Am I just sensitive? Or I have a medical condition?

[RainbowWoman]

Hi. I'm new here. Like extremely new, just created my profile. I'm not from the UK nor have I been diagnosed with endometriosis. I don't really know how to begin this... Maybe this is tmi... I don't know... I have always had painful cramps since my first period, when I was 11(sad), and very heavy flow and irregular periods. When I was in school there were so many days that I had to stay home because I was in too much pain; it happened literally everytime I was menstruating. Pills worked until I was like 13/14, after that only very rarely would a pill work. Heating pads are my saviours! Went to the Family doctor(not sure if that's correct but it's the normal doctor that you go to for checkups and stuff) and she, who's specialty is Women's Health, said that that was normal and I should come back to get that routine vaginal exam people get (I don't remember the name Paps/Pap something) when I turned 15, so I did then she then told me to come back when I lost my virginity. Which hasn't happened. So there's no point in me going there.

In the beginning of March, on the 4th, I went to a clinic near my home because I had been having pain in my "appendix" for 2 days the doctor felt my abdomen wrote a letter and told me I has Apendicitis, but I he then proceeded to tell me that I needed to straight away to the Hospital for surgery. So I did. I stayed there from 20:40 to 8 am didn't have surgery, the doctor felt my abdomen, did blood work and told me it wasnt my appendix. I had an IV of in her words "really strong medication" it didn't do anything so she did it again it didn't do anything I told her that and came home.

Two days after that, I was still in pain so I went to the Hospital again! Did an Ultrasound, blood work and was asked if I was ovulating which I had no idea because I don't keep track of that kind of thing. Was then told I "was probably ovulating because she could see follicles in my ovaries and it was nothing."

After that, almost everyday my tummy hurts, on the right side, on the left side my uterus sometimes hurts on the left side too. I feel nauseous when I'm on my period, I get chills and sweat, diarrhoea and its so painful that I can't go out or sometimes sit down, sometimes I put calming music on and take walks in my house for like 40 minutes straight just to try aliviate the pain.

I felt like I was being dramatic and I'm scared that maybe I am, but I'm also in pain. I know this isn't the same as going to the doctor but does anyone have any idea if this sounds even remotely normal? I read a little bit about pain and menstruation and endo is always the first thing that shows up so if you have any ideas you'd like to share please go ahead. Thank you!

[Amywoodx]

Hi, in my opinion, I don't think you're being sensitive and the pain is definitely not just in your head. I went through a similar journey especially in terms of the appendix thing. I was taken to hospital because I had extremely bad pain near my appendix so bad that I couldn't stand up. They were about to operate on me but the pain eventually subsided. They even did an ultrasound and said everything looked fine. Few years after I had the same pain again but it only lasted about a day. Not as bad but still went to the doctors and she told me it was probably a twisted ovary. She made it sound like it was no big deal and I carried on as usual. The pain went away. I'm now experiencing classic endometriosis symptoms. If I'm honest I think you should keep pushing for answers and go to see an endo specialist.

[Moon_maiden]

The pain isn’t in your head. I’d recommend seeing a gynaecologist. Someone you know specialises in endo. I’ve always had period pain, but managed most of the time with normal pain killers, until last year. I’ve also ended up with ‘appendix’ pain, it’s common with endo, but this doesn’t mean you have endo.

The only way to confirm is laparoscopy or MRI if deep. Keep a diary of periods/pain etc.

Please don’t let stupid comments from doctors put you off finding out.

Good luck, hope you get some confirmation either way. Research is very key.

[NetflixNoChill]

I was rushed to A&E with suspected appendicitis 4 times before I was taken seriously by my GP that something was wrong. I suffered for 12 years with what you are experiencing and in Jan this year, at the age of 26, I finally got my diagnosis of endo.

PLEASE fight, please don’t lay down whilst they palm you off with pain relief.

You know your own body better than any GP or hospital x