Women and ESI'S any problems

[suede]

Some of you guys may find this just TMI so consider this a warning !!!

Ladies, How many have you have had problems with your monthly cycle after getting the injections?

I can't count the number of inj. I have had since Sept, 1999 and never had any problems with them messing me up or causing me to bleed irregularly.

I stopped bleeding altogether about 5 yrs. ago, I had 2 inj. back in July and then started bleeding the middle of Aug. and have not stopped yet !!!!

I have been to the gyn. 5 times now and had a biopsy, it came back normal and 2 different types of internal ultra sounds and they did show what the Dr's believe to be cyst.

However today we talked of what to do now, so I go Mon. morn. for a D&C
he says that way they can get a better idea of what is going on and another biopsy and look around(doesn't that sound like fun).

He gave me a number of things that he thinks it may be and said it is even possible the ESI caused it, sorry but I really don't see that being the cause since I didn't start bleeding for almost 3 weeks after and never had a problem before and I just can not believe I would still be bleeding after all this time if that was it.

Any ideas out there, I have to admit I'm kind of spooked, this is exactly the way it started for my MOM before she dies of the cancer, I doubt that is what it is but I can't help but worry.

Thanks for any input, I just seem to be literally "falling" apart.

Linda

[Bobbi]

Linda, I have consistently had probs. with the lovely cycle (not) after injections. Mine went all haywire, as did my FSH and Estradiol levels. There I was with so many reports indicating I was way post-menopausal but still: the monthly cycle. My PCP said that it was not the steroids included in the injections, after all, but my pituitary gland. Ohh, so that explains all the transvaginal U/Ss that she and my GYN had ordered :eek:. Last I knew, the pituitary gland isn't in a private area but in the brain. Hmmm. (And: Heck, I ain't even been to med. school, but it does inspire me to ponder why look somewhere where the gland ain't located. No-brainer and I went for the redundant tests also because that that is not what I was told initially; my doctors attributed it to steroids.)

Do you know what your uterus/uterine lining level(s) have been? The numbers are what docs also keep an eye on; when too high, it indicates that something is building up when it should not be (and that does depend on where a woman is respective of child-bearing, pre-meno., post-meno.).

Have you had the CA-125 test? I had a couple, and ... darn'd if doctors o'mine could figure out what was going wrong. The tests came back okay but I just was not trusting much of anything. Heck, the U/Ss and techs and radiologists couldn't seem to find my ovaries, but my doc assures I have them things in my body.

Linda, err on the side of caution, 'k? But, also know: Sometimes there are things that doctors just cannot explain.

I would not relent until doctors have totally ruled out things that do cause concern for you.

[ErinENj]

I am in a kinda similar situation, just less intense. Mine isn't so much attached to my ESIs but just seem to be kinda random.

I missed two nights of my birth control pills about two weeks ago, and I've had not so much bleeding, but that stuff that starts just before the full-on bleeding. It's not enough to need the full assault of 'feminine products' (I have absolutely fallen in love with the always pads that come with the wipe. They are great! And you can get just the wipes too. They are the best invention since the ultra-thin pad in my mind.) but enough to need a liner or something minor like that. But I've caught up with my BC pills, but it's all still happening and is getting really annoying.

I used to be concerned about not getting my cycle, whether I stopped taking the pills for a week or not. But, when I had an appendicitis/strange pain in my lower right side a little above my hip scare last year, I had a very 'thorough' ultrasound (I had thought that ultrasounds were simple, just on your stomach. I got one heck of an education that day. I'm more comfortable with women when dealing with that area of the world for some strange reason, but I didn't insist on one with my ultrasound, since I only thought it was on my stomach. Boy, did I regret that!! I'll never make that mistake again!!), they really checked everything out and it all checked out normal. There weren't any abnormalities. So I now feel a lot better about it because I know that things are okay. I think it's really comforting to know for sure it's all okay.

Now, mine has only been for about a week and a half, so I can't imagine what it's like having it for a month or so. I can really understand your worries. I'd be really freaked and spooked too. But I think that because your doctor is being so thorough, I'd have some better faith in them to make sure they catch anything that may be causing it. It could even be one of those strange things nature tosses at us to make sure we're paying attention. I don't know what to say except I hope that it stops asap and that all it is is nature, nothing else. Keep me posted on how you're doing! And if you're having issues with your doctor or feeling like he may be missing something, then definately, look for another doctor, if for nothing else than a second opinion and another set of eyes to look over the results and maybe they'll find some tiny detail your doc didn't. No matter what happens, I hope it all works out and that you never have to worry about it ever again after this!!

[Kathi49]

Linda,

I wish I could help you but I have no pat answer. :( It could be a host of things...steroids included I suppose since they can do some freaky things but, I too, kind of doubt it. I had a hysterectomy prior to any injections being done...so I just have no comparisons. I could and would write a book about all the infertility testing and issues with the female stuff. But what I really want to say is...don't be too spooked. I know you are concerned. But based on myself having these kinds of issues and my friends as well, it was normally due to fibroids, ovarian cysts, endo, hormonal issues, menopause and even stress....believe it or not. Anyway, through the years I have had a real education on this whole mess. Overall, I am just saying...try not to fear the worst.

And I have had a D&C during those infertility years. It was not bad at all...not fun...but not as painful as say a hysterectomy can be. And the hysterectomy itself I sailed through. I wish you the best of luck on Monday and I hope the doctor will get it sorted out. :)

[Gimpy]

I bled for 3 months one time and also ended up with D&C to stop the bleeding. That was the end of teh ESIs for a long time. I had one earlier this year and it had no effect at all. I don't have a clue what the difference was.

Good luck!

Linda

[suede]

Bobbi, Erin, Kathi and Linda,

Thanks so much for the advice and support.

Bobbi, I'm going to call my PCP in the morning and request copies of all the lab work I have had done as all my Dr's send him copies, That way I can find out just what test have been done.

I am just so tired and weak from all this along with everything else, I don't feel like I can do anything.

Know I appreciate all of you.

Linda