Warning! Period post!

Good morning readers!

This post is about periods, again, because let's be honest, my period is something that should be discussed because not everyone has "normal" periods and mine are far from it....until now!

I got a lovely surprise Thursday morning without knowing it. My period tracker in my phone said I wouldn't get my period until November so I didn't think that it was going to happen...until it did.

I had no warning signs, which are typically food related or cramps. So before my period I often want cheese, chocolate, and baked goods. This time around not so much. I did devour a gluten free brownie but that's normal, I love them. So when I woke up with it, I was shocked! I had no cramps and no bloating. I felt a little chubby but felt like I was just having one of those days. Well turns out, my body didn't cramp this period, AT ALL. I'm on day four and I haven't had an episode with my endo. I cannot believe I am even writing these words. In 21 years of having my period, I have suffered from cramps due to my illness. I have never had a completely cramp free month, until now. I don't know why or how or what on Earth made it this way but it is this way. I brought my meds just in case and even toyed with having my doctor call in a Rx to CT but I didn't need it.

I'm sitting here thinking "it has to happen" because I expect to it happen. But it hasn't. I am so grateful to have a hassle free period this month.

I'm so grateful for this particular period and crossing my fingers that this can be the new normal.

Thanks for reading!

Warning : this one is about periods

A few months back, I read a review from the Paleo Parents on natural menstruation products. It actually got me thinking about waste and how much time/energy/packaging tampons take up. So I sent it on to the gf and she read it and did a lot of research. She ended up buying the Lunette Cup, one product featured on Paleo Parents' blog. I was skeptical and afraid considering my endo and wanted to wait it out. So I let her try it a few months and I then ordered mine. My period came out of nowhere on over the weekend and my cup was not ready to go...silly me, I hadn't boiled it to get it clean yet and I was still hesitant to this process. But then, I took the plunge.

As someone living with endometriosis, I honestly was unsure how this cup would feel. Would I feel it? Would it aggravate me? Would it cause a flare up? I couldn't find research in the endo community around it so I wasn't so sure. But then I tried it. I have been using it for a day now and I'm very happy. My cramps are not even close to what they use to be but I do have a sore abdomen from the aches inside. I'm still on my pain regimen of Ibuprofen 3 times a day but this cup is amazing.

I had a lot of reservations about how to empty it, clean it, get in and out but it's not as hard as I thought it would be! I'm really into it and it's kind of cool to see the 'clots' as whole pieces and there isn't any cotton keeping everything inside. Tampon users, you know what I'm talking about! It's an amazing little silicon miracle worker!

The company boasts you can wear it 12 hours without changing it. Well, I wore it for 9+ and I needed to empty it so I think I have to purchase a bigger size or just empty it more regularly before bed. The company sells multiple colors, an amazing smelling cleanser --made from natural ingredients including essential oils, and cleansing cloths for when you're on the go.

I really like it and I'm really surprised I like it. I think it could be changing the way my period works for me. And how my body responds to my period. I think it's really cool, easy, and there is literally no waste (unless you use the cleansing cloths). I'd challenge anyone out there to give it a go. It's cheaper than tampons in the long run. It also has better reviews than the Diva Cup. The starter pack on amazon was $40 (cup and cleanser) and I would spend $40 on tampons, pads, etc for a month or two. This thing will pay for itself! It's really nice. I'd say give it a go! That's my review :) Happy day!

Update: Day four and my period has ended. The Lunette Cup for the WIN. I did have a rough morning yesterday with cramps but it was a different kind of cramp. And it wasn't because of anything other than me forgetting to take my pain meds. It was an easier period and the cup has really changed it. My period in the past few months has lasted closer to a week and I think on day four, it's over!

I'm so impressed. As someone living with endometriosis, I can't believe how much easier period was this time around. It's never been this easy. I'm a firm believer in this cup!

Specialist for my uterus (Some gross stuff mentioned)

So let's recap: I tried to work out yesterday and that didn't fly. I worked out tonight and as soon as we were done...bring on the cramps! I got home, and let go of some HUGE clots (sorry). well, I guess exercise is out?

Today I went to my new doctor (who I love). She told me a few things:
1. there is no cure for endo. Okay, okay, I knew this but was hoping there would be some sort of cure.
2. There are only a few people in the COUNTRY who could operate on where my endo is located.
3. It sounds like in addition to my bladder and ureter, I have patches on my BOWEL. So really no way to remove that.
4. "It's a shitty disease." Docs don't know much and it causes a lot of patients a lifetime of trouble.
5. We have a few options to manage it: a) pain management, b) hormones, c) full hysterectomy (she doesn't really want to do this because it doesn't mean the endo is gone and I'm only 30)
6. She was appalled  at the course of treatment my old gyno took and said I was took young for such an invasive hormone therapy. Which has scared me so badly, I down right refused hormones again.

So our current plan is to try and cut the pain off at the start. When I start to feel symptoms of my period, I'm to take ibuprofen (500 mlg 3 times a day) and Norco (combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone) as needed. We will do this for 3 months and see how it goes. After three months we will assess and see if we need to move to hormones. I'm tempted to try whole 30 again for 3 months before doing hormones. I am so afraid of hormones again and it's just so bad for the system. I would rather eat whole 30 for the rest of my life than deal with hormones.

Yup, we are that desperate. I can't even imagine taking pills every day that suppress my periods and to be frank, sometimes I'd rather just deal with this pain than think of putting those chemicals inside me. I'm so not into it. I have to say though, I trust this doctor. She was pretty amazing and I'm very impressed so far. So I might give her way a shot longer than I'd really care to admit.

I'm going to give the cutting it off before it begins for 3 months and go from there. No harm in trying right? For this moment, I'm going to enjoy my chocolate.

I do have to say I'm disappointed I can't go to Barre tomorrow because I'm afraid I'll upset my uterus. This challenge is important to me and I feel like I'm failing my team. I'll get over it I guess.....

Now onto relax and take care of my uterus. Until next time!

Day 3 of doubled over pain, Vicodin, and no work

Yesterday, I was out of work, sleeping most of the day. Went into work to go help select next year's staff. I was on Vicodin but did it anyway. I was less foggy because I was at the end of the cycle. By the end of selection, it was time for more and bed. I promised myself I was going to go to Barre because of the challenge. So I got up this morning, feeling great. I got good sleep. Felt no cramps and got dressed and went to Barre. I got there and let my instructor (she's also the owner) know that I had my period and it was a bad situation. She was helpful with some stretches and even though I started out really strong (got multiple compliments from her!!!) by 8am (45 minutes in) I felt it. The sharp, intense, alive pain down my leg. I was pressing hard into my left leg and Ashley came over and showed me what I could do knowing that the current exercise was probably too hard. I tried it out. I felt hot and like I needed to take my tampon out. I went to the bathroom and splashed water on my face and took a minute to breathe. I decided I had to leave. Which sucks because I've never walked out. I told her and she said it's totally good. I got in the car and the pain got more intense. I have no idea how long it took for me to get home because I was not happy, in severe pain and begging to get home (by the way, I only had 15 miles of gas left). I got home and I went into the hot bath my amazing girlfriend had ready for me. At this point, I was crying and shaking. The pain was so intense I could barely see straight. This is always so hard because I wish my body would just give out so I could find some relief. I took my Vicodin, willingly, and got in my bath. I'm currently, at home, again (which drives me up a wall), on my couch, eating some Paleo goods (whole me clusters and live soda) because I'm hungry and don't feel like cooking.

I hate this with a passion. I'd much rather be at work than doped up on my couch. Because honestly, I don't remember why I started writing this post. It's kinda frustrating.

Endo is the worst. Round 2

Last night I was at a concert and I was shown some photos of myself and I thought it was odd that my belly looked so bloated. This morning I got up and oh hey, my period decided to come for a visit.

This wouldn't be so bad if my day ended the way it started. Tonight we were suppose to go see the Pentatonix but my endo is FLARED and pissed. Currently, I'm on meds and can feel the cramps in my toes. And guess what? No concert for us. My stupid chronic illness, pain, or whatever you want to call it, has ruined another thing I wanted to do. Thank god I have my appointment on Wednesday with the specialist because this is getting ridiculous!

Stopping life for this is so hard. I hate it so much. I always feel like such a failure because I've disappointed someone, or myself, because it hinders activity. Pure Barre started their 20 in 31 challenge today and I pray this period doesn't last a week because A. the challenge  and B. I'm going to be in Alabama with students...that would be an awkward trip. jk. It'd be fine but I'd be in pain and that's not fun, especially traveling.

What does it mean to have a flare up? Well if you look below, there's a picture. The "patches of endo" are just to show what it looks like. My patches are not where the diagram shows. Mine are on my ureter and urinary bladder. What that means for my level of pain is that the pain is intensified and I feel it down my left leg. It's so strong that sometimes I loose feeling in that leg. (Hence, my saying I could feel it in my toes.) The pain is so great that I often can barely move. While in the tub earlier, it was really hard to find a comfortable position because pressure feels good but it's hard when you're less than 5' and the tub is longer than you.

What are the next steps? Well, with my visit to my new doctor happening Wednesday, I'm hoping we can figure something out. Whether that be surgery to explore how things look in there or it's some kind of natural solution, something is better than my current state.

I have no idea if I'm going to be in extreme pain tomorrow and have no idea if this will impede my ability to go to work and that sucks. I have no way of knowing what's next and I have no gauge on when it will happen because it often times just sneaks up.

It's funny because I have all sorts of memories around my period and the mind blowing cramps. I remember the bathroom stalls at my middle school and having cramps so bad I passed out on the toilet. I remember being in the bathroom at my moms on the floor and passing out. I remember being in the car with my dad, stepmom, gram, and brother, looking at houses and feeling like I was going to die. I had to have my dad stop at a random 7-11 type to get me pads and I remember almost passing out in the bathroom. I've spent a lot of time on the ground due to my periods. My gastro and cardio docs said it's because my body can't handle the pain and it just shuts down to protect me. Can you imagine how great and intense that pain must be? I don't even know what to compare it to because like everything in my life, I thought this was normal. I don't even know what it feels like to not have cramps or not feel like I'm going to pass out. This has been 20 years in the making. What was normal? What is normal? Debilitating cramps, constipation or diarrhea, back pain and sometimes tunnel vision, leading to passing out; all normal for me. It's sad but true. My life pauses when it happens and I just have to wait for it to pass.

I'm not saying all this for anyone to feel sorry for me but to rather raise awareness seeing as it's Endo Awareness Month.


**Since starting this post (at like 7pm and it's now 9:42pm) the pain has subsided into a dull ache and at the same time sharp pains.

Warning: This one is about my period

Dang. Being a woman who gets her period on the regular is rough. Why you may ask? Well, my period is compounded by endometriosis. Endo sucks pretty hardcore and I've been battling it for a long time. I got my first period at nine years old and the passing out due to pain began not long after. Fast forward ten years, my gyno decided to do exploratory surgery to figure out what the issue was and where it was coming from because my passing out was induced only by internal pain from my leg--docs thought this was strange. Fast forward a little more, it turns out my endo is implanted on my  ureter and urinary bladder. Fast forward ten more years, I'm 29 and I'm still dealing with the pain. This particular period has been AWFUL. I've missed two days of work, two workouts and have been stuck in my bed, heating pad glued to me and taking pain killers to dull the pain. This is not something I enjoy, for obvious reasons.

I have a few feelings. I think I could control the pain with diet. Maybe that's a feeble thought...caffeine, alcohol, and dairy make it worse. I don't do so well at giving up caffeine during this time but I try to stay away from dairy despite having some ice cream yesterday and Saturday.

My next move is to talk with my doctor about pain management and potentially acupuncture because there is NO way this lady is putting hormones of any kind, no matter how low the dosage, into my body. I think acupuncture and a change in my diet, again, might be the best solution until we figure out if surgery is another option.

It really sucks having something so internal and personal effect all areas of my life. I've had to cancel all meetings and just stay in my bed. I've done some research and it seems diet can control my symptoms. So now the question is, whole30 forever? My research has shown the change in diet, like whole30, will manage my pain. Now its going to take commitment. I will discuss with my doctor a diet change and acupuncture. Let's see where we end up.