PCOS/Endo

This is diary of an endometriosist, but the url is Sian's PCOS... This is because I definitely have PCOS and probably have endo. 3rd time lucky... I also have general massive ovarian cysts. Fun times.

I have decided to start a blog because I'm hoping in a year or two I'll be able to look back at this time and smile because it wont have had the negative impact on my life that I'm expecting it to. I'd also like to help anyone also going through this.

So, it really all began a few years ago when I became aware of PCOS and realised that I had many of the symptoms - adult acne (and general acne - when puberty hit, so did my pizza face), dodgy periods, other things i can't think of right now. Anyway, I got tested and have high levels of testosterone (great!!). They were going to do a scan but a mixture of moving house and being lazy meant I didn't go to the appointment. At the time it didn't seem that important. Besides - there's no cure right so what will knowing do?

ANyway, Last year my (now husband) proposed and so the question of THE FUTURE and BABIES came up so I thought I'd go back to the doctors and try and get another scan. I did - the result was read as 2 large cysts on the right ovary and nothing on the left. They said it was unusual as I'm on the pill and so the cysts shouldn't have been able to form but to keep an eye on it and go back if there were any problems.

That was December 2010. In April 2011, a week before my 28th birthday and 8 weeks before my wedding, my period was a week late. Then it arrived all in one go (like literally, all in one go - loads then nothing). Naturally I was terrified and Tim (my husband) rushed me to A&E. They did a few tests, said it was unlikely I was miscarrying and anyway it would "only" be a late period and NOTHING ELSE (like that's reassuring - I know what it was and calling it something else doesn't make it easier) but couldn;t explain the pain I was describing.

They said to come back if it got worse. 2 days later it did so back we went.

After 3 days in a surgical ward (not sure why surgical but never mind), I had another scan and was told that, actually, I had 1 massive cyst on the right and one massive cyst on the left. I was sent home with lots of diclofenic, buscopan and various other pointless drugs and a terrible pain in my abdomen (so I thought) and in my pelvis.

Pain didn't go away so 1 week later was back on the surgical ward (again, why??) awaiting another scan. At first they told me I'd be in all weekend (was admitted on friday night) as the pain "wasn't too bad" but a combination of the pain being EXCEPTIONALLY bad and the fact that Doctor Who was starting that night made me get very angry and I had my scan 20 minutes later. This time, Apparently I have polycysts on the left and 2 cysts on the right. The previous scan had obviously been done by a moron as it turned out the "massive" cysts were actually my ovaries.

The consultant (Mr Lee, gorgeous and not what you want in a gynae!) said that the cysts didn't explain the pain and suggested it might be endometreosis. I didn't even know what this was.

When I got home I did some research and was amazed that no one had diagnosed this previously - symptoms include severe tiredness (I'm generally ready to be in bed by 7pm and always have afternoon naps at the weekend), depression - I've been on anti-depressants for the last 18 months, bowel issues - I'm plagued with upset stomaches etc. Thsi is as well as the obvious things, the pain, dodgy periods etc.

Anyway, I now have a date for a Laparoscopy - 26th September. I was given exactly 2 weeks notice for this which is unusual but I'm glad I don't have to wait months as I was expecting.

Only problem is, it's my sisters birthday but she's a gem and very understanding.

My main fears about all this are that I wont be able to have children. Main fear rather, Having children is the most important thing to me (apart from Tim!!) and if I couldn't have them, I honestly don't know what I'd do.

So I have two weeks to give up smoking and prepare for the procedure.

Anyone have any tips, would be glad to hear them.

More later...