[nzsc]

Hi Everyone,
I am new here.

I recently m/c on 1-12-09. This was my first and only pregnancy after TTC for four years. DH and I TTC on own own, with no doc. help. After the m/c my gyn/ob suggested I see an infertility specialist, if I want to TTC again, because of my age. He said that they do the best "workups" relating to TTC. So I go see this infertility specailist. I had a lot of bloodwork done and a HUS test. The test showed that I have endo in both ovaries.

Okay - now I finally know. For nine years I have been complaining about pelvic pain. In 2000, I went to my doc. to complain about pelvic pain. I had an u/s done then which showed that all was normal. At this time I was not married, not TTC, and never yet pregnant. So I go back to my doc. and she tells me that it most likely is muscle spasms. At the time this made sense b/c I just started a new exercise program. The endo expalins my pelvic pain, migraines, fatigue, and irregular cycles.

Now I am 39 and TTC with the help of the infertility specialist. I am so angry, frustrated, pissed, etc. b/c the diagnosis took so long. So much wasted time. I really like my gyn/ob (who is new to me since 12-08) and the infertility specailist b/c he is so thorough and he really listens to me. I wish I found them a lot sooner.

Anyone out there 35+ with endo TTC?

It is a miracle that I conceived once, even though that ended horribly. I miss my baby so much and I want to be a mom.

Thanks for reading,
Natasha

[ladyki]

Were you diagnosed endo via surgery or was it through an ultrasound?

[nzsc]

Hi ladyki,
Neither - The vaginal u/s showed nothing. I did not have the LAP surgery yet and I know that that is the only way to both diagnose endo with 100% and treat it.

What I had done is called a saline sonohysterogram. Basically, the doc. opens up the cervix with clamps, inserts a catherer in the vagina, and pumps in saline solution. The doc. can then see on the u/s monitor a clearer picture. He told me that he is 99% sure it is endo on both ovaries. He has a lot of experience and I have more testing scheduled. And endo makes sense to me with all of my symptoms. But I could be wrong. The test was not fun. A little more painful then a routine Pap Test and I cramped for two days after. The mild cramping is normal after this test, acc. to the doc. and other sources that I read about it.
Natasha

[Mama2Caden]

As you can see from my signature what We had to go through. I think Endo is mostly underdiagnosed disease ever. I think if we never advocate for our fertility many women go for years without this ever being considered. It's really sad.

At least you have a cause now and can proceed from there. We ended up having to IVF and I just gave birth in January to a healthy baby girl. It was a long time coming. I'm 37. Good luck with this new doctor. Keep the faith, it will happen.

[lovingwife]

I was diagnosed with endo at age 34. I had a lap to diagnose and remove it from my ovaries, uterus and bladder. We tried on our own for 2 cycles and planned to move onto IUI. We were very fortunate to conceive on our own that second month. So, I was 35 by the time I delivered my daughter. Are you going to have a lap? For me, that was all I needed in order to conceive. Best of luck to you and if you have any questions feel free to pm me.

[ladyki]

Yeah I know the tests can be a little painful, I had that one done too.

I never had any endo symptoms. I just went in to get a ultrasound because I was having some pelvic pain. The doctor thought I had a cyst on one of my ovaries and wanted to remove it as soon as possible because he knoew that I wanted to conceive.

When the surgery as over, he told me that there was no cyst that there was Endo all over the place.He reffered me to and RE who also specializes in Endo. The RE confirmed that it was Endo stage IV.

Good Luck, maybe yours turns out not to be endo or hopefully it is mild.

[kittycat]

Hi NZSC, I'm 35 and just diagnosed with Stage IV endo, just completed the laparascopy to remove everything. Slowly recovering. Have you proceeded with the surgery? That is the only way they will know 100% what is going on in there. I was in quite a bit of pain for the first 5-7 days but I screwed up and went to work, where I have to stand, after only 5 days. Needless to say it set my recovery back slightly. Feeling better now, this Friday will be my 2 week mark. Let me know how you're feeling and if you'd like some moral support. I could use some!

Vicki

[Kellileanne]

Hi, I'm 30 and just starting ttc for #2. I know having one most say, "aren't you happy with one?" Well, I always wanted 3 kids. I don't feel my family is complete, just like before I finally had dd.
Anyway, I'm on provera right now (till the 13th) and will end up on clomid if we aren't pregnant within a few months. I was diagnosed in 2003 with stage 1. Now they think I'm probably stage 3 (ultrasound showing fluid around my uterus, which explains how tender my pelvic area has been). I'm afraid it's too late already and I don't want to get into iuis or ivf, just not for me. I don't know what to think at this point, dh deploys sometime early next year so the dr is trying to get me so I can get pregnant before that because he says another year and I will probably be completely infertile with the endo--it is already affecting my ovaries.

[janey]

Hi, i was diagnosed with endo when i was 35, ( i have had 2 early miscarriages before they found out i had endo)
I had a laporoscopy and then 6 months injections of prostap (lupron) to remove the endo.
I was then given clomid and i am pleased to say i concieved on the first month of clomid.
I am now nearly 22 weeks pregnant at the age of 36.
Good Luck