Laproscopy procedure for Endometriosis

[needsrelief]

I plan to get a laproscopic surgery maybe sometime this month or in November to see if I have Endometriosis. can anyone tell me about thier experience? Did IC symptoms get better or worse?

[Cindy-Lou]

It's hard to say.
I had a uterine ablation in 2001 and had endometriosis, and fibroids removed during the procedure. I also have ovarian cysts. I was hoping for relief for constant pelic pain but that did not happen although I did get relief from heavy menstral flow.
After all these years of thinking that my constant pelvic pain was in my female parts about a year ago it hit me like a slap in the face that I likely have I/C.
I have frequency, urgency and pain the pain is sometimes dull like a toothache and sometimes it burns.
I am scheduled for a cysto/hydro/biopsies Oct 22nd so will find out for sure if I have I/C then.
I find I can't tell the difference between female parts, bladder or bowel pain it's so confusing.
As far as the procedure making your I/C better or worse I guess it's really hard to know because if part of your pain is from endometriosis then having it removed could help but who knows we're all so different and our parts are so complex.
Good luck I hope you get relief!

[needsrelief]

thanks for your response. the doctor is checking me out for endo because I have extreme pelvic pain during intercourse. I have also had an ovarian cyst rupture. very heavy period with painfull cramps. so hopefully it helps with the pelvic pain. I hear that endo can grow on the bladder too. and also some parts of the uterus that can effect the bladder. thats why some people have urgency and frequency. I had a cysto done in 09. I was diagnosed with having an inflammed bladder so she said that I have IC. and personally being put to sleep and all the needles, and blood getting drawn scares me. I hate hospitals. So I gotta go through this again. with my endo. :rolleyes:

[ABliske]

I was tested for endo before I was tested for IC. I was diagnosed with endo because the Dr. found a few spots of it, but I think it was a misdiagnosis. I saw the pictures and it looked like hardly anything. I was asking him about how the results compared to other people. He just said he didn't like to compare cases because some ladies could have a little endo and a lot of pain or vice versa (like a cancersore).
In your case, it sounds like you could have endo. I have pain during intercourse, but not much more increased pain around my period. Looking back, I don't know why he thought to do this test rather than refer me to a uro. Eventually, I got refer to a uro by another Dr. I know some people are helped by the laparoscopies, I just wasn't one of them.
When I had my hydro, I finally got some answers. It sounded like the right fit for the pain I have.
Since you've been through the hydro you know a lot of what to expect. I had my lap on a Friday and was back to work on a Monday. It was rough though. The recovery was harder than it was with my 2 hydros. The small incisions hurt but not for long. The hardest part for me was that I got sick to my stomach from the anesthesia and it hurt sooooo much to move. I was trying to sit straight up on the couch and use a pot to get sick in. I cried a little from the pain. And there was a bee stingy feeling in my abdomen from the gas reabsorbing into my body.
Hope this is not scaring you!!!!!!!! I wish you all the best. Hopefully, you can come home with some pain meds. I wasn't given any. Let us know what happens!!!!

[needsrelief]

ok I will thanks

[Briza]

I was already in a huge flare with I had the lap. I can't remember it making things worse--things were already very bad.

By far the lap was a much easier recovery for me than the hydro and I've heard others say that as well Much less pain and recovery time. Had it on a Friday and was back to work Monday (note that I have a low tolerance for pain but tend to work thru it anyway--apparently I don't know when to stop! lol) I did have some crampy lower back pain after the surgery that lingered longer than anything else.

Endo was not found in my lap so I don't know how recovery would go if endo were found/removed. Seems like that might make things more painful??

[icbeauty]

I've had three laparoscopies to remove endometriosis from my bladder, utero-sacral ligaments, one of my ureters (didn't actually remove all of that because of the possibility of damaging the ureter), behind my uterus, and other places.

The surgeries definitely helped. I didn't have pain anymore 21 days a month like before. And I didn't pass out when my time of the month came around after the surgeries. However, the pain did come back eventually, so that's why I've had more than 1 surgery.

I've heard that if you go on birth control pills right after, that you should prevent more endo from growing again. I didn't do that because I was trying to have a kid. The kid didn't happen, so I went ahead and got onto the pill after I got divorced, and I feel better. I still have pain, but it's not like before.

You do need to make sure you have some food prepared for the first few days after the surgery because you might have some lingering dizzy spells from the anesthesia. Also, wear a sundress or something to the surgery. I wore sweats the first time, but I ended up going home with a catheter and had to wear a hospital gown home. No fun indeed. I always had trouble relieving myself after surgery, so be prepared. Also, take a pillow with you. It is good to use as a cushion between you and the seat belt.

Take care. You will probably be fine.

[Go Hokies!]

Don't worry about the lap. I know that sounds dumb because you probably will anyways, but don't. I had mine back in August. You will get 2 incisions, one right around your pubic hair area and the other in your belly button. The most issues I had with it is that the incisions are a little tender and they put a lot of air in you to be able to look around. Your doctor should try to get all that air out but some will stick around so you will be a little sore, have a heating pad for that. My doctor had me work from home for 2 weeks but I know a lot of people that are back at work after a few days. It just depends on how you feel. Keep us updated.

[Erica1836]

Hi there! I've had 2 laparoscopies...they aren't too horrible. It didn't improve my pain, they were mainly just to find out where the endo was and if it was on my bladder. I will warn you though if they find endometriosis and put you on the lupron depot shot it does help the endo but can make ic worse like in my case. Its hard to tell the difference in pain down there...i never quite know what exactly is hurting i just know it does! Good luck with everything let us know how you're doing!

[icbeauty]

Hi there! I've had 2 laparoscopies...they aren't too horrible. It didn't improve my pain, they were mainly just to find out where the endo was and if it was on my bladder. I will warn you though if they find endometriosis and put you on the lupron depot shot it does help the endo but can make ic worse like in my case. Its hard to tell the difference in pain down there...i never quite know what exactly is hurting i just know it does! Good luck with everything let us know how you're doing!

Erica, I developed IC while I was on Lupron. Plus, I had another surgery right after my last shot, and the endometriosis had grown back (first surgery was just 7 months earlier). I feel like that drug destroyed my life sometimes. I had a friend who had been on it, and she pleaded with me not to do it. But I was so desperate to do anything to get rid of endometriosis because I wanted a kid so bad. The IC was rotten, but the fact that the endometriosis continued to grow while on the drug was an even bigger slap in the face for me.

I'd rather have another laparoscopy than try a drug like Lupron again. At least with the surgery, you're in pain for only a few days.

Word of advice regarding surgery. When they have you do the bowel prep, try to find the fruit flavor. It is MUCH more palatable than the lemon-lime.

[Erica1836]

Erica, I developed IC while I was on Lupron. Plus, I had another surgery right after my last shot, and the endometriosis had grown back (first surgery was just 7 months earlier). I feel like that drug destroyed my life sometimes. I had a friend who had been on it, and she pleaded with me not to do it. But I was so desperate to do anything to get rid of endometriosis because I wanted a kid so bad. The IC was rotten, but the fact that the endometriosis continued to grow while on the drug was an even bigger slap in the face for me.

I'd rather have another laparoscopy than try a drug like Lupron again. At least with the surgery, you're in pain for only a few days.

Word of advice regarding surgery. When they have you do the bowel prep, try to find the fruit flavor. It is MUCH more palatable than the lemon-lime.

Holly - I know what you mean about Lupron...it can be an evil drug. I think now my body has just gotten used to it. I think there are a lot of people who don't like it. It has stopped my endometriosis from growing, but now I'm fighting the IC. Guess its kind of a lose lose until i can get this under control.