9.07.2012

More girl talk. Endometriosis.

I have had a few people ask me about my endometriosis after hearing a tiny bit of my story back here, so I thought I'd share a bit about it for those interested and those looking into help for endometriosis. It is a very misunderstood disease that I feel anyone could benefit from learning a bit about. It is difficult to diagnose and took me a long time to figure out what was going on with my body. 

I was lucky enough to receive surgery to help relieve the pain. And now it has unfortunately come back. I expected that it would eventually, since it is likely if you are not using birth control(hormonal) or pregnant, but I just didn't expect it so soon.
Why no birth control? Oh, because I HATE it, and it hates me. My body does not handle it so well. I'm emotional, my hair falls out, it hurts, the bleeding never ends. I get it all. Trust me.

Endometriosis is when parts of the lining in the uterus that is shed each month (it's called a period if you didn't know already. ha) sneaks out into other parts of the abdomen, implants itself, bleeds, and HURTS. There is no way for those implantations to escape unless they are surgically removed. They can be very painful, differing for each case.

The big question. Does endometriosis mean you are infertile? ............ Not necessarily, but it increases your chances greatly. I have found many different statistics so I can't put a number to it, but I have found some saying 40% of women with it are infertile, others say 25%. So in other words, I don't know, and from what I've found, no one does. 

That brings me to another question I repeatedly get. Are you able to have children? We don't know yet if I will be able to have children, but my doctor did say that things look good post surgery. My concern now is that it is back, and I'm not sure how much damage is being done. We just have to be patient and trust that things will work out the way they are supposed to, when they are supposed to.

I have been doing a lot of research on how to naturally help control it (no, I don't really have any control at all, but I figured the small things are worth a try) since we are not insured out here, and I can't afford to be out of work for so long for another surgery anytime soon. I have found some great things, that wouldn't be so bad for weight, acne, and everyday health either! But it is HARD. I would be going gluten and dairy free. I so want to do it, but I'm scared. I don't know how. I love all gluten and dairy anything, but I believe it's worth a try. Any and all suggestions and tips are welcome! :) I successfully completed 1.5 days of gluten/dairy free this weekend, and broke my streak after church last sunday. I'm now going most of the day, but end up cheating a little bit each day.

Today I thought to research possible effects it may have on a baby if I happened to get pregnant, and THIS is what I found. I started to cry. It broke my heart. Then I learned this is false and none of it has been proved. Gosh I can't tell you how relieved I was.

Another question I get...... "What does it feel like?" It's hard to explain. And it changes often. The actual pain on the endometriosis spots feels sharp usually. Sometimes to the point of tears. Sometimes to the point of being curled up on the ground. Sometimes just a little squirm of the body. And sometimes just a small ache. It varies all the time. I also have some other symptoms that I'm not sure are from endometriosis, but I have discovered that they are symptoms. My lower back aches, my legs and feet hurt when I've been up for too long, I'm often tired, bloated, intercourse is uncomfortable, and bowel movements aren't so nice either. If that ain't TMI, I don't know what is. Sorry ya'll. You asked! That's also why I gave you the option above to continue reading or not. So no apologies. :)

How do you find out you have it? The only way to know for sure is by actually having the surgery done where they go and look for it. I wish there were another way, but there really isn't. I'm sure someday they'll find other ways to identify it.

For those interested, the surgery I had done was a laparoscopy. You can find more details on that here. I had a few other surgeries done at the same time for other things, but I think if I were to have the laparoscopy alone, my recovery would not have been bad at all. Maybe one or two weeks and I'd be good to go. I would recommend it any day. They make incisions in your abdomen, and go in through one incision with a camera and light, and the others with the cleaning scraping utensils. Sorry I'm not a surgeon. I don't know their lingo. I myself have considered going in for surgery every couple years rather than take birth control. Seriously, that's how bad I hate anything hormonal. 

Well there you have it. Good stuff eh? I have heard that they are discovering it in women more and more all the time. I think that it helps that more women are becoming aware of it. So be aware! Please let me know if you have any questions! I'm happy to answer them and help how I can. I'm not a pro, but I'm here for you. :)

xoxo,
Mandy

22 comments:

  1. I think it is great that you are so open and honest about it. You have great faith too! Everything will work out how it's supposed to. You are a great example!

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  2. Anonymous9/07/2012

    I think you are amazing and couldn't have written a better description of endometriosis. I just want you to know that my sister in law has it and she also has a happy 2.5 year old boy and another baby on the way! So it IS POSSIBLE and your babies have just as much chance as any other of being healthy and happy :)

    On a completely different subject I LOVE your blog...all the changes you are making are awesome and make me wish you lived here so you could help me make my cooking blog better.

    And as far as dairy goes I had to give up milk because Jayden has bad reactions to it so I feel you because it is hard and I love it and miss it every day...but I have grown to love soy milk :)

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  3. Endometriosis is hard girl. That's awesome that you've gotten it taken care of surgically, even though it came back. Stupid hormones! My gyno wants me to come in and do a surgery probably around December or January if I'm not pregnant by then! I would love to hear how it went for you. I am terrified cause I've never had surgery. But thank you so much for sharing. You can always come to me and we can vent together about the frustrations of endometriosis. But hey with the dairy free diet try almond milk! It's amazing! That's what I drink and I don't even have temptations anymore for dairy. Oh, and you'll have to share your gluten free secrets with me. I need to get on that! :). Love you girl!

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    1. Totally don't be scared of surgery! I really am a fan of it. And it helped a lot, for a while at least. I've been on almond milk for about a month and I love it! It's been great. Trader Joe's had a lot of great gluten free dairy free options FYI. :) Email me anytime girl! And good luck with everything! Read your blog post. Keep us updated!! We pray for you every night. :) Love you! xo

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  6. Great post! I take a medication that you're not supposed to take with dairy...but I admit I cheat sometimes. Anyways, I've found almond milk to be a great substitute for things like milk on cereal. Even chocolate almond milk tastes great!

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    1. Ooo, chocolate almond milk. I MUST try it. Thanks!

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  7. We need to talk. I had endometriosis when I was first married.it took two laporoscopys and clomid to get our first child. I nursed themforlogperiods of timeto spaceoutthe next children. Conntact me.it is good that youaer advocatingfor yourself0! You keepinging itreal we have a susscceccful second procedure. It is painful and hard toendure the waiting I had as many as I could and the had a hysterectomy at35. It was kind of sad, but know I havegrand babies to cuddle.I need your number so we can discuss at length...I feel your pain!

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    1. Diane, I had no idea you had that! I would LOVE to talk to you. Miss you!

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  8. Adriana Jaussi9/07/2012

    I'm sad to hear it has come back. :( I remember the first time we hung out with you guys in NYC and we talked about it for hours! You are such a trooper, hang in there!

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    1. Thanks girl! I miss you! I'm sad getting together didn't get work. Someday. :)

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  9. you are so brave to share your story with the world like this. good luck with the dairy and gluten free - the nice thing is that there are so many stores and restaurants for that in the city. i will be praying for you.

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    1. So true. Thank you so much for the prayers. xo

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  10. My mother-in-law has managed to go gluten, dairy, and corn free. She has to cook all her own food, but she manages some pretty good stuff like brownies and chicken fried steak. I'll need to get some tips from her and post them for ya. You're a fighter. You'll find a way to work through this and you will always have Derek by your side for the times that are extra hard. Love you!

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    1. I would LOVE any tips you have! Thanks so much for your support! xo

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  11. I was just talking to Neil about this and he said his grandma, His mother and his Aunt all had endometriosis and they all had children:) His grandma had 3 children, his mother 3 children and Aunt 2 children.

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    1. Hearing happy endings always gives me hope. Thanks!

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  12. I love that you talk about this. We should talk. I love you.

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    1. I love YOU. And i miss you! Yes please, let's talk.

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  13. I love the way you are looking at this head on, openly and honestly. I'm sorry that this is one of your trials. I'm praying for you! :)I can see that you have plenty of advice, but if you ever are needing a little more, my mom is a great one to talk to, having beaten lupus by completely changing her diet, she's got a great knowledge base. Anyway, I hope you know what a great example you are to everyone you come in contact with! I mean, I haven't seen you in a couple YEARS and you STILL lift me up just through your posts. :) I sure admire you!

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    1. Aubrey, this comment seriously just made my day. You are THE SWEETEST. And I forgot your mom would know all of these things! Thanks so much for the reminder. I'll have to get some tips and tricks from her. Thank you so so much for your kind words. I sure miss and love you!

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