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Post by miakeal on Apr 6, 2015 22:37:18 GMT -5
I'm glad I found this forum. I've been struggling with symptoms that my doctor can't diagnose and I can't find anything online that fits it. Hoping that someone here has heard of what I'm experiencing, or have experienced it too. Sorry if it gets TMI.
For background, I started experiencing endo symptoms as a teenager (now 28), with crippling pains and very heavy bleeding during periods. I went on depo-provera when I was 19-25 and have been on the pill for 3 years now.
My problem is that I wake up in the middle of the night with a painful dull abdominal ache that quickly escalates to severe crippling pain and lasts for 10-20 minutes. But I only experience this randomly. The first time it happened I experienced it three nights in a row, then it went away for about three months, then happened for another three nights. It only happens at night. It went away for maybe 10 months, then happened for one night. I have experienced it maybe 6 separate times in 1 1/2 years.
When I wake up I have a desperate need to use the bathroom, but can't feel satisfied. If I try to push the pain is immediately excruciating. I've learned to manage it by taking pain killers at the first sign, relieving myself as best I can without effort, lying on my side and consciously relaxing my muscles and breathing.
There are several reasons I think this may be endo related. I've noticed that the last three episodes occurred about 1 week after my period ending, I also experience increased hormones around these times, including irritability and engorged sensitive breasts beforehand, and nipple sensitivity in the following days. I also experience changes in my bowel habits, which are similar to the changes I get during my periods.
My doctor ordered blood and urine tests and an ultrasound, but everything came back normal.
Has anyone else experienced random intermittent pain like this?
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terceltina
New Member
Happy, and now with 4 cats.
Posts: 43
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Post by terceltina on Apr 9, 2015 21:28:22 GMT -5
It could be endo on the bladder. I had it on the outside of the bladder, and on the abdominal wall. It caused bladder issues, and pain. It was very much position related, and laying down was sometimes a very bad position.
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Post by miakeal on Apr 11, 2015 3:47:44 GMT -5
Thanks Terceltina,
I was thinking something like that, or on the bowel, but the bizarre infrequency of it had me confused. I came across the gallbladder thread on this page and did some reading on it, just on the off-chance. Interested to find that gallbladder pain often strikes at night, often lasts between 10-15 minutes, can happen months apart, and is excruciating, which all fit the bill. Its a huge relief to find something to appears to fit, even if I don't have a formal diagnosis. Its interesting though that the gallbladder symptoms and information don't include all the hormonal issues I mentioned. Quite a few suffers believe endo and gallbladder issues are related, but there doesn't seem to be a medical consensus on it yet. Also, gallbladder pain is supposed to be confined to the upper right quadrant, upper central abdomen and right shoulder. Mine spreads and moves between all four quadrants during an attack, so I suspect it won't be a straight-forward issue. Gallbladder pain is triggered by fatty foods, but I have minimal fat in my diet (the last attack occurred after fish and vegetable stir-fry on rice). So maybe I have some endo on the gallbladder triggering it or something. At least I feel I can rule out some of the scarier options.
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Post by Karen on Apr 11, 2015 7:14:19 GMT -5
Based on the timing, perhaps ovulation pain? The 'average' ovulation is day 14, or 14 days after the start of your period. The symptoms you describe are often pms symptoms. I track my cycles and confirm ovulation with the tender breasts. Some women have painful ovulation. might be off base but something to look into.
If it is your gallbladder, oils like coconut oil are better for you as they get absorbed directly without the need of the gallbladder.
It's worth noting that fat is necessary for proper hormone production and hormone balance. Society says we need a low fat diet, which in turn contributes to the hormonal imbalance issues we have. If you have a no / low fat diet, this may be something to consider.
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Post by miakeal on Apr 11, 2015 19:29:54 GMT -5
Thanks Karen, I shouldn't be ovulating on the pill, but its an interesting thought. Maybe my body thinks it should be, it does seem to fit the timing.
My low fat diet isn't the result of body concerns or dieting, its just worked out that way unintentionally. I don't pay any attention to the trends about how I "should" or "shouldn't" be eating. I actually studied a bit of nutrition while I was in chef training, so don't worry.
I'm actually living in Fiji currently so I have access to an amazing range of fresh market produce and fish and this is why I eat this way. Its low fat, but its not fat-free, and my husband makes tasty salad dressings with Greek yoghurt too. Interesting about coconut fat being absorbed differently, its great in curries.
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