a question about endometriosis and fertility

FeliciaDA Posted: Dec 28, 2004 11:51 AM

a question about endometriosis and fertility

Let me preface this by saying we are not TTC presently, yet we were hoping to begin sometime in 2005.

Aside from some other health issues I've been experiencing recently, I have been referred back to my gyno for an accurate diagnosis as to whether I do indeed have endometriosis or not. After a few months of incredibly erratic cycles and horribly painful periods that have nearly sent me to the ER, my doctors are now thinking along these lines. I have been suffering with this pain not only prior to my cycles and during them, but even at other times of the month..which is another reason it has taken so long to diagnose me.

I have read many conflicting stories about endometriosis and fertility issues, so I wanted to get some feedback from you ladies... I know it entirely depends on the severity of the endometriosis in the patient, yet its always helpful to hear stories firsthand IMO

Also, if anyone has any information about laparoscopy surgery (in order to accurately diagnose endometriosis), I would appreciate it. I am preparing myself that this *might* be the next step, yet am terribly worried about it (yup I am a huge wimp)

Thanks in advance

wc0143 Posted: Dec 28, 2004 02:05 PM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

Felicia - I have no answers to any of your questions but good luck!!!

tourist Posted: Dec 28, 2004 03:11 PM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

ok, I'm not TTC, just cam to read abut Alicia's adoption, but I have read about this, & I think that future fertility is really more dependant on the type of treatment you have.

SeptemberBride03 Posted: Dec 28, 2004 04:04 PM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

I have endo and have posted about this before. I have also had the surgery you are referring to, let me know if I can give you any advice!

FeliciaDA Posted: Dec 28, 2004 04:14 PM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

Posted by SeptemberBride03

I have endo and have posted about this before. I have also had the surgery you are referring to, let me know if I can give you any advice!

Thank you so much I am going to do a search for your post to get more info. I will know more next week about my exact condition, and if I do need the surgery I will FM you

Thanks all for your kind words

btrflygrl Posted: Dec 28, 2004 06:22 PM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

my best friend has endo, real bad .....same as you, VERY painful periods that she was on prescription pain killers! She had several surgeries and ended up with 2 beautiful kids....she conceived #2 when #1 was 10 months old b/c the doctor told her Now while it's easy or maybe Never

brideinapril Posted: Dec 29, 2004 08:08 AM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

Hi Felicia - I don't know anything about this but I saw your post and wanted to send you some hugs...

SeptemberBride03 Posted: Jan 13, 2005 09:04 AM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

Felicia - have you made any decisions about the laparoscopy?

FeliciaDA Posted: Jan 13, 2005 09:46 AM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

Posted by SeptemberBride03

Felicia - have you made any decisions about the laparoscopy?

Thanks so much for asking

It's so ironic that you bumped this post up today. I was just going to post a new thread about it. As it turns out, I am scheduled for the laparoscopy tomorrow (Friday)

I'm so nervous. My doctor feels that since the pain has been relentless, this I will be the best way of truly determining how severe the endo is and to 'clean it out,' but I'm just worrying about it being severe

I know you've been down this road before, any advice you can give me to calm my nerves? My doctor keeps assuring me the procedure itself isn't bad

Thanks again

wc0143 Posted: Jan 13, 2005 10:18 AM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

Good luck tomorrow!!! I'll be thinking of you!!!

steph4777 Posted: Jan 13, 2005 11:03 AM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

Good Luck, I hope everything goes will with the procedure.

Betty Posted: Jan 13, 2005 12:38 PM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

I know someone that had this surgery a few times. She said she was pretty knocked out after the surgery and sore for a few days.

Unfortunately, surgery is the only way to see if you actually have endiometriosis.

Good Luck

btrflygrl Posted: Jan 13, 2005 07:42 PM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

Good Luck Felicia!!! Speedy recovery!!

SeptemberBride03 Posted: Jan 17, 2005 12:40 PM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

Felicia, I didn't see your reply until today. I'm sorry I didn't get to write you before your procedure. How do you feel? When I had it I was pretty out of it for a few days b/c of all the pain killers, then sore for about a week. My first period after the laparoscopy hurt b/c everything was so tender, but after that I couldn't get over how much better I felt. I actually need to have another laparoscopy but we're trying to hold out a bit b/c they want me to TTC two months after and we're not quite ready for that.

I hope you're feeling better!!

FeliciaDA Posted: Jan 18, 2005 11:12 AM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

Posted by SeptemberBride03

Felicia, I didn't see your reply until today. I'm sorry I didn't get to write you before your procedure. How do you feel? When I had it I was pretty out of it for a few days b/c of all the pain killers, then sore for about a week. My first period after the laparoscopy hurt b/c everything was so tender, but after that I couldn't get over how much better I felt. I actually need to have another laparoscopy but we're trying to hold out a bit b/c they want me to TTC two months after and we're not quite ready for that.

I hope you're feeling better!!

Thanks for sharing your experiences and for the well wishes

I am still sore, but feeling a lot better than I did the past 3 days. I even came into work today bc I had such cabin fever staying home. Though I am still really tired and don't have my energy fully back.

They did discover endo, Stage 2 which isn't as bad as I was worrying about. They cleared it out and told me I should be feeling a lot better once I go thru my first cycle. Since we really want to start TTC sometime later this year, I am going to have to discuss with my gyno what to do in the coming months about trying to keep the endo from returning - I know she is going to suggest we start TTC now, since pregnancy will help keep the endo (and pain) away. But we aren't quite there yet so I'm not sure how we'll proceed

I wish you good luck with your next lap , as well as TTC in the coming months You have been such a help!

SeptemberBride03 Posted: Jan 18, 2005 04:20 PM

Re: a question about endometriosis and fertility

I'm glad you are feeling better!

The best way to keep it at bay while you get ready to TTC is to get on a good BCP. The best one for me was Demulen. Then a few years ago my insurance stopped covering it, so I switched to Mircette - which didn't work and made the endo come back - but there was no way for me to know until the pain came back full force. I just got switched to the generic equivalent of Demulen and I'm hoping it does the trick for now! And pain killers work wonders during that time of the month - naproxen works best for me. I've been on stronger ones but they make me too groggy to function!