How does everyone cope with this, the sy... - Endometriosis UK
How does everyone cope with this, the symptoms and work? Today has been horrendous, it seems like it gets more painful every period.
Hello Lemmi,
I feel like I am just muddling through at the moment because I don't have another choice. It doesn't help that I have a 2 hour drive everyday as my commute and work a 40 hour week so I am looking at a bit of a career change but whilst I am so poorly as I have only just recently had my laparoscopy and diagnosis I don't feel that I can move jobs.
I am knackered constantly and that is my biggest problem. I am very lucky though that I have an incredibly supportive boss who also has long term health conditions so can empathise. I have also stopped trying to be superwoman and taking a sick day when I need it. Yes, it will annoy people at work but big deal! health is so much more important to me right now.
I am going to my first Endometriosis UK support group for my area on Thursday and I think that is going to help a lot as I will be able to build a support network. Maybe this is something that you could look into?
Other than that I am on a diet specifically for my endometriosis and this has helped with energy levels and pain management and I also have made it clear to my (again supportive) colleagues that sometimes I won't be able to do things.
I have a lot of down days at the moment. Mostly because I am 23 and I can't imagine feeling like this for another 30+ years and I have interstitial cystits too but I am really trying to focus on the positives and somehow this is getting me through at the moment.
I hope you find some help and support and am sending you get well thoughts!
Catness xx
I do feel for u. I used to work an hour away and due to taking tramadols would take 2-3 days off a month due to endo. My head was very understanding. I've just started a job much closer to home but had to tell new boss in my first day I have another op due in nov and will b off 6 weeks! He has also been understanding so on that front I've been lucky and I think it is a big deal if ur boss is understanding. I have been following the gluten free diet quite strictly and last month noticed a dramatic difference. I too can't bear the thought of over 30yrs of this but then tell myself after children there are more options, not easy ones but there are options. I hope u are feeling well now.
Thanks ladies. I was just having a bad couple of days. I have other medical issues such as M.E, arthritis and migraines as well as endo, after collapsing a couple of years ago with the M.E I had to stop working a 40+ hour week (which could take up to 2 hours each way to get to) and my hours were reduced to 15 per week (by doctor) but I had a boss who thought he knew everything about medical conditions and thought he was sympathetic (he wasnt) I had to leave and find a new job. Now working 25 hours a week in a new job (started in June) only to end up in hospital for a few days with endo! The problem now is that my new employer is a doctor and I'm not sure they are that sympathetic either. Sorry, like I said I am just having a bad few day, I shouldn't be complaining really there are a lot more people worse off than me.
We are all here to listen and support each other, you have to vent it some where and heres a great place to do it. We all have bad days and pain and discomfort is not nice for anyone, to be honest I have never experienced pain like I have the past few days and its getting worse, so I'm allowing myself to feel sorry for myself and to be selfish for once and just concentrate on me instead of everyone else! I find it really hard at work sometimes and the women I work with are all ok with me but have no idea what I go through every day. I havent had a pain free day for 3 months, some days its just not as bad, just trying to learn to manage it, I use relaxation and breathing techniques and also went for hypnotherapy, this has helped me relax but I still get pain. I hope you ate feeling a bit better, take care X.
