Hi, I’m Jessie, and I’m 31 years old. Since my period started at 11 years old, I’ve had cramping to the point of being doubled over in pain, fevers, missing school, and the list goes on. I started having cysts at around 16 that would rupture, and that is when I first started going to the OB. I am so blessed that at 18, I became pregnant with my first child, which helped the pain subside. I should mention that breastfeeding also helped with the pain.
After I had my 3rd daughter at 24, that is when things took a turn for the worse. My doctor said and all the symptoms I described to him sounded like I had endometriosis, and we discussed possibilities. I’m a procrastinator and never followed through. I had my 4th child at 27,and again, after we were done breastfeeding, the pain came back with a vengeance. No amount of ibuprofen or having the heating pad on would help. There were times when I would have to go to bed and couldn’t move. The best way to describe the pain and cramping is like labor pains!!
I’m so lucky my husband is so supportive and helpful and tries to understand. I’m now scheduled for surgery in a month. I’m sooooo nervous, obviously because of the surgery, but also I’ve never been away from my children. But I feel there is no other option. I feel like when I do try to explain to others, they probably think it’s just a bad period, and actually when I did go to the ER for the pain, that is what they’d tell me. Now, I know how hard it is to diagnose this disease. Reading the other stories here made me tear up because, wow, there are other people going through this too! I have no one to relate to! Like others said, you wouldn’t know anything by looking at me. I don’t like people doting on me, and I don’t want my kids to see me in pain, so I try to put on a front. I just want to be able to be “normal”!!
Jessie
New York
Submitted 02/21/2015
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.
