[anne1140]

I've posted this before, but here's the back story:

Been trying for 18 months. Had blood tests and HSG. Blood tests came back normal, HSG did not. Thought my right tube was blocked at first, but now think it just doesn't flow as well as the left tube. HSG also showed uterine anomaly and possible polyps. Had a 2D ultrasound done. Ultrasound showed possible septated cyst on right ovary. DH has had two SAs. The first one was normal, except motility was borderline. Second one, everything was normal, except morphology, but we haven't heard back yet, so we don't know how bad. I'm assuming not, since the first was fine.

Which brings me to now. I had my 3D ultrasound today, which gave me good news and bad news. The good news is that the cyst on my ovary is gone, and I don't have polyps. I also don't have to have surgery like previously thought. It turns out I definitely don't have a bicornuate uterus, and it's more than likely an arcuate uterus, meaning it has a small septum, but not enough to warrant surgery or pose any problems getting/staying pregnant.

The bad news is we are back to the drawing board. I have an appt. with my Dr. on May 6 (so far away!), and I have no idea what comes next. For those who have been in my boat (normal hormonal/structural/male), what was the next step for you?

I appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

 

[anne1140]

Anyone? Surely someone has been in the same boat as me.

 

[booja's mom]

Hi Anne,

First let me say that I am so sorry that you are going through this.

Here is a little history: I have one blocked tube and they are not so sure about the other one. Our SA come back with low motility on the first test and perfectly fine on the second.

These were our next steps:

After finding all this out our RE made DH do an Acrosome Reaction. I underwent a complete panel to check my thyroid and possible autoimmune issues as well as a clomid challenge test to check my egg quality (which is borderline) I also had to do an hystosonogram to check my uterus further. All came back negative... After that we were told that the only way we would ever get pg was with IVF and that is where we are now. That is how it worked out for us. Beside the RE stuff we also went to see a AP.

Hope this helps you out. Keep Well.

 

[KellyTTC#1]

All of my tests came back normal and I've been diagnosed with unexplained infertility--I assume they tested your thyroid?

Because I'm 31, the RE said that there is still a good rate of spontaneous pregnancy... up to 3 years. I'm not sure how old you are but this changes as you get older. If I want to go the treatment route, he's suggesting clomid + IUI because I have a regular cycle.

Do you have a regular cycle? If so and you've had your blood tests then you're likely ovulating. Clomid on its own is not recommended for these cases as there is not an increased benefit.

Good luck at you RE appointment.

 

[LisaG]

I had a bicornuate uterus that was surgically corrected (rarely done). I would suggest that you check out the Mullerian Anomaly group on Yahoo.com (sorry I don't have the specific link handy). A couple questions I would have specifically regarding the uterine anomaly are - how accurate is 3D ultrasound for diagnosis and how large is your septum (is it under 1cm)?

I do know, from my own experience and from hearing others' stories, that unfortunately it can be really difficult to find a doc who knows enough to make an accurate diagnosis and as a result things don't get corrected, that should be. The women on the MA yahoo group are really knowledgeable and would at the very least be able to tell you how good 3D u/s is for diagnosis. My concern is that it's not that accurate and that your septum could be longer than your doc thinks it is.

Another thought that I had - I know that sometimes with fluid doesn't flow properly out through the fallopian tubes and this back flow can create a somewhat toxic environment in the uterus that interferes with implantation. Unfortunately I don't know the official name of it, but I know my RE has sometimes done an endometrial biopsy to rule this out. I've posted on my IVF forum to see if someone there remembers the official name of it.

I also recommend having your thyroid checked as well as autoimmune issues.

Sorry this has been so challenging

 

[LisaG]

Ok, the name for the condition I was talking about is called hydrosalpinx. Treatment is having the "afflicted" tube removed. And my source says that while several docs agreed that was what she had, when she had surgery to remove the tube, her tube was just fine. Moral of the story is that an hsg is not always accurate.

 

[anne1140]

Thanks to those who responded. To answer a few questions:

--I have had my thyroid checked. No problems there.
--I have been to the Mullerian Anomaly Yahoo group. I never really got into it, though, because the way it is laid out is confusing to me. I did find out, however, that the 3D ultrasound is 92% accurate in diagnosing uterine anomalies. I'll talk to my Dr. more about it on the 6th.
--I am 25, so I am not worrying about my age just yet. (DH is 24, so not worried about his age, either.)
--I do have a (mostly) regular cycle, and I ovulate every cycle. My Dr. already told me that Clomid would not be beneficial in this instance, esp. for the reason that it has not been approved for women who are ovulating. I think if I really wanted to try it, he would give it to me, though.

Now my questions:
What is an Acrosome Reaction?
How would one test me for autoimmune disorders, and which ones would they check for?
Could DH and I be good candidates for IUI? How do they determine who would be good for that?

Thanks so much! I am feeling overwhelmed right now.