Trouble getting going in the mornings... endometriosis or depression?

[St3ph00-1]

The question in short: is a nearly chronic struggle to get going in the morning a symptom of endometriosis or am I potentially depressed? Any solutions?

Background:

I’m 28, I work 9-5 and have always managed to power through my symptoms, I used to always be early to work all the time, for years. Symptoms got worse, had my first surgery, have had increasing pain since - in the last two years I’ve changed jobs to a much more financially stable and flexible job, as in I can work from home sometimes. I find getting going is getting harder. Can’t bear showering in the mornings so have to shower/bath in the evening, always push it to the last minute and beyond to get up.

Thanks in advance!

[Moon_maiden]

I’d suggest talking to GP for a full blood test, ask to include hormones, vit D and B, quite often deficient in B12 and D. Magnesium is a mineral often lacking. At least it’ll give you an idea and starting point. Drs get a bit iffy testing hormones as they can fluctuate.

I must admit I’ve struggled as pain increased, the only position that reduces is lying down, so I’m loath to move.

I believe that feeling crappy with something long term, like this, will have an effect on how you feel some days

Hope you get some answers and feel better soon

[St3ph00-1 in reply to Moon_maiden]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I’ll definitely do that!

[LokiSunflower]

Your story is extremely similar to mine. I always used to get to work and places early, but ever since I had my first laparoscopy my pain and symptoms have worsened, I struggle to motivate myself in the mornings and find takes such as showering difficult.

Chronic pain and low mood/anxiety are linked, so it’s probably a mixture of the both.

I agree, it’s probably best to get a new set of bloods taken (although because of COVID-19 it’s unlikely they’ll take these soon) but it may be worth trialing an antidepressant alongside pain meds etc.

Hope you find something to help, look after yourself x

[St3ph00-1 in reply to LokiSunflower]

Thank you !

[Kat619]

It's been proven that chronic conditions can go hand in hand with depression. Also depression can cause pain or in some people increase pain. Which since your in pain just makes everything worse. My advice is to get your hormones tested (better to know everything going on). And then look into a counselor that deals with chronic condition sufferers. It might help and they can give you some insights into coping mechanisms to help with day to day life. Also changing jobs and working from home more (No matter how awesome it is, Congrats on the new job) are life changes which can and has with many people caused anxiety and you guessed depression. Here's hoping you feel better soon 🙏

[Niamh909]

Hi there, I’m really sorry to hear that things are such a struggle for you at the moment, well done on managing as well as you are! It’s hard to really articulate how challenging each day can be when you’re in varying amounts of pain and endo symptoms.

Agree with the other lovely comments, going and getting more clarity around the status of your physical health would be a helpful next step, to clarify if there are any treatments required to help improve your health at this time.

Unfortunately one of the symptoms, as I’m sure you’re aware, of endometriosis is lower mood and impacted cognitive functioning.

I would suggest keeping a diary of your mood/thoughts/activities so you can get a clearer sense of what is going on for you on bad days and if there is a general pattern that could be changed in any key areas.

I’m a CBT practitioner and CBT can be helpful for people who experience chronic pain; encouraging a more adaptive and realistic approach to your daily life, increasing your confidence and better understanding the way you can control your symptoms (and accepting when you can’t). Through looking at thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

Counselling could be helpful if you are finding that acceptance of who you are with your condition is causing your low mood and lack of motivation. Counselling is about exploring how you see yourself and process difficult emotions, CBT is a more practical thoughts and behaviour change approach.

Wish you all the best, please let me know if you have any questions about CBT