First Appointment

Faith · Post by **Faith** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 10:31 am

Hello Everyone, I've only posted a couple of times and not for a few weeks. I'm at the beginning of this 'journey' and was stressing myself out with worrying about things that I couldn't do anything about, so I decided to take a break until I actually had something to write about (I felt awful as there were people going through so much worse than me....) However, I HAVE been checking up on everyone and just want to say to those who have recently tested positive CONGRATULATIONS!!! I have cheered for every one of you. For those who have had bad news, my heart has gone out to you. Anyway...to get to the point...DH & I had our first consulatation at Care in Manchester last week. DH was tested and is fine and I had a scan which showed that my womb is 'bulky'. Apparently, this is an indication of adenomyosis - basically endo in the walls of the uterus. Bloody marvelous! So not only do I have severe endo and blocked tubes, I now have this as well! It seems every time anyone has a look at me, they find something else wrong. I'm sure I've read that adenomyosis can stop implantation of embryo's. The consultant didn't dwell on this and would only say 'you have a chance'. To be honest, I'm not sure I was that impressed with Care...but they seem to have a good reputation and success rates and are one of the closest to us, so we'll probably stick with them. I'd asked about hydrosalpinges, but he said he saw no sign of persistent ones from the scan. Can they see this from ultrasound? I can't seem to get away from feeling that we're just easy money for these places. He seemed to want to get us on board without too much discussion. I can only be thankful for this site, as if I hadn't got loads of information about treatments from here, I would have been totally bewildered when he went through it. It was very quick and a bit confusing...but luckily I knew most of it anyway... I think I was probably just expecting too much...no-one can say what anyone's chances are until they actually try, I suppose. So...the upshot is that although I'm not hopeful about our chances (I just think there's too much wrong with me) we ARE going to go for it - we have to, I think. I don't want to think in the future 'What If...?' I'm not sure when we'll be starting...we have to get forms signed by our GP's and have blood tests done, so it will be a few weeks yet. Maybe around Christmas, or not too long afterwards... Does anyone have any advice on the short or long protocols? I think with the endo I might be better going for the long one. Any thoughts....? Right! I should go...I've taken the morning off work as we're having a new TV delivered. I don't know what's wrong with me...We're supposed to be saving money and I can't stop spending it! If I come home with one more pair of shoes or boots I think DH will divorce me! It doesn't matter how many times I tell him, he just doesn't understand...WOMEN NEED SHOES!! Thinking of you all. Faith xx

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 9:59 pm

Hi Faith, sorry to hear of your problems but I am sure the clinic will do all they can to get around them. I can't help with endo but re short & long protocols I have had the most success with short protocol but it will differ from person to person depending on your situation. My last 2 cycles were short (and they seemed to go really quick from start to finish) and I injected but did not sniff beforehand. Did your clinic suggest which would be better for you? Sorry, I don't think I was much help there! Take care and let us know what you decide Lots of love Kat xx PS If it's any consolation, I too am having a bit of a spending spree, we have had a new tv, surround sound and a new bathroom (nearly) but I haven't found the right boots yet (men definitely don't understand about shoes, or handbags for that matter!). I think I do it to make myself feel better. I'll worry about paying for the next cycle when I get there....

jane · Post by **jane** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 8:29 pm

Hi Faith, I haven't got any advice about the endo thing or short or long treatments. But I'm at the beginnig stage of all this too. Just signed all the forms and me and DH are just deciding to start IVF before Xmas or after Xmas. I change my mind every day!! I've been trying for 2 years for a baby. Found out in August that both my tubes are blocked ... when I came round from the laparoscopy was told very bluntly that I could not have children naturally and so should have IVF. No beating around the bush or anything. I was devastated as even though I knew something wasn't right you still hope don't you. I still hope now each month that my period wont come, and still cry when it does. Anyway, IVF does offer us a real chance ...as my consultant said "its a better chance than I've got at the moment"!! That was blunt too but I hang on to that and think that there is a chance for us all. Have you looked up the success rate for the clinic. Try posting to see if anyone else attends there? I'm sure they will do everything they can and its worth giving it ago. The cost is only the equivalent to a fantastic 3 week holiday in Maldives - or a T Reg Ford Ka - or a bottle of wine every day for 2 years.Mmmmm not sure whether I've cheered you up at all. Good luck to you, from Jane

wendy30 · Post by **wendy30** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 9:38 pm

Hi Faith I have endo and am going through an IVF cycle at the moment, just waiting for my pregnancy test on the 12th. My periods are so bad that I can't bear to have them so drugs like zoladax which down regulate are a bit of a god send as you have no periods. This is my third attempt and I had 2 zoladax injections (28 days apart) as part of my treatment. Like you my tubes are blocked and I suppose there is no easy way for someone to tell you that. As far as the money goes we paid for our first two attempts and you do grudge the money a wee bit as if your planning for a baby you feel you should be saving not spending. Also can't tell you exactly how many pairs of shoes I've bought since we started all this. This time, however, we qualify for funding and my shoe addiction is under control for the time being. The thing I find about the IVF clinic is that the fact I have endo was never really considered when deciding more on what to do with me in between cycles but I think that seems to be getting better as Simpsons in Edinburgh now has departments to deal with all reproductive health issues since they have moved to a new building. Keep your chin up, keep buying shoes and bags (you can always hide them in your wardrobe from your other half), what is it they say on sex & the city, its the ability to accessorize that separates us from the animals. Good Luck Wendy [Edited by wendy30 on 04-Nov-03 13:40]

Faith · Post by **Faith** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 9:58 pm

Hi Kat & Jane, Thanks so much for your replies. It helps so much to know that there are people out there who understand exactly how we're all feeling. I have five (yes, five!) sisters who are all absolutely brilliant and are really concerned & caring to me, but they all have children - none of them had any problems at all (they say one in six people do have problems, so I suppose I prove that theory!) so they just don't understand.... Kat - I know you have really had a tough time lately so thanks for taking the time to help me....I know what you mean about spending to make yourself feel better - that's exactly what I'm doing. I'm a shopaholic anyway, but all of this has really knocked my confidence, so I'm spending to cheer myself up. Luckily DH is very understanding...! Jane - It's nice to hear from someone else who is only just starting all this. I'm in a very similar situation to you. When I came round from my lap I was still groggy when the consultant came and said 'you have severe endo, blocked tubes and lots of adhesions. I'm not saying you'll never have children, but that's because we never say never. If I were you I'd start looking at IVF and I'd do it soon...' NICE!! And I'm just like you in that even though I know the chances of me getting pregnant naturally are virtually zero (we're talking miracles here), we still try every month and I'm still really upset when AF arrives, just like you. I've recently found out that two really close friends are pg (and two others have had babies in the last four months) and though I'm really, genuinely pleased for them, we all know that it still hurts... None of them had any problems at all.... Regarding the long & short protocols, I just thought that the drugs they give you to down-reg are similar to those they use to treat endo, and that maybe taking them even just for a few weeks would perhaps lessen the endo, even just a little. The clinic didn't advise either way...just said it was up to me. I'd really appreciate any advice anyone's got about this.... I took the forms to my GP today and will have the blood tests done in about two weeks time (they need to be done on days 1-5). All being well (knowing my luck they'll find I've got a high FSH or something). I know, I know, PMA and all that!! I'll keep in touch to see how things are going with everyone and no doubt will be asking for more advice...but I must go as I've written another essay....! It's DH's birthday tomorrow, so I can see me opening a bottle of wine, even though wwe're trying to cut down (getting better but still having lapses!). If I added up all we've spent on wine in the last couple of years....Hmmm! Know what you mean Jane! Thinking of you all. Faith

Faith · Post by **Faith** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 10:10 pm

Hi Wendy, After I'd sent my reply to Kat & Jane, your post was there, so we must have been writing at the same time!! My periods are absolutely awful too - I absolutely dread that time of month (and not just because it means I'm not pg!) I will keep my fingers crossed for you on your 2WW. Every positive that someone gets is hope for the rest of us. We are on the list for NHS funding, but the wait is 3-4 years for our area, so we can't afford to wait that long (I'm 35). If the worst comes the worst I've told DH I'll sell my MINI Cooper (my pride and joy!) Hopefully it won't come to that...! Take care and good luck! Faith xx