Since starting my periods at around age 14 I have always suffered with horrendous period pains. I was taken to a&e one time because they thought my appendix had burst, when it turned out just to be period pains. After this I was put onto the mini pill (had to have this one due to dvt in family and I suffer from migraines). For the whole time I was taking the pill it did help control the pain and cut down the number of periods I had. I am now 26 and at the beginning of this year I decided I wanted to stop taking the pill as I felt this contributed to my low moods, and also wanted to make sure it was out of my system before trying to start a family. After stopping the pill my horrendous periods came back and i am always in absolute agony for the first few days of my period, back and forth from the toilet, have been sick and passed out. It gets so bad that I can't work or do anything. Over the years I have been back and forth from the doctors regarding my periods and not given any help just told to carry on with the pill. After the worst period ever back in June I called the doctors for some pain relief and an appointment to be referred to a gynaecologist. I was prescribed mefenamic acid and tranexamic acid. These actually do really help with the pain and bring me back to normal, so long as I take them at the right time. Because my periods aren't always when they are due I have woken up several times at 4am in absolute agony.
When I went to see the doctor to be referred and explained my symptoms, my family history (nan, auntie and great grandmother all had hysterectomy and mother had womb lining removed all due to problems with periods), I was told I would not get referred, and that the most common cause of period pains in girls my age was sexually transmitted diseases!!!!!
In the end I took it in my own hands and paid to see a gynaecologist privately. Firstly he did an internal examination, then explained he wanted to send me for a scan to check for cysts or fibroids. If this was clear then he would recommend a laparoscopy to look for endometriosis. My scan was completely clear showing no cysts or fibroids, so at my next appointment with him he recommended that I go ahead with a laparoscopy.
Leading up to my appointment I spoke to more friends and clients...I couldn't believe how many people had it or knew someone with endometriosis. This was good to get info about endometriosis and what to expect from the surgery. From talking to one client with endometriosis my symptoms seemed to be exactly the same as hers. Because of how much I suffer I felt like I knew that I had endometriosis as that seemed to be the only explaination and my symptoms seemed to fit.
On Monday I had my laparoscopy. I was told by the consultant that he did find endometriosis on my bladder and around my pelvic area, and that it was stage 2. He managed to remove it and said he was pleased with how it looked after. He told me that it will affect my fertility but I am still young enough, although when I feel ready I should start trying sooner rather than later. If I'm not going to start trying for a family then he has said I will need to go back onto the pill or have a coil fitted to help to try and avoid the endometriosis coming back as this is very common. This is now a conversation I am going to have to have with my partner.
The surgery was fine, I stayed in overnight as I didn't actually go down until 7.45pm and left at a similar time the following evening evening. Prior to my surgery I had looked at other people's laparoscopy experiences and what to expect after. I have actually found that the 4 incisions in my pelvic area haven't been too bad, they're a little uncomfortable but bearable pain (and I don't do well with pain). The most pain I have experienced is in my shoulders with the trapped gas where they fill you with co2. I am trying to keep mobile and drink peppermint tea to help with this, but this pain is definitely the worst bit.
Despite it not being great news, I am glad I now have a diagnosis, so that now I can deal with this accordingly and know that there is a reason for my suffering. hopefully now he has removed I will not suffer so badly anymore!
The point of my very long story is if you feel like something isnt right then you must push to do something about it. I'm quite a confident person who will stand up for myself, but it worries me that some people are not and would just take what that awful doctor said to me. It has taken me 12 years to get a diagnosis and it disgusts me that this seems to be so common, even though endometriosis is such a common thing! My next essay to write is a letter of complaint to my doctors surgery!
Pain on the side I had most endometriosis removed through laparoscopy a week later 
Can anyone help me explain this?
Undiagnosed and Upset!
Still in pain after laparoscopy
Push for a Laparoscopy? 
