Considering looking for diagnosis

[noodles__4]

Hi, I’m 22 and looking for some advice about possibly going to the doctors about endometriosis. I’ve had pretty severe cramps since I started my period, this has constantly gotten in the way of things like school and sport as i’ve had to stay at home (usually can’t stand up, feel very nauseous as well, also means i struggle to eat). Paracetamol and ibuprofen does nothing for me, most of the time co-codamol doesn’t but if it does has to be a double dose of 8mg or a solpadeine 12mg (doesn’t help with the nausea much either!). In recent years as i’ve become more in tune with my mental health, i’ve noticed a pattern of anxiety before and after my period as well (however i do struggle with this separately). I have heavy bleeding, on my worst days if i have to leave the house i will wear the heaviest tampon and period underwear. I also suffer quite badly with constipation which I know is related to wheat consumption for me, but since joining this forum i’ve seen a lot of discussion about women who’ve cut this out their diet/reduced it which has helped their symptoms so not sure if this could be linked?

I have quite a lot of anxiety surrounding doctor visits, often in the past i’ve been and told nothings wrong with me (a kidney infection on one occasion and glandular fever on the other). So i’d just like to know what the process is like and how I should possibly approach this? One of my main concerns is being forced into contraception as a means of treatment. I’ve taken a period delay tablet several times before containing progesterone and it’s caused me severe anxiety. I’ve got a history of depression, anxiety and eating disorders so contraception is not something that appeals to me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, i’m really getting to the end of my tether having this put my life on hold every month!

[Moon_maiden]

Hi

I’d say definitely go to GP and get referral. I’d think the anxiety is linked with hormones, sounds like you’ve sussed that out though. You don’t want to leave this years it doesn’t work out well in the longer term.

You don’t have to take anything you don’t want to and a hormone blood test might be good to see what your levels are at before thinking about any pill/contraception.

Metoclopramide is great for nausea. Diclofenac suppositories are really good for pelvic inflammation and pain. I use this occasionally, they aren’t an everyday thing. On a daily I take Duloxitine and paracetamol and then sometimes Oramorph. Pain nurse recommended Tramadol being better than codeine and it wasn’t too bad for a while. If you don’t want opiates then Nefopam but drs are loath to prescribe as it’s more expensive. If you did want to try it make the case it’s non opiate as GPs get just as reluctant to prescribe those anyway. We can’t win sometimes 😂

I been in positions where GP has tried to not do things but given up when I’ve made good points so they rarely bother to say no these days. Don’t let them gaslight and if possible have someone with you as they are less likely to palm you off. Which shouldn’t happen anyway I know, but does way too often.