Tuesday, December 29, 2009

I am Sick of Endometriosis

I usually don't rant about myself, but here it goes. It seems as though my endometriosis is baaack. The pain from endometriosis (endo) can be extreme. Don't get me wrong any relief I get from this horrible disease is great and somehow I was pain free for about 5 or 6 months which I am extremely grateful for but for the past 2-3 years I have had to deal with excruciating pain. I have had trouble with endo since I was 19 yrs old. Over the past 13 years I have had a total of five surgeries with regards to endometriosis. The first one was to identify the endo. The second and third surgeries were to remove the endo using a technique called ablasion, or burning it out. The fourth surgery was actually a non-surgery or my doctor could do nothing because the endo was so widespread inside me. In between that and the fifth surgery I went on something called Depo-Lupron that makes you go into menopause. That helped me out a little while I waited for my next surgery. My last surgery was more complicated than the rest and thus I had to see a specialist who was one out of  only two doctors in PA that performed the surgery I needed. He performed a laparscopic presacral neurectomy and also did a combination of excising (cutting away) and ablation (burning away) of the endometriosis. He was fabulous and a very kind doctor who answered any and all questions my husband and I had about the surgery. Well, in February of this year I started having problems again and went back on the Lupron in May. Thank Goodness that it has helped me for about six months. I am trying to think positive but sometimes its hard with dealing with all the pain. I know God is looking out for me but I hope he leads me to a sit down job. Thank You for listening to my rant. Here is some information on endometriosis:



Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrium) grows in other areas of the body, causing pain, irregular bleeding, and possible infertility.

The tissue growth (implant) typically occurs in the pelvic area, outside of the uterus, on the ovaries, bowel, rectum, bladder, and the delicate lining of the pelvis. However, the implants can occur in other areas of the body, too.

The cause of endometriosis is unknown, but there are a number of theories. One suggests that the endometrial cells (loosened during menstruation) may "back up" through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis, where they implant and grow in the pelvic or abdominal cavities. This is called retrograde-menstruation.


Other theories include:

A faulty immune system causes menstrual tissue to implant and grow in areas other than the uterine lining

Cells lining the abdominal cavity may develop endometriosis

Certain families may have problems with their genes that make a woman more likely to develop endometriosis
Presacral Neurectomy is the surgical removal of the presacral plexus – the group of nerves that conducts the pain signal from the uterus to the brain.

26 comments:

Matt said...

Wow, I hope this gets treated successfully.

blackandgoldfan said...

Teresa: I am so sorry the ablation didn't work for you. I know it has been a Godsend for me. I wish I knew what to say; it sounds like you've been through so much.

I will keep you in my prayers and hope that God gives you relief. Keep me posted!!!

(((hugs)))

Most Rev. Gregori said...

Teresa; I know it may not seem like much, especially when you are suffering, but my prayers shall be with you for a speedy recovery.

I wish that there was more I could do, but unfortunately, like the rst of mankind, I am but a man.

Teresa said...

Matt,
Thanks. Me too.

Teresa said...

blackandgoldfan,
Thank You very much for your prayers.

I am happy that ablation has worked well for you. Being pain free is great. My first two surgeries using ablation worked great, but I guess the more you have surgeries the less it works. I don't know.

God Bless!!:)

Teresa said...

Most Rev. Gregori,
Thanks so much. Believe me I wish there were more options at this point. I am just praying and hoping my pain gets better soon.


I see the doc on Thursday so I'll see what he says.

Opus #6 said...

Oh, Teresa, I'm sorry you have had to go through so much and are continuing to go through it. In my days on Fertilityfriend.com I met a number of ladies with endo. The suffering is very real.

Thank you for trusting us enough to share this. Friends (and that is what I feel we are) are here to help each other. I will hold you in my thoughts and prayers.

The Conservative Lady said...

Teresa:
Oh, I know you are suffering a lot of pain with that problem. I suffered terrible with endometriosis myself years ago. It felt like someone was tearing my insides out. Surgery to remove an ovary and a fallopian tube solved my problem.
I hope your endo problem will be solved and your pain ended soon. I'll keep you in my prayers, too.

Eric Graff said...

I'm glad you shared this Teresa. You did the right thing. Yes, it is personal but how were we to know of the pain and problem which has attacked you. You are now on the Prayer Chain and we rebuke this condition that has been placed inside you and we petition The Master Physician, Our Lord and Savior Jesus, to heal you and ask this condition be halted in the name of God Our Father. You have my prayers, my support, and my friendship. Should you need more than words, you must ask. How can we give when no need is apparent?

Be well, and know pain no more my friend.

RightKlik said...

That's a tough disease. Keep up the good fight.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry you are suffering like this. Your testimony puts my own minor aches and niggles into perspective. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May the New Year bring better health and successful treatment. All good wishes.

Teresa said...

OPie,
Thank You so much for your thoughts and prayers, my friend.

Teresa said...

The conservative Lady,
Endo is an awful disease and am happy that your problem with endo was taken care of. I am at a crossroads now with trying to have a baby.

But, maybe God is calling my husband and I to adopt? Who knows...

Teresa said...

Eman,
Thanks for adding me to your prayer chain. I appreciate your thoughts, prayers and support. God Bless!!

Teresa said...

RightKlik,
Thanks. I will.

Teresa said...

CambridgeLady,
Thank You so much for your thouhts and prayers. Happy New Year!!:)

tha malcontent said...

Hang in there honey, I know how you feel, but we have to take what is given to us.
You have my hopes and prays as well.

Rotti said...

Teresa, my heart goes out to you. My daughter suffers with Endo, has since her late teen years just like you. She never knew why she had so much pain until she wanted to get pregnant. She also had several surgeries, the Lupron etc. and could only conceive "in between" when all was kinda clear, and then ony through in vitro. However, the good news is, since the pregnancy there is much much less Endo and she's living a normal life now. so, you see, there is hope. Hang in there, you are special.

Teresa said...

Thanks, Mal

Teresa said...

Rotti,
Thank You so much for your kind words. That is awesome that your daughter was able to conceive.

The last time my doctor was talking about me having a hysterectomy but I refused knowing or feeling in my heart that I will conceive someday, hopefully soon.

Fuzzy Slippers said...

Aw, huggs to you, Teresa, this sucks, but your attitude is great. Rock on!

Amusing Bunni said...

Oh Dear, I missed this post with all going on. I"m so sorry to read that you are still in great pain. I hope you feel better soon. We just have to give our pains to the Lord, he is the great healer and physician. I will be praying extra hard for you to be pain free in the New Year and forever. God Bless, Teresa.

Teresa said...

Fuzzy slippers,
Thanks for the hugs.

Teresa said...

Bunni,
Thank You. I really appreciate your prayers. Believe me , I am trying to give my pains over to God. I am praying that they go away, and soon.

I hope you have a wonderful, healthy and prosperous New Year!!

Anonymous said...

:( *hugs* I am waiting for a referral to a specialist to see if anything can be done with my situation... I'm hoping 2010 has better news for both of us.

Teresa said...

Lovin Ma Soldier,
Thanks. I am hoping and praying you get good news in the New Year.

Thanks for the hugs.