7 weeks post op - still in pain?

[Hunter-23]

7 weeks post diagnostic laparoscopy with excision of Endometriosis. I haven't really taken note of if the pain has gotten better or worse as it's still early days. Today I am in so much pain in my lower belly, almost as if I'm about to start bleeding but I'm not due for another week.

I don't take any birth control, only painkillers whenever necessary (and the copious amounts of hay-fever medication this year!!)

I can't contact my GP as they are unable to help other than provide me with another script for codeine (I have some left anyway).

I had the surgery so I could stop taking painkillers for a while and it just doesn't seem to be the case.

I'm speaking with the surgeon in about 5 weeks and I don't want to tell him it doesn't seem to have worked because I obviously don't want him to feel like he didn't do a good job (he's a specialist so obviously knows it won't work for everyone 🤦🏼‍♀️).

If surgery didn't work, and birth control wasn't wanted then did you go down another route?

I want a hysterectomy because I don't want to bleed, I've finished my family and I don't want to take birth control to have erratic periods and erratic mental health. I also know hysterectomy doesn't help with Endo.

I don't know what I seeking for other than I'm not alone?

[EndoJaz]

It can take a long time for pain to subside after a lap, take it easy for a bit. Tell the consultant exactly what’s what at your next appt. if you want a hysterectomy then ask. I had one and it’s been so good not flooding out every month. Endo did continue to grow but my ovaries were left. Give yourself more time to heal. I also suffer hayfever and was prescribed fexofenadine 180mg this year as I have a prolapse and didn’t want to be sneezing constantly so they agreed to the stronger meds, it’s been so helpful. I hate taking meds and pain killers don’t agree apart from naproxen and amitripyline for a good nights sleep. You def aren’t alone xx

[Walker24]

Could the pain be your body healing from the procedure? I was back to see my specialist within 10 months, I think he hoped I’d get a least a few years. I’ve read about a lot of women having several procedures though so am just deciding whether to have my next one or hold out.

[Corarrowsmith]

I’m 7 weeks post op from lap for ovarian cyst removal and I’m getting the exact pain as you and also had it before I had the op and I’m also worrying if it’s healing pain or whether the cyst has grown back!! I’m really stressing out and hoping someone could give us some answers!! XX

[SusanAY78]

Having had several ops, including a tube and ovary removal and cysts removed, as well as several endo excisions, I can tell you it can take 12 weeks for the pain to completely subside. I’ve had laps where I’ve felt fine after 3 weeks, and others that have taken much longer. As for recurrence, I had one surgery where my pain was greatly reduced for 4 years and then the most recent I started having problems again after 8 months. Everyone is different and endo is a complicated condition and doesn’t always follow the same rules sadly. Be firm on what you want though regarding the doctors. I’ve learnt to speak up for myself over the years, it’s our bodies! I recently started trying premeze and I have found they help. A big thing I’ve also found is to reduce foods that accelerate endo. I’ve found dairy, caffeine and alcohol are big triggers. I haven’t stopped them all, but really limit my intake.

[Gilena in reply to SusanAY78]

Hello SusanAY78 ! I hope that you’re doing better today. I have a question if you allow me please. The 4 years post-surgery where you had greatly reduced pain, were you taking any hormones (pill, gnrh agonist, mini pill etc.). I am trying to understand what I can do to increase post surgery pain reduction. Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️

[SusanAY78 in reply to Gilena]

Hi Gilena, I wasn’t taking anything, I’m allergic to hormones, so have never been able to take anything to help with the reduction of symptoms. I made a real effort to be careful of what I was eating, I did a lot of research on foods that stimulate endo. It may just have been some luck too that I went that long though. I’ve had so many operations, that I’m willing to try most things to help delay having anymore for as long as possible. I had to have the last one as the tube had twisted around the ovary and the endo has gone on my bowel, the pain was awful. I won’t have any more ops unless something like that happens again though, as I find each time the scar tissues creates pain in itself. Hope you manage to find something x

[Gilena in reply to SusanAY78]

Thank you so much SusanAY78 . I have been on hormones for 11 years (the pill + 10 injections of gnrh agonists to induce chemical menopause). I would REALLY love to take a break from hormones but am worried about the endometriosis coming back quickly after my september 2021 surgery. Difficult choices. I will continue with hormones and will pay more attention to what I eat. Thanks again. I hope that you can find some respite too❤️❤️❤️

[Gilena in reply to Gilena]

SusanAY78 i also have severe bowel endometriosis with a 3cm nodule on my rectosigmoid, another nodule on my rectum and complete obliteration of the pouch of douglas, so the surgeries always come with high risks. So I am also trying to only get them when the pain is unbearable or bodily functions are hampered. ❤️❤️❤️