Thread: Question about Endometriosis

I have been having a terrible time of over the last week and a half thinking that it was all the immune condition I have but now I'm not so sure...I did have a bacterial infection before and sure I could have had a virus and I definitely have a fungal infection but it's being treated and I might have small kidney stones too...even still that's not all that unusual for me because of the illness I have. I have never had so much trouble with my stomach for so long. Even with all of these problems. So I'm really starting to wonder...could endo be the cause? I'm supposed to start AF any time now and it sure feels like she's coming with a vengeance. I've had horrible cramps the last two weeks...some that even made me jump up off my chair and cry out because they've hurt so bad. This has never happened before to this extent. Worse cramps ever this month and an upset stomach pretty much every day for the last week and a half. It seems to be getting worse the closer I get to AF. I've also read that yeast infections or rather candida albicans which is the common strain of yeast that can go crazy in your whole body has been linked to endo. So since I have that fungal infection right now EVERYWHERE I'm wondering if this upset is making endo worse if I have it. Has anyone else with endo had severe problems with their stomach like IBS before AF? I've got to say if that's what's causing all of this I don't know how to get through it or how to function. I haven't been anywhere where unless I had easy access to a bathroom and mostly I haven't left the house and I haven't been able to eat normally either.

The RE said that it's possible I had no symptoms until I was off the pill and that it's just been escalating ever since. Well this is undoubtedly the worst cycle I've had for pain and cramps. They've even woken me up in the night. I've been off the pill about a year now and I'm just wondering if that could mean the endo is growing or something. I'd appreciate any thoughts, opinions, or info anyone might have. This is making me crazy and I just want my life back!

I have no answers for you but wanted to give you a

No answers here either, but I'm sorry you're having such a hard time!

I'm so sorry Leah! I wonder if you are just noticing the pain more now that you are aware of the endo? I know I become more alert to stuff when I know more about it and notice pain more when I'm thinking about it....

Sorry Leah I can't say anything about endo because I don't have it, but I do have IBS and it is definitely way worse during AF.

*Lurker*

Yes, endo can be responsible for many things. Endo is basically where the tissue that normally grows inside your uterus grows outside and even on other organs too. Therefore, if it's growing near your digestive organs (which it most likely is) then it can cause stomach problems.

There haven't been alot of concrete studies done, why I don't know, but I've read that many women who treat their endo have an overall improvement in health. Like many conditions they thought they had unrelated get better or go away.

This is true for me. I used to get sick and even vomit alot but when I treated the endo it disappeared. I used to have very severe allergies and skin allergies - when treating the endo they are mild to pretty much gone.

Some doctors that you ask will say it is related, others will say there is no way it can be linked. Some women don't have many symptoms - my sister for example and others are miserable.

Good luck. If they do the diagnostic lap they can tell you how bad it is and where it is, which may help ease your mind a bit. I had it done (more to check for a few other things too) and it's a pretty simple procedure and I was better that same day.

I cannot say anything with guarantee but I have an inkling that I may have endometriosis as well. I won't know for sure until I start talking to my Dr. on Feb 2nd, but let me tell you, since 11 years old I have had horrible menstrual cramps. I have a high threshold for pain and these cramps made it darn near impossible to do anything. I can relate to some of the health issues you are talking about. Every month a couple of days before AF I get IBS symptoms as well. Also, I usually get horrible cramps about a week before AF in my pelvic region along with my abdomen and back. So, if I find out that I do indeed have endo it looks as though everything does correlate.

Yes, it could be the endo. If it is on or invading your bowels, then you could absolutely have IBS symptoms. I didn't have endo on my bowels, but I had it on my bladder and definitely had more IC symptoms the closer I got to AF.

I think it's definitely possible that I'm noticing it more now just because he mentioned it. However, DH says I didn't used to jump up and yell in pain which I've done a few times...I don't recall ever doing that before. I went to my immunologist today and he said that being overrun with Candida goes hand in hand with endo. Apparently Candida also causes infertility. So I'm on some hefty stuff for that and will probably be on some herbal things as well and I have to change my diet. Hopefully, that'll make a huge difference. I'm planning to talk to the RE about that as well of course but I don't go to him until AF shows and she STILL hasn't. I was sure she'd be here yesterday and now not even today yet. My boobs are KILLING me so she's got to be close. Stupid AF. I was going to test today if I didn't start but I only have one test left and my cycles have gone as long as 31 days so...I guess I can't officially be late until Friday then.

I'd be so shocked I'd probably have a heart attack if somehow I ended up pregnant this month which I totally doubt is even possible. I think we only DTD like 4 times...no clue when I O'd and didn't use pre-seed or anything. I just want it to hurry up so I can get my tests done and get this show on the road.

Originally Posted by Leah261

I think it's definitely possible that I'm noticing it more now just because he mentioned it. However, DH says I didn't used to jump up and yell in pain which I've done a few times...I don't recall ever doing that before. I went to my immunologist today and he said that being overrun with Candida goes hand in hand with endo. Apparently Candida also causes infertility. So I'm on some hefty stuff for that and will probably be on some herbal things as well and I have to change my diet. Hopefully, that'll make a huge difference. I'm planning to talk to the RE about that as well of course but I don't go to him until AF shows and she STILL hasn't. I was sure she'd be here yesterday and now not even today yet. My boobs are KILLING me so she's got to be close. Stupid AF. I was going to test today if I didn't start but I only have one test left and my cycles have gone as long as 31 days so...I guess I can't officially be late until Friday then.

I'd be so shocked I'd probably have a heart attack if somehow I ended up pregnant this month which I totally doubt is even possible. I think we only DTD like 4 times...no clue when I O'd and didn't use pre-seed or anything. I just want it to hurry up so I can get my tests done and get this show on the road.

Hey ya never know right? I just takes one time I wish for all the best for you Leah!