Re: advise on a second Laparoscopy
From: anonymous@obgyn.net
Fri Dec 1 11:37:02 2006
Hi Tara:
Tara, did you ask his office of a specialist they would recommend since
Reich is not available? Call them back and ask them (he used to have
this really great nurse named Lindsey -- if she is still there, that is
who I'd want to talk to) -- or, even better,
****email Reich and ask him if he would provide to you the name of a
surgeon or two -- Dr. Reich will not steer you in the wrong direction.
Let him know that you live in New York but are willing to travel if
necessary.****
**I've noticed Dr. Liu does surgery at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in
New York (it says, on the page below, that he has experience with
*infertility issues* as well).
http://www.womenssurgerygroup.com/physicians/CYLiu.asp
At Fri, 1 Dec 2006, Tara wrote:
>
>I just heard back from Dr. Reich's office and apparently he is
>Currently only performing advance Laparoscopic surgery in the Cayman
>Island’s and Europe!!! I will definitely try to find out more info for
>the future though...
>
>At Tue, 28 Nov 2006, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote:
>>
>>Hi Tara:
>>Knock on wood, I've done well all these years. Low back is starting to
>>ache though -- have been dx'd with fibroids and adenomyosis via sonogram
>>-- am guessing that is the cause.
>>
>>At Tue, 28 Nov 2006, Tara wrote:
>>>
>>>Well it's always nice to hear when people speak so highly of a doctor.
>>>Kind of helps you know what you are getting into , opposed to never
>>>hearing anything about a doctor. I cannot wait to hear back from him
>>>now. I don't even mind the drive to PA if he no longer works out of
>>>Manhattan... but that would be a definite plus! :-) How Ironic that you
>>>happen to sign in, read my little blog and know the doctor I was asking
>>>about!!! Life is crazy like that sometimes. So how is your Endo these
>>>days? It sounds like you have it under control.
>>>
>>>At Mon, 27 Nov 2006, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote:
>>>>
>>>>Hi Tara:
>>>>I'm actually surprised that the current group here at the endo forum
>>>>doesn't know of him -- he is the master of endo excision surgery. I
>>>>just happened to pop in to the forum for the first time in several years
>>>>-- every now and then I feel a need to pop in and give back since this
>>>>forum helped me so much (guidance, advice, friendship, support) when I
>>>>was going through my own endo "hell".
>>>>You live in NY! Several years ago he operated in both NY city and
>>>>Scranton, PA -- he may still operate in Manhattan, I don't know.
>>>>Yes and yes. I've met him and used him. He is just such a nice down to
>>>>earth guy (ALL the expertise without the arrogance -- just a super nice
>>>>guy -- I'm not kidding though, he really is the master!). You'll see
>>>>what I mean when you talk to him.
>>>>
>>>>At Mon, 27 Nov 2006, Tara wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>Hey thanks so much for the confirmation, i came accross that page and
>>>>>send him an e-mail earlier today. It's great to hear that someone has
>>>>>heard of him. How is it that you did? I live in NY but PA is definitely
>>>>>a "do-able" trip to getting this taken care of :-)Have you met him? used
>>>>>him???
>>>>>
>>>>>At Mon, 27 Nov 2006, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Dear Tara:
>>>>>>Hi. I've been reading your forum posts and just noticed that you
>>>>>>mentioned you live near PA -- you mentioned Dr. Reich. If endo is your
>>>>>>problem, smile Tara! Tara, Dr. Reich is world renowned -- he truly is
>>>>>>the "BEST" -- read his resume; search his name here on the endo forum;
>>>>>>google his name; read about him at http://www.adlap.com/reich.html (
>>>>>>http://www.adlap.com ) or http://www.womenssurgerygroup.com and to top it off, he is
>>>>>>the nicest guy. You literally could not be in better hands -- he is
>>>>>>"the Master"! Just read about him and you'll see.
>>>>>>He even provides his email address if you want to email him! Read this
>>>>>>page (his email is listed on this page) http://www.adlap.com/reich.html
>>>>>>
>>>>>>At Mon, 27 Nov 2006, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>Tara, definitely something you need to discuss in detail with the
>>>>>>>specialist. If I were you, I would start journalling your symptoms and
>>>>>>>include types of pain/discomfort, where you are in relation to the
>>>>>>>cycle. One of the unfortunate realities of any surgery, be it
>>>>>>>laparoscopy or laparotomy is the formation of adhesions--like in my
>>>>>>>case. This is the body's natural way of healing and for many people
>>>>>>>that don't cause an issue. For others, it can be a real problem. In my
>>>>>>>case, endo was found in some adhesion tissues. Some of what you're
>>>>>>>experiencing could be attributed to adhesions, or it could more
>>>>>>>endometriosis has flared in those areas. This is your health, your
>>>>>>>life. I have felt so fortunate not to suffer as badly as some women
>>>>>>>with this disease. I hope that the courses I have taken are going to
>>>>>>>make it better, or at least not make it any worse. Endo can affect both
>>>>>>>the bladder and the bowel and this is why it's so important to find an
>>>>>>>absolute expert. You need someone who has a great deal of experience in
>>>>>>>diagnosing and excising. Have a look at the CEC website I mentioned
>>>>>>>previously. If I were back in the U.S., I would do whatever it took to
>>>>>>>see either them or Redwine. There are never any guarantees, but you can
>>>>>>>give yourself the best possible shot at managing/defeating this disease.
>>>>>>>Feel free to email me privately if you want to chat. Take care.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>At Mon, 27 Nov 2006, Tara wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>That was another question that I meant to ask... My doctor said that
>>>>>>>>when she did the lap she did not notice anything that seemd out of the
>>>>>>>>ordinary as far as endo to bowels or anything like that "sticking"
>>>>>>>>together. But recently I have been having horrible bladder spasms,,
>>>>>>>>constant feeling for the need to urinate... as well as about 80 % of
>>>>>>>>the month terrible bowel movements. I also feel sometimes as if
>>>>>>>>something is being torn (ovary area) if I move to quickly... like there
>>>>>>>>is a string from each of my ovaries to my belly button and it's being
>>>>>>>>stretched, sometimes a feeling as though it's snapped. Do you know what
>>>>>>>>the possibility is that I could have Endo in/ on my bladder / bowels?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>At Mon, 27 Nov 2006, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>Well, recurrence is always a possibility. Don't know if some was missed
>>>>>>>>>last time or it just came back. At the 2nd lap, 2 weeks ago they
>>>>>>>>>removed an ovarian cyst that had reformed (as big as the one removed a
>>>>>>>>>year ago) as well as anything that looked like possible endo. My left
>>>>>>>>>ovary was adhered to the bowel with a bit of endo (something that
>>>>>>>>>happened post-first lap). They cut away part of the ovary to free the
>>>>>>>>>bowel, but left it attached as the surgeon was concerned the endo
>>>>>>>>>adhering it could have penetrated the bowel. We're crossing fingers
>>>>>>>>>that it just remains there and becomes part of the scar tissue without
>>>>>>>>>causing future problems. The tissue that took out was a mixture of endo
>>>>>>>>>and scar tissue. He thinks he's pretty hot at what he does ;-) so I'm
>>>>>>>>>hoping chance of recurrence is less this time. Only time will tell with
>>>>>>>>>this disease.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>At Mon, 27 Nov 2006, Tara wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Thanks! Actually I was just searching and Dr Redwine's name did come up
>>>>>>>>>>quite a few times, as well as a doctor by the name of Reich, who is
>>>>>>>>>>right near me in PA. I want to do more research but apparently he also
>>>>>>>>>>does Excisions...
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>Im sorry to hear you had a recurrence. Do they know why? What will you
>>>>>>>>>>do now?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>At Mon, 27 Nov 2006, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>Tara, you may want to check out the previous posts regarding the Centre
>>>>>>>>>>>for Endo Care in Atlanta (Dr Albee and Dr Sinervo), as well as those
>>>>>>>>>>>about Dr. Redwine in Bend, Oregon. I'm an American living in Australia
>>>>>>>>>>>and have just gone through my 2nd lap for excision. My first surgeon
>>>>>>>>>>>did the lap to diagnois and excise at the same time. Unfortunately I
>>>>>>>>>>>have had a recurrence (within the year). The new surgeon (only because
>>>>>>>>>>>I moved States) even commented on Dr. Redwine as the foremost expert in
>>>>>>>>>>>the field that boasts (and rightly so) a low recurrence rate within five
>>>>>>>>>>>years. Do a search on his name and you'll see various references to
>>>>>>>>>>>check out. It's unfortunate that you're having problems again, but not
>>>>>>>>>>>surprising since you said your first dr. only removed a small amount.
>>>>>>>>>>>Any amount left in is bound to cause problems again. Sounds like you're
>>>>>>>>>>>on the right track though and definitely search out the best. The two
>>>>>>>>>>>places mentioned above are also very much about trying to conserve
>>>>>>>>>>>fertility.
>>>>>>>>>>>Good luck to you!
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>At Mon, 27 Nov 2006, Tara wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>I definitely feel that it's time to start reconsidering having a second
>>>>>>>>>>>>lap, I guess I'm just a little apprehensive. I really want to make sure
>>>>>>>>>>>>that it's a doctor who is highly recommended..no matter how far I have
>>>>>>>>>>>>to travel... We've been trying to get pregnant for almost a year and a
>>>>>>>>>>>>half now with not even the slightest bit of hope. I'm just really
>>>>>>>>>>>>getting to the point where I find myself unable to control the tears
>>>>>>>>>>>>when people ask or talk about children. After getting married everyone
>>>>>>>>>>>>starts in with the "when are you going to have children" and a lot of
>>>>>>>>>>>>people especially at work dont know what I am going through so I cannot
>>>>>>>>>>>>expect then to understand the sadness and pain I am going through...
>>>>>>>>>>>>anyways I guess its time to seriously look into this huh?
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>At Mon, 27 Nov 2006, Alyson wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>Tara,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>The endo could absolutely be ab issue in your trying to conceive. It
>>>>>>>>>>>>>can create chemical imbalances, block ovaries and tubes, etc. I know it
>>>>>>>>>>>>>is nerve wracking to consider a second lap when you worry that nothing
>>>>>>>>>>>>>will be found. I had my second lap only a year following my first. My
>>>>>>>>>>>>>original doctor insisted doing another lap was pointless because there
>>>>>>>>>>>>>was no way endo could have grown back in such a short time and while I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>was on meds. I sought a second opinion, he did the surgery and found
>>>>>>>>>>>>>extensive endo- considerably more than my first doctor had found a year
>>>>>>>>>>>>>earlier. It is important to remember that this disease tends to be
>>>>>>>>>>>>>progressive. Each person progresses differently. Not everyone will
>>>>>>>>>>>>>have the kind of rapid progression that I did and some women here have
>>>>>>>>>>>>>had even more rapid progression of their disease. I talked to my doctor
>>>>>>>>>>>>>about trying to coceive before he did my lap (the 2nd one). He said
>>>>>>>>>>>>>that data shows that the best success for getting pregnant with endo is
>>>>>>>>>>>>>within 4-6 months follwing a laproscopy for the removal of endo. Kind
>>>>>>>>>>>>>of makes sense...get everything cleaned out and get busy before it has a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>chance to really get going again.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>Obviously having surgery is a personal decision. I am not trying to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>talk you into it, but just ease some of those "what if" concerns. Also,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>if you really trust this doctor, I would take her advice. Unfortunately
>>>>>>>>>>>>>it can be rare to find a doctor dealing with this disease who is willing
>>>>>>>>>>>>>to suggest that you seek someone with more knowledge of endometriosis. I
>>>>>>>>>>>>>meantioned in my previous post (re: Endo and pregnancy) that a
>>>>>>>>>>>>>reproductive endocrinologist might be helpful. That was at my docs
>>>>>>>>>>>>>suggestion after she said that she was at the end of her expertise in
>>>>>>>>>>>>>dealing with this disease.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>Alyson
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>At Mon, 27 Nov 2006, Tara wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I'm just looking for some advise...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I was diagnosed with Endo three years ago with my current Doctor through
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>a laparoscopy... at that time she was able to remove only a small
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>amount of my endo. Directly after my surgery my DR suggested Lupron for
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>6 months, which I did and though the pain subsided for 4 of those months
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>they returned almost immediately after my injections stopped. For the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>past two years pain meds have done nothing to help... and my Dr is out
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>of suggestions. She thinks I should see a new specialist. She informed
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>me that the new doc will probably want to perform another Lap to make
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>their own diagnosis. I see many of you have had NUMEROUS laps and was
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>just wondering if they were only able to see and remove a tiny amount
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>the first time, is there any real point in going through that again?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Have any of you had better success on your second, third...etc? Or do
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>you have any other suggestions as to another treatment I should talk to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>my Dr. about? A big factor right now is that my husband and I are
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>trying to get pregnant... will that be an issue?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Thanks for any suggestions, advise you can give.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>--
>>>>>>>>>Bula
>>>>>>>>>
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