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Post by italialynn on Sept 10, 2009 14:34:13 GMT -5
No, I def will not be going back in for surgery. The CEC did a fantastic job of removing my endo, but my body loves to produce scar tissue, and even though they tried to prevent it, it grew anyways. The way my PT explained it to me is that they can't really "get rid of" the adhesions, but they work on them to the point where they create micro-tears in the fibrous bands (essentially like fraying a rope) so that they move easier and are more elasticized. I can already tell the difference. I couldn't stand to run or ride because everytime I moved my pelvis, my organs felt like they were ripping, but now I've been able to do those things with minimal to no pain. The new Gyn I saw recommended this PT to me along with acupuncture. I was beyond shocked when a Dr recommended alternative therapies!!!! The lady who is working on me is just wonderful...she was an endo-sufferer herself and kind of pioneered the idea of adhesion manipulation for pain relief when she didn't receive relief from anything else. She's been doing it for over 20 years and teaches continuing ed classes around the country. I'll ask her if she knows of an association or can recommend anyone in your area of the country.
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Post by staceys on Sept 10, 2009 15:33:42 GMT -5
Sweet, sounds great! Thanks for asking for me; I am definitely going to look into it.
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Post by Karen on Sept 10, 2009 17:38:49 GMT -5
I got my referral from my gyn. PT that do pelvic floor have to undergo additional training. I'd really suggest asking around, too, if possible. I had an option between 3 PT and chose the one closest to me, and didn't feel like she did much more than hook me up to a heavy-duty TENS, she seemed very uncomfortable doing anything else. When I went back to my gyn and told her, she said she'd always heard great things about the PT that I DIDN'T go to. Figures. My point is, make sure you go off of recommendations!
Glad you're feeling really good, italialynn! It's empowering knowing there's something you can do to make you feel better that DOESN'T involve surgery/meds, isn't it? Here's hoping things continue to go well!
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Post by omaklackey on Sept 14, 2009 0:39:59 GMT -5
www.pelvicpainhelp.com/physical_therapy.phpCool website on pelvic physical therapy. If we can figure out how to help ourselves at home we can save ourselves major embarresement! ;D there is a nice little picture I found on wikipedia to save yourself looking up some of the long latin names.
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Post by italialynn on Sept 30, 2009 14:58:18 GMT -5
Thought I'd give an update on my PT....it's going great! I'm really amazed at how much it's helping my pain level and general mobility. Luckily the treatments have all stayed outside my body (which is very nice) and each week I have less and less pain afterwards. Intercourse has gotten a lot less painful and I no longer have the pulling feeling when I stand up from the sitting position. I've also been able to continue riding and exercising. I feel like I'm getting my life back! I still have pain with ovulation and menstruation, but my daily pain level has been lowered to about a 2 or a 3. I have my days, but they are WAAAY fewer then they were. I just find that I generally feel better. I honestly can say I haven't felt like this in years...it's such a relief! I had no idea how much the adhesions were causing me pain. I always assumed it was the endo.
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Post by omaklackey on Sept 30, 2009 15:22:16 GMT -5
ummm... adhesions are endo!
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Post by ouchy on Sept 30, 2009 15:50:13 GMT -5
Adhesions can be from scar tissue from surgery, injury, etc.
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Post by ouchy on Sept 30, 2009 15:52:48 GMT -5
That's really great news, Italialynn!
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Post by italialynn on Sept 30, 2009 15:57:14 GMT -5
Thanks Ouchy! Karla, adhesions aren't endo. They are fibrous bands of scar tissue that are created from trauma, internal bleeding, surgery, etc. Endo can cause adhesions to form, but they're def not endo. Two complety different things, but yes, they usually go hand in hand.
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Post by staceys on Sept 30, 2009 16:22:14 GMT -5
That's great news italialynn... now that I am on the other side of the surgery and healing, I definitely will look into this. I see my doc next Wed, so I will be asking for a referral when I am all done healing. I have a major issue with adhesions, so I'd like to nip it in the bud to see if I can minimize them. I'm still not completely clean, but at least I have a cleaner slate to start with now.
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Post by omaklackey on Sept 30, 2009 16:49:49 GMT -5
okay, I don't want to start an arugement but Endo causes adhesions. And adhesions can be endo! Not all adhesions are endo but if you have endo it would make sense that they were caused by the endo...
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Post by Karen on Sept 30, 2009 17:35:17 GMT -5
Glad you're having such great results! And glad that you feel you're getting your quality of life back - that's HUGE!
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Post by italialynn on Oct 3, 2009 8:15:58 GMT -5
So, I thought I might add I started my period yesterday, and it wasn't bad at all! I had pretty heavy cramps the day before and was bloated, but it started yesterday and I went about my normal business! Got my hair done, cooked dinner, did some laundry....all things I could NEVER accomplish on day one before. Normally I'd be curled up in bed with a heating pad in agony. It's just amazing. I never thought I'd see the day....
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Post by Karen on Oct 3, 2009 10:29:55 GMT -5
WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! It's an empowering feeling, isn't it??
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Post by rubyrose on Oct 19, 2009 13:55:22 GMT -5
Hi.. I just joined and this is the first I've ever heard of physiotherapy for endo/pelvic pain. I've just put a call out to see if there are any practitioners in my area of BC. I've noticed when I get the pain, it's so sharp it makes me brace myself and tense up against it. I've started trying to intentionally relax and expand the space in my belly and breathe down into it, and this has helped somewhat. It makes total sense that direct physical manipulation to relax would help too! How awesome! Yes, for sure it sounds kinda socially awkward, and I'm having trouble imagining what it was like becoming so intimate with "Mr. Freezy," but it certainly sounds like this has been doing some real good, so I can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing, ladies! Ruby
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