Post by Kristi on Sept 24, 2006 23:17:59 GMT -5
Wow, I never thought I would be posting on one of these boards again. I will try to keep this short. My name is Kristi I am an Endometriosis sufferer for 14yrs now. I started having difficulties when I was 15yrs old. I would have excruciating pain that would cause me to pass out. I had very light periods, but my abdomen would extend as if I was pregnant. My mother always thought I was just trying to get out of school. ;D Then when I was 17 I had a horrible car wreck, which at the time my mother thought was causing the abdominal pains. I was then put on BC and told to deal with the cramps. By 19yrs old I had been through 18 jobs, 14 hospital visits and still no clue what was wrong. I knew I had pain. Not cramps,not aches, PAIN! I too was told I was a hypochondriac, I was told I was lazy, just didn't want to work or do anything. I heard it all. I went to my GYN and I explained to him what had been happening and asked if I could possibly have Endo? He told me I was too young. He said it didn't USUALLY occur in women my age. After several BC's and too many pain killers he finally, I think tried to intimidate me, told me the only thing left was a surgical procedure. I guess I proved I was hurting when I said " whatever it takes to find whats wrong". Low and behold my Dr came out with a very pale face my family says. He said " I have never seen this much endometriosis in a woman this age". I was only 19 so my Dr worked endlessly to try and help relieve the pain and save my reproductive organs. My first lap found I had stage2 Endo. I had 5 laps basically 1-2 a yr to try and relieve the pain. I was told in 1999 at 22 I would never have children. But, by the grace of god I had just came off the Lupron shot, I believe, when somehow I became pregnant with twins. I was scared, I wasn't ready for children, But, hey I wasn't gonna give up my one chance to have a child. Unfortunately, I miscarried at 12 weeks. I was told again my chances of pregnancy was slim, due to the severe scaring. By this time I was going into stage4, at 23. I then went through several cyst attacks and 2 more laps when I miraculously became pregnant again. This time with one precious little girl. I had a very rough pregnancy. I had a hard time carrying her and we both almost died several times, but, we made it. She will be 6 next month. I was told for many years that if I could JUST get pregnant It would cure my Endo. WRONG!!! 4 months after my daughter was born I was rushed to the hospital with a massive cyst on my left ovary. I was then informed the left ovary was so badly damaged that it had to be removed. When they went in to do my partial they said that my endometriosis had became stage4 full blown. They said they HOPED the removal of the one ovary would work but, they could not promise. It didn't. Things began to go down hill for the next year. March 21, 2002 at age 24 I was given a complete Hysterectomy and appendectomy. My endometriosis had engulfed my appendix and was on the verge of bursting them when my Dr got in there. I have to say, I have never felt as good as I felt for the first three years. For the first time in I don't know how long I was actually able to sleep on my stomach. I had a little trouble with the Hormones, but I was pain free! That was until about a year ago. I started having some stabbing pains in my abdomen. I kept having bladder pain and kidney pain. I would go to the Dr and they would test me and tell me I didn't have an infection. Well, I knew the signs. I kept avoiding them. I wouldn't admit that there was a chance this horrible, life ruining disease could be back. After many antibiotics and muscle relaxers, it hit me. About a month ago I became very exhausted, ached all over, and had excruciating stomach pains. I felt like throwing up, diarrhea, and my left side/back was "killing" me. I spent 6 days in bed. Made several trips to the hospital thinking I had a severe kidney infection. They ran CT's, blood work, and now I am going to a GI specialist. ( for insurance purposes) I do not have a kidney infection, nor a bladder infection, NOR a UTI. I do not have an ulcer, diverticulitis, or cancer. My Dr's have now said they believe my endometriosis is back. After 4 yrs it's back. I've done everything they asked me to do and it is BACK!! I barely can stand again, I spend alot of time sleeping and crying. I have read through some of your testimonies and to hear that it could be in my bladder, kidneys, lungs, pelvic/hip joints..I just feel like my world has crashed down upon me. I feel like " what else can they remove" I have to see the GI Dr as a precaution for ins. reasons since I have had a hysterectomy. Then I return on Oct. 6 for the decision of which surgery and when. I was once told my a Dr that " Endometriosis is like cancer, with out the death" When I was given the results that my Endo could be back, You could have told me I have cancer and I don't think it would have hurt as bad. May God be with all of you and help us all to be strong and fight this horrible disease as one!