New To The Community

I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Endometriosis in 2020. I have had painful periods and bowel problems since I was 12 years old and told my doctors for years about my pain and problems but they just gave me pain meds and sent me on my way. After I became an adult I started getting more symptoms (back pain, IBS and IBC symptoms, and fatigue) and still my doctors gave me pain meds told me to add more fiber to my diet and do yoga for the back pain (none of these things worked).

The pain began to affect my work

My pelvic and back pain became more frequent in 2019 where I had to keep calling out of work due to the pain but I fought through it until 2020 when the lockdown happened due to Covid. During the lockdown, I battled with pain still but just kept doing what the doctors told me to do to manage it. Restrictions were lifted and I got called back to work but the day before my first shift back on Monday, I got very sick. I was stuck between trips to the bathroom and lying in bed that whole day. The next day was the same so I had to call out of work. Still feeling horrible I went to work anyway and could barely stand from the pain. I had to leave only three hours into my 7-hour shift and go home. I slept the rest of that day, woke up the next day(Wednesday)no more bathroom trips but still abdominal pain and now I had back pain as well. I had no choice but to call out so my manager gave me the rest of the week off.

The pain became too much

Thursday the pain weakened a bit and I was able to get out of bed but Friday I woke up in so much pain that I could not stand up straight and I had dry heaves. I quickly called for an ambulance and went to the ER where they did a CT scan of my abdomen and told me I could possibly have Endometriosis and they wanted me to make a GYN appointment immediately. My GYN ordered a pelvic ultrasound and informed me that I had a large mass on my ovary the size of a newborn baby’s head and it needed to be removed. Tests were done and I was prepped for surgery in two months' time. Turned out I had two medium-sized masses on both of my ovaries and they were pressing against each other. After my surgery, I was prescribed Orilissa to take and it was a waiting game from then on. It took about four months for the medication to work but I still have daily pelvic and back pain and bowel problems.

Sharing my story and connecting

I have Graves Disease and Chronic Fatigue as well and now I am trying to find a balance between managing my conditions and having a somewhat normal life. I found this community after reading a women’s story of struggles with Endometriosis and it touched my heart and made me feel like I’m not alone. I hope my story connects and relates to someone as well.