What I wish I could tell you about my Endo, part 3

Ouch, not again I thought as I sat on the loo. It's not supposed to hurt in my belly, is it?

This pain appeared every month and I was fed up.

So I went to my GP who was savvy enough to link the pain to my cycle and refer my to a gynecologist. Even the gyno thought it was a bowel problem and it wasn't until she and her bowel buddy cut me open that the diagnosis and extent of the endometriosis was clear.

It was classed as 'severe' whatever that means. I didn't have any other symptoms apart from the monthly pains. I've had 2 surgeries to remove cysts from my left ovary, one before my first pregnancy and another a year after I birthed my baby.

Both times it was the bowel that gave it away. I am one of the lucky ones though. I had a treatment plan that worked (I was off treatment when I was trying to get pregnant, hence the second round...) and was able to keep the endo at bay. I have had 2 healthy pregnancies and only very occasionally suffer with the odd bit of pain now: scarring they say, from the surgeries and the endo itself.

My message is twofold, first, you know your body and you'll know if something is not right, keep pushing for tests until you have an answer. Second, with the right treatment it is possible to live with endo. Keep trying different recipes until you find one that works. Endo is a part of me, but it does not define me. 

written by your Endo Sister, Maria

Thank you iDAWN for collaborating on these series

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