Treatments and Medications

Because I was always curious about various medications and treatments both for treatment and for pain and others' experiences with them, this is a list of things I have tried and my personal results. Please keep in mind that everyone reacts differently to various treatments. I hope it helps...

Surgeries:

5/97

Laparoscopy--found endometriosis and adhesions joining bowel and pelvic wall. I had little if any improvement following this surgery.

4/98

Laparoscopy--found only one old spot of endo on my cervix which was removed. Found no other signs of endo lesions; however, the dr again found extensive adhesions involving my ascending colon and pelvic wall extending up under my ribs. Within 2 weeks of this surgery, the pain and bleeding returned.

Treatment Medications:

BCP's

I used these before I knew I had endo to regulate my cycle and relieve pain. I had success for over 5 years.

LO/ORVAL-28 (5/98-7/98)

I have switched back to BCP's due to the side effects of the Depo-Provera. This particular Rx gave me terrible nausea in the afternoons and evenings. I also gained 10 pounds in 2 months.

ORTHO-CYCLEN 28 (7/98-12/98)

I switched to this to try and alleviate the nausea. The dr believed that the lower estrogen Rx is worse about this side effect. The nausea I experience during the second week on this pill was debilitating. Breathing made me want to vomit. I tried taking it at night and it helped. However, the side effects I began experiencing on the depo continued so I discontinued bcps for 8 months.

MIRCETTE (8/99-present)

I still have daily pain and have begun having more abdominal than pelvic pain. My periods have been extremely painful (I've had 2).

Depo-Provera (10/97-5/98)

I love not having to remember to take the pill every morning but that's about all I like about this Rx. I have an injection every 3 months. The first injection brought with it lots of side effects: raging mood swings, hot flashes and headaches. The second injection (10wks later) brought hot flashes and headaches the first few weeks then horrible breakthrough bleeding and terrible pain for the last 4-5 weeks. The third injection (at 9 weeks) seemed to have brought it all to a halt. No BTB, no pain. However, all the symptoms returned within 2 weeks of my second lap. The dr attributes bleeding with intercourse to the BTB.

Elavil

This is a mild anti-depressant often used for chronic pain. I gave it a 2 week trial period and saw no relief. (NOTE: constipation was a real problem at that time and when that was resolved, I saw improvement. I don't attribute it to the elavil)

Pain Medications

Anaprox

Worked great on my cramps before I was diagnosed. Now, it is relatively ineffective. Benefit: no side effects other than occasional nausea when taken in higher dosages.

Ultram

I found out on this Rx that my tummy doesn't like anti-inflammatories. I lost a lot of weight while taking this because I just didn't have an appetite (and that's rare for me LOL) It also didn't seem to relieve the pain but I didn't really care either...what a buzz!

Cataflam

This one actually has worked alright even though its an anti-inflammatory. I start having a bit of nausea after a couple of days of taking it all day. It helps some to take it with food.

Lortab(500mg--Hydrocodone/Tylenol)

This worked great! At first it made me kind of loopy but I found that for the first tablet, the side effects were worse (dizziness, sleepy as it wore off) but that if I stayed on it all day, I could work on it pretty well. Unfortunately, it is dehydrating and makes me very thirsty. It can be constipating which I have trouble with anyway so I have to watch it. If I take this on a regular basis I also tend to build up a tolerance so I try and alternate it with a non-narcotic in order to maintain effectiveness at the lowest dosage possible.

Soma(a muscle relaxant)

For me, this was absolutely awful! It took a while to kick in and then I was completely useless...just a pile of mush! Then it wears off after a couple of hours but I couldn't take it but every 8 hours. I will still use it occasionally at night if I'm having trouble relaxing from the pain. It doesn't leave me wiped out in the morning.

Darvocet

This worked for me much like Lortab, but again, I quickly built up a tolerance and was having to take 1300mg to relieve the pain and at that level, coherency is next to impossible. Also due to the nature of the drug, I didn't feel comfortable pumping that much into my system.

Vicoprofen (Vicoden/Ibuprofen)

This has many of the same side effects as Darvocet or Lortab. It does help with the pain although the addition of the anti-inflammatory tends to affect my stomach. I am currently using this medication, but as rarely as possible. I'm not as tired while taking it as I am when it wears off.

Lorcet 650mg (Hydrocodone/Ibuprofen)

This one isn't much different than Lortab except that it has an anti-inflammatory in it which tends to affect my stomach if I'm not careful. Since my last laparoscopy, I decided pain meds weren't the answer so I rarely take them. As a result, when I do take this, the side effects are pretty intense (2 marguerita buzz!).

Natural Vitamins/Supplements

I take the following vitamins and supplements daily:

Vitamin E 800 IU
Magnesium 100mg
Zinc 50mg
St. John's Wort 2 tablets
Echinacea 1 tablet/2 if I feel a cold coming on
Calcium 400mg
B Complex 1 tablet
Vitamin C 500-1000mg

Endo EntranceThe Comfort Zone Front Door