I have had my first Laparoscopy in May 2018 where they managed to remove a large amount of Endometriosis (mainly from my womb and bowel). Ever since the operation, the pains I had experienced prior to surgery have increased; especially where I will have scar tissue now. Have people found this a common side-affect once having their Endometriosis removed? I have been left feeling very disappointed, as I feel the surgery has actually made my symptoms worse.
Because I have been left disheartened by surgery I would like suggestions of alternative therapies to Endometriosis pain relief that people in this community have found helpful. For example I am looking for suggestions such as a change in diet or if people have found activities such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture or certain exercises helpful towards pain relief.
Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.
I'm so sorry to hear about what you're going through. I've personally taken many painkillers to the point where none work.
But I found a miracle. Evening primrose oil capsules from Holland and Barrett. they can be pricy but my pain has calmed all the way down and it's only a bit of soreness now. It works differently for other people and I'm not a doctor so don't take this as medical advice, but perhaps enquire about it and whether it interacts with any other medication you're taking.
Hi Zibi, thanks so much for your reply and suggestion. I have an appointment scheduled with my GP later this month & will query them about including Evening primrose oil capsules into my pain management routine.
I had my first lap and felt the same after as you do, I had another lap a year later and had the mirena coil fitted at the same time, it worked wonders! The pain was around for about a month after the op but I guess that was just recovery time anyway. I had it fitted for four years and have just had it replaced with a new one. It works so well for me! Might be an option to consider or talk to your GP about as everyone is different. My gyne told me it works so well because the hormones are being released right where the problem is, where as with the pill or implant etc it has to work its way through your body first. X
Hi, thank you for your reply! My partner & I are trying for a baby (have been for coming up the 3 years now - the endo has affected my fertility) so no contraception for me I was on the mini-pill before & that was successful at relieving symptoms x
Hi, yes, I went through this. Before the op, I was in quite severe pain but it would come and go and lasted 2 to 3 weeks in the month. After the laparoscopy, strangely I had about 4 days of absolutely blissful pain-free and energy-filled life (like I hadn't had in all my adult life), then on the fifth day my period returned, and with it constant 24hr/day 7days/week pain. I was beside myself, and asked to see the surgeon for a follow-up, but he told me that it couldn't be endo if I was in pain all through the month and that I should look elsewhere for answers (with no suggestions given!).
At that point I decided that the only way I was probably going to improve would be if I took it on myself to do research and treat myself. I read about the 'endo diet' (basically no gluten, sugar or dairy, and little or no red meat), and overnight changed what I ate (not recommended to do it so suddenly, but that's what I did). Within one day I lost all pain for a week. It gradually returned, but it has never been anything like as severe as before, and I do get breaks in the month from it. I found Carolyn Levett's book on Endo diet recipes helpful as a starting point.
Thanks so much for your reply, that's really helpful. It's a relief to hear I'm not the only one who suffered after the lap - it is constant pain & I'm getting symptoms that are either much more intense or completely new ones; such a disappointment, but I fear my GP is going to tell me the same as yours did.
I'm pleased you mentioned a diet change as this is something I've done a little research into; I've seen the FODMAP diet is meant to be quite successful for endo-sufferers (which sounds very similar to the one you have changed to). I will definitely will be giving this a go & will purchase the book you suggested.
You're very welcome - I really hope changes in diet help you and that you come out of this time of constant pain very soon.
Although it's always very disappointing if doctors don't help, the plus side of deciding to find your own solutions is that you often lose a lot of the stress of not being listened to in the surgery or hospital. When you're in constant pain it's an added demand on your energies that you really don't need.
And do pursue other avenues like you mentioned as well - sometimes it needs a holistic approach, so that you are lowering stress, reducing oestrogen (the right food will help, as will reducing toxins from body care products etc), and also doing what you can to increase liver function so that oestrogen is eliminated that way also. Think of it as trying to reduce the root cause (oestrogen dominance being right up there on the list) as well as reducing the way your body handles pain. For instance some foods (eg red meat) contain prostaglandins, which are hormone messengers that relay pain messages - I think of them like loud speakers to pain!
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I was on the mini-pill before & that was successful at relieving symptoms x
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