Endometriosis symptoms and laparoscopy success stories

[attenborough1]

I’ve been suffering from various symptoms since around May this year, the onset was pretty out of the blue and they have progressively got worse until now my quality of life is pretty impaired! I’ve had ultrasounds, loads of blood tests, an endoscopy, a colonoscopy and an MRI - the likely cause is looking like endometriosis, but some of my symptoms don’t line up with the ‘classic symptoms’.

The worst at the moment is severe and constant (24/7) bloating and fullness, accompanied by pain (almost a feeling of needing to go to the toilet/ pass gass constantly, but not really being able to. And then when I do, the relief is momentary and then back to being extremely bloated again). This isn’t just around my period, this is the entire month. It’s got so bad that I can’t do much. I can’t exercise, I can’t wear most of my clothes (I’m usually a size 8-10, I have been wearing my sisters maternity leggings, now even those are too tight around my stomach), I have no appetite as I feel so full and bloated and my mental health is a bit rubbish as a result of all of this. That is my main symptom, but also my periods have become slightly funny (used to be very regular 28 days, now it’s getting later and later - 38 days was the most recent) my whole body aches at various points of the day, and I get tired very easily. There’s more, but I won’t bore you with the full list! At the moment, the constant bloating and fullness is the most debilitating.

My question is, has anyone else with diagnosed endo experienced this? It doesn’t seem to quite fit the bill of classic endo symptoms but the tests I have had have so far revealed nothing (apart from the MRI showing potential pockets of endo).

I’m tempted to go for a laparoscopy, can anyone share any success stories of symptom relief following a laparoscopy, I’m quite desperate at the moment so could do with some positive stories to make me a bit more hopeful that I’m not stuck like this for life! Thank you in advance.

Bump. Anyone experienced similar? :)

Hi Op, I have very recently been diagnosed with endo via a laparoscopy (private). Whilst my periods aren't as long I can relate to the bloating and feeling of needing to pass gas. It is awful, at times I look 6 months pregnant. Endo can be different for everyone, it's an awful condition and effects women differently. Endo is rarely diagnosed from ultrasounds or MRI's. I've had many ultrasounds, MRI's and colonoscopy's and nothing picked it up apart from the lap. I would recommend seeing an endo specialist if possible x

Hi @goodtimesaheadd, thanks so much for responding, it’s nice to not feel alone in this, but I’m sorry you’re also experiencing similar. How did you find the laparoscopy? I would like to have children in the next couple of years and I’m worried about any impact on that (although I understand laps can actually help with fertility). Have you noticed any change in your symptoms since, or is it too soon to say? I’m fortunately seeing an endo specialist so I do hope to get somewhere soon but from what I read, it’s very trial and error with treatment options x

The lap was absolutely fine, I know a lot of people are scared of the lap but it's definitely worth it if you get answers. I did however have to take two weeks off work.

It's too early to tell yet but I'm hoping for improvements. I'm also in the same boat regarding fertility. My consultant said they're very careful about these things. They checked my ovaries and tubes to see if they were healthy as part of the lap which was reassuring. Many women have them to help with convincing so I think it's rare that it has a negative impact

I’d had painful periods for years but three times I’ve had sudden onset abdo pain that lasted weeks/months. Each time I’ve been admitted with ?appendicitis. Still got my appendix. Ultrasounds, CTs, gastroscopy, colconscopy, cystoscopy, all normal. I was in bad pain, I was on the max of codeine and paracetamol, had to try nerve pain killers. They didn’t help much.
Eventually I pushed for a gynae referral who agreed to do a laparoscopy. I had a small amount of Endo that was treated with diathermy (burned off). I was post-op sore for a few days and then I felt loads better.
They say with Endo, pain is not always proportionate to the amount you have. I’m so glad I did push for it. Periods have been less painful since.