heart burn, indigestion and shortness of breath

[Scoops22]

hi I’ve only recently been diagnosed, I’ve had a blood test done today for tumour markers as I have an endometrioma - I have been getting heartburn, indigestion and shortness of breath for a little while, does anyone else experience this and is this just signs of an endometrioma and endometriosis? Can’t help but think the worse as also symptoms of ovarian cancer.

[SmallTalk]

I had a large endometrioma removed last year. Before and after having it removed I get terrible heartburn, indigestion and shortness of breath , I was never really sure whether it was related to my Endo, however based on some reading I have done (I am not a medical professional, this is just my experience) it can be linked to endometriosis!

[LME5]

Heya, sorry to read about your endometrioma & symptoms. The symptoms you have described have been linked to thoracic endo, and colorectal endo. May I ask, how were you diagnosed? And are you due surgery for your endo/endometrioma?

[Scoops22 in reply to LME5]

Thank you for your response. So I had a private ultrasound sound done because gp said they agreed my symptoms sounded like endo and wanted to put me straight on the pill. I didn’t want to without knowing what is going on especially as I have rectal bleeding and upset stomach before and during my period and I kept getting terrible pain in my right ovary and hip. Ultrasound showed a 2cm endometrioma which I think is small. I then had a private consultation with a gynaecologist who read my scans and did an extremely painful examination. Along with this and my symptoms he said he thinks I have stage 3 endometriosis and I obviously have the endometrioma which my understanding is you only have this with an endometriosis?

I’ve now been referred to gynae on the nhs, I think I’ve been fast tracked so waiting for a phone call for an appointment but expect it will still take ages. I had bloods done for tumour markers on Saturday and thankfully they are normal. I haven’t had a lap or mri scan as just waiting for my appointment. I’m feeling really overwhelmed and also unsure whether this is all correct without having the lap.

[LME5 in reply to Scoops22]

It sounds like your doctors have been proactive in terms of having your symptoms investigated. Typically speaking, most women who have had a scan-diagnosed endometrioma go on to find out that they have endometriosis after laparoscopy surgery. However, gynaecology like to confirm this before handing you an official diagnosis through surgery & biopsy of the cysts & any other suspected endo tissue (lesions/adhesions) they find.

Current NHS wait times for gynaeology appointments vary based on the department. Average wait times are at the 1 year mark. Current laparoscopy wait times are at the 18 month mark. Again, this will vary depending on who's handling your case.

Overall, it sounds like you've gone through the standard investigative procedures. Endometrioma wise, they say that only once it reaches 5cm is it considered for surgery. However, should your doctor actually care about your accompnaying symptoms & wants to help you get an official diagnosis, you may well be put forward for surgery.

In the meantime, you may well be offered an MRI for more accurate imaging & to see if they can detect endo elsewhere. An MRI is typically performed ahead of surgery too, in order to give surgeons a more accurate picture of what they might be facing.

Again, these are all just 'standard procedures'.

Just to reiterate, your digestive symptoms are rectal bleeding are (unfortunately) common symptoms and have been associated with endometriosis. You'll see it on here with other women's accounts, on social media and in research studies.

I hope that helps. I'm happy to share some tips with regards to your gastrointestinal symptoms via message

[Scoops22 in reply to LME5]

Thank you so much - and yes any tips would be amazing as I’m just trying to figure out what’s what!