Finally some possible answers!!

I just got back from my OB's office.  It turns out I have fibroids!  I am so upset that my old OB didn't catch this.  My Dr. says they can cause miscarriage, so this may very well be what has been causing so many problems for me.  I go back next month for some additional tests..they are going to inject dye into my uterus and also put a camera in there too look around.  She said we may just be able to remove them.  The only real downside is she thinks we should put off ttc for a few months, just until we know for sure how bad they are and if she is going to remove them.  I am ok with that, anything to not go through this again.  All my other bloodwork, etc. was normal, but we are still waiting for the results of the genetic testing they did on DH and I.  It feels so great to have a possible answer here. And to maybe be able to have it corrected fairly easily.  She said fibroid removal is just a day procedure, not a big deal at all.  I am feeling quite relieved!!

[rdh1981]

Oh, this is such bittersweet news. I am glad your new OB found out what is going on but I am sorry that it might delay ttc.  

Hopefully next months results will bring more answers and more happiness.  I am sure your genetic test will be great. You two are not brother and sister right?!!! Just joking!!!

Please keep us updated!!!

[PamelaBee]

Amanda, this is an easy and very common procedure.  It sounds like the fibroids may be the sole culprit. A friend of mine 43yrs old just had some fibroids removed...it was only a one day procedure, and she said it was a piece of cake...well maybe a teeni weeni uncomfortable, but otherwise uneventful...that was a deterent for her and her husband becoming pregnant as well.   If you have to take a break from TTC for the next couple months...just keep practicing, and perfecting your BD'ing skills : )!!!  Glad to see you back!!! I missed you!  Pam

[Miranda9]

Amanda, I just got on here and read your news!  

Yes, fibroids can be possible cause for miscarriage, so I'm actually happy that you have something to work on!  Finally you have a great Dr. working for you.

Crossing my fingers that 2009 is the year for both of us:)

[have 2 kids]

I'm happy your OB may have found the problems.  I hope they can be easily removed and in a few months we can all share the joy of your BFP!

[kmgr32]

HI Amanda,
As someone else wrote that is bittersweet news.  Finally some answers.  I'm so happy that you have a new Dr. that is thorough enough to catch this.  What type of test detects this?   Although delaying ttc may be a bit painful at the moment, maybe taking a break for a few months will help in the long run.  I have been thinking of taking a break if only to stop the obsessiveness of it all.  You can start again with renewed vigor after the removal.
Kara

[LisaRG]

I have a friend who had fibroids the size of softballs removed several years ago when they first started removing them instead of giving hysterectomies  - years ago they just took out your uterus  if you had fibroids - can you believe it!.
She was about 36.  She conceived her first healthy baby at 38 and the second one at 40!
She has two sons now.
I wish the same for you:)
Lisa  

[Helen72]

I am glad you are getting some answers, finally!!!
May this be a beginning of a sticky bfp!

[montie2]

Amanda, I had a fibroid and ovary removed and six months later, ..... prego.  I hadn't used any kind of contraceptive in years.  I truly believe this is the answer you have been waiting for.  I can't wait to hear that you have delivered a healthy baby!  Soon my dear, very soon!

[SoCalTricia]

Amanda:
That really is encouraging news! I know it's disappointing to have to put off TTC for a few months...but if it helps the next pregnancy "stick", then it's SO worth it! I'm keeping you in my thoughts, sweet lady.

Like Lisa said, these days this is not the devastating news it used to be! My sister (she's 43 now) had to have a hysterectomy at 35 due to fibroids. Now it's apparently not a major issue...medicine has made so many advances in this area!

So...keeping my fingers crossed that 2009 is your lucky year, and our babies won't be too far apart!

Tricia

[adgal]

Thanks everyone.  I am really hoping this is the answer.  They were detected with a simple ultrasound!!  I am so dissapointed in my last Dr. for not looking.  But I guess its onward and upward, no sense in being upset with him.  My Dr. says they are quite a common reason for miscarriage, and as a few of you said, easy to remove.  Mine look small on the ultrasound, so that is a good thing for me.  These 2 other tests will tell her exactly what is happening.  I just can't believe that something may actually be able to be done.  I know its still no guarantee that I will carry a full term baby, but I am going to stay positive, and keep the faith!!  Thanks so much for the support.  As always, you guys are incredible!! Sorry I was mia for a couple of days...I have been in training at work, and its hard to jump on.  Last night I was out for the evening with a close friend I won't see again now until the New Year.  I always miss this place when I am kept away!!  

[tbeards]

Amanda - That is so wonderful that you actually got some answers that can be treated! One more step to a BFP! I am not sure what the process is for removing fibroids but it sounds like from the ladies who posted that it is very common and treatable.

Isn't it amazing what some OB/GYNs miss???? My ex OB/GYN failed to detect my PCOS after several nightmare IUI attempts and Chlomid cycles, which my RE could practically diagnose just from looking at my medical files. Even the u/s technician could see my PCOs on the screen!

Good luck!

Trudi

[peekawho]

I hope they are the answer.  (I have multiple fibroids, yet never had a miscarriage.)  

Lets cross our fingers that this will solve the problem!  The hysteroscopy (looking inside the uterus) is a great idea to see what's going on in there.  

[pcarsey]

Amanda,
That is Awesome news!!! Hopefully you will get some real answers and hopefully be on your way to a BFP soon! I think there are times when we dread having any kind of procedure done, but when it comes to helping us conceive a baby, a little sacrifice is well worth it! Good Luck Woman, You truly deserve it!!!  

[adgal]

Thanks so much.  I know there is no guarantee this is the reason.  But so far it's the only thing they have found, and it gives me some hope to know there might actually be something that can be done.  I have 2 that they saw on the ultrasound.  These 2 other tests will tell her more, then we can go from there.  I hope I hope I hope!!!!

[prevatt77]

Amanda,

Wow this is awesome news.  I have the surgery with the camera as well, it was simple and my doctor was able to remove my septum uterus while he was in there and having a septum uterus caused miscarriages as well.  So once you get them removed you should be good to go.  I'm so glad that this doctor is doing the right things, that makes a huge difference.  You don't want to get pregnant with having fibroids because they can grow larger as you go through your pregnancy and cause other problems as well, they can even cause you not to conceive as well.  SOOOO we finally got some answers.  I would listen to your OB and follow her orders, she knows what is best.

I'm so happy you are finally getting some answers and some easy fixes to your problems.

Love Ya
Debbie

[SeeingSpots]

I'm so happy to hear that your new doctor is working on finding a solution for you and detected the fibroids!  Wow- what a miracle it will be when they remove them and then you get that BFP and carry to term... at least now you have some hope and a possible answer!  
Will your OB be the one to actually do the surgical removal?  Was DH able to go with you for your appointment today?

[adgal]

Yes, DH came with me.  He is so great about that stuff, and is able to go most of the time.  I am not sure if she actually performs the surgery or not.  She hasn't even said for sure they will remove them, although when she said she wanted an ultrasound to look for them that if I had them they should come out.  Right now she has scheduled the two tests, 1 is done as an outpatient process at the hospital, the other they do in her office.  I wish there was a way to know 100% for sure if this is what is causing the problem or now.  On the internet, some sites talk about the link, others sort of discount it.  However, I am prepared to do whatever she thinks is necessary....and as of now its the only really obvious thing that has come up.  Time will tell I guess.  I am also looking forward to getting the results of the genetic testing they did on DH and I.  

[sue68]

Hi Amanda,

Yay, so glad your new doctor found a possible reason - now you have something to work on - hope is alot better than feeling frustrated and not knowing what caused the m/c's .  And as for the waiting period - put it this way, now you can do the BD without the pressure / stress of trying to get pregnant - and time flies by when you're having fun !   ;D

That got me thinking - I'm going to make my follow up appointment with my dr. and check for fibroids too. I know my mother has one the size of a large lemon - but never had it removed ( this was found way after she had her kids ). Are fibroids genetic ?  Is it only a simple u/s to find them ? How they're removed ?

Good luck to you and your DH with your genetic tests - hope all goes well !  And forget about your previous doctor - you're on a new path now and this one seems to be putting in alot of effort.  Don't worry too much - everyone's fingers are tightly crossed for you - the next time the baby dust will stick - you'll be glittered with it !

[kellym]

Oh, fantastic news. I have heard that about fibroids as well. Actually I have had 2 m/c's and when I was getting an u/s w/my ds she asked if I've had problems w/fibroids, hmmmm  makes me wonder..
Anyways, this may be your answer!!

[adgal]

I guess they are not 100% certain why some of us get fibroids, but the common belief is that they are genetic.  Also, if your diet is high in red meat and hormones.  They are most common in 30's and 40's and many times seem to shrink after menopause.   Mine were found with just a plain old normal ultrasound, and these other tests are follow ups to see how big, exact location, etc. (at least I think thats why they are doing them).  But apparantly they are very easy tests as well.  The majority of the time, the procedure is very simple to remove them (again, according to my OB).  In the hospital in the morning, out in the afternoon.  They can not only cause problems with m/c but with fertility too, although that is rarer.  There was some good information on the Mayo Clinic website on them as well.

My OB's end statement was basically that it's very difficult to pinpoint exactly what causes first trimester m/c (in my case they did chromonsonal testing with the 2 that I had a D&C, and there wasn't a problem).  It's sort of done by ruling things out, and even then its difficult to say with certainty.  But to my way of thinking, if this is the only obvious that pops up, its worth it to have them removed.  You should definately check into it.  I wish you luck as well Sue, and SSBD to you too!!!

[SoCalTricia]

I guess they are not 100% certain why some of us get fibroids, but the common belief is that they are genetic
-------------------------------------------------------------
I've heard they are genetic, also. Back in the early 70's, they didn't diagnose fibroids like they do now...but I remember my mom having LOOOOONNNG periods, and getting so weak. Finally, when she was 33, she started bleeding and didn't stop - she had an emergency hysterectomy. I was 8. My sister always had difficult periods, just like my mom. Horrible cramps, long heavy periods, etc. Finally, in her 30's, she was dx with fibroids and, as I said before, had a hysterectomy at 35. My mother's mother and sister both had to have hysterectomies for similar reasons in their 30's. Now - thank GOD - I seem to have a reproductive system that takes more after my dad's side of the family...easy periods, not a lot of cramping and - apparently - very fertile. My dad's mother gave birth three times in her 40's - all at their home. It's interesting how something like fertility/reproductive systems can be a familial trait just like blue eyes or high blood pressure!

Tricia

[VASusan]

Hi Amanda,
The perinatologist told me I had a small fibroid tumor when he did the level 2 ultrasound on me. Glad to hear your hopeful news.  I hope and pray that having the surgery to remove the fibroids will make all the difference and that you will soon be pregnant and barefoot!  
~Susan

[anxi]

Hello
I really hope this will make a difference.  Yay for your new doctor.  My best friend just had her fibroids removed and it was just a day surgery.  She had some discomfort but ended up saying that it was not as bad as she thought. She was dreading it and was completely petrified.  Her's were the size of golf balls and one  about the size of a small lemon.  So don't worry about the procedure coz she is a little bit wussy and not a tough strong woman like you :o)  

I also had 4 fibroids diagnosed when I was in my 20's  There are different types depending on what layers of the uterine wall they are positioned in  and whether or not the are pedunculated.  Over the years 3 of them disintegrated so now I only have one.  This one is within the muscle layer and is not the type that I will pass.  Typically if you have fibroids you have heavy periods.  After each one disintegrated my periods got slightly lighter so not only do you have a successful pregnancy to look forward to but also easier AF's.  This means even more Yay Yay's for your new doctor.

I am happy for you

[40smama]

Amanda - to have some answers at last feels so good & I echo what montie2 says.  Although I've never had fibroids, I've learned quite a bit about them through friends & women on this forum.  I'm praying for the situation get resolved quickly so you can 'get on w/it' so to speak!!! - jen

[GTsMom]

Amanda - That is such good news to finally have some answers.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that this is in fact the answer and your hopes and dreams of a baby are right around the corner!!!!  You truly deserve it:-)

[adgal]

Thanks so much everyone.  As usual, your support and good wishes mean so much to me.  I am really struggling with the holding of on ttc right now.  I know a cycle of two won't make much difference, but next month is my 40th birthday, and although I try to tell myself it is no big deal, in my heart it is.  I don't know why I am struggling with it so much as so many here are conceiving well after that, but I have this completely irrational fear that I am going to run out of eggs or something.  Crazy I know, but I can't seem to work my way past it.  So you may find I am leaning heavily on a few of you these next few months!!  Thanks so much again.  Your support means more than you can know.

[usuk]

hang in there. i know 2008 feels like a 'deadline' and so do our birthdays. but we invented the calendar & our ovaries did not.

[maybebaby29]

Wishing you all the luck in the world. We'll kick that other doctor for you because yes, fibroids are very common and easy to find out.