While I am glad that changes in diet have alleviated the pain of endometriosis for some friends, I’m kind of in this mindset of the less stress on our lifestyle at the moment, the better. Prove to me something will work (and not with anecdotal evidence), and I will try it.
Otherwise, as we aren’t regularly eating Twinkies for breakfast and Ho-Ho’s for lunch, we’ll basically stick with what we’re doing for the moment.
But, being insecure in myself, I needed to hear from someone else that this was okay.
So, how about a renowned endometriosis expert?
In an interview at WebMD, Dr. David Redwine, M.D. said this about endometriosis and diet:
“There is no specific diet that is helpful for endometriosis pain, although there was one study several years ago showing that diets higher in gamma lineolic acids (fish) may help reduce symptoms for some. The only known cure for endometriosis is excision. It can’t be cured with diet.”
So, while I will refresh my supply of fish oil and perhaps look into other sources of gamma lineolic acids, I’m not going whole hog into changing our pantry and refrigerator contents at the moment.
I’m truly glad that dietary change has worked for *some* people.
And I am so sorry for the people who were told it would, and yet, it didn’t.
Because when you spend so much of your life in pain, the last thing you need is one more roller coaster ride of “Do this and *then* you’ll feel better…”
Let alone, “Well, *this* worked for *me*.”
And A Note To Those Who Suffer~
My friend, if you suffer, I am so sorry.
I cannot say I know exactly what you have been through.
Even if we have the same disease.
I cannot say I know exactly the impact endometriosis, or migraine, or chronic fatigue syndrome, or fibromyalgia, or pospartum depression, or recurring depression, or any other disorder or disease has had on your life.
I cannot say anything other than this:
I am so sorry.
I can say I will pray for you.
And I will.
But even that doesn’t help the hurt - be it physical or emotional, or both - does it?
I know.
I “get” that.
So all I will say is this:
I’m sorry.
And if I ever start a preaching about any one of those conditions, or anything else, TELL. ME.
Please?
4 responses so far ↓
Pam // May 22, 2008 at 11:03 am
Hi Kari~
You are so very right that for some of us- diet is irrelevant to endometriosis. I, myself, have had stage 4 endo at my worst and have had 6 surgeries- including a trip out to Oregon with Dr. Redwine. The best doctor that ever treated me had endo herself and she shared her treatment secret with me- surgery every couple of years. Clean all of it (the endo) out and then manage it over the next couple of years. I will be praying for you that God gives your family wisdom about what will be best for you- it is different for each of us.
Holly // May 22, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Kari, Hon…each person DOES respond to differing diseases and treatments differently. Wouldn’t it be NICE if the same thing worked for everyone?
I think that many, myself included, have felt so desperate to help you find the underlying problems. As your friend who cares about you - I do not like to see you suffer and struggle. I know that I have thrown out *any* suggestion in the hope that *something* will click and will bring help and relief. As the friend, it is hard, hard, hard to stand by and not suggest anything! I don’t usually know what to do in this situation….Thank you for bringing it to my attention, though…
Kari @ InThisStorm // May 22, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Sweet Holly,
This was in *no* way directed at you.
In *no* way! Okay?
In. no. way!
In the past fifteen years I have heard a lot of “Well, if you would just…” for all of my different issues. Often from people who have found wonderful relief for their own similar problems. Which is — wonderful! For them!
I just get a little tired of hearing about it sometimes. And as I read blog after blog from other women also struggling with endo and chronic fatigue and pain, well, I have noticed they get kind of tired of it, too. My personal experience with a disease or disorder only makes me an expert on *my* disease or disorder, you know what I mean?
And from some people I keep hearing the exact. same. thing. over. and. over. again. (i.e. Try this cream. (And Pam - I’m not talking about you here, either, ‘kay? Completely different circumstances.)) Heh. Tried the cream. Pharmaceutical grade and all. It makes me worse.
And there are books upon books upon books recommending this diet and that diet and ARGH! My poor husband already works two jobs *and* does the grocery shopping *and* does the cooking — and we really can’t add in changing how we eat completely unless there are some serious statistics to tell us it’s worth it.
I know I have mentioned to you, Holly, that I’ve had quiet times with the pain when I was not eating well. (Though I was unaware I was having migraine attacks numerous times a month, perhaps numerous times a week.) I wasn’t having Twinkies for breakfast. Exactly. But I wasn’t eating well and the endo, if that’s what this is, was quiescent. It’s just a comfort to know it’s *okay* to not rush into any huge changes at the moment. (Like the nutty doctor said I should do - and I am pretty sure I would have walked out the door with same said “lifestyle plan” no matter what I had walked *into* his office with.)
Again, this is not at all directed at you Holly.
I think sometimes we, myself included, are too quick to share our own stories and not quick enough to simply say, “I’m listening.” “It *does* hurt, doesn’t it?” “It *does* stink to have your whole family go on outings and leave you behind…again and again and again.”
That’s all I’m saying.
And Holly, *and* Pam, I cannot think of two people who have been *more* supportive and loving and caring and simply *there* for me the past several months. Two women I have never even met! I thank God for you both! I truly do!
Ann @ Holy Experience // May 24, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Kari,
Thank you for encouraging this heart to simply be quite and listen and hear and affirm and care…
You are deeply appreciated…
How I send love…
Ann
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