~ Discomfort ~

I am in a world of hurt. I left work early on Monday and haven't been back. I just feel really uncomfortable & don't want to leave the house. At this point - I am dreading that this is my Endometriosis flaring up again.

For those of you that don't know - I had a horizontal laparotomy in February 2007 to remove all of the cysts and endometrial implants in my abdomen. My Dr said it looked like someone had sprinkled a pepper shaker allover my abdomen with a couple of large cysts that he had to remove. I had no idea that I had Endometriosis - until then. Dr Miller told me that I should be good for about 2yrs; and if we wanted to have kids, then it was advisable to get pregnant within that time.

Endometrial implants typically inset in other parts of the reproductive tract, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the inside lining of the abdominal cavity, and the outside surfaces of the uterus or intestines. They can also occur in other parts of the body, including the liver, legs, lungs, and rarely, the brain.

The implants are not malignant, but the disease may be progressive and symptoms worsen as the patient experiences more menstrual cycles. Because they are made of the same uterine tissue that is shed during menstruation, endometrial implants also break up monthly. The result is internal bleeding, inflammation, chronic pelvic pain, and the formation of blood-filled cysts and scar tissue.

Pain is the most prevalent symptom, and nearly 90% of women with chronic pelvic pain have endometriosis. Scar tissue in the fallopian tubes can interrupt an egg's passage, resulting in infertility. Some patients do not know they have endometriosis until they have an infertility evaluation. As many as 50% of infertile women have endometriosis. About one-third of women with endometriosis do not experience symptoms.