Caroline was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 13 years old, and her fight has been a well-fought and busy one! Now 15 years old, she shares her journey with us today!

Caroline’s Journey: My name is Caroline. I am a 15 year old girl and deal with endo in everyday life. Lets start with a little info about me. I am a competitive swimmer, my team is very intense.

I was diagnosed with endo at age 13. Before endo with many doctors and tests including colonoscopy, endoscopy, MRI, cat scans and lots of ultra sounds and internal and external tests the found nothing wrong with me. I did find out I had IBS and now am on medication. We really assumed all my chronic pain was that and constipation on weekly basis.

About age 14 one Tuesday at school I was in math with very traumatic pain on my left side of my abdominal. I was sent to the ER. I had a awful experience with a resident telling me I was just constipated and was over reacting. I knew something was wrong with me. A 14 year old shouldn’t be in this much pain. I mean who should?

After that I was sent to my primary care gyno. My first gyno ever. I got my period at age 10 and had/have a extremely heavy flow. She put me on a birth control to help. After 2-3 months on this the pain increased and I missed more and more school and swim. Sometimes I would need to take 3 Advils at a time… don’t do that ever. It wasn’t healthy on my body and I started loosing increasing amounts of weight. I missed tests and home work. I got behind in swim and missed my friends.

When nothing changed my mom knew we had to go see someone who could really help me. I got in a emergency appointment with a GYNO at Boston Children hospital. Someone who specialized in my issues and pain. She was really kind and didn’t judge me or question me. I was then put on a estrogen based pill. Now this pill was used to try to help my cramping pain. The first night I went on it I woke up at 12am vomiting increasing amounts of food and water. We assumed it was my body adjusting.

This continued the first week. 12-2am vomiting sleeping in the bathroom near the toilet freezing to death. this wasn’t normal. This now lasted the 2 months I was on it. Puking every night or morning not sleeping missing school and loosing increasing amounts of weight. With the IBS and my gluten allergy I stopped eating more and more because my anxiety would take over my head and freak me out about vomiting. I felt like the biggest wimp having to now 4 times in the last 2 months meet with my doctor at BC.

Now we moved to my next step. I needed the surgery. Needed this to help me. I mean no one wants surgery but knowing it would give us answers and help gave me faith and confidence to get it. To all the girls out there and women you are all song strong and powerful. Endo sucks it really does but we don’t keep that from showing who we are and staying strong. I am Caroline and this is my story on being diagnosed with endometriosis. I am an EndoSister!

Words of Advice:  You are powerful, strong, amazing. You got this!

I want to send a special Thank You out to Caroline being brave enough to share her journey with us today. Continue to fight!! You’re an amazing Warrior! Yours, Lisa.

And if YOU would like to share your story, you can do so by submitting this form.  The best part about this disease is the strong network of love and support from our fellow EndoSisters, and our friends and family, too.