Infertility Support

Ok, what next! Just when I thought I had this IF thing starting to make sense, and were on the right path to get p/g, another twist has been added. I have now been diagnosed with possible endo. A little history on that – during my 2^nd cycle of Clomid a mid cycle u/s showed a cyst on my left ovary. On a follow up u/s 6 weeks later the left was the same and now a smaller one on my right ovary. The RE  recommended a Lap and thought I had endo. I wanted to wait and just monitor it for awhile. During this time I did have a lot of ovary pain (yikes, ovulation pain!) and overall pelvic pain. However, never had any pelvic pain issues ever before. So yesterday, 4 weeks after those 2 cysts were found, an u/s found that I now have 2 small cysts on each ovary. They are going crazy! My pelvic pain is much better now though. So I wait on the RE to call me next week. I am sure she will really be all about the Lap now.

I am really hesistant to have the Lap and just don’t understand why all of this is happening all of the sudden. I really feel like the Clomid brought on the pelvic pain and perhaps even caused these cysts. Because if I have always had cysts, or endo, why did I have just one cyst 3 months ago and now all of the sudden have 4 total? Can endo come and go, move around and get better and worse, with no apparent cause or reason? I am just so confused. I have just now started to feel like myself again after the Clomid, and after going through the miscarriages last year I just don’t want to put myself though any more procedures or unnecessary pain and life disruption.

Any advice would be welcome. Part of my hesitation is that it seems that if you have mild endo (from my online research) the Lap doesn’t really increase your fertility, and I am worried about potential adhesions or scar tissue forming because of the Lap/cyst removal. Perhaps I am looking too much into it but just want to make sure I am making an informed decision. This last AF was just really devastating to me and I am afraid if I don’t do the Lap then every time AF shows up I will have “what-ifs” about if that could be the cause of our IF struggles. DH says have the surgery but I have pry that out of him because he really feels it is my decision. I am not even sleeping well now because of my constant back and forth on making a decision. This sucks!

Thank you for any personal stories or advice you can share.

Kathleen

Hi Kathleen,

Sorry to hear about the cysts.  That sucks.  It sounds to me like the first 2 large ones have gone away and you have 4 new little ones?  If the first ones went away surgery isn't going to solve your cyst problems you need to stop the cysts from forming inthe first place. 

First to get rid of the cysts you have ....Have you tried BCP to quiet the ovaries and let the cysts resolve.  If it were me with little cysts this is what I would do.

To avoid cysts....Clomid could have certainly caused them.  Also avoid dairy and NSAIDS (Advil, Aleve, BA).  These last 2 things have helped me tremendously in avoiding cysts which I had gotten way to frequently.  I was having about one cyst free month every 3 cycles.  Now I am up to 2-3 cyst free cysts in a row.. And maybe even my 4th this cycle (It is unmonitored so hard to say)

The Endo I can't help you with.  If you need to have lap to remove endo then draining the cysts could be done at that same time.  GL

Kathleen,

I am not familiar with endo but I was on Clomid a few months ago & got a cyst. After the cyst was dianosed I had an odd & very short 17 day cycle w/high temps & spotting throughout. AF showed up & I went to the doctor for my CD3 US and the cyst was gone. I took Clomid this month & I am in the 2WW so iI'm not sure if I got another cyst yet.

I am scheduled for a lap on 11/19. I had an HSG done in & my left tube had an issue spilling the dye out but my OB said it was nothing. When I saw my RE a few weeks ago he looked the the pics from the HSG he disagreed & said he thinks it is a hydrosalpinx (blocked & distended tube with fluid in it). So that tube won't help getting PG & the fluid in it can spill back in the uterus & cause an embryo not to implant even if the egg from my right tube was fertiltized.

We have been TTC for a year so the RE said we should consider IVF. He did recommend removing that tube because a hydrosalpinx decreases PG rates in IVF. He said I could decide not to do the lap but I would just need to be aware that my odds would decrease by about 15%.

At first I was pretty freaked about possibly loosing a tube but if it isn't working & causing other issues then to me it is my only option. Why go into IVF w/ something working against me.

I was also "what ifing" myself too. What if I don't do the lap & we go thru IVF & fail then I will be kicking myself.

I know the idea of a lap is scary & ultimately you have to do what is best for you.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide:)

Nat