Bowel symptoms

[Blue1921]

Hi everyone, I have my first lap on Saturday, I’m getting really nervous but mostly because I’m worried they’ll say they’ve found nothing and my pain won’t be validated, after years of doctors saying it’s just one of those things women live with.

I was wondering if anyone had/has bowel symptoms? I’ve noticed recently I go from being constipated but feeling an urge to go, to having to very quickly all in the same day! I know I won’t know what’s going on until the weekend after my lap but should I raise it to my consultant?

Thank you x

[Nikkky]

Hi. Yes, endometriosis can cause bowel problems. That’s why a lot of women with endo get misdiagnosed with IBS. Some get constipation, some diarrhoea, some suffer with both. They should be checking your bowel for disease anyway but I would raise the issue and ask them to check your bowel while they’re in there. Best of luck xx

[Blue1921 in reply to Nikkky]

Thank you! X

[Rebeccasalt]

This was how I felt before both of my laparoscopies. The first because I worried they wouldn't find anything, and the second because I was worried they'd say the amount wouldn't validate the pain I was in. I was wrong both time - I had it, and it was severe - which really taught me, trust how your body feels.

Bowel symptoms are very much a thing for me and I agree with Nikky - make sure you talk about them very openly, I was never asked about it before either of my surgeries and then found out in my second surgery I had it in my bowel

[Blue1921 in reply to Rebeccasalt]

Thank you! It’s such a shame that we feel like we don’t know our bodies sometimes.Thank you for your reply, I’ll definitely mention it xx

[G3miniStar]

Not sure if it was just my surgeon being thorough, but after my lap he explained to me that he'd checked up to the kidneys for my endo. That was probably because my bowel was so badly affected but might also be standard. Worth having a chat pre-surgery if you get the chance. Good luck!! xx

[Blue1921 in reply to G3miniStar]

Thank you! X

[emm27]

Hi, I had my 3rd lap in April, stage 4 DIE on bowel wall, rectum and bowel were fused, and tube removal. As far as I know, you need to do bowel prep if they are checking for endo on the bowels. But DO ask, everything and anything you think of, make a note of your bowel movements to take with you is an idea. Good luck and sending hugs x

[Blue1921 in reply to emm27]

Thank you, they haven’t said anything about a prep so I’ll mention it to them. Thank you! X

[Monpeg]

I have painfull bowel movements especially in the morning. When I feel i need to go I need to now! Im having my lap on the 28th!

[Blue1921 in reply to Monpeg]

Good luck!Is this your first lap? Xx

[Monpeg in reply to Blue1921]

It is first! Will have to have another one. The endo has spread to places: bowel and bladder.

[Blue1921 in reply to Monpeg]

Good luck with everything!

[Bluesea7]

Hi my endometriosis was stuck to my bowels and bladder that made me not go sometimes for days , since I've had my hysterectomy ect , I did have internal stitches to bowel and bladder as well , 3 years ago and I've been able to go regularly every day now.

[Blue1921 in reply to Bluesea7]

I’m glad that you’re doing better.Did you have to do a bowel prep to find the bowel endo? X

[Bluesea7 in reply to Blue1921]

MRI that showed all the endometriosis it squashed my bladder in half as I was weeing alot my womb ovaries tubes ect were stuck ect after opp you have laxatives for a week not all my bowel was stuck .

[Blue1921 in reply to Bluesea7]

Oh gosh. I haven’t had an MRI the Lap is the first thing my consultant is doing, he is an endo specialist. I’m so scared, more about him finding nothing,Thank you for your replies xx

[Nikkky in reply to Blue1921]

Hi, I’m sure you’re thinking that way because, like you said in your initial post- “years of doctors saying it’s just one of those things women live with”. There’s no wonder we all doubt ourselves as we are made to feel like we are making a fuss about nothing. Trust your instincts x

[Bluesea7 in reply to Blue1921]

Let me how you get on hope everything is ok for you take care