Endometreosis Homepage!!
May he rest in peace. He was the best support ever!
My endo experience all began in 1995. I went from doctor to doctor complaining of pain in my lower left abdomen. I went through colonoscopies, upper GI's, etc. All of these horrible tests to find nothing. At age 15, my pain became so intense that I had to go to the emergency room. I had my first vaginal exam and I almost went through the roof. The on-call doctor called an OB/GYN and he said that if we wanted he could do a laparoscopy the following day. I was hospitalized that evening to receive pain meds. The next morning the doctor came in and told us, "I suppose I will go in and do the laparoscopy, but I doubt that I will find anything." Boy did I surprise him. He found endo on the left ovary and right pelvic wall. I was put on Ortho-Tri-Cyclen. Five months later the pain returned. He went in again and found endo on the back of my uterus. He then decided to put me on the continuous birth control pill (21 day cycle). I had such extreme mood swings that I couldn't live with myself let alone my parents live with me. The pain was unbearable. That was when my doctor compared my endo pain to when he threw his back out. I was amazed! It is obvious that a man could never know what us women go through with this pain. I only wish he knew what this pain was like. Maybe then he would want to help me with the pain. We returned to the normal 28 day cycle birth control pills after that.
Now, nine months later, I am experiencing the same pain again. Doctors keep suggesting to put me on Lupron, but I insist that I will not go into menopause at age 17!!! If anyone has any suggestions on what they have been put on, or what their doctor did, please e-mail me. I would like to have some other options!
The only thing us women can do is try and get these doctors to understand endo and what we are going through. Hopefully someday they will realize the pain we go through and decide to help us. The pain we feel is real. Please don't let any doctor tell you it is psychological. A doctor I went to said to me, "Is this pain psychological? Yes it is, because when you feel pain, we all feel pain." Obviously he wasn't feeling my pain, or he would have wanted to help.
I now suffer from depression because of the pain associated with endo and all of the doctors ignoring me. Please, if you are going through what I am, e-mail me. I would love to share and compare stories.
I would like to take this time to thank some people. First and most important, my parents, for always being there for me and putting your jobs in jeopardy for me. I love you and thank you from the bottom of my heart. Lindsay, for being there for me if I ever needed to talk. Even though I don't say I love you, I mean to, I love you! To my dog who doesn't understand but is always there for me and is always by my side. To grandma for always checking up on me. I truly appreciate it! To Bobbi Jo, for always being there for me to help me bash doctors and make me laugh. Laughter is the best medicine and right now, it is my only medicine. To my aunt Debbie, thanks for being so concerned on my condition and for being there for me and my family! To my other aunt Debbie and uncle Joe, the cards and flowers are appreciated and you are always there to pull me out of those bad moods. Even though I never say it, I appreciate it! To my uncle Tony and aunt Missy, thank you for always being there for me, if i ever needed to talk. To Cassie, my one true friend who has stood by my side through all of this. I love you! To Matt, you are an excellent guy! Even though you can't be here with me through all of this, I know how much you care and I really appreciate it! You are so caring and I love that about you! I love you lots! :) To anyone whos name i did not mention, don't worry, I didn't forget about you! I appreciate all of the help you have offered and all of the times you have been there for me.
Today is May 26th and my doctor has decided to do another lap. After this one, I will go on Depo Provera in the pill form. The bad thing is that one of the side effects of this is depression, which I already am dealing with. The doctor has assured me that if I experience this side effect, I can discontinue use, and begin a new treatment. I am crossing my fingers that this will work out this time, and I will be pain free for a little while at least. I am begining to wonder if I will know what it feels like to feel good. Well, this is my last hope, and all I can do is pray that this will work!
