Dreadful digestive symptoms

by Sinead
(Ireland)

I get really bad symptoms with my diet causing many gastro problems.


Since the age of eleven I have had really bad periods and I would be curled up in a ball crying my eyes out, till the painkillers kicked in. Every month I got through it.

I just hoped every month it would be a weekend when the symptoms would start so I wouldn't have to call in sick.

About a year ago I couldn't take painkillers any more because my stomach would be so sick. Then the aches and nausea were happening more and more during the month. Now its constant.

I couldn't eat and drink water without feeling sick. I stopped eating altogether and I had to force myself to eat soup.

I am now off wheat, caffine and dairy products. I am trying to stay positive but finding it tough. Doctors put me on ibs tablets but they don't work.

Nearest gyne appointment is two months time. I hope it's endometriosis as at least I will have an answer. My symptoms are lower back ache (like I have been dragging something heavy around for hours), lower right stomach symptoms, (like someone is stabbing large needles into me).

I also get swollen glands, leg aches, headaches, constant nausea, diarrhoea, and swollen fingers. I feel tired all the time and no one can touch my stomach with me not ending in tears.

I eat really healthily, I take vitamins, I don't smoke and I don't drink. I don't know what else I can do?


COMMENTS

Name: Anonymous

Title:I hear ya girls!

Because of endometriosis I too am sick of being sick. I've always had anxiety as a kid, but as soon as I went through puberty it really kicked in with the painful periods and being sick ALL the time.

About 2 weeks before my period I get VERY bad symptoms, it starts with stabbing pressure on my sides (sometimes in the middle), then more pressure and sudden sharpness that trickles down the pelvic area.

There isn't' anything I can do to stop the pain besides curl into a ball and try not to scream. Sometimes it is so bad it brings tears to my eyes and can drop me to my knees so I can't even stand up. I get very ill, where I'll have violent diarrhoea and vomiting, headaches, unable to be focused, inflamed stomach, dizziness, can't eat certain foods, etc.

I've had to go to the hospital numerous times for pain shots. I get headaches, and am always constantly nauseous and because of this I also do not want to leave the house which causes worse anxiety if I have a job to do.

I am 19, and about to get a laparoscopy in 2 months time to get it figured out, also I've heard of this new treatment (I was told my options were a hysterectomy or pills to make me go through menopause,) that helps with the pain but does not put you through menopause. Maybe you ladies should check it out with your doctor's! Good luck!


Name: Nicole

Title: Trying to Hang in There

I am so sorry to hear about your struggle. I have had endometriosis for 15 years and I know exactly what you are going through. I've done every therapy out there (medical and non medical) only to be facing the inevitable hysterectomy within two months time.

I've lived a "normal" life but with constant interruptions from endometriosis: I dropped out of undergraduate studies three times from debilitating symptoms and surgeries. I've tried everything to not let endometriosis get in the way of my life only to have it rear its ugly head until I was bed ridden once again.

The most frustrating part of having endometriosis is getting the doctors to take you seriously; most want to keep pushing you off, giving you pain medication, and telling you that you are "too young" for them to do anything.

I just recently was in the hospital doubled over in agony and they were trying to send me home and I demanded to speak to the head doctor and looked at him crying and said, "What do I have to say to you to get you to realize the amount of pain that I am in? How can I communicate to you in words that you will understand?"

They ended up admitting me because I refused to go home and they found that my endometriosis had infused my bladder and I had a massive bladder infection and was urinating blood.

Don't give up! Be your own advocate! Do not let doctors trivialize your pain and struggle, you live in your own body, no one else.

If your doctor does not listen to you, find another one! I've been through at least a half dozen doctors in my struggle.

And not to say anything against men doctors, but I think I made the most progress with women physicians because they can relate to what a woman experiences.

I hope that one day we are rid of this nasty condition that plagues the 5 to 10% of documented cases, but until then keep up the fight and do not give up.