Hysteroscopy, D&C, Uterine Polyps, Endometriosis ???

OK I am 23 years old. I have been having lower left abdominal pain for about 3 years now. I went to get a pap smear Wed. And told the midwife everything. She insisted I get an ultrasound. So today I did and they found a polyp, and was told I have to have a D&C and hysteroscopy. The regular doctor didn't say much at all about any of what was going on and left me confused and SCARED! Which I can home and have been searching the internet for hours. I have even done the little webMD symptom checker and everything i read about Endometriosis seems to me like what I might have. So my question is.. Is it possible to have both and if anyone has ever had any of these. Also I bleed after sex sometimes. I have fullness in my left side. Its tender to touch, and sometimes it even hurts to wear tighter jeans.... Anyone want to give me ANY advice would be much much appreciated!!!

this may not be directly relevant, but i just had a hysteroscopy, D&C, and cone biopsy.  i have fibroids, not polyps, and although my uterus is huge (14 weeks), i have no pain (the D&C removed one tiny fibroid, but the big one(s) is outside the uterus, so couldn't be removed).

the procedure was a breeze.  i've had general anesthesia before, and have never had an adverse reaction.  i was home under my own steam two hours after going under, slept a little extra that day and the next, and have had no problems since (no benefits, either, except knowing that i don't have cancer....).

my best advice: don't try to self-diagnose.  just find an ObGyn that you trust and go from there.

At 23 years old I would get a second opinion. You may not need a Hysterectomy at all. If they are fibroids, they can be treated with medication.

hysteroscopy, not hysterectomy.  it's just a scope.

Well there was a uterine polyp found. I guess from what read they'll remove it with the hysteroscopy. I have searched and nothing I read has pain associated with the polyp. That's why I guess I'm so concerned is the pain I am having

Find an OB/Gyn and get a 2nd opinion, and also do not settle on a doctor until you find one who you trust, and who explains things to you and doesn't leave you feeling confused and scared.  It shouldn't be that way.  You are a human being and it's your body and your health.  You shouldn't be treated as "uterus number 154678A" or some such thing.

Also, write down everything you just said in your post regarding your symptoms, and also write down any and every question you have, and take it with you to the appointment.  If the doctor acts like they are too busy or can't be bothered to answer your questions and read your list, then find another doctor.

Sorry to sound so angry, but doctors with attitudes like the one you describe are a huge pet peeve of mine.  Good luck, and I hope that you're feeling better very soon. :)

do you have an ObGyn? 

because you really don't want to look here for a diagnosis.  i will tell you that fibroids are usually accompanied by pain (i guess i'm a freak), and that they're totally benign.  i also have a very good friend who was diagnosed with endometriosis and was told that she would probably have difficulty conceiving a child.  she was pregnant within a year and now has two perfect little girls.

don't panic.

Hi there ~

I had the same thing happen to me about 6 months ago.  I was scared and in a lot of pain.  My doctor scheduled me for an ultrasound as soon as I went in to see him, and after a slightly painful abdominal/vaginal ultrasound procedure, they determined that I had an ovarian cyst.  I didn't know what that meant at the time, but it ended up being very minor and went away on it's own. 

Talk to your ob/gyn because you can't always believe what you find on the internet.  Too many times people diagnose themselves with illnesses just by looking at the symptoms and jump to conclusions.  Get a second opinion, and have them explain, very carefully, what it is that you are going through.  You pay insurance for a reason...and their job is to inform you about your illness or anything going on with your body and what they are doing to help you.  Do not walk out without a clear explination.

 Don't worry about it until you get a clear answer.  Thinking of you!

I had a D&C before for the line of the uterus. And a a hysteroscopy and laparoscopy before (or however u spell it) but because I had amenohrrea, absence of my peroid, it could really be anything.What was supposed to be a one day stay in the hospital ended up to be a 3day because my doctor accidentally poked a hole in my uterus and had to repair it. Iuno long story. Good luck sweetie these surgeries r scary.

You need to find a doctor that talks to you, spends time with you and answers your questions.  This doctor should be available to talk on the phone if you have additional question without going in.  Sometimes, simple questions the nurse can answer with her training. 

If you give the person at the other end of the phone enough detail then you will be directed to the right person, I.E. Doctor or nurse.

GET ADVICE  FROM A DOCTOR NOT A WEBSITE OR ANY WEBSITE MEMBERS.  You might just get the pants scared off of you for no reason. by reading too much into things.

Wish you the best of luck, take care and God Bless You.

 

Thank you all! All I'm hoping is that I can have more children. Life is a beautiful thing.. and I'm blessed with one daughter already.  I can't imagine life without another one :) Thanks everyone :)

Hi Mandy,

 To answer your question, yes it is possible to have both but I don't think they are related to each other.  I have not had a D&C but I know it is a way to clear debris such as polyps. I was scheduled to have a hysteroscopy but the tiny polyp I had resolved itself. From what my doctor explained to me it is a tiny little camera used and then they will remove the plyp at the same time. It is outpatient surgery but is easily recovered from, almost like a biopsy. A polyp in itself is nothing to be concerned about unless it is growing rapidly, but should probably be removed, especially if you are concerned about your fertility! It is not something that would leave you unable to have children, it just needs to be treated before becoming pregnant again. Actually, a polyp will most likely prevent pregnancy since it irritates your uterus enough so that an embryo won't want to implant there, kind of like how an IUD works.  Endometriosis can also be concerning, but there are so many treatment options these days. Are you on birth control pills right now? Being on the pill is what Dr.'s usually do to treat endometriosis since it regulates your hormones for you. It won't cure it, but it will help keep the tissue from becoming overgrown.

 I know getting information like you have can be scary, ESPECIALLY when you look around online!

Honestly, I have been in the care of a Reproductive Specialist for the past few months and have had tons of tests & procedures done. I have heard lots of stores like yours, and your midwife sounds like she is doing exactly what she should. If the regular Dr. is making you uncomfortable with the lack of information, by all means look around for another one. I think in this area of medicine they tend to act underwhelmed because they think we (as women!!) will all freak out once given information.

I hope your polyp is easily removed and that if you do have endo (and soooo many women do, and never even realize what they are experiencing is abnormal!) I hope it is mild and very treatable. Good luck!! 

Hi Mandylw,

 

I had that procedure on December 23rd (yes before Christmas). I had irregular cycles for nearly 8 months and knew something was wrong (most women know).  Finally, after 3 months of painful periods, and cycle lengths of 20 days or less between periods, and excessive bleeding between periods, 2 days before Thanksgiving, my doc did an ultrasound and found an ovarian cyst, 2 polyps, and 1 fibroid. Just WON-DER-FUL I thought.  My doctor told me that a hysterscopy was the best treatment to remove these abnormalities. I felt the same as you upon my diagnosis, scared, confused, and full of questions. I cried for hours, because I couldn't get the answers I needed.  So I spent the next month on the internet, just like you, searching for answers, and found nothing that could offer comfort only raise more anxiety and questions. 

Don't search for a diagnosis on the internet. PUSH YOUR DOCTOR FOR ANSWERS, let them know your concerns. No other information will be as useful as the information from a professional. We are not doctors, and cannot give you anything BUT support and stories about our dealings with similair situations. But write down questions or concerns you may have, there are NO stupid questions when it comes to your well-being and setting you mind at ease.

I did just that, and walked out of my appointment feeling so much better after that. I also felt more prepared and at ease. While the information on the internet and community chats are good especially talking to those in similar situations for comfort and to know you are not alone, no better advice will come from anyone but your doc.  But if your doc is not receptive or understanding of your unsettling concerns, find one who is.  

It's normal to feel aprehensive about the posibility of a surgical procedure, no one I know likes surgery. I too was scared. When it was time for my surgery, my husband told me I was done with my surgical procedure in less than an hour.  Other than cramping for about a day after the procedure, I felt great. (good enough to do last minute Christmas shopping) The incision sites are hardly visible now. (one below the bikini line, and one through the naval). By March, there will probably not be any traces of my surgery. I just had my follow-up appointment on the 7th, my doc assured me I healed wonderfully.  She performed a hysterscopy to remove the polyps and fibroids, the cyst cleared itself up. She also performed a D&C just to make sure there was no other tissue left behind. She told me my uterus looked great, my tubes were open, and ovaries were in tact. All the things a hopeful mom for the second time wants to hear.  The procedure is not as invasive as other procedures, and is usually performed in an outpatient capacity. My surgery was at 8:30 am, and I was home by 1:00 pm. My fertility is in tact, my mind at ease, and my body is on the way back to normalcy.  Listen to your doc, and follow all of his/her orders.  I wish you all the luck and the world. I claim for you a successful surgery if it's necessary, and many blessings and an abundance of prayers for a good health.

Nichelle

Hi Mandylw,

I don't have polyps, but I have severe endometriosis, polycystic ovaries and a benign cyst on my right fallopian tube near the ovary. for 2 weeks of every month I get sick (the week before and the week of my period). for those 2 weeks I throw up everyday, most often multiple times a day, I faint, the pain is so unbearable I can't walk, no pain killers help, their not strong enough, and I have bowel issues and the codeine blocks me up. I have had a laparoscope and hysteroscope, and having the myrina implant put in, lasts for 5 years with a 99% success rate! No pain for 5 years!!! a year ago, the op is very easy, they've done these 1000's of times its a very safe procedure. I was back at work 2 days later because the general knocks you round for a while. I was given a pamphlet that explains exatly what they do. but I went onto the Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynocologists website and looked on the internet to fully research this. I don't feel any pain anymore!! best decision I made! Also another thing that has a big impact is diet and exercise, exercise everyday, no processed sugar, increased protein and spirulina tablets everyday made a huge difference. hope this helps

I wanted to thank everyone who posted about their experiences.  I read a lot of your stories before I had my hysteroscopy with d&c.  i am 22 years old and i have had very painful, long, heavy periods with large clots since i was 14.  I went on birth control and it helpeda little but not enough. in high school i would have to run out of class because the flow would fill a tampon and pad very quickly. (sorry thats gross) I went to an obgyn for a pap every year and the only explanation they ever offered was my weight. i know my body & i knew it was not the weight causing these issues. in 2008 i moved to texas. in early 2009, my new obgyn actually listened to me & decided to do an ultrasound.  almost immediately he found a large polyp on my uterus.  this scared me, mainly because i didnt (and still dont) know what it is or what causes it. he wanted to operate that week! i had to wait & save some money to pay my copay but I did have the surgery on june 25th, 2009 (R.I.P. MJ) i was very nervous. they checked my vitals, got me in a gown and took me down to surgery.  i was crying cuz i was so nervous but the nurses were great they reassured me and explained how simple the procedure is.  The nurse then told me she was going to give me the shot to put me out. she administered it in my Iv and told me i would feel like i had just had a cocktail.  they wheeled me into the surgery room which was FREEZING. the last thing i remember was moving from the gurney to the bed then i woke up in recovery.  I didnt have any pain when i woke up but i was very groggy and very cold.  I stayed in recovery for about half an hour then i was wheeled back to my room. i did not have to stay overnight because i didnt have bleeding, just spotting. i stayed in the room for a few hours and did start to experience pain in my uterus. it wasnt even as bad as some of the cramps i have had before. they gave me some pain meds which i took over the next few days and i just rested.  I have recovered unbelievably well. my surgery was over 6 weeks ago and i have had occasional spotting but no flow. (probably because I am on the birth control shot) my advice to anyone out there would be to get a doctor who listens, tell them EVERYthing and ask questions. lastly, obey every instruction your doc gives you..it sucked having to wait 4 weeks to swim or have sex but i am so happy to be healthy and feel "normal"