Errm... What?

Well it looks like you might have endometriosis…

If you’ve just heard those words from your doctor, here are some pointers we hope will help.

First off, don’t be scared, be attentive - in all doctors’ appointments and then be proactive. Endometriosis is an extremely individual condition and there is so much to learn about it, so start finding out as much as you can; go online, make notes about your symptoms and ask your doctors as many questions as you can think of about anything you want to know regarding the condition.

Next thing to do is to join as many communities as you deem worthy and necessary for support because even with the best family and friends in the world, sometimes you’ll need people that actually understand. Failing that sometimes you just won’t want to tell your parents, siblings, significant other, friends etc… that yes, you are in pain again and that none of the usual things are working and you feel like crap. The people you meet in these forums will give you advice, support and information you just can’t get anywhere else. 

After this, you have to become confident. You will go to appointments where they will make you feel stupid… One of the first doctors I saw tried to refer me to a psychiatrist because ‘there was nothing wrong with my body’, so it will be up to you to convince them that you know your body so you know when something is wrong. They might have studied anatomy but your body belongs to you, you’ve had it your whole life…you know it better than they do.

Finally, find some hope, because when you go online after hearing the word endometriosis yours is going to be in very short supply. Some days will suck and beat you down, you might spend some days on so much medication you won’t know your own name and then some days you’ll be so pissed off and in pain you’ll wonder what you did to deserve this. The answer is nothing, you didn’t cause this and it isn’t punishment.  If you have any of those types of days or any kind of day really, feel free to come hang out here because endo sucks, but life doesn’t have to. 

What kind of day are you having?