Help with endometriosis?

Question

About 9 years ago I was diagnosed with endometriosis in a trip to the ER. I was young and dumb and blew it off. I had forgotten about it until recently when I was going thru a file cabinet. Is there still help for this condition after all these years?

I'm almost 30 and cant get pregnant. I want babies!!!

Answer 1

There are treatments for endo, but only your doctor can evaluate how seriously you are affected. He will have to check for lesions on your ovaries, tubes and uterine walls as well as areas around there in your abdomen. If you want to conceive, they will do whatever they can to help. That help will involve different things (removal of lesions, fertility treatment) depending on how serious your condition is.

Endo doesn't have a particular timetable for "spreading" ... like cancer or something. So there is no way to say that it wasn't nearly as bad 9 years ago as it is now. Don't beat yourself up over it. Just go to a gyn that specializes in endo treatment and take care of it now.

By the way, there isn't a "cure" for endo. All they can do is remove lesions (which will recur over time), give meds that seem to slow it down some, and treat the pain. If it becomes EXTREMELY bad, they can do a hysterectomy in addition to removing lesions in the abdominal cavity, if any. But that is and should be a last resort.

Best of luck and baby dust to you...

Answer 2

Couple things. First, did they perform surgery at the ER that time? If not, then you were not actually diagnosed, as you cannot obtain a diagnosis without surgical intervention in which ectopic endometrial glands and stroma are confirmed. Second, absolutely - there is, I'm thrilled to say - far more help nowadays then there was in previous years. Although we still have a long way to go in understanding the disease and finding a cure, there are successful treatments. My recommendation would be to immediately seek the help of someone who had dedicated his or her practice to diagnosing and successfully treating Endo and its symptoms - including infertility - through surgical excision using modern concepts and advanced surgical skills. Start by visiting www.centerforendo.com. Also see www.endocenter.org for help, support, doc recommendations and more, for free. Good luck and know you're not alone!

Answer 3

Unless they performed surgery during your ER visit they cannot properly diagnose the disease.

There are many treatment options available now but you first need to be properly diagnosed. You need to find an OB/GYN who is experienced in dealing with this (after it is diagnosed). Start by going to the OB/GYN for an exam and give him/her all the symptoms. You cannot go any further without an exam. Unfortunately there isn't a pill or diet regimen that will cure this.

Answer 4

yes they can do surgery to remove the endometriosis. i had it when i was 18 (the surgery) but i know it has came back cause the pain is the same as when that was going on.

WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is also found elsewhere in the body, mainly in the abdominal cavity.
More about endometriosis

WHO GETS ENDOMETRIOSIS?
Endometriosis typically affects women during their menstruating years. Symptoms can start with or after the first menstruation and, for most women, the disease is rarely found after the menopause.
More about symptoms

IS THERE A CURE FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS?
No. But it can be treated, and for many women it is possible to manage their symptoms through a combination of treatments.
More about treatments

WHERE DO I FIND SOMEONE WHO SPECIALISES IN ENDOMETRIOSIS?
Most national or local support groups will be able to advise you where to find specialist help. Also read our article on how to find a specialist.
List of support groups
How to find an endometriosis specialist

IS ENDOMETRIOSIS A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE OR INFECTIOUS?
No. Endometriosis cannot be transferred from one human being to another. The cause of endometriosis is not yet known, but it is not an infectious disease.
More about the causes of endometriosis

IS ENDOMETRIOSIS INHERITED?
The cause for endometriosis is not yet known, but research does show that first-degree relatives of women with this disease are more likely to develop endometriosis.
More about the causes of endometriosis
More news about the genetics of endometriosis

WILL I BE ABLE TO HAVE CHILDREN?
It is estimated that 30-40% of women with endometriosis may have difficulties in becoming pregnant (but this means that 60-70% will have no problems!). If fertility is a great wish, then please discuss your symptoms with your physician so that together you can develop the best treatment plan for you.
More about treatments

WILL A HYSTERECTOMY CURE ENDOMETRIOSIS?
Some women chose, as a last resort to have a hysterectomy. However, this does not guarantee complete pain relief.
More about hysterectomy

WILL PREGNANCY CURE ENDOMETRIOSIS?
No. Some women find that their pain symptoms are reduced during pregnancy, but this is not the case for everyone. In most cases, endometriosis will return after giving birth and stopping breast feeding.
More about endometriosis treatments

IS ENDOMETRIOSIS CANCER?
No. Endometriosis cysts are sometimes referred to as "beningn tumours", because they may "behave similarly" to cancer, but endometriosis is not the same disease. In very rare cases, endometriotic implants has lead to cancer, but this is very very rare.

good luck

Answer 5

whenever you see something wrong with body- Check it out! these are the consequences of negligence.