TTC with endometriosis, PCOS...what next?!

[Squirrel77]

Hi all

I hope I am posting this in the right place. I'm a little confused and wondering if anyone else has been in my situation. DH and I have been TTC-ing for 5 months. I'm 34.

I had laparoscopic surgery for endo two years ago. Symptoms are coming back so was referred to a specialist and had an ultrasound followed by MRI. They now think I have PCOS in the right ovary. My cycles are getting longer - the last were 33, 34, 35 days - and I have been spotting a little bit a few days before ovulation. Oh, and I'm losing my hair (how attractive), and seem to be losing weight (I'm already quite small).

They are now going to do days 2 and 21 blood tests to check the hormone levels, and a hysteroscopy to have a wee look inside.

Only thing is, I don't know where this is all leading. We've been TTc-ing for less than six months, so this investigation seems a bit serious, especially as it's all on the NHS.

Would it be normal for these investigations to be taking place now? What can I expect to happen in terms of treatment etc, assuming something's the latter? And what are they actually looking for with the hysteroscope?!

so many questions....thanks for reading! And fingers crossed for us all!

[Squirrel77]

sorry, something's the "matter" - not "latter"!

[PopcornMouse]

I think it's quite normal for them to investigate early on if there are known problems, so I shouldn't worry about that. I've no experience of PCOS or endo though, so I can't help re what happens next, though! :)

[Squirrel77]

Hmm, thanks Popcornmouse, that is reassuring. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what they say!

[cupcakequeen9]

At what point did they do your lap surgery do you mind me asking? I feel I could be in a similar boat to you :( just so much waiting between appointments etc seems to go on forever.. X

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Was eventually diagnosed with both PCOS and endometriosis.

Given your previous history of endo (and unfortunately it can recur) I am not totally surprised at the level of investigation now. Spotting between periods should always be investigated to ascertain the cause (it is often not serious but it should always be checked out).

They seem to be very thorough, are they also going to check your thyroid levels?.

The following is taken from "Endometriosis and Fibroids" written by Dr Sarah Brewer with the National Endometriosis Society;_

"You may be given a choice between having a local anaesthetic (injected into the cervix) or a light general anaesthetic. In a hysteroscopy procedure the vagina is cleansed with an antiseptic; then the cervical canal is gently dialated. A telescopic viewing device (the hysteroscope) about 1 cm wide, is then inserted so that the surgeon can carefully examine the entire endometrial lining of your womb. This has several channels in it, one for looking down, one for a fibre optic light, one for poassing through fluid or gas (to separate the walls of the womb and to wash away blood or parings) plus a channel for fine biopsy or cauterising instruments.

A fibroid bulging into the endometrial cavity is easily seen at hysteroscopy, as are any endometrial polyps or any abnormal lesions. The surgeon can pick the spots where he/she wants to take a biopsy under direct visual control. Lesions such as endometrial polyps or fibroid polyps can also be removed for examination".


Also //www.endo.org.uk and //www.verity-pcos.org.uk are good websites.

HTH

Good luck to you with the procedure, do keep us posted.

[Chloe55]

It's great they are being so further so early, I also have endometriosis and pcos. All the tests showed I wasn't ovulating and so am on clomid. Through hospital negligence this process has taken years so embrace all the tests, if there are any issues they will be found and rectified and if not then you will have peace of mind

[Chloe55]

Thorough, not further!

[Squirrel77]

Hi all, thanks for your replies.

Cupcake i had the surgery 2.5 years ago - it was in another country though, not here, and I had health insurance at the time.

AttilatheMeerkat thank you for all of that information. I realised I have had one of them before along with the laparoscopy. I would prefer to be knocked out or sedated if possible! I asked the doctor about the thyroid, and he said that I didn't have other symptoms that would make him want to test for it, but I forgot to mention the hair loss. Maybe I'll mention it to him next time I see him...

Chloe sorry to hear about your bad hospital experience, best of luck with Clomid.

[haddock1976]

I have both endo and PCOS and got told whilst in labour that I now also have fibroids on my cervix which is just fucking great and after 4 laparoscopies in 7 years to remove endo tissue, cysts, scar tissue etc I had DD 7 weeks ago after only 9 months of ttc.

My advice is if you are anywhere near London, to try to see Mr Robert Richardson, he works one day a week on the NHS at C&W in London which is where I found him or if you can afford it he's bloody expensive you can see him privately at the Wellington Hospital or the Portland Hospital. He + the Mirena coil are the reasons I managed to conceive naturally and carry full term despite two previous consultants telling me to forget having children of my own arrogant wankers who weren't even prepared to try and help me

Good luck