First Lap - No Endo, Slow Bowel?

[Snootypup]

Hello ladies,

I had a 'diagnostic' lap yesterday (6/11) and was fitted with the Mirena coil. When I woke up my consultant told me that they found no evidence of endometriosis and showed me photos of my uterus and tubes looking healthy (how would I know?!).

She did point out that my bowel did seem slow, as there was a large-ish amount of soft faeces in my colon that she didn't expect to see.

I did start crying when she relayed this information, it was very overwhelming. I felt quite dismissed and she seemed to try and comfort me but it didn't feel genuine. She is a general obs and gynae consultant in the Midlands.

Essentially, I have been having cyclical pain with ovulation (typical endometriosis belly, cramping pain, pulling sensation on the right side of my pelvis), heavy periods and chronic back + hip pain. I had previously been diagnosed with IBS but after tracking my symptoms it all tied in with my ovulation. The symptoms I've been experiencing have started to impact my quality of life and I no longer feel like the active, happy go lucky person I was once before.

So to be told that endo is not the cause, is both a relief and a confusion at once. I'm interested to see how the Mirena coil pans out and I will be pleased if it means that I get a few more 'pain free' days!

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? I have requested my medical information as I was quite literally high on Fentanyl when the consultant was speaking to me 😅 If my symptoms persist, should I go back to me GP?

[Cailleach]

It’s possible for a surgeon who is not highly trained and experienced in spotting endo to miss it, and this was a general gynaecologist. Did they explain why they fitted the coil if you do not have endo? Did you request it?

I agree it will be important to see if the coil is of any help to you. It seems to vary between people, and often takes a while to ‘settle down’.

Yes you should definitely go back to your GP if your symptoms continue, as seems likely, but I am afraid they will be limited in what they can do, if you have had a negative lap. Definitely worth getting a more detailed report about your surgery. It is one of my bugbears that surgeons always tell patients all the important stuff verbally while they are recovering from anaesthetic/ on high doses of opiates!

Hope things improve for you.