// BBC HEALTH NEWS — SALUTE
Carys lived with endometriosis pain for decades, then everything changed
Carys Thurlby says surgery transformed her life, helping her lose 10 stone and regain her energy
A woman who lived with "intense" pain from endometriosis for decades has lost more than half her body weight after surgery transformed her life.
Carys Thurlby lost 10 stone (140lbs) in 18 months after having a hysterectomy, which she said finally brought lasting relief from years of pain and exhaustion.
The 43-year-old said the change had been "night and day".
"Having intense pain had become my normal," she said.
Thurlby believes she had been living with endometriosis since she started her periods as a teenager.
She remembers sitting her GCSE exams "chewing on paracetamol" as pain spread through her pelvis and legs.
"I didn't really know that being in so much pain each month was not normal," she said.
"I didn't really know that what I was experiencing wasn't what women were meant to experience."
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