Advice on laparoscopy - newly 'diagnosed'

[EndoK27]

Hi, I'm 23 and in the past few weeks I've been in bad pain - worst ever and turns out I have a chocolate cyst on my right ovary. I have had digestion issues since and had to go to hospital due to the pain. Thinking back I've probably had Endo since I was atleast 16. As usual, drs/nurses telling me symptoms are just painful periods or IBS.

Today I saw an endo specialist - unfortunately I have to pay due to NHS waiting times and being off work which I can't afford to do career wise. He has recommended a laparoscopy and I'm trying to do as much research as possible about this. I want to go forward with this but it seems like a lot of women have had bad experiences with the endo coming back or a laparoscopy not really helping. Can anyone shed some more light on this?

I'm feeling slightly negative about my chances due to seeing a lot of people complaining about this. Anyone out there with a positive experience post-lap?

I'm 23 and am in no way thinking about kids yet. I'd never really wanted them until I was told I had Endo and realised my fertility could be greatly effected. I'm just so worried about the future and this getting worse and not being able to get pregnant if I want to.

[Brighton-Redhead]

I had a cyst and 2 ops to remove my ovary and my appendix and scarring around my bladder. I was in great pain the months before the op but the good news is it worked for me. I now only have mild pain and not all the time. I am on hormones now to control future growth and damage as it’s in my bowel and not in a good place to operate.

I hope the op goes well for you and eases the pain.

My experience was positive and yours can be too

[EndoK27 in reply to Brighton-Redhead]

Thank you Brighton-Redhead really appreciate your response. I'm glad you're feeling better and the ops helped for you. Could you explain a little more about why they can't operate on your bowel? I'm worried mine has gotten deep into my bowel but I'm unable to take hormonal birth control so not sure where that leaves me in the future for prevention...

[Brighton-Redhead in reply to EndoK27]

My growth is attached to my bowel wall and so operating would cause problems. Instead I am living with it and am on provera which is a progesterone drug and have no periods. I was previously on the pill which worked well for years but was also told to come off after I had cervix treatment. Progesterone works differently to the pill so you may be able to take it even if you can’t take normal birth control.

[ChloeL934]

Hey,

I’ve had chocolate cyst for years now, I’ve had regular ultrasounds to keep check on them. My fertility consultant recommended surgery, which I had in September & have noticed a difference within a few areas.

I read some really negative feedback about surgery, but honestly you’ve got to do what’s best for you! I also can’t take the pill for family health reasons but would be pointless anyway as I’m trying for a baby. Good luck with whatever choice you make. X

[EndoK27 in reply to ChloeL934]

Hi Chloe thanks for your response. What are your options then if you can't do hormonal birth control? Do you get a lot of pain etc.?

[ChloeL934 in reply to EndoK27]

We are trying for a baby anyway, so wouldn’t use birth control anyway & no not really. Very rarely & even more less since surgery x