All my old endo symptoms returning :(

[PumpkinZulu]

Thought I would update as I had my second AF on the 1st of Feb...same same. I also had another 'attack' a few days ago...tmi ahead.

So it starts with painful cramping, and the urge to go to the toilet. So I go, have lots of pain and cramps. Also shooting pain down my thighs and legs. Then after a few normal poos, I get the runs. The whole time I have hot and cold sweats, aches and cramps and even feel light headed and dizzy. It's awful. Is that sort of thing related to endo?

I've also been experiencing awful hot flushes ever since AF came back. And, like last time, AF was fairly heavy and painful, but only 6 days long. I also feel like my uterus or vagina is going to fall out, there is so much pressure and pain in that region, it's like having a baby engaged all over again. Last cycle was 62 days and I don't see this one getting any better. I'm really at my wits end with it. I am definitely going to my GP and asking for a referral (to??), I need to know what's going on. It took a good 6 months on the waiting list for surgery last time, so I may as well do it now.

[Traveller]

Have you thought about a mirena coil? I had super painful, long, monthly haemorrhaging which got so much worse after the twins. Not endo, so not a patch on what you have, but I would be couch bound for 3 days a month and it easily felt like early labour. In fact I would go so far as to say labour was easier as at least I wasn't expected to run around after the kids. Since getting the coil my symptoms have gone, it's fabulous and my periods stopped for 3 years. They have started to come back now so I am just waiting until I can get in to see the doctor at uni and arrange to get it replaced. Some people are really sensitive to hormones though so if that is the case for you then it wouldn't suit.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

So it starts with painful cramping, and the urge to go to the toilet. So I go, have lots of pain and cramps. Also shooting pain down my thighs and legs. Then after a few normal poos, I get the runs. The whole time I have hot and cold sweats, aches and cramps and even feel light headed and dizzy. It's awful. Is that sort of thing related to endo?

I have that happen to me post birth of both babies, with DS it settled down just before he turned 2... it wasn't really associated with my period however, and I don't have endo. I actually thought this was a variations of IBS. But I can relate to the pain of this, I often have nights where Im wondering if im in fricken labour. It bloody hurts.

[Marley&Me]

This sounds very similar to a co-worker of mine. Severe bloating, painfull #2's, heavy AF and that feeling of 'uterus going to fall out'. I remember her in pain at work, but she has since left. She had a small amount of endo removed 3 years ago, but suspected that it may be returning. I am on CD66 today and very bloated so I sympathise with you on that one I would definitely get it checked out. Your GP will be able to refer you to a specialist. There is a specialist centre in East Melb at Freemasons Hospital, they have a web page it's Endometriosis Care Centre of Australia - Specialist care for women with endometriosis :: Australia. I found this when I was helping my friend research it all.

Good luck

[bubno.3]

I have Endo as well and all they found from the lap was 'chocolate' cysts on my left ovary which is endo on cysts.. the surgeons said that just because they couldnt see endo anywhere in the pelvis doesnt mean it wasnt there...

They told me i had PCO too but from the invistigation to dx endometriosis they said no i didnt have PCO so who knows hey ...

I get weird and wonderful cramps and pains and the other night i got what felt like gallstone attack but i havent my gallbladder and when i felt my liver it wasnt sore but my pelvis and uterus and left ovary side hurt like hell. Also like now i get what i call 'bubble like sensation' that isnt nice near my belly button and yep me too are due for AF ....

[juniper76]

So it starts with painful cramping, and the urge to go to the toilet. So I go, have lots of pain and cramps. Also shooting pain down my thighs and legs. Then after a few normal poos, I get the runs. The whole time I have hot and cold sweats, aches and cramps and even feel light headed and dizzy. It's awful. Is that sort of thing related to endo?

I had the same thing happen when AF started this cycle (last Sunday). That used to be the norm for me in my 20s (minus the bowel issues), but once I reached my 30s I had the bowel issues and not the hot/cold/dizzy part. It was kind of weird having them all at once. The aches and pains have always been there for me and got progressively worse as I aged.

This AF was my first since the d&c. I'm hoping the symptoms were more related to my body trying to get back to normal rather than a return of the endo, but only time will tell. I had actually had pain-free AFs (for 5 months) in between DD's birth and the m/c, but I still had the bowel issues and they were still heavy.

I had a lap 2 months before the IVF that gave us DD and was diagnosed with stage III endo. It was covering half of my bowel, which explained the bowel issues, and I was told it had done enough damage that I will need a bowel resection one day (not "might", "will").

Pregnancy is supposed to be wonderful for treating endo. 9+ months without the cycle of hormones often clears it up. However, if your pain persists, I would certainly consider seeing your Dr to discuss whether they think re-scheduling that cancelled lap is a good idea. Fertility aside, it has an impact on your quality of life and there's no reason for you to suffer if the cause is treatable.

Personally, I'm going to give it 6 months. If I continue to have awful AFs for that long, then it will be time to admit it's most likely the endo and make an appt to see our FS about it.

GL. I hope it's just a case of the first few PPAFs being nasty (which they can be for any woman, not just those with endo). If you do end up going for a lap, I have a list of suggestions to help with the recovery. Just send me a PM and I'll send you a link or you can find it on my blog (laparoscopy checklist link on the right hand side).