Laparoscopy in 4 weeks

[AshleeFerguson]

Hi everyone,

I discovered this website today and after reading through multiple posts, I am slightly concerned that I am being "dramatic" about possibly having endometriosis. I am 27 and went for my first pap-smear in February this year. My decision to go to have it done was due to painful intercourse and what I would describe as being awful periods.

The doctor (OB-GYN) was very helpful in listening to my symptoms and he said that it sounds like I have endo, but we can only be certain by doing the laparoscopy. The pap-smear was terrible for me, I have always thought that I have a fairly high pain threshold, but I have never felt so much pain in my life. The ultrasound did not show any cysts, which is a good thing, obviously.

My periods have always been painful, not so much pelvic pain (it is present, but I find it to be bearable 80% of the time), but my lower back kills me to the point where I end up lying in a hot bath at 3am to help ease the pain. When my period started on Sunday, I ended up taking 7 x 400mg Neurofen for Period pain pills, the recommended dosage is 3 pills a day. I still had to take a Somnil to help me sleep. Monday I took 4 more pain pills.

I then decided to take the plunge and book a laparoscopy, as the pain is becoming unbearable. I contacted my OB-GYN's office to find out how to book it, and whether it is necessary or not. The lady who works there checked my file and said that the doctor did write that I might have endometriosis. What puts my mind at ease about this doctor is that endometriosis is his passion. Surgery is now booked for 15 May 2018.

After reading through the posts, I am just worried that I might be wasting time and money having this procedure done. I had ovarian cysts when I was 16, I was put on the pill which cured it, and went off the pill after a year or so. I only went back on the pill in 2016, 3 months after which I got DVT, and can now not take any form of hormones. I must say, the pill did help with the pains at the time. My back pain is only constant and unbearable during my period. I also bloat a lot, and gain at least 2kg's whilst on my period.

I know that everyone is different, and that the only way to diagnose endometriosis is through a laparoscopy, but I feel that my symptoms are not nearly as bad as what a lot of people experience.

So my question, I guess, is whether it sounds plausible that I might have it? Also, I have read the posts on recovery time after the lap, again, I know it varies from person to person, but is the recovery time the same (a week or two at least) if they don't find endo?

I apologise that my post is all over the place, I am trying to give as much information as possible. Any help or advice would really be appreciated.

Ashlee

[elliebean1016]

I would imagine that the recovery time/pain will be less if they do not find any endometriosis because they will not need to use surgical tools to remove it. I think it is very possible that you have endometriosis and even if you don't it is definitely not a waste of money and time because there is obviously something that is keeping you from being able to function "normally". If they go in and discover that there is no endometriosis than they will be able to make a new plan to figure out what is wrong and what they can do to help. If it is endo than they will be able to remove it and it should help immensely. I have had 4 laparoscopic surgeries for endo and my recovery times varied but were 4-5 days on average. I'm also only 19 so it may be different depending on your age. I know that my body reacted differently to the procedure when I was 13 than it did when I was 18. Just try not to think about it too much and focus on what you can control

[rlauren03]

Hiya,

I get what you mean about reading other people's experience and then questioning whether you really do have endo going on or not! Have to say, I don't personally experience a lot of the things I've read on here but, as you said, everyone's different and has different pain thresholds etc!

I had my second lap in Nov as they thought the endo had come back but honestly, I was in less pain and having fewer issues then the first time round, to the point I was actually worried they'd do the op and find nothing! As it is, they discovered things were a lot worse than expected and I was diagnosed with stage 4 endo and suspected adenomyosis, so currently undergoing hormone injections before surgery to remove the endo.

I think the fact your Doc is saying a lap is necessary is a good thing as at least you'll be able to get to the bottom of what you've been experiencing, and, if no endo is found, at least that's one reason that can be crossed off the list! If it helps at all, my current surgeon said that if nothing's found in a lap at least you know you've had a good check up and MOT so to speak

As for recovery time, I would say the last one where nothing was removed took me 2 weeks to be myself again and moving around normally, the one before where they actually removed some endo took a little longer, maybe 3-4 weeks.

I hope everything goes well for you and you get some answers, and that this helps a bit!