I had grown up thinking my pain was normal. And only learned after my surgery that I have a disease and it wasn’t normal.

But what does that mean for me physically? What’s changed?

Whether it be from my excision surgery and D&C, my change in diet, the 6 months of Lupron Depot injections, my new birth control pills, or a combination of them all: I won’t know. All I know is things have been very different.  Please be advised this blog may be a little bit of TMI…

1. I no longer have killer period cramps
   1. Granted, I’ve only had two periods since my surgery before the hormone therapy stripped me of my cycles, but those two periods were the easiest periods I’ve ever experienced. The cramps were so minimal, I didn’t even know I had started.  They were like an annoying gnat, barely given a thought.  We shall see what my next cycle holds in store for me…whenever it decides to kick in.  At the time of writing this entry, I haven’t bled in nearly six months…
2. I no longer have incredibly heavy or long periods
   1. The two periods I have had since surgery were incredibly light and only lasted 2-3 days. UNHEARD OF!  If you told me six months ago that’d be the case, I would have called you crazy and laughed in your face 🙂  Again, waiting to see what my next cycle brings…
3. I no longer have constant lower back pain
   1. I used to have daily lower back pain.  I figured it was because I sat at my job all day, lumbar pressure and all that jazz.  I used to also continuously crack my back in the hopes of relieving that pain.  But now, it’s gone.  Hasn’t returned.  During my research, I have since learned that chronic lower back pain is a symptom of Endometriosis.
4. I very rarely have headaches anymore
   1. I’m assuming this has more to do with a change in diet than it does with my Endometriosis.  Before, I rarely drank any water, but had tons of coffee and soda during the day.  I think the headaches were my body’s way of screaming at me to hydrate.  But I very rarely get any headaches anymore. And when I do, they’re incredibly light and go away with just a few Ibuprofen.  They’re very well-behaved.  However, there have been studies linking migraines and Endometriosis.
5. I no longer get stabbing, shooting pains in my ribs (I used to refer to these as a “bubble in my lungs” or “lightning”)
   1. I used to get sudden, and quick, stabbing pains in my ribs or lungs.  They were so fleeting it’d only last about a second, but it was so powerful it was enough for me to intake a breath and “Ow!”  Whatever they were, I haven’t had one since my surgery.  I’d like to think it’s because the doc removed the Endo implants from my diaphragm.  And through today’s research, I’ve found that there is a link to lung/chest pain and Endo on the diaphragm.
6. I poop at least once a day now
   1. Part of my amazing new poop schedule is due to my new diet, BUT many women with Endometriosis also suffer from chronic constipation (or diarrhea).  I’d sometimes go 3-4 days without pooping.  Suffering from the pain and bloating that came with it.  Sometimes stool softeners didn’t even help.  During my surgery, my doc found my bowel had connected to my uterus by adhesions, and also removed implants from the surface of my bowel. And since, I’m a poopin’ machine! Yay!
7. I no longer have firey, stabbing, tearing pain when I poop
   1. Again, I thought this pain of poopin’ was considered normal.  Sometimes it was agony, even when I wasn’t constipated.  Felt like someone where stabbing me in the gut over and over again.  And I was NOT about to discuss my bowel movements with my doctor.  Why would I? Everybody poops.  I’m sure it hurts everybody when they poop; right? Wrong. This change has almost been as spectacularly amazing as the decrease in my period cramps.  A complete reversal. Oh my god.  Pooping is a joy!

A huge part of me is terrified that this relief is temporary.  But I’m trying to remain positive and think good thoughts.

Anyway, now that I’ve shouted to the heavens about my bodily functions and thoroughly grossed you out, I’m hoping that surgery (or other efforts) have drastically affected your pain as well.  I’d love to hear about it in a comment below.

Resources:

Center for Endometriosis Care

EndoResolved

Mayo Clinic

MedlinePlus

Camran Nezhat, M.D.

Current Pain and Headache Reports (Article, Oct. 2011) – Endometriosis and Headache

Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons (Article, Jan. 2012) – Bilateral Thoracic Endometriosis Affecting the Lung and Diaphragm

WebMD

WomensHealth.gov

*Sunday is “Reader’s Choice” where my readers, friends, and family get to suggest a topic.  Today’s topic came from an my best friend, Rosie, who encouraged me to write about what’s changed physically since my surgery. What doesn’t happen anymore? What’s better?  Again, I am a layman.  I do not hold any college degrees, nor mastery of knowledge.  Please take what I say with a grain of salt.  If curious, do your own research 😉 Validate my writings.  Or challenge them.  And ALWAYS feel free to consult with your physician (or in this case, attorneys). Always.  Yours ~ Lisa