Natural therapy for long term TTC and endometriosis

[Bianeczka]

Hi all,

I have been TTC for 19 months now (I am 32 y.o.). A huge emotional and mental roller coaster for me. I have always had spot on regular 28 day cycles, never have had pain, have always been healthy, been practising Francesca Naish's natural contraception methods for few years...so last year i was wondering what the hell was going on. Went to see a gyno who suspected endometriosis even though i have never had painful periods. So i had a laparoscopy and i apparently had a heap of endo that was removed. I thought that was that, problem treated, then i could go back to TTC with more confidence. But i was mortified when the gyno told me after the op that i would then need to quickly go on this horrid drug called Zoladex for 3 months, then go on the pill and then go straight to IUI or IVF. This was such a complete shock for me which they did not disclose before the op. Having been drug and pharmaceutical free for years and wanting a completely natural conception and birth, this was extremely upsetting for me and i spent 2 weeks in tears. It was like there was no other option. So i went onto the Zoladex for 3 months and luckily had no majoe side effects, but i was very upset that after years of natural contraception, i was now taking a drug to suppress my period. It just didnt seem right for me.

5 months on after completing the Zoladex (and refusing the pill, IUI or IVF), i am still not pregnant. I want to exhaust all other opportunities before doing IUI etc. Because, for me, apart from the endo i had, there doesnt seem to be anything else wrong. So this week i am booked in to see a high-profile naturopath that i have read about in all the forums. Hopefully it will help me....Ive just been so upset about it all. I feel like my body has failed me, and that maybe this is all a sign that im not meant to be a parent? Its especially a slap in the face when everyone around you is falling pregnant. My good friend told me on the weekend she was pregnant, and i felt absolutely gutted on the inside, despite being genuinely happy for her. But i felt even more gutted when she told me she conceived one month after coming off the pill! But you can only stay 'why me' and compare yourself to others for so long. It is actually not very productive. So im trying to be more positive and just think about 'me'!

Anyway, just thought i would share this. And if anyone else has any natural therapy feedback that would be great.

Ta,
Bianeczka

[MaggiePie]

I haven't had endometriosis, and I really feel for you. But I was also told that I would either need exploratory surgery or go straight to IVF - that they were my only options. It's horrible. Especially if you don't want invasive things done. So I really feel for you. I am currently taking herbs and trying for baby #3 (long story but had infection after first baby and herbs helped conceive #2). Have been trying for two years but haven't given up hope. I know it is really hard when people around you fall pregnant easily (or accidentally) and there is no easy way out of this, I just try and suck in some of their positive energy. I really hope the natropath can help. Let us know how you go, Erica.

[MaggiePie]

Another thing, not falling pregnant easily is in no way an indicator of your parenting ability... Don't ever think that. I know people who were unable to have kids and became foster parents and they are the most beautiful parents around. You sound like an intelligent, caring woman and I bet you will make a great Mum. Keep your chin up and remember you have alot of friends here you can debrief to! We are all in the same boat, just on different journeys....

[Bianeczka]

Hi Maggie Pie, thank you so much for your kind words in your last thread. I did shed a tear! Its lovely to hear something like that, even from a complete stranger!

Ive been seeing this herbalist and naturopath now for nearly a month and have had various treatments (acupuncture, energy healing) as well as having a heavy and strict herb-taking regime for both of us. Every time i enter that place i instantly feel positive energy and always feel so very confident that i will conceive soon. They tell me this also. This positive energy stays with me but i find towards the end of the '2 week wait' my positivity starts to fade, as it is now, as i near menstruation. I dont 'feel' any different and just have in my head that i am not pregnant. Surely i would know by now? I will know for certain next week i suppose. But i will continue with the treatment and keep up that positive energy and good health.

Thanks for your words, you are very fortunate to have two children already. At this stage im thinking its a miracle if i can achieve the one!

THanks, B.

[Mindhugs]

Hi Bianeczka,

I am an endometriosis sufferer. Quite a shock to me when I first found out. I have to say that after putting off IVF for 2 years so I could try to deal with my endo and infertility using alternative therapies, all I managed to do was balance out my cycle. At the end of the 2 years of acupuncture, chinese herbs and western herbs, wheat free diet etc I decided to do IVF as I was getting on in age - and fell pregnant on the 3rd FET. Then lost it at 10wks. After that my FS recommended I get another exploratory laparoscopy done just to rule out any further endo. Well to my shock again I was advanced -there was loads of it. After 2 years of natural therapies, leaving my job in the corporate world etc etc and I hadn't managed to even slow it down. So he removed it all again and then I went straight back into IVF. And I have just received another BFP.

I am a qualifed homeopath and practising hypnotherapist. My beliefs are strongly on the natural side, but I succumbed due to my dream of wanting a baby.

Everyone's story is different. Just know that Endo can be quite aggressive, and if you are in your mid to late 30's I would not recommend spending too much time relying on natural therapies to sort it out for you. Rather use it for approx. 3 months to get yourself in the best shape possible and then use it to complement IVF treatment. The first time I fell on IVF I was covered in Endo - unbeknownst to me.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do xxxxx

[MaggiePie]

Hi Bianeczka,

How are things? How are the natural therapies going??

[Bianeczka]

Thanks Maggie Pie and Mindhugs for your experiences and kind words....

I am still not pregnant- well not that i know of. i find out for sure in 7 days but to be totally honest im not really that hopeful. In fact, i am not positive at all anymore about conceiving naturally. Ive kind of resigned to the fact in my head that i cannot conceive naturally. I have been trying for 1 year and 10 months now. My very expensive herbs are running out and to be honest (despite the 'all- natural' way i am and how i live) i am a bit over natural therapies. Im sick of tonics, pills, herbs and powders and im not going to do it anymore. If Im not pregnant this cycle (which i dont think i am, im not feeling any different) then i am going to start putting the steps in place for an IUI the following cycle. I have been putting this off for so long as i was always hopeful i would conceive naturally- ive known my whole life that i would have kids!! But after nearly 2 years, its obvious its not going to happen and i need to accept that and move on. The thought of it makes me want to cry. Its not right that i have to have a police check, child protection check, blood tests and make a psychologist appointment before they even consider you for IUI. Its a real slap in the face i think. But as i said, i need to just do it and get over it.

Will let you know the results in a week's time of whether im pregnant or not (not hopeful)....

It's funny- everyone talks about needing to be healthy and in balance before having a child, wanting your child to enter the world and making sure you are primed to be great parents before you decide to try. Ive decided that that is all crap. My friend just fell pregnant in one month and she has always hated children- its her husband that wants them more. Another friend (male) always used to tell us how he hates kids and called them devil's spawn and he loves to drink- sure enough, his wife got pregnant straight away. My cousin smoked through both her pregnancies and was never serious about her now ex-partner, now she is a single mum with 2 kids. So i now think that being physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially aligned before you have kids is crap. I know this is negative, but it is true. (these emotions just part of the ride.....i'll be ok!)

Thanks to you!!

B.