Recent diagnosis of endo and PCOS

[Jemma97]

I'm very new to all this, I got my endometriosis diagnosis two weeks ago and in the last two months I've also been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, I'm currently waiting for a follow up appointment with my gynaecologist to discuss treatment and where I go from here.

I'm struggling a lot more mentally than I thought I would have usually I would go to the gym when I'm down or upset but I haven't been able to due to recovering from the laparoscopy. I'm struggling with coming to terms with my diagnosis as I'm 22 and none of my friends or anyone I know has been through this and my family keep just saying it could be worse which it could but that isn't helping my current situation, I think I'm also struggling because I've had these issues for a few years now and I've only just been taken seriously despite being referred to the women's hospital twice before! I just wondered if anyone had any tips on how they came to terms with the diagnosis and what helped them? I also wondered if I changing my diet could help the symptoms?

[FluffyBunny123]

Hi , I’ve been recently diagnosed too, it feels weird to finally be told it and taken seriously, I think it’s almost like grieving for your own body and feeling let down I’ve been doing yoga and a lot of meditation and mindfulness etc and it helps you keep grounded and escape constant negative thoughts. I’ve done so much research and changing your diet really helps. I still need to fully do this as I’m such a lover of food and always eaten what I want it’s such a life change but everything I have read if you cut out or down on breads, red meats diary etc and have more fruit and fibre it really helps, keep going and stay strong x Jess x

[Jemma97 in reply to FluffyBunny123]

I completely understand! I'm glad I got a diagnosis because I know that I was right to fight for them taking me seriously and I'm glad I wasn't imagining the pain or being over dramatic which doctors have said to me in the past! I'm a lover of dairy too but I think I'll just have to look into a lifestyle change now to try and help with the symptoms. Thank you for your support!x

[Scho89]

Hi Jemma, I was diagnosed at the same age as you so I completely understand how you feel! I would definitely also recommend yoga, and I now walk a lot as well to get exercise even when I’m not feeling my best. It has taken me until very recently, following a miscarriage, to realise that I also needed to talk to a counsellor and get some help mentally - it is completely normal to be struggling after a diagnosis like this so maybe talking to someone would help?

Diet wise, I love food so struggled to follow the traditional “endo diet”, but the one thing I did find really helped was removing red and processed meat, and being mainly vegetarian. Hope that helps! Xx

[Jemma97 in reply to Scho89]

Thank you I’ll definitely try yoga once my stitches heal! Yeah I think I’ll take that into consideration as I’m starting a new job in a few weeks too and I just want to feel a bit more me! I’m open to trying to be become vegetarian and it’s something I’ve considered for a while now! What treated the did your doctor suggest if you don’t mind me asking? Prior to diagnosis most doctors have suggested the coil to me but it’s not something I really want to try but they’ve been very pushy with it xx

[Scho89 in reply to Jemma97]

I was really resistant at first but it genuinely is really helping me and I’m starting to feel a bit more like myself, so I know what you mean! Of course I don’t mind i had a laparoscopy and then was put on Yasmin to help manage the symptoms. It did work well for me and I pretty much got on with my life as normal, other than when I was on the break week! The only downside, which I didn’t realise until we started trying for a baby is that it is a strong contraceptive so it can take up to 6 months for your period to go back to normal after you come off it, so worth bearing in mind! Xx

[Jemma97 in reply to Scho89]

Thank you! I was on Yasmin for about 6/7 years from age 13 and it worked fine but then I started getting breakthrough bleeding half way through the course and I’ve had the problem with every pill I’ve tried since but I’ve not been on the pill for about a year now so maybe they could try that again, it’s just so annoying how it’s trial and error for a lot of pills!xx

[Scho89 in reply to Jemma97]

Yeah completely - I had two before that (Microgynon and another one I can’t remember!) and neither of them worked properly for me! Hope you find something that works for you