Gosh, I have missed a lot. I promise I will catch up with you all, but I am going to have a long moan first...
Thanks so much everyone for all your support - especially Izz, not at all blunt my dear, you are dead right, worrying is much worse than doing something about it. DH took me out for lunch today, managed to blow some cobwebs away and come up with a plan of action. Have an appointment with gyne in 8 days and I am going to shell out for every test going just to see if I can get this sorted now one way or the other. I am going to ask for 3D ultrasound test and an HSG - they put a tube up your fanjo, squirt your uterus full of dye and then take xray images,results are instant.
Sorry to make you all google, I will give some more info to those that havent and because I want to get some things off my chest.
So, Ashermans Syndrome is when the uterus is damaged by scar tissue and can cause miscarriage and infertility. Scar tissue can be caused by a number of factors, overly aggressive ERPC's, infection, chlamydia amongst others. It is particularly "common" after an ERPC on a post natal woman (recently given birth to full term baby) because the uterus is particularly sensitive at this time and hasnt yet shrunk back to normal size. Mild to moderate scarring can be treated with keyhole surgery to remove the scars. This should only be performed by an Ashermans expert (someone who does at least one a month) anyone else will make the problem worse. If you are successfully treated for Ashermans and get pregnant a ceasarian is a good option because the placenta is likely to get stuck after birth, requiring yet more ERPC's and more damage.
When DS was born two years ago (in the Uk), I had a natural vaginal birth (born 9 pounds, go me
) but the stupid evil bitch labour ward nurse who was there at delivery ignored the fact that I had opted not to have an injection for the third stage pulled the placenta out with her hands immediately after the birth. I bled continuously and horrendously for a month, eventually collapsed, had an emergency ERPC for retained placenta followed by two blood transfusions, I then didnt get my period for 6 months. Back in costa rica I was prescribed progesterone, got my period back, went on the pill until trying for DC2. Then came the missed miscarriage, baby died at 8 and half weeks but I had no symptoms until week 14. Tried medical management but nothing could get the "tissues" out. I had 7 rounds of pessaries and there were still bits left in, and I got an infection, then eventually another ERPC followed by no periods. Its been 15 weeks since the ERPC, taking progesterone hasnt worked. Scans show I am ovulating, I feel period pain when my chart says I should be bleeding, but there is no blood because the uterus lining is only 3mm (should be 8-15mm)
OK, so I do accept that all of this info is from google, the last gyne I saw is saying there is a possibility that I have a hormonal problem (based on nothing though, I have always had regular periods, I'm ovulating and blood tests are fine) so until I have a test I cant say for sure whats going on. Whats really scaring me though is that there is so much in my history to suggest scarring on the uterus from the first ERPC. So its not just a case of if I have it, but how bad it could be after all this time and recent extra damage.
Anyway, the idea of possibly being infertile is just devastating, and for the last few days I have been paralysed by fear and all the rage and anger about DS's birth has resurfaced too. However, I think I have done enough sobbing now, and now its time to be proactive again and do what I can to either get this ruled out or learn how bad it is and what if anything can be done. Onwards and upwards and all that
I thought long and hard about posting all this on here because I know it will probably scare everyone who has had an ERPC (I am thinking especially of you mouse as yours is so recent) or post mc infection. Ashermans is called "rare" but there are many who believe it is actually "underdiagnosed" I am just learning all about it myself so I dont know what the truth is. Anyway I decided to share as it might help someone who reads but doesnt post and I decided in the end that if it helps one person get an early diagnosis thats better than saving everyone from a bit of worry.
There is a great video full of info from Dr Lower
Thanks for letting me monopolise the thread a bit here ladies. It feels good to have an outlet for all these feelings and a bunch of sympathetic ears, thank you xxxxxxx