hysteroscopy/laparoscopy - is it REALLY necessary?

[Briss]

Hi everyone

I am new here and really need your advice! I know lots of girls here went through these procedures, all scared but bravely got over it. but I wonder if anyone here refused to do it and still got pregnant or was transferred to IVF?

I do not want to be difficult, I just think these are the very "last resort" measures mainly because of the risks involved. I am not scared of the pain or long recovery (I had a fair share of surgeries in my life) but of the possible complications. If any of those complications do come true, then my health might be permanently screwed. Is it really worth it?

The doctor does not seem to have particular reasons for suggesting these procedures except for:

(i) am over 35
(ii) have been TTC for over 2 years with no success
(iii) had termination (with complications - Cycts and a polyp) in the past (12 years ago)
(iv) during HSG they did not see if the right tube was open (nothing to suggest it was not they just could not see it for some reason)

BUT is this really enough to subject my body to such risks: "Major complications occur in an estimated 1 in every 1,000 cases. They include:
damage to an organ, such as your bowel or bladder, which could result in the loss of organ function, damage to a major artery (blood vessel), damage to the nerves in your pelvis, complications arising from the use of carbon dioxide during the procedure, such as the gas bubbles entering your veins or arteries, and a serious allergic reaction to the anaesthetic. "

Am due to have a discussion with NHS doctor on Monday and have to tell her if I agree to do these procedures (in April). Am tempted to ask for 6 months delay because although I have been TTC for over 2 years but during this time all I did was having unprotected sex 1-3 times (more or less) a week and taking folic acid (because I was told that there is nothing else I need to do). I just recently discovered this forum and realised that there was so much I could have done to improve my chances so I started my vitamins/supplements/CBFM/Charting/CM checking etc only last couple of months.

I am quite desperate and cant see the situation clearly so would really appreciate advice/views here, am I being reasonable?

 

[Lawyer chick]

I have a blocked right tube and likely blocked left. I want to know what's wrong before any procedures so for me it's necessary. I'm not prepared gp pay or if to find out there was a problem.

Id ask when you could expect surgery to be as to whether you wait. I see its april I'm upset I've got to wait nearly 3 months.

Good luck

 

[Briss]

i have been waiting since january so it is a 4 month wait for me. but when i had my last appointment FS said they want to do hysteroscopy to check for polyps i said i need to think about it. she booked me anyway because it is a long wait but called me yesterday to confirm whether I still wanted it but said she thinks I also need laparoscopy. That's what upsetting me, it took me 2 months to come to terms with possible hysteroscopy but i was hoping it will be without general anesthetic so now not a chance

i see your point, if they'd told me my right tube is definitely blocked and they can open it with laparoscopy i would not have any doubts about it

 

[Armywife84]

Actually, those risks are very minimal. I just had one done (my first surgery) and it wasn't that bad.

If you ever go for IVF, it's required to have a laparoscopy done beforehand.

I'm not sure if they could unblock your tube thru a lap, mine were both open, but I do know a lap is to check for endometriosis. In which I was diagnosed with and had absolutely no symptoms for it. However, there is treatment for it that has been shown to improve fertility. Which is much better than shelling out for IVF. I know in the UK you have NHS which covers IVF, but I know it's only a certain amount of rounds and you have to meet certain criteria.

IMO, I think you should be thorough when it comes to fertility testing so you know exactly what you're dealing with.

 

[susan_1981]

Before I went onto the IVF waiting list, my FS gave me the option of having the lap and dye but said I didn't have to, I could just go onto the waiting list. As I had been having dodgy cycles for a while (spotting for 4-5 days before my period, occasional heavy bleeding at ovulation time), I decided that the lap and dye was a must. I also said to the FS that would there be any point on going on the IVF waiting list if there is something wrong that the lap and dye could pick up and potentially fix. I can't remember what she said but she did give me the impression that that is exactly why I should have the lap and dye. She said that most of the time, everything is found to be ok, but sometimes it isn't and sometimes it's something that they can correct (or at least try to correct) during surgery.

So I had it done. To be honest, and I'm not sure why, but I didn't think about the risks at all. As it happened, I had it done and got the all clear and I felt a huge relief that at least I knew everything was working as it should do although I was kind of hoping that they would say "this is what was wrong and now you're fixed".

The recovery for me was very quick. The worst bit for me was when I woke up from the op as I had really bad cramps (felt like period pains) but they gave me some paracetamol and it soon went. I felt a little bit sensitive around my stomach area for a day or so, almost like I'd overdone it on the sit-ups but nothing else. But obviously you do have to take it easy.

I'd say if you really don't want to have it done, then don't but me personally, I'd do it again if put in the same situation again. As I said above, it could be that there is something that is stopping you from getting pregnant and something that they can maybe sort through the op or at least get a better idea of what is going on.

Obviously it's up to you but I know which I'd choose x

 

[charbaby]

i had my first f/s appointment today and they have said i need to have this done, there's a four month waiting list here also, but i will definitely be having it done
(bit nervous bout it)

 

[Shareena]

I had ovarian drilling and lap dye test done in October last year. It wasn't that bad and this was my first surgery. I took it easy for a few days in bed rest. This surgery did restore my period meaning I had irregular period but now I am regular after surgery. I didn't get pregnant yet but hopefully soon I will get my BFP. Good luck on whatever decision you make. You might be lucky enough and not have to go thru surgery. I was afraid that something might go wrong but everything went well so don't worry if you have to have the surgery.

 

[Briss]

Thank you very much everyone for your helpful responses! Had a chat with FS this morning and decided to go for it. The main reason is because my situation is not as clear as I thought, apparently I have quite dodgy endometrium (polypoid they call it) so there is a danger that IVF wont work, plus a cyst (possibly chocolate) which wont go away so indeed some further investigation is needed. I will have only one round of free IVF so it makes sense to do it to improve the chances

On top of that I leant that my FSH was 16.1 at some point but the latest blood test showed 9.1, so considering my age may not have a lot of time for trying it naturally so no point in delaying the investigation

Thank you, at least now I feel that it is not just some box ticking exercise for them but that it may actually benefit me. I also realised that I do not ask FS many questions and in the end do not have all the information (for some reason they do not volunteer it so you have to ask). This time i came prepared with a list of questions and also asked for a copy of my results.

 

[Briss]

Just had my lap & dye and hysteroscopy with biopsy today and have very mixed feelings about it. The procedure went well, the nurses were fantastic!! general anesthetics sucks but that was expected. the results: nothing! I should have been happy but I am a bit gutted they put me through this just to discover nothing. I think if they did HSG properly, there would have been no need for this operation. HSG did not show the right tube properly which is apparently fine, it also showed some polypoid endometrium but Hysteroscopy did not confirm this, the cyst on my ovary was so small that they did not bother removing it. Am back to square one: why am not getting pregnant?

 

[lazy1]

I was wondering the same thing. I have been ttc for 2 years. I'm 34 and my obgyn said everything looked great and didn't know why It wasn't happening. so she recommended a specialist and he immediatly said to do surgery because insurance won't cover infertility and that way he could find out why, and insurance would pay. I was shocked! why go through unnecessary surgery before starting less invasive treatments? I too don't know where to go or what to do since my doc's don't seem to want to help. I'm lost as to what I should do.

 

[Briss]

in my case I think they just wanted to make sure I am a good candidate for IVF, this is where it is all going unfortunately regardless of my wishes. not sure why probably due to my age and length of TTC they think IVF is the best option and since I only get one shot at it they want to maximize my changes. My DH is quite depressed because it seems that the problem is now likely to be in his court. His SC is not great an he cant stay off beer to improve it... I went through general anesthetic and he cant give up beer not for good mind you only until I am pregnant... oh, men