Hi All - New Here

[TravelBug83]

Hi All,

Have just taken the plunge and joined this site so thought I'd introduce myself.

I'm sure my story is similar to many of the women on here where I've suffered badly with periods (started at 10 years old) which have only got worse the older I've got (in mid 30s now). Most of that time was told that's just how it is with periods and naively didn't question it much in my teenage years. In my 20s had countless trips to GP asking for help as symptoms deteriorated and involved bladder and bowel and got sent for regular ultrasounds and told I had IBS. Skip forward many years and due to needing emergency hip surgery 3 years ago (have had osteoarthritis since childhood) the hip surgeon saw large ovarian cyst when he X-ray pelvic area and refused to operate until I found out what it was. Luckily had enough insurance to see a gynae privately who drained cyst but informed me I needed urgent referral to an Endo Centre as I was a complete mess with stage 4 Endo. No one had mentioned this name to me before! Finally got my hip surgery whilst awaiting my Appt date at Endo Centre in London (6 month wait). Have been under them for 2 years now and had 2 surgeries, the most recent being just over 2 weeks ago.

Looking to connect with others on here struggling with similar issues and both find and offer support where possible. Look forward to chatting with you.