Re: I just don't know what else to do
From: D (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue Feb 27 11:48:43 2007
Hi Kristy,
I think you've gotten some good advice here already, I wanted to add
that your obgyn may not have given up on you. You should talk to her
and ask about her reasoning - it may be that she thinks your insurance
company will require you to see an orthopedist.
Back pain can be caused by endo behind the peritoneum, an area where
most doctors don't even bother to look during laparoscopies but
experienced endo specialists deal with regularly. It's definitely a
good idea to ask any doctor you are considering if they can excise
retroperitoneal endo, as well as any endo on the bowels or bladder.
I also agree very strongly that you need a referral to pain management.
Please be careful with the ibuprofen and tylenol - ibuprofen can cause
ulcers, but maybe more importantly don't take more than 4 grams of
tylenol a day. Taking more than that puts you at risk for liver damage.
4 grams is the equivalent of eight 500mg doses.
If you haven't already, you should start keeping a pain/symptom diary.
Write down as much as you can about where the pain is, how bad it is
(1-10), what you take or do, what makes it better or worse, and anything
else you notice. It will help your doctor understand how you are
feeling and how the pain is interfering with your life.
About getting a prescription now, my experience has been that it's
better to just explain what's going on to the doctor and let them
suggest the medication. Some doctors see requests for specific
medications as possible signs of abuse, so I think it's best to avoid it
unless the doctor asks you directly.
Hope this helps,
D.
At Mon, 26 Feb 2007, Nicole wrote:
>
>Also check out the EndoDoc's forum on Yahoo! (link below)
>http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EndoDocs/?yguid=299695264
>
>There is also a list on the Endovictims webpage:
>http://www.geocities.com/endovictims/endodocs.html
>
>You definatly need to see a specialist who is experienced in Endo and
>fertility issues. Also you probably need to see a pain specialist. Most
>doctors are uncofortable prescribing pain meds used for severe pain,
>(doesn't mean you shouldn't use them though...you have every right for
>pain relief!) See some of my posts below entitled "Long-term pain
>management" for other conversation on the pain issue. I've been going
>to my pain doc for a while and for me it is essencial. Basically here's
>what it's all about...Usually a doctor will first have you try an
>"NSAID" (Non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory drug) These include medicines
>like toradol, ketaprofin, and aleve, (aleve is also known as naproxin).
>"NSAIDS" are actually not 'pain-killers', they are 'anti-inflammatory'
>drugs which means they may relieve pain by reducing inflammation. If
>your pain does not respond to these than you may need what they call a
>"narcotic" pain-killers, this is stuff like Vicodin and Percocet, which
>both contain asprin as well as an opiate pain-killer. Others such as
>fentanyl, morphine, dilaudid, demerol etc. do not contain asprin. All
>are used to treat moderate to severe pain, although. Some people may
>tell you that others are "stronger" than others...but it really only
>depends on the dose at which it is prescribed. Please not that the
>"NSAID" class of drugs can reek havok on your stomach, they also need to
>be taken BEFORE pain comes on in order to be the most effective in
>reducing inflammation, consult your doctor on proper use. The side
>effects of Opiate pain-killers("narcotics") is constipation, so you must
>take stool-softeners with these. If anyone tell them you could become
>an addict, tell them they need to educate themselves because patients
>taking opiates for pain rarely become "addicted" (unfortunatly,
>addiction is poorly understood by most people and doctors alike. Hope
>that helps. I sometimes use heat for my pain, some women like
>ice-packs. If you can't get to a doctor at the moment and the pain is
>unbearable...go to the ER. I know the ER is a terrible place for women
>with Endo, but you may get lucky.
>Hope I've been helpful.
>hope youre out of pain soon.
>Nicole
>
>At Mon, 26 Feb 2007, Kristy wrote:
>>
>>My PCP gave up on my 4-5 years ago. My ob/gyn made me have bloodwork
>>done and an ultrasound on my kidney in December...which of course came
>>back normal/negative. She told me that she really wants me to get
>>pregnant, but my husband and I don't want a baby yet. (We haven't even
>>been married a year.) Last month I called with severe pain in my back
>>about a week before my period (I've been having back pain with my period
>>since my laparoscopy 4 years ago), and she said that I needed to go see
>>an orthopedist to rule out any back problems. Which to means that she
>>too has given up on me.
>>
>>I have searched the internet exhaustively and only been able to find 2
>>endo specialists in the DC metro area...one seems to be some sort of
>>expert witness for lawsuits and the other is at a fertility clinic. Of
>>course the insurance won't cover the visits to the guy at the fertility
>>clinic because it's considered infertility treatment...and we just can't
>>cover the out of pocket cost right now.
>>
>>I have been in so much pain today, alternating ibprophen and tylenol in
>>the attempt to make it barable, but it's not working and I won't start
>>my period until Friday night at the earliest. I just don't know what to
>>do. It hurts so bad taht I started crying multiple times today. (I'm
>>sure the folks at my new job think I'm a freak.)
>>
>>Does anyone out there know of any good ob/gyns or endo specialists in
>>the DC metro area? Do any of you have any suggestions of perscription
>>pain medication I could specifically ask my PCP for? I need something to
>>help me get through this pain...I just can't take it anymore!!!
--
Find an endo specialist in the ERC's EndoDocs group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EndoDocs/
Try an excellent endo support group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/erc/
![[ endo@obgyn.net ]](../../images/endo_at_obgyn.gif)