A woman had shared her experiences of living with a debilitating illness in the hope of encouraging others to seek help - and more doctors to diagnose it earlier.

Emma Williams-Tully, 39, lives in Wrexham with her husband Dan and nine-year-old daughter Belle.

She told the Leader about the difficult journey she has faced from childhood to the present day in her battle with endometriosis.

Mrs Williams-Tully said: "I started my periods when I was 10 years old. I'd have periods that lasted for 14 days at a time and they'd be incredibly heavy and debilitating because of the pain.

"The pain would leave me in a foetal position on the bathroom floor; it was excruciating.

"My mum took me to the doctor, and I was told "that's just how some periods are."

"It went on and on. When I was 13, I was diagnosed with a blood clotting disorder and my GP said that's why I had been bleeding so heavily on my period.

"I still didn't understand why I was in so much pain - and not just from the period side of things; this was in my bowels, bladder, I'd have migraines, pain in my legs and my back."

Mrs Williams-Tully explained her doctor gave her contraceptive medication in an attempt to alleviate the symptoms.

When she was 16, she was assessed by a gynaecologist , with an ultrasound finding things were - from her recollection of the terminology - "hunky-dory."

"They said there was nothing to see," she explained.

"And they tried me on different contraceptive pills.

"They put the coil in. I had that for a year and it felt like my stomach was having labour contraction pains.

"It was a foreign thing in my body, and that really didn't agree with me.

"When I was 20, the doctor said 'your symptoms are coinciding with a condition called endometriosis.'

"That was the first time I'd heard of it."

Mrs Williams-Tully said she was given a medication which stopped her body from producing oestrogen and put her into a false menopause.

She said: "Before I knew it, I was in a false menopause at the age of 20."

When further tests were done, it was discovered that her endometriosis had "spread like wildfire."

At the age of 31, she had three surgeries to perform a hysterectomy.

And by that time, she had developed a number of other issues.

"The endometriosis had destroyed my bowel," she explained.

"I had to have an ileostomy fitted and after having that for a few years it's not working properly any more. I have colitis in my colon as well.

Emma Williams-Tully with her daughter, BelleEmma Williams-Tully with her daughter, Belle (Image: Emma Williams-Tully) "In two or three weeks from now, I'm going to have my colon and rectum removed.

"I also have awful problems with my bladder.

"Even though I am about to have my 11th major surgery as a result of endometriosis, I am still thinking this won't be the end.

"As pessimistic as it sounds, it's realistic.

"Anyone who has endometriosis knows there is no cure."

Mrs Williams-Tully has urged those who have or believe they have endometriosis symptoms to seek help and advice as soon as possible in order to be diagnosed early.

And she has urged doctors to listen to patients - explaining that in her experience, while knowledge and understanding of the condition has improved since she was a child, there are still medical professionals who do not easily recognise it.

Mrs Williams-Tully told the Leader she believes her life could have been totally different, had her true condition been diagnosed earlier.

"I 100 per cent believe that," she said.

"And I'm a lot stronger now mentally - when I was younger, I wouldn't have said boo to a goose.

"If a medical professional told me something I'd listen. I didn't want to say anything that could cause an issue.

"But nowadays, I would urge people to know as much about your condition as you can, stand your ground and advocate for yourself.

"Early diagnosis is key. This is what endometriosis can do and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

"Every single day I am in debilitating pain.

"It completely dictates what I do with my life now and how I live it.

"It took me 11 years to be diagnosed.

"I speak to people who are about to be diagnosed or have had it for years and every one of them has battled to get a diagnosis.

"I understand it's not easy to diagnose, but if you have someone coming to you for 11 years like I did, and saying it is having a huge impact on their life, something needs to be done.

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"Don't get me wrong - I have had some amazing consultants and doctors and I will be eternally grateful to them."

Speaking of the impact of her condition on her life, Mrs Williams-Tully added: "Everything since childhood has been affected - I've never been able to have a job.

"We were so lucky to have Belle, but it was hard trying to fall pregnant as well.

"I've not been able to run around and play with her every day and there will be times when she knows 'mummy has disabilities,' in her words - when 'mummy's in too much pain.'

"I'm constantly in and out of hospital. My life's a complete medical admin of trying to live around endometriosis.

"But I try to be positive. I'm one of those people that believes everything happens for a reason.

"I have incredible family and friends, through all the hard times."