Post Laparoscopy update

[Greenflame]

Hi all,

I hope everyone is doing as well as possible.

I recently posted to express my anxiety about an upcoming laparoscopy. I’ve been on the waiting list with the nhs for 2 years for this procedure. My biggest fear was being told that nothing was found. I know from some other peoples posts that I wasn’t alone with this fear! I’m updating as my fear has been realised. I awoke, very groggy, to be told no Endo found.

I’ve been discharged back to my GP with a piece of paper stating “360 degree view obtained, ovaries and ovarian fossae visualised, no evidence of endometriosis.” They stated my pain was likely due to my IBS. I’m at a loss really as i was diagnosed with IBS over 20 years ago and it doesn’t explain the symptoms I‘ve had in the last few years. Nor, does IBS explain why the mirena coil (inserted 14 months ago) has eased some of my symptoms.

I feel so guilty for enlisting help from friends and family so I could go for the lap (I have two young children) and I will feel like a fraud if I take the assigned two weeks off work for recovery when the outcome was that nothing was found. I feel like a fraud now for all the times I’ve cancelled plans due to chronic pain or the times I’ve worried my family because I’ve been curled up in a ball crying in agony and vomiting from pain.

I know that all of you beautiful, brave people have your own difficult journeys and diagnoses to navigate so I’m sorry for my long-winded and self-pitying post! I guess I just needed a safe space to vent some of my hurt and frustration as my mental health has taken a big hit since my lap results and I’m feeling very low.

Love and light to all xx

[Alanis4000]

Try not to be so hard on yourself. There are lots of potential causes for pelvic/abdominal pain and you and your doctor just need to continue investigating. It’s good news that you don’t have endo. Have you got any food intolerances? Certain things cause me terrible pain (e.g prunes) Just a thought, good luck and seek help for the mental health too x

[Greenflame in reply to Alanis4000]

Hi Alanis4000,

Thank you for your kind response. I have a wheat intolerance and I’ve been managing it for years but it’s possible there’s another one I haven’t discovered yet. That’s a good shout. I’ll go back to keeping a diary of symptoms and alongside that I’ll note what I’ve eaten. I’m back with the GP next week so shall see what she has to suggest. Take care xx

[KittyTherapy]

Hi, first of all you are most definitely not a fraud! Please take the time your body needs to heal from the lap regardless of diagnosis.

Secondly, it might be worth considering getting a second opinion and with an endometriosis specialist as non specialist gynaecologist can miss it. You can ask for a referral to a BSGE centre bsge.org.uk/centre/category...

Chronic health conditions are complex and can take a long time to diagnose. Be kind to yourself x

[Greenflame in reply to KittyTherapy]

Hi KittyTherapy,

Thank you for taking the time to respond, and for your kind words. It was a general gynae that did the laparoscopy so I will look into an Endo specialist referral, thank you. I’m also looking into paying for an MRI privately in the hope that will check for both possible gynae conditions but also my bowel. Take care and thanks again xx