Blocked Fallopian tubes

[Littledragon13]

Hi there

A very close friend of mine has been trying to conceive for a while now and has been told that her Fallopian tubes are blocked, she is so upset so I've not wanted to ask her too much. I just wondered if anyone has any similar experience and has had positive outcomes?

My lovely friend cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel and I would like to be able to fully support her on her journey x

[Guin1]

Well, my tubes weren't blocked as such. One was removed after an ectopic pregnancy and after several unsuccessful months of ttc naturally after that, my obstetrician said my other tube was probably knackered too, esp given my age. But we were very lucky with IVF - two successes in three tries, so tube problems don't have to mean "can't have children", just "need extra help to have children". Your friend may be able to have treatment to unblock her tubes, but that is not an area I know anything about.

The news will no doubt have been a big shock to your friend and she might need a little time for it to sink in, before starting to think about her other options.

[Verkey81]

Hi I was told both tubes blocked with no chance of pregnancy without IVF. I went in to have them removed ready for IVF to be told they're not blocked (still damaged though) - so they can unblock themselves - noone told me that before my op to remove them!! Just starting IVF now so even though its absolutely heartbreaking - and believe me I felt like my world caved in when they told me, there is light at the end of the tunnel, because natural pregnancy is only one fork in the road. These days we have other options - I will say though that I did not want to hear that from my friends and family when I first found out - everyone tries to help by saying there are other ways - I wanted people to acknowledge the pain I was feeling and to hear 'oh it doesn't matter, you can just have ivf' felt like noone understood how bad I was feeling. It made me feel very alone. Maybe help your friend acknowledge that the diagnosis is crap, unfair and pretty shitty, before moving onto the positives of the next steps? If it helps I was worried about how long everything would take after my diagnosis, but I got diagnosed in March, had to wait until October for my next op (that I didn't need in the end) to have my tubes out, then was at the clinic for IVF by November and starting first cycle in December!! Things can move quite quickly once you get past the NHS waiting lists for any necessary operations.

[CakeInMyFace]

everyone tries to help by saying there are other ways - I wanted people to acknowledge the pain I was feeling and to hear 'oh it doesn't matter, you can just have ivf' felt like noone understood how bad I was feeling. It made me feel very alone.

This exactly. I've just found out my tubes are blocked, and we have problems with DH's sperm. While we have one DD already, the pain I feel after 2 years of trying, and knowing we can afford only one round of IVF is immense. Yes, there are other options, but it is by no means an easy road and IVF does not mean an instant baby.

Some people have been incredibly supportive, while comments from others has meant I've had to pull away. Be kind to your friend, support her, acknowledge her pain, and wait for her to take the lead. Your obviously that kind of person anyone as it's very good of you to come her for advice first.

[CakeInMyFace]

anyway not anyone!

[Verkey81]

Agreed! You sound like you're on the right track seeking advice! It's amazing the things which people say that can really hurt once you're on this road. It's only people trying to help but I also find myself withdrawing from people, just so I can hold it together!

[onthematleavecountdown]

I will never forget the day I found out both my tubes were blocked. It was like time stood still as I heard the words. Devastation doesn't come close.

I am now 8 months pregnant after my second ivf cycle :)

Blocked tubes isn't the end of starting a family. Tell her ivf was created for couples whose infertility was due to blocked tubes, statistically we have good outcomes during ivf.

I would recommend counselling with a specific infertility counsellor, it really helped me come to terms with my diagnosis and that it was ok to grieve. I needed to grieve the fact I was not fertile and that I would have to go through fertility treatment.

Ivf is not easy but it's easier than the emotional pain.

[Sammy786786]

I was told my tubes were blocked near the uterus and was told by NHS doctors they cannot block them only IVF. I found a private clinic in London and they have unblocked my tubes for me and due to my age 38 they have given me Clomid and it was my first cycle and I'm 2 days late for my periods. So there is always hope for you. If you want the detail ofor the clinic I can forward them to you. Good Luck

[fifi49]

hi can anyone tell me i am taking serrapeptase for scarring on my tubes i have read that wobenzym n is good to take will it how to i take wobenzym n and how much do i take, thanku for your time.

[fifi49]

hi can anyone tell me i am currently taking serrapeptase for scarring on my tubes i have read that wobenzym n is good to take with it , how do i take this and how many thanks.

[strawflower]

I was told this last month after 2.5 years trying and surgery to remove endo in Jan - when I was told my tubes were not blocked! So I was incredibly angry and confused at my consultant. I'm currently seeing an endo fertility specialist who has advised me to do abdominal massage and castor oil packs every day after period until ovulation. This is my first month of it and my ovulation pain is less. I hope it works as I don't want IVF, this is secondary infertility and I can't accept that I can't have a natural pregnancy

[strawflower]

@Sammy786786 what was the clinic and how did they unblock your tubes?

[dreamingdream]

@Littledragon13 aww you are an angel to look out for your friend during the emotional time of tube blockage, keep helping her out emotionally, we need more people like you in the world. I have tube blockage and I have TTC depression at the moment. I have a support network but sometimes I have my down days because of cruel judgements and assumptions from a person in my family, and I feel no one understands me sometimes.

@onthematleavecountdown counselling is a good idea, I need to talk to someone about my TTC depression but I will do that in secret so a judgemental enemy in my family doesn't know and won't laugh at me.

[fifi49]

hi could you tell me the clinic that unblock your tubes please x

[amatelfer]

Hi could I have the name of the clinic also?

[Katie567]

@Sammy786786 sorry this is old but can you tell me the name of the clinic that unblocked your tubes please? thanks

[Melodyloveschris]

It was the probably that Regency International Clinic

I've used those, they partially unblocked one of mine but was inconclusive...not going to say that I feel they knew what they were doing too much...on the face of it it seemed an easy fix as my blockage was close to uterus and my tubes are healthy
But they just use an x-ray and a guide wire and try and poke at the blockage
They couldn't seem to get into my tubes or felt like they couldn't find the opening
I feel this is hard with x-ray, would probably get a much better outcome with a camera, for example, laparoscopic surgery