Endometriosis...what are your symptoms?

Question

I was diagnosed with endometriosis several years ago and had 2 laparoscopic surgeries so far to have adhesions removed. My most recent surgery was in June. My question is, I keep having this really bad pain that begins AFTER my period and lasts (constant) for about 5 to 7 days. I go to the emergency room every month the day after my period but all they do is give me pain meds and send me home. I have seen several doctors and have done so much research but can't find ANYTHING even closely matching my symptoms. I want to know if anyone else with Endometriosis is experiencing pain on the lower left side of your pelvic area and ONLY occuring AFTER menses? I am DESPERATE!! If this sounds familiar or if you know anyone who has these symptoms please respond. Doctors have not been able to find the reason for this pain. The surgery in June should have stopped the pain but it only seems worse.

I have read every link there is to read about my condition. I want to know your personal experience.

Answer 1

My own pain was very similiar to yours until it finally grew to daily, relentless pain.

If all disease was not meticulously excised from ALL locations, the pain and symptoms will persist (see www.centerforendo.com) for more info on excision.

Your symptoms are "normal" for an Endo gal, believe it or not...please see a better doc for proper treatment. Good luck and remember you are not alone.

Answer 2

I know you want personal experience, but I have not had the misfortune of haveing that myself but a friend has. Unfortunately she had to have a complete hystorectomy because of it. I did however,find some more information for you that may help.

"The most common symptoms are:

Pain. Where it hurts depends on where the implants are growing. You may have pain in your lower belly, your rectum or vagina, or your lower back. You may have pain only before and during your periods or all the time. Some women have more pain during sex, when they have a bowel movement, or when their ovaries release an egg (ovulation).
Abnormal bleeding. Some women have heavy periods, spotting or bleeding between periods, bleeding after sex, or blood in their urine or stool.
Trouble getting pregnant (infertility). This is the only symptom some women have.
Endometriosis varies from woman to woman. Some women do not know that they have it until they see a doctor because they cannot get pregnant. Some have mild cramping that they think is normal for them. In other women, the pain and bleeding are so bad that they are not able to work or go to school."

"As a last resort for severe pain, some women have their uterus and ovaries removed (hysterectomy and oophorectomy). If you have your ovaries taken out, your estrogen level will drop and your symptoms will probably go away. But you may have symptoms of menopause, and you will not be able to get pregnant.

If you are getting close to menopause, you may want to try to manage your symptoms with medicines rather than surgery. Endometriosis usually stops causing problems when you stop having periods.

What else should I think about?

If you are thinking about using medicines for pain, keep the following in mind:

NSAIDs are not a good choice if there is a chance that you are or could soon become pregnant. They may increase the chance that you will have a miscarriage. Check with your doctor before using any over-the-counter medicine for more than a few days at a time.
Hormone therapy can cause a range of side effects. Some are unpleasant, like those caused by menopause. Others are serious, like bone thinning (osteoporosis). To limit these problems, hormone therapy is only used for a few months at a time. Be sure to find out the side effects of any therapy you are thinking about. "

Hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 3

The appendix is a closed-ended, narrow tube up to several inches in length that attaches to the cecum (the first part of the colon) like a worm. (The anatomical name for the appendix, vermiform appendix, means worm-like appendage.) The inner lining of the appendix produces a small amount of mucus that flows through the open center of the appendix and into the cecum. The wall of the appendix contains lymphatic tissue that is part of the immune system for making antibodies. Like the rest of the colon, the wall of the appendix also contains a layer of muscle, but the muscle is poorly developed. What is appendicitis and what causes appendicitis? Appendicitis means inflammation of the appendix. It is thought that appendicitis begins when the opening from the appendix into the cecum becomes blocked. The blockage may be due to a build-up of thick mucus within the appendix or to stool that enters the appendix from the cecum. The mucus or stool hardens, becomes rock-like, and blocks the opening. This rock is called a fecalith (literally, a rock of stool). At other times, the lymphatic tissue in the appendix may swell and block the appendix. After the blockage occurs, bacteria which normally are found within the appendix begin to invade (infect) the wall of the appendix. The body responds to the invasion by mounting an attack on the bacteria, an attack called inflammation. An alternative theory for the cause of appendicitis is an initial rupture of the appendix followed by spread of bacteria outside the appendix.. The cause of such a rupture is unclear, but it may relate to changes that occur in the lymphatic tissue, for example, inflammation, that line the wall of the appendix.) If the inflammation and infection spread through the wall of the appendix, the appendix can rupture. After rupture, infection can spread throughout the abdomen; however, it usually is confined to a small area surrounding the appendix (forming a peri-appendiceal abscess). Sometimes, the body is successful in containing ("healing") the appendicitis without surgical treatment if the infection and accompanying inflammation do not spread throughout the abdomen. The inflammation, pain and symptoms may disappear. This is particularly true in elderly patients and when antibiotics are used. The patients then may come to the doctor long after the episode of appendicitis with a lump or a mass in the right lower abdomen that is due to the scarring that occurs during healing. This lump might raise the suspicion of cancer.

Answer 4

I had the laproscopy the week after I first got married. He plucked off the endometriosis and found my uterus tilted and varicose veins in my uterus and a big cyst on one of my ovaries...boy was it painful...sex was painful...I got to where I couldn't walk before it was all cleaned out...and I was told I would never have kids...but I changed gynos and have 3 beautiful children now. I was 21 at the time. Maybe you have a cyst like I did....or tumor...that is what caused most of my pain....Pelvic Inflammatory Disease wis what they called it also....I was a mess...but I am 44 now and fine. Good luck! Just find the right doctor....Maybe they dropped an instrument in you or left a sponge or something....???? Consider all options

Answer 5

I had a hysterectomy but did suffer from endometriosis. I had horrendous periods that would last anywhere from a few days to 30 days. I had terrible cramps, (the left ovary was more sensitive than the right ovary) and constant lower back pain. My gyno put me on various forms of the pill but nothing of them worked. I tried a homeopathic treatment but it didn't work. I was fed up, already had children and asked my dr for a hysterectomy. Now my life is easier and I save a lot of money on feminine hygiene products.

Answer 6

Have you had a D & C yet? I'm sure this is the answer to your problem's. I had so many problem's before I had this done.
Now I'm fine. It's a very easy procedure, and you get to sleep through it. and go home the same day...good luck to you dear,
and God Bless. I hope your pain is over soon.

Answer 7

Number one symptom is severe pelvic pain, especially around your period.

Answer 8

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/3/1680_51158