quick endo. question

[JMichele]

I have had IC since 2002...usually hydrodistentions work as treatment for me; this time it hasn't. I had one almost 2 weeks ago, and again am in pain. I've been hearing that a lot of IC patients also have endo. I never thought about that until recently. My periods the past 3 months have been very abnormal for me. They were really, really heavy, came early (not when it was supposed to-I'm on the pill), and left as quickly as it came...only lasted for like 2 days. The first and second month I just thought it was b/c my body was in stress due to pain from IC. I went off the pill this month b/c my body wasn't following it, which is odd to me. Now, I'm wondering if something else is going on in there. Should I be checked for Endo.? Wondering, those of you who have both, how you found out? I've been reading about it and the symptoms seem to be like IC's symptoms so I'm unsure. I don't want to have further IC treatments done (not sure what the next step is with that) if the pain is due to something else. Thanks in advance for those who offer advice, I really appreciate it!

[Katrina]

Sounds like you could have Endo. The way to find out is through a laproscopic surgery where they look for endo cells in you and than lazer the ones they find. A diagnostic treatment. It is the only way to be sure. Being on the pill I am not sure a doc will think you have endo if they don't realize how common it is for ICers. BCP are often the first form of treatment for Endo. Since BCP didn't help me at all but actually made me worse (and tried different kids) I don't have a lot of faith in that treatment but do be forewarned. I hope you are ok. Endo pluss IC is a terrible combination :( :grouphug:

[holles]

how old are you? as we get older, our periods will change. within the last year, my periods started doing what yours are doing. my gyn said that and the other symptoms i was having were signs of low estrogen and it was dysfunctional uterine bleeding (dub). dub is very painful also. i thought for sure the endo was back, but i'll never be sure without another surgery (NOT happening).

it might be endometriosis, but it might not be. like katrina said, the only way to dx endo is with surgery. talk to your doctor about the cycle changes. i hope it's just a normal part of life for you and not endo. having both of these sucks. (((hugs)))