World · Echonomia Post
A woman with endometriosis has been left to feel like a “drug addict,” as she says she needs strong painkillers to make it through the day. Laura Jones, who currently lives in Manchester, was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2019, but her pains began when she started her period at 12 years old. Now, Ms. Jones struggles to get by without taking Co-codamol, a higher-strength painkiller, to manage her daily excruciating pain. Ms. Jones told The Independent: “I asked my husband, ‘Am I a drug addict?’ There are days where I will try to push through and not take any, but I am left in so much pain. It makes me so sad.”
Endometriosis is a long-term, chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body. It is common and affects one in 10 women. Around 1.5 million women in the UK are currently living with endometriosis, according to the Endometriosis UK charity. Symptoms vary from person to person and can be severe. Laura Jones, 32, experiences debilitating pain across her back, hips, abdomen, and down her legs. She cannot stand or sit for too long as it leaves her in extreme pain. Walking has become difficult, so she now uses a walking stick, something she “never thought” she would have to do at this age. She said: “I feel like a broken person. I can’t believe people walk around not in pain. It is wild to me.”
Ms. Jones was travelling in Australia with her husband in 2019 when she found herself ‘doubled over in pain’ and ‘unable to get out of bed’. After seeing a doctor there, she was offered laparoscopic surgery. ‘That was the first time someone asked, ‘Could this be endometriosis?’’ she said. ‘I was 24 years old, and it was the first time I was listened to. It took 12 years of suffering.’ When diagnosed, she was told she would not be able to conceive a baby naturally. Since 2019, she has undergone three unsuccessful IVF cycles and a miscarriage. The IVF process triggered PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), a severe condition linked to the menstrual cycle, leaving her feeling suicidal. Despite sharing this with medical professionals, she claims she was not offered sufficient support or counseling besides being given the number for Samaritans.
Ms. Jones advocated for herself to be given the Prostap injection every three months, which is used to treat severe PMDD. However, it places the body into a temporary chemical menopause, making fertility even more difficult. She said she would rather be in menopause at her age than ‘wanting to die all the time’. She had a second laparoscopic surgery in the UK three years later, in December 2022. The doctor told her ‘nothing could be done’ to help her while she was undergoing a fertility journey. Although a hysterectomy was discussed, it would shatter her dream of carrying a child. She was only offered more nerve pain medication. Last year reached a tipping point as Ms. Jones was unable to get out of her bed for months due to pain. Her parents insisted she get a private MRI scan, which revealed adenomyosis, fibroids, and a prolapse on her cervix—all previously missed. Now, Ms. Jones is seeking second opinions and treatment abroad in Zimbabwe and China.
‘Talking about my story is a release; it’s a way to cope,’ she said. ‘I am suicidal most of the time, and I find relief in sharing my story and hoping I can make a difference.’ Ms. Jones has experienced heartbreak in her fertility journey.
Faye Farthing, head of campaigns at Endometriosis UK, said: ‘It is unacceptable that those living with endometriosis have to endure years of pain and uncertainty before receiving a diagnosis. Endometriosis care has been neglected for too long. The government must treat endometriosis as a common, chronic condition that requires systematic action, and we want an unequivocal commitment to reduce average diagnosis time to one year or less by 2030.’
An NHS spokesperson said: ‘The NHS is determined to do better on women’s health and ensure that women with conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis are given effective diagnosis, treatment, and support. We are building more specialized services for women in the community, which can offer timely support for these conditions, and so we would strongly encourage any woman experiencing similar symptoms to contact their GP for more support and advice on how they can manage and treat their pain.’
Source: The Independent
