nikki
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by nikki on Aug 2, 2006 18:23:19 GMT -5
Hello all,
im new to the board. My name is Nikki and im from UK. For the first time i came across with the board and decided to join it immediately. I've been looking for some info. on endometriosis as im due for my surgery in a weeks time. And before that i need to knw in and out of the thing. I did discuss with doc, but the size and nature of my endometriosis is such that he suggested me Laparotomy and a injection (to stop my periods for 3 mths) im not yet sure abt the injection what it is and all ....but after reading and doing some research on net i got fair idea of it.
But i would like to knw more from u guys. Has anyone treated before with Laparotomy? and injection( i think known as Lupron ). How safe is the whole procedure. Guys since i dont have much time in my hand im so confused dont really understand what to ask the doctor. Pls, help me with your experiences and advices , if any.
regards, Nikki.
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Post by Hillary on Aug 2, 2006 19:27:59 GMT -5
Nikki,
As for the Laprotomy, i have been through it actually twice this year. And it's not too bad, the first week is the worst, actually my first time was much easier the first time. The day I came out of surgery I was on a bed pan for a day or so, so I couldn't get up, you pee and you don't even know it lo, and they gave me Morphen that I could control as I wanted, every 7 minutes i had like I think 1 miligram, but I can't remember, but it was good cause I didn't have to wait for a nurse good thing cause they are all not as nice as others, my dad stayed with me for a while and we would be in the middle of a conversation and you would hear *Beep* and that was me and the Morphen next thing you know I was asleep and I would wake up 10 or so minutes later and continue what we where talking about, it was pretty funny. I was in the hospital 3 days and when I came home I had my mom take care of me and by the 2nd day home I was up and about. I was off work for 5 weeks(both times) that was probably the besy part! mind you I do enjoy going to work.
I understand where you are coming from cause before my surgery I wanted to here what one that had been through it before had to say about this but i didn't have a computer here at home, I could only use the one at work and it is very limited as to what I can do there.
I have my introduction story in "Just started yesturday need someone to talk to" read that my whole story is there.
Question, do you want to have children? or do you already have them? With the Lupron it may be harder to get pregnant after. I think that is why my doctor hasn't given me that option yet
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Post by denna on Aug 2, 2006 23:45:08 GMT -5
hi nikki
you are not alone. you can read my introduction, there's some tips there. you can ask your Dr what injection are they going to give you.I'm on zoladex. It's suppose to stop menstrual cyle for at least 6 months- in short it's an induced menopouse. It's bad but if you have a positive mind, you can still live normal besides 'being menopousak'. i took lots of vitamins, that really helps.
very important, after your surgery, look after your diet and do not move aroung for at least 2 weeks. i only start driving after 3 weeks. i was on sick leave for amonth and enjoyed my ' no working life' . i did lots of reading too and have pick up new hobby. i think we all need something to be busy with so that we won't think or feel too much about what we suffer.
you can always send me messages if you need to ask further question
take care
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nikki
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by nikki on Aug 3, 2006 6:44:38 GMT -5
Thanks Hillary n Denna , that was quick response. It does helps a lot when u discuss your problem with ppl who already been thru it. I can imagine what u must have been thru. Well, abt me im 33yrs old and have a nearly 4yrs old daughter. Still want to grow family. So im more worried abt the facts of Endometriosis. And top of that the drugs e.g Lupron they give. I havent heard from my doc yet, but need to send email to him stating my queries , any word of advice on what i shd be asking him? thank you once again for treating me like a family member and replying as i need support , since my parents are not here with me at the moment. -Nikki.
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Post by erzulie on Aug 3, 2006 9:38:13 GMT -5
Welcome Nikki! There is a lot of information about Lupron in the drug treatment section of this forum, definitely go there and read that because a lot of people shared their personal experience and research on there. You should definitely do a lot of research before taking that drug! There is also a great thread in the surgical treatments section that talks about what you should ask your doctor before surgery. There's a lot of info about different treatments all over the board, so you can even compare what people say about Lupron to what people say about other options. We've pretty much got you covered!
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maryland
Junior Member
God give you only what you can handle.
Posts: 59
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Post by maryland on Aug 4, 2006 8:08:49 GMT -5
Nikki a Lap for my sis and I we call it drive thru surgery it is a peace of cake to us. We have one or two every year. If the dr is going to give you Lupron I would think about that it did not work for my sis and I had to go on 4 types of meds because I wanted to kill everyone. So be careful. I was on the Depo and that is not bad. Good luck and keep us posted.
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Post by vatechgrad on Aug 4, 2006 9:27:14 GMT -5
I would assume Maryland is talking about a laparoscopy, a laparotomy is not drive thru surgery, its like a c-section, healing is longer than laparoscopy. I haven't had a lapartomy so I can't say exactly, but I've never hear them called drive thru.
As for lupron, I decided no on that for myself. The laparotomy might be all you need, you can always decide to try lupron in a month or so after you figure out how you feel pain wise after the surgery. Might want to consider doing these things in stages so you can pinpoint what works and what doesn't. If you do both you will never know if it was the surgery or the drugs and if it recurs you won't know which one to do.
Janet
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nikki
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by nikki on Aug 4, 2006 9:30:57 GMT -5
Nikki a Lap for my sis and I we call it drive thru surgery it is a peace of cake to us. We have one or two every year. If the dr is going to give you Lupron I would think about that it did not work for my sis and I had to go on 4 types of meds because I wanted to kill everyone. So be careful. I was on the Depo and that is not bad. Good luck and keep us posted. You mean u had 1 or 2 lap every year Dont tell me Endo is sooooooooo bad. What all other meds u were on ? My doc might book me next week for surgery, im very very nervous abt the whole thing u knw. Feel like thx for ur reply ....keep me posted .......take care.
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Post by Hillary on Aug 4, 2006 12:59:37 GMT -5
Don't worry Nikki it's not sooooooooo bad! I have been through it twice this year alone and I got through it! It's normal to feel nervous but don't worry it will be ok. With my Laparotomy the first time I was up walking and doing dishes the 4th day in. But still had 5 weeks off work! That was the best part, it does take time to fully heal, just have to be patient with it. You will be fine I also think that you should wait to take that shot, I agree with vatechgrad about doing it in stages that way you know what is doing what. Endo is very tricky! I am happy to hear that Laproscopy is a breeze as I am will be doing that sometime in November, Quick question to Maryland, Is that with Laser? Nikki, Just keep your head up everything will be fine!
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maryland
Junior Member
God give you only what you can handle.
Posts: 59
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Post by maryland on Aug 4, 2006 15:23:14 GMT -5
You mean u had 1 or 2 lap every year YES WE HAVE ENDO BAD Dont tell me Endo is sooooooooo bad. What all other meds u were on ? I WAS ON LUPRON, PAIN MEDS, AND TWO KINDS OF DEPRESSION MEDS. Don't get me wrong everyone has different sages of endo we have stage 4 Laps are nothing for us. When you do go for the surgery ask your dr to give you something to relax before you go in the OR that helps us to relax before we go so this way you don't get yourself all worked up before you go in the OR and you wake up feeling relax not feel like a pank attack. Good luck let me know if you have another questions
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Post by erzulie on Aug 4, 2006 16:07:45 GMT -5
Nikki, since you are going to have a laparotomy I won't tell you about my laparoscopy, it's a very different experience. I think what Hillary told you is more valuable than anything I could say. The only advice I can give is to keep in mind that everyone's experience is different. Before my surgery a lot of people told me how it would be, based on their own experience, and I found that I am in the minority who have a horrible time with even simple surgery like that. You can only get a general idea from what other people say.
It is actually not advisable to have surgery every year, due to the build-up of scar tissue. Endometriosis can be really bad--it depends on the person--but if you find that it is coming back too soon after your laparotomy and that it is unbearable, you can always go to a specialist to have the endometriosis excised. It stays gone longer that way than it does when they laser it away. For some people it doesn't even come back after that!
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Post by denna on Aug 6, 2006 20:29:34 GMT -5
hi,
i agree with erzulie that everyone's experience is different. the more you heard about other's experience the worry you become. it's good to have some pictures before you go to any surgery but not too much as it will affect you emotionally. i went for my hsg ( to check my tube) and laparotomy without asking anyone-then after that i read many posts in othe forum that their experiences are so bad....mine was not that bad.may be it has to do with your food intake. just PLEASE PLEASE do no take herbs especially DONG QUAI AND SIBERIAN GINSENG before any surgery. There was a case here where of a mother die after delivery through c-section as the blood flow doesn't stop. upon inspection she has bee taking those herbs avery morning. 1 week before my surgery, i stop taking any other medication except for vitamins.
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shakes
Junior Member
THE BEST THING YOU CAN WEAR IS A SMILE
Posts: 79
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Post by shakes on Aug 13, 2006 15:04:47 GMT -5
I had a laporotomy in april and it was really hard for me in fact my incision is still bothering me I did not expect it to take so long to heal
have you ever had a laporoscopy? thats alot easier to recover from in fact if this is your fisrt surgery request this was if possible its a tiny incision in your belly button and your better in like 2 weeks
with the laporotomy it takes about 6 weeks, I had 2 laproscopys and a vaginal hysterectomy, and all those were easier than the laporotomy for me
I hope which ever way they do it that everything goes well and you have a quick recovery let us know how you are doing
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nikki
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by nikki on Aug 14, 2006 4:32:34 GMT -5
Hi shakes ...
hw u doing? Thx for the reply. Nope this is my first laparatomy, what else shd i expect after the operation? how do i cope up?
And all girls there sorry couldnt write anything in long time. Well, my operation is planned in this week ...hoping everything goes well...
but still bit worried abt laparotomy and its post effects... to tell u the truth whenever i read your experiences it helps me to gather courage.
Girls pls pray for me ....
Nikki.
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Post by erzulie on Aug 14, 2006 9:25:45 GMT -5
Nikki- It might make you feel a little better to know that laparotomy is actually supposed to be safer than laparoscopy. It takes longer to recover from, but it's safer and easier for the doctor to do because he can actually see what he's doing. With a laparoscopy the doctor has to watch what he's doing on a two-dimensional screen. It's very hard and requires extra training, and many hospitals don't actually require doctors to go through that much training before they start letting them do laparoscopies. There are a lot of special things that can go wrong with laparoscopy. Your recovery time with laparotomy might be difficult, but at least you are getting the safer procedure.
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