Big Busted History, Part 1

In 2000, I went to my ob/gyn complaining of severe menstrual cramps, which had begun at age 14. My doctor at the time insisted it was gastrointestinal issue. When I told her that I only experienced the pain on my period, she persisted that it was just IBS. A few months later, after being put on birth control pills, I went back to her and insisted something was wrong. My doctor finally “gave in” and said she would cut me open "if she had to" to determine if I had endometriosis. I found a new doctor!

In 2001, I started seeing another local ob/gyn. I told him about my painful periods, and he immediately said I had the classic signs of endometriosis. I had a laparoscopy and was diagnosed with minimal to mild endometriosis in my posterior cul de sac region. A right, paratubal cyst was also removed at that time. I believe the method he used was ablation; I do not believe he excised the endometriosis. After surgery, I went on a 6 month treatment of Lupron Depot, during which I have never felt better. I tolerated the minimal side effects extremely well. After that 6 month time period, my cramps resumed. Because Lupron is so damaging to bones, the doctor suggested I go on continuous birth control. I was put on Ortho Tri-Cyclen continuously, and had a little relief at first, and then the pain started coming back. I decided this was something I just had to deal with, and dealt with the pain for the next 3 years.

In August 2003, I started seeing a new doctor. At my first appointment, I told him about my pain, and how it was getting increasingly worse since my surgery. He decided rather than doing surgery, I go on Lupron Depot again, since I responded so well the first time. I also had a bone scan at this time and was diagnosed with Osteopoenia, but he still suggested Lupron. After another 6 months of being pain free, the pain immediately came back my first cycle off of Lupron.

In May 2005, he decided to do a laparoscopy (my second), since I had exhausted Lupron and birth control pills did not give me any relief. My pain had gotten so bad at that point, I was missing work at least once a month. After the surgery, the doctor told me he did not find any endometriosis. I asked him why I was in so much pain, and he seemed unconcerned, telling me it looked like endometriosis could start growing, because my pelvic region was inflamed. He said I should go on continuous birth control again, to stop the endometriosis from growing back. I was confused, but figured he knew what she was talking about. I then went on a continuous cycle of Yasmin birth control pills, and stopped after 3 months. The side effects of anxiety, depression and frequent spotting were too much.

To be continued...