Pain 6 weeks after surgery

[luludecima]

Hi there, first time here. I had a laparoscopy almost 6 weeks ago. 2 ovarian cysts removed, endo lazered, and adhesions sorted. I started back at work and have been back slowly at the gym. I'm on my feet as DJ 1-2 times a week. I was feeling better then had my first period post-op just over a week ago and the pain was unreal. My period stopped, but the pain has continued. I've been to the GP who palmed me off with antiobiotics, and went to A&E yesterday, who said my bloods were fine, no urine infection. But the pain continues, shooting pain down my left side, to my arse, thigh. Also pain on both ovary sites. Not able to see my consultant for another month. Is it possible that the endo has come back already or something happened during my period? I am at a loss at the moment.

[saha84]

I'm in the same boat as you. I had my surgery at the end of august and felt great. Back at work, full of energy, feeling happy... i had one period that came and went without incident then 2 weeks ago i was bleeding between my periods. It lasted about a week and i was in a lot of pain around my ovaries, was extremely bloated, feeling worn out and having ibs symptoms which i always get during my periods. Due to this i decided to run two pill packs together and skip a period. However, despite not bleeding heavily, i still have all the symptoms above and am feeling incredibly frustrated. I was at the doctor this morning and he's given me something for the pain. I asked if i could do something else and he said maybe the merina coil but to give these painkillers 6 weeks and see how i go. If I'm no better they'll refer me to gynaecology again.

I feel so deflated. I can't go back to how i was before but i don't know what else to ask for at the doctor.

I didn't have cysts but had my endo lasered off. How do you know if they've got it all? How quickly can it come back? So frustrating...

[luludecima in reply to saha84]

sorry to hear this, I don't think I've ever felt so deflated and worried about anything. I'm not sure what to suggest, I have no confidence in my GP or even at the hospital at the moment. I'd suggest hassling for a scan. That's what I'm doing. I can't sit in bed every day, life doesn't work like that! My tummy is sore and swollen all the time. And this only started after my first period post op happened...

[saha84 in reply to luludecima]

I really feel for you. It's oddly comforting to know you're not the only one, but I'm really sorry that you're in this boat. I'm determined to do something about it early this time round. I was off work for 3 months prior to my surgery because i was so exhausted and in so much pain.

Good luck to you in making progress with your doctor. I hope you're listened to. I'm going to see if i can find an endo specialist in my area. I know the waiting lists are meant to be awful but it has to be worth it...

[gds1991]

Hi there,

I'm sorry you are still in pain. I have recently been diagnosed with stage 3 endo after years and years of unexplained pain. Having completely lost my faith in several gynecologists I decided to do some research and found a endo specialist. He explained that lasering DOES NOT get rid of the endo. It simply takes off the top layer of it - meaning it can and does just grow back even bigger than before. Your surgeon needed to completely CUT the endo out of that area. This is something that my specialist was adamant on and that many gynecologists don't understand. Having said all of this, even if you do have it cut out of the area that the surgeon can see - Endo grows back in other areas. This is why so many women still experience pain even once the visible endo has been removed.

The reason I'm telling you this is because this sounds like what might have happened to you.

Your GP may not know enough about endo to be able to properly help you in the long run. I would really recommend you research endo specialists in your area and book an appiontment to see one of them. I feel so grateful to have found mine who truly understands the disease.

I hope you find someone to help you properly. Let me know how you get on.

Georgia x

[saha84 in reply to gds1991]

Thank you for your advice. I'll definitely be looking for an endo specialist. I know the waiting lists can be awful but it had to be worth it longer term.

My endo is relatively mild so i don't understand how my symptoms can be so detrimental and disruptive to my day to day life...