I am a 28 year old mother of three children who was diagnosed with endometriosis nearly 5 years ago. I have a normal BMI (24%) and weight. To give you some background information... My mother has endometriosis as well and my maternal great-grandmother died of ovarian cancer at the age of 72. I am RH- and have B- blood type. I had to receive Rhogam shots to support my pregnancies. I have been carried 3 children to term but I've been pregnant a total of 9 times. At the time that I was diagnosed with endometriosis, I was taking an estrogen based birth control (NuvaRing) that caused me to have early menopause symptoms. During my last two pregnancies I developed a potassium deficiency. I also had to take progesterone pills (sometimes a doubled or quadrupled dose) until my 4th month to maintain my pregnancies as I don't make very much progesterone at all. (While pregnant with my last child, my progesterone hormone level tested at a 7 and the doctor said that a level 10 and under was equal to a threatened miscarriage). During my last c-section, the doctors removed a large amount of scar tissue that was adhering the outside of my uterus to my stomach muscles from pelvis to sternum. Scar tissue also surrounded my fallopian tubes and ovaries. In fact, the doctors had to temporarily remove my uterus just to be able to find my fallopian tubes amid the scar tissue to be able to perform a tubal ligation. Since that time, I believe I have developed post tubal ligation syndrome. Immediately after my last c-section and tubal ligation, I noticed a decreased ability to lactate in comparison to my previous experience nursing 2 children for the first entire year of their lives. I struggled to maintain a good milk supply and ended up having to wean my child earlier than I had hoped to. I also suffered from post-partum depression for about 3-4 months after giving birth. During that time my hair started falling out but it has since grown back. I have been able to lose all but the last 12 pounds of my pregnancy weight gain. After the birth of my last child (within the past 2 years) the endometriosis got much worse. I also have adult ADHD, which I am currently taking fish oil supplements for. I have trouble going to sleep at night but once I'm finally asleep, I want to sleep for hours on end. No matter how much sleep I get, I'm always tired. I find it difficult to focus and complete everday tasks. My TMJ has worsened, I have frequent headaches, and have felt like a completely different person, mentally, since my last c-section. My menstrual cycle is usually about every 30 days with very heavy bleeding lasting 5-7 days. I have severe cramping, diarrhea, and nausea before and during my period. When I sneeze I can feel the scar tissue in my pelvis being pulled and it is very painful. At one time or another I have taken Magnesium, Zinc, Melatonin, Apple Cider Vinegar, Sublingual B-12 drops, fish oil and Potassium supplements (almost never in combination) to treat the different conditions that I'm dealing with (i. E. ADHD, endometriosis, post-tubal ligation syndrome, TMJ, insomnia, and lack of energy). I also think it's worth mentioning that I am prone to fever blisters and they seem to come about when I've eaten a lot of wheat, chocolate, corn or peas. In summary, do you think that using a topical progesterone cream would benefit me? Are the supplements I mentioned earlier well suited for my conditions? Should I take those supplements all together or would they interact with one another? Would a change in diet (for example, eating less gluten) have a positive affect on those conditions? I eagerly await your reply. Thanks again for your help! :)
