should we have seen the signs?

It was the eve of my tenth birthday, I had hopped into bed excited for the morning to come when something started to happen. In such a small amount of time I was crying in pain, begging for help when my parents threw me into the car with an hours drive to the nearest hospital. I had spent my 10th birthday in a hospital bed begging doctors to fix me. Cute the pain. No one knew anything. I had a feeling a the doctor had mentioned I may have been faking it.

That was my first experience with endometriosis 15 years ago and it still feels as if nothing has changed.

At the tender age of 11 I experienced my first period. It was emotionally and physically draining and I couldn't bare the thought of it coming again. After several years of heavy painful periods, I needed to find something to help. 2-3 weeks at a time I would bleed. I couldn't handle this, I needed help. We seeked professional help but was often turned away and sent home with paracetamol. At the age of 13 I was on contraception. It helped with irregular periods but didn't help with the pain. 

Over the years I was told many things, I had an intolerance to dairy, gluten and wheat. I probably wouldnt be able to have children. Cancer scares. Everything but endometriosis. 

I started my own research into my symptoms and found so many others suffering from this chronic illness. I went to Auckland and attended a endometriosis seminar with guest speakers. It was amazing to see I wasn't alone!

My journey has only just started into the discovery and treatment of this illness. This is my story and I want to share it with you. Please if you would like to share yours, feel welcome to!