I finally know what's wrong!

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by 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.

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. 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 Good for you!

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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!

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

Prayers and a big hug!

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by judy

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!!!

[Janet]

Originally Posted by AngieDoogles

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

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by Janet

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}}}}}}}

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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!