Ashlee is 30 years old with endometriosis, diabetes, fibromyalgia, PTSD, depression , anxiety, polycystic ovary syndrome, and gastroparesis . She previously worked selling books.
Let’s talk about your primary or most pervasive diagnosis. What would you say that is?
I think for me Endometriosis and Depression hit me more regularly and for the longest I would say
What is your earliest memory of having your illness?
To me like 2002 first time being depressed and then being diagnosed. [According to my] family me choosing to come out the womb early was a sign of my impending Anxiety.
When were you diagnosed?
[I was diagnosed with depression at] 13 then endometriosis [at] 29.
What was your diagnosis journey like?
Depression seemed like the easier diagnosis to get. After being bullied and then being hospitalized for self-harm that was a no brainer for [doctors].
Endometriosis seemed to take longer and had a long road of bad advice from doctors and ignoring it like a bad period. [Until] one doctor decided to try a laparoscopy to see or at least give us a chance to cross something out.
How has your illness affected work and/or school?
School with depression, ptsd and self harm was the hardest to the point I was transferred to special school.
With endometriosis [the] pain was so bad that at first [every time I got my period I was basically] useless. Then as it got worse the pain was more than once a month and […] working retail and standing for long [periods of time] was hard cause the pain [to radiate] in my back. [It] was physically sickening
How has your illness affected your relationships?
With family it’s been a journey [as so far as my] mental health, and with endometriosis I think after my second surgery lasted longer than estimated that my family realized something is really bad [going on witn me and] this disease.
How has your illness affected your activities you do for fun?
I have to sometimes rework [my costumes] for comfort a lot. [When] walking and dancing I pace myself. Even with conventions I have to walk and be active just under my limit because if I go beyond [what I should do] the pain for days later is a lot.
Have you found new activities due to your illness?
Writing about and speaking about my illness. I write on my blog : http://Dragonfyreandice.wordpress.com Write for : https://newreleasewednesday.wordpress.com
Also reading and art. And I post on my Instagram Instagram/thebadwolfreigns
Let’s talk about your primary or most pervasive diagnosis. What would you say that is?
I think for me Endometriosis and Depression hit me more regularly and for the longest I would say
What is your earliest memory of having your illness?
To me like 2002 first time being depressed and then being diagnosed. [According to my] family me choosing to come out the womb early was a sign of my impending Anxiety.
When were you diagnosed?
[I was diagnosed with depression at] 13 then endometriosis [at] 29.
What was your diagnosis journey like?
Depression seemed like the easier diagnosis to get. After being bullied and then being hospitalized for self-harm that was a no brainer for [doctors].
Endometriosis seemed to take longer and had a long road of bad advice from doctors and ignoring it like a bad period. [Until] one doctor decided to try a laparoscopy to see or at least give us a chance to cross something out.
How has your illness affected work and/or school?
School with depression, ptsd and self harm was the hardest to the point I was transferred to special school.
With endometriosis [the] pain was so bad that at first [every time I got my period I was basically] useless. Then as it got worse the pain was more than once a month and […] working retail and standing for long [periods of time] was hard cause the pain [to radiate] in my back. [It] was physically sickening
How has your illness affected your relationships?
With family it’s been a journey [as so far as my] mental health, and with endometriosis I think after my second surgery lasted longer than estimated that my family realized something is really bad [going on witn me and] this disease.
How has your illness affected your activities you do for fun?
I have to sometimes rework [my costumes] for comfort a lot. [When] walking and dancing I pace myself. Even with conventions I have to walk and be active just under my limit because if I go beyond [what I should do] the pain for days later is a lot.
Have you found new activities due to your illness?
Writing about and speaking about my illness. I write on my blog : http://Dragonfyreandice.wordpress.com Write for : https://newreleasewednesday.wordpress.com
Also reading and art. And I post on my Instagram Instagram/thebadwolfreigns
Do you have hope for relief for you? A cure? Or do you think your illness is forever?
A cure; no. But hope of better treatment; yes.
Does the current treatment you’re trying seem effective?
At times. [I’m] more worried about the fertility options.
What things you do to maintain hope? Activities? Belief system? Things you look forward to?
My current gyno and her understanding of the disease and kindness means a lot. My therapist and psychiatrist I have had forever and are invaluable supports. My close friends and family help get through down slopes and are usually understanding when I say I can’t which I appreciate.
A cure; no. But hope of better treatment; yes.
Does the current treatment you’re trying seem effective?
At times. [I’m] more worried about the fertility options.
What things you do to maintain hope? Activities? Belief system? Things you look forward to?
My current gyno and her understanding of the disease and kindness means a lot. My therapist and psychiatrist I have had forever and are invaluable supports. My close friends and family help get through down slopes and are usually understanding when I say I can’t which I appreciate.
