ENDOMETRIOSIS TREATMENT BEFORE IVF?

[green]

LOOKING FOR ADVICE ABOUT TREATING ENDOMETRIOSIS...

I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ENDO IN JANUARY DURING AN INVESTIGATIVE LAPOROSCOPY. THE DOCTOR REFFERED ME FOR IUI ON THE NHS BUT BECAUSE OF THE LONG WAITING LIST WE DECIDED TO HAVE A GO PRIVATELY WHILE WE WAIT. I HAD MY FIRST APPOINTMENT LAST WEEK AT THE CLINIC I WAS SO RELIEVED, AT LAST OUR CHANCE OF GETTING PREGNANT WOULD ONLY BE WEEKS AWAY.
AFTER THE CONSULTANT LOOKED AT OUR NOTES AND TEST RESULTS HE ADVISED THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION WOULD BE ICSI BUT ONLY AFTER TREATING THE ENDO FOR 4MONTHS. I WAS SO UPSET AT THE TIME BUT CAN NOW SEE WHY IT'S THE SENSIBLE OPTION.
MY TREATMENT STARTS TODAY I'M HAVING THE INJECTIONS FOR 4MTHS WHICH WILL BRING ON THE MENOPAUSE INCLUDING ALL USUAL SYMTEMS.
I JUST WONDERED IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCE HOW BAD ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE INJECTIONS ANY ADVICE OR THOUGHTS WOULD BE HELPFUL.

THANKS
GREEN

[gregmbarry]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with endometriosis via laparoscopy about 4 years ago. Of course there are varying degrees of endometriosis - and mine was not severe at all. My only symptom is infertility. During the lap 4 years ago the doctor burned off what he could and we still couldnt' get pregnant. In January we had in vitro and were able to get pregnant. FYI I am 33 yrs old - so if yours isn't a severe case of endo - we're in the same boat. I had 2 embies transferred and one stuck. If you have any questions at all - I'll watch your board here and I'll give you what information I can.

[rouge]

Hi Green,

I had a laparascopy for my endometriosis in 2004, and they found that the endo was severe. So after the lap, I was put on zoladex injections for 4 mths (which brings abt a menopausal state for abt 6 mths).

I was skeptical about this treatment at first, coz I tot the endometriosis would still come back anyway due to its severity. But my doc assured me that with such aggressive treatment it may never return. Now, since I've just got a BFP with my 2nd IVF cycle (1.5 yrs after the lap), I think I'm finally convinced!

As for the side effects, I had the usual menopausal symptoms like hot flushes. But nothing unbearable.

All the best!

[Libby]

Hi Green,

In November last year I had a lap to laser what they could of my endo, then went onto Zoladex for 3 months. Everything is pretty much stuck together down there but my uterus is normal.

My symptoms on Zoladex varied depending on where I was in the month (because of the drug building up and then wearing off). Flushes were worse when the implant was wearing on or off, I had headaches almost everyday and had 'urgency syndrome' - ie - the urgent need to pee every 5 minutes - this was the worst of the symtoms and thankfully only had it in the middle of the month and for a couple of hours at a time - unfortunately that just happened to be while I was on hol in Hong Kong!Also had pretty bad night sweats especially in the beginning.

Anyway, I think it was all worth it since initially it helped the pain and got rid of spotting and periods and most especially since I am now 4w 3d pregnant

Hopefully the time will fly by for you. I used it to get myself into optimum health - I cut out caffeine and alcohol totally and avoided aspartame, MSG, preservatives etc. I also had weekly acupuncture sessions from the week after my op right up until day of embryo transfer.

Good luck!

Libby x

[mafalda]

Hey Green,
I was also diagnosed with extensive endometriosis 4 y ago, and underwent laparotomy (open surgery) to remove a number of large cysts. After that, I had 6 months of Arvekap injections.
I did have some side-effects, which were hot flushes, headaches, night sweats and lots of nerves (most probably due to the rest of the side-effects)!
I do hope this period is as smooth as possible for you -- the sooner you start, the sooner you'll finish!
Good luck!

[Moritsha]

Hi was on Zoladex 5 years ago and my side effects were mild. I had a very large fibroid and had a trial treatment - embolization. This shrunk the fibroid but a couple of years later more fibroids appeared. Had laparoscopy and a hysteroscopy 2 years ago. Diagnosed with ENDO. Had 1st IVF treatment. Unfortunately BFN. Good luck.