Bad flare up, stressing myself out

[Clara12]

I think I’m entering into a flare up and am getting myself stressed out which I’m sure isn’t helping. Any tips for managing the stress and anxiety that come from this condition appreciated.

For about a week I’ve had really low grade pain in my abdomen which I’ve been able to manage but I knew I was approaching my period and when I start already in pain I seem to be much worse. Period came on yesterday morning and I had some of the worst cramping and searing pain of my life. Spent all day yesterday curled in a ball in bed with a heating pad and strong pain killers. Pain has been getting more intense and I had to call in sick to work today which I rarely do and is causing me mega stress even though my boss has been good about it. The cramps have not eased up and I’m really struggling with the pain.

To make matters worse and despite being on the pill which previously had improved this, I am having a really heavy bleed which is making me feel incredibly faint and shaky on top of the pain. I’m also anemic and this tends to worsen if I have a heavy period.

Also have endo on my bladder which manifests as urgency so when the need to wee comes on I am immediately desperate to go. Not too bad at home and next to a bathroom but stressing me out about returning to work and especially travelling there as once I need to go I have to GO and I need to find a toilet within minutes as my bladder is absolutely bursting. My bladder has been really bad today and usually this is worse in the week after my period so I’m worried that this symptom has come so early.

Sorry for the moan and thanks for reading/listening. Hope you are having better days than me and if not, much love

[Avourneen]

Have you been to an endo specialist Clara? If you go and get a scan then try to get excision treatment it could make a really big difference to your pain. I know it's hard not to feel anxious but if you don't get it treated the pain will end up being like this all month. I was in your position about ten years ago I got an operation and it really stopped the pain for about 5 years. Taking control of your situation is better than just worrying, when you period stopps go to your GP and get reffered to a specialist. Plus I would suggest asking your GP to put you on a pill with no breaks in when you take it. This won' stop the endo and you must get treatment but it will stop the pain whenever you have your period.

good luck. xxx

[Clara12 in reply to Avourneen]

Thanks. I have had surgery but awaiting specialist surgery for bladder endo which was delayed due to Covid. I tried pill back to back but got a lot of breakthrough bleeding. Might have been wrong pill, I will push for another pill and to try again.