A thread of advice for endometriosis sufferers

[stephj25]

Hi all

I just wanted to share my story and the depths I went to to get pregnant. I'll cut it as short as possible.
So...we were trying for 2 years and the docs said it's very unlikely I would get pregnant as I had severe endometriosis. I was also suffering very bad pains monthly with it and had the paramedics out a few times I'm sure this sounds familiar if you are getting pains.
Anyway, after 22 months, I decided that I would look into having a hysterectomy, but first I looked online to see if anything could stop the pain. So I did and I cut out the following foods/drinks:-

Caffeine
dairy
chocolate
wheat
alcohol
red meat

I know it was a huge change but it was worth it as it stopped the endo pain!! I was also shocked to see a positive pregnancy test 2 months later!!
I just wanted to pass this on before you lose hope as I very nearly did. Stay positive xxxxx

 

[KeyannasMama]

Congrats! And thanks for sharing.. I have been trying to cut out all of these things too but it's sooo hard, especially the caffeine!

 

[stephj25]

don't worry, you do get used to it. I really struggled at first. In the end I did really well! I was constantly having quinoa salads or a tin of mackeral for my lunch and corn pasta for dinner. I was very strict with myself. Bonus though, I lost 1.5 stone in 2 month as well as getting pregnant!! the caffeine thing was easy for me, I only drink tea and decaf Yorkshire tea tastes the same

 

[obtenerunsixx]

Wow, that's awesome! Congrats! I have endometriosis as well and I've read before that cutting out dairy/gluten/red meat helps reduce the severity and thus aid in conceiving. It's weird because I've had bad acne since coming off BC and many people have gotten clear skin from eliminating gluten and dairy. I'm slowly cutting these things out of my diet now but it's so difficult sometimes. BUT if I'll get clear skin and a baby in the end it's absolutely worth it!

I just have one question for you: Have you continued this diet throughout your pregnancy? Have you been able to gain enough weight from it?

 

[stephj25]

I haven't continued throughout pregnancy, purely because I need calcium and protein. I've carried on not having caffeine though and not having as much wheat.
Once I have had the baby I will go back to the diet xxx

Good luck hun xxx

 

[Amber3]

Dear Steph
I just now saw your succes story. I was just reading a book about the endometriosis diet and it all sounds interesting. Not that I suffer that much with pain but I have been struggling with infertility for 5 years so I am wondering if I should try this. Would it be possible that you could tell me what you ate during the day more in detail, because I am the constantly hungry, underweight, fast metabolism type who really need a structured meal plan and I have to be very careful about underweight.
Best wishes for your upcoming delivery
Amber

 

[stephj25]

Hi Amber
first of all I purchased the following substitutes:-
Milk > Rice milk
chocolate > wheat free cookies
Pasta > Corn pasta
Cereal > special 'corn only' cereal (check the boxes as a lot of corn cereal still involve wheat!!)
no substitute for red meat (vegetarian products have wheat in them) so I just ate chicken and fish with main meals.
I had corn cereal with rice milk for breakfast.
I had salad and quinoa a lot and also lentils. Green lentils are so nice in a hotpot
This isn't probably the best thing for your diet but I had a tin of mackeral for my lunch at work followed by some fruit (it filled me up but I made sure I ate little and often).
the only drinks I had were orange juice, water & decaf green tea.

It doesn't seem like a lot but after eating the above, I felt absolutely fantastic!! I realised that the main culprit of my 'bloatedness' was wheat & chocolate. And you really can feel the difference after a week of the new diet.

I hope this helps, it was almost a year ago now so I hope I remembered everything, if I think of anything else, I'll let you know xx

 

[Amber3]

Thank you so much for your inspirational story and the ideas for what to get I think I will try to go to the expensive store (its supposed to have a bigger selection) to see if they have any of that stuff. I find it really hard even to get started because I have long workdays and at work we are offered food such as wheat bread, milk, cheese and pasta (for free) every single day. It is so tempting to just go with the flow instead of making the effort especially since I have a hard time imagining that dairy and especially wheat could be such big problems for me.
I hope you will write me if you think of more, wow you must be so happy to finally be that far
Amber

 

[Amber3]

PS, did you allow yourself to eat honey?

 

[stephj25]

Once you get into the swing of things, you'll be fine. I went completely off chocolate! Didn't fancy it at all once it was out of my system!!

Er, not too sure about honey as I don't like it. I'm sure it should be fine though