[wtg4miracle]

I just found out today that I have scar tissue on my cervix. This is the main reason why I am not getting pregnant. Today, I tried to get my HSG done but it could not be performed. The nurse and even the RE could not thread the catheter through. They tried everything and my cervix would not budge. ( I had the scar tissue from a cold knife cone biopsy about 3 yrs ago inorder to treat cin3)

Please any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated. I am feeling really awful at the moment. After many tests and procedures it came down to this. The RE is not that hopeful that anything can be done to fix it. He suggest I go in for surgery, laproscopic(sp?).

Has anyone have scar tissue on cervix and is there way to have it surgically removed? I read somewhere that one can massage the cervix with oil.

 

[Stevi]

My first thought was removing the scar tissue...

But, if things can come out, why can't they go in? I mean, you have periods, so blood comes through... Do you ever get clotting? Or are they saying the scarring is keeping your cervix from openning around ovulation? Sorry, I'm curious.

I hope you find an easy solution.

 

[Catubodua]

this is very interesting to me. they had a hard time placing the catheter for me as well. the DR was telling me that my cervix kept moving - almost like your tongue moves when you have dental work done.

they did finally get it "close enough" to where they could do the HSG, and she didn't mention scar tissue - but i also had a cone biopsy a few years ago and now i'm wondering if that was causing some of the problem.

 

[wtg4miracle]

Stevi--you know I didn't ask if during ovulation time it will be open. Maybe the hormones will open it up more. Plus, I have the same thinking what comes out must come in. How much of a hole do we need to allow the "troops" to come in. I don't have blood clots so in a sense I am not "holding blood in my uterus" I am sorry about your loses and I have been stalking you also. You are in my thoughts.

Catuboda- thank goodness they got the catheter in. You could have some minor scar tissue but if they can place the catheter in then I think you will should have no problems. Hopefully I will find out where that stupid scar tissue is at.

 

[chel]

wtg
I was just checking to see how the clomid was going.
sorry to hear the problems keep coming for you.

what about IUI?

 

[Stevi]

Can you make them schedule an appointment to look at your cervix around ovulation, to see if it's openning?

It is interesting that you don't get clots. Did you get them before your biopsy?

Could orgasming help loosen things up? Maybe you could look into regularly using vibrators to 'exercise'?

Let us know what you find out and I wish you all the best!!! ((hugs)) and thank you.

 

[wtg4miracle]

Chel- the RE cancelled the IUI. He said they can try to place the sperm near the cervix but thats all he can do for now. He agrees with me whats the point even trying when my cervix is completely closed. He even said "I can't even do IVF on you also" He was saying this sarcastically. I am not to happy about his attitude. How bad can it get. They can't retrieve my eggs also cause my whole cervix is closed. So I have no clue how many follicles I have and when and if I ovulate. We are left to our selves. The RE said he can't do much for me now until I get it fixed. (If I can get it fixed) The kicker is I can't even do surrogacy cause the docs can't get my eggs unless they go by my abdomen. I might have to look into NYC for some specialty.

Stevi--Never had clots. Oh thanks for the suggestions! (I need to get things stretched up there a little) I was googling before and there was some literature for herbs(an oil) that you can massage on your cervix to help relax the cervix. I told dh he can have fun with this. Also you have a good point about seeing the doc when I am ovulating.

What I don't understand and also the doc, why do I have a period with no problems, no pain, no cramps but the catheter could not go through. Where is this hole of mine. The RE was perplexed and he was stumped on me. He kind of washed his hands from me and referred me to surgery.

 

[Stevi]

Keep working at it and keep a stiff upper lip! I think you'll figure out how to fix this!

Hey... Do IUD's insert into the cervix? Would wearing one for a short time stretch things open?

I'm trying to think of things that can sort of expand your tunnel...

Also.... Couldn't a doc inseminate you from the outside? With a shot of sperm, through your tummy, into your uterus?

 

[wtg4miracle]

This is how they found out I had some kind of scar tissue cause my ob/gyn tried to place an IUD about 3 years ago. He couldn't place it and he wanted me to go under anesthesia to place it. I refused at the time and went on depo-horrible. I had the cone biopsy 4yrs ago and my reg ob/gyn said he is not concern at all about the scar tissue. He was relunctant to send me to the RE in the first place. The ob/gyn said that the swimmers are small and they will find there way! I don't think so. So I never persued this issue over the 4 years cause dh was waffling about having a child. Now the lightbulb came on for him and now he wants one so much. Well I guess the scar tissue is coming back to haunt us.

 

[Snapdragon]

So sorry to hear this.
My only suggestion is to try to find a specialist, a person at the very very top of their field- who you likely have to travel to see.
This may be expensive.
But in my experiences, there is often someone hwo specializes in things, and who is extremely skilled at microsurgeries- who can offer you solutions that others cannot.

 

[soso-lynn]

For IUI, they go with a catheter into the cervix and up the uterus.

As for knowing how many follicules you've got, it is a simple ultrasound with no insertion of anything into the cervix, they should be able to do that.

As for IVF, they do the egg retrival with a needle through the wall of your vagina, not the cervix. It is the embryo transfer that would require dilating the cervix (which they can usually do with a bit more anesthesia).

Are you absolutely sure they were talking about scar tissue only on the cervix or did they mention any scar tissue on the ovaries?

It just seems like a bad doctor to me.

I work at a fertility clinic and I have heard of women being unable to do the hsg because of a difficult to open cervix but the solution is usually to dilate it first next time, which does make insemination and other procedures much more difficult for the doctor and potentially not as succesful, but not impossible.

I would get a second opinion.

 

[chiromama]

I had scar tissue on my cervix. and had pain/cramping with HSG and every (unsuccessful) IUI. I had to have a laminaria to open my cervix for my IVF... and that broke up the scar tissue. Seeing a different RE would be my advice. also...

 

[wtg4miracle]

Soso-lynn- you really got me thinking about this. Dh and I are talking this over and we might go for a second opinion. I might go back to my reg ob/gyn and see what he says. We might have cross-post but we strongly believe its the cervix that has the scar tissue. (cause my doc could not do the IUD placement). All my bw was great, fsh level 5.6(low e2 level). SA good. So the only big concern here is the cervix blocking the sperm. The re at the time for the HSG tried to dilate the cervix. But he couldn't. Is there other procedure he could have done. I am thinking he was rushed and was not bothered with me. I was to much work in his mind that it was not cost-effective for me. I wish at the time if they could do an us and see my follicles(I finished my clomid that day). I think he was thinking why bother.

katie34- Great point about finding someone who is specialized in this. I have so much research to do in this area. I was thinking of looking into nyc. Its only 2 hrs away for me.

 

[Stevi]

Oooh!! Informed people with real recommendations!!! Yay!!!

 

[wtg4miracle]

chiromama--why didn't my RE suggest laminaria--what a quack of an RE. Yikes, he just thinks I might slow things down for him. I am not worth his time to take the time to dilate my cervix. Interesting!

 

[soso-lynn]

I think that the doctor might not want to bother working too hard for an hsg. Where I work, the protocol would be to give up on doing the hsg that day and have a consult with the doctor about the options for opening up the cervix enough for insemination or other treatments vs potential surgery, if necessary. It might not be worth going to the trouble and pain of dilating the cervix just to do an hsg.

I am off Monday and Tuesday, but Wednesday, I can ask a doctor or a nurse at work about this for more specific details about the different procedures. Maybe the fact that the doctors where I work are gynecologists and not REs might make a difference in regards to what they are willing to do.

 

[frontierpsych]

wow, I've never heard of that! I have scar tissue there ( from a D&C) but I guess it's not that bad.

Good luck to you!

 

[jsnmom]

I had something similar to your situation, only my scarring was in the uterus, not the cervix. The scar tissue can be removed by a skilled surgeon. Check out the link in my sig. Sorry, I got to run. I'll be happy to answer any questions.

 

[Pookietooth]

That sucks. I hope you find some thing for it.

 

[mrsbabycakes]

We had a patient that had trouble menstruating because her cervix was so scarred over. If I remember correctly, she was placed under anesthesia and they went in and broke up the scar tissue with dilating rods.

I'd DEFINITELY get a second opinion.

Also, I'd STRONGLY suggest getting a consult with a perinatologist as soon as you get pregnant. If I were you, with a cone biopsy/cervical scarring history, I'd insist on constant cervical supervision and possibly a cerclage. We had a lot of patients with cervial scarring and a lot of times, they didn't know about their incompetent cervix under they were in preterm labor.