Newcomer here, I have a few questions...

[oneallmama]

I've been suffering from lower back/abdominal pain for about a year now... Here's a little history since before all of the pain started: I have two beautiful little girls, one is seven, and one is four.  I had a normal pregnancy (no c-section) with my first, and had a c-section with my second. Also, they done a tubal ligation because two was a good number for my husband and I.  Fast forward about 3 years after my second child was born.  Everytime I have my period, I have Severe pain with bowel movements and the pain subsides after I'm done going to the bathroom.  My lower abdomen is sore when my husband and I have intercourse, and my periods are very heavy.  I went to the gynecologist and had an ultra sound, but they didn't see anything (that was about four months ago) and he (the gynecologist) said that the only way to know if it was endometriosis is to perform laparoscopy and see whats going on in my uterus.  I signed all the dotted lines, and crossed my T's for the surgery, but then I chickened out and decided just to deal with pain.  Today, the pain is pretty unbearable.  My lower back, and lower right abdomen is killing me and it all started after I went to the bathroom.  I'm not even on my period, and experiencing cramping and severe pain. I'm tempted to call the gynecologist and go through with the "exploratory" surgery to see if he can help  me, but I'm afraid of something happening to me while I'm under anesthesia. I've always had a fear of going under the knife and not waking up... I know the risks are low, but still... Should I go through with the surgery? Or suffer through the pain?

[ticked]

I completely understand the state you are in and all the questions.

Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery if done by an Endometriosis specialist  will not just explore but will remove all Endo. It is possible with your bowel symptoms that it could be on your bowels or you might have rectovaginal Endometriosis in which you really do want an Endo specialist not just a gyno. With any surgery there could be complications more so if you go with someone less experienced.

The lower right quadrant pain could possibly be from Endo, as well as the post above said appendix but I know for me I have a laparotomy scar from when I was 7 from having my appendix out and scar tissue seems to love that place to stick to leaving me with a lot of pain and not just on my period. I also had bladder endo which seemed to effect that area as well for some reason.

Have you had a colonoscopy to rule out bowel disease yet? that would be the first step which most surgeons actually do before going in.

The only way to 100% diagnose Endo is through surgery. You don't want some regular gyno going in because I have heard of way too many stories of them just "Exploring" then leaving it there. To me that is a wasted surgery and more scar tissue.


Let me know where abouts you are and I can lead you in the direction of a good surgeon.

[thatquietgirl]

You say lower right abdomen?  Is this always where the pain is at?  I seriously would consider going to the ER if it's not where the pain usually is because that's where appendix is located. Though I still would consider anyway since this isn't the usual time for the pain and it is so severe.