New diagnosis after years of pain
Hi all,
I just found this community. Only today I (finally) saw a gynaecologist, who diagnosed adenomyosis.
When I was in my teens, I had heavy, painful, irregular periods, and was out on a BCP. On & off for years, before getting married & having my 4 babies.
It’s been the past 2 years, my periods have hit with a vengeance, only getting worse as time goes by. Crippling depression &/or anxiety in the days leading up to it, and then debilitating pain for the first days of the period. Multiple OTC pain medications on board, crying in the foetal position in the shower, hot water bottles to bed (even in Australian summer), hideous pain.
Iron deficiency. Extreme fatigue. All the things. I tried alternative support, like naturopath prescribed hormone support herbs, iron supplements, etc.
My Gynae suggested the Mirena as a first option… I’m hesitant, as I tried it as a form of birth control after baby 3. I had headaches, constant bleeding, I was cranky, and had it removed after 2-3 months. But my only other option, realistically, is a hysterectomy. Which is too permanent and I’m not ready for. (She mentioned ablation, but clarified it would be minimally effective and short term).
If you read this far, thanks - if not, and you just scrolled to the bottom, fair enough. Any suggestions, support, tips, help, anything, would be amazing. Thanks all.