I don't know if I have Endometriosis, please help!

[akmaioss]

I have recently turned 19 and have been experiencing pain since my first period age 11. ( I am from Cardiff, Wales ) The pain used to be unbearable, I would miss so much school, my anxiety was horrible because of it. I even ended up in A&E when I was 16 as the pain was so bad, where I had to stay two nights and be on the IV, as well as take strong anti-biotics for two weeks. I have been going to the doctors for these pain since I remember the pain starting, I've tried multiple different doctors, and I have had countless scans. When I was 17, they admitted me to a Gynaecologist, where she said I might have Endometriosis, but she did not want to do a laparoscopy on me. She then dismissed me, and put me on birth control to stop my period, which I have been on since then. However, I get random bleedings and the pain is still there, just not as severe and as much. I also got tested for IBS and Celiac and both were negative.

Since I have started University in September, I am trying to see if the doctors there will do it differently, at the moment, she just wants me to have a vaginal swab test.

I don't know what to do. I don't really need the pill, I'm not sexually active, and it's not helping much. I also just want to get help for this, I'm scared that I am infertile, or that I do have Endometriosis and it's being left untreated. I know I could go privately, but it's a lot of money and I don't know who would be the correct doctor for it. I also feel like I should not be paying for this if its free on the NHS.

My symptoms from when I first remember the pains are:

- Heavy bleeding and long periods.

- Cramps in my thighs and lower abdomen as well as near the ovaries, which were so bad that I would cry, throw up or faint.

- Diarrhoea

- Nauseous

- Dizziness, feeling weak, not enough energy to stand up ( I would have to stay in bed all day).

- No appetite ( I would hardly eat when I would be on my period since the pain was so bad, and I would throw up pretty much anything I ate)

- Constant pooping

- Only since starting the pill, I have also been having cramps in my lower back on top of all the other areas.

If anyone could shed some light it would be very helpful, I've missed so much school/high school, and have already missed a few days of university due to the pain. I have not been given a lot of information on what I can do to make myself better at home, all that works for me is my hot water bottle, taking pain killers does not help. (However, I've not how uneven skin tone on my stomach and thighs due to the constant use of boiling hot water bottles)

I just want to know if it could be Endometriosis or something else, and what can I do?

Thank you so much, Chloé

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A woman,s body is complicated and it can be anything.General practitioners have very basic knowledge on the subject and so do even gynaecologist.I don’t understand the sense behind stoping a 19yr olds period/use of birth country as that just masks the problem not solves it.(They do this not because you are sexual active but if you don’t have a period then you don’t shed so your pelvic is dry and nearly painless.

I would suggest you ask to be referred to an endometriosis specialist and the only way to know 100% is through a Laparoscopy as scans are not conclusive.There are four very good ones in London and all on the nhs.I’m sure a quick Google would turn out some in wales.I was diagnosed formally in 2014 at the Chelsea and Westminister hospital By Dr Richardson after years of being given the run around by various doctors and some even suggested it’s in the head(indirectly).

You are young so start now before it becomes too late for you as the condition is progressive through stages1-4 and sometimes you get lucky and your infertility is not compromised.So have faith.

Your symptoms are same as mine heavy bleeding,cramps,pelvic pain,dizziness and diarrhoea but it could be anything else or perhaps

Dysmenorrhea(Painful periods).

Be kind to yourself,drink a lot of water and invest in a heat pad that helped me through many a night and get a stronger prescribed pain killer as paracetamol from your pain description would do nothing for you.