Endometriosis is something that is viewed as a life sentence. An endless suffering. Unfortunately, due to the lack of education that doctors and other medical professionals receive, this is true far too often. So many women are coerced into numerous surgeries that frequently cause more harm than good.
I have been pain free from endometriosis for almost 6 years and counting. How is that possible? To start, I finally stopped believing all of the doctors who told me that the pain was "normal", and that some girls just have "bad periods". The day the game changed was the day that I was lying naked on a bathroom floor, having almost passed out from the pain. That was not normal, no matter how many doctors tried to tell me that it was. Within that week, I started researching. I researched everything that I possibly could about the symptoms I was experiencing, and all arrows pointed to endometriosis. I had almost every single symptom listed; things were finally starting to make some sense.
From there, I got into some groups on Facebook that were dedicated to endometriosis. I connected with a woman (so thankful for you, Jill!) who was able to direct me towards an expert that was somewhat close to me, geographically. I had learned that real specialists are few and far between, and finding someone local is often not possible. This doctor was in Boston, which was a reasonable travelling distance to me from upstate New York.
I contacted this doctor, had a brief initial consultation, and scheduled a real consultation appointment with him in Boston. I went to my consultation, scared out of my wits. I was only 21 at the time, and I was doing all of this without the help of my parents (because I hadn't told them, not due to any lack of desire to help on their part). We talked about my symptoms in depth, and he agreed that the signs indicated probable endometriosis. He told me that his intention, if I wanted to continue on with him, was to do a diagnostic laparoscopy and to also do excision if he found anything.
What is excision? Read about it here: http://centerforendo.com/lapex-laparoscopic-excision-of-endometriosis/
My research, persistence, sought-out connections, and selection of a true specialist are the components that led to my several years of being pain free. The fact that the only person that I let perform any kind of surgery or procedure on me was an endometriosis specialist is absolutely crucial, as is the fact that I had this surgery done at 21 years old. Early intervention and the involvement of an excision specialist can be the difference between prolonged suffering and being able to live your life, doing what you want to do every day without being limited by pain. It is absolutely possible, but we have to be our own advocates. The extreme majority of doctors (including gynecologists) are not taught about endometriosis, and often, the little that they are taught is outdated information.
Stand up for yourself, reach out, choose your doctors wisely, and act as if you value your well-being just as much as you would value your spouse's or child's. Fight for a future that IS possible.
I am proof.
