Frequency and types of pain....advice needed before lap.

[Peppermints]

Hi everyone.

I'm new here and looking for some advice. I've got a really good gp surgery and they have looked at my last 5 visits over 8 months and referred me to gynecologist at local hospital. She did an internal and suggested a laparoscopy to investigate what's going off.

In this sence, I feel very lucky that they have taken me seriously even though I've had internal scans showing nothing.

Before I commit to the lap, I just wanted to ask your opinions to see if my symptoms sound like endometriosis.

I really wouldn't want surgery if it's not endometriosis. And I know that a laparoscopy is exploratory and a surgeon wouldn't suggest having one if she didnt think I needed one.

I just feel she rushed my appointment which was three days ago, and the internal she gave me left me slightly sore and woke up with the worst cramps to date. Now I'm second guessing myself.

Just because I went in strong and not crying she ushered me in and out.

As you can tell, I'm nervous....🙈

So my symptoms are one to two weeks out of four.

I was put on progesterone pill a month and a half ago and had spotting which is normal but had cramps like labour pains which leaves me in tears.

Hot poker pains straight up in vagina and around perineum.

Humming ovaries.

Warm pain in lower abdomen.

Black bleeding like end of period bleeding.

Hip pain in both hips.

Terrible lower back pain but have had previous herniated disks and disk degeneration.

Clammy sweats.

Fatigue and exhaustion that can hit so suddenly I need to close my eyes where ever I am.

Poker hot pain that wakes me up suddenly but then only lasts a few hours.

All relieved with OTC medicine.

As I'm writing this all down it sounds like it....😩

I feel like I'm doubting myself because I'm not in pain all the time and can function fine when not in pain.

The last bout of a mixed bag of symptoms wiped me out for 4 days. I was so glad the kids had gone back to school so I could rest.

Sorry for such a long message....🙄

[Hidden]

Hi Peppermint,That's a long list of symptoms you have. It sounds really sore when you have them.

Weighing up the lap...

- It's been offered, so the gynaecologist thinks it's worthwhile.

- sounds like you're often in a lot of discomfort

- depending on how you do after a lap, you'll probably be up and doing things again in the range of 1wk to 4wks (for me - 1 wk to move better but still sore, 2 wks for the healing to be much less painful, 4 wks to feel better but achy, 2 months to feel completely normal)

I went for short-term healing after a lap, to win long-term comfort and a diagnosis. Ok, I found out I need more work, but at least I know now.

It's a personal choice. All I can say is that I went for the lap, but that's my experience.

[Peppermints in reply to Hidden]

Hi June. Thanks for the reply. Just writing it all down has helped. I think you're right, short term pain for long term help with an actual diagnosis...👍🏻😊

[Hidden in reply to Peppermints]

Hi Peppermint,Remember how they said delayed gratification could be a way to go...if it might optimise benefits?

In my "dark humour", I feel like managing endo is a case of delayed gratification. Lots of short-term issues, but maybe a more comfy, higher quality, lower pain way to be after.

Or so I hope! 😉

🌿🌼🌿

[Peppermints in reply to Hidden]

🤣Ha yeah....I hope so...😊

[Bluebatgirl]

Hi there lovely, to be honest a lot of them symptoms sound like mine!I did the same went to gp numerous times, unfortunately for me mine ended up with a hospital admission before the gp referred me to a gynaecologist.

I never got offered a lap first I had MRI which showed endo. Just waiting for a date to have my lap surgery. I would definitely consider the lap it’s the only way they can 100% say yes or no and if there is anything else going on there they will see that through the surgery.

[Peppermints in reply to Bluebatgirl]

Thanks bluebatgirl. Its seems fairly common that people are offered other things before a lap. Sorry yours has taken so long. I hope your managing it without it having too much effect on your mental health!!! I've always had painful heavy periods but it's only this last year I've suffered with (potential)cyst ruptures and all theose other symptoms. I also think maybe a reason they are taking me a little more seriously is probably my age (38) and my family history.

🤞🏻 we all get answers soon.

Sending positive thoughts to everyone x