Does endometriosis come back while using continuous birth control pills?

Question

i have not had a period in over 2 years My last surgery was July 2005 and I have been on cbcp's since before that surgery. how can the endometriosis return after multiple surgeries and no periods for over 2 years. The pain is getting very severe I don't know what to do anymore to relieve the pain. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Some women find that by going to a top specialist for endometriosis that their chances of having multiple surgeries again in the future is almost nill. But some like me have to be on a combination of the pill continuously, sometimes Zoladex (similar to Lupron but I don't have a seizure risk to worry about with the Zoladex the way I would have with the Lupron) along with surgery to try and keep the endometriosis under control even though it will be back.

The reason it keeps coming back in my case and some of my other friends with endo is because of the way our body deals with it. There was a huge debate between two of the top experts on endo about whether or not endometriosis is an autoimmune disease. And based on what it's done to me over the past several years I do believe that endometriosis is an autoimmune disease.

Now as for the situation with your pain I would recommend trying to get to a Pain Management dr who has experience with treating gynecologic related chronic pain conditions and diseases such as endometriosis.

The reason that some believe that the top experts are better for dealing with endometriosis is because those drs operate on patients with endometriosis every day, where as a number of regular OB/GYNs may not. Of course some like myself couldn't afford to go to a top specialist even if we thought it would be a good choice for us.

To see more about endometriosis check out: http://www.endocenter.org

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Hey!! I recently passed my 3 year mark of no period, and on continuous birth control pills.... I have had 2 surgerys within a year when I was 15 and I am currently 18. I was on lupron (still didn't let me have periods) for the year between the two surgeries, and the bc after the second surgery for 2 years now. Honestly I hate to tell you that there is NOTHING you can do about the pain. People don't understand that motrin and even vicodin don't work for me. Nothing does... but a lot of chocolate... haha I wish.

My pain comes and goes, and I will be out for weeks at a time. I experience tons of morning and even night sickness from having no periods since I am in "temporary menopause." So on top of the menopause symptoms (yes I relate to my moms friends) I have had extreme pain to.. thats when my mom and I stock up on the vicodin and heating pad, because vicodin takes the edge off and numbs me, but not the pain. I wish there were hopeful words I could pass on to you. But I am 18 and want NOTHING MORE than a hystorectomy asap! The pain is not worth it to me.

Best of luck, I feel your pain. Literally.

Answer 4

Endometriosis doesn't "go away" during drug suppression - it simply remains just that, suppressed.

Multiple surgeries are also ineffective at treating the disease if the surgeon only vaporizes some areas of Endo and leaves behind the "root" and extensive remaining disease in other areas of the pelvis/abdomen. Unfortunately, such superficial surgery is often the rule, rather than the exception - laser vaporization, fulguration, coagulation and simple ablation are all easy techniques for the doctor to perform, but leave the patient ineffectively treated.

Try seeing someone like the folks in the links below for what is called excision surgery - these Endocenters have better than 75% success rates for long term relief in their patients...while there is no absolute cure for Endo, it's a far better option than ineffective, repeat surgery and drug suppression:

http://www.drcook.com
http://www.endoexcision.com
http://www.endometriosissurgeon.com...
http://www.centerforendo.com

If none of them are near you, check http://groups.yahoo.com/group/endodocs for some good suggestions of someone closer who may be equally as helpful.

Also see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/erc for lively discussions about the disease and treatment options, etc. with thousands of others who understand.

Know you are not alone and you don't have to suffer. Good luck to you.

Answer 5

Try speaking w/ physcian about an ablation where a laser is used to burn the lining of the uterus. This was to alleviate endometriosis and excessive bleeding but it is the back up of blood that will cause endomet. maybe something else is going on too?

Answer 6

I just had to have a hysterectomy about a week ago for mine. I had 2 DNC's in 5 months and I would not quit bleeding. Some women are just made diffrently.

Answer 7

hysterectomy, mine turned to cancer so keep it checked often.