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Post by nicole116 on Jul 29, 2016 19:59:51 GMT -5
Hi ladies, i have belonged to the site for a while but don't think I have ever made a post. ill start with my long story. I am 32 years old, with a 2 year old and a 5 year old. For as long as I can remember my stomach has always hurt a lot (since elementary school). When I was 17 I started having really bad pains in my stomach which led to my first gyno appt. They did a laparoscopy and found endometriosis, which was cauterized at that time. I was put on continuous birth control to stop periods in an attempt to lessen my pain. Over the years I continued to have period of time where I felt fine and others where I felt awful. Stomach pain, bloating, Epigastric pain, pelvic pain, lower back pain, tons of ovarian cysts, nausea, headaches. I just tried to ignore it because it was just my normal. At 26 I got pregnant with my son. During that 9 months I felt the best that I ever had. No stomach pain at all. I breast fed for 19 months, then got pregnant with my daughter. Both kids were c-sections. When she was 6 months old I got the mirena. Three months later I was struggling with horrible nausea, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, lower back pain again. It was affecting me at work (I'm a nurse). I had my second operation to remove more endometriosis and a large amount of adhesions. That was almost two years ago and I still never feel good. I have had colonoscopies, endoscopes, X-rays, ultrasounds, a HIDA scan for my gallbladder, tons of blood work and testing checking for crohns, colitis, h.pylori, celiac. All negative! I just want to cry. Sex has been so painful for the longest time I would just cry and not be able to do it. I tried pelvic physical therapy which helped me get through a rough patch. I feel helpless. All of my doctors say there's nothing more to do and that it must all be endometriosis. I am constantly nauseous and in pain and I don't know what to do. I guess I don't really have a question, just looking for comfort in others with similar situations. Thanks for reading my novel!
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terceltina
New Member
Happy, and now with 4 cats.
Posts: 43
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Post by terceltina on Aug 24, 2016 19:23:33 GMT -5
Hi Nicole116, It's tough to feel helpless because doctors decide to give up. I went through a lot of ultrasounds, a camera up the bladder (do not recommend), and many other procedures before finally they diagnosed me. I still suffer with feeling like "why bother going to a doctor" when I get sick, which is not a good feeling. You said you were a nurse, that's cool. I'm a volunteer firefighter/first responder. I think we both have seen a lot of the medical system and the processes. That can sometimes also make someone feel awkward when it comes to being the patient too. Does your family help you through things? I know that some days I'd give up if not for my family believing in me. I got sterilized when I got my endo removed, but I have four cats and a boyfriend. It's not quite typical.
If you ever want to chat, send me a message. I know some days I feel like there's no one in my village who understands my disease. Village literally, 1000 people, if you're curious. That's why I find a lot of comfort coming to online groups and seeing more people who I can identify with.
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Alicia
New Member
Fully healed and loving life free of Endo :)
Posts: 1
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Post by Alicia on Aug 26, 2016 6:32:33 GMT -5
Hi Nicole! I read your message a few days ago and had to sign up to the forum so I could reply! It took a few days to get the approval, but now, here I am!
First of all, I am sorry that you have had to go through all of this pain and suffering. It isn't fair that we have to endure these things... life is too short to be in pain all the time!!
I too, had a bad experience with the aftereffects of endo. I have tried for a long time to get pregnant. After 6 years of not knowing why it hadn't worked yet, I also got a lap and the doctor found out that I had stage 4 endo with two blocked Fallopian tubes. The pain was insane and unbearable, and I had a lot of the same characteristics that you have. Life was so hard and I was out of commission so many days of the month! After three unsuccessful rounds of IVF, I decided I had to make a change in my life. The more surgeries I got, the more scar tissue was forming in my body, and the more adhesions I had. It was just a vicious circle that I needed to get out of.
My doc also had me on birth control to stop the growth of the endo between my IVF rounds. The hormones were making me crazy!! Finally I decided to get off all of the pills and radically change my diet. I started eating super healthy and clean, cut out meat and dairy, sugar and gluten, and all processed foods. I basically ate as much fresh produce as possible. Lots and lots of fruits and veggies. I did a juice cleanse to kick it all off. I was inspired by the movie "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" on Netflix.
After that, it was crazy. I don't even know how to explain it otherwise, but it was a miracle in my eyes. I stopped having pain!! Where I had been nearing black-out wanting to die because no pain med would even work, I suddenly had no more pain at all! It was insane! I have been eating this way for 2 years now and I haven't taken one single pain pill or any pill since then. Isn't that crazy? No advil, no cold medicine, nothing.
All I can say is, life is too short to live in pain. It is meant to be enjoyed and you are meant to flourish, not just get by with pain being normal. Changing my diet was the best thing I ever did for myself. It changed my life on a very real and deep level. I don't miss any of the food I used to eat--it isn't worth it! Plus, I look more alive and feel better in my skin than I ever have in my life.
If you want any more details then let me know and I would be happy to share specifics.
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