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Katina,
I Have endo.I was diagnosed when I was 14 years old.I know what you mean about pain killers .....done them all.I felt really great for about the first 2 years and even had a 4th baby with no help from the dr's.But....it came back.My dr.did a surgery to remove the lining of my uteris so that the bleeding would be reduced,in some people it goes away completly.I have a light period every 2-3 months,but still cramp like HELL!I have started taking Ponstil for the cramps and it seems to be working well,I start taking them the day before when I can feel it building up.Now I have cysts on my overies and we are talking about a hysterectomy b/c it is always something,and I don't have time not to feel good.
Hope this helps.



Becky
SAHM~
Emma,Amber,Ian 8/18/99
Olivia 9/29/00

Becky
Realtor in Ohio and Indiana
Emma,Amber,Ian 8/18/99
Olivia 9/29/00

Hi, I also had endomitriosis before my pregnancy. Things seem fine now my gremlins are 21 months. But I only found my endo when I was trying to get pregnant and failed. No pain, no bleeding nothing abnormal except for missed periods. Kept getting my hopes up for pregnancy.:'( Thy removed most of my ovaries with my surgery requiring me to use donor eggs (my sister) for my IVF. I have heard that pregnancy really helped to slow it down so hopefully we are done with it.

Kristen

Olivia, Jarod, Ethan

Same here. They only found my endo when I had not conceived after a round of Gonal-F. No symptoms whatsoever. MD lasered it off and VOILA..guess I didn't need those fertility drugs after all.

Jinx

Josie, Sam and Fiona Sept 26 2003

Katina,
I have had several surgeries for my endometriosis. My boys are now 4 1/2 yrs old. I haven't had any more symptoms of endo so I hope it is gone forever. I can say that both my sister and I had years of dealing with endo and my mother never did. She had children very young and then again in her late 30's. I'm sure having babies really does help.

Good luck!

Angel (mom to Justin, Andrew, Brandon 9 yrs, Angie 15 yrs)

I had grade III endo, too, as well as laparoscopy, laser surgery, etc. Pregnancy usually helps to keep it at bay or in some cases reverse it, at least for a while, but it often comes back.

My oldest is 5 and my multiples are 4. I am now almost 18 weeks pregnant with another singleton. I have not had the horrible periods from before, but that doesn't mean it isn't regrowing. But if it is, at least another pregnancy will hopefully keep it away or get rid of it again for a while.

Endometrial ablation can help with bleeding problems and some other period problems, but unfortunately doesn't usually help with endometriosis, as the pain and problems associated with endometriosis are due to endometrial plugs growing outside of the uterus. So, even if you have no intrauterine lining, you still have all those plugs growing and sheding and scarring and causing pain each month outside of the uterus. Hysterectomy will often get rid of it, but also isn't always a cure-all. If the plugs are extensively through the abdomen, then the only way to stop the progression and pain is to halt hormone production, which isn't good if you aren't of menopausal age. You can use Lupron, which induces menopause, which has shown to be effective for a lot of women and it is something that can be repeated in the future. There are also specialists in endometriosis that are better at removal of the endometrial plugs than others. Many physicians will go in and just remove the endometrial plugs that are positively identified as endometriosis. Active, bleeding plugs are often the only ones removed, as that is what is viewed as endometriosis, but there are some physicians who are skilled at identifying newly forming or dormant plugs of endometrial tissue that isn't active yet. If all of those can be removed, then chances are good it won't return.

My long-winded answer is basically it may or may not return, but it probably will, but there are a myriad of treatment options. I have also heard that having a tubal ligation can also increase your risks and problems with period-associated pain and endometriosis, so I will NOT be having my tubes tied at the end of this pregnancy. DH is trading in his family model for a sports model!

Michelle

Mom to three beautiful girls and a precious baby boy!

http://www.shaklee.net/healthyhomematters

Hi Katina,
I was an endo sufferer prior to attempting an IVF to have a baby.
I had quads from that IVF, and then went on to have a spontaneous singleton shortly thereafter.
I am happy to report to you that I am 6 years endo-free. I have had no recurrances of endo or even a symptom.
I changed my diet, exercise, and lifestyle.
I also have been on the POP pill for 5 years now, getting ready to go off it to the shot soon.
I think all the mentioned above helped keep my endo at bay.
But, believe me, I do vividly recall the pain and the long road I traveled to be pain and endo-free. It was not an easy journey.
If I can help you more, please feel free to PM me here.
Also, if you are familar with the Endometriosis Association, please get their book "Overcoming Endometriosis." I felt that book was a Godsend.
http://www.endometriosisassn.org/endo.html
Be well,
7mozz

Katina,
Another benefit for you being on the POP pill post partum, you can breastfeed if you choose. It is safe for mom and baby!
That is initially why I went on it. I had a singleton, and didn't want any more surprises, but I wanted to breastfeed him. The POP allowed me to do that. My body got so used to it, that I just stayed on it. Plus, since it's mainly progesterone, it keeps that pesky estrogen away (endo loves estro!! hee )
A few other little perks that helped me:
Limit your caffeine intake, avoid wearing tampons, no sex during menstration, and keep your sugar intake down.
I drink detox tea, take Evening Primrose Oil (EPO), Don Quai, and exercise.
Check with your doctor always before starting a regimen.
7mozz