My ‘period pains’ and breathing problems turned out to be endometriosis that spread to my LUNGS
STUCK in her bed vomiting and struck down with unbearable pain, Nadine Lewis knew something wasn’t right.
She was just 14 years old when she started to struggle with her periods, but she had no idea they would plague her for the next 20 years.
The pain gradually got worse over time and Nadine would also go on to suffer hot flushes, fits and nightmares.
After seeing her GP, Nadine says she was told it was just period pain.
Speaking to The Sun, the 33-year-old, says after 12 years of agony, she finally managed to get answers, when a specialist diagnosed endometriosis.
Throughout her battle with the condition, Nadine says that every part of her body has been impacted - with the condition also making it hard for Nadine to start a family of her own.
While most people associate endometriosis with painful periods, Nadine said her condition got so bad, that it actually meant it spread to her lungs.
Five years after Nadine's initial diagnosis in 2007, in 2012 she was diagnosed with thoracic endometriosis, meaning that the condition had spread to her lungs.
She suffered breathing symptoms with the condition and had to have her lungs drained of fluid.
“I couldn’t do anything for myself, and it turned out that I had a bowel obstruction and my lung had also collapsed,” she says.
expert Gynaecologist Dr Shree Datta said: “Healthcare professionals may assume painful periods are normal, if they are unclear on its severity and whether pain relief is required.
“What’s more, it can be especially difficult examining young teenagers for endometriosis as the findings are not specific and the disease presents differently from person-to-person.
“As such, it may take longer to refer people to the correct specialist for further investigation and treatment.
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“From a patient perspective it can also be uncomfortable taking that first step and speaking to a doctor about issues such as pain during sex - or challenging to describe the symptoms they have.”
Dr Datta continued: “The reasons behind the [diagnosis] delay are wide-ranging, but nevertheless, every possible action needs to be taken to drive down the wait time for people suffering with endometriosis, and education and awareness is vital to make a commitment to ensure this happens.”
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