endomitriosis??

Posted by 2eyes (Nov. 15, 04)


Any ladies out there who have this condition? What exactly is it and how do you treat/cope with it?

Cliff

(Nov. 15, 04)


Hi


Sorry I am a guy. My wife had endometriosis years back before we got married.


Basically there are blood cysts surrounding the womb or fillopian tube. Gynae says it is becos the menstrual flow is going inwards stead of the normal outward flow.


She was put on birth control pills to change the hormones.


Eventually she went for laposcopy to remove the cysts by laser.


Gynae says once she give birth it should all clear.


Rgds

Sid


Raven

(Nov. 15, 04)


I've been suffering from Endometriosis for about 12 yrs. I've had several laparoscopies, laser treatments and been on hormone drugs. Every individual responds differently, due to the severity of your condition. True most doctors say that it goes away after childbirth - not true in my case.


The best advice is probably to find a very good gynaecologist and second opinion also wouldn't hurt.

Make sure the doctor explains the condition to you and shows you diagrams so you understand. It's your body you have a right to know all the ins and outs.


I hope the following information will explain things more clearly.


Endometriosis, a cause of female infertility, is a condition in which endometrial tissue, the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, grows outside the uterus and attaches to other organs in the abdominal cavity such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.


Endometriosis is a progressive disease that tends to get worse over time and can reoccur after treatment. Symptoms include painful menstrual periods, abnormal menstrual bleeding and pain during or after sexual intercourse.


The endometrial tissue outside your uterus responds to your menstrual cycle hormones the same way the tissue inside your uterus responds - it swells and thickens, then sheds to mark the beginning of the next cycle. The blood that is shed from the endometrial tissue in your abdominal cavity has no place to go, resulting in pools of blood causing an inflammation that forms scar tissue. The scar tissue can block the fallopian tubes or interfere with ovulation. Another result of endometriosis is the formation of ovarian cysts called endometrioma that may also interfere with ovulation.


The cause of endometriosis is unknown though there are a few theories that suggest possible causes. One theory suggests that during menstruation, some of the menstrual tissue backs up through the fallopian tubes into the abdomen where it implants and grows. Another theory indicates that it is a genetic birth abnormality in which endometrial cells develop outside the uterus during fetal development.


A laparoscopy, an outpatient surgical procedure, is necessary to confirm a diagnosis of endometriosis after a medical history review and pelvic exam. After the initial diagnosis, your physician will classify your condition as stage 1 (minimal), stage 2 (mild), stage 3 (moderate) or stage 4 (extensive) based on the amount of scarring and diseased tissue found. Based on the stage of endometriosis, your physician will determine the best treatment plan for you which may include medication or surgery, or a combination of both.


2eyes

(Nov. 15, 04)


Thanks for your responses. I am 44 and already had 3 kids. wondering if there might be a chance that i may have been misdiagnosed? although i definetely feel that this condition would explain all the symptoms that i have been experiencing. i believe i might be at the lesser end of this condition since i can function alright, hopefully it will not get worse.


balzac

(Nov. 16, 04)


Ladies, may i know if you had any trouble conceiving? I've suspected that I've been having endo for years, (about7 years). I've checked out the endo support sites on the internet and I find that many of teh symptoms fit my description. Went to a local doc who told me that there is no point in diagnosing the disease because the best way to treat it is to induce a pseudomenopausal state. I was in university at the time and went to a student doctor in the hospital. he took a swab and my sample was sent to the mibrobiology lab, where, coincidentally some of classmates were having their classes. They saw the sample, my name and birthdate. I couldn't conjure up the excuse that the sample wasnt mine. *shudder*


Well, that was the end of my quest to seek diagnosis of endo. I found that the chinese herb bai feng wan help alleviate the severity of the pain but so far no solution in sight.


I've not been pregnant before. My impression on endo is that most would have fertility problems. Thanks for your feedback.




Raven

(Nov. 17, 04)


Balzac, every woman is different. I was told that I would never be able to conceive, so I was completely shocked when I did fall pregnant. This was 9 yrs after the initial diagnosis and several doctors later. I also believe that the not being able to conceive bit can be a mental thing some of the time.


If you have endometriosis, you will know about it. It is an extremely painful condition, especially when you are menstruating or having intercourse.


A capable doctor will be able to accurately diagnose your condition. Have a laparoscopy as well as an ultra sound. Find a specialist that specialises in abnormal cases, i.e. not your normal everyday gynae.


Linda.m

(Nov. 17, 04)


Hi I have a book called Womens Bodies Womens Wisdom (creating phsyical and emotional health and healing) by Christine Northrup MD. It is a wonderful book full of heaps of information and has an excellent section on endometriosis, and having had a friend with this problem I know it can be very hard to find any published information.

She talks about hormonal treatment, dietry changes, surgery, as well as our neuroendocrine-immune connection (thoughts emotions immunity) it is about 13 pages long out of about 800 and costs around $20 US. I hope you find it useful, wishing you all the best, Linda.


Sue

(Nov. 18, 04)


I would also recommend this book. I have Stage IV endometriosis and I have to say I disagree with the statement that if you had endo you would know about it, because I certainly didn't! I went to my doctor with wierd cramps and they found one cyst on my ovary - went for a laparoscopy to be told after four hours of surgery that I have stage IV endo. My advice would not be to assume anything - if you know something is not right, get it checked out before the damage is irreversible.


2eyes

(Nov. 18, 04)


Sue, did you have the laproscopy here in Hong Kong? Can you share that experience? thanks!


Sue

(Nov. 19, 04)


I had it with Dr Philip Ho at the Matilda. It is a very simple procedure - should take about an hour I think - you can feel queasy when you come round and you feel some discomfort with moving around and sitting up coz of the bruising. You can also have a little discomfort and pain in the shoulder area because of all the gas they put into you. Mine was pretty bad though coz it was 4 hours, but I am 100% sure most people have no discomfort at all so pls don't let me put you off. I wouldn't be worried about having another one.


balzac

(Nov. 19, 04)


My pain is wierd. It's not excruciating like classic endo cases. It starts out more on the second day, lingers until 3 or 4th day. The pain is dull to moderate, needing 2-3 tabs of painkillers per day.It's more to the sides of the pelvic region, where an almost permanent dull ache is present from day 2- day 4 (unless I take painkillers).


When I am stressed or skip my food, the pain worsens. I;ve realised that after moving my bowels the spasms intensifies on the left side.


Anyone have such symptoms?


I also have mid cycle spotting but I've found that it consistently occurs during ovulation. Am not sure if it's ovulation spotting or due to my presumed endo.


Sue

(Nov. 19, 04)


I would advise you to go and see Dr Philip Ho and have him check you out once and for all. He is on 2525 1251. He will probably say you should have a laparoscopy to fully know whats going on in there! Good luck. It's best to know I guess.....


2eyes

(Nov. 21, 04)


If you are at a not severe phase, can you go on and not treat this condition? what are the results? besides the discomfort, that is. I am very weary of hormone treatment. All the ladies in my family has had a very early menopause and never had HRT, and are doing fine now in their 70's and 80's. Any feedback? thanks.


Sue

(Nov. 22, 04)


I'm sorry, I don't know. I really think you should talk to a specialist, because everyone is different. I guess it depends on your level of pain. But I do know it is a progressive disease.


2eyes

(Nov. 23, 04)


Thanks Sue, yes i am seeing a doctor. Thanks for all the responses they have been extremely helpful and good luck to all who have this condition. Thanks again.