I got my first period when I was 9. I was only 9 and I was dealing with heavy bleeding, debilitating stomach cramps, nausea, dizziness and fatigue. My friends didn’t get their periods until a lot older and when they did they had nothing like I was experiencing so I had no one to talk to about this with, I was so alone. However my Mum experienced this when she was 10 as well, so this was our normal. My Mum was biggest advocate and support, trying her best to get me through primary and high school. At 15 she took me to our family Dr and asked him to put me on the pill to help ease some of my symptoms. And it did, until it didn’t anymore. Eight different pills later and I’m constantly in pain and struggling to function. At 17 we see a specialist who agreed that what I was going through was definitely not normal. However decided I was too young for surgery. My life was hard, I could barely go out and barely made it through University. At 21 we decided it was time to get the laparoscopic surgery to see if I had endometriosis. They found nothing and I was devastated and questioned all of my pain and symptoms. For the next 7 years I struggled through work just to rest every weekend. I ended up in hospital a few times with ruptured cysts. By the time I was 28 my specialist decided to do another surgery. I panicked the entire time month before the surgery, questioning myself. I literally thought I had made all this pain up, that all these symptoms were in my head..
I have stage 2 endometriosis, it was on my uterus, bowel and bladder. I also had a cyst on my ovary which had also adhered to my bowel. I didn’t know what is was like to be pain free. It was incredible and life changing and freeing knowing that this wasn’t just all in my head. If it wasn’t for the support of my Mum and husband I wouldn’t of gotten this far. 💜 I’m due to have another surgery as I’m constantly in pain but at least I have my answer and feel grateful I have an answer.
