Another Year… January 14, 2012

…that’s no different than years past.

It seemed for a short while, that an increase in Cymbalta was actually helping me. I was very hopeful. But now, nearly two months after that increase, I’ve come to realize that any improvement in my symptoms at that time was purely coincidental. Lovely.

I’m up to 60 mg and am not increasing my dose any higher. I’m not better. I’ve just about given up trying to figure out what is causing my pain. Deep down, I know what it is. It’s endo. Even though at my last surgery there were no visible endo lesions, it’s still causing me pain. I’m worse leading up and and during my period. I’ve noticed now, that the pain is very much cyclical (and I hadn’t realized that before).

I have an appointment with a gastroenterologist in February to rule out any other possible causes. I do not think an endoscopy or colonoscopy are going to show us anything else and I hope I’m strong enough to turn them down, if offered or recommended. I always follow through on doctor’s orders, but I am certain of what is causing my problem…the problem that has plagued me for years.

My next stop will likely be a pain management clinic. I’m hoping something other than pain meds can help me!

Quiet? Who…? Me??? November 29, 2011

I’m never quiet. Not in print and not in reality. I’m a loud mouth and rarely shut up. It’s okay because I embrace who I am! It’s part of my charm…at least that’s what I tell myself.

I am a little bummed that I haven’t had much to blog about lately. How many times can you say the same thing over and over again? Everyone here knows I don’t feel well and that we don’t know where my pain is coming from, blah blah blah. Although, after recent flare ups, I believe my pain is reproductive in nature. I know I keep flip flopping on this, but now I am convinced. I began having pain with intercourse again, and then pain following was unbearable. I also seemed to be worse right up to and including my period. Lovely. So for now, I’m going to stick with “I think my pain is from my defective reproductive parts” theory.

I do have an appointment with a gastro doc. I wanted to cancel, but I might as well see what he has to say. Perhaps it is something else and he has a better clue. Or, my gut instincts are right. I’m not signing up for any colonoscopies or endoscopies because I don’t think they are going to show anything. And, with my hemorrhoid problem, the last thing I want to do is a bowel prep for a colonoscopy. No thank you!

What are my options? Well, my primary care doctor increased my Cymbalta dose. I’m now on 40 mg. 3 weeks in, I haven’t noticed a difference. She did say it would be a good month before we would know if it helped. The next option is to go up to 60 mg and see if that helps. Of course, that will also take another month. Lastly, I can go to the pain clinic. I don’t want pain meds to treat my problem. I want them available to me when I’m in really bad shape, but I don’t want to live on pain meds. So, hopefully they will have alternative therapies that will help. I’m guessing that I won’t be seeing them anytime before February because a) we need to see if the Cymbalta helps first and b) there is surely a wait to be seen. This just stinks…big time.

My husband is encouraging me to call my doctor after yesterday’s painful intercourse episode. I don’t see the point. We all know what causes that pain (endometriosis for those of you who aren’t aware). It could be some other condition, but I highly doubt it at this point. Oh well. Time will tell.

I hope everyone reading this had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! I did! I am officially done with cooking for a while though! I am beat!