Dear Reader!
Allow me to share the story of my previous condition, my symptoms, my recovery and the period before and after endometriosis, in the hope that this serious and highly varied disease, which causes insidious symptoms, can be recognized and treated sooner for everyone.
I am a 42-year-old economist and the mother of a wonderful 10-year-old little girl. Aside from my genetically inherited lactose intolerance, I have always felt like a healthy, energetic, and proactive woman, until endometriosis appeared in my body, more precisely in my right ovary.
Although we are hearing more and more about this disease, unfortunately, many people don’t know exactly what it means, and most importantly, what its symptoms are. It is very difficult to recognize, as was the case for me, because it causes numerous problems in our bodies that we would never associate with another illness.
This was no different in my case either, as two years ago, I started having simple digestive issues. Initially, my digestive system became increasingly intolerant to beef and pork, followed by legumes, then soy-based and egg-based foods. The list kept growing until, after two years, I could barely eat anything (especially without fear), only the most diet-friendly foods. Everything else caused inflammation in my entire abdomen (from the lower abdomen up to the ribs), leaving me bedridden for four days after just one week of being pain-free. I couldn’t stand up, walk, or straighten up due to the stomach cramps. Over the course of two years, I underwent various food allergy tests, blood tests, and digestive examinations, all of which came back negative. My days were dominated by complete desperation and confusion, as there was no explanation for my symptoms.
The lower back pain on my right side, which lasted for two years, didn’t particularly concern me either—after all, who doesn’t experience back pain occasionally, especially if they have a desk job and are over 40? However, this symptom also worsened to the point where even driving for long periods became very painful.
I also had no serious suspicion regarding the extreme fatigue and constant lack of energy; I couldn’t connect it with any illness, even though I felt like a 70-year-old physically weakened person. I attributed all of this to the dietary restriction imposed by my nutritional regimen.
Taking one painkiller daily during the first 2 days of menstruation didn’t seem like an emergency, as most of us do this for mild cramps. I did not experience any severe pain in the ovarian area, and the menstruation period never coincided with the previously mentioned abdominal inflammation; there was no connection!
Feeling your way through the darkness is a desperate feeling, but finally, a light appeared at the end of the tunnel when Dr. Gábor Vida, an obstetrician-gynecologist—who I owe the wonderful birth of my daughter 10 years ago at the Maternity Clinic to—subsequently referred me to Dr. Szilárd Papp, an obstetrician-gynecologist and endometriosis specialist, who diagnosed me with a 13 cm endometriosis in my right ovary.. Following this, Dr. Szilárd Papp, an obstetrician-gynecologist and endometriosis specialist recommended by Dr. Vida, confirmed the diagnosis. The picture finally became clear; the contrast-enhanced abdominal MRI and Dr. Papp’s thorough ultrasound examination at the Maternity Clinic illuminated everything. The endometriosis had spread to the right fallopian tube, the uterine support ligament, and had adhered to a part of the rectum and the abdominal wall as well!
The abdominal and digestive inflammations and all my other symptoms were caused by endometriosis affecting the bowel and abdominal wall. Therefore, with the help of coordinator Fanni Benyovics—who supported me devotedly throughout—we found the earliest available date for the surgery at the clinic. The operation was performed by Dr. Szilárd Papp and Dr. Lajos Orbán.
After the successful surgery, more and more of my problems have eased and disappeared; I am continuously gaining strength and regaining my vitality! As for the food, I didn’t dive headfirst into the deep end. I am gradually reintroducing the foods I previously had to avoid, and I am doing so without any issues.
I hope that, based on my experiences and symptoms, every woman who may be affected by this disease will raise her suspicion sooner—not to instill fear, but as a precaution—because I want to draw everyone’s attention to the increasing number of patients, which unfortunately includes people in my own circle of acquaintances.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Szilárd Papp for his exceptional expertise, experience, and dedication to my recovery and well-being. The unwavering trust I felt in him was the most important thing to me. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Lajos Orbán for the successful operation and exceptional expertise, to Dr. Gábor Vida for his kindness and outstanding professionalism, to coordinator Fanni Benyovics for her dedicated attention and care, and to the entire staff at the Maternity Clinic for their contribution to my surgery and recovery through their work!
What more could I wish for than good health for everyone!
Best regards,
Beáta Szélesi