I know this is my family blog but I'm going to use it for something personal. In the last year I have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Pelvic Adhesive Disease (PAD.) I've had surgery and taken hormone pills as treatment. In the end, they only offered temporary releif as the pain has always returned. My doctor has now diagnosed me with Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) which occurs in about 4% of women. The exact cause of the pain is unknown so it is almost impossible to treat except for with pain medication.
The treatment my doctor is prescribing is pregnancy. Ha! PCOS and PAD are both associated with infertility. You might ask, how can pregnancy aleviate unexplained pelvic pain? That is the same thing I asked my good doctor (no sarcasm there, he is really amazing.) The effect of pregnancy on CPP is as much a mystery as the cause of CPP. Clinical history shows that, for some reason, going through a pregnancy reduces CPP in some women. I have no problem with that since we've been trying to have another baby for more than a year now. So, now the real conundrum: how to get pregnant.
Yes, I know HOW to get pregnant. The problem is every other time I ovulate (which only happens about every three months) I get massive cysts. I also have so much scar tissue that there is a chance my tubes are completely blocked anyway. Despite all this, my ever optimistic doc still thinks I have a chance to get preggo on my own. Yeah, right. Well, we'll give it a try.
So, when I DON'T get pregnant on my own then the next step is checking for blocked tubes. IF those are clear, then its clomid. Clomid is not a great option for someone with a history of cysts because it can cause even bigger cysts to form. But hey, worst case scenario, I lose an ovary. Good thing I have 2! When, I mean IF, that doesn't work well, then what? I don't even know.
Probably the worst part of all this is that I can't exercise the way I used to. Every form of cardio is painful except for swimming. Too bad my gym doesn't have a pool. My doc said to keep exercising if I can. It helps elevate endorphin levels and makes it easier to cope with pain. Plus, exercise is good for overall health. The least painful form of cardio is the elliptical machine. I used to make fun of elliptical users because I figured they were too wimpy to run. Yes, now I am a wimpy elliptical user. My hope is that I will someday be able to run another distance race. It might take a miracle.
3 comments:
Wow Heather! I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. We will keep you in our prayers.
Oh my gosh, Heather, that is so crazy. First, that you are in so much pain, second, that pregnancy is the prescribed "cure", and third, that the problem causes difficulties getting pregnant. I really feel for you!
Do you have a local YMCA where you are? We just joined ours here because I just need a break during the day sometimes. They usually have a pool, I think? I dunno, but childcare is included in the cost, which was the biggest thing for us because $4/hour PER KID really adds up when you've got more than one.
I don't think you're wimpy for using the elliptical. I think you're awesome for working out at all when you're in such pain. Way to go! I'm sorry that you're going through this. Best of luck. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys in a few weeks at Dot's wedding!
Hi Heather, this is your cousin Mimi. I just happened on your blog today and saw this post. I am so sorry about all that is happening! I thought I would share something with you that might be helpful. Before I got pregnant with our son we tried for a year and half to get pregnant. Finally I read a book called The Fertility Diet (by Jorge Chavarro) which led me to change my diet dramatically. I did not agree with everything he said in the book but I took many of his suggestions. I eliminated processed sugar from my diet, ate only whole grains, much less meat and much more veggies. Anyway the point is I got pregnant two months later. This way of eating is supposed to be good for women who have PCOS because it helps to keep their blood sugar level, which is one of the problems with PCOS that causes infertility. I've had problems with my blood sugar for a long time as well as problems with cysts so maybe that's why it was helpful for me. Anyway I just thought I'd pass that info on. I will keep you in my prayers and hope that this frustrating situation will end soon.
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