Introducing myself and just had ectopic.

Hello,

I've been a poster on the TTC board, and portions of the below are a repost from that board. It was suggested by a regular poster on this board that I come join you here, so I thought I'd introduce myself.

I've had hormonal imbalance for about 5 years. My doctor's "treatment" was to try various birth control pills, none of which straightened out my cycle. She did some blood tests and was able to determine which of my hormone levels were "off", but after reading online and on these boards, I know she didn't do all that she could. SHe never requested that any of my blood work be done at a particular time durnig the month. I've never had CD3 tests or progesterone tests at 7dpo, which I would like to have done. She found a couple of cysts and hormones out of balance, and presribing pills on and off was the extent of her help. She told me once I was ready to ttc, to try as SOON as I got off the pill, which is what we did. I actually got pregnant right away, but it was not a normal pregnancy. First I thought it was a "regular" miscarriage and was sad enough, but later I learned it was ectopic. Now that I've become more educated about my fertility, I'm going to go to a new doctor - a reproductive endocrinologist- for some real answers.

Here is the repost from TTC board: As it turns out, I wasn't having just a regular miscarriage. Since my HCG levels were going down so slowly, my doctor was suspecting an ectopic might be occuring, so I went and had an ultrasound of my tubes. Sure enough there was a 6cm mass and blood in my right tube. I went to the hospital for a D&C so they could test my uterine lining to see if there was pregnancy tissue there. There wasn't, so this proved that I did have an ectopic pregnancy. They then did a laprascopy on me to determine whether the ectopic was resolving on its own or whether the mass would need to be removed. As it turns out, there was so much damage to the tube and bleeding, that they had to remove my entire right fallopian tube.

It was such a long night. I was out for the entire surgery of course, and woke up to find out they had removed my tube. I then was having trouble going to the bathroom, so they had to do a catheder while I was awake, which was SO painful. I spent the night at the hospital and just got home today. They've given me some good painkillers so physically, I am doing ok. Still in shock.

Thanks for listening. If anyone has had similar experiences, please FM me or feel free to share here. The doctor that did my operation (not my regular gyno) says as far as TTC again, I have just a good a chance at getting pregnant as I ever did because my left tube is still good and I still have both ovaries. I'm not going to lie though, I think I need a little break from TTC for at least a while. I had set up an appointment with a specialist (RE) for early September, so we'll see how DH and I are feeling by then.

After reading online, I've seen plenty of articles that say my fertility WILL likely be reduced with only one tube, so I'm questioning if my doctor's advice.

Anyway, this is my story, thanks for reading.

Terry

Re: Introducing myself and just had ectopic.

I am so sorry for your loss.

Going to an RE is a great idea.

Message edited 8/3/2008 5:40:43 PM.

Re: Introducing myself and just had ectopic.

I am so sorry for all you have gone through. I was following your story on TTC and I am sorry about the ectopic and surgery you had to endure. When you are ready, I think a RE will be the best bet to help you get PG again. There are some ladies on this board who have gone through ectopics. Best of luck!

Re: Introducing myself and just had ectopic.

So sorry for your loss!! I had an ectopic but it wasn't tubal. At the time, they mentioned that my tubes were fine. But, I later learned through hsg testing that I had a damaged tube but it was unknown if it was from the surgery. I didn't get it removed because there were so many adhesions. They basically cut the tube where it meets the uterus and cleaned up the adhesions. I had one functioning tube but never got pregnant naturally. I ended up going through one IVF and 2 Frozen embryo transfers and got pregnant with the last Frozen Transfer.

When I suffered my loss, I was so emotionally drained that it took me a few months to want ttc again. Once you feel better, I think a RE could help you get pregnant and rule out anything else that might or could prevent you from getting pregnant. If I were in your shoes, I would get an hsg done to see if your other tube is okay. During your surgery, did they do an hsg? Sometimes they will do one since you are already there.

I wish you the best of luck and again, I am soo sorry!

Re: Introducing myself and just had ectopic.

Hey Terry! I'm so glad you posted over here. I'm so sorry to here all that you're going through! The women on this board are tremendous and as I told you in my FM, I don't know what I'd do or where I'd be w/o them. I hope your stay here is short but in the meantime I hope you make some new friends and learn some new things. Good luck sweetie!!!

Re: Introducing myself and just had ectopic.

I am so very sorry to hear this and I am truly very sorry for your loss.

I have had 2 tubal ectopic pregnancies - both were devastating to me. I did lose 1 tube through a rupture, I now have no tubes...I had one ectopic in each.

I know how heartbreaking this is - please feel free to FM me if you need to talk or want to know more about what we went through.

Re: Introducing myself and just had ectopic.

Yes, overall, your fertility will probably be reduced. BUT, even with one tube it is possible to get pregnant when you ovulate on that side; your remaining tube can pull the egg across. Hasn't happened to me yet, but they say it happens.

You have to go to the doctor when the time is right for you and DH. Don't rush it. Your heart needs time to heal from this too.

Incidentally, they told me we couldn't ttc for 3-4 months after my surgery.