ASHERMAN'S SYNDROME - problems conceiving after ERPC

[FifiOK]

Does anyone have any experience of this ? Or if you too are having problems after an ERPC then have a read of this. www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/features/article3025016.ece

I'm off to see my GP this Friday so would really appreciate any advice.

Thank you.

Hello everyone, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, can someone help I am so down i dont no what to do and the nhs is stressing me out. I had to have a d&c last year due to mc and since then i have had my periods but have has alot of adominal pain. 2 weeks ago i had to have a 8cm ovarian cyst removed, no sign of endo but alot of adhesions on both ovaries and tubes could not be seen on the right side. all i want to no is there hope, I dont want to carry on if i cant have a baby, also is i cant carry my own baby can you still have ivf or a surrogate mum, with my egg. I really am so sad I have 100000 questions that i feel i need to be answered. Im trying to save up to have a private consultation. Do you think that when I had the laparscoy for the csyt that they would of been able to of seen if there was adhesions in my womb????!!! or how do i find this out??? I hope someone can respond xxxx

Hi pippa and kross.

Sorry you both have possible Ashermans. It is an upsetting thing to have, but it is treatable - usually completely successy fully as long as you can find someone experienced.

The best thing to do, if you can, is check his/her experience in this condition - how many cases he has treated, how frequently he performs surgery, success of outcome. Also, what kind of treatment he proposes for you. Best way is a hysteroscopy, using microscissors to remove the adhesions. This is skilled surgery, so your best chance is with someone who has good experience.

There is a consultant on NHS at Hammersmith hospital, Dr Trew, who is very experienced and has an excellent record. He is the only NHS one I know of, but there are other, private ones. I don't know how easy it would be to get referred to the Hammersmith (I wasn't able to be).

Please try not to worry too much - it is devastating when you initially find out, but there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel. I had big problems for a few years but now have a 2 year old ds and another dc due in October.

Kross, have you got any further appointments/consultations coming up? When you were diagnosed with the adhesions, what treatment were you given for these, or do you have some coming up? If you were left untreated, go back to your GP or hospital directly and ask what is happening.

Have either of you checked out the Ashermans support group online? website here There is a great UK group you can join.

Good luck to both of you.

Thank you so much - I can go private going to get in contact with the Dr in the telegraph paper review and now Dr Trew in Hammersmith too. What does ds and dc mean? xx

Hi Fatti, thank you for getting back to me, i really appreciate it. So did you have ashermans then?? And now you have a child? Did you have ivf for conceive nat? What treatment did you have? Sorry to ask so many questions but it really helps my mind/mood when i hear hope stories. I have booked a appointment with Dr A Lower the one mentioned. Has anyone got any feedback from seeing him? I am trying to sell as much as possible to pay for the consultation so I want to make sure i am goin to see the best. THANKS SO MUCH for all your advice xxxxxx

Pippa, the acronyms ds = darling son, dc = darling children (sorry, they're used commonly on MN so I just assumed everyone knew what they meant!). Good news if you can see Dr Trew, you will be in great hands. Sorry, I don't think I could read a link (?) if you posted one - who is the other Dr you mentioned?

Kross, that is also great news that you can see Mr Lower. I saw him, he was great, and I know of many other women (from the Ashermans online group) who have been treated successfully by him and Dr Trew. They are definitely among the top people to see in the UK. I'm sorry you have to pay though . Have you been down every road possible within the NHS?? What did they do in terms of treatment for you?

Yes, I did have Ashermans, and was treated by hysteroscopy in 2005, went on to have my son in 2007 and am 24 weeks pg now. If you look at the beginning of this thread I think I've written my full story!

I would definitely recommend you check out the ashermans website and join the UK group, it was invaluable to me.

Please please please can someone help. I have some further information i have been to my doctors today and i have recievd the discharge letter from the hospital following the laporscopy. Can someone please advise me on what the letter says-

''When I laporoscoped her there were multiple adhesions that looked like they were related to an old pelvic inflammatory disease in the pouch of douglas (this is the area they were), completely burying the right tube and ovary and a little bit on the left sidewall. Where safe these were taken down without causing bleeding. The left ovary was replaced by a large hewmorrhagic cyst which was asprirated and if this young lady's pain does'nt settle with aspriation of the cyst she'll need a formal laparotomy and division of adhesions. If her pain has settled then I will hopefully see a normal looking ovary when she is reviewed in the clinic in a month (i am having scan tomorrow) and also her CA125 result. I am fearful that she may need a laparotomy in due course because of the degree of adhesions. The only positive was that her left tube looked normal and the left ovary looked relatively normal after aspiration''

What do you think about this?? Has anyone had a laparotomy? Do you think my right ovary is damaged due to adhesions? Please help im a going insane.

Thanks - I really dont no what I would do without this site xxx

Kross, this sounds like you are being treated very thoroughly. It's good that they were able to remove some of the adhesions successfully already.

It does sound like there were adhesions blocking your right fallopian tube/ovary, but honestly, with careful surgery (and follow-up treatment such as a coil/HRT if necessary), these can be removed.

I haven't had a laparotomy but hopefully someone may come along who can tell you more - or you could start a separate thread titled Laparotomy?

If I was you now I would be asking your consultant/surgeon how optimistic he is that he can remove all the scarring without any further damage. And if you're brave enough, ask him how much expereince he has with this kind of surgery -if he hasn't had much, I would try and ask (via your GP) if you can be referred to a specialist.

Please do visit the ashermans website, it has so much info and advice there.

Good luck with your scan tomorrow, I hope it brings you some more answers. And you can always ring your consultant at any time to ask questions if there's anything you forget at the time or are confused.

Hi Just seen this. My story is below.

that you both have suspected Asherman's.

I don't know of the consultant, sorry.

Kross - I had my adhesions divided/removed, under GA during a hysteroscopy, and the treatment of my Ashermen's has been successful. I am now 18 months on following my treatment and now have no related pain at all, which is obviously the key problem initially. I still have light periods, although longer lasting than they were, bt no pain - yeah

I went via NHS and mr doctor was Dr Li, at the Hallamshire hospital in Sheffield. He was excellent. However the waiting times were excessive.

Hi again, can i just ask, if you have adhesions on your ovaries, can they laser/try and remove them with a hysteroscopy or does it have to be a laptrotomy (where they make a bigger cut low down). xxx I am confused as to weather i have ashermans or just adhesions on my ovaries from Pelvic inflam disease as I have had a d&c!!! xxx

Did you ever conceive fifok?

Sorry to post on this thread - you may think I'm barking mad and jumping the gun with my questions about Asherman's

I have been blessed with DS who I very luckily feel pregnant with first time both times using OPKs, ovulation pain and EWCM as a guide.

I also got pregnant in October this year on first time of trying - sadly this ended in mmc and I had a ERPC on 17 November. I didn't bleed much after the procedure and pregnancy tests were negative about 2 weeks after. On Wednesday 8th December I got all the signs of ovulation -felt a bit happier - first time since mc. However I started a bit of spotting on Monday - 5dpo which was apparent until yesterday so it lasted for5 day. - This has been accompanied by that crampy- AF is imminent feeling all week. I am a nurse and so took my blood on Wed 15 to check progesterone 7 days after ov and it was 36 so I think i did ovulate and all my other hormones were fine so why this spotting - is it a super super light AF due to having ??ashermans post ERPC. Today no spotting, no cramp and I am 10dpo and would expect spotting and cramps!. I know I have until wed/thurs to get AF but fear it will not come - call it a mad woman's intuition but think i have just had a sorry excuse for AF, so I need a plan of action or something to stop me losing the plot. I know I will have to see my GP in first instance but don't want to bother with NHS - I have private medical insurance through DH work and lots of credit cards. I know this sound cheeky but after new year if Af hasn't arrived I will go to GP but I know she will fob me off say haven't waited long enough etc - but I know I ovulated - I always know and have been pregnant 3 times to prove it, so what shall I ask he/she to do. Any advice ladies? - except to stop being paranoid and mad!

Hi Kitkey,

I dont think this thread is actually active anymore, it was started a long time ago. I have AS and started another thread over here.

If you are really worried and are willing to spend the money (£205 for a consultation, £250 for a scan) go and see Dr Lower in London. He is a specialist and can diagnose AS via a 4D ultrasound. No other doctor in the UK can do this - your GP will probably not help at all, but if you are lucky the best they can do is refer you for an HSG which will NOT give you definitive results.

Please have a look at the yahoo group via www.ashermans.org for absolutley the best ashermans advice you can find.

If you have any more questions, I am happy to help, come over to the other thread or PM me.

xxx

Hi, I had a miscarriage in Jan 11 and had a D&C , since then i've had no period. I was having all the symptoms of a period and then no bleeding so i went to my GP who told me this was normal after a miscarriage. 6 months later still no period and lots of pain but no bleed so i went back and insisted that tests were done, i knew that something wasn't right. I had an internal /external scan and blood tests and all seemed healthy, they then sent me for a hysteroscropy and found that my womb is completely stuck together. They were going to do another d&c and then insert a coil but thankfully they didn't proceed as they couldn't get access (i've read since that this can make things worse). My consultant tells me that this is very rare and isn't skilled to treat me so she's looking for a specialist in the UK. Does anyone have any advice or recommendations for specialist in this area?

Hi hope you don't mind me bumping your thread for someone who is worrying about ashermans syndrome, I don't know how to link

Hi everyone, I'm new on here so not sure how it works! I had Erpc in jan after missed mc. I had hysteroscopy for adhesions 6 weeks ago and am really really hoping my conception problems are over. Does anyone have any success stories / advice on nerves during the 2 week wait? Xxx

elb1980 I don;t have much to say, as I am due to have the hysteroscopy fo adhesions on Wednesday, but mummyabroad who is usually very good at replying and giving help, might be too busy to do so, as she has a 2 week old baby :)

There are tons of positive stories out there. There are some bad ones too. What did your doctor say, what was the severity of the problem and what is the prognosis. All the best with ttc. I hope I can join you in a two-week wait in the next couple of months!

Escapeartist: thanx for your reply. Basically the adhesion area was the back of my uterus which has been cut away. The dr was very positive but ge was even before he had looked. He has said that 80 per cent of people will get pg within 6 months so to go back in 6 months if sm not pg. This is only first month of trying but am finding it really hats to b positive as I've gone through lots of months of ttc. Am just dreading it if I'm not pg. I had 7 mnths of my gp telling me nothing was wrong, ended up paying to find out the problem cos of this I'm struggling with the psychological side.

What about u? Is this ur first procedure? Wishing u lots of luck for Wednesday xx

elb1980 thanks for your wishes.
I have just seen the consultant (Mr Lower) and he did a scan. He told me that the scarring is mainly around my cervix and is positive.
I can imagine how you must feel! I have had two mmc's in the last 6 months and three ERPC's, which I guess is why it all happened.
Best of luck - it's great to know that your consultnt was optimistic. I know how hard it is to feel positive after everything so far has gone wrong - i go from optimistic to pessimistic every 2 minutes or so.
Don't have much advice, apart from keeping busy. I have also found starting to train for a marathon helps me keep focused on something else (and both time has resulted in getting pregnant - though I realise that it is not a scientifically proven trick ;))
When is AF due?

Escapeartist: it's good to know ur dr is positive too. It's strange isn't it, I'd never even heard of this before now. I know what u mean about mood swings I am totally the same, today has been a good day though. Yes, distraction is also a good plan, trouble is I find it hard to concentrate on other things. Am planning to throw myself into festivities. AF is due Friday, just thinking about it makes me feel nervous. Are u in uk?

I have pm'd you :)

Hi ladies,

I am new to this forum, I have just had my 8th IVF failure and a total of 3 hysteoscopies to clear adhesions, caused by my sloppy surgeons work after my C-section her in France, for my DD back in December 2008. I have to admit I am at a loss what course of action to take next, my emotions as so mixed,desperate for another child and feel like a want to go and have a screaming match with my surgeon/ consultant ( I've already had a little cry today) .. Have had a quote from Dr Adrian Lowe's secretary for a hysteroscopy at a whoping £4025 plus consulation. Looking for a little support and advise, I have a consultation here next week, though their knowledge and experience may be a little in doubt in regards to Asherman's. If I go with Dr Lowe, how high are his success rates the problem with my adhersionss and uterine tissue is, its grows back at an alarming rate..

Teresa [ thanks]

Hello :) I haven't got an advice except - you could try and get hold of one of the posters on this thread - mummyabroad. She was under Dr Lower for ashermans and has just had a little boy - great sucess story. Try and pm her - she wont mind I am sure xx

Hi Teresa, sorry to hear about your AS diagnosis, please don't give up hope though, if you get treated by a surgeon who knows what they are doing and how best to treat AS, then you really will be giving yourself the best chance of being able to have another child. I was diagnosed with AS in March 2010, and needed two surgeries in total to cure my AS, the first was performed by Mr Lower and the second by Mr Trew, they are both very very skilled and experienced AS surgeons, and I am currently 13 weeks pregnant, something a year ago I would never have dreamed would ever be possible.

It may be worth also getting a quote for surgery with Mr Trew. If you google 92 Harley street, and call them, they would be able to give you an idea of costs, at least then you've got something to compare with Mr Lowers costs. I was very fortunate and my health insurance covered the costs of both surgeries so I can't remember what was paid for either operation.

There are also fantastic UK and international AS yahoo groups, where you will find lots of information and support from ladies going through the same thing. You can join the groups through www.Ashermans.org

Wishing you all the best of luck, and please feel free to PM me if I can give you any more information or advise.

X

Not sure if I can help, and unfortunately cannot offer a success story (yet, hopefully) but I was treated by Mr Lower about a month ago. It seemed the operation was a success (so far) as I have just had my first period in... 7 months I think. The quote was similar and the care I received was outstanding.
I found he was v knowledgable and from what I have heard, some of it from mummyabroad he has great success rates and a lot of experience in the removal of adhesions. If I can help with anything let me know.
Best of luck with everything.

Hi dorisbonkers,

I hope you're well and has fully recovered. I was recently diagnosed with Ashermans Syndrome. I am planning to go to Singapore for treatment. Could you please share with me the name of the Doctor who treated you and the hospital. Looking forward to your response. Thanks so much.

my email add is [email protected]