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Post by lizzylou on Oct 12, 2009 20:34:29 GMT -5
A little history in a short sentance. For almost 5 years, anytime I've been on a BC Pill (always the lowest hormone possible) I've gotten really nasty side effects. I was told I'm lucky I didn't have a stroke on one of them. I've only been diagnosed for two weeks.
Pre-Lap my dr suggested Lupron. I did some research and personally it scares the heck out of me.
Post-Op my dr again suggested Lupron, and if I didn't want that, then the depo-shot. Due to my issues with the pill, I'm TERRIFIED of being injected with hormones. The absolute minimum is a 1-month supply of hormone. If I have issues with Migranes, numbness, etc, I have to wait a month (at least) for it to wear off.
I've had an IUD for the last 1.5 years and my symptoms have gotten worse during that time so I doubt that will help.
Does anyone have any experiances with other types of hormone treatments?
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Post by Karen on Oct 12, 2009 21:04:32 GMT -5
Well, unfortunately, anything your doc will prescribe will be a synthetic hormone, and since your body seems to be sensitive to synthetic hormones, you've got a problem. There may be a chance that you find one that your body doesn't react to, but if you've been through several of them, that might not be the route to go. I had horrible luck with many pills, then several good years of Nuvaring, then switched to Mirena at my docs suggestion and had it removed a few months later. I'd go back on Nuvaring if I had to, but I don't. Now I'm not taking anything and managing fine, but that's just the route I chose to take.
I can understand your reluctance to something that stays in your system for a while. There have been girls that have had good success with them, but typically only while they are on them, and perhaps for a short period after that. There are lots of alternative treatments to consider if you don't want to go the injectable/synthetic route, but that's something you'll have to decide if you're comfortable with.
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Post by lizzylou on Oct 12, 2009 21:09:49 GMT -5
my dr also suggested the nuvaring. I guess I'm again concerned about the hormones in it. And I really like my IUD, so I'd hate to take that out, try a hormone treatment for my endo, find out it doesn't work, then have to get my IUD put back in. Considering it costs over $1,200.00 to get it and have it inserted!!
Did the Nuvaring help you?
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Post by Karen on Oct 12, 2009 21:19:59 GMT -5
Ah, I hear you. If you're happy with the IUD and can tolerate it, then perhaps stick with it but seek out other ways to cope with the pain. Hormone treatment is only part of the solution for a lot of us!
As for Nuvaring, I was on it for years before my symptoms got bad. I was oblivious to endo for quite a while, thankfully. But, when my symptoms came on full force all day every day, it was while I was on Nuvaring. I think it likely kept symptoms at bay for a while, though, but that's just a hunch.
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Post by Karen on Oct 12, 2009 21:27:50 GMT -5
Have you checked out the threads on Lupron, IUD, and Nuvaring?
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Post by KSA on Oct 12, 2009 22:30:10 GMT -5
Do your research. I had doctors tell me I needed to use Lupro and I knew it was not right for me. I am thankful for my doctor that I have been with for 13 years he listens to me and knows what my limits are with hormones. I just can't take them. Read up as much as you can on all your options and make your choice after all your research is done. Good Luck. There is alot of info on here and alot of helpful women.
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Post by lizzylou on Oct 13, 2009 18:13:58 GMT -5
I definatly need to do more research on my options. When I've got large amounts of time to read, I'm going to head over to the Natural section. with my sensativity to hormones, I think the natural path might be a good option for me.
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Post by cware000 on Nov 4, 2009 8:34:15 GMT -5
I wasn't sure where to put my post, so I am going to try and here and hopefully someone can help my head. I went to see my specialist yesterday expecting to get some answers on some treatment. Not so much the case. I was in his office for 1 1/2 hours and he has decided to send me to another doctor now, to see if the doctor can reduce my pain and stop the endo from growing. I am not sure what harmone he will suggest and have just begun to do some research. Since I was at stage 4, I assumed that my specialist was just going to do surgery to try and get rid of some of the endo. I was on birth control for 20 years previously and just stopped taking it in 2007 when I had my gastric by-pass because I was taking so many other vitamins and what not and then found out I had endo. I am sooooo frustrated!! I walked out of his office bawling my eyes out because now I have to wait to see another doctor. He said that if the new doctor doesn't think the harmones will help then he will more than likely need to do a hysterectomy because the endo has grown into by bowels, my bladder and my ovaries. I haven't had kids so I understand he wants to try and save me, but I am in so much pain, I don't leave my house and I am not working right now. What am I supposed to do?
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Post by Karen on Nov 4, 2009 21:51:48 GMT -5
Well, first off, I think it'd help you to do some research on your own. See what options are out there, so when you finally do get in to see the new doc, you feel comfortable with the options he might discuss. I realize that all these ideas that are being thrown around can sound incredibly scary - and they are! - but in the end, you'll have to be the one to make a decision.
Have I suggested "Endo - the complete reference for taking charge of your health" by Mary Lou Ballweg yet? Very thorough look at treatment options, and some that were incredibly eye opening for me. I hope that they might be for you as well. I guess my point is that although it's incredibly frustrating to wait to see another doc, you CANNOT put all your hopes and fears into what another doc will say. You HAVE to be your own advocate for what's best for YOU, and the only way you can begin to do that is by taking the reins.
I'm sorry you've had such a rough day. I had a few crying-my-eyes-out uncontrollably at doc appointments and I know how draining those days can be, particularly when you're not feeling very good. Hugs, kiddo!
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Post by Amanda on Nov 4, 2009 22:50:59 GMT -5
I've been on NuvaRing for about 4 months now and my pain and symptoms have almost completely disappeared. I too am very sensitive to hormones and was on the pill for 2 years with little relief and horrible side effects. I think one reason I've done so well with the ring is that its not something I'm ingesting and its not going through by digestive system. Its absorbed into the body rather and bypasses all the areas it doesn't really need to be. My doc also said that although this hasn't been scientifically proven or studies, she thinks that the ring is more effective because its physically located so much closer to the source of the problem. Just a thought!
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