As it is the final day of endometriosis awareness month I wanted to share something more personal in relation to how Endometriosis affects me. I have been debating this month on how much to share as I do not want anyone’s sympathy I just want awareness of this disease to be out there so others recognise signs and are diagnosed earlier.
- Every day I suffer with various pains predominantly in my pelvic area and back.
- The pain I experience is as follows: stabbing pains, constant dull ache, nipping, twisting and stretching my insides, constant stich in my sides, feeling as someone is punching at my organs and burning sensations as if my insides are about to explode.
- It takes 2hrs every morning to get my pain under control to be able to move and start my day.
- I suffer with nausea and vomiting which regularly hits me so bad I have to rest.
- I have a constant urge to wee and most of the time using the bathroom is painful
- I am constantly tired and suffer with chronic fatigue. I have to plan my days to ensure I have enough energy to complete what I need to do.
- During the week I have to reserve enough energy to give my all at work
- I currently take co-codamol, ibuprofen and oromorph to control my pain to help me through the day
- I suffer with disturbed sleep due to endometriosis on my bladder which makes me constantly go to the toilet and I can get up at most 10 – 15 times a night.
- I cannot have a period as this makes me so ill I end up in hospital
- My fertility is severely affected as the chance of having my own child naturally is 5%, with IVF this increases to 30%.
- I have 3 endometriomas (cysts) inside me on my womb, right ovary and left pelvic wall, which are between 6cm to 9 cm in size. I have adhesions all over my pelvic wall, uterus, right ovary, bowel, & bladder with my uterus, bowel and bladder stuck together.
- I am due surgery in July 2013 to remove the cyst on my right ovary and clear up around that area to prepare and try IVF.
- My next surgery after IVF will be major surgery to remove all my endometriosis again which will entail a bowel resection which carries its own risks.
Finally I just want to say this is an overview of how Endometriosis affects me, this affects 175million worldwide which their experiences are different to mine. It is not normal and it is not bad period pains and finally a hysterectomy is not a cure.