Hydrosalpinga (sp?) & Activity after Transfer

[yme]

I just completed my first IVF cycle. Everything went great, implanted 3 viable embryos, but we still did not conceive. (Heavy sigh!!!)

1) What is the recommended level of activity after transfer to increase the likelihood of attachment? Live normally? Limited Activity? Stay in bed for a week?

2) My doc says I have liquid in my tubes that some doctors think might affect the uterine lining and interfere with embryo attachment. He does not believe it's necessary to remove the tubes first. Has anyone confronted this issue? Did/not have surgery? Did/not have success with/out surgery?

Unfortunately in the US fertility treatments are not always covered so we are paying for this out of pocket ($10,000 with Rx per try!). Surgery would not be covered by insurance either.

[SJ BROWN]

Hi YME
Welcolme to this site
sorry your 1st tmt was unsuccessfull.....

I dont hink there are any right/wrong approaches to the 2ww....
some people go back to work and carry on as normal, others take 2 weeks off and do nothing.........

I think its whatever you feel comfortable with....
My advise (I am not a dr) would be 1) drink lots of water 2)Avoid caffeine(coffee/tea/chocolate and alcohol 3) do not do any heavy lifting, hoovering, swimming, gym etc 4) do not have baths and shower backwards 5)avoid intercourse and orgasm!!

I noticed you posted on IVF forum-I dont think there is an active moderator on this site. I think there is a site called Fertility Friends who have a thread to ask a nurse questions.....Ive never taken to that site personally, I prefer this one-its easier to follow but give it a go.......

Anyway, good luck with your next tmt....
know what you mean about finance, where I live we do not get any assistance either

Sarah
xxx

[jane]

Hi yme,
I am sorry to hear that your ivf cycle was not positive .
I found quite a bit of information on the net about hydrosalping (spelling?). I came across it in relation to searching for information on damaged and swollen fallopian tubes. The information I read recommended that the tubes should be removed as the antibodies (or something) is harmful to the embryo and will prevent pregnancy. I was also scanned by the consultant prior to this ivf go to ensure that I didn't have hydrosapling (swelling).

In relation to activity levels after embryo transfer. I really don't think there is any right or wrong. Certainly no research to prove anything. My clinic said to be normal, return to work, walk dog etc but just no aerobics. Other books I have read say to take it easy for 3 - 4 days, no housework etc. I am on the 2ww at the moment and I am taking it very easy. On day 4 and I still haven't driven or walked far. But I am going to go to the shops later and am back to work in 2 days time.

Hope I have been of some help.
Good luck to you for your next treeatment.
From Sophie-Jane.

[yme]

That significantly decreases my confidence in my doctor's recommendation. I am alarmed actually. Why would they not recommend the surgery? I am paying $10000 out of pocket and I don't have the money or emotional wherewithall to waste on failed attempts.

[jane]

Hi yme,
I am not a doctor and only read research on the net. Different sites say different things and it really does depend on the damage to your tubes. So please don't take my word for it.
www.fertilityfriends.com has a message board where you can ask an expert.

This is an extract from one site, but as I said the research does vary.
www.crmlondon.co.uk/manageinfertility
Hydrosalpinx (2002)
In extreme cases blocked fallopian tubes become swollen and filled with fluid (Hydrosalpinx.) The fluid contains many inflammatory products and there is now strong evidence that the success rates of in vitro fertilisation are lower in the presence of hydrosalpinges. We would now always advise women with infertility due to bilateral hydrosalpinges that these should be laparoscopically removed prior to initiating IVF treatment

From Sophie Jane

[KathrynT]

Hi yme,
I too have had hydrosalapinx problems. When my 1st IVF cycle failed doc thought it might be my tubes leaking into the womb and suggested removing the tubes. This does sterilise you and therefore I think they only suggest it depending on your individual cause of infertility. With me they knew that there would never be a chance of that miracle baby apart from IVF so removing my tubes would not affect my chances of ever conceiving naturally. Also we all know how bad we feel being unable to conceive but docs also worry about the psychological knowledge of being sterile. It can also be a major op like a hysterectomy...with 2 months off work and no driving or housework (bliss at first but after I while I was so bored of daytime tv!). In August they removed one tube but could only clamp the other one as they couldn't reach it. I thought it would be ok but when I had my scans pre ec the remaining tube had refilled from the unclamped end so surgery may not always be the answer.
I had one egg put back and test on 15 March.
Good luck with the next try

[sharoninsomerset]

Hi Yme,

I too have hydrosalapinx. After my 2nd try at ivf they diagnosed it and said this was probably the cause of why the embryo's weren't implanting - the fluid leeks into the womb from the tubes and is toxic to the embryo. They told me there was little point in carrying on with IVF unless I had it treated. I had sever tubal damage in both tubes so they recommended that I had both tubes 'Clipped' not removed. I went in on a day case and was fine after, just rest for a day or so.

I don't know why some doctors would 'remove' the tubes and others just 'clip' them. Anyway, it now means that I still have the fluid developing in my tubes (caused by the drugs) but it doesn't leek into the womb and doesn't effect the embryo.

I've subsequently had one more ivf which failed and one which we abandoned, but we are going to try again in April/May so fingers crossed.

I would definately see doctor about having them clipped if you have sever tubal damage which means you are effectively sterile anyway.

Best of luck to all
Sx

[lisa]

Hi,
I too have hydrosalapinx - I was also told that the fluid leaks into the womb so I had my tube clipped and was told that this would stop any fluids leaving the tube and interfering with the treatment. I have had 1 failed ivf, 2 failed icsi's and I am injecting at the moment for our 4th icsi attempt with assisted hatching (hopefully ec on Friday 12th). Each attempt the little buggers don't seem to stick and I do wonder if the tube being clipped rather than being removed has anything to do with that. Has anyone had or heard of a +ive after only being clipped.

lisa xxx

[lisa]

Hi,
I too have hydrosalapinx - I was also told that the fluid leaks into the womb so I had my tube clipped and was told that this would stop any fluids leaving the tube and interfering with the treatment. I have had 1 failed ivf, 2 failed icsi's and I am injecting at the moment for our 4th icsi attempt with assisted hatching (hopefully ec on Friday 12th). Each attempt the little buggers don't seem to stick and I do wonder if the tube being clipped rather than being removed has anything to do with that. Has anyone had or heard of a +ive after only being clipped.

lisa xxx