#endowarrior

Being chronically ill is constantly having to cancel on plans you were looking forward too. And knowing people aren't going to understand and get upset with you. It's waking up in the morning already in pain and knowing it's only going to get worse. It's having to pause your life without knowing when you'll be ok. A 10 to you is an average 6 to me on the pain scale, but that doesn't mean I am stronger than you it just means I have lived with it long enough to be able to live with it. Just because I carry it well doesn't mean it isn't heavy.

Menstruation associated with endometriosis is a continuous battle that cannot be resolved alone. However, there are strategies you can adopt to help you defeat the pain and restore your peace. Here are five practical tips to help you manage the discomfort and symptoms associated with endometriosis:

CBD for Pain Relief: Focus on using cannibidiol oils and cannabis products into one's regular schedule to reduce inflammation and relieve menstrual pain.

Explore Holistic Healing: Take a look on CBD products because they are some of the components that play a crucial role in sleep improvement and in reduction of pain sensation.

Save Money with Coupons: You don’t have to worry to end up in penniless situation if you precisely deal with pain caused by endometriosis. Type in prescription coupons into the internet search engine to receive affordable options for your medication or consult with your pharmacist.

Consider THC Products: THC in cannabis products, on its part, is used for fueling the end of menstrual cramps and inflammation. Try applying these methods as an alternative such as the tinctures and THC capsules that can be in use to ease off the discomfort.

Access Telehealth Services: Digitalize the communication with healthcare providers such as doctors through Telehealth services and his first-hand experience. If you are wondering if a telehealth consultation is a better way to be guided over your pain management, or you need a discount for a prescription, then this is a perfect convenient option.

By practicing these things, you can undertake behavioral approaches to effectively reducing the pain caused by endometriosis and thus significantly improve your quality life. Make sure to consult your healthcare provider for guidance; the message should be specifically designed for each individual's needs. Stay strong, endo warriors!

Happy place with a comfort film.

This is honestly my favorite place in the world. My adjustable bed makes all the difference on a high pain day… I’m able to adjust my feet and head to help take some of the pressure off my lower back. It’s the best investment I’ve made for myself in ages.

"You Are So Brave!" How often have we heard this said to us? Most times, people truly mean well when they say this. They are doing their best to be encouraging from their perspective of things. However, for many of us who are surviving cancer daily, those four words are filled with so much pressure and expectation.

When people see us maintaining our lives, managing families, enduring all the craziness that comes with living with this disease, they see bravery! Well, there is truth to that. But the real truth is we are just giving our all to live every day and live our best! It takes a lot of work just to maintain our "normal" lives.

Am I a superhero?

Indeed, we are strong and courageous. We fight uncommon battles for our lives absolutely every day. However, knowing that people can see you as this 'cancer superhero' and being given this subconscious permission to be brave, #BeatCancer, #KickCancersButt, #FightLikeAGirl, and all the other awesome hashtags can be overwhelming!

We didn't choose this fight

We definitely appreciate the love and encouragement! But the reality is that some days we are just SICK! There is nothing we can do about it and to be honest, we don't even have the energy to do anything. We get weak. Not tired but fatigued; downright exhausted! We have mood swings. We battle depression and sometimes it actually fights back...and wins! LOL!!!!

We deal with feeling isolated and alone. We are oftentimes in pain. We are in agony, and it doesn't always go away. Some of us live in pain. We lose weight and we gain weight! We lose our hair, our precious hair! Until you have experienced this, you just have no idea what this does to someone. We think about our mortality more times than the average person does.

Tell me it's going to be okay!

So, it's not that we don't want to be told we are brave. Here is the thing, we know living with cancer requires a special measure of bravery. We know we are brave. But it would mean so much more if we heard, "It's going to be okay", "it's ok to feel how you are feeling", or "no matter how you feel today, I will be here to help and support you!"

Our loved ones believe they keep us strong by coaching us through this and pushing us. If they just speak positively and keep us thinking about how we "should" think then we will feel and live how we are supposed to. Please remember we are human beings with real feelings, who happen to be surviving cancer daily. Just let us be that that's how we are Brave!

Leya R. Elijah

This Is What a Fighter Looks Like

Hey guys! In this week's post we discuss the signs and symptoms of Endometriosis.

Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis include: -

pelvic pain

painful, sometimes distressing cramps which may include the rectum and legs during periods (dysmenorrhea), the pain may get worse at times

lower backache

nausea

excessive bleeding during menstrual period or intermenstrual bleeding

general weakness

infertility

painful intercourse (dyspareunia)

bowel issues such as constipation, diarrhea and bloating

tiredness and low energy

acidity and reflux problems

spotting or bleeding in between periods

increase in the size of the belly

feeling of tightness and unease in the pelvic region

low iron symptoms

fatigue and breathlessness

frequent urination

painful urination

night time urination and disturbed sleep

Dyspareunia meaning - a persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during or after sex

Dysmenorrhea meaning - severe and frequent menstrual cramps and pain during your period

The image below depicts a healthy uterus vs a uterus with endometriosis.

Photo from vectormine.com

When struggling with the pain of Endometriosis, it can be quite frustrating and exhausting to say the least, especially since there is no cure. Finding products and techniques that works is often an ongoing process of trial and error that usually involves a combination of treatments rather than one single fix.

What has helped me find some reliefs are: -

herbal teas - herbal tea may not cause the pain to go away but it can be very soothing on days when struggling with Endometriosis. I use the brand Bigelow

heating pad - the heating pad can provide soothing heat to ease cramps and provide pain relief

tens unit - a tens (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation) unit transmits low voltage electric currents to help relieve pain

essential oils - different types of oils are known to have different healing properties both physical and emotional. I use lavender in my bath water.