Advise for a friend...

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
Advise for a friend...
6
Tue, 09-16-2003 - 7:14pm
Hello all. I have a friend who has been trying to conceive for 9 months now and they aren't having any luck. She went off BCP in Nov or Dec of 2002. She has really horrible AF's that seem to be getting worse each month (her AF was the reason she went on BC in the first place when she was a teen). Her cycles have started to regulate these past 3 months (28 days) but AF is about to kill her; severe cramping, heavy flow, nauseousness, BM problems, passing out, you name it. She said AF was like this in high school, but they put her on BC and it made it better, but now that she's off, ttc, they are really bad again and getting worse each month. She feels it has something to do with her not being able to conceive. Has anyone ever heard of this? Could it be a cause of infertility?

She's going to the doctor, but they can get her in till the first of the year. Is there any advise I can give her. I've already talked to her about charting.

Thanks so much,

Susan

ttc#2 c2 cd19 dpo6

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2003
Tue, 09-16-2003 - 7:24pm
Whoa - it sounds like she gets some pretty severe AF symptoms. All I can recommend is to find a doctor who can get her in before the first of the year - really, 3 1/2 months to wait to see a doctor for those horrible symptoms? Somebody somewhere should be able to see her sooner.

I wish her the best of luck!

Tami

Tami
Mommy to Anna 7.7.04 & Ben 11.19.06

Avatar for annemd03
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2003
Tue, 09-16-2003 - 7:36pm
I wonder if your friend might have endometriosis? That could certainly cause the bad AF symptoms and could also cause problems in TTC.

She should call and talk to the nurse at her doctor's office and tell them how sick she is with AF...and they typically will work you in a lot sooner. If they won't work her in, then she needs a new doctor! They should be set up to accommodate emergency visits...and I'd say passing out from AF qualifies!

Anne

Anne - Proud Mommy to Rachel Elizabeth!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
Tue, 09-16-2003 - 8:13pm
Well, she likes the doctor. She's the one she picked to be her OB when she gets pg, she has a really good reputation and she works under the head fertility specialist. So, if she did have a problem, it's good to stay where she's at. I think she wants to stick with her. I'll tell her to call and try again to get in. Tell her to make sure they understand how serious her AF's are.

Does it sound like endometriosis though? I'm not real familiar with that but I heard it could cause fertility problems. Is it something that could be taken care of?

Susan

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-09-2003
Tue, 09-16-2003 - 8:52pm
Here's some info for endometriosis:

http://my.webmd.com/content/healthwise/74/18459

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/46/2953_501.htm?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348}


What Are the Symptoms of Endometriosis?

Many times, endometriosis has no symptoms. When symptoms are present, they may include:

Abdominal cramps or back pain during menstruation

Very painful menstrual cramps

Painful bowel movements

Painful urination, especially during menstruation

Abnormal or heavy bleeding during periods

Painful sex

Difficulty becoming pregnant

Will I Be Able to Have Children if I Have Endometriosis?

Most women with endometriosis can have children. If you have endometriosis, your chances for getting pregnant will depend on how severe your condition is and how well it responds to treatment.

Tami
Mommy to Anna 7.7.04 & Ben 11.19.06

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
Tue, 09-16-2003 - 8:59pm
Gosh, that sounds a lot like her symptoms. Thanks for the sites. I'll give her the information.

Susan

Avatar for leanneandmaggie
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 09-16-2003 - 10:59pm
(past pg, birth and dd ment)

That definitely sounds like endo to me. I have it, and I conceived my dd without treatment.

Here's my story:

I knew I had it bc AF got to be so very painful for me. It started with an overnight hospital stay for severe abdominal pain. AF found me that night (I was TTC#1, and I was so upset). Anyway, the doc said he thought I had a cyst rupture. After that, I had severely painful AF cramps every month for 4 months. On the 5th month after the hospital visit (and my 7th month TTC), it seemed a little better (don't know why) and I conceived that month. I had an appt to see a specialist, but got pg before I could get in to see him. I ended up with a c-section delivery for my dd and the doc found endo that was twisting one of my uterine ligaments, moving my entire uterus around 90 degrees to one side. My colon was also attached to my uterus by the endo. Yet, I conceived and delivered a healthy baby who was turned the right way for delivery even though my uterus was twisted. I just didn't have enough pelvis room to deliver her. I was amazed that she was in the right position and everything even with all those probs going on. So, if it is endo, please tell your friend not to be too upset. Sometimes those with the most pain do not have the worst cases. The pain depends on where the endo is located, not how severe it is. GL to her and to you, and you are such a sweet friend to be helping her. :)

Leanne

TTC#2 C4 CD11

Edited to say that I am so sorry this turned out to be my life story, but I hope it is helpful to your friend in some way!!


Edited 9/16/2003 11:00:59 PM ET by leanneandmaggie

Leanne

Maggie 8/10/01

Mike    5/19/05