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Should I have laparascopic surgery to treat my Endometriosis?

By Anonymous May 28, 2010 - 5:46pm
 
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I was diagnosed with Endometriosis last winter and the pain has been getting worse since then. (I'm 30 years old and I had a child in 2006 by C-section). It started with painful periods and then I began to have pain during sex. I got pregnant last spring (my second pregnancy, I have a 4 year old daughter) and miscarried at 8 weeks. I saw a gynecologist who recommended going on birth control, depo provera or depo lupron to help with the pain. I started depo provera (which I'd previously used as birth control about 8 years ago with no problems) in August and it helped with the pain for a little while. I got my second shot in November and by early December the pain was back and much worse. My family doctor then started giving me the shots every four weeks. The pain was less intense for a while but I still had to take Ibuprofen quite frequently and I gained approx. 10lbs and had more terrible side effects from the depo. I've continued to get the 150mg/mL shots every 4 weeks (if I wait longer than 4 weeks my pain is unbearable) but at this point I feel that my endometriosis has gotten much worse and I'm in pain for a good portion of each day (especially after meals). I haven't been able to drink any alcohol since Christmas as it makes my pain unbearable and I am sick for an entire day just from consuming 2 drinks. Sex is very painful and I'm in horrible pain for at least half a day afterwards.

I'm concerned that the depo isn't helping much anymore and that it may have made my endometriosis worse, is that possible? I have spoken with my family doctor regarding other treatment options but I don't have a gynecologist and am waiting on a referral to see if a doctor in another city will see me. My doctor has recommended I switch to Mirena but I'm worried to start another hormone treatment without confirming my endometriosis diagnosis and determining the severity of it. I feel like surgery might be my best option at this point...
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Add a Comment3 Comments

Anon,

I also had severe endometriosis (though not quite as bad as yours) and actually had two laparoscopies two years apart to deal with it. I can say without a doubt that it was the best thing for me. The difference before and after was remarkable. When there is that much endometrial tissue in places where it shouldn't be, and then it is taken out, the change in your life is unbelievable.

And just being able to stop taking so much ibuprofen is good for us, too. Will your doctor not give you something more to deal with the pain?

I completely agree with your finding a gynecologist to ask about the possibilities here. How long will it be before you find out if they'll accept your referral and see you?

June 1, 2010 - 8:44am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Diane Porter)

I finally got in to see a gynecologist and I'm scheduled for a laparoscopy in two months. I've since tried a couple of different pain meds that have helped me get through work each day. I just hope the surgery helps me so I can stop taking the Depo and the pain meds so frequently...

June 26, 2010 - 4:57pm
(reply to Anonymous)

Anon,

I'm so glad you finally got an appointment with a gynecologist. And I'm glad you have a laparoscopy scheduled. I hope very much that it gives you some serious symptom relief. I still remember my first period after my laparoscopic surgery and my amazement at just how different it was. I was about 33-34 at the time. My endometriosis did recur and I had to have another laparoscopy about two years later. But it's something I would definitely do again, it helped so very much.

I hope you'll come back then and let us know how it goes. Are there any questions you have, anything we can help you with in the meantime? Don't hesitate to ask!

June 29, 2010 - 8:47am
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