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Post by JC on Mar 23, 2011 18:06:12 GMT -5
LOL you are funny. It's ok don't worry! The bleeding isn't bad at all. I actually think the only reason why I had spotting is because I had a D&C along with my lap. If they find something, I really don't think it would make it worse. It's perfectly normal to be scared of all this. I was terrified and then when it was all over with I felt really silly for crying and being so scared. But we all go through that! Plus we have some threads here of numerous women who have given their advice on what to do/not do during recovery. That'll save you a whole lot of trouble and make the experience MUCH easier.
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Post by Karen on Mar 23, 2011 19:23:05 GMT -5
I had the same fear, too, about them not finding anything OR finding something that they couldn't effectively treat. But, I'm super glad I went through with it because I got ANSWERS and I was no longer thinking through all the what-ifs. As a good friend described, my lap provided me with a neat little box, the contents of which were endo, which totally beat out all the wild, unorganized thoughts and what-ifs that were floating around before. Better to have answers so you can create an action plan. Even if the lap doesn't provide you with relief, you can still GET relief other ways when you know what you're up against!
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Post by uncomfortable on Mar 23, 2011 19:40:39 GMT -5
I had a lap last year, and I was someone who didn't have anything found. I still fit every other symptom of endo though. I'm still desperate to find an answer as to what is going on with me, and I think I will be until I find an answer. I know the reality of not knowing, and yes it does suck, but it also doesn't stop me from trying to feel better either. While I feel the need to have an answer to find more peace of mind, I do not need a diagnosis to try and find ways to feel physically better. I have already started trying alternative methods. Some are working, and some are not, but it is still possible to find ways of dealing with the pain without knowing its cause. I really hope you get a diagnosis, but know that if you do not, you can still find relief in other ways. Knowing the name doesn't mean it disappears, it just means you know what it is. (I agree that is a huge thing - but its not everything)
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Post by JC on Mar 24, 2011 5:50:32 GMT -5
That's a great attitude! I like that!
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Post by uncomfortable on Mar 24, 2011 21:57:55 GMT -5
heh, thanks Jenaya. It took me a long time to get there though, I can assure you!
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trae
New Member
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Post by trae on Apr 5, 2011 12:17:00 GMT -5
uncomfortable..... If you don't mind me asking, did they do your lap while you were on your period??? That is how they did mine and they told me that is the best time to look for endo because it will be bleeding....just a thought, if that isn't how you had yours done, you might look into that so that maybe you could have an actual diagnosis. I know that half of my stress was not knowing. It looks like you have a really positive attitude and are on the right track so good for you. Just thought I would throw that out there.
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Post by JC on Apr 5, 2011 13:00:06 GMT -5
I have been wondering about an appropriate time to do a lap too. I would think there would be an optimal time to have a lap because the tissue varies with our cycle. My doctor did it right after my period and I feel like that was wrong because that's when my symptoms are least bothersome. This should be some kind of standard with surgery. If I ever need a surgery again I'll make sure to schedule it when my cycle is at its worst. It only makes sense right?
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trae
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Post by trae on Apr 5, 2011 13:12:35 GMT -5
I had mine done on day 2 of my period....definitely at it's worst! They were able to see so many implants because they were all bleeding. It seriously looked like I should be bleeding to death or something....anyway, that is the way my doctor always does his laps, but as I have seen on here, there is really no standard of anything when it comes to endo. A good thing to keep in mind though.
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Post by gemstone on Apr 5, 2011 13:23:33 GMT -5
This is interesting, I never really thought about the best time to have it, I actually thought it would be better not on your period there would be a big mess inside because of the blood?! I don't know how it works here, I reckon they'll just take me whenever the surgery is scheduled and not take account of the time of the month.
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Post by JC on Apr 5, 2011 13:40:12 GMT -5
Yeah I always thought that the scheduling issues were more important than the cycle but now that I think about it, there really should be a standard for when these laps are done! It totally makes sense! Hmmmm maybe we have stumbled onto something ladies!
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trae
New Member
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Post by trae on Apr 5, 2011 14:41:17 GMT -5
I would talk to your doctor and find out if there is anyway to schedule it while you are on your period. It makes perfect sense to me. Don't worry about the bleeding, you will be asleep anyway and most of the work is done through your belly button and just above the pubic line. They may have to use an instrument through the vagina to move the uterus around, they did with me. I have to say, my period actually got better after the surgery....it was a lot lighter and not nearly as painful. Not sure if that was due to the removal of two large nodules of endo, or just them messing around with those organs. Good luck to you and I hope you get some answers.
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Post by uncomfortable on Apr 5, 2011 16:25:46 GMT -5
You make a very good point Trae. My lap was done just after a "breakthrough" bleed. I was, and am on Provera, so I technically shouldn't have been bleeding at all, but I was at the time, although light. I didn't get a say in the scheduling of the lap. They have to go based on what days of the week the doctor performs surgery, and when the next available OR is available on those days. Generally they get booked months in advance. My lap was booked 4 months in advance. I had no way to know if I would be bleeding or not anyway, because of the provera.
If I wasn't on anything, and I had the choice, I certainly would agree having a lap during a period would probably be most helpful. It is something I am certainly going to keep in mind if I have another one done.
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Post by KSA on Apr 5, 2011 22:12:24 GMT -5
I would do it while on a period I was always bleeding when the doc was in there or when you would have your cycle for those of us still with ovaries but no uterus. I have a story my ob told me about a elderly woman he had as a patient she had severe pelvic pain but had a partial many years ago. She was in constant pain he said he was so curious to why now at this age she would be having issues she was no longer bleeding had went thru menapause but still he wanted to help her and even tho he doubted he would find anything he did a lap on her. Well guess what he found...endo, scar tissue he removed what he could and said that is why any patient he has no matter what age he takes the pain serious and would do a lap on a elderly woman again if she complained of pain. She had proven that even tho he had doubted anything would show up it did and it has made him a better doctor for that. So I suppose anytime is good if its there it will be detected but what if more comes out when we bleed or cycle? It hides til something changes in us or triggers it to come out? Endo is funny little disease it plays tricks on our bodies.
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Post by gemstone on Jan 4, 2012 12:17:37 GMT -5
Hey Guys, Sorry if this answer is somewhere on the board already - I seem to remember a thread that discussed this but not sure where... I am hoping (fingers and toes crossed), that my lap will be coming up in the next few months. I have been taking the birth control pill without a break for about 9 months now so I don't have a period. Is it a good idea (once I know the date of the lap) to have a period? I don't want one as it will be horrendous but I'm wondering if it will be better for the surgeon to see where the endo is. Thank you
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Post by gemstone on Jan 4, 2012 12:23:37 GMT -5
I have put this in the wrong place - sorry mods
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