Introducing myself...

[rach3110]

Hi guys, new to this, was diagnosed with endo last Monday after a four and a half year battle trying to get answers. Kept getting told it was all in my head and sent to pspsychologists, and although I am pleased to know that I am sane, it's been a bit of a shock at the same time even though it was what I was expecting. Feel very down and teary which has become the norm but I'm hoping this will improve when I go back to work tomorrow and get back into my routine x

[Nicky-G]

Hiya, I found it difficult to come to terms with despite suffering for years, and went through various stages, denial, anger, grief etc.

But try to think about the positives now, this is a major turning point :

You hadn't lost your marbles!

You can now start to properly understand the condition and how it impacts you- and research it. For me this was where I could start to help myself. No one else can, they don't feel what you feel.

This diagnosis created an opportunity for you to know your enemy- and that gives you power you didn't have before. Before you only had the symptoms.

When the time is right, you will brush yourself down, and decide to fight whatever it brings on.........and in between have your bad, tired, or painful days.

Here I just rest if I can, have a good cry, and try not to let those days define me, who I really am, or want to be. (It's a sneaky condition which messes with your hormones, it makes me anxious sometimes, saps my confidence, and I now know I tend not to even be aware of it!).

I have been astounded at the impact keeping a daily diary has been. It helps me identify patterns to my emotions, effect of diet, and when I get my different aches & pains - it depends what you decide to record! It also helps me know if symptoms are changing over time, to feedback to my specialists.

It has been proven that getting back to work can be therapeutic if you are able, so I hope this helps over the next few weeks.

Stay strong x

Nicky