Unconscionable Apathy....

I was under the misguided perception that society as a whole did not live within a vacuum, that each was not so encapsulated in their own world that they were incapable of even making an effort to understand or even have the slightest bit of empathy for their fellow man, or in this case woman. My latest frustration is with my pharmacy...  not just any pharmacy, but with the pharmacy that I depend on for a monthly shot to keep my estrogen levels down so my endometriosis doesn't kick into overdrive. Ordering my medication and running into complications that caused delays, which could mean the difference between a visit to the emergency room or not... and I might as well been discussing shoes with the person on the other end of the phone. I am telling you, in no uncertain terms that I need this medication, it a critical tool of many to help keep my condition at a tolerable level so I can function as a normal human being - including keeping my job... and the disconnect and apathy on the other end of the phone was almost as intolerable as the pain I was in. Now I can't for the life of me understand why a two diseases (endometriosis and fibromyalgia) that so many women suffer are still so misunderstood and literally unknown. I realize many women don't want to discuss either. One being somewhat personal in nature and most people believe that it has more to do with reproduction and infertility. For some yes, for others, not even close. Try discussing with your employer why you miss so much work... oh yeah, mention fibromyalgia and they think you are mental and should consult the shrink with the employee assistance program, and mention the endometriosis (which I have been dealing with the side effects for 38 years) with a 30 something supervisor that blushes so red you know that he wouldn't be caught dead purchasing feminine products for his wife or girlfriend... I'll get right on it. Try going to the nearest emergency room doubled over in severe pain for help and see what happens - even if you tell them what is going on and mark it in your medical history. Time and time again listing "endometriosis" on my medical history is continuously overlooked and dismissed... yet I have stage IV which is deep invasive and is more related to how it interferes with my internal organs and the subsequent pain. Ironically, the intensity and overall global pain of my fibromyalgia tends to coincide with my estrogen levels. Again, they try to do tests to find out what is wrong, why you are in so much pain and then pat you on the head and tell you to suck it up you are having a painful period go purchase a heading pad at the pharmacy and wait for it to pass...  Okay, that isn't going to help the fact that I can't eat anything because the adhesion's around my stomach are inflamed keeping it from expanding even when I try to drink water, that a portion of my bowel doesn't work because it is fused to my pelvic wall and again the adhesion's keep it from doing its job, and the list goes on an on, but that's another rant. Both diseases are different, yet for many women the symptoms run parallel to and ebb and flow along with estrogen levels. What frustrates me is that only recently has the medical community taken a shine to endometriosis, and mostly because of what that means in terms of infertility. Now don't get me wrong, I have the highest understanding for those who are unable to conceive.... but I also know that there are equally as many women out there whose relationship with endometriosis is completely different.  It is so new that your standard spell check doesn't even have it in their dictionary.... With stage IV endometriosis, it has overgrown ones internal organs - attaching and affecting any and all exposed organs and tissue. Yes surgery is an option for some, but not for others and that depends on the depth and breadth of the invasion... Tell me, would you let a surgeon remove growth from the outside of a critical organ just because he says he can when other surgeons have told you that it would not be safe to do so? Then it becomes a matter of pain management, and therein lies your relationship with your doctor and pharmacies and of course your medical provider. Now I realize that the person on the other end of the phone listens to endless whining and complaining all day long, and each person, either real or perceived needs their medication NOW - but the attitudes I have dealt with are no different than those I would encounter if I were calling my cell phone, cable or any other customer support company. To me that is just plain wrong. When you are in tears and in so much pain that that medication makes the difference of you going to work or deciding if you really want to deal with the pain just one more day... and you are dealt with as if you were having an issue sending a text message. ...and yet we have no choices.  Both endometriosis and fybromyalgia - like many other conditions/diseases, etc. have been around for years, and yes, there have been some research in the recent years, but compared to the number of women (and men with fibromyalgia) that are dealing with these they are not nearly far enough along in either eradicating or controlling them. Like many others, until they decide it is worth it to their wallet, thing will never change.  March was Endometriosis Awareness Month, and now May is Fibromyalgia Awareness Month...  but we can no longer limit our  to "Awareness Month's", we need to launch all out awareness all year long.