What It’s Like Living With Endometriosis

At two in the afternoon, I’m home in bed. I have three heating pads plugged in; one for my stomach, one for my lower back and hips, and one for my mid back, where the pain often just sits. My body is literally wrapped in heat, and still… the pain makes it difficult to focus.

It’s not always like this, though. These days, the pain is typically concentrated around my periods, with the second day usually presenting as the worst. When I take care of myself—when I get enough sleep, avoid caffeine, and stick to an anti-inflammatory diet—it’s more manageable. After having five major abdominal surgeries, my pain is much less than it was before.

I have Stage IV endometriosis. In a lot of ways, pain is just my normal.

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