If you have chronic health issues do you feel you are often not taken seriously enough?

[Bluespecs]

Not only by those around you but medical professionals too?

I have struggled with many aspects of my health for many years. Daily digestive issues for decades, gynae problems, anxiety and depression (the latter two often exacerbated by the physical issues). I often feel exhausted, achy, weak and shaky and I get aura migraines.

As a result of the constant feeling below par and wanting/needing answers I have put myself through some very unpleasant procedures. Lots of hysteroscopies (not nice), 2 colonoscopies (prep for those is brutal), camra down my throat (also thoroughly unpleasant), swallowed a huge pill camera for an endoscopy which got stuck in my throat (I also had to have the vile prep for that too), endless scans and a uterine ablation in 2022, that was a big mistake as it failed and in retrospect having the lining of my uterus burnt to a crisp turned out not to be such a great idea after all.

None of these procedures have been fun and I haven't put myself through these for a laugh, I have been desperate to get to the bottom of my health woes yet I feel the psychological impact these physical problems cause me isn't taken seriously by either close family/friends and certainly not by medical professionals.

I was eventually diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 50 despite being under the same gynae department since 2013 (yearly appointments until 2022, with the same gynaecologist). I first went to the gynae department regarding my period problems in my late 20's yet it took a further 20+ years to discover the endo (I also have adenomyosis now due to the uterine ablation forcing the undiagnosed endo into the walls of my uterus). I will now need a hysterectomy for the adenomyosis.

As I say, I have also struggled with poor mental health since a young child. Three weeks ago, at the age of 52 I have been diagnosed with inattentive adhd, not a surprise to me at all but years of being told that I am simply over sensitive, air-headed/ditsy and just unreliable etc has taken it's toll on my self esteem. I have decided not to tell anyone about the adhd other than my dh, kids and parent. I haven't even told my best friend because I know many people have a negative opinion regarding neurodiverse conditions.

I have felt 'below par' for most of my adult life but time and time again was told there was nothing wrong with me (was told this for 10 years by my GP even when my ferritin was at 3 for years) and made to feel as though I am being oversensitive to everything with anxiety being cited for all of my ills. I won't deny that I suffer from anxiety/depression but they are as a result of my physical issues, not the other way around. At the end of the day, who wants to feel crap all of the time?

I personally feel that I have been quite strong all of this time. All of these years I have pushed myself through those very low iron stores (unbeknown to me of course as GP never told me), the endo which although affecting 1 in 10 women my gynae never even contemplated testing me for and the 30 years of daily gut issues which have completely taken their toll on me but hey, according to my gastro it's all down to 'just' simply IBS for which there is no cure so I need to learn to live with it (not sure what she thinks I have been trying to do since 1998!) and my new endo gynae won't even discuss as he says that's a gastro issue NOT a gynae one.

It goes without saying that I feel for anyone who has life threatening and very serious health issues/diseases, but not much empathy seems to be given to those with chronic issues. Feeling like crap every day and having to put on a mask to the outside world is bloody draining. We might look ok on the inside but a bit like a lovely shiny red apple which has a rotten core, not everything is how it seems.

Sorry, that was a rant. I am in perimenopause (which has made all of the above a million times worse....deep joy).

Yep, that's it in a nutshell. Have had chronic health issues for years. In my 40s now. Never gets any easier.

I am sorry you're having such a tough time, made worse when you feel you need to constantly explain yourself.

Sorry you have been through this too. It does get very taxing having to explain yourself time and time again.

I live in constant hope that things will get easier once I get older (wishful thinking maybe).

I hear you, it is completely shit when medical people don't believe you or your friends and family don't understand the impact of your medical condition. I have endo, diagnosed over 20 years ago but not without being gaslit by GPs, my own Mother telling me I must have a low pain threshold, I don't.

I haven't worked in years due to endo with chronic fatigue and bowel issues but I still had a "friend" suggest on numerous occasions I should get a job. I am not sure why, I don't need the money, I have never made out I am looking for work and she knows I take prescription painkillers to deal with the pain. It is so frustrating when your friends don't hear you when you talk about how debilitating endo is. I mean it can collapse your bloody lungs, leave you with colostomy bags. leave you bed bound for days.

I don't know how much you know about endo but you can have it in your bowel and it can cause all sorts of weird problems with kidneys and your bladder too depending on where your deposits are. If it has been left running wild in your body untreated then honestly you could have it in so many places. There is a great surgeon on social media who does several endo surgeries a day and posts about them so he is a specialist I trust. His name is Dr Andrea Vidali, Italian but works in the US.

I can report that endo is much easier (well, mine is) after menopause.

endo deposits on your bowel are a common cause of gastrointestinal problems.

Yes. Most of my adult life. The only answers I have are when I've gone private. One of my diagnoses came from 23 and me. Quite a serious one. I hate going to the GP.

It's amazing how many people I've come across who have zero empathy regarding the endo, my friend had a kidney removed, lost part of her bowel and nearly died as a result but some still think it's only slightly worse than normal period pain. My own endo gynae appears to have minimal empathy ffs.

I'm convinced it could be on my bowel but he insists no as the MRI has only stated deep endometriosis, nodules along the adnexal area and a nodule in the pouch of douglas but not right near the bowel. I'm still on a very long NHS waiting list for the laparoscopy so still don't know the full extent yet.

Six years ago an incidental finding on a CT scan found that I have a very large kidney cyst (bigger than the actual kidney), I had to have it monitored for several years but now I'm wondering if endo has something to do with it?

I will look up Dr Vidali, thanks.

I live in constant hope it will get better post menopause. You given me hope.

I've looked into 23 and me.

My mum has suffered from so much pain and many health issues for years and I often wonder if she had some undiagnosed issues, especially EDS. She now has so many serious health issues, I don't want to end up like my poor mum.

It's very unfair how some suffer so much.