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Laurien’s Story (Endometriosis)

Yellow RibbonI was diagnosed with endometriosis a couple of months ago, when I was 19. I’m sharing my story because I want others to know that they’re not alone. I know how painful endometriosis can be, and I know that some people won’t understand what you’re going through. Yes, we look healthy. No, the pain isn’t always unbearable. But we’re in pain every single day, and it’s the kind of pain that keeps you from doing things.

I’ve always had irregular and very painful periods, but during the last couple of months, the pain was unbearable. I laid in bed all day and fainted every time I tried to stand up. People would say that I needed to “man up,” that every woman has periods and they didn’t act like I did. But I couldn’t help it.

One day, the pain reached an even higher level. I would move from one side of my bed to the other, not knowing what to do with my body and hoping I would lose consciousness so I wouldn’t feel the terrible pain anymore. I crawled to the toilet (walking was not an option) and called my mom, who was at work. I could barely speak. It felt like I was being ripped apart. Because I usually have a high tolerance for pain, except when it comes to my period, my mom knew something was really wrong and called a doctor. He gave me an injection for the pain and referred me to the hospital.

There, they discovered a large cyst inside my left ovary and a uterine anomaly. Three gynecologists later, I finally knew that the pain had a name: endometriosis. We initially planned the surgery for July 1st because I had exams in June, but had to move it to May 20th because the pain was too bad.

When I finally woke up from the surgery, I felt better than I had in months, even though I was nauseous and dizzy because of low blood pressure. The doctor told me they were able to save my left ovary, but they had to remove several endometriomas on my bladder, pelvis and intestines. I recovered from the surgery pretty quickly and aced my exams. I had to take Lutenyl every day in order to avoid any type of activity in my ovaries. I felt so relieved that this nightmare was finally over.

Five weeks after the surgery, I went to my gynecologist for a check up. I told her I felt great but I’d had my period. I thought that was normal.  I had only been taking Lutenyl for a short amount of time, and I thought my body was still adjusting. The gynecologist told me that this wasn’t normal. An internal echo revealed a cyst in my left ovary. Again.

It’s been 8 days since that check up. I had to stop taking Lutenyl to let my period come through. Ever since I stopped taking it, the pain has been as bad as before the surgery. I’ve been bleeding for 13 days now, and I haven’t left the couch. I know there are things worse than this, but it’s just so frustrating. I thought it was over, and now I’m back at the beginning…

I have to go back to the gynecologist tomorrow. We’ll probably schedule another surgery, my second in two months. I’m thinking about removing my left ovary. I don’t care if it can be saved. I’m so tired of feeling like this…

Laurien
Belgium
Submitted 07/08/2015

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.

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One comment

  1. Linda

    I too suffered from Endo for over 10 years. You are not alone. I ended up having a total hysterectomy. Thank you for sharing so that others know that they are not alone.

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