This lived-experience story is published in the writer’s own words. The term “PMOS” is preserved as submitted because EWA cannot safely assume what the writer intended.
7 years ago I was turned away from doctors because “I’m not a doctor, I don’t know what I’m talking about”.
7 years ago I was turned away from doctor’s because I was just “overweight”.
7 years ago I was turned away from doctors because “it’s all in your head”.
7 years ago I was told nothing was wrong with me.
For years, no-one listened to me, no-one took me seriously, and no-one wanted to help me. I sat in pain for days - I went crazy thinking it was all in my head. I refused to see any doctor for over a year because I was just being let down time after time.
4 years ago with the help & courage from my partner I went to a new doctor.
A doctor who listened to me.
A doctor who didn’t interrupt me & tell me to stop talking.
A doctor who actually believed me when I said something's not right.
A doctor who sent me for all the right testing.
A few days later I received a call back from the doctor telling me I had PMOS.
She helped me get onto the right medication to try and help, whilst still getting me in for more tests as something else was off. Within the more-testing time frame we had to move. I was gutted. I had finally found a doctor who understood me. Luckily after moving I enrolled into a new GP and got another doctor who listened to me. They carried on the previous tests and what-not, figuring out the full picture of my illness.
Not only was I diagnosed with PMOS, I also underwent surgery to be diagnosed with Endometriosis. Being put to sleep and waking up not knowing what the results were going to be was scary. It broke me.
For so long I tried to get help, but I was let down. I could have been helped much sooner.
This year I have had to try start my journey with fertility treatment, as I’m infertile. Heartbreak after heartbreak and why? All because no-one listened to me. A lot of this could have been prevented.
Now, having to live through all of the past & being told that we have to come up with a new plan because it’s not working, is heartbreaking every day.
I will forever be grateful for the doctors who finally listened to me, but I will also forever remember the ones who didn’t. I knew I would prove them wrong.
Listen to YOUR body.
You know YOUR body better than anyone else.
Keep fighting for YOUR body.
Give YOUR body the freedom it needs.
Living in constant pain will stick with you as much as the doctors who won’t listen to you.
Keep fighting, lean on your supporters, and ask for help.