New member

Report post · July 11, 2002

: Welcome to the group, although I am so sorry you have reason

to be here. I hope you will find that this group helps you to feel

less isolated and helps you to manage your anger and saddness. It

has helped me immeasurably since I found it two years ago!

I have a 4 year old and was not diagnosed with Asherman's until she

was about 2.75 years old myself. My placenta would not detach

(placenta adherens) and had to be manually removed (which was very

painful) resulting in retained placenta that wasn't found until more

than 10 weeks post-partum for me. I had a D & C which resulted in my

entire uterine cavity being " obliterated " . I was entirely filled with

scar tissue and had no opening left at all.

After 3 surgical treatments by a " non-A-list " doctor he gave up on me

and told me I would never have a period and never have another

child. I believed him and was devastated. Well, 6 weeks later I had

a 3-day long period and was shocked. At the urging of this group I

got a second opinion from an Asherman's specialist who was able to

return my uterus to a normal shape and size in two additional

surgeries. (The second surgery was very short and took less than a

half and hour just to remove a small band of adhesions that was not

removed in the first surgery.)

Since getting the " all clear " to try for our second child back in

August of 2001, I have been pregnant 3 times and have had 3

miscarriages, one of them a missed abortion like yours. And empty

sac with no fetal pole, no heartbeat...but also a " suspiciously

large " cyst on my ovary leading them to worry that I had an ovarian

ectopic. So I went through the use of methotrexate and zydatek to

force a miscarriage which was very uncomfortable and very emotional.

Although I am still not sure why I have been miscarrying, I have

tested " high " twice for APLA, antiphopholipid antibodies which

essentially means that I have built-up antibodies to pregnancy and my

body is attacking each pregnancy....I have an appointment with a new

reproductive endocrinologist on August 1st to see where to go from

here.

You should be PROUD of yourself for pushing to have that HSG and get

the diagnosis you needed. Excellent work! That's one thing that this

whole experience has really taught me,....that I have to be my own

best advocate for getting the health care I need!

I am also glad you are not letting your OB do your hysteroscopy.

Ginsburg? She sounds familiar - I believe we may have at least one

other member who is being treated by her....anyone? Am I right?!

About the surgery, don't be petrified. It's really not that bad. Do

you know if you will be having a HYST only or a LAP/HYST (with a

laporoscopy)? The preferred method is to have a LAP as well to

help " guide " the surgery and prevent uterine puncture. BUT, for mild

cases (which it sounds like yours is) the LAP may be overkill.

You will be under general anesthetic, have you been under general

before? You have already had a diagnostic HYST so you know what that

is like, not too bad. The only difference is that this time the

surgeon will use microscissors (or at least that is what she SHOULD

be using) to cut away the scar tissue. After the scar tissue has

been cleared, she will most likely place a uterine balloon inside to

help keep the walls of your uterus apart while they heal after

surgery. It will be left in place for roughly a week.

You will have some bleeding after surgery for a few days...and will

feel a bit sore, but that is really the worst of it. If you have a

LAP you will probably be a bit more uncomfortable as they use gas

to " inflate " your abdomen which can leave you feeling crampy and

bloated, and you will have a couple of stitches in your belly as well

(they go through the bellybutton) so that will increase your

discomfort a bit but not too much.

For each of my surgeries I was back to work 2 or 3 days later and

doing fine. A bit tired, but otherwise okay. They will give you

pain medication which I used the first night...but after that, I

really didn't need.

Can the scarring reform after surgery? Yes, it can. But that is

unlikely if you a balloon is used AND, even more important, if you

are given high-dose estrogen for a few weeks after surgery to

help " protect " your endometrium during the healing process and

prevent formation of new scarring.

After you have had a few weeks to heal and finished the estrogen and

progesterone the doctor has given you (or should be giving you) after

surgery, you will have a period. AFter that period you should have a

hysterosalpingogram (where they use a catheter to run dye up into

your uterus during an xray to check to make sure the scarring is

gone.) This procedure is very quick and may cause some cramping, but

if your scarring is all gone will not be painful.

Also, as for multiple surgeries. Women who have multiple surgeries

usually fall into two categories, those that started out with doctors

who didn't know what they were doing, or at least were not

experienced in operating on Asherman's cases AND/OR those who have

SEVERE scarring like me where close to 100% of their uterus is filled

with scar tissue.

There are a number of women who have had relatively minor scarring

like you who have been entirely cured after one surgery and are now

pregnant! I think Carol Swanson falls into that category don't you?!

One surgery with Indman and now she's pregnant! YIPEE!

SOOOO, when you have your consult with your doctor you should ask:

1. Will she be performing a LAP or just a HYST and why?

2. Will she be using a uterine balloon afterwards and if not, why?

3. What kinds of estrogen/progesterone will she be prescribing for

you afterwards, how long will you take it?

4. When will she perform a follow-up HSG after surgery to be sure the

scarring is gone?

5. What will she do if she runs into scarring that she is unable to

remove (the correct answer is STOP surgery and refer you to an

Asherman's specialist)

And this should get you started. Please ask any more questions you

have about surgery....many of us are old pros at surgery now

unfortunately!!

Again, welcome and don't get too overwhelmed...I know this is a lot

of information to handle all at once...but you'll get through it, and

it sounds like you have an excellent prognosis having mild scarring

that has been caught relatively quickly!

Gwen

Report post · July 11, 2002