Tag Archives: O&G

Attack of the Killer Endometriosis

24 Sep

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Just when I thought I had a month’s break before the next endometriosis pain attack, the body went haywire. I had only a week’s reprieve! Boo hoo hoo… it’s such a messed up bloody affair.

Prior to the third long weekend getaway, I took the meds my O&G doctor prescribed – Tren (Tranexamic Acid) and Ponstan (Mefenamic Acid) before pain got the better of me when the unexpected cycle struck.

Thankfully both made the condition more bearable than before as the pain and discomfort were reduced by a whole lot. However the inconvenience of waking up in the middle of the night was still happening; I can’t overcome this just yet.

Only time can tell and unfortunately, I wait with fear for the next cycle to hit. Shudder… but before it could even occur, I was hit by another unexpected experience instead.

Last week, after our return from the third long weekend getaway, I had the worst cramps ever. EVER.

OMG… it was an epic scale attack of the killer endometriosis pain and this time, it floored me. I keeled over. I have no words for the immense agony and sleep–after downing painkillers–was the only option, which I did. For almost 12 hours.

The irony of the situation – it wasn’t even the cycle phase and the cramps just came suddenly. The pain level felt like a freight train mowing me down repeatedly. Dang… after the last bloody episode, this awfully painful experience. I had only the Ponstan to fight it because taking Tren wasn’t appropriate. And after two days of intense suffering, the cramps did lessen and a little more bearable before it subsided. Sigh.

I seriously hope this latest problem is a one-off freak occurrence. If I have to go through this again and again and again, perhaps vetoing my doctor’s veto on removing my uterus might be the ideal solution than waiting for nature to run its course. I can never be prepared enough to withstand the unexpected without keeling over. Shudder…

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Enduring Endometriosis, Part 2

10 Sep

After our return from Club Med, I went to see my O&G doctor the next day to address the endometriosis problem. The conclusion on the situation is all about managing the pain and timing.

I was actually ready to have my uterus removed–considering I don’t need it anymore and also it’s giving me all this problems–but my doctor vetoed the idea. Instead she prescribed some medication and painkiller for me to take. And to take only when necessary.

Put it this way, I am at the crossroad for a change in my body (well, I can’t be forever 38) and ideally, I should let nature take its course. But this natural path is not the smoothest unfortunately. The only bright spot is the hope that with each passing day, the problem will lessen or go away without having to do anything drastic. Like a surgery…

In the meantime, when faced with the monthly agonizing cramps, I should just take the prescribed meds and painkiller without hesitation.

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Enduring Endometriosis

26 Aug

Last week, my excruciating endometriosis pain struck again because of the cycle. I did not see my O&G doctor immediately after last month’s attack because I wanted to monitor the situation and true enough, it struck to the core. And this time, I was popping more pain killers than ever, otherwise I would be down on the floor curled up and in agony.

To add to my stress or rather distress, I had a logo design deadline to meet and I played in my golf club’s Annual Championship Tournament over the weekend. Thankfully, I managed to pull through for the work that was expected. Maybe playing Cat Condo eased off some of the edge in the stress. As for the tournament, that’s another story all by itself.

So how am I feeling this week? Well, the storm passed and there’s relief but I need to find a window to schedule an appointment to see what’s the best option to resolve this problematic pain once and for all.

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Something’s Not Right

26 Jul

My Endometriosis pain has returned unexpectedly.

On Monday I was hit with the most excruciating pain (like the good old days) that I had to cancel my gym session. I couldn’t even sit straight, let alone walk properly, what more workout at the gym? Something’s not right.

The week before, there was pain building up but I did not think much of it. However I did wonder whether it was my food intake that’s causing my misery? After all, I did drink more beer than I should that week and had indulged in more chocolate than necessary.

This week, the severe pain struck me to the core literally and I had to resort to pain killers to manage. If the pain persists, a visit to my O&G is inevitable to have the problem checked.

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A Cough and a Cold Putter

24 Apr

After almost three weeks of R&R, I actually went off to play my first golf game last Friday. Taking time off from work because it’s slow anyway, I decided to go swing my clubs despite having a cough and nasal congestion. In honesty, when the nasal congestion struck, I didn’t want to cancel because I wanted to see my golf buddies more than to actually play golf.

This aside, I saw my O&G doctor twice already, two weeks ago to remove the bandages and last week, a follow-up to ensure the wounds are healing well which they are by the way. The doctor said if I don’t feel any pain in the abdomen while turning my body, I should be okay to play golf.

Having said that, she did advised to be careful to avoid gym routines that focuses on the abdomen area. So my trainer needs to tweak the exercise program when we resume our gym session.

So how did I fare on the fairways? Well with a cough and a cold putter, let’s just say I need to recover from the cough first and then, try to play more to get back into the groove.

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My Funny Intestines

3 Apr

When the O&G doctor came this morning and with a clear mind, I now understand what the mess was.

The appendix that was removed dinosaur years ago left a void in its place and over time (I am a dinosaur so it’s a very long time), my intestines decided to ‘park’ themselves there! Haish… my funny intestines.

And over the years they got comfy and created a close-knit village there, all stuck together! On a more serious note, the technical term of this problem is adhesions whereby internal organs are stuck together when they are not supposed to at a place they’re not supposed to be at. This can happen if one had an open surgery before.

I guess we can conclude that all the problems started with the removal of the appendix and the recent Endometriosis and Cyst escalated the situation. The Infectious Colitis was not even part of the act but a side wanna-be.

The good news is I am being discharged later today to rest at home with my Citizens and Gnomes! Yay. But I still need to monitor my cramps closely to see if they do occur again.

If they do, I then have to go on a six-month treatment. Let’s cross the fingers and hope for the better.

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It’s a Lot More Complicated

3 Apr

My head is clearer today; the nausea and urge to vomit has passed but pain has kicked in. The O&G doctor came and explained my problem to me yesterday and it’s a lot more complicated than originally thought. The nurses’ earlier feedback was off.

There was a case of Endometriosis (the initial suspected problem) but mild on the right and a tiny Cyst on the left. And there was another problem on the right side as well, a bigger problem. Dang. So convoluted! It’s around my appendix area, the old surgery that I did when I was 17 years old. Early dinosaur era.

Apparently the Gastroenterologist whom I saw for my Infectious Colitis diagnosis had to be called in. And in very basic terms, he had to clean out that messy appendix area! Things were stuck, bunched up and yucky.

My goodness. I am such a complicated one. Even the doctors were baffled with the scenario, a problem on the right that’s causing so much pain on the left. I hope to see both doctors later today to understand again this what this mess was

So stayed the night at the hospital to be observed to ensure a speedy recovery. Although all vital signs are good, an early discharge is only upon the doctor’s approval. We shall see.

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I Shouldn’t Worry

30 Mar

Well, the doctor’s appointment went well and I am scheduled for a Monday slot for the laparoscopy. My assumption that I would be admitted yesterday was off. After consulting with the O&G doctor on what’s ahead, I did a blood test and an ECG, necessary procedures before surgery.

I shouldn’t worry too much because this is not something unusual. Apparently, 176 million women worldwide are impacted by Endometriosis and I am just another percentage to the statistics if the laparoscopy confirms it. I should just focus on having a good weekend ahead.

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What Can I Eat? Part 2

29 Mar

It has been seven weeks since I last drank a cup of coffee or had a glass of alcohol. Yes, I am keeping track and I am very proud to say I have not had any withdrawal symptoms. In other words, the Infectious Colitis did me good in a good weird way, losing weight, shaping up and feeling lighter.

Although I cannot eat a whole lot of things for fear of a negative reaction and suffering the consequences later (remember the onions and turnips episode?), there were a couple of instances I could not resist chocolate.

I ate some several weeks ago and this was the only thing I caved in. I am okay skipping my cheeses, dairy, wheat, fried and spicy food but resistance to chocolate was futile. Sucker.

So when I discovered I could be having Endometriosis, suddenly the staples that I relied on (tofu, soy sauce, white bread, eggs and tuna) had to be eliminated, I was aghast. What can I eat then? The list of food to avoid is so long! Apparently, these food (plus beef and those to avoid for Colitis) do cause some imbalance and reaction. And the outcome is worse; sigh… so I better not chance it. And the chocolate indulgence has stopped too. But avoiding soy sauce is the hardest because of the food I am used to eating.

Two days ago, I stepped on the bathroom scale. Hmm… down another 0.5kg. It’s not that I am not eating, I am but small meals despite the limited choices. Honestly.

I rely on white meat to appease the protein urge. Vegetables and fruits have to be moderate, not excessive because I need to have the right balance. A high-fibre diet is bad for Infectious Colitis but good for Endometriosis while a low-fibre diet is bad for Endometriosis but good for Infectious Colitis. See the dilemma?

Coincidentally, the abdominal cramps struck last night albeit less intense due to the restrictive diet, so I am glad I am seeing my O&G doctor today at the hospital. Most likely I will be admitted for a laparoscopic surgery to get to the root of my problem. From there, we will then decide what course of action to take to resolve this once and for all.

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