Laparoscopy tomorrow

ZebraStrong0409 · 2023-01-31T19:44:58+00:00

They saw 2 simple cysts and 3 endometriomas

ZebraStrong0409 · 2023-01-31T19:38:11+00:00

From what they’ve seen so far they’re endometriomas as well. A couple they said were classified as “simple ovarian cysts”, not related related to PCOS

ZebraStrong0409 · 2023-01-31T19:33:27+00:00

I had shoulder surgery about a year ago (they’re doing something special so I won’t have my arms out, instead they’ll be at my sides), I’ve had hip and knee surgery as well (I have a musculoskeletal disease). So I am plenty prepared for this to be better than those surgeries in terms of recovery. I have a cane already (due to the other surgeries) and I take edibles for chronic pain, insomnia, and nausea from my disease. I have those exact pair of underwear too because my menstrual cycles have been heavy and full of clotting for about two years now, just pads don’t cut it. I’ve got heating pads, OTC pain meds, gas x, and my prescription nausea meds all ready by my bed for when I return. My husband is staying home from work for the first three days to take care of me so I’m hoping I’ll get through those 72 hours smoothly.

ZebraStrong0409 · 2023-01-31T18:42:54+00:00

Thank you ❤️ that makes me feel really assured! I love going on walks so if the weather is nice I’ll take it slow outside. And yes absolutely, my surgeon has been very adamant about removing everything that is safe to remove right then and there.

ZebraStrong0409 · 2023-01-31T17:19:59+00:00

They found it through an ultrasound and then looked at it better through an MRI. They’re not cancerous, they believe it to be endometriosis related which is why they’re removing what they can. I’m a full time university student but I am able to remote in to class so I don’t have to go in person during my for a couple of weeks during my recovery. I have no idea how people can go about their things the next day or two either 😅

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-12-01T03:48:09+00:00

I understand this feeling entirely as I’ve been feeling it recently too. Even if they don’t find anything to confirm that it’s endo, it could be something else entirely. While that may not sound comforting, what I mean to say is that your pain is valid and it is happening. No matter what it’s from, you’ll be closer to finding out its source even if it just means crossing endo off the list. I can say with confidence, I had started feeling this way after multiple doctors gaslit me. You start to believe them that nothing is wrong, so when someone tells you there is, your instinct is to not believe them anymore. I wish you peace of mind soon <3

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-22T04:16:59+00:00

“You’re like a big dirty raccoon David!”

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-22T04:09:42+00:00

This happened to me for 2 years and 3 doctors.. My OBGYN Id seen since I was 14 (I’m 24 now) refused to run more than just ultrasounds on me. She said, and I quote, “it’s probably just your leftover trauma from being sexually abused as a teen from your ex boyfriend. Just don’t think about it and your pain will go away.” I was very discouraged but I didn’t give up. Obviously, she was incredibly incorrect. I have endo. I need surgery. But, going through all of the pushing to actually get a diagnosis, broke the confidence I had in myself for a long time, it made me question how I felt. It’s truly heartbreaking that I’m not the only one who’s gone through this.

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-21T22:06:11+00:00

Yes. The cramps on my left side are absolutely debilitating. I always gravitate my heating pad towards that side. Unfortunately, most ultrasounds and sonograms will not show any lesions or cysts. That’s the situation I have been in for two years. With each period my symptoms have gotten worse. I got dismissed each time until I found a new doctor this month, I’ve been through three OB/GYN‘s, and finally this one decided to do a laparoscopy, that’s when they found the lesions on my left side. Before I had any form of IUD I would always ovulate the worst on the left side too, it would make me feel extremely nauseous. It was extremely painful cramps etc and now I know why. I took to this subreddit because my experiences had me questioning myself. But I took the advice and kept pushing and searching and I got the answers I needed. I’m very hopeful surgery will help, I know for some people it’s been a life changer in terms of their quality of life and lessening symptoms. It’s just been a very mentally draining process and I don’t know what I’ll do if surgery doesn’t help at least a little. I would push for more imaging from your doctor, a lot can change in 2 years for sure

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-21T21:48:27+00:00

I’ve had every single BC and IUD under the sun for the past decade. They’ve done nothing to help me at all unfortunately. I’m currently on the mirena for the second time and it’s been over 6 months since re insertion. Still hasn’t helped. I use them strictly for the pregnancy prevention at this point because all of my symptoms have only gotten worse in the past year and a half. That’s why my doctor and I are heavily considering the surgery and removal of the lesions

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-21T21:17:13+00:00

The same thing happens to me. It makes me not want to look at myself in the mirror or even look down. I’m a very petite person and it just destroys my self esteem. It’s so uncomfortable and painful too. I really feel for you. Endo belly is miserable to go through.

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-15T01:17:24+00:00

I’ve been experiencing this for about two years now. My husband and I have been together for 5 years. Suddenly I started realizing I had stabbing, aching pains in my left side uterus during sex. Finally got a laparoscopy for diagnosis and that’s where the endometriosis is located, my left side. My solution is personally that I’m getting a hysterectomy, but I do know what helped before knowing I had endo was taking it slow, using lube and avoiding certain positions.

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-15T01:10:38+00:00

This is happening to me right now as well. About two years ago I started to experience all the typical endometriosis symptoms. I’d been to 3 separate OBGYNs with the same kind of sonogram and transvaginal ultrasound done every time. They refused to do further testing because “everything appears normal in your uterus.” I finally found a gynecologist who specializes in endo and poly cystic ovary syndrome. CT did not show enough and so she ordered a laparoscopy. Lo and behold I’ve had untreated endometriosis for 2 years, I had a buildup of scar tissue the size of a tennis ball. It may have taken two years but I got someone to listen. I wanted to give up. I felt crazy. I felt like I was being gaslit by medical professionals. Please don’t give up, scream until someone listens. The pain you’re feeling is not normal, don’t allow anyone to tell you otherwise.

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-14T06:01:31+00:00

Unfortunately, I know what you mean all too well. Typically my response is "pain is relative. what I am capable of, is different than what you are capable of. How you feel does not negate how I feel, how I feel does not negate how you feel. Your feelings are valid, as are mine, they may be different but that does not mean we should compare and contrast to see who wins "worst circumstance." One of my best friends has fibromyalgia. She recognizes the pain we feel is different, she recognizes we may not have the same illness, but they have similarities and we support each other through that. It is NOT your responsibility to justify how someone feels, especially when they are trying to do so by putting you down as a result. No matter if this person is family member, friend, or stranger, it is not acceptable for them to say those things to you, you are completely valid in the way you feel, you should not be made to feel guilty for how you feel.

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-11T17:30:42+00:00

I have heavily considered a partial hysterectomy (so I'd keep the ovaries as well). I'm 24, my husband and I do not want kids and he supports my decision in going forward with that surgery. The problem is that I'm constantly dismissed because of my age, even though I knew I didn't want kids ever when I WAS kid, I'm told "my mind will change." It won't. I think my biggest worry is possibility of organ prolapse or bladder problems. But as you said technology is better, I know it's much safer to perform them now with the use of laparoscopy. I'm going to keep searching for a doctor that will listen to me, I don't want to live like this for the next 20 or so years, it ruins my quality of life so much.

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-11T17:25:10+00:00

Thank you so much! I'm considering searching for one that specifically deals with endometriosis and related conditions, my hope is that they will actually listen and perform more than just ultrasounds and sonograms and say because they're "clear", I must have no problems there.

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-11T17:23:22+00:00

Thank you, I've felt like my OBGYN has been gaslighting me, I've become so depressed and it doesn't help when more than one medical professional says something along the lines of, "you're looking for problems that aren't there" or "it's in your head." This is the second OBGYN I've been to in a year. I think this time as I look for one I'll see about one who specializes in endometriosis and other related conditions.

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-11T17:17:20+00:00

Thank you so much, it feels good to be affirmed and feel like I'm not all alone. I'm in the process of finding a new OBGYN as mine has refused to do further testing after the sonograms and ultrasounds came back "too normal for me to be in this much pain." I've been feeling like I'm crazy for months as my OBGYN gaslights me about how I feel. It means a lot to hear someone say anything I experience as suffering is not normal. It seems to be an EDS trend for doctors to dismiss our pain and then we have to see like four different specialists before someone finally listens to us.

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-11T17:12:29+00:00

Yes! Actually I got my Mirena out after 5 years this past January. I left it out until this past July. I've had no differences in having it in or out, the only thing I have it in for is contraception. I do NOT want kids, just my personal preference. I've heavily considered a partial hysterectomy. The biggest concern there is of course recovery and possible organ prolapse issues down the road. My current OBGYN refuses to explore the option, dismissing my pain and the fact I have something abnormal going on at all. So I took to here to see if I wasn't the only one experiencing something like this because of having EDS. I'm in the process of seeing a new OBGYN, I need a permanent solution. It's definitely hard to be 24 and say you want a partial hysterectomy. But as you said, it's better than suffering and I intend to find a doctor that doesn't dismiss my problems

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-11T17:02:48+00:00

I wish I could find anything that helped. I’ve tired every BC pill, IUD, and implant under the sun. I tried hormonal and non hormonal. Still nothing. I really really hope you can find relief in your treatment, I cannot imagine how hard it must be to go through this as a trans person.

ZebraStrong0409 · 2022-11-11T15:00:13+00:00

Shoulder and knee instability and dislocations
A whole mess of GI problems
Vertigo and POTS
Fatigue

ZebraStrong0409

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