After spending almost all of 2014 going to see various doctors and trying to track down what has been causing me to lose my babies, we came away with a sense of where to go if not the reason we had been looking for.
In April I saw a new OB. He came highly recommended from a friend who had been through two complicated and difficult pregnancies including bed rest and preemie deliveries. He had seen her though, perhaps he would have some advice for me. My hubby and I instantly liked his dry humor and honest approach. He freely admitted he didn't have all the answers. We discussed the various plans for moving forward and he wanted us to consult with our MFM again to make sure he was on board. Ultimately we came up with the plan to try shotgunning ovulation to get a better luteal phase to hopefully have more energy for implantation. To do progesterone after ovulation and through at least 13 weeks. To go on the hydroxychloroquin (Plaquenil) instead of aspirin as suggested by one of the doctors at U of M. And most importantly to have complete pelvic rest, so that the progesterone would be oral, to eliminate any risk of infection. We may also periodically treat me for infections even if there are no visible symptoms. I spent 4 months fighting off an infection and when we were finally green lighted we started the Letrozole (newer drug like Clomid). At my ovulation ultrasound check found that I had two follicles developing on the right, none on the left, and something in the center that shouldn't be there. Probably a polyp. So we were red lighted again. I was scheduled for an SIS (saline infused sonohysterogram) which revealed not one but 2 polyps. It was looking like another D & C was on the horizon. Due to the size of the polyps my new doctor recommended using the "pac man" machine to remove them for more precise treatment and quicker recovery. There was a very low chance of there being any cancer, so I agreed to the procedure. I stressed out over it, but on surgery day everything went smoothly. I spent two days at home and then was back to work. About a week later I received a voicemail that the pathology results were in. Back to stressing out till I could call back the next day. When I finally got the call back from my doctor, after stressing most of the day, his first words were, "Well you don't do anything simple do you." Great. Turns out I have "endometrial hyperplasia mixed simple and complex without atypia." What that means is my low progesterone level allows my uterine lining to overgrow and not shed enough, it does this simply all over, and complexly forming irregularities like polyps. The good news is the "without atypia" which means no cancer! So I of course start Googling... And what I find is that not only is this condition linked to low progesterone/estrogen dominance, but also thyroid issues (really glad I decided not to have surgery), and causes implantation problems due to the thickness of the lining. The good news is the treatment is already part of my plan. Progesterone. So I was once again given the green light. We just completed the first cycle. Hopefully I get pregnant within 3 or I have to have another SIS to make sure that they didn't miss anything or that it hasn't started regrowing. I have no doubt in my mind reading all the symptoms of this condition that I have been dealing with this since my first husband died. This is the cause of all my losses. I now pray that the treatment works, that my lining shrinks, and that I do not end up needing a hysterectomy. Symptoms include: migraine, heavy periods, clots, mid cycle spotting, shortened cycle length, ovarian cysts, painful periods, breast pain, weight gain, infertility, miscarriage, fibroids, thyroid dysfunction, low body temperature, fatigue, acne, dry skin, brittle nails, anxiety, foggy thinking, joint pain, and even allergy symptoms. For more on these conditions, see the links below.
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Holly Crews
The mother of five angel babies, and one rainbow baby. I have had four miscarriages, an SCH (sub chorionic hemorrhage), pProm (pre-term premature rupture of membranes), and a pre-term still birth. Archives
October 2022
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