Endo while being a uni student

[Ilbc]

Hello,

I was wondering if there are any fellow uni students suffering with endometriosis.

I am 19 and struggling a lot with pain and fatigue and how much life has changed over the past couple years. My symptoms started when I was 16 or 17 and I am currently waiting for a referral to gynaecology after a serious flare up.

Adjusting to being so young and being in chronic pain isn't something I thought I would have to deal with. I can't really drink anymore or go out much and I often miss uni. I am struggling with the reality of this condition. Anyone in a similar position?

[Flyierbcshsu]

Hi - I'm not at uni anymore (late 20s) but I was diagnosed at uni via emergency surgery and it pretty much wiped out some of third year and all of final year. I really sympathise with how you're feeling. I felt so lonely - it was like everyone else could do anything they wanted and never even consider whether their bodies might cope, whereas I (in comparison) was a total mess with pain, painkillers, loads of medical appointments, etc.

Have you spoken to your personal tutor or similar about the effects it's having? I had extra consideration given from a results perspective due to the impact it had on my time and energy.

You won't be the only one, even if it might feel like it now, who's got medical stuff going on. If there's any option of counselling I'd take it, otherwise I just tried to focus on being glad I got diagnosed early (I won't lie, it didn't work most of the time!).

Do your close friends know? Mine didn't really "get it" but they tried, which did help a little bit.

[Shellbell2023]

Hi 👋🏻 currently at uni attempting a PhD ( and work as clinical teaching staff at the uni) while awaiting full hysterectomy so I understand how you feel with regards to missing uni etc ( a bit too old now for the going out but lol) but I have been open and honest, the uni has been understanding and extended deadlines when I needed it. As the previous comment mentioned, talk to your personal tutor and explain the situation, if you don't feel comfortable with them, then just any staff member you do feel comfortable with or have a good relationship with. I can promise you there are other students in similar situations to you and the staff have seen and heard all this before so they are generally more than happy to help and find a way to make your course and workload manageable.

I will say this, make sure to advise them BEFORE you miss deadlines exams etc, it is much easier to get extension if they know what's going on beforehand rather than trying to make a case afterwards! Good luck 💛

[KittyCatRockstar]

Hi! I’m 19 too, in my second year of uni and was diagnosed with adenomyosis and suspected endometriosis when I was sitting my a level exams. I completely understand what you’re saying about missing out and missing uni- it can be very hard and isolating. As the previous commenters mentioned, talking to your academic mentor/personal tutor can really help. I was really nervous to talk to mine during my first year, but she had relatives who had endo so she understood what I was going through and she helped me get accommodations so that I could have breaks in my exams, sit down during labs, get more extensions etc, all of which have been very helpful for me. I needed a letter from my GP to prove I had the conditions I said I had, but other than that the process was pretty straightforward. I also told my flatmates about my conditions and they were great when I was struggling and would let me rant to them about things, which I very much appreciated.

I know that it can be hard going through uni with a chronic illness like endo, but you’re not alone. I hope your appointment goes well and I wish you all the best x