Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

[GIJane]

Hi I am new to the site and want to say how much useful info you all provide on here.
Yesterday after a internal exam i was told I have PID but no gonnerhea or chlamidiya. I had an injection and 14 days of doxycycline to take. I have to go back in 4 days. Looking back I have probably had the symptoms for 9-12 months. I've read so much about infertility from PID and how you should make sure you get any STD's treated and your partner too and the more you get re-infected the more chance you have of infertility from the scar tissue etc...

We have been married 10 months and don't want to start a family just yet. My husbands point of view is not to worry about infertility until we start trying for a baby but being a woman i want to know now if i will have any problems in the future especially as i left it so long to get things checked over. I have read abot the laproscopy and ultrasound options but i dont think my husband will support me becuase he may think i am gearing up to have a baby sooner then he wants-this is something we had discussed before any of this came to light and he made it clear he wasn't ready. What shal I do?

I am from London and recently moved to new york and meant to be here for 2 years. We have health insurance but i just don't know how it works over here with regards to requesting infertilty tests-in the UK you have to be physically trying for 12 months before they investgate. Maybe he is right and i just shoudnt worry about it until we decide to start trying. Has anyone any useful advice?

Thanks

[katty1]

Hi Jane! ..its Kat from Merseyside (England) welcome to the forum. I have the same fertility worries as i am nearly 40 (healthy in every other way) but the reason i have got no kids was not being able to find a decent guy who is faithful ..just extra bad luck that i got PID from my last partner (due to being given chlymydia...extra worries as ive waited for so long to have a kid it was a major setback i didnt need..i still havent given up though.

Well they have sorted you out with an injection for the PID and prob to cover anything, they have given you 14 days of doxycycline so thats good . Having the same worries as you regards fertility issue i went to see a specialist for a chat "can you tell me if i am still fertile or what?" it just gets you down so much wanting to know. She happened to be the same consultant who looked after me in the NHS hozzy on Merseyside when i was in with the PID she said you have to be trying for a year (or they allow a year) before they will do any investigations. BUT i can only just tell you what i wastold and hope this is positive i was having regular periods (ovulating ect) right up to the last momnet before i got hospitalized and they have always been ok in the past all my life . I was raped at age 22 and got pregnant after what seemed like a four second attack..because i did have such severe trauma i had termination but even after that i had no infections or trouble with periods . The point i make if you are ovulating having periods ect and dont have any other existing medical problems (endometriosis ect ...or ovarian problems...just going by what i was told in hospital, thats a positive sign but at the end of the day i dont suppose without trying to actually have a child that its possible to give a definate answer. I would tend to agree with your husband and relax (as stress can affect ability to conceive) but most of all get better from the PID first and then give some time for your body to heal a bit and get healthy in preparation for conception !. My PID was about a year ago . Regards laproscopy, again just to say what they said to me if they know you have PID they are now treating it (sometimes they use lap to make a diagnosis) or if you have a lot of absesses or ongoing problems after PID so i would say just let it settle for a bit so you dont have to do anything you dont need to. If you think of it as i want to take as much care of my inside bit and not risk them causing any disruption as sometimes it might cause more harm than good if you dont need it . As far as the ultrasound ? im not sure just by having an ultrasound exactly what that can tell regards fertility! but it can see things like ovarian cysts ...pockets of fluid bladderstones and such like. Perhaps they should give you one anyway if you have been diagnosed with PID or your having pain in a specific area as it could indicate cyst.

I wish i could be more helpful as i really would like to know the smame answer myself but at least if your ovulating having periods thats positive and means alls working with that i understand the worry is the PID and after effects but i seem to be fine Jane (but obviously im not trying as not in relationship at the mo).

I wish you all the best id try to relax and not to worry and just take it easy for a little bit then see what happens but to put your mind a little at rest you could have a chat to your doc. Kat x

[GIJane]

Hi Kat,

Thanks for your reply, you are certianly clued up on it and your comments were useful.

I had my checkup on friday which was 4 days after the diagnosis of PID and there was some improvement but because of some further cramping and tenderness they (the free STD clinic i was being treated at) have now referred me to a gynacologist to check for cysts etc and that is where the ultrasound comes in, i have that on valentines day!

I totally agree with you regarding unnecesarry procedures, I will see what is said on the 14th but I'm going to to take the opportunity to ask about infertilty, my periods too are always on time but I have seen there is a procedure were they inject a dye and take x-rays to watch the path of the dye to see if there is tubal damage in the fallopien tubes this might be something that is non-invasive and a good indication of scar tissue from the PID-will keep you posted. Not sure if my health insurance will cover it or if the NHS do it.
I was sorry to read your story and I hope all is well now. Hope you find the man of your dreams. I did not believe in 'the one' -i thought it was bollocks until it happend to me-we met and married 5 months later-you just know. its been a crazy rollacoaster then he dropped the bombshell that he was being transfered to the US and so the move began.
I really want to start trying now but he's made it clear that he wants to have one once we are back in the UK-it would be easier with family around and the NHS (we have 2 years here). But now I know about the PID and possible infertility its made me want to start now. I haven't told him this though!
You are right regarding getting your body ready for conception, i'm not massive but I am overweight according to my BMI so i should focus on that instead!
Thanks again for your comments and I hope you get the answers that you are after too.x

[katty1]

Hiya Jane - thanks for the update. So pleased for you that there is some improvement ..the medication is doing its job and your on that road to recovery :) . Im pleased your going to see the gynae woman and getting your scan sorted and you can have that little chat on the fertility worries. Wish you the very best for the 14th . Please post again to let me know how things went for you.

The dye investigation sounds like a really good option, and as you say its not invasive ...if thats an alternative to the lap job id deffo give that one a go if she recommends it. To be honest with you i dont really have any clue on the dye investigation in the tubes but earlier on when my symptoms all started a while back i had IVU xrays (to investigate what they thought was a bladder problem) coz for ages i was having heamaturia (sorry..think i spelt that wrong) anyway it was bleeding from the urethra and blood in the water. (prob the chlmydia getting worse :( i suppose the two cystoscopys going in on top of that lot made it a bit worse! flippin ekk im surprised the lot didnt drop off! Anyway it was to show the kidneys and bladder they took lots and lots of xrays and i had to go on bit of a diet (two days before) no fruit or veg and take a heafty dose of laxative . Also had to have a Renal Tract ultrasound the MRI one and some other one. I just remember after the MRI they said i couldnt have any more stuff as i had reached the max dose of xray radiation . Im so glad i found this site coz its one of the investigations for fertilility/tubes ect that i havent heard of jane but if things got any worse at least i know there is that option of dye test thing and it would ease my mind a hell of a lot too!. Crossing my fingers for you!.
Good to know your periods are ok with no probs there (sorry if i seem to keep going on about them but i always cling on to that seeing it a positive thing) i mean if your ovulating theres things they can do and im sure another positibve thing you have got youth on your side too getting in and sorting it sooner as opposed to later :) Just on the subject of periods again, was in town on the 5th Feb in department store checking out a shoe display ...next thing major pain in stomach (lower bit) doubled over plus sweating it was dripping the top of my lip ...being in shop lots of people lucky there was a chair i sat down i was trying to hide it as im sure i was getting few odd looks! i felt really sick i took paracetamol earlier but they didnt work ...managed to get out shop and had plazzy bag in one hand and sat in carpark thinking "im going to be sick in public" and wondering what it was ...it went on for a couple of days really bad cramps and feeling faint but on the 8th of Feb i started period ! should of started on the 10th your prob thinking what a fuss about nothing but i was thinking it was PID or a cyst i felt that bad ! was so relieved to see i had just started two days early! (normally its bang on 28 days) but i had three solid days of period type pain ..and nausea funny enough the day i started ? NO PAIN!! and a pain free (ish) period!! the body is an odd thing! i would of expectedall the hassle and cramps on the first 2 days of starting . I do think since i had PID they are a bit more painful though.

A special thanks for the kind words about meeting a nice guy ..yours is a really nice story ..congratulations on your recent marriage wish you a long and happy one. :) I can imagine being away from your family ect is difficult and i would feel the same way dealing with this PID thing and its issues but im sure you have your head screwed on and you know whats best to do im sure its coz hes thinking of your welfare and giving you a bit of time to get better >. I remember the night they diagnosed me with PID they did a pregnancy test in the hozzy even tho i told here i carnt be she just did the test anyway but said you are not well enough to have (or presume she meant carry) a child at the moment as you have PID - so all i can make of that is id hang on jsut a while till you make a full recovery and get any investigations out the way ...in other words till your sorted with that Jane and youve been given the "health ALLclear" i imagine pregnancy difficult (I was just 8 weeks along all that time back but had morning sickness from the beginning) so being in the best of health or the best you can be is giving your babsey and yourself a good start ., BUT i know how you feel i wish i could have one right now too !! i waited such a long time.

Sorry for another big long post ...i go on a bit :( agin good luck for 14th please let meknow how it goes for you Kat x P>S i dont buy glossy mags any more i think those skinny women look ill ..enjoy your food jane you need to eat to get better so id eat whatever you fancy ..im munching Mars bar (no good for thrush :( but i fancied a choccy boost

[katty1]

Just another quick post re: Chlamydia, to anyone wondering 'i wonder how did this get to the point of PID and having all these other investigations' which i know could have been avoided:

At the begining of my problems i tested at my GU clinic at the hospital all tests for STD's including HIV hep ect came back Negative . My symptoms contined until my GP and practice nurse at drs surgery examined me i was bleeding upon examination and had absesses in my vagina they looked visably shaken and i was crying thinking i had cancer and i was in acute pain. my parents were so worried they wer both outside in the waiting room (id had coloscopy and treatment for CN2 cells when i was thirty two) . My GP wrote a note and i was told to go imediately to hospital gynae department and give to a consultnt so they could examine me . I was examined by two people i told them i had lost all feeling/nerve in my urethra that area . sheasked me if i had had std test i told her yes at this hospital and have been told all tests arenegative i dont have anything. She sited the ulcers/abessess whatever it was swabbed me and came back in pushed a box of tissues towards me (the consultant) and informed me i have std (she didnt say which one at that point) and THEN said if you hurry up the STD GU department is closing at 4pm or 4.30pm if you hurry you will be in time tell them we have sent you from this department and it will be treated.
This is the disgraceful part barely able to walk in pain i went in and explained the day and where i have just been and the consultant had DIAGNOSED STD and to come for treatment . I was told 'you have no std we have done the tests and to go away i was made to feel an idiot. They did not even do any swabs or test they just sent me back to the same department i had come from. I had to go back in there and tell the consultant and she rang the department and said we have "Kat back over here very annoyed ! emphasizing VERY . i wasnt annoyedjust horrified nobody was sorting this. I was then given the tranvaginal scan which showed a "floating patch of fluid in an arc going backwards towards my bowel. i was given a nite in to rest because they said id had a tough day and the next day sent home with 3 month course of rotational antibiotics for a urinary tract infection . (just normal antibiotics NOT std medicaton. I got sicker and sicker till i walked into that hospital with PID . I was having PID plus STD when i went to std clinic. For that reason i would never trust GU clinic again and the way i was treated they made an error and why they didnt reswab after i had been diagnosed with STD from the same hospital in another department is beyond believe . If i had any worries about STD id go to a private hspital to test (which i did to retest after i finished my doxycycline to see if it had gone and it had). I know this could have been avoided if the local GU had done the job correctly . Im not sure why the gynae people after finding std did not medicate me with correct medication ?? I find that the hardest part to deal with perhaps they dont want to argue the diagnosis but its ruining womens fertility! kat

[GIJane]

Hi Kat,

I had my check up with the gynae woman yesterday and had an ultrasound but it was different from what i was expecting (not had one before) it was where they do an ultrasound from within your vagina. There were no cysts and she said that she wouldn't have given me the diagnosis of PID (which i was given by the doctor at the STD clinic). She said there was scarring from inflammation but that full blown PID is usually associated with abscesses, fluid etc and that i didnt have that BUT, she did comment that I have been having treatment for the last 9 days so it could have been that it was worse than what she saw and she is only seeing the improvement. but she did not say that i have a perfectly normal reproductive area either so there was some sort of infection there even if not the full blown PID that i was told i had.

I have to go again next week for a repeat of the same ultrasound just to see if there are any further changes after finishing the course of treatment (i guess she needs something to compare it too). She said she can't tell from the ultrasound about the state of scarring in the tubes but that when i go back on 22nd feb we will discuss the testing i will need to assess the tubal damage in 6 months time. So that bit i am interested in and will report back what she recommends for that but was pleased to hear that it wasn't a case of try for a baby and if you are having trouble after 12 months we will investigate, but it was more proactive. I do now think i have no need to worry too much about the infertility if the previous diagnosis was potentially wrong but i would rather have the procdure and know for sure. She also repeated the tests for chlamidiya and gonnerhea etc as these were negative at the STD clinic and i think she has a gut feeling they are incorrect.

So i was kind of pleased after i left, i felt more informed and feel like i am getting closer to my answers and i felt i had a more thorough investigation that at the STD clinic that were pushed for time and did not have an ultrasound machine. I will report back after friday and let you know what she suggest for investigating tubal damage, it was a very new facility that i went to so am hoping it will be something non-invasive and straight forward maybe the dye test...will let you know.

Blimey your preiod pains sound excrutiating! I remember when i first got my period and it hurt so bad and my mum just looked at me and said you have to manage this for the next 40 years of your life and i just cried, then she said that giving birth is a 1000 times more painful-gulp! I couldn't go to school the first coupld of days the tops of my thighs hurt so much i couldnt walk. I am now on the yasmin pill and its working really well for me, still on the nurofen but not the codeine as before which just made my whole body go numb like i wasn't in it. Had my first experience of buying American sanitary towels yesterday, i stood in the aisle for like 15 minutes trying to find something that was what i normally use, they have 'always' brand but the length, wings , thickness combinations just arent the same. Fortuantly i found the right tampons but not sure if i should use them while having treatment for the inflammation? it probably makes no difference and is a stupid thought but it does make you wonder.

Anyway i better get back to work. Have a good weekend.

[katty1]

Hi Jane - thanks so much for posting. I was thinking yesterday ..i wonder how you are doing and crossing my fingers for positive news of your scan. I'm absolutely delighted ! can i tell you why ? Your first paragraph...the scan inside the vagina (or the trans vaginal scan i think thats called ? . Looks a bit like a "long probe" or shaped a little like the male anatomy, and its covered with a sort of sheath thing! Looks alarming but the lady or person who is scanning you is very skilled, it's an excellent scan..and the one to have. Im so pleased that they carnt see any cysts and its good news that she said that she wouldnt have given you the diagnosis of PID ...i actually think that the STD clinic did a great job they were NOT taking any chances here!! (thats good) but they might of suspected it ...they have taken action (STD clinic) immediately!! which im so glad although unpleasant to take PID medication, its a thousand times better to take it than risk not taking it if any infection is suspected and let anything progress. If its been the case that you have had a little bit of infection or PID its positive news that the last nine days of treatment have/are "kicking in" and starting to clear this. It is reassuring to hear the lady say that if you know what i mean.

I just think its fantastic that they have asked you to attend for another scan in a weeks time ...after you have finished your treatment..these guys are really on the ball ...spot on !! they are assessing you after nine days with the scan and again AFTER you have finished medication. I carnt praise these people enough...thats the correct way. PLUS even better when you go back on 22nd Feb you will be discussing options to assess any possible tubal damage . They are fantastic drs, nurses and gynae people they are addressing the problem monitoring and caring and listening right the whole way through! I am genuinely pleased for you perhaps more good news that it was minor infection and not as serious as first thought but the STD clinic did not take any chances whatsoever. I know i posted my story of my experience about my local STD clinic here on Merseyside but PLEASE to anyone reading dont let my experience of what looks like error put anyone off attending a GU clinic, they are VITAL really im thinking "what would we do without them" as for many people their local GU clinic is usually their first "Port Of Call" if they suspect anything not quite right down below!! Truely being honest i understand there is two ways they use here in this country to detect Chymydia and Ghonn (sometimes people can have the two combined - fortunately i just had chymydia they take a sample of urine and can swab ! my first test at local GU was by urine (im not sure if i was swabbed but i opted for the full range of tests... blood ect the nature of the way i was examined i was aware of medical equiptment and new they were checking externally around those areas BUT i was having a heavy "thrush" like candida discharge at the time i understand that the area called the "os" (opening high up) cervix to womb (i think) has to be free of any discharge to get a clear 360 degree swab if there is heavy discharge (which of course i did have) and some vaginitis i was sore inflamed and nervous! it is hard to do and the discharge can give a false negative if that area is not wiped clear! This MAY of been whats happened but never the less NOT sorry i went in as they did test me for other things! What i forgot to mention is that it may be wize i would do it if i was worried again , to take another test for chymydia and ghonn at another place ie drs surgery (testing twice) they have combined kits available you can ask for a test (i wasnt aware till afterwards) and of course privately. The other place i was told i could attend was in Liverpool but i live on the other side of the Mersey so it wa a little far to travel and unfortunately i wa too sick at the time to do it so it was too late. I know these GU clinics are "snood under" very busy every day packed clinics so perhaps they need to look at some issues as i do feel guilty that the staff in a busy A and E department have to pick up the pieces of what should be a fairly simple to diagnose condition! (chymydia) perhaps any woman going to thier local GP with cystitis like symptoms should insist they take test in the surgery before handing out antibiotics JUST to treat cystitis ! and then it just spirals out of control i am sure this would cut the rates of chymydia (and PID) fourfold as i think its reaching epidemic proportions and its a worldwide problem (chymydia)

I just felt i should be honest and say perhaps it could of been the condition of my body for swabbing at the time and water sample isnt always accurate i mean it can miss it. Back to your good news Jane ,all in all this looks great please keep posting and i agree the other clinic does not have the same facilities . Actually im hoping that things are positive for me as my GP (i changed him) hes quite a bit younger but much more clued up than my other GP he told me "Kat , i can assure you all has been well investigated! in this matter and im assuming theyve checked with clinic too" but i just dont want to bring it up or ask questions over it i dont want to be seen a a troublemaker and basically im grateful for my treatment (medication) and the fact it was spotted in the end...its just the fertility concerns but perhaps alls not as bleak as I THINK it is ? your post certainly gives me reasurrance and im hoping you feel so much more reasurred too Jane. Im very interested in the dye investigation ...please let me know how things go.

Well ...another long post from Kat! ...sorry guys! i tend to go on a bit...as for periods ? well i must say ive never been so grateful to have them :) i believe they do ease a bit after you have a baby ...i just take good old paracetamol and a hot waterbottle and a little rest if i can grab one ...works wonders ..just one more thing...if you could just tolerate the sanitary towels for a few months jane i think it would be really wise i remember the night i took the tampon up to the hospital (i removed it straight after insertion it was just to show them) the gynae consultant said do not use these cat not with infection (PID) its unwize just let anything come away naturally till you heal a bit also that way you can see whats happening with your body sometimes with the antibiotics you can experience thrush or bv but by not sort of "plugging" that area you can tell if anything is amiss striaght away also frequent examinations and internal scans can you some vaginal discomfort / the tissues ect just to be on the safe side id steer clear of them for some months. |I dont use them jane tho i did before PID ! but when i walk passed them in the supermarket i always sort of give a little glance and think "a tampon saved my life ...or it was because of a tampon i got my PID diagnosed !! funny way to think but there you go! I use Always Ultra long Plus with silk (with the wings) i have jsut discovered them and they are fantastic ...soft or much softer than any other towel ive used hope you can get them there. :)

Again thanks for your post ..looking forward to hearing even better news ...to anyone else on forum hope you all feel little better too. have good weekend too.

Best wishes Kat x

[katty1]

Just like to recommend something that i use for intimate washing in shower ect ...LACTACYD femina Daily Protective Wash it is a soap free cleanser you can of course use it all over the body . I had SO Much trouble trying to find a non irritating cleanser for the intimate area when i had PID and all that awful discomfort (thrush for two years) the hospital recommended it to me after i was at my witz end having tried many products. If you just use a tiny tiny less than a pea sized blob (thats a pea in a pod size as in vegetable) dilute with a little water apply by hand sponge or clean flannel to the whole of the EXTERNAL vaginal area the sides ect (but not inside) and rinse with plenty of water. I really do think this is the best thing next to just pain warmish water at this time and any other . BUT PLEASE dont douche i just think its dangerous but also this is not a douche (not to be used internally!) i know this has helped me and hope if anyone is suffering from bit of discomfort i hope this will help them too ! a smallish bottle will last a year as you only need tiny bit it goes a long way ...

Best wishes kat