My complications story/Acupuncture RECOMMENDED

Hi everyone,

I finally found the courage to write my story, here, for all to see.

I am 35 and had a TAH, kept left ovary on 3/17/03. I had stage four endo, painful periods and painful sex. My periods were more like a shedding of skin than bleeding. Out of fear, I put off seeing a Dr, for many years. Two years ago I was no longer able to wear tampons and about 1 year ago I finally went in and ended up having a Lap-scope. They closed me back up and said the endo had not attacked my ovaries, yet, but I needed to have a hyster or go on lupron. I now feel that my worse mistake was not to choose the lupron, prior to the hyster.

I had my first surgery on 3/17. They removed everything except my left ovary, as the endo had attacked my right ovary and also got inside of my apendex. <which they removed>. I woke to horrible pain that lasted for about 9hours. Two days later they said that my blood count was going down, quickly and that I may have an internal bleed. They went back in on 3/20 to find that the endo, that he had scraped out, kept "ozzing" so I was bleeding internally. The Dr still does not understand "why".I had to have one transfusion of blood. I was sent home three days later, began to run a fever and was back in the hospital three days after my release.<wend>. While I was using the Rest Room an dhad a BM, something went pop and I was barely able to move.

This time was different, I felt my body failing and the Dr's did not know what was going on. They had to call in three other Specialist, a blood Dr, another GYN and a internal specialist. They performed more tests than I knew exisisted, all of which hurt. They also thought I had a blood clot in my lung, <Thank god that was not the caes> Instead, They learned that I had a bowl obstruction, my blood was not rebuilding and it appeared that I had several adhesions forming in my belly, with a growing infection. The 3rd surgery was on 3/27. They re-cut the same bikini line and also from the belly button, down. They repaied the bowl, fed me two more bags of irrated blood, took everything out, cleaned it, removed the MANY areas of infection and back to my room I went. This time was different, this time the Dr's put me in a High risk catagory and told my Mom, <who we flew out> and my partner that they were not sure if I was going to pull through and time was the only teller. I had four days of antibotics thru my IV, shots in my belly two times a day, <to prevent a blood clot>, Pepcid, pain meds and more enemas than you'd think a nurse could tolerate. <laff>.
Make a long story kinda short, I stayed in the hospital for ten days, most of which I sweated all nite long, having to change the bed and me 4-6 times a nite. I was not able to wipe my rear end for a week and I lost 26 pounds. I only weighed 130 when this all began, so I looked pretty bad. It was the first time in my life that I truely did not feel that I was going to make it out of the hospital. I began to make plans and discuss things that, at 35, you simply don't think of. It was a very difficult time for my family and friends. As the pain got worse and my body kept failing I became peaceful and resolved to the fact that I was going to die.

My body is a mess, I Have a lump on the right side where the drain was <I had a drain becuz of the infection> It remained in for 9 days and when they pulled it out, and they do just Pull it, it seems to have caused major scar tissue, much like a hernia. If you ever have a drain ask them for some pain meds and a calming shot BEFORE they pull it out. It hurts, ALOT.

The Dr's still dont' understand what went wrong and I kept feeling horrible. I was not able to use the potty, normally, the pain was horrible and my belly was hard as a rock, from internal adhesions forming.

Someone recommened that I see an Acupuncturist. <spelling> It was actually my primary care Dr. Alas I found a really good one and to my amazement it's working for EVERY problem I have. He is a chinesse Dr that is VERY well known and respected here in S Cal. He is treating me once a week, now, with herb suppliments and such. I was a none believer in such a treatment method, but I can honestly say it's giving me hope and my life back. I am terrified of needles, yet they don't hurt. Seems the key is to find a chinesse trained/ born Dr. They say the american ones are able to get their degree's fairly easy and do not go thru the Schooling that the Chinesse Dr's do. <I have no idea if that's true, but have heard from friends that have seen american Acu dr's that they had poor results>

I'm grateful to be alive and I'm thankful that I found a treatment that works better than any pill or any more surgery. <they want to go bcak in and clean out the bump, but with the Chinesse Dr. treatment the bump is going down on it's own>.

Lastly, I also learned that those of us with stage 3-4 endo run a larger risk of complications because when they do the hyster and dig to get the endo out, they often will cause a lot of bleeding. The recommened method for those who have endo as bad as mine is to have the Lupron shot, let the endo die and have the hyster about 1-2 years later. I wish I would have learned that PRIOR to doing my surgery.

I hope my story helps. Some insurance's pay for Eastern Medicine and often you will find that Chinesse Dr's will help you defry cost if you tell them it's an issue.

Good luck and if you have questions please feel free to email me.

Stephanie

Great big to you! Your story touched my

You've been through so much...I glad you are having positive results with the accupuncture. Hopefully dear sister, this will be the end of the days of pain for you and the start of healthy, painfree ones.

I'll keep you in my and send positive energy thoughts your way.

Lori

... you know, you are my hero?

I knew you had been through the grinder but we never got down to the full story in chat. I am in awe of what you have been through and yet you have a personality that shines!

You are a true survivor and have courage greater than I ever had!

I know you will never let any of this beat you and I am impressed that you wanted to share this with everyone, for learning and experience. It is experience of others that teaches the rest of us.

Thank you for sharing... and you* know, I wish you all my good thoughts!

**hugs**

Hi,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You have certainly experienced a "dark night of the soul," as well as for the body, mind and spirit. Yet, you have emerged with a sense of healing and courage. I do believe in many alternative options. Those of us on the road are faced with many challenges, and the more we are able to seek opinions, options and share with one another, the more we will be able to turn our darkest hours into light. I have never tried acupuncture, but I am certainly open to this and I appreciate the advice. I did try other remedies before my hyst, some helped, but eventually, the endo and fibroids won the battle and I had to have the surgery. I started the battle with endo when I was 29 and had my left ovary removed with a huge endo cyst. After years and problems and procedures, I had my hyst and bladder repair in 2000 at 40 years old. The next year I had a prolapse, lots of adhesions and had to have a posterior repair. And now, eight and a half weeks ago I had bladder sling surgery, since the first bladder surgery had failed. I deal with IBS and diverticulosis, which I never experiened before my hyst. Sometimes I do feel the surgeries have contributed to ongoing problems. Some things get fixed, but then another problem turns up. I'm wondering if acupuncture can help the IBS, and I'm thinking it can. Thank you so much for sharing. I will hold you in a vision of health, and I'm so glad you are doing better now.
Love, Light, Blessings
Druid

Bless your heart....you've been through so much. Big gentle 's. Thanks for sharing with us. I also have never been a believer in accupuncture..but your post has me thinking that it may be worth trying if my insurance will cover it. I'm to the point that I'm willing to try anything. I am going for an MRI on Thursday morning......depending on what that shows, I may look into it. I hope your health continues to improve. I wish you all the best.

Dawn

OH MY STEPHANIE!

What an ordeal you have had. It must get better for you. I found it interesting about your Chinese trained dr. Just the other day my FP meantioned that he works with Chinese Urologist Clinic. He says they are very good but difficult to understand. He still recommend I stay with present uro but if it doesn't work out I will definately run to the China Trained dr.
Thank you for sharing your story,
Terry

Stephanie,
Thank you sharing your story. You certainly have had a hard time of it. I am so glad to hear that you are doing better.

My doc has recommended accupuncture for my ongoing pelvic and abdominal pain. I am happy to hear a success story. My doctor also tells me that Western medicine has failed me and it's time to look outside the box. He did recommend an Osteopathic doctor who has helped me more than any other doctor. Sometimes it is worthwhile to seek out other types of doctors.

I'm sending you some more s