Endometriosis Relief

[mollinska]

I was diagnosed with Stage IV endometriosis about 4 years ago. I had laproscopic surgery to confirm it, and there were so many adhesions that my doctor refused to laser off any of them (which disappointed me beyond measure).

I tried pretty much everything to get rid of the pain (to no avail), and eventually turned to the internet (anything, you know?). Lo and behold, I found something that has helped me. First, I bought the book, "Endometriosis: A Key to Healing Through Nutrition" written by a nurse from the UK who has struggled with endometriosis herself. The book is full of suggestions on how to make your particular "case" better, so these suggestions are only what worked for me (there are other "combos" in the book, for people with different symptoms).

I share these suggestions with this forum only because I feel so blessed to be better. And if I can share my luck with anyone, I do so gladly:

1. Give up wheat: bread, pasta, cereals... all of it
2. Give up dairy (except for activia or similar yogurts, sour cream, and cottage cheese... I have no idea why these dairy products are okay- something about their healthy bacteria? Switching to rice milk made breakfast a lot easier, and I have become a fan of goat cheese).

3. Nutritional supplements: Take an acidophilus pill (containing at least 1 billion organisms apiece) 3 times a day (morning, lunch, and dinner). Take fish oil at breakfast and dinner; take an evening primrose oil and a magnesium pill before you go to bed; take a vitamin c with breakfast and with dinner, and take a multivitamin with breakfast.

The biggest (and hardest) part is giving up wheat and dairy. But if you have endometriosis as bad as I had it, changing your diet may be a small price to pay to feel better.

I'd be happy to answer questions anyone has. As I mentioned previously, the only reason I'm posting this here is because of the life-changing difference these changes have made in my health and quality of life!

[luckymama2two]

Interesting.  I'm glad this is working for you! 

I had endo, too, along with a large uterine tumor, and my doctor removed all of it.  I was a new woman after surgery. 

I hope your experience can help other women suffering from this.  It was hell when I was going through it and I was so glad to get relief! 

[mollinska]

Hi, Luckymama2two,

I was on my way to a hysterectomy when I stumbled upon the book I mentioned in my post. My RE told me that surgery might not even get rid of the pain caused by endo, so I'm relieved to find that diet and supplements work for me.

My mom had a hysterectomy, and she says the same thing you say... that she is a new woman after surgery (she's definitely a huge proponent of it!).

Relief, no matter what shape it comes in, is a blessed thing!

[1edieb]

I tried everything and my only permanent solution which got rid of the pain was a complete hysterectomy.  It took 5 1/2 hours to get it all out.  Not suggesting this for everyone but after years and years of agonizing pain...it worked for me.  Now I use Identical Hormone Replacement and have had NO recurrence of the endo.

[mollinska]

Hi, Edieb,

When you mention that you tried everything, did you also try giving up wheat, dairy, while taking nutritional supplements? The reason I ask is because no medical professionals ever recommended to me that I could, perhaps, find relief through nutrition. I tried acupuncture per my dr.'s recommendation, but that didn't help. It seems almost hokey to me that I could find such relief by something as simple as changing my diet and taking supplements. So I'm curious to know if you tried the nutrition/vitamin route.

Regardless, I'm happy to hear you found relief at last!

[luckymama2two]

Hi, Luckymama2two,

I was on my way to a hysterectomy when I stumbled upon the book I mentioned in my post. My RE told me that surgery might not even get rid of the pain caused by endo, so I'm relieved to find that diet and supplements work for me.

It was worth it a try to save your uterus, and I'm so glad it worked! 

My, mom, too had a hysterectomy and I'm glad I didn't have to go that route. 

[1edieb]

I tried it all...gave up wheat (on my own cause it breaks down in the body similar to estrogen), gave up soy, same reason.  Endo is a huge problem for the women in my family.  My niece has been on the shot for hers and found out she is pregnant!   She couldn't tell me cause she was afraid it would hurt me...Years of infertility treatments and this long wait to adopt has my family constantly worried about me.  They don't realize this has all made me stronger!

[mollinska]

Great attitude, 1edieb!

You brought up a good point: giving up soy. For years I drank soy milk, unaware of the estrogenic properties soy has. Giving up soy was another thing recommended in the book, but I forgot to mention that in my first post.

[luckymama2two]

You brought up a good point: giving up soy. For years I drank soy milk, unaware of the estrogenic properties soy has. Giving up soy was another thing recommended in the book, but I forgot to mention that in my first post.

I also gave it up a few years back once I learned this, too.  And I don't give any to my girls either. 

[kmh]

First, I bought the book, "Endometriosis: A Key to Healing Through Nutrition" written by a nurse from the UK who has struggled with endometriosis herself.

I also have had good results using this book and making changes to my diet (particularly reducing sugar) - it is really tough though since I find that certain foods do bring short-term comfort when the pain is really severe.  The other thing that has been really successful for me is Traditional Chinese Medicine - although I learned early on to stop googling the items my doctor gave me to put into a tea (at one point she had me taking the dung of flying squirrels to help with the pain...!)  I found that she was able to balance my hormones and I actually lost weight without a lot of effort once she got my estrogen into check.  After 10 years of trying to treat my Endo and preserve fertility using Western medicine I was ready for a change and the Eastern approach really resonated with me - my doctor told me that the recipie she uses for my tea (what herbs to put in) has been used in China for over 300 years.  Endo sucks - but there is hope!