PID

[sonnyriley]

Hi, I'm not sure if I'm supposed to post this here but here goes:

After seven long months of continuously going to the doctors I have been diagnosed with PID.

The diagnosis is a bit of a long story (feel free to skip):

What happened was I went to the GP in January after I'd bled after sex, had abdominal pain and sex became uncomfortable. The nurse said it would be because of chlamydia (despite me telling her I'd already had a test not so long ago and it came back negative). They also did a smear test which when the results came back two months later were unreadable. I went back to the the GP after I'd had the results who then told me I had to wait another six weeks until it could be taken again so should just wait. At this point I burst into tears because it was April and I'd been having the pains since Jan and couldn't face another three months of waiting, so she sent me to a different doctor who did an internal check and sent me for an ultrasound.

Went to the ultrasound and went back to the doctors for the results. Saw another different doctor who told me the scan was fine so there wasn't a problem. I persisted and said the pains weren't going away and he said it was probably because of constipation so he prescribed me (the revolting) movicol. I then asked how that would explain the pains that I was having during sex and he said that was probably anxiety because of the constipation(!). This was in late May.

Took the movicol for the whole of June and then when I was in London with my mother the pain got worse. Tried to get a doctors appointment for three weeks but everytime I rang they'd tell me there were no appointments and to ring back in a few days. After three weeks and another weekend where I'd had bad pains during sex again I took an emergency same day appointment (if I hadn't it would have been another week).

Went to the original doctor from January who was rather annoyed that I'd taken one of his emergency appointments. I told him the pains weren't going away and he sent me to the GUM clinic for further investigation. Went to the GUM clinic had the nicest doctor I've ever met, who asked me questions about the pains and probed into other symptoms. When he'd finished I had a whole list of symptoms which reads like a checklist for PID. He did an internal examination and when he pressed down on one of my fallopian tubes it was very painful. He's given me antibiotics and I'm going back in three weeks for a check up.

The most frustrating thing is not knowing how badly this has affected my tubes. I've been googling it on the internet (bad idea I know) and it says if you've had three or more attacks you're basically infertile. I have no idea how many times I've had 'attacks' because I've never been in bad enough agony to go to A&E which is what seems to constitute an acute attack. I've either bad it for seven months or three years (I had a medical abortion). My doctor says there is no way he can know how much damage has been done which doesn't exactly help. He's not even 100% sure I have this but thinks it's the most likely scenario. I just don't know how to digest this information. I'm a total mess and am devastated that there's a high chance I'm going to be infertile. My partner and I have decided to ttc as soon as I'm finished the treatment.

I've got another check up in three weeks after I've finished taking the antibiotics. There are so many questions I want to ask but am frightened now I'm going to get fobbed off like I have been for the last seven months

I can't stop thinking about it. I've been in tears three times today already about it, the first was when I logged into facebook and was greeted by a status update that a friend was pregnant. I know I can't continue like this forever

Has anyone had this and managed to conceive? Or just experienced it in general?

Sorry for the essay!

 

[jonnanne3]

I don't want to read and run. I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I don't know too much about PID other than it can affect you ability to conceive. I do know that if you have PID, a FS might be the one to see. When I went to my FS they asked if I had PID as that could be a part of my reason for not conceiving successfully. (I have 3 children from my 1st marriage and have had 3 miscarriages with my husband) I think they can help you and maybe you can call a FS there and ask some questions. Good luck and I hope you get some answers soon.

 

[maz]

I'm sorry to hear you're in pain and have received such sh1te care up to now. I really hope the antibiotics work, and the damage to your fertility isn't too severe. If you're wanting to starting ttc as soon as you get the all clear that the infection is gone, perhaps you could request a HSG or Lap & Dye, to confirm whether your tubes have been affected. The earlier you find this out the better for your own sanity.

Good luck and welcome to bnb.

 

[sonnyriley]

Thank you both. I hope so too. It's so painful not knowing how bad the damage is

The next two weeks of limbo are going to be dreadful. I'm going to try as hard as I can to get a lap/dye. If not I'm going to have to go private (even though it's questionable how we can afford it) because I am not the type of person who can put things at the back of my mind and would probably have worried myself to death about it by December(!)

Best of luck to both of you as well

 

[BizyBee]

Hope it gets better soon hun! xx

 

[sonnyriley]

Thank you x

 

[Tory123]

Hi Sonnyriley

Sorry to hear about your discomfort and worry, hope it turns out to be alright and they sort out the problem. I have had the most horrendous pain during and after the witch has visited. I mean more than the usual pain, couldn't get out of bed the pain was so bad couldn't stand up straight. No amount of tablets eased the pains. It was not in the usual place, it was my whole stomache so tender and swollen. Went to the doctors he thinks I might have PID he has given me antibotics. I think I still visit the GUM clinic as they are can look more in depth, the doctor has just diagnosed me by pressing my stomach. Keep us posted on how you get on.

Tory xx

 

[sonnyriley]

Thank you! I hope you feel better soon.

Still over two weeks until I can ask about the lap - the worry over this is killing me.

My partner asked his doctor about it when he went for a check up today (one of the above ones I've seen) and said we were worried about fertility. The doctor then turned around and went:

"Well I'd dump your girlfriend then and get another one"

 

[Noah'sMummy]

OMG just read your last post. I hope your partner put him in his place.

Some Doctors are so not understanding at all!! x

 

[franiss]

Hi

Just seen your post.

I can relate to this, i had to have surgery before somebody actually listened to me!! I had excrutiating pain in the right lower abdomen for months, i ended up paying to see a private gynacologist who discovered what he though was a cyst on my ovary all it took was a simple scan! Anyway i went in for a laparscopy and woke up to be told i had a fallopian tube removed i was distraught. It turns out the tube was twisted 5 times and stuck to my bowel and pelvic bone. This was in june 2006 - i now have an 18 month old son i conceived naturally which is fatastic so there is definately hope, i conceived naturally again this yr but unfortunaely miscarried.

I now fear the pid has returned as i have the same excrutiating pain but on the left side, no one is listening so i am ging to the docs tomorrow and will not move until i am taken seriously. Im sure its too late for me to save my other tube now, i have not stopped crying all day, im only 23 i wanted so many more children.

Its not too late for you, but do make sure you are listened to every step of the way and if you feel something isnt right bug the hell outta those doctors.

Good luck xx

 

[purpledaisy2]

Hi,

I found this thread by searching for something else, but my PID has flared up twice in the past & I've conceived twice in the past year whilst using contraception!! So there definately is hope hun.

 

[sonnyriley]

Thank you both for your replies. Seeing that PID does not always mean no children does make it a bit easier to deal with. I am definitely never going to that doctors again for sure.

I still have over a week before seeing the doctor again but am feeling a bit more positive about the whole thing(ish) - still a bit wobbly but after looking at this site I have realized there is still hope.

We're going away for the weekend though so at least it'll take my mind off the whole thing and I finish the antibiotics in a few days so at least will be able to have a drink at last!!

 

[Brambletess]

I am sorry to hear about your experience. I too have had PID but don't know when to be honest. I only found out when I failed to concieve after 2 years and had a lap and dye. I now remember a period of my life when i was ill a lot with a high temperature and I also had pains and cramping in that area but put it down to IBS. Maybe it was then. The long and short is, my fallopian tubes are totally damaged and I have to have IVF to concieve. To be honest I am worst case scanario though and even if you end up in my position there is a very good chance you will concieve through assisted means. If i was you i would try and get it checked out by a lap and dye as if there is a question with your tubes you may be also at risk of an ectopic.

I also was tested for Chlamydia a couple of times and it was negative but during my fertility tests they do a test to see if you have ever had it and it came up postitive. Am not trying to sound scary but it does happen. That is what caused my PID. I think they assume it is Chlamydia with most people, but unlerss you test to see if you have ever had chlamydia, you won't know. Antibiotics will sorth the PID out now, so it won't progress any more and no more damage will be done and one episode does not mean infertility at all. Just puts you in a danger zone.

The chances are you are fine, only a precentage of PID ends up with blocked tubes, but get it checked out, better to know where you stand now rather than suffer months and months of negative tests. A lot of PID is silent, espeically if caused by Chlamydia, so you are in a good posiotion you know at least about your PID. And remember worst case scenario is IVF and the majority of people do concieve with this over 1-3 attempts. I have two IVF attempts on NHS coming up.

I will add that a 3-4 months ago, whilst waiting for IVF to start, I became pregnant naturally but miscarried at 9 weeks. This was nothing to do with the PID, blocked tubes, just bad luck as 1 in 4 pregnancies do end up in m/c. So even with totally blocked tubes miracles happen.

 

[Millnsy]

Hi Sonnyriley

Sorry to hear about your discomfort and worry, hope it turns out to be alright and they sort out the problem. I have had the most horrendous pain during and after the witch has visited. I mean more than the usual pain, couldn't get out of bed the pain was so bad couldn't stand up straight. No amount of tablets eased the pains. It was not in the usual place, it was my whole stomache so tender and swollen. Went to the doctors he thinks I might have PID he has given me antibotics. I think I still visit the GUM clinic as they are can look more in depth, the doctor has just diagnosed me by pressing my stomach. Keep us posted on how you get on.

Tory xx

Sorry to Hijack your thread Sonnyriley - Tory, do they think the PID could be caused by the IUI. I had the same reaction as you to the IUI and am now worried... PM me if you prefer. HOpe everything is OK any way... Millnsy x

 

[franiss]

sonnyreilly i am glad you are feeling more positive! I am too - i went to docs today re pid she has given me a strong dose of antibiotics, had a feel around and she thinks i am ok but is going to refer me to a gynae anyway. good luck and let me know how you get on
xx

 

[lost1234]

hiya am new to this who thing, but i saw this on google, and had to read it,
im only 16 and got told a few months ago i had PID.
after seven months of pain finaly had to go privet health care,
they didnt know what was wrong with me,
i had to have a laperocpicy,
when i woke up the doctor said he wasent sure if i could have childern, i got given courses of tablets to take ect.

its been on my mind ever since.. i may be young but thats all i have ever wanted, to settle down and have a family,.
i was just wondering if you can have childen natraly after being told this?

if anyone who knows could they write back please.
thanks. xx

 

[Nemo and bump]

hi, i'm so sorry you are going through this and so sorry you've got such a horrible doctor!
in 2007 i had really bad pains like you described and ended up in hospital. they thought it could have been appendix but werent sure so i had a laproscopy operation. they found a build up of fluid on my uterus and right fallopian tube. it was diagnosed as PID. i had a horrid doctor at the hosp who said it was because i was young and sleeping around (which i was not) and he said i prob had an std ( which i didnt as results came back clear) he said i had blown my chances of children. i felt horrible and had depression. over the next year i had four flare ups of PID and thought i had lost all chances. however in march 2008 thought i was having another flare up and was on anti biotics. me and oh were looknig at egg freezing/adopting etc for future when i found out i was pregnant. my doctor (not the hosp one the one at gp) was lovely and he was so suprised and shocked every time we went back he kept asking if i was sure. now i have a beautiful daughter...
basically what im saying is dont give up. i know of many people who have conceived after having PID. i hope you do too hun. i wish you all the best. xoxo

 

[subaru555]

I got diagnosed with this twice!!

When they finally did a laparoscopy - they said I'd never had it and I'd been wrongly diagnosed - and they still don't know why I could be getting pain in sex. They blamed the anxiety too - after everything I'd been tested for that they said that I had - which turned out to be negative, I just laughed in their face....sometimes I just wonder if they buy their degree's rather than actually have to sit exams and LEARN about the human body?

Point is - don't lose hope, there are no specific tests to diagnose it except a laparoscopy. And I've been misdiagnosed twice.