I would love nothing more than to write a detailed, inspiring, thought-provoking article today. My body says no. So this brief post will have to do for today but I hope it sparks a conversation with endo blog readers!
I have learned the importance of listening to my body. I think this is an important lesson for anyone who is chronically ill.
Years ago, I would feel guilty when I had to slow down and rest. I don't feel that so much anymore. I have accepted the fact that I have numerous chronic illnesses and I do the best I can to manage them and be productive... but there will be days when I just have trouble functioning at a basic level.
So this quick post is about the importance of listening to your body. I have learned some hard lessons about the consequences of not listening to my body. Now I know that when my body says, "slow down and rest"... I need to listen.
So I'm going to go do that but I would be thrilled if this post can spark a conversation with others out there who know what I'm talking about. I know there are others out there because about 90% of my local endo support group members have shared with me that they have these days too.
Please share your comments on the topics of listening to your body, physical exhaustion, emotional exhaustion, chronic pain/illness, co-existing conditions, and feeling drained. I know there are readers out there who know what I'm talking about and I'd love to hear from you!
That's going to have to do it for me for now. I'm just too tired to type!
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
7/25/2008
Endometriosis Blog: Results Of YOUR FEEDBACK On Endo Blog TOPIC CHOICES POLL!
You may or may not have noticed the poll that has been in the right sidebar for awhile now entitled: "What Endometriosis (Or Related) Topics Interest You Most? (You May Check More Than One Answer)."
Well, obviously some of you have seen it because you took the opportunity to cast your votes! Thank you to those who did vote! The more feedback I get from endo blog readers, the better I can tailor the blog to meet your needs.
HERE ARE THE RESULTS OF THE POLL ---
"What Endometriosis (Or Related) Topics Interest You Most? (You May Check More Than One Answer).":
Chronic Pain and/or Illness:
41%
Infertility and/or Miscarriage:
16%
Co-Existing Illnesses/Conditions (i.e. fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome...):
50%
Endo's Impact on Relationships:
25%
Stress and/or Anxiety:
25%
How Support Groups/Networking with Fellow Patients Can Help:
16%
Integrative/Alternative/Complementary Medicine:
33%
All of the Above:
33%
Other:
0%
While this poll is obviously not a scientific one, I think the high percentage of readers interested in Integrative/Alternative/Complementary Medicine is significant!
So, I will continue to focus in this area especially in the future. I've also made note of the interest in the other topics mentioned in the poll!
There are many things I take into consideration when deciding what to post here on the endo blog...
For example, I pay close attention to which posts get the most feedback with posted comments. I will also take into account the results of this poll. Also, I review statistics on which parts of the blog get the most clicks. The traffic monitors sometimes give me clues on how to proceed as well. All of these bits and pieces of feedback really help me to customize the blog to meet your needs!!
I really want to emphasize that your feedback on polls like this truly helps me decide what to write in the future.
So will your posted comments on this blog!!!!!
Some days I may just post what I'm in the mood to post but I always try to keep in mind what information has been meaningful to me AND to my local endometriosis support group members. This really helps me to figure out which topics may also be of interest to you!!
While feedback on posts I've already made IS VERY HELPFUL, it doesn't tell me what I may be MISSING or SPENDING TOO LITTLE TIME ON. I'm afraid I don't read minds. :) :)
Soooooo, if there is an endometriosis-related topic you'd like to focus more attention on, please let me know. Perhaps there is something we've touched on that you'd like to discuss in more depth. Maybe there is an endometriosis-related topic that you would like to suggest that we haven't talked about? The more feedback I get from blog readers the better!
I am looking forward to continuing to receive more feedback like your comments and poll results in the future. It really WILL help to shape the direction of this blog if I know what your needs are and how this blog can best serve them.
We have already spent a good deal of time discussing the "Co-Existing Illnesses/Conditions (i.e. fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome...)" category on this blog.
I DEFINITELY plan to continue to focus quite a bit on these topics as they scored highest from the readers who took the poll on what topics are most interesting or informative.
So please keep that feedback coming! It really helps guide me as I'm deciding what topics to include and how much time to devote to each.
By the way, now that the results of the poll are posted here I plan to remove it from the sidebar shortly and replace it with something fresh.
Thank you! :)
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
Well, obviously some of you have seen it because you took the opportunity to cast your votes! Thank you to those who did vote! The more feedback I get from endo blog readers, the better I can tailor the blog to meet your needs.
HERE ARE THE RESULTS OF THE POLL ---
"What Endometriosis (Or Related) Topics Interest You Most? (You May Check More Than One Answer).":
Chronic Pain and/or Illness:
41%
Infertility and/or Miscarriage:
16%
Co-Existing Illnesses/Conditions (i.e. fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome...):
50%
Endo's Impact on Relationships:
25%
Stress and/or Anxiety:
25%
How Support Groups/Networking with Fellow Patients Can Help:
16%
Integrative/Alternative/Complementary Medicine:
33%
All of the Above:
33%
Other:
0%
While this poll is obviously not a scientific one, I think the high percentage of readers interested in Integrative/Alternative/Complementary Medicine is significant!
So, I will continue to focus in this area especially in the future. I've also made note of the interest in the other topics mentioned in the poll!
There are many things I take into consideration when deciding what to post here on the endo blog...
For example, I pay close attention to which posts get the most feedback with posted comments. I will also take into account the results of this poll. Also, I review statistics on which parts of the blog get the most clicks. The traffic monitors sometimes give me clues on how to proceed as well. All of these bits and pieces of feedback really help me to customize the blog to meet your needs!!
I really want to emphasize that your feedback on polls like this truly helps me decide what to write in the future.
So will your posted comments on this blog!!!!!
Some days I may just post what I'm in the mood to post but I always try to keep in mind what information has been meaningful to me AND to my local endometriosis support group members. This really helps me to figure out which topics may also be of interest to you!!
While feedback on posts I've already made IS VERY HELPFUL, it doesn't tell me what I may be MISSING or SPENDING TOO LITTLE TIME ON. I'm afraid I don't read minds. :) :)
Soooooo, if there is an endometriosis-related topic you'd like to focus more attention on, please let me know. Perhaps there is something we've touched on that you'd like to discuss in more depth. Maybe there is an endometriosis-related topic that you would like to suggest that we haven't talked about? The more feedback I get from blog readers the better!
I am looking forward to continuing to receive more feedback like your comments and poll results in the future. It really WILL help to shape the direction of this blog if I know what your needs are and how this blog can best serve them.
We have already spent a good deal of time discussing the "Co-Existing Illnesses/Conditions (i.e. fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome...)" category on this blog.
I DEFINITELY plan to continue to focus quite a bit on these topics as they scored highest from the readers who took the poll on what topics are most interesting or informative.
So please keep that feedback coming! It really helps guide me as I'm deciding what topics to include and how much time to devote to each.
By the way, now that the results of the poll are posted here I plan to remove it from the sidebar shortly and replace it with something fresh.
Thank you! :)
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
7/16/2008
UPDATE: What Endometriosis (Or Related) Topics Interest You Most? (You May Check More Than One Answer). A Follow-up!
The Poll called "What Endometriosis (Or Related) Topics Interest You Most? (You May Check More Than One Answer)." is still located in the right sidebar. I just added a week to allow more readers to participate in the poll. Please scroll down in the pink (right) sidebar and cast your vote!
This feedback will help shape content of future articles to be posted right here on the endo blog.
THANK YOU in advance for partipating, if you have not already done so.
It's quick, easy, and will help me pick article topics from here on out!
THANKS!! :)
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
This feedback will help shape content of future articles to be posted right here on the endo blog.
THANK YOU in advance for partipating, if you have not already done so.
It's quick, easy, and will help me pick article topics from here on out!
THANKS!! :)
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
7/12/2008
Endometriosis Topics: What Interests YOU??? Let's VOTE Using A SHORT Poll To Show What We Want To Read About Endometriosis!
Making Our Endo Blog the Best It Can Be:
I thought this might be a perfect time to ask you and other endo blog readers like you for your input!!
Story ideas/topics can range from one word ones like "infertility" to phrases/questions on loaded topics like "does anyone have tips for dealing with loved ones who just do not understand the limitations that endometriosis puts on me?"
In an effort to determine how to best meet your needs, I have developed a SHORT poll.
Please view the new (and very quick!!) poll. It's in the right (pink) sidebar - after "welcome" and before "archive" sections - of this blog. So cast your votes and have your voice be heard!
I've included the poll to determine which topics interest endo blog readers the most. It allows you to VOTE for one or more of the topics listed. It'll provide feedback for me on YOUR support needs and I'll get to see what my fellow patients are looking for/expecting in an endo blog.
Simply select any (or all) options you find applicable; then just click on "vote" to view the results of the voting by you and other endo blog readers thus far!
I think the best way to make this blog successful and thriving is to elicit input from endo blog readers like you! Who better to ask for input than YOU???
You may know exactly what information/support you're searching for or in need of...
Or maybe you are overwhelmed and NOT sure what to look for...
Either way, I'm sure you can help me focus in on the issues that will be most meaningful and useful for you and your circumstances.
I could honestly write blog posts all day, every day --- but it wouldn't be very productive or useful if no one reads them or finds them helpful! THIS POLL is a chance for YOU to provide input that will help me focus in on the topics that matter to YOU the most!
Please take just a moment (I just checked it's 9 quick clicks OR LESS!) to do the endo blog readers' poll. Just select the topic(s) most interesting to you.
Also, IF you fall into strictly the "other" category listed last, please feel free to email me directly with any endo ideas(s) that I did not list --- but that you would like to see featured. In that case, just email to this address: endendo@frontiernet.net.
If you email ideas directly, PLEASE fill in the email's subject line with "endo blog ideas" (or something similar) --- so your wonderful emails won't get lost amongst a bunch of spam... and I'll be able to use your input & ideas to create new posts for the endo blog. I can't guarantee I'll cover each idea submitted immediately but I will most likely take bits and pieces from endo-related idea emails I get and somehow interweave them into a narrative.
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
I thought this might be a perfect time to ask you and other endo blog readers like you for your input!!
Story ideas/topics can range from one word ones like "infertility" to phrases/questions on loaded topics like "does anyone have tips for dealing with loved ones who just do not understand the limitations that endometriosis puts on me?"
In an effort to determine how to best meet your needs, I have developed a SHORT poll.
Please view the new (and very quick!!) poll. It's in the right (pink) sidebar - after "welcome" and before "archive" sections - of this blog. So cast your votes and have your voice be heard!
I've included the poll to determine which topics interest endo blog readers the most. It allows you to VOTE for one or more of the topics listed. It'll provide feedback for me on YOUR support needs and I'll get to see what my fellow patients are looking for/expecting in an endo blog.
Simply select any (or all) options you find applicable; then just click on "vote" to view the results of the voting by you and other endo blog readers thus far!
I think the best way to make this blog successful and thriving is to elicit input from endo blog readers like you! Who better to ask for input than YOU???
You may know exactly what information/support you're searching for or in need of...
Or maybe you are overwhelmed and NOT sure what to look for...
Either way, I'm sure you can help me focus in on the issues that will be most meaningful and useful for you and your circumstances.
I could honestly write blog posts all day, every day --- but it wouldn't be very productive or useful if no one reads them or finds them helpful! THIS POLL is a chance for YOU to provide input that will help me focus in on the topics that matter to YOU the most!
Please take just a moment (I just checked it's 9 quick clicks OR LESS!) to do the endo blog readers' poll. Just select the topic(s) most interesting to you.
Also, IF you fall into strictly the "other" category listed last, please feel free to email me directly with any endo ideas(s) that I did not list --- but that you would like to see featured. In that case, just email to this address: endendo@frontiernet.net.
If you email ideas directly, PLEASE fill in the email's subject line with "endo blog ideas" (or something similar) --- so your wonderful emails won't get lost amongst a bunch of spam... and I'll be able to use your input & ideas to create new posts for the endo blog. I can't guarantee I'll cover each idea submitted immediately but I will most likely take bits and pieces from endo-related idea emails I get and somehow interweave them into a narrative.
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
6/28/2008
Deirdre's Brilliant Comment Has Resulted (Unknowingly) Into a Full-Blown Endometriosis Post!
Hi all!
An enlightened reader of our new endo blog wrote an inspired AND inspiring comment to my June 26 post "Endometriosis Patients Get Their Fair Share of Stress!"!!!
It was so inspiring to me that I was sure I'd run out of character space in the comments section. Soooo, my response to Deirdre's remarks is below. To read her short but very inspiring feedback/comment, see the the June 26th archive file for "Endometriosis Patients Get Their Fair Share of Stress!". Here is my response to Deirdre's post to the 6/26/08 article I posted. This is from 6/28/08 and is doubling as a fresh post by me for today:
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************
Hi Deirdre!
I’m glad you found us! Welcome to the new blog. :)
Thank you for mentioning the Center for Endometriosis Care located in Atlanta, Georgia. I do now remember seeing their website a few years back when I was very heavily into researching endometriosis on the Internet! I will have to pull up their site and refresh my memory! I do remember they had a helpful library section that I haven’t visited recently. I will definitely have to “take another look” at their site, now that you have reminded me about them! Maybe the library area I’m remembering and the educational articles you talked of are in the same part of the website? I can’t remember but I will definitely check it out. Thanks for the great idea for another helpful link! (If you page through my archives, you’ll find one of my earliest posts on this blog had a number of web links). This one wasn’t one of them; I had forgotten all about it. I’m glad you jogged my memory!
Yes, I have known about the OBGYN.com site for awhile.
See the link to it:
http://www.obgyn.net/.
You know some great resources)! :)
The 'http://forums.obgyn.net/endo/' section, in particular, focuses on ‘endometriosis in general’:
http://forums.obgyn.net/endo/.
As you mentioned, there is a cool forum available within that endo section. I remember posting back & forth on the OBGYN.net message boards years ago. I’m pretty sure that site is where I had gone through a phase of reading/posting tons of stuff on OBGYN.net (using the endometriosis message boards) over 10 years ago. (I remember the timeframe because I just celebrated my 10 year wedding anniversary and it was before that when I used to spend lots of Internet time searching for endo data).
Thanks for mentioning this too! I actually just pulled up the main starting page for www.obgyn.net and if you click on “select a topic” in the top right corner, a pull down menu appears.
In the http://www.obgyn.net/ pull down menu if you click on Endometriosis Zone, it will route you to ANOTHER cool website:
http://www.endometriosiszone.org/.
It's a neat site too.
Thank you for mentioning OBGYN.net!
I just stopped this mid-post to check my archives section… I wasn’t sure if I had listed OBGYN.net in early June (as intended) or not. I did not list www.obgyn.net in my June 2, 2008 article on endometriosis links: "Endometriosis and Endo-related Links You May Want to Check Out" but now our blog readers will know about it anyway thanks to you, Deirdre!
Thank you again for reminding me of how much awesome info is available over the Internet. When I was diagnosed in 1992, I didn’t even own a PC yet and if there was decent endo info available then by Internet (???) I’m sorry to say I sure wasn’t reading it!
I had gone to my local library in 1992 and they had NOTHING on endo. Not a word. The librarian even looked for me. No luck. (It was a very good library normally too). Times have changed.
It was in Barnes & Noble in the self-help book section that I found a listing in the very back of a women’s health book for the Endometriosis Association phone number: (1-414-355-2200). They now also have a website http at:
http://www.endometriosisassn.org/
This led me finding a local Endometriosis Association support group near me (the endo support group active in my area at that time). I was quite shy then (hard to believe, I know!!!) and quite nervous about calling a stranger to inquire about the endometriosis support group BUT I did it! (THANK GOODNESS)!!! My need and desire for support,help, and info overcame my fear of calling a stranger about my "endo story" and asking about the the endometriosis support group.
Through the local EA support group I was introduced to real live human beings besides me who had endo! IT WAS SO AWESOME TO TALK WITH PEOPLE WHO REALLY “GOT IT” !!!!!! It was absolutely refreshing and a huge relief to make that connection with others!!
IMAGINE: An entire room with women who had also been suffering in silence, like I did, UNTIL they reached out and found some of their fellow endo patients somehow! Our meetings didn’t have very many women but had PLENTY for effectively sharing engrossing “endo stories”!!!) I’ve learned that a support group of 2 can accomplish as much as one with 20. (I’ve been to meetings of both sizes). my friend Cathy taught me that "2 people makes a support group". She was right! I began my endo support group in August 2001 this is so very true!
As long as exchange of information is happening, it is ALWAYS worthwhile to network with fellow patients (of any illness) any way one can do so: in person is awesome if you can get it, phone works well too, email is outstanding, message boards & forums are super… Books are certainly a wonderful source too. No one loves books more than I do.
The thing is that when you interact with another patient BACK & FORTH and truly EXCHANGE ideas & info… it is a whole new level of support than simply reading a book without also having that more tangible connection. Comparing notes on doctors, treatments, success stories, losses, etc. really HELPS so many! I have learned SOOOOOOOOOO much about alternative medicine from my support group members that it's not even funny.
The beauty of blogging and giving feedback posts on endo blogs is that we can have an exchange while you are in the comfort of your own home even when you’d be too sick to find/make it to a support group meeting. I’m not saying anything can replace a support group meeting. However, blogging is increasingly becoming an important tool for reaching out to others for various reasons… including endo blogs.
It was in either 1992 or possibly 1993 (?) that I found my first endo support group. (I was diagnosed in 1992 after 10 years of not knowing WHAT I had)! For me… the rest is history! I started “surfing the Net” in 1995 and have been hooked since. I am really grateful to Endometriosis Association for the springboard of info I got from that organization in 1992.
So, again, thank you for reminding me about www.OBGYN.net because it is a well-known/reputable site in the endo community.
There are many endo patients who experience both endo and migraines. Many women in my current and past endo support groups have trouble with migraines. While I have no personal experience with migraines, I know from others that hormones can definitely be connected with migraines!
I have acupuncture treatments done regularly. While I personally have had acupuncture done for other medical reasons than migraines, I personally still do hand out “Traditional Chinese Medicine for Migraine” brochures (that I obtain from my acupuncturist’s waiting room area, with his permission, in short stacks at a time for giving to my endo support group). I’m not sure who the author/maker (?) of that brochure is and I can’t check now because I ran out of them. (I try not to completely ‘clean out’ my acupuncturists' waiting room brochures of ALL its brochures. So I do run out of brochures sometimes between our monthly endo meetings. Although it can be tempting at times to "hog them" because I take good care of my endo support group)! Ha ha.
Seriously, though, it may be a brochure affiliated with a product (Chinese herbs) or may not... I recall it being a brochure that was not specific to my acupuncturist’s office but was specific to migraines. I believe it was called “Traditional Chinese Medicine for Migraine”. If I remember to get more the next time I’m in I will try to remember to post the author/company that made the brochure but acupuncturists do treat migraines as a general rule of thumb. I distribute the brochures to my support group members at meetings since so many women have both endo and migraines!!
For women with endo (or anyone with migraines), acupuncture is certainly worth investigating! Please see my June 4, 2008 post Alternative Medicine Is Amazing! AND various YouTube acupuncture video clips (available right here on this blog!) if you (or anyone you know) is interested in learning about acupuncture. ACUPUNCTURE DOESN’T HURT! I CAN ATTEST TO THAT PERSONALLY! I even know of children who will attest to that. I delayed trying acupuncture for years over a fear of needles and now I wish I had tried it much sooner!
My licensed acupuncturist uses very thin Japanese-style needles. They DO NOT hurt and I am extremely sensitive (skin sensitivity and internally) compared to just about anyone I know. If I can do acupuncture with no problem whatsoever, I doubt if anyone out there would find it painful. I find it extremely relaxing. It even puts me to sleep sometimes!!! Acupuncture is MORE RELAXING THAN SLEEP to me. (I have sleep apnea and fibromyalgia and I really mean that quite literally!) I do not get restful sleep (except at acupuncture).
The YouTube clips cycle through on acupuncture, alternative medicine, endo, pelvic pain, infertility, laparoscopy, etc. The cycling of the clips is done by YouTube so you may have to be patient for the acupuncture clips to appear but when it is their turn to pop up, they will do so.
To view endometriosis-related YouTube video clips (including those on acupuncture) just see the “Pink Arrows to Open Slideshow. Random Videos will Cycle Through. Not responsible for content!” section in the right sidebar of my blog. If you look in the right (light pink background, medium pink text) sidebar, you’ll see what I mean. HINT: The videos occasionally collapse between cycles/groups of various topics. This is normal and when the videos are loaded they will re-appear on your monitor automatically. You don’t actually 'click' on the arrows as I originally thought to open the slideshow (I thought that clicking helped when I first created this blog but I’ve discovered that YouTube controls that part in their programming code for the slides).
Last but not least… I appreciate you sending the site of Dr. John R. Lee:
http://johnleemd.com/.
I had not heard of it before now and I did not yet have time to read through it BUT I did a quick peek at it -- just long enough to see that it looks interesting (and in line with the notion of alternative medicine options... i.e. things OTHER THAN just “drugs and surgery only" for treating endometriosis patients.
I am not a medical professional. I ask all readers of this blog to refer to the disclaimer at the very top of my homepage for this blog for more info on this.
Sorry about that interruption, Deirdre. Whenever I mention a site for a specific medical professional or treatment option I do my best to make it clear so my endo blog readers know that I don’t have personal experience with or knowledge of the person/treatment, etc. (in this case, I guess that would be Dr. Lee’s teachings, site, or any endorsed products)... I will look at his site about natural hormone balance, natural HRT, and bio-identical hormones. I will also ask my local endo group support group co-leader if she is familiar with Dr. Lee. (My endo group co-leader is a great resource for “natural hormone replacement therapy/HRT” vs. “traditional HRT” vs. “no HRT” at all and I’m sure she’ll find the site interesting too.
Finally, Deirdre… I would like to extend my sincere thanks to you… for stopping by and providing a number of interesting links and pieces of information! You gave me so much “fuel” with your brief comments that I am devoting this post to what we’ve discussed!!! Your references have inspired me to create this new post that will refer readers to that somewhat older related post on our 27-day-old blog. :)
Oops. I just realized this probably won’t fit into the comment board. I may very well make this the actual "Deirdre post" post itself!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for an outstanding comment/feedback post/actual post!! I most certainly hope that you re-visit our new blog SOON (and often!)… You are clearly very well-informed about resources (and on everything from websites & links… to hormones… to “migraines and how they are connected to endo patients”!)
You made my day with your posted comment! You have no idea how much I have enjoyed replying to your comment. Also, as I said… your comment has inspired me to make a (this?) brand new post and the posts will reference each other for even more to see/stumble upon in this vast world we call the Internet. We’ll catch more readers by posting in TWO spots on such important topics/links than just ONE!
THANKS, Deirdre!!! Enjoy the remainder of your weekend! :) (I need to learn how to program smiley faces the "right way" in these comment boxes. I use them a great deal)!
Deirdre's initial comments (before mine above) are also listed below in response to the article that I posted called "Endometriosis Patients Get Their Fair Share of Stress..."
Thanks again,
Jeanne
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______________________________________
From: deirdre [mailto:noreply-comment@blogger.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 4:47 PM
To: endendo@frontiernet.net
Subject: [Jeanne's Endo Blog] New comment on Endometriosis Patients Get Their Fair Share of Str....
deirdre has left a new comment on your post "Endometriosis Patients Get Their Fair Share of Str...":
For any women with endo who find your site, this is an amazing place - the Center for Endometriosis Care in Atlanta
centerforendo.com, also look under ''educational articles''
and a chat board
http://forums.obgyn.net/endo/ENDO.0806/date.html
also, the pill and other things can lead to low progesterone, which can cause migraines
check out johnleemd.com
Publish this comment.
Reject this comment.
Moderate comments for this blog.
Posted by deirdre to Jeanne's Endo Blog at June 28, 2008 4:46 PM
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This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
An enlightened reader of our new endo blog wrote an inspired AND inspiring comment to my June 26 post "Endometriosis Patients Get Their Fair Share of Stress!"!!!
It was so inspiring to me that I was sure I'd run out of character space in the comments section. Soooo, my response to Deirdre's remarks is below. To read her short but very inspiring feedback/comment, see the the June 26th archive file for "Endometriosis Patients Get Their Fair Share of Stress!". Here is my response to Deirdre's post to the 6/26/08 article I posted. This is from 6/28/08 and is doubling as a fresh post by me for today:
************
************
Hi Deirdre!
I’m glad you found us! Welcome to the new blog. :)
Thank you for mentioning the Center for Endometriosis Care located in Atlanta, Georgia. I do now remember seeing their website a few years back when I was very heavily into researching endometriosis on the Internet! I will have to pull up their site and refresh my memory! I do remember they had a helpful library section that I haven’t visited recently. I will definitely have to “take another look” at their site, now that you have reminded me about them! Maybe the library area I’m remembering and the educational articles you talked of are in the same part of the website? I can’t remember but I will definitely check it out. Thanks for the great idea for another helpful link! (If you page through my archives, you’ll find one of my earliest posts on this blog had a number of web links). This one wasn’t one of them; I had forgotten all about it. I’m glad you jogged my memory!
Yes, I have known about the OBGYN.com site for awhile.
See the link to it:
http://www.obgyn.net/.
You know some great resources)! :)
The 'http://forums.obgyn.net/endo/' section, in particular, focuses on ‘endometriosis in general’:
http://forums.obgyn.net/endo/.
As you mentioned, there is a cool forum available within that endo section. I remember posting back & forth on the OBGYN.net message boards years ago. I’m pretty sure that site is where I had gone through a phase of reading/posting tons of stuff on OBGYN.net (using the endometriosis message boards) over 10 years ago. (I remember the timeframe because I just celebrated my 10 year wedding anniversary and it was before that when I used to spend lots of Internet time searching for endo data).
Thanks for mentioning this too! I actually just pulled up the main starting page for www.obgyn.net and if you click on “select a topic” in the top right corner, a pull down menu appears.
In the http://www.obgyn.net/ pull down menu if you click on Endometriosis Zone, it will route you to ANOTHER cool website:
http://www.endometriosiszone.org/.
It's a neat site too.
Thank you for mentioning OBGYN.net!
I just stopped this mid-post to check my archives section… I wasn’t sure if I had listed OBGYN.net in early June (as intended) or not. I did not list www.obgyn.net in my June 2, 2008 article on endometriosis links: "Endometriosis and Endo-related Links You May Want to Check Out" but now our blog readers will know about it anyway thanks to you, Deirdre!
Thank you again for reminding me of how much awesome info is available over the Internet. When I was diagnosed in 1992, I didn’t even own a PC yet and if there was decent endo info available then by Internet (???) I’m sorry to say I sure wasn’t reading it!
I had gone to my local library in 1992 and they had NOTHING on endo. Not a word. The librarian even looked for me. No luck. (It was a very good library normally too). Times have changed.
It was in Barnes & Noble in the self-help book section that I found a listing in the very back of a women’s health book for the Endometriosis Association phone number: (1-414-355-2200). They now also have a website http at:
http://www.endometriosisassn.org/
This led me finding a local Endometriosis Association support group near me (the endo support group active in my area at that time). I was quite shy then (hard to believe, I know!!!) and quite nervous about calling a stranger to inquire about the endometriosis support group BUT I did it! (THANK GOODNESS)!!! My need and desire for support,help, and info overcame my fear of calling a stranger about my "endo story" and asking about the the endometriosis support group.
Through the local EA support group I was introduced to real live human beings besides me who had endo! IT WAS SO AWESOME TO TALK WITH PEOPLE WHO REALLY “GOT IT” !!!!!! It was absolutely refreshing and a huge relief to make that connection with others!!
IMAGINE: An entire room with women who had also been suffering in silence, like I did, UNTIL they reached out and found some of their fellow endo patients somehow! Our meetings didn’t have very many women but had PLENTY for effectively sharing engrossing “endo stories”!!!) I’ve learned that a support group of 2 can accomplish as much as one with 20. (I’ve been to meetings of both sizes). my friend Cathy taught me that "2 people makes a support group". She was right! I began my endo support group in August 2001 this is so very true!
As long as exchange of information is happening, it is ALWAYS worthwhile to network with fellow patients (of any illness) any way one can do so: in person is awesome if you can get it, phone works well too, email is outstanding, message boards & forums are super… Books are certainly a wonderful source too. No one loves books more than I do.
The thing is that when you interact with another patient BACK & FORTH and truly EXCHANGE ideas & info… it is a whole new level of support than simply reading a book without also having that more tangible connection. Comparing notes on doctors, treatments, success stories, losses, etc. really HELPS so many! I have learned SOOOOOOOOOO much about alternative medicine from my support group members that it's not even funny.
The beauty of blogging and giving feedback posts on endo blogs is that we can have an exchange while you are in the comfort of your own home even when you’d be too sick to find/make it to a support group meeting. I’m not saying anything can replace a support group meeting. However, blogging is increasingly becoming an important tool for reaching out to others for various reasons… including endo blogs.
It was in either 1992 or possibly 1993 (?) that I found my first endo support group. (I was diagnosed in 1992 after 10 years of not knowing WHAT I had)! For me… the rest is history! I started “surfing the Net” in 1995 and have been hooked since. I am really grateful to Endometriosis Association for the springboard of info I got from that organization in 1992.
So, again, thank you for reminding me about www.OBGYN.net because it is a well-known/reputable site in the endo community.
There are many endo patients who experience both endo and migraines. Many women in my current and past endo support groups have trouble with migraines. While I have no personal experience with migraines, I know from others that hormones can definitely be connected with migraines!
I have acupuncture treatments done regularly. While I personally have had acupuncture done for other medical reasons than migraines, I personally still do hand out “Traditional Chinese Medicine for Migraine” brochures (that I obtain from my acupuncturist’s waiting room area, with his permission, in short stacks at a time for giving to my endo support group). I’m not sure who the author/maker (?) of that brochure is and I can’t check now because I ran out of them. (I try not to completely ‘clean out’ my acupuncturists' waiting room brochures of ALL its brochures. So I do run out of brochures sometimes between our monthly endo meetings. Although it can be tempting at times to "hog them" because I take good care of my endo support group)! Ha ha.
Seriously, though, it may be a brochure affiliated with a product (Chinese herbs) or may not... I recall it being a brochure that was not specific to my acupuncturist’s office but was specific to migraines. I believe it was called “Traditional Chinese Medicine for Migraine”. If I remember to get more the next time I’m in I will try to remember to post the author/company that made the brochure but acupuncturists do treat migraines as a general rule of thumb. I distribute the brochures to my support group members at meetings since so many women have both endo and migraines!!
For women with endo (or anyone with migraines), acupuncture is certainly worth investigating! Please see my June 4, 2008 post Alternative Medicine Is Amazing! AND various YouTube acupuncture video clips (available right here on this blog!) if you (or anyone you know) is interested in learning about acupuncture. ACUPUNCTURE DOESN’T HURT! I CAN ATTEST TO THAT PERSONALLY! I even know of children who will attest to that. I delayed trying acupuncture for years over a fear of needles and now I wish I had tried it much sooner!
My licensed acupuncturist uses very thin Japanese-style needles. They DO NOT hurt and I am extremely sensitive (skin sensitivity and internally) compared to just about anyone I know. If I can do acupuncture with no problem whatsoever, I doubt if anyone out there would find it painful. I find it extremely relaxing. It even puts me to sleep sometimes!!! Acupuncture is MORE RELAXING THAN SLEEP to me. (I have sleep apnea and fibromyalgia and I really mean that quite literally!) I do not get restful sleep (except at acupuncture).
The YouTube clips cycle through on acupuncture, alternative medicine, endo, pelvic pain, infertility, laparoscopy, etc. The cycling of the clips is done by YouTube so you may have to be patient for the acupuncture clips to appear but when it is their turn to pop up, they will do so.
To view endometriosis-related YouTube video clips (including those on acupuncture) just see the “Pink Arrows to Open Slideshow. Random Videos will Cycle Through. Not responsible for content!” section in the right sidebar of my blog. If you look in the right (light pink background, medium pink text) sidebar, you’ll see what I mean. HINT: The videos occasionally collapse between cycles/groups of various topics. This is normal and when the videos are loaded they will re-appear on your monitor automatically. You don’t actually 'click' on the arrows as I originally thought to open the slideshow (I thought that clicking helped when I first created this blog but I’ve discovered that YouTube controls that part in their programming code for the slides).
Last but not least… I appreciate you sending the site of Dr. John R. Lee:
http://johnleemd.com/.
I had not heard of it before now and I did not yet have time to read through it BUT I did a quick peek at it -- just long enough to see that it looks interesting (and in line with the notion of alternative medicine options... i.e. things OTHER THAN just “drugs and surgery only" for treating endometriosis patients.
I am not a medical professional. I ask all readers of this blog to refer to the disclaimer at the very top of my homepage for this blog for more info on this.
Sorry about that interruption, Deirdre. Whenever I mention a site for a specific medical professional or treatment option I do my best to make it clear so my endo blog readers know that I don’t have personal experience with or knowledge of the person/treatment, etc. (in this case, I guess that would be Dr. Lee’s teachings, site, or any endorsed products)... I will look at his site about natural hormone balance, natural HRT, and bio-identical hormones. I will also ask my local endo group support group co-leader if she is familiar with Dr. Lee. (My endo group co-leader is a great resource for “natural hormone replacement therapy/HRT” vs. “traditional HRT” vs. “no HRT” at all and I’m sure she’ll find the site interesting too.
Finally, Deirdre… I would like to extend my sincere thanks to you… for stopping by and providing a number of interesting links and pieces of information! You gave me so much “fuel” with your brief comments that I am devoting this post to what we’ve discussed!!! Your references have inspired me to create this new post that will refer readers to that somewhat older related post on our 27-day-old blog. :)
Oops. I just realized this probably won’t fit into the comment board. I may very well make this the actual "Deirdre post" post itself!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for an outstanding comment/feedback post/actual post!! I most certainly hope that you re-visit our new blog SOON (and often!)… You are clearly very well-informed about resources (and on everything from websites & links… to hormones… to “migraines and how they are connected to endo patients”!)
You made my day with your posted comment! You have no idea how much I have enjoyed replying to your comment. Also, as I said… your comment has inspired me to make a (this?) brand new post and the posts will reference each other for even more to see/stumble upon in this vast world we call the Internet. We’ll catch more readers by posting in TWO spots on such important topics/links than just ONE!
THANKS, Deirdre!!! Enjoy the remainder of your weekend! :) (I need to learn how to program smiley faces the "right way" in these comment boxes. I use them a great deal)!
Deirdre's initial comments (before mine above) are also listed below in response to the article that I posted called "Endometriosis Patients Get Their Fair Share of Stress..."
Thanks again,
Jeanne
************
************
______________________________________
From: deirdre [mailto:noreply-comment@blogger.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 4:47 PM
To: endendo@frontiernet.net
Subject: [Jeanne's Endo Blog] New comment on Endometriosis Patients Get Their Fair Share of Str....
deirdre has left a new comment on your post "Endometriosis Patients Get Their Fair Share of Str...":
For any women with endo who find your site, this is an amazing place - the Center for Endometriosis Care in Atlanta
centerforendo.com, also look under ''educational articles''
and a chat board
http://forums.obgyn.net/endo/ENDO.0806/date.html
also, the pill and other things can lead to low progesterone, which can cause migraines
check out johnleemd.com
Publish this comment.
Reject this comment.
Moderate comments for this blog.
Posted by deirdre to Jeanne's Endo Blog at June 28, 2008 4:46 PM
________________________________________
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
6/26/2008
National Suicide Prevention Hotline/Lifeline Information
As you have seen from the previous post, endometriosis pain can reach critical and dangerous levels. I have heard over the years of women who have committed suicide (women who had no other illnesses besides endometriosis).
Here is information for ANYONE who EVER feels ANY suicidal ideations. The info is from a website for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at:
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
"The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With more than 130 crisis centers across the country, our mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential."
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
Here is information for ANYONE who EVER feels ANY suicidal ideations. The info is from a website for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at:
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
"The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With more than 130 crisis centers across the country, our mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential."
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
Endometriosis Patients Get Their Fair Share of Stress!
Endometriosis Patients Get Their Fair Share of Stress!
I am leaving soon for a fun-filled day of adventure. Yes... it is medical-related. I'm afraid I do not have time to elaborate much since I can't be late!!!
I will say that I'm thrilled to have seen we now have readers from several other places outside of the U.S. I have seen New South Wales, Glasgow, Mexico, Australia and others on my live traffic map!!!! This warms my heart because one of my goals is to reach out to people about endometriosis and chronic illness... and not just people in the United States!!!
So... welcome to ALL of our blog readers! This is Day 26 of my endo blog and I am still very excited to connect with others with similar interests.
I wish anyone reading this peace, well-being, and minimal or no pain if possible. Please keep checking back. I promise to post some more interesting stuff than this. I am in a crisis mode this week trying to stay out of the hospital. I promise you there are good articles to come. So please keep checking back regularly. In the meantime, please read through my archives so far. I only started blogging June 1, 2008 but there is lots in the archives already.
Peace!
This article was ORIGINALLY posted by Jeanne this morning via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com. It has since been modified and re-posted.
Due to technical limitations of the blogging software (or my lack of knowledge of a way to do it), I was unable to erase a comment I made in response to Yaya’s comment (her feedback is in comment #1 from 9:16 pm below). After replying to Yaya, I reconsidered my wording and thought it best to delete my response to her comment.
I didn’t see a way to delete my comment back to Yaya without deleting the original post too. I have reposted the original post AND Yaya’s comment (exactly as she worded it) is in comment # 1 below).
Therefore, the above post is identical to the original with the exception of this portion about time of day.
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
I am leaving soon for a fun-filled day of adventure. Yes... it is medical-related. I'm afraid I do not have time to elaborate much since I can't be late!!!
I will say that I'm thrilled to have seen we now have readers from several other places outside of the U.S. I have seen New South Wales, Glasgow, Mexico, Australia and others on my live traffic map!!!! This warms my heart because one of my goals is to reach out to people about endometriosis and chronic illness... and not just people in the United States!!!
So... welcome to ALL of our blog readers! This is Day 26 of my endo blog and I am still very excited to connect with others with similar interests.
I wish anyone reading this peace, well-being, and minimal or no pain if possible. Please keep checking back. I promise to post some more interesting stuff than this. I am in a crisis mode this week trying to stay out of the hospital. I promise you there are good articles to come. So please keep checking back regularly. In the meantime, please read through my archives so far. I only started blogging June 1, 2008 but there is lots in the archives already.
Peace!
This article was ORIGINALLY posted by Jeanne this morning via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com. It has since been modified and re-posted.
Due to technical limitations of the blogging software (or my lack of knowledge of a way to do it), I was unable to erase a comment I made in response to Yaya’s comment (her feedback is in comment #1 from 9:16 pm below). After replying to Yaya, I reconsidered my wording and thought it best to delete my response to her comment.
I didn’t see a way to delete my comment back to Yaya without deleting the original post too. I have reposted the original post AND Yaya’s comment (exactly as she worded it) is in comment # 1 below).
Therefore, the above post is identical to the original with the exception of this portion about time of day.
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
6/13/2008
Thank You for Your Patience Waiting For This Updated Endometriosis Post! I'm Too Ill For a Full Post Now (Details Below)
Here's an update on why you haven't heard from me for a few days:
On June 13th I was VERY ill. I saw one of my specialists 6/13 and he was leaning towards having me go to ER. However, we found a less invasive way of dealing w/the situation. I'm not up to posting a blow-by-blow account due to low energy level (at least not right now). Please keep checking back for new endometriosis posts. I expect to be feeling well enough to post an entry (besides this just updated one) soon! I just can't do it right this minute. Thank you for your patience!!!
Today (June 15th) I am still quite ill. I hope to do a "real" endometriosis post soon (i.e. specifically about endometriosis rather than about my numerous chronic illnesses acting up and me being in a situation where I can't do much activity since I need to relax). One of several reasons that two of my doctors were going to send me to the emergency room was that my blood pressure was very high plus I was having vision problems and severe head/eye pressure that my doctor seemed to connect back to the blood pressure being so high: (190-121) on June 13th when it had been a perfectly normal 120/80 just 3 days earlier at my primary care physician's office)!
So I've been taking some well-needed time to "chill out" in hopes that my blood pressure will stay low enough that I won't have to go to the ER. I'm still trying to avoid going to the ER at all costs. (That's a long story). Let's just say I AM following my doctors' orders --- but I have had some close calls this weekend where I thought I might have to go to the ER between Friday and today.
I wrote a LONG, detailed response to Alicia's comment to this post but somehow I accidentally wiped it out!! I'm very sick and just not "operating on all cylinders" today.
***
I SHOULD EMPHASIZE THAT THE ER TRIP MY 2 DOCTORS SUGGESTED AS A POSSIBILITY YESTERDAY (THAT MAY STILL BECOME NECESSARY TODAY) WAS NOT FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS.
***
Today I'm just focusing on meeting the doctors' criteria for not going to the emergency room and focusing on how to NOT go to ER today. I'm just trying to make it until Monday and call my PCP first thing in the morning with an update. I'll keep you posted.
THANK YOU everyone for your patience. Lots of endometriosis posts will be coming up as soon as I'm stabilized!!! Thank you for your patience!!!
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
On June 13th I was VERY ill. I saw one of my specialists 6/13 and he was leaning towards having me go to ER. However, we found a less invasive way of dealing w/the situation. I'm not up to posting a blow-by-blow account due to low energy level (at least not right now). Please keep checking back for new endometriosis posts. I expect to be feeling well enough to post an entry (besides this just updated one) soon! I just can't do it right this minute. Thank you for your patience!!!
Today (June 15th) I am still quite ill. I hope to do a "real" endometriosis post soon (i.e. specifically about endometriosis rather than about my numerous chronic illnesses acting up and me being in a situation where I can't do much activity since I need to relax). One of several reasons that two of my doctors were going to send me to the emergency room was that my blood pressure was very high plus I was having vision problems and severe head/eye pressure that my doctor seemed to connect back to the blood pressure being so high: (190-121) on June 13th when it had been a perfectly normal 120/80 just 3 days earlier at my primary care physician's office)!
So I've been taking some well-needed time to "chill out" in hopes that my blood pressure will stay low enough that I won't have to go to the ER. I'm still trying to avoid going to the ER at all costs. (That's a long story). Let's just say I AM following my doctors' orders --- but I have had some close calls this weekend where I thought I might have to go to the ER between Friday and today.
I wrote a LONG, detailed response to Alicia's comment to this post but somehow I accidentally wiped it out!! I'm very sick and just not "operating on all cylinders" today.
***
I SHOULD EMPHASIZE THAT THE ER TRIP MY 2 DOCTORS SUGGESTED AS A POSSIBILITY YESTERDAY (THAT MAY STILL BECOME NECESSARY TODAY) WAS NOT FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS.
***
Today I'm just focusing on meeting the doctors' criteria for not going to the emergency room and focusing on how to NOT go to ER today. I'm just trying to make it until Monday and call my PCP first thing in the morning with an update. I'll keep you posted.
THANK YOU everyone for your patience. Lots of endometriosis posts will be coming up as soon as I'm stabilized!!! Thank you for your patience!!!
This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.
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