One thing that characterizes endometriosis is flare-ups. These are debilitating phases when you stop being in control of your body and the illness takes over. Flare-ups may involve curling up in pain, being driven to A&E (the hospital emergency room), or having an emotional and physical meltdown. I refer to them as “hell on earth,” and because there is little use in fighting flare-ups. But I have some emergency tools:

Peppermint tea

One of the most popular post-surgery solutions, I find peppermint tea very useful for bouts of nausea. I’m especially prone to bad digestion, and during flare-ups it gets so bad it even makes my knees weak. Drinking peppermint tea twice daily aids digestion, keeps bloating in check, and is very comforting.

Turmeric drinks

Whether it’s in the form of a latte warm drink, or mixed in a smoothie, turmeric can help with inflammation and pain. Personally, it has been a game-changer for me as it makes me feel less bloated, and this has had a direct effect on my pain levels.

Comfort TV

Last week, I wrote about the mental side of endometriosis. It’s not pretty and it makes daily life extremely tough. Watching “RuPaul’s Drag Race” not only entertains me (Latrice Royale and Bianca Del Rio are comedy queens), but also seeing these artists deal with issues like homophobia, broken families, and hardship, yet relentlessly pursuing their dreams, is inspiring. They make me smile every time they doll themselves up, put on a stunning dress, and strut a runway like they’re the best thing since sparkling trainers. It even makes me want to slap on some lipstick when all I can do is hide under my duvet. They encourage me to get better and pursue my own dreams. To me that’s life-saving.

CBD oil

I have mentioned it before, but hemp oil helps me in many ways. My flare-ups include heavy migraines, and CBD oil is very effective at easing them.

Keeping my TENS machine fully charged

It’s the one gadget I always have ready for a bad flare-up. Even my phone comes second to my TENS machine! I bought mine online. It’s minuscule and cost me about $20.

You can’t generalize with endometriosis. What works for me may not do so for you, but I hope that by sharing some of my own tools, you may find one or two that are useful.

What do you reach for during flare-ups? If you have any tips, please feel free to share them in the comments section below.

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Note: Endometriosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Endometriosis News or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to endometriosis.