SJ Longthorne

Hello I'm Elle and I have #endometriosis and it is currently making my life absolutely miserable. Not only is there pain but there are gastrointestinal issues, hives, hot flashes, fatigue, dizzyness/lightheadedness, and intense nausea

I talk about #endometriosis every month because every month it consumes my existence as it does for so many others and yet it is continuously ignored or downplayed. It's not "just a bad period" It's a serious chronic disease

#endometriosis means uterine tissue grows in places it shouldn't. On your bowels, or liver, or kidneys, or stomach, or (in rare cases) on your lungs. When you menstruate, that tissue menstruates too...cause inflammation and bleeding wherever it happens to be growing

Inflammation that impacts your entire system. Pain is a main symptom, as are inflammatory bowel-type symptoms, crushing fatigue, migraines, and other systemic dysfunctions. #endometriosis makes it hard-to-impossible for me to eat, or even walk

Take #endometriosis seriously. Take those of us who live with it seriously. Don't downplay our symptoms. Understand that we are suffering, often without any relief

For some, monthly birth control can help. But for others it can't. For some, hysterectomies can stop symptoms for not for all sufferers. There's no cure. There's not even a firm method of diagnosis beyond surgery,

My body is a ticking time bomb, counting down until menstruation triggers a massive systemic upheaval. My life is a constant struggle, knowing that even when I feel ok it won't last long. Every month can bring new symptoms

So I will use whatever platform I have to talk about #endometriosis. For those of us out there suffering, know you're not alone. I see you. I understand. And you're doing you're best. You're doing so well <3