u/Horror_Speaker_5160

Currently in the process of figuring out if I have endo. I have so many questions, so if you’ve seen my username pop up before hi, it’s me AGAIN lol.

I (22) went to the GI doctor and told her what was going on. She was like “yeah there’s no tests we can really give you to see if you have any gi conditions going on unfortunately” and told me to try the low fodmap diet to see if that helps, then comes back if it doesn’t.

I already have a limited diet because I do have celiac disease and strictly eat gluten free and also lactose free most of the time. Which I’ve are both things I’ve learned can help endometriosis actually.

Also I eat relatively low fodmap already apparently based on a look at the diet. I do want to eat more vegetables and fruit consistently as it’s something o struggle with bc of texture. That’s the main area of my diet that’s deficient.

I’ve had chronic constipation basically my whole life. So that’s not a new issue by any means. I take MiraLAX everyday to help with that and it does for the most part.

I’ve been feeling ill for about half of every month with cramps in mostly the pelvic area but sometimes higher, nausea and without throwing up, lack of appetite, leg pain, pain with pooping (mostly happens during period but sometimes happens not on it too), pain with farting (why??? - also usually a period thing), this zappy lightning kind of pain that I call the triangle of pain lol - this I think is more gi since it happens with gas? And more symptoms yay!

So since I have a condition that affects the gi system, I made sure everything is good with that and it is. I had an endoscopy that looked really good in march. My celiac isn’t causing this. All these symptoms aside from the constipation are newer as are my worsening menstrual issues. They coincide but I know that doesn’t mean they are related necessarily.

Anyways for the actual question!! For those that also have gastrointestinal issues caused by endo, did you pursue testing for things like crohns/uc or other gi conditions before deciding whether or not you wanted a laparoscopy?

Long story short: I’m 22F, always had a history of painful periods but not always too painful. Sometimes they are genuinely not that bad. Other times they are. My main concerns are symptoms that happen while not on my period that feels like I’m on my period. I get a period usually every two months now. Currently don’t meet the criteria for PMOS/PCOS. I feel ill about half the month every month with cramps, lower back pain, nausea, appetite issues, chronic constipation, sometimes leg pain, bloody noses, and back pain. Pain with bowel movements usually only happens actually on my period.

I’m hesitant to do the surgery because it’s… surgery lol. Also scared they won’t find any answers and I’ll be back to square one. I have a maternal aunt who had endo so there’s a little family history.

I still need to find a better doctor to help me, as my current one isn’t a good fit. I did ask about pursuing endo testing and she immediately jumped to surgical consult first. I think I’d like to get some more testing done such as an MRI and things first.

Has anyone else been in this situation? Should I take the risk, even if I might not have endo? Is a larposcopy (how tf is this spelled) covered by insurance usually? Idk what to do and this is scary to navigate.

I called out of work today. It’s the second time this month that I’ve done this. Both times I didn’t really have a “reason” to not go to work. The other thing is that I only work part time, like 20 hours a week usually. That’s not very much. And that only makes me feel more guilty. The shift I called out of today was a 5 hour shift, something I could’ve easily gotten through bc it’s short. It would’ve started at 7 am which is difficult because I’m not a morning person lol. I work in retail, kinda customer facing as I’m out in the store doing markdowns and merchandising but I don’t work registers and tend to avoid speaking to customers lol. I’m a level 1 on the spectrum and recently diagnosed at 22 years old.

Now I do have some job protection through an FMLA due to some physical health issues. Last month I called out 4 days, two of those times were because I was not feeling well BUT I know I could’ve done to work bc the pain wasn’t *that* bad. I feel like I’m abusing my FMLA by calling out more than I really need it. I told my boss when the FMLA started, which was recently, that I probably wouldn’t need to use all the given time so he didn’t need to worry. I’m a people pleaser… but I’m approved to use leave 3 times a month for 3 days each. So technically I haven’t done that but still, I feel guilty.

Today I woke up and felt fine but I couldn’t get out of bed. Time kept ticking and I just laid there. I do have adhd as well. For more context, yesterday I was in the car all day driving home from a 3 day trip. I had meant to ask for today off too, that way I could have a day to “recover” from the trip. I forgot and I have tomorrow off so I thought I’d be fine.

I feel irresponsible and flaky doing this. I get the vibe that my boss doesn’t love the fact that I have an FMLA now. Whenever I call out, I make more work for my team and we’re already a bit overwhelmed bc they cut everyone’s hours due to budget. Idk how to stop doing this. It makes me feel weak and silly that I’m not going to work because I feel… tired, a little depressed, etc?

Please be nice and maybe give me some advice or comment if you’re in a similar situation.