Diagnostic Laparoscopy

[nicole_44]

Hi All,

Hope you're all doing okay!

Just wanting a bit of advice from your own past expeiernces of having a diagnostic laparoscopy for Endo!

A bit of background-

I have been having all the symptoms of endo (painful periods to the point of throwing up, painful sexual intercourse, bowel problems, bloating etc) since my first period at 14.

I am now 21 and have spent that last 2 years in and out of my doctors trying to get answers! I was finally referred to my Gyno in October and have had an ultrasound and internal examination which both came back clear.

They are now sending me for a Laparoscopy for an endo diagnosis. I am currently waiting for the date of the OP to come through the post however the doc advised the waiting list is only around 2/3 weeks. I am really nervous about having an operation and am just looking for some advice on what to expect, how to prepare etc. I'm also really worried that the op will come back clear - infact as odd as it sounds thats what i fear most- that it is all in my head. I have no idea how i would explain my time off work to my employer if it comes back as a clean bill of health. any tips?

Thanks so much x

[EndoSLD]

Completely understand your fears, I'm literally sat in the hospital waiting to go in for my laparoscopy and my fear is also that I wake up to be told I'm fine. I really wish I could offer you some advice but I'm in the same boat as you! Just know that you're not alone with your fears and a doctor wouldn't refer you for a laparoscopy without justification. Best of luck, I hope your wait isn't too long. Take care.

[nicole_44 in reply to EndoSLD]

Thank you for the support- i appreciate it!

Its nice to know that im not alone in this crappy struggle for answers.

Best of luck for your operation- im sure it will go just fine! You will have to let m know after how you get on.

x

[EndoSLD in reply to nicole_44]

If I ever get in there! The waiting around is torture! 😂

[Adele-84]

Hi there, I had my lap in Nov 2015. I stayed 1 night in hospital, and was signed off for 3 weeks from work, then went back part time for 2 weeks. They found endo and removed via excision and diathermy. They found quite extensive endo in various places including a large endometrioma on my left side and chocolate cysts. I have 3 scars one on each side of my abdomen and 1 in my belly button. If you have any specific questions I will do my best to answer them. On the flip side I have a friend who had an exploration lap and they found no endo, so no treatment. She was signed off work for 1 week and was back doing normal things within about 5 days. Best of luck x

[nicole_44 in reply to Adele-84]

Thanks so much for your reply.

Really sorry you have had such a tough time with the op and diagnosis.

I'm praying my recovery time is speedy as I can't really take much time off work- especially if it comes back as a clear op!

I will let you know how I get on. Currently waiting for my pre op assessment date so should hopefully have an actual op date in the next 2 weeks. Nervous but excited to finally see what's been getting me so down!

Thanks again and take care x

[LSF1982]

I'm due to undergo a diagnostic laparoscopy next Monday so share everyone's nerves and worries. I've read so much about the procedure I think I could perform one! I'm stocked up on peppermint tea, tracksuit bottoms one side bigger than normal in case of swelling and a hot water bottle that fits round my neck for any shoulder tip pain have both been ordered.

Think I'm focusing on the practical stuff because I'm so worried. Not about the procedure itself or of pain after, but like others have said, of no endometriosis being found.

I tick nearly every symptom on the list and have a 20 year history of ovulation pain so severe I can't even put into words. Even as I write I can feel the constant niggling pain I have in my right side, the one that feels like something's stuck.

I pushed for this lap, I swear the Reg was desperate to roll her eyes when I refused to go back on the pill after the trauma of my decicual cast (do not google images, they really are that awful)

If it's not Endo what next? That is what has made me worry constantly since I got my surgery date through. Am I just a wimp who can't manage pain that other women have no issue with? Is it all in my head? I'm not a worrier by nature so this is all driving me mad!

Good luck to anyone facing an upcoming procedure, hope it goes well and you all get the outcome you hope or expect.

For me, At least this time next week I should know either way!

[nicole_44 in reply to LSF1982]

Best of luck with your OP. You will have to let me know how you get on- i really hope you get the answers you need!

I completely understand where you are coming from. The fear of having nothing wrong is worse than the fear of knowing I have the condition. Its quite sad really!

It will be the end of the road for me if this Op shows up nothing- i cant cope with any more hospitals or doctors!

Thanks for your reply- its nice to hear of other peoples experiences who are in the same boat as me.

Take care x

[EndoSLD]

Hi Nicole. Just so you know I've had my laparoscopy this afternoon and I got my diagnosis of endometriosis. The relief of knowing it wasn't all in my head is so comforting. After several perfectly normal ultrasounds and near 20 years of being told I definitely don't have anything wrong with me, the diagnosis was music to my ears. Stay positive and strong, you know that your pain isn't normal. Lots of luck to you.

[nicole_44 in reply to EndoSLD]

So glad it all went okay for you and that you got the answers you needed. I bet you are so relieved! Hopefully now you can focus on some sort of treatment.

I will let you know how i get once once ive received my date. x

[Jessicat87]

Hi Nicole,

I was in your exact position last year. I have been struggling with periods since puberty, same symptoms as you and pain so severe I physically faint! My partner and I have also been trying to conceive for over 2 years with no luck.

My family, friends and partner were supportive to an extent but they did think I was being a bit of a hypochondriac.

I went for the dionostic lap after going private for the consultation to skip the long waiting list. My gp was going to send me for yet another ultrasound which wouldn't have necessary found anything. I went under also like you hoping that at least there was a reason for how I felt. The gyno surgeon explained he would also remove the endo tissue he found.

And yes there was a reason for my agonising pain!! The endometriosis was that extensive and adhesions that had stuck my lower bowel to my Fallopian tube etc. That he was unable to remove the tissue.

I have an appointment today to discuss the plan to remove all with the appropriate specialists.

After getting the diagnosis I was relieved it wasn't all in my head and I wasn't over reacting! My family felt quite guilty especially my Mother for not believing the extent of my suffering.

Listen to your body you know it best.

Good luck with everything!

Xx

[nicole_44 in reply to Jessicat87]

Thanks so much for your reply. Its really comforting to know that im not the only one with this huge worry. I honestly feel like im losing my mind sometimes!

Im so glad you got the answers that you needed to move forward. What treatment options are you looking into?

Praying that i get a date soon so i can get answers before i make myself sick with worry. I know the pain isn't normal but i cant help worrying about how my family, friends, current and old work employees are going to think of me. Having so much time of work, cancelling days out and constantly complaining. Its such an awful feeling to almost need to justify yourself just because you dont look unwell!

Thanks again for your reply- take care. :)x

[Megsbt3004]

I've also got a diagnostic laparoscopy next Wednesday and am in exactly the same boat!

All the symptoms of endo, been passed from consultant to consultant since I was 14 and I'm now 18, finally a consultant has listen to me and pushed for the lap as that's what she thinks it is.

I want them to find endo so that I know I've not been going mad these last 4 years and having time off work and social events for nothing but I also don't want anything to be wrong with me.

Any tips for a quick recovery would be helpful as I'm a hairdresser so don't want to have to take too much time off work and upset my clients!

Glad to see there are others in the same boat as me! Xx

[nicole_44 in reply to Megsbt3004]

Thank you for replying. I appreciate it! Gosh we really are feeling the exact same then!! Such an awful feeling but you aren't alone.

Please do keep me updated on how your op goes. I really hope that you get the answers you are looking for so you can move forward!

Best of luck & take care. Wishing you a speedy recovery x x

[Paryz]

I was literally exactly the same! I'm the same age and our stories are pretty similar, except I had my op a month ago! It's not going to be as bad as you expect, but of course everyone is different. I'm currently still off work after complications with my surgery (nobodies fault, I just don't do things by halfs). Some people need a few days, some weeks. They found endo with me and I was really lucky as they lasered some of it straight away, however now the pain of laparoscopy is lesserning, I'm feeling my normal endo pains again. I'll be going back to my gp to see what my next step will be. I know it sounds mad but I really hope they find something so you can carry on with life! I literally left my ultrasound in tears because my 'ovaries were beautiful' ... I looked crazy! I understand your pain sweet, let's hope they can help you out! Best of luck, keep us updated x

[nicole_44 in reply to Paryz]

Ah thank you so much lovely. It really helps to know you aren't alone in this because personally I have found it to be such a lonely battle!

Thanks for sharing your story, the insight into other people's experiences puts my mind at rest.

Think I'm so worried because I feel like I have so much to prove to people which is sad. I really won't know what step to take next if it comes back clear.

Glad you got the answers you needed however im real sorry you have such an awful condition

Hope the rest of your recovery is speedy and you can start on some sort of treatment. Take care xx

[Hannah27]

Oww big hugs! I am having my first lap in January and have the same worries as you, I hope yours all goes ok. There are lots of posts on here from people who have already had the op - I have just been getting advice from those posts. Sending lots of virtual support! xxx