(no subject)

[1015satnight.livejournal.com]

This is just venting... but I need to get it out and it's not usually considered "polite" conversation...

So, I've just about had it up to HERE with my period.

It just knocks me off my ass for about three-four days. And that doesn't count the emotional part. Because that's psychotic in itself. And that hits two days before. Anyway, this is strictly physical. First, I throw up for a good day and a half. Everything makes me nausous (sp?) and I can't keep anything down. Then I get the cramps and I can't move. I sit in my bed in the fetal position for about a day. If I'm lucky, I'm finished throwing up at this point. If not, I can't move, I'm paralyzed with cramps AND I'm vomiting all over the place. Then, I start the bleeding and honestly, I think I must lose 3/4 of my blood when I get my period because for about 24 hours, it's out of control. I can't wear tampons because I have yet to find a tampon that fits comfortably and captures all the blood. So, I buy those really big Grandmother night very heavy pads. And I go through (and no exageration here) six or seven pads an hour for the first three hours. Once, I was in the shower and I was losing so much blood that I passed out. This was about two years ago and I still have the scar from where I hit my forehead against the bathtub.

I've discussed this over and over with my gyno because honestly, it DOES interrupt my daily life. I'm home right now while my friends and boyfriend all went out but I'm throwing up, my stomach hurts and I'm bleeding all over the place. I had endometriosis removed about three years ago and I had cysts removed a year before that but as of late, there's nothing wrong according to her. And I CAN'T take the pill. I can't put estrogen in my body because I get VERY sick from it. So, the pill is out. Even the lowest lowest estrogen ones. I've TRIED.

I eat really healthy. I don't drink a lot of caffeine. I quit drinking alcohol because it made my period worse (if you can believe it.) I exercised daily. Like really exercise... I started exercising because I thought maybe I would lose my period. (Yeah, healthy, I know.) No such luck.

Thanks for letting me vent. It's back to the couch now with my ginger ale, motrin and heating pad.

Comments

[kibbles.livejournal.com]

Doesn't endo come back? I knew someone who had it, and had two babies very quickly because as far as she knew, the only way to REALLY get rid of it was, something that would screw her fertility up. (Remove her uterus? Dont remember.) This was about 7 years ago though, so who knows what they do now.

I would switch my doctor, personally. Until I found one that would accept that something is WRONG. What you go through doesn't sound normal, like it should be blown off.

Meanwhile, have you tried (it will knock you out tho) Doans back medication? Its a really strong OTC muscle relaxant. Ive done that when desperate. And Aleve relieves pain for me better than other stuff.

Feel better and get better.

[ex-ending606.livejournal.com]

I am so, so sorry.
I was starting to have minor problems with my period- once I went on birth control they were fine... I...
Poor babe. Get some Ben & Jerry's ice cream and the movie "What Women Want"... 's what I did last time, seems to be an overall mood-lifter.

Hey, that and stop vomiting. *laugh*

Oh my God, you poor thing!

[hercellardoor.livejournal.com]

I have no idea if this is even an option.....but the new IUD (meridia I think it's called) releases a small amount of hormone locally only (just in the uterian area).
Also, when I was pregnant with my second son, I gave myself B-6 shots once a week to combat nausea.(worked wonders for my whole hormonal well being). It's also been known to really help with periods......FIRE YOUR DOCTOR, she/he is obviously not taking you seriously. go shopping for someone who will treat this like the serious problem it is. You owe it to yourself! Good Luck!

Re: Oh my God, you poor thing!

[bonniebon.livejournal.com]

yeah, I was going to suggest the new IUD, I think its called Mirena. I read an article a while back about how this IUD has saved a lot of endometriosis sufferers from having to have hysterectomys. It only releases progesterone, so no estrogen involved, and it supresses menstruation. My Mum has one of these and she said it has stopped her periods completley (which is what she wanted).

[stephaniesue.livejournal.com]

hi -

i have endo and have had problems with my period since i was a teenager (i'm33 now). i've been through it all in regards to bad periods and endo so i unfortunately know a lot about this stuff.

you should definitely seek another doctor. you should not have to live with so much pain and bleeding. endo does come back. it's notorious for it. so i think you should find another physician who is more helpful to you. also, losing so much blood you pass out or go through 6-7 big pads an hour is something that needs to be taken seriously - the rule of thumb i was always told by numerous doctors/clinics/etc is if you're going through more than one maxipad or tampon an hour, you need to be seen.

if you cannot tolerate estrogen, therefore eliminating the pill from being an option for you, has your doctor mentioned possibly using DepoProvera (the shot)? that is progesterone, not estrogen, and if it works for you it would stop your periods altogether. you'd need to get the shot every 3 months. for some women it is wonderful and works great. it might be something for you to check out.

good luck to you. i sympathize with all you are going through, as i have been there myself and know what it's like. i hope you find some relief soon.

~stephanie

I hope you find a solution :)

[bonniebon.livejournal.com]

I posted a couple of days ago about the herb Agnus Castus (well, actually its a berry) and how it can help with menstrual problems by correcting estrogen dominance. I recomend you do an internet search on this interesting herb and see if you come up with any reports on how it might help with endmetriosis.
heres a couple of articles I found about it:

http://www.gnc.com/health_notes/Herb/Vitex.htm

http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/endometriosis/endo_herbal.htm

http://www.scientificherbals.com/chasteberry.asp

hope thats useful :)

[the-marionette.livejournal.com]

Find a new gyno because yours sounds like a dip shit.

[melonaise.livejournal.com]

I definitely second the idea of getting a second opinion! Maybe one who has had a lot of experience with those recovering from endo.

Look into the estrogen-mimicking effects of soy. It can compete with your natural estrogen for the receptors, but doesn't behave in the same way. Maybe just add a little bit of soy to your diet to see if it makes things better or worse-- maybe soy milk, cause the hormones in cow's milk probably aren't beneficial to anyone. Soy milk comes in lots of flavors and doesn't go bad as quick as regular milk-- make sure you get the kind with extra calcium, though.

There's a group of endo girls on livejournal, endometriosis. I'm sure they'd like to hear about your experiences with recovery. :)

Re:

[1015satnight.livejournal.com]

i'm vegan. so, yeah, i know a lot about soy.
one of the reasons i went vegan was to eliminate estrogen other than mine in my life&diet.

Adding my voice to the chorus

[gaijina.livejournal.com]

I know this is about what everyone is saying, but I think it deserves to be said again-- please please please go to another gyno. Don't settle for one until you hear them say, "You have a serious medical problem and I am going to do everything I can to help you get better." Keep being proactive about your health, too-- arm yourself with knowledge and force your doctors to listen to you. Your period should not be a disability!
Good luck... keep us posted.

[urania.livejournal.com]

oooh yeah. get another doc. yeah, it's a hassle to go through your history again--but your doctor isn't doing his/her job if your needs and concerns are not being addressed.

also: common sense stuff you probably already know :)... before and during the heavier part of your period, make sure you drink LOTS of water and, if you're not already, take an iron supplement (may have to cut it down to half of one cause they can upset your stomach)... that should help your body cope with the blood loss. but that amount of blood loss is MAJOR... certainly a health concern and something your doctor should be actively concerned about. (in my un-medical opinion)