Hi All

I was diagnosed with endo after a lap in June 07. I have always had painful periods but thought this was normal. In May 05 i started getting pelvic pain mid cycle. my gp sent me for an ultrasound which showed a retroverted uterus but he did not refer me on. I was finally referred to a gyno in May after seeing my (new) GP in tears with pain. At this stage we had been TTC for 6 months but i lied and told them it had been a year as i really wanted to get to the bottom of my probs. I saw the gyno who immediately suspected endo because of my symptoms - painful periods, pain with pooing, pain with intercourse. My surgery in june was basically open me up, see the extensive endo, and stitch me up again. My uterus was stuck to my bowel, ovaries and tubes stuck to my pelvic wall - to quote my specialist i had a 'real mccoy' case of severe endo. Finally 3 months later i had surgery again - this time with 2 gynos and a bowel specialist. The endo came off my bowel really easily so avoided a resection. had my appendix out and everything unstuck and endo removed. All 3 doctors said how happy they were with the surgery.

Started ivf a few weeks ago. Had my day 8 scan yesterday and found i had 5 follicles on my L ovary which are looking quite good. Unfortunately, the scan also showed a 4 cm endometrioma on the right side. I was fairly devastated by this since it is only 3 and a half months since the surgery. We are still going to concentrate on the getting pregnant asap thing and ignore the endo for now. The plan is to have a hysterectomy once i have (hopefully) had my children.

I am really realising that although endo is not life threatening, it is a really devastating disease as far as fertility, quality of life with all the pain etc. It feels like just as you get on top of it it strikes you down again. I am trying to forget about the endo now (with the help of panadol) and try and stay positive for the ivf. It is fantastic to hear about other people's success despite severe endo. It really gives me hope.

Hope you are all doing well.