Hi Lolly
So glad to hear you're finally getting somewhere with the doctor. I had to insist that my GP referred me to a gynae consultant before they did anything for me and that was after 18 month TTC and several visits to the GP complaining of extreme pain. Anyway, my gynae consultant was fab - did a transvaginal scan which showed signs of endo and I was having a lap to remove it all 2 days later. Sadly, the lap hasn't brought my longed for baby yet (one failed IVF in December and a failed FET this week), but has improved my periods somewhat. So its totally worth kicking up a fuss and insisting you are referred.
Sounds very much like you have endo, but apparently its v hard to diagnose without a lap as the symptoms can be similar to other things (like IBS). For your info, my symptoms were:
- extremely painful periods - pain usually from ovulation right the way through to the end of my period, most extreme for the 2 to 3 days before I start, also concentrated on left side
- very long periods - 7 to 10 days
- very heavy periods with lots of clotting
- very sensitive bladder during my period (apparently I had lots of endo around it)
- feeling faint and nauseous in the few days before my period and first few days, probably due to all the pain and blood loss.
Since the lap in July, my periods are much lighter and shorter, but the pain didn't improve as I also have adenomyosis (where the endometrial cells grow inside the muscular wall of your uterus) which unfortunately they can't do anything about.
However, I have found that taking ibuprofen and codeine (you can get this over the counter or your GP should prescribe) helps (much better than ibuprofen alone) and I've been having accupunture since September and although that hasn't helped the IVF/FET, it's MASSIVELY improved my pain - virtually pain free now. I'd really recommend it.
Hoping you feel better soon.
Love Pipi xxx