Ok, been told (by hospital) that we have unexplained in fertility and that there is nothing they can do for us. Anyone out there know where we go from here?

[tiredandwornoutmum]

Brief history: Have 3.6year old ds, concieved after 13 cycles of clomid, had 2 m/c and an ectopic pg back in 1997 and had a tube/ovary removed. I'm 35 and we have been trying for no.2 for nearly 3 years now.

We have had all blood tests/sperm tests/scans and have gone back today to be told that everything is normal.

Can't go back on clomid as a) it isn't appropriate and b) have previously had to many cycles of it.

They could do further investigations into my remaining tube to see if blocked but as my bloods show no sign of infection and as had ds, the concultant isn't keen as he thinks tube will be fine.

Briefly spoke about ivf, but nhs won't pay for it as we already have ds.

Came away feeling terrible, really expected to go today and be told..'lets try this...' not sorry but nothing we can do

Anyone been in this situation?

TIA

bump

typing in haste but if money is an issue i am told that private IVF is much cheaper in some countries i.e. south africa. would you be interested at all?

Really? Have no knowledge of ivf in other countries at all.

there is loads more you can do - but you will need to chuck money at it - get a private consultation and I bet they will do a laparoscopy to check viability of tube.. several of my friends had them and got pregnant after- one found she had endo and another was told she had fluid in it that was stopping conception

Also, there are other treatments - such as IUI increase chances of conception - not by much but could be enough..

yes - about a third of the cost apparently, though obviously u have to get there!

www.tertia.org/

That's a link to a blog by a south african 'infertile' (now with twins and also pg)...she has a link to her ivf clinic on there, and some other links too i think. she'd also probably reply if you emailed her!

i'm very sorry by the way

Thank you, both of you, will look into all these options.

In some clinic in the UK you can get a huge discount if you enter an egg sharing scheme. You would agree to donate half the eggs collected (if there were enough) to another couple who need egg donation, and you would get the IVF for about £500. But 35 is the upper age limit for egg sharing, so you would need to be quick!

What tests have actually been done on both of you to date?. I ask this as some couples don't actually get fully investigated and are told this outcome.

I would certainly seek a second opinion from another unit. I would seek out and visit several before parting with your hard earnt cash as some private treatment can be poor as well as expensive.

Have a look at the Zita West website or buy her book - lots of info on there. Might be something there that would help.

Attila - I have had lots and lots of blood tests during different times of my cycle, and a ultra sound scan. Dh has had a few sperm tests.

And thats it Thought we would be given more tests when I went back yesterday...but as everything is normal the consultant said theres nothing else to test for Feel totally fobbed off.

And angry now actually, as the consultant kept saying things like:

'You could have a lapascopasythingie (sp) but you are too slim for it, it could cause too much damage.

'You could have IvF but you would have to pay for it and besides as you are a teacher it's not ideal with your working hours .

'You could have an xray to look for blocked tubes but it is uncomfortable and you've probably had enough of tests now anyway!

Just when i was going in the hope that there would be more tests and treatment to take.

at egg sharing having to stop at 35. Feel like I've wasted so much time.

What a horrible, horrible situation for you. I'm very sorry.

I don't have any direct experience of this, so I"m not sure if what I'm going to post will be helpful or not. I just wanted to say that I have a friend who has recently become pregnant after 4 years of trying. They were also told they had unexplained infertility. I think my friend had given up hope that it would ever happen and yet, miraculously, it has.

Hi tiredandwornoutmum,

The most common tests that tend to be omitted are:-

Adequate x-rays of the uterus which may show abnormalities not otherwise seen at laparoscopy.

Hysteroscopy - telescope inspection of the inside of the uterus which may occasionally show abnormalities not seen otherwise

Repeated sperm counts over several weeks and months to make sure there is no subtle abnormality

Testing the sperm in special media such as swim up tests and velocity testing. However, when they are done, they often uncover a hidden cause for the suppposed unexplained problem

Thorough hormone tests to detect abnormalities of male hormone or early falls in progesterone

Scanning of the ovaries to see if follicles really are developing and there are no sign of polycystic ovaries.

Any test result from beyond the past 6 months should be discounted.

I would certainly seek a second opinion asap from a cons gynae at another subfertility unit. I would certainly take issue with all the "objections" to further treatment that were raised by the previous treatment person.

If you go private, would strongly suggest you visit several clinics and ask them lots of questions. Do not hand over your hard earnt cash until you are fully satisfied of the service provided - some private clinics are poor service providers as well as expensive. The three of you will need to be able to work as a team - this certainly does not seemed to have happened previously. I think you've been v badly messed around and fobbed off.

Hi tiredandwornoutmum,

The most common tests that tend to be omitted are:-

Adequate x-rays of the uterus which may show abnormalities not otherwise seen at laparoscopy.

Hysteroscopy - telescope inspection of the inside of the uterus which may occasionally show abnormalities not seen otherwise

Repeated sperm counts over several weeks and months to make sure there is no subtle abnormality

Testing the sperm in special media such as swim up tests and velocity testing. However, when they are done, they often uncover a hidden cause for the suppposed unexplained problem

Thorough hormone tests to detect abnormalities of male hormone or early falls in progesterone

Scanning of the ovaries to see if follicles really are developing and there are no sign of polycystic ovaries.

Any test result from beyond the past 6 months should be discounted.

I would certainly seek a second opinion asap from a cons gynae at another subfertility unit. I would certainly take issue with all the "objections" to further treatment that were raised by the previous treatment person.

If you go private, would strongly suggest you visit several clinics and ask them lots of questions. Do not hand over your hard earnt cash until you are fully satisfied of the service provided - some private clinics are poor service providers as well as expensive. The three of you will need to be able to work as a team - this certainly does not seemed to have happened previously. I think you've been v badly messed around and fobbed off.

Thank you attila and neolara.

The hospital are supposed to be sending us a letter with everything we discussed and then we are going to request the tube xray at least.

And am now searching up other alternatives.

Hi tiredandwornoutmum

Definitely look into seeing another doctor for a second opinion. If you were at some point considering IVF, IME a decent clinic will want to rule out the possibility of natural conception first. At the clinic I went to they very much believed IVF should be the last resort.

Like you I only have one tube, and my doctor (not NHS) did send me for an HSG. I also had no markers suggesting previous infection, but infection is not the only thing that can cause tube problems. The HSG was painless, took about 5 minutes and gave me enormous peace of mind. Personally I think it is really worth getting your remaining tube checked.

An HSG can also reveal possible problems with the lining of the uterus and so can give the doctors a steer as to whether they need to do a hysteroscopy.

I wish you lots of luck. I hope you get both some answers and another child.

Thank you MrsHappy..you made me cry a bit !

Oh dear, not my intention!
I do hope you get it sorted.

Hi tiredandwornoutmum, I've just had an HSG, and whilst it was pretty unpleasant for me, I'd still recommend that you have one just to see what's going on. I hope it all works out for you.