My story starts when I was 12. I started my periods and they were always very painful and heavy, I would miss a couple of days off school at the beginning because of the pain. I did think this was normal as my mom explained that’s how she suffered when she was my age.

When I was about 14 I went on the Depo needle to stop my periods, the first few months went great, then I started experiencing terrible pains and cramps in my abdomen. So because of this reason I came off the needle.

When I got to about 17-18 I started getting increasingly bad periods and also pain during intercourse and afterwards I would double over with pain. I would get pain during ovulation and 9/10 times have a dull ache in the left side of my abdomen. When I went to the doctors they told me I had IBS. I knew deep down that this wasn’t the case. 

After about a year of experiencing the same symptoms, I went back to the doctors. At this point I was also worried about my fertility as since I came of the needle at the age of 17 my partner and me had never conceived. The doctor sent me for a scan at the hospital which came back normal. I was then scheduled for a Laparoscopy. By this time I was approaching 20. Unfortunately the week I was due to go into hospital I had started a new job and cancelled my appointed.

Nearly two years after I had decided that the pains I had weren’t there for me to put with. I had actually excepted them as part of my life and it became normal for me. Again, as with school, I would lose nearly 1 or 2 days from work per month due to my periods. I finally went back to the doctors and they sent me to the hospital again.

I had my first Laparoscopy done this year on the 1st June. After waiting all day I finally went down at around 3:45pm, When I came back onto the ward it was about 5:30pm. I thought they must have found something and removed it and now at least I could have some comfort and also try and have a baby which is something  me and my partner both want. The doctor who performed my surgery wasn’t coming to see me after my op as it was too late (which I found too poor) so the nurse was trying to read the notes with some difficulty, she explained that they haven’t removed any as there was too much inside me and they will have to schedule a two hour op to remove it. It is also inside my bladder as I had to have a cystoscopy as well. They also advised my left ovary is enlarged. So at this moment in time all I know is I’ve got a lot. I don’t know what stage it is and just how severe it is. I also don’t know my chances of ever having children.

I’ve had my follow up appointment come through for 6th August. I’m really fed up now this has been going on for at least six years, I know it was partly my fault for delaying my first op, but it felt like it took a life time just for doctors to believe there was something wrong with me in the first place. I just can't wait to go in and get it done, I’m worried about finding out the extent of it and I just hope it doesn’t affect my chances of having a baby.

I also have Sciatica which I have recently discovered can be caused by endometriosis. I honestly feel like this disease is swept under the carpet and people don’t actually realize just how down it can make you feel.

Update July 2010

Hi everyone!! I went to my follow appointment yesterday, as I mentioned before that after my Laparoscopy, the doctor failed to let me know what exactly was wrong. So I went yesterday to the Women's hospital with terrible nerves. My doctor told me I have bad endometriosis in three places. In between my womb and bladder, my womb and Pouch of Douglas (I hate that saying) and also between my womb and a nerve in my back. Also heavy scarring. He even showed me the pictures!!!

Even though he expressed it was bad I received some great news, he said there’s no damage to my tubes or ovaries and once I have had it removed my fertility should come back, which I just feel so excited and happy about.

I have to go on December 14th to have it all removed, he also said there’s only a 5% chance it will ever come back, providing they do a good job!!

Even though this has been a long, stressful process, I feel like it's finally coming to an end. I feel lucky because now I really believe I will have a baby. My heart really goes out to all you women that cant, I can't begin to imagine the pain. I partly understand because I really thought I would never be able to, especially when you're in a loving relationship with a good job and there’s a bunch of 16 year olds out there running around with kiddies.

Please be strong ladies, after all we are women. Can you imagine a man putting up with it?

Take care, I wish you all well.

Kelley's EndoStory has been viewed 502 times.

© Copyright Endometriosis in the UK 2000-2010