laporoscopy to find source of pain

I know it's hard to wait when you're in pain but... . I just had a lap last Jan. and I'm regretting it to some degree. I'm not saying don't have it just do research beforehand and take the time to think it through first. I didn't and now I have more questions than before the lap--the Dr. went in to look for endometriosis because of right side pain, took a lesion off my left ovary but didn't biopsy it, told me he didn't know if it was endo or not and then turned around and told me it was all in my head. Needless to say, he is no longer my GYN! There are a lot of great websites out there where you can look up information on your symptoms. Get yourself educated and take articles with you that SHOW the doctors what you suspect and why. If you seem to have real information they are more likely to listen. Some good sites are and (I'm not sure of the address but it will come up if you do a general search for it) Medline Plus. You might also try a Family Practice physician rather than a specialist--they seem to sometimes be better at finding things because they've been trained in a wider variety of areas and aren't "stuck" in thier own specialty--they can refer you to a specialist if need be. The "clots" you talk about definately don't seem normal--if all else fails, take samples of the "clots" with you next time. It might be gross but it would certainly get the Dr.'s attention and SHOW them what's happening. It is probably something simple in someone your age but I would look up as much info as you can but not wait too long to see another Dr.. There are also places where you can look up info on endo like the sites I've already mentioned and they both give places you can go for further info. if you do specific subject searches. From everything I've read it is different for everyone. You can have anything from no symptoms and no pain to extreme pain and a multitude of symptoms and everything in between. The pain also has no bearing on how extensive the endo is--extreme endo can cause no symptoms and mild endo can be very painful--or vise-versa. I hope some of this helps you with the problems you're having--wish I could help more. Best wishes and I hope you find a Dr. who will listen soon.

I truely wish I could help you more but I'm really not sure I can. What you are going through (at least in terms of the clots) is something I haven't dealt with before. Right now, as I said in my other post, I'm kind of in the same boat in being brushed off by my GYN and working on finding someone to help me find what's wrong. It's good that you are doing research. One thing I do suggest is that you find a doctor you feel reasonably comfortable with and tell them about the clots and also keep a symptom list. Both could make the difference in finding a diagnosis and give the doc the one piece of the puzzle that's missing--and NEVER give up. Sometimes you have to push when they tell you you're too young to have something or that you don't have it because one symptom is missing. One place you can go for another forum is then click on "forums and support" and then on "Womens Health". I've seen lots of postings on unusual bleeding and "clots" and they may have some answers for you. You can do a search of the archives for past questions as well as post new messages, there are Dr.'s who will (sometimes) answer your questions, and there are several women that have responded to my inquiries and had good suggestions--both on the questions and on where to find more info.. One site that was recently suggested to me was though I haven't had the chance to check it out myself--maybe you've already checked it?! As for the CT scan I don't know enough about it to say if it would show fibroids or not--sorry. Again, this is a good subject to bring up on the obgyn site--I've seen postings on all the problems you mentioned except maybe IBS. The only way to tell, at least right now, if you have endo or not is with a lap--they are working on new, less invasive tests, but who knows how long it will take for them to become available. You're the only one, I'm afraid, who can decide if that route is right for you--just be sure you ask lots of questions (and get answers!) as to how much they know about endo and find the most experienced and knowledgable person you can BEFORE you agree to surgery--if that's what you decide to do. Another site I've found that has info on how to talk to your doctor, questions you can ask, as well as info on keeping track of your symptoms is . It's geared toward finding out about endo but many of the questions and info on symptom diaries could be useful for other problems too--with a little tweeking. Well, I've rambled on long enough. I hope I've been at least some help and that the websites give you some answers--wish I knew more. Take care and, like I said, don't give up. It may take a while but you WILL find what you need. Let me know how things go and best wishes on your jouney!