SOOO very confused - adhesions

Okay here is my story....

I have had 4 csections, last one was fall 2006.

I am having severe pain on my right side - near ovary. My ob/gyn ordered a trans vag sonogram. It showed small cysts on my ovaries and nothing else. At the appt. Dr. recommended full hysterectomy - to remove pain which maybe caused by endometriosis or adhesions - he is not sure which and to remove ovaries with cysts. I walked away unsure so I scheduled an appt with another doctor who specializes in endometriosis.

Dr # 2 did a sonogram. Saw NO cysts on ovaries, no sign of endo but does believe there is some adhesions thus we should just remove the uterus & adhesions.....


AHHHHHHHHH!!! I am so confused. Has anyone had hyst. removed for adhesion issues ONLY???? Should I go for a third opinion???

Thanks for listening.....

I hate when they do that. Which is more qualified? Is a third opinion possible? I would do what made me feel the best.

Endometriosis rarely, if ever, shows up on an ultrasound. There are endometriosis specialists who can use ultrasound to help with diagnosis but in my opinion, I wouldn't trust ultrasound alone for a diagnose for or against endo. The same is true of adhesions. You need surgery, such as an exploratory laparoscopy, to firmly diagnose both conditions.

So, I would suggest a third opinion, maybe someone from this list: endometriosis specialist.

Cysts can come and go so it is possible to have cysts on one ultrasound and not on the next.

One thing you do need to know is that a hysterectomy is not a cure for endometriosis or adhesions. Adhesions can form for a variety of reasons, including your c-sections, but also from having surgery to diagnose and/or remove them and from having endometriosis. If all of the endometriosis is not skillfully removed, it can grow and spread following any surgery.

Have any of your doctors suggested a laparoscopy to take a look inside and see what might be going on? Have any other non-invasive tests been suggested? How about a CT scan or MRI?

I would not suggest you rush into surgery without knowing more about what could really be going on. I would also suggest researching any suggested diagnoses and the options for treating them. A hysterectomy is a major surgery that is not without risks nor is it a cure all so you want to be 100% sure it the right step for you before you schedule one.

Wishing you all the best!

I hate to say it, but it sounds like these docs are just trying to take the easy way out... and it may not even be an out, depending on what it is? Get a third - with laparascopy! You need to know what you're dealing with to treat it! Guessing isn't good enough in my books.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Steph