endometriosis and laprascopic surgery

For about six months now I have had chronic pain in my lower abdomen and lower back.  The pain comes and goes.  It can be very severe as though I am being stabbed in my kidneys or just mild never ending lower back pain.  Along with this I am fatiqued and this pass month the pain has moved down into my upper legs.  The pain usaully is here for 2 to 3 weeks and then gone for 1 to 2 and the pattern continues.  I have been to the doctors a half a dozen times.  Had blood work, uranlisys, x-ray of spine, ultra sounds, pelvic exam, etc.  Everything has come back normal.  Now my OBGYN wants to do laproscopic surgery to check for endometriosis.  While inside she can also check for fibroids tumors or cysts.  Just looking for any ideas, thoughts on endometriosis or anybody who has had laproscopic surgery.  I am not real good with the whole surgery thing but I really want to know what is going on with me so I will have to go through with it.  Thank you in advanced for any suggestions and/or support.

[who_is_this]

I've had 2 laparoscopies, once for a tubal ligation and the other time to check for endo (much like you).

They were no big deals.  Just a couple days recuperation time, for me at least.  Worst problem was bloating and shoulder pain for a day or two.  Your recovery time will depend on how well you do with pain in general, and what the doc has to do once inside.  I wound up NOT having endometriosis.  No cause was ever discovered.
The pain I had been having prior just disappeared eventually.

[moonflower]

Hi i have endo and am going in for the removal day 4 of my next cycle. I have been trying to have a baby for over a year my gyno did some tests then it came back that i have endo. My gyno sent me to a fetility specialist. He told me my endo is prety sever. I have to have the same op as you, i will also have the endo lazerd away. Then will start on fertility drugs for 4 cycles. If that doesn't work i will then have to have artificial insementaion. The endo should have been caught a long time ago, i have been seeing the same gyno for a while because of very painful periods, she didn't catch it because she didn't do any tests on me. If i'm fortunet enough to get pregnant, i have to stay with the specialst untill i'm 3 months pegnant. After that i'm going to ask him to refer me to another gyno.
Good luck, i know how much pain your in.

[hikids]

I am sorry to hear about you diffuculties getting pregnant.  I have heard that that can be a side effect of endometriosis.  I am 25 and hope to have kids oneday, so i will have to wait and see if that is an issue.  I am curious of how your doctor diagnosed you with endo if you did not have laproscopic surgery.  My doctor said that surgery is the only way to diagnose endo.  I signed a paper saying that during laproscopic if she finds endo she can lazor it off while she is already inside.  Good luck and keep me updated.

[moonflower]

She did all of the tests and yes you are right the only way they can know for sure is if the do the surgery. I guess from the tests they did and the symptoms i have. They came to that conclusion. Good luck with having kids in the future. I will post and let you know how it all goes with me

[hikids]

Thank you.  It is nice to hear from someone who has been there.  Like I said i do not do well with surgery but I have to know if endo is what I have.  It is nice to hear that the recovery was pretty easy.  How was the stomach? Nausea? Sick to your stomach after surgery?  In my mind nausea is by far the worst feeling ever and is probably one of my biggest fears when it comes to this surgery.  I know it sounds stupid, but true.  Anyhow thanks again, just knowing others are out there make things seem so much easier.

[who_is_this]

I always get sick to my stomach with general anesthesia.  Tell your anesthetist that you are particularly afraid of getting sick to your stomach, and they might be able to give you something to prevent it.

You'll be pretty sore for a few days but otherwise should do ok as long as you keep a good attitude and don't wallow in pain symptoms.  Get up and get your mind off it as soon as possible.  Take Motrin afterward around the clock but don't exceed 600mg every 6 hours.  .  Works wonders.

[giddychic]

I have had many laparoscopies to find out what is wrong with me----about 4 years ago I was diagnosed with severe scar tissue---it causes pain, bloating, connects my organs toether, etc----I know your pain -----I wish you luck and hope you have a better diagnoses than me-------

[daddiesgirlforever]

I always got sick too, ask for the the patch that goes behind the ear(i'm having a brain fart, i cant remember the name of it), it's an anti motion sickness patch about the size of a dime, you can leave it on for up to 3 days, and by that time the anesthesia should be out of your system. Good luck ladies.

[who_is_this]

Transderm Scope is the name.  That, plus they can give you some heavy anti nausea drugs during surgery.  Be SURE to tell the anesth. person how scared you are of nausea!

[hikids]

I was just wondering when your surgery is scheduled for?  Mine is scheduled for June 20th.  Just thought we could keep each other updated and mentally prepared:) Thanks again for all your support and encouragement.  Good Luck!

[hikids]

Just wanted to thank everyone who has commented.  I and others can always use the suggestions and support that is found by people like yourselves:)

[moonflower]

I also get really sick!! So here's hoping it goes well for the 2 of us

[ticked]

dont you have to have a lap done to guarantee endo?  what kind of test did they give you to give you that diagnoses?

[moonflower]

H1kids i will definetly be posting on how my op went. Good luck to you. Als oi will get the op day 4 of my cycle which should be soon.

Ticked, i posted above that they weren't 100% sure but because of the cysts and my chronic pain, and other symtoms (symptoms) the gyno and fertility specialist were pretty much convinced i have endo....but you are right the only way to tell for sure is doing the op. So i guess i will find out within the next 7 to 10 days