It's Me Against 'That' Pain: Endometriosis

We have been on the look out for stories!! In a search for more stories we came across a wonderful story of motivation and strength since a young age. Endometriosis is a condition too often experienced by females of reproductive age. Individuals with this condition can present without any symptoms or be faced with cyclical episodes of severe and often debilitating pain. 

As many of you may already be aware, menstruation comes with cramping pains of its own. In endometriosis the pain can be quite the horrifying experience and many females across the globe experience this regularly. As mentioned above, the symptoms of this condition vary across a wide range from minimal to significantly severe. Often individuals are diagnosed based off of their pain history and physical exam. Imaging may indicate other features of the condition but often does not offer a definitive diagnosis. Due to the estrogen dependent nature of endometriosis, many females choose to consider hormonal contraceptives (birth control) or pain medications such as ibuprofen as a way to deal with the pain. Moreover, surgical management has been reserved for extremely severe cases due to the complications that surgery imposes to patients. For this reason, many individuals continue to struggle with this condition. 

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I’ve had endometriosis since I started menstruating at the age of 11 years old. I had the most debilitating periods filled with extreme pain, constant vomiting, and being bed ridden for at least 1-2 days a month. I missed out on school, extracurricular activities, friend and family events, and celebrations because of my condition. However every time we sought a professional opinion, my mom and I faced a dismissal with  “it’s normal”.

Really? Your body being in undeniable pain for days on end, month after month, year after year…is normal? I could not rest not knowing what was wrong with me and something was wrong, I was certain. 

Around the time I was 13 or 14 I was reading a women’s magazine my mom had laying around and one article was talking about something called endometriosis. I hardly knew how to pronounce the word so having heard about it was out of the question. As I read the article, my heart started beating quicker and my palms began sweating. They were explaining each and every symptom that I suffered with for the last few years. I wanted to cry with relief. There was finally an answer to what was wrong with me. 

But there was no cure. To this day it is a very misunderstood and understudied disease despite it affecting millions of women worldwide. Statistics show that 1 in 10 women have some form or stage of endometriosis. That is 10% of women worldwide. And yet we don’t have many answers. It takes a women easily 10-15 years to be diagnosed. 

The same was true for me. Despite having an inkling that I had this disease, I received no confirmation. If anything I faced denial of acknowledgement of my complaints and pain. They said the only medication was birth control. 

So time went on. I got older, I graduated university and got a job but my monthly visitor brought pain and tears every single time. I continued to miss out on classes, exams, extracurriculars and everything else. One time I was even bedridden on my 20th birthday. I was so internally upset that my body was failing me like this and no one could help me. I was missing out on life. 

I am still working hard to understand my body and work slowly on changes to better myself. It has been a long and very turning journey and the finish line is still not in sight. I try to remain as positive as I can and lean on the people that can understand me, my pain and how’s it’s shaped my life. In a way I’m also thankful to this disease. It’s taught me patience and empathy and blessed me with a never give up attitude. Yes, I still don’t have my disease under control but I try every single month again and again in hope of relieving myself. And the day will definitely come. 

I don’t just hope it will, I know it will!   

                                                                                                            - Anonymous

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Interested in more information. Check out this website with detailed information on endometriosis, symptoms, diagnosis, and management: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/endometriosis-beyond-the-basics

                                                                                                            - D & R

Painting My Pain - Chronic Pain Awareness Week

Chronic pain, as the word implies, is a constant, never-ending experience. November marks the beginning of chronic pain awareness week and InvincibleWeAre is proud to hop on the awareness train to spread chronic pain awareness, resources, and stories to you all. 

What is pain? It is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with potential tissue damage. We all feel pain, it is a protective mechanism. The pain experience depends on an individuals situation. 

Chronic pain is not related to tissue damage. It's like a car alarm going off without a definitive reason. Similar to a car alarm, chronic pain can be distressing! it occurs when a sensitized nervous system sends pain signals, even though all the blood work and imaging is normal.

What is this connection between the brain and pain? Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to recognize and rewire. This allows us to master skills, for example learning to play a sport or piano. Repeated practice allows the brain to rewire itself. However, a super sensitive nervous system repetitively sends pain signals to the brain. This continuous repetition creates a pathway for pain signals to reach the brain with more ease. This is known as maladaptive neuroplastic change. LIke a bad habit, this maladaptive change can be addressed. 

Why is chronic pain important to learn about? Many, Many, Many people around the world struggle with chronic pain, and most of them silently. 

• 8 Million people in Canada live with chronic pain
• 1 in 5 Children struggle from chronic pain leading to missed school and activities

Chronic pain is disproportionately represented in people with lower socioeconomic status, those living with mental health conditions, those working in trades or veterans who have experienced trauma, people with disabilities, and women. 

Chronic pain is a real and ongoing battle. It may not seem like a tangible concept to some, but knowing that it exists and can be distressing is an important step to understanding the millions of people around us to struggle with chronic pain on a daily basis. 

Painting by Pain by RA

"A crushing weight of loneliness sits on my shoulder, I long to share my pain, but words go amiss.

I decide to paint my pain

I find the fiercest of red to paint the center of the canvas, with uncontrolled strokes, the center of the canvas begins to radiate the burning sensation that consumes me.

I am drawn to the brightest and most blinding silver, without a second thought linear strokes are made harshly and randomly to the canvas. I can sense the shooting pains that can make a grown person wince.

With a dash of purple to the edges of the canvas, the bruising and numbness caused by my pain are displayed. 

To complete the painting, a splash of black is added for the agonizing loneliness my pain has caused.

Today I painted my pain.

I found myself avoiding yellow, blue, green. All the colors of joy and a possible beautiful day in the meadow scenery. 

Today I painted my pain. 

I felt a great relief"

Helpful resources:

Caring for Chronic Pain

Pain Canada Resources

                                                                                   

                                                                                ~InvincibleWeAre, D&R