As you may be aware, I was diagnosed with endometriosis in February 2023, after years of battling with excruciating lower abdominal pain. Before a private diagnosis, it took months/years of persistence to get the GP and private doctors to listen to what I had to say and really articulate that this isn’t just monthly menstrual pain, but a chronic condition that unfortunately does not always subside!

I had previously struggled with months of endless sleep deprivation, due to waking up with stabbing ovaries that felt and still feel like knives digging into me repeatedly; different variations of pain (burning, pulsating, radiating, throbbing and twisting); and regardless, a lot of the time I wake up resilient to face the day ahead and mask the pain when teaching.

After diagnosis and post surgery last year, I faced further symptoms after the mirena coil was inserted to supposedly prevent the pain of endometriosis. I had pre-menopausal symptoms at work (fever, fatigue, sickness, headaches, hot flushes) and eventually had it taken out - to which felt like agony.

I then went by another few months with fluctuating pain tendencies until the last 15 weeks of what can only be described as a never-ending rollercoaster, after a severe Mumbai stomach flair up left me in agony. After a recent gut analysis result, I now know that this is food poisoning, bacterial infection and food poisoning, alongside my endo pain.

I currently experience these symptoms everyday and yes face value - I probably look perfectly fine:

▪️sleep deprivation (wake up between 2-5am everyday for 14 weeks – This is improving now). I’ve tried many things (Regular visits to the doctors, Reflexology, Colon cleanse, regular massages, Hypnotherapy (for my IBS) and Reiki.

▪️fatigue - I’m quite an energetic, enthusiastic person, but my energy has fluctuated in recent weeks - lots of energy in the morning and feel like I could crash by the late afternoon.

▪️loose stools and bowel movements - 2-3 times before I get to work and increased agony.

▪️nausea (feel very sick in the mornings, so I don’t eat until around 10am after being up around 3.30am)/ sometimes I have been sick based on the side effects of recent medication given to me.

▪️loss of appetite - I know I’m getting married next year, but I have unintentionally lost weight.

▪️feeling faint, like I could collapse - I have felt this on numerous occasions - usually at night time after 8pm but can happen in the middle of the day whilst doing daily things like shopping!

Recently, I cannot travel anywhere without taking my fully charged tens machine (Myoovi); which at the moment is not touching the pain! I also carry many tablets and a pain relief balm.

When severe, it can feel like I’m keeling over in pain!

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So why support endometriosis?

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women. There is a lack of evidence into conditions like endometriosis and adenomysis. People tend to follow social media groups to learn from personal experiences, instead of relying on the various medicines that the doctor may prescribe you with - likewise, I have been an advocate for sharing awareness on my social media pages. A lot of times, I have faced complete dismissal from medical professionals and have reached the point where I am fed up and understandably frustrated.

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But what even is endometriosis?

Endometriosis (pronounced en- doh – mee – tree – oh – sis) is the name given to the condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body.

In the UK, around 1.5 million women and those assigned female at birth are currently living with the condition, regardless of race or ethnicity. Endometriosis can affect you from puberty to menopause, although the impact may be felt for life and surgery may not necessarily prevent endometriosis from returning.

Endometriosis can have a significant impact on a person's life in a number of ways, including:

▫️Chronic pain

▫️Fatigue/lack of energy

▫️Depression/isolation

▫️Problems with a couple’s sex life/relationships

▫️An inability to conceive

▫️Difficulty in fulfilling work and social commitments

However, with the right endometriosis treatment, many of these issues can be addressed, and the symptoms of endometriosis made more manageable.

It’s important to remember that:

▪️Endometriosis is not an infection

▪️Endometriosis is not contagious

▪️Endometriosis is not cancer

As a charity, Endometriosis UK relies on support from people like you. If you found this page helpful please consider making a donation. Thank you.

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**This is the 5th Summer Walk for Endo!**

Many people face challenges in the workplace due to lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of endometriosis and other menstrual health conditions.

Walk for Endo is a great way to have colleagues take a break to ask you questions and learn more about endometriosis, the ways it can affect people and how they might better support someone with endometriosis in the workplace.

A recent report found that it now takes an average of over 8 years to get a diagnosis - that's far too long!

**I will be walking over 8,000 steps a day to represent the years of waiting - feel free to join me on my daily walks throughout the month of July 2024. **

8000+ steps may not seem like a lot for someone so active as myself, however high impact exercises are currently an increasing battle and I have resorted to yoga, walking, weekly swimming, and dance/netball when I can.

Feel free to donate to my page for ‘Endometriosis UK’ to support the UK charity finding ways to support people like me, suffering with this debilitating condition everyday.

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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.