I was just "officially" diagnosed with endometriosis -- I had a laparoscopy Thursday and had a ton of endo removed.
Question is ... how do I figure out if I really do have IBS as well? Or will it end up being pretty self-explanatory? I realize it is very possible to have both endo AND IBS, in which case, yes, I would totally have to be so thankful for having TWO sucky chronic conditions with no cure ... OK, yeah, I know, it could be worse, sorry, tiny bit of pity party there.
Anyway, so, the gynecologist said I didn't have endo on my bowels, but did say it was possible all the inflammation and whatnot was causing the GI problems. My appendix was removed because it was nearly completely covered in scar tissue from all of the endo, and isn't the appendix near the colon? (OK, sorry, I never passed Basic Biology 101.) So maybe that is a possible link? I do know that the extremely hideous agonizing painful cramping I was having because of the endo was causing really bad bouts of D.
Just not sure if I continue to have GI symptoms if it really is IBS or if it's resulting from endo.  I've never really been a textbook case of IBS, and so far my symptoms have been totally degenerative -- after over a year of being on Heather's diet, I was down to eating bread and water and taking double my allotted dosage of anti-spasmodics to try to get through the day (don't tell my doctor).
Obviously it's too early to tell anything, especially since I am still in mend mode from surgery, but just wondering what everyone thought. I figured maybe other people had passed Basic Biology 101 and would have some more intelligent thoughts. 
I do have ten days off over the holidays and thought I'd try reintroducing some foods then, but after all this time on the boards the thought of dairy or red meat is more scary than the thought of having to appear publicly in a bathing suit. Plus, what if I do have IBS, but it was super-aggravated by the endo, so I start to eat other foods, and I'm OK at first, but then after a couple weeks I have a super horrible attack?
Anyway, I just want to KNOW.  I don't even care about the diet part. Yeah, I could stay on it to be safe, but it still wouldn't answer any questions.
Thoughts???
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jen
"It's one of the most serious things that can possibly happen to one in a battle -- to get one's head cut off." -- LC
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endometriosis vs. IBS
