In Sixteen Years of Endometriosis

People with endo have a range of pain from none to mild to moderate to severe. Amy and Brittany talk about pain associated with endometriosis, such when and where we can have it. We give a quick and general overview of multiple reasons for endo-associated pain, such as inflammation, sensitization, and lesion location. This episode is a bird's eye overview and not an all exhaustive list of reasons why we can have pain with endo.

🔗RESOURCES🔗

For clickable links to the resources below, go to www.insixteenyears.com/episode125

🔗What influences pain levels? From Nancy's Nook.

🔗Location of lesions and where pain is felt. From Nancy's Nook.

🔗Zanelotti A, Decherney AH. Surgery and Endometriosis. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Sep;60(3):477-484. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000291. PMID: 28742580; PMCID: PMC5635831.

🔗Demco L. Review of pain associated with minimal endometriosis. JSLS. 2000 Jan-Mar;4(1):5-9. PMID: 10772521; PMCID: PMC3015350.

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Amy speaks to Dr. Isabel Green about:

—common reasons why a patient may have persistent pain post surgery, from an incomplete excision to co-conditions.

—the importance of working with our doctor to set patient-centered goals in our treatment.

—how for *some* people addressing central sensitization, especially post excision, can be a key to getting out of continued pain; but at the same time, it’s important not to blame all pain on central sensitization and to explore other possible reasons for persistent pain as well.

🎤WHO IS DR. ISABEL GREEN?🎤

Born in Ecuador and then grew up in Washington DC, Isabel Green, MD, MEHP, completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Johns Hopkins Hospital and went on to fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University.  She moved west to join Mayo Clinic as a Consultant of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and Gynecology in 2016.  She serves as the Fellowship Director for Minimally Invasive Gynecology and in the role of Physician Lead of a multidisciplinary Chronic Pelvic Pain Clinic at Mayo, Rochester.

🔗RESOURCES🔗

For clickable links to the resources below, go to www.insixteenyears.com/episode124

🔗Addressing pain post excision (from my website)

🔗Mayo Clinic investigates persistent pelvic pain following endometriosis surgery – from the Mayo Clinic

🔗Amy’s Curable review

☀️CONNECT WITH DR GREEN☀️

Twitter/X: @isabelgreenMD

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Today I speak with Dr Cabrera about:

—how bowel endometriosis can be safely excised with very low complication rates and isn’t “too risky” to remove when in expert hands

—what types of endometriosis advanced disease mapping can detect signs of

—how the outcome of surgery or disease mapping is dependent on the operator (the surgeon doing the surgery or the sonographer doing the mapping)

🎤WHO IS DR. RAMIRO CABRERA?🎤

Dr. Ramiro Cabrera is a high-volume excision surgeon from Mexico. After training in minimally invasive gynecological surgery, he completed a fellowship in Deep Endometriosis Surgery in Brazil with Dr William Kondo. He works at the Doyenne Institute in Mexico City, and in 2023, together with some colleagues, he opened the Global Center of Endometriosis Care in Tijuana, Mexico. Currently, he also has a fellowship in which he teaches and trains surgeons in excision. He is a member of multiple international associations of gynecological surgeries and also a faculty member in several associations. In addition, he is co-founder of the Endo Life app.

🔗RESOURCES🔗

For clickable links to the resources below, go to www.insixteenyears.com/episode123

🔗Episode with Dr Cabrera on Amy's Spanish podcast

☀️CONNECT WITH DR. CABRERA☀️

INSTAGRAM @ramcabreramd

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Amy and Brittany talk about:

—the difficulties of adjusting to a new, unwanted reality as illness impacts every aspect of our lives.

—finding ourselves again, finding joy again, finding a life worth living again.

—celebrating the small wins and being able to see how far we’ve come.

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Today I’m speaking with Dr. John Dulemba about:

—How surgeons need to understand the limitations of their skills if they don't have a lot of experience yet.

—How colostomy rates for bowel endo are extremely low in hands of an expert.

—Risks and other considerations when thinking about excision surgery.

🎤WHO IS DR. JOHN DULEMBA?🎤

A now retired excision surgeon who was in private practice in Denton, Texas, from 1986-2023. He performed over 7300 endometriosis surgeries, both robotically and via standard laparoscopy, so he has a lot of insight on endometriosis.

🔗RESOURCES🔗

For clickable links to the resources below, go to www.insixteenyears.com/episode121

🔗Wright J, Lotfallah H, Jones K, Lovell D. A randomized trial of excision versus ablation for mild endometriosis. Fertil Steril. 2005 Jun;83(6):1830-6. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.11.066. PMID: 15950657.

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Today I’m speaking with Kimether Redmon about:

—Trauma-informed medical care.

—Some biases a person may face in the medical setting.

—Personal biases that Kimether has faced.

🎤WHO IS KIMETHER REDMON?🎤

She is an endometriosis patient as well as a Family Nurse Practitioner serving low-income uninsured patients in her area. Before her nursing career, she was a research consultant with a background in brain injury research, and employment.

Being diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis in 2021 after over 20 years of countless incidents of dismissal, gaslighting, bias, and incompetency has fueled her own diligence as a healthcare provider and educator that prioritizes high quality, trauma informed care to all.

☀️CONNECT WITH KIMETHER☀️

Kimether IG: @therebelliousuterus


Kimether’s podcast IG: @endothickofit

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Today I’m speaking with Kimether Redmon about tips to improve our medical appointments

—How to maximize the short amount of time we have with the practitioner.

—How to be more specific when describing our symptoms

—Our personal experiences with uncomfortable medical settings.

🎤Who is Kimether Redmon?🎤

She is an endometriosis patient as well as a Family Nurse Practitioner serving low-income uninsured patients in her area. Before her nursing career, she was a research consultant with a background in brain injury research, and employment.

Being diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis in 2021 after over 20 years of countless incidents of dismissal, gaslighting, bias, and incompetency has fueled her own diligence as a healthcare provider and educator that prioritizes high quality, trauma informed care to all.

☀️CONNECT WITH KIMETHER☀️

Kimether IG☀️ @therebelliousuterus

Kimether’s podcast IG☀️ @endothickofit

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

SUPPORT US by buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Today Amy speaks with Dr. Shilpa Rao about:

—her personal experiences with cultural and social barriers to care

—her hopes for endometriosis care in the future in India.

🎤WHO IS DR. SHILPA RAO?🎤

Shilpa is a dentist by profession and an endo crusader by passion. She has a YouTube channel called The Endometriosis Crusader in which she interviews patients and professionals about various topics related to endometriosis and reproductive health.

☀️CONNECT WITH SHILPA☀️

Instagram @endostrongg

YouTube: Endo Crusader https://www.youtube.com/@shilpaa1980

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

We continue to talk about work accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act:

—medical documentation

—examples of what are reasonable vs unreasonable accommodations

—telework.

**DISCLAIMER: We are not employment lawyers or disability civil rights attorneys. This is a general discussion of what we've been learning for our own individual work situations and is not legal advice. We encourage you to double check all information we give in this episode and/or consult a qualified professional for advice if you are in a situation where you want to ask for work accommodations.

🔗RESOURCES🔗

For clickable links to the resources below, go to www.insixteenyears.com/episode117

🔗Other reasonable accommodation issues (Enforcement Guidance on Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship under the ADA)

🔗Telework as a Reasonable Accommodation

🔗Employees' Practical Guide to Requesting and Negotiating Reasonable Accommodation Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

🔗Job Accommodation Network’s Practical Guide to Accommodations

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

We talk about work accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

—what accommodations are vs accessibility in general

—who qualifies for accommodations under the ADA

—some ideas on how and when to request accommodation.

***DISCLAIMER: We are not employment lawyers or disability civil rights attorneys. This is a general discussion of what we've been learning for our own individual work situations and is not legal advice. We encourage you to double check all information we give in this episode and/or consult a qualified professional for advice if you are in a situation where you want to ask for work accommodations.

🔗RESOURCES🔗

For clickable links to the resources below, go to www.insixteenyears.com/episode116

🔗Employees' Practical Guide to Requesting and Negotiating Reasonable Accommodation Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

🔗Job Accommodation Network’s Practical Guide to Accommodations

🔗Your Employment Rights as an Individual with a Disability

🔗Ashley Jacobson: Changing Disabled Employment with Accommodations

🔗EEOC Enforcement Guidance on Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/