Laparoscopy didn’t find anything?

[Greensea]

I’m having trouble wrapping my head around this. I have a family history with endometriosis, and I shared almost every symptom with my aunt who’s been diagnosed. Pain during sex and orgasm, heavy periods which lasted a very long time (ever since I started menstruating in year 7), bloating, extreme non-cyclical pain, extremely painful periods etc. But now I’ve finally had a laparoscopy to diagnose it, they found nothing. I’ve been left with my pain but no answers. It felt so good to finally have a doctor who seemed to listen and take me seriously enough to get me a diagnostic lap, but they didn’t find a thing and I’ve had no explanation from anyone. It’s really upset me because I thought this would be the final step to a diagnosis and treatment to help me be able to live my life again. I had the lap on Sunday (25/4/21) so I’m still recovering. Any advice leading on? I’m just really upset because what felt like a step forward now feels like a setback.

[Hidden]

Was it an endo specialist? I’ve had a lap before when I was told there was nothing there, then showed the images to an endo specialist and he immediately saw deep endo in multiple places and in my bowel......

[Greensea in reply to Hidden]

It wasn’t a specialist no

[TennisAM]

Hey, I understand how upsetting this can be. Try to take your mind off it by doing something you enjoy, art, reading, watch your fave comedian. It's important to look after your mental health too, the stress and upset can make symptoms worse. It's important to concentrate on your recovery.

Was the surgeon an endometriosis specialist?

Where did they look for endometriosis? How long did they spend looking?

Did they take photos? Important to get copies of these.

All these are important questions as if they only looked at your gynae organs or are not a proper endo specialist, they could have missed it.

I have severe endo and have done a lot of research on natural things that work. These things have worked for me. Happy to share the info with you if you send me a private message.

[Greensea in reply to TennisAM]

They didn’t show any pictures, they didn’t tell me where they looked, they’re not endo specialists. All they said was that they didn’t find anything and then I was left to recover a bit and then leave. I’m not even sure how long they spent looking. I’m just trying to recover at the moment but it does feel like a bit of a betrayal that they didn’t find anything even though I’ve been in excruciating pain for over a year now :/

[TennisAM in reply to Greensea]

I understand, its very upsetting. It's important to seek a second opinion, either at an bsge endometriosis centre (if there is one nearby) or with another consultant who has a thorough understanding.

I would contact the consultant via a gynae secretary to ask where they looked. It's important to know that they've done a through check.

As they aren't an endo specialist it's possible they've missed endo.

Hopefully they took some picture. Do you have a follow up appt?

[Greensea in reply to TennisAM]

I don’t have a follow up appt, I got sent through by a gynae (who didn’t think I needed a lap) to some kind of expert (I don’t think they ever mentioned what they were an expert in, maybe laparoscopy) who referred me. I went to the general hospital close to my house and they did it, said they found nothing, and a couple of hours later I got sent home.

[Greensea in reply to TennisAM]

I got the coil fitted while I was in there, and I’ve got a supposed follow up 8 weeks from now for that from what they told me

[TennisAM in reply to Greensea]

Well I hope the coil helps. Still worth enquiring and pushing for a second opinion x

[Greensea in reply to TennisAM]

I think so too, thank you for the advice

[TennisAM in reply to Greensea]

You're welcome. Always remember it's your body and we know our own body better than any doctor. Ultimately, the doctor isn't in charge - you are! Be firm and you will succeed. Let us know how it goes xx