Just got my laparoscopy date, how do I deal with the fear of them not finding anything?

[Silversky]

So I've been on the waiting list for a laparoscopy for about a year. Kinda thought they'd just brush it under a rug with all the covid stuff going round, but I got my date. 1st of December.

I'm excited about the possibility of them finding something and fixing it, but I just can't get the thought of them finding nothing and having it all just be a massive waste of time & stress. How do you cope with that? I just can't focus on anything right now just from the fear of not actually having an illness. No one really understands that I'm worried about not having an illness and kinda thinks hey that's a good thing if you don't right? But I feel like I need the validation that something was wrong, I may have winged and cancelled plans but that was all valid & fine. I'm also worried I'm just gonna bore everyone if I talk about it too much.

So I'm coming here for maybe some comfort stories? What happens if they don't find it? How did/do you cope with the fear? Is what I'm feeling normal? Should I be wishing endo on myself or is that stupid?

Just so confused about how to feel!

[Lou93]

Hi so glad you’ve got a date and it’s normal to feel the way you do I was like this when I had my first surgery under general gyne team, they didn’t find anything and just put it down to heavy periods, however I didn’t believe that was the case due to my symptoms so I chose to get a second opinion yers later and had a specialist for endo and guess what he found endo and adeno so never give up you know your body.

Is your gynaecologist a specialist in endometriosis? X

[Silversky in reply to Lou93]

I haven't met them yet, am an NHS patient but they're giving me a private surgeon (I assume to get the list down quicker?) So I'm hoping that means they are good! Not sure though.

[Lou93 in reply to Silversky]

Do you know there name I would look them up on the private hospital website should give you some more information about them ☺️ let’s hope so

[Silversky in reply to Lou93]

I'm not sure of it yet but you'd have hoped I would find out soon! That's a good idea though, will give me some more confidence (or maybe not!!)

[Lou93 in reply to Silversky]

Yeh when you find out have a look into it, is this your first surgery? Taken you long to get to this point? Took me 10 years to get diagnosed in the end x

[Silversky in reply to Lou93]

Yeah first surgery. I'm 28 now, complained about my period pains at about 17 to the doctor, so about the same if you're counting from then! I might not count that far back though, they got steadily worse as I got older, going on the pill sorted it out for a couple of years.

Luckily a doctor suggested I had it about 2 years back, then just time going through the motions for the surgery to come about. I never had even heard of endo before she said! I do feel lucky that someone told me it could be that than having to convince someone I had it!

[Lou93 in reply to Silversky]

Well fingers crossed for you 🤞 I’m 27 so similar age it’s an awful condition to have so I hope they find out what’s going off for you x

[Silversky in reply to Lou93]

Thanks for chatting it's made me feel better to just hear about someone else's journey! Thank you

[Lou93 in reply to Silversky]

No problem at all anytime you want to talk either send me a private message or just type on here ☺️x

[Decode]

It's no wonder we feel like this when people say things like 'its all in your head' and 'its just a heavy period' and 'its not a big deal what are you on about?'

Yeah I have these thoughts too because if they say they didn't find anything then its like you are a liar.

BUT we need to question our thoughts and challenge them.

If its nothing then why am I having to take time off work?

If its just a heavy period, then why am I hunched over and don't want to move on the sofa/bed?

If its not a big deal, then why does normal pain medication NOT work well?

I'm glad you finally finally finally have a surgery date. I'm still waiting.

Keep your chin up and I wish you well for your surgery.

[Silversky in reply to Decode]

Thanks for your reply! Just got to keep fighting my thoughts away. It did help to hear that other point of view. I've been very lucky to have an understanding employer and a job where I can work from home on bad days! I'm also a bit weird in that I don't get the heavy periods since I got the coil, I just get basically constant agony that isn't even validated with blood! I kind of miss the heavy periods in a way. Although it has saved me some money on sanitary towels. Swings & roundabouts.

I hope you get your appointment soon

[stephersb]

Hello,

I'm feeling the exact same as you right now. My date is the 4th December so I'm 3 days behind you. I have been diagnosed with IBS but my surgeon has said endo can cause IBS symptoms. If you need some support please message me - we can always buddy up as our surgeries are so close. Sorry I can't offer any support but I feel the exact same as you. Not sure if I'd rather have Endromitriosis or uncontrollable IBS.

Good luck on the 1st x