Bipolar Disorder and treatment of endometriosis

[PenelopeAnn]

I'm going to have laparoscopy to see if my symptoms are, in fact, related to endometriosis. The symptoms say yes, but they can only know for sure by looking. The pain is SEVERE. Not bad, but doubled over in a public place and other people calling an ambulance severe. I met the surgeon today and he mentioned, if I remember correctly, Depro-Prevara (sp?), hormone therapy. If they see any sign of endometriosis, they will probably be able to 'zap' them during the procedure. I'm hoping I won't have to take any hormones. I have been through so many med for my bipolar, experienced many side effects, and there are a couple that would cause me to choose intense, intractable pain once a month. I had gotten quite fat over the years due to Depakote, Zyprexa, Remeron, depression, and over 2 years lost it all and have kept it off. I simply cannot risk gaining the weight again. It will depress me irretrievably. The other is mood changes/depression. I have a system that works for me. I'm terrified of becoming so manic or depressed that I don't know which end is up. I do not want to risk becoming psychotic again. I was a danger to both myself and others.

I will have to talk to my psychiatrist, who actually specializes in women's psychiatry - post partum depression, stuff like that - before I agree to any hormonal treatment.

Anyone have any similar experiences or suggestions?

[run4you]

Depo made me really emotional, among a bunch of other side effects... Remember it's a shot, and it lasts 3 months. So if you start having side effects (I didn't gain weight, but I do know people that did) it will not stop for 90 days... you can't just stop taking it. There are progesterone-only pills (not sure if it's exactly the same...) that you could discontinue and it wouldn't take forever to get out of your system.

The weirdest part about depo was that my first dose went well... no problems. The second shot I got... I started having major problems within a few days.

I ended up having a hysterectomy almost 2 years ago (at 27) because of my issues. I was absolutely miserable... I had my 2 kids, had negative reactions to progesterone (and because of a clotting disorder can't take any estrogen).

Sorry... hate to be so negative... I'm just not a fan. I know several women who had great experiences with it, but I was not so lucky.

[embee24]

Are you still here, can you update? I am facing almost the exact same situation