[Cor_72]

Hey everyone...
I was just diagnosed on 02/18/09 with endo. It was my first lap. I recovered well. My DH and I have been trying for a family for over three years and had no explanation of why we were experiencing infertility. Hubby was checked and passed with flying colors. I had seen my dr. for several of the symptoms of endo in the past, but neither she nor I put the pieces together, until I was researching infertility and the symptoms of endo. I feel like I diagnosed myself and my dr didn't catch it at all... Maybe we would have a baby by now if they had put the pieces together earlier?? I don't know. I was told that the first 6 months is the best window for getting prego after the lap (which diagnosed and treated the endo). Any suggestions? The lap was two weeks ago (tomorrow) and next weekend should be mid-cycle... hopefully my belly-button will feel good then! Anyways, I just wanted to join a group where people know and can relate to the frustration and longing. There is nothing I want more than to be a mom.

[Cor_72]

One more question...
Anyone out there from Canada? Saskatchewan?

[LisaC10]

Hi Cor_72
I am from Alberta. I had a question for you though. I suspect I have endometrosis, but doctor keeps dismissing it. What symptoms did you have and how did you finally get a lap done. Who did it and who referered you?

[lovingwife]

I had a lap for suspected endo in March of last year. They found stage II endo and removed it. My RE told me we'd need to do IUI w/injectables for our best chances of conceiving. We tried for one month naturally and we fortunate enough to get pregnant that month. We didn't do anything special. If you're not seeing a RE (reproductive endocrinologist), you should definitely see one. I couldn't tell from your post if your OB/GYN did the lap or if it was done by a RE.

[lovingwife]

I had a lap for suspected endo in March of last year. They found stage II endo and removed it. My RE told me we'd need to do IUI w/injectables for our best chances of conceiving. We tried for one month naturally and we fortunate enough to get pregnant that month. We didn't do anything special. If you're not seeing a RE (reproductive endocrinologist), you should definitely see one. I couldn't tell from your post if your OB/GYN did the lap or if it was done by a RE.

[Cor_72]

Hello LisaC10,
My first real clue was infertility. My hubby and I have been trying to have a baby for three years. After the first year, I went to see my family Dr (small town). She then referred us to a specialist who travels to our town from Saskatoon. He then recommended that I have an HSG. That was done in Saskatoon. That test showed that my tubes were open and there were no blockages in the tubes. I was hopefull after that... but still no baby. At that point I wasn't suspecting endo. Then after another year of trying I went back to the "travelling specialist" and he gave me three options. 1 - have a lap to see what's going on, 2 - refer me to an invetro specialist, 3- start fetility meds (clomid). I took my time to think about the options. I decided I didn't want to go the route of fertility meds since I didn't even know if they would work for me. I had several blood tests, hormone tests, etc. I finally got researching on the internet and found all of the symptoms of endo. I realized that several of the symptoms were things that I had experienced, and even seen the doctor for (painful sex, intestinal problems, etc. etc.). I figured that was likely my issue, so I told the specialist that I wanted to go ahead with the lap. That was in October of 2008. I finally got a letter saying I was on a waiting list for the procedure. In February of 2009 I had the lap done. When I came to after the surgery the specialist (who is the one who did the actual surgery) told me that it was endo and there were three places that he "zapped". He has given us a 70% chance of conceiving in this next year.

What are some of the symptoms you are experiencing? In some ways, I feel quite lucky that I don't have all the pain that is associated with endo. That is a blessing. I am not sure if you are seeing a family dr. or a specialist, but ask to be referred to a fertility specialist. Then make a list of your symptoms, present it to them.. tell them what you want. I honestly think we can know our own bodies pretty well. It is sad that we basically have to diagnose ourself from the internet these days...

Keep me posted LisaC10!

[Lisa992]

Hi Cor_72,
Thanks for your response. I am just seeing a family doctor. She has put the referall into the fertillity specialist but the wait time is a year for an initial consult. I have done hormone testing and she thinks I have an ovulation problem as my progesterone is low in the luteal phase and I have a short cycle(luteal phase). But I keep bringing up the symptoms I have been having(rectal bleeding, pain during sex) but she only wants to send me in for a lap as last cast scenerio and do other less invasive tests and treatments first. I was able to get pregnant twice last year(to end in miscarriage), but I hope that is a good sign that even if I do have endo I can still get pregnant without treatment.I am on my second round of clomid right now so if doctor is right and their was just a problem with ovulation I am hoping this will do the trick. The first month on it was hell but my body responded well and it looks like I produced 2-3 eggs so hopefully that will increase my chances. I have a question for you though. The pain during sex, did it happen all through the month or just at certain times(ie right before ovulation). Well I am glad that you had the lap done and endo removed. Now your chances of getting pregnant should be good. Also where was your endo(intestine, ovary ect??) And do you know what stage it was at? Thanks again for your response.

[Cor_72]

Hey Lisa992,

I hope the Clomid works for you... and soon! As for the pain during sex, it was all the time for me... until I learned how to control it. I know that there are definitely some risks in having a lap done, but it is a very low low risk... so I am confused why your doctor wouldn't be in favour of that... I really don't know much about my endo. I need to get in contact with the specialist to ask him those very questions. I am assuming that at least one location of the endo was my ovaries... since the egg didn't seem to be going far. I don't even know the stage it was. But those are definitely things I want to know about myself. I should just make a phone call. It sounds like you have exhauted the less invasive tests... maybe they will realize it is time to be a little more invasive... You know, I am amazed at what Doctors can do these days... with a 1 cm incision in my belly button and a 1 cm incision 6 inches bellow my belly button, and minimal recovery... I just wish they could totally remove it. They can never make it go away. It will always come back... eventually...

Waiting a year to see a specialist seems crazy... Is there any way you can by-pass the referral and seek out your own specialist?? I have no idea if that is even possible, but maybe worth a try.

I have a question for you... You said that your first month on the meds was hell... How did they affect you?

[Lisa992]

Hi Cor 72,
My doctor just thinks we should rule out other possiblilties first. She did book an ultrasound as sometimes you can see endmoterosis throught that (or at least something that may need to be investigated more like a cyst of mass of something), and my next visit I am doing a pap. If I am not pregnany my May she is booking me in for the hSG(the dye in the tubes) to check that. If I am still having issues I might insist on being referred to a gynacologist in Edmonton, as they deal more with female issuses than family doctors. My pain during sex is not all the time, but more around ovulation time. It started after my first miscarriage. At first I thought it was just because I was about to ovulate but over time it has got worse and happens more often.(still not all the time). I am also getting a symoscopy done on Monday to try see what causing the rectal bleeding. I had a colonoscopy done in Dec which showed up nothing. Hopefully that will at least explain the bleeding.
As for the referal to the fertility clinic what I have been told is that you are not considered infertile until you have had three miscarriages or have not got pregnant with one full year of trying. So technically the fertillity clinic does not consider me infertile yet. Even though we have been trying for almost two year, but each time I had a miscarriage it resets over for trying again for a year. I made my doctor put in the referal now as it takes a year for an appt and by that time if I am not pregnant I will have either had my third miscarriage or have been trying for a year with no pregnancy.
Last month on Clomid was a challenge. For the five days I was taking the pills I was so depressed and moody I would burst out crying for no reason at all points in the day. I had anxiety and was very moody. I did not feel like myself. As soon as stopped the pills I felt normal again. THen three days before I ovulated I got very nauseous until a day after ovulation. For 4 days I felt like I was going to throw up at any second. The mood swings were probably the hardest to deal with, as i did not feel in control of my emotions and feeling.
i was also going to ask you what part of saskatchewan you are from. I have family in Melville, and my husband has family in debden(by pa).

[sok]

Hi Cor72,

I have endometriosis stage IV and lots of scar tissue. I got a surgery done in 07 to remove the cysts and the scar tissue. However i did my first IVF almost 1 yr later, which failed. then tried the 2nd IVF next year which failed again too. Now as a result of all of this both my fallopian tubes are blocked and filled with fluid. I had to go through an HSG to confirm that. Then my RE told me that my best bet would be get another surgery done, remove both the tubes, cysts and scar tissue and then go for IVF.

Its been a roller coaster 8 months ever since I've got to know that. I dont want to let go of my tubes, yet they are the biggest culprit and the endo does not help at all.

I have all the symptoms you all are experiencing, pain on both sides, pain while ovulation, pain while having sex, pain while period,pain if i lift something too heavy , or if i sit in the wrong posture for too long..

I can understand your pain, as I am going through it day in and day out and now I have given up hope.

I have been told by various people, including RE, that for people with severe Endo the best bet for conception is IVF. Have you discussed that with you RE. The RE will customise the protocol according to your condition and hormone levels. So think abt it and talk to you RE.

All the best..

Sok

[Cor_72]

Lisa 992 - Nope, not from those places... Sorry. I live in Nipawin (North East of PA). That is interesting about the clomid. I never really researched it very far. That is good to know.

Sok - In a sense, I feel lucky that I don't have all of the symptoms you have... I am sorry that you have so much discomfort. My specialist did give me the option of IVF, but we are going to give the natural way a fair shot, now that the endo was "zapped". I realize that doesn't in any way guarantee a pregnancy, but the dr. did give us a 70% chance... This is month #1, and I can hardly wait to do a test... I fear that I will get my hopes up too high just to be let down - again. It's like I finally got to the place where I just expected NOT to be prego each month, and now there is a chance... What a roller coaster...
Can I ask what IVF typically costs??

[nzsc]

Hi,
I am new to this site so I hope this posts in the right place.

I was recently diagnosed with endo in both ovaries. Finally. For nine years (yes, 9 years), I have been complaining about pelvic pain. Nine years ago, my reg. doc. recommended a ultrasound. The u/s showed that everything was fine. I went back to my doc. who said that it was muscle spasms, which made sense to me becasue I just started a new exercise program. At this time I was not married, not TTC, and never pregnant.

For the last four years, my DH and I have been TTC, but with no doc. help. We just tried on our own. No symptoms have been the following: pelvic pain that comes and goes, irregular cycles of AF, migraines, and fatigue.

In December of 2008, I was pregnant. I m/c on 1-12-09. After that, my ob/gyn referred me to a fertility clinic for a workup if I want to TTC. I am pretty old for all of this, 39 currently. I had a test done with the infertility specalist (HUS) and he diagnoses endo.

Now, more tests for both DH and I.

I am mad, angry, hurt becasue this was not diagnosed sooner. I love my ob/gyn who I just started seeing with the pregnancy. I bumped my reg. doc. and the other ob/gyn that I was seeing for routine exams. I also love the infertility specalist b/c he is thorough. They both happen to be men. In the past I only wanted female ob/gyn and/or specialists. These men are so much more gentle during tests and very very thorough. I am glad I found them and my endo is finally diagnosed. I am pissed that it took so long - DH and I wasted four F**** years.

So, yes, I have endo and it went undiagnosed for 9 years. It is a miracle that I conceived at all, even though that ended with a m/c. That was the one and only time I was ever pregnant.

It all sucks.

nzsc

[kells]

How was the surgery, I am having it in a week.

Originally Posted by Cor_72

Hey everyone...
I was just diagnosed on 02/18/09 with endo. It was my first lap. I recovered well. My DH and I have been trying for a family for over three years and had no explanation of why we were experiencing infertility. Hubby was checked and passed with flying colors. I had seen my dr. for several of the symptoms of endo in the past, but neither she nor I put the pieces together, until I was researching infertility and the symptoms of endo. I feel like I diagnosed myself and my dr didn't catch it at all... Maybe we would have a baby by now if they had put the pieces together earlier?? I don't know. I was told that the first 6 months is the best window for getting prego after the lap (which diagnosed and treated the endo). Any suggestions? The lap was two weeks ago (tomorrow) and next weekend should be mid-cycle... hopefully my belly-button will feel good then! Anyways, I just wanted to join a group where people know and can relate to the frustration and longing. There is nothing I want more than to be a mom.

[Cor_72]

Hi Kells...
My experience with the lap was really good. I went into the hospital at about 7 am, and was out by 2pm. I couldn't believe how good I actually felt. My belly was sore, and I rode in the car holding a pillow (seatbelt over the pillow). But really not terrible. I was afraid I would be sick from the anesthesia, but that wasn't even bad. The next two days were worse than the actual surgery day. I had pain in my right shoulder mostly, but sometimes by left shoulder. The pain wouldn't last for really long periods of time, but I just layed on the couch with a heating pad on my shoulder. That really helped. The shoulder pain is from the gas that they use to "inflate" your belly while they are looking around in there. My belly button really bruised and looked pretty scary - but again, not tons of pain like I was expecting. Take sweat pants to the hospital or some really loose fitting PJ pants or something. You won't want to have anything rubbing on your belly button or tight on your abdomen for a while (you are bloated after too). Even when I went back to work (5 days after lap) I had to be careful what pants I wore.

I hope that you have a good experience with your lap. I'd be interested to hear how it goes for you. (Oh, here's advice I wish I had been given. Have a list of questions ready for your surgeon/dr that you want to know - I didn't and there are still things I don't know like where the endo was, what stage it is, etc. - and ask for him to see you after the surgery.)

If they find endo, will they treat you at the same time? That's what they did for me, but apparently some hospitals can do the confirming and diagnosing, but not the treating...