Too long for diagnosis of endometriosis

by Carlie
(Kent)

I had a laparoscopy for treatment of endometriosis on 19/04/2012 and am slowly on the mend. I am now 25 years old.

I have been having awful periods since the age of 16 and was investigated at 18 and told it was a hormone imbalance and put on the depot contraceptive injection.

By the age of 24 I had pains in my sides, heavy bleeding, sore legs and pain during and after sex. After seeing a haemotologist for high blood counts, and having an endoscopy done by a stomach surgeon I was finally refered by my family planning doctor to a lovely Gyneacologist who did internals, ultrasounds, transvaginal scans and decided to do a laperoscopy, fit mirena coil and + treatment of endometriosis.

I have had three hospital admissions, and one laparoscopy in the last 4/12 and have been pumped full of morphine on all three!

Finally my surgery date came and they found extensive endometriosis on and around my right overy, looked inside my tubes, which were clear, looked inside both ovaries, and found more internally inside my right ovary.

They also found adhesions which had stuck my womb to my pelvis and unstuck that during surgery. I am now 2 1/2 weeks post operation and am planning on going back to work in 3 days at my job as a nurse but am still going to take it easy.

Endometriosis has had a massive impact on my work life, emotions and sex life with my partner of 8 years. I feel so let down by my GPs that I have been palmed off for so long and have had to suffer as I am sure too many other people have as well

My advice is to be persistant and you will get there eventually. Rest up after any operation, as some people go back to work within 3 days, which I don't understand as I am still on the sofa!

Talk to family and make sure you have support during and after treatment as it can really get you down.