What is the best way to treat severe endometriosis pain?

Question

I have suffered from this for 4 years and had surgery to laser off endo growths from my abdominal cavity three years ago. The endo came back and about a year ago I started depo shots, which stopped the periods and helped. Sometimes the depo seems to wear off early and I will have a period with intense pain. I am trying to find other options to treat the pain besides anti-inflammatories, which have caused ulcers. Any ideas as to what would help with the pain? I plan to have children and would like to avoid a hysterectomy for at least three years.

Answer 1

The more answers I read on here to questions about Endo, the more I realize the complete lack of factual information that still abounds throughout society concerning this disease. It's quite staggering and unbelieveable that in 2006 - almost 2007 - doctors are still telling their patients that their options are superficial laser ablation/vaporization, pregnancy, hystererectomy or drug therapy. It's no wonder women and girls find this disease impossible to live with and confusing, and are not able to choose successful options to help them feel better - their doctors are all practicing medicine like it was 1935.

Here are some facts - real facts, grounded in science and current research, not old wive's tales that certain physicians are still espousing.

#1) There is no absolute cure for Endometriosis - not pregnancy, not hysterectomy, not menopause - BUT there are ways to live well with it. Telling a patient that their options are to have a hysterectomy or a "prescribed pregnancy" is just plain bad medicine.

#2) The key is to remove disease, not organs. Lack of a period does not equal cured Endo. Of course the disease will "come back" after superficial surgeries and drug therapies - it was never removed in the first place.

You need to have the Endo removed from ALL locations (and yes, it's possible) in order to feel better. Anything less is just a temporary, stop-gap measure.

#3) Studies show time and again that surgical removal through meticulous, advanced excision can alleviate painful symptoms and infertility for the long term, even in stage III and IV patients. For example, one Endo treatment specialty center (centerforendo.com) has a better than 50% success rate in their stage 4 Endo-related infertility patients, and 75% in their stage III infertility patients, and a better than 80% success rate overall in all stages for non-recurrence of pain and other symptoms; in some cases, 20 yrs. out.

Remove disease, not organs. Get the help of a true specialist, someone who's practice is dedicated to the care and treatment of women with this disease. Someone who has advanced endoscopic surgery skills, not just some average Joe Gyn who took a weekend laser course and now "zaps" Endo in between delivering babies and prescribing Lupron to patients. Someone who understands the enigmatic, invasive nature of the disease and takes it seriously. Help is out there, it's just sometimes really hard to see through all the BS thrown at us from the medical establishment at large.

See http://www.centerforendo.com, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/erc, http://www.endoexcision.com, http://www.endometriosistreatment.org, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/endodocs and http:www.endocenter.org for more info and support. You're not alone. Good luck to you, and find a better doctor worthy of treating you with accuracy and compassion - someone who will help you get your life back and not force an ineffective treatment down your throat.

Answer 2

I was 30 when I was first diagnosed with endometriosis, after the unbelievable heavy bleeding during the periods. I had my first diagnostic surgery in 1998 and they also removed some of the lesions and the cysts on that occasion. From that point on it was a crazy dance with my life revolving around my disease and the days of my life going by me as if I was just a spectator. I was on Lupron that offered some help but destroyed me financially.

My parents were basically living on the verge of poverty just so that they can help me pay for my Lupron. I had a partial hysterectomy in 2005 and I was a bit better for approximately a year. And after endometriosis and pain returned in 2006, I remember that I just gave up any hope that I will lead a normal life ever again.

I was never able to maintain a healthy relationship and I gave up on that, too. I found out about this eBook (http://preview.tinyurl.com/EndometriosisB ) on the internet and the few clicks changed everything. I could not believe that I have been suffering needlessly for so long. I will not be able to have children because my fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed, but I am just thankful that I am again able to lead a healthy full life...

Answer 3

I had a friend that was really bad like you described she had some sort of operation that helped temporarily, her Gynecologist told her the best cure for endometriosis is to get pregnant which she did she had 3 kids over a 5 yr period with no pain or problem with her endometriosis, this is a very dangerous problem and can be life threatening if not treated so get second opinions or whatever is necessary to solve the problem, painkillers is easing the pain but not solving the problem.

Answer 4

When you can't get pregnant, and things look good from the outside, it can be extremely frustrating. You can find the solution here http://get-pregnant.keysolve.net
The first thing to consider is how long have you been trying. About 80% of couples will get pregnant after 3 months of trying, and about 90% will be pregnant after 6 months of trying to get pregnant. (And that's with well-timed intercourse each and every month.)
If you haven't been trying for at least 3 months, or you haven't been timing sex for ovulation, then you should keep on trying.
If you have been trying for 3 to 6 months, and you're still not pregnant, something may be wrong. Having regular menstrual cycles doesn't mean you're in the clear. There are many possible reasons for infertility. The best solution is to follow some online method as "Pregnncy Miracle" that will probably solve your problems http://get-pregnant.keysolve.net

Answer 5

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Enjoying the feeling of motherhood and raising a family would surely be a couple’s dream. Some get it naturally, while for some others things don’t seem to work as they desire. These reasons which stop a women from conceiving can be due to either physical reasons or truly physiological.

Answer 6

I used to get really bad pain too. I've found that the best thing for me was to get a small towel, wet it down, and microwave it till it's nice and hot, and zip it up in a ziploc bag, and put it over my stomach. Also, I don't know if you're into herbal remedies, but Black Cohosh is good for that kind of pain. (It's also good for during and after menopause; it balances your hormones out and you won't need to have HRT.) Also Chaste Tree Berry extract (aka Vitex) works great for balancing out your hormones so taken over time, it could clear up your endometriosis. Do you also have heavy bleeding and extended periods? If so, take Periwinkle when you notice that your period is going out of whack. It takes a couple days for it to take effect, but that periwinkle was the only thing that stopped my bleeding the times it happened. Oh and you only have to take the black cohosh and periwinkle when you need them. With the vitex, you take it everyday. You might not notice results from the vitex right away though because it works gently and with your body.
And just in case you also have late periods, taking blue cohosh will help to bring it on. It's also good for if there's a possibility of miscarriage. Don't take it during the first few months though. Different brands say different things though. Some say only use it after the first 3 months, and others say not until the 7th, so you might want to check with a naturopathic doctor on that one.

But yeah, if you're interested in trying out the stuff I mentioned, I recommend using the liquid form; they're a lot more potent than the powder-filled capsules. I usually use the dropper to put the liquid in an empty capsule so I don't have to taste it.
Hope this helps. =)

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Update: I just got my book out and it also suggests Black Haw Bark, Cramp Bark, and Pasque Flower extracts for your pain. And I also forgot to mention Raspberry Leaf extract earlier. The extract is good for toning the uterus after having a baby, and it's also good to drink raspberry leaf tea during and after pregnancy, including during labor. It helps to lessen labor pains.

Answer 7

Hey there,
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I hope it helps

Answer 8

There is really no way to stop the pain, i am experiencing that the only thing that works is rest and v8.