Is it just my doctor??

Hey again...
I just went back to the doctors today. As some know who read some of my posts, I have had endomitriosis for 2 years. I have been on the Lupron Shot for 6 months, last month I stopped(But I started bleeding 2 days ago already), taking all types of birth control pills, had a lapriscopy surgery(I don't know how to really spell that) and been on all of pain medications, which don't work. My doctor told me flat off today, that he can't do nothing for me. He also said there was no cure so no matter what happened I most likely wouldn't be healed. He's taking me off of all my medication today, sending me to a psychiatrist, and also putting me on an anti-depressant pill. I been told from some of the sisters on here, that the hysterectomy won't take away the pain for the endomitriosis....will anything help? My chin is still held high...but the only thing that keeps me going, is being on here talking to some of ya'll knowing I'm not the only one going through this...but I'm very discouraged. I have noone to talk to. My mom isn't worried much about this(she wants me to have the hysterectomy to get rid of it already), my friends are more worried about guys, sex, drinking, and having fun...and here I am going to the doctors and having surgery. I don't know what to do anymore, but I'm still here...if there are any suggestions for endomitriosis, please help...!!!
Stefanie

Hi Stefanie

I've moved your post here from the Introduce Yourself forum so that you can get support and input from women who have dealt with endometriosis.

At your age I think avoiding surgery for as long as possible and trying alternatives is a very good idea. Have your mom or another adult help you do the research for alternatives. Be sure to check out the links in our Resources area. Here's a quick link to information about endometriosis.

I'm sending more s!

Hi Stef, both of my cousins were your age when they were first diagnosed with endo. Both had surgeries, blah, blah, blah, BUT neither had a hysto, and both are now mommies!!! If you are not getting treated the way you want, it's not wrong to find a new doctor. If your mom won't support you, find local services in the community you live in, planned parenthood, whatever.

Believe me, I know it is horrible to live with pain and bad periods, but any decision should be YOURS...

As for a psych and anti-depressants, there is something to be said about that helping to manage pain, but it won't make the problem go away.

My thoughts are with you sweetie, write again....

I'm sorry to hear that your doctor is shoving you out the door.

Sometimes it's for the best, at least he's being honest with you about his limitations. You might want to start searching for a doctor that specializes in endo.

I know that being referred to a psychiatrist can feel insulting, but you've not only been through a lot, but you've got a road to go down as well and having some counseling (whether it's what your doctor intended or not) is a good idea. Dealing with pain and the helplessness of a hard-to-treat disease can try even the toughest person.

I hope that these forums and your psychiatrist can help you find a path through all this.

Hugs and take care.

HI Stef

I'm so sorry to hear that you are so young and dealing with this

I have heard that there is no "cure" for endo except menopause. That is a long way off for you, so there are some other options to help you deal with the pain.

Here are a few articles to read on endometriosis Endo

Please try and find another doctor. Find two or three more if you need to. Doctors have very different approaches to treating endo. There are ladies who have had a hysterectomy and still suffer with the pain if the doctor did not remove it all, or they have kept their ovaries, or simply the surgery did not "cure" the endo.

There is no reason that at your age that you can't prolong a hysterectomy and find some releif in the meantime.

There is a book called "What your DR. may not tell you about menopause" It is written by DR. John Lee.

He states that many women could have avoided a hysterectomy by using progesterone cream. There are many other doctors who treat women with progesterone cream and it may not stop the endo completely, but it does offset the estrogen in your body and will lessen your monthly pain.

There are plenty of women who have a laproscopy (you might need several) done and the doctor can remove as much endo as possible and should help stop some of the pain.

There are options out there and you need to find a doctor who supports not having a major surgery at your age. As ((Marlajoy)) said If your mother is not supportive in helping you then find another family relative or friend or some community service to guide you.

I'm sending you big 's

Hi! I read all the messages you rec'd. & was surprised to see not one of them mentioned that if you do decide to find a doctor who will perform a hysterectomy on you instead of giving you anti-depressants & having you go see a shrink that if your uterus is removed-you will NO longer have the pain of endometriosis! No uterus-no endo. Makes since right? anyway-good luck!

I have to agree with troubled tabby in regard to the hysterctomy not being a cure for endo for some women. I had endo also and although I needed this hystectomy for several reasons, my doc did warn me that the only cure for endo would be menopause, my told doc said there is no guarantee endo would be cured through a hysterectomy because some times microcscopic pieces could be left behind or endo can cause scarring on other organs near the uterus.

Also, you can have endo and sometimes still have children, I had two since being diagnosed with endo and one of my docs told me I would not have any. There are some ladies even here who have had everything removed and the endo returned. Please make sure you explore all options before making a drastic decision at a young age.

I have to agree with troubled tabby & kk83. I've had endo for 16 years and just had TAH-BSO (in part due to the recurring endo, but not entirely). I'm not on HRT right now because any residual endo can be "brought back to life". In about 6 months I'll go on HRT. So even though technically I'm in menpoause now, it'll still be awhile before I can say I'm endo-free and don't have to worry about it returning. Endo can be microscopic and hide under organs so it's hard to get all of it that's why dr's usually have you go on the pill or Lupron if endo is discovered during a laparascopy.
There are still alot of options for you to explore without resorting to a hysterectomy for endo only at such a young age. You need to find a dr. who will help you with that. For what it's worth, I never ended up having any children, but it wasn't due to my endo or ovarian cysts, turns out my husband couldn't. How's that for ironic! All these years I'm preserving my fertility and surprise, it didn't matter! Oh, well, that's life. All this time we thought it was me.... A few years ago I had the dye shot through my tubes (by the way, not fun) and the dye just sailed through. So hang in there and hopefully some other options and a new dr. will help you.

Mb

HI

	Quote:
if your uterus is removed - you will NO longer have the pain of endometriosis

Unfortunately it isn't that easy. There are many women who have a hysterectomy and still find that they have the pain of endo.

Endometriosis has little microscopic pieces that like to "HIDE" everywhere throughout the body. Unless every microscopic piece is removed during surgery, then it can continue to be "active" and you will not cure the problem. Since edometriosis is feed off estrogen then the ovaries need to be removed and a women has to wait for a period of 3-6 months to "starve" off any remaining endo that may be left behind. There can be many unpleasant side effects of menopause while a women is waiting to start HRT.

This is a tough decision for alot of women because we are in pain and want the pain to go away. Some of us have had great results from the surgery, but unfortunately others haven't

My goes out to everyone who has to make this decision, When you are a teenager of 15 years old then the decision is a tough one because of course there is alot of years to consider quality of life issues free from pain, but at the age of 15 one must try and preserve fertility as long as possible.

Here is an article on the success rate of curing endo in young women.
Endo in young women

	Quote:
Originally posted by pgewife Hi! I read all the messages you rec'd. & was surprised to see not one of them mentioned that if you do decide to find a doctor who will perform a hysterectomy on you instead of giving you anti-depressants & having you go see a shrink that if your uterus is removed-you will NO longer have the pain of endometriosis! No uterus-no endo.

Whatever her decision might be, chronic pain and being in a difficult position of not being able to have children and facing the loss of her uterus is something to consider counseling for. It's not an either or, counseling can help most women feel better about their decisions and avoid so much heartache. Continuing to pursue treatment does not mean that she cannot ease her heartsickness too.

I think it's great that doctors consider our minds as well. A positive outlook and proactive attitude about your own health can make you a partner with your doctor in your well-being.

Take care.