Author: Bloomin' Uterus

Pain Journal: August 2020

| Bloomin' Uterus

Another month is behind us. I have my consultation with my surgeon on September 15th to discuss my deep-infiltrating Endometriosis on my sigmoid colon and (hopefully) schedule a surgery with he and my colo-rectal surgeon to handle it.

So, in preparation for those meetings, I’ve been tinkering with my pain journal with how better to visualize or express my symptoms to others. And here’s what I’ve come up with:

As you can see, while I was on my period (the cells shaded red), pain levels were higher across the board, and more consistent on a daily basis. The “glass guts” feeling when I poop has calmed down a lot to where it’s just a painful sharp stabbing when I go half the time. And pretty much most of the other pain I experienced during the month is an odd sharp stabbing or ache every once in a while on the right or left of my lower abs.

A third of the month, I experienced days of pain of the lower left side (hello, Sigmoid Colon?). And 20% of the month had pain on the lower right abs, don’t ask me why. Most of the 12-16% of lower uterine/middle abdomen pain and lower back pain occurred while I was on my period.

Here’s the usual daily pain and food tracker, if you’re ever interested in the play-by-play:

And I still track my bowel movements and pain on a separate tracker. What goes in must come out, eh? This chart will be of particular importance to me as I head in for my bowel consultations.

During the month of August, I poo’d 41 times. Only 25 of those times were pain-free, so a little more than half. Every date on this chart represents a poo. If there’s multiple dates (like the 3rd, for example), I poo’d multiple times that day. If there’s a blue line, it means it hurt with a regular poo. If there’s a red line, it was diarrhea with pain. So, for example, on August 14 I poo’d and it stabbed through my guts with an 8 out of 10 pain level. Ugh. And the most painful poos (8 out of 10) only occurred while I was on my period. If there’s a date with no blue or red line, it was a pain-free poo.

And the charts continue! Of my August poops, 63% of them were diarrhea. That’s alotta shit. Well, a lot of loose shit…

And of those loose and watery bowel movements, a whopping 64% of them were pain-free. But when it did hurt, it varied between a 1-8 on the pain scale.

What about the logs? Of those solid non-liquid poos, half of them were pain-free also. And when it hurt, it ranged from a 1-8 out of 10 as well.

Overall, I’m super pleased with August. I only needed one Naproxen for my pain, and that was during my period. The four Ibuprofen I took in August were for headaches and not related to any Endometriosis pain.

I’m intrigued with the poo-data and look forward to sharing with my doctors. And would still like to pursue a path of colo-rectal surgery to look at and remove the DIE on my sigmoid colon. Perhaps after it’s gone, my bowel movements can become more consistently pain-free and solid.

How was your August?

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus

The end of another week. And nearly the end of August! I hope you’re doing well.

Today’s quote goes out to the partners, spouses, significant others, friends, support systems, and loved ones of EndoWarriors, regardless of their sex of gender identity.

“Suffering should not define you as a woman! And just because you’re a man it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t affect you! HELP HER to remove the taboos and the loneliness surrounding this disease; be understanding, show empathy, and don’t accuse her of being sensitive, delicate, or overly dramatic – this is a big opportunity for you guys to show that you care and to be a real man!”

(Address, 2011 Endometriosis Foundation of America Blossom Ball)”
― Susan Sarandon

I’m lucky enough to have a partner who is understanding, strives to learn more, and is incredibly supportive. But not everyone is as lucky.

To read (or watch) Susan’s full speech from the 2011 Blossom Ball, head on over to the Endometriosis Foundation of America.

And if you ever need to talk, I’m right here.

July Pain Journal

| Bloomin' Uterus

I absolutely cannot believe it’s August already. This year has flown by. And what a weird year, indeed.

So here’s my July pain, symptom, and diet tracker.

I’ve had A LOT less pain in July. And also skipped my period, which may explain that (plus the benefits of my excision surgery). But when I did have pain, it was on both the lower right side and lower left side of my lower abdomen (pain ranged from 2-8 out of 10). I also had some lower abdomen pain, like uterine cramping for a few days (1-3 out of 10) with mirrored lower back pain. And I went through the emotional gambit of a period, even though I was blood-less.

I still what what I call “Shifty Poo Pain” from time to time, which is that glass-guts feeling that makes it way through the middle of my guts and especially prevalent on the left side of my guts before I poo. Once I have shifty-poo pain, I usually poop within 20 minutes. Glass-Guts shifty pre-poo pain ranged from a 3-9 out of 10.

And the act of dropping a deuce itself? Now that depends. My graphs have evolved to better help me process (haha there’s a pun in there somewhere) the information!

Of the 50 times I pooped in July, a third of it was diarrhea.

And of the regular poos, here’s my pain levels on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the WORST pain EVER). A not-so-whopping 22% of my poopin’ caused me 0 pain:

And of the Liquid Shits (aka MudButt aka Diarrhea), the majority (64%) remained painless:

Why did I alter my Poopy Pain charts? I have my consult on September 1st to discuss ongoing symptoms regarding the deep-infiltrating Endometriosis on my sigmoid colon and I wanted to arm myself with statistics. My own statistics. 🙂

All-in-all, I’m pleased with July’s outcome. I’m sad about the ongoing glass-guts feeling, but take heart in knowing I have an appointment in September to discuss it.

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus

Another week is over. July is over! How was your month? How are you feeling?

I’ve had a long, busy, difficult week. It’s my first week back at the office since the Covid-19 lockdown. And it’s been long hours with client interviews. I know that so many of us have been so so very much.

Today’s quote may be a reflection of what you and I have been through in our own individual life experiences:

“It has been said, ‘time heals all wounds.’ I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.” ― Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

Whatever pain it is that may be “encased” in a protective film of defense or protection, may we each strive to slowly peel it free and cope. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m always here.

We are strong. We are capable. And whatever it is we may be going through, we will endure.

Much love to you today.

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus

Good morning, Readers! Welcome to another Friday. ALREADY!

A good friend of mine mentioned yesterday that she bought that hardening chocolate ice cream syrup to treat herself. She realized she needed to be nicer to herself. And treating herself was okay.

Today’s quote is sort of my 2020 New Year’s Resolution. And brought home moreso by my friend’s story yesterday.

“Talk to yourself like a cherished friend. Treat yourself with love and care. You are perfect, just as you are.”― Amy Leigh Mercree, The Compassion Revolution: 30 Days of Living from the Heart

Love yourself. Know that you’re worth it. Try to avoid self-deprecating thoughts and talk. Treat yourself well.

I decided earlier this year that I was going to invest in my health. Try to stop buying little things and fancy baubles and clothes and toys and books. And start buying things that may help me and my health.

  • I’ve invested in a veggie spiralizer and have enjoyed sweet potato and zucchini noodles.
  • I hired a personal trainer after my surgery restrictions lifted and “see” her once a week. C-19 has put us into virtual mode. The rest of the week I use her hybrid program and smartphone app.
  • I’ve learned to propagate my succulents and am filling my life with beautiful, happy li’l plants.
  • I go to acupuncture twice a month.
  • I finally purchased and take supplements/vitamins better targeted for my body, including DIM SGS, n-acetylcysteine, a great probiotic, an organic women’s multivitamin, calcium, iodine, curcumin, additional Vitamin D3, and fiber. I even purchased the Chinese herb tincture at my last acupuncture appointment to try to level out some menstrual-phase issues I’m having.
  • I bought a Tushy poop stool.
  • I purchased and am reading Stamped From the Beginning to better understand the history and ideals of racism.
  • After years of paying day-use fees, I finally purchased a membership to my favorite clothing optional resort.
  • I signed up for Sacral Space’s 6-week pelvic floor reset program.
  • And I most recently acquired a personal at-home blood pressure monitor.

And it’s been wonderful. Now, the second any of these treats-to-myself become a financial difficulty or burden, I will stop. But for now? It’s been great. I really have enjoyed treating myself. Especially to something that may help me greater in the long-run.

Whether it be chocolate syrup, a good book, a piece of nostalgia, renting a movie, or WHATEVER – what’s your favorite thing to treat yourself? Share in the comments below! 🙂

And have a beautiful weekend. You’re worth it. All of it.

Love, Lisa

Pelvic Reset: A 6-week Course

| Bloomin' Uterus

Hi guys!

Maggie Flood is a good friend of mine, and an EndoWarrior in our local San Diego group. She’s also a licensed Acupuncturist, certified Sexological Bodyworker and holistic pelvic care practitioner.

She’s put together and is hosting a six-week course on resetting your pelvic floor…and so much more. It will use Zoom for weekly meetings (which will be recorded if you can’t attend live), downloadable meditations, exercises, journaling homework, and a support community of fellow participants.

A course description:

“Pelvic Reset is a 6 week long assisted journey to guide you back to your body, uterus and root. As this course is open to all women and those with vulvas who wish to reconnect with themselves, it is especially useful for those coping with pelvic pain or female-bodied sexual dysfunction. Within this 6 week program you’ll learn the basics of embodiment, nervous system self-regulation, how to use pleasure for healing, lineage mapping your womb space, as well as new and ancient medicinal techniques to manage pain and heal from surgery or trauma. This course is designed to bring you into a new experience of your sexuality and relationship to your pelvic floor. A very special reset button, indeed.”

For more information, and to register, please check out her site. There’s a registration fee, but if you’re not happy with the program within 30 days, there’s a money back guarantee.

I’ve vowed to invest in my health this year, so I’ve already signed up. I just wanted to share in case this interested some of you.

Pain Journals: March 2020 – June 2020

| Bloomin' Uterus

Wow. It’s already July. I’m so far behind! Hahaha. Well, I wanted to catch up! So, here’s my pain journals for March through June of 2020!

One big shebang! Then I’ll get back on track of my monthly publishing!

March was ongoing pain on both the lower left and lower ride sides of my lower abs (a 4 out of 10), more intense on my period (6 out of 10). Sex and bowel movements were both with and without pain.

April also had the same ongoing pain, but the poopin’ hurt a lot less. The lower abdominal pain also intensified while I was on my period, reaching a 7 out of 10.

Continue reading →

Review of the ReliefBand 2.0 for Nausea

| Bloomin' Uterus
Nicole Tamillo sportin’ her nausea ReliefBand with her cat, Meeko

Do you suffer from nausea? Did you know there’s a drug-free device that may help ease those symptoms? What??

First, an introduction: If you follow the Bloomin’ Uterus Instagram account, you’ve “met” Nicole Tamillo. She’s my friend, confidant, an Admin of our Facebook group, and fellow EndoWarrior. And she is far more tech savvy than I!

Anyway, one of Nicole’s major symptoms when she’s having an Endo-flare is nausea. Extreme nausea. I had heard about a wristband that may help with nausea, so I reached out to the company to see if it would help with Endo-induced nausea. The wonderful folks at ReliefBand offered to send her a complimentary ReliefBand Premier to try out for her Endo-nausea. HOW AMAZING!!! Nicole and I wanted to share her unbiased review, thoughts, results, and excitement with you:

Hello! My name is Nicole Tamillo. I am 27 years old. I was officially diagnosed with Endometriosis at the beginning of 2017 with laparoscopic surgery. Although I experience many different endometriosis symptoms, my two biggest complaints are pain and NAUSEA! My pain can range from uncomfortable to unbearable, but I can normally get through it with minimal complaining. Now nausea on the other hand…. nausea is the bane of my existence. I have self-diagnosed Emetophobia. What is that you ask? EXTREME fear of vomiting. I REPEAT EXTREME FEAR OF VOMITING. I am not talking about being uncomfortable with vomiting, I am talking about full-blown panic mode!! So when endometriosis causes nausea I can not function as a human being. All I can do is lay in the fetal position on my bathroom floor. And the anxiety that comes from nausea only increases my pain. It becomes a vicious vicious cycle. And I have tried so many different things to try and lessen the severity of my nausea. I have tried OTC medications, essential oils, teas, ginger chews, pressure point wristbands, and prescription medicines. But once my nausea has hit, there is no stopping it until it runs its course. That is until I tried the ReliefBand 2.0 (aka the ReliefBand Premier)! 

The ReliefBand 2.0 is a class II neuromodulation device that is cleared by the FDA for the treatment of nausea. 

How does it work?

When the device is in place on your wrist and turned on, gentle pulses stimulate the median nerve at the P6 location located on the underside of the wrist. This nerve is connected to the nerve in the brain that controls nausea. When stimulated using neuromodulation the brain signals the stomach to reduce nausea. The signals have a rebalancing effect normalizing nerve messages from the brain to the stomach reducing symptoms of nausea, retching, and vomiting.

What does it work for?

The device has been clinically tested to relieve nausea, retching and vomiting associated with motion sickness, morning sickness, chemotherapy, postoperative, and vertigo.  In addition, they’ve received FDA clearance this year to also treat nausea and vomiting associated with anxiety, physician diagnosed migraines, and hangovers!

How to use:

1. Finding the starting area (P6) on the wrist. You can use either wrist. It is approximately two fingers down from the wrist crease, between the two tendons. 

2. Clean the area and apply the provided conductive gel. You only need a thin layer about the size of a large coin.

3. Put the device on and adjust to line up the contact over the gel on the P6 location. Fasten device snugly.

4. Activate the device by pressing and holding the power on button. Adjust the intensity by using the up or down buttons. You should feel a slight “tingling” sensation in the palm or middle fingers. 

After using the Reliefband 2.0 for a few months, I can honestly say that it has helped me tremendously! I can’t imagine battling a major endometriosis flare-up without it. Although, it hasn’t been clinically proven to reduce nausea associated with endometriosis, I believe that it can make a big difference for women battling nausea related to endometriosis. 

Pros: 

  • It looks like any other fitness tracker. It has a sleek look and doesn’t stand out.
  • It is rechargeable.
  • Easily kept in your purse or bag for unexpected nausea episodes.
  • The intensity is adjustable
  • FDA Cleared
  • Drug-Free!
  • Latex Free
  • Fast Acting
  • No Side Effects

Cons:

  • The price point: $224.99. It is on the steep side.
  • When not used for a while it will die. So if you have a sudden spell of nausea and haven’t used it for a while, you will have to charge it before using it.

In my opinion, the pros definitely outweigh the cons! And the company provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. 

**

If nausea is something you suffer from, have you tried the ReliefBand? They have two different models at two different prices. If you’ve tried it, we’d love to hear your experience in the comments below. Did it work? Did it not work? What else helps with your nausea? Home remedies? Pharmaceuticals? Anything? Share!

I’d like to send a HUGE thank you to ReliefBand for their interest in helping a friend. And Nicole for opening up, making herself vulnerable, and sharing her symptoms and experience! I’m so glad it has helped you!!!