Re: Endometriosis & Infertility
From: Robin (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 27 Nov 1998 13:38:06 -0600 (CST)
Hello Kimberly,
I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis of Endometriosis. It is a very
difficult disease to treat at times. I am not a doctor or any other
type of medical professional, just someone that has Stage III-Early
Stage IV Endometriosis. I've not battled with Infertility, but I know
of those that have, and I know my chances of pregnancy according to my
doctors are very small.
You might like to go over to the Endometriosis Pavilion at
http://www.obgyn.net/endo/endo.htm. At the Endometriosis Pavilion, you can
talk with other women that are going through just the same things that
you are. The women over there are very supportive, caring, and
commpassionate. You can also read about the latest findings in the
field of Endometriosis. It's an excellent web site on the internet for
Endometriosis.
Good luck with everything, and hopefully soon you will be posting that
you are pregnant!!!!!
I'll be looking out to see what one of the great docs over here tells
you.
Also, you may want to check the archives of http://www.obgyn.net if you haven't
already, to see if this topic has been discussed before.
Again, good luck to you!!!!
--
Robin
At Fri, 27 Nov 1998, Kimberly wrote:
>
>On 11/23/98 I underwent a laproscopy due to the fact that my spouse and
>I had been attempting to conceive for 17 months with no results. As a
>result of this
>laproscopy I was diagnosed with Endometriosis. My OB/GYN had two
>suggestions on how to proceed from here. They were 1) Take GnRH-Ags
>(Lupron) and instill a temporary menopause
>2) Attempt IVF.
>
>After some thought I called back the doctor and asked if there was a
>third option - just immediately begin attempting to getpregnant. My
>doctor revealed to me that I had fairly severe endometriosis that was
>mostly located on the outside of my Uterus and all over the stomache
>lining. During the procedure she was able to remove 75% of the
>endometria deposits. I was advised that this was certainly an option,
>though obviously not without risk (i.e.: a rapid return of Endo, without
>hormonal treatment). With that in mind I asked whether it would make
>sense to go all out, and attempt to use Clomid or the like to further my
>chances of conception. Her answer was "no". She said that since I am
>clearly ovulating every month, that fertility drugs would not be of any
>benefit to me.
>
>My question is essentially should I really be trying to get pregnant
>naturally or am I wasting valuable time? Should I be focused on more
>radical treatments like IVF, IUI or agressive hormonal treatments? I am
>only 28, and recognize that time is still on my side, but if you add 6
>to 9 months of hormonal therapy and recovery, I will be well on my way
>to 30. I just want to maximize my chances, and would really appreciate
>input on how other endometriosis patients have handled this very issue.
>
>Thank you in advance for your thoughts!!!
>
>--
>Kimberly
>
--
Robin
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