My Journey with Endometriosis and Chronic Pain
March is Endometriosis awareness month so I feel it my due diligence to share with you a little bit about my journey with Endo and chronic pain.
Growing up, I thought my period cramps were “normal”. I played sports, hung out with friends, and kept up with school work. I thought to myself “don't be a baby” or “don't wimp out”. I wouldn't let myself not do something just because of cramps because I figured, well other people get though them, I should be able to as well. A classic case of self gaslighting.
Through high school and college Advil was my saving grace. As I started to get a bit older the frequency and amount started to increase to the point where I was using 4 about every 4-6 hours just to stay on top of the pain.
Eventually I reached a point where Advil was no longer covering the pain. I would have cramps that would have me doubled over, in tears, and even throwing up from the discomfort.
Thankfully I found a doctor that believed my pain and was reasonably sure I had Endometriosis. She suggested an IUD to help with the symptoms. I had two failed insertions that had me screaming from pain. I have never felt anything quite so awful and painful in my life. I would have rather broken my leg 3 more times than even have an un-sedated IUD Insertion.
On Feb. 8th 2024 I went in for Endometriosis Excision surgery and a IUD insertion under anesthesia. A procedure that was thought to make my condition better. Unfortunately, I had pain for the entire next year. Doctors turned my assumptions away when I said I thought it was the IUD. I was told many times, to give it time to adjust and that surgery can take time to recover. Finally a found another doctor who believed the IUD could be the issue AND was willing to take it out under sedation.
It has been about a week and a half since the IUD removal and I feel as if I am a new person! I feel lighter, more energized, like I want to naturally smile more, less burnt out, and not like I want to be curled up in a ball all the time. It's as if I had a cinder block attached to me and it was cut off.
I realized that in the past year I have not gone more than three days without pain. Then I thought about all of the other people that exist with chronic pain like this and how challenging it is to experience.
Dealing with the chronic pain made workout progress exceptionally slow. It is and was a practice in meeting myself where I am at every day. It makes tasks longer, your social battery drain faster, and fatigue way more prominent.
There is currently no cure for Endo. I don't exactly know what the future holds, as it is very possible for symptoms to return again. It is very possible I may need more surgeries in the future. For now, I can be excited and bask in the freedom I have from pain. For how long? I am not sure.
If you or someone you know is dealing with Endo or any other type of chronic pain, please be kind to yourself/ them. Please believe your loved ones. Things that may seen incredibly simple to you, may seem like a mountain of difficulty to someone else.
Sending love to anyone dealing with Endo or any other type of chronic pain. You are a warrior and don't you ever forget it ❤️💙💜💛💚🧡
