Endometriosis; Note the pics at top the left pic was only ONE DAY before the other two. This happens frequently year round, while in comp prep it can be harder on the head & make it hard to tell how much progress is actually being made. I often bloat all over while my stomach is most noticeable I can also get bad fluid retention in my lower body, back, hands, pretty much all over. I first had problems towards the first year of high school when I was 13. I have had problems with it on & off ever since. As there is no cure I have been on the pill since mid teens to manage the condition. Surgical treatment is an option, but not a permanent solution & many women with more severe endometriosis need the surgical treatment regularly (every 3-9 months). Obviously if I went for that competing would be pretty much impossible. One of the hardest aspects of having this condition is the fact it can be hard to talk about & details of symptoms can be graphic & embarrassing to try & explain. People often hear of this condition but rarely understand the severity & impact it has on a sufferers life. To be battling this & to tell someone & to have them almost roll their eyes with an oh right u get bad periods sort of response, is frustrating. It is a chronic health condition that can effect not just your reproductive system but also cause major digestive system problems & make you suddenly feel clinically depressed & at times (in my teens for me) also feel misunderstood & isolated. Symptoms vary from woman to woman, for me the most notable problems have been; - Severe, often sudden & frequent bloating - excessively long heavy periods lasting 15-20+ days. Having a 28 day cycle this often meant only having one week period free a month. During my teens I couldnt leave home in the first week due to severity of pain & bleeding (it was like hemorrhaging). - By 16 I was vomiting from pain levels, & would often look ashy / grey & clammy, from the excruciating pain. - IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) - Severe pain (the only pain relief that worked through my teens was high doses of voltaren, an anti inflammatory which can be hard on stomach lining) - Severe mood changes / depression I hope by sharing this it sheds some insight to people who are unaware of what this condition means & gives some hope to women battling with it in silence. It does make it harder to stay on track physically & mentally but I also believe staying fit & healthy is one of the best things you can do. So dont let it rule you or put you off trying. Progress may be slower but it is still possible, & if you are physically stronger/ fitter with a good diet & understanding of how the condition effects you & having a system to look after yourself, managing it & maintaining a positive outlook is a bit easier. Ladies, feel free to Msg me if you have questions xx
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 00:27:58 +0000
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