"It is really difficult watching my friends go out and have fun, and having to turn them down yet again..."

Hi, I'm Broady. I'm 18 years old. I can’t say specifically how long I have been sick for. The years really do roll together as one big messed up blurry ball. It’s getting harder and harder to live with it now. The last 18 months have been diabolical.

I am currently a correspondence student, and even though I get to do it all at home, I still have no energy. I sleep for hours and hours and still wake up tired. In fact I have only been awake a few hours and I already feel like I need to go back to bed. It’s something I have sadly got used too.

I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue about a year ago. I was given meds to relieve stress, but they didn’t help. I was walking in my little township and passed out. An old lady helped me out, she used to be a midwife. She thought I had a pelvic infection and took me to the doctor, who said 'its just period pains go home and have a panadol'.

Before then I had never had period pains. Now, I get sharp pains all the time. Financially it is difficult. My partner supports both of us. I feel guilty for not being able to contribute. I guess I am lucky to have a man stand beside me no matter what.

Being sick has had a massive impact on our relationship. We have been together for 3 years and
18 months ago we had a pregnancy 'scare', which really excited us. We tried all through the last 18 months to get pregnant. I was having normal periods for 3 months, and then having a 'pregnancy' for 3 months. I had all symptoms of a pregnancy. I would be on the couch in absolute agony and have a heavy clotted period. The emotional turmoil my boyfriend and I have gone through is unexplainable.

I hope I can get better, and live my life. It is really difficult watching my friends go out and have fun, and having to turn them down yet again cause I am too tired or too sore. The real sad thing about it all is I never knew about Endometriosis before finding out my Nana had it. That was about a month ago. At the moment I haven’t been diagnosed yet, but I am trying to get my GP to start listening to my symptoms. 

Comments

[EndoAngel]

Hi Broady,

I know how you feel! It is sometimes even worse to go out and not be able to do all the things everyone else is doing! We have to be so careful with our diet and what we do to our bodies every day cos we know there will be consequences if we don't! I know it was hard when I hadn't seen some friends in a while and they said, lets go out for coffee. I couldn't have coffee or milk so I was left drinking herbal tea. Sometimes I just find it a little embarrassing. Now I just suggest going to a park for lunch and pack a healthy lunch - so I don't have to be all fussy when we order something from the coffee shop!

I am sorry to hear of your struggles. It does get easier once you get used to it and recognise what your body needs. It is a learning curve in knowing what your body really wants.
I have had endo for over 15years and ultimately decided that natural therapies worked best for me. Everyone has to find their own path though.....

I hope you are doing okay and that your relationship stays strong.

All my thoughts are with you,

Melissa