Tee's Honest Corner

Hey guys, for this week's post I've decided to be transparent about my battle/journey with Endometriosis.

I started my menstrual cycle at the age of thirteen (13). Soon after I began experiencing excruciating pain. My grandmother would say "that's cold in your belly, that's why you're in so much pain". Each month the pain would worsen. Eventually my mother took me to a gynecologist who suspected that it was endometriosis based on the symptoms I was experiencing. I've spent thousands of dollars by gynecologists and all of them suspected the same. I've also spent many nights in the emergency room, hooked up on drips and medication to ease the pain. Most over the counter medications I've tried. From Motrin to women's Panadol to Ponstan Forte to Advil gel, you name it I've tried it. I currently use Tramacet and gravol and as for now it works well. I vividly remember going to the emergency room one night and the gynecologist on call refused to come see me in the emergency room. I also remember being told that the pain I'm experiencing is all in my head. I also remember heading to work and my clothes getting dirty and the maxi driver refusing to pick me up. I thank God daily for my husband. He has seen me go through it month after month. There are times I couldn't even stand up straight, bleeding extremely heavy, using 6 to 8 pads daily or make it out of bed to do the basis things I would usually do every day. Constant pain can drive you insane. I now battle depression and anxiety but that's another story for another day. Most months I have to solely depend on my spouse. Every 28 days as a rule I would be in debilitating pain, now it's every 23 days. I was only diagnosed with endometriosis a couple of years ago. Presently my doctors are recommending surgery, and that in itself comes with a lot of risks. As for now I'm weighing the pros and cons, doing my liver and kidney cleanse every 3 months and gradually cutting out a lot of my unhealthy habits. So far, I've seen some changes with my cycle and some months the pain is bearable and other times it isn't. I learnt that having a support system is very important. I am grateful for the Trinidad and Tobago Endometriosis association, my husband, my friends and my close family members.

My battle with endometriosis has not been an easy one, but I refuse to give up or give in.

Hey guys! I'm back and this week we discuss diets.

1 in 10 women suffer from endometriosis. It often take doctors years to discover and or diagnose, but once you know, you need all the resources out there to help minimize the pain and endo growth.

What is an Endometriosis diet?

An Endometriosis diet is a way to reduce inflammation and control estrogen levels in the body. Estrogen is a hormone that contributes to the development of endometriosis, so it makes sense to reduce your overall estrogen load to help prevent or treat your symptoms. One of the best ways to do this is through diet. By lowering the amount of estrogen containing foods you eat can help decrease your total body exposure to this hormone by making sure it isn't produced by your liver when breaking down other foods.

Foods that help

For the most part, try to avoid foods that are high in sugar and refined carbohydrates. Focus more on: -

whole foods

fruits

vegetables

lean proteins such as chicken or fish

dairy products that are lactose low like yogurt (make sure it's not sweetened with added sugar)

whole grains like quinoa or brown rice

Its important to eat plenty of fiber. This will help keep your digestive system moving smoothly so you don't get constipated.

Foods that make it worse

Here is a list of things to avoid or at least eat less of: -

dairy products

alcohol

soya

caffeine

red meat

processed foods with artificial ingredients like MSG or nitrates

It is important to take note of what affects your endometriosis symptoms the most over time.

List of things you can try: -

nut or seed milk eg. coconut, almond or quinoa

coconut dairy free yogurt

unrefined raw agave nectar, molasses, raw maple syrup

organic poultry and fish

fruit smoothies, raw juice drinking

maca, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, decaf green teas

I also do a kidney and liver cleanse and that helps with the pain as well as applying cold pressed and hexane free castor oil on my tummy at night.

Hey guys! In this week's post we discuss the signs and symptoms of Endometriosis.

Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis include: -

pelvic pain

painful, sometimes distressing cramps which may include the rectum and legs during periods (dysmenorrhea), the pain may get worse at times

lower backache

nausea

excessive bleeding during menstrual period or intermenstrual bleeding

general weakness

infertility

painful intercourse (dyspareunia)

bowel issues such as constipation, diarrhea and bloating

tiredness and low energy

acidity and reflux problems

spotting or bleeding in between periods

increase in the size of the belly

feeling of tightness and unease in the pelvic region

low iron symptoms

fatigue and breathlessness

frequent urination

painful urination

night time urination and disturbed sleep

Dyspareunia meaning - a persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during or after sex

Dysmenorrhea meaning - severe and frequent menstrual cramps and pain during your period

The image below depicts a healthy uterus vs a uterus with endometriosis.

Photo from vectormine.com

When struggling with the pain of Endometriosis, it can be quite frustrating and exhausting to say the least, especially since there is no cure. Finding products and techniques that works is often an ongoing process of trial and error that usually involves a combination of treatments rather than one single fix.

What has helped me find some reliefs are: -

herbal teas - herbal tea may not cause the pain to go away but it can be very soothing on days when struggling with Endometriosis. I use the brand Bigelow

heating pad - the heating pad can provide soothing heat to ease cramps and provide pain relief

tens unit - a tens (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation) unit transmits low voltage electric currents to help relieve pain

essential oils - different types of oils are known to have different healing properties both physical and emotional. I use lavender in my bath water.

The purpose of this blog is to educate persons about Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a painful reproductive disorder in which the tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It is commonly found in the pelvic area on the lining of the pelvis, the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the area between the vagina and rectum, the rectum, the pouch of douglas (deep in the pelvis behind the uterus), the bowel or anywhere in the pelvic area. It is also found inside the ovary. A cyst of endometriosis found in the ovary is referred to as a chocolate cyst or endometrioma. Endometriosis has also been found in the lungs, diaphragm and other peripheral organs.

At present the cause of endometriosis is unknown, but there are a number of theories suggesting genetic, immunological and environmental factors. Endometriosis is often classified in stages. The first stage is the minimal stage where endometriosis deposits are few and isolated. The second stage is the mild stage. This is where there are small superficial adhesions, scar tissue and growth. The third stage is the moderate stage. This stage is where the growths are profound and the scar tissue and adhesions are prominent. The final stage is the severe stage. At this stage the deep growths are numerous and the adhesions are extensive.