Started So Young

By Ker_Ber

1 min read

When I was 7 years old I woke up to a stabbing pain at 2am. Got rushed to the hospital and nothing was found.

The pain increased with time

When I was young I would have a flare maybe 1-2 times a year (2am most times) but as I got older the pain increased and started having flares more often. Went to the ER multiple times for nothing to be found. Lost friends and jobs because of the pain.

The doctor that finally listened

Finally, at the age of 24 I had a dr say let’s do exploratory surgery and they found endometriosis. Since then it’s been a crazy life but at least I have a diagnosis and a great support system that no longer thinks it’s just in my head.

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Keri WigintonMember
I am so sorry to hear you’re having trouble managing your moods. I’ve had PMDD since I was a teenager, and I understand you not wanting to take antidepressants all the time. One thing to consider might be taking an SSRI antidepressant only before your period starts. This is a medical treatment for PMDD, and it’s different than treating general depression. Doctors think the mood instability and sadness that comes with PMDD is caused by the way the body processes serotonin. Some peopel are very sensitive to these changes, including folks with endometriosis. Personally, taking an SSRI immediately improved my mood before my period…as in within hours. That means you could take it just a for a few days or a week to see if it helps— and that is how my doctor prescribed it to me. In case this is helpful, here is an article about my experience managing PMDD: <a href='https://endometriosis.net/living/pmdd-treatment' target='_blank'>https://endometriosis.net/living/pmdd-treatment</a> But know that you’re definitely not alone! - Keri (patient leader)
Kimberli DavinoMember
<inline-mention username="MRH48" user-id="6907561"/> happy you found this article helpful dear warrior. This journey can make us feel like we are so alone sometimes. I am so sorry to hear that you didn't really seem to find any good relief from the partial hysterectomy. It truly is the worst that we try everything and anything for just some sort of relief, yet, cannot seem to find it. I will say I too suffer with PMDD. My mood swings, and just how I feel all around, gets really bad. I always had the typical PMS, it was over the last few years where the PMDD started to show. It can be really hard to deal with. I have a therapist too, who also, doesn't feel I have any sort of mental illness minus your typical depression and anxiety. For me, it comes down to diet change (which surprisingly has a lot to do with hormones/mood), making sure I am exercising- mostly just light walking and talking to my therapist weekly to come up with ways to cope through anger and sadness. It's not easy, that's for sure. I know PMDD can be managed with some types of birth control but for me, BC just didn't sit well. I think there are vitamins and supplements that are supposed to help with mood/hormones as well but that would all be something to discuss with a medical professional. With that said, because we aren't medical professionals, we cannot tell you for sure if you are or are not suffering from mental illness. I would suggest talking with your therapist more about your concerns wondering if you are dealing with something like that. You can also get other opinions whether it be from another therapist, or any medical doctors you are working with. They would better be able to figure out what is going on and what you may or may not need. The same goes for managing hormones as well, diet, exercise, sleep, managing stress and maybe taking hormonal medication of some sort if that is something you can handle/your doctor feels is needed. Most of my blood work comes back fine as well which always stumps me seeing as I don't feel fine. I will say, traditional doctors many times feel blood work is 'normal' when actually it could be off. I would maybe suggest a functional doctor of some sort in this sense, if you are wanting to get a better idea of your hormones, blood work results, etc. Hopefully this was helpful. And hopefully you can get the answers and relief you so deserve. Just know you are not alone and you can reach out anytime to us. We are here for you. Sending you big hugs <3 -Kimberli (advocate)
Kimberli DavinoMember
<inline-mention username="Ker_Ber" user-id="4561040"/> So happy to hear you have been doing fairly well lately! I am so sorry that pesky flare has come back a bit. Glad it doesn't seem to linger as long though. When is your birthday!? Happy birthday! We will be sending all the good thoughts your way that you have an amazing trip and racing season too! Do keep us posted. <3 -Kimberli (advocate)
MRH48Member
I had a partial hysterectomy in 2012 due to severe fibroids. Prior to I had multiple D&G’s and my periods were the heaviest ever. PMS was never a thing for me until I started having the fibroids that led to me opting for the removal. Ever since then I have been on an emotional hormonal imbalance and I am really ready to get the help I need. Being that I still have the ovaries, I still get PMS and for what I now believe is now PMDD. My mood swings are insane and Its become so challenging trying to pinpoint when the symptoms start but when the sadness starts, at times it feels like it can last for over a month! Its so bad that it has affected my personal and social life. I do have a therapist that I have been seekng for some time now but she does not feel that I need any anti depressants and due to mental illness running in my family, past tense due to their passing, I am very sensitive to being prescribed anything that includes antidepressants. Im 48 and my hormone blood work all came back with good results so Id like to get any feedback in first letting me know that I am not suffering from a mental illness and what are my options in having some hormonal imbalance decreased. Finding this article helped me alot as I finally felt that Im not alone
Ker_BerMember
<inline-mention username="Laken Brooks" user-id="4124336"/> I have for the most part been pain free but lately my pain has flared up more. Enough that I don’t want to move. But thankfully it doesn’t last like it used to. I have my birthday desert trip coming up along with my racing season (quads) so I’m excited to see how well I handle that.