a safe place for endometriosis warriors

Long Island Based

[endometriosismemes222]

TW: Graphic Images

For the last decade, I’ve lived with advanced endometriosis. Endometriosis is chronic disease that has shaped my body, mind and life in every way. Even though I was diagnosed at 18 it took 3 surgeries & several years of suffering before I finally got a proper stage 4 diagnosis with adenomyosis. Endo has meant endless pain, uncertainty, 5 surgeries, medications, second degree burns from heating pads, organ fusion, the list goes on. It’s a relentless, full body systemic nightmare of a condition that’s often dismissed. On average it takes 7–10 years for diagnosis. This is not acceptable. The physical pain is only part of the story. Endo steals time, opportunities & peace of mind. Yet I’ve learned the importance of advocacy, patience, resilience & community. Strength isn’t the absence of suffering, it’s fighting even when every part of you aches. There are victories, small and profound. A day without pain, a supportive doctor who actually listens, or simply just surviving another surgery. These moments remind me that I am more than this disease. I know that I am capable of enduring, of healing in small ways & of living fully despite chronic pain. I am choosing to share my story because endometriosis is often invisible, yet it is real and life altering. I want others who suffer in silence to know they are not alone. I want to advocate for better understanding, more awareness, more research, and compassionate care for those with this condition. My journey has been long, painful & exhausting, but I remain determined to reclaim my life one day at a time. I am so grateful for the opportunity to receive the level of care I’ve received from @drchu_endodoc @seckinmd & their entire team at Seckin Endometriosis Center & Lenox Hill. Never in my life have l received such kindness, support, compassion and overall adequate care. While everyone talks about the relief surgery might bring, very few people talk about the complications and the reality of recovery. For me, it hasn’t been simple. I ended up with an obstruction, an NG tube down my nose, severe pain that wasn’t managed properly, incision irritation, and ongoing gastro issues that have been overwhelming. It’s scary, exhausting, and isolating when your body isn’t healing the way you hoped. Endometriosis isn’t just “bad periods.” It’s a whole body disease that can affect your organs, digestion, daily functioning, and mental health. Surgery is not a cure. There is no cure. It is one step in a lifelong journey of management. I am grateful for my parents both here and in spirit that have made this possible for me. To my family, closest friends & employers that have showed me grace, been more than patient, supportive & understanding while I navigate this and didn’t always feel like I deserved it. I feel so blessed and grateful, looking forward to a brand new life . 💛

[endometriosismemes222]

TW: Graphic Images

For the last decade, I’ve lived with advanced endometriosis. Endometriosis is chronic disease that has shaped my body, mind and life in every way. Even though I was diagnosed at 18 it took 3 surgeries & several years of suffering before I finally got a proper stage 4 diagnosis with adenomyosis. Endo has meant endless pain, uncertainty, 5 surgeries, medications, second degree burns from heating pads, organ fusion, the list goes on. It’s a relentless, full body systemic nightmare of a condition that’s often dismissed. On average it takes 7–10 years for diagnosis. This is not acceptable. The physical pain is only part of the story. Endo steals time, opportunities & peace of mind. Yet I’ve learned the importance of advocacy, patience, resilience & community. Strength isn’t the absence of suffering, it’s fighting even when every part of you aches. There are victories, small and profound. A day without pain, a supportive doctor who actually listens, or simply just surviving another surgery. These moments remind me that I am more than this disease. I know that I am capable of enduring, of healing in small ways & of living fully despite chronic pain. I am choosing to share my story because endometriosis is often invisible, yet it is real and life altering. I want others who suffer in silence to know they are not alone. I want to advocate for better understanding, more awareness, more research, and compassionate care for those with this condition. My journey has been long, painful & exhausting, but I remain determined to reclaim my life one day at a time. I am so grateful for the opportunity to receive the level of care I’ve received from @drchu_endodoc @seckinmd & their entire team at Seckin Endometriosis Center & Lenox Hill. Never in my life have l received such kindness, support, compassion and overall adequate care. While everyone talks about the relief surgery might bring, very few people talk about the complications and the reality of recovery. For me, it hasn’t been simple. I ended up with an obstruction, an NG tube down my nose, severe pain that wasn’t managed properly, incision irritation, and ongoing gastro issues that have been overwhelming. It’s scary, exhausting, and isolating when your body isn’t healing the way you hoped. Endometriosis isn’t just “bad periods.” It’s a whole body disease that can affect your organs, digestion, daily functioning, and mental health. Surgery is not a cure. There is no cure. It is one step in a lifelong journey of management. I am grateful for my parents both here and in spirit that have made this possible for me. To my family, closest friends & employers that have showed me grace, been more than patient, supportive & understanding while I navigate this and didn’t always feel like I deserved it. I feel so blessed and grateful, looking forward to a brand new life . 💛

[goth-queen]

[thoughtkick]

“The strongest people have a past filled with chaos, heart break and disappointment.”

— r.h. Sin

[heartdrift]

happy spooky season!!!

[littlebluebarista]

Ok breaking containment for this one because I need everyone who will listen to hear this.

Women who suffer bad cramps are told cramps shouldn't affect school/work/etc, but no one ever investigates further because no one can possibly know if what someone experiences is just typical pain or something much worse.

Well after 15 years of stage 4 treatment-resistant endometriosis that came with pain as bad as, if not worse than, actual labor contractions every month, all the while being told I was 'typical' and 'just had bad cramps', I've finally been healed (another post for another time). I have had what everyone describes as the elusive 'normal period pain' for several months now, and I am begging you to look me in the eyes and listen because I need everyone who can hear this to hear this.

I have been on both sides of this. I have the hard-earned knowledge of what a period 'should' feel like.

If you have to put in any effort to hide your cramps, you need to get help.

Even during of the PEAK OF CRAMPING (i.e., as bad as your cramps possibly get), you should still be able to stand, speak, walk, eat, work, and sleep with no problems. These tasks should require very-little-to-no extra effort beyond what you would normally do when you aren't on your period. When you do these things, you should feel grumpy and a little bit icky and maybe a twinge of nerves and NOTHING MORE.

If you have to sit in the corner and hope no one approaches you because you can't speak or stand without showing pain, even slightly, you need to get help. If your pain is showing on your face, you need to get help. And most importantly, IF YOUR PAIN DOES NOT RESPOND TO 1-2 TYLENOL OR IBUPROFEN, YOU NEED TO GET HELP.

Your period cramps should make you grumpy. Your period cramps should make you feel a little icky and tired. Your period cramps should make you feel your insides existing/moving a bit and a twinge of nerves that makes you groan slightly then the "pain" should stop there, NOTHING MORE.

If your cramps put you on the floor but you make believe you're the captain of a ship who has just been stabbed and has to hide it to fight on, and you force yourself to power through the day, please understand: you are not okay, that does not make you okay. Just because you can power through the pain doesn't mean you aren't sick. If you have to force yourself through any basic task beyond the effort it takes you to do when you aren't on your period, and I am holding your face and looking you in the eye as I say this because I need you to hear me: You aren't normal. You don't 'just have bad cramps'. You are sick and you need to get help.

Now most people will tell you if your cramps are beyond a 3 out of 10 on the pain scale, you should see a doctor. While this is usually true, you have to consider chronic pain CAN AND WILL BREAK YOUR PAIN SCALE. Most people will only compare pain they currently feel to pain they may experience one day but probably never will. "Sure these cramps feel bad now, but if I had a leg amputated with no anesthesia, that would hurt WAY worse, so this pain can't be that bad-" No. Your pain is what it is, objectively, full stop. My cramps were at a 10 out of 10 every. Single. Time. And nobody told me claiming they were a 6-8 because I thought to myself 'what if I lose a limb one day?' was completely wrong. 10 pain is 10 pain. And if there's something that hurts worse than that, guess what. The thing you are experiencing right now is still a 10 out of 10 on the pain scale. Just because you experience it every month doesn't mean it's magically not as bad is it is. And if your pain is worse than a 3 out of 10, you need to get help.

Now when I say get help, I mean find the root cause of your pain. You can't just throw drugs and hormones at it without knowing what it causing your pain. Endometriosis, fibroids, pcos, cancer, adenomyosis, polyps, thyroid issues, there is always a cause. And if you leave it untreated, it will grow and get worse to the point where it resists treatment and the drugs and hormones you've been throwing at it for years don't work anymore. You have to find a doctor that will investigate. If your doctor tells you you 'just have bad cramps' get a new doctor. I know you've been told that but please hear me: no one ever just has bad cramps. A healthy human body doesn't spontaneously cause itself pain so bad you can't stand up; there is ALWAYS a cause.

I was sick for more than 15 years. My entire life was put on hold and now I'm in my late 20s trying desperately to play catch up for everything I missed. I want to pick up 12yo me, spin her around, and tell her she doesn't have to die before she finally stops hurting. I don't want anyone to suffer the same fate I did simply because everyone told them they were normal. A little twinge of pain here and there is normal, suffering is not. I promise you your pain is real, it is not normal, and dear heavenly day I am begging you you need to get help now.

TL;DR: There is no such thing as 'just bad cramps.' If you feel anything more than grumpy, icky, and pain greater than a 3 out of 10, you need to find out what's wrong with you before it gets worse.

[youngchronicpain]

why are so many people more horrified by the fact that I have to take multiple medications daily than by the fact that I am in severe chronic pain every day? 

[endometriosis]

Yes! This!!

[endometriosis-andme-deactivated]

I purchased a chronic pain management book a few years ago and there was a saying in it that I still remember and use to this day, so I'm going to share it with you guys in the hope that it helps someone like it helps me:

Try adding 'and that's okay' to any negative thought you have.

All I did today was survive... And that's okay.

I need other people's help... And that's okay.

I had to call on sick today... And that's okay.

[endometriosis-andme-deactivated]

You are not a burden. You HAVE a burden, which by definition, is too heavy to carry on your own

[savant-gourd]

Screaming into the void, I seek a safe space to chronically shitpost to.

Ultimately this is a shitpost crashout diary. I may delve into drag. I will most certainly be complaining

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arm yourselves trannies the safety we seek is won by violence!

[teeshonestcorner]

Signs and symptoms

Hey guys! In this week's post we discuss the signs and symptoms of Endometriosis.

Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis include: -

pelvic pain

painful, sometimes distressing cramps which may include the rectum and legs during periods (dysmenorrhea), the pain may get worse at times

lower backache

nausea

excessive bleeding during menstrual period or intermenstrual bleeding

general weakness

infertility

painful intercourse (dyspareunia)

bowel issues such as constipation, diarrhea and bloating

tiredness and low energy

acidity and reflux problems

spotting or bleeding in between periods

increase in the size of the belly

feeling of tightness and unease in the pelvic region

low iron symptoms

fatigue and breathlessness

frequent urination

painful urination

night time urination and disturbed sleep

Dyspareunia meaning - a persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during or after sex

Dysmenorrhea meaning - severe and frequent menstrual cramps and pain during your period

The image below depicts a healthy uterus vs a uterus with endometriosis.

Photo from vectormine.com

When struggling with the pain of Endometriosis, it can be quite frustrating and exhausting to say the least, especially since there is no cure. Finding products and techniques that works is often an ongoing process of trial and error that usually involves a combination of treatments rather than one single fix.

What has helped me find some reliefs are: -

herbal teas - herbal tea may not cause the pain to go away but it can be very soothing on days when struggling with Endometriosis. I use the brand Bigelow

heating pad - the heating pad can provide soothing heat to ease cramps and provide pain relief

tens unit - a tens (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation) unit transmits low voltage electric currents to help relieve pain

essential oils - different types of oils are known to have different healing properties both physical and emotional. I use lavender in my bath water.

I hope this week's post was insightful, until next time, bye.

[clusts]

#endometriosis #chronic pain #chronicfatigue #pain #painmanagement #adenomyosis #iamsotired #icantgoonlikethisanymore #helpme #tryingtofindhope #depression #don'tgiveup #keepgoing #endowarrior #keepfighting

Having a shitty day. Hope you're having a better day.

[mamabee]

Managing Endometriosis: 5 Tips for Period Pain Relief

Menstruation associated with endometriosis is a continuous battle that cannot be resolved alone. However, there are strategies you can adopt to help you defeat the pain and restore your peace. Here are five practical tips to help you manage the discomfort and symptoms associated with endometriosis:

CBD for Pain Relief: Focus on using cannibidiol oils and cannabis products into one's regular schedule to reduce inflammation and relieve menstrual pain.

Explore Holistic Healing: Take a look on CBD products because they are some of the components that play a crucial role in sleep improvement and in reduction of pain sensation.

Save Money with Coupons: You don’t have to worry to end up in penniless situation if you precisely deal with pain caused by endometriosis. Type in prescription coupons into the internet search engine to receive affordable options for your medication or consult with your pharmacist.

Consider THC Products: THC in cannabis products, on its part, is used for fueling the end of menstrual cramps and inflammation. Try applying these methods as an alternative such as the tinctures and THC capsules that can be in use to ease off the discomfort.

Access Telehealth Services: Digitalize the communication with healthcare providers such as doctors through Telehealth services and his first-hand experience. If you are wondering if a telehealth consultation is a better way to be guided over your pain management, or you need a discount for a prescription, then this is a perfect convenient option.

By practicing these things, you can undertake behavioral approaches to effectively reducing the pain caused by endometriosis and thus significantly improve your quality life. Make sure to consult your healthcare provider for guidance; the message should be specifically designed for each individual's needs. Stay strong, endo warriors!

Read more: Relieving Endometriosis-Related Menstrual Pain

[teeshonestcorner]

Diets

Hey guys! I'm back and this week we discuss diets.

1 in 10 women suffer from endometriosis. It often take doctors years to discover and or diagnose, but once you know, you need all the resources out there to help minimize the pain and endo growth.

What is an Endometriosis diet?

An Endometriosis diet is a way to reduce inflammation and control estrogen levels in the body. Estrogen is a hormone that contributes to the development of endometriosis, so it makes sense to reduce your overall estrogen load to help prevent or treat your symptoms. One of the best ways to do this is through diet. By lowering the amount of estrogen containing foods you eat can help decrease your total body exposure to this hormone by making sure it isn't produced by your liver when breaking down other foods.

Foods that help

For the most part, try to avoid foods that are high in sugar and refined carbohydrates. Focus more on: -

whole foods

fruits

vegetables

lean proteins such as chicken or fish

dairy products that are lactose low like yogurt (make sure it's not sweetened with added sugar)

whole grains like quinoa or brown rice

Its important to eat plenty of fiber. This will help keep your digestive system moving smoothly so you don't get constipated.

Foods that make it worse

Here is a list of things to avoid or at least eat less of: -

dairy products

alcohol

soya

caffeine

red meat

processed foods with artificial ingredients like MSG or nitrates

It is important to take note of what affects your endometriosis symptoms the most over time.

List of things you can try: -

nut or seed milk eg. coconut, almond or quinoa

coconut dairy free yogurt

unrefined raw agave nectar, molasses, raw maple syrup

organic poultry and fish

fruit smoothies, raw juice drinking

maca, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, decaf green teas

I also do a kidney and liver cleanse and that helps with the pain as well as applying cold pressed and hexane free castor oil on my tummy at night.

I hope this week's information was insightful. Until next time, bye!

[teeshonestcorner]

Transparency

Hey guys, for this week's post I've decided to be transparent about my battle/journey with Endometriosis.

I started my menstrual cycle at the age of thirteen (13). Soon after I began experiencing excruciating pain. My grandmother would say "that's cold in your belly, that's why you're in so much pain". Each month the pain would worsen. Eventually my mother took me to a gynecologist who suspected that it was endometriosis based on the symptoms I was experiencing. I've spent thousands of dollars by gynecologists and all of them suspected the same. I've also spent many nights in the emergency room, hooked up on drips and medication to ease the pain. Most over the counter medications I've tried. From Motrin to women's Panadol to Ponstan Forte to Advil gel, you name it I've tried it. I currently use Tramacet and gravol and as for now it works well. I vividly remember going to the emergency room one night and the gynecologist on call refused to come see me in the emergency room. I also remember being told that the pain I'm experiencing is all in my head. I also remember heading to work and my clothes getting dirty and the maxi driver refusing to pick me up. I thank God daily for my husband. He has seen me go through it month after month. There are times I couldn't even stand up straight, bleeding extremely heavy, using 6 to 8 pads daily or make it out of bed to do the basis things I would usually do every day. Constant pain can drive you insane. I now battle depression and anxiety but that's another story for another day. Most months I have to solely depend on my spouse. Every 28 days as a rule I would be in debilitating pain, now it's every 23 days. I was only diagnosed with endometriosis a couple of years ago. Presently my doctors are recommending surgery, and that in itself comes with a lot of risks. As for now I'm weighing the pros and cons, doing my liver and kidney cleanse every 3 months and gradually cutting out a lot of my unhealthy habits. So far, I've seen some changes with my cycle and some months the pain is bearable and other times it isn't. I learnt that having a support system is very important. I am grateful for the Trinidad and Tobago Endometriosis association, my husband, my friends and my close family members.

My battle with endometriosis has not been an easy one, but I refuse to give up or give in.

I hope this post inspires you girlies. Until next time, bye.