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Post by batgirl on Mar 3, 2012 1:20:40 GMT -5
I'm wondering whether I've made the right decision to have a lap so soon. I had a pelvic and intra-vaginal ultrasound that came back normal, and my gyn didn't feel any lumps during my pelvic exam. They would have said something if my organs were twisted or stuck to each other, right? I'm only in mild to moderate pain everyday - I can still go to work, and function mostly normally, just with cramps all the time. I'd say it's about a level 3-4, with occasional spikes of worse pain. I've always had painful periods, but now I'm wondering if this is just normal. :/ I read through all of the lap stories and feel like a fraud - I don't have cysts, and haven't had to take off work for pain. I've only had the daily pain since October. I've been controlling my painful periods and menstrual migraines with continuos bc for 8 years now. My gyn said I had two options since I'm already on continuous bc, and that was either wait and see if the pain goes away, or have a lap. I feel bad going ahead with a lap considering so many others have suffered a lot more and a lot longer than I have. Maybe I should wait to see whether it gets better? Are there any other options I should try for diagnosis before a lap? I'm just so worried they aren't going to find anything and I'll feel like I wasted everyones time.
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Post by hellsbells on Mar 3, 2012 5:41:08 GMT -5
Stop right there. I was in pretty much the same boat as you, pain wasn't major just permanently uncomfortable. It's never too soon to have a lap if you have symptoms that match endo. On this board we never compare our pain levels to each other, so don't ever feel 'oh everyone's worse than me'. It doesn't work that way. Your pain is your pain and affects YOUR life so you're entitled to understand it and then have a chance to make it better x
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Post by Karen on Mar 3, 2012 7:12:27 GMT -5
Very well put, Helen! I, too, was in a similar situation. No cysts, nothing felt during an exam - I couldn't even get my doc to find any tender areas, nothing showed on a CT, but still - I deserved answers and had a lap. I feel a bit like a fraud because I had only a few tiny lesions and some lesions found during my lap, but that doesn't make me any less deserving of help. If you or your doctor have good reason to suspect endo, you have good reason to get a lap! I can understand where you're coming from, but please don't compare yourself to anyone else. You have the right to have your pain investigated!
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Post by semicolon on Mar 3, 2012 8:49:44 GMT -5
Look at it this way, you have pain that has increased since Oct with no reason for it. What if it is only a matter of time before it gets worse? Unfortunately none of us can see into the future (damn, that would certainly help making these kinds of decisions!), so if your gut tells you to do this despite your doubts you have your answer. This is a tough road and we have all had our doubts in the past but you deserve answers.
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Post by Karen on Mar 3, 2012 9:31:13 GMT -5
The other thing I want to add is that it takes, on average, 9 years for a woman to be diagnosed with endo from the time of her first complaint. Yes, many women have to wait until things are really bad, organs are twisted together, and endo is everywhere. But, that's usually because it's a struggle to get doctors to recognize the symptoms of endo until things have progressed to that point! Many women are in really rough shape BECAUSE of lack of action and proper treatment. Please, consider it a blessing that you have a doctor willing to investigate now rather than later!
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Post by painttheseconds on Mar 3, 2012 13:06:17 GMT -5
I agree with all the other ladies. There is not reason to compare your pain to others. If you are experiencing pain you are entitled and deserve to have answers. Take care and let us know how your lap goes!
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Post by angelicky on Mar 3, 2012 21:59:46 GMT -5
pain is not normal, and it should be investigated. Everyone is different with how it affects them
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Post by batgirl on Mar 3, 2012 23:30:37 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. I've been holding up pretty well, but I finally had a mini melt down the other day after a coworker at work told me she thought my surgery sounded like "a fun break" and that she wished she could get an illness where she could take a week off. I don't have any sympathetic ears readily available, so your replies really really helped! ::hugs:: to everyone
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Post by angelicky on Mar 4, 2012 0:25:18 GMT -5
a fun break... is she serious! this is surgery, surgery is never fun, being sick is never fun
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Post by hellsbells on Mar 4, 2012 4:37:30 GMT -5
What a stupid cow
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Post by scooternooch on Mar 4, 2012 9:00:04 GMT -5
Hello Batgirl, I wanted to take a minute to write to you. I am also at the beginning of this fight. I had my first lap done on 3-1-12 just a few days ago. My pain was for the most part bearable except for a few days a month. I felt pretty sure that I had endo but like you nothing showed up on any test. Sure enough the dr found endo during my lap. I don't know yet how much or where but it was there. Now I at least know what has been going on with me, that in it's self was worth having the lap. Get the answers you need for your own peace of mind. What the rest of the world thinks really doesn't matter in the end. As for your co-worker, she should be very careful what she wishes for, she may very well get it. I believe the universe has a way of taking care of these things. Hugs to you and I hope everything works out.
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Post by batgirl on Mar 7, 2012 22:04:00 GMT -5
Thanks so much, Mary, and to everyone else who replied. I'm so happy I found this board. It helps so much just knowing I'm not alone!
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Post by scooternooch on Mar 8, 2012 22:15:47 GMT -5
You are so very welcome. I am happy you found this board also. It's been a wealth of information for me.
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