Gynecological History: Understanding Long-Term Issues & Surgeries

Question
I have a long history of Gynecological probs. Started when I was about 13yo. I have had 5 surgeries. 1993 was first cystectomy of right ovary pathology showed 6cm follicular cyst. 1997 D & C b/c I was bleeding heavily with extremely large clots for 1-2 months, resulting in 5 units of blood transfused. December 25th 2002(yes x-mas eve)I had an appendendectomy the surgeon said that I had a cyst that ruptured during surgery w/out complications. March of 2003 the 6th I had exploratory laparosopic surgery to remove large ovarian cyst one just less than 9cm the other 11.5cm. They did not remove anything because he had to go back for a laparotomy. This I had done on march 26th were I had my right ovary and tube removed and 2/3 of my left ovary removed. My pathology shows the Right has a mucinous cystadenoma and the left showed an endometriotic cyst. My Gyn says that I do not have endometriosis. My pathology specifically says that The endometriotic cyst had "Endomtrial glands and Stroma and had hemosiderin macrophages". I have read that you need to have only 2 of the three to have diagnosis of endo. I have all three of them. My question is: Do I have endo? Ever since I had this surgery in the past 3 months my cycle has gotten more painful and the numbness that I feel from my incision and down the crease of my leg gets worse. I have always had painful debilitating periods, but I have extremely bad headached now and back pain. I am currently a student in ultrasound and I had an ultrasound this week(during menstruation)and I present with another complex/cyst that seems to be a hemmorraghic cyst that is measuring 4.5 cm. Enlarged if I had a normal ovary but all I have is 1/3 of an ovary. I have no children. Any comments?  

Answer
Dear Nicole,   I am sorry to hear about all your problems and at such a young age and with so many surgeries...  I know you stated you have no children and at this point with what you have stated above, your chances of having children of your own, may not be possible...

It is my opinion that based on my knowledge of endometriosis, you DO have endo....  The cyst you had on your appedix could have very well been an endometriotic cyst.  This would indicate along with everything else you said here that this is definately endometriosis since the spread is OUTSIDE the uterus... Laparotomy that the doctor did would indicate to me that the doctor is THINKING endometriosis, because this procedure is reserved for patients with advanced disease....

Here are a couple of web sites you may want to look at.. I found them when my daughter had laproscopic surgery to remove endo tissue 2 years ago.. Here doctor took pictures of the tissue and gave them to her..

www.gfmer.ch/Selected_images/Endometriosis_images/endometriosis__laparoscopy.htm

http://my686.virtualave.net/health/endometriosis.html

www.emedicine.com/ped/topic677.htm

I hope this helps.

Karen