Help me live a better quality of life

Hello everyone,

After much umming and ahhing over this I have finally decided to swallow my pride and reach out for some help from you beautiful readers 😊

In 2015, I was finally diagnosed with endometriosis after years of fighting the public system for some answers as to why I was bed ridden every month unable to eat, sleep, work or maintain a normal life. After being turned away from private specialists, gps, public specialists I finally was considered for surgery! I had a laparoscopy and endometriosis was found riddled throughout my internal organs, this was excised to the best of the surgeons ability.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium), is found in places outside of the uterus. The tissue can form nodules or plaques which may be visualised at surgery. Endometriosis is commonly found in the pelvic region on the thin pelvic lining called the peritoneum. It may be also be found on the pelvic ligaments, ovaries and bowel. Endometriosis is occasionally found in places outside the pelvis such as in scar tissue, the bellybutton or lungs.

For the past twelve months, I have undergone treatment using a chemotherapy drug, Zoladex. This has put me into medically induced menopause which has temporarily ceased some symptoms, but I still get extreme back pain, heat flushes, mood swings and everything in between.

I was able to meet with a private specialist (thanks dad!), Dr Micheal East who is renowned for his amazing work with endometriosis patients. He has suggested another laparoscopy, and also Botox into my abdomen and pelvic walls which will lift my quality of life hugely, I am unable to get this through the public system as they refuse to operate any further.

I have seen multiple doctors, specialists, undergone multiple forms of treatment, pain clinic appointments, disappointment and gone through so much pain I believe this is going to change my quality of life extremely. If I was able to fund this myself I certainly would. But unfortunately I cannot. I could waffle on for ages but I won’t!

I cannot thank everybody enough for their never ending support through my health journey. Menopause at 22-23 is not fun!

PS - I know I have many endo sisters in the same position as I am! If you have a daughter, cousin, sister, any female in your life who struggles with extreme period symptoms PLEASE get them checked out. You can read more information about this disease at https://nzendo.org.nz

Lots of love xx