WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for January, 1999: Re: Acute Appendicitis Affecting Fertility-- is this common knowledge?

Re: Acute Appendicitis Affecting Fertility-- is this common knowledge?

From: Christy (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 13 Jan 1999 08:41:41 -0600 (CST)

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Hi, I found this old post searching for appendicitis. I have been trying to conceive for over a year, and since March of this year have been experiencing VERY painful hemmoragic ovarian cysts almost every other month. (All of them have ruptured when I start my period except one, which hit on Day 11. I had an ultrasound that confirmed this; and fluid remained around my ovary for over a month.)

Anyway, nine years ago I had appendicitis which resulted in an abcess the size of a grapefruit. The abcess was in my pelvis, between my uterus and bladder, making it hard to diagnose. (It was there, growing for two full weeks before the doctors figured out what was making me so sick.) The surgeon noted that there were adhesions around the appendix, and to the abdominal wall at the time of the appenctomy.

I have told doctors about this again and again, more for the concerns about the cysts and EXTREME pelvic pain they cause. (I also wonder about endometriosis because the cysts rupture when I start.) No one seems to listen, and I get the same old line, "Cysts are normal." Then I'm given a prescription for pain medicine (which doesn't even touch the pain). (BTW: I take my bbt, and it appears that I ovulate on the months ending with the cysts rupturing. Prior to this, they showed I was ovulating every month-- but no pregnancies.)

Could this appendicitis/appendectomy have affected my fertility/health/reproductive organs (is this a common result of appendicitis), or am I just taking up my doctor's time by telling him about it? And if it is, how can I get him, or anyone else, to consider it seriously?

I know this is long, but I really need an answer. I'm on an HMO, and I used my one visit to the ob/gyn four visits ago. My pcp is not in the business of referring.

At Thu, 18 Dec 1997, Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. wrote: >
>At Wed, 17 Dec 1997, Kay wrote:
>>
>>I have a previous medical history of acute appendicitis with peritonitis
>>which I know affected my ovaries. I am 28 years old and have been
>>trying to conceive for eight months. I have a feeling that I may have a
>>fertility problem; maybe something wrong with my fallopian tubes because
>>my menstrual cycles are very regular, and still no baby.... Is it too
>>early to begin testing for infertility? I've heard that appendicitis may
>>affect the ability to conceive. Any thoughts??? Thanks!
>
>Most papers state waiting 12 months but personal prefernece is also
>important.
>
>Yes, the "ruptured" appendix could have created adhesions which may
>cause blockage of the tubes and resultant infertility.
>
>--
>Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. FACOG
>OBGYN.net U.S. Representative, New York
>Great Neck, N.Y.
>http://www.obgyn.net/states/bios/marchbein.htm
>http://www.obgyn.net/women/advisor/harveym.htm
>
>*Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only.
>This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to
>consult your physician prior to choosing or planning therapeutic
>options and/or interventions.
>
>**Private emails cannot be answered.
>
>**Thank you.
>

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