[-hopeful-]

Hello again ladies.

Thank you for the warm welcome into the group. It really feels great knowing there are other women out there going through the same thing.

I'm 24 and my husband is 26 and I never EVER thought I would be in the situation that I am in. It's a very hard thing to come to terms with.

I'm hoping some of you can give me a crash course on the "lingo" in here for one. lol.

Also I'm hoping some of you can share your stories with me as to the testing you have gone through since that looks like the path I am headed towards.

As I stated earlier I was diagnosed with endometriosis about 3 years ago when I had a ovarian cyst removed. At that time the doctor checked my fallopian tubes and they were clear so we are hoping that things have stayed that way.

Jackie-What sort of tests have you had done to check your fallopian tubes, etc to check the status of the endo.

wishfulgal-At what point did you get the semen analysis.

My fear is this: I go back to the doctor in a few short weeks. She has agreed to start with lab work (on me) at that time. But I want to push her to do more because I have the hx of endo and I am afraid she will turn me down. I almost want to call the specialist that removed my cyst because she told me to try for a year and then come and see her.......any thoughts?

I'm also concerned about what this may or may not cost us to go the route of a specialist. Can anyone share their experience?

[wishfulgal]

As far as the lingo there is a sticky up above here on TTC 6 months + that has a lot of the TTC abbreviations. They become like your second language when you've been on JM for awhile

To answer your question, we had DH tested after 6 cycles of TTC this time around. I just had a gut feeling that something was really wrong, although I was sure it was with me. (I actually was/am suspecting endo in myself based on some of my symptoms). We had been charting and doing OPKS the whole time so I knew I was ovulating and that our timing was good. DH just went to our family doctor and said we had been trying to get pregnant unsuccessfully for awhile and requested a semen analysis. A lot of doctors do say to wait a year which I think is ridiculous. It *can* take a healthy couple up to a year to conceive but usually something is going on if it takes that long....and getting checked out can either pinpoint the issue earlier on (as in our case, DH is having a varicocele surgery on his testicle in Sept. which will be 10 months of TTC) or at least give you peace of mind that there are no issues. I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to talk to the specialist.

[~*Jackie*~]

To answer your question on my endo, I had an HSG (hysterosalpingogram) which is one of the most routine tests that a doctor will start you with after you haven't been able to conceive for a while. We had DH tested at about 9 months of TTC and my HSG done at about 13 months. My OB said the results looked "normal", but we were moving on to a specialist at that time anyway and when the new doctor reviewed the test, it was clear that one of my tubes was closed on the end. We didn't know why, but with my other endo symptoms, he was pretty sure it was endo. In August of last year I had a surgery (laparascopy) that was to go in to check out that tube, remove any endo found, I also had a D&C and had a few polyps removed. Unfortunately, my endo couldn't be removed due to its placement (all over my bowels, between my bladder and ovary, etc.) without tampering with my fertility. So my situation is a little different, in that I know it's there and not any better. I did go on birth control pills for 3 months this year to help shrink the endo a little, which I do believe has helped in some way because the pain has been less than it was before that.

If your specialist said to go to him after a year of trying, I'd probably skip the middle man and just move forward with him. You'll find that there's usually a few cycles you'll have to "wait" due to testing. They'll probably have you get a panel of bloodwork done, possibly an internal ultrasound, have your DH tested, and talk to you about either an HSG or getting a lap surgery since you are already diagnosed with endo. I can't say the $$ doesn't add up, but it's the thing we do to try to have a baby.

[-hopeful-]

Thank you for the info girls. I'm going back to my OBGYN on Sept. 8th. I think I'm going to wait until then to see what she says. I don't want to "burn any bridges" if you know what I mean. I can understand the waiting until you have been trying a year if you have NO medical hx. But some of us do. AND that is why I don't want to wait an extra 4 months to do something about it. Because what if my tubes are blocked and I have to wait a year...I'm trying for nothing when we could have actually done something about it months ago! I'm trying to be proactive about this as I'm sure the rest of you are too I looked up the HSG Jackie I'm going to push to have this done as well as the semen analysis. (Were both of these tests done by your regular doctor?) When I called the specialist to inquire about testing they said because I haven't been there in almost 3 years I would have to come in for a consult first (understandably). So I think if things don't go they way I hope with the OBGYN ---- I'll make that appointment. I will have to keep you posted on my visit on the 8th.

[~*Jackie*~]

Both the s/a and the HSG were ordered by my OB/GYN, so yeah, I think you're ok there!! Keep us posted!!! At least your appointment is now less than a month away!