A WOMAN says an agonizing menstrual condition left her looking “five months” pregnant and unable to have sex with her boyfriend.
But she claims doctors led her to think it was irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
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Sarah Mahon suffered from heavy periods as a teenager, but in the last two years she has started experiencing agonizing cramps and digestion problems.
The 29-year-old was “constantly sick and bloated” but claims doctors put it down to IBS and advised her to change her diet.
However, Sarah’s flare-ups continued – sometimes becoming so unbearable that she was unable to walk and was bed-bound for hours due to the pain.
Shocking photos show Sarah’s belly so swollen it looked like a pregnant woman’s – often for days at a time.
Sarah, who works as an entertainer, said she saw seven doctors over two years – five of whom believed her symptoms were “digestion related”.
I was experiencing daily pain. If I was walking, the nerves would get worse and I would be in so much pain that I would just stay home unless I had to.
Sarah Mahón
It was only when she went private in February that she was diagnosed with endometriosis, after years of agony.
Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make pregnancy difficult.
DAILY AGONY DISMISSED
Sarah, who lives in London, said: “I asked [doctors] about endometriosis and told them my mom had it, but they said it was related to indigestion issues and they just wouldn’t test me.
“They told me it would take a lot of resources for them to test me for something I didn’t know I had.
“I didn’t know what to do at this point. I was googling my symptoms and everything matched endometriosis.
“I was in pain every day. If I was walking, the nerves would get worse and I would be in a lot of pain. I would just stay home unless I had to.”
Sarah also experienced debilitating fatigue in addition to the pain.
It’s a cruel irony that the condition can cause fertility problems
Sarah Mahón
“Some mornings I couldn’t move my arms and legs because I was so tired – the tiredness was so strong,” she said.
“And showering was so difficult. Washing my hair took so much effort that I was exhausted and had to take a nap afterwards.”
His symptoms also affected his sex life.
“I stopped having sex with my boyfriend because it wasn’t worth the pain. And I was getting very anxious about the pain during and after.
“My days were just about getting up, working and trying to get through the day. Your whole life has completely changed – it’s almost like a disability.
“Every time I had a crisis, my stomach would turn and I would stay like that for up to three days. It’s insane bloating and can be triggered by something like coffee.
“I looked like I was four or five months pregnant. My stomach was really hard. I only wore loose clothes when I went out. All my friends said I looked pregnant. It was all inflammation.”
‘I FEEL LIKE A NEW PERSON’
Exasperated, Sarah booked a private appointment at the Endometriosis Clinic in London, where a subsequent scan confirmed she had the condition.
In April, Sarah underwent a £7,500 operation to remove endometriosis, which was present on the pelvic wall and between the uterus and rectum.
“I was told that my body was constantly trying to repair itself and was constantly inflamed,” Sarah said.
“My doctor told me that I had the surgery just in time, before the disease developed further.
I felt like they didn’t believe me about my symptoms. I felt so rejected by the whole thing. One of the worst parts of this whole experience was the gaslighting I received from the doctors
Sarah Mahón
“The post-operative pain was nothing compared to what has been happening. The pain went away completely.
“I have so much more energy now. I feel like a new person.
“The surgery went really well and the doctor told me that my ovaries were not affected and that I should be fine when it came to trying to get pregnant.
“I’m trying to stay positive about the future.
“It is a cruel irony that the condition can cause fertility problems.”
‘DO NOT GIVE UP’
Now, Sarah is encouraging others to demand answers from their doctors and “not give up” on getting a diagnosis.
Sarah said: “I saw seven doctors throughout the process and went to A&E twice. Four of the doctors told me I had IBS and another told me I had irritable bowel disease (IBD).
“I felt like they didn’t believe me about my symptoms. I felt so rejected by the whole thing.
What is endometriosis?
WHEN cells similar to those in the lining of the uterus grow in other parts of the body, it is called endometriosis.
Every month, these cells react in the same way as those in the uterus, accumulating and then breaking down and bleeding.
Unlike the cells in the uterus that leave the body during menstruation, this blood has no way to escape.
Around 1.5 million women and those assigned female at birth currently live with the disease in the UK.
Classic symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Pelvic pain
- Painful periods that interfere with everyday life
- Pain during or after sex
- Painful bowel movements/when pooping
- Pain when urinating/peeing
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Fatigue
Period pain can occur even if you don’t have endometriosis, but if pain during your period is interfering with your everyday life, you may want to see your doctor.
Source: Endometriosis UK
“One of the worst parts of this whole experience was the gaslighting I received from the doctors.
“I tell other people not to give up. I was very lucky to have caught mine before it did any more damage.
“If you can, seek out an expert immediately and contact people in similar roles.”
This comes after research found that four in 10 women had to visit a medical professional multiple times before receiving a proper diagnosis.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
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