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Invisible Illness: Woman's Body 'On Fire' for Years
23 Mar
Summary
- Woman endured severe pain, bleeding, and vomiting for years.
- Her symptoms were dismissed, attributing them to weight or periods.
- Diagnosis took a decade, revealing extensive endometriosis spread.
Tehyana Johnson, 22, from Norwich, endured a decade of severe symptoms, including painful periods, heavy bleeding, blood in urine, and full-body pain, which she described as her body being 'on fire'. Medical professionals repeatedly dismissed her concerns, attributing them to her weight or 'bad periods,' leading to over 250 appointments in a three-year span.
In July 2025, after a decade of advocacy and self-diagnosis, Johnson finally received an endometriosis diagnosis via laparoscopy. The surgery revealed extensive lesions and scar tissue on multiple organs, including her bowels. While vindicated, she expressed anger over the prolonged delay and the preventable suffering.
Endometriosis UK reports an average diagnostic wait of over eight years, affecting 176 million women globally. Johnson's experience highlights the critical need for earlier recognition and diagnosis of this debilitating, currently incurable condition affecting women's quality of life.
