Infertility Support Group
In vitro fertilization is one of the most common and utilized ways of treating conception problems. This support group is dedicated to those beginning their journey with IVF and needing support. Join the community and share your experiences, advice, and story with people going through similar challenges starting a family.
Hi! I am waiting for AF to show (should be less than a week) so I can start my first IVF cycle! I am very excited and very nervous. It's times like this when I find it very difficult to believe that time moves at a constant rate!
Anyway, as the title suggests, I suffer from stage 4 endo, and I was hoping for some input from ladies in similar situations. My doctor told me that the endometriomas I have on both ovaries should affect the number or quality of eggs I get, and that the stims won't make them grow. The nurse told me that it's unlikely I'll have a flare up at any point during the cycle, but since I'm stage 4 there's a small possibility.
What I worry about most is the retrieval. Sometimes a slight bump or an over-filled bladder is enough to rupture my cysts and I've thoroughly convinced myself that it's going to happen during my retrieval.
Any input from anyone with any stage of endo that actually causes symptoms outside of infertility would be greatly appreciated. If all goes well I should have a transfer around the second week of December which means that I will either be having the best or worst Christmas of my life!!
Anyway, as the title suggests, I suffer from stage 4 endo, and I was hoping for some input from ladies in similar situations. My doctor told me that the endometriomas I have on both ovaries should affect the number or quality of eggs I get, and that the stims won't make them grow. The nurse told me that it's unlikely I'll have a flare up at any point during the cycle, but since I'm stage 4 there's a small possibility.
What I worry about most is the retrieval. Sometimes a slight bump or an over-filled bladder is enough to rupture my cysts and I've thoroughly convinced myself that it's going to happen during my retrieval.
Any input from anyone with any stage of endo that actually causes symptoms outside of infertility would be greatly appreciated. If all goes well I should have a transfer around the second week of December which means that I will either be having the best or worst Christmas of my life!!
Warning TMI ahead...
My biggest issues with endo and IVF is that my endo causes painful BMs during AF but I know during stims, especially towards the end when my ovaries are really large with follies, my endo seems to act up more and BMs kind of sucked. The meds don't help either especially once I added progesterone, so having stool softeners around was very important. So that may be something to keep in mind.
I am so excited for you to start IVF finally!
Flare ups during a cycle are less likely, simple because of how Endo works and that your body has been taking to a different place, your cycle is controlled and not normal so it sets off the Endo and is usual rather quite.
Now what I would be slightly concerned about is what have you been doing or have you done in past to get things quieted down before and why dont you do that before you start. If cysts are that apparent why not try and get them quieted.
I had 3 IVF cycles, after the second we (DR and I) decided that the Endo flaring up during the first and second cycle would very possible have affected the IVF outcome, among other things but..so we took three months to quite everything down, I went into Lupron educe menopause, took care of myself with eating, exercise etc. Quieted everything down and felt totally prepared to go into my third cycle. Which did produce the 18 follicles and the ONE, beautiful blue eyed lady bug that wreaks my house daily.