Seeking advice post-lap

[Taza_34]

Hi everyone,

Just looking for a bit of advice...

Long story short, had a diagnostic Lap two weeks ago and they diagnosed widespread endo through pelvic area, pouch of Douglas and various other bits, which they got rid of.

Before surgery I asked whether they would be taking a biopsy (previously had cervical erosion treated, they tried to take biopsy at time but was too painful)

Surgeon said no unless there was cause to. So I was surprised when I came around and they had taken one. Is this pretty much standard procedure? Have any of you ladies had this done during your first lap? I know I'm probably worrying about nothing but it's three months until my checkup.

The other thing is, how long does it usually take to notice any improvement in symptoms? I've had sharp pains in pelvic area, legs, rectum and the other usual pains since. Pain seems to consist of anything from dull background ache, jabbing pains, sharp and shooting pains.

They said they don't check the bowel on a diagnostic lap so I'm wondering if I still have endo but it's in other areas.

I apologise for going on a bit. Just feeling a bit low. I'm happy on the one hand that they have actually found something to say is the cause of my pain but I also feel kind of scared of what the future is going to hold. I feel bad moaning because I know there are a lot of ladies out there that have it so bad they can't function; whereas I still can.

[TennisAM]

Hey, glad you've had your op. Did they excise it off? This would involve scraping or cutting it out.

I guess it was a general gynaecologist that did the op? They should check widely according to the NICE guidelines but for some reason general gynaecologists don't seem check the bowel.

Before your op did have bowel symptoms such as severe pain when passing stools during your periods?

I wouldn't worry for now as the pain you're facing is most likely recovery pain. It hurt for 4 weeks in my case and then low level pain for 3 months because they did work on my bowel.

I think its worth judging the improvement as long as it gradually gets better and after at least 2 months of recovery to see how the pain has changed vs before the op. It shouldn't be severe pain for that long but always remember it's a tricky surgery so that treatment/ recovery will cause moderate to mild pain anyway.

Hope that helps

[Taza_34 in reply to TennisAM]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

Yeh they used ablation, so I'm presuming cut if out.

The surgeon is general gynae and I made him aware of all symptoms beforehand.

Before my op I would have bowel urgency more prominent during period, accompanied by severe pelvic cramps whilst on the loo. Sorry tmi. Got told for years about having Ibs. Did you have much rectal pain, like out of the blue shooting pains before being told endo was on your bowel?

I get urgency when not on but its not as bad and the urgency is usually accompanied by pelvic cramps before going.

I've been trying to keep a log of everything so I can take it to my follow up.

Did you still have similar pain to before op for the first month?

Thanks again for your help.

[TennisAM in reply to Taza_34]

Hey,

I'm sorry to break it to you but ablation is when they burn the endo. Its called excision when they cut it out. If you have any deep endometriosis, it's possible it's still there underneath, with the top burnt. Let's hope not.

Do you have a bsge endometriosis centre nearby (there's a website to check the local hospitals). I'd look into that given they found extensive endometriosis and you have bowel symptoms. According to the NICE Endometriosis guidelines you should have been referred to a bsge specialist endometriosis centre when bowel involvement is suspected.

I had very severe endometriosis at my last op (fixed colon, fused ovary, fixed urethra) so the post op pain didn't compare to the pre op pain. But Excision surgery is painful so it did hurt up to 7/10 for several weeks.

My bowel pain pre op was stabbing pains when I passed stools but please remember it was fixed in place so that's not surprising.

I have had bowel endo again in the last few years and i get severe pain pre bowel movement, during and sometimes it carries on afterwards. It's felt in my abdomen mostly but sometimes up the rectum.

Worth speaking with your GP about the pain and the fact they've only burnt it not excised. Also they didn't check the bowel so you would like a second opinion at the local bsge endo centre (hopefully there is one). I'd do a bit of research about each consultant gynaecologist listed on the bsge endometriosis centre link for your local hospitals. You can name a specific consultant as your preferred choice on the referral.

I really hope the pain subsides and that you don't have any deep endo/bowel endo.

Do get in touch to let me know how things are going xx

[Taza_34 in reply to TennisAM]

Hiya,

Sorry for the late reply.

Thanks for the information, it's a shame they didn't cut it out but at least I'm aware now of the difference.

It looks like there are a couple of centres not too far away so I will definitely be considering them.

Sounds like you have had an awful time with it all. How are you now? Are you still getting symptoms?

I've been ok for a few days but the pain has come back today. I'm just writing everything down. Its difficult to get in with the doctor I want at the moment but if I feel this is getting worse I will definitely be ringing up daily to try and get an appointment.

I'm trying to tell myself to be a bit patient to see how things go, which I'm not very good at but feel I should give it at least a chance .

Thanks for your time

Amy x

[TennisAM in reply to Taza_34]

Hey, sorry the pain has returned and I hope you get an appointment with your preferred GP soon. Sometimes the only way to get what we want is to kick up a fuss

Symptoms are pretty bad for me pre period and during. Otherwise I seem to have things under control, thanks to traditional Chinese medicine and over the counter herbal anti inflammatories. Waiting for a diagnostic op date with my colorectal surgeon. Feels like it's going to be on the 5th of never at this rate 😂