Hi
I have been reading over some woman's experiences and i completely empathize the vast array of differences that endometriosis has for everyone.
I had my first period late at age 14. I have always had irregularities with my period and more frequent bleeds then the common "30 day cycle". I grew up thinking period pain was normal, and throwing up from period pain was just my body overreacting to the pain. After a year of this i went on the pill (monofeme), which gave me a predictable cycle.
At some point around 18 i had an ultrasound due to no periods for months (pregnancy was ruled out). The ultrasound was only external for some reason, but it all came back with nothing. I eventually got my period and stayed on the pill.
By age 21 i was still taking the same pill but i started to get irregular painful periods. Whilist taking the same pill i was bleeding for 10/14 days inbetween periods (very roughly bleeding every 2 weeks give or take a 10 day radius). After a 14 day bleed one day off to another 14 day bleed i decided to go to the doctor. My doctor got me to triale more pills for many months with the same results and more alarming side effects like migraines, thrush and finally anemia (from the mini pill).
I went on the deprovera at age 22, and was told that i probably had endo. I still had random stabing pains in my ovaries but it was so much less then before so the pain was dismissed.
I was on depo for years until i moved city and was told that i had been on depo for to long (5 years) and i had to go off it. Suprise i had no periods for 6 months, but then it all came at once, heavy periods, 10/14 day bleeds a few days off then back to 10/14 days again, back aches, muscle aches, throwing up from pain. It got progressively worse while i was going up the medical chain to be refered to a specialist. I was spending 2 days a week in pain, movement caused more pain and heavier bleeding.
My next ultra sound (last year) showed PCOS and a cyst. I was booked in for surgery with the specalist but the cyst ruptured before the procedure so it was called off and put down to PCOS.
I got the mirena because of my history with the pill. I had lighter periods but still the irregular long bleeds, yes this can be from the mirena but i was still having immeasurable pain and 2 days in bed a week.
I pushed for a laparoscopy and a year later had one that revealed stage 2 endo. The endo has not gone through my ovaries but instead gone through my POD and rectum. The biopsy came back showing history of inflammation and calcite tissue from endo.
After surgery pain comes and goes, in 8 weeks i have bleed just as many days as i have not bleed (it all smells and looks different). My first "bleed" after surgery i went to hospital due to pain and blood in my stole but i just got told i was ovulating. Has anyone else experienced these types of regular bouts of pain, pain with no bleeding? How did you manage it ? (Im have been trialing diets, have been off dairy for 4 years).