"Trust Your Gut and Don't Give Up": Maddie's Endometriosis Story
By Maddie Redgie
Sharing your story is an act of compassion for both oneself and the women’s health community. It gives the writer the chance to reflect, and the reader a chance to relate and not feel so alone in their experiences. In this week’s blog, where we meet one of the many women behind QENDO, we introduce new team member Maddie, who generously shares her endometriosis story here to help raise awareness.
My journey began in January 2019 on a family holiday by the Murray River. I woke up one morning with some cramping and nausea, within 15 minutes I was collapsed and vomiting from the pain, I had a temperature and was dizzy. My first hospital visit was much like the next few, disappointing and dismissive. After a pelvic ultrasound, bloods and urine samples I was diagnosed with a Cyst Rupture, and told that there is fluid in my abdomen that may continue to cause discomfort. I was sent home with some pain killers to rest, and told to see my GP if the pain didn’t subside in 2 days. I was told it may occur again, but it’s different for everyone.
5 days later I gave up and saw my GP for more painkillers. I ended up being on these for 2+ weeks. Like clockwork the same thing happened again one month later, only this time less severe. I presented to ED again, was diagnosed with a cyst rupture and sent home with endone and told to rest.
After receiving no sleep, the following day I saw an after hours GP who referred me for an urgent ultrasound and told me to attend a different ED. He was the first to utter the word “Endometriosis”, I remember googling it in the car and relating to nearly all of the symptoms, some of which I hadn’t experienced for months and believed were odd one-offs.
After another long evening in the ED, I was sent home with endone and a referral for an ultrasound the following day. The ultrasound revealed Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis. I contacted a Gynaecologist and was admitted for ablation of endometriosis the following fortnight, with a recommendation for the Mirena, which should mask all of my symptoms. I was officially diagnosed with Stage IV Endometriosis, this procedure was ablation. I was told I shouldn’t have any more problems and should allow 6 months for the Mirena to take full affect.
Only 8 weeks later I sought out an Endometriosis Excision Specialist, after continuing to experience severe pain and multiple side effects of the Mirena. The following month, on their advice I was taken in for excision of Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis and removal of the Mirena.
My symptoms have subsided significantly and I am able to continue on with my day to day life. The number of blood tests, visits to the GP, imaging and procedures in 2019 alone were immeasurable. I consider myself lucky only having to live with the pain for 6 months or so. I was persistent, determined and refused to be dismissed again. Trust your gut and don’t give up. (You could also call it stubborness.)
As tough as the last year has been, I feel this diagnosis and my experience in hospitals and with procedures will make me a better nurse. It’s amazing how much you take your health for granted until you no longer have it. I’m still coming to terms that is this is something that I’ll have to live/deal with for the rest of my life.
Gynaecological issues are way too often just swept under the rug, why is there such a shame associated with conditions such as PCOS and Endo? I feel strongly about doing my part in raising awareness and sharing my story.
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