The Tale of Amelia: An Endometriosis Warrioress

“Persevering in the face of extreme pain. It has been a journey full of so many highs and lows. I guess at times, with the pain being so severe, it was difficult to let go and accept that that was the reality of the situation” 

says 26-year-old Amelia about her journey with endometriosis.

Amelia first became diagnosed with Endometriosis at the age of 23 after suffering with debilitating period pain for over two years and searching for answers with various medical professionals.  “I had seen other doctors and gynaecologists who did not seem to take me seriously. One telling me at the age of 22 that I should just get pregnant! I left that consult not a happy-chappy.”

Amelia didn’t give up on herself though. She was determined to find her answer and re-claim her quality of life.  She was not going to accept that she just had to put up with feeling at the mercy of her menstrual cycle.  It was robbing her of joy and holding her back from the things she loved.

What first made you reach out to a naturopath?

At the age of 21, I started to suffer from extreme period pains that came on suddenly. I had been to the doctor about it initially and was not happy with just being prescribed the pill with no other solution or answer as to why I suddenly had this pain – as I had never had any issues with my period prior. I wanted to explore a natural way of managing my pain and find some answers as to why it was occurring so I initially saw Melissa.

How did you feel after your very first consult?

I felt that someone was finally listening to me. By this stage I had seen other doctors and gynaecologists who did not seem to take me seriously. One telling me at the age of 22 that I should just get pregnant, I left that consult not a happy-chappy. At this point I had two weeks of extreme PMS, hot flushes, mood swings and restless nights. Day one of my period was unbearable.  I was unable to work, sit, lie down and participate in day to day life. I was pretty much confined to a piping hot shower that would leave reddened areas on my back due to the heat and maxing out on every analgesia still in excruciating pain.

It was a breath of fresh air when I saw Melissa and she took my pain and the other symptoms seriously. I am a nurse and along this journey I have wanted to be informed and know everything and anything that I am taking and how/why it is helping my body. I have felt informed from the very first day and I have loved Melissa’s thorough approach of testing such as saliva analysis and then basing her treatments on these results and altering them along the way based on my bodies response.

Was there anything that surprised you along the way?

Being diagnosed with endometriosis post laparoscopy that was a shock but at least I knew I wasn’t going crazy and I had an answer as to what was going on.

I am also and will always continue to be surprised by the way that our food is actually medicine and the way that our body can respond so positively to natural treatments.

Melissa has helped me to overcome my pain in ways that I could never have imagined!!

What was the biggest challenge you faced?

Persevering in the face of extreme pain. It has been a journey full of so many highs and lows. I guess at times with the pain being so severe it was difficult to let go and accept that that was the reality of the situation and that I couldn’t control everything.  Sometimes I just wanted to throw in the towel and go for the more conventional modern medicine option and continue taking modern pain relief.

Also, the stigma around period pain and how long it can take for women to be heard and taken seriously. I feel so lucky that it only took me 2 years to be diagnosed given that the average length of time to diagnosis is 7 years!!

How did you overcome these challenges?

I guess just realising that I owe it to myself and my body to give it a red-hot crack and try alternative therapies and trust that my body would eventually respond.

Also talking about endometriosis with my amazing supportive partner, friends and family. I am so open about it now because I feel as women, we deserve not to suffer in silence and periods are actually an amazingly normal human process - a topic that shouldn’t be pushed under the rug.

What was the biggest lesson you learnt?

I think to trust myself and listen to my body.

Seek second opinions and push for investigations and treatments that work for my situation - there will never be a perfect ‘one size fits all’ for the treatment of endometriosis. 

Also, that I have a choice in how I react and respond to the challenges that I faced.

Sometimes we might find a silver lining. 

Mine is that I am so aware of my body as a 26-year-old and sadly most people just carry on in autopilot and don’t notice all of its intricacies.

How are you feeling now?

I am feeling great! I have just had four of the best periods that I can recall. I am now able to go to work and function normally with simple analgesia.  Something that I haven’t achieved in years!!

Do you have any words of wisdom for someone who is reading this and dealing with endometriosis?

Absolutely, go for it!  You owe it to yourself and your body. Melissa will work wonders for you. She is such a kind, caring and compassionate person and that really shows through in the work that she has done with me. She is also approachable and her treatments are at the forefront of naturopathy. You will leave your appointment feeling as though you’ve caught up with a friend. Thank you for all of your help over the years Melissa.