Post by tammy on Apr 11, 2012 8:06:57 GMT -5
Dear All
I am new to this forum which I came across whilst looking for information on endo. I am in my 30s and have just been diagnosed with endo (following a laparoscopy). In a way it has been a relief as since I was 17 years old, I had experienced a lot of symptoms which were concurrent with an endo diagnosis. My gynea of the time, even told me it was prob endo although he could not explore it as I was too young. Over the years the symptoms got worst and when I was in my mid 20s I underwent my first lap. However, and surprisingly (to me anyway as I was expecting an endo diagnosis), the surgeon did not find any endo and could only find PCOS.
My symptoms worsened after that but the doctor kept telling me that he could not help as there is no cure for PCOS. Then followed many years in the wild as I call it, where my symptoms got worst (very bad pain, excessive bleeding, fainting) and where each specialist I saw fobbed me off saying it was a. PCOS and b. caused by my weight gain (I went from a UK size 8 to a size 18 after my first lap) and that I should lose weight to feel better. Needless to say each of these specialists made me feel that it was all my fault and that I was wasting their time coming to see them with something they apparently could not help. In the meantime I tried losing weight but it did not make a difference to my symptoms.
Since Jan of this year, my symptoms got worst in the sense that I have been suffering from continuous bleeding for 4 months with very bad pain...Almost against hope, I went to see a new specialist. He was refreshingly different, did not blame me and acknowledged that there was a serious problem to be treated. He then performed two surgeries (lap and hysteroscopy) which led to a diagnosis of endo as well as PCOS.
Although the final diagnosis of endo after years of suffering was a relief, it has also been hard to deal with as suddenly issues as having kids become more tangible. Additionally, I also suffered from post-surgical infection and a virus which meant that my recovery has slowed down. I am still on hormomal treatment and being slowly weaned off it. But I guess after the surgeries and the complications, I feel sad as it feels that my life is still not back to normal. I still suffer from pelvic pain and it is overwhelming to realise that i will need chronic pain management for the rest of my life. Additionally, I feel quite overwhelmed by the lifestyle changes which are recommended (e,g, endo diet) to help with the pain. And since the infection/virus, my hubby contracted bronchitis and has now passed it on to me!! We have renamed our house the local clinic as it is one thing after the other. And normality does not seem within reach. Or perhaps I am mistaken in thinking things will ever be normal (whatever that means) again. I would love hearing about your experiences and welcome any advice you may have for me.
I am new to this forum which I came across whilst looking for information on endo. I am in my 30s and have just been diagnosed with endo (following a laparoscopy). In a way it has been a relief as since I was 17 years old, I had experienced a lot of symptoms which were concurrent with an endo diagnosis. My gynea of the time, even told me it was prob endo although he could not explore it as I was too young. Over the years the symptoms got worst and when I was in my mid 20s I underwent my first lap. However, and surprisingly (to me anyway as I was expecting an endo diagnosis), the surgeon did not find any endo and could only find PCOS.
My symptoms worsened after that but the doctor kept telling me that he could not help as there is no cure for PCOS. Then followed many years in the wild as I call it, where my symptoms got worst (very bad pain, excessive bleeding, fainting) and where each specialist I saw fobbed me off saying it was a. PCOS and b. caused by my weight gain (I went from a UK size 8 to a size 18 after my first lap) and that I should lose weight to feel better. Needless to say each of these specialists made me feel that it was all my fault and that I was wasting their time coming to see them with something they apparently could not help. In the meantime I tried losing weight but it did not make a difference to my symptoms.
Since Jan of this year, my symptoms got worst in the sense that I have been suffering from continuous bleeding for 4 months with very bad pain...Almost against hope, I went to see a new specialist. He was refreshingly different, did not blame me and acknowledged that there was a serious problem to be treated. He then performed two surgeries (lap and hysteroscopy) which led to a diagnosis of endo as well as PCOS.
Although the final diagnosis of endo after years of suffering was a relief, it has also been hard to deal with as suddenly issues as having kids become more tangible. Additionally, I also suffered from post-surgical infection and a virus which meant that my recovery has slowed down. I am still on hormomal treatment and being slowly weaned off it. But I guess after the surgeries and the complications, I feel sad as it feels that my life is still not back to normal. I still suffer from pelvic pain and it is overwhelming to realise that i will need chronic pain management for the rest of my life. Additionally, I feel quite overwhelmed by the lifestyle changes which are recommended (e,g, endo diet) to help with the pain. And since the infection/virus, my hubby contracted bronchitis and has now passed it on to me!! We have renamed our house the local clinic as it is one thing after the other. And normality does not seem within reach. Or perhaps I am mistaken in thinking things will ever be normal (whatever that means) again. I would love hearing about your experiences and welcome any advice you may have for me.