I have been struggling with my health for years. I was diagnosed very young with hypothyroidism, anemia, and ovarian cysts. Thankfully the hypothyroidism was gone by the time I graduated college, but I still get tested every year during my physical to make sure my levels are still good. Every time I had a blood test, I would always be told that I was really anemic. I took iron pills and changed my diet to correct it, but for some reason, I was always anemic when I had a blood test.
One day when I was at high school, I remember almost fainting because I had a very sharp pain in my lower abdomen. It felt like someone was stabbing me. I was rushed to the ER, and they found cysts on both of my ovaries. My mother thought that I would just grow out of it. But all I can remember is that every period was so painful. So painful I could barley walk, almost fainting because the pain was so bad. I just thought this was normal because my mother didn’t ever seem concerned. Maybe I just had a low tolerance for pain, and I guessed it was normal to have a period that would last 10 days. I have had several cases of cysts popping, and the pain was so bad I ended up in the ER.
I have always been prone to getting sick. I think that has a lot to do with me being anemic. I was always sick, missing school, missing work. I just feel like I have never felt like a normal person. I am always in pain all the time.
I have seen a few gynecologists that just threw birth control pills at me to deal with the cysts. The pills never worked, and I still got very painful periods. Bowel movements hurt so bad, and going pee hurt too.
My stomach hurts ALL the time, lower stomach and upper stomach. I am always in pain.
Just last year in October, I was having really bad bowel movements, bleeding a lot and having bipolar bowel movements. One day I had diarrhea, the next day I was constipated. So I went to my doctor, and they told me I was dehydrated and needed to drink more water. So I did that, and no success. I ended up in the ER because, one day, I could not stop bleeding. They said nothing was wrong and to see a gastrointestinal specialist. So I did that and told the doctor everything that I was struggling with. She said, let’s stick a camera down your throat and up your butt and see what’s going on. Found out that I have gastritis, and they found a pre-cancerous polyp in my colon. I was told to stay on a high fruit, vegetables, and fiber diet and have the test done every 2 years.
I ate healthy and got my life back on track. I was doing okay for a while, and then I noticed that my periods had started getting bad again.
I just recently had my yearly physical with a new PCP and told him all of my history and stuff I’ve been dealing with. The first thing he said to me was, “You have endometriosis and you need to see a gynecologist ASAP.” I had no idea what he just said, but I did not want to go through the pain of another gynecologist that wouldn’t listen to me.
Well I went, and surprisingly, the doctor listened to me and has scheduled exams to find a solution to my problems. As of right now, I am waiting to have one more exam to see if they want to go in and confirm that I do have endo. The ultrasound that I just had showed cysts on both of my ovaries to the point that my ovaries were not viable. I have been in a lot of pain the past 2 weeks. I just got out of the ER with a bladder/UTI infection, yeast infection, severe anemia and small traces of infection in my blood. I am on restricted bed rest for 5 days.
I am waiting for one more test. I am just so exhausted. I am so tired, and I just want the pain to stop. I am done fighting the pain. I feel like my body is shutting down, and I can’t take it anymore. I hope to get the rest of my results soon so I can have an action plan, deal with it and move on with my life. I ready to say goodbye to this pain.
This is my story, and my story hasn’t ended yet…. But I feel it will soon. I have hope and keep a positive mind set. I was really nervous about posting my story because I don’t really reach out to anyone. But I want people to know that the pain is more real then they could ever imagine.
If you are reading this and are having symptoms of endometriosis, go see your doctor. And you keep seeing a doctor until they listen to you. You are the only person that knows your body. Listen to it and do something.
Alexia
Florida
Submitted 11/07/2014
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.
Alexia, I feel so bad for you, daily pain is hard to deal with! I had terrible endo and bowel problems at the same time, and the doctors kept blaming my pain on my bowel disease. Then I had an ovarian cyst that was surgically removed and they saw that I had endo and adhesions all over. I had surgery to clean up the endo and I am pain free for many years now. I hope your procedure works for you.
Thanks for sharing your story and good luck.
mo
Thank you for your story. I pray that you are healed and free of pain soon like today. It takes a brave person to tell their story and personal health issues to the world and I commend you for that, may your every wish come true. I have a similar story but I’m not going to go all the way with my story because it is to long and to difficult for me to always talk about it. I was also diagnosed with Endomitriosis and have been fighting the fight for a long time! (Years) I suffer with severe pain for two straight weeks and on pain medication every month and the other two weeks out of the month, I struggle to get my energy back and bloating to leave my body. I have tried everything, I even had a hysterectomy (2008). I often ask God why me? I have pity parties sometimes and later pull myself back together. I have found that drinking two tablespoons of BRAGG organic raw unfiltered Apple cider vinegar, I mix in warm water helps to releave some pain. (Drink every day) Also, probiotics Lifeway Lowfat Kefir strawberry flavor helps to releave my pain. I drink (sip) 1/4 cup once a week. (It’s so thick) This remedy was given to me by a man I met fixing ATM machines for BOA. He was GOD sent. This remedy has relieved my pain from a 10 to a 4. I no longer run to the ER every month. (It’s been 3 months) i hope this helps other people suffering with Endomitriosis.
I know this is an old post and I hope you are doing well. I’ve been on the search too for potential answers to possible endometreosis. I have yet to get any answers or diagnosis because I have had the same problems with doctors shrugging off my symptoms. I’ve practically given up on the medical system as I cant seem to find any hope. The pain, the interruption to your life, wondering if you’ll have a job because you call in sick too many times or have to leave work…it wears you down. Im 33 and still fighting, and cant even get a doctor to consider a hysterectomy because I have no children yet and am not actively trying to get pregnant.
In my research, I have found that iodine may help with endometreosis, and possibly black strap molasses. I have only tried one, and havent had my period yet to know of it works yet but look into it!! Both have helped a lot of women!!! So I am sharing in case it may help someone.
Type in “iodine endometresis or seaweed endometreosis” in youtube and “black strap molasses menstrual periods” and you will see all kinds of videos!! Of course, consult with your doctor before taking iodine to make sure your thyroid is ok…but most doctors will still advise against it although most of us dont get enough iodine even though it’s in iodized salt and severe cramps, cysts, fibroids etc are due to excess estrogen & iodone regulates estrogen. And black strap molasses has minerals essential to combat cramps like iron, calcium, potassium & magnesium. Since it contains sugar consult with a doctor too because it can be a problem for diabetics or peoole with liver/kidney problems. Wishing you the best!