Questions about Endo

[LisaRH]

We just finished all the testing with our RE and came back unexplained. TTC #2 for almost 2 years 29 and 30 yrs old. Dr. gave us the option of having a laparoscopy or going ahead with iui or ivf.
My main concern that originally sent me to the gyn after ttc for 8 months is that I have up to 5 days of spotting before my period. Dr. mentioned it could be progesterone, but that has been ruled out. Dr. never mentioned it could be related to endo. When my dr. recommended the lap I started researching endo and spotting came up as a symptom. Does anyone here have spotting that is related to endo?
The spotting has gotten heavier lately, and I also have:
*Pain in my ovaries (especially the right) around ovulation and before my period. Last month ultrasound showed ovulation from left, but the right hurt worse.
*Ultrasound showed calcifications on right ovary
*Horrible cramps that start several days before my period (worst on cd1 and 2)
*Upset stomach during period
*Sorry...TMI lots of clots w/ period
Basically, my periods just put me out of commission

Anyone with endo have any symptoms similar to this? I don't want to go through the surgery if I don't have it, but I think my symptoms point to having it. I am just amazed it has never been mentioned to me by gyn or RE as a possibility until now.
Lisa

 

[Mollykins]

Hey sweets, everything you listed matches the symptoms I've been having... and then some. I have a ob/gyn appointment on Tuesday to discuss this (the possibility of endo), get a pap (etc) and most likely set another appointment for a lap. I found that my mother and grandmother had endo and both ended with a hysterectomy... I'm not ready for that!! Right now, I'm CD 11 (AF left me on CD4) and I am experiencing pretty intense uterine cramping... like I do with AF. It definitely doesn't feel like ovulation pains. The unfortunate part about endo is that the only way to diagnose it is through a lap. I really hope everything works out well for you sweets. FX!

 

[Serene123]

I'm having the same symptoms as you but my specialist isn't concerned about Endo no matter how many times I've mentioned it... x

 

[floofymad]

Hi,
I have endo and that sounds pretty much the same symptoms as me. I would defo advise having the lap to see before you go ahead with ivf or anything. Spotting before period is a possible endo sign. I used to get it but it's now gone since I had my lap.

 

[brumbar]

hey hun! get a lap done, and everything else they could fit in at the same time- dye to check the tubes and hysteroscopy to look inside the uterus. I had spotting 8-10 dpo for a few months and it stopped after the the endo removal. x

 

[daisii]

spotting definitely a sign! I used to spot mid cycle due to endo, this stopped after my lap and I conceived first round of clomid, on second cycle after lap. Get the lap done, it might do the trick!!!

Good luck!

 

[RebaRezzelba]

Hey Lisa - reading your post was like reading something I typed myself. I have all the exact same symptoms (spotting 4-6 days pre AF and then a few days after too), heavy clotty periods, terrible cramps on CD1-2 (only relieved by ibuprofen - paracetamol doesnt work) and pain at Ovulation (but havent had it in past 2 months since being on clomid).

My FS advised against me having a LAP saying that its unnecessary surgery for something that technically isnt causing me any trouble (its not like intercourse is sore, or i have to be bedridden during AF) but Im still in too minds whether to push for it or not - i know I have the symptoms but maybe its not endo.

FS put me on clomid too to see if that stopped the spotting - 1st month it didnt, 2nd month it did, 3rd month it didnt - now its 4th month so we'll see if it does or not - anyway she said it could be hormonal but it obviously isnt.

Next port of call she said for me was a Hysteroscopy which is a camera inserted into womb to see if I have fibroids (as they can be a cause of spotting too). That will prob happen in the new year.

Not sure whether to push for the Lap or not as with all surgerys they carry high risks!!!

 

[Sbee]

Same here ... all similar symptoms expect no spotting before AF. I had a HSG which showed an unevern uterine lining which they've said is fundal fibroids and so I'm off for an ultrasound to discover exactly what/how big they are because of such a bad, heavy, painful AF ... then next step is a lap to check to see if Endo is my problem. So many tests .... but hopefully it'll all be worth it in the end. x

 

[AndreaFlorida]

I don't have spotting before AF either....but I do have constant on and off pain in my pelvic area its hard to walk most days of the month I hope you soon figure it out sweetie I do have VERY painful periods all the way through and a very upset stomach.....and of course down there everything hurts when I pee etc. it just is a very very bad thing to have but lets pray if you do have it...its not too bad. GL and keep us updated on your condition I'll be praying for you that you'll get your BFP soon

 

[LisaRH]

Thanks everybody for all of the advice and support! I am going ahead with the lap. It is scheduled for Tuesday the 23rd. I am terrified, but it sounds like so many of you have symptoms similar to mine that I think I need to find out for sure. My RE seemed to think that if I have endo, iui isn't likely to work unless we do the surgery and get rid of it first. Does anyone have any advice for the lap?
AndreaFlorida - I am in Pensacola! How funny we are so close! My RE is Dr. Ripps - have you seen him?
Lisa

 

[floofymad]

My advice don't worry about the lap too much. You'll be 'out' before you know it, and won't know anything until you wake up... I was surprised that I felt ok after it and recovered fairly quickly. x

 

[LisaRH]

I had my lap yesterday and they found stage 3 endometriosis. They removed it, and I have a follow-up appointment Dec. 31 to discuss what to do next. Has anyone tried IUI after their lap?

 

[floofymad]

Hey. You were the same as me then. I haven't tried IUI. I've just been told to ttc and put up with the pain! Good luck!

 

[Sbee]

Same here ... all similar symptoms expect no spotting before AF. I had a HSG which showed an unevern uterine lining which they've said is fundal fibroids and so I'm off for an ultrasound to discover exactly what/how big they are because of such a bad, heavy, painful AF ... then next step is a lap to check to see if Endo is my problem. So many tests .... but hopefully it'll all be worth it in the end. x

So, they got the diagnosis wrong! I've not got fundal fibroids - the pelvic scan lady was most confused as to why the hospital saw that - and she's diagnosed polycystic ovaries. I'm definitely now going to push for a lap to see if its the cysts or Endo causing all this pain. Need an answer as to why AF is such a bitch and why ttc is taking so long! to all x

 

[Timid]

Thanks for posting this thread - I'm wondering if this might be my issue too as your symptoms sound pretty similar to mine.

I've never really known what's right and what's wrong as my mum didn't really give me any mum-type talks about that kind of thing! I've always assumed that there was nothing wrong with me!

Anyway, going to the doc on fri for blood tests - doc thinks I might have pcos, but I reckon endo could be more likely... I never knew what bits I should tell my doc (funny how until someone else says something that rings true you can't see the wood for the trees) so I'll def be much clearer when I speak to him next, so Thank you!

Tx

 

[AndreaFlorida]

I just started seeing Dr. Ripps January of 2012 I am wondering how you got on? I'm PLANNING on IVF in February we'll see what happens though first I am ALSO in process of adoption so if that goes through IVF is out the door.....I'm nervous as to what might happen but very excited at the same time to figure out our path of life Leaving it to God from here on out