Long Term Endometriosis Options

[SeekingAnswersandAdvice]

I was hoping to seek advice/answers regarding long-term treatment methods for endometriosis.  I was diagnosed with endometriosis at 19, I am now 32.  Since my diagnosis, I have undergone 2 laparoscopic procedures, one at 19 and one at 24. I was also prescribed the Depo-Provera shot, which I was on for a little over 10 years.  With the shot I did notice a few negative side effects, such as irritability and loss of sex drive, however its ability to eliminate my periods and work effectively in preventing the pain and symptoms associated with endometriosis has been incredible and def. outweighs the negative-BIG time!  However, I stopped receiving the injections a few months ago due to concerns my doctor was having regarding long term side effects associated with the drug. I am currently on a prescription for vitamin D to prevent bone loss and have undergone bone density tests in the past, which have all tested negative for irregularities and loss of bone mass. I am beginning to get the horrible debilitating pain and bloating associated with Endo now worse than ever.  My doctor wants me to begin a new treatment method, either the implant or IUD.  I have heard stories and read about the IUD and due to its placement and the pain associated with Endo, I do not see this as being a viable option for me.  Not to mention from what I have read the IUD contains the same hormone in the depo in smaller amounts, but still smaller to what the body produces monthly.  I am beginning nursing school in the fall and do not want to add to the stressors or school dealing with the pain or any negative side effects and back and forths of beginning a new treatment method, especially since I have already found an effective method that works for me. If anyone has any advice/stories that could help me I would greatly appreciate it and thank you in advance for your help. I was also wondering if I have a choice in this matter, I mean I realize I can refuse the other treatment options but can I  demand the Depo? Lol I tend to have a hard time speaking up for myself and I don't even think I would know how to go about doing that??  Thanks again!

[Ali5858]

I posted a question very similar to this one. I have been on the Depo shot since i was 17 (I am now 25). Its been a miracle there are no periods so there is no pain. Only symptom I had was weight gain. I haven't been able to find a doctor willing to do a bone density scan. I had a laparoscopy when I was 16 and it subsided the pain for maybe a whole 2 months then I was right back at it. I'm wanting to try something else since I know being on depo this long isn't good. My new OBGYN tried BC pills and the pain came back in full force after the first month. She gave up and immediately put me back on the Depo. I still haven't been able to find someone to help manage pain with a safer option. :/ Hope all is going well for you, let me know if you figure anything out.

[ipurr2]

Hi ~ unfortunately my best advice would be to seek out an endometriosis specialist to have the disease excised as this is your best chance of being pain free as long as the disease is active it is causing damage which causes pain and destruction.So the only potential of hopefully beating this disease is to cut it out through excision with a specialist the sooner the better because the meds are nothing more then a band aid...If you share the area you live we will try to guide you to the specialist closest to you.
All that aside...if you decide that this is not the right time for you to move forward with surgical intervention and you want to stay on the Depo...although you may not be able to insist...you can share your reasons and hope they will give you what you want medication wise and if not you always have the right to move on to another dr. for a second opinion or just to find a new dr. let us know how you are doing!