Post Surgery...Now what?
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Post Surgery...Now what?
| Fri, 06-15-2007 - 2:43pm |
I have no clue what to do. I have had a terrible two weeks…….I had surgery, found out that I have stage 3 endometriosis (no clue! But everything was successfully removed), possibly will have to have IVF, and that my sister after only trying one month is pregnant again. I don’t think I can take anymore. I am so trying to be gracious, but I am done being the good sport. I am trying to be happy for her, but I am seriously struggling. I just feel like DH and I had too much thrown at us and that no one is being mindful of our feelings. All of my family members and friends literally have gotten pregnant immediately. I feel so alone. The biggest issue is that I don’t know what to do. We can either try on our own (RE doesn’t recommend for too long), do IUI (but the meds increase my endo), do straight IVF, or Lupron for 3 months then IVF (which would mean we are out of the baby making process for at least 6 months). My RE is great, but it’s not like he just tells me what he suggests. It’s a little frustrating to say the least. So what do I do? Have any of you had lupron for your endo? How can I stay positive when I have a pregnant sister (and is the family focus) and still undergo infertility treatments? Beth

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First of all, I am SO SORRY to hear that you're being thrown so many things to deal with at the same time!!!
~ Jessica
visit my family blog at: lifeinthefunzone.blogspot.co
Beth,
I am new to the on-line support so please bear with me. I totally understand your frustrasion, but hang in there. Both of my sisters had babies last year during my infertility struggle. Not to mention my entire family hid the news from my husband and I. It was the hardest part to date, not to mention people do not understand or know how to support. They try but only make it worse at times.
But move ahead to the next step IUI IVF try on your own, just don't waste time!!! Have convidence in your doc, but if you don't do your researh and find another. I've been on the road for 1 1/2 years now, not that long compared to some but still heart renching.
But I still have hope, waiting to start my 2nd IVF.
Stay strong.
Niki
(((Beth)))
As far as my sister, I am feeling like I am going for an academy award. You are all right….it’s a tough balance between being supportive and protecting myself. My immediate family does know of our struggles. My mom and sister are sometimes helpful, but then someone like my mom will say something like “aren’t Chinese babies cute? You should get one!” Which I have no problem with possible adoption, but I am not there yet. I think that I would have dealt with all of this better if I hadn’t had all of this info all in the same two weeks (surgery, the possibility of IVF, and then my sister’s announcement).
Decisions, decisions! If anyone has any info on Lupron/IVF I would really appreciate it. It’s nice to know that some of you know someone who has done this with success. I don’t mind “giving” up 6 months (meaning lupron for 6 months) of trying, but I want it to be for the right reasons and not to be all in vain. Also, I don’t know if I can go through a cycle of IVF during the same time as my sister is due to give birth (during Jan/Feb). ((HUGS)) to all of you and thanks for your support….I hope I can give some back to all of you! It's a tough, tough road! Beth
Hi, there~
This is the first time I've visited this board and my timing seems perfect. As I type,I'm "lounging" in our recliner, recovering from my 3rd laproscopic surgery for endometriosis. I've done the lupron route twice, but not during a time where I was TTC. I can relate, as I too have stage 3 endo. This scope went well, and doc seems to think it will definitely help our chances of getting PG. As far as my experience with Lupron goes...I think I was one of the lucky ones. My side effects were not bad at all. The hot flashes weren't that bad and mood swings were at a minimum. I really don't think it helped my endo that much though. As I said, this was my 3rd lap and it's only been 5 years since my first one. Doc did give me the choice of trying lupron again, but due to the long term effects it can have, I chose to decline. He said he wouldn't twist my arm one way or the other. Definitely chat with your doctor and weigh the pros and cons of going with lupron and just trying on your own. Good luck and don't hesitate to ask any other questions you might have about endo...
Looking forward to getting to know you all!
Tina
I hope you are recovering well! ((HUGS)) I know that the lap is not easy. I have so far only had one, but that doesn’t mean that I won’t have another one in my future. Thank you for your info and sharing your story. It truly sounds like we have similar situations.
I am sure, like me, you are so confused by all of the options! It doesn’t seem like there is much info out there that deals with endo and infertility (only endo and “symptoms”). My DH and I had no clue that I had endo. Like for instance the info I am reading about Lupron doesn’t seem to deal with infertility only symptoms relating to endo (which I guess infertility is a symptom). You mentioned the long- term effects of Lupron. Can you tell me more about them? I know the actual side effects and how it’s administered, but nothing about the long-term effects and success with subsequent pregnancy (after 6 months of lupron).
If you don’t mind me asking, what has your doctor suggested for you? Trying on your own, COH/IUI, or IVF? My doc lead me to believe that we shouldn’t try on my own for too long and that my endo would be back where it was before next year sometime. COH would bring my endo back faster and that IVF to be more successful with combination with Lupron (which is still controversial). Like I said before, I don’t mind giving up 6 months, but I don’t want it to be in vane or hurt myself even further.
Please let me know if you need anything. This whole board is ready to support each other (me included!). Continue to heal, thanks for the info, and let me know if you need to vent or just need to talk. Take care! Beth
Hi, again!
You are absolutely right! There really doesn't seem to be much information out there about lupron and infertility. I was seeing my "regular" OB-GYN when I was taking Lupron. I wasn't married at the time, and it seemed like the best option at the time to try to keep my endo "under control". My OB was mostly concerned about the possibility of early osteoperosis from long term use of Lupron. I really appreciated her honesty as well as the fact that she didn't push me to try it again.
My surgery was just on Thursday, so I didn't have much time to chat with my RE about what Lupron could do for us at this point. When he mentioned it, I pretty much just cut him off and told him that it wasn't an option for me. Of course, my next question was, "so what do we do next?" Prior to my surgery, we had a long conversation about the differences between clomid and femara. (I switched RE's because the first one won't prescribe femara). I guess I should back up...long story short...my first RE diagnosed me with PCOS and wanted to address that before we went on clomid with timed intercourse=. Well, the meds he put me on worked wonders, my periods became more regular, I was ovulating, etc. I had done quite a bit of research on clomid and endometriosis...and things didn't sound good. My understanding is that clomid can really "reek" havock on endometriosis, and having the history I do, I really didn't want to go the clomid route. When I mentioned femara to RE #1, he explained a law suit that was brought about in Canada where Femara may have led to a birth defect. Again, I did extensive research, as well as made an appointment with RE#2. He explained the pro's and con's of both clomid and femara, and agreed, that for someone with such extensive endo, he wouldn't recommend clomid. SO, we'll be taking a month off, then moving forward with the femara, and timed intercourse. Our next step will be IUI if needed.
I'm going to be making a post-op appointment this week, so I'll definitely ask what the benefits of lupron would be and will let you know what he says.
I hope I haven't rattled on for too long...and hopefully have answered some of your questions.
take care,
tina
Thanks for your info and sharing your experiences with Lupron. It is a tough, tough decision and there are no right (or wrong answers). I did try Femara before my surgery (this was before I knew I had endo!) just to see “if something would work.” I can say that I had little side effects. I might have had an increase headache or two (probably from stress!), but that was it. Again, this was before my surgery so I really can’t judge its effectiveness. My RE “brushed” off the lawsuit that is occurring in Canada. You are right clomid is bad news for endo. My RE was pretty clear on that.
As far as lupron, you are right, there is no clear answer and it stinks! For every one study that says lupron before IVF is great there is another study that states it doesn’t make a difference. I wonder what your RE says…apparently it’s a hot topic among the RE community. I have some research on it if you like to read about it some more. I am just trying to read more to make the best decision. Right now our choices are try on own then IVF, or IVF pretreated with Lupron, or possible COH/IUI (which I have heard can be rough on endo as well).
Decisions, decisions! I hope you are healing well…..take a break from all of this. Easier said than done because it is mostly what I think about these days, but we have to stay somewhat sane! I am here if you need to chat or just need someone to listen. Just remember you are not alone! Beth
Hi, Beth~
Thanks! I would definitely take any info you'd like to pass along. I just made my post-op appointment for Tuesday morning, so I'll let you know what RE says. He too, "brushed off" the Femara thing, so it makes me feel good that you received the same info. I was hesitant to bring it up on the board as I didn't want to start a debate :0)
You're right...decisions, decisions. Hang in there! Thanks for the support and keep in touch...let me know how things are going.
Take care,
Tina
(((Beth)))
Hello and welcome.
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