This cursed health condition comes with constant learning about what the hek is okay for you to ingest and what isn’t.
Sadly, eating right does not stop new endometriosis from forming BUT it has helped me function without debilitating pain and inflammation during my cycles. Keep in mind, my third laporoscopy took A LOT of my pain away but of course that didn’t stop the wretched inflammation. [Note for the curious: first two laparoscopies weren’t done well because the doctor couldn’t handle severe endo, so I went to a specialist who did things thoroughly & efficiently.]
I used birth control to suppress the symptoms long enough to heal from the damage done by my inflammation and a giant fibroid in a bad place. I also incorporated a Low-FODMAP diet. This is the one I’ve been using as my guide: https://www.gastroconsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Low-FODMAP-Diet.pdf. When I saw that there are some similarities between IBS symptoms and Endometriosis symptoms, I was curious about what foods help avoid those symptoms.
I followed the list from the pdf for over two weeks and noticed a difference in my inflammation and pain levels. This along with more water intake [I had the bad habit of not drinking enough water] allowed me to have less painful bowel movements [giant fibroid is pressing against my bowels] and less painful cycles.
Other things I’ve learned for anti-inflammatory foods (reminder: use moderation in anything you intake. It’s all a fight for balance since everything is unbalanced.):
- Processed soy products = not good
- Unprocessed soy products, mainly fermented = good
- Phytoestrogens foods = helpful
- Fermented foods in general (like, kimchi🤤) = good
- Omega-3s = good
- Vitamin D3 = good
- Grape Seed Extract (promotes healthy circulation and reduces inflammation) = good
- Turmeric (Curcumin) = good
The last bullet point brings me to another personal note. I no longer use pain medications like acetaminophen and NSAID/ibuprofens. My bleeding tended to get heavier and coagulate more whenever I used these to manage pain. So, I take curcumin supplements if the inflammation gets a bit more troublesome than usual.
My endometriosis has returned despite the last laporoscopy.
2017 was my third laporoscopy and it was a 5 hour surgery that removed a lot of growths. In 2023, I will be getting a fourth surgery done. *sigh*
February 18, 2023, I got a MRI with contrast dye at Mayo Clinic (this place is hella expensive but we can afford the insurance they accept now.) They discovered extensive endometriosis that had grown even with all the things I had done to suppress it. The fibroid has been there since my early 20s. It’s huge and has been pushing against my uterus, bladder and bowels for years. I have been referred to a colleague of my Gynecologic Oncologist that is a highly proficient surgeon. He has handled many difficult/severe cases of endometriosis. This surgeon has their own practice outside of Mayo Clinic.
In April, my surgeon will be doing an ultrasound mapping with an injection of saline fluid to make a guide for where all my growths are. I’ve been put on Norethindrone 5MG on the 5th day of my cycle because they don’t want any of my eggs washed away during the ultrasound mapping which will be in two and a half weeks. I don’t mind this since I do still want to try for a baby after the surgery. And well, having no periods for a few months will be a nice vacation from my endo symptoms.
The first three days on this pill did send me through a roller coaster with feeling super tired and mood swings. But I’m doing well now. No nausea which was a symptom I dealt with previous birth control pills.
Something I’ve added to my arsenal of balancing my body is Ashwagandha gummies. I only take two gummies a day. It suggests two in the morning and two in the evening BUT it’s something that’s part of the nightshade family, so I prefer to be on the safer side of things and keep to two per day. I take it when I get random panic/anxiety flares.
Hope this info helps others suffering from inflammation and endometriosis. There’s information about all the things I mentioned on medical sites. It’s good to check the studies they have available too. One thing I’m going to look into is a research being done in Japan for fighting endo. They state “A long-acting anti-IL-8 antibody improves inflammation and fibrosis in endometriosis”. Here’s hoping they get somewhere with this for humans. 🤞
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Methodical Magpie 