New and a little scared...

[LavenderLady12]

Hi guys, I was just wondering if you could give me some advice? I'm only 19 and I've been in pain for over a year, recently its gotten so bad I've been put on zapain, naproxin and other scary things. It's weird though, I've started getting chest pain as well as the normal pelvic pain. They want me to go in for a laproscopy, as they think i have endometriosis, but to be honest I'm really scared. This pain is bad enough, I mean sometimes I cant get up in the morning, i just don't want to add to it.

Could anyone tell me a little bit about their experience getting the laproscopy? and I know it seems silly but how big are the scars?

Sorry I didn't mean to drag on, but any help would be great!

[JadeG]

Hey.

I had my laparoscopy and was diagnosed with endo December last year.

I was petrified having the lap but it was so worth it to know what was going on with my body.

I was a bit sore afterwards and was very tired for the next couple of weeks. The scars are tiny, literally won't notice them unless your looking! The belly button ones are the hardest to keep clean, let the air to it as much as possible.

The best bit of advice I can give is listen to your body, I was planning on going back to work a couple of days after but I was extremely tired and my stomach quite bruised so I had to rest.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

X

[Hidden]

My experience of my laparoscopy was not anywhere near as bad as I feared. I recovered really well and felt 100% improvement in my symptoms. I had Prostap following my surgery.

My scars are really very small and aside from the one along from my belly button they are all hidden by underwear/swimwear.

The main thing I found is that it is important to take time to recover and not rush your recovery or do things before your body is ready. X

[HealthBuds]

Hi,

I had a Laproscopy in April due to a ruptured cyst on my ovary. I had no idea I had endometriosis until after when they told me they removed it.

I was home the next day, hardly any pain and recovered fairly quick with tiny scars and dissolvable stitches. The only thing is I was very tired and got tired walking, even after 9 weeks I still felt tired. My advice to you would be not to over do things, or think your well enough to do things when you should be resting.

Good luck and take care

[GrittyReads]

I agree with the 3 above that having the laparoscopy is not too bad, especially if the first is to see what is going on. You will also feel so much better knowing what is happening to you.

If it turns out that treatment is needed (and you are in the UK) you might want to check with 'Endo UK' about seeing an 'Endo Specialist' at a special endo centre, or BSGE Clinic. If you're not already at a BSGE Clinic they should tell you about this - read it all on the 'Endo Uk' website, link at top of the page, first, perhaps.

However, have you talked to your GP about the chest pains? They may or may not be linked to the Endo, and you should have it checked. It's possibly just the stress, or it could be something that comes with stress, but it does need checking. And if you have not talked it over with your GP, I wouldn't just assume it's part of the Endo.

I hope you get sorted. Take care.

[LavenderLady12]

Thank you so much guys, that's really helpful, I didn't realise there were so many people out there with this condition. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who freaks out about this stuff and that I can get support like this, I honestly feel so much better about this whole thing now.

I will definitely mention the chest pain to my GP, thanks for the advice GrittyReads.

Just a few questions if thats okay..

I am just a bit worried about the incision near my bellybutton because I have a belly ring, do you think it would be an issue?

And sorry I know this sounds silly but what is a Prostap? my doctors aren't particularly good at explaining things..

Thank you again x