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Post by ellene on Jan 4, 2008 10:10:13 GMT -5
I'd like some advise from anyone in a similar situation.
I had my first lap back in August 2007 and was diagnosed with Stage IV endo. I had an 8cm cyst removed on right ovary in addition to endo spots that were everywhere. Now the endo has returned.
At 31, I am trying to get pregnant. I now have two 3cm endometriomas on the left ovary. My doctor wants to wait for me to get pregnant - give it another 2 months before trying IVF. He does not want me to do surgery again.
My concern - what if these endometriomas keep growing, even if I am pregnant or worse, what if they burst while I am pregnant (assuming I can get pregnant).
Anyone been through this?
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Post by sequin on Jan 4, 2008 14:02:02 GMT -5
I have a somewhat similar situation to yours - my first lap was in June 2007. They tried to remove as much of the cysts as they could, but they left a cyst on one ovary because to remove it would have essentially destroyed the ovary.
In July, we started the process for IVF, and lo and behold, there on the ultrasound was my nemesis, that darn cyst on my ovary. Our reproductive endocrinologist said he would "watch" it; it was about 3 cm, but if it grew to over 5 cm, we'd have to halt the procedure and remove the cyst. I really grew to hate that stupid cyst; it felt like it was mocking me every time I saw it on the ultrasound screen. However, it didn't grow at all during IVF.
My doctors felt that, during my reproductive years, the benefit of keeping the ovary outweighed the risk of keeping the cyst. As it was, both ovaries produced eggs during IVF, so it seems like (so far) that was the right decision. The IVF worked for me, but that darn cyst is still there. It has neither grown nor shrunk. I know that, at some point in the future, I'll probably have to have it removed, but there's nothing I can do about it right now.
If you're very worried, perhaps you should ask your doctor what would happen if they burst while you were pregnant. I know how you feel - I hate feeling like there's something inside me that could suddenly go wrong at any moment, but at the same time, no one can say with certainty what will happen. Maybe your endometriomas won't continue to grow at such a rapid rate. You could be absolutely fine (and I hope you are.)
I'm having trouble finding the right words for this idea, but I guess at some point you have to stop worrying about the "what ifs" and just move forward. Share your concerns with your doctor, and maybe they'll do a few extra ultrasounds to monitor your cysts while you're trying. Maybe ask him for more clarification on why he wants to leave the cysts, why he doesn't want to do surgery again, etc.
Best of luck to you!
(FYI - we skipped right ahead to IVF because my tubes were completely blocked. And I just turned 35.)
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Post by ellene on Jan 4, 2008 14:26:47 GMT -5
Thanks so much for your reply. It is so helpful to hear from someone who is in a similar situation.
I just started trying to get pregnant since October. The doctor wants us to come up with a "plan" so we give ourselves a cut-off date before IVF. I think my doctor doesn't want to do another surgery because of scar tissue. Since my last xray, in November the cysts have grown. I can only hope they don't get any larger next month.
I will try to take your advice on the worrying. Hard thing to do with this kind of problem.
BTW - how is the IVF treatment?
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Post by scarlett on Jan 4, 2008 17:04:06 GMT -5
Ellene, I'm thinking that since menstruation won't be happening when you're pregnant (note the positive use of WHEN ), the endometriomas won't keep growing. Plus, since they are on your ovaries they shouldn't effect what's happening in your uterus? My uterus is attached to my bowel and when I asked both my surgeon's what would happen if I got pregnant (which I hope to) - would the attachment cause a problem as the uterus expands? They were both adamant that this wouldn't be a problem, so I think this points towards endo not causing too many problems to what's going on inside the uterus during pregnancy. Hope this helps a bit. Good luck with IVF - we're due to start it some time in early 08. (ignore my ticker which is wrong).
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Post by sequin on Jan 4, 2008 17:32:51 GMT -5
Ellene, to answer your question, I wrote a huge essay on my experience with IVF on page 3 of the "Who else is doing IVF/has done IVF?" thread. It's a thrilling, thrilling read. Heh.
Seriously though, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you have about IVF.
And I'm a worrier too, so I know what you mean. It's hard to let things be.
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