So here are a couple of recent topics we've covered with regard to Endometriosis Awareness.
Day 11 was about the myths we've all heard about Endo.
#theendophotochallenge2018
Myths that I've come across where mainly from Doctors in my case, about Endometriosis.
Most commonly I've been told,
Pregnancy will cure you, surgery will cure you, a hysterectomy will cure you.
Side bar; There is no cure for Endometriosis
While some Women's symptoms ease off whilst pregnant it doesn't mean they're cured, same goes for surgery. You might feel relief for a time but then find your symptoms returning.
Finally a hysterectomy does not cure Endo. This has to be one of the biggest myths floating around.
Do your own research and get second opinions if necessary. Don't drastically change your life by bringing a child into the world purely for the sake of chasing a cure.
Don't have a hysterectomy or radical surgery if you're trying to preserve your fertility, if the Endo is outside the womb because you won't be cured.
You MAY find relief but you MAY NOT.
It's a gamble that we shouldn't have to take with our bodies.
While some Women's symptoms ease off whilst pregnant it doesn't mean they're cured, same goes for surgery. You might feel relief for a time but then find your symptoms returning.
Finally a hysterectomy does not cure Endo. This has to be one of the biggest myths floating around.
Do your own research and get second opinions if necessary. Don't drastically change your life by bringing a child into the world purely for the sake of chasing a cure.
Don't have a hysterectomy or radical surgery if you're trying to preserve your fertility, if the Endo is outside the womb because you won't be cured.
You MAY find relief but you MAY NOT.
It's a gamble that we shouldn't have to take with our bodies.
I also have psoriasis, bruising for no reason or extremely easily bruised which I've been told is from Anaemia. I have been a chronic insomniac since around age 20, so 12 years with that and believe me I've tried and continue to try everything to crack it, from alternative remedies like acupuncture, reflexology, herbs to prescription medication. Whoever coined the term "painsomnia" had it totally right. I also suffer from shoulder and neck pain.
Day 14 & 15 of #theendophotochallenge2018
Positive side to Endo & what Endo has taught me.
The positive side;
I would have to go with making me stronger as a person. I have learned and listened to my body all along this road. But it took a while for me to actually question my Dr. 's to ask for second opinions and not take their sometimes dismissive way of speaking to me.
I've left my home country Ireland 🇮🇪 and gone to 🇫🇷 to have cutting edge surgery to try reduce my pain and symptoms and I flew home solo after only a few days recovery. That was the strongest thing regarding surgery I've ever had to do alone but I got through it.
I'll keep fighting for myself and spreading as much awareness about this awful invisible illness as I can.
What Endo taught me;
Being diagnosed also taught me who my true friends where as a lot walked away because I would be too weak or have to cancel plans and that again opened my eyes and has made me who I am today.
I love the ones who stayed, I love my Mum so much for being there the whole time, fighting for me since age 11 because she had gone through it and knew the symptoms. She was told that she was wishing it on me, that I just had heavy periods and very bad pain, even when I would miss school every month because of my period and collapse our G.P still wouldn't listen or give a referral. She daughter hard until we got that referral and through a diagnostic Laparoscopy it was finally discovered that I had severe Stage IV Endometriosis. It took us 7 years to get that diagnosis. 7 years where it went untreated. That woman will forever be my hero. She stood up for me at a time I couldn't and has been with me through every treatment and surgery bar one.
Positive side to Endo & what Endo has taught me.
The positive side;
I would have to go with making me stronger as a person. I have learned and listened to my body all along this road. But it took a while for me to actually question my Dr. 's to ask for second opinions and not take their sometimes dismissive way of speaking to me.
I've left my home country Ireland 🇮🇪 and gone to 🇫🇷 to have cutting edge surgery to try reduce my pain and symptoms and I flew home solo after only a few days recovery. That was the strongest thing regarding surgery I've ever had to do alone but I got through it.
I'll keep fighting for myself and spreading as much awareness about this awful invisible illness as I can.
What Endo taught me;
Being diagnosed also taught me who my true friends where as a lot walked away because I would be too weak or have to cancel plans and that again opened my eyes and has made me who I am today.
I love the ones who stayed, I love my Mum so much for being there the whole time, fighting for me since age 11 because she had gone through it and knew the symptoms. She was told that she was wishing it on me, that I just had heavy periods and very bad pain, even when I would miss school every month because of my period and collapse our G.P still wouldn't listen or give a referral. She daughter hard until we got that referral and through a diagnostic Laparoscopy it was finally discovered that I had severe Stage IV Endometriosis. It took us 7 years to get that diagnosis. 7 years where it went untreated. That woman will forever be my hero. She stood up for me at a time I couldn't and has been with me through every treatment and surgery bar one.
She'll just say that's a Mum's job but she deserves the recognition for it considering she has chronic issues of her own she deals with every single day.
So listen to your body, keep a journal and don't ever be afraid to speak up for yourself and ask questions, do research. It's your body. You do have a say.
So listen to your body, keep a journal and don't ever be afraid to speak up for yourself and ask questions, do research. It's your body. You do have a say.
(Went slightly off topic there 🙃)
For more follow me Instagram and Facebook @isthereanendtoendo and on Instagram @lifeofandiealessandra where I'm posting my challenge photos.
For more follow me Instagram and Facebook @isthereanendtoendo and on Instagram @lifeofandiealessandra where I'm posting my challenge photos.
