Re: my intro-----and looking for quick direction

[Guest guest]

So, I have not been "officially" diagnosed, but it sure sounds like it to me. I called my ob/gyn this am, and she called me back tonight and her first words were "you don't have ashermans." I sure wish I had her crystal ball----how nice that she can diagnose without doing any tests.....She said ashermans is so rare she has only seen it twice in all her years practicing.........

My OB/GYN refused to admit I could have AS- It took me 3 tries at induced periods- everyone claiming I had hormonal problems- Finally I demanded a HSG- went for a sonohystogram- couldn't even get a cath into my uterus- I believe my OB/Gyn just didn't want to admit she could have done this to me- I don't think most insurance companies will do a hysteroscopy without cause- the HSG should give at least a slight answer- and it's minimally invasive- you shouldn't go for major surgery (with General Anesthesia) until you have a reason- I would be sure to find a GOOD Dr- look for someone on the A-list close to you if possible- I hope you can resolve this soon- but patience is necessary to not jump ahead and do something that could do more harm than good- My prayers are with you and I hope you can find answers soon!!!

"I know God won't give me anything I can't handle, I just wish he didn't trust me so much"

-Mother

, Mike, Brenna (VSD, PS- open heart surgery 1/29/98--- typical 3 1/2YO- YIPES!), Baby Angel born too early 11/7/00, and Riley and Snoozer the dogs

Join us again next year in remembering the millions of people affected by CHD on 2/14/2002: "A Day for Hearts: Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Day!"

[Guest guest]

, welcome! I see you have gotten into the group since sending me a private

e-mail. You will probably have a lot of replies by the time mine comes through,

but I wanted to respond. You sound like many of us in that you are taking

charge of your own medical care. You really have to - no one is going to take

the time and interest in your care that you do.

You seem to have self-diagnosed pretty well. You do sound like a " classic " case.

For starters, I would look for a reproductive endocrinologist, preferably one

who has extensive experience in uterine surgery. You should be able to get the

preliminary testing locally - things like an HSG to look for blockages or

adhesions, an ultrasound to check the endometrial lining, and labs to check

hormone levels. If you do show scarring, this group can help you find an A-list

doctor for surgery. In my case, my Asherman's was graded as moderate, confined

to the top of my uterus, and I was still having (lighter) periods. I opted to

have my own RE do the surgery and it was successful. However, most of the

members of this group have not been so lucky. Surgery by the " wrong " person,

however well-intentioned can compound your problems and greatly decrease your

chance of a successful outcome.

Keep us posted on your progress. There are some amazing stories within this

group!

Darlene

[Guest guest]

, welcome! I see you have gotten into the group since sending me a private

e-mail. You will probably have a lot of replies by the time mine comes through,

but I wanted to respond. You sound like many of us in that you are taking

charge of your own medical care. You really have to - no one is going to take

the time and interest in your care that you do.

You seem to have self-diagnosed pretty well. You do sound like a " classic " case.

For starters, I would look for a reproductive endocrinologist, preferably one

who has extensive experience in uterine surgery. You should be able to get the

preliminary testing locally - things like an HSG to look for blockages or

adhesions, an ultrasound to check the endometrial lining, and labs to check

hormone levels. If you do show scarring, this group can help you find an A-list

doctor for surgery. In my case, my Asherman's was graded as moderate, confined

to the top of my uterus, and I was still having (lighter) periods. I opted to

have my own RE do the surgery and it was successful. However, most of the

members of this group have not been so lucky. Surgery by the " wrong " person,

however well-intentioned can compound your problems and greatly decrease your

chance of a successful outcome.

Keep us posted on your progress. There are some amazing stories within this

group!

Darlene

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

Sorry that you are here. Here it is!! I am a doctor, I have periods (much

less than before my D & C), I am infertile because I HAVE ASHERMANS!!!!!!!!

Go to an A list doctor if you need answers. You know your body better than

anyone and unfortunately you know more about Ashermans than most doctors!!!

G

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

Hi again , it's me ,

Welcome to our group and sorry you have to be here. We spoke off-line, but I want to add that I agree with . This OB/GYN you have sounds a bit frightful to me. The fact that she has only seen two cases in her life and that she has already made her diagnosis. She won't want to be wrong now. And, I wouldn't trust her to diagnose you either. It's time to find someone else.

and others have had a different course then me. I didn't have too many diagnostic procedures before my operative hysteroscopy. Normally, you get a diagnosis with at least a sonohystogram and/or an HSG and you may or may not need these depending on your insurance. Here is an idea. Why don't you try a local RE or fertility group in your area to get an HSG or a sonohystogram. These groups at least deal with diagnosis and treatment of Ashermans more on a routine basis and they will not tell you that "you don't have Ashermans" before they even check. And I am sorry to say, that you have a fertility problem at this point, so they are more appropriate to treat you. But, when you have your operative hysteroscopy, one of the A list doctors would be the best to do the surgery. These RE groups should have names of excellent hysteroscopis surgeons that have done numerous Ashermans surgeries. Then I would also get a consult with Dr. March, Dr. Valle or Dr. Indman and ask their opinion. You can also ask them if they have heard of the name your RE gives you.

Now, just so you know. If you have a mild case of Ashermans, you don't necessarily need an A list doctor (although it helps) and I am sure Dr. Berger can do this. As I said to you before, Dr. Berger is on our B list. He has been recommended by our members, but one of our A list surgeons has not recommended him because they don't know him. If you have a more severe case, or a partially blocked or completely blocked cervix, then you need to go to an A list surgeon. It's these more severe cases where the cutting in the correct "plane" makes all the difference between a restored uterus and a permanently damaged uterus. If the cut is too deep into the muscle, you can damage beyond repair. This is why you need a surgeon with skill (or talent) AND practice in this type of surgery. Any doctor that says these surgeries are a piece of cake is automatically suspect. It just so happens that I had my first surgery with one of these doctors and he was in way over his head. Then I went to an A list doctor and he said these surgeries (moderate to severe are difficult and easy to botch up). He said it's like playing the piano, one part you are born with (talent) and the other part is practice practice practice. And since there aren't that many Ashermans cases around, guess what? Most docs don't get enough practice.

I don't know if there aren't any A list docs in your area. It's just that we haven't been able to find one of these "piano" playing surgeons to recommend anyone in your area yet. When I started with this group last year we didn't know any A list docs and then I found Dr. Indman who has given me names, then those have given me names and so on. If you can find names of docs in your area, we can try bouncing the names off some of our A list docs and hopefully we hit one.

Hope this helps a little, good luck ,

[Guest guest]

Can anyone recommend someone in the Seattle area? I have an apt. with

a Dr. M who is a Reproductive Endocronology and

Infertility specialist (one of only nine in WA state).

> Hi again , it's me ,

>

> Welcome to our group and sorry you have to be here. We spoke

off-line, but I want to add that I agree with . This OB/GYN you

have sounds a bit frightful to me. The fact that she has only seen

two cases in her life and that she has already made her diagnosis.

She won't want to be wrong now. And, I wouldn't trust her to diagnose

you either. It's time to find someone else.

>

> and others have had a different course then me. I didn't have

too many diagnostic procedures before my operative hysteroscopy.

Normally, you get a diagnosis with at least a sonohystogram and/or an

HSG and you may or may not need these depending on your insurance.

Here is an idea. Why don't you try a local RE or fertility group in

your area to get an HSG or a sonohystogram. These groups at least

deal with diagnosis and treatment of Ashermans more on a routine basis

and they will not tell you that " you don't have Ashermans " before they

even check. And I am sorry to say, that you have a fertility problem

at this point, so they are more appropriate to treat you. But, when

you have your operative hysteroscopy, one of the A list doctors would

be the best to do the surgery. These RE groups should have names of

excellent hysteroscopis surgeons that have done numerous Ashermans

surgeries. Then I would also get a consult with Dr. March, Dr. Valle

or Dr. Indman and ask their opinion. You can also ask them if they

have heard of the name your RE gives you.

>

> Now, just so you know. If you have a mild case of Ashermans, you

don't necessarily need an A list doctor (although it helps) and I am

sure Dr. Berger can do this. As I said to you before, Dr. Berger is

on our B list. He has been recommended by our members, but one of our

A list surgeons has not recommended him because they don't know him.

If you have a more severe case, or a partially blocked or completely

blocked cervix, then you need to go to an A list surgeon. It's these

more severe cases where the cutting in the correct " plane " makes all

the difference between a restored uterus and a permanently damaged

uterus. If the cut is too deep into the muscle, you can damage beyond

repair. This is why you need a surgeon with skill (or talent) AND

practice in this type of surgery. Any doctor that says these

surgeries are a piece of cake is automatically suspect. It just so

happens that I had my first surgery with one of these doctors and he

was in way over his head. Then I went to an A list doctor and he said

these surgeries (moderate to severe are difficult and easy to botch

up). He said it's like playing the piano, one part you are born with

(talent) and the other part is practice practice practice. And since

there aren't that many Ashermans cases around, guess what? Most docs

don't get enough practice.

>

> I don't know if there aren't any A list docs in your area. It's

just that we haven't been able to find one of these " piano " playing

surgeons to recommend anyone in your area yet. When I started with

this group last year we didn't know any A list docs and then I found

Dr. Indman who has given me names, then those have given me names and

so on. If you can find names of docs in your area, we can try

bouncing the names off some of our A list docs and hopefully we hit

one.

>

> Hope this helps a little, good luck ,

>

[Guest guest]

You can ask Dr. for a GYN who specializes in hysteroscopic/laparoscopic surgies who may have lots of experience in Ashermans. Ask him if he knows anyone in your area. It was my RE who told me about Dr. Indman (my savior), and it was Dr. Indman who told me about Valle, March, , Gallinat etc. My RE knows all the best hysteroscopic/laparascopic surgeons in the area. Even though my RE does these surgeries himself, he knew when he was in over his head and referred me to someone with more experience and talent. So, this RE in Seattle may be a good start.

I will try e-mailing Dr. Indman and Dr. Olive for any names in the Pacific North West. We haven't had any members up there so I haven't really been looking.

Can anyone recommend someone in the Seattle area? I have an apt. with a Dr. M who is a Reproductive Endocronology and Infertility specialist (one of only nine in WA state).> Hi again , it's me ,> > Welcome to our group and sorry you have to be here. We spoke off-line, but I want to add that I agree with . This OB/GYN you have sounds a bit frightful to me. The fact that she has only seen two cases in her life and that she has already made her diagnosis. She won't want to be wrong now. And, I wouldn't trust her to diagnose you either. It's time to find someone else.> > and others have had a different course then me. I didn't have too many diagnostic procedures before my operative hysteroscopy. Normally, you get a diagnosis with at least a sonohystogram and/or an HSG and you may or may not need these depending on your insurance. Here is an idea. Why don't you try a local RE or fertility group in your area to get an HSG or a sonohystogram. These groups at least deal with diagnosis and treatment of Ashermans more on a routine basis and they will not tell you that "you don't have Ashermans" before they even check. And I am sorry to say, that you have a fertility problem at this point, so they are more appropriate to treat you. But, when you have your operative hysteroscopy, one of the A list doctors would be the best to do the surgery. These RE groups should have names of excellent hysteroscopis surgeons that have done numerous Ashermans surgeries. Then I would also get a consult with Dr. March, Dr. Valle or Dr. Indman and ask their opinion. You can also ask them if they have heard of the name your RE gives you. > > Now, just so you know. If you have a mild case of Ashermans, you don't necessarily need an A list doctor (although it helps) and I am sure Dr. Berger can do this. As I said to you before, Dr. Berger is on our B list. He has been recommended by our members, but one of our A list surgeons has not recommended him because they don't know him. If you have a more severe case, or a partially blocked or completely blocked cervix, then you need to go to an A list surgeon. It's these more severe cases where the cutting in the correct "plane" makes all the difference between a restored uterus and a permanently damaged uterus. If the cut is too deep into the muscle, you can damage beyond repair. This is why you need a surgeon with skill (or talent) AND practice in this type of surgery. Any doctor that says these surgeries are a piece of cake is automatically suspect. It just so happens that I had my first surgery with one of these doctors and he was in way over his head. Then I went to an A list doctor and he said these surgeries (moderate to severe are difficult and easy to botch up). He said it's like playing the piano, one part you are born with (talent) and the other part is practice practice practice. And since there aren't that many Ashermans cases around, guess what? Most docs don't get enough practice. > > I don't know if there aren't any A list docs in your area. It's just that we haven't been able to find one of these "piano" playing surgeons to recommend anyone in your area yet. When I started with this group last year we didn't know any A list docs and then I found Dr. Indman who has given me names, then those have given me names and so on. If you can find names of docs in your area, we can try bouncing the names off some of our A list docs and hopefully we hit one. > > Hope this helps a little, good luck ,>

[Guest guest]

You can ask Dr. for a GYN who specializes in hysteroscopic/laparoscopic surgies who may have lots of experience in Ashermans. Ask him if he knows anyone in your area. It was my RE who told me about Dr. Indman (my savior), and it was Dr. Indman who told me about Valle, March, , Gallinat etc. My RE knows all the best hysteroscopic/laparascopic surgeons in the area. Even though my RE does these surgeries himself, he knew when he was in over his head and referred me to someone with more experience and talent. So, this RE in Seattle may be a good start.

I will try e-mailing Dr. Indman and Dr. Olive for any names in the Pacific North West. We haven't had any members up there so I haven't really been looking.

Can anyone recommend someone in the Seattle area? I have an apt. with a Dr. M who is a Reproductive Endocronology and Infertility specialist (one of only nine in WA state).> Hi again , it's me ,> > Welcome to our group and sorry you have to be here. We spoke off-line, but I want to add that I agree with . This OB/GYN you have sounds a bit frightful to me. The fact that she has only seen two cases in her life and that she has already made her diagnosis. She won't want to be wrong now. And, I wouldn't trust her to diagnose you either. It's time to find someone else.> > and others have had a different course then me. I didn't have too many diagnostic procedures before my operative hysteroscopy. Normally, you get a diagnosis with at least a sonohystogram and/or an HSG and you may or may not need these depending on your insurance. Here is an idea. Why don't you try a local RE or fertility group in your area to get an HSG or a sonohystogram. These groups at least deal with diagnosis and treatment of Ashermans more on a routine basis and they will not tell you that "you don't have Ashermans" before they even check. And I am sorry to say, that you have a fertility problem at this point, so they are more appropriate to treat you. But, when you have your operative hysteroscopy, one of the A list doctors would be the best to do the surgery. These RE groups should have names of excellent hysteroscopis surgeons that have done numerous Ashermans surgeries. Then I would also get a consult with Dr. March, Dr. Valle or Dr. Indman and ask their opinion. You can also ask them if they have heard of the name your RE gives you. > > Now, just so you know. If you have a mild case of Ashermans, you don't necessarily need an A list doctor (although it helps) and I am sure Dr. Berger can do this. As I said to you before, Dr. Berger is on our B list. He has been recommended by our members, but one of our A list surgeons has not recommended him because they don't know him. If you have a more severe case, or a partially blocked or completely blocked cervix, then you need to go to an A list surgeon. It's these more severe cases where the cutting in the correct "plane" makes all the difference between a restored uterus and a permanently damaged uterus. If the cut is too deep into the muscle, you can damage beyond repair. This is why you need a surgeon with skill (or talent) AND practice in this type of surgery. Any doctor that says these surgeries are a piece of cake is automatically suspect. It just so happens that I had my first surgery with one of these doctors and he was in way over his head. Then I went to an A list doctor and he said these surgeries (moderate to severe are difficult and easy to botch up). He said it's like playing the piano, one part you are born with (talent) and the other part is practice practice practice. And since there aren't that many Ashermans cases around, guess what? Most docs don't get enough practice. > > I don't know if there aren't any A list docs in your area. It's just that we haven't been able to find one of these "piano" playing surgeons to recommend anyone in your area yet. When I started with this group last year we didn't know any A list docs and then I found Dr. Indman who has given me names, then those have given me names and so on. If you can find names of docs in your area, we can try bouncing the names off some of our A list docs and hopefully we hit one. > > Hope this helps a little, good luck ,>