Endometriosis

[Strawberry Lemonade]

Ladies, anyone have/had it? I may have it, and this is what is probably causing my fertility problems. (I know no one knows my personal issues, so long story short: DH and I have been trying for about a year with no luck.) I may have to go for laproscopic surgery in the near future and was wondering if anyone has gone through this and what your experiences were like.

I'm getting a little nervous and of course I've heard the horror stories. On the other hand, I do know of a few people who have had it cleared out and have gone on to have children. I'd appreciate any info, thanks.

 

[mickeyboat]

Hugs for you. I have not been through endometriosis, but did go through infertility issues for several years before the birth of my first DD. It is an incredibly difficult time. Here's wishing you good luck and good resolution of your problem.

Denae

 

[Denine]

I do have it and had a lap done 2 years ago. The procedure wasn't bad but it didn't really help. I still have a lot of pain.
We tried for 4 years to become pregnant before giving up and deciding to adopt (which took another 4 years). However, I had them check my tubes and they were clean. My endo officially wasn't the cause of our infertility. DH is.

We do have a beautiful DD who will be 2 next month. Seems like she was just a newborn!

Good luck!

 

[shortbun]

My sis had 3 laparoscopy(sp) procedures, got cervical
dispasia(unrelated) and just had a hysterectomy. She never wanted children so fertility wasn't an issue. She had serious air/gas pain with the first one and some of it with the last two.
The surgeon who did her hyst said he'd never seen so much
endo, couldn't even save her ovaries as they were so tied
up and damaged. My best friend had it too-had the procedure,
did not get pregnant. Used invitro. Her son turned 2 this summer.

 

[TerriP]

I have endo, too. I have had 2 laps performed...the surgery itself is not bad. The gas that they use to "inflate" your body cavity to lift the body wall can be painful for a couple days, as it dissipates, but that is really all that hurts. I have two teeny tiny scars in my belly button from the incision, but only I notice them.

As for getting "cleared out", that's not really going to happen unless you have very little endo...and then, it is less like to be the cause of your fertility troubles. I have moderate to severe endo and the surgeries took away some of the lesions, but not nearly all of them. A laproscopy is a wonderful tool for the diagnosis of endo and a measure of treatment, but certainly not a cure.

DH and I have only been trying to conceive for two months, so I have no idea yet if endo will interfere. But I am hopeful it will not. I was diagnosed with endo over ten years ago, and it has caused more than it's fair share of pain for me, but I'm holding out hope of conceiving a child naturally. If not, then it's not mean to be. We'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Best of luck...pm me if I can be of any help!

 

[clutter]

Two laps, one laparotomy. The scopes are a piece of cake, getting over the effects of anesthesia is harder than getting over the surgery.

Good luck. Endo's a tough one. I was diagnosed severe at age23, got pregnant at age 37. Don't know who was ore surprised -- me or my doctor.

 

[Strawberry Lemonade]

Now I'm getting really nervous. My ob/gyn told me this morning that my HSG "hinted" at endo and that it could potentially be the problem (sorry if I wasn't clear). I have to see a specialist who will perform the lap. The ob/gyn gave me the impression that if it's not too severe, it could be rectified.

 

[CEDmom]

I haven't had it personally but several friends have. They all eventually became preg and carried healthy babies with the help of fertility drugs/treatment once the endo was dealt with. Of the 5 friends who had it 1 did become preg a 2nd time w/o any intervention. It might be worth it to discuss followup treatment with your dr.

Hope it works out for you .

 

[luvwinnie]

Yes, I had it quite severely and had 2 laps in my early 20s. I'm 36 now. Staying on the Pill is the only thing that has kept my pain away. I have never tried to have children, so I can't answer that part of the question. I fully expect to need a hysterectomy after I have to get off the pill.
I was on Lupron, but I would NOT recommend that drug at all.

PM me if you need more info.

 

[want2retire]

I wasn't able to conceive after trying for two years because of endometriosis. I first had a procedure called histosalpingeogram (sp?) and when that didn't help, had the laparoscopy. I don't remember it being painful, but honestly that was over twenty years ago. Our daughter is 19 and our two sons are 17 and 18! Good luck to you and your husband! I know how difficult it is.

 

[ZachnElli]

I can't answer any questions. But I think I have it too. I've had many female problems over the past 4 years and got a few different opinions. One doctor only interviewed me and said I had endo. I thought he was nuts and never went back. I don't think he's nuts anymore, I am! I see a new doctor Sept 3 (we moved). Wishing you lots of luck!