| Re: anyone have endometriosis?
Here is what I posted on another board about this subject:
OK...this post is going to be long so grab some coffee or something......
First, let me try to explain as best I can exactly what endomitriosis (hereby known as "endo" cause it's a pain to type the whole word out each time)is. Endometrium cells are the cells that line the uterus each month in preparation for a baby. If there is no baby that month then the endo cells are shed, resulting in menstruation. In some people, and for reasons that are not really know, these cells can also grow outside of the uterus. They are usually limited to other parts of the abdominal cavity....I had endo cells all over my ovaries and I also have some on my bladder, which the doc couldn't remove. But these cells can, in rare cases, grow anyplace and cases have been documented of it showing up in lungs, armpit tissue, etc.
Endo cells can sometimes grow together and cause adhesions, which sort of bind your abdominal organs together and cause pain and discomfort no matter what time of the month it is. And these cells respond to your hormones no matter where they are...which means that they swell and bleed and shed just like their counterparts in the uterus. This can cause unusually heavy periods and cramps during your period.
The procedure I had done was called a laporoscopy (not sure it's spelled right). To sum it up, this is where they make a 2 small holes in your abdomen, usually one at the bellybutton and the other one can be anywhere depending on exactly what they are going to do. One hole is for a tiny camera which they use to look around in there to see if there is any endo. If there is any endo they insert a small blade or laser into the other hole to remove the stuff. They put you to sleep to do it, and you have a bit of discomfort for a few days but it's really no big deal (not near as bad as my cramps can get, that's for sure!).
I believe the treatment you were referring to is a hysterectomy, which is when all the female reproductive organs are removed from the body. This is done if the endo is so extensive that they cannot remove it any other way. Endo can be dangerous if it gets too bad cause it can wrap around intestines, colan, etc. And, of course, a woman with no repoductive organs is not going to be able to have a baby.
Endo can cause other infertility problems as it can grow on the reproductive organs such as ovaries and fallopian tubes. It is usually one of the things that is looked for when a woman is having problems conceiving. Many woman who have endo do get pregnant, though. It all depends on the severity of the endo and where it is located.
There are also other treatments...one is a drug called Lupron (given by injection) which puts you into temporary menopause. The thinking behind this is that endo cells form because of your monthly cycle hormones...so if you disrupt the hormones you will disrupt the growth of the endo cells. There is alot of controversy about using Lupron....many women have had horrible side effects during treatment and for many years afterwards. And the endo will usually come back as soon as the drug is stopped. I was on it for a few months and as far as I know I had none of the bad side effects, but I don't think it helped my endo either. But you still have to have the laporoscopy first cause as far as I know that is the only way to find out if you have the endo or not.
Hope this has helped. Do a search on endometriosis on the web and you'll find all sorts of info. And please note that just cause you have bad cramps doesn't mean that you have this disease.....but it is one of the symptoms and many women do have it and don't know it.
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