Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

[glad2Bhere]

my story posted on Living with Pelvic Inflammatory disease on this website.

[sonyamanning]

Thank you for sharing your story. I feel it's good to talk about this, and tell people about PID because almost NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT IT. I feel this is the first time I have come up against sexism in my life. If men had this same kind of havoc wrecked on their organs from STD people I think would know about it. The fact that I had been cured of anti symptomatic chlamydia years ago, and never told by my doctor about PID baffles me. (I got it later from bacterial vaginosis) Thank you again for sharing your heart wrenching story. It gives me increased incentive to keep talking about this to all the many women who don't know.

[glad2Bhere]

Thank you for reading my story! Yes it doesnt seem fair that it causes so much damage to women and the men scoot by with nothing too serious. I wish I had been more aware of the symptoms and I'm still in shock that the doctors never told me where my PID originated from or for me to have my boyfriend treated.

[katty1]

Hi Glad to be here ..i was trying to read your story ..but at my first attempt ..i couldnt find it ..but neventually realized that you must of been posting under the name of "Erin" hope im correct on that ? Yes its awful and and glad you have recovered ..although ive had nothing removed i did terribly ill..one thing i was concerned about is that you said that you hadnt been to a doctor for years ? ..when you do look back ..in this your case ..im sure ..but of course im sorry it wasnt ..this could of been prevented by visiting a doctor and not allowing your symptoms to progress to the situation that it did get to ...im not sure how things go but making sure that you do have some form mof medical cover is vital ..or perhaps if you experience any future pain visiting a clinic which deals in female contraception and well woman healthcare ..there must be free clinics somewhere in the United States ?? a free clinc ..places where people get coils ect fitted ..they would of recognised your symptoms ...however ..im glad you have recovered after such an awful experience ..another poster mentioned sexism ??? but its just to let United States posters know ..we here in UK are not sexist, racist ..or absolutely anything regarding STI and related matters ...and men do get severe , painful distressing symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases ..if untreated they progress !! just as a womans does ...!! it might not do that at the same speed as PID could take hold but in the case of chlamydia about 50 per cwent of men dont have any symptoms ..so they are not aware they have the infection..therefore they are not knowingly passing on that sti ! for the other 50 per cent it irritates the urethra same as it dies for a woman causing a clear discharge and making it painful to pass urine ..as it did for me when i had it ..occasionally it spreads to the testical where it causes pain and inflammation and possible infertility !! another thing that men get is Reiters syndrome ..a type of painful arthritis affecting the joints and that is painful and men do suffer ! also leaving that without treatment opening huge ulcer like sores on the gland of the body (lower) in the worst cases ...

They do have to take medication also ..and depending on if they have ghonn along with chlamydia which is generally the case (but not always ) ..the more sti they have along with this and it could be anything ! example genital herpes ! it would be extremley painful ...men also do get PID ...in the anus affecting the bowel ?? i just needed to correct the other poster really ..i would expect to see hear of that through is anal sex had taken place between adult males ...but nevertheless they would suffer too ..and do deserve the thoughts and respect as we would expect ...Visiting a GU clinic as sopon as any symptoms arise ..the sooner the matter can be addressed ..but prevention and using condoms for oral, anal and vaginal sex ..people do forget about oral which it can be passed ! ...im so glad your better and hope you continue to stay well ..

Best wishes
Katty

[andrade]

Hi there, I'm now on my 3rd attack on PID in 11 years, luckily I have 2 beautiful children but I am now having my fallopian tubes removed in a couple of weeks due to constant re-infection and also they are completely deseased (basically dead)! I have been with my husband for 12 years and although my PID initially was from Chlamdya, my previous 2 attacks have reasons unknown! I have a constant dulling pain in my lower right pelvic area and also horrendous back pain and bleeding... I've had 2 Laparoscopys and am now going to have a 3rd whilst having my tubes removed along with a hysteroctopy to ensure no more damage has occured to my womb as I am now suffering other issues which are connected to my PID. I wish everyone else on here the very best of luck in combating this horrible disease.

[katty1]

Hi im sorry to read this news and can see how much you have been through .You said that the two further episodes have been for reasons unknown but you had had two laperoscopies and something else ..any surgery in pelvic area such as laperoscopy can actually cause infection and PID its very common and drs here kind of expect it after that op ..i chose not to have it for that reason ..im so pleasedf that you do have children already and hopefully something more can be done for you if you wish to add to your family ..

Good luck and take care
Cathy

[Thuvia]

Wow, I just read your story, and I too, am glad that you made it through such a horrific ordeal! Last month I was diagnosed with PID, but suspect I've been living with mild symptoms of the infection for a little over a year. At first, my symptoms started out mild, and then due to neglect on my part, they increased to the point where I was in so much pain that I finally had to go and see a doctor. Part of the reason I "neglected" to notice my symptoms was that I didn't even know about PID, and I've always been prone to Urinary Tract Infections, so, I just associated my pain with a UTI. When I finally made an appointment to see a doctor, I had to confess that I had unprotected sex over a year ago that was most likely the cause and effect of my current condition. I was so ashamed of admitting I had made a poor choice, and I was also terrified of the pain/symptoms my body was exhibiting.

It turns out, that I had Chlamydia, which in effect, created a segue for the PID to develop. I was put on an extensive regiment of Doxycycline, Flagyl, and additionally, given a shot of Rocephin. After a week of taking my medication, the pain finally subsided, and then, disappeared altogether. Another week later, I resumed intercourse with my partner, who was also treated for Chlamydia, and another week later, my symptoms returned. Thus, I now have been diagnosed with reoccurring PID, of which my doctor originally told me would not come back. The confusing part about all of this, is that my partner and I were both treated with a rigorous course of strong meds, and now, I have this infection...again!

It turns out that my doctor doesn't really understand PID, and as I do my own research, I'm finding that not many medical professionals do! I'm assuming that PID is fairly a "new" medical condition, at least new in relation to other well known and diagnosed female medical issues. What I'm also discovering is that most likely I'll live with the aftermath, and the chance for PID to occasionally, if not often, happen throughout the span of my lifetime.

At any rate, this condition is serious, I can certainly attest to that fact, and not only is it serious, it's extremely painful. This Friday I go and see my gynecologist, and I'm hoping to find out more answers with her, and if not more answers, then at least determine the extent of the damage done to my female reproductive organs. My goal throughout this horrible ordeal is to place myself on a rapid road to recovery, make better choices, and take better care of myself. It's been so comforting and eye opening to read stories from other women, and I hope to find out more via these peer-to-peer PID forums.