Laura's Story

I w as diagnosed with endometriosis in July this year, and I am 25 years old. Since I can remember I have suffered with painful periods. Even when on the Pill, I seemed to have excruciating pain and a terrible build up to actually coming on. With exhaustion, bloating, excruciating headaches, upset tummies, pain through my bottom when trying to use the toilet, shooting pains through my back and legs, constant hot flushes and skin breakouts. Not to mention the mood swings!!!

"The medication

was leaving me

like a space cadet;

barely able to function"

It felt like from 2006, each month my pain worsened. It became less bearable and controllable with over the counter drugs. I tried herbal remedies to try and lessen the symptoms to no avail. I felt that though my GP was very understanding when it came to listening to my concerns, his approach was to prescribe different methods of pain relief; codeine, co-codamol, ibuprofen, mefanamic and transexamic acids - until I reached breaking point. 

I can remember one month, sliding down the front of the pharmacy counter in Boots, consumed by this excruciating pain and flushing so hot I felt like my head would explode. Tramadol was the final point for me in having to make the move to get something done. Each month I was losing days from work because the pain medication was leaving me like a space cadet; barely able to function.

I was sent to see a gynaecologist in June this year who referred me for an explorative laparoscopy. This was my first ever surgical experience and I was nervous as hell! The staff were incredibly reassuring and understanding, and took their time looking after me and making the transition to surgery a very relaxed one. I came out of the surgery feeling relieved that something had been done.

The doctor showed me a number of images of where the adhesions were located; on nerve endings, in my Pouch of Douglas, on one of my ovaries and on some ligaments. I then left the hospital and went home, coming to terms with my diagnosis and trying to fathom the next step of treatment. I felt utterly confused by my feelings, and felt that I should have been relieved by my diagnosis and continued treatment.

"Having one 'clear'

week a month was

horrendous"

I bled for around five days after the surgery, and on my first day back at work, was hit by my most excruciating period to date. I can't begin to describe the pain; I took the Tramadol as quickly as possible, but lost another three days from work without pay. Having such an awful period so soon after the lap and diagnosis left me feeling helpless, like my life was dictated by the arrival of my period. My periods were arriving every 21 days at this point, and for a week before and after I felt exhausted and hormonal. Having one clear week a month was horrendous. 

My follow-up appointment with the doctor was disappointing to say the least, I felt like it wasted six weeks of 'waiting list time.' I was basically told I needed surgery to remove the adhesions, but because of their placement only one of the doctors could do it, and that I would be put on the list for surgery. I went to the meeting feeling incredibly hormonal, and just sat and sobbed!! The doctor seemed taken aback by my emotion and that of my mum; we tried to explain just how debilitating each period was becoming and how I was having difficulty facing up to the prospect of yet another painful month and more time off work.

Laura (left)

I was then prescribed Zoladex as I was walking out of the door! With a brief description, hearing the word 'menopause' at 24, with no partner and no children was a VERY daunting prospect.

I went to visit my GP to discuss having the Zoladex administered, and he prescribed Prostap, a less invasive means of having the drug put into your tummy.  I felt that I was rushing into treatment, and didn't feel well read enough to make an informed choice, I felt that I was so desperate to not feel the pain; I would have done anything to buy a little time. I was in my 'clear week' and booked the appointment for the injection for a week later.  The day before, I read the instructions and saw that the drug was only to be administered on certain days of your cycle. I rang my doctor surgery, requesting they check the information to be sure I was having it at the right time of my cycle. I never heard back, and upon contacting them, was basically re-read the information I gave them over the telephone. They didn't know any more about the drug, its side effects and when to administer it than I did. I had an appointment with an endo specialist the following Tuesday, so opted to wait and speak with him about the next route to take prior to surgery.

feel rushed at all; he was incredibly understanding and talked through all of my concerns. He advised against the Prostap/Zoladex treatment, seeing it as a temporary fix. I have been put on a waiting list for surgery within the next two months, for ablation of the adhesions, in the meantime I am taking Norethisterone tablets twice a day to stop my periods before surgery. I will then have a Mirena fitted to try and help control my cycles and pain.

My feelings associated with stopping my periods are strange. In the first few days of my cycle, or the build up, I would have begged for someone to make them stop. Now that I don't have them, working in an ALL female office with two girls whose periods have synced, I feel almost out of the loop. I suppose with my life, socially, sexually, physically revolving around my periods for so long, it’s like an intrinsic part of me is missing. I couldn't bear the pain, but feel like a key part of what makes me a woman has gone.  It makes no sense logically; the mind is a funny thing.

I can't wait to have my operation, and to feel more in control of everything, to not feel such pain. I hope my story helps someone reading this - I longed for a kindred during the first stages of diagnosis. It’s hard trying to explain the pain or your feelings about endo to people, especially women who 'breeze' through their periods, barely noticing them. This website with its personal stories and helpful information has helped me to no end. I would like to find a support group in my area ideally.

With lots of Love to you ALL.....Laura x