Feeling alone ttc with endo etc

[greenwolf]

Hello - just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat.

I've been trying to conceive for just over 1 year now and no sign of a BFP. I had an ultrasound scan which confirmed a bicornuate uterus and also some possible endometriosis adhesions meaning the left ovary is probably stuck to the uterus. The endo doesn't surprise me as I've had all the symptoms of this. I've also been tracking my temperatures - I have a short cycle (between 24 and 27 days) with the luteal phase probably no more than 10 days. I'm waiting for the results of day 5 and day 20 blood tests, and I have a gynae referral at the end of June.

A little more about me: I'm 30. I'm a little overweight but slimming world is helping with that, and I'm getting plenty of exercise. I eat healthily, not too much alcohol, possibly too much caffeine, and I take evening primrose, folic acid, and B vitamins. I'm waiting for my husband to get himself checked out.

Any words of encouragement, wisdom, advice etc? I'm feeling quite alone - and although many friends are supportive it's difficult to talk about, especially as so many of them are either pregnant or have recently had babies. I'm feeling really negative and pretty much just assuming this is never going to happen. I feel like a failure. I also feel foolish as it took me so long to make the decision to try for a baby.

Help!

I also have endo. It was diagnosed 5 years ago when we were trying to conceive our first child. It was really extensive and I had to have further surgery to remove the endo. I was then put on zoladex injections for 6 months to stop my periods and was then referred to IVF. We conceived naturally after our IVF consultation. Also to complicate matters I also have low progesterone and low ovarian reserve. I did conceive though and we have been tryin to conceive our second for over a year now. I am having acupuncture this time and Chinese herbs. It works to balance the hormones and improve egg quality.

Are you having further surgery to remove the endo? If your ovary is stuck to your uterus that may be contributing to your fertility issues. Also evening primrose oil should only be taken from cycle day one up to ovulation and then you should stop. There's info about it delaying ovulation and causing the uterus to contract, which is detrimental to pregnancy. My acupuncturist advises her clients to take omega 3,6,9 and also for the men to take an antioxidant.

Your blood tests should tell you a great deal of what's going on with your body so it would be very useful to have this info and the same with your DH.

You are being referred to a specialist which is good and hopefully from there you will have some further tests and a treatment plan. Of course you may conceive naturally before then, which I hope you do. Good luck.

Greenwolfe please don't feel like a failure, you are definitely definitely not.
I'm sorry to hear you are having so many issues, there honestly is hope. Firstly you are young, so there is plenty of time to try. Now you are on track for a gynae referral you may find things start to improve once you have some answers. A bicornuate uterus does complicate things but women do manage to have healthy babies regardless. Some don't even know they have it until the baby is born (although usually you can't carry to term, but the gynae will go over that with you)
I have endometriosis and am currently pregnant with my first. I too was so so worried about never having children, but I know others who also have endo and have babies. If you struggle to conceive naturally you may need intervention. A friend with very extensive endo had surgery to remove the adhesions before she could conceive, but she did, at 39 and had a healthy baby. Have you been taking the contraceptive pill to help with the endo?
Do you have any idea when you will see the gynae?

Thank you Waiting and DizzyMerry for your posts. And it's good to hear that you've both been successful conceiving :)

I definitely want answers! I think that's half the challenge is feeling like I don't know my body anymore.

My Gynae appointment is in about 1 month. My GP mentioned about having a laparoscopy to suss out what's going on inside, so I guess I'll find out more from the Gynae. And my blood results will be available sometime this week. Suspecting low progesterone but need to wait and see. I was on the contraceptive pill for about 8 years, and it was after I came off that the symptoms flared up (mostly pain and spotting).

Greenwolfe
It's great things are on the move. Hopefully the contraceptive pill will have decreased the endo growth but without a laparoscopy no one can be sure. Just remember the issues you have mentioned do have treatment options available, and there is so so much that can be done. A month feels like forever when you are waiting for answers, but try to think of it as the next big step towards having your baby.

waiting yes, that's a good way to look at it - I think the reason I feel like a failure is because I'm probably going to need help, when all around me seem to have had babies so easily. How far along with your pregnancy are you? Congratulations :)

It's so natural to feel that way but remember often you only hear about the good stuff. People rarely share heartbreak and struggle, which means it's so easy to think everyone finds it easy. In actual fact I know plenty of people with endo, or POS, or unexplained problems. Needing help doesn't make you a failure, it just means you are human, and one of a huge pool of people that need help. I'm almost 11 weeks now, thank you. I got myself very stressed and worked up that it would never happen, so I truly know how it feels. But just think how much more amazing it will be when it does happen

Hey thanks - in a strange way knowing that other people get stressed and worked up is also very helpful! I guess I was just feeling very alone - so thank you so much for taking the time to respond :)

Hi Green, I'm sending you a big hug! I'm in a very similar position to you - I haven't been trying as long, but I am also 30 and have just found out that I probably also have endo. I'm waiting for my gynae referral but assume I will also need a laparoscapy, which I don't know whether I'm relieved or terrified about. Since finding out I probably have endo I haven't been able to stop stressing and crying as it just all feels a bit hopeless (which I know is not really the case). It's all just so hard when so many friends and colleagues are falling pregnant straight away and many have several children! Just keep talking to people on mumsnet, as well as your friends and family. There's absolutely no shame at all in any of this , it's just a bit crappy while you're going through it!

Hey thanks flatwhite - hugs to you too. it is crappy when you're in the midst of it and getting used to the idea - and particularly waiting for the consultant because there are so many questions to be answered.
xx