I am 18 years old and was diagnosed with endometriosis a little over three years ago. I have always had terrible menstrual cycles, hardly being able to get out of bed because the cramps were so bad. In November of 2008, out of nowhere, I got this terrible pain in my lower left side. It felt like whatever organ was there was going to burst. So my mom took me into the ER and they did all the typical tests and finally decided to admit me. I was in the hospital for two weeks feeling hopeless because they couldn’t figure out what was causing the pain. The nurses came in my room in the middle of the night to give me morphine just to stay on top of it. The doctors started saying in may be “psychosomatic” which is just a scientific term for telling me I’m crazy. Finally they decided to do exploratory surgery and found the endo.
After they diagnosed me, they put me on the pill which did absolutely nothing. Then they switched to Depo Provera which helped for a few months then stopped. Finally they put me on Depo Lupron, which pretty much puts you into menopause. This helped take the edge off the pain, but it was still there. The side effects of the Lupron is TERRIBLE. So the hot-flashes, depression, mood swings, all on top of agonizing pain, wasn’t worth it so I stopped getting my shots. I was on Lupron for over two years, when you are only suppposed to be safely on it for 6 months.
Even though I am now diagnosed, during those few months when I wasn’t being treated and was going into the ER nearly everyother day–literally– all they would do is give me more pain meds through my IV and send me home. One doctor didn’t do anything but tell me I was crazy and send me home. One said “Did you try lighting candles and just relaxing?” – like I haven’t tried everything in the book. Anyway, my mom and boyfriend were so mad they practically yanked me out of the bed and dragged me out of there without signing any discharge papers.
After my doctor tried everything there was to try, he referred me to the Pain Rehabilitation Clinic at Mayo in Rochester, MN. They taught us how to deal with pain without taking pain meds and by, instead, using different relaxation techniques and things of that sort. It was amazing and I still, to this day, use the things they taught me there. People still think I’m crazy and that I just like the attention. My dad, especially, doesn’t understand. It is really hard to deal with a disease like this when the people you love don’t understand or take it seriously. This is why I really appreciate these websites and am always glad to find them. (:
I believe that I am strong, I DO NOT let the disease run my life. I run my own life and I do not let it get me down. When I do get down and start to pity myself, “why me? I’m too young” etc. I remember that there are a lot of women out there just like me, I am NOT alone, no matter how alone I may feel. This disease has not weakend me, but made me a stronger woman. (:
Faith
Tennessee
Submitted 11-15-11
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.
Continue to hold your head up high. I’ve been through all of that and still experiencing many horrible things but just hold on help is on the way. I am traveling around the world being a voice for us so people can understand us and what we are experiencing. I have been fighting it 15 years and it has cause me to battle cancer and IC. But it has made me a strong women. And a voice for many women whobare ashamed to talk loud. I’m proud of you Faith. You have the perfect name now keep the faith that you ARE A CONQUEROR! Please keep in touch with me Quanda410@yahoo.com LaQuanda Hart. Bless up
Hey Faith,
My name is Jennifer
Let me start by saying “ROCK ON SISTER!!!” Keep your head up high and don’t let anyone lower it!!!!
I 100% understand where u are coming from I too dealt with endo I had to have a hysterectomy at 28. Because they couldn’t do anything else but it’s ok though I was blessed with a beautiful son two years before. If you ever need to talk I’m here! I have been through this & much more take care!
codys_mommy20@comcast.net
Hi Faith~
I came across your story on this website and wanted to tell you I know what you are going through first hand. Your story is very similar to what I went through at your age. Every time I went to my family doctor with problems with my cramps he would tell me I was making it up in my head and wanted attention! I ended up in a hospital at the age of 20 being told that I had endometriosis and that i need to have emergency surgery. My whole world flipped upside down at that moment! I found out that i had endometriosis since I had my periods since I was thirteen years old and never knew it . I had periods that made me sick , i missed school and I bleed through every feminine product out there. So yes, after having my first surgery at 20, I realized that my life may never be the same. Yes, i had doctors over the course of several months later tell me that I would need to be on birth control pills, if that didn’t work YEP good ole Lu pron! Totally wrong move on their part ,and YES I did Lu pron and yeah the side effects were AWFUL! I have done birth control pills, and everything that doctors told me to do each time but nothing worked for me! I had doctors tell me to my face I would never have children but I was determined that I was going to have them and have a lot of faith and prayers! I ended up having a daughter in 1992 then more surgeries and then 1999 i had a son. These are my miracle babies because I was high risk on all my pregnancies. Over the course of years I had a lot of surgeries ~ I ended having 7 surgeries in thirteen years and finally having a hysterectomy in January of 2003 at. the age of thirty -three. Yes, I can definitely related to frustration, sadness and most of all angry towards people who couldn’t relate to how I was feeling during all these years. But what I had most of all I had a great support system~ I had my family and my great friends who told me I would get through these hard times. Little did I know that YES, I would be there for my sister who has endometriosis and has three miracle babies. My sister just had a baby girl 8 months ago. Also, I just found out a month ago that my daughter who is 20 is going to have a baby next year! So yes, my life is fun of miracles once again because we are pretty sure my daughter might have endometriosis too. Faith, you just need to keep your head up and keep positive about everything! You need help or advice please let me know, You are a strong person and you have a great attitude that will help you so much for years to come. Good luck and I just tried to make this as short as possible but yes I know first hand how endometriosis can change your life. You are a great role model for all girls out there that are having such a hard time with this. Keep up the good work and stay true to yourself Faith 🙂
Faith, I am so glad that you found a positive way to deal with it. So many of us never do and are dependent on the pain pills and the horrible drugs like the Lupron to get through. I suffered for half my life before finally getting my hysterectomy 2 months ago at 36. Know that you are not alone. The first time I went to the ER they accused me of having an STD. It was horrifying. I wish you the best of luck in your journey and admire your great atitude.