Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Laparoscopy at 17

[ali_cupcake]

Hi, I'm new here. I'm 17 years old and have been diagnosed with Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. I am currently awaiting my first laparoscopic procedure. My Endometriosis and Ovarian cysts were diagnosed by an MRI scan. I was told that seeing endometriosis on an MRI scan was rare and that I was very young for a diagnosis. I have been struggling a lot as I have missed almost 6 months of school (currently doing my A-levels). All of this has caused me a lot of anxiety and it has had an effect on my mental health. I am extremely nervous about my laparoscopy even though I know I'm in safe hands with the consultant I am seeing. I'm often wondering a lot how many other younger women are out there with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. Any advice and reassurance from anyone would be amazing!

[Pinkblossom1]

I’m 24 and have been diagnosed with stage for endo only December last year! Try not to worry too much about the laparoscopy - the worst part was waiting on the day of surgery just because you can’t eat or drink! I felt tender up to one week after surgery but that was due to stitches (that dissolve) but honestly the procedure was totally fine ☺️

[ali_cupcake in reply to Pinkblossom1]

I'm dreading not being able to eat and drink beforehand! How long was your recovery time until you were back to doing your normal things?

[Pinkblossom1 in reply to ali_cupcake]

Oh like 4 days! I was still a bit sore for like 1-2 weeks after due to stitches but was doing normal things ☺️

[Lofty1589]

I’m 19 and awaiting a diagnostic laparoscopy! I only knew about endo because my best friend was diagnosed at 12 years old with it and she recognised the symptoms. Believe it or not, there are quite a lot of us youngings out there trying to get an answer and fighting this disease.

I hope your lap goes well! I’ve got my MRI tomorrow after 7 weeks of waiting and lordy knows when my lap will be - but considering the extreme level of pain I am in (now taking tramadol to try and help) I’m trying to push it as much as possible xx

[ali_cupcake in reply to Lofty1589]

I hope your MRI scan went well and you get some answers you deserve! I have been taking Oramorph daily along with several other painkilers but the extreme pain is still there constantly so I know how you feel. It's astonshing how many young women have it. It's taken me 3 years to get diagnosed!

[Lofty1589 in reply to ali_cupcake]

The MRI is at 5 today so grateful to leave work earlier. Yeah, my Tramadol is helping very slightly which is more than any of the others but it still isn’t enough - especially as I am off my pill this week for my period after 6 weeks since my last one (my anxiety is through the roof)

It’s honestly horrible that it takes so long. I’ve been going to the drs since I was 13 and the previous gps I had would only let me on the pill when I was 18 🙄 It’s a load of bs to be honest! Xx

[ali_cupcake in reply to Lofty1589]

Good luck! It’s bad that your GP wouldn’t let you go on the pill until you were 18. My GP put me on a combined pill when I was 15 but it made me very sick so I came off it and between then and now I’ve just taken strong painkillers which was not fun at all because every month I wouldn’t be able to get myself into school. It wasn’t until I got referred to a consultant that they put me on the mini pill and that’s suited me so much better! I bet you’re feeling horrendous if it’s your first period in 6 weeks! Hot water bottle is my go too along with all the pain killers I can have xx

[Lofty1589 in reply to ali_cupcake]

The MRI went all right - hate needles so wasn’t too fun having a cannula in the crook of my arm and then having it bent for 40 mins 😅

My old GP surgery was honestly awful. Yeah, my anxiety is on an all time high right now - in so much pain that the Tramadol isn’t hitting and yet still no blood despite the fact there should have been today so I just can’t wait for Monday to come when I’ll be back on it. As awful and as much excruciating pain I’m in, I have no choice but to be in work so been using stick on heat pads since the hot water is awful at work and been taking my Tramadol whenever I can.

Just wish this could be all sorted! Xx

[ali_cupcake in reply to Lofty1589]

Glad it went okay! I hate needles too! I didn’t like having the heavy thing put on me either, it felt like I couldn’t breath. I bet you’re feeling anxious, I’ve been anxious too, I’ve not been at school since October which has had a massive impact so my GP has put me on anti depressants but so far I’m not noticing any difference. Endometriosis is a B**CH!! It will be sorted soon hopefully! I hope the results from the scan don’t take too long either because hopefully once you know some more answers your anxiety might calm down a little xx

[Lofty1589 in reply to ali_cupcake]

Lordy knows long they’ll take. The admin at my hospital is shocking - they’ve lost every expedite letter sent to them amongst other things! I know not to get my hopes up since scans don’t always pick up endo - but I wouldn’t mind something showing up! Xx

[ali_cupcake in reply to Lofty1589]

I think admin in most hospitals aren’t great, it’s really sad but it’s because the NHS is ridiculously underfunded. I hope for your peace of mind something is found because that’s a step forward! Xx

[Peebles2sarah]

I'm 21 and going through the same stuff! The lap surgery is not scary at all I promise