I finally know what's wrong!

[AngieDoogles]

Brendon has made it clear that he won't let me let it drag on for any length of time. I know you weren't here when I was in the ER, but the back story is that I did NOT want to go at all. My mom, cousin, and husband practically dragged me against my will. It was right after my grandfather passed away so there was family from all over in town and they wouldn't stand to see me in so much pain. I felt like the doctors did nothing. They ran two CT scans, gave me very strong pain medication, and then sent me home...after eight hours. All they said was that I didn't have a mass or cyst that they could see and that my white blood cell count was high which could mean any number of things. I had no idea what was wrong...and sure enough the pain came back the next month. I didn't go back to a doctor because I felt all they did was make me uncomfortable without giving me any results. Brendon has been trying to get me to go back to the doctor since then but I was stubborn until that lump appeared. It scared me enough to make an appointment.

This new doctor is nicer than any doctor I've ever had. She gave me results immediately and really seemed to care about the long term situation rather than just making me feel well enough to go home. She wants me to go back in about 2 1/2 months to discuss any side effects the BC pill is causing and to check up on me. After that, I'll have an appointment every six months. Anyway, all of that to say that I don't think you are lecturing at all. I've been getting this from my family for quite a while now. It just shows that they care. I'll go to all of the appointments. Hopefully if I do everything the doctor says, I'll be more likely to be able to conceive.

[rivermom]

You've got a good hubby and family. They must shake their head at your stubborness but you listened. LOL Good for you!

The only way to do a complete diagnosis of endometriosis is to do laparoscopy surgery. (very minor surgery done under general (some local) anesthesia. Your doctor has probably already talked to you about this, etc. It's probably a good thing you are finding all this stuff out now so you can get the best treatment from your doctor. Glad you are not (LOL like my age) and just finding out.

Happy thoughts sent your way.

[AngieDoogles]

Oh yes, I am quite stubborn when it comes to seeing a doctor. I have this attitude of "Oh, it's not so bad" or "It'll go away on its own". Drives Brendon nuts. lol! Guess I'll have to change that way of thinking now though that the doc wants to see me so often.

The doctor did tell me that the only 100% way of knowing is to do a laparoscopy, but she also said she isn't going to ask me to do that since it's invasive and leaves a scar. She said all of the signs and symptoms point to endometriosis so that's what she's going to treat. She seemed pretty confident.

Thanks for the happy thoughts. I really appreciate that!

[katepoet]

A good doctor with time to spend on you is a dream come true! (They are so often too overloaded to be able to do their best.)

[judy]

Originally Posted by AngieDoogles

Oh yes, I am quite stubborn when it comes to seeing a doctor. I have this attitude of "Oh, it's not so bad" or "It'll go away on its own". Drives Brendon nuts. lol! Guess I'll have to change that way of thinking now though that the doc wants to see me so often.

The doctor did tell me that the only 100% way of knowing is to do a laparoscopy, but she also said she isn't going to ask me to do that since it's invasive and leaves a scar. She said all of the signs and symptoms point to endometriosis so that's what she's going to treat. She seemed pretty confident.

Thanks for the happy thoughts. I really appreciate that!

It's so good you posted about this and got such good advice! The doctor sounds good too.

Prayers and a big hug!

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by judy

It's so good you posted about this and got such good advice! The doctor sounds good too.

Prayers and a big hug!

I'm lucky that there are so many knowledgeable women here and that they are nice enough to give advice! I don't know what I'd do without 4wt!!!

[AngieDoogles]

Last night I barely slept at all because I was so nauseous. Is there anything to do to make that go away? Is it typical for BC to cause nausea? Will it go away on its own after a while?

[katepoet]

I think that can be a symptom from the BC. Here are symptoms from just one brand from www.medlineplus.org You might want to look up your brand there - it's a trustworthy site for medical info.

Oral contraceptives may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

* nausea
* vomiting
* stomach cramps or bloating
* diarrhea
* constipation
* gingivitis (swelling of the gum tissue)
* increased or decreased appetite
* weight gain or weight loss
* brown or black skin patches
* acne
* hair growth in unusual places
* bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
* changes in menstrual flow
* painful or missed periods
* breast tenderness, enlargement, or discharge
* difficulty wearing contact lenses
* swelling, redness, irritation, burning, or itching of the vagina
* white vaginal discharge

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

* severe headache
* severe vomiting
* speech problems
* dizziness or faintness
* weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
* crushing chest pain or chest heaviness
* coughing up blood
* shortness of breath
* pain, warmth, or heaviness in the back of the lower leg
* partial or complete loss of vision
* double vision
* bulging eyes
* severe stomach pain
* yellowing of the skin or eyes
* loss of appetite
* extreme tiredness, weakness, or lack of energy
* fever
* dark-colored urine
* light-colored stool
* swelling of the hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
* depression, especially if you also have trouble sleeping, tiredness, loss of energy, or other mood changes
* unusual bleeding
* rash
* menstrual bleeding that is unusually heavy or that lasts for longer than 7 days in a row

Also call your doctor's office and report it so your MD can help you decide what to do. She will have experience with other patients hopefully and will know if the nausea tends to go away and how long that takes.

Try taking an eighth to a quarter teaspoon baking soda in a couple ounces of water - it can often relieve nausea. Don't worry if it makes you burp once - that's normal!

There is an over the counter anti-nausea syrup carried at pharmacies inc. Wal-Mart or Target type stores. It can help a lot. It's a liquid dose of carbohydrates, like eating crackers without the solids.

[AngieDoogles]

I already called my doc this morning before class. She's supposed to call back any time now. I was in class most of the morning so it's hard for them to get in touch with me...

[Janet]

Originally Posted by AngieDoogles

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.

That's why I encourage you to see a specialist. I wouldn't go back and trade my son for a biological son for anything in the world, but sometimes late at night, lying in bed, I still think about not ever feeling a life growing inside me and I sometimes cry myself to sleep.

[judy]

Oh Janet,

I'm sorry you're sad about that. It is a wonderful experience. I'm sending you a big hug right now.

Love ya,
Judy

[judy]

Originally Posted by katepoet

I think that can be a symptom from the BC. Here are symptoms from just one brand from www.medlineplus.org You might want to look up your brand there - it's a trustworthy site for medical info.

Oral contraceptives may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

* nausea
* vomiting
* stomach cramps or bloating
* diarrhea
* constipation
* gingivitis (swelling of the gum tissue)
* increased or decreased appetite
* weight gain or weight loss
* brown or black skin patches
* acne
* hair growth in unusual places
* bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods
* changes in menstrual flow
* painful or missed periods
* breast tenderness, enlargement, or discharge
* difficulty wearing contact lenses
* swelling, redness, irritation, burning, or itching of the vagina
* white vaginal discharge

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

* severe headache
* severe vomiting
* speech problems
* dizziness or faintness
* weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
* crushing chest pain or chest heaviness
* coughing up blood
* shortness of breath
* pain, warmth, or heaviness in the back of the lower leg
* partial or complete loss of vision
* double vision
* bulging eyes
* severe stomach pain
* yellowing of the skin or eyes
* loss of appetite
* extreme tiredness, weakness, or lack of energy
* fever
* dark-colored urine
* light-colored stool
* swelling of the hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
* depression, especially if you also have trouble sleeping, tiredness, loss of energy, or other mood changes
* unusual bleeding
* rash
* menstrual bleeding that is unusually heavy or that lasts for longer than 7 days in a row

Also call your doctor's office and report it so your MD can help you decide what to do. She will have experience with other patients hopefully and will know if the nausea tends to go away and how long that takes.

Try taking an eighth to a quarter teaspoon baking soda in a couple ounces of water - it can often relieve nausea. Don't worry if it makes you burp once - that's normal!

There is an over the counter anti-nausea syrup carried at pharmacies inc. Wal-Mart or Target type stores. It can help a lot. It's a liquid dose of carbohydrates, like eating crackers without the solids.

Dear Kate,

I know you mean only good, but some of these are quite scary and since some are very rare, perhaps it would be best for Angie and her family to decide whether or not they want to know all of this information.

[rivermom]

Angie - gosh girl I hope your tummy feels better soon. Sending hugs...

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by Janet

That's why I encourage you to see a specialist. I wouldn't go back and trade my son for a biological son for anything in the world, but sometimes late at night, lying in bed, I still think about not ever feeling a life growing inside me and I sometimes cry myself to sleep.

{{{{{{Janet}}}}}}}

[Janet]

Angie sweety, unless I miss understood the laporosopy does not leave a scar. They go in through your naval (belly button). I know, I've had it done twice. I was allowed to borrow their video of them lasering off my endometiosis.