Endometriosis

[DownWithGluten]

Hi all. This has probably been discussed before. I saw some threads of people having endometriosis in addition to celiac/gluten intolerance...also some suggesting there is a link.

I'm beginning to wonder if I have endometriosis. Obviously I'm gluten intolerant (since i'm on this site!) and also have hashimoto's. But I've almost always had severe cramps. Not when I first started, but maybe a few years after my initial period, it's always been bad. I was prescribed Vioxx once for it, which actually worked like a charm, but now that's off the shelf for causing strokes. I was then told to take extra Ibuprofen which after 5 or so years started causing severe heartburn. They suggested going on birth control, to help. I have, but that really hasn't helped either. The doctor suggested at one point that the amount of pain could be endometriosis, and I'm beginning to wonder if, since even going on birth control hasn't helped, if I have it.

Last night it was so bad that it was almost like sharp/intense pain that would wake me up, and my period hasn't even happened this month yet. I'm just getting frustrated about this and wondering if it's more than just regular menstrual cramps.

So my question is - for those here who have it, at what point did you decide to get it checked out?

[Skylark]

I had a laser laproscopy and a course of lupron in my early 20s because the pain was bad and my Dr. wanted to be sure it wasn't a pelvic infection. Now I keep it quiet with birth control pills. Pregnancy is supposed to help, but that's not gonna happen for me.

[gfmolly]

Hi,

I had a laparoscopy as well and a course of lupron. I did have two children and the symptoms returned shortly after the pregnancy hormones went away. The lupron really helped me the most. If it's bothering you enough to wake you up at night, getting it checked out is a good idea.

Hi all. This has probably been discussed before. I saw some threads of people having endometriosis in addition to celiac/gluten intolerance...also some suggesting there is a link.

I'm beginning to wonder if I have endometriosis. Obviously I'm gluten intolerant (since i'm on this site!) and also have hashimoto's. But I've almost always had severe cramps. Not when I first started, but maybe a few years after my initial period, it's always been bad. I was prescribed Vioxx once for it, which actually worked like a charm, but now that's off the shelf for causing strokes. I was then told to take extra Ibuprofen which after 5 or so years started causing severe heartburn. They suggested going on birth control, to help. I have, but that really hasn't helped either. The doctor suggested at one point that the amount of pain could be endometriosis, and I'm beginning to wonder if, since even going on birth control hasn't helped, if I have it.

Last night it was so bad that it was almost like sharp/intense pain that would wake me up, and my period hasn't even happened this month yet. I'm just getting frustrated about this and wondering if it's more than just regular menstrual cramps.

So my question is - for those here who have it, at what point did you decide to get it checked out?

[Cheryl-C]

Interesting! I have endometriosis and pelvic congestion syndrome. Pelvic Congestion was first diagnosed 7 years ago, 5 years ago for the endo. My gluten issues have been recently discovered.

I would say it sounds like you have endometriosis, though it could also be pelvic congestion. Depending where you have it, it could cause painful periods, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea with your period, pain during and after intercourse (any old time), and other lovely issues. Feel free to PM for more info.

For everyone else: my basic treatment has been birth control pills of different varieties. Endometriosis sucks, and a lot of people have no idea what it is so you spend a lot of time getting harassed. I can't tell you how many women have given me serious cut-eye and said, "We all have periods, stop complaining." Ugh. Trust me, there are periods, and there are PERIODS.