I feel that way when I try to explain this crap to my docs. They don't listen and they are always proven wrong.
If it's family or friends you are concerned about. Just keep it short and to the point. What I end up doing.

We can all understand what you are going through on here. I think people who have good health have little sympathy for those who don't. This is because they don't understand ill health as they don't have to deal with it. The other thing is because you look healthy on the outside people get the the wrong perception. It is almost like they will only believe your ill if you have a visual defect. Like Cherrybom has said even doctors aren't great but I think this is due to the lack of knowledge about Endo. Endo affects so many things hormones,pain,bladder,bowel, bone density, cysts etc. You really have to have a wide spectrum of knowledge. I have lost lots of friends because I seem like the boring one who just doesn't go out or because I can't be as upbeat as they are about life as every day is a struggle. The only ones who really understands what you are going through are those that live with you and see what you have to cope with on a daily basis. I don't know how you get people to understand but what is probably a good idea is to tell them what effects Endo has on you. If you moan about things people tend to switch off too so it's best if they ask you. Another thing is try to get those people to help you out when you are at your worst as then they will get the chance to see you at your worst and what effects it does have on you. I know when you are poorly most people want to hide away but that is normally the reason why people don't understand your illness. I hope what I have said makes sense to you and that it helps you in some way.

Kirsty

I have the same problem with my doctor. He rushes in and back out again.I was advised to keep a pain journal by 1 of the people on this site. I write down where it hurt the type of pain im feeling and if i get any more weird stuff happening.
As far as family i pulled up a description of endo on this site and made my parents sit down and read it. They felt bad for being so tuff on me before we knew i had endo. Hope this helps u out.
Mickey

It's hard for people to understand how frustrating it is to have endo, much less comprehend how extreme the physical symptoms can be. For people that are close to you, you should try directing them to some good websites that explains what exactly endo is & how it works & how much it takes out of you. Even encourage them to check out this website to hear real testimonies & stories about it. As far as doctors are concerned DON'T STOP GOING. Go to as many doctors as you can to find one that will listen to you & that you are comfortable with. I went through several of them over the past 15 months before I found one that took my concerns seriously & actually was genuinely interested in helping me. Talk to friends & family & ask for names of doctors & do whatever it takes to find a good one. Endometriosis is a hard thing to live with but at least if you have a good doctor that you trust you have a sense of security in knowing that there is someone there trying to fix you! I hope this helps. Good luck.

I'm not sure..how to explain endo...but it sounds like the other ladies have it covered

I have explained the depression portion this way...

Its like driving a car without powerstearing fluid...you can go all the same places, you can do all the same things, your not broken...everything takes more effort when your depressed, and you get tired faster, you not interested in going for a "drive"... cause its so much work

Keep going and complaining to doctors!! I had to fight with my doctor for 2 years to send me to gyno. Even my gyno told me that what I had probably wasn't endo but I kept fighting and fighting. Finally she told me she would do a laparoscopy to see what she could find. Sure enough.... I have endometriosis. I diagnosed myself almost 3 years before the doctors finally did. P.S. If they send you for an ultrasound it isn't conclusive about diagnosing endo. For example, I have had two ultrasounds in the last few years and both of them came up as "I am completely normal"... funny because when they opened me up they discovered I had a disease. I am still fighting with doctors today about my condition.