20 days (I’m counting) til lap- advice/tips please x

[Kate8989]

Hey everyone,

I’ve got a laparoscopy in 20 DAYS I can’t wait. Had unexplained daily pelvic pain for just under 2 months so lap is next step to diagnose/treat (if anything found)

Just looking for some advice/reassurance.

Thanks xx

Bump

Would love to hear some positive encouraging stories x

Haven't had one myself, just hoping you get some answers as your distress was clear to see. Does that mean the pain is now gone/changed/ decreased?

The pains spreading it’s so weird. Was on my left then moved to my right. Sometimes settles in the middle. My last two periods have been crap as I’m brown gloop (SORRY TMI)... I just want some answers as what’s going on with my body as I know something isn’t right. How are you!? X

I sincerely hope you get those answers.

I'm a bit low (nothing unusual there) as 6th round of clomid failed. We've passed the two year mark and it looks like we're actually going to do ivf. I'm not hopeful of it working because hope is too much pressure. Hope brings me too much pain. I honestly never imagined how shit this whole process would be...

Bless you, it’s exhausting isn’t it. Im currently watching Sam and Billie Faiers baby diaries green with envy 😳.
I just keep thinking how different my life would be if the pregnancy in Jan had stuck. I probs wouldn’t be in pain, I’d be happy planning our lives with our baby. Life is so frickin unfair 😔.
I can imagine the toll on emotions is massive with IVF.... are you going to spend some time thinking about what to do? Xx

Have they suggested a laparoscopy to you? X

We were warned back in December the only option for me after clomid is ivf. I haven't even been given an hsg! Never mind surgery... I've only had a couple of blood tests and 5 ultrasounds (which showed pco but I've been told I don't have pcos, so it shouldn't be an issue).

So needless to say I don't have hope that they actually want to find what's wrong with me, though it feels like I'm being conveyer belted through the nhs clinic until it fails and they wash their hands of me...

I know there are some great people who work for the NHS, but the whole system is so LONG it makes an already tiring process even more so...
I’ve gone private for my lap as I was told it would take 6 weeks to get a consultation with a gynaecologist, then an additional 11 weeks to get a laparoscopy. So that’s nearly 5 months.... it’s ridiculous... I need some answers now and my Husband bless his heart said as a one off we’ll do this private. I know it’s expensive but the efficiency of service is so much better.
I cannot imagine how in limbo you must feel. You need some answers, I’m sure having answers would help you immensly. No wonder you’re feeling low x

I cannot believe they haven’t offered you a lap??? That would rule out so many things... im having a dye test at the same time with mine and I know that’s something they rountinely do in couples TTC. Maybe you should push for one? X

I’ve had six laps, endometriosis diagnosed during the second, although I’d had Pain for 10 years by then. Do you have any specific questions?

Oh bless your heart, I feel bad moaning about my pain for 2 months 😔. How soon after did you feel comfortable moving around? I may be visiting family (in UK- not travelling far).... a week after the lap.x

You may struggle with prolonged sitting a week after the surgery. So much depends on what actually happens during that surgery. If they don’t find much or don’t treat what they do find (often if a diagnosis is made they schedule another surgery to treat) then you might feel quite well after a week (although I always find it takes me a good two weeks to get over an anaesthetic). If they diagnosed endometriosis for example and do a lot of cutting or burning, the recovery period will be much longer - the longest for me was 4-5 weeks after I had some deep nodules removed from ligaments. Honestly my c section was an easier recovery than some of my laps, whereas others weren’t too bad.

The worst thing for me is always the gas Pain - they pump gas into your abdomen so they can see and move things around. Some of this gap can get trapped under your diaphragm and cause shoulder tip pain and chest pain. Usually this goes within the first 1-2 days but I’ve found that I react more each time, the first couple of days are worse and it lasts up to 5 days for me. Best thing to do is keep moving, and drink peppermint tea or cordial. It’s much easier to manage when you know it’s coming and nothing to worry about. I didn’t expect it or know what it was and it scared the crap out of me!

When you are travelling in the car, pop a pillow over your stomach as this helps. It can sometimes be difficult to poo after a lap especially if they’ve freed any adhesions on your bowel or you need a lot of pain relief. Worth having some lactulose or glycerine suppositories in just in case.

Ok thank you, well it’s a diagnostic lap but if they find anything they will remove what they are able to. I’m actually looking forward to it in a weird way.... I know I haven’t had this pain for long but just want some answers.... I know everyone’s recovery and reaction is individual. Pleased to hear it’s good to keep moving, I’m one of those who runs into bed and lyes down 😂. So must push myself to keep going xx

It’s a balance - you don’t want to overdo it, but if you do have gas Pain, lying down makes it much worse so gentle walking is good :)

It’s perfectly normal to want answers and hope for improvement in symptoms - no one wants to be ill, but you’re already ill, you just want to know why!

I’ve never had a general or procedure before so I am a little nervous about that. Just keeping everything crossed if they do find something they can treat it. At least I’ll get some answers. Thanks for your help and advice xxx

One more thing - if you’re in pain, don’t be scared to ask for more pain relief. It’s best to take painkillers as soon as the pain comes on, rather than waiting until it’s worse. Generals seem scary but honestly you’ll be under and then awake before you know it.

Thank you, i’ll remember that.

Yes, that’s what everyone’s saying about the general. I’ll be awake before I know it...

I need to stop reading Endo forums as I’m scaring myself stupid. It’s easy to do that when you don’t know what’s wrong with you. Also, I know the amount of pain is not related to amount of Endo you have. Because I’ve been in pain I’ve convinced myself I’m full of it.... maybe I should give myself a break from the forums 😂 x

19 days today 😂