Emma's Struggle: Misdiagnosed as Overweight, Discovers 7-Kilo Cyst

Despite severe pain and fatigue, Emma's symptoms were dismissed as overweight until a seven-kilo cyst was discovered, necessitating surgery.

For Emma Weijmers, it all began with pain and fatigue. Over several years, she sought help for her symptoms. Despite numerous medical visits and consultations, she felt her issues were not taken seriously.

"Instead, my weight was repeatedly mentioned in the records as a possible cause of my problems. I was repeatedly advised to start exercising and lose weight to feel better," says Emma Weijmers.

But she persisted and finally found a new doctor who performed an X-ray. A cyst was discovered in one of her ovaries. It had grown so large that it weighed seven kilos and had to be surgically removed.

"I looked pregnant," she says.

Could Have Caused Internal Bleeding

If it hadn't been removed, the cyst could have ruptured, potentially causing internal bleeding.

Two years after the surgery, she still has ongoing issues with scar tissue and pain, but she says she is mostly grateful to have finally received the help she needed.

"For years, I tried sleeping more and drinking more water, but it didn't help. So it was a relief to finally be taken seriously."

Raising Awareness on Dismissed Women's Symptoms

Emma Weijmers now wants to highlight how healthcare can overlook serious health problems. She believes many, especially women, can relate to having their symptoms dismissed as overweight or lifestyle issues.

"It's about a pattern where women's symptoms are often minimized or misinterpreted," says Emma Weijmers, adding:

"Don't lose hope, change clinics, change doctors."

She hopes that in the future, healthcare can conduct thorough investigations from the start for people with similar issues, so they don't have to endure pain as long as she did.