endometriosis... help!

Danniboo · 04-04-2013 8:15am

Guys,

Have to go for a laparascopy next week, just wondering what to expect and how long does recovery generally take afterwards, much time needed off etc?

Sinall · 04-04-2013 8:30am

Hi Danniboo! I had my laparoscopy on a Monday, took the rest of that week off, as well as the next Monday and was back in work the next Tuesday. So I had 6 working days off, plus a weekend.

Do all your food shopping etc before-hand and make sure you have things organised at home as you probably won't feel up to much for the first few days - I know I didn't! I have a desk job so was probably back at work quicker than someone in a more active/physical role. I was back in the gym 3 weeks after the operation.

Before the op I ate lightly for a couple of days. I also had to take some lovely drinks to 'clear things out' the day before but that actually wasn't too bad.

Good luck - hope it all goes well for you!

Danniboo · 04-04-2013 8:35am

Sinall wrote: »

Hi Danniboo! I had my laparoscopy on a Monday, took the rest of that week off, as well as the next Monday and was back in work the next Tuesday. So I had 6 working days off, plus a weekend.

Do all your food shopping etc before-hand and make sure you have things organised at home as you probably won't feel up to much for the first few days - I know I didn't! I have a desk job so was probably back at work quicker than someone in a more active/physical role. I was back in the gym 3 weeks after the operation.

Before the op I ate lightly for a couple of days. I also had to take some lovely drinks to 'clear things out' the day before but that actually wasn't too bad.

Good luck - hope it all goes well for you!

Thanks I was fine when they told me I was getting it done but after reading up about it i'm starting to get a little nervous. I'm getting mine done on a Thursday and presumed i'd be back in on the Monday but not so sure now. I do some desk work but also a small amount of physical work, running around etc.

Sinall · 04-04-2013 8:55am

I was exactly the same! Was fine and then panicked myself a few days before-hand. I asked my consultant to give me a letter for work which outlined that I would need one to two weeks off depending on my recovery time. The letter didn't state what exactly was being done - just that I was having an op under the consultant's care.

Personally, it took me about a week before I could wear 'work clothes' - eg anything with a proper waist-band! Even when I went back to work I wore a bandage over my belly button to protect it from tights/skirts/trousers etc. Bending and lifting won't be possible for a while either.

Danniboo · 04-04-2013 9:02am

Sinall wrote: »

I was exactly the same! Was fine and then panicked myself a few days before-hand. I asked my consultant to give me a letter for work which outlined that I would need one to two weeks off depending on my recovery time. The letter didn't state what exactly was being done - just that I was having an op under the consultant's care.

Personally, it took me about a week before I could wear 'work clothes' - eg anything with a proper waist-band! Even when I went back to work I wore a bandage over my belly button to protect it from tights/skirts/trousers etc. Bending and lifting won't be possible for a while either.

Thanks for that, I might ask for a note to the same effect. I work with all guys which makes it worse. I'm even mortified that i've to give my boss a cert for my appt yesterday which the consultant kindly wrote Gynaecology on:o

Sinall · 04-04-2013 9:09am

My boss is a man and I just said 'I have to have a minor operation on xxx date, when everyone else is in the office, so hopefully that's okay. I'll bring in a letter closer to the time.' and he said, 'Grand.' The letter was nice and vague but obviously the consultant's name was followed by 'Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.'

When I came back to work he said, 'How are you?' and I said, 'Fine' and that was it!

I know you'll be thinking through absolutely everything right now, it will all be grand and over before you know it!

Danniboo · 04-04-2013 9:12am

Sinall wrote: »

My boss is a man and I just said 'I have to have a minor operation on xxx date, when everyone else is in the office, so hopefully that's okay. I'll bring in a letter closer to the time.' and he said, 'Grand.' The letter was nice and vague but obviously the consultant's name was followed by 'Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.'

When I came back to work he said, 'How are you?' and I said, 'Fine' and that was it!

I know you'll be thinking through absolutely everything right now, it will all be grand and over before you know it!

Yeah I am freaking myself out a bit alright. Have to get bloods and meet the consultant next Monday so going write down everything I want to know.

Sure if anything it might make my boss ask less questions in future:P

Ms. Koi · 04-04-2013 5:56pm

Danniboo wrote: »

Guys,

Have to go for a laparascopy next week, just wondering what to expect and how long does recovery generally take afterwards, much time needed off etc?

I think Sinall's response is pretty accurate! I would recommend buying nice pair of loose trackie bottoms about a size up from your usual size to wear going home, the gas puffs you up and you will want to be comfy. You'll get the wear out of them!

Just lots of rest in the lead up, it will make your recovery easier if you aren't rushing around and into the op. Best of luck! xx

Danniboo · 05-04-2013 7:43am

kellief wrote: »

I think Sinall's response is pretty accurate! I would recommend buying nice pair of loose trackie bottoms about a size up from your usual size to wear going home, the gas puffs you up and you will want to be comfy. You'll get the wear out of them!

Just lots of rest in the lead up, it will make your recovery easier if you aren't rushing around and into the op. Best of luck! xx

Thanks so much for the responses guys. I'm working full time and in college part time so won't get that much rest beforehand. Think i'll take Wednesday evening off though as its just revision.

Sinall · 05-04-2013 1:52pm

Also - you may get a shooting pain in your shoulder afterwards from the gas used to inflate the stomach. I know it's a weird place to get a pain, but I was recommended peppermint tea by the nurses and it really helped! I drank some in the hospital and a few cups the day I got home as well.

Danniboo · 06-04-2013 6:07pm

Sinall wrote: »

Also - you may get a shooting pain in your shoulder afterwards from the gas used to inflate the stomach. I know it's a weird place to get a pain, but I was recommended peppermint tea by the nurses and it really helped! I drank some in the hospital and a few cups the day I got home as well.

Thats right the doc said that to me. I drink peppermint tea already so won't be too bad, imagines its because it flushes everything out. How long were you off for? My boss isn't showing much empathy, he responded with a smart remark when I explained I wouldn't be able to do much bending or lifting, running around for a while.

jennnn · 07-04-2013 10:38pm

Hi all,
I've been reading your posts here for a while now- it's all very familiar. Just wondering if anybody has had a hysteroscopy with their laparoscopy and what I can expect? Is it the norm to have both done together? It's seven weeks away yet, but I'm a bit nervous about it all.
I've had my appendix out laparoscopically and a D&C as a teen so I wonder will the pain will be similar. I've taken the week off work so hopefully that will be enough recovery time.
Jennnn

Sinall · 08-04-2013 10:40am

I had a hysteroscopy as well and it was fine. My consultant said that while they 'were in there' (ick!) it made sense to do the hysteroscopy to check everything out. To be honest, because you're under a general anaesthetic you don't really know what's being done and afterwards there's mostly discomfort in your stomach so you don't know what pain is from what. To my mind the hysteroscopy was a minor thing that they just did at the same time. Everything looked fine when they did the hysteroscopy and I much preferred to get it all done at once while I was out cold! The laparascopy was the main event for me and I was off for a week afterwards. They did some lasering away of endo during the laparoscopy and that can add a bit onto your recovery time. I had my operation on a Monday and was back at work Tuesday of the following week.

Sinall · 10-04-2013 10:50pm

Good luck tomorrow Danniboo.

Danniboo · 13-04-2013 1:30pm

Sinall wrote: »

Good luck tomorrow Danniboo.

Thanks a mil, it's all over now thank god, they did a hysteroscopy and laparascopy. Ended up being 14 hours in the hospital, was so sick and dizzy and couldn't pee. They admitted me to stay but I finally went so they let me home. Haven't spoke to the doctors yet, but the nurse had a look at my chart and they found some endometriosis and removed it.

Ms. Koi · 13-04-2013 6:15pm

Danniboo wrote: »

Thanks a mil, it's all over now thank god, they did a hysteroscopy and laparascopy. Ended up being 14 hours in the hospital, was so sick and dizzy and couldn't pee. They admitted me to stay but I finally went so they let me home. Haven't spoke to the doctors yet, but the nurse had a look at my chart and they found some endometriosis and removed it.

Happy to hear you are doing well!

madmaggie · 15-04-2013 12:24am

Hi all, just reading through this thread I can't get over the attitude of some medics. I had endo trouble 12 years ago, and was told ' the best cure for that is to have a baby'. Fortunately I had a brilliant gynae consultant, I was in agony for about a year before I went to her, she was so nice I just bawled at the first appointment! I had the laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, and she lasered the endo and fibroids all in the one go. I used to go around in a Ponstan daze before that, but never looked back. My message is, don't suffer in silence.

Sinall · 15-04-2013 9:28am

Glad you're home Danniboo and I hope the recovery goes well! I was kept in overnight after my op due to low blood pressure and dizziness but I tend to have low blood pressure anyway so it didn't take much to make it low enough that I was kept in!

Madmaggie - absolutely agree. It took me over 2 years to get a diagnosis and I was told by one doctor "Well, whatever it is, we'll only know if it affects your fertility when it actually starts to affect your fertility." Thanks very much!

Danniboo · 15-04-2013 2:35pm

Sinall wrote: »

Glad you're home Danniboo and I hope the recovery goes well! I was kept in overnight after my op due to low blood pressure and dizziness but I tend to have low blood pressure anyway so it didn't take much to make it low enough that I was kept in!

Madmaggie - absolutely agree. It took me over 2 years to get a diagnosis and I was told by one doctor "Well, whatever it is, we'll only know if it affects your fertility when it actually starts to affect your fertility." Thanks very much!

Thanks Sinall, going well just sooo bloody tired. Trying to be productive and do some study but just stupid with tiredness. Due to go back to work Thursday but think i'll take another day or two.

Izzybusy · 21-04-2013 3:02pm

Hi I am new to this forum , I was diagnosed with endo in 2007. And have since had two lapsrotomys and laparoscopic surgery for ovarian cysts which resulted i removal of my right ovary and endo, last year I had uterine embolisation for fibroids, I'm a bit of a mixed bag! I had some relief and the fibroids shrank but still uncomfortable with pain and bloating.i take pon stan and ibuprofen when pain bad! Fed up with it all at mo! My question is , has anyone found a good endo specialist that they can recommend as my cons is pushing for hysterectomy and I'm not ready for that! Thanks!

Izzybusy · 21-04-2013 3:04pm

Danniboo wrote: »

Thanks Sinall, going well just sooo bloody tired. Trying to be productive and do some study but just stupid with tiredness. Due to go back to work Thursday but think i'll take another day or two.

Good luck with your recovery danniboo, hope it all goes well for you!

Sinall · 24-04-2013 9:26am

Hi Izzybusy! I'm working in London at the moment so am currently seeing a consultant here. I'm sure one of the other ladies will have some recommendations for you. I know how it feels when you get fed up with it all! Some days it's easier to handle than others.

ohiknow · 06-05-2013 10:20am

Hi everyone, I've been reading back through everyone's posts. It's terrible to hear how much people are suffering but great to see the support. I had a large cyst removed my ovary about three years ago. I've suffered from irregular periods and always had really bad back pain around my totm. It was only when I developed acne that my GP referred me on for a ultrasound and they found the cyst. It then took almost two years of hospital visits before they decided to rove the cyst. I was in hospital for 3 days which was like torture, I'm not a good patient! Just before the lap the doc said he felt I had endo and that they would investigate during surgery and when they removed the cyst. Just before the lap was the last time I saw the doctor. One of the nurses told me I could go home the next day. I did ask if they had removedy ovary but they said all was intact. I didn't see a doctor in the hospital for another 6 months as my follow up appointment was cancelled. I also had an abnormal smear which needed to be repeated. I had to go to my GP as I was in pain after the lap and he told me that it was a dermoid cyst and the doc later told me I had no endo. Have to say, since the lap my pain seems to have increases. Told the gynae this who basically told me it was prostaglandin and that periods are painful. I felt like punching him in the face! My period before that visit had been so bad I felt I was having contractions for the day.

Anyway, I have all the symptoms of endo. And a lot of your stories ring true for me. I don't think my GP takes me seriously because firstly he's male and secondly a I am overweight. I honestly think that you don't get listened to if you are overweight as that is seem as the root cause of everything. My monthly cycle effects every part of my life from the pain to the psychological impact. I am trying to loose weight to see if that helps bit also to try to get a fair hearing from the doctor as I really feel things are not right.

Just wondering if anyone else has had a lap for cyst removal and told they don't have endo but they do or if I am over reacting!

Ms. Koi · 06-05-2013 12:04pm

ohiknow wrote: »

Hi everyone, I've been reading back through everyone's posts. It's terrible to hear how much people are suffering but great to see the support. I had a large cyst removed my ovary about three years ago. I've suffered from irregular periods and always had really bad back pain around my totm. It was only when I developed acne that my GP referred me on for a ultrasound and they found the cyst. It then took almost two years of hospital visits before they decided to rove the cyst. I was in hospital for 3 days which was like torture, I'm not a good patient! Just before the lap the doc said he felt I had endo and that they would investigate during surgery and when they removed the cyst. Just before the lap was the last time I saw the doctor. One of the nurses told me I could go home the next day. I did ask if they had removedy ovary but they said all was intact. I didn't see a doctor in the hospital for another 6 months as my follow up appointment was cancelled. I also had an abnormal smear which needed to be repeated. I had to go to my GP as I was in pain after the lap and he told me that it was a dermoid cyst and the doc later told me I had no endo. Have to say, since the lap my pain seems to have increases. Told the gynae this who basically told me it was prostaglandin and that periods are painful. I felt like punching him in the face! My period before that visit had been so bad I felt I was having contractions for the day.

Anyway, I have all the symptoms of endo. And a lot of your stories ring true for me. I don't think my GP takes me seriously because firstly he's male and secondly a I am overweight. I honestly think that you don't get listened to if you are overweight as that is seem as the root cause of everything. My monthly cycle effects every part of my life from the pain to the psychological impact. I am trying to loose weight to see if that helps bit also to try to get a fair hearing from the doctor as I really feel things are not right.

Just wondering if anyone else has had a lap for cyst removal and told they don't have endo but they do or if I am over reacting!

You poor thing! I'm sorry your doctor hasn't been more understanding. First off I would recommend you try and find a new doctor. You need a doctor who is on your side, won't criticize and who will take you seriously. They are out there, I promise! Where abouts in the country are you?

The lap should have shown up endo, but it's possible they missed it. Sometimes a small amount of endo translates to a high amount of pain. I would ask for a gynae referral and take things from there. Good luck xx

ohiknow · 06-05-2013 12:30pm

It's hard to know where I am at. I'm in dublin so lucky in terms of access to hospitals and that. Having spoken to other people I know my cycle isn't normal, but it's hard to get that across. I haven't missed much work because of pain but that doesn't mean I've been able to Do much when I am in work. I have a good fee scrapes on my car and all of them happened the week or two before my totm. I think my bf thinks I've lost it but its hard to explain the cloudy thinking and pain to someone else. I get bad pain in my neck and shoulders too which doesn't seem to make much sense. Nuasea, sick stommach, bad dreams, the works! when I loose some more weight I'll go back for another opinion. I really feel that's the first thing they'll tell me to do so want to take that out of the equation!

Ok, moan over!!

Just had a particularly bad few days with it!

Ms. Koi · 06-05-2013 12:33pm

ohiknow wrote: »

It's hard to know where I am at. I'm in dublin so lucky in terms of access to hospitals and that. Having spoken to other people I know my cycle isn't normal, but it's hard to get that across. I haven't missed much work because of pain but that doesn't mean I've been able to Do much when I am in work. I have a good fee scrapes on my car and all of them happened the week or two before my totm. I think my bf thinks I've lost it but its hard to explain the cloudy thinking and pain to someone else. I get bad pain in my neck and shoulders too which doesn't seem to make much sense. Nuasea, sick stommach, bad dreams, the works! when I loose some more weight I'll go back for another opinion. I really feel that's the first thing they'll tell me to do so want to take that out of the equation!

Ok, moan over!! Just had a particularly bad few days with it!

I would ask the gp to send it asap, sometimes waiting lists to be seen initially can be very long and at least you have your foot in the door. I wouldn't back down on this at all. If you think there is something wrong, argue your case!

Danniboo · 06-05-2013 8:07pm

Hi guys, should I be worried about one of my incisions still being quite sensitive more than 3 weeks after my laparascopy

ohiknow · 06-05-2013 10:07pm

I'm not sure. I know I was sore for a while after mine and my stommach was bloated for a long time after it. If its hot to touch or red or anything like that I would get it checked out. Definitely get it checked if you think it doesn't feel right. It will give you peace of mind if nothing else.

Ms. Koi · 06-05-2013 11:26pm

Danniboo wrote: »

Hi guys, should I be worried about one of my incisions still being quite sensitive more than 3 weeks after my laparascopy

If you feel that they aren't healing properly, pop into your gp. They will be sensitive for a while, but I don't think they should be sore. No harm in getting them checked. The chemist should be able to tell too.

madmaggie · 07-05-2013 12:08am

@ohiknow, You really have been through the wringer! I would suggest a going to a female gp and female consultant, at least they know what a period feels like. I was so lucky, had a lovely gp and a fantastic female gynaecologist. Even when I meet her in the supermarket she still stops to ask how I'm doing. Having someone sympathetic and someone who believes you is half the battle. Best of luck to you

endometriosis... help!

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