Endometriosis

[fifi-folle]

Excellent, fx for you! OK it's not a nice procedure but better to know what's going on.
AFM glad the MS has passed, belly is getting bigger (I look pregnant rather than fat now!) and movement is noticeable to me most days, although I can hear it moving on the doppler lots!!! Unfortunately had spotting at the weekend after which was scary but midwife saw me yesterday and reassured me all was ok. I've had a cervical erosion before which presented the same way and she thinks that's probably what it is.

 

[nimblejim]

That must have been pretty scary having spotting but sounds like all is fine, good to hear! Fab that the baby is moving, so exciting!

Well, good news is that I spoke to the private health insurance people that I have through work and they have said yes to a consultation and laparoscopy. So the initial consultation is Monday! I am so thrilled as I just want to know what is going on. Can you think of any questions that I should ask at the consultation?

 

[fifi-folle]

Thanks.
That's great!!! There's a list of questions on this website

 

[nimblejim]

Thanks so much Fifi. I shall tell you how it goes!

 

[sugarlove]

How long did people get signed off for after diagnostic lap? Doctor has only signed me off for 3 days which I'm quite surprised at. She found mild endo on my right ovary but she hasn't removed it

 

[nimblejim]

Hi Sugarlove, I haven't had my laparoscopy yet so cannot answer that, maybe Fifi can. Why didn't they remove the endo off your ovary? I am hoping that when I have my laparoscopy they will remove any endo they find.

 

[fifi-folle]

It is true that if it's purely diagnostic the recovery is shorter but I would think a week may be more appropriate. I have had it removed both times though so I don't know what it's like when you don't. Are they planning to do another op to remove it? I'd say that if you are not fit to work speak to your doc to get signed off again. I remember trying to go out about 5 days after one of my laps and I was hanging onto the trolley as I was so sore. Doing to much too soon increases your chance of adhesions (I believe).

 

[Jules2488]

Hello, ive been ttcing for 6 months to no avail, and i started to think. My mother, aunt and grandmother all had endo. My mother and grandmother so bad they needed to have a hystorectomy. All had kids or were pregnant. But im too afraid to go to the gyno just yet, i dont want to hear im infertile. My question is how do u deal with the pain? it radiates from my abdomen down through my legs, it hurts so bad i can move at times. I use hot baths and ill take from 3-6 ibprofens and they do nothing, any suggestions?

 

[nimblejim]

Hi Jules, perhaps Fifi should answer your question as on the whole my cramping is not too painful. If it is bad then nurofen doesn't work for me and I haven't tried anything stronger. I just get plenty of sleep and take warm baths and am very careful with what I eat (for me chocolate, coffee, wheat and spices can really aggrevate it). Are you sure you shouldn't go to a specialist? Personally I regret not getting proper help sooner as I have been feeling unwell for a good year and a half and have had 2 miscarriages in that time. It might have saved me a lot of heartache and distress. I am seeing a specialist on Monday and hopefully I will have a laparoscopy so I know exactly what is wrong with me. I am 38 so time is not on my side!

 

[fifi-folle]

Hello, ive been ttcing for 6 months to no avail, and i started to think. My mother, aunt and grandmother all had endo. My mother and grandmother so bad they needed to have a hystorectomy. All had kids or were pregnant. But im too afraid to go to the gyno just yet, i dont want to hear im infertile. My question is how do u deal with the pain? it radiates from my abdomen down through my legs, it hurts so bad i can move at times. I use hot baths and ill take from 3-6 ibprofens and they do nothing, any suggestions?

Go to the gynae! The sooner they help you the better, with endo if it's left untreated it tends just to get worse (sorry to be dramatic). I lived on paracetamol and tramadol for almost three years. Pain was as you described, constant rather than cyclical. Acupuncture helped as did Chinese herbs. Endo diet is useful, I was planning to go back on it but got BFP which stuck! Good lcuk!

 

[labmommy]

Lap recovery is tricky. I had mine 12/16 which was planned as a diagnostic with a cystectomy and hysterscopy. I signed papers that said if they find any endo they can laser them out. They suspected it due to a solid (chocolate)cyst. While in there they also found that my appendix needed to be removed...I ended up having several incisions and the camera through my belly button. It took about 2.5 to three weeks to be awake and walk around all day at work. It took a month to wear pants not on a drawstring or band.

@jules definitely get it checked out! I am so glad its all removed though of course I am upset about the infertility possibility. I am excited about the possibility of new fertility after surgery though. I am fresh and clean

 

[labmommy]

btw- the re said my size would make have a longer recover time- I am 5'2 108 lbs. He said I would feel more discomfort

 

[stella123]

I had my laparoscopy beginning of January.
Endometriosis was found in various places
Recovery was tough
Was put on Mirogynon to slow down the speed of endometriosis reoccurring.
Have bled heavily every day since, and still have bad cramps - however, nowhere near as bad as before.
Taking last pill on Wednesday and then coming off it. I'd like to see what my period are like without hormones messing with them, and how much the lasering has helped with the pain.

Appreciate all your replies x

 

[nimblejim]

Hi Stella, so sorry you are having a tough time. How long are you going to wait until you start trying to conceive? I saw the specialist yesterday and now have a laparoscopy booked in for early April. I do not know how severe my endo is but I am hoping that it will all be removed. I know it may come back but I just am finding the sex pretty painful now so it is hard to ttc when you feel so poorly. I hope you feel better very soon.

Fifi, how are things? I hope the spotting has subsided. Not long until your scan!

 

[nimblejim]

Lap recovery is tricky. I had mine 12/16 which was planned as a diagnostic with a cystectomy and hysterscopy. I signed papers that said if they find any endo they can laser them out. They suspected it due to a solid (chocolate)cyst. While in there they also found that my appendix needed to be removed...I ended up having several incisions and the camera through my belly button. It took about 2.5 to three weeks to be awake and walk around all day at work. It took a month to wear pants not on a drawstring or band.

@jules definitely get it checked out! I am so glad its all removed though of course I am upset about the infertility possibility. I am excited about the possibility of new fertility after surgery though. I am fresh and clean

Hi Labmommy, just wondering how the laparoscopy affected your cycle? Also, are you trying to conceive or are you waiting a while??

 

[labmommy]

Hi nimble,
I was told I have six months to try naturally or. Do iui before he recommends ivf. I have had one natural cycle, lasted forty five days because of progeserone supplements and clomid. I am on my second cycle now and using injectables. Scan tomorrow. My last af was great though. Almost no pain, just light cramps on day one and two.

 

[nimblejim]

Hi girls, I have been having horrible cramping over the last 4 days and assumed my period was due. It was due Friday and so I took a pregnancy test today (thinking it would be negative as I had ruled this month out) and it turned positive straight away. I was completely shocked. I know I should be happy but I am so worried about the cramping as it is constant. I have had two miscarriages in the last year and a half so it is a pretty anxious time. I have booked a doctor's appointment for Wednesday. I am really trying to be positive and take care of myself but the cramping is really worrying me. Has this happened to anyone?

 

[fifi-folle]

Congratulations!!!! Cramping is totally normal, I had it for weeks (and to be honest I still do sometimes). It's also normal after m/cs to not be able to relax about your pregnancy, that innocence is taken away after your first loss I would say. Hopefully your doctor will arrange an early scan to make sure bubs is in the right place and reassure you a bit. CONGRATULATIONS!

PS if you check out my journal you can see the latest pic of our baby. Having to go back on Thurs though as they couldn't do all the checks as baby wouldn't turn the way they wanted!

 

[nimblejim]

Thanks so much Fifi for your message. I looked at the pictures on your journal, amazing! You must be so thrilled. I now have a constant dull ache! But the crazy thing is that when I miscarried I had no cramping at all but expelled it all pretty quickly. I am just am going to take each day at a time and take care of myself and do a lot of praying (I am not even religious!!!). I am seeing the doctor tomorrow and will ask for an early scan.

 

[Red sox gal]

Having taken 3 rounds of injections, I would not recommend them to anyone without telling them to do a ton of research and due diligence before going through with it. Lupron injections were not ment for endo treatment it is actually a form of chemo therapy for prostate cancer, because of this the use of Lupron for endo treatment is being scrutinized by the FDA because of the many side effects from treatment. I take the calcium of a post menopausal woman to help offset the bone density loss since I found out years after treatment that osteoporosis runs in my family. Fifi, your story sounds similar to mine though all we ever get are BFN. I go for my hsg on Wednesday and am hoping this will offer some insight, thought Im nervous about the pain cause I already take pain meds for endo daily. Best of wishes to everyone.