I thought it was over....but it's not - Endometriosis UK

Endometriosis UK

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I thought it was over....but it's not

Samanna profile image
8 Replies

Hi there - 1st post and I'll try and not bore you all to tears. I'm now 42 and I've suffered pelvic issues since I started my period at 13, I always had quite heavy periods and increasingly every month the pain would get worse. By age 14 I was passing out with pain, hyperventilating and constantly being sick - after being treated for a kidney infection for a week in hospital I had an ultrasound (living in a small town the machine visited once a week!) and it revealed I had a twisted cyst on my right ovary. I had emergency open surgery to remove this. From that point things went downhill, I had another large cyst on my other ovary which required open surgery, and then severe adhesions that caused my organs to stick together, my urethra to twist and block, my bowel and uterus stuck together 'squishing' my left ovary so it disappeared - several laps later the doctors did what they could but they did advise me if I wanted a baby to make it happen asap. By this time I was 23, and with my now husband so we tried but it didn't happen. Endometriosis wasn't really a commonly discussed or widely know disease at this time, and this was definitely reflected in the treatment I received and almost first mention of it was a letter I received from a surgeon saying he operated on stage 4 endo. From now I would get constant Pelvic Inflammatory Disease episodes and I've lost count the amount of times I was admitted to hospital for treatment and antibiotics. Unfortunately, I had one of these episode whilst working away from home and the treatment I received at the local hospital was AWFUL, I could cry thinking about it. My mum and other half had to come and get me and I was discharged without having had any antibiotics.

Fast forward a couple of weeks, and I started to bleed strange grouped together clots, and the pain was bad. My temperature was high, I was freezing but it was nearly Christmas so I just ignored it and tried to get on - I didn't know that this was insides not coping and the PID killing off any live ovarian tissue I had left. Within 2 months, I was in full blown menopause with the most awful sweats, flushes, bone pain, depression - it was awful. When my gynae affirmed menopause, he put me on HRT for my bones as I was only 26 - within 2 weeks my head felt better but I was devastated this had happened and so was my other half.

Time went on and we kind of accepted the fact that we wouldn't have children, we were advised to go down the egg donor route and ask my sister, but she's a fruitloop so that was a no and the donor list - well there weren't any. It wasn't until I had a nearly fatal Hep A encounter I got a dog, and we decided to 'close' the maybe baby chapter by visiting the GCRM in Glasgow - they told me with the right donor we could have a baby no problem, and it would be best to go to an advanced clinic abroad so we did, and within 6 months, a few flights, 2 visits and 1st try I was pregnant. Words still fail me, regardless of what has happened to me I still feel like the luckiest woman alive to have my girl (now 10) and a partner (now husband) who has stuck by me through everything.

I had my girl at 32, lasted 6 months breastfeeding but then had to start my HRT again as the familiar flush feeling was coming back. All was good in the hood until a couple of years back. I've a bad back anyway with sticky out discs that pinch on nerves but it was the endo pain I was feeling again. The usual wait, scan etc and it's confirmed - adhesions and endo is back. I've been referred to a team in Edinburgh but there's quite a waiting list.

I feel like a lot of my family have wrote this off and have practically got the bunting out because I've been unwell for some time there's finally a diagnosis, and it's not fatal (not my husband, he's being a rock as usual). It's like I've dealt with it before without moaning and still smiling so I'll do it again, they don't ask how I feel, I'm expected to carry on as normal and if not I'm in a 'mood', I feel like they're sick listening to it and I believe they have probably said this to each other. They don't know the pain, the worry, the stress, the anxiety, the depression the everything that goes along with having this re-diagnosed.

I am always a cup half full kind of person, and keep up that persona but today ladies I am running on empty. I'm sad. I'm lonely. I'm teary. I want to get back to normal.

Has anyone else had endo at a young age for it to come back?

If you're still reading, thanks for letting me offload, it's quite a saga and it's probably no wonder folk get fed up listening!

XX

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Samanna profile image
Samanna
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8 Replies
AllthatGlitters profile image
AllthatGlitters

Hi Samanna I read your whole story and it sounds like you have been through a lot at a young age. I can’t offer any advice apart from I know what you mean, people expect you to be “normal” when you’re gone through pain, trauma and the unknown. This is why I like this site as you get to speak to others who are like you and can sympathise with what is happening to your body. It’s the emotional as well as the physical side we have to deal with. I get days when I am down, days when I am fine and I suffer from several illnesses as well as holding down a full time job etc ... it’s hard and really tough at times especially when I have to drag myself out of bed, I have no choice. Didn’t want to read and no respond, you are having a bad day, can you meet up with a friend or go for a walk, anything to get you feeling a little better? Xx

Samanna profile image
Samanna in reply toAllthatGlitters

Thank you Allthatglitters, really lovely of you to take the time to leave a message. I’ve got some time with friends tomorrow to look forward to, so that’ll keep me going today! I feel like I need to give myself a shake today for sake of my husband and wee girl but sometimes it’s just hard. I’m sure tomorrow will be a better day. Xx

AllthatGlitters profile image
AllthatGlitters in reply toSamanna

Yeah I feel like that some days, maybe have a pamper afternoon to make yourself feel a bit better 💖

Samanna profile image
Samanna in reply toAllthatGlitters

A day yesterday with friends that care and that are genuinely interested was like therapy and I’ve woke today feeling so much better. Could always fit in a pamper afternoon too though! 😘

lap1 profile image
lap1

I’m sorry to hear you are in pain. I’m 49 and also have severe endo. I have discussed it with my surgeon and his view is that for women over 40 or so who have completed their family ( e.g. not trying for more children) a total hysterectomy and ovary removal are the best option, with hrt add back but to include progesterone. I’m going down that route: I have my surgery booked in October. I don’t want to live with this pain any longer. I hope you find your solution

Samanna profile image
Samanna in reply tolap1

You’ve lived with it for a long time too lap1, I hope all goes well in October. I have asked for a hysterectomy so I’m hoping the Edinburgh team I have been referred to agree this is sensible and get this booked in. Xx

Galwambu profile image
Galwambu

I really empathize with you,oh my goodness what you have had to go through since such a young age.I read twice in disbelief,your story is heartwrenching and I hope you get a break. Am happy for you that you got to be a mum.Am in that journey myself hoping to be a mum via IVF.

You are so strong to have come this far and I know what you mean about family.I don't bother to talk about it especially to my family apart from one of my sisters who listens and is supportive.Others get weird and uncomfortable.So I feel you.Thank goodness for this forum.I wish you well in your journey.

Samanna profile image
Samanna in reply toGalwambu

Thank you so much Galwambu, hope you have a successful IVF journey - any questions or support you need please do get in touch. Xx

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