- Arthritis“One of the problems with endometriosis is that it is a silent and invisible disease. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, people around you see your gnarled hands and think, “No wonder they hurt.” If you’re in a cast or covered in bandages, people understand the grimace on your face. But with endo, the cause of the pain is hidden, so it is all too easy for people to blame the woman, not the disease”. –
- FibromyalgiaEven if a patient has previously undergone the successful surgical removal of her disease and has no remaining endometriosis, she may experience persistent pain and other systemic symptoms. In many patients, the symptoms attributed to endometriosis are in fact multifactorial in origin. Continuing symptoms can result from the secondary effects of endometriosis and its treatment, such as ongoing side effects of previous hormone therapies (e.g. Lupron) or from post-operative adhesions. Another explanation for ongoing pain is the presence of separate (yet sometimes related) health conditions, such as adenomyosis, pudendal neuralgia, interstitial cystitis, pelvic floor dysfunction, vulvar vestibulitis, irritable bowel, allergies and intolerance or sensitivity to certain foods, thyroid dysfunction, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, centralized sensitization and neuropathic pain, and the psychological toll of chronic pain. Excellent surgery can remove the disease and bring about relief but may not address the “ evil siblings ” of endometriosis.
- Medical Weight LossThis issue has caused my to lose jobs in the past, because I didn’t know what was wrong with me, and would call in when it flared up. For me, personally, it has caused irregular periods (sometimes I have them every two weeks), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, exhaustion, and weight loss from the inability to eat properly when these symptoms effect me.
- Nutritional CounselingFirst, we listen to you and take an acute interest in every aspect of your current health and medical history. This is the only way to truly know why previous treatments have failed and how we can do things differently. During this process, we consider the entire body: pelvic disease and adhesions, fertility, diet and nutrition, allergies, stress, cognition and pain psychology, exercise, co-existing medical conditions, familial risk factors, and exposure to environmental toxins.
- Primary CareI firmly believe the treatment of endometriosis should be recognized as a board certified sub-specialty of OB/GYN. Endometriosis and pelvic pain is a complex disease requiring an extensive knowledge base and an advanced surgical skill set to provide patients with appropriate care. Surgical treatment of endometriosis, especially Stage III and IV endometriosis can be technically the most difficult surgery encountered, even more, difficult than many types of cancer surgery. It is inappropriate for general OB/GYN’s to be expected to treat anything more than the basics of this disease. OB/GYN physicians are primary care doctors, not subspecialists. Millions of women are suffering unnecessarily because of the lack of an endometriosis sub-specialty.
- Emergency CareHi I’m jeniffer I have had those days where I felt like dying because I was in so much pain I had went to my doctor’s to get medicine for the pain went to the emergency room to get medicine I got red flagged because of going to so many different doctors for meds there where day some times weeks I was suffering I was miserable I had surgery they told me they didn’t see anything so when I was in so much pain I went to my primary doctor and I told him I’m in so much pain you don’t understand how I’m feeling I’m in tires.
- ColonoscopyMy daughter is 24 years old and has been suffering from endometriosis. She was recently diagnosed in early November, but has been having severe menstrual pain for years. The disease has attached to her rectum and vagina and of course in excruciating pain. Her surgery is finally scheduled for January 29th, but will have to have a colonoscopy first. I am very concerned about the powerful drugs they will be prescribing to put her in menopause. The idea of a 24 year old going through menopause is heart-breaking. This disease has taken over my child’s life and while her spirits are up most times, she feels like her life is in suspended animation due to this disease. And of course, the possibility of infertility is an issue for her because she is an only child and has always wanted a lot of children. What do you recommend?
- Constipation
- Irritable Bowel SyndromeMisdiagnosis.... ER Doctors often diagnose endo as PID, pelvic inflammatory disease. Many are misdiagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. Since endo can affect so many organs – the ovaries, uterus, bladder, bowel, intestines – it’s not surprising it’s so often misdiagnosed.
- Diarrhea
- GynecologyHi, my story is very similar to yours…. I too turned to oppiates which that road is sooo tireing! Not too mention what it does to your health. Anyway sence I’m on month 11 of being sober… My good days should out wiegh my bad….recently I’ve had to switch primates cuz one told me it was in my now the next days it’s from the opiate use…and now I’m just sensitive too pain!!! Thankfully I have an amazing thyroid Dr and he found high rbc high wbc and high hemoglobin and hemocrit…. So I’m back to the ob gyn hopefully now I’ll have some answers!! I was diagnosed in Jr high with endo but between pregnancy and horomones must be I kept it in ✔…..now my hips and my back they just cripple me with pain!!
- Female Infertility
- Obstetrics
- EndometriosisEndometriosis is a condition where tissue that is somewhat similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside the uterus where it does not belong. Endometrial secretions irritate the surrounding tissues. The immune system responds causing swelling, inflammation and severe pelvic pain.
- Pelvic PainIf you are experiencing chronic pelvic pain that is interfering with daily activities, this is not normal. While this pain, especially in women, is sadly common, it is not normal or acceptable – often patients have lived with their symptoms for a prolonged period of time because their pain has been trivialized by others, including the medical community. No one should have to live with debilitating pain. With diagnosis and treatment from a pelvic pain specialist, you can restore your quality of life. Timely intervention can avoid years of unnecessary suffering and debilitation, and in some cases can prevent disease progression and the associated sequelae.
- Pregnancy
- Labor and DeliveryUterine prolapse is when the uterus drops down into and sometimes out of the vagina. It is more common in patients who have had previous vaginal deliveries, as the process of childbirth can loosen the pelvic support structures that support the uterus. Prolapse is also more common in women post-menopause as the drop in estrogen levels can also reduce the tone of the support structures in the pelvis. Patients suffering from prolapse may complain of a bearing down sensation and lower back pain. Prolapse may also be associated with stress incontinence (where lifting, coughing, sneezing and/or exercise result in loss of urine).
- Internal MedicineWow, I have cried threw all these comments so much that I could hardly read. I am 37 now and have suffered with Endo since I was 13. I have had 4 surgeries and I'm waiting for another due to how severe my Endo is. After my first surgery I was told I had stage 4 Endo and that they have never seen such a server case. My whole life ive lived in such horrible unbearable pain. In total I've had 6 tumors removed and a full hysterectomy. During my second surgery the fibroids where so bad that it caused my insides to grow together. My Oncologist told my fiance that my insides where growing together due to the amount fibroid growth. He put holes in my bladder during surgery while trying to separate it from the lining of my stomach. After a 7 hour surgery it was not yet over for me as I had hoped for. I really thought this was gonna be it and the pain was gonna be controllable. Boy was I wrong I think im worse off now than ever before. The oncologist didn't close all the holes he had made in my bladder during surgery. My abdomen filled with urine for 3 days after surgery until they noticed something was wrong. I had a small blood clot and a huge abscess in my lower abdomen. My oncologist the Infectious Disease doctor and an Internal Medicine doctor all truly believed the other holes would close on their own. I had 2 drainage tubes put in and waited 2 weeks before they finally did another surgery. By then it was so bad I had flat lined and they finally took action. My abdomen was full of urine and caused more damage to my insides than just the abscess in my lower abdomen. A week before I finally got to go home after 27 days in the hospital. I had started leaking urine even though I had a catheter. Doc said it was normal that it happened at times. Well I was released and was able to remove cath after 10 days after 2nd surgery. Well I was still urinating all the time, literally all day long. So I was sent to a Urologist thst ran so many test said I needed a new bladder sling put in. I went threw weeks of pelvic floor therapy and nothing helped. I was still wearing bladder pads urinating all day long. By this point my self confidence is gone and I feel like a walking port a potty. Im ashamed to go answer I don't want anybody to smell me and I hurt too bad I feel as if everything is falling out of my vagina. My pelvic pain is so intense most days I can't walk and when I do im urinating the whole time. Ive had to leave the store in the middle of grocery shopping because I've had an accident and looks as if I've peed myself. After nothing changed street having bladder sling put in I knew I needed a new specialist. I was sent to Dr. Farzan in Lubbock who specializes in Endo. The first visit with in minutes of the exam he knew what was wrong. Urine had been leaking threw my vaginal wall. Due to my bladder and vagina growing together. I started to wonder why the so called Urologist I had been seeing didn't know this. So now im waiting on what I really hope to be the
- UrologyI have also been struggling with urology problems and have had a cystoscopy which everything seemed to look normal. I am now awaiting results from a CT scan & an ultra sound on my bladder & kidneys.
- Kidney StonesSo not wrong of you. I have the exact same history and I’m in the same boat. I’ve tried all the bc pills and even the progesterone shot … which induced a 7month- long active period (led to anemia), infeculitis, chronic yeast infections, UTIs, kidney infections, and 2 kidney stones.
- EndoscopyIve had two separate woman, one of which has a medical background and both of which have been treated for endometriosis, tell me that they are certain this is what I have! I have to get abdominal surgery for Internal Prolapse, but my doctors are saying this isn’t related to “whatever it is” I am experiencing that has gotten progressively worse in the past 6-9 months. They want to test me for Chrons disease with a pill endoscopy, but how can I convince them that its important enough they check for this? Of course there is much more to what I have written above, but as a 21 year old mother, I don’t have even know where to begin. I never expected to feel so ill, for so long, with so many unanswered questions and no diagnosis regardless of the multiple tests they’ve ran on me. Where do I start if this is what I could potentially have?
- Interstitial CystitisInterstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic bladder condition that often mimics a bladder infection. While the cause is generally unknown, several precipitating events have been identified as potentially triggering the condition, including trauma to the bladder, bladder over-distention, pelvic floor dysfunction, and hypersensitivity or inflammation of the pelvic nerves.
- Urinary Tract InfectionHi Amy, I have severe endometrosis. I was having several abdominal pain in multiple areas. I was also experiencing constant uti like symptoms, with no actual uti. After lapo surgery it was discovered severe endometrosis had fused my left ovary and colon together and my bladder and uterus together.
- Prostate CancerRetrograde menstruation, however, is a common phenomenon that occurs in 90% of women yet only 10% of women develop endometriosis and the refluxed material only contains minimal deposits of endometrial tissue. Furthermore, endometriosis consists of tissue that is similar but not identical to the native endometrium that lines the uterus, suggesting that it is not a mere autotransplant. Other phenomena about the disease that cannot be adequately explained by this theory include the presence of endometriosis in stillborn female fetuses, in women without a functional uterus and in a small number of men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. The theory of retrograde menstruation predicts that the disease will recur after surgery and worsen over time with each menstrual flow, yet surgical excision of endometriosis has been found to effectively remove the disease in most patients with true disease recurrence being rare. Studies examining the extent of disease across different age groups of patients have failed to find an increase in disease with age.
- Neurology
- Multiple SclerosisWomen with endometriosis also often suffer from autoimmune and endocrine disorders, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, thyroid dysfunction, allergies, lupus, insulin resistance, and multiple sclerosis. Endometriosis is often referred to as a multi-systemic disease (MSD)2
- Stress Management
- Depression
- Mental HealthWhen the tissue on the back of the abdominal wall has been Ablated and the patient (Myself) has been left with constant pain on that side of stomach where they did this to me will it eventually heal and the pain go away or at least improve? Since my surgery nearly 3 months ago where I had my excision and Ablation I have been left in terrible pain in the area where they did they most Ablation which was all down the left hand side of my abdominal wall. The anxiety it is causing me is out of control as I’m 41 years old have have already had a life time of pain and suffering from back fractures, pericarditis pain (scar tissue left around the heart) Endometriosis and now this. As a mum of two very busy kids and a business owner of a very busy party store I’m so scared I’m going to be left in this state forever. It’s affecting my mental Health. It would be great to hear from others that have had this done and ended up in this state and gradually got better. I don’t think it helps that it took 20 years of complaining about severe period problems, infertility issues and iron infusions for the doctors to finally put me on the waiting list to see what is going on.Thanks everyone.
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Endocrinology
- Hypothyroidism2. Multi-Systemic Disease (MSD) refers to a family of clinical syndromes that share similar underlying dysfunctions of the body. These clinical syndromes would include such diseases as endometriosis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, food and environmental sensitivities, some cases of interstitial cystitis, insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, allergies and autoimmune diseases, Lyme disease and associated infections, just to name a few. Genetic and environmental factors typically contribute to the specific clinical syndrome expressed.
- Thyroid
- Thyroid CancerAlways trust your gut instincts. Doing so has saved my life. Long story short I was dismissed by my thyroid specialist when I complained of a lump in my throat, he even rolled his eyes at me in the visit and told me "let's wait till your 4 month review for a scan, you must have a cold!". Because I felt so bad for so long and had waited 8 months for this initial visit I refused to leave his office without my referral for a scan. Fast forward through my scan, then biopsy and surgery to have my whole thyroid removed with said "suspicious lump w/ a 50% chance of being cancer according to the biopsy reaults". The morning after my surgery my surgeon came in with a huge smile on her face. She looked high was so thrilled. She told me they caught it just in time. That taking the nodule out that day prior saved me from thyroid cancer; that she had never seen cells so similiar to cancer that were not cancer yet. She is the chief of surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington and the best of the best. Her name is Dr. Zern you can look her up for proof. Listen to your body. Push for each and every test. Peace of mind is everything and if you sense something is wrong it is. But I also believe in the miraculous power of the law of attraction and manifesting healing. I believe mine wasn't cancer bc between the biopsy results and surgery I refused to own the scary results as mine. Namaste, Joy
- UltrasoundIn-office consultation with Dr. Cook, pelvic exam, ultrasound, and discussion of the exam findings and answer any questions.
- MRIIt took me almost a month to get my MRI appointment and the gyn would just not bother if you ask her what can be done. They just give a cold nod and say yes you will have to bear some pain.
- X-Rays
- Computed TomographyThanks for the article confirming that my tiredness isn’t just a mental thing. I am from South Africa. Reading all your comments makes me feel blessed to have the gynae I do. At 19, my GP referred me to my current gynae, who immediately recognised the symptoms. I had my first scrape and removal of cysts then. After 2 healthy babies(surprisingly!) I had a hysterectomy at 30, leaving my ovaries in place. I had 5 great, almost pain-free years. Then pain started creeping back. I was getting more and more fatigued. I blamed it on being overworked, getting divorced, having moved. Then recently, during intercourse, it felt like someone had punched me in the stomach, HARD. I consulted a new GP, but it was brushed off. So I went to my old (almost retired) GP. He sent me for a sonar, and the doc there referred me for a CT scan. All this proved the endo and cysts are back with a vengeance. I am 37. It feels like I cannot sleep enough, have constant back pain and pain in my side. Sex is painful. Thankfully, I have visited my same gynae of 18 years. I’ll be having laporoscopic removal of the cysts, the scarring, the endo, and an oopherectomy in 10 days. I am not too happy about losing my ovaries, but if the pain and tiredness will leave my body, I will be in a much better place. Thanks again for the to-the-point article- i’ll be sharing it with my partner so he can understand better what i’m going through xx
- SciaticaI was offered pain management and left to suffer. The pain is becoming worse, periods getting heavier, migraines returning and I have cyclic hip and back pain including sciatica.
- Minimally Invasive SurgeryAdvanced, minimally invasive surgery is a fantastic tool for the effective removal of endometriosis and is an essential step in the journey toward healing. However, an integrative approach to endometriosis treatment offers the most comprehensive means of addressing all aspects of this disease in each individual patient. We at VHI believe that an integrative approach is necessary in order to achieve optimal health and quality of life.
- Cyst RemovalHello, I have been sick for two years now and finally had surgery in March of this year for Endometriosis diagnosis and and ovarian cyst removal from my left ovary. The ob/gyn found and excised 3 spots of endo and lasered 3 that were in hard to reach places. He removed a large cyst from my left ovary and said I had 2 stalks growing on my fallopian tube which had cyst on them as well and he also removed them. I have such problems with my bladder and bowels and I still don’t know if the places he burned off were on my organs because he never would tell me. He performed a Cystoscopy which leads me to believe it was taken off my bladder. I have never recovered from the surgery to date! I was admitted to the hospital upon my post op check up because of all my pain. I had a catscan with contrast while in the hospital and before being discharged he told me that I had just let the pain get away from me? That’s all! Then the same restrictions as when I had the surgery, light activity and no heavy lifting! The pain has never left. I’m the same as before surgery but 10 times worse because now I think I have a pelvic prolaspe which landed me in the emergency room There I found out that I not only more than likely had a prolapse but I now have Colitis and my Pancreatic enzymes are extremely elevated. They did a Catscan and a Transvaginal Ultrasound, the ER dr said that the TV wand can push the prolapse back up but it can come back down. Is that true? I am now due to see a different gyno and I have to go to the gastroenterenologist. Could my Endo be back already? Plus my Uterus was enlarged. I know it’s alot, sorry I’m just so sick. I’ve lost 18 more pounds since surgery and I didn’t have a period in March, then a 2 day one in April then 3 days of breakthrough spotting the next week.
- Robotic SurgeryRobotic surgery is currently hyped as providing some kind of different and superior treatment to standard laparoscopically. It does not. For an advanced laparoscopic surgeon, it offers not benefit and only limitations. Many OB/GYN’s are quite limited in the type of surgery they can perform as a result of severe disorientation while trying to perform traditional laparoscopic surgery. The robot primarily helps make the surgery less confusing for the surgeon to perform as it helps with spatial orientation.
- HysterectomyPelvic congestion, uterine varicosities and ovarian vein varicosities (varicose veins) are all variations of enlarged pelvic blood vessels and may present as a source of pelvic pain. Pelvic congestion may be manageable conservatively or via radical organ removal (hysterectomy) depending on the site of the varicosities.
- Endometrial AblationI have had Endometriosis since I was 14. Up until I was 17 i was diagnosed with PID, IBS and told the pain was all in my head or that I was making it up or that it was period cramps and to get over it. After 3 years I was pretty sure I was just losing my mind. I found a great OBGYN that actually took the time to hear what i was complaining about and sure enough she found my Endometriosis. This was when I had my first endometrial ablation. I was back at work in 4 days and felt amazing for the first time in years!!
- LaparoscopyIn cases of severe adhesions, a special surgical technique called Early Second Look Laparoscopy (ESLL) may be recommended. This is the practice of reoperating on the patient a week following her first surgery. Given post-operative adhesions tend to form during the first days following surgery, taking a second look a week later gives the surgeon the chance to take down any fresh adhesions before they become established. Initially, new adhesions are typically thin and wispy, thickening over time. By disrupting the healing process and taking down these fresh adhesions, the risk of recurrence of adhesions is reduced. Adhesion barriers are then re-applied to any areas where adhesions have formed.
- Laparoscopic SurgeryIn the vast majority of patients, a single laparoscopic surgery with Dr. Cook was sufficient in removing all disease without recurrence or need for reoperation.
- Acne Treatment
- Cyst
- UlcerI know exactly how you feel. I’ve had endometriosis symptoms since I was 16 years old. ( I am now 23) I took birth control pills for the first 2-3 years but had to stop because there was too high of a risk of blood clots. I am unable to keep a job because of the number of days I miss due to pain. My doctor is not willing to preform a laparascopy on me because she feels it’s too great a risk and there really is no cure. I am stuck to suffer, and occasionally Naproxen (an anti-inflammatory) helps, but it only disrupts my stomach ulcer. So I can’t even take that as often as I’d like. Heating pads (on high heat) help with the menstrual cramps, but not the bouts of inflammation or excrutiating ovulation pain. I wish I could say that things will get better, but I honestly don’t know that they will. At this point in my life, the symptoms seem to be getting worse. I can only be here as someone who knows what you’re going through. Stay strong. xx
- Fungus
- LesionsPatients with IC typically have a smaller bladder capacity and when the inside of the bladder is inspected via cystoscopy (a special tiny camera introduced into the bladder), glomerulations (small capillary bleeding from the bladder wall) and Hunner’s ulcers (lesions or sores on the lining of the bladder) may be observed (Hunner’s ulcers affect approximately 5-10% of patients who have IC).
- Physical TherapyThere are no non-invasive medicines or treatments that destroy or break down pelvic adhesions, although massage and physical therapy may help stretch and loosen adhesions, mobilizing organs. Surgery is currently the only treatment that can effectively remove adhesions. A problem with this treatment, however, is that surgery itself can contribute to the formation of new adhesions. For this reason, it requires a high level of expertise and special techniques to surgically treat adhesions while minimizing the risk of recurrence.
- Back Pain
- Allergies