What kind of tests do they have to see if you have Endometriosis???

[painpaingoaway]

Hey ladies, just another question. Are there tests out there to see if you have endo and why haven't my docs checked me out knowing my family history and symptoms, not to mention me asking if there was anything they could do to see if I had it. Can you see it on a U/S? I hope all you ladies are feeling better and healing.

Bethany :)

[4 ivfs]

I am new to the post a comment, and I just wanted to share my experiences. In hopes there is someone else out there going through the same thing. I was diagnosed with endo. over 4 years ago. I have had 2 laparoscopies and had my right ovary removed over two years ago. After 4 ivfs, we finally had the baby we so longed for. But,alas, the endo. starting acting up again, and I have been to my fertility doctor on numerous occasions since the birth of my son alomst 2 years ago. I have extreme bloating which last for days (going into weeks) along with sharp, piercing pains which are now happening on my left side(cramping too). I am fearful my left ovary is "damaged." I am going in tomorrow for an ultrasound and I am going to insist on blood work. I am fearful that there is more going on than what an ultrasound can show. I am also going to ask for another laparoscopy. I think I have about one week where I am almost pain and bloat free.  I look forward to your comments. Thank you.

[JGMom]

Hi - I looked like I was 7 mos pregnant too and my weight was going all over the place from day to day depending on how bloated I was when I was weighed.  I'm only a few days post-op and my stomach is just starting to go down from swelling and the surgery, but already it is better than it was.  And before when I had endo in my 20s, it went down after surgery and I felt better for years.   So hang in there. It's bad enough that this stuff has to strike us in middle age, but it's horrible when young people like you get hit with it.  As I mentioned before somewhere, Aleve really helped w/ the pain - take a couple as soon as you get that lower back pain or the beginnings of the pain.  I think beyond helping w/ the pain, it actually may help w/ the endo itself by controlling the inflammation and prostagladin production.  I really lived pain-free and a normal life having 2 kids (which I feared I wouldn't be able to have) and all for years before this came up again recently.  So there is hope that things will get better for you.

I'm sorry - I must have misunderstood your post before.  I didn't realize that you are happy w/ your Dr.  I thought she was being dismissive of your symptoms.  But it sounds like if she is the one who suspected endo at your age, then she is more on top of things than the average Dr may be?

[painpaingoaway]

Well I just turned 20 in sept. I know that I am not too young to have endo. My doc seems like she knows what she is talking about, but I have my doubts, I have been to too many docs that turn me down. I do have really painful inflamation in my pelvic area. Sometimes I look like I am 7 mo pregnant. Thanks! Eugene is pretty, but I think everywhere else is prettier.

Bethany :)

[JGMom]

I had endo in my early 20s too.  I may have missed how old you are?  Mickey and others on here are right - you can have endo any time once you're in childbearing age and getting your menstrual cycle.  There seems to be this idea out there that the women who have endo are "type A" career women who put off their childbearing for their careers - almost like endo is some sort of "payback".  I bet that's where the ridiculous notion of "too young for endo" is coming from.  That's rather outdated an outlook.  Can you find another Dr - maybe in Portland OR or nearby town?  I have some friends in OR - both in Eugene and in Salem.  I've only been there once - it's beautiful.

As for tests for endo, there really aren't any that I know of.  Except it seems like a lot of people w/ endo have inflammation - it is more and more being recognized as an autoimmune disease.  So your sed rate or C reactive protein may be up or you may have other signs of inflammation - but these would not be considered specific for endo.  And imaging doesn't really capture what is going on with it or even confirm that you have endo.  Just like Mickey and others on here, I had much imaging and it didn't scream endo and my recent lap showed much worse endo than one would have ever guessed based on imaging.

I would really try to find another Dr if you can.  It's just such an uphill battle dealing w/ someone who doesn't take your symptoms seriously and has such outdated non-scientific notions.  A good Dr can make all the difference in the world.  I'll ask my friends from OR if they know anyone and I'll let you know.

[CindiSue]

I am from WV and we don't have alot of local docs that do more than the basics. If we have a "real" issue we go to a bigger town, usally Columbus, OH ot Ohio Sate Univ Hospital, or to Morgantown to WVUniv hospital. Is there a university medical school with a hospital w/in do-able driving distance?  Usually we can see specialists there. And if it is long term treatment, get a good local doc to follow the specialists suggestions. I would not just go localy. Do a google and see what you come up with.   Cindi

[painpaingoaway]

Its a total cop-out. I don't take it for one minute. That is why I have been to a lot of docs. Not just because of that but because they most likely arent willing to listen to me if they rule out any possibility that I may actually have something even something minor, you know? I know Iam young, do they have to remind me of that every time?
What parts are you from if you dont mind me asking?

Bethany

[NikkiPoo]

Bethany, so sorry your going thru this, doctors can be such a pain in the a-s. I have a kidney doctor that I have been going to for 11 years and I have pain 24/7 due to my kidneys, well the doctor loves to tell me that I couldn't possibly be in pain all the time and to just deal with it.  Well for that & many other reasons I am finding a new doctor. I finally realized that if I truly needed him when/if I reach end stage renal disease that he is not the doctor that I want. I asked him 3 months ago to refer a gyn/oncol in the area and he still has not responded, i faxed him 3x's and lft 1msg. If he can totally ignore me when I told him that my gyn said I need surgery but he won't do it than what kind of doctor is he. OMG sorry for rambling:) I could go on and on and on..  Good luck:)

[NikkiPoo]

CindiSue,

I just had to post to you.... All (well the majority) of my family lives in WVA, Fairmont mainly than kinda scattered around.
How's the weather??

[toothfairyp]

Hello, I agree with mickeyvicky. I had/have endometriosis and the only way to diagnose is laparoscopy. They have put me on BC pills at the age of 46! If you are of childbearing age and want to have children, I suggest you have surgery. My sister who just turned 40, and has no children YET had surgery and is now hoping to get pregnant. Keep up posted & good luck!

[painpaingoaway]

Thank you so much ladies. I really needed to talk to someone before I went crazy. Nickipoo, so sorry for what you are going through. I will pray for you that you find the right doc soon. MickeyVicki I also heard that you could even have endo @ the age of 10. I hope I get help soon. I really don't want my condition to get worse. I just called my gyno and the nurse will be calling me shortly. It has only been 9 days since my bloodwork was done. Hope they have the results! Another plus about this doc is that I can get in really fast, usually next day. I haven't tried to get in the same day yet. There are also surgeons right in the office! Cool huh?:)

Bethany

[CindiSue]

Well, yesterday it was 65 here in Parkersburg and as lovely as you could ask for. Even at 9pm when I went out for the dog it almost felt tropically warm and moist. But today it is 37 and spitting snow every now and then. My crocusses have been up for a month and the pussywillows are about to burst so spring is about sprung!   Cindi

[MickeyVicki]

Bethany, I know for a fact that a woman cannot be "too young" to have endometriosis.    Any women of "childbearing age" can have the condition.  Some friends have a daughter who was in so much pain that she had surgery to remove some of the endo implants and adhesions before she graduated from high school.  And one member of my own extended family had surgery for endometriosis in her early 20s.

[painpaingoaway]

Thanks for the site! I am gonna go check it out. You have been a great help!

[painpaingoaway]

That is what I thought. I believe mine is bad. Yet again no laparasopy or surgery. Docs are not willing to operate too find out. They ALL say I am too young, but I saw some posts on here of women getting help at a young age. Maybe it is just the docs here in Eugene, OR! They were like that in Cali too! I don't know but I can't wait until next time I go in!

Bethany

[MickeyVicki]

Just in case you have not already read this site:

http://www.endometriosisassn.org/endo.html

[MickeyVicki]

In my experience - no, endometriosis cannot  be seen on an ultrasound.   At least it was not on mine, and at surgery we learned I have one heck of a case of it.  As for why your doctors have not addressed your issues...well...there are good doctors and there are not-so-good doctors.  Often, birth control pills or other hormone treatments are prescribed to assist in controlling the endometriosis.

Endometriosis is like a plague of the women in my family, on both sides of my family. I know that two relatives did have some type of bloodwork, that I believe tested for a type of inflammation or perhaps it was a type of immune disorder;  I am really not certain.