Suspected endo, which tests before laparoscopy?

SanBL

Hi,

I would appreciate your opinion!

We've been ttc for a year so we decided to go see an ob/gyn. The appointment wasn't what I expected. In 5 min of discussion she seems to have diagnose me; endometriosis! It makes sense because I'm still young (28), healthy and I have regular cycle and painful period. She ordered a SA for my husband and an HSG for me, both results were fine. So now she wants me to have a laparoscopy. I asked her if I could have a blood test first, but she said no because she is pretty sure I have endo. 

It just feel fast to go directly through a surgery. I wonder what tests did you get before going through a laparoscopy for suspected endo.

Thanks for your help!

KidShrink

***BFP mentionned***
Hi! If there's enough suspicion for endo and your doctor is suggesting to go for a laparoscopy, I'd jump on it. I was diagnosed with stage 4 endo after 2 years TTC and about 20 months hoping for someone to check. Many doctors brushed me aside as I didn't have heavy period (little did they know another problem was causing that). That gave my endo plenty of time to spread pretty much everywhere from my bowels, bladder, all the way up to my liver and diaphragm. My RE suggested that we try a few medicated cycles first, and then do a hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. Ultimately, that only delayed us, and I ended up in OR for 2.5hrs. We did Femara, Follistim and IUI the month after the lap, and finally got our BFP. I would likely have never been able to get pregnant without the lap, and an MRI ordered after the surgery because of some lesions in the wall of my bladder showed I still had some, and had an endometrioma in my left ovary. Hopefully this pregnancy will calm things down, but there is a high risk of my left ovary eventually collapsing because of the endo. Ultimately, even despite all the work they did, it really wasn't that bad (I took a week off from work and was perfectly fine to go back). Best of luck to you!

turtle148

Just for extra information.... I had it completed and they found fibroids after suspecting endo. Thankfully my prior provider knew my wishes with ttc. I woke up and found out that once he saw them he got out of dodge. He knew he wouldn't be able to control the bleeding of a very large pedunculated fibroid if he attempted to remove it and could place me at risk for a hysterectomy. That's how I found my current provider because he's the leading specialist in robotic surgery in our area. While it may be scary it can actually help getting a look inside. I would have had more problems if they didn't find them. Plus it helped having a provider who knew not to do something that may risk my ttc dream. Others who's diagnosis is the same as yours may be able to provide better insight on any additional steps.

riveridgional

Honestly, I'm a little jealous of the fast paced decision, though I completely understand how overwhelming it may be. I've suspected I have endometriosis for years, but I've still never been referred for a a lap. Part of me is wondering if I'm just wasting money on these injects without a laparoscopy. I say go for it. If they don't find anything, at least you'll have a clear mind going forward. If they find endo, it can save you a lot of heartache of failed cycles prior to a laparoscopy and a lot of pain with your cycles. Good luck to you!

SanBL

Thanks all for your reply! I guess I'm just stress of doing it!

KidShrink

That's absolutely normal...it is a surgery after all! But the sooner you have answers, the sooner you'll be holding your baby. Let us know how it goes!