Dear Rick, I read the message you posted today - about the concern you have for your daughter. You said, "My daughter is 12 and is showing signs of developing inflammatory bowel disease. We are on a watch and wait system at the present, and it hurts to see her suffer so."
Since your daughter is 12, you need to be aware that she is at the age when a young girl starts to have her monthly period. Unfortunately, some girls are set-up to suffer from endometriosis.
There are several theories regarding endometriosis - and as far as I know, none of them have been proven. One theory is called retrograde menstruation - which means the blood from the menstrual period backs up into the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity. Since this blood has no way to exit from the body, this will cause adhesions to form. Any blood -- whether from endometriosis or from any surgical procedure -- left within the abdominopelvic cavity will cause the formation of adhesions.
If a young girl or woman has endometrial implants within her pelvic cavity, these implants will bleed at the same time as she has her monthly period. There are many women - in their 20's and 30's - who suffered for years, before finding out that the real cause of their pain was endometriosis.
Before I was actually diagnosed as actually having adhesions, I joined the Endometriosis Association (EA) so I could learn as much as I could about endometriosis. I ordered almost everything the EA offered and I found a clue - a clue that eventually enabled me to seek the help of a endometriosis specialist, who performed the diagnostic laparoscopy that proved that adhesions were the "real" cause of the chronic pain I had suffered with for 27 years!!
A diagnostic laparoscopy is the only test that will diagnose either endometriosis or adhesions. If endometriosis is suspected, seek the help of a gynecologist who specializes in the treatment of endometriosis -- not just any Ob/Gyn!! The following websites will help you to learn more about endometriosis:
1.) The Endometriosis Association
http://www.endometriosisassn.org/
2.) Endometriosis Treatment Program
http://www.endometriosistreatment.org/
From: Rick (rz272@juno.com) Tue Jun 10 12:06:03 2003
Dear Karen: Thank you for your kind and encouraging comments. I was especially moved when you shared of your daughter's experiences. I was 22 when I first felt ill, but can not imagine the trauma of dealing with this type of pain at 13. I'm happy to hear she is feeling so much better.
My daughter is 12 and is showing signs of developing inflammatory bowel disease. We are on a watch and wait system at the present, and it hurts to see her suffer so.
What bothers me the most is the fact that most Doctors do not fully understand, or recognize this condition. It is so easy to blame the patient if the diagnosis is not crystal clear. That is what I am dealing with the most. I try to take a small dosage of Vicoden each day, but some Doctors treat me like I am only after drugs. I am seeking relief and freedom from this chronic pain that so few people understand.
Thanks again for your response.
-- Rick Zollo