[zigmissus]

In my continuing quest to find out what's making me feel so lousy, I've come across the info that endometriosis can cause "bowel irregularity," "bladder problems" and "irregular periods." Well, I have all of these but, then again, the descriptions are rather vague. What kind of bowel irregularity--C, D, both? What kind of bladder problems--burning, urgency, spasms, infections? And irregular periods as in heavy, sparse, frequent, infrequent, or what? Does it get worse--or start to disappear-- during perimenopause? Also, I wonder if heredity is a factor. My mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt all had severe endo and had hysterectomies in their 30s. Only my mother is still alive, and her recollection consists of, "Well, I had a lot of cramps and bleeding." (It was 40 years ago.) Is there a test for endo besides a laproscopy? I always thought I'd escaped the family curse, but now I'm beginning to wonder.

 

[Guest]

Bumping for zig

Julie

 

[GramX5]

Hi Zig we meet again! I had a hysterectomy due to endo. I had bladder infections, one after another. Much cramping and bleeding 20 days out of 30

I had 4 DNCs before the surgery. They didn't help. I went through 2 years of that! I wouldn't trade my hysterectomy for anything

Papa said to tell you and jud "thank you" again for scaring him into checking his blood sugar every day! He is holding around 140 right now

Hope you feel better soon. Endo can make you sick as a dog!Gram

 

[Guest]

Hi Gram!

Wow ... 140 ... that's good!

Tell Papa Well Done from me

Julie

 

[kbaum]

I was diagnosed with endo in '92 after years of painful periods. I believe the lap is still the only way to confirm it. I have had IBS since the late 80s with alternating C/D, was a C for many many years and now I think I'm back to alternating. I never had any bladder problems, luckily. My periods were regular thanks to birth control pills; the only difficulty I had was the first 2 days...fainting, vomiting, horrible cramps. As for heredity, I'm adopted and I only know my birthmother's side (I reunited with her a year ago) and nothing there. I recently asked my GYN if scar tissue from the lap could be triggering my IBS; he said there's no way to know without having another lap. My GI doc says he has many patients who have both IBS and endo. The most persistant symptom I had of endo is pain during intercourse. I was left at the altar over that one.Good luck in your quest!Karen

 

[zigmissus]

Gram, that's such great news about Papa! I'm glad he turned out to be one of the smart ones about diabetes. As for possible endo, I do have continual bladder infections and, of course, IBS. But for many years (even during IBS) my periods were regular as clockwork, and I didn't know the meaning of the word cramps. No infertility probs, either. However, for the last several years (since entering my 40s) I've developed cramps, ovarian cysts, and weird periods. (Still working on the one that started June 24th.) Could just be perimenopause, I suppose. I'm seeing the gyno next Tue. and maybe I'll ask about the lap.

 

[Guest]

I had severe cramping for 5 years and after years of complaining to doctors finally had one do a laporoscopy in april. The surgery was very easy just lots of bruising and soreness. The doctor said is was because I am so skinny and the moving around caused bruising. I was up and about the same night. I still have bad cramps but since I am trying to get pregnant through artificial insemination(sterile husband) I can't be put on the pill or hormone therapy. I had alot of scarring by my colon/bowel area which is where I get most cramping. My ibs has been pretty good for a few months since using the caltate and quitting my job. If you think it is something you may have I would go ahead with the surgery. I is worth it.

 

[Guest]

Yep, had endo symptoms from the time I started my periods at 13! I was diagnosed via lap in 1988.I always had cramping, and lots of D with my period. Nasty pain, too. I've been on depo provera shots for a little over three years now and they have completely stopped my periods. The endo pain now only happens when I wait too long to get the shot or if i don't eat and rest right.------------------Color Rainbows in the Rain

 

[Guest]

Endometriosis also. Hysterectomy years ago. But, it had gotton so bad that the tissue was up into my intestines and they had to scrape that and, remove a king size tumor. from all that I've read, I often wonder if it's the toxins that build from the amount of waste that is trapped in the system. They say it's like a group thing, the toxins clamp to the side of tissue and stay. When the next one comes along, it stops in the same place before long those toxins become a grouping, suspected to become cancerous cells before long... as far as I know only antioxidants have the power to break them apart so they can be carried safely out of your system. So, does the trapped waste cause endo? How many of you had the c-type of ibs?------------------Good health to you,

 

[HipJan]

one of your comments really scares me, omni! twin sister, zig -- yes, I prob. have endo. (though never diagnosed with the lapro. - long story). as you know, I also have other similar problems as you. I too have been wondering just how much pain, and how many problems, the endo. can cause on its own. also, I think I'm perimen. and that my hormones have gotten really whacky.

 

[Phyllis McDonnell]

Yes, I had endometriosis too. Many years of menstrual cramping (worse than labour pains)and sometimes several hours of labour-like pains leading to passing lumpy clots. The Gynaecologist who did my hysterectomy said it was a miracle I produced one live baby out of 4, because the walls of my uterus were full of tumours (non-cancerous) and were 3 times normal thickness. My diagnosis was arrived at after a D & C.For most of my reproductive years I suffered badly from iron-deficiency anaemia, and taking iron just caused constipation, which led to haemorrhoids, which bled and led again to anaemia, so it was a vicious cycle.I believe that endometriosis and its consequences aggravated my IBS for many years, because after my hysterectomy I was IBS-free for almost 10 years. It came back when I got new stresses!I wouldn't worry about having a hysterectomy if you need it. It's one of the best things that ever happened to me. No more pain and no more anaemia. ------------------Phyllis

 

[Guest]

Zig I was told by a DR. that endo can cause IBS, beacuse of the way it grows on everything. Maybe thats why you have IBS? To bad for me they checked and thats not why I have IBS. But maybe thats why you do and they could remove it and you'd be better. So have alpo done and find out it is not that bad, I have it done twice. Good Luck to you and let me know how it works out for you.I'm praying for you,Kendra

 

[moldie]

Hi Zigmissus, as you may recall, I was diagnosed with endo via laporoscopy. I know of no other way to accurately document it unfortunately. I ended up with a vag hyster to try to alleviate my bowel symptoms to no avail. Seems it was the yeast problem all along, since the Diflucan, low sugar diet, and avoiding citric acid took care of my stooling, cramping, and rectal pain. It also took care of a lot of my bloating. My stool problems were preceded by a vag and a bladder infection while on Amoxicillin for over a year.The painful periods I had had all my life were finally alleviated by 800mg of Ibuprofen (taken with food) once every 12 hrs. for two days at the oncet of my period. This was found when they were ruling out rheumatoid arthritis and doc tried me on Naprosyn. It did nothing for my fibro pain, but had it not been for the drainage, I wouldn't have known I had my period when I was on it. Wish I had known about that earlier. I had no ulcer problems so could handle that amount of ibuprofen with that short and infrequent dosage. Sorry I can't answer some of your other questions for you. Hope you find relief from your symptoms soon.M.

 

[Guest]

Check out the "Endometriosis Sourcebook" it discusses endo and intestinal problems, the book is the most comprehensive.

 

[bug!]

ZigmissusI have endometriosis and it isn't pretty. I've had two extensive operative laps where endo and adhesions actually fused my bowel to my uterus which caused my IBS to flare up to say the least. From the research I've done, what my doctors have said, and my own experiences, I can say that Endo can cause many symptoms with the bowels and bladder. Both my gastroenterologist and endo surgeon believe that endo and I.B.S. can go hand in hand. There are many causes as endometriosis can actually be on or in the bowels or the prostaglandins (people with endo tend to release much more prostaglandins) that your body releases during menstruation can irritate the bowel lining thus causing I.B.S. symptoms or flare ups. I also have been dianosed with I.B.S. after having every g.i. test known to man performed.The only way to get a diagnosis is by laparoscopy; however, a doctor can suspect you have it through your pain, pelvic exams, and sometimes ultrasound.There is no cure for Endometriosis and if the pain is excruciating as can be the case, it must be either managed with medication (those available are sometimes controversial) or surgery. I currently take a suppository of the drug Danazol that I would never take orally. There is a great support group to visit called alt.support.endometriosis where you can learn a lot about endo and bowel problems.I have noticed a decrease in IBS symptoms since my endo treatment although not a cure for the D and cramps sometimes.take caretiff

 

[Guest]

hi zig- yeah, my endo got me here too- have that and an accelerated scarring disease that resulted in complete & partial bowel obstructions and a resection that removed 8 inches of small intestine. never had the ibs before the resection- since that, have not had any endo attacks (! crossed fingers- that can be quiet, though mine screamed in pain before), but have severe ibs-d.i think you & you docs may be onto something.... good luck and stay well

 

[KES]

Yes, zig, I am the proud bearer of both endometriosis and IBS (as well as Graves disease and other assorted goodies). The worst of my endo is actually on my bowel. The pain can be incapacitating. I am on narcotic pain meds for this, and they are not doing the greatest job anymore. (Have had IBS for about 24 years and endometriosis for about 17 years.)The other posters are correct. A laparoscopy is the only accurate diagnostic procedure for endo. I've had 3 or 4 of these (brain fog!). Problem is that with each lap, you get adhesions, which exacerbate the pain. My doctor discovered some amazing adhesions, where the bowel is fused and twisted and so on. You know, twist and shout. The so-called treatments for endo are laughable. If I had more time, I would elaborate. Suffice to say, endometriosis can be a terrible disorder that is woefully forgotten by the medical research and pharmaceutical industries. I hope you don't have this.Off my soapbox!To address a few things in your post: My worst endo pain is during ovulation. And the pain is progressive. I'm IBS C/D. You can actually see the swelling on my right side when I ovulate. When I lie flat, there is a little "mountain range" where the pain is located. Between my two pelvic bones you can see the mountain ridge, although it is somewhat vertical. The intestines are swollen in that specific spot. The surgeons can laser endo spots, but they can grow back. Also, endo can be microscopic, so hard to find all the spots--almost impossible, and these spots continue to grow. Endo can also cause pain with intercourse. Sometimes periods can be particularly painful and/or heavy. Heredity? Lord, I hope not for my daughter's sake, but I do know that my aunt had endometriosis and wound up with a hysterectomy.Which, BTW, is often a bad recommendation. I've heard of SO many women who have been told to have the hysterectomy, only to have a reoccurrence of the pain. This is often because the endo can grow on spots not removed during the surgery. (For those who had the hysterectomy and it helped, I'm glad for you and don't dispute your results. Just want to caution that this is not a cure-all, and many women regret the surgery. No offense meant to anyone.)I've had ovarian cysts too. A woman's body is a complicated thing! And perimenopause may be knocking on a lot of our doors, so it IS hard to pinpoint causes.A little trivia: I've read that Marilyn Monroe had endometriosis, which was why she was on strong pain killers. Heard also that Pamela Lee Anderson has suffered from endo. Now, why am I NOT a gorgeous blonde, huh??I didn't mean to go on. Gotta go. Hope this helps.

 

[victoria]

yes, I too have Ibs(20yrs) and endo(20yrs).I also had cervial dsyplasia(abnormal cells).I came as close to cancer as any wants to get. I often wonder how much of it is Ibs. I believe Ibs is just a label that drs give because they can't find what the problem really is. In my case I feel its more endo than Ibs but, when I get stressed it goes straight to my stomach. I have had two laps,laser surgery and infertility due to endo.My husband and I have been trying for two and a half yrs to have a baby. I did become pregant a couple of months ago but lost it. I can't even think about trying again until I get my diarrhea under control. I had chronic d for the last ten yrs and it goes from bad to worse. Yesterday, I had such an attack I thought I was going to the hospital

 

[HipJan]

KES and victoria and bug and others -- You've also answered some of my questions. My pain and discomfort is often (but not always) nearly "unbearable" from ovulation on, then I finally have a week when things aren't quite so bad. Like I've said, endo. is likely one of the "culprits," though there seems to be other things going on too. (According to a GI doc, I probably have it growing right by my colon.) You mentioned swelling: I can sure relate to that but couldn't tell if it was due to endo. or what. I also seem to produce ov. cysts on a regular basis. Question: Do you also have burning sensations (I might also have IC and/or other problems, who knows)? Yup, ain't it fun to be female, dealing with these problems?!

[This message has been edited by HipJan (edited 07-10-2000).]

 

[victoria]

HipJan,Burning sensation where? I get burning in my vagina and rectum. If its vaginally, when I don't drink enough liquids the burning starts in. If its in the rectum usually from going to the bathroom too much.