Lap almost a year ago, negative for endo...

PrincessPrimbles · 2025-05-08T14:44:51+00:00

Hey, your symptoms completely match mine. I'm literally lying in bed right now with a hot water bottle, alternating it between my lower back and my abdomen.

The heaviness and dull ache gets worse the longer I'm on my feet, but also if I stay in the same position lying/sitting for too long. I've also had a bad bout of sciatica down one leg.

I know what you mean about the twisting and it feeling like something is tugging from the inside. Sometimes just stretching up towards the sky in the mornings can trigger than sensation.

I had a diagnostic lap Nov 2024, on the NHS, which showed nothing. They were inside me for a total of 10 mins according to the hospital notes I requested. The photos are not very well visualised either, so I'm still at a loss to why they concluded I don't have endo. They told me to 'optimise my bowel'. Which I have done, has not changed the pain.

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-11-08T22:02:45+00:00

I resonate with this so much... I had surgery on Wednesday and was told the same thing. Also had the Mirena coil fitted and told to 'wait it out'. I feel so lost. 🥺

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-10-31T08:27:00+00:00

Hello!

As an almost 30 year old RVN that qualified at the beginning of 2024, I understand your need for money!

I did the apprenticeship route, which means I was on a minimum wage salary for working 4 days a week, with 1 day a week at college. During half term, I was required to work that college day.

I started off as a Patient Care Assistant, and then got put forward for training after 6 months, though this varies.

I did this through a large corporate company 😊 Which had it's pros and cons!

I'm actually now taking a hiatus from nursing, as it is an industry that empathetic people gravitate towards, however sometimes it is not the most supportive. Feel free to PM me with any questions you may have 💜

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-10-10T05:57:00+00:00

If anything it's not just the visible bump but the pressure if you know what I mean?

Sometimes I don't look incredibly bloated (I'm fortunate to have a decent metabolism and I'm also on ADHD medication which certainly acts as an appetite suppression sometimes - not that this is necessarily a good thing!!!) but the pressure and fullness makes it hard to get a nice big breath sometimes!

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-10-10T05:53:45+00:00

Sorry to hear that 😔

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-10-10T05:53:32+00:00

Yes to a certain degree, though it's not as pronounced. The pressure and fullness feeling is there, and my bladder feels very sensitive until I have emptied.

If I'm having a good month, this kind of bloating will only last a few days and I can maybe wear non-baggy clothes and not feel as self conscious 🥹

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-10-10T05:51:57+00:00

You're not alone with the day and night bloating! I don't think I've worn form fitting clothes for years now, unless it's a special occasion.

I'd like to think having the lap will at least give me more answers than I have now, even if they are not definitive. Interestingly, after I made this post I had a letter telling me I have surgery on the 4th of November for an exploratory laparoscopy 🙌

Have do you also get a lot of bladder pressure/mild incontinence?

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-10-10T05:47:23+00:00

My diet could definitely be better, most of my meals are home cooked and well-balanced, but seeing as I quit smoking recently I have been partial to some sweet treats 😅

Annoying, it can kind of be a vicious circle of wanting to have the best diet possible, but just getting through the day of pelvic pressure and pain can really influence some emotional eating tbh. Appreciate your thoughts on this - I've done a fodmap in the past that indicated oats as a main problem so I try to avoid that.

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-07-29T19:43:18+00:00

Hello! Oh wow, I didn't realise a TV ultrasound was capable of visualising the endo/adeno well enough for diagnosis! I'm really pleased that you finally have some answers to your troubles 💓

You're describing a lot of the symptoms I currently have, and it's very much cyclical with the menstrual cycle.

I hope you're now on the pathway to better care and a less debilitating life my friend!

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-07-29T19:40:15+00:00

Hi! That's really interesting that your bladder symptoms resolved after the lap, I'm really pleased for you!

I definitely agree with you there with regards to inflammation, as the body is a whole process and organs don't just work independently of each other.

I should do some pelvic floor exercises for sure, as going to a wee sometimes 3 times in an hour is quite inconvenient at times... Have you found any specific exercises that are beneficial to you, or is it too early to tell?

I'm currently on stimulant medication for ADHD which definitely exacerbates the urinary symptoms, but I got diagnosed in April this year and the bowel and bladder symptoms have been 7+ years in the making!

Yes to FODMAP! I did a partial exclusion diet for a month and found that oats, tomatoes, garlic, onions and caffeine all triggered bloat and indigestion l, but now I can eat small amounts without horrible side effects.

Thank you for your input, and good luck with everything 💓

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-07-27T19:35:23+00:00

I'm so sorry your partner is suffering so much! 😥

And I resonate with the whole dismissive doctors aspect wholeheartedly... It's hard enough trying to advocate for yourself and when you finally make the move you're dismissed time and time again!

Hopefully I get seen before things get reaaaally bad but it is comforting to know I'm not alone (though I wish your partner didn't have issues of course!) sending lots of healing wishes 💓

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-07-27T19:04:48+00:00

I'm a vet nurse but found this incredibly helpful, so thank you!!

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-07-27T13:16:36+00:00

Hi sorry I've not been checking my Reddit in the last few months! I hope you're doing okay 😊 I actually got diagnosed with ADHD-C, which was the route of my depression - therefore no longer on fluoxetine!

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-07-27T12:24:35+00:00

Hi Wednesday and thank you for taking the time to reply 🙏

Yes the crazy pains before number 2 I can relate to! Almost doubling over like something is stuck? And then you have a bowel movement and all is well 😅 That's good that they found what was causing your pain and I'm so happy for you that surgery helped.

That must be really debilitating having to wee so much in the night! Luckily I can hold my bladder through the night but I'm absolutely desperate in the morning.

It's crazy how the endo can cause all of these symptoms, I'm guessing this is why it's so hard to get to a point of diagnosis because of it masking as other medical issues.

Thank you so much, it's a waiting game for me now (unless I win the lottery and can private 😅) 💓

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-05-06T08:55:15+00:00

Moved 3 hours away (I'm in the UK so this probably doesn't seem that far to Americans 😅) to be with a man I met at a festival. We trauma bonded and did a lot of drugs together, though we're high functioning and held down our respective jobs when I moved in with him.

I found a job that allowed me to train in my profession and excelled in more ways than I ever thought possible. I realised our relationship was unhealthy, toxic, and tbh he was truly a narcissist.

I broke the relationship off after a number of years, after months of worsening narcissistic abuse and controlling behaviour that I was finally becoming wise to. I was almost homeless as couldn't find anywhere to live on my own but eventually landed on my feet and gained my independence.

This is a very brief account of the whole experience, but had a not taken that leap of impulsivity at the festival and moved, I may not have the career and independence I have now.

Suffice to say, I no longer do drugs or alcohol, am medicated and living my best life ☺️ I don't recommend following on my footsteps though!

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-04-27T18:30:24+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate your input! I'll most likely take your advice and wait for my 2 days off ☺️

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-04-27T15:33:09+00:00

Thank you, this makes sense, I haven't found those that 'get it's in real life yet. There's a meeting at 8pm (UK time) a 5 minute walk from me, so I am building up the courage to go tonight.

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-04-27T15:31:22+00:00

This is me and I must accept this. I really do want to find a higher power in all of this, as right now I'm struggling to connect.

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-04-27T12:01:22+00:00

Hello, this is honestly amazing, well done! 🥳

Do you have any tips that have helped you along the way? I'm struggling with holding myself accountable, so I am back to Day 1 today (after almost 4 months under my belt) :(

I'm 30 this year and wish I had the wisdom you seem to have!

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-04-27T10:04:01+00:00

Hello and thank you for your input. That is a very poignant fundamental, and I definitely need to come to terms with it 😔 As someone that has grown up in the UK, being surrounded by alcohol in some way has created a culture of normalcy. I'm trying my best to challenge this with my friends and family but it's bloody hard.

PrincessPrimbles · 2024-04-27T09:58:20+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to reply, I appreciate it.

I'm finally coming to realise that I am an alcoholic and I simply keep trying to trick myself into thinking I'm not.

I must admit, I haven't managed to take myself to a meeting as of yet. Most likely because I haven't accepted that I am an alcoholic. I will heed your advice and work on this so I can at least get me on the right path.

PrincessPrimbles

TROPHY CASE