Ladies I need your expertise with Depo Provera 150mg

[joe199]

I had a laparotomy 8 weeks ago for bilateral endometriomas and adhesions. My follow up with the gynecologist was today she wants me to have Depo Provera shots every 3 months 150 mg for the advanced endometriosis. She said this can cause weight gain. Then when she saw my reaction she said only a couple of pounds. Will this stop the endometriosis or only provide pain management. I don't want to go against her recommendation but I wonder if I should get a second opinion.

[Pres0081]

Hi Joe!

I've had endometriosis for about 14 years now... I'm 23 now. I tried Depo Provera at the age of 16. I had a smaller dose once a month. I wasn't advised of the weight gain that I would be getting lol I went from a size 5 to a size 10 within 6 months. I don't know how old you are but at 16, still in high school, I wasn't too happy. I decided to quit the treatment after a year.

After that, I tried all other treatments... pills, patches, Mirena (which I will NEVER recommend to anyone) and now I am on Depot Lupron which puts you into menopause. The way endometriosis was explained to me is that if you stop your period, the endometriosis cannot spread. What I can suggest to you is to give it a try. Every woman reacts differently and if weight gain is the only "bad" thing that can happen, it's honestly not that bad. If it can work for you, then give it a try.

You do not want to get to the point where I'm at. I now wish that I had toughed it out and dealt with it. Weight gain is nothing compared to hot flashes, insomnia, rapid bone density loss and many other nasty things.

Hopefully you'll give it a try. Also, with endo, you do have to change your diet. Check it out on the web, certain foods can make endo worse. So maybe if the weight gain does happen, you can make diet changes that can help both the endo and the weight gain :(

Keep us updated and good luck!

[babyblue2449]

I am still tryin to figure out the best treatment for me, but while i was reading about the depo, i found out that there is a different depo shot just for endo. Its depo-subq provera 104. Its claims its for the pain management.

[Karen777]

I am in the same boat...tryng to figure out the best treatment for my endo.  My gyno suggested continual birth control pills or Depo Provera shot.  I am too worried about the weight gain as a side affect from the depo shot.  Still doing my research....

[joe199]

Hi Karen,

I feel the same way as you do. Can you let me know if you get anymore information. From what I am reading the weight gain can be substantial and I don't think the shot is a long term solution for the endo. Did you end up finding out what stage of endometriosis you have ?  How is the stomach swelling coming along, I remember reading some posts of yours from some other questions I had started and I remember you were trying to dress up some drawstring pants. I am in the same boat as you but I am 9 weeks post op and still swollen. Some people said it takes 3 months. I seem to have gained around 5 pounds as well since the surgery maybe because I am not as active as I usually asm. Anyways take care of yourself and give me some news..

[joe199]

I wonder what the difference between the two depo shots are and I wonder why my gyno recommended the other depo shot if the depo-subq provera 104 shot is specific for endo ?

[babyblue2449]

i think it is new, not sure. all i know is when i googled endo treatments it poped up. the website for it is still under construction.

[babyblue2449]

i think it is new, not sure. all i know is when i googled endo treatments it poped up. the website for it is still under construction.

[babyblue2449]

i think it is new, not sure. all i know is when i googled endo treatments it poped up. the website for it is still under construction.

[hollandlop]

What's the difference between  Provera  and Lupron?

I heard that weight gain is not the only side affect. You can also get acne, hair loss, and bone density loss?

Also, birth control pills doesn't get rid of your period completely, right? So when you do have a period, won't your endometriosis come back every month?

[joe199]

I think although I am no expert that the Lupron puts you into menopause whereas the Provera is a birthcontrol which is less strong. I have read all the same side effects and that is why I am very hesitant to have a shot that I am stuck with side effects for 3 months at least. It is not like a pill that you can just stop overnight, the shot lasts a long time in your system. I don't think irregardless of what they give any method is fullproof I believe I read that endometriosis can still return even in women who get hysterectomies. I am to say the least confused and wondering if the surgery is enough for now and I should just wait and see how it goes.

[babyblue2449]

Hey ladies, i just found this all natural product that claims can help with endo. When i can afford it, i am going to buy it and try it. Heres the website if you want to check it out yourselfs   www.endovan.com  At this point i am willing to try anything because the first & only BC pill that i ever took, i had a reaction to.

[hollandlop]

Hi. I remember that you said it's been like 9 weeks since your surgery.

Are you taking any birth control pills right now?

It's been 8 weeks since my surgery and I'm not taking anything right now because I'm trying to conceive. But I'm very scared that my cyst will grow back.

The only 2 birth control pills I tried in the past is Alesse, which was ok for me, no side effects. I also took a progesterone only pill, which gave me a lot of acne. The reason I took the pills was to regulate my heavy period a few years ago, when I didn't even know I had endo yet.

[joe199]

Hi,

No I am like Karen 777 still doing my homework before starting any treatment. I only saw my gynecologist last week for my follow up and she didn't convince me that the depo shot was the best course of treatment. What I don't understand is that in the hospital she had said we don't need to treat you because you didn't have endo everywhere and at my follow up it was for sure I had to have the depo shot ???

[joe199]

Thanks I will look into that natural treatment. You have endo have you had surgery. Did you have chocolate cysts. Can you give me some background as to when you had your surgery and if your endo has returned. What treatment does your gyno want you to use ?

[hollandlop]

My doctor told me the same thing. He said the only place I had endo was my right ovary, where the endometrioma cyst grew.

Then he told me I had to either become pregnant, or get Lupron shots because the cyst will eventually grow back little by little every month during my period.

He also told me since he doesn't know when my endo started, he doesn't know how long it'll be before the cyst grows back.

Did you have your doctor check to see if anything has grown again during your last checkup?

[joe199]

My gyno didn't do a pelvic exam I had my period. She did say that it had been the cause of my infertility 8 years ago so I assume my endo has been there for quite some time.

I had bilateral endemetriomas and adhesions but the endo wasn't everywhere. It is confusing but I know I don't want to take the Depo but I know if I go back and see her in 6 months and I haven't taken it she won't be too happy.

I am only 40 years old so I am not going to hit menopause for a while.

What are you going to do as a treatment method

[hollandlop]

Well, my doctor told me to have a baby before going on any birth control pills.

My doctor told me to have a baby as soon as possible because of my endo. Since he has no idea when my endo developed, he also doesn't know how long it'll take for the cyst to grow back. I already tried once after my surgery, but no luck. I'm going to try 2 more times. If I still don't get pregnant, I'm going to probably go on Lupron shots for 6 months. I know there are a lot of side affects, but I have no choice. Surgery was just too painful for me. I can't risk going through another surgery again. After the Lupron, my doctor told me to go on birth control pills. Since I'm 33, I am also far away from menopause, and don't know if my endo will worsen a lot before I do hit menopause. This is just so frustrating.

[joe199]

I understand your frustration I tried to get pregnant for years and only now found out that the endo is what caused my infertility. I am now 40 and have decided it is too late for me you still have a chance and I really hope things work out for you.

What my doctor hasn't been able to explain to me is after the 6 months on Lupron or Depo won't the endo come back. Since we can't remain on that medication until menopause aren't we only giving ourselves 6 extra months before the endo comes back ?

I don't see the point unless it guarantees it will never come back.

What do you think ? and how did your doctor explain it to you.

[hollandlop]

My doctor hasn't really explained why I need to take the Lupron shots either. The only thing he told me was it will trick my body into thinking that its on menopause and I won't have my period. And because of that, any adhesions I may have may shrink or disappear.

I read online that some women have been symptom free for a couple of years after the shot, but that depends on each individual and how severe your endo is. I also read that when your endo does come back, it may grow on different places in your body.

The worst part about all this is that nothing is guaranteed. All my doctor could say is that it could work or it may not. This means that everyday we have to worry about when the adhesions might grow back. And we have to keep trying different medications until we find something that works. Just awful!

[joe199]

I am going back to see my family doctor next week although he is not a specialist I trust him and I want his opinion about taking the shot or not. I am just not convinced all these possible side effects are worth it. My cousin had bad endo and had a lap done many years ago and she was not treated afterwards and has been fine for the past 10 years. Her gyno said that the surgery was the most radical treatment option and the best one for long term relief from endo. She said if it comes back quickly chances are nothing will work longterm, she was lucky it hasn't returned for her but from some of the posts I am reading here some woman are back on the operating table in a couple of months even if they do take the shots.

I will let you know what my family doctor says.

[hollandlop]

Yeah, I read that about 50% of women who had surgery done won't get it back. I guess your cousin is one of the lucky ones.

I also read some of the posts about their adhesions reoccurring within a few months. That is so scary. That's why I'm really worried if I'm one of them since I'm not taking any pills right now.

I hope your family doctor will give you some answers. Please let me know what he says. =)

[joe199]

Of course I will keep you informed I am seeing him Wednesday afternoon on August 26th.

I actually was told last week by the surgeon who performed a colonoscopy on me for some digestive issues I have been having that the laparotomy I had for the cysts to be removed causes scar tissue and adhesions to occur. I was shocked because I thought the surgery was done to remove adhesions he said yes but any abdominal surgery can cause other adhesions to occur. We discussed it when the colonoscopy was painful and that is when he explained it to me that the surgery had probably caused scar tissue and adhesions to form !!!!!

I know that things will work out for your hollandlop. Keep me informed of how you are feeling and how things are going. I feel like we have come to know one another and I understand exactly what you are going through at the moment.

I am starting to feel the gas and bloating finally going away a bit. I know it is going to go away soon for you as well.

Take care

[hollandlop]

It is comforting to know I am not alone here. This was my first surgery and I didn't know it would take so long to heal.

The urologist also told me the same thing last week regarding adhesions. He said my surgery may have caused some adhesions around the bladder area. I am also shocked because like you, I thought the surgery was to remove adhesions, not cause them.

But the urologist told me that the adhesions caused by surgery will usually go away a few weeks after.

I went to see my gyn today to make an appointment for intra-uterus insemination. He told me to take 5 days of Clomid and then to test for ovulation until it becomes positive. Then I will go in to do the procedure. He said the success rate is about 50%. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

I also asked him again about the gas and bloating. He confirmed that it does take 3 months for it to go away. He also said that the pain we feel when we press around the incision site will stay there until it completely heals.

I am glad to hear you are feeling better. Please keep me informed on your healing progress.  =)

[joe199]

That is great news about the intra-uterus insemination. You must be really anxious.

Did the gynecologist say how long before the endo comes back ? Thanks for confirming about the gas and bloating.

I hope you are managing to stay calm about that and I know everything is going to work out fine for you. 50% that is pretty good chance for you to get pregnant.

I am back at work since 4 days, finding it difficult. Are you back at work yet ?

Please keep me informed :)  

[babyblue2449]

No i dont get chocolate cysts, mine are called functional. I had my surgery on Jan 28, 2009. And they couldnt remove all of it. My doc is tryin to push BC with estrogen in it. Since i already tried that and had a reaction i refuse. I asked about the depo my doc starts with all the side affects, instead of telling me if it will work or not. I know its still there and has come back, because even after the surgery i was & still am in pain. I am not taking any treatment at this time, and dont know what do do.

[joe199]

Hi there,

Thanks for your response. It is so frustrating I went to see my doctor today and he told me that the depo could help while I take it but that there is no guarantee the endo won't come back after the 6 month treatment. I just don't know what to do anymore. Not take any treatment and hope the surgery worked or risk all those side effects for a treatment that has no guarantees.

It is so frustrating

[joe199]

Hi,

I saw my doctor today. He said that the depo should finish the job the surgeon started because it is impossible to surgically remove all of the endo. Some of it can be too small to see with the naked eye. The depo will melt the small amounts that remain. He agreed it has a lot of side effects and that there was no guarantee that in 6 months when I stop taking it that the endo will return.

I am so frustrated and confused I just don't know what to do anymore :(

[hollandlop]

Yeah, I know the frustration. That's exactly what my gyn told me before. He also told me that there's no guarantee the endo won't return. He said since mine was an endometrioma, it will collect blood everytime I have my period.

He suggested that after my 6 months of Lupron, I should take birth control pills that will let me know a period once every 3 months.

But even if that's the case, it's still a long time before I reach menopause, and there's still a good chance that the endometrioma will grow back.

My doctor keep telling me to try this and try that. I feel like there's no end to this.

How's your gas and bloating? Is it improving?

[joe199]

What do you mean the endometrioma will collect blood every month. I had two endometriomas one on each ovary but they were removed completely, not drained but excised and a biopsy was even performed on them. Weren't your endometriomas removed by laparotomy ? My doctor did not explain that to me that blood would recollect in them she said they were gone. My god I certainly hope not anyways :(

My gas and bloating is better during the day but by suppertime I still feel like a balloon :)

are you back at work yet ? If so how is it going. My doctor wouldn't suggest anything. It is as though he wouldn't go against the gynecologist recommendation of the depo shot. And the gynecologist I have only seen one time since my surgery and I don't see her until next February now she said I can't give you pills the dose would need to be too strong. It was take the depo and don't bother me anymore.................

How is the clomid going

[hollandlop]

Yes, I had a laparotomy and had the endometrioma excised too.

That's what my gyn told me. He said everytime I have my period, a little blood will collect in the endometrioma. But I assume that there has to be an adhesion there in order for the blood to collect.

Maybe you should see another gyn? I remember before my surgery, I saw a gyn who said I needed a hysterectomy! I totally freaked out and went to see another gyn. It's better to find a gyn who actually cares about his patients and do what's best for the patient. I find that many doctors I've seen just throw random answers at me. They don't even take the time to ask me about my symptoms or how I feel.

This is my third day on clomid. I feel normal so far. But I do worry that my endo will grow back since that's what I read.

My gas/bloating situation is the same as yours. In the daytime I feel fine, but by evening, I am all puffed up. Does the area around your incision site still hurt?

[joe199]

I live in Canada so if what I am about to explain to you is obvious I am sorry. We are unable to see specialists like gynecologists without a referral from our family physician. I went to see my family physician on Wednesday to try to explain to him that I was uncomfortable about the treatment option she provided to me and that I just did not feel comfortable with her and wanted another one. He just told me that he happened to know her and that she was very competent and he would not give me another referral when I had a very good gynecologist. Without a note from him I am stuck and cannot see a specialist.


Glad to hear about the clomid.

Yes as I begin to swell up in the evening the incision site become sore and if I touch it, it hurts.

I am still really careful not to bang myself and when in public places like the grocery store I am very careful !

[hollandlop]

I have HMO insurance so it's basically the same thing. I also have to go through my family doctor to get a referral from her. Can you switch family doctors? If your family doctor refuses to let you switch gyn, then you should go to another family doctor who's willing to let you pick another gyn. My previous family doctor was very stubborn, so I switched to another one. This one is pretty nice, when I ask her to do something, she usually does it.

Right now my pelvic floor area feels pressure sometimes. I don't know if it's because of the endo or because of adhesions caused by the surgery. I never felt this before my surgery.

I'm also careful in public, crowded places. I'm always afraid that someone is going to run into me and hit my painful incision area.

[joe199]

I will try that but 40 percent of the people here don't even have family doctors because our medical system is so overwhelmed. You are considered lucky when you a have a family doctor. My doctor for example has 3000 people on a waiting list and he isn't even taking any more names.Unfortunately if you do not have a family doctor you have trouble getting referrals and end up in emergency rooms waiting 24 hours to be seen by someone. Our system is free but not without major problems.

[91004]

I have taken the depo lupron for about 2 months now. I had a laporscopy done and my left ovary and tube removed in March. The bloating didn't go away until the end of last month. I do get hot flashes alot since on the lupron, other than that so far not many side effects, I am also on the Yaz birth control. So I still have some spotting. I go for my third shot in about 3 wks. I have started to loose weight, but was put on phenermine to help with that. Thought this mite help some of you.

[hollandlop]

I do hope that you find a good family doctor. I think having a doctor that is willing to listen to you and spend time to discuss your problems is extremely important.

I did the cystoscopy and the doctor told me there's nothing inside my bladder, my urethra is inflamed probably due to the catheter that was placed inside during my surgery. He gave me macrobid for the inflammation.

My gas and bloating is a little better now. But I am still bloated at night and I can still feel something in there all the time.

How are you feeling? Do you feel like any of your endo symptoms coming back?

Did your doctor mention that the adhesions can grow back in other areas?

[joe199]

Hi,

I am feeling better each day and am not feeling like any of my endo symptoms are coming back. The bloating is not every evening anymore but more like a couple of nights per week.

I am trying really hard to forget about the surgery and try to enjoy the symptom free time I have, which I hope will last for a very long time.

I am going to see a company dieticien next Tuesday to see if there are any supplements or diets changes I can make which will help my endo.

Any updates on your side ? How are you feeling ?

Did the clomid work ??

[hollandlop]

I'm so glad to hear that you are feeling better. How many weeks has it been since your surgery? This is my 9th week.

I am feeling ok so far, aside from my frequent urination.

I am testing for ovulation every day now. Today is my 14th day, and I still tested negative. I read so many posts that women with endo cannot ovulate. I hope I'm not one of them.

Here's an article I found kind of helpful as to endo diet.
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/10/56.cfm

Let me know what the dietician says. I am hoping that my diet can help with my endo too.

[joe199]

Don't give up I am sure you will start ovulating soon.

My bladder doesn't seem quite the same either. I definetely go pee more frequently than before the surgery.

Thanks for the link I will check out the website.  I have three consultations with the company dietician, I will keep you posted.

I was operated on June 15th so it is my 11th week.

Talk to you soon :)

[hollandlop]

Hi.

How did the consultation with the dietician go?

I had the insemination done 2 days ago. The cramping pain was so horrible. But glad I got it over with.

I read on a lot of websites that having a strong immune system will decrease the chances of endometriosis coming back. I'm taking a lot of vitamins right now everyday. I don't know if that'll help, but I'm so scared of going through surgery again that I'm willing to try anything.

[joe199]

Hi,

I met with the dietician yesterday and because it was our first meeting it was more of a background and alot of questions for her to build up my file so I haven't really learnt anything yet. I meet back with her on September 22nd and that is where she is going to be give me documentation and start giving me a diet plan for the endo. She has also arranged for me to meet with a naturopathic doctor for me to be told what supplments and vitamins to take I should be meeting him on September 24th. So in two weeks I should be able to give you more of an idea of what the two recommend for the endo.

That is wonderful news about the insemination. How long before you know if you are pregnant or not.

How are you feeling otherwise ? Is the bloating going away ? Do you fit into your pants now ? I fit but they feel tighter than they used to feel. My stomach still has a bump where the incision is and it makes especially jeans hard to fit into. I probably would need to buy a size bigger but I am hoping the bump will eventually go completely away.

Take care and hope to talk to you soon

[hollandlop]

The gyn told me to just wait and see if my period comes.
If I don't get pregnant, I have to do the whole process over again.

I can fit into my elastic waist pants. But I still can't fit into any of my jeans. The incision site still has some pain and I also still have a bump above my incision site. I tried on a pair of jeans that's a size bigger. But when the zipper part of the jeans rub against the incision site, it hurts. So I guess I'll just have to stick with soft pants for now until it completely heals.

I do hope the dietician will give you a lot of helpful information regarding endo diet. My doctor doesn't tell me anything.

[joe199]

I promise I will give you all the info I get from both the dieticien and the naturopathic doctor.

Do you think it is bloating that is causing us to not fit into our zip up jeans or has our body just changed because of the surgery ?

Do you weigh yourself have you gained any weight since the surgery ?

Are you back to work yet and if so how is it going ?

By the end of the day I am tired and my incision is still sore like you, I am the most comfortable in jogging pants and the minute I get home that is what I get into all evening.

I will say a little prayer for you and hope you are pregnant

hugs Johanne

[enlighten05]

I didn't respond to the depo pervera. I was still bleeding and had bad cramps. I gained 30 lbs in 3 months. (which 9 months later has only come off by a few pounds and LOTS of hard work) and I had extreme lethargy (couldn't get off the couch to go the bathroom by myself. I also had intense joint pains.
6 months later taking Northindrone (35mg / day) I have no symptoms am losing the weight and feeling better. I did find out that Bipolar has the exact reaction I had with Depo Pervera.

DO NOT TAKE DEPO PERVERA if you are Bi Polar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hollandlop]

I weigh about the same, maybe only 3 lbs more since the surgery.

I think it is the bloating because when I press on the puffy area above my incision, I still feel pressure inside.

I used to be able to suck my stomach in completely. But now, when I try to suck it in, that puffy area cannot be sucked all the way in.

I am looking for work right now. I had to quit my job because of my surgery.

I also have to wear jogging pants. Actually, I'm most comfortable in 'loose' jogging pants. Even though I tried to wear some of my tighter jogging shorts, I don't feel comfortable in them because I feel like they press against my abdominal area.

I am feeling menstrual cramps and am spotting right now. Today is the 27th day of my cycle. So I don't think the insemination worked. I will probably have to do it again.  =(

How are you feeling? Has it been 3 months for you yet? Do you still feel any bloating or pain?

[joe199]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear the insemination didn't work but it was only the first try, I am sure after a few times it will happen for you. Yes it has been 13 weeks and although the bloating and pain are better I can't say that they are completely gone.

As you say I cannot suck in my stomach all the way in any more either. I am walking an hour to an hour and a half every day and really watching the foods I eat.

Tomorrow I have my second appointment with the dietician and I think I should learn more tomorrow about what foods to avoid. I also have an appointment with a naturopathic doctor on Wednesday for supplements that could be beneficial to keep the endo at bay.

I will get back to you with any info I get.

How are you doing ? It certainly is a lengthy process to getting well. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever feel exactly the way I felt before the surgery.

[hollandlop]

Hi.

Yes, this is a very lengthy process. Before the surgery, I thought it would take around a month and everything would go back to normal.

Right now, this is the beginning of the 12th week for me and I still have bloating and gas, my stomach is still puffy, and there is still some pain around my incision site.

I try to walk too but it is hard for me because there are no parks around my neighborhood. I am trying to eat healthier and also stay away from fried foods. I am also taking my vitamins everyday.

I am hoping that all the gas and bloating and puffiness will go away in one more month. But this is just taking forever. That is also why I'm so afraid to have another surgery in the future. I really do not want to go through with any of this again. I think at this healing rate, it might take up to half a year before I go back go normal.  

I am also having very heavy periods right now because of the Clomid, the fertility medication I'm taking for the insemination.

But I did get a check up today and my gyn said nothing has grown back so far. I am keeping my fingers crossed everyday.......

[joe199]

How are you doing ? I hope all is well with you. I am doing pretty good. Here is the information I can share with you after consulting the dietician and the naturopathic doctor. As far as diet goes there is nothing specific but you must try to eat very healthy and high fiber. Try to eat foods that are easily digestible to control gas and lightly steam your vegetables. Avoid refined sugars, greasy foods, fat, caffeine and alcohol. Drink a lot of water. As far as supplements go Take 1500 miligrams of magnesium and 1000 miligrams of calcium every day. Take a full spectrum digestive enzyme with each meal for gas and to help digestion. Take a B vitamin complex daily. Taking a probiotic for 2 months was also recommended.

Use fresh ginger in cooking or in teas and smoothies as an anti inflammatory. Consider a gluten free diet.

The book Women's health and women's wisdom by Christianne Northrup was recommended reading.

Get an hour of exercice (walking or swimming) per day if possible.

I have incorporated a lot of this and am feeling better. Let me know how you are doing.

[hollandlop]

Hi. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. Is your gas and bloating completely gone? Is the area above your incision site still puffy?

As of today, I do feel better than I did a couple of weeks ago. I can actually fit into a pair of my denim shorts, which of course, is looser fitting than the rest. My incision site still feels a little pain, but a lot better than before. I still have some bloating. But another doctor I saw told me that the bloating I am experiencing is because the area where the endometrioma was excised is still inflammed. He said once the area completely heals, the bloating I feel inside my abdominal cavity should be completely gone.

As far as vitamins go, I am taking B complex and probiotic every day. I am also taking grapeseed and green tea extract and vitamin e.

I remember you did mention that you urinate more frequently after your surgery. Is it better now?

[joe199]

The gas and bloating are better but are not completely gone. I am hoping the full spectrum digestive aid will help. The site above my incision is much better but at night it does still become puffy and sometimes it hurts, it feels like someone is trying to pull the incision apart. I think that even after I am completely healed a bump will remain but I hope I am wrong.

Did the other doctor tell you how long this inflammation can last before it is completely healed. Unfortunately we seem to get the info in bits and pieces and not the same info depending on who you speak to.

My urination is less frequent that right after surgery but I still find myself waking up in the middle of the night to go and first thing in the morning before even putting my dog outside which I never had to do before.

Glad you seem to be feeling better as well.

Any news on the pregnancy ? or are you working as of yet ?

[hollandlop]

This is so weird. When I suck in my stomach, everything seems to suck in except the area from my incision site all the way up to below my belly button. So it doesn't seem like it's the air or gas that's causing the puffiness. I think it is the tissue/muscle underneath that is puffing up.

The other doctor told me the internal inflammation will probably last for another month or two. He said once the bloating is completely gone, that's when I know I have completely healed inside. And yes, what you said is right. Different doctors tell me different things. That is why this is so frustrating. I feel like I don't even know what is going on inside my own body!

I still urinate about 3 times at night. When I feel like I have to go, I feel pressure around my incision site, and feel extreme bloating around that area. This never happened to me before the surgery.

Today is the 21st day of my cycle. I really hope I can get pregnant this time around. The IUI is just painful. I am still looking for a job since I had to quit my old one before the surgery.

[joe199]

I know exactly how you feel about the puffiness above your incision site I am the same as you say it gets worst at night. I suck in and just like you say it doesn't want to suck in above the incision site and sometimes at night it gets so big I feel like I am going to explode. In the morning it is much better, there is almost no swelling but by the end of the day the bump is very noticeable and it hurts. There is improvement though.

Sorry to hear about the job hunt, hopefully you will be getting pregnant and won't need to work for long.

Can I ask you a personal question ?

I seem to have lost most of the sensation down below since the surgery and I have not been able to achieve an orgasm. I am sorry to be so explicit and I certainly don't want to offend you but I am just wondering if this is possible ? At first I thought it was because the surgery was so recent now I am wondering if it will ever go back into place.

[hollandlop]

Yeah, the puffiness has improved since the surgery, but really slow. I am feeling very discouraged right now. I just have a feeling it will be like this for a very long time.

I started being sexually active 2 months after my surgery, and nothing has changed for me. It was hard for me to get into it at first because I was afraid that it would be painful because of the surgery. And also I was afraid that my husband might touch my incision area with his body. So it was hard for me to enjoy it and achieve an orgasm the first few times, but I think that was just a mental thing for me. Right now, everything is pretty much back to normal. But sometimes I feel like my confidence level decreased because of my puffy stomach.

Maybe if you relaxed more and not think about the surgery or the incision it might help? Good luck!

[hollandlop]

I just got a transvaginal ultrasound done last thursday from an infertility specialist and he found that the endometrioma has grown back to 1.5cm. I don't know if this has anything to do with the clomid I am taking. He said if I do become pregnant, it might shrink or disappear. But it's weird, last month when I just had the regular ultrasound done from my gyn, he didn't find anything. I don't know if its because the regular ultrasound is not accurate and can't pick up cysts until they get really big or not.

[joe199]

thanks for writing and letting me know. You must be worried but is it a cyst or an endometrioma ? I don't understand my surgeon gyn doesn't even want to see me until february and she hasn't ordered any special tests or anything except for bloodtests one I took in August and another one I need to take in January to see my CA 125. How come you keep getting ultrasounds and tests and I haven't received anything ? Is my doctor doing his job properly ? I must discuss this with her in February to make sure I don't have any endometriomas growing back either ?

How are you feeling ? What is there course of action going to be monitor it for a couple of months until you get pregnant ?

[hollandlop]

I went to see an infertility specialist last week to do my IUI. My insurance doesn't cover infertility at all, so I might as well see a specialist who knows what he's doing. My gyn have been doing the insemination wrong. He told me that the egg lives for 96 hours after ovulation, when in reality, it only lives for 24. That is why I'm not going to go back to my gyn again.

Anyways, last week the infertility specialist gave me ultrasound to check my ovaries, that's when he found out that my endometrioma was growing back.

I have to go see him tomorrow to get another ultrasound to check when I will be ovulating. I don't know if it has grown bigger within the week. I will keep you updated on my situation.

How are you healing? I still have some puffiness, the gas/bloating didn't change much within these few weeks.

[joe199]

Yes please keep me informed, I know you were worried about the endometrioma coming back and now it seems to be happening. You seem very calm about it, you are taking it well.

I am feeling not bad but the gas and bloating are not gone and some days are worst than others. I really am starting to wonder 5 months after surgery if it is ever going to go away completely. There are pants I have put away because I don't think I will ever fit into them again but I don't understand because I only gained 4 pounds on the scale but my body shape around my incision and above has changed, don't know if you know what I mean but I have a feeling you do.

Other than that I am looking forward to a two week vacation in December, 2 weeks in Punta Cana, hoping that will do me good.

[joe199]

How are you doing. I am worried about you please give me some news.

[hollandlop]

Hi.

I'm doing ok. From my last ultrasound, done about 2 weeks ago, the endometrioma is still the same size.

As for the gas/bloating, it is pretty much the same.So I know exactly what you mean. I gained around 3 lbs only but I feel like my stomach has gotten bigger. I also have pants that I cannot even button up. The puffy area above my incision site just will not go away. I can't even suck it in. I don't know if other people has this problem too after a laparotomy, or is it just us???

How are you feeling? When will you get your ultrasound done?

[britt97]

I HAVE MILD ENDO. LUPRON IS VERY BAD. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THAT TO KNOW ONE. I WAS READING A SITE AND IT IS THE KISS OF DEATH. I USE ALL NATURAL AND HERBAL MEDICINE AND PROGESTERONE CREAM WHICH BALANC OUT YOUR HORMONES WHICH IS THE MAIN FACTOR OD ENDO.