Hi, my name is Laura. My endometriosis journey started when I was eleven years old. The day started out normal. It was Thanksgiving, and I had been spending time with my grandparents, mother and brother. When we got back to the house, I felt like something was wrong. So I went to the restroom and realized I had started my period for the first time. Normally when girls begin their periods, they only bleed for 3-7 days, but in my case, I bled for two weeks straight. I had huge blood clots, and I was always in pain. My mother decided to take me to a gynecologist. The gynecologist put me on birth control pills at the young age of fourteen to try to stop the heavy flow and pain. The pills worked for a while, but I was still having major pain. I always felt tired and drained of energy.
By the time I was in my twenties, I was in major pain almost every day. I saw two different gynecologists, and they told me that it was just part of my menstrual cycle. At first, I thought that maybe I was just crazy and the pain was all in my head. But as each month passed, the pain progressed. So I decided to do some searching for a gynecologist with a lot of experience. I finally found one by the name of Dr. Al Keller. He did an examination on me along with a vaginal ultrasound. Dr. Keller stated that just because the endometriosis does not show up on the ultrasound doesn’t mean that you do not have the disease. So he scheduled me for a laparoscopy surgery.
The surgery went off without a hitch, and afterward, I felt like I was a teenager again. Since that day, Dr. Keller has passed away, and so I had to find another doctor. I went to two to three other doctors, and they all made me feel like I was crazy. They said that being overweight was causing the widespread pelvic pain. I knew that this was not true.
So I looked into a fertility specialist, thinking that maybe a fertility specialist would know more about endometriosis since endometriosis causes infertility. The doctor that I saw was Dr. Moutos. When Dr. Moutos did an exam and vaginal ultrasound on me, he could tell that I was in pain. So now, four years later, I am getting ready to have another laparoscopic procedure. I am excited to know that in just a few days, all the pain that I have endured will be gone, at least for a little while. Endometriosis comes back.
The main reason I want to have the procedure done again is for the pain and so that I can get myself in better shape without having to be in pain while exercising. And hopefully within the next few years, I will have another kid. I have one girl who is almost 3 years old.
I hope my story inspires other women to not give up when the doctor tells you that there is nothing wrong, when you know your body and you know that something is wrong.
Laura
Arkansas
Submitted 06/23/2016
The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
Dear Laura,
Beautifully written, you are quite a strong person and a great fighter!! I am so sure you will be where you want to be in life, just reading your story I could feel your confidence overflowing!!♡♥♡♥
I love your pretty and happy smiling picture with that little princess of yours!! Congrats on your will to fight !!
Laura, you may have endometriosis , it certainly does ” NOT ” have you !!
KEEP FIGHTING LIKE A GIRL SWEET THING !!
You are in my prayers! ♡♥♡♥
With love from Canada,
Brigitte xx
Dear Laura,
I also have a similar tale in some respects. I did not menstrate until I was nearly 16, but when I did it hurt really bad and caused massive bleeding and clots for 5-7 days. I never thought anything was unusual until I participated in colorguard and saw that other girls used these teeny tiny thin pads while I had to use extra large overnight pads. But even then, I just thought it was normal variation. Birth control reduced my bleeds to 3 days but did not help with pain, flow, cramping or bloating. After my first pregnancy all menstruation stopped. Somehow I managed to conceive 3 yrs later even without a period. Both pregnancies nearly killed me due to hemorrhaging. Over the years I asked many questioners but was always told things like “it’s just stress” or “you must be depressed.” After having some serious lower back pain coupled with a deeply held belief that something was really wrong, I changed to yet another new doctor. This one took one look at my written history, asked me a few questions, then said he was sure he knew the problem but wanted a blood test. The results confirmed that I had PCOS and he said he also thought adnomyosis. After continued back pain I had an ablation because he found uteran polyps. Back pain continued so I had my uterus removed; the surgery and testing proved I had adhesions, PCOS, endometriosis and adnomyosis. The adhesions regret and I had them removed alongside an ovarian cyst. Things were quieter on that front for nearly a year but the pelvic and lower back pain reemerged and now I am trying to decide whether to try Lupron or to remove my right ovary. It’s been a long journey and I am still shocked that I conceived twice naturally. I think you are very brave to share your story and I am thinking I might blog as well. I wish you luck and health and happiness.
Dear Elisa,
You as Laura are quite brave and fearless, you struggle with alot of pain and I am quite sure very painful and yet I read your story and feel your determination to be the best of you !!
KEEP FIGHTING LIKE A GIRL ELISA! ♥♥
PLEASE DO WRITE YOUR STORY , THERE IS ALOT OF FRIENDLY SUPPORT ON THIS GREAT CLUB OF STRONG FIGHTERS !!
With love from Canada,
Brigitte