{"id":7807,"date":"2025-10-30T11:09:30","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T12:09:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/?p=7807"},"modified":"2025-11-05T21:35:27","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T21:35:27","slug":"i-thought-id-hurt-myself-at-the-gym-but-ive-got-endometriosis-in-my-chest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/30\/i-thought-id-hurt-myself-at-the-gym-but-ive-got-endometriosis-in-my-chest\/","title":{"rendered":"I thought I\u2019d hurt myself at the gym \u2014 but I\u2019ve got endometriosis in my chest"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"363\" src=\"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEC_272035145-251c.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-24537443\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>The 39-year-old assumed her shoulder pain was because of a routine gym injury (Picture: Jen Pickering)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&#8216;Every time I think I&#8217;ve got it under control, it throws me another challenge,&#8217; says Jen Pickering, 39, of her unusual health diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p>In late 2023, Jen, from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=012545676297898659090:wk87ya_pczq&amp;q=https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/liverpool-fc\/&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiohLmmw8SQAxUPOPsDHW6fB7oQFnoECAoQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ne6l1wOL5zlG0NNGYfO3d\">Liverpool<\/a>, felt a sudden pain near her shoulder blade, and assumed she&#8217;d pulled a muscle while stretching in the gym.<\/p>\n<p>But countless tests revealed a shocking diagnosis: her right lung had collapsed. <\/p>\n<p>It marked the beginning of a long and painful journey, until Jen was finally diagnosed with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theendometriosisfoundation.org\/what-is-thoracic-endometriosis\">thoracic endometriosis<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>While endometriosis is more well known as a reproductive condition, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theendometriosisfoundation.org\/what-is-thoracic-endometriosis\">thoracic endometriosis<\/a> is a complex form of the disease, when tissue, similar to that found in the lining of the uterus, grows in and around the chest cavity, most commonly on the diaphragm, and also in the lung.<\/p>\n<p>A spokesperson from the Endometriosis Trust told <strong>Metro<\/strong>: &#8216;Thoracic endometriosis is a stark reminder that endometriosis is a whole-body disease that can affect multiple organs. For too long, many have suffered because their symptoms didn\u2019t fit the textbook version of the illness.&#8217;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"364\" src=\"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEI_272015022-2093-e1761925421689.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-24537390\" alt=\"WORDS BYLINE: Andrea Caknis When Jen Pickering felt a sudden pain under her shoulder blade in late 2023, she assumed she???d just pulled a muscle while stretching at the gym. But what doctors discovered on an X-ray would turn the 39-year-old???s life upside down - her right lung had collapsed. It was the beginning of a long and painful journey. Jen, from Liverpool, was diagnosed with thoracic endometriosis, a rare and complex form of the disease that causes tissue similar to the lining of the uterus to grow in and around the lungs. Her lung has now collapsed 16 times, possibly more, and she???s undergone three major thoracic surgeries and one minor procedure, with three of those operations performed using video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) Her most recent operation was five months ago and repaired both her lung and diaphragm. ???The good news is that since my last operation, my lung hasn???t collapsed again,??? she says. ???But the recovery has been brutal. I still have pain, numbness, and nerve issues. It???s like my body???s been rewired.??? During her recovery, Jen developed Harlequin Syndrome, a rare nerve condition that causes one side of the face to flush and sweat while the other remains pale and cold. ???When I exercise, my right arm, the side I had surgery on, goes icy cold and covered in goosebumps, even when I???m sweating everywhere else,??? she explains. ???Sometimes it tingles so badly I can???t use it for hours. It???s so strange, but it???s just another side effect of what endometriosis and surgery have done to my body.??? All of Jen???s incisions have now fully healed, though the recovery process wasn???t easy. ???One of the wounds became infected and took a long time to close,??? she says. ???If you???re squeamish, you might want to look away, but it???s important to show the reality of what people like me go through.??? Her ribcage and back now carry the visible reminders of years of surgery, the scars and inflammation that tell the story of living through one lung collapse after another. ???Each mark tells a story,??? she says. ???It???s proof of how much my body???s fought to keep going.??? Jen???s diagnosis means her lung collapses almost perfectly in sync with her menstrual cycle, a condition known as catamenial pneumothorax. ???It???s often within a few days of my period starting,??? she explains. ???My doctors told me the endometriosis on my diaphragm and lungs reacts to hormonal changes, which causes the collapses.??? Jen has not been able to fly for two years and misses the freedom of travel deeply. ???I tell myself it???ll just be a few weeks until I can do those things again,??? she says. ???But I know it???ll probably be months. For now, I need to stay close to my doctors, they???ve been incredible throughout this journey, but it???s still hard not being able to live life as freely as I???d like.??? Despite her ongoing health struggles, Jen has become an advocate for endometriosis awareness. Recently, she was invited to present to a global medical company about thoracic endometriosis, a rare opportunity for a patient. ???They don???t normally have patients speak on their education days, so it was such an honour,??? she says. ???I wanted to make sure they understood that thoracic endometriosis doesn???t look the same for everyone. Not every patient needs lung surgery or has collapses, the symptoms can vary massively.??? The company, which manufactures chest drains used after lung surgery, asked how they could do more to help. Jen encouraged them to focus on education and research, highlighting how little data exists about thoracic endometriosis and its treatment outcomes. ???Even studying something as specific as chest drain placement could make a difference,??? she says. ???I suggested they link up with charities to provide resources for patients preparing for thoracic surgery. They seemed really receptive, so hopefully, some of it will come to life.??? ???It???s often described as rare,??? Jen says, ???but really, it???s just rarely recognised. It???s not that it doesn???t happen, it???s that doctors aren???t trained to look for it.??? Her TikTok @mycollapsedlung. has become a vital tool for raising awareness. ???If you???re female and you have right-sided rib pain that flares up around your period, or shoulder pain that makes no sense, please don???t ignore it,??? she warns. ???Endometriosis can grow around your lungs, even near your heart. In severe cases, it can even grow inside the lungs.??? Jen encourages women to track their symptoms, especially pain that starts within 72 hours before menstruation and continues through it, or pain that radiates from the chest to the neck or down the arm. ???When thoracic endometriosis becomes chronic, the pain often stops being cyclical,??? she adds. ???It becomes daily, which makes it even harder to recognise. But awareness is everything, if my story helps just one woman get diagnosed sooner, it???s worth it.??? For now, Jen is focusing on recovery, both physically and emotionally, and continuing to advocate for others. ???Endometriosis is relentless,??? she says. ???Every time I think I???ve got it under control, it throws me another challenge. But I???m not giving up. My lung might collapse every month, but my spirit hasn???t.??? Featuring: Jen Pickering recent operation, 24 weeks ago, repaired both her lung and diaphragm When: 24 Oct 2025 Credit: Jen Pickering\/Cover Images **All usages and enquiries, please contact info@cover-images.com - +44 (0)20 3397 3000EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND\/OR SUPPLIER.**\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Jen says recovering has been &#8216;brutal&#8217; (Picture: Jen Pickering)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After experiencing the severe chest pain in 2023, Jess went straight to her GP. &#8216;I had such a disturbing &#8220;barking&#8221; type cough that they said an X-ray may be useful,&#8217; she Jen.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;I had the X-ray that same week, and they could see pretty quickly that I had a collapsed lung.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>At the time, medics thought this had happened &#8216;spontaneously.&#8217; But after surgery, Jen&#8217;s lung kept collapsing. <\/p>\n<p>&#8216;By lung collapse five, I knew it was more than just &#8220;spontaneous&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;So, I did my own research, as did my consultant, and together we decided that a specialist at a hospital in <a data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/oxfordshire\/\">Oxford<\/a> would be useful in providing insight into my case. <\/p>\n<p>&#8216;Within five minutes of talking with this specialist, he advised that I almost definitely had thoracic endometriosis.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>Jen said she&#8217;d never heard of the disease, but adds: &#8216;When I was diagnosed, I wasn\u2019t surprised.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>She continues: &#8216;It was bittersweet; a relief having an explanation yet being stuck with a disease I desperately didn\u2019t want.&#8217;<\/p>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tSymptoms of thoracic endometriosis\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Shoulder tip pain<\/li>\n<li>Pain in the chest and upper abdomen<\/li>\n<li>Breathing difficulties <\/li>\n<li>Benign growths <\/li>\n<li>Coughing up blood<\/li>\n<li>Lung collapse<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Jen has since had multiple surgeries, and says her health journey has been &#8216;brutal&#8217;. <\/p>\n<p>She&#8217;s also developed harlequin syndrome, a rare nerve condition that causes one side of the face to flush and sweat while the other remains pale and cold.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;When I exercise, my right arm, the side I had surgery on, goes icy cold and covered in goosebumps, even when I&#8217;m sweating everywhere else. Sometimes it tingles so badly I can&#8217;t use it for hours. It&#8217;s so strange, but it&#8217;s just another side effect of what endometriosis and surgery have done to my body.&#8217;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"364\" src=\"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEI_272014899-1d67-e1761925433790.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-24537386\" alt=\"WORDS BYLINE: Andrea Caknis When Jen Pickering felt a sudden pain under her shoulder blade in late 2023, she assumed she???d just pulled a muscle while stretching at the gym. But what doctors discovered on an X-ray would turn the 39-year-old???s life upside down - her right lung had collapsed. It was the beginning of a long and painful journey. Jen, from Liverpool, was diagnosed with thoracic endometriosis, a rare and complex form of the disease that causes tissue similar to the lining of the uterus to grow in and around the lungs. Her lung has now collapsed 16 times, possibly more, and she???s undergone three major thoracic surgeries and one minor procedure, with three of those operations performed using video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) Her most recent operation was five months ago and repaired both her lung and diaphragm. ???The good news is that since my last operation, my lung hasn???t collapsed again,??? she says. ???But the recovery has been brutal. I still have pain, numbness, and nerve issues. It???s like my body???s been rewired.??? During her recovery, Jen developed Harlequin Syndrome, a rare nerve condition that causes one side of the face to flush and sweat while the other remains pale and cold. ???When I exercise, my right arm, the side I had surgery on, goes icy cold and covered in goosebumps, even when I???m sweating everywhere else,??? she explains. ???Sometimes it tingles so badly I can???t use it for hours. It???s so strange, but it???s just another side effect of what endometriosis and surgery have done to my body.??? All of Jen???s incisions have now fully healed, though the recovery process wasn???t easy. ???One of the wounds became infected and took a long time to close,??? she says. ???If you???re squeamish, you might want to look away, but it???s important to show the reality of what people like me go through.??? Her ribcage and back now carry the visible reminders of years of surgery, the scars and inflammation that tell the story of living through one lung collapse after another. ???Each mark tells a story,??? she says. ???It???s proof of how much my body???s fought to keep going.??? Jen???s diagnosis means her lung collapses almost perfectly in sync with her menstrual cycle, a condition known as catamenial pneumothorax. ???It???s often within a few days of my period starting,??? she explains. ???My doctors told me the endometriosis on my diaphragm and lungs reacts to hormonal changes, which causes the collapses.??? Jen has not been able to fly for two years and misses the freedom of travel deeply. ???I tell myself it???ll just be a few weeks until I can do those things again,??? she says. ???But I know it???ll probably be months. For now, I need to stay close to my doctors, they???ve been incredible throughout this journey, but it???s still hard not being able to live life as freely as I???d like.??? Despite her ongoing health struggles, Jen has become an advocate for endometriosis awareness. Recently, she was invited to present to a global medical company about thoracic endometriosis, a rare opportunity for a patient. ???They don???t normally have patients speak on their education days, so it was such an honour,??? she says. ???I wanted to make sure they understood that thoracic endometriosis doesn???t look the same for everyone. Not every patient needs lung surgery or has collapses, the symptoms can vary massively.??? The company, which manufactures chest drains used after lung surgery, asked how they could do more to help. Jen encouraged them to focus on education and research, highlighting how little data exists about thoracic endometriosis and its treatment outcomes. ???Even studying something as specific as chest drain placement could make a difference,??? she says. ???I suggested they link up with charities to provide resources for patients preparing for thoracic surgery. They seemed really receptive, so hopefully, some of it will come to life.??? ???It???s often described as rare,??? Jen says, ???but really, it???s just rarely recognised. It???s not that it doesn???t happen, it???s that doctors aren???t trained to look for it.??? Her TikTok @mycollapsedlung. has become a vital tool for raising awareness. ???If you???re female and you have right-sided rib pain that flares up around your period, or shoulder pain that makes no sense, please don???t ignore it,??? she warns. ???Endometriosis can grow around your lungs, even near your heart. In severe cases, it can even grow inside the lungs.??? Jen encourages women to track their symptoms, especially pain that starts within 72 hours before menstruation and continues through it, or pain that radiates from the chest to the neck or down the arm. ???When thoracic endometriosis becomes chronic, the pain often stops being cyclical,??? she adds. ???It becomes daily, which makes it even harder to recognise. But awareness is everything, if my story helps just one woman get diagnosed sooner, it???s worth it.??? For now, Jen is focusing on recovery, both physically and emotionally, and continuing to advocate for others. ???Endometriosis is relentless,??? she says. ???Every time I think I???ve got it under control, it throws me another challenge. But I???m not giving up. My lung might collapse every month, but my spirit hasn???t.??? Featuring: Jen Pickering the recovery has been brutal When: 24 Oct 2025 Credit: Jen Pickering\/Cover Images **All usages and enquiries, please contact info@cover-images.com - +44 (0)20 3397 3000EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND\/OR SUPPLIER.**\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Jen&#8217;s lung has collapsed 16 times over the course of two years (Picture: Jen Pickering)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Jen&#8217;s diagnosis means her lung collapses almost perfectly in sync with her menstrual cycle, a condition known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bing.com\/ck\/a?!&amp;&amp;p=1768094aebf161905533aa362b9adf84d44919b4be1b8732f019edaf85d7d834JmltdHM9MTc2MTUyMzIwMA&amp;ptn=3&amp;ver=2&amp;hsh=4&amp;fclid=0f7eed99-2092-65db-01ec-fb1e2110641d&amp;psq=catamenial+pneumothorax&amp;u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaGVhcnRsdW5nY2lyYy5vcmcvYXJ0aWNsZS9TMTQ0My05NTA2KDE5KTMwMDQ3LTIvZnVsbHRleHQ\">catamenial pneumothorax<\/a>. In total, this happened a staggering 16 times.<\/p>\n<p>She says: &#8216;After five or so lung collapses, my doctors and I were pretty sure it was going to continue monthly.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;It&#8217;s often within a few days of my period starting. My doctors told me the endometriosis on my diaphragm and lungs reacts to hormonal changes, which causes the collapses,&#8217; she explains.<\/p>\n<p>However, a recent operation has &#8216;put an end to the lung collapses, for now,&#8217; she says.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;The most recent thoracic surgery included taking down the lung from scratch, reinflating it, and sticking it in place with medical talc to hold it upright.&#8217;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"365\" src=\"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEI_272015034-3f42-e1761925449544.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-24537387\" alt=\"WORDS BYLINE: Andrea Caknis When Jen Pickering felt a sudden pain under her shoulder blade in late 2023, she assumed she???d just pulled a muscle while stretching at the gym. But what doctors discovered on an X-ray would turn the 39-year-old???s life upside down - her right lung had collapsed. It was the beginning of a long and painful journey. Jen, from Liverpool, was diagnosed with thoracic endometriosis, a rare and complex form of the disease that causes tissue similar to the lining of the uterus to grow in and around the lungs. Her lung has now collapsed 16 times, possibly more, and she???s undergone three major thoracic surgeries and one minor procedure, with three of those operations performed using video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) Her most recent operation was five months ago and repaired both her lung and diaphragm. ???The good news is that since my last operation, my lung hasn???t collapsed again,??? she says. ???But the recovery has been brutal. I still have pain, numbness, and nerve issues. It???s like my body???s been rewired.??? During her recovery, Jen developed Harlequin Syndrome, a rare nerve condition that causes one side of the face to flush and sweat while the other remains pale and cold. ???When I exercise, my right arm, the side I had surgery on, goes icy cold and covered in goosebumps, even when I???m sweating everywhere else,??? she explains. ???Sometimes it tingles so badly I can???t use it for hours. It???s so strange, but it???s just another side effect of what endometriosis and surgery have done to my body.??? All of Jen???s incisions have now fully healed, though the recovery process wasn???t easy. ???One of the wounds became infected and took a long time to close,??? she says. ???If you???re squeamish, you might want to look away, but it???s important to show the reality of what people like me go through.??? Her ribcage and back now carry the visible reminders of years of surgery, the scars and inflammation that tell the story of living through one lung collapse after another. ???Each mark tells a story,??? she says. ???It???s proof of how much my body???s fought to keep going.??? Jen???s diagnosis means her lung collapses almost perfectly in sync with her menstrual cycle, a condition known as catamenial pneumothorax. ???It???s often within a few days of my period starting,??? she explains. ???My doctors told me the endometriosis on my diaphragm and lungs reacts to hormonal changes, which causes the collapses.??? Jen has not been able to fly for two years and misses the freedom of travel deeply. ???I tell myself it???ll just be a few weeks until I can do those things again,??? she says. ???But I know it???ll probably be months. For now, I need to stay close to my doctors, they???ve been incredible throughout this journey, but it???s still hard not being able to live life as freely as I???d like.??? Despite her ongoing health struggles, Jen has become an advocate for endometriosis awareness. Recently, she was invited to present to a global medical company about thoracic endometriosis, a rare opportunity for a patient. ???They don???t normally have patients speak on their education days, so it was such an honour,??? she says. ???I wanted to make sure they understood that thoracic endometriosis doesn???t look the same for everyone. Not every patient needs lung surgery or has collapses, the symptoms can vary massively.??? The company, which manufactures chest drains used after lung surgery, asked how they could do more to help. Jen encouraged them to focus on education and research, highlighting how little data exists about thoracic endometriosis and its treatment outcomes. ???Even studying something as specific as chest drain placement could make a difference,??? she says. ???I suggested they link up with charities to provide resources for patients preparing for thoracic surgery. They seemed really receptive, so hopefully, some of it will come to life.??? ???It???s often described as rare,??? Jen says, ???but really, it???s just rarely recognised. It???s not that it doesn???t happen, it???s that doctors aren???t trained to look for it.??? Her TikTok @mycollapsedlung. has become a vital tool for raising awareness. ???If you???re female and you have right-sided rib pain that flares up around your period, or shoulder pain that makes no sense, please don???t ignore it,??? she warns. ???Endometriosis can grow around your lungs, even near your heart. In severe cases, it can even grow inside the lungs.??? Jen encourages women to track their symptoms, especially pain that starts within 72 hours before menstruation and continues through it, or pain that radiates from the chest to the neck or down the arm. ???When thoracic endometriosis becomes chronic, the pain often stops being cyclical,??? she adds. ???It becomes daily, which makes it even harder to recognise. But awareness is everything, if my story helps just one woman get diagnosed sooner, it???s worth it.??? For now, Jen is focusing on recovery, both physically and emotionally, and continuing to advocate for others. ???Endometriosis is relentless,??? she says. ???Every time I think I???ve got it under control, it throws me another challenge. But I???m not giving up. My lung might collapse every month, but my spirit hasn???t.??? Featuring: Jen Pickering ribcage and back now carry the visible reminders of years of surgery, and scars When: 24 Oct 2025 Credit: Jen Pickering\/Cover Images **All usages and enquiries, please contact info@cover-images.com - +44 (0)20 3397 3000EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND\/OR SUPPLIER.**\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Jen says that her scars are a physical reminder of what she&#8217;s been through (Picture: Jen Pickering)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Despite her ongoing <a data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/health-news\/\">health<\/a> struggles, Jen has become an advocate for endometriosis awareness. Recently, she was invited to present to a global medical company about thoracic endometriosis, a rare opportunity for a patient.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;They don&#8217;t normally have patients speak on their education days, so it was such an honour,&#8217; she says.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;I wanted to make sure they understood that thoracic endometriosis doesn&#8217;t look the same for everyone. Not every patient needs lung surgery or has collapses, the symptoms can vary massively.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-tiktok wp-block-embed-tiktok\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@mycollapsedlung\/video\/7454305473391545633\" data-video-id=\"7454305473391545633\" data-embed-from=\"oembed\" style=\"max-width:605px;min-width:325px\">\n<section> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@mycollapsedlung\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@mycollapsedlung?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">@mycollapsedlung<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>Endometriosis really did a number this year \ud83e\udee0 <a title=\"endometriosis\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/endometriosis?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">#endometriosis<\/a> <a title=\"chronicillness\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/chronicillness?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">#chronicillness<\/a> <a title=\"endometriosisawareness\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/endometriosisawareness?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">#endometriosisawareness<\/a> <a title=\"endogirl\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/endogirl?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">#endogirl<\/a> <a title=\"thoracicendometriosis\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/thoracicendometriosis?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">#thoracicendometriosis<\/a> <a title=\"lungs\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/lungs?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">#lungs<\/a> <a title=\"womenshealth\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/womenshealth?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">#womenshealth<\/a> <\/p>\n<p> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\u266c La La La - Moai\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/La-La-La-7265276672928581633?refer=embed\" rel=\"noopener\">\u266c La La La &#8211; Moai<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>&#8216;It&#8217;s often described as rare, but really, it&#8217;s just rarely recognised. It&#8217;s not that it doesn&#8217;t happen, it&#8217;s that doctors aren&#8217;t trained to look for it.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>Jen also posts on her <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/tiktok\/\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\">TikTok<\/a> page, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@mycollapsedlung\">@\u200cmycollapsedlung<\/a> in the hopes of sharing her story and connecting with other people who have experienced her condition.<\/p>\n<p>In particular, she&#8217;s encourage women to track their symptoms, especially pain that starts within 72 hours before menstruation and continues through it, or pain that radiates from the chest to the neck or down the arm. <\/p>\n<p>&#8216;Endometriosis is relentless,&#8217; she says. &#8216;But I&#8217;m not giving up. My lung might collapse every month, but my spirit hasn&#8217;t.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Get in touch by emailing <a href=\"mailto:MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk\">MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom\"><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-comments\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span><title>Comment now<\/title><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-comments__label\">Comments<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-preferred-source\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/metro.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span><title>Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-preferred-source__label\">Add as preferred source<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 39-year-old assumed her shoulder pain was because of a routine gym injury (Picture: Jen Pickering) &#8216;Every time I think I&#8217;ve got it under control, it throws me another challenge,&#8217; says Jen Pickering, 39, of her unusual health diagnosis. In late 2023, Jen, from Liverpool, felt a sudden pain near her shoulder blade, and assumed [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7809,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7807"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7807"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7807\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7814,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7807\/revisions\/7814"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7807"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7807"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}