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Me, myself and endometriosis

Me, myself and endometriosis

My name’s Claudia. I’m 29 from Perth, Western Australia and run the Instagram account @me_myself_and_endometriosis. I’ve been diagnosed with Endometriosis, Adenomyosis and Fibromyalgia. To put it bluntly, Endo ravaged my life. My chronic health issues showed up a few months before my period did. I was 11 and the symptoms that first sent me to the doctors were intense abdominal pain, extreme bloating, nausea, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding and losing blood with bowel movements. Af

When bad news ends in a miracle

When bad news ends in a miracle

When I was 17 years old, I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, a stay-at-home mum. This was pretty unusual even 20 years ago when us girls were encouraged to have a career of our own. And a career I had, as a Primary School teacher. I tunneled my love for children into my students and it was great. I just knew that I could never combine this super demanding job with being a parent. The only way I was able to be a great teacher, was by making it my life. So, at some point

Dr Fleming presents...

Dr Fleming presents...

Image supplied by Dr Fleming 2019: Word-cloud 'what support groups mean to us' - collaboration with EPSS members Earlier this year I had the great privilege of being invited to present at the Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopy and Surgery Society (AGES) Annual Scientific Meeting, held locally in Perth. Due to my experience with Endometriosis Perth Sisterhood of Support (EPSS), the topic I was to present on was “Patient Resources”. Due to my unusual combination of working i

Stomach Aches

Stomach Aches

They always say that pain is what makes us feel alive but what kind of lives are lived in constant pain? A pain, a pain that doesn’t let us thrive That doesn’t let us live our lives That deprives Us from feeling human And I am strong, I will live long, But is it wrong, To fear how long This will go on? This punishment goes undeserved, But it is served, So we will make our voices heard We will scream it from the rooftops, from the forests, from the seas THIS IS REAL T H I S I

Suspected Endometriosis & My Treatment

Suspected Endometriosis & My Treatment

Look into my eyes, And you’ll see me start to cry, Because of what I’m made to endure, All because of my BMI. 3 weeks of every 4, I cringe and lay in pain, My cries for help unanswered, Instead made to feel ashamed. As a country, Australia is growing, Becoming Bigger, Braver, Bold! But surgery for this constant pain? It’s a no I’m told! People find it hard to understand How can periods be ‘that bad!’? Believe me, I wouldn’t wish it on you, It would too drive you

Thornless Rose

Thornless Rose

Rose has Endometriosis (obviously), which has definitely complicated our relationship at times. I’m writing this to give a bit more context as to how our relationship has stayed so strong, and to help others struggling with their partner’s Endometriosis. My name is Marco Brons. I’m 18 years old, and I’m Rose’s boyfriend. And holy balls am I lucky to be her boyfriend, because I couldn’t wish for anyone better. I’m Autistic and Chronically Depressed, and despite my own problems

My important story: The enormity of endo

My important story: The enormity of endo

I have rarely talked about my health and experiences with endo. It is difficult for me to discuss it. I recently reconnected with my “endo sisters” and have found the courage to speak up. I hope it might help others in some way. This is the shortened version of my story! I had my first period at the age of about 12 ½ and it was horrendous. Every period was the same. Heavy, with clots and very painful. The teenage years were filled with horrific pain. There were so many times

Battlefield

Battlefield

People don't see that your insides are a battlefield.... They can't feel the awful hormonal headaches or horrendous nausea. They can't experience the feeling of your ovaries being ripped apart. They can't feel what I can only describe as a knife being stabbed up your vajayjay. People can't see you clench your legs together subconsciously because it feels like your uterus weighs 50kgs and is trying to escape your body through your hoohaa. They can't feel the lower back and gro

Some scars are not on or in your body

Some scars are not on or in your body

Today I had a very heartbreaking and emotional meltdown in a completely out of the blue way. I was watching a film called Brain on fire were a young woman is struck with an unknown illness that no one could (or would) diagnose correctly. I burst into tears. The flood gates opened and I could not stop. My son was worried and my mother instantly understood my reaction to the film. To explain my reaction, I probably need to tell my story.... I was 12 when I started getting ex

Being a dad to a teenage daughter with endometriosis

Being a dad to a teenage daughter with endometriosis

(Warning this script does contain some offensive language) When my wife asked what it’s like to have a teenage daughter with endo my immediate reaction was – in a blink of an eye and without thinking –F****ed, F****ed and more F****ed. When I thought of writing this I told my daughter I think I’ll title it “Being a dad with Endo” my daughter piped up and told me I couldn’t say that because it read wrong and says I’m a dad with endo and it is her disease…. Bloody teenagers!!!!

Endometriosis the upside: A mother's love

Endometriosis the upside: A mother's love

Recently one of our youngest support group members, Celestia 'Rose', shared what endometriosis means to her and how it has affected her education and life. Today we hear from Rose's incredibly supportive mum, Kimberley. We first met Kimberley, along with Rose's father Colin at one of our 'bring a loved one' events in 2017. Kimberley and Colin are actively involved in advocating for their daughter and the endometriosis community in Perth. Kimberley shares her experience as a m

What they don't tell you....

What they don't tell you....

Meet one of our younger support group members, Celestia 'Rose'. Endometriosis rendered her unable to attend school and only able to study from home between flares. Rose's symptoms started at around 11 years of age when she had a whole term off school with a “mystery stomach bug”. She completed all of Year 10 with SIDE. Rose missed 90% of Year 9 due to a combination of the schools reluctance to offer other alternatives for education, her symptoms and her family being completel

The Gynaepreneur 'My Journey to Canberra'

The Gynaepreneur 'My Journey to Canberra'

2017 was an exciting year for gynaecological health in Australia with the formation of the Australian Coalition for Endometriosis and the announcement from Australian health minister Greg Hunt of a national plan to help improve treatment of endometrosis sufferers. Western Australian Senior of the Year 2018, Kath Mazzella OAM recently returned from her trip to Canberra for the Australian of the year awards and is sharing her story with us. Congratulations Kath and thank you f

A need for education

A need for education

I'm Layla Grace, I'm 18. I have Endometriosis, IBS, Visceral Hypersensitivity and am being tested for PCOS. I have had multiple ovarian cysts and 3 operations. If my new medication doesn't work I have to have another one. The worst case scenario is that I get put into early menopause. I'm struggling a lot at the moment, 2 years of fighting with no improvement really takes it's toll on your mental health. When I look depressed, it's because I am. When I look sick, it's because

If you can't beat'em join'em - Why I became a doctor

If you can't beat'em join'em - Why I became a doctor

'I decided people deserve better than what I had gone through. So I looked up how to get into medical school.' I didn’t have what you would call a “normal” childhood – in a good way! – but I definitely had normal health. The odd cold, the rare episode of vomiting. I probably took more time off school faking being sick than actually being sick! My periods started in year 8, at the age of 13. Again, everything was normal. Little to no pain, regular pads changed every few hours,

Perth to Atlanta for Excision

Perth to Atlanta for Excision

Meet our #EndoPerthSister Candice. 'I decided I couldn't give up, I knew there had to be a way out of this pain. I began researching surgeon’s specific to endometriosis, I joined endometriosis support groups on Facebook and I asked as many questions as I could. That's when I came across Dr Sinervo, the man that was about to change my life.' Candice is a member of our closed Facebook support group and is kindly volunteering her time to sit on our panel at our upcoming event 'S

My Daily Negotiation

My Daily Negotiation

‘Endometriosis’ to those outside of the endo community ‘A condition resulting from the appearance of endometrial tissue outside the womb and causing pelvic pain, especially associated with menstruation’ ‘Endometriosis’ to me: My stolen life, my stolen inner power, my stolen friends, my stolen unborn children, my stolen creativity, my time, career, energy, friends, family and my broken heart. Endometriosis reared its ugly head in my early twenties. I met my husband shortly aft

My journey to relief: Travelling for endometriosis excision and pre-sacral neurectomy

My journey to relief: Travelling for endometriosis excision and pre-sacral neurectomy

I am writing for those who are dealing with the symptoms of endometriosis or adenomyosis. It is my hope that the care and management of 'endo' patients does not remain dependant on local resources; rather that she* may find options further afield which have perhaps been overlooked. (It is this information that led to relief for me, something I am truly grateful for). This is my story on finding relief after years of exhausting the options offered locally. I am delighted to

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