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12-19-2012 at 10:38 AM
DoublePort...
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DoublePortion is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 10:22 PMSilver

WDYT?

This morning I've been thinking about my TTC future, which isn't always a good thing. I googled "stage IV endometriosis getting pregnant" to try and find success stories. Most of what I came across were stories of how women got PG a few months after having a lap.

My laparoscopy turned laparotomy was in 2009 and I was advised not to try for a few months (during the time most women are encouraged to try after a laparoscopy) since it was major surgery and my body needed time to heal. So my thinking is that I missed that window of opportunity and then proceeded to feed my endo with Clomid and other fertility meds so now I am probably eaten up with the junk. When I talked to my OBGYN in August he said he would only do another laparoscopy on me as a last resort because he is afraid he would end up having to remove my ovaries and whatever else is being affected by the endo. When I first met with my RE he said he would not do surgery on me and that after reading the surgical report from my OBGYN he feels that an amazing job was done and that I am "lucky to have ovarian function at all". I trust my drs but then I read about how these women went to this or that specialist and they were PG within 3 months. I'm scared of going to a different dr that might be "surgery happy" or underestimate my situation and end up creating a disaster.

Also, I've read in places how endo doesn't affect the outcome of IVF because it bypasses it. Then I read somewhere else how endo does affect implantation because it excretes toxins. Arg! I wish there was a clear cut understanding of endo!

As you can probably tell, from this post and previous ones, I vacillate between feeling all gung-ho about TTC naturally since I've felt less of the endo symptoms while on BCP to worrying that it's not enough and surgery's not an option and IVF is such a big gamble. I'm sorry this is long and jumbled. If nothing else I appreciate your T&Ps. 

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Me: 29 ~ Stage IV Endo ~ AMH .38 ~ AFC 8
AMH .97 as of 4/2012!
Him: 27 ~ perfect swimmers
Laparotomy with partial oophorectomy 8/2009 to remove cysts/endo. Stopped BC 4/2010.
Multiple clomid rounds from 11/2010 to 6/2011. ~ All BFN
IUI w/clomid 7/2011. IUI w/clomid & injectables 11/2011 & 1/2012. ~ All BFN
Occasionally using acupuncture.
IVF #1:EPP 5/2012 ~ (4R, 3M, 2F w/ICSI). Both embies txfrd. ~ BFN
BCP to manage Endo from 10/2012 to 12/2012.
PAIF/SAIF always welcome!

If you're wondering about my avatar...it's a fried pickle chip shaped like a fetus! 
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12-19-2012 at 10:51 AM
rockpaperl...
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rockpaperlove is not online. Last active: 05-16-2013, 10:23 PMBronze
I don't have insight on this topic, but you are in my thoughts and I hope you get some informative feedback from the other ladies. Hugs and luck! 
Countless BFN(s)
Moving to IVF

IVF1 (ICSI): Long Lupron
6R. 3F. 3DT. 8Cell 1Grade 2Embies. 1Frostie.
Beta 1/22: 14 Beta 1/24: 24 Beta 1/26: 28
Round One Result: Chemical Pregnancy

Pressing Forward

IVF2 (ICSI/AH/ACU): Microdose Lupron Flare
13R. 11F. 5DT. 2TFR'ed. 1Frostie.
Round Two Result 4/30: Harsh BFN

FET. 2TFR'ed.
Round THREE Result 6/25: BFN
Where do we go from here?

Moving forward with CCRM in 2013
ODWU revealed blocked tube(s). Lap 2/15.
Bilateral Tubal Ligation. Stage IV Endo.
Finally some (tough) answers.

IVF3 (ICSI/CCS): EPP Antagonist.
13R. 8F. 5 Frosties. 3 Normal CCS Embryos!
Undergoing Lupron Depot treatment for ET. 
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12-19-2012 at 11:04 AM
liz4paws
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DP, I wish I knew more about endo but I don't. :( However, I do know how hard it is to make some of these big decisions with lots of conflicting information. It sucks so bad, and is such a horrible part of the world of IF. I hope you get some information that you feel good about and can pick a path that you're comfortable with! Big huge hugs to you!!!!
Me (31) DH (35) - Finding our path to baby #1
Me: POF/DOR - AMH <0.16, heterozygous c677t MTHFR
DH: Severe MFI
12/2/11 - IUI #1- BFN
8/1/12 - IVF #1 - Zero response from max stims (600iu intramuscularly)
My ovaries seem to be just for decoration

12/6/12 - Adopted five embryos that had been frozen for over ten years!
2/11/13 - Thawed four, sadly two didn't survive. Transferred two beautiful blasts.

2/16/13 - First BFP of my life!
3/27/13 - No heartbeat at 9w0d. D&C the following day.

4/23/13 - Matched to adopt five new embryos!

My embryo adoption blog: Wishing on a Snowflake

Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers

 
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12-19-2012 at 11:12 AM
DoublePort...
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Thanks ladies! I just hate not having a plan and feeling like I don't have enough info to make one.
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Me: 29 ~ Stage IV Endo ~ AMH .38 ~ AFC 8
AMH .97 as of 4/2012!
Him: 27 ~ perfect swimmers
Laparotomy with partial oophorectomy 8/2009 to remove cysts/endo. Stopped BC 4/2010.
Multiple clomid rounds from 11/2010 to 6/2011. ~ All BFN
IUI w/clomid 7/2011. IUI w/clomid & injectables 11/2011 & 1/2012. ~ All BFN
Occasionally using acupuncture.
IVF #1:EPP 5/2012 ~ (4R, 3M, 2F w/ICSI). Both embies txfrd. ~ BFN
BCP to manage Endo from 10/2012 to 12/2012.
PAIF/SAIF always welcome!

If you're wondering about my avatar...it's a fried pickle chip shaped like a fetus! 
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12-19-2012 at 1:43 PM
PrettyAcco...
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PrettyAccountant is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 4:26 PMBronze

Hey Double, honestly I have no experience with endo and I don't know what I would do in your shoes. I would probably be as torn as you are. I pray that you find the right path that leads to your happiness and gets you your take home baby. Reading your post breaks my heart because you want this with all your heart and are willing to risk your life to achieve it - just not fair and totally heartbreaking.

My prayers are always with you and I pray that all our prayers get answered.

Super hugs.

TTC 1/2010 DH Dx - Azoospermia 2/2011
Hysteroscopy 3/2011 2 Polyps removed 4/2011
DH on Clomid / Arimidex to address hormonal issues - Sperm found July 2011!
IVF #1 September 2011 - ER 9/8/2011- 8R, 5M - icsi - 1 made it to transfer - BFFN :-(
IVF #2 Lucky November 2011 - ER 11/25/2011 - 15 eggs!, 13 mature, 10 fertilized with isci - 7 made it to transfer! Transferred 1 - 8 cell and 2 - 7 cell. BFP!!!!
1st U/S - Twins! 2nd U/S - 3 heartbeats!!! - HOLY COW!!!
Prayers for our take home babies!
2 babies born on 3/27/12 and lost. Last baby born on 3/29/12 and lost at 20 weeks.
My angels grew wings shortly after birth.
Ahava Raisel, Matisyahu Nissim & Zev Chaim - Mommy and Daddy will always love you.
IVF #3 July 2012 - ER 7/17/2012 - 10 R. 5 F. 4 made it to ET
Transferred 2 on 7/20/2012 no snow babies :-(
Beta on 7/31/2012 = BFMFN
A miracle gift expected to come to us through adoption around 9/2012
Baby girl adopted - Birth Mother changed her mind and took the baby back
IVF #4 October 2012 - New RE. Doing PGD Testing. 8 R, 7F, 2 made it to 5 day blast for PDG testing. Both Normal (Thank you G-d!!!) 1 boy and 1 girl
transferred one beautiful 5day blast (girl)
Please G-d the almighty one - let this be our take home baby!
Beta #1 158, Beta #2 318, 1 Absolutely magnificent HB at 175! Thank you G-d!!!
AMA. PAIF & SAIF always welcome - I need all the prayers I can get!
Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers 
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12-19-2012 at 2:08 PM
DoublePort...
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DoublePortion is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 10:22 PMSilver
PrettyAccountant:

Hey Double, honestly I have no experience with endo and I don't know what I would do in your shoes. I would probably be as torn as you are. I pray that you find the right path that leads to your happiness and gets you your take home baby. Reading your post breaks my heart because you want this with all your heart and are willing to risk your life to achieve it - just not fair and totally heartbreaking.

My prayers are always with you and I pray that all our prayers get answered.

Super hugs.

Thank you! I truly appreciate your prayers. Hugs and prayers being sent to/for you too!!

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Me: 29 ~ Stage IV Endo ~ AMH .38 ~ AFC 8
AMH .97 as of 4/2012!
Him: 27 ~ perfect swimmers
Laparotomy with partial oophorectomy 8/2009 to remove cysts/endo. Stopped BC 4/2010.
Multiple clomid rounds from 11/2010 to 6/2011. ~ All BFN
IUI w/clomid 7/2011. IUI w/clomid & injectables 11/2011 & 1/2012. ~ All BFN
Occasionally using acupuncture.
IVF #1:EPP 5/2012 ~ (4R, 3M, 2F w/ICSI). Both embies txfrd. ~ BFN
BCP to manage Endo from 10/2012 to 12/2012.
PAIF/SAIF always welcome!

If you're wondering about my avatar...it's a fried pickle chip shaped like a fetus! 
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12-19-2012 at 2:34 PM
Mrs.McIris...
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Mrs.McIrish is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 10:07 PMGold

No experience myself but a similar question was asked on http://www.network54.com/Forum/53068/

it was more for DOR and banking eggs but the suggestion was made to get the eggs, fertilitize them and freeze. Then treat endo and do an FET.  Maybe you could do something like that? Get a ton of eggs even with a couple of ER's and then so another lap to clean out the endo(knowing you may lose the ovary). You don't need the ovary to do the FET.  

 

I'm on iPad and can't make link clicky.   

TTC #1 since 8/1/10; Me:39 and BRCA1+, DH:45
DOR (FSH 24.3)/ terrible egg quality
5 IUI's: 2/11 to 6/11 and 1/12= BFN
OE IVF#1-4 8/11-6/12= all BFN
DE IVF#5 11/12 bad embryos= BFFN
FINAL DE IVF #6 1/13: cancelled as second donor backed out during stims
Was added last minute as 3rd recipient to new donor on 1/18; ET1/23/13
2/1/13 BFP for the first time ever; Beta hell for several weeks: miscarriage 7 wks
CFNBC ...Me &You, Just Us Two...
GradyPhotobucket
Riley
RIP Riley 1/4/12
PAIF/SAIF Welcome  
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12-19-2012 at 2:44 PM
Scoop77
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Scoop77 is not online. Last active: 05-16-2013, 10:48 PMBronze

I think you're really smart to avoid excess surgeries. If someone makes a mistake in there, it might not be a solvable one. 

The idea of doing embryo-banking is interesting, though. I'm sure it would be super-expensive, but that might be a way to sort of go nuts with stockpiling the embryos, as the PP said, and then treat the endo (either with BCPs or lap or both).

I'm thinking of you, sending you all my best wishes, while you figure this out. 


TTC #1 for about 3.5 years
ME: 37, PCO, immune issues?, teflon uterus (my added diagnosis)
HIM: 38, Perfect. (Showoff.)
Month before starting Clomid, spontaneous pregnancy. m/c at 7 weeks and D&C.
Four months of Clomid, one IUI, with Intralipid each cycle: BFNs all
IVF 1.0 July 2012 -- Lupron, bravelle, menopur, estrogen, progesterone supps, intralipid. 14 ER, 14 fertilized, 1 blast transferred, 2 on ice. BFN
FET 1.1 -- 10/2, transferred our 2 blasts. Lupron, PIO, estrogen, baby aspirin, prednisone. BFN.
IVF 2.0 December 2012 -- Bravelle, Menopur, Ganirelix, Prednisone, Metformin, estrogen, progesterone supps. 22 eggs retrieved on 12/14, 17 mature, 15 fertilized. OHSS anticipated so ET cancelled. 3 embryos frozen.
Broke up with old RE. Moving on to new dude. Maybe the change of scenery will be just the trick for our frosties. On BCPs for possible April FET.

P/SAIF welcome 
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12-19-2012 at 2:58 PM
DoublePort...
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DoublePortion is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 10:22 PMSilver
Thanks Scoop and McIrish! I am afraid banking would not be an option with DH. The financial aspect of it all is really hard for him to digest. While reading posts on the link I saw LIFE clinic mentioned and I've never heard of it before. I looked at their website for a minute and will go back later and read up on their approach to IVF.
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Me: 29 ~ Stage IV Endo ~ AMH .38 ~ AFC 8
AMH .97 as of 4/2012!
Him: 27 ~ perfect swimmers
Laparotomy with partial oophorectomy 8/2009 to remove cysts/endo. Stopped BC 4/2010.
Multiple clomid rounds from 11/2010 to 6/2011. ~ All BFN
IUI w/clomid 7/2011. IUI w/clomid & injectables 11/2011 & 1/2012. ~ All BFN
Occasionally using acupuncture.
IVF #1:EPP 5/2012 ~ (4R, 3M, 2F w/ICSI). Both embies txfrd. ~ BFN
BCP to manage Endo from 10/2012 to 12/2012.
PAIF/SAIF always welcome!

If you're wondering about my avatar...it's a fried pickle chip shaped like a fetus! 
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12-20-2012 at 12:44 PM
Trippleb
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I can so feel your pain on this.    I've done three laps and tried immediately afterwards with medicated TI and IVF and still never got a bfp.  My IF is also AMA related but being that so many family members conceived later in life, I can't help but think at least initially it was all endo related. 

I think the odds are very likely that our bodies are rejecting anything that tries to implant.  I've read that being on very high doses of progesterone helps. We are also more suspectable to LUFS.  My Gyn who works primarily with infertility patients believes that endo is an auto-immune disorder.  I am taking a low dose naltrexone to combat the immune issues.  No luck so far but I do believe it's help keep the adhesions and symptoms related to endo from returning as quickly.
TTC #1 since 9/07
Dx MFI, AMA, Endo, AMH .16
Lap 10/09 Removed endometrioma, stage IV endo and adhesions
Lap 2/10 Endometrioma cysts & adhesions returned.
Ivf #1 4/10 Antagonist, ET Cancelled.
IVF #2 2/11 A/ACP+E2V C/P
IVF #3 6/11 Letrozole/Antagonist BFN
IVF #4 11/11 Low stim Antagonist BFN
Lap 3/12 Lap & Selective HSG
Many cycles of Letrozole and LP HCG w/TI and LDN
IVF #5 8/12 Low stim BFN
IUI #1 10/12 BFN
IVF #6 3/13 EPP low stim w/HGH
S&PAIFW
 
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12-20-2012 at 1:25 PM
DoublePort...
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DoublePortion is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 10:22 PMSilver
Trippleb:

I can so feel your pain on this.    I've done three laps and tried immediately afterwards with medicated TI and IVF and still never got a bfp.  My IF is also AMA related but being that so many family members conceived later in life, I can't help but think at least initially it was all endo related. 

I think the odds are very likely that our bodies are rejecting anything that tries to implant.  I've read that being on very high doses of progesterone helps. We are also more suspectable to LUFS.  My Gyn who works primarily with infertility patients believes that endo is an auto-immune disorder.  I am taking a low dose naltrexone to combat the immune issues.  No luck so far but I do believe it's help keep the adhesions and symptoms related to endo from returning as quickly.

I believe this as well. I've done some reading about the possiblilty of it being an auto-immune disorder but it seems like I'm being treated as if there is nothing that can be done about it and it just has to be worked around. That's just not logical to me. If there is a problem, it needs to be dealt with! Earlier today I noticed on my RE's website that they are doing a donor egg study and those who are qualified to participate could receive a reduced cycle or the donor eggs for free. I called and left a message to see if I qualify. If my body is indeed rejecting implantation then I'd like to not spend a lot more $$ to figure that out!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Me: 29 ~ Stage IV Endo ~ AMH .38 ~ AFC 8
AMH .97 as of 4/2012!
Him: 27 ~ perfect swimmers
Laparotomy with partial oophorectomy 8/2009 to remove cysts/endo. Stopped BC 4/2010.
Multiple clomid rounds from 11/2010 to 6/2011. ~ All BFN
IUI w/clomid 7/2011. IUI w/clomid & injectables 11/2011 & 1/2012. ~ All BFN
Occasionally using acupuncture.
IVF #1:EPP 5/2012 ~ (4R, 3M, 2F w/ICSI). Both embies txfrd. ~ BFN
BCP to manage Endo from 10/2012 to 12/2012.
PAIF/SAIF always welcome!

If you're wondering about my avatar...it's a fried pickle chip shaped like a fetus! 
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12-21-2012 at 9:52 AM
BzeetyD
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BzeetyD is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 5:24 PMSilver

Have you thought about doing IVF with a gestational surrogate? Maybe not, and I'd understand the reasoning for not thinking about it.

Or I like McIrish's idea of banking eggs (even doing mini IVFs) and then doing an FET after surgery or at a time when your endo is less severe.

I always feel like an unmoored ship when we don't have a plan in front of us. I hope you can find something that feels right and gives you comfort for the future.

BzeetyD = 37, Mr. BzeetyD = 43 together 12/02 married 9/08
TTC #1 since 1/10
DX: Unexplained/MFI issues
Long story: trying on our own + testing testing testing with 6 rounds of Clomid , more testing, injectables + TI, laparoscopy - one tube blocked, 2 IUIs with Follistim...BFNs.
RPL testing all normal

Moving on to IVF.

Our lil' lost sparks:
5w3d loss 7/30/10 - EDD March 2011
8w loss 4/15/11 - EDD November 2011
8w3d loss 8/2/12 - EDD March 2012
4w c/p loss 10/29/12 - EDD July 2012

IVF #1 April 2012 = BFN, IVF #2 June 2012 = BFP. U/S 7/23 = saw heartbeat but measuring behind. Follow up U/S on 7/30 - no heartbeat. D&C 8/2. Trisomy 12. IVF #3 Oct 2012 = Chemical Pregnancy

Phone consult with CCRM on 12/12/12 - ODWU 1/4/13 - both tubes clear(!) - AFC 24, AMH 3.2, FSH 9.6, LH 5.4, E2 25. DH has high frag rate but improved!
IVF #4 March 2013 CCRM. EP protocol w/ Menopur, Gonal-F & Dexamethasone. ER 3/29 & IMSI, PICSI. 43R 13M 10F 6blasts bio'd. CCS testing reveals 3 normals!!! FET 5/31/13



"I'm not telling you it's going to be easy, I'm telling you it's going to be worth it."

Everybody is welcome!!!  
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