How I’ve managed bed-ridden cramps due to endometriosis.

Its tough being a woman in modern day society. One where you work hard and don’t have children. Going into an office each day can be really tough, especially for a couple days of each month when your period comes. Its something that men don’t understand and only might “know” about due to their partners.

For many years I took 10–12 advils a day when those two days came. My cramps were so unbearable that if I didn’t dose myself with advil I’d be lying on the ground near a heater or something warm just to try to relieve the pain ( Note: I don’t take western medicine otherwise- nothing unless dire and necessary). I was usually in so much pain that I didn’t eat, I didn’t sleep at night (for those two nights), and there was a constant worry of over bleeding (sorry for all the graphic details).

Then in 2012 I went into the ER at UCSF hospital. It was completely unexpected, but I woke up one morning in so much pain I couldn’t even get out of bed. Three days, way too much antibiotics later I was released from the hospital. It wasn’t quite known what happened, but I suspect a cyst had reptured inside my uterus, and therefor I didn’t need all those antibiotics.. I only know this since 3 years later another cycst grew to 13 cm and had to be removed by an emergency surgery.

A woman’s body is very complicating. We have all sorts of body parts and intricacies. One that a man will never understand and pain that they will never endure, never at the same level.

So, after multiple doctors telling me I needed to go on birth control/hormones to regulate my period pain and endometriosis I decided to turn to eastern medicine — acupuncture & chinese herbs. I needed to allow myself one last go at helping and nourishing my body with herbs that will help with the pain, and help with the endometrial tissue that’s growing outside my uterus. (Note: I was very very very terrified of needles, so you have to know this was my last resort. I now say I am sensitive to needles).

I started my first appointment with the most amazing acupuncturist Sharone in May 2014. Its been a long process of changing my diet, figuring out what it likes/doesn’t like, eating foods that nourish my system and taking care of myself. I’ll say its not an instant process, its one that the American way doesn’t allow in our fast society here in San Francisco, but its one that I’ve learned to adopt into my very busy schedule.

Here’s what I do now.

During the month, I take 2 Cordyceps pills twice a day. This is all month forever. This helps with endometriosis, but also helps with regulating my energy levels and helping me with altitude. I am very sensitive to altitude and sleeping at altitude. This is really made a huge difference in my life.

I also am supposed to take 3 Menotrol pills 3 times a day, or 4 two times a day. This is when I’m not on my period.

If I’m spotting I take 4 Notoginseng pills 3 times a day with Menotrol till the spotting stops. I spot a lot in the month.

When my period is going to start 2–3 days beforehand I start taking Meansease. This has lots of healing elements for my period. While on my heavy days I take this as much needed if I’m in pain.

Backsupport herbs. I put these into a glass of warm water and take it with Meansease before my period comes and during.

I keep my motherwort/cramp bark tinctures nearby if I’m feeling any pain onset and I’ll take 1–2 dropfuls with warm water during the most painful days of my period.

I’ve found a really lovely oil mix that I also now rub on my belly and my back during my heavy cramp days that I then place a hot pack on. It smells like wintergreen and absorbs into my skin and helps with inflation and pain relief.

That’s a lot to write out. But overtime, my body has started to learn to heal itself. Its really amazing what our bodies can do if you allow time and patience into your healing. If you think that after a year and a half its finally healing (after more than 10+ years of pain), its pretty good.

The biggest advice I can give is. Listen to your body, be patient, and find an expert that will be by your side through the process. I have been very fortunate to have found a wonderful OBGYN that hasn’t force any western pills on me, a lovely General practitioner doctor that helped me through my surgery, and prescribed me massage for healing all the wounds post surgery. I’ve found an amazing massage therapist that does energy work, massages my organs, and helps heal my endometriosis pain. These woman have made the biggest difference for me. Last but not least I really have to thank my acupuncturist Sharone. Though she would never take any credit, she’s really the true reason that I’ve been able to get through this. If you ever get the opportunity to meet her,you will understand why. She’s a gem and she’s really an amazing woman. Sometimes it takes a village to help cure you, no matter what you have going on in life. This is just one example of I’m sure many that could be explained through acupuncture & Chinese herbs.