Endochick’s blog chronicles her life with stage III endometriosis.
Endometriosis: The Silent Life Sentence- Hacked
- Hello, Endo
- From the shadows I emerge… (endometriosis awareness month)
- A Quick Post Re: World Suicide Prevention Day
- We MUST Persevere
- Ask Endochick: Ice For Endometriosis, Really?
- Ask Endochick: Pituitary Tumors and Endometriosis
- Ask Endochick: Is Topomax Prescribed For Endometriosis?
- Ask Endochick: High CA-125 & Endometriosis
- Would You Save A Life If You Could?
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Endometriosis: The Silent Life Sentence by Endochick is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License Endometriosis Awareness Petition
Endometriosis: the silent life sentence 
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing such a touching testimonial about EndoFEMM™. My name is Babette Gray, and I am the founder and inventor of the EndoFEMM™ Pad, and was truly moved by your words.
I am also in love with the pad as it has helped me through my 10-year battle with endometriosis and finally help me recover from my hysterectomy using the cold therapy. Unfortunately, I continue to suffer from adhesion pain from the effects of surgery and rely heavily on EndoFEMM™. Without it, I surely would be lost and in great pain.
I would love to add your testimony to my website, especially the five reasons you stated. Please let me know if this is possible as I am continually reaching out to customers on the wonderful benefits of using EndoFEMM™. Every now and then, I have a hesitant buyer who is loyal to the old electrical heating pad or thermal patches and has trouble converting.
Last, but not least, please revisit my website as I will be offering a lightweight, travel-size version of EndoFEMM™ called “Endo-Lite” that’s weights a mere 1 lb. and heats up fast (especially for those days when you’re on the go). Should you decide to try it out, e-mail me directly at support@dabloenterprises.com and I will be more than happy to send you one free-of-charge. This is my way of saying “thank you” for your support to my cause to help women with chronic pelvic pain.
Take care and be well,
Babette Gray, President/Founder
Dablo Enterprises – “Easing Pain Naturally”
Endochick, My wife Deanna fought your mess for years. How do I follow your post. This Blogging stuff still is a little complicated, also I would be honored if you follow mine..
Mitch
Hi Mitch,
You can click on my RSS feed to follow my blog that way – or you can add me to your blogroll or computer’s favorites and just come back here and check often. I try and post rather frequently! Sorry your wife dealt with this “mess” as well. I wish no one else had to go through the pain we go through. It is awful. Do you have a blog? Let me know what it is.
Thanks so much for you words, you encourage me today when I didnt know what else to do!
xx
Hi there Endo chick!!! I am Pantherswin.. i am also a mom, Endo sistah, suffering from carpel tunnel, migraines (that I take Topomax for), IBS (seems that the Topomax helps with it), Spinal Stenosis, Depression, and I am new to wordpress..
I just found your blog. I have endo also. Your title is so accurate it really touched me. I am sorry for your pain (not that it really helps), but your not alone in your pain (as im sure you know no matter what the docs say)
I just wanted to say Thank You for sharing, thats what helps others to know theyre not alone either. They really do need to make more people aware but I think Its so wide spread and they know so little about it that theyre afraid of the reaction that would cause so they hide it and tell women its all in their imagination…. It gets hard suffering in silence while you appear to be healthy because no one believes you. Im gonna work on getting the Endofemm pad, it will be nice to get unattached from this extension cord that follows me everywhere!
I don’t know if I should leave comments here, but I do hope your appointments go well. I am curious to know about how old you are. I am 37. I just wanted to let you know someone cares…
I love your site. Keep it up !
Hi, endochick. I stumbled upon your blog when I googled migraine, endometriosis and hypothyroidism. I have all three and feel like there must be some underlying connector that no one knows about. I’m about to have my 3rd lap because despite staying on BC continuously and not getting my period for 4 months, I am still having pain. Well, nice to know I’m not the only one with all these annoying little (yea right) ailments…. take care.
Endochick…
I’ve been going through the many doctors and tests… down to my insurance wondering why I was having so many done and how long were my symptoms… At least since high school and now I’m 23. Still don’t know what’s wrong with me.. Is it Endometriosis?? What is it?? But within the past year, my pain has gotten worse and more frequent and I refuse to not find out what’s wrong. I feel like I have a doctor who is willing to find out what’s wrong with me and not just tell me I’m ovulating! I’ve been having migranes for years.. now they think it’s my “new” allergies. Seeing your blog, I at least know now that it might take some time and trials to realy figure out what’s going on and how to deal with it..
My mother has Lupus and she struggles everyday with the pains. I appreciate you being real and sharing your struggles.. Congrats on accomplishing your goals, and I wish the rest of you women the best of luck.
Perserverence is the key to diagnosis. Never give up. Try mentioning, if you haven’t already, that you suspect endometriosis and would like a laparoscopy to rule it out. If your doctor also suspects it, then they may be willing to perform one. If you have endometriosis, then during the lap it can removed and you can be on your way to have treatment and finally, answers. Good luck and thanks for reading!
Thanks for your great blog! I haven’t done a lot of looking around, so excuse my question if you have written about this already.
I am trying to do some research in what happens after the endo is removed?
I had Stage IV endo that was removed about 8 months ago. The pelvic pain is gone and my periods are a glorius event each month, even though I am TTC. Go figure! I never thought I would be so happy to bleed the way I do now!
The problems I am experiencing are killing my daily life. I don’t know if this has anything to do with endo or “risidual” effects of the disease, or something different.
I am a stay at home wife and have been for the past 5 months. I have ALWAYS felt tired for my age, I am currently 30 but even at 16 I felt tired for my age. At 16 I was put on an anti depressent which did NOTHING for me. Go figure, I wasn’t depressed.
I do have symptoms of depression, but I am not depressed at all. I.guarantee. it. I just do not have the get up and go as I feel like I should have. Most days I am unable to get off the couch becuase it almost hurts to move around, I can’t break away through the fog in my head, exercise exhuasts me, I see things through a haze, I am cold all the time and my feet remain cold. Even in the warm South. I am testing my cortisol right now, but won’t have the results for two weeks. Unfortunatley, I don’t think I will be able to make it one more day living with this much fatigue. 🙂 Apparently I have been living this way for many years so two weeks won’t hurt me.
My question is what other disease’s if you know of any could be related to endometriosis? I find a lot of information of what happens while you have endo, but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of information on what happens after the endo is removed. Your input would be great! 🙂
I would have your thyroid checked, if you haven’t done so already. There are several conditions that have been found to have a co-morbidity with endometriosis. There is a theory existing that endometriosis is possibly an autoimmune disease and if you have one autoimmune disease your chances of having another increase, and then for another increase even more, and so on. Your symptoms also sound like those I’ve heard who suffer with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – the tiredness, the depressed feeling but not being depressed. If I were you, I would get a complete work up.
And now to endometriosis, I’m thrilled you had surgery and you’re feeling relief! That’s great. Keep in mind that endometriosis is a chronic condition and if you are not on some type of hormonal therapy (since you are TTC) the implants will eventually grow back. This may take years to grow back, and especially to get back to Stage IV. Or it could happen in a matter of months. The disease varies person to person. Hopefully you will remain symptom free for a long time.
Have your doctor look into the possibility of POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.) I was recently diagnosed with it, and my symptoms are very similar to yours. It took me 6 years to get the proper diagnosis, and just this past month I was told I likely have endo.
I was diagnosed with POTS when I was 15. The Mestinon has been found to help some patients with POTS.
My T4 came back slightly elevated when they checked. I think it is 13 and the normal range is under 12. ???? I guess we will have to wait for the cortisol level test to return.
I am aware of the nasty endo conditions! Ugg, what a tradgedy it is! The endo was on my bowel so I also had a double bowel resection, appendectomy, and a few organs adhesed to intestines, bladder, ovary etc…! So the next time, God forbid, I need surgery to remove endo, I think I can handle having “just” a lap any day! hahahaha Crazy! 🙂
Thanks for your response!
Hmmm… a T4 of 13 shouldn’t cause worry. But some endocrinologist’s will treat symptoms not numbers. Mine was 64. But those are the type of numbers you get with autoimmune hypothyroid.
Hi there, we follow each other on Twitter and I stopped by to see your blog. I too get migraines, and have stage IV endo. Your blog is very good. Take a peek at mine @ endojourney.wordpress.com.
I would like to say to Endochick and the other ladies who have posted comments on this site that I have empathy with your illness of Endometriosis, I used to suffer with bad monthly periods myself bad pain and fainting through heavy blood loss. And feel a complete lack of energy and have to go to bed quite often, although I was never told I had this condition by my doctor seeing the symptoms on some of the sites about this illness I do wonder. Luckly I don’t get periods anymore glad to say as I am menopausal. But my friend suffered with this contion for years and all types of treatment failed including laser, in the end she had to have a complete womb removal owing to the fact she became so ill through the blood loss each month, she is now a different woman and enjoys live without all the misery of Endometriosis. I send my best wishes to you all and hope your problems with you illness will improve hopefully.
Oooh, stumbled across your blog when looking for pics of the brain. Trying to catch up on your postings but I have similar issues (hypo, migraines, numbness) – wondering if you’ve looked into Chiari Malformation? It’s my latest ‘angle’ to explore. Good luck with it all. CindyCB 🙂
Endochick, I’m sorry to hear about your endometriosis. I’m 18 and have had one surgery so far. I still have pain and they said it would eventually come back. I don’t really want kids but who knows I’m only 18 and still have my whole life to live. I just hope they find a cure for this disease.
Hello! Just wanted to say I love your blog! So much so I am giving you an award titled “One Lovely Blog”…it was passed to me by a wonderful friend and fellow blogger! Then you can pass it along to 15 of your favorite blogs! Please see my blog for details!
http://spicyt.wordpress.com
just found your site and wish i had found it sooner I have also been suffering from endometerosis for years I am currently recovering from a hysterectomy
I would love to share with you my blog about my experience:
http://doesthishysterectomymakemelookfat.wordpress.com/
thank you so much for writing this blog and i wish you nothing but health & healing
michelle
I am starting an endo awareness blog for friends and family and I was hoping I could use some of your photos.
Thanks so much
That’s fine. I just ask for a link back to my blog.
I want to share an upcoming opportunity with you that I thought you might be interested in. We will be hosting a blogger roundtable on March 23 at 5pm ET via WebEx with James Presthus, MD, Minnesota Gynecology and Surgery to discuss the topic of heavy menstrual bleeding. Considering your blog topic and passion for women’s health, I wanted to personally invite you to participate. The webinar is an effort to raise awareness about this condition, and to educate more women about speaking up and to know that there are many causes and many solutions for this medical condition. If one in five women suffer from this, think of all the women you know who are suffering in silence because they are embarrassed by the topic. That is millions of women who have clinically heavy periods that keep them from going to work, leaving the house, going to the movies.
Let me know if you are available on the 23rd to hear from Dr. Presthus on this topic – we are receiving RSVPs but have spots left! Below is some additional information for your convenience as well.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Madeline
“Myths and Facts Check-Up about Heavy Menstrual Bleeding”
WHO: James Presthus, MD
Minnesota Gynecology and Surgery
Sponsored by NovaSure
WHAT: A virtual “check-up” in which Dr. Presthus will discuss what is a normal period, when is a period considered “heavy” and what treatment options exist.
Bloggers will have the opportunity to ask questions about heavy menstrual bleeding.
WHERE: Webinar details to follow
WHEN: March 23, 2011 at 5pm ET
WHY: Heavy periods affect 1 out of every 5 women—that’s about 10 million women
in the U.S.! Studies have shown heavy periods can affect women in a number of ways, not
just heavy bleeding – they take a physical, social and emotional toll, as well.
Despite all of this, women are surprised to learn treatment options exist. Help us get the
word out about heavy menstrual bleeding and women’s options and help your readers
suffering from the condition get back to life!
HOW: There is limited space available, so please RSVP. Once we secure your participation, you will be sent a separate invitation from the virtual meeting provider with instructions about how to log-in. Also, please be sure to download the necessary add-on programs beforehand so that you do not experience any technical issues.
R.S.V.P: Please contact Madeline Koessler (mkoessler@brodeur.com, 617.587.2879) to reserve your spot
Thank you for the invite, Madeline. I will have to decline as I will be attending a conference from that week.
— E
Sorry to leave an unrelated comment, but I couldn’t find any contact info for you. I’m wondering if you’d be interested in having a guest post on your site. Please drop me an e-mail at alliegamble81@gmail.com. Thanks!
It’s any shame you don’t use a donate press button! I’d most certainly donate to this unpaid web site! My partner and i think for now i’ll be happy with bookmarking and also adding the Rss feed to be able to my own Yahoo consideration. My partner and i seem ahead to be able to innovative updates and definately will promote this kind of blog page together with my own Fb group:
It’s any shame you don’t use a contribute press button! I’d undoubtedly contribute to that unpaid blog page! My partner and i think right now i’ll accept bookmarking and also attaching the Rss to be able to my own Yahoo consideration. My partner and i seem ahead to be able to innovative upgrades and definately will promote this kind of blog page together with my own Fb crew:
I’m very pleased to have found this website. Definitely enjoyed reading and I have bookmarked to check out new stuff that you post.
I recently had a pap test and it hurt bad like stabbing pain, the doctors highly think I have Endometriosis because I have all the symptoms and it used to be just a couple days to a week when I was on the “curse” but now its everyday with nausea, bloating, swelling, fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, etc. Could Endometriosis cause me to be in so much pain during the exam? I also know that pap test can’t prove you have Endometriosis, but since I have no job and no insurance because of missing work so much, its the best I can do. They put me on birth control but will that help the symptoms? Thanks
Am i allowed to simply just point out what a comfort it truly is to uncover an individual which genuinely comprehends exactly what they are dealing with online. You undeniably know how to convey an issue. Thanks a lot!
I thought the pain was being made up in my head, thank you so much for this blog. I have posted it on my facebook wall to raise awareness. I wish there was a cure.
Hi endochick.
I just found out I have Endometriosis today, and it is suspected to be linked with some sort of ovarian cancer. Don’t know for sure, but I will be undergoing a laparoscopy next month to figure it all out. I just turned 21. And I was wondering if you could give me an open opinion to whether you think I’ll be able to conceive one day or not. Or what you think the odds are? I know you aren’t my doctor, but my gynecologist was eager to stress the probability of me not having children one day. And that really freaks me out. I find your blog very helpful, and I thank you for putting yourself out there!
As far as Endo treatment goes, have you tried everything available (physical therapy, biofeedback, steroid injections, etc…)? How do you feel about them or did they work?
I just want to tell you that I’m newbie to blogging and site-building and certainly liked this website. Probably I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You really have superb articles. Appreciate it for revealing your blog.
My daughter is now 17, diagnosed by laparoscopy last year with endometriosis, now had a brain mri that found a pituitary microadenoma…what should we expect to happen next?
Amy, sorry to hear about your daughter’s diagnosis. And at such a young age. These are questions you really need to ask her physician. Please read my post titled Speak Up! (just search for it on this blog). It will give you the tools you need to speak with her physician(s) to get make informed decisions about her healthcare. Remember to BE specific with your questions. Go to appointments with a goal and don’t leave until the doctor has answered your questions. They work for you; don’t let their white coat and fancy degree intimidate you. Good luck and hope only the best for your daughter.
Just wanted to let you know I really appreciate your blog. I am a fellow endo sufferer. Also, wanted to let you know I added you to my blog role.
Thank you kindly! Happy reading.
This is a smart blog. I mean it. You have so much knowledge about this issue, and so much passion. You also know how to make people rally behind it, obviously from the responses. Youve got a design here thats not too flashy, but makes a statement as big as what youre saying. Great job, indeed.
Enjoyed reading your blog. Wish this type of info had been out there 40 years ago when I began on this road. I have just started my blog telling my story of migraines, endometriosis, chronic pain & osteoporosis. We need to make sure that all young women know the early warning signs. My early signs were simply what was thought to be “teenage acne” & “difficult periods”.
Thanks, Vicki! I’m glad you find my blog informative and helpful. Sorry that you, too, are plagued with these conditions, too. I love when someone stumbles on my blog and becomes a regular, but I also feel sad. They come here because they are hurting, and I don’t like that! Good luck with your blog! Together we are stronger! -E
Vicki,
I’m glad you enjoy reading the blog! I was told it was just heavy, painful periods. I was told to take Midol and live with it. I even had one doctor suggest I consider getting married at *gulp* 18 and get pregnant! I’m not happy this disease is becoming diagnosed in younger and younger women, but at least they have the resources we didn’t.
Hello,
I am a journalism student at Langara college and I am working on an article about endometriosis. I need to interview someone who is suffering with endo and I was hoping I could get in contact with you? Or if you know someone who suffers from endo and is open to talk about it that would be great as well. Let me know.
Marie Del Cid
mdelcid00@mylangara.bc.ca
twitter: @MarieDelCid
Found your site while researching autoimmune links. I, too, have Hashimotos, autonomic dysfunction and endometriosis, but took 20 years to get all three diagnosed. Everything is finally starting to make sense. Thanks for your info!
Please consider being an author at EndoWarriors, crossposting encouraged. You have a wonderful blog and I would like to help you be able to share your content with more people.
Hello! I too have central diabetes insipidus, endometriosis, and a few other medical projects. After 24 years with the DI I am an old pro, but the endo diagnosis is relatively new. If you have any more information about possible relationships between endo and DI, I would be very grateful to learn more. Either way, I hope you are doing well and enjoying life. Best wishes.
I recently read this article and found it helped me understand many things that have been part of my life for a long time. Maybe you will find it helpful too!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072022/
Where are you today? How’s it going. I want to know there’s light at the end of this stupid endo tunnel…
Kyrie, thanks for popping in. Where am I? Loaded question & probably worth a post, to be honest. Down an ovary. Tried my cocktails of endo meds. I have been through the ringer.