Bethany HSG and U/S updates - General

[Guest guest]

Hi group -

I had my HSG last week, and the formal results are still pending, but

it seems that my uterine cavity is unusually small, which the doctor

thinks means scarring. The good news is my tubes are open. The bad

news, of course, means I will probably have a formal diagnosis of AS,

but since I've been expecting that since October, it's actually a

relief to finally get that hurdle out of the way so I can plan a

course of treatment.

I won't be able to see this doctor for the follow up until 4/14,

unfortunately (his availability and my travel schedule). I will be

pursuing a referral/appt with an A-list (Dr. Isaacson in Boston), but

I am still faced with insurance hurdles (I plan on working through

those as much as possible this week).

I do have a question for the group. As part of my screening, this RE

has done several blood tests and ultrasounds (again, still awaiting

formal results, but I do know my lining is very thin). The U/S tech

today (CD13) did a follicular and lining (only 4mm) scan, and found

three follicles, but none dominant. She made it sound like it was

unusual (like there should be a dominant one), and when I asked her,

she didn't really answer me. Is this something I need to be

concerned about? I have a call in to the dr's office, but wanted

feedback from the group. My cycles usually last 29 days, so I do

anticipate ovulation within the next couple of days. I have been so

focused on diagnosing the AS that I haven't been worried about the

other infertility possibilities (I actually thought all this

bloodwork - 9 vials last week! - and U/S's were a waste of time).

Anyone have any advice?

Bethany

P.S. The HSG for me was pretty painful, and I think I have a high

tolerance. I wouldn't describe it as cramping, either. It only hurt

when he was injecting the dye, but he went through quite a bit of dye

because my uterus was not filling properly. I am so jealous of those

women who report only moderate cramping - that's all I was really

expecting!

[Guest guest]

Bethany,

4mm is great. Much better than many of us had! Keep it as a little good news. Your hormones, like many of ours could be off from Asherman's. I was actually in menapause my numbers were so bad. I am sure I would have had no follicles at that point if they looked. Remember these sonographers are better with run of the mill infertility, and NOT AS. It bothers me that people who can not explain things to you, make comments. That was unfair of them to make a comment like that.

You will be in good hands soon....

bethanysalek wrote:

[Guest guest]

-

Thank you for your kind words. I just feel a little uneducated right

now, and I HATE that feeling. I've been studying AS tests,

treatments, etc and have ignored the possibility that something else

could be wrong (like isn't AS enough?). The nurse called me back to

explain that maybe I just wouldn't have mature follicles this month.

I didn't want to get into it on the phone with her as I had about 5

people standing around me when she called, so I didn't ask too many

questions. I had bought Dr. Marrs Fertility Book, but there wasn't a

lot on follicular measurements that I could find.

They later called to book another U/S and more blood work for Wed

(she said something like " you're not responding to treatment " - well,

DUH! I haven't HAD any treatment! I think they think because I am

being screened I am in the middle of a drug cycle or something) to

see if the follicles were larger.

But anyway - you take care of yourself over the next four weeks. I

am SO anxious to see mommy and baby pictures! When I was venting

with Haley before I didn't mean the pregnant members of this group!

Just those women for whom ignorance is bliss and have never had a

problem getting or staying pregnant. You and all the others like you

(Tricia, , etc) are our shining hope!

Bethany

[Guest guest]

Bethany,

Oh, I know what you meant. I know you will think it is nuts, but I will not feel like I am on the other side of the fence until baby and mommy are healthy after delivery. Unfortunately, the pain and fear never go away. I wish I could say it did.

I must be honest, I even have a hard time with regular preggos. They try to give their input like you are remotely in the same situation. The outcome will be the same, but the journey will not be! I could tell you hours worth of hurtful things that are said.

I suspected the sonographer was a little clueless. Even in an A list office, they see mostly infertiltiy monitoring, and very little AS in comparison. I would still say your lining sounds very promising! I was at 1mm!

Let us know how Wednesday goes!

bethanysalek wrote:

[Guest guest]

Hi Bethany,

As if AS isn't enough to worry about, that technician has to dump an

ovulation problem on you as well!!! Please don't give it another

thought for now. First of all, these are the words of a tech--who

doesn't know all that much about fertility to begin with. I'm sure

I'm not the only one on this board who has had to deal with a moronic

u/s tech before. Please don't take her words as fact. Second, the

u/s might have been too early to see a dominant follicle. If your

cycles are normally 29 days, and if your LP is on the short side then

this might just be normal for you on cd13. Or maybe you are just

delayed this month! At the very worst, if it is indeed a problem

with ovulation, then there are remedies. I remember a woman on the

webmd message boards who had exactly this problem. She had had

multiple m/c and ended up on Clomid. When they monitored her first

medicated cycle she had no dominant follicle. The next cycle they

tried Pergonal, it worked and she got pg right off the bat. I think

she is now about 6-7 months along.

Good luck and don't worry!

Haley

[Guest guest]

Hi Bethany,

I am glad that your tubes are open and sorry that you probably have a

formal diagnosis of AS. I am thinking of you and will be sending

positive vibes your way on 4/14. It is a relief knowing so that you

can go forward and have a plan in place. You are moving ahead in your

journey. : ) Next, the scarring will be removed and then you will

be able to ttc.

Good luck with your insurance hurdles. Be persistent as the squeaky

wheel gets the oil. I hope it works out. Perhaps you could get some

data (i.e. numbers of how many AS cases Dr. I has handled versus your

doctor) to support your referral. If your insurance denies your

request, is it possible for you to change insurance? Even if the

coverage effective date is not until January 2004. Would you consider

seeing Dr. I for a consult and paying out of pocket? You could call

his office and find out the cost of a consult. My new insurance was

not effective until January 2003 and my consult was in November. The

fee was $285. Dr. I did an ultrasound, but not a office hysteroscopy

(because I was pregnant). So I don't know if the consult would have

been more if I had the hysterocscopy.

Then after the consult you would have a treatment plan. And, then

wait until January 2004 (when your new insurance covers you). I know

it seems like a long wait, but it would be worth it to have treatment

from Dr. I. I know that I am very fortuate to be pregnant, but

sometimes I wish I had not been in such a hurry and waited for Dr. I.

In my case, I still have some scaring and was given the green light

ttc whereas Dr. I tries to get the uterus 100% scar free, as much as

he can, before ttc. The thought being that with a 100% scar free

uterus, one may have less possible complications. My doctor did not

prepare/educate me at all for possible complications because of having

some scaring in my uterus. And, she did not think I needed to see a

high risk ob. Anyway, sorry for babbling on, this is just a thought.

Take care and looking forward to seeing you on Thursday!

Take care,

S.

> Hi group -

>

> I had my HSG last week, and the formal results are still pending,

but

> it seems that my uterine cavity is unusually small, which the doctor

> thinks means scarring. The good news is my tubes are open. The bad

> news, of course, means I will probably have a formal diagnosis of

AS,

> but since I've been expecting that since October, it's actually a

> relief to finally get that hurdle out of the way so I can plan a

> course of treatment.

>

> I won't be able to see this doctor for the follow up until 4/14,

> unfortunately (his availability and my travel schedule). I will be

> pursuing a referral/appt with an A-list (Dr. Isaacson in Boston),

but

> I am still faced with insurance hurdles (I plan on working through

> those as much as possible this week).

>

> I do have a question for the group. As part of my screening, this

RE

> has done several blood tests and ultrasounds (again, still awaiting

> formal results, but I do know my lining is very thin). The U/S tech

> today (CD13) did a follicular and lining (only 4mm) scan, and found

> three follicles, but none dominant. She made it sound like it was

> unusual (like there should be a dominant one), and when I asked her,

> she didn't really answer me. Is this something I need to be

> concerned about? I have a call in to the dr's office, but wanted

> feedback from the group. My cycles usually last 29 days, so I do

> anticipate ovulation within the next couple of days. I have been so

> focused on diagnosing the AS that I haven't been worried about the

> other infertility possibilities (I actually thought all this

> bloodwork - 9 vials last week! - and U/S's were a waste of time).

>

> Anyone have any advice?

> Bethany

>

> P.S. The HSG for me was pretty painful, and I think I have a high

> tolerance. I wouldn't describe it as cramping, either. It only

hurt

> when he was injecting the dye, but he went through quite a bit of

dye

> because my uterus was not filling properly. I am so jealous of

those

> women who report only moderate cramping - that's all I was really

> expecting!