endometriosis? or something else?

[HopefullyOk]

i've had increasingly painful menstrual cycles since last july (2008).  now, in the last two months my cycles, while still regular as they always were, are now lasting longer.  the one last month lasted 13 days.  the month before that was about 10 days.  my doctor has taken samples to send off for testing.  however, this week is my cycle, & i'm now noticing a strange colored stool (sorry, so graphic). at first i thought it was like that b/c i didn't really eat anything the first time it happened..but, this last time, i had a full meal & it still looked the same.  it's very sparse stool (despite my big meal) & it's a grayish looking color (is the best i can describe it).  do these symptoms sound like that of a particular disorder?..b/c what i've read on endometriosis so far makes no mention of discolored, strange textured stool.  thanks, in advance.    

[Pcogale]

Your grey coloured stool could be an indication of a gall bladder or liver problem.  The colour indicates that there may not be enough bile.

Or you may have some other sort of malabsorption problem like coeliac disease.  You probably need to get some further testing.

You may very well have endometriosis but it sounds like there is another medical issue as well.

[HopefullyOk]

Thank you, so much.  I have an appointment this week with my gyno..we are supposed to discuss the results of the ultrasound & transvaginal exam i just had.  she did the laproscopy the last time i visited i think (is that the skinny little suction thing that causes cramping?  if yes, then THAT was awful)!.  she wanted to have the results from all three together for my visit this week.  i'll ask her about the sonohystogram.

[cjohns85]

I'm not a Dr., but my mother, grandmother, and aunt have all had endometriosis, they all have had hysterectomies because they let it go on for too long without treatment. Does your mother or grandmother have it, or any female in your family, if so, you might too(genetics). With endometriosis I know that it can cause scar tissue on your intestines/colon/rectum if it has gone on for a while w/out treatment. You should insist your OB/GYN take additional steps in finding out, ask about an ultrasound, transvaginal exam, sonohystogram. A laproscopy will be able to give you a definative answer if you have it or not.