Help end my daily debilitating pain

Hi, my name is Cara. I’m 19 years old and I’ve been suffering from symptoms associated with endometriosis for 8 years. Since January this year, I have been in pain every single day, and recently, the pain has worsened to be unbearable. I have gone from working as a carer to barely being able to care for myself most days.

Endometriosis is a horrible disease that affects 1 in 10 women. It is when cells similar to the lining of the womb (the endometrium) grow in other places of the body such as on the pelvis, bowel and bladder. It can cause organs in the pelvis to stick together which comes with a lot of problems, some can be life threatening. It comes along with a range of symptoms including debilitating pain, bowel issues, fertility issues, and much more. It is one of the 20 most painful conditions that exist according to the NHS. 

The only way to diagnose endometriosis is through a laparoscopy (key hole surgery), where they investigate inside the pelvis to try to find endometrial lesions, scar tissue, and adhesions caused by endometriosis; these are what causes the pain.

There is no cure for endometriosis, only three treatments, which don’t always work- hormonal therapy, pain medication, and surgery. As hormonal therapy, I have tried combined pills, progesterone only pills, and IUSs, which haven’t worked. For pain medication, I’ve gone from taking codeine, to tramadol, to buprenorphine, and now oramorph (liquid morphine) isn’t relieving my pain. The next step for me is a diagnostic laparoscopy to confirm that it is endometriosis causing my pain, and to excise (remove) if it’s present, which would relieve my pain.

I was referred to an endometriosis specialist under the NHS in February as an urgent referral, but the consultation wouldn’t be until June. This means I wouldn’t be put on the waiting list for a laparoscopy until then, and the waiting list for a laparoscopy is often over a year long; it is not uncommon to have to wait multiple years for it.

I am now getting desperate for a relief for my pain as it effects me every single day. I have been looking into going privately for treatment. At the moment, I am unable to afford it, but there is nothing that I want, or even need, more in the world than to get rid of this pain that is affecting every aspect of my life.

I’m 19 years old and I spend most of my days in bed doubled over in pain with a heat pad; I even end up burning my skin as the pain of the burn is nothing compared to the pain I experience. I use a walking stick, and I have to take medication every few hours. I haven’t worked since December. I was meant to go to university this year to study Medicine after working hard to get good grades at A Level, but this is just another thing that I’ve had to put on hold because of this horrible pain. My quality of life is getting worse by the day. I wouldn’t even wish this on my worst enemy.

If you are able to, I would be extremely grateful if you could donate any amount of money. Even if it’s just £1, it will bring me one step closer to relief from this nightmare that I can’t wake up from.

Your donations will help me get the treatment I need. If by any chance, I get more donations than I need to get my treatment, I will be donating the rest to the charity Endometriosis UK. 

Endometriosis UK work to improve the lives of those living with endometriosis by supporting those who live with it, raising awareness on the disease, provide free, reliable information on endometriosis, and are involved in endometriosis research. Below is a link for Endometriosis UK’s website:

https://www.endometriosis-uk.org

Thank you very much,

Cara