Any endometriosis/IVF/laparoscopy success stories out there?

[elip83]

Hi all, this is one of those days when I feel down and would love to hear a successful story to keep my hopes high up.

I am 34, and last October I was diagnosed with endometriosis, after 1 year of TTC without success. I and my partner had several tests done, his sperm count is ok and seems like the “only” problem I had was a 4cm chocolate cyst.

My AMH levels were also a bit low for my age, 1.39 ng/ml.

I had a laparoscopy at the end of March to remove the cyst, which has grown in the meantime. My tubes were ok and I had adhesions only around the cyst, which were removed during the surgery.

My first cycle after the laparoscopy was 38 days long; unfortunately my gynecologist confirmed I didn’t ovulate during my second cycle, which was only 21 days long.

I read many stories of people conceiving right after the laparoscopy, so I was hoping something would change for the better, but the fact I didn’t ovulate during my last cycle is taking a toll on me, especially after 1 year and a half of trying.

Plus all the people around me are pregnant or just had their babies, from my best friends to my sisters. I am very happy for them, but at the same time very frustrated and jealous. Where is my baby? Why can’t I have one?

I feel very depressed and let down, angry at myself for not being able to conceive, my body is not working and I feel guilty towards my partner for not giving him the child he deserves, even though he is very supportive and keeps saying the only thing that matters to him is my health.

Everyone says I should relax and forget for the moment about it, and it will happen, but please tell me how can I relax when all I desire seems so far away? My gynecologist also says stress affects the chances of getting pregnant, and I should try to get a bit more relaxed cause everything is fine. But it’s hard, and I try but nothing seems to work.

I am also worried about my AMH and FSH levels: my AMH could be even lower due to the surgery but I cannot repeat the test at the moment due to some NHS cuts, however I had my FSH test done this morning and I am looking forward to the results (fingers crossed).

I have scheduled an appointment in September with a fertility clinic, as we are already considering IVF. I know it won’t be easy, but I just hope I can feel better and more relaxed to maximize my chances when September comes.

[Rehanat]

Hi

I have a success story!!

I was diagnosed with mod/severe endometriosis in sept 2015 after a laparoscopy after we had been ttc 1yr.

My cycle didnt return until 3 months after this op which hd me extremely worried as like u i had heard and read so many stories of ladies falling pregnant mknths after a laproscopy.

We were eventually referres to fertility clinic in jan 2016-all tests ok aprt from ohs 3% morphology ( 4% is norm so i wasnt too worried) and of course my endo plus i had cyst on my right ovary, we tried clomid for 2minths which was a big kistake as it only aggravate she the endo, we then had a cycle of icsi in aug 2016- this failed.

From dec the pain i had from my cyst was horrendous-i can only assume it had grown and unfortunately gp or gynaecologist refused to do any more ops as i wanted more children.

I then booked a private consultation with a gynaecologist as i wanted a second opinion and i also booked an appt for a second and last attempt at ivf for may.

To my complete surprise i got my bfp last cycle!! 2 1/2yrs ttc- i had tried everything-opks,bbt,preseed,protein,acupuncture,massage!!

I have hd no pain from cyst since finding out.

It will happen for u-it just might take longer but dont give up! Xxx

[elip83 in reply to Rehanat]

Hi Rehanat,

Thanks a lot! You cannot imagine (or maybe you can :)) how reassuring is to read that someone else, who experienced the same pain I do, got over it and got pregnant! Thanks for sharing your story, means a lot to me! And congrats on your pregnancy

Even a simple post like this can make a day better, like yours did to me! Thanks for that!

[Rehanat in reply to elip83]

Aww u r most welcome!

Honestly do not give up- i had started to think it was never going to happen for us and as we r self funded oh wasnt keen on spendin so much on ivf especially after our first cycle failed.

It will happen, it might just take longer so try not to stress and just carry on doing the deed! I ended up not doing opks or anything as it was becomin far too stressful altho by this time i had an idea of what day i ovulated so i just planned dtd around that. We literally dtd 3 times last month but it worked!!! I also know how awful the pain is- try castor oil pcks and look on toutube for self care fertility massage, i had that done last cycle and do believe it contributed. Try and c if there is a mizan therpaist near u and take a visit- mizan therapy.com it is expensive but cheaper than ivf!!!

Stay positive xxx

[elip83 in reply to Rehanat]

Same here, we are self funded and IVF is very expensive! I gave up opks as they made me even more nervous and stressed! I planned my life around fertile days till last cycle, and told my partner we couldn't even get a visit from friends as those were my fertile days, which made him crazy So I am now trying to live a "more normal life", without "scheduled" appointments and avoiding no-visit/no-friends days Just living one day at a time, hopefully it will work better

I will definitely look for mizan therapy today, thanks for sharing it And thanks again for your advice, much appreciated

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi elip83. Oh, t's never easy dealing with all of this, but it seems as if you have been investigated and treated well so far, so you are now "good to go". Obviously, you now have an appointment booked for September, which is a perfect back up plan should you not be successful on your own. It can be so difficult mixing with people who are pregnant, or who have young babies, but we can't always avoid it. Perhaps you need to be careful who you mix with just for now, or you could try attending a local support group to see how others cope? You can get to know lots about what's going on in your area too, as regards to treatment etc.You can access information about Support Groups in your area by going to our website fertilitynetworkuk.org and click on “How can we help you” – “For those trying to become parents” – support – support groups – England – then select the area you are looking for.

There is always to opportunity of counselling which should be available at your clinic/hospital or through their GP. A charity called the “British Infertility Counselling Association” can also be accessed at bica.net this is not a free service, but they are all specially qualified in counselling people with infertility issues.

I know you will get lots of support her on this forum too. Good luck and I will be thinking of you. Diane

[emmab178]

Hi

I am 38 have severe endo that resulted in a 7cm chocolate cyst encompassing left ovary and tube (at 37 that's when I was diagnosed with this awful disease, previously all symptoms were ignored). Ovary and tube removed in may 2016 and signed up for ivf immediately. Right ovary stuck to UL and possible uterus stuck to bowel. Had a horrific period 3 months post lap and had a scan where they said 5 cm of something still on the left (either ovary or endo, funny since I paid someone who said he "got it all" that he missed 75% of it!) didn't want another lap due to recovery time so headed to ivf. Amh was 7-8. At the clinic OH swimmers were not fine as the nhs said and we were advised to have icsi.

Started long protocol in Feb and got a bfp first round, am now 10+5. So screw endo!

Good luck with your journey x

[elip83 in reply to emmab178]

Hi emmab178, thanks for replying! It is so reassuring to hear another successful story Right what I needed today! Thanks for sharing it and big congrats for your bfp

[Hidden]

Hi, IVF success story here. Me = stage 4 endo, both ovaries large endometriomas, 2 x surgery, and was very sick from endo, V low AMH but oddly FSH was okay, IVF at 39. IVF worked first time and I now have my bubba. Please feel free to email me. I am now thinking of a sibling so ivf again

Goodluck to you all. xx

[Ssharu123 in reply to Hidden]

Hi dear my case is similar as your with two endometriosmas on right and left ovary with amh level 1.84

Dr says that my uterus cannot expand because of the large cyst on my left ovary

I am thinking to go for surgery

But I am worried that my amh levels will go down and I may need a donar egg

I am just 31 age

[elip83 in reply to Ssharu123]

Your amh might be affected by the surgery, mine was as a big portion of my ovary was removed and I lost many follicles with it l, now left with only my right ovary working. Which, however, responded well to ivf stims. Had my icsi this month, and though I got a BFP the entire process was smooth. Now thinking on what to do next, still grieving.

You could even decide to try ivf straight away before having lap, however I’d personally follow the doctor advice and go for a lap, maybe in just one ovary? Good luck honey!

[Ssharu123 in reply to elip83]

Hello dear

Congratulations and I am happy for you ☺️

Last year in November I underwent aspiration of the chocolate cyst on my left ovary with methotrexate injection ( cyst was 7 cm large)

Hopefully it was successful and the doc said it won’t return for at least one year

This year in January I started my first IVF cycle but unfortunately the urine hcg levels were very low and the doc has asked me to have another test again on 15 th( in my cycle 4 eggs were collected and 3 fertilized, out of which one was transferred and two frozen)

I am not very hopeful this time and I also suspect it might be a ectopic pregnancy. I may go for Frozen embryo transfer next month .

But I feeling very hopeless. I have lost the confidence if I will ever have my own baby.

Yesterday I attended Birthday party of my friends daughter who turned one year yesterday. I was surrounded by so many people and children but still I was feeling so low and broken inside. I just feel very depressed and wonder if my FET cycle would work

Or I may have to opt for donor egg !!

[Ssharu123 in reply to Hidden]

Hello dear

Your story really gives me courage

I keep reminding myself if you can have a successful ivf at the age of 39 why can’t have at 31.

I have the same medical picture as you with the exception that I had chocolate cyst only on my left ovary which I got aspirated but I do have a lot of adhesions.

[elip83]

Hi iloveeggs, thank you!! Very happy to hear IVF worked the first cycle for you Trying to stay positive, and your successful story helps

Good luck to you too!! xoxo

[kelsbels88]

Hi elip83

Thank you for this post I could have wrote 90% of this post myself.

I believe I may have endo. I am going to visit a gynaecologist in 2weeks to discuss this.

Thank you for asking for stories of success it has been playing on my mind as to how many people have had success after being diagnosed with this disease. As I said this has not been confirmed but all of my symptoms seem to point that way and t is my drs and my previous consultants belief that it may be.

I am under 35 we have been trying since June ‘16 and it is really hard. We do not qualify for any help in terms of ivf or Icsi at present. I have so many friends and colleagues, parents ( I work in a nursery) who have told me it will happen don’t think about it. Just relax. Don’t pressure yourself and as much as I believe them it’s still hard trying naturally and not having an emotional breakdown every time AF arrives.

It is so encouraging to read these stories of someone with endo who has gone on to have a bfp. Thank you ladies for sharing. It brings me a little bit more hope.

Xxx💕

[powerlady]

Keep the success stories coming in. I'm 26, i've had two chocolate cysts removed from both my ovaries when I was 23 via a lap. The cysts have now come back and my AMH has dropped to 1.5. My first IVF was cancelled due to poor response. Gonna start my next cycle in July. Looking for all the positivity I can gather

[Sezvic]

Hi all, I don’t have any success stories so far. I got severe endometriosis, fibroids and 2 auto immune diseases. Diagnosed with severe endometriosis in 2015. I was advised by my gynaecologist to go for ivf asap. I did my first cycle in 2016 and which was unsuccessful. My left ovary was inaccessible due it was stuck on my bowel. But they managed to collect 3 eggs on my right ovary. Only 2 fertilised but only 1 was good enough to be transferred(was a day 3 transfer). So after my failed ivf, I decided to have my endometriosis treated. Just had surgery in November last year. They removed both my fallopian tubes. Both was blocked and no good. The doctor unstuck my left ovary and bring it down as much as possible. Just done my second cycle and I’m in 2ww. Second cycle, my left ovary was still difficult for them to access it my the doctor did not give up on me. He said they had to put a lot of pressure on my tummy to push my ovary down. They managed to collect 16 eggs, only 10 was mature. Out of the 10, 6 fertilised. By day 3, 2 already arrest, had 1 good quality and 3 was slow. The embryologist decided to transfer the good one. The other 3 did not make it to day 5. Now I’m keeping everything 🤞🏻that this one stick. 🙏🏼. Sorry for the long post.

[Hidden]

Hi, I wouldn't exactly say I have a success story but wanted to share this with you. I was diagnosed with severe Endometriosis after I had a ruptured ovarian cyst. I had 2 surgeries after this. I still didn't fall pregnant naturally afterwards & my pain returned pretty quickly afterwards. I went back to my consultant who confirmed my Endometriosis had returned with a vengeance. I eventually had more surgery & was told we could have IVF afterwards. The problem was my husband works in Greece all summer so we couldn't get started. I tried naturally again but nothing happened. I have since fallen pregnant twice naturally, both times when we were getting things in place to start IVF & was probably less stressed about conceiving. Last time I had a 4•5 cm chocolate cyst on one ovary & smaller ones on the other. Both my pregnancies ended in mmc. I understand you feeling depressed that your body is not getting pregnant as I was so angry with mine, finally getting pregnant only to miscarry. I'm 41 now & 5 weeks pregnant after my first IVF cycle so it is possible. IVF is not as bad as I expected once I got started & I hope that should you need IVF you find that too. In an ideal world we would all love to conceive as soon as we try & have beautiful babies 9 months later but it's fine for the journey to take longer & to accept help along the way . I hope things work out well for you & you get your precious babies. Xx