If you’ve ever suffered, you’ll know what I’m talking about. In my case it was sitting on the examination table dressed in the hospital super hero blue coat, as my doc said to me, “they’re just cysts, it’s totally normal.” The stabbing pain on my side didn’t feel normal.
Fast forward to days after my surgery before I received a blood transfusion, a young doctor intern strides in full of ego as his juniors with clipboards ferociously take notes as he discusses his thoughts. He tries to argue that 300mg of ferrous gluconate (up to a 25% absorption rate) is more absorbable than my ferrous succinate (which is up to 32% absorption rate). I tell him I’m in pain and weak and that it’s the only thing that’s mildly helping. He doesn’t listen but after listening to me hyperventilating, he suggests that I should be on anti-anxiety medications.
[Queue Melissa having an Ally McBeal moment of launching the intern doctor out the door as he slides down the hall and crashes into a bunch of nurses like a bowling ball]
Just a side note: If you don’t have enough blood (and therefore iron), you will begin to gasp for air since blood carries oxygen. Anxiety begins to ensue. Not to mention, I’d assume that’s common to feel slightly anxious anyway after a life-saving surgery.
So for the PCOS, ovarian cysts and everyone out there reading who have ever been told that it’s normal…it’s not. And when you cry or feel frustrated, you are not crazy. So how do you deal with it? Here are some tips:
Don’t stop looking for answers
I find that this is one of the number one ways that I was able to get a grip. I became determined to overcome my health struggles and help others and it’s exactly what I did. And it’s another reason why I put on the free masterclass – take a listen to it if you haven’t!
Thank them (silently)
Sometimes when people discredit pain, what they don’t realize is that in some (like me), it makes me want to find answers (like above). In fact, it drives me. So I silently thank them because I was unwilling to settle for what they deemed as “normal”.
Empower yourself & get your power back
Focusing within is one of the greatest tools we can have. In fact, far too often I see patients putting the attention on their outsides rather than insides. But if you empower yourself through even a 10-minute meditation session (and no, it’s not supposed to be easy folks), then you’ll see a dramatic difference. I’ve experienced greater clarity, being able to deflect verbal stones and allowing things to roll off my back easier. In my upcoming PCOS & Ovarian Cyst program, one the things I’ll be providing is an emotional toolkit that you can easily put into practice daily.
I have had many patients cry to me as they with courage, share their story. And I think it’s important as a practitioner to provide the space to do so. You should have the opportunity to lick your wounds before you can move on. Plus you should be empowered with the information and tools to get better and, that you’re not alone.
In the meantime, when has your pain been discredited and what did you do?