Hi Folks,
I am like the rest of you, except for a pretty significant difference. I was diagnosed 3 yrs. ago with endo, though I have always thought I had it. I have had 2 laporoscopies and two courses of Lupron. I am currently on my 3rd course of Lupron. I desperately want to have kids, but I am afraid it will be impossible except through adoption. Here's the catch...I also have a blood disorder called Factor V Leiden. It is an inherited disorder where your blood has a very high tendency to clot. I should know, I've already been hospitalized with two blood clots of the Great Saphenous Vein in the leg. Therefore, it is impossible for me to take birth control pills or any type of hormones to reduce my excruciating pain. This is because as many of you may know, BC's and hormones can also cause blood clots. My pain is unbearable and my current OB/GYN seems unsympathetic and seems to think I'm a drug addict when all I want is relief. I've been told that the pain is in my head and that ibuprofen should be enough. Well, I'm sorry it just isn't. I would love to talk with any of you regarding my situation and yours. My dh and I are actively pursuing adoption. Being adopted myself, it just makes sense for us. Please feel free to email me at: desilu72@aol.com

I'm so sorry to hear that you are in such bad pain. I can sympathize. Before I was diagnosed with endo, I suffered from crippling pain. I couldn't stand up straight, couldn't walk, nothing would ease the pain. I would have a hot bath, put hot water bottles on my stomach and on my back, and take 2 super strength motrin and still no relief of the pain. With your blood disorder, is your doctor sure that you couldn't be put on a drug like lupron, or other hormone-depleting drug?
Good luck.

Eventhough my sistuation isnt as deep as urs... i kno pain. I just want u to kno that i am here.. praying for u... He will give u ur hearts desires (in some way shape or form).. if u only beleive...

Are you seeing a reproductive endocrinologist? I have painful endo and have to pop two or three 800 mg. ibuprofens just to cut the pain, then take one every fours hours to maintin for two days each month. I had two surgeries and Lupron but all the endometriomas came back and it's all the same. I was basically told that the only thing can do is take lots of Lupron and Depo Provera and shut my self down and go into menopause. I think my repro. endo knows what he is talking about so that news didn't make me happy. I also tried infertility treatments but am now going to adopt. I will say that caffeine makes it worse and walking helps a little. During infertility treatments I was told that I could only take Tylenol and I literally laughed in the doctors face. He says he understands - one of his nurses has had Lupron three times and three surgeries.

I'm not sure how much help I can be except to sympathize. I can't get pregnant either and the pain is bad, but now that we've made the decision to adopt, I can go back to mega doses of Ibuprofen for that day or two. Also, that nurse I mentioned told me that she sometimes takes Darvoset (sp?) because she can't take certain painkillers because of a blood disorder.

I think you shold go to a more sympathetic doctor. Good luck. I have woken up crying from the pain and lost many nights sleep so I know what you're going through. Iam also type II diabetic and my doctor said those little bugers like sugar, so cut back especially at that timeof the month. The only other thing I'll say is that my reproductive endocrinologist is also an excellent surgeon, so when I do have a hysterectomy or other surgery I feel I am in excelllent hands. While that doesn't make it easier now, I have a little peace of mind for the future.

Take care.

I'm 28 and have had 2 surgeries and was diagnosed with Endo about 5 years ago. I have been told that I have stage 4 which is the most severe case. After my first surgery I was put on Lupron for 6 months and had really bad hot flashes. After the 2nd surgery (2 years after the first) they just put me on a new birth control pill - Desogen.

Since my 2nd surgery I have had 3 failed IUI's and this past March I did my first IVF, it resulted in what they call a biochemical pregnancy only and I miscarried. My doctor seems to think this is good news because it proved that I could get pregnant. She had me on Vioxx - that was the only thing that not only took the pain away but I didn't even feel like I was on my period, I just felt like it was a normal day.

I have been to my primary care doctor and they have given me Viocodin, Tylenol3(with codine) and now since Vioxx has been taken off the market - Bextra (which I hear is also under review and could be pulled off the market like Vioxx) I have Fibromyalgia too so that is why they give me arthritis medication but it helps alot. I have also read that there seems to be a link between Endometriosis and Fibromyalgia.

So for now I take the Bextra a day or 2 before I start and 2 or 3 days into my cycle depending on the pain. This helps too because I used to get horrible chest pains during my periods and ever since I was on Vioxx I haven't had them.

We are going to start the process of adoption next year because we are living with my parents while our house is being built, in the meantime I am going to see a different IVF doctor and try at least one more time - iregardless of the outcome we will still adopt - We have plenty of love and happiness to give a child, I just can't wait.

I told my husband the other day... my biological clock isn't just ticking - the alarm is going off and I can't shut it off

Good luck to everyone in your adoption Journey . For those still dealing with alot of pain really find a doctor who listens and is compassionate to your needs, this makes a huge difference. The first doctor I ever saw when I found out I had to have surgery said I had to have a hysteroctomy right away - I was 23!I never saw him again

Thanks for listening - sorry for being so long

Cristina