Infertility/endometriosis

I had significant hormonal side effects to Lupron, even the short time I had to be on it. I was miserable, hot flashes, headaches, mood swings, everything until I got off it. Wasn't for endometriosis so can't help with that, but it may be that you are feeling extra emotional fromthe drugs. I am wishing you good things, and strength through this.

I'm sorry to hear about your sad situation. I do understand what its like, somewhat. I will be 37 in January and I have been trying for my first child for over three years now and to no avail. I have an 18 year old stepdaughter but no biological children. I am now in the process of being referred to a specialist for fertility treatments. I have had seven miscarriages and am also starting to give up hope. I can't help but notice that God has blessed you with two beautiful children already. I may not ever have even one, so I feel that its fortunate to even be blessed with one single solitary child. Please count your blessings and don't be sad, I think you are very very fortunate to be a mama already.
Another option could be to adopt. All those beautiful children out there whose mothers chose life for them need a home now and are waiting for people like you and I to bring them home. I hope that something I have said here has been helpful to you.
Have a wonderful weekend.

- T. N

Hi T.,

I had stage III at 35, had surgery and it took me until 39 to get pregnant.

I didn't understand why and was told that my age had a lot to do with it and that even after surgery I had only a 25% chance of conceiving. After almost giving up I got an email from my Dad and the dangers of diet sodas so stopped drinking them. Turns out the email was a hoax but I still didn't drink them anymore and switched to lemonade. I was pregnant 2 months later.

I attribute it to the added folic acid. I had been taking prenatals but it was only after drinking the lemonade that it seemed to work. It could just be coincidence but I tell ya I firmly beleive it's the folic acid.

I have another friend who couldn't conceive and they thought they'd never have kids (she did 2 years of fertility). She had a different issue but after they bought a large acre place and discovered they had about an acre of asparagus growing on it AND after having consumed large quantities of the asparagus she was pregnant! Asparagus is high in folic acid.

Couldn't hurt to try it. I would be so happy to hear that you did conceive after increasing this in your diet.

Good luck to you!

Dont give up. I had a laproscopy and then went through a round of Lupron a year later had another laproscopy and conceived a month later. My daughter is four now and I just had my second child five months ago. Dont give up hope, if it is ment to be it will. Good luck, keep praying!

Hi T., I almost didn't write but I was compeled to. Continue to put your faith in God. If you are ment to have 3 chicdren you will have 3 chidren. we dodn't know what God has planned for us. I'll tell you a little about me. I always thought life was unfair everyone around me was having children even people I knew that I believed shouldn't have children. I ended up being the aunt that everyone sent their kids to live with when they were having difficulties raising them. I am happy to say thet they are all fine upstanding adullts now. Maybe that was God's plan for me to help other kids when they needed someone...I was only to happy to have children in the house. I went through many surgeries for infertility no less then 6. This was in a 14 year span. I was at 0 percent when I did conceved. Yes I believe it was only by God's intervention. I had one beautiful girl. Then I had an eptopic 2 years later. For some one that was at 0 percent I was getting a second miracle. It wasn't ment to be I had an eptopic, lost a tube and thought we would try again. Three months later I was diagnosed with endomtriosis. I needed a radicle hystoretomy, God blessed me with one child. Yes I did everything that I could medical wise...in the end it was Gods intervention that blessed me. Just keep your faith in God. You have been blessed you have two children. Continue to get treated medically. My view these days is if it is ment to be it will happen. My daughter is now 17 and next year will be on her way to college. I do feel I was blessed and have no regrets the way my life turned out.
C.

T., although I have not been through the same thing as you, I do understand your desire for a third child. I had my first child at age 38 and my second at age 42. We are trying for one more as well and I believe it will happen. I believe that if God wants you to expand your family, it will happen. I have had two miscarriages after my second and I am not giving up. Hang in there and God Bless. N

Hi T.! If you have the desire to have another child then do so! I do believe what the rest of the women have been saying...if God wanted you to have another child, he will give one to you...but my take it a little different. God gives us the tools to reach our hearts desires and its up to you to use those tools. Go see a reproductive endocrinologist. They are the best people for the job and THEY will be the best ones to get you pregnant. It seems the doctor is suppressing your hormones and maybe he is looking for something by doing so. The doctor did that to my best friend and she got crazy depressed. If this is your OB doing this go to the specialist. I cant emphasize this enough. Ive been through infertility...Ive seen some of my friends go through infertility and the OBs are not qualified to do the treatments or capable of handling the monitoring that should happen while on the treatments. Best of luck to you and may God bless you with a little one soon!

I have to say, T., this seems like an unusual question for a Christian woman with two children to ask. The important thing is not whether you want a third child, it is whether God wants you to have a third child. We live in a "I want it and so I should have it" society, but that is not how Christians are called to live. Stop taking all those drugs, get your focus back on God instead of on what you want, and if you are meant to have another child, it will happen. Enjoy the two you have. Be content in all circumstances. Pushing so hard for a third child is not a good idea. It takes your focus off what you have been blessed with and causes you to be discontent.

T.-

my situation is a little different as we had to go through fertility treatments because of male factor issues, but I thought I would put my two cents in. When I went through IVF they put me on birth control first too. I thought it was pretty stupid considering we couldn't get pregnant...what's the point of birth control, but it was to regulate my cycle so that they could start the actual fertility treatments. That may be why the doctor is putting you on birth control for a month. I know that the world of fertility treatments can be very emotional and frustrating. We did IVF and got pregnant with twin boys only to deliver early at 22 weeks and have them both die in our arms. We had to try again 3 more times before finally getting pregnant with our amazing son who is now 18 months old. The hormones do make you crazy and the emotional strain of the whole process is probably taking a toll on you to. Just keep the faith! Whenever the emotions got too much for me I just reminded myself why we were doing what we were doing. I wish you all the best.

T.,
I too had endometrosis and laparscopy to have it removed. My doctor was very aggressive and we started the IVF process the very next month. The first round did not work but then we changed to a Lupron protocal for month 2 and we got pregnant. I now have a 2 1/2 year old and 5 month old twins all concived through IVF. Don't give up but don't wait too long. Endometriosis can come back rapidly. I had removal surgury before both comceptions. It doesn't hurt to get a second opinion, if you are concerned about your current doctor. I would be happy to refer you if you need someone to talk to. Good Luck. Keep your faith that GOD knows what is best!

Hi my name is italia and I live in the nehterlands...reading your request I couldn't stop myself from writing to you....I was 35 and they found that I had endometriosis. I didn't have children then and still my doctor said...don't worry in these days...anywoman can have a baby" and I trusted him and God. I had my first girl at 36 and the second one at 39. I had lots of faith in God and I kept praying to him. And I convinced myself to be patiente and not to become so obsesive with the pregnancy. Becouse more you think about it, it takes longer to become pregnant. I tried all the time to be positive and not to lose my faith. Even so I miscarriege my first pregnancy.
Just keep positive and have faith. You have already two girls. So it can happen again. Don't worry about your age. you still have some years to go. (nowdays you can have a baby, without worries until you are 40).
The kye for anything in our lifes is faith and to be positive about it. Hung in there and you will see!!

I agree with a second opinion... Not sure where you live but in San Diego there are some great infertility Docs.
We went in for just a consultation at san diego fertility and had tons of questions answered. You can check there website at www.sdfertility.com
Good Luck to you....

T.,

I understand, because I have been there. When my husband and I got married we each had a daughter from our previous marriages. They were just shy of turning 3 years old, and we knew that we wanted to have another child together. However, 2 months before we got married, I was diagnosed with endometriosis and was told that I would probably never have children again. At that time I was devastated, and I was determined to prove every doctor wrong.

First, I went through six months of Lupron. It was like going to hell and back. The hot flashes alone were enough to make me want to give up, but I knew that I had to remain strong.

Second, I went through six months of Depo-Provera. This caused me to immediately start bleeding. I had not had a period for the entire time I had been on the Lupron (the only perk of being on it). I bled for seven months straight - I became severely amenemic and lost about 40 pounds.

Third, I was put on very strong birth control pills for an entire year to "regulate my cycle" and to "regulate my hormone levels." This finally stopped the bleeding.

During all of this it was the worst 2 years of my life - emotionally, physically, and mentally. Not to mention, I was a newly-wed, trying to make a marriage work, and it was causing SERIOUS intimacy issues in our marriage.

I am happy to say that we are still married, and we have been blessed to have had another child together. She is now 9 1/2 years old. We have been so happy to have had her. We feel that our family is complete.

Since having her, I have not had any additional issues with my endometriosis either. Having that final pregnancy was the "cure" to it.

I wish you all the best as you press forward.

A.
North Las Vegas, Nevada

First, you still have a few good years left to try! Second, since your time is fairly limited, go to the BEST fertility specialist you can find. Also, I think it is perfectly reasonable to have feelings of sadness. Look forward & be optimistic! I can't stress it enough that you should get a second or third opinion from anther top specialist!

Godd luck & God bless.

P.S. I'm sorry to see that someone is telling you to stop taking meds & to get your focuss back on God. What unfair and uneducated judgement. Ignore that garbage. Your faith is a personal relationship with Jesus as all of our are! Keep your chin up! Another P.S. I had my third baby just after my 40th b-day!

Hi T.,
In regards to the infertility, have you spoken with an acupuncturist who specializes in infertility treatment?
I have heard some great success stories about acupuncture treatment and fertility.

Good luck,
C. Tanaka, DC

Hi T.,
It sure sounds like you have been through a lot!
I also have endometriosis, but mine is not as progressed. We do however have a few more challenges to deal with such as my perimenopause, reversing my husband's vasectomy, etc. My husband and I spent a lot of time reading and learning about fertility and this is what we've done. We eat an all organic diet, use vitamin therapy, use yoga for stress relief, pray, and I quit my job to relieve the biggest stress in my life. You may not be able to do all of these things, but diet, prayer, and stress are the biggest factors that are within your control in regards to fertility. One of the best books we read was Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler. This book helps you to understand when you are most fertile and when you would have the best chance of getting pregnant. Finally, we bought a fertility monitor. It's a little pricey, but it is another tool to confirm when you are most fertile if the typical signs don't appear to be there.
Additionally, I will tell you first hand that the hormones you are on will definitely make you feel that you have lost control of your emotions. I went through two rounds of IVF and felt extremely emotional up to two cycles after I finished the hormones.
Finally, I know what it's like to feel like you are on a clock. I am 39, and my time is very much out. But nothing is beyond the Lord, and if He put the desire in you for children, He will meet that desire. You just need to remind yourself to "Be still and know that He is God".

Prayer, of course, is part of your plan. Patience and faith. The hormones do make you wacky, but the need you feel is a painful need. Your doctor also may be trying to save you a truckload of money ... infertility work is very costly. abt me: my 2 adopted girls just graduated high school. enormous blessings.

T.~ Why is the Dr. putting you on all these drugs? I had the same type of Endometriosis and 6 weeks after my Laprascopy I was cleared to start trying for a baby and got pregnant in 2 months. You have a choice, don't let the Dr. just put you on the meds if you feel you want something different. I am sure that you have told your Gyn. that you want to have another baby, I can't imagine why he would mess with your body that way.

God made our bodies perfectly capable of healing and I think you should stay off of the drugs, let your body heal for a couple of weeks from the surgery and then try for that baby. I have been there and it is scary to think that a Dr. can control so much of what you are doing. I was told by 3 dr's to have a hysterectomy at 25 years old, I decided to get yet another opinion and found my wonderful OB/Gyn and never looked back, 12 years later I have four healthy, beautiful children and the first 3 OB/Gyn's told me it would never happen. I would get a few more opinions before taking anything else that the Dr. is trying to give you.

With God ALL things are possible!!! Look up!!

God bless you~
W.

Maybe you should get a second opinion from a Dr. who will take your wishes into consideration. It sounds like your Dr. has his own agenda and is not listening to you, the patient. I was just diagnosed with endometriosis and my Dr. has been very good about listening to my wishes and the best way for me to get pregnant again.

I second Jamie D's suggestion. There are natural ways to combat endometriosis. I have endo/uterine fibroids/ polyps. I used to have lots of pain mid cycle, unexplained infertility, and low thyroid. I started working with my nutritionist, Linda Wagner, and started cleansing and strengthening my organs one at a time. Although my intent was to just get healthy again, I surprisingly got pregnant after 7 months of working with her. 3 years prior I was told by my infertility specialist that I had less than 5% chance of getting pg naturally.

I am also a God loving woman, and I knew that I needed to get my body in a healthy state so I could be there for everyone else in my life. I also knew that a chemical/hormonal imbalance in my body was causing all these weird symptoms (endo, fibroids, thyroid issues). God had alreagy brought my son in to our lives through adoption and I knew God had another child in mind for us. So when my son was 16 months old we decided we would start the adoption process again when he turned 2. That was in Aug 2006. In Sept 2006 I found out I was preggo. My daughter is now 17 months old.

If you are interested, please PM me and I can give you Linda's email address. She used to be in CO but recently moved to Carlsbad...yay!

T.,
I have two children, grown, and had to have a hysterectomy and one ovary removed(oopherectomy) at 40 years old. I had endometriosis, andomyosis, fibroids, etc. It was not a bad thing, I needed the surgery. The Gonecologist tried many things, and nothing stopped the heavy bleeding, pain, discomfort, etc. Now they are trying to clear your problem up with new innovative drugs, etc. As a God fearing woman myself,I would say to lean on Him for His understanding and allow Him to calm the storm within you emotionally. God knows our hearts desires, and He never lets us down. Remember that you have two beautiful children. There are women out there that can't even have one child. If you have another child, or do not have another child, you have not failed. God has given you a wonderful gift of Motherhood, and it sounds like an understanding mate. We must be fulfilled in all areas of our lives to be complete. The hormones do play havoc with feeling, etc. Eventually, things will subside and a final decision will come about. Let God walk you through this time, pray, get encouragement from other women as you are doing now, and the love of a good man. Your daughters are the icing on the cake!

You will remain in my prayers,

E.:

Have you expressed your concern about wanting another child to your doctor? I went thru something similar but ended up having a hysterectomy in the end! I didn't want anymore children though. Is any of the medications working? My doctor told me that one of the few things that would work was pregnancy...that seemed to be the only time mine was under control. I would talk to you doctor. Make sure he/she knows how you are feeling!

Hi T.,

I understand what you mean when you say it feels like time is running out; I want to have another baby (a girl this time) and I am 42 (and a half)and I feel the same way. I used to wonder and worry about having children in my later years (I had my first son when I was 26)but then I realized there was only so much I could do to help the process and I gave the rest to God. I was blessed with my second son right before I turned 41 and he is perfect in every way. I wondered if I was asking too much of God to bless me one more time but I realized, no, I wasn't and there is no harm in asking for His help. My faith says that all things are possible with His help and if it is in His plan for me, then it will happen. But my faith also has taught me that if His answer is no to my request, then it was because it was in my best interest, whether I can see and understand that or not. You still have time...but take the time to take care of you first and put your full faith in God and ask your loved ones (family and/or friends) to pray for you too. Our prayers aren't always answered the way we want but praying never leaves us worse off than when we started. I'll say a prayer for you. Take care of yourself and God bless you!

T., I think I know how you feel because I went through something similiar when I was trying to get pregnant for the first time. After 4 yrs of trying I got pregnant and had a miscarriage. Then I found out I had endometriosis when a laproscopy was performed. I am a believer too and I didn't understand why God would put the desire for children in my heart, and then not bless us with one. We, in the end, adopted two beautiful children that I believe with all my heart were concieved with us in mind as parents. It took 6 more years before that happened. God knew better what the right path was for us. I know it isn't easy, and I think you need to pray for peace in your heart, and give the situation to God. Remember God's timing isn't our timing. Love the children you have now, and try to leave the rest to God. I will pray for you. C. :)

Please think alternative. There are things to do without resorting to prescriptions that will ultimately screw up your body worse than before. Supplements and bio-identical hormones are a great thing to add as well but with the knowledge of test results and a doctor who knows what they are doing. I love my DO (doctor of osteopathy), Dr. Mary Berry.

Look into removing foods that cause inflammation in your body, removing pesticides by going organic, and removing dyes and preservatives from what you eat and drink. Do you have amalgams in your mouth (mercury filled metal fillings) or take an annual flu shot, or eat lots of fish? Don't.

Look into holistic approaches and clean up what you put into the body will best serve you for your whole life as well as creating the best environment for creating a new life. I had my children at 35 and 38 1/2 and know lots of women that had them even later with great results. Take your time as you do have some, giving yourself the better odds of having a safe and healthy pregnancy and baby.

Tami -

I went through the same process with my 3rd child and got pregnant. Try and focus on the fact you do have 2 other beautiful, healthy children - some people have been trying for years and have not had any children. Ask your Dr. LOTS of questions. My Doctor explained everything to me as we went through the process. I ended up having invitro - which took the first time. The good news is your body can carry a baby - you just need a little help getting pregnant. That is a good place to be. I am confident you will have another baby. Tell your Dr. your concerns - you may have to do invitro. Good luck - I will say a prayer for you!
H.

If you are a woman who loves the lord, than all you need to
to is ask the lord for his blessing of another child, all these medications are going to make you sick and they all have
side effects. Trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the doors will be open.
You have to trust in him to bless you with a child and if he
does not , he has a reason for that. Perhaps he wants you to
adopt a child. I would not stress anymore on that issue, just
let the lord work in your life. A woman who loves the lord.

Try acupuncture. I had serious endometriosis and doctors told me I would never get pregnant. With 3 months of acupuncture I was fine and pregnant!