Help what should I expect the doctor to do on my first pop in for endometriosis??
Answers: Contrary to some beliefs, endo cannot be diagnosed via symptoms or diagnostic test alone. It requires a surgical diagnosis, usually laparoscopy, during which the disease can sometimes be visualized but more importantly, confirmed on biopsy. So it's important to carry an accurate diagnosis.
At your upcoming visit, your gyn may present a couple of options - 1.) keep watch on and wait, which involves basically a do nought approach. If symptoms persist over the next couple months, s/he may preference to schedule surgery for a definitive diagnosis and surgical removal. 2.) embark on a course of medical therapy, any a GnRH suppressive med like Lupron, Depo Provera, or oral contraceptives and/or painkillers. This may also be followed up in 3-9 months by surgery. It is imperative to data that Lupron before a surgical diagnosis is NEVER the right option. 3.) S/he may desire to schedule surgery to treat you outright in the in close proximity future.
With surgery - which is the most helpful substitute - it is important to determine a few things; notably, 1.) will s/he be doing an exploratory laparoscopy one and only (never advisable) or will they also be removing disease at the same time and/or 2.) what method will be used to remove the disease, and will be removed from ALL areas. Excision is the best treatment and you should consider seeing a specialist for optimum treatment. Here are some links to more info...
http://www.endocenter.org/pdf/2008Screen...
http://www.endocenter.org/pdf/PreDiagnos...
http://www.endocenter.org/pdf/surgery%20...
http://www.centerforendo.com
http://www.endometriosissurgeon.com
http://ERC.activeboard.com/
You'll definitely want to check those adjectives out to learn more and decide on the right treatment choice.
Good luck to you..
Just steady down and you'll be fine. (dont expect anything).~this helps ...sort of...
and by the way, you might want to run a look here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometrios...