I finally know what's wrong!

[AngieDoogles]

I went to the clinic today because I noticed a fairly large lump on my pelvic area last night. It turned out to only be a swollen lymph node which is pretty common and normal, but the good news is...they finally diagnosed the problem that has been causing me such awful pain! It's endometriosis, meaning my uterus is too far to the left side and I have extra uterus lining in places it shouldn't be. As of now it is not problematic other than the pain--and now that they know what it is, it'll be much easier to STOP the pain! YAY! :thumbup: I'm on a 3 month cycle birth control pill called seasonique so I'll only have a period once every three months and it shouldn't cause the terrible abdominal pain like it has up to this point. Hopefully that means no more ER visits!!!

Has anyone used this BC pill before? If so, did you like it?

The other option was the 3 month shot, but I was afraid to do that because once you take the shot you HAVE to deal with whatever side effects for 3 months. No turning back. With the pill, if I have side effects I don't like, I can call my doctor and we'll figure out what other options there are. To me, this seemed like the better choice, but I'd love to hear what you think. I go back for another appointment in 2 months and she says I can change to the shot if I'd like so any input is greatly appreciated!

[Mandy]

Oh Angie, i'm glad to hear it wasnt anything too "serious"

Also, good to know they found out what was causing the pain, good of you to go have it checked out :thumbup:

[AngieDoogles]

Oh Angie, i'm glad to hear it wasnt anything too "serious"

Also, good to know they found out what was causing the pain, good of you to go have it checked out :thumbup:

Thanks Mandy. I'm just worried about having children some day. The doctor said it's a case by case thing. Some people with endometriosis have no problem conceiving, but depending on exactly what's going on, it could make it impossible. She said we'll talk about that later when we are closer to being ready for kids because lots of things could change between now and then.

[Mandy]

Angie, your doctor is right, dont worry about that yet. These specialists are so advanced, and technology amazes me each day, there is just so much they can do to help people.

A friend of mine has endometrioses, she found out MANY years ago, i know what she went through.
they couldnt do much for her back than, but like i said, technology is so advanced today, and as long as you are healthy, thats most important.

[AngieDoogles]

Angie, your doctor is right, dont worry about that yet. These specialists are so advanced, and technology amazes me each day, there is just so much they can do to help people.

A friend of mine has endometrioses, she found out MANY years ago, i know what she went through.
they couldnt do much for her back than, but like i said, technology is so advanced today, and as long as you are healthy, thats most important.

I know, I just worry because I want children SO badly. I always have... :(

[Mandy]

I know, I just worry because I want children SO badly. I always have... :(


And you will have them :)

[Janet]

Angie....I had terrible cramps/abdominal pain...tried conceiving and couldn't. I had endometriosis lasered off 2 times. I don't want to scare you, but I would see a fertility specialist soon. Endometriosis does not get better....it gets worse. Do some studying online, but I wouldn't wait until you want to have children....by then..it could be too late.

[DianaB]

Angie, I'm glad that you finally have found out what is causing your pain but I'm a little concerned that your doctor told you to wait until you're ready for children and come back. If having children is important to you then I think that you should get a second opinion. Most of the people I know that have this have trouble conceiving or decide to have their children earlier than they had actually planned. I would feel better if you got another doctor's advice on this. You know me.......I'm just your second Mom!!!!!

[katepoet]

Wonderful news, Angie. I didn't trust the injections either as a friend had a bad experience but that was at least 5 years ago and I don't know the stats on the new ones.

[Janet]

Angie, I'm glad that you finally have found out what is causing your pain but I'm a little concerned that your doctor told you to wait until you're ready for children and come back. If having children is important to you then I think that you should get a second opinion. Most of the people I know that have this have trouble conceiving or decide to have their children earlier than they had actually planned. I would feel better if you got another doctor's advice on this. You know me.......I'm just your second Mom!!!!!

I'm glad we're feeling the same apprehension on this Diana....I want you, Angie to see someone who speicalizes in this...not just a general practioner.

[AngieDoogles]

Thanks ladies! It's nice having so many "Moms" to look out for me. I'd love to go to a specialist, but that would be SO expensive, and even if we had insurance, I doubt it would cover something like that. It would come to do a choice between seeing a specialist or finishing school. :(

I'll talk to my doc again and see if I can get more info...

[judy]

How about Planned Parenthood? Aren't they a lot cheaper?

I'm glad you won't have such pain anymore, and that the Mommies who know about this are giving you good advice. The universe MUST have Angie-Brendon babies!

You were smart about not taking the shot.

[rivermom]

Angie - You poor thing. I had no idea you were going through this, visits to the ER, and so on .... I hope the pill works well for you.

I had endometriosis for years and years and have struggled w/ periods since I was a teen. Way back when I was on the pill (they didn't have the shot those days) and had 3 healthy babies - one miscarriage.

Now - the endometriosis only became worse later and in time had other problems in that section. A couple years ago they did a full hysterectomy.

Keep up your visits/check up's at the least every year, more often if you continue to have problems. very very important.

[AngieDoogles]

Angie - You poor thing. I had no idea you were going through this, visits to the ER, and so on .... I hope the pill works well for you.

I had endometriosis for years and years and have struggled w/ periods since I was a teen. Way back when I was on the pill (they didn't have the shot those days) and had 3 healthy babies - one miscarriage.

Now - the endometriosis only became worse later and in time had other problems in that section. A couple years ago they did a full hysterectomy.

Keep up your visits/check up's at the least every year, more often if you continue to have problems. very very important.

Sheryl and Janet, I'm so sorry you've both had to go through this too. It's hard to explain how intense and debilitating the pain is without sounding like a complete wimp. People look at me like I'm crazy. I can tell they're thinking, "everyone has cramps". But it's the type of thing that will keep me up literally all night in tears. I've tried heating pads, pain medications, showers, laying in different positions, walking it off--you name it--and nothing has worked so far. I'm hoping with all of my heart that this BC will work.

Sheryl, I'm so happy that you were able to have children. That's the part that concerns me most. From everything I've been reading, I gather that it's pretty hard to conceive for a lot of women who have this. About 40% are infertile. Sometimes surgery can make you more likely to conceive, but it isn't guaranteed. :( I'm just scared because I'd really like to have at least one child. Brendon and I have talked about being parents since before we were married. It's something that's very important to both of us and I feel so guilty for possibly taking that option away from him. He would make such a great father...

I think I'm going to go see a fertility specialist even if it costs a lot. We have a pretty decent savings account for emergencies...and I think the possibility of not having children can be consider an emergency situation. It just scares me to use that because I don't know what we'd do if something else came up.

[rivermom]

Angie - First off you are NOT a wimp. I know EXACTLY how those cramps feel, they are debilitating! Please don't do what I did and let it drag on for years and years....Your body is trying to tell you something. Not saying this is the case for you or other women but the pill did NOT work for me. Stay in close touch with your doctor, talk about all options, and take care of "your health", having children comes second bottom line. YOUR HEALTH IS FIRST PRIORITY.

From all your love stories and posts about Brendon he will love you if you have a child by birth or not. And you are NOT less than a woman if that road takes you there. Don't worry about all that right now. Focus on your health - I cannot stress that enough.

Us ladies can worries ourself sick if we keep worrying about all the "stuff that might not happen in our lives or could go wrong". You are so young - turn those thoughts around.

I hate it when I sound like I lecture and honestly don't wanna come across that way. Just don't want to see you suffer for reasons that don't need to be.

Hugs to you girl!!!

[AngieDoogles]

Brendon has made it clear that he won't let me let it drag on for any length of time. :rolleyes: I know you weren't here when I was in the ER, but the back story is that I did NOT want to go at all. My mom, cousin, and husband practically dragged me against my will. It was right after my grandfather passed away so there was family from all over in town and they wouldn't stand to see me in so much pain. I felt like the doctors did nothing. They ran two CT scans, gave me very strong pain medication, and then sent me home...after eight hours. All they said was that I didn't have a mass or cyst that they could see and that my white blood cell count was high which could mean any number of things. I had no idea what was wrong...and sure enough the pain came back the next month. I didn't go back to a doctor because I felt all they did was make me uncomfortable without giving me any results. Brendon has been trying to get me to go back to the doctor since then but I was stubborn until that lump appeared. It scared me enough to make an appointment.

This new doctor is nicer than any doctor I've ever had. She gave me results immediately and really seemed to care about the long term situation rather than just making me feel well enough to go home. She wants me to go back in about 2 1/2 months to discuss any side effects the BC pill is causing and to check up on me. After that, I'll have an appointment every six months. Anyway, all of that to say that I don't think you are lecturing at all. I've been getting this from my family for quite a while now. ;) It just shows that they care. I'll go to all of the appointments. Hopefully if I do everything the doctor says, I'll be more likely to be able to conceive.

[rivermom]

You've got a good hubby and family. They must shake their head at your stubborness but you listened. LOL :D Good for you! :thumbup:

The only way to do a complete diagnosis of endometriosis is to do laparoscopy surgery. (very minor surgery done under general (some local) anesthesia. Your doctor has probably already talked to you about this, etc. It's probably a good thing you are finding all this stuff out now so you can get the best treatment from your doctor. Glad you are not (LOL like my age) and just finding out.

Happy thoughts sent your way. :bighug:

[AngieDoogles]

Oh yes, I am quite stubborn when it comes to seeing a doctor. I have this attitude of "Oh, it's not so bad" or "It'll go away on its own". Drives Brendon nuts. lol! Guess I'll have to change that way of thinking now though that the doc wants to see me so often.

The doctor did tell me that the only 100% way of knowing is to do a laparoscopy, but she also said she isn't going to ask me to do that since it's invasive and leaves a scar. She said all of the signs and symptoms point to endometriosis so that's what she's going to treat. She seemed pretty confident.

Thanks for the happy thoughts. I really appreciate that!

[katepoet]

A good doctor with time to spend on you is a dream come true! (They are so often too overloaded to be able to do their best.)

[judy]

Oh yes, I am quite stubborn when it comes to seeing a doctor. I have this attitude of "Oh, it's not so bad" or "It'll go away on its own". Drives Brendon nuts. lol! Guess I'll have to change that way of thinking now though that the doc wants to see me so often.

The doctor did tell me that the only 100% way of knowing is to do a laparoscopy, but she also said she isn't going to ask me to do that since it's invasive and leaves a scar. She said all of the signs and symptoms point to endometriosis so that's what she's going to treat. She seemed pretty confident.

Thanks for the happy thoughts. I really appreciate that!


It's so good you posted about this and got such good advice! The doctor sounds good too.

Prayers and a big hug!

[AngieDoogles]

It's so good you posted about this and got such good advice! The doctor sounds good too.

Prayers and a big hug!

I'm lucky that there are so many knowledgeable women here and that they are nice enough to give advice! :) I don't know what I'd do without 4wt!!!

[AngieDoogles]

Last night I barely slept at all because I was so nauseous. Is there anything to do to make that go away? Is it typical for BC to cause nausea? Will it go away on its own after a while?

[katepoet]

I think that can be a symptom from the BC. Here are symptoms from just one brand from www.medlineplus.org You might want to look up your brand there - it's a trustworthy site for medical info.

Oral contraceptives may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

* nausea
* vomiting
* stomach cramps or bloating
* diarrhea
* constipation
* gingivitis (swelling of the gum tissue)
* increased or decreased appetite
* weight gain or weight loss
* brown or black skin patches
* acne
* hair growth in unusual places
* bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
* changes in menstrual flow
* painful or missed periods
* breast tenderness, enlargement, or discharge
* difficulty wearing contact lenses
* swelling, redness, irritation, burning, or itching of the vagina
* white vaginal discharge

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

* severe headache
* severe vomiting
* speech problems
* dizziness or faintness
* weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
* crushing chest pain or chest heaviness
* coughing up blood
* shortness of breath
* pain, warmth, or heaviness in the back of the lower leg
* partial or complete loss of vision
* double vision
* bulging eyes
* severe stomach pain
* yellowing of the skin or eyes
* loss of appetite
* extreme tiredness, weakness, or lack of energy
* fever
* dark-colored urine
* light-colored stool
* swelling of the hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
* depression, especially if you also have trouble sleeping, tiredness, loss of energy, or other mood changes
* unusual bleeding
* rash
* menstrual bleeding that is unusually heavy or that lasts for longer than 7 days in a row

Also call your doctor's office and report it so your MD can help you decide what to do. She will have experience with other patients hopefully and will know if the nausea tends to go away and how long that takes.

Try taking an eighth to a quarter teaspoon baking soda in a couple ounces of water - it can often relieve nausea. Don't worry if it makes you burp once - that's normal!

There is an over the counter anti-nausea syrup carried at pharmacies inc. Wal-Mart or Target type stores. It can help a lot. It's a liquid dose of carbohydrates, like eating crackers without the solids.

[AngieDoogles]

I already called my doc this morning before class. She's supposed to call back any time now. I was in class most of the morning so it's hard for them to get in touch with me...

[Janet]

Sheryl and Janet, I'm so sorry you've both had to go through this too. It's hard to explain how intense and debilitating the pain is without sounding like a complete wimp. People look at me like I'm crazy. I can tell they're thinking, "everyone has cramps". But it's the type of thing that will keep me up literally all night in tears. I've tried heating pads, pain medications, showers, laying in different positions, walking it off--you name it--and nothing has worked so far. I'm hoping with all of my heart that this BC will work.

Sheryl, I'm so happy that you were able to have children. That's the part that concerns me most. From everything I've been reading, I gather that it's pretty hard to conceive for a lot of women who have this. About 40% are infertile. Sometimes surgery can make you more likely to conceive, but it isn't guaranteed. :( I'm just scared because I'd really like to have at least one child. Brendon and I have talked about being parents since before we were married. It's something that's very important to both of us and I feel so guilty for possibly taking that option away from him. He would make such a great father...

I think I'm going to go see a fertility specialist even if it costs a lot. We have a pretty decent savings account for emergencies...and I think the possibility of not having children can be consider an emergency situation. It just scares me to use that because I don't know what we'd do if something else came up.

That's why I encourage you to see a specialist. I wouldn't go back and trade my son for a biological son for anything in the world, but sometimes late at night, lying in bed, I still think about not ever feeling a life growing inside me and I sometimes cry myself to sleep.

[judy]

Oh Janet,

I'm sorry you're sad about that. It is a wonderful experience. I'm sending you a big hug right now.

Love ya,
Judy

[judy]

I think that can be a symptom from the BC. Here are symptoms from just one brand from www.medlineplus.org You might want to look up your brand there - it's a trustworthy site for medical info.

Oral contraceptives may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

* nausea
* vomiting
* stomach cramps or bloating
* diarrhea
* constipation
* gingivitis (swelling of the gum tissue)
* increased or decreased appetite
* weight gain or weight loss
* brown or black skin patches
* acne
* hair growth in unusual places
* bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
* changes in menstrual flow
* painful or missed periods
* breast tenderness, enlargement, or discharge
* difficulty wearing contact lenses
* swelling, redness, irritation, burning, or itching of the vagina
* white vaginal discharge

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

* severe headache
* severe vomiting
* speech problems
* dizziness or faintness
* weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
* crushing chest pain or chest heaviness
* coughing up blood
* shortness of breath
* pain, warmth, or heaviness in the back of the lower leg
* partial or complete loss of vision
* double vision
* bulging eyes
* severe stomach pain
* yellowing of the skin or eyes
* loss of appetite
* extreme tiredness, weakness, or lack of energy
* fever
* dark-colored urine
* light-colored stool
* swelling of the hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
* depression, especially if you also have trouble sleeping, tiredness, loss of energy, or other mood changes
* unusual bleeding
* rash
* menstrual bleeding that is unusually heavy or that lasts for longer than 7 days in a row

Also call your doctor's office and report it so your MD can help you decide what to do. She will have experience with other patients hopefully and will know if the nausea tends to go away and how long that takes.

Try taking an eighth to a quarter teaspoon baking soda in a couple ounces of water - it can often relieve nausea. Don't worry if it makes you burp once - that's normal!

There is an over the counter anti-nausea syrup carried at pharmacies inc. Wal-Mart or Target type stores. It can help a lot. It's a liquid dose of carbohydrates, like eating crackers without the solids.

Dear Kate,

I know you mean only good, but some of these are quite scary and since some are very rare, perhaps it would be best for Angie and her family to decide whether or not they want to know all of this information.

[rivermom]

Angie - gosh girl I hope your tummy feels better soon. :getwell: Sending hugs...:hug:

[DianaB]

That's why I encourage you to see a specialist. I wouldn't go back and trade my son for a biological son for anything in the world, but sometimes late at night, lying in bed, I still think about not ever feeling a life growing inside me and I sometimes cry myself to sleep.

{{{{{{Janet}}}}}}}:hug:

[Janet]

Angie sweety, unless I miss understood the laporosopy does not leave a scar. They go in through your naval (belly button). I know, I've had it done twice. I was allowed to borrow their video of them lasering off my endometiosis.

[AngieDoogles]

Angie sweety, unless I miss understood the laporosopy does not leave a scar. They go in through your naval (belly button). I know, I've had it done twice. I was allowed to borrow their video of them lasering off my endometiosis.

Oh really? I misunderstood the doctor then. Maybe she said it DOESN'T leave a scar! I do remember that she said it was through the belly button though. It was just a lot of information to take in all at once and I feel like I was just numb most of the time after I found out exactly what was wrong and what that meant long term.

Thinking of having surgery of any kind really scares me though. I just cringe if I think about someone cutting me with a knife. I'm such a wuss! *sigh*

When I called the doc about the nausea, she said it is fairly common as my body is getting used to increased amounts of hormones. She told me I should try taking it in the morning rather than at night like I did at first. She also said I should try taking it with some crackers. Today wasn't as bad, but last night was horrible! I still had to take the pill at night last night though since I didn't know to take it in the morning at that point. Maybe tonight will be better. I took it at 10 this morning. Hopefully that will have an effect on how bad the symptoms are.

Thanks for the information Janet! I really appreciate your help!