Endo, TTC and freaking!

[WaitingAwaiting]

I have been TTC for over 12mths now and at 24 I thought that it seemed odd that nothing was happening.

On Monday AF arrived and brought with it the usual near-debilitating pain. Figured I had finished work early enough to go to my local GP so headed in to have a chat.

She asked a few questions (how old was I when AF arrived - 8; how long does the pain last, how bad is it etc) and then went on to advise me that she thinks I have endo and said that when AF is done I needed to go get a pelvic ultrasound post haste.

I'm booked in for 830am on Saturday and I have not slept since I spoke to my GP (thanks to Google!) and I am worried. My GP advised that once I have my ultrasound results that she will immediately refer me to an OBGYN as she wants me to get a Laparoscopy done to investigate and remove any endo.

Once that's done she said she'd prescribe some ovulation stimulating drugs and I can get back to TTC.

I think I've had a bit of info overload. Will it be that easy to conceive after all of this? I am very regular ATM but will having the lap (given all the posts I've read in the forum) throw out my cycle? How soon after the lap can I start trying?

I'm sure I can ask my doctor but I can't get in to see her until Saturday and I am beside myself right now...

Thanks in advance for any assistance anyone can provide!

[Mildez]

Hi again WaitingAwaiting

It sounds like your GP is been very thorough which is good. She has given you a plan to help assist you concieve. Of course if she/he is going to fast for you you can say your not ready for that yet (like the lap for example)

In my experience ultrasounds are not very good at diagnosing endometriosis so following the scan I agree that the lap is the next step. The scan can usually pick up fibroids or cysts etc and the endometrium thickness so it definately has its advantages and its not as invasive as a lap.

As for a lap they can do lots of things at the same time like remove endo if its there, look inside the uterus (hysterscope) to see if there are any undiagnosed reasons ttc has been difficult for you. Sometimes they also do a D&C and I would recommend them do dye studies also which is where they put dye into the tubes to make sure they are opened. Whilst you are there they should do everything they can to give you your best chance of concieving after the procedure.

I had a lap done in November to check my tube (I only have one) they did everything possible except a D&C. I found out I had adhesions, a heart shaped uterus and septum although I have had two successful pregnancies with two living children (1 term 1 prem) (3 losses), endo which couldn't be removed but is not affecting my fertility. They gave me a plan from there that is I am not pregnant within 6cycles of the surgery we will start IVF. As I only have one bodgy tube clomid isn't a choice for me or IUI before IVF. The risk of ectopic is just to great and I have had two before.

They do say after a lap and dye especially you are more likely to concieve within 6months of the surgery as its like an oil and lube so to speak. The dye helps flush any debris out of the tubes even if they are not blocked which helps the passage of sperm to the egg and many women do find themselves pregnant within several cycles afterwards.

As for ttc again after lap I started ttc within a week of my lap which I had done on the last day of my AF. I didn't fall pregnant that cycle but I still tried. I have been told that its very unlikely for pregnancy to occur we I ovulated a week after my lap. If you have a D&C at the same time then I would suggest waiting until your next cycle or AF as a D&C reduces the lining thickness of the uterus. But in saying that many women concieve within 2weeks of a D&C and go on to have a healthy pregnancy and baby so its probably something to ask the Gyno doing the procedure when they recommend you start ttc again. Mine told me not to waste anytime as I had the best chance of concieving soon after the dye. Its been 2months since and I am not pregnant yet.

[WaitingAwaiting]

Thanks so much for the info Emmy - VERY much appreicated.

I think the u/s tomorrow morning is, as you said, for checking for fibriods/cysts etc. I am so nervous! I have been told to empty my bladder at 630am then drink 1l of fluid from 630-730am and my appt is at 830am. I'm so nervous NOW that I need to pee every 10min so I might just explode tomorrow!!!

Do you know how much it is to get the lap done ASAP so I don't have to sit on a waiting list for 3mths?? I really just want to get this over and done with because the stress is already driving me batty.

Never thought I'd have problems TTC (like everyone else here really!)as my family is super fertile and nowdays I keep seeing EVERYONE around me popping out babies accidentally (including a 17yr old girl who DTD with a random guy at a party!!!!!!!!!!!! AND THEN ABORTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) So many babies...honestly it's ridiculous - no woman in the universe was prg before I started trying! LOL

[Mildez]

I guess I was lucky with my lap. My Gyno booked me in at my appointment end Oct. He tried booking me in when I knew I had AF so I opted to wait an extra week so all up my wait from my appointment with him til my lap was only 3weeks. Turned out AF was late and I was on the last day (which was no more then a spot) when I had the surgery. I went public although I had private health insurance except it doesn't cover fertility.
I also didn't expect to have ttc problems. I feel pregnant easily with my first two (one I was on the pill) and have been ttc no3 for 18months now. I have been pregnant 3times in that time but due to blocked tubes had two ectopic pregnancies and one very early m/c.
I'd say as soon as you see a Gyno they will look at booking you in for a lap so the sooner you make your appointment the sooner you can get the ball rolling. It can be several weeks to months wait to get in depending on where you live. I live in a small country town but am lucky as I know the Gynos personally so maybe that helped my wait initially.
Yes its very hard seeing everyone pregnant when we are not and feel like its not going to hurry up for us. I find that very hard and every pregnancy annoucement is a kick in the guts. Its not that your not happy for them it just highlights what you don't have. It is the pits.

[WaitingAwaiting]

Thanks Emmy!

Just had a call from the imaging place who have double booked for my appt on Saturday and the best they can do is 1030am instead of 830am...arg! They said they were going to try to get my results done by closing time at 12pm but can't promise it...my stomach is in knots with having to wait for a diagnostic u/s....can't imagine what the TWW is like!! OMG!

Just wish I knew so I could deal with it, KWIM?

Your story reassures me though - glad to know that you didn't get stuck on a massive waiting list. Should I invest in private health insurance for all this stuff??

[Mildez]

Well it really depends. I didn't have private health insurance when I had my ectopic and surgery. I had a horrific experience with the med students and registrars so that was the deciding factor to get private health insurance so I can have a consultant over a registrar. A consultant is basically the qualified Drs/specialist not the little Drs who work under the supervision and guidance of a consultant. They are all Drs of course but I decided after my history I want the opinion to have the best if I feel I want it IYKWIM.
There are also tax advantages with private health insurance so it turns out I wont be out of pocket that much when I have my tax done.
The problem with it is you have to have top cover for 12months before you can use it for obstetrics or fertility reasons. I have had it 4months so I can't take advantage of it for fertility for another 8months. I got it as I am sure we will be heading to IVF in the near future so I wanted it for that just in case IYKWIM and that way I wont have to them wait 12months. It really depends on your financial situation though as to weather I would recommend it or not. Us we couldn't afford it for our whole family so my DH and kids don't have it just me but I am the one that everything goes wrong with lol

[WaitingAwaiting]

just me but I am the one that everything goes wrong with lol

ROFL! That's me all over. Hilarious! I might look into then - can't hurt to have it!

*sigh* wish I wasn't so damn nervous about tomorrow!! Where's the magic wand, magic lamp, fairy godmother and goose that lays the golden eggs when you need them?!?! Not sure what the goose has to do with anything but thought I'd mention it for good measure!