Hello!

I am brand new to the endometriosis world - just had my first lap and official diagnosis two weeks ago. I am on the mend from surgery and beginning to adopt the endo diet and exercise more regularly. I have about 30 pounds to lose, but more than anything, I'd just like to feel decent again!

I am looking forward to the next phase in life and getting to know people in similar situations.

Take care all.

Hey Everyone! Summer here! :flowerforyou: I wanted to apologize in advance for being a terrible group creator and not staying active with everyone here looking for like minded support. As many of us know, the struggle with Endometriosis is never ending. When I went through some problems, shortly after creating this group, I had to take a step back and deal with physical issues.

However, I am back and kicking butt! I thought this would be a good time to introduce myself as well as give everyone else the chance to (re)introduce yourselves too!

My name is Summer. I'm 28 and have just recently moved from Cleveland, Ohio to San Diego, CA:glasses: . I was diagnosed, officially, with Endometriosis in January 2007. Since then I've had more experimental treatments than I care to remember and four surgeries. I feel very fortunate as it has been about three years since I've had any 'major' issues. I still have to self medicate time and again, but its few and far between.

The treatment that has worked so far for me this time around has been my Mirena IUD. I've had my second IUD put it just over a week ago.

Since moving to California (two months ago tomorrow), I've started getting physically fit at the gym and working on eating at home. I've go about 65-70 pounds to lose to get back to where I was pre-diagnosis. If I feel great and comfortable sooner than that, then I'll just jump into maintenance.

So how is everyone else doing? How can we support YOU in YOUR goals?

Please feel free to add me as your MFP friend, too!

I'm 30 and just barely got my official diagnosis, but I've been dealing with endometriosis as far back as I can remember. Back when I was in high school my doctors said I didn't have it but they couldn't figure out any way to relieve my horrible symptoms other than putting me on depo provera. So basically they slapped a band-aid on it and called it good. I'm thankful for better insurance and better doctors now, because I just had my first surgery a few days ago. Apparently it took twice as long as anticipated because there was so much endometriosis, in addition to a very large endometrioma (cyst) on my ovary. And some complications, but everything turned out okay in the end.

Now I'm trying to figure out where that leaves me! I want to lose 20-40 lbs, eventually, but with all my health issues I know that is going to be a very slow process. I also just got diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, so I'm striking out into new territory with my dietary needs. It appears I'll be trying a gluten free, dairy free, and soy free diet... It'll definitely be an adjustment!

I'm living in San Diego also, so maybe we can have a little local meet-up or something sometime. It might be fun to get together sometime.

Please pray for me folks... I'll be meeting the OBGYN tomorrow.

Most probably she will advice D&C because the Primolut has not stopped heavy bleeding. It has been going on for over 40 days now. I've never been anaemic and don't wish to start now.

We live in UAE and D&C is not done here. It is not legal under the Muslim Law.

If she advices D&C, then I'll be flying home to India. I just want to stop bleeding heavily, constantly checking, running to the bathroom, feeling dizzy... If I walk as much as 15 minutes on a treadmill or lift 2 kg, I'll have to sit on the toilet for 10 minutes bleeding, head reeling and with stomach cramps.

Honestly, I wish she would ask me to do a D&C and get it over with. More than 40 days... Never again. I swear to loose weight and beat this viscious cycle. Just let it stop...

HI Everyone!

I'm in San Diego too, born and raised :-)

I was diagnosed with endometriosis back in my early 20's- I'm now 29. I've had two emergency surgeries from complications due to endometriosis, 1 because of a tear in my appendix and another to remove a very large ovarian endometrioma (those jerks ended up taking my whole ovary). I was diagnosed via biopsy from my last surgery, but I've never had a good exploratory surgery with an experienced OB surgeon, so I don't know the full extent of my endometriosis. However, my doctors suspect that I'm likely stage IV.

I can't be on any sort of hormonal medication due to severe migraines and the increased incidence for women w/ migraines to have strokes on hormonal bc. I went to a pelvic physical therapist for a while, which didn't really do much to relieve my symptoms. I'm currently going to acupuncture on my high pain days, but I've yet to determine if that helps at all. I decided about a week ago to start an 'endometriosis diet' since it's been suggested by many doctors and PT's over the years. I'm in the process of eliminating soy, dairy, red meat, gluten, added sugar, and caffeine from my diet (I can't in good conscious waste food I bought before I made this decision, so once that's gone, I'm all in.) In addition, I'll eat primarily organic/hormone free. I also bought the book 'Endometriosis: The Key to Healing Through Nutrition.' I'm about 30 pages in and loving it! Highly recommend.

http://www.amazon.com/Endometriosis-Key-Healing-Through-Nutrition/dp/0007133103/ref=sr_1_1/185-6471196-9845660?ie=UTF8&qid=1401987326&sr=8-1&keywords=endometriosis+books

I've decided to take my treatment into my own hands, I'm sick of doctors just throwing stronger and strong pain meds at me (up to oxy's now, which I take sparingly.) I also want to do whatever I can to preserve my fertility. Weight loss and regular strenuous exercise has done wonders to improve my symptoms so far. I gained about 80 pounds after my first surgery and I have about 30 to go before I'm back to my goal weight. If anything, weight loss has vastly improved my outlook on life and made me feel like a vivacious, beautiful woman again.

I understand the struggle we all have in common. I commend all of you strong, informed, intelligent women for taking an interest in your health and reaching out to others for community support- more women need to buck the shame and make their pain known, that's the only way the medical community and world community at large will begin to empathize and recognize this disease for what it is, rather than brushing it off as hysterical womanly 'troubles.' When I hear how some women are disregarded by their doctors it makes me furious!

Sometimes it's nice to know we're not alone, even when you feel isolated and in pain.

Hi everyone, I've just joined the group so thought I'd introduce myself :-) I am 29 and live in the UK, I was diagnosed with endometriosis in July 2012 after many, many years of pain and suffering. I had major surgery in September last year to excise endo from all over my pelvis, bowel etc. which took a long time to recover from. I put on around 14lbs after the surgery due to being off work and totally inactive for almost 2 months! I've now lost most of the weight I gained. I am a lot better than I was before the surgery, but I still have endo flare ups and symptoms. Looking forward to chatting with you all.

Hey Everyone. I recently joined the group. My name is Kat. I was diagnosed in 2008. I have been on Lupron, and also had a laparoscopy. In 2012 I had my daughter - being pregnant and up until a couple months after my cycle started is the best I've ever felt. Now I'm back to having all my symptoms again. I'm having a hard time keeping all the weight I had lost off.

Hello Ladies!

I have had endo for about 10 years but was officially diagnosed in 2010 with my first surgery. I'm 35 and I am a single mom of a soon to be 13 year old boy (yikes and he's already taller then me). After having an official diagnosis I did my own research and shrugged off my doctors. I've been mostly successful with controlling my pain through diet with only pain meds when it flares up too much. But it's time to get my weight back down and feeling good about myself. We can do it together!