QuestionQUESTION: Hello, I had a lap done Nov 5th, Endo was found and removed. A few weeks after that i started to get all my old symptoms back. Stabbing pain lower RHS of abdomen (funnily enough Gyn found I was missing my ovary & tube that side), sometimes twisting feeling in mid stomach - like pre period feeling and bloating, also sometimes pain LHS and back ache. Also spotting a week before my period. Went back to Gyn and he say its TOO soon for Endo to come back, he won't do another lap and its just a trapped nerve (ACNES) - referring me to Chronic pain clinic. I then saw my GI as she is more interested in all this than the Gyn!, and she says it sounds like Endo and not a trapped nerve as she's dealt with trapped nerve cases before. Gyn put me on Gabapentin 300mg x 3 a day - just 1 tablet wipes me out and its hard to work on this and the pain is still there. I am due to go back to Gyn in Jan - why won't he believe me as i think my Endo is definitely back?. Also asked for a 2nd opinion but may take 3 + mths and as far as i am concerned it more time waiting when this Gyn could help me if he chose to?. Any advice would be great and how should I handle my next meeting with my Gyn, should I confront him and back myself up with my GI's feelings too?. I mean he should be there to treat me not make my life miserable and as painful as possible!.
ANSWER: Hi Lianne
Well it might be too soon to tell what your endo is going to do at this point. And I am not a doctor, but I have talked with more women (including myself) that have have surgeries to remove endo tissue...and still have the symptoms. Which tells me that endo is still present!!! It is so very hard to escape the wrath of endo.
I am a perfect example, after many miserable years of pain, bloating, cramping, vomiting...not to mention several surgeries...I still have endo. But the endo at this point is tolerable and I still remain on treatment. Endo is sneaky and can invade any part of your body. And most recently, I read where severe cases have been found in the lungs.
I believe that women with endo know their bodies better than a doctor...I would consider looking for another gyno, one that specializes in endo. Usually they come under the title of "High risk/fertility". These doctors are very up on all endo news and treatment.
Also, contact online, Endo Research Center, they are very helpful with questions and can even refer you to a doctor in your area.
I sure hope you start feeling better. The day to day events that endo brings are exhausting.
Merry Christmas!
Martha
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Martha,
Hi thanks for your prompt response. My gyn is 'supposed' to be an Endo expert, that appears to be the problem!. I am trying to do my own research on trapped nerve pain so i can go to my next appointment armed with some info. But like i said I've looked at the trapped nerve symptoms and also Endo and i have all the classic Endo symptoms and only 1 or 2 of the trapped nerve pain. Mid cycle bleeding is not a trapped nerve pain symptom for instance. Should i confront my Gyn and ask him why he's so adament that its a trapped nerve?. Also could Endo come back pretty quick after surgery?.
Thanks so much
Lianne
AnswerHi again Lianne,
I would definitely ask your doctor about why he is so convinced its a trapped nerve situation. From my understanding, trapped nerve symptoms mimic arthritic type symptoms...have you had a CT scan or MRI for the trapped nerve? Thats supposed to be one of the best ways to diagnose.
The fact that you spot bleed is so indicative of endo. Its not that endo has come back so soon after removal, it may be that it still exists. Endo is so tough to combat and get rid of. It thrives in many parts of your body, undetectable by alot of tests.
I'd demand more from my doctor and also, why he is not considering endo.
Let me know what you find out. I'd love to know. I hope you feel well thru the holidays!
Martha
