|
Re: Should I be tested for endometriosis?
From: anonymous (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue Jun 23 23:25:25 2009
Your sexual organs are very important to your health, beyond fertility.
Many doctors think that removing the uterus fixes endo - BUT endo is by
definition outside the uterus! researching will help you know when
you're talking to a doctor who's on the clueless side.
At Tue, 23 Jun 2009, ampyali wrote:
>
>Steph--Sorry to hear that you are experiencing these problems so early
>on in life. Endo is such a complicated disease and affects its victims
>in so many devastating ways. I was diagnosed with endo 2 years ago by
>laparoscopy and had excision surgery one year ago with one of the best
>specialists in the country. I am now completely pain and symptom free!
>I have a 19 year old daughter who has had the exact same problems you
>have, although her symptoms are currently well controlled on an OC. The
>minute she no longer gets relief from the pill, however, we have already
>decided she will be heading off to the endo specialist for excision
>surgery. I know you said that you don't want to have children, but the
>way you feel about this at 20 can be very different from the way you
>feel at 30. Protecting your fertility should still be a priority, just
>in case you change your mind later on--endo can severely affect
>fertility--you ought to keep all your options open. One of your very
>best options right now is to send your records to one of the true endo
>specialists. A few will review your records for free, and others will
>charge a small fee that can be used towards surgery if you choose that
>route. They can discuss your case with you via mail or phone and you
>won't even have to travel unless you decide on surgery. Many surgeons
>will tell you that you should have a hysterectomy or that they can fix
>your problem by just burning the endo implants during a lap and then
>putting you on strong drugs to suppress the implants. Neither of these
>treatments are effective in the long run and can have serious and
>devastating long-term effects. Read all you can and educated yourself
>because there is a LOT of misinformation out there. The web sites for
>the CEC in Atlanta, Dr. Cook in California and Dr. Redwine in Oregon
>are all filled with a wealth of reliable information about this disease
>and it's treatment. Best of luck to you in your search for the truth...
>
>At Tue, 23 Jun 2009, Steph wrote:
>>
>>Hello there! I am a 20 year old female and have some questions about
>>endometriosis.
>>
>>I started having my periods when I was 11. When I was 13 or so, these
>>periods started becoming extremely bothersome. I’d get cramps to the
>>point I cannot stand up straight. I’d get diarrhea 2 days before my
>>period would come (I didn’t even bother with a calendar, I knew my
>>period was coming by that one symptom). I’d become quite nauseas but
>>never actually vomited.
>>
>>My question is, should I bother being tested for endometriosis? Since
>>starting Seasonique 2 years ago, my problems have greatly diminished
>>(and I’d imagine without a period anymore I shouldn’t have any problem).
>>However, for four years I’ve been experiencing painful intercourse, to
>>the point that my fiancé and I don’t really even try anymore. Also,
>>starting early 2009, I’ve been having bad cramps that feel like period
>>cramps but I’m not having a period while cramping. These cramps are bad
>>enough to send me to the floor. They’re intense, but only last a few
>>minutes. I’m not sure if they’re related or not….
>>
>>My fiancé and I do not want children so I don’t really care about the
>>effect on my fertility. I just want to stop these cramps and have sex
>>at some point in my life! But surgery is invasive, so I’m not sure if I
>>should get tested. But since that’s the only test for endometriosis…
>>what’s your opinion?
>>
>>Thank you so much for your help. It’s greatly appreciated.
|
|
![[ endo@obgyn.net ]](../../images/endo_at_obgyn.gif)