I have played the scenarios in my head over and over again, but the focus of my thoughts revolve around my tube. The post op notes clearly say hydrosalpinx. The OB that delivered the boys said she had trouble stopping my tube from bleeding. There is something not right there. I can feel it. My gut is telling me that I need to get the tube issue investigated further. My RE may not be "impressed" with what he read in the notes, but I am. He tends to believe that because 1)we haven't seen evidence of a hydrosalpinx via ultrasound (which studies show in that case removal of the tube would be necessary for successful IVF. Hydrosalpinx fluid contains chemicals called cytokines that interfere with implantation and pregnancy), and 2) my tubes were clear three years ago, whatever is going on with them won't be an issue now, either. He may very well be right. Then again, he might not be.
All I can think of is that I have the same feeling now that I had when I miscarried. I KNEW it needed to be investigated after my first miscarriage. My gut told me something was wrong, but I let the doctor convince me that the loss was just bad luck. When miscarriage number two happened, I pushed for testing, and lo and behold, we found problems. Ugly problems. We took care of the problems and a pregnancy stuck. That wasn't a coincidence in my opinion.
Nothing good comes from ignoring my gut. So, I am sitting this cycle out and pushing for at least an HSG. If that comes back clear, I will feel much more comfortable moving on. If it isn't clear, then we can take care of the tube issue BEFORE I go through the financial and emotional toll of another IVF cycle. I don't want to have to do this more than once if I can help it. I need to make sure that I have done all that I can to make sure that this once has the best chance possible. (Can you believe how freaking cocky I seem in those last two sentences?)
The plan, then, is that I get a HSG done within the next two weeks, get the all clear, and wait out this cycle. I should start AF again at the end of the month. Then let the race begin!
i whole heartedly support your choice - i'd be having a test done too! all things are possible if you believe -- i know you do - and i can't wait to read all about your pregnancy - it's in your future (ok how odd - i am typing in the dark and when i typed the letters to spell FUTure - the FUT spelled Gut -- it's a sign - follow your gut!)
ReplyDeleteWell, I can only share with you my experience. When we first went to our RE, we were going through the battery of tests to find out why we weren't conceiving. Sure enough, my HSG showed a hydrosalpinx. It was not always detectable via u/s. My doc told me the fluid could come and go, so depending on when the u/s was done, it may or may not be visible.
ReplyDeleteMy clinic refused to schedule my IVF until I either removed or closed the tube. So I had no choice in the matter. I opted to close it, because for no logical reason, I didn't want to remove it. So I had a same day surgery where they closed the other end of the tube.
My doctor said that, if left open, it *could* impact implantation. So they would rather not take this chance.
That's all I can tell you. I would hate for you to have a failed cycle, and then wonder if it would have worked if you had just closed or removed your tube. I think you are doing the right thing. Get the HSG, see what's going on, and be an advocate for yourself. IVF is too big of a journey to go through if your gut is telling you that there is a step you need to take first!
Good luck!
Stacie-
ReplyDeleteI would feel the same way. When I was trying for my first, I too had a blocked tube, and my doctor just wanted me to continue. I pushed the issue to have it looked at, and I had a laproscopy to examine it, and although it was normal after all, it set my mind at ease about it all. I say your plan looks great! Especially when you have to pay for the cycle, I would too wait it out! Good luck
-C
Good...I really think its important to follow those instincts.
ReplyDeleteI say trust your gut. Your body is telling you something is wrong and needs fixing so I say go with what your body is telling you. I am praying for you. ((SUPER HUGS))
ReplyDeleteI'm proud of you Stacie. I agree 100% with your plan. As much as I respect my doctors, I have to remember that I'm the one that chartered the boat that we're on. For all of their expertise, really they are just a highly educated, highly paid tour guide. At the end of the day it's up to us to educate ourselves enough and to speak up when we feel that we need to steer the boat a different way.
ReplyDeleteGood job.
Go with your instincts. Good luck with your HSG !
ReplyDeleteSorry you have to sit another cycle out.
you're right, nothing good comes from ignoring your gut and we know our bodies better than any doctor.
ReplyDeleteI hope your doc recognises that!
I'd follow your gut. You know yourself better than anyone else.
ReplyDeleteStacie, I think you made the best choice. I too would think like you and want the BEST chance possible for this last and final successful IVF.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely go with your gut, and like you said, if it's clear then you can move ahead and not have any worries.
ReplyDeleteI think you're doing the right thing. I, too, ignored my gut after m/c #1. Then came m/c #2. Then they found the trouble in my ute. If they'd have looked at my uterus to start with, I can't help but wonder if things would have been different.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine my life w/o Robbie, so I don't dwell on it too much, but I do wish I'd pushed for testing even before we GOT pregnant (hell, we were seeing an RE anyway...)
Good luck!
--Trish
Good plan! I would trust my gut too
ReplyDeleteTotally agree...gut instincts are very powerful! And it is just one more month, and the potential benefits of waiting for the HSG results are huge. Of course, those things are &*^ painful...I so remember that...
ReplyDeleteProud of you for following your gut. It has not failed you so far!
ReplyDelete(Now I just need to do the same... easier said than done I guess.)
I hope the rest of this part of your journey can go smoothly!