Should I have the laparoscopy?

[Puddd]

I have had very irregular periods my whole life, a couple of occasions I’ve continued to bleed after my period should have finished or my period returned within a week. I get a lot of back pain and feels like I have a fork scratching away at my uterus especially in the weeks leading to my period. Sometimes I can stand up wrong and it feels like something got trapped or twisted. Anything entering me is painful such as sex or even a tampon. This pain changes depending on the point in my cycle. I’ve been booked for a lap but I feel like the doctor was very dismissive with me as she was running over an hour late so just told me to go for the laparoscopy to get me out of the room quicker so she could catch up. I also have bowel issues such as constipation but then it goes to loose stools and a desperate urge to go, I was told this wasn’t a sign of endo. so , she also mentioned maybe it is gas or maybe have physio but never referred me to the nutritionist and my physio was cancelled and without her referral my doctor can’t do anything. The problem is my pain is not so bad that I am stuck in bed, although I do have a high pain threshold and she did suggest I look at my diet because maybe I should just stop eating gluten! I just don’t fancy being opened up if there is something easier or a way to manage it or I can just continue managing it especially as she told me my organs can stick together because of scar tissue from the operation.

I asked her if my pain was enough to merit it but she says she can’t really answer that but I’m just so unsure

Thanks

[Rjb_88]

It sounds to me like your symptoms merit the lap, and regardless of her being dismissive, they really wouldn’t do one unless they thought it needed. Especially when the waiting lists are so backed up. Your GP should be able to refer you to pain management, nutrition etc without your consultant, mine always has with no issue. You could also have a look into the endo diet, I do find that really helped me with some symptoms xx

[CryBaby91]

Hi Puddd, that GP sounds like a total arse, sorry but yeah! You go to your GP for answers and support, not bloody lectures and scare stories! The gold standard for diagnosing endometriosis is laproscopy, so yes absolutely if they have put you on the list then get it done.

Constipation and diarrhea ARE symptoms of endometriosis, if you go onto the endometriosis UK website you'll see the full list on there.

What the doc said is kind of accurate, surgery can cause more endometriosis to grow so its not helpful to have frequent surgery if you have endo. But, endo itself can grow on the stomach, bladder, bowel, anywhere it wants really, so endo can cause organs to stick together without any surgery at all! Especially if left untreated and unchecked for years.

I've been ignored for over a decade and now I'm left in a state where I may need major surgery on my bowel and kidneys so I'm furious that they didn't take me seriously! Completely understand how you're feeling, so please know THIS IS NOT IN YOUR HEAD. You deserve answers and the best way to get them is through the lap. Please also check that the hospital doing the surgery are BSGE registered, because if you're showing signs of severe endo (which you are, because it's effecting your bowel) then you have to be referred to a BSGE hospital because they are the only ones who can deal with it (England only). That's NICE guidelines, so quote those if they argue 😉

The gluten free may help your stomach issues, but it's not a cure. I've noticed a slight reduction in pain and bloating, but nothing to write home about. It doesn't hurt to follow the basics though, no alcohol or caffeine, no red meat, no soy products, no dairy and no gluten. Also, have you tried hear relief for the pain? Or a TENS? xxx