[MissReadsAlot]

I'm 17, I've been diagnosed with endometriosis after showing up at the hospital with anemia, and losing clots/blood so quickly.
How will this affect my relationship with my boyfriend?
How will this affect my life?
And how, most importantly, will this affect my health? Thanks to anyone who can comment.

[Ashlee T.]

This is not something I have personally experienced, but I do know others who have. There are procedures available now that can either eliminate or drastically improve endo. Have you discussed any of those with your doctor?

[MissReadsAlot]

He (doctor) told me I was too young. /: And put me on birth control, but I still get the pain. Should I consider seeing another doctor? Also, are there any members on here that I may talk to?
My grandma refuses to say anything, she thinks it's just cramps and that I'm normal.

[Ashlee T.]

WH is currently working on increasing our traffic back to what it once was, but we're not there yet so you may find a delay in responses. In the meantime, I know that over the years there have been many posts about endometriosis, so perhaps do a search on here and you'll find some of the older threads and may get some good info from that.

I've never really understood the birth control thing when it comes to endometriosis. I would suggest a second opinion. I'm hoping some of our other members will see this and have some more input.

[MissReadsAlot]

I can't necessarily reply quickly, so I don't mind. I will certainly do the search in the morning.

The birth control stopped the bleeding, except the previous time I tried it and bled like a dying pig for 4 months. I'm going to wait until at least January ish to ask to see another doctor. My grandma used to refuse to take me to the hospital when I was anemic and dealing with the worse pain I've ever felt cause she thought, "it's normal. I bet 85% of the girls in your class deal with cramps." My mother understands a bit, I'm hoping she'll understand. I will check back every few hours if necessary.

[Ashlee T.]

I have heard other women say how terribly frustrating this type of thing is. It's similar to a mental/psychological illness because other's can't SEE it and so they doubt you. Your grandma can't feel your level of pain and so she probably thinks you're experiencing normal cramping. I mean, I have some mega cramps at times, but nothing that a couple ibuprofen doesn't relieve. I have known women who were pretty much bed ridden during their periods due to extreme cramping. Is their cramping truly worse or do they just have low pain tolerances? It's always hard to know, but I think you just have to take someone at their word and if they say it's not normal, believe them. I'm sorry you're dealing with that with your grandma.

I did a quick search last night on "endometriosis" in the search bar at the top right of the forum. Of course there were lots of posts, and some of them were from women even a few years younger than yourself. Reading your post and then theirs again all at the same time really brought to light to me what a terrible and frustrating thing this is for young women, especially those too young to have their medical care completely up to them.

Google: Laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis. This is the procedure I was referring to. If the endometriosis is not considered mild to severe, a doctor will not likely want to do this procedure. I believe that it is very important for you to see a different doctor and get a second opinion. If your case is mild to severe, I see no reason why a doctor would not want to do this. ANY surgery is a big deal, but so is your quality of life and your happiness. Read and become as informed about endo and the possible treatments as possible, google and read the other posts here about endo. That way when you talk to your doctors, they know you know what you're talking about.

As you'll see on the other posts, a lot of women come here and post about this but then never come back and update us on their issue. I hope you will stay here and keep us posted because it may help other young women who come here in the future for the same reason.

[MissReadsAlot]

I used to be bedridden for 2-5 days out of the month from cramps, and the 'period' would last 7 days. I'd miss school during that time, and of course my gym teachers would recommend exercise, I'd try to run and exercise and end up curled up in a ball in a corner. And you're completely right on how frustrating it is, especially as a teen, and especially when I can't take control of my medical care quite yet. My mom's very, "tell the doctor what you need. I'll stand behind you. Don't listen to my mother."
Ibuprofen doesn't touch my cramps, so I was prescribed Tylenol 3/codeine for them.
I'm gonna be keeping a journal, writing down stuff I read on here and other places about endometriosis.

[Ashlee T.]

That's a great idea. And your mom is right. Maybe this is a topic you shouldn't try to even discuss with your grandmother. She comes from a different time, probably when women were just expected to suck it up and deal with whatever ailments they had. Do what is right for you.

[MissReadsAlot]

She is 78, so.
I ended up in the hospital from a different thing- asthma attack turned into not being able to breathe at all, and then an infection in the lungs. She thought I was faking for attention and all that...
She still thinks the endometriosis, me needing bifocals and all that is for attention. Very upsetting.

[Ashlee T.]

I'm so sorry you've been having such a tough time. I'm not sure how she thinks you'd get admitted into the hospital for a faked lung infection. BUT, here's the thing............does it really matter what she thinks? You don't have to prove anything to anyone as long as they are not in control of your medical care. You're not far from being 18 and then even that won't be a factor. Who cares if grandma doesn't believe you? Yes, it's upsetting, but please don't let that impede you.