Living with Endometriosis

At the age of sixteen, I already knew I wasn’t normal. I was severely depressed and in chronic pelvic pain. I had no idea how bad things could get.

I was at a school dance, which was mildly enjoyable. I felt a little shakey and had a stomach ache, but I was feeling pretty good for me. I went to the bathroom.

The next thing I knew, I was leaning over the bowl in agony. I have no idea what transpired after I entered the bathroom, only very vague, hazy images of falling to my knees.

A friend went for help, and my older brother came in and carried me to the car. I must have blacked out again from the pain, because the next thing I remember after that was lying on my couch listening to my parents panic. I told them not to take me to the hospital, that I would last until morning. I had experienced extremely painful cramps before while on my period. The pain had never been like this, but I had heard from enough doctors and girls that I was just a hypochondriac, all girls were in pain during their periods, that I didn’t want to be a baby. I had a hard time falling asleep. I drifted off eventually though because I woke the next morning to my Mom gently shaking me.

My parents asked how I was doing. I was feeling better, and told them so. I went into the bathroom to scrape off the makeup from the night before. I used the toilet. I was doing alright until I saw the blood. There was alot. More than I had ever bled before. I freaked out and had my parents drive me the hour long trip to the hospital.

The ER people were very nice. They ran a series of highly embarassing tests. I had an exam to check if it was my appendix. It wasn’t.

Then a doctor came in. He demanded to know if I was a virgin. I was, and told him so. He told me I was a sixteen year old girl, so I was obviously lying. He proceeded to do a pelvic exam that would have made anyone scream. My mother had him removed from the room, rather forcibly. Then after a while, a very nice lady came in and gave me some Dilauded. It was nice to have relief. She rolled me into a room where they proceeded to give me an internal ultrasound. Very painful.

I won’t take you through the next four years of my life in such detail. I will try to be brief.

I was eventually diagnosed with Corpus Hemmoraghicum (sp) Polycystic Ovarian Disease, Endometriosis and suspected cases of Fibromyalgia and Intersistal Cystitis.

I have had two laparoscopies, a DnC, a hysterectomy and I had my gallbladder removed (trust me, it is relevant.). I have fought with four doctors, been to insurance H*** and pretty much been through the wringer. Trust me when I say that Endo is an invisible nightmare.
Oh, and did I mention I’m not even 21 yet?