Advice for what happens next and fertility

[Dawner_]

Hi,

Last January I had laparoscopic surgery to diagnose endometriosis. Turned out I have stage 4 endo, adhesions, scarring, and a couple of endometriomas. The surgeon said he tried to get rid of as much as he could but there was a lot. 3 months later I was put on gnhr analogue injections for 6 months (that’s another story) as I still had a lot of pain and there was active endo he couldn’t remove. I am due my final injection in November and then a follow up with my surgeon in the December. I am worried that a month will not be enough time to see if my pain comes back and I am worried that I will be discharged from his service. Just wondering has any advice or experiance about what might happen after my appointment ?

It’s complicated by the fact that me and my partner want to start trying for a child. I mentioned this to my surgeon before the injections but he recommended doing them before we start. I am a 35 and with my history stated above I realise are chances are very low to have them naturally. My anxiety around my fertility is very high. I did go to my gp and they stated that even with my endo and scarring on fallopian tubes and ovaries we would still have to try for 6 months before they can start doing the tests to see if we can be put on the waiting list for fertility treatment. Again just wondering if anyone had any advice or experiance with any of this.

I have felt so lost with all of this.

Thanks!

[chelseagrl]

Hello Dawner, I can't speak to follow up appointments with your surgeon other than to say if yoh are discharged ask for the rationale in writing.

I've been through IVF a diagnosis of stage iv endo at age 35, following a year of being unable to conceive and many years pain of endo. It was a lot to get my head around but the diagnosis wss validating. I had my second frozen transfer at 36 which worked and my baby was born last summer.

I totally relate to the feeling of anxiety around being able to conceive, and there is a lack of awareness with endo from specialists that it may impact Fertility and they should advise accordingly. There's also a whole load of societal rubbish around being 35 which I won't go into!!

For me it was really helpful to read people's experiences on here, have a couple of trusted friends who knew I was going through IVF I could chat to, and where I could keep doing fun stuff around IVF prep and cycles so it doesn't feel to all consuming..which I appreciate is easier said than done!! Around this time I knew a lot of people having kids with no issues. I didn't always want to explain myself and or have to see lots of looks of concern. I took myself out of any social situations where I thought this might come up and felt better for it! I know people mean we'll but I've found endo and ivf makes people say some strange if well meaning stuff!

A couple of girls I know with endo paid for a Fertility test privately to check amh levels to give some piece of mind. I didn't do this til I went to the clinic but maybe useful to have some knowledge going in. If recommend joining your local endometriosis UK support group I've found the people there so kind and get what navigating a chronic illness and trying to live well is like.

Wishing you all the best