Diagnostic lap tomorrow

[Paulamar02]

I’m booked in for my lap tomorrow and I’m so scared that I feel I might not go. On the verge of a panic attack today and only just managing to keep it under control. I’m so petrified something is going to go wrong when they put me to sleep. It’s honestly only the GA I’m worried about. Any positive vibes would be so great just now ❤️

[Hidden]

Hi Paula, I have mine tomorrow too. I'm feeling quite relaxed about it. It will probably hit me in the morning. Whereabouts are you having yours? We can support each other.

GA's are very safe. Thousands of people are put to sleep everyday and are fine afterwards. You are fit and healthy. Best advice is to stay calm. The less anxious you are, the better your recovery. I'm taking my first laxative at midday. I'm laughing it off as you don't want to spend your Sunday on the loo

Keep distracted. I'm an anxious type of person. I deal with this through plenty of distraction. So lined up today, besides the bathroom is a list of comedies. I'm going to watch Only fools and horses, The Royle Family and some other comedies. I need to keep a positive frame of mind and laugh as much as I can.

Xx

[Paulamar02 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. I’m in Scotland having mine. What about you? I do suffer anxiety but see really I don’t usually care when it comes to things about me. This has totally taken me by surprise. I’ve just woke up from a nap which was good lol I also have my sisters 16th birthday dinner tonight too so that’s a great distraction. I didn’t get any laxatives lol only a urine sample bottle. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Paulamar02]

It's probably because I'm having excision surgery for endo and cyst removal, hence the bowel laxative.

You will be absolutely fine. I totally understand. I can sink or swim with this and my anxiety can seriously take over but I'm not letting it win. I'm going to do this for my health and enhanced ability to conceive. I'm looking at the bigger picture.

Enjoy your party. Sounds great. Enjoy yourself and look at the positives. Don't let anxiety beat you Xx

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I'm in Manchester BTW

[Paulamar02 in reply to Hidden]

Aw yeah maybe that is why. I know I need to get this done to finally get some answers and try to improve my health. It’s a positive thing! Thank you. Xx

[LizzieBW]

Hi Paula, it's so, so crappy that you're feeling panicked. I've learnt from living with anxiety that the only way to control panic, for me is to rationalise and take 1 tiny step at a time. Remind yourself that you're fully in control. You can go to the hospital tomorrow morning & explain in detail just how anxious you are about the GA before choosing to go ahead with any treatment. At this stage you'd be taking control by telling the professionals you'll need extra support and they are best placed to reassure you about the GA.

You can also take control by listing all the pros and cons for having the op and not having the op - fear of GA is not allowed on the list!! This will allow you to really reflect on the reasons you're choosing to go through with it tomorrow. I find writing things down helps gather my thoughts.

I have my lap on Thurs this week so I'm also here for you if you decide to have your op - recovery buddies 💐 xx

[Bellabellaboo in reply to LizzieBW]

I’m on Thursday to and so so scared and anxious also!

[Paulamar02 in reply to LizzieBW]

Yeah I’m trying to do the whole rationalise thing. It is definitely helping a little. Just had a little nap too and that’s helped me get away from my thoughts for a bit. It does make me feel a whole lot better knowing I can go and cancel if I really have to. It makes me feel a bit back in control. Thank you so much for your message xx

[LizzieBW in reply to Paulamar02]

Oh I find naps helpful too, definitely! I'm glad to hear you got some escape from your worries and some needed rest by the sounds of it. Very best of luck for tomorrow, whatever decision you make xx

[Bellabellaboo]

When you go to bed at night no one is there to ensure you wake up...when you go under GA you have people there to ensure you wake up! You are more likely to die from post op complications than GA...and even that is so so so so rare when you are young, healthy and for key hole surgery. Just focus on getting to hospital and then see how you feel! They can’t force you into anything but just turn up have a chat to them then see how your feel. I am anxious about mine this week and I feel like it is normal to feel nervous, however, it is not permanent...it will pass...anxiety is our brain being unstable and isn’t who we are. Listen to the anxiety slayers podcasts...helps so much!

[Paulamar02 in reply to Bellabellaboo]

Yeah it is so temporary and by this time tomorrow hopefully it’ll be all nearly over and done with. It’s just hard to rationalise things when you’re so anxious. Usually that’s what I’m good at lol but we will be fine!!

[princessk09]

I’m petrified of hospitals and being put to sleep but it’s honestly nothing to be scared about. It takes like 5 secs to drift off and I just remember the nurse stroking my hand and then waking up in recovery with a nurse stood over me checking my vitals. Throughout the surgery, the anaesthetist and other nurses constantly watch your vitals and make sure you have enough GA and oxygen at a steady rate. My anaesthetist was so lovely and told me it takes like 6-7 things to go wrong to even cause complications and it’s so rare as GA and equipment is so advanced now.

I was scared of the breathing tube but he put me right at ease and I woke up with a sore throat and uvula but it wasn’t as bad as I imagined.

Even afterwards in recovery, someone watches you until you wake up and get wheeled back to the ward. Everyone is different when they wake up, I was high af for 2 days but others on here woke up groggy and stuff. Xx

[Paulamar02 in reply to princessk09]

Yeah the tube is freaking me out. Thank you for your reply. It has really really helped me with the detail you’ve went in to. Xx

[princessk09 in reply to Paulamar02]

No worries, I know how scary it can sound but you’ll be in good hands with the surgical team xx

[Paigelouisex]

Hey, I had mine done on friday and I was the exact same as you! Hope it all goes well and you have a speedy recovery💖💖

[Paulamar02 in reply to Paigelouisex]

Thank you. How are you feeling? Xx

[Paigelouisex in reply to Paulamar02]

I’m still in a lot of pain, they removed quite a bit of endo tissue and took a biopsy too, but i’m getting there! the worst pain is the gas, travels from your belly to your shoulders/collarbone.. keep a microwave teddy nearby if you have one it’s been a life saver for me! xx

[Paulamar02 in reply to Paigelouisex]

I’m not even caring about the pain although I doubt I’ll be saying that this time tomorrow haha! I need to get my hot water bottle looked out and loads have said about the gas. Thankfully I really like peppermint tea so that will help. Hope you recover extra fast ❤️

[Sunshine91]

I had mine last Monday and felt the same. I think it’s completely normal. I would say don’t worry but it doesn’t help as people kept telling me but I still worried! The nurses will check you over before hand and I had my bloods checked aswell. If there was anything that could complicate things they would pick it up right away. Good luck!

[Paulamar02 in reply to Sunshine91]

Thank you. It is so hard not to worry. Usually I don’t make a fuss about anything but this is scaring me. How did yours go? Xx

[Sunshine91 in reply to Paulamar02]

It’s completely normal to be scared. It was ok thank you. It was my second lap so I knew what to expect in regards to the recovery and gas pain. Is this your first one? x

[Paulamar02 in reply to Sunshine91]

Yeah it’s my first one so don’t really know what’s hit me lol x

[Sunshine91 in reply to Paulamar02]

Aw you will be fine. Hope it all goes ok. If you need to ask anything or want to chat afterwards just message me 😊 what time are you due in the hospital? x

[Paulamar02 in reply to Sunshine91]

Thank you! I’ve to be there for 7.30 so it’ll be an early start. Xx

[MissPoshOxford]

Hi Paula, only just seen this, it's gone 2 am but in pain so cannot sleep, a typical endo warrior! I would have told you the same as the other ladies, try not to worry etc but you do as it is your first one. I hope that you are getting plenty of rest now, PaigeLouise is correct, the pain of the gas leaving through your shoulders will hurt, drinking peppermint tea helps (not the best of tastes though!). Obviously even though keyhole surgery you will be in pain for a while as you have been pulled about inside so no sudden movements, no lifting anything even slightly heavy (not even a kettle) and cry if you need to in-between rest, your emotions from the anaesthetic and painkillers will make you weepy. Just lay down, snuggle up, watch rubbish TV or read etc. Every ladies body is different but tbh we do all tend to feel the same post op. I have my fifth lap op next month, just keep smiling and stay positive, it does help talking to other ladies with this awful condition. Another daft thing I just thought of, your tummy will be bloated of course and your underwear may rub slightly on your scar, just wear loose pj bottoms and plain underwear to help the scar heal, take care everyone xXx

[Paulamar02 in reply to MissPoshOxford]

Thank you for your lovely reply! Everything went well and they didn’t find any Endo. I know there is only a 50% chance they will but for now I’m just feeling grateful. My tummy is very sore today but thankfully the pain in my shoulders hasn’t been so bad. I suffer from trapped gas a lot and that’s one of the areas I get it so I think I’ve been a bit prepared. I did have w urine infection but that’s now clearing up too. All in all I am feeling good. Just sore and annoyed I can’t do much but I have a great support network around me. Thank you again for your reply and I wish you all the best ☺️ Xx

[Afrohair in reply to Paulamar02]

Is this your first lap how didn’t they find any I’m new to all this I think I’ve got endo had all symptoms if they don’t find it in a lap what is it