A curious thing

Submitted by Fiona King

Endometriosis is a curious thing.  It presents itself in ways that makes the sufferer believe that it might be nothing; just a bad period is all.  It makes you think that what others are saying to you is true, that you're simply over thinking things and it’s nothing to worry about.  It lingers, settles in, and takes its time to do its job of massacring your insides. You don't know how long it’s been like that, all the time, or most of the time? Who knows? All I know now is that I have it.

My early teens consisted of dealing with it. Just how it is, millions of females the world over and they go through this period malarkey every month so why can't I? So I dealt with it. Alone.

My late teens and twenties consisted of questioning it.  I think this unusual discharge is not normal, are you sure you found nothing in the barrage of tests?  Are you sure it’s just thrush/infection? Being put on the pill by my mum at 17 was probably the best thing that could have happened. Not to treat Endo you understand but as I was about to embark on my first holiday with my friends my mum thought it best to 'prepare' me. Best thing ever.

My mid to late twenties were when I demanded to speak to someone other than a GP.  I had come off the pill when I was around 23 due to breakthrough bleeding and I just wanted to be hormone free for a while. Big mistake as it all sprouted wings and flew about my insides. So it was when I was around 27 years old I eventually saw a Gynaecologist, she didn't take me seriously at all. Eventually she agreed to a laparoscopy.

This is when it got very interesting for me. I saw first-hand how negatively a person can react when they are proven wrong.  In this case it was my gynaecologist.  She practically yelled at me after the surgery 'why didn't you tell me about the pain?’ Sorry doc, my bad.  You see my left ovary was stuck down to my pelvic wall with adhesions.  I should have had significant pain but I hadn't as I only had this vaginal discharge and having two periods a month (my big one and my little one I used to call them)

My late twenties and early thirties were all about research and information gathering. What is this affliction? Is there a cure? Interestingly enough I was told by the same Gynaecologist that it was all gone 'I'm cured'. I asked if it would come back and 'no' was the answer.  I never saw that Gynaecologist again.

It came back. Five years later and I had moved address and surgeries since then and got a new GP who instantly referred me to a Gynaecologist who spoke to me like I was an adult and I was put through the usual pill trials (again) but couldn't settle for that so after discussing the options it was agreed to have my third laparoscopy. I was in a new hospital, new doctor. The treatment was so much better.  I may not be cured; I didn’t ask if it will come back and the most important of all I was more in control of the advice I receive and the treatment I undertake.

You see Endometriosis is a curious thing, the treatment also rather curious but the medical profession well, I feel is the most curious of all.