Endo Pain...We Can't Complain!

[Lady Tewlie :P]

I work in an office with mostly men. They're all generally nice enough, and everyone occasionally finds support in sharing stories others can relate to. I definitely don't mean to diminish anyone's pain by any means, but I was suddenly very depressed that while a couple of them were sharing similar stories of chronic back pain from accidents, I couldn't share my own story about pain from endo.

Like I said, I don't begrudge anyone their pain or their right to vent and seek support. It just made me so sad to hear them talk openly about what they were going through, but I couldn't talk about mine because it was related to "lady" issues. These people have chronic issues and miss work periodically due to flareups. They mentioned that they take the maximum dosages of NSAIDs possible but that they have to pop them regularly to keep on top of the pain when it gets to acting up. I think a lot of us with endo are lucky if NSAIDs work. I'm extra unlucky because I'm allergic to NSAIDs, so the only thing I can take is whatever minimal, begrudging amount of narcotic pain reliever the doctors will give me without suspecting I'm a drug seeker.

If I had chronic back pain from an accident, I could complain openly, I would be understood, and I could even tell the truth about why occasionally I have to take a day off work or go home early. But I'd be just as embarrassed if I had chronic excruciating pain from herpes, and I'd be just as unlikely to bring it up! Even if I had the nerve to mention it, I'd have to explain what it is, because it's not really generally known by the average person what endo is. Heck, I'd probably get better prescription medication based on what these guys are saying their doctors gave them.

Back injury...Here's some percocet. Crippling, unrelenting cramps that rival labor pains but don't register on any test...can't you just take an extra strength Tylenol?! (I've actually gotten that one a few times.)

[JC]

Ugh this is so true. It's just not fair. "Oh it's just part of being a woman," yet a man can throw his back out and suddenly everyone rushes to his side.

I can't even get people to take my migraines seriously.

[pretty]

I've been relying on the term "pelvic adhesions" when in a spot like this. You can go into great detail describing how the adhesions grab and hold items not meant to be held together and then if they start asking about it, say, it's one of the more troubling symptoms of endometriosis. This occurred to me when a month after I had surgery a friend of mine was posting all over facebook about her "stomach adhesions" and how they were 50 times more painful than labor was. It struck me (reading all the friendly replies to her post) that if we take the confusing word 'endometriosis' out of the equation, and just go with 'painful adhesions' we could be talking about a disease anyone could get.

On the painkiller front, I really want you to make it a priority to find a pain specialist, or anyone, who takes you seriously. It's no joke. and we have to stop apologizing for being in pain. A competent health professional realizes that pain is horrible and not the patient's fault. Finding a doctor who will give you the respect of recognizing and treating your very real pain will empower you so much to keep on fighting this and validate your struggle in a huge way. You can do it!

[hellsbells]

Too true, but I make a point not to be too shy about it. It's biology, plain and simple, they need to get over it.

[Karen]

I work with a bunch of guys, too, and although I really don't say much, I'm prepared to tell them that some of my organs were stuck together and still cause me trouble from time to time. If they ask, I wouldn't be afraid to tell them more but would probably preface it with 'it only affects women and it completely sucks', and leave it up to them to ask if they want more info. Or just tell them that you're dealing with some medical issues yourself that are incredibly painful and that you can relate. You don't need to go into detail, but I find it helps if they know *something* is going on, at least with those I work closely with. That way, if I'm having an off day, they know it's not just a sour look on my face because I'm pissed...