Endometriosis and TTC- what can I do to help myself?

[MincePieOfDoom]

We have been TTC for almost 10 months now. My GP is fairly sure that I may have endometriosis, but I'm waiting for some other unrelated scans to come back before being referred to the hospital (for a laprathingy, I presume?)

Anyway, I was wondering if there is anything I can do or take to lessen the effects of endometriosis on TTC, any way I can help things along? I feel a bit lost. I would also really like to hear success stories, if anyone has any :)

[JubJubBirds]

The laparathingy is a laparoscopy, which is key hole surgery. There are two options here; the first is just a diagnostic laparoscopy (where they go in and have a look to see if they can see any endo then come out again and have a chat with you about further treatment), the second is a diagnostic laparoscopy +/- surgical treatment (where they go in, see if you have endo, remove what is possible if you do). Further down the line when you start to talk about your surgery make sure you push for the second option. If you do have Endo then studies have shown your most fertile up to 6months after surgery, so you won't want to waste any time faffing around having multiple surgeries.

Have you visited the EndoUK website or thought about attending any local endo groups? Both are great places to get support and information.

[SockDrawer]

Sorry, missed off the start of my message bizzarely! I've just had my 3rd lap to treat Endo and now am in a position to start TTC . I joined a local support groups when I was going through my diagnosis and I found it amazingly useful. As well as general support they have guest speakers like fertility experts, nutritionalists, gyne consultants... Plus wonen who have been through it all before. It's a wealth of information! Feel free to ask me anything, or pm me if you like.

[littlebeps]

I would google the endometriosis diet. I followed the diet because the hormonal treatments didn't agree with me and it reduced my pain massively. I had a book by a nutritionist and endo sufferer (I think Dian Shepperton Mills- on my way out the door so can't check) which explained it all and is related to fertility too. I thought it would take forever to conceive but we were only ttc for a month before we got a bfp which I think must be related as the last surgery I had put me at stage 4.
I'd suggest you look at endometriosis she trust- I found them more helpful than endo UK

[JubJubBirds]

With regards to the diet; there's been a lot of mixed research around it as everyone's tolerances/responses vary so drastically from each other, so I would definitely do it under the guidance of a nutritionist. You can see one privately or ask to be referred via your GP. I was lucky enough to have one at my local GPs surgery so I had regular sessions with one there who helped me track my diet and symptons weekly.

Don't want to derail the thread but am really interested so just wanted to ask - I've never looked at the she trust, what was it specifically that you found more helpful about them little?

[shroomboom]

Just a quick one but I have pretty bad endo, and managed to conceive ds after 10 months of ttc (didn't know I had endo until after he was born). Things were rather more complicated with dd, we needed 5 rounds of IVF to have her, but that was for other reasons.
Fwiw, I did get pregnant immediately after a lap (unfortunately it wasn't to be ) but I do think having a lap helped. Good luck!

Hi again sockdrawer Good luck to you too!

[SockDrawer]

thanks shroom. I'm really right at the beginning of the journey, have been doing my research today actually (like a good girl) .

[littlebeps]

It was a few years ago but I just felt like they were more helpful. I think endo UK is a bit faceless, that was my experience when I was newly diagnosed and struggling. Couldn't get through on the helpline, info sheets never arrived and there have never been any groups local to me.
I can't remember what the SHE stands for except the h is for holistic. I went to their annual meeting and there were different specialists including a consultant who excises endo (apparently very specialist training) rather than just laser in it then prescribing hormones. They explained how to get access to different help and different approaches to dealing with endo

[littlebeps]

Hope that reads ok jubjub, knackered with babybrain right now

[JubJubBirds]

Thanks little, I'll have a look at them too.