Ready to cancel my laprascopy

[sharon429]

Hi,

I haven't posted in a very long time and have been very lucky in the IC pain part of my life. I always suspected that I had both Endometriosis and IC but it was never officially confirmed. Now, since I had my fifth child, and after nursing her for two years I've been having terrible problems with my periods every month. Actually, I only have a couple of days out of the month that I feel good. I constantly have this pain in my lower back, abdomen, I have horrible horrible cramping in the middle of the month, and one week to 10 days before my period. Then when my period comes I bleed so much that I'm in the bathroom most of the time (along with the constant peeing). I also have major bowel problems - either constapated or diarraha (excuse my spelling). Anyway, my last period was 7 days late and then after bleeding and clotting a ton I had a horrible sharp pain in my left lower side that I thought I was either miscarrying, or a cyst had burst. I was ready to go to the emergency room but layed down and it went away. My doctor could not get me into his office until almost 2 weeks later (a very long story) and even then I did not see him - instead I saw a Ultrasound technician who saw a small fibroid on my uterus. Anyway, I'm very tired right now and I know that there is so much more but to make a long story short - my doctor has scheduled a laproscopy for me because he suspects I have more fibroids maybe inside of my uterus and endometrios. I know that the story goes - that with endometriosis it is impossible to get pregnant but I've been trying to get pregnant again for about a year (I know its crazy) with no results. Not only that but the only time I feel good is when I am pregnant.
Anyway, I was just reading some posts on the site and now I am totally petrified to get the laproscopy. My IC has been basically in remission for awhile - I have a flare up now and again. What if I make it worse? Maybe I should just cancel this appointment. I'm scared now.

Sharon

[tigger_gal]

sharon.. are you crazy :biglaugh: just kidding, would love to have more...
I wouldn't cancel it at all, they will do a blood pg test, the day of the sugery.. you may uoset your bladder, but it would be worth it to find out what is going on.. I understand your fears, I am sending you big hugs and good vibes.

[creatingkarma]

I wouldn't cancel your lap. I think you need to know what's going on. Laps are fairly easy to recover from for most people. If you do have fibroids or endometriosis, they can remove all that & then you'll be feeling much better. When is your lap scheduled for? Lots of hugs for you!

[ICNDonna]

One very important thing to remember is that for every treatment option there is, somebody will have a horror story. The vast, vast majority of people who have laparoscopic surgery come out just fine, and knowing what is going on.

Back in the 70's, before laparoscopic surgery was being commonly done, I had to have an incision from my naval to pubic bone to find out what was going on --- and even though it was a major surgery, I have never regretted having the surgery (turned out I had severe adhesions).

I had my gall bladder removed in the mid 80's by laparoscopic surgery and I was back at my desk working eleven days later.

Warm encouraging hugs,
Donna

[patricia1]

I agree with the others. Please dont reschedule the procedure. You really need to find out what is going on, and it could possibly help you in the long run.

Like Donna said every procedure out there can have a horror story. But most people come out just fine. It could be that you might flare up for a while after the procedure, but I think it will be worth it to find out what is wrong and to help you.

I do hope you start feeling better soon.

[Babs RN]

I agree as well. I have had multiple laps with short recoveries.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[sharon429]

Thank you so much for everybodies comforting words.
Did any of you have this horrible gas shooting pain throughout your body. Two people I talked to said it was so severe they thought they were having a heart attack also online one woman said that her whole upper body was in severe pain. This was the first thing that scared me.
The second was - that when I did a search on the IC site it seemed that a few people's IC got progressively worse afterwards. Not just immediately but long term. This is a real concern for me.
My doctor said it was time to stop speculating (before I became frightened) and I agree. I also agree with everyone when they say I should see what is going on since I've been having so many problems. Its just I wish they would schedule it already because all this crazy stuff is going through my head - like maybe just getting through each month.
Another thing - Did anyone every hear of some kind of "saran wrap" that they put around your organs to try and stop you bleeding as much? I tried looking it up on the internet and could not find anything. My doctor is also giving me a DNC which they do the same time as the laprascopy. I have this image of me bleeding like crazy and having a heart attack at the same time.

Sharon

[Briza]

Sharon
I did experience those pains you described. I believe they are caused by residual gas the dr uses to expand your pelvic region so he can see better and have more room to work. Theses pains did feel strange, but my dr. had told me to expect them and that lying down would make them stop. So I wasn't freaked out when I felt them when I was standing or sitting up, and sure enough, when I laid down they went away. I had a quick recovery time and not too much pain and just a small 1.5 cm scar at the base of my navel. But no endo was found so I don't know how the recovery time and pain would compare with a lap and treatment for endo. Best of luck to you. I hope you feel better soon. :)

[holles]

i just had my 3rd laparoscopy for endometriosis, and i'd rather live with the post-op pain than with the menstrual pain i have. the post-op pain is peanuts compared to what i go through with my periods. and they give you VERY GOOD painkillers in the hospital.

as for pregnancy with endometriosis, well some women have no trouble at all getting pregnant. i've never been able to conceive with it, but a lot of women can. it just depends on where it is and what it's doing to you.

the procedure might be the best thing ever for you. your first period after the lap will be awful (i'm dealing with my first one since my lap right now, and it's horrible), but the second one should be better. good luck.

[sharon429]

Well, this has been very helpful to me - like now I know that if these sharp pains bother me I can lay down and just knowing in general what to expect and that it would be better for me.
Holly, when your say your first period was horrible. In what way? Cramping, heavy bleeding?
Right now I'm waiting on my period and I guess thats why they haven't scheduled my surgery. Its been excruiated waiting to hear when it is going to be because the doctor said the first week of April but the receptionist are just horrible and every time I call to find out anything they give me a hard time.
My period is 4 days late and each month the time leading up to it gets worse and worse. I was always on time - every 27th of the month - and the last two months now are late. Last night was the worst with tremendous cramping, constipation, and it felt like my bladder was going into spasms. I can't take it! Not only that but there suppossed to be doing some kind of DAY 3 blood work and I keep waiting for my period so I can go and have that done and I was under the assumption that I can't have the surgery until my period is over so maybe thats what there waiting for.

Sharon

[Babs RN]

I am one of those blessed people that got pregnant with 2 clotting disorders, endo and PCOS, after I had one ovary removed due to severe endo. The sharp gas pains result from the carbon dioxide gas instilled to push your bowels off of your pelvic organs, and the gas irritates the phrenic nerve which can also result shoulder pain as well. I had the "saran wrap" that is actually a gel based product that is supposed to decrease adhesion production as a result of the bleeding due to the endo. I agree with Holly, the post op pain is peanuts compared to the endo and period pain. The other way to look at post op pain is that at least you know the pain will improve day to day rather than get worse, which makes recovering easier.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[libertysrose]

I have had two laps and yes it is a little painful but just finding out what is going on makes it worth it in the long run. and like holles said they give you good pain relief so it isnt that bad. if i had to do it all over again i would because they found endo and that helped with part of the reason i have pain it was an answer just like when i found out about my ic.... it seems we go through so much pain anyway whats a tiny bit more to get an answer to why you have the pain. good luck and i wish you well

[Tracey5399]

I want to thank everyone who posted here. Sharon i am going through the same thing and having my lap probably in a couple of weeks god willing i can afford it. I had gotten really scared about it and was thinking about canceling as well. Now that i saw this thread i am going to keep my appt & get it done. Please let me know how you are doing & how the surgery goes.

Thanks,
Tracey :)

[holles]

to answer your question about the first period after a lap, it is pretty bad. the pain is in the same areas as usual, but it's intensified. mainly because the body is still healing from the trauma of surgery. but the period is about the same length as usual, so there's an end in sight.

good luck.