Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Second Opinion (Think Again)

I went today for the saline hysterosonograph at the second opinion clinic. First thing I asked was if they had my blood work back from last week. They did (so why didn't they call me with the results?) and the verdict is:

FSH = 10.7
AMH = .33

The FSH is up from 9.1 in September. I have yet to consult Dr. Google about these results, but only because the doctor was pretty clear in her analysis. Basically it could be much worse, but this isn't very good news. They will have to push me a little harder to get a good response for IVF. Not a big surprise at any rate.

That conversation out of the way, we moved on to the saline thingy. My overall impression of the whole procedure was "wet". The doctor kept asking me how much pain I was in, but honestly, I never felt a thing other than wet. I kept waiting for her to get started, and it wasn't until I saw what was happening on screen that I realized what she was doing. The upshot is there are a few very small polyps at the top of my uterus. She didn't think they would necessarily prevent me getting pregnant, but they might. She did say it would not be a great thing to get pregnant with them in there because they could get larger and bleed and cause problems, and it would be better to have them out before going any further.

The only thing that makes me think this really does need to be done is that this office can't do it. They suggested I have my regular OB perform the hysteroscopy. I had them send the records to both my midwife and my original RE. I'll discuss it with them both before moving forward on anything, but it looks like this puts us out of the running for a December IUI. Which also puts IVF further in the future.

I wonder how fast my FSH is rising...

14 comments:

  1. I am sorry that they found the polyps and it is all pushed back. :( That sucks.

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  2. FSH varies slightly from month to month... it could easily go back down next month, not rise. I had a hysteroscopy in May... other than the general anesthesia, it wasn't a very big deal.

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  3. Oh no! so sorry to hear about the polyps.
    Sending you ((hugs))

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  4. Ugh, I am so sorry about the polyps. That really stinks. I have one small one.

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  5. Really sorry about the polyps. Hugs.

    Just read the post on the second opinion. Weird.

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  6. Oh sweetie. It just keeps coming, now? Well, I can say that my FSH and AMH are nearly the same. I don't know what that means, but here we are. As for the polyps... delays can be devastating and frustrating and crazy-making. Hang in there. Can't wait for the Prof to be home with you!

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  7. I'm sorry you're getting some less-than-great news :( I hope you can move past it soon.

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  8. I'm so sorry they found polyps and the delay that will cause. Definitely better that they found them now though and not after going through an IVF cycle.

    I'm sorry that the AMH and FSH results aren't what you wanted. Like other commenters have said FSH varies from month to month ~ my highest (11.2) was last December and the times after that were slightly lower (in the 10s)

    Hang in there, hun. You're due for good news soon. hugs.

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  9. Man, stupid polyps. I'm really sorry.

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  10. Ugh, sorry for the further delays :( Perhaps you should give Jay naming rights to your polyps... that would make me feel better. Hugs <3

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  11. FSH definitely varies (mine jumped around from 4 to 7) and in my case, so does AMH (0.3 on one test and 1.0 on another...HUGE difference). If anything, these tests suggest you CAN get pregnant and just need to speed up the course a bit. And my RE always said that ovarian reserve does not change overnight...it is a very gradual process, so don't stress about waiting a few months to start an IUI or IVF cycle.

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  12. Provided FSH stays <14 I wouldn't worry. Above 14 shows reduced ovarian reserve and AplusB is right - it definitely doesn't happen overnight. Agree with other comments the level can change a bit each cycle and there can be some variation with the lab testing each time too. We have different AMH units here so can't comment on that. Polyps, if they are small they will be very easy to clean out with D&C, then you won't have to worry about whether or not they may or may not interfere with implantation. The wait will be tough but you may feel more confident when it comes to your first embryo transfer? Good luck with the decision!! I hope you get some good advice from your clinic to help you make it!

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  13. My FSH varies from 7 to 13.6, so I definitely wouldn't worry about being on a permanent upward curve now.

    AMH is supposed to be an accurate predictor of the number of eggs that you're likely to get on a stimulated cycle, but not of their quality - many people have got pregnant with a low AMH, but it does mean you can't expect to get a huge basketful of eggs in an IVF treatment. All it takes is one good one, so that's not disastrous either.

    As for the hysteroscopy, my clinic likes to do one on all patients before their first treatment cycle, so that they can map out exactly what it all looks like in there and what is the best position to place the embryos. There is also research that says a small scrape on the lining of the uterus can help implantation, so that some doctors believe doing a biopsy or a polypectomy shortly before your cycle can increase the chances of success.

    Good luck with it all x

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  14. Sorry to hear about the polyps and the possible delays...so frustrating. I've had a couple of hysteroscopies, one for actual polyp, one for suspected polyp - both were fine. Hope things are sorted quickly for you x

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