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I am 26 and have been married for 8 years..have a daughter 7 and a son 2. And i love to collect dragons. :) And when i'm not working 40-50 hrs a week...i love being with my family!!!

I was diagnosed with endo when i was 18, back in 1989. I'm going in for my 3rd lap in Jan. I am going to attempt the Lupron. I am very luck and have 2 beautiful children so conceiving really isn't an issue with me. Both of my children were conceived after laporoscopy's. At this point in my life i just want to be pain free. Feel normal again (whatever that may be??). Have consistency in my family life and not have the pain be the consistent part of it. Pursue my career in management and not have the pain pursuing me. I don't feel that is asking too much. But at this point in my life i think it calls for a little selfishness...:) I hope to get to know you all on here and be able to share our lives with one another. Support is definitely a lifesaver!!!! :)

Thank you,
Melinda

I am 22 years old and have been married for just over two years. I have one dog and one cat. I enjoy cross stitching, reading and spending time with my awesome husband.

I was diagnosed with endo about six months ago after seeing my doctor because I can't get pregnant. It was diagnosed with a laproscopy. I am going to have another laproscopy done to try and clean it up. So far my only symptoms have been severe menstrual cramps and inability to get pregnant.

I would love to hear from anyone going through the same thing, especially the infertility.

I am a Senior at Texas Tech University, and a newlywed. I have been married less than three months, and so far so good. I am very lucky to have my whole family in the same town, except for my brother, and my husband's family is very close as well. My favorite hobbies include reading, and learning about aromatherapy.

My Senior year in High School I kept having severe pains; however, three male doctors told me to see a psychiatrist. They felt it was all in my head. At this day and age, it amazed me that modern medicine still used that excuse. To make a long story short, my female doctor told me what she thought it was, and I had surgery that summer. Within a year the pains were so overwhelming, I had surgery again within a year. I have been through menopause twice, and numerous other pain pills and treatments. However, it looks like I am in store for surgery again real soon.

I would love to know how others deal with the pains, and the effects that has on their personal, professional, and even intimate relationships.

I love the outdoors. I like to take risks. I love animals. I have a kitten, and I love her to death. She keeps me company when Mike isn't around. I am single. My boyfriend and I have been together for 2 years. No sign of marriage yet. I am just looking for people to talk to that understand how I feel. Although my boyfriend is there for me, it's really not the same. He doesn't physically know how this disease feels.

I moved from Maryland to South Carolina in 1993 - I was 19 then. I started having severe abdominal pain. I have always had severe pain with my periods, but never everyday. It kept me out of work alot, and I lost my job because of it. I went from one doctor to another down there. No one knew what the cause was. They all thought that it was in my head. Finally I was just too tired to even care anymore. My parents came down to get me and brought me home. A lady at my church referred me to her OB/GYN. I was really nervous with all that I had been put through in SC. When I finally went to see him, I explained my situation and he was extremely upset about what the doctors in SC did to me. They put me through about 18 sonograms, and 5 pelvic sonograms. I was so tired of those things by then it wasn't funny. Going to Dr. Williamson was the best thing that I could have done. He explained a disease called Endometriosis to me, and said that he would like to take a look inside - to try and outrule it. I thought about this for awhile. Surgery was a big thing for me. I just didn't want to rush into anything just because a dr. said so. I liked this dr, but still didn't trust anyone.

I finally agreed to do the surgery when I was in so much pain that I couldn't stand it. He then found out that I did have endo, and that I had it bad. He cleaned out what he could, and after the surgery, he suggested that I go on Lupron Injections. I went on Lupron for 6 months. After my second month being off of the shots, my pain came back, more severe.

I have gone through just about every drug that they have for endo - twice. Nothing works on me. I have been talking to my boss, and she has been trying to talk me into seeing another dr. A dr that can prescribe alternative medicine. She had read about Acupuncture helping, and she thinks that I should give it a try. I have nothing else to lose. I am looking for more information on this. If anyone has any, please let me know. I have just recently had my third surgery and the dr does not look too optimistic about it. They said that it is so severe that they could not take any of it out. They went in and did what they call a presacral nuerectomy. I am hoping that that will relieve some of my pain so that I can work. Although she wants to put me on Depo-Provera now, I just don't know what to do anymore.

I am so tired of this disease. I want a way out. I just don't understand!!! Why ME!!! I know that I have people that care now. My boyfriend has been so wonderful about all of this. He is there for me!

Special issues: Just some other information on Alternative Medications.

recently divorced, presently giving white cells to sister with cml (leukemia) having been original bonemarrow donor 8 years ago..she was rediagnosed this may.

Endo experience: problems started after 2nd miscarriage (i've lost 4 babies in 5 years)..had a laparoscopy in 94, colposcopy for precancerous cells 94.

Special issues: wondering if there is any documentation where an endo victim had previously given bone marrow. i was 14- had pain "attacks" with menses a few times shortly after, but then not again till 5 years later. marrow came from hips and lower back.

I am 22 years old. I am engaged to be married on August 15, 1998. I have been with my fiance for almost 4 years. I go to college full time and hopefully will have my associates degree in microcomputers by next summer. I have 2 sisters who I love very much. They are in kindergarden and third grade. I also have a step sister who has a little girl and is soon to have a little boy. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I can not wait to start a family. Children are one of my passions in life. I do not have any children at this time however I do have a german shepard who is my baby right now. I also enjoy reading and helping others. I was told that I had endometriosis in the summer of 1994. I am also a BIG Snoopy fan.

So far for me it has been a nightmare. I have pain a majority of the time. I can deal with having this what I have a hard time dealing with it the possibilty that I may never have children of my own. That has always been my dream to have my own children. However my doctor seems hopeful that I will have children. I spent quite sometime trying to find the right doctor. I saw 3 specialist and was not happy with any of them. However when I finally found my doctor who by the way is a regular OB/GYN I could not have been happier. He is wonderful.

Special issues: Not that I can think of. Like I said, my main concern is not so much having the disease as my concern for having children.

I am married to a wonderful and understanding helpful man! My hobbies are candles, coLlecting little glass bottles and antiques.

Well, i can tell you that it is painful and life-wrecking and I wish it upon no one!

Special issues: What to do next??

I'm 22, married. My hobbies include, reading, horseback riding, and playing with my dog.

I was first diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome at the age of 13, and took birth control for about 3 yrs. At the age of 18 I was diagnosed with Endo. I've had 2 laps and took the Danocrine treatment, so far nothing has helped for long...still waiting to get pregnant.

Special issues: none, just someone who understands the pain (mentally and physically )

Newly diagnosed, very enlarged right ovary, bleeding a lot internally, slightly enlarged left ovary bleeding a little. Almost daily feeling/pain July, August, September and now November (none October!)

Special issues: Really just loads of information, is cancer possible? what about treatment? - not happy to have chemicals/the pill etc. wish for natural/homeopathic remedies... How much worse will it get?

I was diagnosed with endo 6 years ago. I have had a lap, a Lupron treatment, and a Synarel treatment. We underwent infertility testing and conceived and delivered in spite of a blocked tube and luteal phase defect. My baby is now 4 months old and I am experiencing endo symptoms again already.

Special issues: The return of endo after pregnancy. The effects of the "menopause" drugs and early hysterectomy.

I'm 21 yrs, married, no children... but hoping, have had endo since 13 yrs old.

ENDO EXPERIENCE: NUMEROUS SURGERIES, MISCARRIAGE, MULTIPLE FERTILITY & PAIN MEDS (I'M MISERABLE)

I'm a sophomore at Michigan State University, still living at home. I have one brother, enjoy plastic models, reading, computers.

I was diagnosed with endometriosis just under a year ago. I had been having increasingly debilitating cramps and other PMS symptoms, which all came to a head last Christmas while visiting family in Oklahoma. I was miserable. I've never liked the idea of taking Midol or other "for PMS" drugs, probably because I don't want to say I need them, but I broke down and tried them then. Of course, they did nothing, and when we got back to Michigan, we set up an appointment at the gynecologist who had done my mother's hysterectomy. She diagnosed me with endometriosis in January of this year. She didn't want to put me through a surgery, so we tried an estrogen/progesterone cycle birth control pill. It reduced my symptoms, but I never had a pain-free period, and the cramps would still put me on my back a couple days out of every cycle. We dedided to try Depo-Provera. My doctor told me that the usual step was to have a lap before the Depo, but she felt that enough research and studies had been done to try the drug before resorting to surgery. My mother and I considered this, then agreed. The Depo-Provera was great... for the first few months. The shots weren't bad, and I was great, until the end of the summer. I bled for 23 straight days. We decided to do the surgery for diagnostic reasons and, hopefully, to use a laser on whatever endometriosis my doctor found. I had the lap in August. They found 2 spots of endometriosis. One the doctor destroyed with the laser. The other, I found out, was on the ureter, and using the laser was too dangerous. Because it was still there, we decided to put me on Lupron shots for 6 months. I go in for my 5th on Monday. Once again, I was great for the first few months, though the side effects (mood swings and hot flashes) were driving me and my family crazy. This last month, things have again taken a turn for the worse. I started bleeding and cramping on and off, and my doctor is running out of ideas. Also, the side effects are worse; my personality seems to undergo radical changes triggered by a single word or object, the hot flashes are back with vengeance, and worst of all, I've been fighting bouts of fierce depression and sadness (other side effects of the drug). On Monday, when I get the next shot, I'll be adding a birth control pill to my treatment. I'm to take it continuously for a year and we'll finish out the Lupron shots. And pray. I am immensely grateful to my doctor for not being like so many I've heard about who won't believe you or tell you hysterectomy is the only way (my doctor has never even mentioned the possibility). The problem is, we're running out of options.

I collect Coke stuff, and I like to go outdoors and do many stuffs, I am trying to start a crafts at my home.

I just found out that I have endo. I am not sure how long I suffered with the pain... maybe up to 5 years. I just had a lap, My doctor found out that I have endo. I am not going thru treatment or anything yet...

I would like to know what causes endo, and what treatment can help. What is Hormone treatment... What are the side effects, and what will it do to me.

I am the youngest of three daughters, two of whom (including myself) have endo. I enjoy travelling, going to the movies, learning about new cultures and love reading. I guess my favourite foods are pasta, rice and chocolate.

I was diagnosed with endo late last year and had my op in February this year to have it lasered out. My endo is quite savage and as a result I can't have a period. I'm on Provera daily until I decide to have children and then it will be difficult for me to conceive. From what my gyno has seen, I've had endo from my first period which I had at 11 amd I'm now 26.

Special issues: Just to know what other treatments are available for sufferers of severe endo

I'm an at home wife and mother/I have 2 beautiful children ages 7 & 5/I love to spend quality time with my family/ my husband has been so supportive through my endo experience!

I was diagnosed with endometriosis in April of 1997 and had an endometrioma removed in May of 1997. I thought that was going to be the "cure all", but my symptoms started coming back around August 1997. The pain has been so bad the last couple of months, I just need someone that undertands what I'm going through.

How can I live with the pain? Is there ways to subside the pain? At times it feels like I'm being "stabbed with a knife"!

I've been married to my best friend, John, for 14 years. We have two wonderful boys,14 and 8 years old.
I enjoy tole-painting (my new found obsession)crocheting, dried flower arranging, crafts in general. Reading, going for walks.

I'm 33 years old and I went to the emergency room with the pains for the first time at the age of 16,but wasn't diagnosed with endo until I had a lap in Oct.'95 (at 31), where they got what they could and also suspended my uterus.
From there I was put on a list for a hysterectomy, which I had in Feb,'96 (still have my ovaries). They also took my cervix, because I had cervical dysplasia and had laser surgery for it in sept.'95. Cancer runs in the family so they thought it was best. I was discharged from the hospital in less than 24 hours after my hyst. I was in such terrible pain, my husband had to take me back to emergency. They gave me a shot of pain med, and a prescription and sent me home again. (terrible experience) After my hys. I got my pains back right away. I also had a pinched nerve in my abdomen. They gave me a trigger point injection for that.
Since then I've been to the emergency room twice for the pain. Had an ultrasound done to reveal a cyst on my ovary. And I've had the lupron shots for 6 months. None of this worked for me I'm afraid.

I guess I would have to say that by my talking to other women with endo, whether it has been to listen when they needed someone, or it was to talk when I needed to, has ful-filled my needs. I didn't have a support group when I needed it, and it really makes me feel good to be able to be here for others that are looking for support. Don't get me wrong, I'll always need the support of others with endo, but listening has helped me just as much ! :o)

Thank-you Dawn for providing us with this list !
*HUGS to all*

I'm 24 years old and single. I enjoy talking with others who suffer from endo.

I had my 1st lap Novemebr 21, 1996. Been there & done that with Lupron. I'm currently awaiting my 2nd lap on December 1997. Gee, what a year.....

I lost the majority of my "friends" due to endo. No one understood and didn't seem to want to take the time to understand. My boyfriend has been my crutch for the past year, without him I'd be lost. I feel as though I have no "life"- I do nothing, I go no where... I guess I enjoy talking to others with endo because we UNDERSTAND each other & it just seems to make life easier to deal with when you have friends.