I had always had painful periods, since I first got my period at 12 years old. I didn't know why they were so painful and the first and second days of my period were debilitating. I tried birth control in my teens which helped a bit, but had other unwanted side effects so I decided to stop taking it. By the time I was 32, I had just accepted these painful periods as a fact of life. But one morning, I was woken up around 5am with cramps that felt...different. It was a stabbing pain that just felt wrong. I managed to get back to sleep, hoping it was just cramps. But when I got up for work at 7am, the second I stood up it hit me. It was a stabbing, excruciating pain that felt like my insides were literally being ripped out of me. I did not know what was happening to me. I couldn't stand up and eventually fell to the floor. I was drenched in cold sweat, dizzy, seeing stars, and unable to figure out what had hit me like a Mack truck. As I started to pass out, I genuinely thought I was going to die. I was able to stay conscious by talking and praying to myself. The attack lasted maybe 20 minutes (which, as we all know, feels a lot longer than that). Finally, I was able to get up on my knees. I felt like vomiting but I couldn't do it. I knew I had to get to the hospital. In the ER, the doctor gave me a pelvic exam, then a vaginal ultrasound. Hours later, he came back and said that I had had an ovarian hemmorhagic cyst rupture with internal bleeding, and that I had been going into shock. I asked him what I could do about this happening again, and he said it wasn't preventable. He gave me an Rx for <a href="/treatments/percocet">Percocet</a> and I was on my way. Two years and multiple similar "episodes" later, I ended up in the hospital again and this time, my cyst was classified as an endometrioma, and I was informed that I actually had endometriosis. I was pretty devastated by this news, because I had read a lot about endo and I remember always thinking, "Well at least I don't have THAT". But there it was, I DID have that. I discussed treatment options with my doctor, which included birth control, <a href="/treatments/lupron">Lupron</a>, laproscopy, and of course a full-blown <a href="/treatments/hysterectomy">hysterectomy</a>. But I didn't want to do any of these things, and I was determined to do whatever I could to help my situation. What I do for maintenance is take the Percocets on an as-needed basis, and they've done wonders. <a href="/treatments/percocet">Percocet</a> is the only thing that enables me to be functional when the pain hits. They are a life saver for me and I can't count how many days of work, interviews, LIFE I would've missed if I didn't have them. Im also gluten free, dairy free, drink no coffee or caffeine, and heavily limit soy and sugar. I also limit alcohol as much as I can, because that definitely aggravates the pain. I take turmeric supplements daily for inflammation. If anyone has any questions for me I would be happy to answer them. My heart truly goes out to all of you - this pain is nothing anyone should have to experience, ever.

My Endometriosis Story | MyEndometriosisTeam

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My Endometriosis Story

A MyEndometriosisTeam Member asked a question 💭

I had always had painful periods, since I first got my period at 12 years old. I didn't know why they were so painful and the first and second days of my period were debilitating. I tried birth control in my teens which helped a bit, but had other unwanted side effects so I decided to stop taking it. By the time I was 32, I had just accepted these painful periods as a fact of life. But one morning, I was woken up around 5am with cramps that felt...different. It was a stabbing pain that just felt… read more

posted April 26, 2018

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Honestly, quitting coffee and caffeine has helped the fatigue. This is because my body now runs on natural energy instead of manufactured energy. I also eat really clean so I'm getting good nutrition. Exercise, whenever possible, helps as well and also helps me sleep better.

posted April 27, 2018

What helps you with the fatigue i feel tired 24/7

posted April 27, 2018

ar1ine - Changing my diet made a huge difference with my symptoms and I highly recommend that everyone with endometriosis does it. I have also gone vegetarian. Changing my diet has gotten rid of probably 90% of the pain associated with endo. I still bleed a lot, but the blood looks "healthier", as in the color is more red instead of brown and I don't have nearly as many clots. If I had not changed my diet, I would have had to go on Lupron or birth control, and may have ultimately had to have a hysterectomy.

posted February 17, 2019

Jennar12 - I had twinges of pain during ovulation but nothing major. The major pain would typically happen on the first and/or second day of my period.

posted February 17, 2019

Did you have any pain during ovulation?

posted February 15, 2019

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