I wasn’t expecting to feel it on day one.

When you start Lupron, it actually increases your estrogen levels for 1-2 weeks before it brings them down. I don’t know why this happens, but I do know the implications. This means endometriosis symptoms get worse before they get better.

Not even 24 hours after my shot my usual abdominal cramping that I can mostly ignore became overwhelming with sharp, stabbing pains that doubled me over. The GI symptoms started almost immediately after that. I have been completely useless –my mind is consumed by one thing: pain.

I got flashbacks while going back and forth from the bathtub to the toilet of myself 6 years ago before I was diagnosed with endometriosis. It’s like the lupron completely canceled out all the progress from my 2016 surgery and my continuous progesterone.

I did know what I was in for, but knowing what you’re going to sacrifice and actually living it are so different.

My husband keeps reminding me of the endgame. Ultimately this medication could be my saving grace, the key to a permanent solution.

But I am already so discouraged on day one, and I know it will only get worse before it gets better. Looking to the next couple weeks is daunting at best.

However I did not come into this unprepared. I’ve always felt it better to be proactive about mental health rather than retroactive. To that end I had scheduled an appointment with my therapist for one week after my initial consultation with the gynaecologist. I knew our treatment plan was going to be more aggressive and likely involve hormones, so I wanted to have a strategy session with my therapist to prepare for it.

The first part of my game plan is daily mood tracking. When the menopausal symptoms start, I need to have a record of my mood so I can catch any downward trends and know if my psychiatric medications need adjustment.

A preventative measure I already started over a month ago –immediately after the strategy session with my therapist –was to include some kind of devotional during my morning routine. My church puts out lots of short youtube videos with inspirational messages, so I have been watching one of those each morning.

We also decided gentle yoga or stretching would help with some of the menopause symptoms. My plan is to attend the seniors yoga and stretching class at the Y.

The last item in the game plan was to schedule out sessions every other week for the next couple months. Though I ended up having to cancel the first two because of the obstacles in getting the medication approved by my insurance.

Well, it’s the end of day one and I can say I made it in one piece. And that’s one day closer now to the finish line.

I’m incredibly grateful my injection fell right before a 3 day weekend, because I don’t know how I would’ve dealt without my husband home, and I have a feeling I’m going to need him the next two days as well.

It is extremely difficult and humbling for me to ask for help during this time, but Max is picking up all the slack and on top of working full time and being 100% on kid duty when he’s home, he doesn’t have time to get to everything. We could really use some help. If you’re local, meals are greatly appreciated. If you aren’t, gift cards to restaurants or donations to help with those pricey ready made meals at the grocery store would be really helpful as well. With all the medical bills piling up, we can’t really afford to eat out or buy pre-made meals right now. Thank you so much to everyone who has already contributed. My friend made us meal train for anyone who wants to donate meals or funds through there. If you’d rather donate your time in some way please reach out to me. Thank you.