QuestionFirst of all I want to thank you for giving your time to people like me. I have masses on my right ovary and colon and free floating fluid all over including around my liver, extreme everyday pain and blood in my urine and bm. I have life stopping pain not just life altering pain, I am now unable to do anything any more I went from working out 3 x a week, yoga everyday, working and doing tons of things with my kids. My son asked me yesterday, "What is a normal day like before you got sick?", that hurt as much as the pain I go through to know that my kids could be hurting. My doctors are just now getting around to checking all this out even though I have told them for years about it and it is only because they have to check out why my masses have been spreading so I am just now getting my first surgery. I want to know if these treatments that they talk about really work, will I ever be out of this extreme neverending pain?
AnswerDear Heidi,
First I'd like to say that i'm very sorry that you are in so much pain, and I truly feel for you as I certainly understand how chronic pain consumes our happiness, and prevents us from living normal active lives.
I'm curious how large the mass is on your right ovary. I had one removed along with the left ovary, and there is no putting it to words how much pain it caused before it was surgically removed. The mass on your "colon" does and will continue to cause tremendous pain and should be removed as soon as possible. If "Endometriosis" is the reason for these masses, and you are urinating blood then I'm almost certain that you have kidney, and or bladder endo causing this. As for your doctors - Apparently they have ignored the seriousness of your symptoms, and therefore I recommend that you find a good "endometriosis specialist" in your area and see him or her as soon as possible because the mass on your colon alone could become a very serious problem in the future, and if left untreated could rupture or set up "peritonitis" and when this happens as I've experienced these complications due to growing masses - the pain is absolutely unbearable, and could be fatal. Also those doctors that are just now getting around to checking you after you told them for years that something wasn't right, and described your symptoms to them, are careless, and most likely not experienced physicians who simply don't understand how to deal with, or diagnose your symptoms.
I recommend that when dealing with the colon, and anything surgically removed that you have this done (only) by a skilled surgeon specializing in colon surgery because anyone else doing the operation other than a specialist could create more damage thus causing worse pain afterwards. "Most gynecologists are not trained to do surgery on the bowels".
You asked if these treatments really work.
Yes they certainly do - if your doctor is knowledgeable in correctly diagnosing, and treating the cause. A gynecologist trained only in traditional surgical techniques and electrocautery is at a disadvantage in treating endo of the bowels because of general skittishness related to surgery near or on organs not part of the reproductive tract and because of the inability to control precisely the depth of tissue destroyed via electrocautery. This inability is particularly important for the bowel, since a cut or burn that goes too deep could cause leakage of bowel contents into the abdomen.
The "ovarian mass is most likely a chocolate cyst". It could be another type cyst but since you're experiencing so much excruciating pain, is most likely due to a chocolate cyst that developed because of endometriosis and depending on the size of the mass should be successfully treated, and will certainly reduce the pain you're experiencing. If the mass is large then the surgeon will most likely remove the ovary as well.
Heidi dear, You are experiencing alot of problems, and need them taken care of as soon as possible by a specialist. I know how hard it is to imagine a pain free day when you're hurting so badly all the time but the good news is...After all these things are treated you will feel like a brand new woman, and you and your kids will soon be doing things together again, happy and PAIN FREE...
Remember-It's very important to have your procedure done by a skilled surgeon when dealing with the colon. One that will listen to you first, and one that will be responding to your symptoms, and concerns ASAP.
I wish you all the best, and promise you that you will be feeling much, much better once these things are treated, and lastly "YES you will be pain free".
If there's anything I can do for you-or you just need a listening ear - I'm here for you.
Sincerely,
Bet Ward
