Re: Advice for Melissa
From: Michelle (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun Mar 11 00:41:24 2007
Melissa
I too am 26 (no kids) and have had problems since I started (at
nine)that only got worse over the years. There are a few women in the
forum who had success with Lupron. I am happy for them, but I wasn't
lucky. Actually, I felt I switched my pelvic pain for a bunch of other
pain while on Lupron. At the time I thought it was great because it was
a break from pelvic pain. I had headaches, extreme hot flashes,
couldn't sleep and short term memory issues. I literally forgot to go
to work and do college assignments! It has taken me years to get my
short term memory back (I don't think this is a common affect, anyone
else here get this?). Within one month my periods came back even worse.
Honestly, Seasonal has been the best thing for me. It took me a year to
get it to work though. I only kept taking it because I didn't know what
else to do. Once it worked, it was the closest to normal living I have
ever experienced. Other women have not liked seasonal, but have
suggested the Yasmin pill.
I am having excisional surgery soon and have had to stop taking the bcp
for a month prior. I am now remembering what I was living through
(which is good since this is going to be super expensive!).
Honestly, I don't think you can place much faith on the Lupron. Spend
the money doing lots of research on what might be best for you. If you
do use Lupron, I would suggest the add-back therapy as well. The
add-back lessons the symptoms.
I would certainly look into the FMLA that someone mentioned earlier. I
just filed this for my surgery and am glad to know that it exists.
I hope you find something that works great for you.
--
Michelle
At Wed, 7 Mar 2007, Cari wrote:
>
>Melissa...
>
>Exact same story as mine...felt as if I was the crazy one after seeing
>so many docs and so many ultra sounds...then finally...vindication!! I
>was written up at work for the first time in my life for missing days
>when my own boss knew my diagnosis and even sent flowers after surgery!
>I don't know what your situation is at work, but if you can FILE FOR
>FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act)...it allows you to take time off for
>your own illness...I work in Human Resources so I know a bit about this.
>I filed for it immediately after she wrote me up to protect myself. I
>am able to take up to three days per month to be in pain (this part is
>at your doc's descretion since he/she has to sign the forms).
>
>I thought the diagnosis would make it easier, but truth be told it has
>only been worse. My doc pushed Lupron too, he was very honest in saying
>however that taking those shots is, and I quote, "a bad ride." Some
>women have NO trouble at all. My concern was that it was an injection
>and if I react badly, I am stuck with it. He offered to have me go the
>Synarel route instead, which does the same thing but is a daily nasal
>spray. I gave it almost four months and cried the whole way through. It
>was not a good time, he was correct. The thing is, so many have said
>the pain comes back after treatment and that is correct. Excision is
>the best thing that you can have done. The endo that my doc did remove
>during surgery has left those areas totally pain free while the pelvic
>wall and my lower spine ache constantly.
>
>Hope I helped in some small way...
>
>I know, beleive me, I know how you feel...
>
>At Tue, 6 Mar 2007, Melissa wrote:
>>
>>I have fought with pelvic pain, irregular/heavy menstruals, low back
>>pain, fatigue and many other symptoms since I was 15 years old. It has
>>only gotten worse. I am now 26 years old...no children...and was
>>diagnosed with Endometriosis in September with a diagnostic laproscopic
>>surgery. I had doctor after doctor tell me there was NOTHING wrong with
>>me. I'm thinking am I crazy and imagnining the PAIN AND MISERY. They
>>did diagnose me with PCOS; however the cysts on my ovaries were always
>>too small to surgically remove. I always wondered then why am I in sooo
>>much pain and barely getting out of bed. Well it seems to only have
>>gotten worse. My work is suffering and my boss is riding me. I have
>>missed alot of work due to the pain and fatigue. Muy doctor wants me to
>>try LUPRON DEPOT. Any suggestions on that? It is very expensive even
>>after my insurance pays their part. Should I pay 200 dollars a month
>>for the shot and risk it not working??
>>
>>ADVICE PLEASE...
>>
>>--
>>MELISSA
>>
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