Hope you don’t mind me asking so many questions in one post but here I go 🙏🏻
I had my first laparoscopy on the NHS last Thursday (exactly a week ago at the time of writing this) and it found no endometriosis at all, my dye test came back clear, normal uterus, normal ovaries so I’m baffled! I’ve had ultrasounds, bloods and a colonoscopy and the only thing they picked up on was high testosterone levels and I’m not ovulating. I have no cysts but have had extremely irregular periods for the past 9 years, in the last 9 months alone I’ve bled for 2 months straight, 2 weeks, 5 days, 4 weeks and I’ve gone 4 weeks between bleeding, 5 weeks, 7 weeks etc… before bleeding for 2 months straight I didn’t have a period for 6 months. Sometimes I bleed very heavily (changing a pad every 1-2 hours), sometimes it’s spotting, sometimes I pass huge clots and sometimes its really old black/brown blood. So I meet the test for polycystic ovaries but that doesn’t explain chronic pain I get when on my period particularly when urinating and passing bowel movement. I also get pain in the right side of my pelvis which I believe to be my ovary area, although this has recently happened on the left side too and on my right side under my rib. I suffer with migraines too.
My post op appointment is not for another 7 weeks time but I’m losing my mind wondering what could be causing this if it isn’t endometriosis. Do any of you have any ideas? In recovery from my lap, the surgeon did mention they would have to explore bowel problems and pain management. In addition to this, I’ve never ever been on birth control and after 7 years of unprotected sex with my partner we haven’t once gotten pregnant so I’m really worried about fertility, but because we haven’t yet moved out I just feel that we shouldn’t explore fertility treatment till we’re living together however, as I’m approaching 27 I’m terrified that I am infertile.
My next query is in relation to seeing a specialist as I was seen by a general gynae/obs surgeon so I’m wondering what is the waiting list like if I ask to be referred to a BSGE centre as an NHS patient? Or if I pay for a private consultation for second opinion, what do you think the waiting time would be to have it as an NHS patient through the right to choose? And would I be best going ahead with this now or should I wait to see what my gynae says at my post op appointment?
And finally - I have a slight infection in my belly button wound from my lap so I’m on antibiotics which seems to be clearing it but my stitches are showing no signs of dissolving and I think they’re just aggregating the wound at this point. My GP has actually advised me to remove the stitches myself after the weekend - do you have any thoughts on this as I’m a little unsure?
Any help is soooo appreciated.
Thank you
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Haneliz22
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I only have a small answer to the end one.. I took my own stitches out in the end and iodine spray or gause to help heal the wound..As for fertility..
I had 4 miscarriages untill I met my husband and was at it every day for a year and finally got pregnant.. Took all the vitamins under the sun and lots of home remedies to help fertility! Plus used ovulation tests to help increase the times..
My partner is wanting 3 children I don't know if I can give him that.. But I am not going to give up as I am 32 age is not really on my side now..
HiI’d request a copy of your records from the hospital, this can take up to 28 days, but worth it. You’d be able to see what other notes were written and why the bowel was mentioned.
I’ve read and heard how endo has been missed by general gynae who don’t have enough experience.
The records would help if you go private, although they can sometimes see the system but not always.
It’s unlikely you’d get a referral to a BSGE centre, but worth a try. I had an op by a registered gynae, but I’ve lost faith in these centres as there was no integrity and lied to. I went private to see colorectal (had hysterectomy) small bowel loops tethered to the pelvis showed on MRI regardless of the daily pain. I chose someone from an experienced endo team, surprisingly he wanted to involve gynae. Although an appointment came through NHS for October I paid to see him as well. Now back on his NHS list for op. They are no longer a registered centre but they have so much experience and work as a team.
My stitches dissolved but took a couple of weeks. The discharge sheet should show what the stitches were. If you don’t want to take them out and I wouldn’t either, stupid GP, make an appointment with the nurse. It’s getting ridiculous how they are avoiding seeing patients. Makes me so cross the more you read about this.
Hello. I have sort of similar experiences so hopefully you might find some comfort in knowing you’re not alone?
I had a lap in 2016 and was told it was negative for Endo. I have IBS but had not established this at the time of my lap. Fast forward five years and I’ve experienced reoccurring large functional cysts (which I have repeatedly been told don’t cause pain yet can always accurately identify when I have one?!). I now suffer daily pain which becomes excruciating around ovulation (can’t even walk without crying and clamping a hot water bottle to myself). I have lots of bladder issues, pain during bowel movements (which is not related to my IBS. Me and my IBS know each other very well now and I know exactly how to manage this unwelcome friend!), lower back pain, pain inside my hips, fatigue….the list unfortunate goes on.
My current meds are paracetamol, Mefenamic acid (has recently replaced Naproxen), codeine, amitriptyline, Tranexamic acid (for 7 days from onset of period), senna and lansoprazole (for bowel movement and stomach protection). In respect of Naproxen and Mefenamic Acid, they’re NSAIDs - NSAIDs need to be taken BEFORE your pain starts as they prevent pain as opposed to resolve it - so must be taken like clockwork. I didn’t know until recently.
My point is, I was hospitalised in May due to significant pain and have been unable to work or drive since. Two different gynae consultants came to see me whilst I was there (independently of one another) and came to the conclusion that they were certain I have Endo and explained my 2016 negative lap as the surgeon having ‘missed it’. Great. I’ve also had countless ultrasounds, bloods and transvaginal scans which have found nothing, other than the cysts…..incidentally, the current cyst wasn’t picked up on the ultrasound or the transvaginal….it was only picked up on the CT scan that was completed as a last ditch attempt to try and figure out my pain (before sending me home with a bottle of morphine).
I am 34 and have had unprotected sex with no pregnancies since May 2018. Sometimes I think we might be better off figuring out what’s causing our pain before getting pregnant, just feels sensible. But I also share your desire to be a mother.
Stitches - my stitches lasted about 10-12 days before they fell off - my experiences would maybe suggest you give a little longer? They certainly seemed to come off quicker when I stopped paying attention to how wet they got in the shower. I’m no doctor, that’s just my experience.
Sorry for such a long reply. I really hope you get sorted and I’ve been able to offer some small amount of sisterhood relief 😘 xx
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