What's going on?? Fed up :(

[Pondering123]

Hi all,

New to the group - no diagnosis, but seeking some advice.

Im 29 and started my periods at 13. I have always suffered with significant period pain. So significant that I feel it's ruining my life (I say this as I'm sitting on the toilet, shaking, sweating, off work, having just been sick). I've been visiting the GP about this for many years, have tried a variety of contraceptive pills and most recently was prescribed naproxen just to take when it's bad- it has no effect what so ever.

Ive never had any investigations and have been told im just unlucky to get pain. My periods have and always have been regular, and last approx 4 days. I have, in the last 6 months, been getting discomfort and spotting between periods, but this is new. Smear tests always fine. I have no pain during sex.

My pain is severe. I vomit. I shake. I swear. I can't eat. At its worst I can't talk, stand, read or do anything. I can't bare clothes touching my skin as it feels so painful. The only thing I can do is sit on the toilet and cry, or curl into a ball. But it only lasts 3 days each time.

I end up cancelling plans and having time off work almost every month. I dread the day coming when I'm due on. When I'm in the thick of it, I feel like it's never going to end and get hysterical.

Should I be persuing this? I don't think I seem to have many symptoms of endo. But I can't carry on this way. And I'm so sure there's more to it than 'just being unlucky'

X

[Pondering123]

Update - forgot to mention I also have been diagnosed with anxiety and have had lots and lots of issues with unexplained bloating, chest pain, gas, stomach discomfort for approx 10 years. Have had ECGs and blood tests and GP asked me over the years to try gluten free diet, IBS diet and acid reflux meds (the latter seemed to help the chest pain.. the former 2 made no difference... But all still a mystery) - not sure if any of this is linked to my period problems??

[Christin_a in reply to Pondering123]

Bloating, chest pain, stomach issues can all be linked to endometriosis. So definitely mention these symptoms when trying to get referred /when you get an appointment with a gynecologist

[Christin_a]

Yes persue a diagnosis.

The amount of pain you are getting is not normal. If you are in so much pain that you are vomiting that is not normal that's not unlucky there is an underlying condition of some sort.

And your symptoms have already started progressing as you've said you now have spotting between periods. E ndo symptoms aren't a checklist for diagnosis. You might only have one of the long list of possible symptoms but that doesn't mean it's not endo and doesn't mean it's not worth perusing.

Initially my pain was only on my period which was light and regular and not to long. But over time it progressed to the point where for 6 months I was in pain every single day. Fortunately I had earlier in the year already started the ball rolling on getting a diagnosis, so if had the smear tests and ultrasounds etc and was waiting on my surgery. Post surgery I'm no longer in pain every day and I know what I have, which in turns means I've told my employer so they understand why I need time off etc. I still have pain but it's back to bring just my periods and since getting a diagnosis getting pain meds is 10 times easier as my gp isn't worried about what's causing it as we know.

If your gp keeps saying your just unlucky either specially say you think it's endo and see what their reaction is. Or and this is what I had to do see a different gp, I'm in a town so my gp clinic have some 7 Dr's I asked at reception find out one of them had additional training in gynecology and so I booked an appointment with them and they agreed that it's not normal and started the ball rolling on getting diagnosed.