The Health Blog

ENDOMETRIOSIS AND PAIN: TERESA’S STORY

I was diagnosed with severe and extensive endometriosis in January 1988.1 had two very large cysts, the size of melons, enveloping both ovaries and extensive adhesions throughout my pelvis. I have had numerous treatments since diagnosis. Following conservative surgery, including two laparotomies for removal of the original cysts and subsequent cysts, division of adhesions, numerous hormonal therapies, including Danazol and Duphaston, with all the side effects, I find I still have active endometriosis and complicating adhesions. Thus, I still have quite disabling pain at various times of the month.

After reading some literature on the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for dysmenorrhoea, I decided to speak to a physiotherapist friend and ask his opinion on the possibility of pain relief using the system.

He was unable to give me any specific help with regard to its use in endometriosis. However, he could not see any reason why in theory it should not work. I was given the name and address of a physiotherapist who could help and supply a unit for trial.

This physiotherapist was very positive and I hired the unit for a month’s trial, with a view to purchasing the unit. I was very sceptical as to whether this type of pain relief would work — I’m now sorry it took me so long to explore this avenue of pain relief!

From the very first time I used the TENS unit I received some relief — without the horrible feeling of being spaced out, which often occurs with analgesic drugs.

The TENS does not remove the pain completely but it does enable me to manage the pain more easily; it also enables me to lead a fairly active life, without having to pop pills all the time. During the first couple of months of using TENS I required it for the duration of my period but with continued use of the unit I now only need to use it for the first couple of days. It seems that with continued use, the effects of the unit builds up in the individual.

I only have one problem using TENS — a gel must be used on the electrodes to enable the electronic pulses to be conducted to the nerves and this gel can be a little messy. But it’s a small price to pay for such effective pain relief.

The cost of the unit was $230. Initially this might seem expensive but the resulting pain relief has made the cost well worthwhile.

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