Hi everyone!
I'm new here, a 41 year-old female dx'd w/ RRMS in 2006 that is progressing into SPMS.
(Warning this might be a little gross for people with queasy stomachs )
In 2011 I was having a lot of trouble with my MS: (or so I thought) nerve pain shooting up and down my legs, shooting rectal pain, stomach cramping and constant diarrhea, stomach bloating, trouble urinating, not eating but gaining weight, etc. I spent most of the summer curled up in a ball in bed.
Finally the pain got so bad I went to the ER thinking it was an exacerbation & possibly a kidney stone. They ran a battery of tests and found three large masses: two ovarian cysts about the size of a grapefruit, and a giant fibroid tumor in my uterus. The OBGYN and I decided that if the cysts didn't resolve (burst) over the weekend, she would try to remove the cysts surgically the next week.
The pain only got worse, so we scheduled the surgery. I had a feeling something might be seriously wrong, so I gave her permission to remove anything she saw that was bad. She said she didn't anticipate anything like that, but six hours later I woke up to find out that I had a total abdominal hysterectomy (removal of uterus & cervix) & oophorectomy (removal of left ovary & fallopian tubes). Apparently when the surgeon went in, she found quite a mess- everything was stuck together. My left ovary was completely encapsulated by my uterus, which was also twisted & covered in adhesions & endometriosis. Another surgeon was called in because my intestines, ureters, and appendix were also stuck to my uterus/ovaries. Diagnosis: Stage IV Endometriosis
The recovery was horrible with a lot of complications. It threw my MS into a tailspin, I wound up with an infected blood clot, caught the flu & dropped about 30 pounds, and in the end went in for another operation to remove my remaining ovary & fallopian tube due to the return of endometriosis w/ a side of about 20 new ovarian cysts.
And then a whole can of worms was opened by going into sudden surgical menopause: inflamed joints, trigger finger, jaw issues, hot & cold flashes, MS flare-ups, the list goes on.....
Anyway, I did a lot of research & found many women with MS (as well as many other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc...) who also wound up with severe Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and fibroid tumors. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone on this forum thinks there is a correlation between autoimmune disease & Endo. I'd love to hear about any experiences if anyone is willing to share.
Sorry this is so long, and thank you for taking the time to read my post.
I'm new here, a 41 year-old female dx'd w/ RRMS in 2006 that is progressing into SPMS.
(Warning this might be a little gross for people with queasy stomachs )
In 2011 I was having a lot of trouble with my MS: (or so I thought) nerve pain shooting up and down my legs, shooting rectal pain, stomach cramping and constant diarrhea, stomach bloating, trouble urinating, not eating but gaining weight, etc. I spent most of the summer curled up in a ball in bed.
Finally the pain got so bad I went to the ER thinking it was an exacerbation & possibly a kidney stone. They ran a battery of tests and found three large masses: two ovarian cysts about the size of a grapefruit, and a giant fibroid tumor in my uterus. The OBGYN and I decided that if the cysts didn't resolve (burst) over the weekend, she would try to remove the cysts surgically the next week.
The pain only got worse, so we scheduled the surgery. I had a feeling something might be seriously wrong, so I gave her permission to remove anything she saw that was bad. She said she didn't anticipate anything like that, but six hours later I woke up to find out that I had a total abdominal hysterectomy (removal of uterus & cervix) & oophorectomy (removal of left ovary & fallopian tubes). Apparently when the surgeon went in, she found quite a mess- everything was stuck together. My left ovary was completely encapsulated by my uterus, which was also twisted & covered in adhesions & endometriosis. Another surgeon was called in because my intestines, ureters, and appendix were also stuck to my uterus/ovaries. Diagnosis: Stage IV Endometriosis
The recovery was horrible with a lot of complications. It threw my MS into a tailspin, I wound up with an infected blood clot, caught the flu & dropped about 30 pounds, and in the end went in for another operation to remove my remaining ovary & fallopian tube due to the return of endometriosis w/ a side of about 20 new ovarian cysts.
And then a whole can of worms was opened by going into sudden surgical menopause: inflamed joints, trigger finger, jaw issues, hot & cold flashes, MS flare-ups, the list goes on.....
Anyway, I did a lot of research & found many women with MS (as well as many other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc...) who also wound up with severe Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and fibroid tumors. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone on this forum thinks there is a correlation between autoimmune disease & Endo. I'd love to hear about any experiences if anyone is willing to share.
Sorry this is so long, and thank you for taking the time to read my post.
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