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Hi Annie -

Good Luck! I had it done also, I was down for 3 days (moving slowly but not in bed) and was feeling great by the 3/4 days!! I do have blockage but we are trying for IUI in July/Aug - I hope all goes well with you.

Also - I had a c-section with my son and was walking around that same day and just moving slow - so everyones pain tolerance is different.... just know your limits

:)
Chrisy

i was starting to wonder if i was the only person in the world who wz experiencing this exact same issue Blockage, scar tissue etc..... I was told by my dr. that one tube is open and I could possibly still get preg, however it has not happen in 7yrs so chances obviously slim to none!! the next option was to have the surgery you all speak of below and out of wrk 6wks however if i could just have IVF without surgery then I may save myself some of that drama and the spoken words after surgery 'Unable to help you' or not able to concieve' then i will go for it! Next ? for Cassandra the financial part of IVF did insurance help any? is the process long? or will happen within yr or so? any insight would be great.
Annie- all i have heard thus far is that tubal preg is almost a given in our situations so may just be good idea to concider IVF. Well let me know what you decided i know it's been while since u posted here.

IF you have one blocked tube.. and one good working tube (and dependent on any other medical problems)... it is also worth looking into IUI first.

I have one blocked tube.. no other problems (other than age factor for both DH and I) and we did two rounds of IUI.. 2nd one we got a BFP.

So there is hope for even one tube. BUt it depends on other factors.. make sure you have all your screening and tests done and speak in depth with your doctor abut what will work for you.

I know IVF has a higher success rate than IUI... but IUI is less expensive and always gives the doc a chance to see how your body reacts to medication,etc before moving to the next step.

Be sure to know your body and be sure to ask your doctor lots of questions.. write questions down ahead of time.. keep a journal, etc.

good luck

BABY4US- this may sound well dumb but some of the abrev. acronyms or defination to have me stumped.
bfp? > iui >
I do know that i have some what of a slanted uterus, some scar tissue and as mentioned block tube or maybe by now tubes???!@#$%^&* i know that insemination would not have wrkd because DR. was afraid nothing would pass through tube or would get stuck.. so i guess i will find out. at this point since i have discovered this sight i want to jump start the process again but have so many other things going on in my life. i guess i will wait till new yr and take it from there. ;)

Cin, call your insurance co. I was extremely lucky to have a 500 deductible for my IVF procedures. It also covered my meds. They only cost me 120.00. I have HealthNewEngland here in the east. With your blocked tubes, I would recommend the IVF route. Talk to your dr. It worked for us. cassandra

Cin... don't worry you are not sounding dumb! I believe under the 'Getting Started' Section of this forum.. there is 'Lingo for Newbies'.. you might want to review that.. there are so many anacronyms... but once you get to know them.. you'll be fine!
Good luck

Cassandra/baby4us
Thanks so much for feed back!! & ya I believe I am going to just go straight for the IVF... plan on getting w/my gyn and fertility dr. mid Jan and also in reviewing my insurance for the new yr I too have $500 ded and it covers UP TO 50% and i believe I have read here in TX there are co. that may finance the other half.. So I am more at ease these days. I will keep yall posted, I guess I still plan on trying the ovulex and green tea (as mentioned on the Ovulex thread) just to see if anything happens within the next mnth or so!! :D

Hi Tina... it is a scary time.. but worth taking the time to get all the info you need before making any decisions... Is it possible for you to see yet another specialist.. you know.. try to find someone you feel comfortable with and trust. But do some reading first .. there are tons of great resources on the Internet and some great books out there.. so educate yourself first and then talk to your doctor about what might be best for you.

There are other factors that might affect your successwith IUI or IVF... one blocked tube isn't a bad thing.. I have one blocked tube and had success after my second IUI.. but everyone is different so make sure you know all your options and find a doc you are comfortable with.. good luck!

Tina-
as of 2yrs ago I did the dye test and hve one blkd tube and other partially blkd (whtever that means right))))) well my gyn thinks or suggested that I have surgery to open the tubes and then try to get preg immediately HOWEVER yes tubal preg is atleast 90% for us. the fertility dr. suggested I go straight for IVF again this was couple yrs ago. Here as of today finding this site etc and research I plan on getting with both Dr. in new yr with all my ?s etc and see wht decision is best for ME! I have found out that I can avoid the surgery and go straight for IVF and yes my major prob wz the financial portion and the NO 100% guarantee I would be preg after this. There is a website that another sis posted that advises you insurance can and or will cover up to 50% and u can get a loan for the rest. I know its a horrible time and the stress is umbearable but just always ALWAYS keep in mind that there are options for us (serogate mothers, adoption, IVF).. let me know if you have further ?s everyone here is SO HELPFUL.. i wish i had found this yrs ago.. as of right now i gave it a rest but will continue my journey in couple mnths. Aslo doesn't hurt to try Ovulex ,green tea and other nonharmful methods.

cin 30yrs 7yrs ttc sa,tx

I really appreciate your feedback Cin and "baby4us." I also wanted to ask you guys about hydrosalpinx. I know I have it on the right tube which is blocked. I've heard that hydrosalpinx can be toxic to the embryo and lowers chance of successful pregnancy. But I've also heard that some woman with hydrosalpinx get pregnant just fine. Just wondering if anybody knows more about that.... THANKS!!

Hmmm.. Tina.. I am sorry I have not heard of hydrosaplinx.... but I do have some goodbooks.. I will do some reading and see if I can find anything.....

TINA> THE FOLLOWING IS WHAT I FOUND ON
Hydrosalpinx... IT APPEARS IF U KNOW U HAVE THIS U SHOULD DO MORE RESEARCH ON JUST THIS SUBJECT ALONE DUE TO SOME OF THE CHOICES U HAVE TO MAKE. U CAN TRY TO HAVE YOUR TUBES RECONSTRUCTED hOWEVER IF THAT FAILS TO ATTEMPT IVF U SHOULD HVE TUBES REMOVED WHICH IS A BIG HUGE DECISION TO MAKE.. WELL HOPE THIS HELPS.. GOODLUCK AND LET ME KNOW IF U HAVE OTHER ?S


Hydrosalpinx is yet another cause of infertility. A hydrosalpinx occurs when a damaged fallopian tube fills with fluid. In a normal functioning fallopian tube, fluid is both secreted and then later reabsorbed. As tubes become damaged they are still able to secrete fluid but can no longer reabsorb it. In general, a hydrosalpinx occurs when the very end of the tube is blocked and then the tube fills with clear, watery fluid.
Causes
Hydrosalpinx is usually a consequence of pelvic infectious/inflammatory disease spreading into the uterine tubes and pelvis via the cervix and uterus. Some of these diseases manifest themselves with significant clinical symptoms (pain, fever, malaise, nausea). Some of them might go unnoticed because the symptoms of pelvic infection/ inflammation are mild and may be misinterpreted as urinary bladder infection or "bowel" problems.

The infection and/or pelvic adhesions (scar tissue) that causes hydrosalpinx can result from any number of factors, including:

-gonorrh
ea
-chlamydia
-other
sexually transmitted diseases
-having a baby
-having an abortion
-having an IUD inserted.

Problems
There are several research studies being conducted that are looking at the effects of tubal fluid spilling back into the uterine cavity. It is thought that this process can inhibit implantation and may lead to miscarriage. For patients who have hydrosalpinx on both sides of their tubes, the only possible way to get a chance at "natural" conception is surgery.

Hydrosalpinx and IVF Failure
Multiple studies in the past few years have found that women with a hydrosalpinx have a lower chance for a successful pregnancy when undergoing IVF (in-vitro fertilization) than women with normal fallopian tubes. Some studies show that if the hydrosalpinx is surgically removed before an IVF cycle attempt, that women can then expect similar pregnancy rates to women who have normal fallopian tubes when using the IVF technique. A similar result can be achieved without completely removing the hydrosalpinx by burning the tube surgically. These procedures (tubal removal or cautery) can usually be accomplished with a laparoscopy.

The reason that patients with a hydrosalpinx have lower pregnancy rates with IVF seems to be that the fluid which accumulates in the hydrosalpinx can go back in to the uterus and diminish the chance for an embryo to implant. The fluid itself may be toxic to the embryo, or may just mechanically decrease the chance for implantation. At least one study has concluded that hydrosalpinx fluid is highly embryotoxic and is a likely cause for the decreased fertility in women with a hydrosalpinx. In fact, the spontaneous abortion risk is doubled.

Detecting a Hydrosalpinx
Certainly any patient with tubal factor and good embryos who fails to conceive in an IVF cycle should have a repeat hysterosalpingogram to determine whether a hydrosalpinx may be hiding behind the uterus or in a difficult to detect place.

Treatment
Statistically it seems as though a woman going through an IVF cycle with a hydrosalpinx will have half the chance of having a successful pregnancy that she would have if the hydrosalpinx was removed or cauterized before the IVF cycle. Because of this, women going through an IVF cycle who may have a hydrosalpinx, should consider laparoscopic surgery to remove or cauterize her tubes prior to undergoing IVF. Surgical repair of the hydrosalpinx (Salpingostomy) has been performed for decades. This would also decrease the small chance of developing an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy with an IVF treatment.

Removal of the tube has been viewed with skepticism because once the tube is removed, there is no way back. There is no way to undo this particular procedure. A number of researchers have questioned changes of the ovarian function in situations where extensive destructive surgery is performed on the tube (sometimes even lesser intervention, i.e., tubal sterilization). The tube and ovary share significant part of the blood supply and destruction of one conceivably can affect the other.

However, surgical treatment options should be discussed carefully with your physician because of the possibility of complications such as infection and bleeding that can occur, not to mention the difficulty that may be encountered with surgery. In addition, there is not a great deal of research available on success rates following surgery.

I HAD SECTIONS OF MY TUBES TAKEN OUT AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR IUI?

Hi - New here - but decided to stop lurking :)

April 14th I had my surgery. I went in for the dye to check for blocage, adn to remove and endo tissue (had a lap two years prior - for endo, fibroids, adhesions etc)... he found my whole right tube was blocked- he unblocked it. The surgery was over 3 hours. I went home that Afternoon. (day surgery) :)
I felt SORE..but nothing I couldnt' handle. I went out to eat w/ family at the restaraunt even before going home first.
I was laying around all weekend taking it easy. i headed to work on the following Monday (two days after surgery) I made it till 11:00 and then I HAD to go home. To go to work meant that I could not take the Percocet pain pills - cuz I had to drive.
SO by 10:00 or so I was in pain and needed to go home.
BUT I returned to work the very next day and did fine.
It's not super scarey - of course I have a high threshold for pain I suppose.
You will be tender for many days following the surgery. My doctor didn't even have me do a follow up apt.. he used disolving stitches ( a great invention!) and they disolved w/in about two or so weeks.
I would do it again if I had to.
SOOO - now last week was my first round ever of Clomid.
Crossing fingers, praying, and pleading for Baby #2 FINALLY

Tina,

I was just diagnosed with one hydrosalpinx on my right tube (left one was open on HSG). Have you (or anyone else out there) found out any more information about some women being able to conceive just fine with one hydrosalpinx? My doctor thinks we should keep trying for at least 6 more months (have been ttc for 1yr so far) but if its a lost cause I don't really see the point.
Thanks!

Hello! New here

I go to the doctor tommorrow and I defenitely have a blocked tube and I am having surgery tommorrow. I am not sure if I am doing the right thing here. Please help!
[quote author=carvsh link=board=7;threadid=1072;start=15#20408 date=1150068170]
Hi - New here - but decided to stop lurking :)

April 14th I had my surgery. I went in for the dye to check for blocage, adn to remove and endo tissue (had a lap two years prior - for endo, fibroids, adhesions etc)... he found my whole right tube was blocked- he unblocked it. The surgery was over 3 hours. I went home that Afternoon. (day surgery) :)
I felt SORE..but nothing I couldnt' handle. I went out to eat w/ family at the restaraunt even before going home first.
I was laying around all weekend taking it easy. i headed to work on the following Monday (two days after surgery) I made it till 11:00 and then I HAD to go home. To go to work meant that I could not take the Percocet pain pills - cuz I had to drive.
SO by 10:00 or so I was in pain and needed to go home.
BUT I returned to work the very next day and did fine.
It's not super scarey - of course I have a high threshold for pain I suppose.
You will be tender for many days following the surgery. My doctor didn't even have me do a follow up apt.. he used disolving stitches ( a great invention!) and they disolved w/in about two or so weeks.
I would do it again if I had to.
SOOO - now last week was my first round ever of Clomid.
Crossing fingers, praying, and pleading for Baby #2 FINALLY


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