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About Me...
Hi my name is Cheryl and I thought that I was destined to a life sentence with endometriosis. I got that wrong.
I am now pain free, able to enjoy life and feel better than I have done in years and would now like to share my personal experiences on how I have beaten Endometriosis
I had my first monthly cycle at 13 – it was awful – I dreaded the arrival of it. For the next decade every month I was in endless pain it was crippling, agonising and the bleeding was heavy. I felt as if I was the only one who was suffering. This apparently was OK and normal and something I had to put up with
The answer to my prayers came in the form of the contraceptive pill – I took this for at least the next 10 years (taking me into my mid thirties). No more pain and no more heavy bleeding (bliss). There was a pill scare during this time and I decide to give my body a rest – Big mistake – back came the pain, the heavy bleeding, breast pain, brain fog – I could not cope
At the time when I spoke with my practice nurse her comment was “welcome to the world of real hormones” she did not try to help me. I started with another pill and continued with it for a number of years.
Time passed – I wasn't getting any younger and I decided to stop the pill and allow my body to start healing. Yet again all the symptoms came back – I wanted a pain free and healthy body
I was mentally and physically drained, all the signs were there ( fatigue, breast tenderness, muscle pain, leg cramps, migraines, heavy periods, acne, forgetfulness, cold intolerance, weight fluctuations, anxiety, thin eyebrows, struggling to exercise and many more issues) I had just learned to cope and live my life around it all.
I was at rock bottom, I was exhausted and could not continue on this path.
Was it normal to be bleeding heavily for 9 to 12 days - not being able to leave the house as you need to sort yourself out every 2 hours or so!!!! On really heavy days I would be soaking through a tampon, 2 of the thickest most uncomfortable pads you can get and then on to my clothing. I even used a bath towel to sit and sleep on. My flow and the associated pain were relentless the whole time. By the time I reached days 12 or 13 of my cycle I was tired, emotional, fearful and my anxiety levels were in overdrive. Not forgetting feeling so uncomfortable, irritated and sore
Respite comes until around days 22 to 23 and I was spotting then bleeding again.
The cycle continues and this was how life was for me
My GP did not really understand and would tell me that my symptoms were “Normal” for someone who had heavy periods, “Unfortunately you have to put up with it”, All women get it “ , Periods are supposed to be painful”, “It’s your age”, “Its your hormones” - the list goes on!!!!!!!!
I would ask myself “Is this Normal”, "How can it be”?
So I decided to take action I had to take control of my own wellbeing. It was not going to be easy nor quick!!!! Where do I start???
At this point in my life my symptoms included
Heavy prolonged bleeding for at least 12 days with large clots (clutching a hot water bottle for most of it) Endo not being diagnosed until my forties
Agonising pain associated with the stomach, pelvis, back, legs, rectum, breasts
PMS, fatigue, muscle pain, forgetfulness, cold intolerance, weight fluctuations, anxiety, thin eyebrows, hair loss, cracked heels, constipation ,dry skin
I had fibroids and a chocolate cyst (around 9cm). I was anaemic. My CA125 was sitting at 182
this was how life was for me - planning everything around my period
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