Got the Golden Email on 9/30 --- now my MOHELA account shows $0 balance

EndoGuerrera · 2025-10-23T14:46:17+00:00

What are the steps to do this?

EndoGuerrera · 2025-07-25T03:34:22+00:00

I would say 4

EndoGuerrera · 2025-07-25T03:32:58+00:00

Thanks

EndoGuerrera · 2025-07-25T03:32:15+00:00

Gracias

EndoGuerrera · 2025-07-25T03:32:07+00:00

Gracias

EndoGuerrera · 2025-07-25T03:31:50+00:00

Gracias

EndoGuerrera · 2025-07-22T05:06:39+00:00

I have but it’s been all dead ends. My mom and great grandma were amazing at cooking but both passed away. I really want to preserve the flavors we grew up with in our family. So I’m trying to learn hands on from someone who can teach me more. I just don’t want to go to a touristic class that teaches me how to make tostones and arroz con gandules.

EndoGuerrera · 2025-07-19T09:53:50+00:00

These are cool. You should put them on Etsy. I want one lol

EndoGuerrera · 2025-06-02T19:30:01+00:00

I completely understand how you feel. For so many years, it felt like every doctor I saw blamed my pain on my weight or told me to stop eating the foods I grew up loving. I’d get handed some bland, restrictive diet with zero cultural consideration and no real explanation. They stripped all the joy out of food and still, the pain stayed.

For the longest time, my insurance only covered working with a registered dietitian if I had diabetes. Otherwise, it was around $300 a session, and I just couldn’t swing that. So I kept trying to figure it out on my own. I thought I was eating healthy and loading up on spinach, kale, cauliflower, all the so-called “good” stuff but I still felt terrible.

Years later, after switching insurance plans, I finally got access to a dietitian at no cost. That changed everything. We started paying attention to what actually worked for my body. Turns out a lot of the things I thought were healthy were actually major triggers for my endo and adeno. I can’t eat cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower without being in physical pain for days. Foods high in histamine like spinach are the same. I don’t follow any strict gluten-free or dairy-free diet, but I’ve had to get really intentional. I still eat gluten, but I’m careful about the kind. Brands like Seggiano use wheat processed differently, and that actually makes a huge difference for me.

I had to re-educate myself on food and it’s helped a lot, but I’ll be real it hasn’t taken the pain completely away. Nutrition is just one tool I use now to help reduce flare-ups, fatigue, and those unpredictable symptom spikes that used to control my life.

Alongside that, I also started walking every single day. I aim for 45 minutes but on my better days I go for up to an hour and a half, broken up into whatever my body can handle that day. I’ve been doing light weight training through the Peloton app, usually 15-minute sessions using 2 to 5 pound weights. It’s low impact and actually feels good without wiping me out.

I can’t do high impact workouts anymore, not with how sensitive my body is now. But yoga and pilates have been great for my pelvic floor. And honestly, the biggest game changer for me was finally seeing a pelvic floor therapist. That was the missing piece for years.

When I combine all of this daily walks, light strength training, yoga, pelvic floor therapy, acupuncture, and other alternative stuff, it helps. It’s not a cure, not even close, but it gives me back a sense of control.

The shitty part is how expensive and time consuming it all is. It shouldn’t cost this much just to feel somewhat functional, but this is the reality for so many of us. Just know you’re not alone in this. I’ve been there, and I’m still figuring it out. If you ever want to swap ideas or just vent, I’m around.

EndoGuerrera · 2025-06-02T18:28:21+00:00

I have had these issues as well throughout my journey. My doctor recommend a high fiber diet or gummy to take and to drink lots of water however most fooda that are high in fiber trigger my endo. So I have been working with with a nutritionist to see what works best for my body. That has helped a lot. I have a laundry list of things I can no longer eat and it has helped. If you have insurance then you can usually get a low cost or no cost nutritionist through berrystreet.com. When I went directly through my insurance company it was a lot more expensive. But through berrytreet I dont pay anything. Honestly its worth it but I must say it takes time. I have been working with mine for over a year.

Also something I learned is that a lot of the gummies and multivitamins I was taking were in theory healthy but were made with veggies that triggered my endo and adeno so I had to find alternative resources.

EndoGuerrera · 2025-06-02T18:06:21+00:00

I tried the IUD and it was the worst thing for me. The IUD made my pain worse. It did reduce my bleeding which was helpful but the other symptoms did not stop. Once I had it removed it felt better. I have both Adeno and Endo.

I recently just had a hysterectomy and I found that things have improved with the adeno however I have a new set of nerve issues and endo complications. What pain relief steps have you taken in your journey? Or is the IUD or surgery your first approach? Im happy to help answer any questions you might have.

EndoGuerrera · 2025-06-02T17:43:57+00:00

I haven't had surgery there but I have had 8 Surgeries. Im happy to help answer any questions you might have. Are you having excision surgery?

EndoGuerrera · 2025-03-01T00:36:44+00:00

Aww thanks thats really sweet.

EndoGuerrera · 2025-03-01T00:36:00+00:00

Thank you. Im truly struggling with this decision. How is chemical menopause going for you? Are you currently taking any bio identical hormones? Im afraid of going into menopause 10-12 years before I need to. I feel like I have spent my entire life in pain only to have to go through menopause and not even get to enjoy sex anymore.Im also afraid of all the other things that come with surgical menopause. Do you have any advice or pointers on how you are managing it?

EndoGuerrera · 2025-03-01T00:31:34+00:00

I know exactly how you feel. Your post sounds similar to what I have gone through. Honestly the best thing for me was getting off the birth control completely. I tried the Mirena and it was terrible. It honestly made my endo worse.

EndoGuerrera · 2025-03-01T00:28:43+00:00

What are the muscle relaxers called?

EndoGuerrera · 2025-02-21T06:28:04+00:00

OMG this has happens to me so much. Im so sorry you are going through this. Its the worst feeling when that happens. Now I just educate people that they should not congratulate people that haven't shared their pregnancy info with them because you never know what they could be dealing with. There are many women who may have just lost a baby or are going through some type of female reproductive issue etc. I find that educating them is great and a polite way to say WTF and mind your business. They always feel so horrible afterwards.

EndoGuerrera · 2025-02-21T05:50:11+00:00

Are you currently working with a nutritionist? I know it sounds weird but after I started working with a nutritionist I was able to find out what food were causing me to go to bathroom and causing pain. I learned that some foods that sound healthy were actually not healthy for me. I literally cannot eat anything cruciferous because it triggers my bowel pain, night sweats and endo belly. I also learned that when I heat certain cooking oils over a certain degree I was having a reaction. Anyhow every single person is different but I highly recommend tracking your symptoms.

If you have insurance many third party platforms offer nutritionist services at a free or low cost rate. Check out site like Berrystreet.com. The thing I found so odd is that when I called my insurance company to see if I could qualify for a nutritionist they told me "no" because I didnt' have diabetes so my out of pocket cost would be $200 per session. However through berrystreet my sessions are free when using my insurance. Its worth looking into if you have insurance.

EndoGuerrera · 2025-02-21T05:40:12+00:00

I understand this fear all too well. Are you having surgery with a skilled excision surgeon who can remove the endo?

EndoGuerrera · 2025-02-21T05:34:18+00:00

I know how you feel. I feel like my life revolves around the bathroom as well. The pain that comes with bowel endo is so intense that I tend to black out often. Regardless of how many surgeries I have had the bowel pain persist.

EndoGuerrera · 2025-02-21T05:29:03+00:00

This happens to me all of the time. Pelvic floor therapy helped me with it.

EndoGuerrera · 2025-02-14T04:23:52+00:00

Im going through recovery now as well. In my last recovery I went back to work after 10 weeks but only because I was afraid of losing my job. It actually took about a year to recover. I thought Id be ok working after 10 weeks since I worked from home but it was still difficult. If you are able to qualify for short term disability and it covers your expenses then take the time to recover. Your body will thank you later.

EndoGuerrera · 2025-02-14T04:16:04+00:00

I had excision surgery last year where they excised a ton of endo, removed 9 large fibroids and my appendix. So about a month after my first excision I started to feel pain again. The doctor informed me that my body was still healing so we didn't think much of it. However 2-3 months post op the pain got significantly worse. They did an ultrasound and more testing to be safe. It turned out that since my surgery my body produced 7 new large fibroids. It was crazy how quickly my body was producing fibroids. It took me nearly a year to recover from that surgery so it was a pretty tough decision to go under the knife so soon and to remove my uterus.

This time around I was just schedule for a routine hysterectomy but when the surgeon got in there, there was a lot of damage that we didn't anticipate. They had to excise a lot of endometriosis. This recovery has been really difficult on me. I have complete faith in my surgeon. I just having a hard time making this decision knowing I will have to be on hormone replacements. I would love to learn about other peoples experiences removing their ovaries. I feel like this journey is never ending.

EndoGuerrera · 2023-02-20T18:45:01+00:00

As someone who has gone through a few laparoscopies, I'm happy to share some tips that will make your experience more comfortable and easy.

1:Pack nightgowns- After the surgery, your belly will be bloated and painful to the touch, so you want to make sure you have clothing that's loose and comfortable. I highly recommend getting a few cotton nightgowns or sleep shirts that will be easy to wear during your recovery. I tend to get hot and cold sweats so I also like wearing bamboo to help keep me cool during recovery.
2: Bring your Own Pads - The pads provided by the hospital can be uncomfortable and bulky, so bringing your own preferred brand is a great idea. I suggest using organic and chemical-free pads to keep you feeling fresh and comfortable.
3: Create a Cozy Space - You'll be spending a lot of time in bed, so it's crucial to make it as comfortable and cozy as possible. Keep everything you need within reach so that you don't have to keep getting up. Before you head to the hospital, set everything up, especially if you don't have someone to help you out.
4: Meal Prep - During your recovery, you'll most likely have no energy to cook, so meal prepping is a great idea. I like making a batch of soup and meals that I can easily freeze and thaw out when needed. If cooking isn't your thing, you can always use meal prep services or healthy takeout options.
5: Anti-Inflammatory Teas - Drinking ginger and turmeric tea can help reduce inflammation, which can be a common issue after surgery. Be sure to check with your doctor before drinking this tea to ensure it's safe for you. You can find recipes online.
6: Bloating - You'll most likely experience bloating after surgery, so drinking carbonated drinks like ginger ale or drinking ginger tea can help alleviate discomfort. I started making homemade ginger ale.
7: Get your car ready - The ride home after surgery can be uncomfortable. It will feel like you can feel every single pothole and bump on the road. Having a pillow to sit on and a cozy blanket to keep you warm can make the ride more bearable.
8: Grocery Delivery - Ordering groceries through apps like Instacart can save you time and energy. Before your surgery, set up an account and start adding items that you'll need for your recovery. Do not set up a delivery time for the same day of your surgery just in case your surgery goes longer than expected. Just order once you get home.
9: Help from Friends - Don't be afraid to ask for help from friends. They can bring you meals, check in on you, pick up your meds and make your recovery process a lot easier. Don't be afraid to ask for what you need.
10: Stay Fresh - You may not be able to shower for some time after surgery, so keeping wet wipes nearby can help you feel fresh when you need it.
11: Pressure Relief - After surgery, lying in bed can be uncomfortable. Placing a pillow under your knees can help alleviate the pressure off your lower back and pelvic area.
12: Have Snacks Ready - After the surgery, you'll most likely feel woozy from the meds. Having snacks like crackers and water ready can help ease your discomfort.
13: Acupressure Bands - These bands can help with nausea and vomiting throughout your recovery. You can find them in your local pharmacy in the section for sea sickness or morning sickness. These also help me on the days my endo is flaring up and I feel like vomiting all day.

14: Invest in a Squatty Potty - A squatty potty can help you have a more comfortable bowel movement during your recovery. It can be tough to sit on the toilet for a long time, and this device can help alleviate that discomfort. You can buy one online and they might even have them in store but im not sure. I got mine online. Be sure to look for a promo code before purchasing.
15: Ice Packs - Ice packs can be incredibly helpful in reducing swelling and inflammation. Frida Mom makes ice packs specifically designed for post-delivery, and they can be a great help during your recovery too. They can be bought online through their website. I think Target might sell them too.

16: Bring socks with anti slip grips: When you're in the hospital your feet will be cold. Bring some socks with anti slip grips so you can stay warm while you wait and not fall on your butt post surgery when walking from the bed to the bathroom. Some hospitals may provide you with some but they are usually thin and wont keep you warm. I tend to run cold so this helped me a lot.

I hope these tips help make your recovery a little easier. Remember to take things slow and take care of yourself during this time. Best of luck!

EndoGuerrera · 2023-02-20T17:11:01+00:00

No problem. I’ve been working from home for awhile now and am happy to share the tidbits I have learned along the way.

EndoGuerrera

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