Olivia Walters is a writer and French tutor living with endometriosis and painful bladder syndrome.
She calls the Carolinas home.
My journey to anendometriosisdiagnosis was like so many other peoples.
My diagnosis did not immediately lead to the best treatment.
They performed an exploratory laparoscopy, which is used to both diagnose and treat endometriosis.
I was excited to have a diagnosis finally, but my symptoms, unfortunately, did not improve.
Another surgery was on the horizon.
My Second Surgery (and Lifestyle Tweaks)
My endometriosis specialist performed a secondlaparoscopic surgery.
Post-op, I dealt with referred back pain that burned and made it hard to stand up.
My bladder felt like a match had been lit inside of it.
I didpelvic floor physical therapypost-op to help the healing process.
Ask them how manyendometriosis surgeriesthey have performed and how many endometriosis patients they see.
The pain made it difficult to work even part-time, and I was living below the poverty line.
My second endometriosis surgery was $60,000.
My endometriosis specialist was an out-of-web link provider.
Always ask your doctors about any financial assistance they may have for qualifying patients.
Finding asupport groupcan be lifesaving.
I found support online through complete strangers who understood what I was going through.
They were advocates who had more information than my ob-gyn.
They helped me feel less alone and to realize this was not all in my head.
I no longer had to cry, yell, and beg to feel heard during my diagnosis.
Endometriosis is a difficult condition to diagnose and the path through diagnosis and treatment is not easy.
Finding a support group can absolutely be lifesaving.
The Unexpected Outcomes
There have been both good and bad outcomes from my endometriosis diagnosis.
I have bad days, when thefatigueis constant.
I worry about my job.
On the flip side, I have learned to trust my gut, both literally and figuratively.
I had to push to get doctors to take my symptoms seriously and get the treatment I needed.
It helped me realize that I need to trust myself and advocate for my needs.
As told toPatty Weasler, RN, BSN
Yale Medicine.Endometriosis.
