Ok, I might have this lovely little condition (I say "might" since the only way to find out 100% is by doing a laparoscopic surgery) and was just wondering if any of you have found it affected your riding, or if doing excersises made it better. I can't seem to get a handle on if doing things like that (like barn chores, riding and regular excersises like sit ups etc) make it worse or better. My pain comes and goes and does seem to follow a pattern when marked on a calandar, but on some days that I am affected by the pain and doing chores and such, sometimes I'm ok with it and other times it feels more aggrivated (because I'm concentrating on other things???).

This whole scenario has only come to light in the last year (pain issue) and by the time I was able to get into my doctor's office for a consultation, probably about the last month or so has the tentative diagnosis of "endometriosis" mentioned.

Right now I'm taking notes on a calandar each time I experience the pain (did it for a month before my consultation and the doctor said to continue to do so), she has me scheduled for an ultrasound just to rule out an ovarian cyst or something like that, and she also put me on some medication. I can't remember the name off hand, but I guess it's some super-duper Advil type and when I take it, I'm not to take regular Advil for a headach or something like that. Tylenol's ok, just not Advil. She did say the medication she prescribed to me is what they do prescribe to treat endometriosis, and the fact that when I do have a pain flair-up and take the meds and it makes it go away, is probably a good indication that I've got it! Lol!

So, for those of you who may/have/know someone who has it, any suggestions? I read up about it online but there's not much in regards to treatment options. I don't drink much caffein (1 coffee a day, if that) and I can't go on the Pill since I have an adverse reaction to it (the Pill is on the list of treatments). Anyone have any further thoughts on products that help/hinder that can take/avoid? A couple of people who I've talked to that had endometriosis all had a sever case and all have had hysterectoies. I'm only 28 and so far, although some days can be very painful, it hasn't been debilitating or anything and I can't say I'm looking at a hysterectomy yet.

Any thoughts or suggestions are gladly welcome!

Thanks.

Chantalle

My cousin was diagnosed a few months back.  She does reining and she doesn't let it effect her riding most of the time.  Her doctor is trying a treatment that he really promotes.  I will ask her more about it but I know what he did was give her a shot to put her into menopause (she is 21) and  after a month let her body come out of it.  He said that will kill the endometriosis most of the time.  He has even helped women get pregnant just a few months after that treatment so it doesn't affect fertility.  So far it has worked for her.  She does have a friend who had the same procedure that it didn't work for though.

Bear in mind, my Dr. Also said Endrometriosis, but once ultrasounded, determined I had a cyst.

The dang thing comes and goes..I can tell when its come back, as it hurts like heck!

So, dont get worried til they rule out cysts.

Please keep in mind it has been a couple years since I have done research, so if there is something new out there, tell me, I want to know.

Endometriosis is a condition caused by endometrial tissues flushing back into the body rather than out during menstration.  These tissues adhere to the organs and cause scarring that inflames each month and bleeds, just as if it were where it belonged.  There are very little treatment options, most based on two things: removing the lesions or stopping the female cycle so as to stop the bleeding/scarring so lesions begin to heal. Pregnancy is said to have a possible effect because the woman goes nine months between cycles, giving the body time to heal.  The problem with both above responses is that the body often returns to the same pattern, creating new lesions even after treatment.  That is why the only permenant treatment seems to be hysterectomy.  Of course, an early hysterectomy could lead to a falling bladder in the future. 

Noone has discovered the cause yet, but I suspect that there are several, which is why some cases are much easier to heal than others. 

As for riding, exercise is a tremendous help.  In between cycles, get out and do all the exercise you can.  Just be active.  A healthy diet with lots of fruits and veggies can help, too.  I find that my first day of my cycle I will probably be completely out of commission.  This is a good time for Chamomile tea, pain relievers, and a copy of Equus, because rarely am I up to anything else.  Other than that, I just avoid a lot of ab work while I am sore.  So, lots of work on that dressage seat may be out, but a quite trail hack may be just what you need.  Some months are better than others, but that is the general pattern.  Endo tends to be something one just has to learn to live with, which in most cases is not a pleasant thought.  Over time, it can progress, spread to new areas and cause more discomfort, so if you choose to wait, just keep track of how you feel.  I have known I have endo now for almost ten years.  I have had it my whole life.  I wish I didn't, but it doesn't really get in the way of my time with horses, as long as I am good about remembering to get back in the saddle as soon as I am comfortable.

coyotecreek, that's why I'm waiting to be scheduled for an ultrasound, to rule those out. Whaterver it is, it's a PITA that's for sure! 

The only problem with that right now is there's a shortage of ultrasound reps so it may take a loooong while to get an appointment. Lol, I bet you if I were preggers I'd be getting in an ultrasound appointment awfully quick! 

Luckily, so far those trusty little pills really seem to do the job when I get a bad flair-up of whatever-the-heck-I-have. 

 Thanks for the personal insight, clyderider. I've read up quite a bit on it and understand what it is and how/why it can be quite painful, there just wasn't much there about how to manage it other than a general "some drugs and/or natural remedies can help alleviate the pain." so not too much information there to go by! Lol! Mine is just odd since it just started lst year. I've always had some menstrual discomfort, but this was completely different and seemed to occure at random times during the month. From what I've read, it's not uncommon to get endometriosis or finally experience symptoms later in life (darn it! ). 

I tried to start an excersise routine, but think I may have started it too close to my cycle since I got very sore, but do plan on getting back on track with that. Doesn't help that I'm a naturally lazy person! Right now, I get very sore in my lower abdomen as well as my lower back, so much so that on really bad days I'm unable to stand upright. So far, the medication the docot has perscribed for me seems to have done the trick to manage it.

Thanks for the information and suggestions, everyone, I really appreciate it! 

I'm no help, but just wanted to say I'm sorry, that sucks! Hope it's something that can be fixed or whatever so you don't have to live with pain!

Jessi

I'm no expert, but I would think if it started later in life you would have more success with treatments that stop your cycle for a while.  Do your best to get those lesions healed before they dig in too deep.  There isn't a lot of information out there because there isn't a lot known.  Every medical treatment offered is risky, and there is no real cure, it usually comes back.   Since yours started late, there may be hope that you can get past it, though.

 One of the most important things I have learned is to give myself a break when things flair up.  Don't try to exercise in the midst of it, but get to it as soon as you can.  BTW, endo is related to fatigue problems as well. 

 Thanks, CheyAut. No it isn't much fun, but I'm just glad I haven't been having this issue for years and years like some others do. 

Clyderider:

 One of the most important things I have learned is to give myself a break when things flair up.  Don't try to exercise in the midst of it, but get to it as soon as you can.  

Oh trust me, I don't do much on those days! Everything I've read, I've had the bf read it too so on those days, he doesn't mind when I spend the day just laying on the couch.  

Clyderider:

 BTW, endo is related to fatigue problems as well. 

 

Really??? That's so odd since a couple of years ago I was having real issues in being so tired all the time. I had numerous blood tests to try and figure out what was wrong. They finally diagnosed it as me having a low iron count so I'm on iron suppliments. That and I've stopped taking any type of oral contraceptive since that made my fatigue 100% worse. No matter what the dosage was, my fatigue (plus other side effects such as migraines and stuff) would begin again. Geez, just when I'm feeling back to normal after all that Pill fiasco, now this pops up! Girl just can't catch a break huh?!