Hi everyone, I'm new to this group. I happened to stubble apon this forum while looking up info on adoption and also while trying to find out some more thing's about my endometriosis.

I'm barley 19 yr's old and 2 year's ago I found out that I had endometriosis. At that time I had no clue what it was, what it could do to me, how much it could effect the rest of my life. All I knew was that I was in a lot of pain.:confused: . My doctor tried several different types of birth control on me. But nothing seemed to help. It just made everything much worse. My doctor had suggested the lupron shot. But my insurance wouldn't cover it so there for that was out of the question.

Now 2 year's down the line, I'm finally getting on the ball about this. Only because the pain has gotten so bad that I can't walk. It has kept me from doing anything normal. Keeping a Job is the worst thing of all. I'm due to have surgery again next month, with a new doctor. I'm scared! I'm terafide his going to tell me they have to take everything. Which leaves me with no chance of having a child. I'm scared that all my hopes and dreams are going to end when I go into that hospital. I have support now that I didn't have before. But I would really like to talk to somebody that has a better understanding of what I'm going through. My girlfriend is here for me 100% and so is my bestfriend. But they don't have a clue what it's like going through this personally like you all do. So I'd be very greatful if someone could get back to me.

Hi Wantin!
I know what you're going through! My endometriosis was diagnosed at 19 after they tested me for everything else first! I was passing out in my college classes from pain and no one could tell me what was wrong. Well, six laser surgeries later, it just kept coming back! I tried the pills, the shots, even induced menopause, but nothing worked. I was unable to have children and finally decided to have the hysterectomy. They had to take my ovaries, too, so I'm 33 and going through menopause! Thankfully, I take hormone replacement!! It's such a strange thing to have, because some women have it really bad and others don't! But I will tell you that I will never have another period and my pain is completely gone!!! My husband and I decided to foster to adopt and we have sweet, adorable twin 7 month olds with us right now that we may be able to adopt! I understand what you're going through, but when one door closes, another one opens up! Make sure you pick a good surgeon, I've had a few bad ones and the recovery is harder if they don't use a laser! My mom went trough this after I was born. My cousin is going through it now at 21. I hope they find a better way of curing it or dealing with it soon! Take care of yourself and pm me if you ever want / need to chat!

Hi!
I'm 36 years old and was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian disease @ 19 and endometriosis @ 21. I had laser surgery, endometrial biopsies, spent 2 years doing BBT charts and was told I'd NEVER have children. I persisted with OB-GYN's until I thought I would go nuts! Same history with pain, depression , fear and just about every birth-control pill invented. After 5 laser surgeries and 2 miscarriages, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy when I was 27. Another laser surgery 2 years later and I had my awesome daughter at age 30, when she was 2 I had to have a total hysterectomy. As emotionally draining as it was, I would do it all over again. Don't lose faith, It can happen.

"wantinbutwaitin" Hi, I am 28 years old and was diagnosed with HIGH endo when I was only 18. I want to share my quick and probably common story.....

I went through numerous lap surgeries, exams, many bc pills and finally the Lurpon shot. My doctor and I regret the Lupron shot due to it's side effects, etc. I am patiently waiting for the one month dosage of Lupron to wear off to feel "normal" again. Everyone is different when it comes to Lupron treatment.

I want to share a few things I've learned over the past several years in dealing with Endo:
#1 KNOW YOUR DOCTOR....I was lucky to find what I believe to be a very compationate and knowledgable doctor. MAKE SURE you are THAT COMFORTABLE with the doctor you've chosen. If you feel decisions are being made and not made clear to you, it's time to find a new doctor! My doctor has been very supportive and open with the stages and processes of Endo. I was not so scared when he sat me down and fully explained everything to me. I didn't even know what the word Endometriosis stood for until I was actually being diagnosed. It would have been difficult to come home after emergency surgery and start researching this subject without my own health's status at hand. It would have been very very scary!

#2 KNOW, PLEASE KNOW that women, QUITE A FEW IN FACT, who have been diagnosed with the WORST form of Endo have still successfully conceived! aka keep your faith with this! Although I was told I can conceive, I chose (before knowledge of even having Endo) to adopt internationally.

#3 DO NOT FEEL ALONE when your friends and family do not know about Endo. Although it sounds foreign, believe that it is more common than you know! Some women go through life never even knowing they have it! My own mom didn't realize much about it until I was diagnosed! Noone around me knew about it let alone could properly repeat/pronounce endometriosis.

You are at the SAME AGE I was when 1st diagnosed and seems the same "scared" chair. Do NOT be frightened!!! please! Not only are the caring individuals on this board here for you but 90+ million American women have Endo. Unless absolutly confirmed by not one but several OBGYN specialists, do not believe there is a brick wall in front of you. Have faith in the fact that yes, it is a scary thing to be informed of at first.....but trust me, with proper knowledge and medical care, you will gain control. If you or anyone else reading this message feels alone about Endo....do not hesitate to email me. I live in New Jersey. My email is kas324@aol.com.

Take care and God Bless!
-Kelly

Hi wantinbutwaitin

I know how you feel. It is scary and at times you do feel horribly alone. I am 28 years old and just found out last year that I had endo. For about 10 years I complained of horrible menstrual cramps, constant pain, and multiple miscarriages. Unfortunatley for that 10 years I had a bad doctor. She told me that "monthlies are just worse for some women" my own mother told me "You have a low pain tolerance toughen up"... Nobody understood. Until last June when I was pg again after IUI's.. this time with triplets!! There was a growth on my left ovary and my body re-absorbed the babies. They went in and found stage 4 endo. The worst my new doctor had ever seen. She cleaned me up the best she could. I then underwent the shots that throw you into menopause but the endo only got worse. In October of last year I had a complete hysterectomy. It wasn't easy then and it isnt easy now but its getting easier... Sometimes life throws a barricade in you path .. you just have to find a way around it. It's perfectly normal to be scared of your surgery, but its great that you have a g/f that is 100% supportive of your battle. I dont know what I would have done without DH by my side through all of this.

You aren't alone though and I'm here if you need someone to talk to. Feel free to pm me!!



~Wendy

[sandh]

Wantinbutwaitin,


I was recently diagnosed though I have suspected it for about 15 years (dr's didn't want to diagnose it but I don't know why - both my mother and i suggested it but it was always blown off) I was even told by one Dr that bad cramps were a sign of fertility (I could absolutely smack him for that now). Anyway, in many ways i am glad I was not diagnosed until I was older (nearly 31) as I would have said OK to what ever they said and let the Dr's determine my treatment with no input from me. Luckily, as I have gotten older and dealt with more doctors about various things, i have learned to ask questions and to do more research before my follow up appointments.

It seems to me that the more you know when you go in and the more good questions you ask , the more receptive and understanding the Dr's are. If you are not comfortable enough to talk honestly with your physician, find one with whom you are comfortable. At the end of the day, it is your body and you have to live with the decisions. Write down all of your questions and concerns so you don't forget anything (I had 6 pages of questions when I went in on Tuesday). Let your Dr know that preserving your fertility is a big priority for you. If he/she doesn't think that is a good idea - look until you find one who does.

The book "What to do when the Doctor says it's Endometriosis" by Dr. Thomas Lyons and Cheryl Kimball has a list of questions that you may want to ask your Dr. before proceding with various treatments.

Do not accept their diagnosis as gospel. Doctors are wonderful but they are just people and some know more than others, some are better surgeons than others, some are more compassionate that others. Find the right one for you.

Never give up on your dream. Stay Strong. you are not alone.

LiveSTRONG - Go Lance!!!