Blocked Fallopian Tubes

[Legacy5523]

I have been hoping to get pregnant for several years . My periods were very irregular at first, but I took Provera for two months and have settled into a 40 day cycle. Last month, an ultrasound showed I was ovulating, so I rushed home and we started timed intercourse. I knew better, but I very much got my hopes up. I thought that if I was ovulating and my husband's good sperm was present, I would get pregnant for sure. I wasn't tho. So we did this test and NONE of the dye went into my tubes. They tried a couple times (I think that sometimes forcing the dye thru can unblock things). So now I know that i cannot get pregnant on my own and I have to wait two more weeks to discuss the results with a specialist. I want to know if I am a canidate for the surgery that opens them up. And I want to know if I'm a canidate for IVF. Any advice? I need it!

[Smilintrish1]

Legacy -

I am so sorry you are having to go through all of this. The good part (there is just one) is that you are not alone. Last January my HSG showed both of my tubes being blocked, quite a crushing blow to say the least. My next meeting last March was with a RE at an infertility clinic. At my consult I was told to proceed directly to IVF- this was due to my age(36) and he also believed that because of where my tubes were blocked and my HSG results they would not be "fixable" So he suggested IVF. With that being said I know they look into alot of factors before suggesting fixing your tubes or proceeding directly to IVF.

There is hope though! I did IVF in July and am currently 34 weeks pregnant, so it does work.

I know you are probably feeling shell shocked right now and are overwhelmed, I know I did. Please know that these boards helped through my darkest days and it is so nice to talk to people who do understand!

You can Private Message me anytime if you want to talk and I also noticed you live in MPLS. I am currently in Eagan.

Please let me know if you need anything!

here is a link that might have a few more answers too

http://www3.fertilethoughts.com/foru...play.php?f=418


Trish

[liz o'brien]

Thank-you so much for your nice words and encouragement. Congratulations yourself, you must be sooo happy. I am trying to stay optimistic untill I know all the facts, but it is very frightening. I am 32, and I do feel my time slipping by. I have always wanted a baby and I know that I am going to be a great mother. My husband loves kids too, we want this pretty bad. Your words helped more than I can tell you, take care! ps this is "legacy' (screen name)

[Smilintrish1]

Please let us know how your next meeting goes! And again if you want to PM me please do!

hang in there - Trish

[jeppy]

Sorry to hear about you giong through this frustration.....

I hope that your next appt goes well. My first HSG for tube testing also showed blocked tubes but I demanded a second one it was totally fine. Anyway - after 5 years of trying and removing one tube entirelly we did get preggo on our own. It can happen - miracles do happen everyday whether it be with or with out IVF.

Best of Wishes

[liz o'brien]

The HSG showed absolutely no dye getting thru and it was very painful when she tried to push it thru. I have gathered that it makes quite a difference what the tubes are blocked by wether it can be fixed. The nurse mentioned a procedure where they clear the tubes with a wire brush. Eek. I'm wondering if they will know how and or why the tubes aren't clear just by looking at the HSG. Thank you for the support.

[Mystique2009]

Hi,
Although I don't know the condition of my tubes, I'm very concerned that my tubes may be blocked as well! I just started seeing a fertility specialist (in Japan of all places--and there's ONE RE that speaks English (American)--so I'm definitely limited to my RE selections. There's a slight possibility we'll return to the states within the year, but too early to say...

Anyways..., this fertility business is ALL SO NEW TO ME!! I'm a little embarrassed to admit it at 43!

In my initial appt, the RE said that my Prog level was good and was optimistic with my regular cycles. First blood lab reading seemed fine.

He put me on my first round (5/days) of Clomiphene to stimulate ovulation. On/off, I experienced sharp, piercing pains in my right abdomen (5th day of Clomiphene and then following week --after I'd been off the med for almost a week). But this pain was so severe that I was bent over, and sitting down seemed to alleviate somewhat--lasted duration of 6 hours...

When I saw the RE again, I told him about the pains--he did an U.S. and told me it didn't look as good as before (?) and that my FSH level was high due to my age (43), and that the likelihood of pregnancy was slim. Although Clomiphene increases twin rate 5-10%, this would not be the case for me. My husband's sperm quality/count seemed to be fine, although they are somewhat slower moving at 37% (50% is normal)...

I then mentioned that I had forgotten to tell him that I had Chlamydia and Gonnorrhea last year (unsure how long I had before started meds), and that both my husband & I took meds as precaution. A little history: My husband - boyfriend at the time- and I had been in a long-distance relationship, including several breakups due to the distance factor-but things fortunately worked out-and we knew we had to be together to really make it work, and we couldn't be happier, with the exception that we're concerned about not being able to get pregnant.

Well, I had forgotten to tell the RE about the 2 STD's, and he annoyingly asked me why I did not tell him in our first appt, and really, I don't know WHY I said NO when he asked about STDs--I seriously thought he meant "currently," and I had nothing currently.

Well, from what I've read, Chlamydia and Gonnorrhea can cause PID and damage the fallopian tubes, and after the abdominal pains and occasionally symptoms (yeast infections, frequent urination) previously, I'm concerned that I may have PID and that my tubes may be damaged.

Well, I realize I can't just sit around worrying myself to death. I made an appointment with the GYN's office (they don't work with infertility), but they're at least an American medical practice here, so I scheduled a pelvic exam, and I will ask to be checked for PID (if they can), and ask about checking my tubes, which I don't know if they'll do or not---or if I'll have to pay out of my own pocket again for the RE and have him check my tubes.

Wow, I tell you---I never imagined in a million years that I would be dealing with infertility. I made some pretty stupid mistakes in my life, i.e. 2 divorces, unprotected sex..., and regardless that I may look like I'm in my 20's, my eggs are 43 years old.

I realize time is of the utmost essence for me, and I know if I need to get my reproductive organs checked out before I proceed with any further fertility appts, because our insurance does not cover IVF or probably ICU either.

I'm relieved I found a site like this one, Fertile Thoughts.... Thanks for sharing your experience!

[Think +]

Mystique - your OBGYN should be able to check your tubes. I have blocked tubes too due to adhesions from a previous surgery. It was my OBGYN who did the HSG test (aka die test) to confirm that my tubes were blocked. I dont know much about PID but I would recommend starting with your regular OB first. If blocked tubes is your only problem, you may be a good candidate for IVF.
Good luck and keep us updated.

[Mystique2009]

Think+ - thanks for responding.
PID is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (most often it's from STDs-Chlamydia & Gonnorrhea--if left untreated).
I had a pelvic exam the other day by OB, and she said it was unlikely I have PID, as I would be in excruciating pain by a pelvic exam, but no pain whatsoever. I think I've become a hypochondriac!! LOL!
So I wonder if I should still have an HSG/tubes--the only reason I was going to go through with it was because I thought I might have PID, which damages the tubes, but if I don't have PID, may not be necessary.

I'm somewhat more hopeful after reading your post, BUT... what about my high FSH level? Might the level be different a 2nd time? RE says high FSH is attributable to my age (43).

He's wants to do another round of Clomiphene (gotta wait until June--until he's back!)--but wonder if he's wasting his time --if I should go right into IVF due to my age and high FSH?

[shannij]

Originally Posted by Mystique2009

Think+ - thanks for responding.
PID is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (most often it's from STDs-Chlamydia & Gonnorrhea--if left untreated).
I had a pelvic exam the other day by OB, and she said it was unlikely I have PID, as I would be in excruciating pain by a pelvic exam, but no pain whatsoever. I think I've become a hypochondriac!! LOL!
So I wonder if I should still have an HSG/tubes--the only reason I was going to go through with it was because I thought I might have PID, which damages the tubes, but if I don't have PID, may not be necessary.

I'm somewhat more hopeful after reading your post, BUT... what about my high FSH level? Might the level be different a 2nd time? RE says high FSH is attributable to my age (43).

He's wants to do another round of Clomiphene (gotta wait until June--until he's back!)--but wonder if he's wasting his time --if I should go right into IVF due to my age and high FSH?

HSG's are pretty much one of the first tests for someone who is not getting pg. So I would ask for that and have that done. If you are having unprotected sex and not getting pg then that could very well be the reason. IVF would be your best option. With your age I would hurry him up.