Re: advice needed: endometrioma-laparascopy-partial removal of both ovaries
From: Suzanne (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed Apr 4 17:26:34 2001
Sorry to hear you are getting worse. It sounds like you definitely
should get a laparoscopy to remove the existing endometriomas and
determine what else is going on, but you might want to wait until you
have time to get a second opinion about removal of parts of the ovary.
This surprises me a little, though of course doctors know better than I
would. I had a laparoscopy abot a year ago to remove two large
endometriomas from inside of each ovary. It took a long time to heal,
but we left the ovaries in, even though the endometriomas had made them
seriously enlarged and may have caused some damage. Afterwards I
started taking BCPs to suppress ovarian function and try to ward of
further cysts. By now, the ovaries mostly look normal on an ultrasound,
though one is slightly bigger.
My doctor never suggested taking out part of the ovary at this stage,
but instead preserved most of the ovaries. He did say that many
conventional treatments like Lupron will not shrink existing
endometriomas, but they can be effective in preventing re-growth. Of
course, Lupron is just a short term option (and I was not willing to do
it).
I didn't get my lap until I saw 3 doctors who all recommended the same
thing. You might want a second opinion as well. I know it's hard to
get in the door, and make all those appointments, but then you'll have
more confidence in what your doctor recommends.
At Wed, 4 Apr 2001, Deirdre wrote:
>
>Hello
>
>Out of curiosity, I’ve been following few forums for quite some time.
>Unfortunately I am following them now out of the need. I would
>appreciate any advice you could give (both medical advice and first-hand
>experience).
>
>Here is my story.
>I am 27 yrs old and had irregular periods since I got my first period,
>was diagnosed with PCO and all the doctors I was seeing suggested we
>should wait until I decide to become pregnant. Last couple of months
>the condition became worse, I missed my period for 65 days. My family
>doctor sent me to ultrasound and made the appointment with a really good
>OB-GYN. The first ultrasound reported abnormally large ovaries (left
>63mm. Right 56mm), both with multiple blood filled cysts. The
>radiologist suspected bilateral endometrioma. The radiologist asked for
>a follow-up exam after 4-6 weeks. I got my period in the meantime, went
>to another ultrasound in 5 weeks and the report was exactly the same (no
>changes whatsoever).
>
>I went to see the OB-GYN yesterday and he wants to do a laparascopy in a
>month, to see whether the radiologist was right, and nevertheless remove
>1/3-1/2 of each ovary. I am fine with the idea of laparascopy, although
>I am scared, but the idea of removing a part of each ovary scares me.
>OB-GYN’s explanation is that the ovaries are too big and none of the
>medications in the future (either for the subsequent treatment of
>endometryosis or as a treatment for achieving pregnancy, which I want
>very badly) would be efficient on such a big ovary, and that their size
>(as it is now) is too big. The ultrasound showed nothing about the
>tubes and he wants to see what is their status. However, he did not
>mention anything about removing the tubes or entire ovary(ies).
>
>What I really want to Know is what happens with the ovaries once their
>part is removed. Do they recover and somehow resume their regular
>function? And what are the general impacts of this procedure.
>
>I am really scared. Thanks a lot for all advice.
>
>--
>Deirdre
>
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