Be a Voice NOT an Echo

Disclaimer: This story briefly mentions sexual assault by a partner. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 (available 24 hours) for help.

I really am blessed how I found this site. I’ve been struggling with endometriosis for 10 years. I am now a 30-year-old female and I basically diagnosed myself before my first laparoscopy I went to an OBGYN and I told her I know I have this, I’ve done research and I was ending up in the ER multiple times a week with pelvic pain, cysts on my ovaries and not a doctor knew what was wrong. My ovaries felt like they were on fire at first, my body was telling me something wasn’t right.

Finding relief

After my first laparoscopy I felt immediately pain-free!!! I was sooo happy, I had severe adhesions and appendicitis I didn’t know about because I thought it was just my endo. Turns out I had appendicitis at one time. My bowels were also bound to my intestines from the scar tissue.

Trying to find something that worked

She put me on a depo provera, I did not want to but I made her a deal to try it. 2 years later I gained 50 pounds and told her I wanted it out and have an IUD put it, she didn’t like the idea because the depot was managing my pain so well… so she thought. In the 2 years I still had major flare-ups, hot flashes, endo belly and days when I just isolated myself and still do. She then recommended I go to a health coach for wellness and diet programming when I was already fighting a losing battle.

Finding a new doctor

My gyno suddenly up and left the office without contacting me. I found this out when I called to get my annual that’s when I was told I will be switching providers. Very frustrating. But I kept a positive attitude. 3 months ago I met with my new OB and he told me he didn’t like to treat his patients with depo so he took me off of it, and put me on orlissa. I mentioned already accepting the fact that I may not be able to have any children which is disheartening but children are a gift from God, and it’s up to him.

Moving forward

I asked about a hysterectomy, they wanted to be part of what I asked or took it into consideration… I’m at my point if this laparoscopy does not end my endo I will be asking my OBGYN if he can’t help to point me in the right direction Of Someone who can. This invisible illness has tried to destroy my life, but I'm here to say that I'm taking my life back and with a community like this I'm able to have the courage to share my story, and I won’t stop until I'm heard. I'm exhausted of doctors telling me to change my diet (which I did to lose weight and be healthy from the hormones I was put on) I’m don’t being pushed aside when my wishes are cut off without being heard, I’m over doctors telling me to get pregnant when they didn’t even know my past history or care to ask why I haven’t been intimate in 4 years because of pain with intercourse not to mention being raped by an ex-boyfriend. I am a voice, not an echo!! We will be heard:
Blessings so much and Thank you for letting me share my story,
Harlee