Well it's been almost 3 weeks now since my laparoscopy and cystoscopy. I thought I'd wait a bit so I could give more information on my recovery in case it helps others who may be having the procedures. Apologies for the essay!
Just for back ground, I had been suffering with more constipation than usual since about the start of this year, followed in March by new pain in my pelvis. I had a transvaginal ultrasound (NHS) - all clear. I saw a gasto consultant (private) and was referred for a Sigmoidosopy on NHS - all clear. My symptoms were consistant with Endo or IC (painful bladder syndrome) so I saw a Urologist, again private and he thought a cystoscopy was in order (I had two of these 6years ago) he also suggested I have a laparoscopy to check for Endo which is why I then paid to see the Gyno consultant as he was an Endo specialist.
I was due in on a day case but ended up staying the night as I didn't come out of theatre until 4.45pm. I paid to go private for the procedures as it would have been over a year on the NHS. I haven't had a bill for the over night stay so perhaps I got away with it!? I had the procedures at Spire and all the staff were excellent. I was in theatre about 2 hours, the Urologist did the cystoscopy first including a bladder stretch. In his notes my bladder held 650ml which he said was below average, the bladder stretch should in theory let me hold more although it doesn't work for everyone and some people end up worse off.
The Gyno consultant made two incisions one at my lower left side and one inside my belly button. I felt alot of gas pain in my upper stomach, I was aware this would most likely rise to my shoulders but luckily it never did. The gas pain went slowly over I would say the following 48 hours. They gave me painkillers and antibiotics before I woke up. When I was back in my room the nurses checked on me regularly, they offered me paracetamol and other much stronger pain killers but I persevered with the good old para's as I was aware the others could add to the constipation I was advised I might suffer. The only moan I have is that they never put a pad on me or even under me and I remember feeling something running out of me and I felt wet, I told the nurse I needed to pee for the first time since leaving theatre and as she helped me up I noticed the bed was covered in blood, which was of course all over me. This could have been avoided, they then brought me a pad, changed the sheets and put a pad in the bed. I only lost blood due to the surgery over the next 24 hours, nothing after that. Moving in and out of the bed was hard work, you have to roll out and swing your legs to the floor. Walking was also difficult, the nurse had to help me to the toilet the first few times. I say first few times as I lost count of how many times I needed to pee that night, it was horrendous. The nurses changed my dressings before I left the following morning. I would advise loose clothing, shoes you can slip on without help, big comfy 'Bridget Jones' knickers!
I continued with para's every 4 hours when I got home and drunk plenty peppermint tea to help with the gas pain. My biggest problem was constipation, I can honestly say I've never had it so bad. They did give me a box of Movicol to take and OMG the pain, I hadn't had a BM 2 days before surgery. I tried everything to go in empy but just couldn't go. The movicol caused my bowels to contract but I couldn't pass anything, it was like child birth, not that I know as I don't have kids but I'm sure it was the same! I didn't sleep the first 3 nights due to constipation and peeing (11 times a night - so much for the bladder stretch). Another 5 days passed and still no BM, I phoned Spire twice, first time they told me to strain and not to worry about bursting my stitches (not easy when you've just had a laparoscopy!) I phoned again later in the day and was told not to strain! Just to wait for it to happen naturally. I then phoned NHS 111 (was holding for 40 minutes) to be asked stupid questions like what did my stool look like, I don't know how many times I repeated I'm constipated and in agony. I honestly thought it was going to be an A&E job. Eventually at 8.30pm (it's engraved in my head) 7 days after my last BM it finally happened, and yes I had to strain alot which then caused a lot of blood (I have internal piles). I've been taking Dulcoease regular to try and keep things soft it doesn't always work though.
Anyway your probably wondering at this point what the outcome was, well, the laparoscopy was all clear, no Endo or anything else of concern. The cystoscopy was also all clear, no IC or any other bladder condition.
So I'm a few thousand pounds worse off and still no diganosis. I have to be pleased they didn't find anything but I kind of feel numb. Everyone I have told just makes me feel like I'm crazy and the pain has all been in my head. Since the pain from the laparoscopy has worn away the old pain in my pelvis is back. It's not just my pelvis though it moves to my hips and outer thighs, both sides. I had this before my op.
I feel like screaming, I know it's not in my head but due to every test etc. I've had being all clear I feel I can't talk to anyone now. I had an agrument with my husband the other day in which he said I needed to stop looking for something that isn't there and that I needed to 'buck up' and pull myself together as he can't live like this anymore and if it continues he would 'probably' eventually leave me.
To be honest it's my body, I know it's not in my head. I want more than anything to be pain free or at least get a diagnosis. I owe it to myself to keep going and try and get to the bottom of it, even at the expense of my marriage, I know it's frustrating and he's had to put up with a lot from me for the past year, I'm doing my best and I didn't put myself through the operation on a whim. I won't give up on me, even if he has given up on us.
Love and peace to you all, thanks for reading to the end! xx
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