Chronic pain causes infertility?

Sweets11 · January 2011

Hello ladies! It's been a little bit since I posted, I hope everyone's doing well

I had my team consultation and the Chronic Pain Centre today. The Chronic Pain Centre assigns you to a team of different specialists and contacts all of your prior specialists before meeting with you to get 'the big picture'.

I have been running chronic pelvic pain for three years now. I also have chronic lower back pain. My obgyn thought my pelvic pain was caused by endo until he did my laparoscopy in May. He only found two very small adhesions that couldn't be biopsied because the endo was already completely scarred over.

It turns out that I have a few different issues. I have slight scoliosis in my lumbar spine, adhesions on my uterosacral ligament that cause uterine and muscular pain, my pelvis is tilted and my muscles are... well... for lack of a better term, completely messed up.

One thing that came up was that I tend to run weird, raised rashes when I'm having a pain flare-up. When I brought it up, my pain specialist explained that when your body is in constant pain it will start to read it as distress or illness and your autoimmune system will go into over-drive and release histamines (hence the weird rash). It can also negatively impact your immune system. She explained that there is a link to weak immune systems and unexplained infertility because when your body's immune system is in over-drive it will prevent pregnancies from occurring to protect itself (and the potential fetus.)

The only way to solve my problem is to control the pain and get my body working properly again...

I'm sorry this is such a novel; I just wanted to post my story in case anyone else has encountered the same issues. Cheers and I hope everyone is having a lovely Hump Day ;D

brandywine2010 · January 2011

Hey Sweets! I had no idea of the correlation between chronic pain and IF. I have no wisdom for you, but wanted to wish you the best.

What options do they have for you to help control the pain?

Sweets11 · January 2011

Thanks Brandy! I had no clue about it either until today.

Unfortunately we don't have a complete plan yet. I have to start going to physiotherapy regularly and I have x-rays on Friday to look at my lumbar spine and measure my legs. I also meet with a dietician and gastroenterologist next week (they think there might be a chance of gastro issues that contribute to the whole mess).

Once they have all of the tests and info available we will look at treatment. They didn't prescribe medications because of my upcoming IUI. They are going to work closely with the Fertility Program and focus on getting me pregnant.

cantalopes24 · January 2011

Hey Sweets!

I believe it does have an effect. I have been having a lot of trouble with my back, I also have a slight scoliosis, a bulging disc in my lower back, and severe migraines. I have bursitis in my right hip from the problems in my back, and I was having numbing and tingling in my right arm, as well as sciatic pain. I couldn't bend at the waist and stand back up, open jars, etc. I was having really bad muscle spasms. I have also gotten weird rashes, similair to hives, all over my body. And I have a pretty weak immune system.

I went to a neurologist towards the end of November after seeing many doctors over the past few years for these issues, which all got really bad in 2010. He put me on a medication that stopped the muscle spasms in my back, got rid of the pain,numbness and tingling in my right arm, and cut back on the severity/number of migraines I was getting. I had to gradually increase the dosage over a couple weeks, and not long after I reached the maximum dosage I finally got my period for the first time, 11 months after stopping birth control. I had a 28 day cycle.

I began seeing a chiropractor in early January and within a few visits in one week I was beginning to hold the adjustment. I think I O'd on my own this month, although I wasn't temping so I am not sure. But its the first time I have ever seen anything show up on an OPK, and I had fertile CM and CP.

I can't really attribute getting my period or possibly Oing to anything other than fixing the issues with my pain and chronic pain. Since then I have even lost weight and my appetite has gone to back to normal (I was insatiably hungry before) and I have been able to sleep a full night. Sorry this was long but I hope it helps, and I hope the pain managment helps you!

STL34 · January 2011

I'm not completely sure what I think about this. I know I have IF and I have chronic pain attributable to ankylosing spondylitis. I have a history of tension headaches related to my back issues. My back problems are mostly related to AS, but I also have a herniated disk. I have hand pain swelling, knee/foot pain swelling, and achilles issues. I have an immune system that is out of control (AS is an autoimmune disease) and I take medications that suppress the immune system because of this. So, I seem to prove this theory. However, there are plenty of people with chronic pain issues (including my dx) that don't have any problem getting PG.

My older sister got PG with number 2 while dealing with chronic pain issues. Now that her pain issues are under control, she has IF.

That being said, if it works, it works! I hope it works for you!

brandywine2010 · January 2011

Sweets ~ I hope your specialists can come up with a plan to alleviate the pain and ultimately get you that BFP. Good luck hun!

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