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Hello again everyone. It's been a while since I last posted. I had a FNA biopsy of my "lump" back in April. The radiologist called me to say that there did appear to be endometrial cells in the tissues that were examined, which led her to believe that this could indeed be an incisional endometriosis. My sucky OB/GYN dr. never even called me back to discuss the results of my biopsy. (GOD, THAT REALLY PISSES ME OFF!) I let it go because any pain I had felt was bearable, and I just didn't want to deal with having any kind of surgery until summertime was over because I had alot planned. I figured I would take care of it in the fall and keep track of any pain and patterns over the summer months. Well, I kept track on my calendar and definitely noticed a cyclical pattern to the pain I was beginning to notice more and more. Just like many of you, my pain around my lump (on the left side of my incision) starts at the tail end of my period and lasts for about two weeks afterward. I am noticing that as time goes by, the pain is getting worse, which tells me that I need to get my butt in gear and just call a dr. to have it removed. I was hoping to hear from those who have had the surgery about how recovery went. I felt very fortunate to have gone through easy c-section recoveries without any complications. In retrospect, I may have pushed myself a bit more than I should have, but I obviously felt well enough to do so at the time. I'm just looking for some details so I can prepare myself for something I am not looking forward to. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hello boveez

I had surgery back in April 2006 for incisional endometrioses. I discovered the lump and started having pain in January. The surgery itself was outpatient and was scheduled for 11 am and I was home by 4pm. I did have a little trouble with the anesthesia but I had that after my c-sections also. I would have probably been out of the hospital by about 2pm if I didn't. I had my surgery on a Tuesday and by Saturday of that week I was at my oldest son's baseball game. Recovery was pretty easy and other than the drainage from my incision for about a week I was fine. My doctor took out a tennis ball size lump...it had been growing for about 6 years ( since my 2nd c-section) . I was prescribed vicodin but only took 2 pills in the first 2 days and then went to advil....the pain was minimal...I had more trouble getting up and down from the bed and couch for the first 2 days...reminded me of what it was like after a c-section....Hope this is helpful...let me know if you have any other questions...believe me I thought I could live with the pain until the first month I didn't have it..

I had a csection a month ago and have been debating whether I should go to my OBGYN about the pain in my left side. Am I just wasting my time if I go? Any advice, littlemama92806@yahoo.com.

I had a haematoma after I had my section but I believe they wouldn't last more than a few weeks. I was worried it was a hernia though.

I finally went into the Dr. and they told me I only had a uterine infection and put me on some antibiotics. I guess it could've been worse. We'll see if this fixes my problem.

For those who have been successfully diagnosed and treated by a doctor for this condition, it would be great to know that doctor's name and location. Thank you.

Hi Everyone! --Now Pain Free!!!
I wanted to share with you all my experience with abdominal pain after my c-section. My c-section was almost 4 years ago. I started having this same type of pain that most of you are experiencing about 4-6months after my c-section. I told my doctor and was told the same thing that many of you have been told. It could be a hernia, it could be adhesions, it could be nerve damage, it could be this, it could be that. My pain gradually got worse with each cycle. Almost 3 years later, and a new doctor, we discovered, through a CT-scan, that there was some type of mass in my c-section scar. (you could also feel it under the skin) I was scheduled for a laporoscopy and the doctor found that I had Endometriosis in my scar tissue that was apparently caused by my previous c-section. When you have a c-section if the doctor does not completely clean you out then some of the uterin lining can get trapped in the incison causing Endometriosis in the Scar area. She removed it and I have been pain free ever since!!! I hope this information can help some of you!!!! Good Luck!

Hi all,
My wife had a C-section which was described as traumatic by the docs involved. Afterward, she had tremendous pain which matched alot of the descriptions listed her. We were convinced something was seriously wrong. After 4 months, she had multiple doctor appointments, internal exams, blood tests, ultrasound, CT scan, and a trip to the ER for extreme pain. Her regular massage therapist eventually did some work on her and in the process found a spot along her spine that correlated directly to the pain she'd been having. I'm not sure what nerve it was but she also figures there were alot of adhesions along the scar. Using her hands, she was able to massage the lumps out and after a couple of appointments, my wife was about 90% better. She still has minor pain, but she attributes that to the fact that she's still not totally healed and it's still getting better with time. I can't say enough to express how much of an improvment there's been. We were on the verge of travelling to the nearest maternity center (5 hour drive) and start over with new docs. Good luck!

Back again girls, this time after a long recovery from my hysterectomy. After ruling out all the above mentioned diagnoses, we elected just to get rid of the junk in the trunk. Thought this would fix everything. But, as I suspected, a hysterectomy opens up a whole new can of worms. I went in for my hysterectomy via lap, spent one day in the hospital and was sent home. I returned 6 hours later with massive internal bleeding and double pnuemonia. At one point I was told to call family, and signed my medical directive. 2 blood transfusions, a colonoscopy, and several more painfull procedures later, 11 days in the hospital to recover, and I'm still not the same. They left my ovaries (which the left one should have been yanked, as thats the one that keeps getting cysts). After the docs examined my poor discarded useless uterus, they said I had severe adenomysis. Ok, so maybe that explains the pain. UNTIL, my next uteruslessness 'cycle' came around and BAM, pain still there. So I gave up the option of having kids, almost died, and all for WHAT? Now I have a whole new set of problems. The docs have followed up with a CT Scan, to see if the bleed was done and to make sure the pneumonia was at bay, and lo and behold we have a whole new can of worms to contend with. I now have colitis, deep vein thrombosis of my left ovary, and a lovely little nodule in my right thyroid. All my TSH and various other thyroid tests check out fine, so tomorrow I go in for a biopsy of the nodule. I'm just sick and tired of being sick and tired, all was for naught, I feel like a terrible Mom, I have no support system, and the anti depressant drugs are a joke. So my advice is this ladies, if your doc can't figure it out, it is because they just don't know. Bullshit hypothesis, gambling with your reproductive system, when they don't really know a mutha freakin' thing. Stay on drug therapy, I would much rather be addicted to vicodin than to have to continue to endure this endless stream of health problems. JMO. Once they start cutting, and they really don't have a clue what they're looking for? You're in deep doo doo. Hopefully all will go well with the biopsy tomorrow. They already ruled out polycystic ovarian disease, and I am going to one of the numero uno cancer centers in the US for the procedure so there is some faith in that. Not much faith for the medical community as a whole though. I've just been let down too many times. If I didn't have kids....I hate to think what I would do. But of course if I hadn't had the C-section.....Anywho- this only affirms my belief that anyone who wishes an ELECTIVE C-SECTION is a TOTAL MORON.

Good luck to the rest of you. I hope you find some answers, and if my journey helps any of you then gratis.

Nikki, I am so sorry about all of the pain you have endured! What a nightmare! I am supposed to be calling my GYN to be put on the surgery schedule for next month to have laproscopy to check out the "incisional endometriosis" but I am a little frightened that there might be some problems and I could end up with an emergency hysterectomy. Might sound silly and far-fetched but who the heck knows what might happen!

Best wishes with your needle biopsy if your thyroid. I had half of my thyroid removed in 2001 due to nodules. My TSH is still ok and I am not on any replacement hormones for that yet which I am glad about because thyroid issues can bring on a whole new set of health issues.

Hi everyone
Like many readers of this site, I am really shocked about the number of women out there who have been experiencing chronic pain after c-section. It is now just over 3 months since mine and I am still in pain across my abdomen, I think where the incision in my uterus must be. It has been chronic for a few weeks, not getting better or worse, though today seems to have started getting worse. I have decided after reading many of your experiences that I am going to make sure I get the after care I need - so far I have been waiting 6 weeks to get a specialist appointment on the NHS, but it could be weeks more until I get the referral. So, think I am going to have to go private - not sure how many of you out there are writing from the UK, but if anyone can recommend private specialists (ideally in London area), please let me know. Greg, glad to hear that the massage therapy worked for your wife. Has anyone else found solutions by alternative therapies? Anyway, good luck to all of you for speedy healing. I will def post another update on this site if I feel I gain any knowledge / experience that might help others.

I haven't been on this site for quite sometime. I had my surgery last March 6th for my removal of incisional endometrioma. And I am happy to report I have had ZERO problems since. However, wish me luck as my next c-section is looming - I am 9 months pregnant. I am in a totally different state, with completley competnant doctors this go around....I only pray the same thing doesn't happen. However, the one thing I appreciate is that this Dr. knows exactly about ins endo and wouldn't let it slip through the fingers like the last joker!!
Good Luck Everyone!!
Nikki, I am praying for you sister, nobody should have to endure what you are going through!!

It is years since I originally posted here about incisional endometriosis and it is great to come back and see that at least some women have found answers to their (very often disbelieved or ignored) problems. Last month I finally had surgery to have my incisional endometriosis removed and honestly, the surgery went so well and I healed so quickly that I regret leaving it until I could no longer bear the pain. I was lucky, my endo was relatively superficial and was removed in day surgery and after 4 weeks I am fully healed, PAINFREE even when I have my period!!! and back to a regular life. I am still angry that this condition is under-recognised and possibly even denied by many gyn/obs and the lack of responsibility for this condition which arises primarily due to "shoddy" surgical practice in the first place. Be aware ladies - if you return to the doctor who performed the C-section it is highly likely s/he will diagnose any other condition under the sun (most commonly a hernia) than incisional endo. You need to get a second, more-informed opinion. If your pain is around your C-section site and has cyclic symptoms you should find out what you can about incisional endometriosis and ensure this diagnosis is given serious consideration by your doctor.

i have soreness on the left side of my abdomen it feels brused almost 6 months after section. It is tolerable but is sore when pressure is applied. does this sound familiar???

Wow, To Liz and Robin, my story sounds very similar as yours. I have had 2 c-sections. First one was ok, developed what I was told scar tissue on the right side of my scar (inside), by the second pregnancy I developed a hernia. (can't remember if it was before or during) had second c-section. During surgery, doctor repaired the hernia, and had a tubal ligation. It's been almost 5 years since my second c-section and I have dealt with pain and swelling on the right side of my scar. It is literally driving me insane. My OBGYN has given me injections, I have been rechecked for another hernia, negative, I have had ultrasounds, vaginal ultrasounds, physical therapy and even have been sent to a chiropractor because of some back issued and thought it would fix my scar swelling?? Back got fixed, lump not so much. I have been referred to another OBGYN for a second opinion but I am at my wits end. It feels like it is on the scar. I have more numbness on the right side that runs right down by my bikini line and under by crotch area. And numb in the lower back area just to the touch. Was so glad to find this link. I am wondering if Laprascopy would be my answer. So frustrated!!

I cannot believe the responses here, i am so thankful i looked. I am just 3 weeks post op with 2nd c/s and have already had a hematoma evacuated from the incision line which left a large wound still having to be packed daily by visiting nurses. I have been complaining of L sided pain that raditates to my groin and just had a CT scan to rule out hernia. low and behold now my whole incision line feels more swollen and extememly painful. not what i call normal healing. found out recently that my ob did not even close my c/s but left the room and allowed a resident and intern to cause this mess. I am now going to go to another doctor, does anyone know of someone in the South Jersey, phila area? thanks.