Home and Away star issues stark warning after incurable health diagnosis

A soap star has opened up about their experience with a that includes severe pain among its symptoms. The actor has issued advice to others in similar circumstances after living with it for more than a decade.

Sophie Dillman, 31 - who is best known for her role as Ziggy Astoni on - has raised awareness of in a new interview, amid an apparent review of clinical guidelines in . The condition, as stated by the , involves cells similar to those in the lining of the uterus growing in other parts of the body, and symptoms can include severe period pain, heavy periods and fatigue.

The actor, who has revealed that she has now lived with endometriosis for more than a decade, spoke to about how she dealt with her symptoms whilst on set of the show. Sophie returned for several episodes of the soap just months ago, after previously starring on it from 2017 to 2023.

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She told the outlet that she often relied on a hot water bottle during filming. She said: "Those days, they can hurt, being on your feet all day, running up and down, changing costumes being in costumes that when I'm in a flare don't fit."

Sophie said that she would walk around "everywhere" with her hot water bottle. She recalled pulling it out of her trousers when filming began and suggested that colleagues would then give it back to her in between takes. She added that she has "permanent scarring" on her stomach due to "using it for so long".

Speaking about the condition, Sophie said that she's been experiencing symptoms since her first period. She added that she received an 'official diagnosis' after she urged doctors to examine the possibility of endometriosis.

Sophie said she felt "strongly" about it. She said: "They found what they thought was just scar tissue and I said 'no, I want you to test it, I think it is endometriosis' and I felt really strongly about that and it came back and it was endometriosis."

She added that for another two of the surgeries she was woken up and told it was scar tissue, rather than endometriosis. Sophie recalled saying "that's what happened last time" and encouraging them to test the scar tissue.

In a message to others who may have the condition, and warning over trusting yourself over your body, she said: "Get yourself checked, back yourself, you know your body better than anyone and if something doesn't feel right, keep pushing for an answer." Sophie added that people "shouldn't live in pain" and that it's "not fair" that they do.

The NHS in the UK notes there are currently no treatments that can cure endometriosis. It however adds that treatment can help manage symptoms such as pain.

It states that medicines, like painkillers and hormones, are "often the first treatment" for the condition. Patients can be offered surgery in some circumstances, which can remove areas of endometriosis or ovarian cysts caused by it.

The NHS says that patients may have "long lasting symptoms" that can affect their daily lives. It adds that symptoms of endometriosis typically stop after the menopause - though it states that it isn't always the case. It states that, alongside support from your doctor, patients may find it useful to seek support from organisations such as Endometriosis UK or The Endometriosis Foundation.

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