To Lap or not to Lap ... that is the question!

[maz]

So, we had our 4th IVF consultation this morning ... and what I thought would just be a form filling exercise, turned into a bit of a confusion for me.

For those that don't know me, we have been TTC#1 for almost 6 years now, and have been given an unexplained diagnosis. However, I am getting more and more frustrated as there has to be SOMETHING not quite right if we haven't conceived yet. We had our third cycle's review approx 4 weeks ago, and at that appointment, I raised the issue of further testing. He felt that it was just a numbers game, and that although we were rolling our dice, the six still hadn't come up for us, we should just keep trying, and further tests shouldn't be a necessity.

Today, however, he asked if I'd ever had a Laparoscopy. I said that I hadn't, only a HSG, and asked if he thought it would be a help. He hummed and hahhed about endo, but me not displaying any of the symptoms, but that sometimes in very mild cases of endo, it can be asymptomatic, but serious enough to affect conception, and then as quickly as he mentioned it, he dismissed it.

After our consultation, DH and I discussed the bombshell of the Lap, and DH felt that we should just go ahead as we previously planned, and consider the Lap should our next cycle not work.

So, I'm a tad confused. Do I request the Lap BEFORE my next IVF cycle, or do as DH suggested, and wait and see what happens with the next treatment? Your points of view would be greatly appreciated ladies.

xx

 

[Laughkay]

Hi Maz,

Can I ask what he was going to do? I had a Lap + dye last year and ovarian drilling at the same time because I'd got PCOS and a large cyst had to be removed.
Laporoscopy just means key hole - what was he suggesting?

PS - I got a BFP just 4 months later. I sadly mc'd but after nearly four years of trying I was just happy to know it worked!

 

[Blue12]

When I had the lap I was in the hospital a total of 5 hours - 2.5 waiting, .5 surgery, and 2 recovery. I was back home the same day and had a 2 day recovery off of work.

I really think that having the lap - you could at least eliminate other possibilities.

Hoping so badly for you as you have already been through so much!

 

[brumbar]

awww not sure chick.... I debated a lot about mine - i was asymptomatic ( not even paracetamol for AF time) -and all other tests were clear - ended up with stage III i think I had an endo cyst on my ovary, so I had to have it at some point and I said to my self....i should better do it before ivf, at least i won't worry about th ecyct growing bigger...
we also have MF - the main reason for ICSI...

Really Ready got her BFP on the second cycle after lap... same with LadyBee I think... but probably a bit longer!

 

[Dilek]

Maz how did immune testing go? Sorry i havnt been up to date with your journal. If nothing serious came up there i really dont see any harm in a lap (ive had 3). 2 keyhole and 1 open surgery. I do have endo grade 4 and before i was diagnosed like brums i had no symptoms at all.

I do hope u dont have it though.

 

[maz]

Thanks for your replies ...

Laughkay - he was rambling to be honest and thinking out loud. I think he was thinking it might just be explorative rather than to treat anything - he probably mentioned it as I've been voicing my frustrations at being diagnosed at unexplained. Is that your puppy in your avatar? He's gorgeous (assuming he's a he and not a she!!).

Blue - thanks for your posting in my journal as well. I'm thinking that if I don't get it done, and we have another failed cycle, I'll be kicking myself wondering if there is something there that hasn't been picked up on.

Brumbar - that's interesting that you were asymptomatic with stage 3 endo. I'm thinking I should maybe make some more enquiries. Good luck for testing ... I hope you get a wonderful result.

Dilek - I didn't go for the RI tests. I cancelled the appointment the week before we were due to go, as it just didn't feel right in my gut. Besides which, we obviously weren't meant to go, as the volcanic ash cloud had our airport closed on the day we were meant to go. I took that as confirmation that my gut instinct was right. The tests my GP was able to do for me, all came back normal or negative.

xx

 

[tansey]

Hi hun - I had a lap and hysteroscopy and they found polyps, chronic infection and endo. There could be a reason like this for you they don't know about. But I wouldn't just say go for surgery.
I had the polyps and infection removed and I'm still not pg but then we found DHs swimmers have antibodies

 

[RebaRezzelba]

Maz,

I went to the FS last week and asked about getting a LAP. She wasnt keen on it at all - as with all surgery there are risks she said. She also said that just cos I have a LAP wont make me anymore fertile. I told her about all the people Ive heard who had a LAP and fell pregnant within a few months and she said it was rare. She said the only reason she would ever suggest a LAP would be if i was having chronic/severe pain during AF or during sex - which Im not (i do get pain pretty bad on CD1 but nothing I cant handle).

A poll you should do is - "who got pregnant after the LAP" - and if the results are high then I would go for it. I might even speak to FS about it again - i hate being unexplained - it just means the Dr hasnt got a clue.... easy option for them to say unexplained - instead of saying we will find an answer for you!

Good luck what ever you decide.

 

[brumbar]

My endo was stage III because of the cyst - it automatically adds a number of points to the count they use to grade the severity.
I went private and the Consultant also did hysteroscopy and checked my uterus and my tubes. He said in his experience conception rates are higher after lap...but again, who knows ....depends on personal circumstances and what other issues the couple has.....

 

[sweetszim]

hey hun. do a lap first before goin for the IVF coz if it fails, u still have to do it, so doin it before is key

 

[Dilek]

Just like brumber my main reasons why it was stage 4 was because of cysts.

I just wanted to mention i was not tested by my fertility consultant for immune issues but i think he wanted to try something different from my 1st go. So this IVF i was on 20mg of prednisolone (steroids, its to shut down natural killer cells), i was on clexane (blood thinner) and the usual aspirin and cyclogest. Im sure there was something else.. mind has gone blank. It could be worth mentioning it to your consultant, without being tested. Just an idea hun.

 

[BigFoot1980]

I think go for lap hun. That way if there is an issue it can be sorted before IVF.

Loads of luck!
xxx

 

[Redfraggle]

If it was me I would go for the lap. I would have to try something new each time in the hope of making the outcome different.

Whatever you decide though, I wish you so much luck.