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I know I'm not the only one with #endometriosis who has experienced massive gaps in care through GP or gynaecology consultant oversights, but I am TIRED of advocating for myself.
So many weeks of pain waiting for recommendation letters & hurrying people along until today (1)
So many weeks of pain waiting for recommendation letters & hurrying people along until today (1)
despite being told a gynae needs to authorise more zoladex (an injection to medically induce menopause that I've been on and off 4 nearly a year) I asked my regular dr to prescribe it and he could. Just like that 
My #endometriosis treatment has been an uphill battle. (2)
My #endometriosis treatment has been an uphill battle. (2)
#endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK and takes an average of 7.5 years from onset of symptoms to diagnosis ( @EndometriosisUK).
I've been doing this since 2014, begging doctors for painkillers, to operate, to help! (3)
I've been doing this since 2014, begging doctors for painkillers, to operate, to help! (3)
There's been a handful of good professionals ofc, but the blanket approach has been distrust that a) I know what my body needs, and b) I have a say in courses of treatment.
It goes without saying I'm so thankful for the NHS, but there are many gaps to address #endometriosis (4)
It goes without saying I'm so thankful for the NHS, but there are many gaps to address #endometriosis (4)
And, as a white cisgendered woman, my experience of health care will be better than that of women of colour. Racial bias in medicine has shown that Drs perceive women of colour to have higher pain thresholds and will not receive painkillers as readily-
https://wellcomecollection.org/articles/XTg6bxAAACUAP5jS (5)
https://wellcomecollection.org/articles/XTg6bxAAACUAP5jS (5)
Existing/overlapping health conditions that Black women are at risk of can make diagnosing endometriosis harder.
Not only do you have to advocate for doctors to believe the pain exists, but balance its impact on work, family, lovers, etc. (6) https://www.healthline.com/health/endometriosis/endo-race-matters#5
Not only do you have to advocate for doctors to believe the pain exists, but balance its impact on work, family, lovers, etc. (6) https://www.healthline.com/health/endometriosis/endo-race-matters#5
Despite discourse around medical bias & #endometriosis opening up in recent years, there is still conflicting information on who is most likely to get it, genetic predisposition, & most importantly, how to plug the gaps to provide holistic treatment. (7) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4625911/#S3title
Because there is no 'cure' for #endometriosis, as such, a lot of the onus is placed on the individual to manage their lifestyle. How many times has someone recommended acupuncture, yoga, no carbs? As Nice said in 2017, the medical profession actually has to Listen to women. (8)
âDelayed diagnosis is a significant problem for many women with #endometriosis leading them to years of unnecessary distress and suffering." And potential infertility. This wouldn't be acceptable or the norm with any other disease. (9) https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/society/2017/sep/06/listen-to-women-uk-doctors-issued-with-first-guidance-on-endometriosis
If you are suffering from #endometriosis, think you may have it, or want to talk about how to convey this to your GP, my DMs are open.
You know ur body, how it feels & responds to drugs, pain & triggers. @EndometriosisUK & @Endometriosis are gd tools to learn abt treatment. (10)
You know ur body, how it feels & responds to drugs, pain & triggers. @EndometriosisUK & @Endometriosis are gd tools to learn abt treatment. (10)
Another 'trick' I've learned recently, aside from being direct, is asking 'how would that affect me?' & 'what are the side effects?' but appreciate not everyone feels they can take this approach, especially if newly diagnosed w/ #endometriosis or questioning if they have it. (11)
Anyhooo, rant over. Leaving this June Jordan poem here that I think about often, especially when I can't sleep due to pain 
