Advice for someone very new to this?

[EmmieH]

Hey! So I was diagnosed with endometriosis yesterday. I had been told that it was probably endo a few months ago after a very long time of going to the doctors saying something wasn't right, but it's only just been confirmed. I've also been told that I need to go in for a laparoscopy soon to hopefully unstick everything. I guess I just wanted to ask how people coped with first being diagnosed? And if you had any advice for preparing for the surgery?

[Hannahpicks]

Hi Emmie,

I’m glad you have some answers explained and hopefully you’ll have some more after your laparoscopy.

I was diagnosed in 2012 and felt relief and sadness because back then I didn’t know anyone with it and had never heard of it before.

My first laparoscopy failed and I wasn’t prepared for that (the surgeon couldn’t cut through the muscle so was in danger of puncturing my bladder), so I was devastated.

The next one 3 months later was successful and I was so relieved to be on my way to a happier and painfree lifestyle for at least a couple of years.

The first couple of days after a laparoscopy can be uncomfortable with gas trapped in your shoulders and pain to walk and move your torso. Stick with the painkillers and make sure you take them regularly but also drink lots of water and walk around (slowly) when you feel able.

I’m now expecting my 4th and I would just say to read a lot so you’re aware of different experiences because no one has the same experience. And also to find and stick with a good gynecologist.

I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery!

Hannah

[EmmieH in reply to Hannahpicks]

Hi Hannah,

Thank you so much for your reply!

I’m glad that you also felt relieved about getting the diagnosis because I was feeling a bit weird about being so relieved. I’m defiantly going to read up as much as I can about the surgery and thank you for sharing your experience, I hadn’t even considered that being a possibility so it’s good to know so I can mentally prepare for anything.

Emily

[Hansen82]

I was initially so happy to be diagnosed, not because I wanted this lovely illness, but because I knew I wasn’t imagining my symptoms.

Read up about people’s experiences, you may learn something about your own, but like others have said just because we share this, doesn’t mean it’s all the same as it manifests differently for different people.

Take care x

[Char411]

I was diagnosed in May via a laparoscopy. I felt very relieved to finally have a reason for all my pain and symptoms and after 18 months of all different tests coming back clear it was a huge relief to know it wasn’t all in my head. Relief can soon wear off once you have a flare up and you remember you’re stuck with this incurable disease but we all have to find ways of managing it and not letting it stop our lives too much.

Best of luck with your lap.... get yourself peppermint oil capsules, peppermint tea and actual peppermints for after surgery. I started sucking peppermints as soon as I got back to the ward and took peppermint capsules as soon as I got home and I didn’t get a single trapped gas pain. X