Hi everyone, first time poster and feeling very anxious (not about posting!) but about the symptoms I’m having.
I’m 47, live in the UK and have been told I have suspected endo. My symptoms so far: end of 2024 I had an evening or so’s throbbing, aching pain on my left side by my hip. A day later I got a period (a week after my last one but am in Peri-menopause so that wasn’t so odd). 6 months later, had the same but it lasted a whole weekend and was quite full on. I had my routine smear test just after which was clear but talked to the nurse about it, she recommended a doctor appointment. Had a FIT, calprotectin (sp?) test and a coeliac test (all clear). Was referred for a pelvic scan which showed I have a fibroid on the left side and was referred on to a gynaecologist. He rushed through some forms, did a womb biopsy (all clear) and booked me in for a laparoscopy and said he thinks I have endo (well, he said he couldn’t think what else it could be and the fibroid wouldn’t be causing me pain).
Since then I’ve had some mild throbbing aches on the left where I presume the fibroid is, and get periodic aches round the left hand side of my belly button, and then on my left side round my ribs. I do have issues with bloating but my doctor thinks it’s to do with some medication I’m on for something else.
I’ve had a history of irregular periods, but definitely not regularly painful ones, recurrent thrush that literally no one seems to care about or help me with and it always is just before my period, and then goes once my period arrives. I have anxiety and have had for years but am worried my symptoms are more stomach based than lower down and I’ve not had anywhere near enough pain to feel it might be endo.
I feel very confused and somewhat fraudulently here when I very sadly read about all the horrific pain so many of you are facing. Am terrified of surgery and also of being off of HRT for a month ahead of it - my anxiety without HRT is horrendous. I’ve spoken with two specialist nurses about it and they’ve both advised a laparoscopy at this point seems extreme as I don’t have enough symptoms to warrant it but then I’m worried to leave it in case there’s anything else going on. (I work in cancer support so I think every ache and pain is cancer anyway!)
Generally feeling a bit lost and wondered if my experience and or symptoms sound similar to anyone else who actually does have endo?
Thanks so much for reading x