Surgery in a week: Hello, I'm having my... - Endometriosis UK

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Surgery in a week

Tiffanyaching profile image
12 Replies

Hello, I'm having my first laparoscopy next Tuesday, and I'm so anxious.

My gynaecologist is 99% sure that it's endo, but I'm scared they won't find anything.

I get bad cramping all the time, particularly during ovulation and periods, stabby pains in my abdomen on the right side, problems with my bladder and bowels (again, worse during ovulation and period), and the pain radiates into my hips and legs. Has anyone else had these symptoms and had a lap? What did they find?

I've had many scans, an ultrasound a while ago couldn't find my right ovary but it was found on an MRI. My last ultrasound (to make sure my coil was in the right place) found that I had a tilted uterus, but that's never been mentioned to me before, could it be something new that's caused by endo?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just so nervous.

Thank you so much, I hope you're all well x

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Tiffanyaching
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12 Replies
KPoppins90 profile image
KPoppins90

Hey Tiffany

I had a laparoscopy last week and fully expected them not to find anything - I had very similar symptoms to yours with stabbing pains and a constant ache in my legs and back that felt like constant period aches. I also had a bunch of ultrasounds done on my ovaries and uterus which came back clear so I felt like I was imagining the pain, but my laparoscopy showed stage 2 endo on my ovaries and uterus which I had treated there and then.

I really hope your procedure is successful and you're free from your symptoms soon!

Good luck :)

P.S. I've also been told I have a titled womb, but the nurse who told me said it's fairly common and usually 'shifts' to a normal position if you carry a baby. Dunno if that's true but I don't think it should affect you pain wise in the day to day!

Tiffanyaching profile image
Tiffanyaching in reply to KPoppins90

Thank you!I'm hoping they can treat anything they find while they're in there.How are you recovering from your laparoscopy?

KPoppins90 profile image
KPoppins90 in reply to Tiffanyaching

Fingers crossed for you lovely :) I've healed up pretty well, just still feeling quite tired from it! I also wasn't expecting an endo diagnosis so I'm a little overwhelmed - but good to have answers at least. I hope you get them too :)

Nbubz profile image
Nbubz

I had really similar symptoms too and had a laparoscopy last week where they found endometriosis on my left side (which is odd because my pain has always been on the right…). It’s likely they’ll find something- is your gynaecologist an endo specialist? But as frustrating as it would be if they didn’t find endometriosis, remember that that’s actually a good outcome! They may also find something else that is treatable.

Tiffanyaching profile image
Tiffanyaching in reply to Nbubz

Hello, thanks for your reply!No, she's not an endo specialist, but I'm hoping I can be referred to one if they find anything.

How is your recovery after your laparoscopy?

Nbubz profile image
Nbubz in reply to Tiffanyaching

Definitely ask to be referred if they do spot anything. I’d also request notes and images after this one just because there seem to be some reports of gynaecologists not being able to spot it… I haven’t experienced this personally but it seems others on here have!My recovery is both slower and better than expected! The pain hasn’t been too bad but my body really lets me know if I’ve done too much… I’d recommend basically not moving for a full week afterwards! Hope it all goes well for you.

Dogmad6 profile image
Dogmad6

I'm familiar with all those symptoms, also had womb tilted far back. I was confirmed with severe endometriosis.However, if they don't find endometriosis, it can be that they've failed to spot it. It sounds like they think they are on to it and think it's endometriosis rather than fobbing you off with the IBS diagnosis or whatever. Not that I would want anyone to have it but if you have, you want it found and dealt with.

I wish you lots of luck. xx

Tiffanyaching profile image
Tiffanyaching in reply to Dogmad6

Hello, thank you for your reply!I hope they find something just so it might be treated, and to stop me from thinking I'm going mad.

I had multiple GPs tell me it was IBS before I was referred to gynae, so I'm worried it is just that (even though I know it isn't!)

Thank you xx

Dogmad6 profile image
Dogmad6 in reply to Tiffanyaching

Trust yourself! You know your own body and you are the expert on how you feel. They had me thinking I was going mad too years ago. It happens to so many people with endometriosis. I've no idea why they treat us like this because I don't think it happens so much with any other illnesses.

Good luck xx

Ldn6 profile image
Ldn6

Hello, I had very similar symptoms - general ache, occasional stabby pain on the right side, extremely heavy & painful periods, bowel problems that worsened during my period.Endo didn’t show on the ultrasound, was thought maybe adeno & polyps, so I had the same fear of wasted surgery/time. Had lapro 4 days ago which found & removed deep endo on my bowel (especially on the right side) and in other areas.

Won’t lie the post-op pain is bad, but will massively depend on how deep & how much is excised. The more mobile you are the better you feel, without overdoing it!

Recommend peppermint oil tablets & peppermint tea for the post-gas pain in your shoulders.

Ldn6 profile image
Ldn6 in reply to Ldn6

Hit post before saying good luck! The relief of confirming you have endo or not will be worth it!

Midgetpants87 profile image
Midgetpants87

Hello. I’m sorry you’re suffering.

I had my first lap in 2016/2017 (not sure which!) and they found nothing and diagnosed IBS. I was adamant it wasn’t IBS but began to take note of my food and symptoms. I DO have IBS 😂. However, for the last few years I’ve suffered on and off with what I was told was IBS pain and regular large ovarian cysts (which I was always told don’t cause pain but then they blamed them for my pain?!). My pain really kicked off in May and I was hospitalised. I’m still on sick leave, can’t drive, walking so slowly I’m going backwards and popping pills constantly. I’m now being told that they do believe I have Endo and that it was missed on my lap. My point is, make sure they take photos during your lap and if they don’t find Endo, don’t give up. On reflection, I wish I’d pushed harder for the last 5 years, insisted on my pain being investigated further. I’ve missed out on so much…taken flights clutching hot water bottles that the cabin crew would kindly refill for me, publicly sobbed more times than I’d like and watched from the sidelines instead of getting involved and having fun.

Don’t give up. If they find don’t Endo, keep fighting for a diagnosis. Good luck. X

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