Does anyone else suffer from Endometriosis?

Question

I had recently posted a question about problems I was having after having a Hysterectomy a year and a half ago. I went to the Dr. and got blood work done. He has stated I have Endometriosis. He is so understanding about how much pain I am in. And he may operate and remove my ovaries. He is very hesitate in doing this as I am only 32 years old. Does anyone else suffer from severe pain from Endometriosis and how do you cope with it?

Answer 1

You might get more answers if you post this in women's health.

I had endometriosis for many years.  It was long ago and it took forever for the docs to figure out what the real problem was.

I almost bled to death twice, so  after consults with everyone except  the President, I had a hysterectomy (total with tubes and ovaries removed because they found "pre-cancerous cells").

I was 27 and married only 9 months.

I have never been sorry about my decision to go with the surgery. the pain and fear were more than I could bears

Having said that, I must tell you that that all that happened in 1965

I am certain that more treatment and/or statistics are available now..  

Answer 2

Currently, there is no known cure for endometriosis, though in some patients menopause (natural or surgical) will abate the process. Nevertheless, a hysterectomy and/or removal of the ovaries will not guarantee that the endometriosis areas and/or the symptoms of endometriosis will not come back, since adhesions can be found on other organs besides the reproductive organs and even on the abdominal walls. Surgical treatment tends to be conservative, with the goal of addressing pain or infertility issues through removal of the endometriosis tissue without damaging normal tissue.

It is suggested but unproven that pregnancy and childbirth can cease the growth of endometriosis.[citation needed]. Nevertheless, after the pregnancy, there is no guarantee that the endometriosis will not reoccur.

Other treatments for endometriosis pain include:

NSAIDs not only reduce pain but also reduce menstrual flow. They are commonly used in conjunction with other therapy. For more severe cases narcotic prescription drugs may be used.

Hormone suppression therapy: This approach tries to reduce or eliminate menstrual flow and estrogen support. Typically, it needs to be done for several months or even years.

Progesterone or Progestins: Progesterone counteracts estrogen and inhibits the growth of the endometrium. Such therapy can reduce or eliminate menstruation in a controlled and reversible fashion. Progestins are chemical variants of natural progesterone.

Avoiding products with xenoestrogens, which have a similar effect to naturally produced estrogen and can increase growth of the endometrium.

Continuous hormonal contraception consists of the use of combined oral contraceptive pills without the use of placebo pills, or the use of NuvaRing or the contraceptive patch without the break week. This eliminates monthly bleeding episodes.

Danazol (Danocrine) and gestrinone are suppressive steroids with some androgenic activity. Both agents inhibit the growth of endometriosis but their use remains limited as they may cause hirsutism. There has been some research done at Case Western Reserve University on a topical Danocrine, applied locally, which has not produced the hirsutism characteristics. The study has not yet been published in a medical journal.

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Agonist: These agents work by increasing the levels of GnRH. Consistent stimulation of the GnRH receptors results in downregulation, inducing a profound hypoestrogenism by decreasing FSH and LH levels, thereby decreasing estrogen and progesterone levels. While quite effective, they induce unpleasant menopausal symptoms, and over time may lead to osteoporosis. To counteract such side effects some estrogen may have to be given back (add-back therapy).

Aromatase inhibitors are medications that block the formation of estrogen and have become of interest for researchers who are treating endometriosis.

Lupron depo shot is also a gonadotropin and is used to lower the hormone levels in the woman's body to prevent any growth of endometriosis. The lupron shot is given in 2 different doses a once a month for 3 month shot with the dosage of (11.25mg) or a once a month for 6 month shot with the dosage of (3.75mg). This puts the body into a "medicated menopause", resulting in side effects such as mild to severe hot flashes or a drop in bone density (which usually recovers after treatment). The therapy is less invasive than surgical approaches.

Source

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometrios...

Answer 3

First of all endometriosis is NOT a resp disease. Its a womens health issue. Secondly ask the doctor to put you on birth control pills and see how that goes. Most women with endo. take birth control pills to lessen or stop the pain. Ask the doctor if that might work. Get a second opinion before you have another radical surgery. I am horrified that you were given a hysterectomy and you are only 32! I hope you had a second opinion before doing that surgery.