Struggling to cope

[Fliss666]

I've reached a bit of breaking point today where I burst into tears at work!

I've been seeing doctors about heavy, painful periods and pelvic pain for 12 years and finally had a laparoscopy last year which discovered endometriosis and adhesions. Most of it was removed but some was left behind.

I was told my first couple of periods would be difficult but that it would get easier every month after that. It has actually gotten much worse with each month and, in some ways, is worse than before I had the oporation. I was very close to going to A&E because the pain was so awful.

I've recently found out that a coleague of mine who had a similar operation has been prescribed 6 months of tramadol and morphine!

I saw the GP earlier this week who showed absolutely no interest (once again I burst into tears) who kept offering me things I've already tried time and time again. He said it could take up to 6 months for me to feel better. Has anybody else had this experience?

I've discovered a support group that's meeting later this month but I'll be lucky to be able to get away from work for it (it's a very inflexible job).

Any thoughts or advice would be welcome.

[Knina]

Hi Fliss666, so sorry to hear that you in such pain. I had surgery last February and have been told that in 2-4 weeks I will be fine. I got better only 6 months later. I have endosalpiogeosis which is similar to endo, but it is falopian cells that are growing everywhere. They "cleaned" me and removed one ovary and the tube. I was in tears also and likely my surgeon prescribed strong painkillers. (after 2 weeks I barely walked). My GP is not very helpful either. Maybe you can ask your surgeon or find endo specialist, so they can help? I am not sure how easy for you to change the job, but if they are not flexible, maybe new job is a solution. Even if you do not find it now, in a long run it will worth it.

[Thecrazypugglelady]

I feel your pain I'm 3 months into zoladex injections after my laparoscopy in December and feel it's on par with pre op! To be honest I'm on zapain and I take ibuprofen as and when I can. The best thing heat personally for me I take my hot water bottle everywhere and as soon as I've done something like drop my child off at school I come home and get straight in the bath.

I am too in the process of requesting for a specialist but for me personally zomorph and oramorph only makes me sleep so I stopped taking it from a pain and life point of view wasn't really working out. Had even less of a life and was still in pain

I'm in the position where I've had no other choice but to come out of work and I ll probably look for more admin based role. I haven't worked for almost a year the pain is just unbearable but you dont get anything from the government as it doesn't score any points in there system! I've send an email to parliament in my fury! Even if it was temporary at least we d get something back for going in all hours overtime etc in full blown pain!

I hope you get your pain sorted or at least eased

And I hope you find the right specialist

[Koryu]

I had a major lap and they removed most of it in October 2017, come the new year pains were coming back...I was so very worried and freaked out. Now, in my case I had two cysts regrowing on my ovaries and this is what caused the pain (my endo turns out to be an aggressive sod when it puts its mind to it). I needed another lap a year and a half past the major one as we were hoping for a child too. But, there are lots of reasons you might be struggling with pain right now which is why even my specialist took prodding to get me checked out so soon. See other people's comments too.

So: Get referred to an endo specialist or at least an informed gynae. Your GP really needs to do better, darn it. Do you have contact details for an endo nurse? That might be a good start too.

You can get through this. It might be scar tissue, it might all still be healing, it could be something they can fix with the proper meds. I know they said for mine they could have accidentally cut into some muscle/tissue and that would take much more time to heal etc. Get the right help for you and sod that Dr for not taking you seriously.

Monitor and note down symptoms if you think he won't refer you without something written. Show him this record and also compare it to before. Insist on referral / ultrasound. And I really, really hope you feel better soon.

[Jasmin24]

Hang in there

I'm going back and forth to my GP, but don't give up!

I'm still waiting for someone to refer me to the BSGE Specialist. My consultant was expecting my GP to, GP says it's the consultants job! It's nearly coming up to 2 months, since the referral was mentioned.

I've been on various different meds, currently having prostap injections, but the pains have come back.

Off I pop to the GP tomorrow, but this time I'm going to take a body and a list of everything from how my emotions are, to all the various different pains I'm getting.

I'm not giving up!

Just like you, I've just recently joined a support group, not yet been, but I have to go out of town, nothing is available where I live.

Keep fighting, never give up!

Sounds like we all need to meet for a cuppa!