Hi my names Sarah. I have just visited your site and it sounds all too familiar.

I am 24 years of age and was diagnosed with Endometriosis finally after suffering with pain for 10 years and being told that it was a 'normal' period. I had been to the doctors numerous times and was sent away with various pain killers - none of which really helped.

I was then told that after trying all of those I probably had IBS and was told to just take painkillers and 'cope' with the pain. After being checked upon at the hospital about my so- callled IBS I explained to the consultant that I was in a lot more pain and that it was hurting when I was having intercourse. Straight away he recognised the symptoms and thougth that it sounded like Endometriosis so referred me to see someone.

The pain got worse in the meantime and I ended up going to the doctors with some bleeding I had and he seemed to think that I might have an eptopic pregnancy and sent me straight into hospital that day. After loads of doctors prodding and poking around - no room for embarrassment!! the doctor finally decided that I wasn't pregnant and that I probably did have Endo. After a few days of waiting they decided to do a Laparascopy and I went in as an emergency.

My whole life changed from that point onwards. I had never been in hospital, I wanted children and now I was faced with a 'disease' that i had not heard an awful lot about. Anyway, they performed the operation and afterwards the top doc came to see me, sat down at my bedside and said that the Endometriosis I had was so severe that if it wasn't for the fact that he knew I was desperate to have children he would have given me a hysterectomy there and then because the Endometriosis was so severe. I also had a cyst on my left ovary of two and a half inches. My bowel was stuck and one of my ovaries was stuck behind my womb.

He told me that the chances of me having a baby were very slim and at that moment I was in despair. All I ever wanted was for my husband and I to have a child of our own. The guilt was immense and at the same time I was in total shock. I stayed in hospital while I recovered from the operation and from that moment onwards I had important decisions to make and my life had changed dramatically. I have been to see the clinic at the hospital many times and have been on a course of Zoladex.

I am now trying to conceive but nothing much is happening and they have told me that my chances are very slim. My husband and I have looked at the IVF system and have now been put on the waiting list of 2 years. At the moment I am also looking into egg donation and am waiting on much hope of one day holding MY baby in my arms and seeing my husbands delight at the birth of OUR child. My husband is very supportive and has stuck by me with I have been very much in despair.

Get in touch - i would love to hear from you.