Hey Taters, how have you been? Umm I think the biggest thing for me when I had my 1st lap (I just had my 6th on Nov 5 2010 was wanting an answer for my pain. I was not scared to have the actual surgery because I just wanted to know what was wrong. Hope this helps. :)

Whyme, thanks for your response! thats actually a great question...I deffinately want to try to answer it as best I can. It was one of my big fears too =)

I agree, I think a lot of us just want our questions answered. For me, it took almost a year for a diagnosis. I had doctor after doctor tell me that everything was just in my head...until I finally got told I needed surgery to see if I had endo. I just wanted someone to tell me that I wasn't faking, I was a little scared of the surgery (mostly because someone told me that they had been given too much anesthesia and didn't wake up for like 4 hours) but I think a lot of us want answers before and after our diagnosis, and the unfortunate thing is, is doctors usually can't answer it all.

It took me 10 years to get diagnosed with Endo. After hearing doctor after doctor stuffing it into your brain that what you go through is normal.... you start to believe them.

I had a fear that I was going to wake up from surgery and they would tell me that everything was fine.... it makes me sick to think that I was doubting myself and doubting the way I feel. But after 10 years of bull crap... you tend to believe it.

I was actually worried that they wouldnt find anything and no one would believe me on how much pain I was in. Sad I know!

After the surgery I wanted to die, the pain I was in from the gas was horrible! My husband built a fort around me with pillows b/c I couldnt lay flat or else the gas would go up to my shoulders and face. I literally felt like I was hit by a truck the next day.

The first 3 months after my surgery my pain was SO much worse, I felt like nothing was ever going to help.

Overall experience was loneliness, desperation, fearful and doubtful. Once I found out that I had Endometriosis I felt like the whole medical world had failed me! Family and friends had failed me for not believing me. Bc so many doctors pushed me aside I may never be able to conceive. Nothing will ever fix that feeling of hopelessness.

Tatum if you need anything else, let me know. I could go on and on about my first lap.

HUGS
XOXO

Ashley Nicole

Ashley thanks and thanks also TyeDyeme.


Ashley! My current doctor believes I could be infertile too...and he said "if they had of just done they're job properly I wouldn't be so worried" - he said my biggest issue was having laser in my first surgery... He said laser and agressive endo don't mix....putting the match to the fuel so to speak..and it's gone wild.

If they had of just done what I expected of them...I might stand a chance. I feel your anger, frustration and hopelessness!

I think the feeling of "What if they find nothing" is something I deffinately will address, I even remember having that very prominent fear.

Thanks again!
x

Hi tate... this is a great idea.... we all have the same questions, how long will it take to recover, what will help the pain, but i see most of us still question whther they will find anything, i still question it and i have severe endo/adenmyosis, Pcos and subsepted uterus.. so i guess to tell the women.. if they are not diagnosed forst go do not give up as man yof us here have taken years to get fianl diagnosis.

Hi was just wondering if you could post a link to the facebook page :D thanks

it's called Endometriosis Victoria if you search it on FB it should work :D

Hi I'm new to this group and I am going for my first lap next week Friday.

Here are my thoughts on it...
After years of thinking that this was the normal thing that every woman went through I slowly started to realized how this is seriously interfering with work and school and decided to talk to my doctor about it AGAIN! I was happy when the doctor told me he wanted to do this procedure-more of a relief happiness. I've been having problems monthly for about 8+ years and with in the last year I've been having problems constantly (especially with my bowels and random cramping and spotting-in the middle of a birth control pack) so this news came as a relief to me. My family is supportive about it and optimistic that this will not only help with the symptoms of endo but help me with my back pain also. I understand and know that this isn't curable and the chances of it returning are high but I would like to give it a shot and see what comes of it.

I completely understand what AshleyNicole said, "I was actually worried that they wouldnt find anything and no one would believe me on how much pain I was in. Sad I know!".
For me, I feel like same influences that made me feel like this was 'normal' are a result of the worry that they won't find anything.

A week ago I was excited to get the news of my first lap and as it grows closer I begin to worry more. So many thoughts are running through my head...Will I still be so fatigued? Will I be able to have pain-free sex? Will I have anything close to 'normal' period? Will I be able to have children? ect. The anticipation is killing me and just like tyedyeme, I just want answers!

I hope this help you a little. Good luck with the documentary and lap!
xo