does anyone know the consequences of endometriosis?
398031
The consequences can be far reaching and exact a potentially devastating toll on the patient, ranging from debilitating pain to anatomical disortions to infertility, but it doesn't have to be that way.  There is help out there - and it isn't hysterectomy.  That is an old wive's tale, right up there with "Endo is a disease of white career women" and "pregnancy cures it."  None of that is true.  Endo produces its own estrogen-synthesizing enzyme known as Aromatase, which allows it to self-sustain after hysterectomy.  The treatment is to remove disease, not organs.  Unfortunately, most doctors are quick to perform superficial surgeries like ablation, vaporization and cauterization, which leaves extensive disease behind.  Most doctors will also not a.) recognize all disease in all colors and locations and b.) be able to treat complicated forms of the disease such as that located on the bowel, bladders, ligaments, etc.  Therefore, it leads to repeat, ineffective surgeries that offer very temporary relief at best.  Combine lack of treatment with a 9 year delay in diagnosis and doctors telling the patient "it's in their head" and it can become rather complicated and painful.  Other doctors like to prescribe Lupron as if it were candy and tell their patients it is a cure - also not true.  What Endo patients need to do is get help from a TRUE Endo specialist - someone who meticulously EXCISES all disease from all locations.  Excision is the gold standard of treatment, conferring an up to 85% long term success rate, increase in fertility, and helps the patient regain her painfree quality of life.  Only advanced laparoscopic endoscopists with highly skilled techniques can perform excision and such specialists are few and far between, but they do exist.  Get help from someone who knows what they are doing and it will drastically improve the situation altogether.  See the links below for help. Good luck to you.
511214
Endometriosis is a potential killer, not to mention, as you already know, a pretty painful thing to have to endure.  It won't get better on its own, so putting off the hysterectomy won't do you any good.  You are fortunate in that you're still relatively young, because that means you have a far greater liklihood of complete recovery.\nAll women regret, to some degree, the loss of the ability to bear children.  Most do adapt, and for those for whom that proves difficult, there is help.  \nMy suggestion is, don't avoid the surgery.  Yes, you will feel much better once you've recovered from the operation.  The freedom one feels knowing she's not going to have to anticipate the god-awful cramps, the bleeding, the headaches and backaches, I've been told by dozens of my patients, is a blessing.  Being a male, I have to take their word for it.  You should, too.
1134916
I have endometriosis as well and found work from home a few years ago. It really has been a blessing since I work using my computer and telephone and I make my own hours. I can work around my doctor appointments and 'bad days'.  I've tried a few different things from home before like Tupperware and stuffing envelopes. I didnt have the money or desire to have strangers in my home for parties, so working strictly on the internet is what works for me and my family. Be sure to check out www.endocenter.org for help with your endo, and if you want to find out more about how I work from home, the link to the organization I work with is www.PracticalSolution.info.
333930
Treatment for endometriosis has varied over the years, and there is still no absolute cure. If you don't have any symptoms, and you're not planning to have any (more) children, then no treatment is necessary, just regular checkups. If you have only mild symptoms, and infertility is not a factor, simple painkillers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen may be all that's needed.\n\nFor severe symptoms, depending on where the growths are located and their size, your doctor may recommend a hysterectomy and removal of the ovaries. Before you decide whether this is indicated, get a few separate opinions from other doctors. Although hysterectomy is considered a definitive cure, research has shown that women who undergo a hysterectomy for endometriosis sometimes experience a recurrence of the disease.\n\nConservative surgery involves removing the growths themselves, rather than any reproductive organs. One procedure, which was shown on The Learning Channel's "The Operation," is called operative laparoscopy. Through a laparoscope, surgery is done with a laser, a cautery, or small surgical instruments. Again, as with more radical surgery, recurrence is common after this procedure. Conservative surgery is the treatment of choice for women under thirty-five who are diagnosed with endometriosis in the early stages and who want to have children. About 40 percent of these women will go on to conceive. After conservative surgery, between 20 and 50 percent of endometriosis patients will need more radical surgery.\n\nIf you're infertile or don't wish to get pregnant, simply going on a progestin-containing oral contraceptive or a progesterone supplement, such as Provera, may control your endometriosis. This works for as long as you're taking the synthetic hormones, and sometimes the therapy can force endometriosis into remission for months or years after going off the hormones.\n\nIf that doesn't work, your doctor may recommend you take the drug danazol (a testosterone derivative). When a low dose of danazol is taken (roughly 100 to 200 mg per day), many women experience relief as well as a scanty menstrual flow. But there are "androgenic" (or progesterone-related) side effects to danazol, which include weight gain, acne, muscle cramps, unwanted hair growth, voice-deepening, water retention, and occasionally, liver problems since the liver has to metabolize this drug.\n\nIf you're not having success with danazol, there is a slightly more severe treatment with a GnRH, which is often used in fertility treatments. This drug "copies" your natural GnRH, thereby shutting it down and throwing you into a sort of "controlled" menopause. Synthetic hormones introduced into your body as "copies" are called analogues or agonists. GnRH is administered through injection, as a pump spray, or nasal spray. Brand names include Lupron, Synarel, or Zoladex. GnRH is strong medication and should only be considered in very severe situations.\n\nIf you decide to have surgery to treat endometriosis, GnRH therapy is sometimes recommended for about two to three months prior to surgery to dry up your menstrual flow.\n\nPregnancy As a Cure\n\nBelieve it or not, pregnancy does cause endometriosis to go into temporary remission, because you don't ovulate when you're pregnant. Furthermore, permanent remission of endometriosis has been known to occur after childbirth; the growths in this case shrink, and the pain associated with the disease stops. The problem is, the longer you have endometriosis, the greater your chance of becoming infertile. If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis, are planning to have children, and are in a position to have a family (that is, you have a supportive partner and are financially stable), then getting pregnant is a good idea. In other words, why wait? In addition, the disease may also worsen with time.\n\nPregnancy as a prescription is not feasi
1031392
First, you were put on Lupron without a true diagnosis - that was the first mistake and disservice your dr. did to you. Lupron was never intended to be a diagnostic, nor is it even remotely curative (or for that matter, even helpful in many cases).  You need a new doctor!!!!!!  Endo is a serious disease that requires serious help - you likely have ligmament involvement.  Do yourself a favor - because your current doctor never will - and see a true specialist. It will help tremendously to have the disease truly excised, not superficially vaporized or masked by temporary medication.  See www.centerforendo.com, www.endometriosistreatment.com, www.endocenter.org for help and references and info.  Good luck and you're not alone.
684810
Go to the Doc's and ask about "Endometriosis" (I hope I spelled it right) LOL.... But it's sounds like that's what you have! Nothing horrible but basically it means you have a "tipped" uterus. I have 4 kids but it took me almost 3 yrs to get pregnant with my first one!My period's are real bad and I have cramps like you wouldn't believe too. So go to the Doc's and ask him about this! You'll be ok, I promise!! And this one website is good to www.webmd.com i love it!!!! Let me know!! Good luck!!!
423304
There is nowhere for the blood to go, hence the continued accumulation of debris, blood and scar tissue.  As this continues over time, the lesions and implants usually become larger and more painful with each cycle.  Endometriosis can wreak havoc, causing anatomical problems by distoring or twisting organs, causing debilitating pain during any time of the cycle, causing infertility and so much more.  It is imperative to obtain treatment by a true expert, someone who can EXCISE the disease from all locations and not just vaporize or ablate it.  See www.centerforendo.com and www.endometriosistreatment.org for more info on excision as the effective treatment for Endo.
513273
Endometriosis, adenomyosis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, fibroids, suspected cancer, uterine prolapse, cervical cancer or precancer, adhesions, nonspecific chronic pelvic pain.
1059749
A lot of women with Endo have food intolerances and allergies they weren't even aware of.  Wheat and dairy are biggies.  By eliminating them from the diet, many find that in particular their bowel symptoms (so common in Endo) disappear or alleviate significantly.  It is thought that gluten negatively affects the gut flora and membranes in food sensitive people and causes painful inflammation and symptoms.  Sometimes the foods can also set off the body's IgC over-reaction to a perceived "foreign substance," thereby creating pain and symptoms.  Dian Shepperson Mills has done a fantastic book on this, Endometriosis: a Key to Healing Through Nutrition - get it used or at the library; it is WELL worth it and really goes into some indepth explanations and food avoidance recommendations.  You can also join the ERC's listserv online and get suggestions from real women at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/erc - it's free and private (members only).  Good luck!
513998
I had a few: \n 1) hormone tests - blood tests.\n2) Dilation and curetage D & C\n3) Hystersalpingogram - check the uterus and tubes.\n\nAlso a surgery for endometriosis to check on it's severity.
192488
I have had the laproscopy procedure done for endometriosis. It is out patient surgery and they make an incision through your belly button or right under it. I had a couple days for recovery, then I was back to my normal activity. I have had an ovarian cyst as well, I never had surgery for it, it ruptured on its own. I know they can be fairly common.
443458
I was on Yasmin and when I needed to not be on my period my doctor recommended that I skip the inactive pills and go straight to the new pack.  I did this a couple of times because I had a big test at school (I have endometriosis too and the periods are painful) and didn't want to be on a period.  I found that I got even more headaches and was extremely moody.  I also had more pelvic pain which is most likely associated with the endo.
1133970
I would suggest another surgical intervention, but this time with a team of specialists.  Often, at places like the Center for Endo Care, they will assemble a surgical team of specialists from each field - for example, a Endo excisionist, a bowel surgeon, a bladder surgeon and whomever else you may need to expertly work to truly excise residual disease and adhesions from all locations.  Check into the CEC at www.centerforendo.com or Drs. Cook or Redwine at www.drcook.com and www.endometriosistreatment.org, respectively.  You don't have to live like this; there are options out there and people who truly can help you.  Hysterectomy is not a cure for Endo and will not do zip for adhesions or bowel disease, so look into those docs.  Good luck and feel better.
424476
If you're a woman, have you looked into Endometriosis as a possible cause?   My friend had similar symptoms and the doctors looked at liver and gallbladder before settling on Endo as a diagnosis.\n\nGood luck.
489621
Why have a test when there are only 2 options for getting rid of it. According to my doctor there's a shot I could take but that could throw me into early menopause. Option 2 is a hysterectomy which is unacceptable to me (and you!)\nI'm afraid if you have it, dear, you'll just have to live with it. I hope yours isn't as painful as mine. Don't worry though. There are many different reactions to Endometriosis.\nMy aunt has it too but she has no pain and she was able to bear three children! The best thing you can do is to keep your body at its peak of health with a great diet and consistent exercise. If you do have pain like I do, then try some prescription Ibuprofen, hot baths and those large heat patches from the drugstore. Also, wearing a pad instead of a tampon for the first couple of days really eases my symptoms. Good luck sweetie.
524940
Hemorraging is bleeding but also it depends on you. Some women who have endomitrios which makes you hemmorage....It's painful also during your period....
841088
Try heat. I had endometriosis so bad I eventually had to have a hysterectomy. My doctor gave me ibuprofen 800 mg (the prescription strength) and a med. for stomach (Prevacid), but what worked best for me was heat, esp. moist heat. I used to put rice in a tube sock 2/3rds full, tie a knot in it, and toss it in the microwave for 2 or 3 min., and used it. They also make those heat wraps that you can buy at the store that also work well if you are somewhere you can't carry around heat or keep a heating pad plugged in. Hot liquids also help - try drinking herbal teas. Also - make sure you don't get constipated -that'll only make things worse. If your OBGYN hasn't helped you, then you should really pin him down and make sure he understands how bad these cramps are. There are new drugs out there that are not pain killers, and can help you. If he dismisses your symptoms, I'd look for a different doctor. Ask some of the women in your area who they use, and get some recommendations. Good luck!