.....Well I feel a lil better because I took a
>>>fever reducer pluse Nyquil...that knocked me out for a few hours (thank
>>>god my mommie is here to take care of the kids) ....arn't mommies the
>>>best......wellI will set up an appt.....ASAP....but with it being flu
>>>season everyone is sick so it is really hard to get in to see a
>>>dr......I might be annimic also.....I never was befor.....but who
>>>knows......Thanks a whole bunch
>>>lov ya
>>>Montele
>>>
>>>At Fri, 19 Nov 2004, anonymous wrote:
>>>>
>>>>Montele you have fallen victim to "old wives tale" syndrome.
>>>>
>>>>Having your period does not weaken your immune system. That was one of
>>>>the fallcies created to "keep women in their place, and silent" so that
>>>>the men could go about the business of running the country (fine job
>>>>they've done too, eh? - sarcasm intended).
>>>>
>>>>Having heavy periods can cause anemia which will make you feel tired.
>>>>
>>>>Having fevers of 103.5 is NOT a normal occurrence. You should be seeing
>>>>a doctor about it. Fever is an indication that your body is under
>>>>attack. While it does need a doctor's attention it does not require a
>>>>visit to the ER. You should save the ER for when you are in dire need
>>>>of immediate medical attention.
>>>>
>>>>Call your gyne and make an appointment. Explain to the scheduling nurse
>>>>that you have been bleeding (and how much) for (how many days) with
>>>>fever and fatigue and you need to see the doctor now.
>>>>
>>>>At Fri, 19 Nov 2004, montele wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>I have been getting sick alot this year......I think that the ENDO make
>>>>>you more likly to get sick faster.....like when you are on your period
>>>>>you might catch a cold.......because your system is weaker during your
>>>>>period.......I have been getting fevers of like 103.5.....and I don't if
>>>>>I should go in the er or not......like is it because I'm sick or is it
>>>>>the ENDO....i have been feeling preety crappy for a month It is like I
>>>>>can't get rid of the cold.....and pluse I have been bleeding now fo 18
>>>>>days......so what should I do......I'm feeling preety weak too...like i
>>>>>could just fall asleep at any min......I need help.....
>>>>>lov ya
>>>>>Montele
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