I finally know what's wrong!

[AngieDoogles]

I went to the clinic today because I noticed a fairly large lump on my pelvic area last night. It turned out to only be a swollen lymph node which is pretty common and normal, but the good news is...they finally diagnosed the problem that has been causing me such awful pain! It's endometriosis, meaning my uterus is too far to the left side and I have extra uterus lining in places it shouldn't be. As of now it is not problematic other than the pain--and now that they know what it is, it'll be much easier to STOP the pain! YAY! I'm on a 3 month cycle birth control pill called seasonique so I'll only have a period once every three months and it shouldn't cause the terrible abdominal pain like it has up to this point. Hopefully that means no more ER visits!!!

Has anyone used this BC pill before? If so, did you like it?

The other option was the 3 month shot, but I was afraid to do that because once you take the shot you HAVE to deal with whatever side effects for 3 months. No turning back. With the pill, if I have side effects I don't like, I can call my doctor and we'll figure out what other options there are. To me, this seemed like the better choice, but I'd love to hear what you think. I go back for another appointment in 2 months and she says I can change to the shot if I'd like so any input is greatly appreciated!

[Mandy]

Oh Angie, i'm glad to hear it wasnt anything too "serious"

Also, good to know they found out what was causing the pain, good of you to go have it checked out

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by Mandy

Oh Angie, i'm glad to hear it wasnt anything too "serious"

Also, good to know they found out what was causing the pain, good of you to go have it checked out

Thanks Mandy. I'm just worried about having children some day. The doctor said it's a case by case thing. Some people with endometriosis have no problem conceiving, but depending on exactly what's going on, it could make it impossible. She said we'll talk about that later when we are closer to being ready for kids because lots of things could change between now and then.

[Mandy]

Angie, your doctor is right, dont worry about that yet. These specialists are so advanced, and technology amazes me each day, there is just so much they can do to help people.

A friend of mine has endometrioses, she found out MANY years ago, i know what she went through.
they couldnt do much for her back than, but like i said, technology is so advanced today, and as long as you are healthy, thats most important.

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by Mandy

Angie, your doctor is right, dont worry about that yet. These specialists are so advanced, and technology amazes me each day, there is just so much they can do to help people.

A friend of mine has endometrioses, she found out MANY years ago, i know what she went through.
they couldnt do much for her back than, but like i said, technology is so advanced today, and as long as you are healthy, thats most important.

I know, I just worry because I want children SO badly. I always have...

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by AngieDoogles

I know, I just worry because I want children SO badly. I always have...

And you will have them

[Janet]

Angie....I had terrible cramps/abdominal pain...tried conceiving and couldn't. I had endometriosis lasered off 2 times. I don't want to scare you, but I would see a fertility specialist soon. Endometriosis does not get better....it gets worse. Do some studying online, but I wouldn't wait until you want to have children....by then..it could be too late.

[DianaB]

Angie, I'm glad that you finally have found out what is causing your pain but I'm a little concerned that your doctor told you to wait until you're ready for children and come back. If having children is important to you then I think that you should get a second opinion. Most of the people I know that have this have trouble conceiving or decide to have their children earlier than they had actually planned. I would feel better if you got another doctor's advice on this. You know me.......I'm just your second Mom!!!!!

[katepoet]

Wonderful news, Angie. I didn't trust the injections either as a friend had a bad experience but that was at least 5 years ago and I don't know the stats on the new ones.

[Janet]

Originally Posted by DianaB

Angie, I'm glad that you finally have found out what is causing your pain but I'm a little concerned that your doctor told you to wait until you're ready for children and come back. If having children is important to you then I think that you should get a second opinion. Most of the people I know that have this have trouble conceiving or decide to have their children earlier than they had actually planned. I would feel better if you got another doctor's advice on this. You know me.......I'm just your second Mom!!!!!

I'm glad we're feeling the same apprehension on this Diana....I want you, Angie to see someone who speicalizes in this...not just a general practioner.

[AngieDoogles]

Thanks ladies! It's nice having so many "Moms" to look out for me. I'd love to go to a specialist, but that would be SO expensive, and even if we had insurance, I doubt it would cover something like that. It would come to do a choice between seeing a specialist or finishing school.

I'll talk to my doc again and see if I can get more info...

[judy]

How about Planned Parenthood? Aren't they a lot cheaper?

I'm glad you won't have such pain anymore, and that the Mommies who know about this are giving you good advice. The universe MUST have Angie-Brendon babies!

You were smart about not taking the shot.

[rivermom]

Angie - You poor thing. I had no idea you were going through this, visits to the ER, and so on .... I hope the pill works well for you.

I had endometriosis for years and years and have struggled w/ periods since I was a teen. Way back when I was on the pill (they didn't have the shot those days) and had 3 healthy babies - one miscarriage.

Now - the endometriosis only became worse later and in time had other problems in that section. A couple years ago they did a full hysterectomy.

Keep up your visits/check up's at the least every year, more often if you continue to have problems. very very important.

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by rivermom

Angie - You poor thing. I had no idea you were going through this, visits to the ER, and so on .... I hope the pill works well for you.

I had endometriosis for years and years and have struggled w/ periods since I was a teen. Way back when I was on the pill (they didn't have the shot those days) and had 3 healthy babies - one miscarriage.

Now - the endometriosis only became worse later and in time had other problems in that section. A couple years ago they did a full hysterectomy.

Keep up your visits/check up's at the least every year, more often if you continue to have problems. very very important.

Sheryl and Janet, I'm so sorry you've both had to go through this too. It's hard to explain how intense and debilitating the pain is without sounding like a complete wimp. People look at me like I'm crazy. I can tell they're thinking, "everyone has cramps". But it's the type of thing that will keep me up literally all night in tears. I've tried heating pads, pain medications, showers, laying in different positions, walking it off--you name it--and nothing has worked so far. I'm hoping with all of my heart that this BC will work.

Sheryl, I'm so happy that you were able to have children. That's the part that concerns me most. From everything I've been reading, I gather that it's pretty hard to conceive for a lot of women who have this. About 40% are infertile. Sometimes surgery can make you more likely to conceive, but it isn't guaranteed. I'm just scared because I'd really like to have at least one child. Brendon and I have talked about being parents since before we were married. It's something that's very important to both of us and I feel so guilty for possibly taking that option away from him. He would make such a great father...

I think I'm going to go see a fertility specialist even if it costs a lot. We have a pretty decent savings account for emergencies...and I think the possibility of not having children can be consider an emergency situation. It just scares me to use that because I don't know what we'd do if something else came up.

[rivermom]

Angie - First off you are NOT a wimp. I know EXACTLY how those cramps feel, they are debilitating! Please don't do what I did and let it drag on for years and years....Your body is trying to tell you something. Not saying this is the case for you or other women but the pill did NOT work for me. Stay in close touch with your doctor, talk about all options, and take care of "your health", having children comes second bottom line. YOUR HEALTH IS FIRST PRIORITY.

From all your love stories and posts about Brendon he will love you if you have a child by birth or not. And you are NOT less than a woman if that road takes you there. Don't worry about all that right now. Focus on your health - I cannot stress that enough.

Us ladies can worries ourself sick if we keep worrying about all the "stuff that might not happen in our lives or could go wrong". You are so young - turn those thoughts around.

I hate it when I sound like I lecture and honestly don't wanna come across that way. Just don't want to see you suffer for reasons that don't need to be.

Hugs to you girl!!!