Laparoscopy soon - tips and bowel prep question!

Hi all!

I've just had a call confirming that my diagnostic laparoscopy and hysteroscopy are booked for 3rd March. I'm pleased that it's so soon, but also quite nervous, mainly that they won't find anything (not that I want endometriosis, it's just that I desperately need an explanation for all my pain and symptoms, or some sort of plan or something!)

I've read from a few sites that a surgeon might ask for a bowel prep before a laparoscopy - is this common with diagnostic laps? Is it something I might be asked to do? I have a bit of a hang up about bowel stuff, and I'm really dreading the thought.

Also, does anyone have any tips or anything I should be aware of? I'm trying to be cool about all of this, but do suffer with anxiety so getting moments of panic (trying to squash them down) - like I say, glad it's happening and that I don't have to wait ages but also really worried. Everything is just such an unknown!

Thanks in advance for reading.

[Lovisa]

Hello, bowel preps are not that common with a diagnostic laparoscopy, If they would suspect endo was near/on the bowel then maybe they would ask you to do a bowel prep, but they won't know where/if any endo is till they do the surgery.

[Hidden in reply to Lovisa]

Phew! Thank you for replying

[Littlebirdy34]

I have a diagnostic lap on the 7th and I feel similar to you. I think it's natural to feel this way and although I know I'm not right I started to question if I have it.

Bowl prep hasn't been mentioned to me either but I have my pre op on Thursday.

I hope it all goes well for you x

[Hidden in reply to Littlebirdy34]

Thank you! I hope your lap goes well too. Fingers crossed we both get some answers x

[aaleyah786]

I have mine on the 9th it should have been 9th march but was cancelled on the same day 😠 i wasnt asked to do a bowel prep, but was told if they dont find endo they will refer me onto colorectal surgeon.

Hope it goes well for you and you get some sort of answers. Xx

[Hidden in reply to aaleyah786]

That's awful Thank you, I hope your lap goes well on the 9th March too xx

[aaleyah786 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your kind words. I no longer have a date as my consultant discharged me after i made a complaint. Its in my posts. I now have been referred to a specialist xx

[kelsbels88]

I had mine yesterday no bowel prep done. If it’s exploratory I don’t see how they can ask you to do bowel prep as they don’t no that it is near your bowel yet.... good luck hope all goes well xx

[Hidden in reply to kelsbels88]

This is true! Probably worrying about nothing (I hope so, anyway!) How did you lap go? Hope you're not too sore and thanks for the well wishes xx

[kelsbels88 in reply to Hidden]

My lap went ok. Sorry longer than I thought it would be 🙈

Bit of back story I came off the pill to try for a baby after my husband and I got married in June 2016 and every month the pain got worse, i was having trouble with bowel movements in a big way the cramping was on and off for 2 1/2 - 3 wks at a time so I always felt like I was in constant pain then it got to the point where I think my body thought it hurt even though it didn’t but I couldn’t be sure etc etc. So long story short a friend has PCOS and said some of her symptoms were similar after several drs visits an untrasound which showed nothing several blood tests that all came back clear and a gastroscopy also clear this was the last resort my gastro consultant said it sounded like endo to him and that I should be referred.

I had got to the point where I just wanted an answer I just wanted someone to say this is what is wrong with you. Thankfully I now have that. When they ruled out PCOS I had a feeling it was endo and the gps kept saying no it’s probably not try this do this etc so in some ways I’ve been prepared and it’s a massive relief to know that it is confirmed. I wasn’t so prepared for the “you had two blocked tubes” part which means we never would have got pregnant anyway but now on a positive note one is unblocked and we have a chance that we didn’t have before so fingers crossed.

In terms of pain I think (as silly as this sounds) my endo pain is so bad that the recovery pain is manageable. I’m taking the paracetamol and ibuprofen just to take the edge off but the day of op I had no top up drugs whilst in hospital.

I hope you get your answers too for me it definitely helped to put things into perspective. I hated having to say I have pain issues but I don’t know what’s wrong with me now I can say what it is, it has a name.

Good luck and here if you have any questions I’ll do my best to help xxx

[Hidden in reply to kelsbels88]

That doesn't sound silly at all! I'm in constant bad pain, so was kind of thinking recovery pain might not be all that bad in comparison (bit naive maybe haha). I'm glad it's been manageable, and so pleased for you that you have some answers now.

You've hit the nail on the head with your last paragraph. That is exactly how I feel - it's so awkward to explain what is wrong when someone asks. I either have to launch into the entire story and basically give them my whole medical history or just say "I have chronic issues with pelvic pain" which doesn't even really begin to cover it. I'd feel so much better equipped to deal with whatever this is - endo or not - if I knew what it was.

Thanks so much for the offer - I may well be taking you up on that! Really appreciate your kindness, everyone on here has been so lovely and helpful.

Best of luck with conceiving and everything else, I shall have my fingers crossed for you! xx

[kelsbels88 in reply to Hidden]

Lol thank you I’m glad I could give some insight.

For me I know it’s going to be a king of ongoing battle but my husband and I are so ready for a baby of our own that for now I will deal with whatever it throws at me because I’m focused on the end goal - our baby and not the how we get there.

I have told him if we only have one (we wanted 2 before diagnosis) I will be very happy with that.

It’s true “I have crhrinoc pain that hits me every month and sometimes I can’t stand,” doesn’t really tell people what you’re going through but as you said u don’t always want to give a full blown medical history 😁

Thank you and I shall have mine crossed for you too good luck xxx