Lap planned, am I doing the right thing? Worried

[MarielEnd]

After my MRI results came back with no evidence of DIE, my endo specialised gyn first suggested hormones that put down my period. After I explained hormones make me go crazy and I don’t want to go on them ever again AND told him over the past 3 periods I had a bit of blood surrounding my stool combined with rectal cramping and trouble pooping he suggested to do a Lap with removal of endo. He was very understanding, I know I’m lucky with this.

But! I feel insecure and am starting to doubt if my pains are enough reason to go through with the lap. I’m 35 and have 2 kids. I don’t have pain everyday. Mostly its 3 days of ovary pain during ovulation and then pain comes before my period starts. First its 3/4 days of brown discharge, some cramping. Terrible mood swings and tiredness. Then on my period I have terrible back pain, leg pain, hip pain, pain in the pubic bone, anal cramping (hot poker pains before having to go) lower belly pain, bloating, nausea, tiredness, sometimes groin pain, headache and insomnia. Oh and since a few months it has changed to trouble pooping from the day my period starts. Feel like I have to poop like every hour. And as said above a bit of blood with my stool, one time even bloody mucus from behind. This is why I had a colonoscopy two weeks ago, but that one was clear (also no evidence of hemmeroids). I loose blood clots my entire period.

I know my pains are medium compared to what other women here are having, though I do believe my pains are not quite normal. None of my friends have it like this. My mum has had severe endometriosis but here pains were so much worse.

I’m scared they aren’t going to find endo (although gyn suspects superficial endo) or that I’m ending up worse than before or endure one of the risks involved. It’s a big decision of which I’m not sure it weighs up against my symptoms. But I’m also scared if I won’t do it my symptoms could become worse. Do these worries sound familiar to any of you?

[Hunter-23]

Hi,

Sorry you're going through all this and still doubting!

I have been having pain for a while but I know it isn't as bad as some people have it.

I'm also like you and they seen no DIE on the MRI and I refused any and all hormones because they'll make me go crazy.

I had a diagnostic laparoscopy on Tuesday and they found Endometriosis.

I was nervous going into the surgery at first, not because I was scared but because I was worried they wouldn't find anything and I'd be back at square one trying to figure out the pain.

Although I'm in so much pain now (mainly gas pains in my shoulders) I'm relieved I went ahead with it! Good luck and I hope it goes well for you whatever you decide to do.

[st07]

Hello and sorry you are going through those doubts. I did have them too when deciding if I should go ahead and have a lap as I also felt like I have abnormal pains but on normal days it’s easy to forget about it. Frankly, I was waiting for the bad days to start when I was making a decision to go ahead with the lap.

It was yesterday and they did find it. I think it helps to think that even if they do not find anything, you can still rule it out and continue investigating what it might be further - which is also a success!!

Good luck to you and hopefully you will feel better soon to be able to make the right choice for yourself.

[TennisAM]

Hey, totally understand your fears. Try to remember our minds are designed to think negative thoughts. Your pain isn't normal and it's perfectly possible that you'll be pain free once you've recovered.

Sounds like you've got a good consultant so that hopefully is reassuring. Do a pros and cons list of the op.

Worth writing down your feelings too as may help you process them x