Physically, endometriosis has really taken a toll on me. As
a progressive disease, I have really felt what it has done to my body over the
past few months. In August 2012 my symptoms hit an all-time peak. I was
nauseous and bloated. I began to experience constant back, pelvic and leg pain.
I would even vomit from the pain. I have to admit that some days I feel like I
am going crazy, my pain level is that significant.
Since November 2012, I have not been able to work. I work at
a desk, and struggled to do that. I should also say that I was working 12 hour
shifts, at night. I was in constant pain and was unable to sleep during the day
due to the extreme level of pain. I have had two surgeries since November (a
laparoscopy and a cystoscopy with hydro-distension).
I am unable to do “normal” things that a 26 year old woman
does. I cannot even clean my house without needing a nap. I lay in bed or on my
couch most of the day. I should also say that I am by no means lazy. Before my
pain hit a peak, I was working out 5-7 days per week. In junior high and high
school, I played softball, tennis, and was a cheerleader. I also used to ride
horses. My pain level has stopped me from being active like I once was. Now, I
am only able to do simple stretch exercises at home.
I went to Las Vegas last weekend, and really pushed myself
past my limit. I wanted to have fun, because I hardly get to do things like
that anymore. If you have been to Vegas, you know that a lot of walking must be
done in order to shop and site-see. Eventually, it just became too much.
Endometriosis affects many women’s quality of life. It also
leads to other health issues. For example, I have two other health conditions,
interstitial cystitis and pelvic floor dysfunction. I will have another
laparoscopy in 2013 to remove endometriosis lesions that were missed during my
initial laparoscopy along with that has returned. Even though I had a surgery
in November, I still have not been relieved of the pain. Almost daily, I
experience pain in my legs, back and pelvic area. I also have extremely
horrible nerve pain. Endometriosis is still in my body, and when I think of
what is going on inside my body, it sickens me. Endometriosis is real, women who
live with endometriosis are not crazy or hypochondriacs.
Every day is a
struggle.
I am so sorry about all of the surgeries! It is no fun and with each surgery the risks of complications grows but without any other viable treatments options what are we to do? I really hope you are able to find some relief and answers soon! Thank you so much for taking part in this blogging for endo campaign!
ReplyDeleteIt's been my pleasure! :)
DeleteI don't think your reply is relevant or helpful. I think its fine that normal healthy people think alternative medicine holds all the answers, but I promise you that acupuncture doesn't cure endometriosis or hydration or digestive issues. However, it can be useful for pain for some people. But I don't think you should be using our personal struggles and pain to promote your business unless you have some valuable insights or research that will help us. But your unsubstantiated belief that acupuncture cures everything doesn't help us.
ReplyDeleteEndo sufferer, I am so sorry about all of your struggles. I am 27 and have many similar issues. However, I have effective pain medications for the nerve pain. Have you been prescribed Lyrica or gabapentin/neurontin? Please ask your doctor about these meds if you have never tried them.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I was also a competitive athlete and had difficulty adjusting to limitations. I have been through years of physical therapy, and it has really helped me, especially with my bladder issues. It also helped me learn basic exercises (as opposed to the advanced athletic exercises I was used to). I know pt doesn't work for everyone - I have a friend who had no relief thru pt, but, again, its worth a shot if you haven't done it in a while.
I know there are some things that seem impossible to treat. My indigestion, and intestinal problems seem untreatable - I can't sleep at night due to stomach pain/acid reflux even tho I'm on meds for it and I can't digest dairy or soy or meats. Since these symptoms are out of control, I'll have to have surgery again.
Just remember you are never alone. We all struggle together and we are all here to support each other. In the endo community, you will never be accused of being a hypochondriac. If you need help finding endo specialists, contact the endometriosis research center.
Hi Alison! Thank you for your advice :)
DeleteI am currently taking lyrica and it helps! :) I have also tried physical therapy, but didn't find any relief.
When will your surgery be?
Passing from the surgery of any kind is really awful and fearful. I admire your strength and I wish that you will totally recover soon.
ReplyDeletephysical therapist in bergen county
Thank you for sharing your story. I was diagnosed with endometriosis after my husband Chad and I had been struggling with infertility for several years. We created this video for the "I Believe" Video Journal Project, which is meant to raise awareness for infertility. Please watch our video and vote for it at http://haveababy.com/ibelieve2013cksmith/. If enough people vote, we can win a free IVF cycle. Voting starts Wednesday, November 20th and ends on December 1st. Thank you!!! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteALL THANKS TO DR WILLIAMS WITH HIS HERB MY WIFE WAS COMPLETELY CURED FROM FIBROID.
ReplyDeleteIs my pleasure to comment on this site and i thank the admin of this site for his/her great work so far.one of the happiest moment in life is when you see your own wife put to bed.this awesome moments makes you a man, I really don't know how to thank DR WILLIAMS for helping my wife get cured for over how many year of suffering from FIBROID. i came across DR Williams contact through a headline news on internet about how DR Williams help a woman to get cured of his fibroid and so many other with similar body problem ,i contacted him and he told me how to get his herb,few day later he sent me the herbal portion which my wife take every morning for 21 days, and his medicine was able to shrike the fibroid naturally,and now my wife is 4months old pregnant for our second child, and now she very okay without any side effects whatsoever, If you have fibroid, you can contact him on his email address drwilliams098765@gmail.com for advice and for his product.
Hello
ReplyDeleteAfter a history of painful, heavy periods and having had an ovary removed,I was diagnosed with endometriosis. Because that my remaining fallopian tube was blocked, the only chance I and my husband had of conceiving was through IVF.
The condition meant that fertility treatment was very painful in spite of the treatment it wasn't successful .
"From the age of 17 or 18, I had very bad periods, but my GP seemed uninterested. At 21, I had emergency surgery for appendicitis and awoke to discover I had also had an ovary removed, due to a large cyst. Although I had a histology (examination with a microscope of tissue removed during surgery), endometriosis (a condition in which endometrial cells, which normally line the uterus, implant around the outside of the uterus and/or ovaries, causing internal bleeding, pain and reduced fertility) was not diagnosed until much later.
With all these challenges, the possibility of getting pregnant was very difficult...I read an article of how Rahany Herbal Center, that helped a woman to conceive with the use of the herbal treatment...I contacted the address rahanyherbalcenter@yahoo.com....I ordered for the herbs and it worked. I conceived through the use of the herbs as instructed also. Contact rahanyherbalcenter@yahoo.com for help.
Thanks for sharing this informative post about Laparoscopy and fertility. Read More information about laparoscopy hospitals in anna nagar | fertility laparoscopic surgery chennai
ReplyDelete