Nantcy has suffered from intense pain since her first period, but it was only at the age of 35 that a doctor diagnosed her with endometriosis, even though she was unable to have a child. Through her journey, she gives us the keys that help her daily to overcome her chronic illness.
- “Chronic fatigue is one of the most recurring symptoms, along with pelvic pain and digestive problems,” Nantcy explains.
- To manage her pain, she always organizes her daily life accordingly. The forty-year-old also left the stressful Parisian life to join her family in the south, by the sea.
- And when the pain is too intense, she always uses her hot water bottle, because the heat soothes it and she also massages her stomach with a massage oil with essential oils and CBD.
“The pain can be more or less intense and debilitating depending on my level of stress, my emotions and my diet.”, explains Nantcy Leone, who has suffered since the appearance of her first periods between 14 and 15 years old. “Chronic fatigue is one of the most recurring symptoms, along with pelvic pain and digestive problems. My stomach swells depending on the moment of the cycle and what I eat… It’s the famous “endo belly” which sometimes prevents us from dressing as we want.”
“I didn’t feel listened to or understood”
This endometriosis impacted all aspects of his life: social, family, intimate and professional. “I tried to manage as best I could by taking pills, paying more attention to my diet, and I did some research because I knew deep down that it wasn’t normal to suffer so much.” However, the various doctors she consulted at the time did not prescribe any tests and always told her that her endometrium was “perfect” and that there was no endometriosis. “I didn’t feel listened to or understood”, confides the forty-year-old.
It was after more than 20 years of medical wandering that the diagnosis was finally made following a fertility assessment. “I also had to insist heavily on having an MRI, which is the main test for detecting endometriosis. she laments. “Once the diagnosis came, I felt relieved for a brief moment, then I collapsed. I didn’t know where to start to get better, who to turn to, what to do. I went through some very difficult times, but my unwavering willpower took over. I learned more about this gynecological and inflammatory disease, its symptoms and its daily impacts as well as ways to alleviate its pain.”
Pain, fatigue: “I organize my schedule accordingly”
The most complicated period? “That of menstruation! The pain and fatigue can be very intense, and at that time I need to rest more, especially since my periods are also very heavy and last a week. So I organize my schedule accordingly.” Former journalist on permanent contract in Paris, Nantcy made the decision to radically change her life by leaving her job to become a freelancer, and moving to the south of France to find “his famille, the sun and the sea”.
“I suffered in silence for a long time, the doctors prescribed me painkillers and said that it was normal to have pain, that I shouldn’t worry, that I must be a bit of a jerk…”, she remembers. “I could be in pain for up to 3 weeks a month. Dyspareunia [douleurs durant les rapports, ndlr] were also getting stronger and stronger.”
Anti-inflammatory diet and activities to reduce stress
A typical day in Natncy? “Every morning on an empty stomach, I drink a teaspoon of wheatgrass which I mix with apple juice (to mask the taste a little), in order to reduce my chronic fatigue. It’s very energizing!” She then continues with a thyme or rosemary herbal tea for the anti-inflammatory properties of these plants.
“Diet and stress are inflammatory factors that can greatly increase pain. So I implemented an anti-inflammatory diet favoring colorful fruits and vegetables, legumes and whole grains, nuts and oilseeds. I don’t necessarily follow it to the letter to avoid frustration, but I have, for example, banned lactose, coffee, alcohol and I try to eat healthily, even if I allow myself small pleasures.”
To reduce her stress, she practices activities that “do good” such as writing, dancing, meditation, walks by the sea or in nature. “We also recommend implementing appropriate physical activity, with low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, dancing, yoga or Pilates. This promotes blood circulation, reduces inflammation, strengthens muscles and improves mood.”
“Hypnosis has also done me a lot of good, as have art therapy and dance. I also practice meditation and carry out some sophrology exercises.”, she adds.
Heat, essential oils and Tens to relieve very intense pain
“When the pain is too intense, I always use my hot water bottle, because the heat soothes my pain (for some, it will be the cold). I also massage my stomach with a massage oil with essential oils and CBD.”
Another tip to relieve chronic pain: transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation, or “Tens” which must be prescribed by a doctor.
Currently, Nantcy is testing “ventousotherapy” with an expert. “It takes several sessions before you see a real improvement, but I am already less tired, the pain has reduced and my periods are a little less heavy. Be careful, however, it is important to choose the practitioners carefully and to read the reviews beforehand. Some claim to be alternative medicine therapists even though they have neither diplomas nor training.” She also shows this technique on her Instagram account @mieux_vivre_endo_pma,
on which she shares a lot of information and advice to help other women in her situation.
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“We need to know how to listen to ourselves and observe what suits us best”
Always with the aim of helping and “give as much advice and solutions as possible”, Nantcy Leone also published the book Endometriosis, PMA, how to live your journey betterpublished by Fauves Éditions, and launched the podcast ‘Endo & PMA, How to better experience your journey?‘. “We are all different, and there are as many women as there are endometriosis. We need to know how to listen to ourselves and observe what suits us best.”, she recalls before adding: “These women should not be left alone. Today there are multiple accounts and numerous “endogirl” communities on social networks in which women help each other. They can contact endometriosis associations to participate in conferences, events or get advice on how to better navigate their journey.”
His final advice: “It is essential to stop feeling guilty. It’s okay not to be at your best every day! Learn about this disease and listen to your body first. Pains are just messages that we must decipher. They can be reduced.”