Conference turris::womannotes-v3

    
    see also:
    
    
    MEDICAL
    41 - endometriosis
    315 - lupron/endometriosis
    395 - laser surgery/endometriosis
    
    Womannotes-V1
    740 - endometriosis - what is it
    
    Womannotes-V2
    63 - endometriosis
    
    -Jody

    Endometriosis Association
    8585 N. 76th Place
    Milwaukee, WI  53223
    
    1-800-992-Endo (US)
    1-800-426-2END (Canada)
    
    I was diagnosed with endometriosis last April.  I just found the local
    support group and will be attending my first meeting next month.  This
    organization has excellent literature on this disease.  The dues are:
    
    Member:  $25.00 US/$31.00 Canadian annual dues
             $40.00 US/$49.00 Canadian 2-year dues
    A member is defined as those who have or have had endometriosis.
    
    Couple Membership:  $30.00/$37.00
                        $50.00/$61.00
    
    Associate: $30.00/$37.00
               $50.00/$61.00
    Associate is defined as those who have not had endometriosis.
    
    Good luck with your search.  
    
    Karen

    Thanks for the help.  The notes in "Medical" were extremely helpful.
    
    June
    

    I don't know if this info is in one of the other notes files but I will
    place it here for the time being. 
    
    A few weeks ago on 20/20, there was a segment on D&C's, doctors were
    called a thing of the past. According to one doctor, a D&C was
    nothing less than a blind surgical manuever. 
    
    There is a new process on the market and I can't remember what they
    called it. However what it is, a long slender rod is placed inside the
    woman and it has a camera on the end of it. Through the use of a
    monitor, the doctors are able to see exactly what is causing the
    bleeding. If necessary, surgical equipment can be placed on the end of
    this rod, that would help in removing say a bleeding cist. You might
    want to ask your doctor about this. 
    
    hope it helps
    
    
    peg
    

    If you have no symptoms, why have surgery??????  A D&C is pretty much
    just a "scrape and see".  Tell your doctor to get some practice 
    elsewhere.
    
    Endometriosis generally comes to one's attention through debilitating 
    cramps, which you say you don't have.  Are you trying to conceive and
    having no success?  If neither of these things apply, I doubt very much
    you "need" this procedure.  Ask your doctor why and make sure you 
    understand completely!
    
    Sandy      

    June,
    
    I recently had a bout with endometriosis and excessive bleeding.
    Actually, the heavy bleeding and horrible cramping just started
    very suddenly.  One month I was okay, the following month I was
    doubled over in pain and having excessive bleeding with my periods.
    I went to the doctor and we started trying to rule out what was 
    causing it.  He gave me pills to help with the pain and they were
    helpful but generally it seemed like the cramps would finally win
    out over the pain medication.  The cramps were actually more like
    contractions.
    
    After an endomitrial biopsy (which my doctor calls a mini D&C) came
    up empty it was suggested I have a laparoscopy.  The doctor left the
    decision up to me and I decided not to do it.  After a couple more
    months of going through horrible periods one month my body decided
    it was just going to have a period indefinitely until I listened to
    what it was trying to tell me.  The period started January 1st and
    just kept going.  The doctor started me on iron pills and I had my
    laparoscopy on January 30th (yes, my period was still going).
    
    It was discovered that I had a fibroid tumor in my uterus the
    size of a golf ball that was causing the bleeding and I had
    endomitiosis all over, especially on my left ovary (which is where most
    of my pain was when I had cramps).  I had a myomectomy (tumor removal,
    leaving the uterus as in tact as possible) on March 4th and at that
    time I had the endomitriosis lasered.  During surgery it was discovered 
    that I actually had 4 fibroid tumors.
    
    Things have been much different since the surgery.  My period is not
    only back to normal, it is better than what normal was before.  Lord
    knows how long these tumors had been growing.                  
    
    I'm not saying that this is what you have.  I'm just trying to share
    the experience with you so that you may avoid the long wait before
    finding out what the problem is.  I'm not sure the mini D&C really
    did much for me.  It actually was sort of painful when they did it
    (in-office procedure).  The laparoscopy, however, was extremely
    valuable for my particular problem.
    
    Jan

    I have always had heavy periods, but some years ago they got wayyy out
    of control.  I was bleeding heavily for about 18 days every month.  It
    was awful.  I also had problems with anemia, of course.
    
    Finally, after bleeding for about 20 days with no let up and unable to
    sleep through the night without flooding, I went to a gynecologist.  I
    was new in the area and simply went to the first one who had time.  Bad
    mistake.
    
    He suggested a D&C to find out what the problem was.  I didn't want to;
    but then another 5 days went by and I called him back.  Still bleeding,
    I was desperate and scared.  *Nothing* was found. I continued to bleed
    for a full 10 days after the D&C and had to use sanitary napkins
    instead of tampons because of the D&C.  
    
    The bleeding finally stopped after a total of 38 days. It stayed pretty
    constant at 12 to 14 days at irregular intervals after that.  Finally,
    a pregnancy that ended in miscarriage after 7 weeks stabalized my
    cycle.
    
    Subsequent doctors theorize that it was simply my body's reaction to
    years and years of cycles without pregnancy to alter the hormonal
    balance.  Too bad the first gyn hadn't done a hormonal test. Turns out
    I also have clotting problems which probably contributed.
    
    Far as I can tell, the D&C caused me to miss work, cost a bundle, and
    didn't diagnose anything. I'd sugest it only as a last resort if no
    other tests provide results.
    
       Margaret