Anyone had tests on nhs??

[DBZ34]

Hi all, I'm starting out on this journey too. I'm sooo glad to come across this thread with so much useful info! I had hormonal test taken a couple of months back on the NHS which all seemed ok. Just trying to convince my husband now to go for test. We've been trying for around a year now and he still seems to think everything's fine, it just takes time! I'm sure we've got more tests and treatments ahead of us, so I'll be waiting this out with you!

Good luck, I hope we don't have to wait too long!

Welcome, Jaybo!!

I'm glad we can help! It's really nice to know what to expect and have people to answer you questions. I hope you don't have to wait too long either!

I know how you feel...It took me what felt like forever to convince my DH to get an SA. My DH refused to get an SA until the GP told him he had to...but that was after 22 cycles of trying and nothing happening for us after my m/c. I had to have him come in to the appointment with me and that kind of made things more real for him, I think.

He also refused to think about any type of assisted conception until the FS suggested it. He would take multi-viatmins, but he wouldn't take anything else until the GP suggested he start taking omega3 for sperm health....He's so stubborn about TTC stuff. Men.

But, I hope things do just happen for you...and soon!! Good luck!

Ella - great news. I've heard of Menopur but I'm not familiar with it. Is it a similar drug to Clomid or does it do something else?

Jaybo - good luck with your tests. Have you been referred to a fertility clinic or are you getting tests through your GP for now?

AFM - well I went to the clinic today for my CD11 scan and now have triple striped lining at 12mm and two mature follicles on both sides, both at 19mm. I also have one at 11mm but not sure if that will grow enough yet.
I've got my trigger on Saturday and IUI scheduled in for Monday morning

Menopur is an injectable medication that has FSH and LH in it. It's supposed to help my ovaries make more than one egg. Clomid is supposed to make my body naturally produce more than one egg (or if I didn't ovulate, make it produce an egg). So in effect, they're both doing the same job. Injectables are supposed to be more effective/successful than Clomid in an IUI cycle though, so I guess I'm just doubling up to get the best response.

Those follies sound nice and large and ready! How exciting!! I can't wait to hear how your IUI goes tomorrow!! Good luck!!

Thanks welshgem!

The tests I've had have been with my GP so far. He says that he cant refer us until my husbands SA tests are done. Did you get referred straight away? I'm starting to worry that there's going to be a long wait to see a specialist.

I'm getting so impatient, I can't wait to find out more we could be doing!

Good luck with your treatment over the w/e & Mon!

We got referred right away, but the appointment was like two months out, so DH could get his SA done (there was a waiting list) and I could get all my bloods and have an ultrasound done before the appointment with my FS.

 

[MaggzieP]

Hi, both OH and I have had tests via nhs. 2 years on, now hopefully going to help us as been TTC for over 5 years. Good luck to all x

 

[Eva24]

Hi ladies, hope your all ok!

So my appointment has now come through to see the fertility specialist! So pleased the ball is finally rolling! Have any of your seen the FS yet? If so, what can I expect from my first app?

 

[han17]

Gem / Ella you both sound so excited!! This is such great news, and I'm praying that you'll get a positive test too!! Its so nice to hear stories like yours which sound so similar to a lot of us on here!!

Gem, is your IUI appointment today? let us know how it goes won't you?

My DH took a lot of convincing to have a SA too. It took me getting very upset when my period came another month for him to get tested. I think if the SA comes back negative then my hubby felt like it was all his fault. That may be a reason why it takes some men so long.

Ella thanks for the info on what your taking, if I get to that stage, I'm going to tell my FS about that so hopefully I am on the same as you!

Eva it didn't take too long for us... I had my hormonal test done, and DH had SA and then we were referred... I went to the docs in late Oct and we saw the FS in December... i know that might sound like a long time but I thought for the NHS it was quite good. Then once we had our first appointment with the FS (which was really comprehensive, I came out quite confused about the amount of tests we had to have done) I had to book in for the other tests...:
- STI test (its the norm)
- Further blood tests (Day 1 - 3)
- Book in HSG, this needs to be done on day 6 - 12 of your cycle, so you need to call up on the first day of the period... still haven't had this done due to the xmas holidays
- Internal Scan... had this done already.

So currently just waiting to have a HSG... I'm due on my period this weekend, so will book in next week.

 

[Gkmk]

I have my first appointment with FS next week. Thanks Han for giving a brief idea about what to expect. my AF is also due tomorrow or day after. Hope they don't do or wait for cd3 blood tests again to do HSG, as I have to wait a month.

 

[han17]

Hi guys, just a quick question.... Is anyone taking any tables (from supermarkets for example)? I'm only taking folic acid, but just wondered if you ladies are taking anything to help or if your DH are taking anything?
Sorry for the Random question but it's something I've been meaning to ask for ages!

Xx

 

[Gkmk]

I took pregnacare conception tablets for 2 months but I am only taking folic acid now. Hubby is taking multi vitamin tablets. Heard zinc is good for sperm health. Vitamin d and iron is good for women. I don't believe that these tablets will do any more good than having a good diet. The only thing I kind of wonder is the amount of fertile cm a woman has and the number of days she has it before ovulation. I only have kind of fertile cm for a day or two. However GP said it is rubbish but still I have that doubt. I wonder if that is what makes some women super fertile. Sometime this year I want to try pre seed for couple of months. Somehow at this point I don't feel like trying pre seed and want to try if I can do so something naturally for fertile cm

 

[laurabe]

after 12 months of TTC I got referred to the local hospital who prescribed clomid for 6 months and when that was unsuccessful they prescribed letrozole for 6 months. meanwhile they referred me to the IVF clinic as I was told if I had no luck with the letrozole there wasn't much else as I have pcos and it messed with my hormones and that was my issue. OH was fine and my HSG was all clear
pleased to say I got my BFP on my last cycle on Letrozole so I called today to cancel my IVF appointment. best of luck x

 

[DBZ34]

Hi guys, just a quick question.... Is anyone taking any tables (from supermarkets for example)? I'm only taking folic acid, but just wondered if you ladies are taking anything to help or if your DH are taking anything?
Sorry for the Random question but it's something I've been meaning to ask for ages!

Xx

I'm just taking Folic acid+Vitamin D from Boots and an A-Z Multi-vitamin (also from Boots). I'm also taking B-complex to help lengthen my luteal phase. I was borderline LP-defect after taking CoQ-10 supplements (messed up my nice 12-13 day LP), so I took B-complex and it did make a difference.

DH is also taking the multi-vitamin and Omega 3 supplements for his sperm health. The multi-vits for men should contain Zinc and Selenium, because these are proven to improve sperm motility and morphology. L-Arginine is in the Wellman vitamins, but you can get that from increasing the amount of red meat your DH eats. The GP my DH sees did a lot of research on sperm and sperm health and she's the one who told him to start taking the Omega-3 tablets. It's supposed to be really good for healthy sperm development/formation and better morphology.

I have my first appointment with FS next week. Thanks Han for giving a brief idea about what to expect. my AF is also due tomorrow or day after. Hope they don't do or wait for cd3 blood tests again to do HSG, as I have to wait a month.

They shouldn't wait for the Day 3 bloods to do the HSG. I did both of those the same cycle. I went in for my day 3 bloods and 3 days later, I had my HSG. They don't have an effect on each other. So, you should be able to do it all no problem.

I took pregnacare conception tablets for 2 months but I am only taking folic acid now. Hubby is taking multi vitamin tablets. Heard zinc is good for sperm health. Vitamin d and iron is good for women. I don't believe that these tablets will do any more good than having a good diet. The only thing I kind of wonder is the amount of fertile cm a woman has and the number of days she has it before ovulation. I only have kind of fertile cm for a day or two. However GP said it is rubbish but still I have that doubt. I wonder if that is what makes some women super fertile. Sometime this year I want to try pre seed for couple of months. Somehow at this point I don't feel like trying pre seed and want to try if I can do so something naturally for fertile cm

Fertile CM is important. I eat grapefruit (but you could just drink the juice) and I've noticed an improvement in the amount and the length of time I have fertile CM. I also put a dash of cinnamon in my tea pre-ovulation, which also increases fertile CM. I notice the difference within the next two days when I start adding cinnamon to my diet.

There are women on BnB who swear by taking a teaspoon of honey and cinnamon together in the mornings...to be fair, most of them did end up preggo, so there might be something there. That's why I started doing the cinnamon, really, but I don't like honey, so I didn't go that far.

 

[DBZ34]

after 12 months of TTC I got referred to the local hospital who prescribed clomid for 6 months and when that was unsuccessful they prescribed letrozole for 6 months. meanwhile they referred me to the IVF clinic as I was told if I had no luck with the letrozole there wasn't much else as I have pcos and it messed with my hormones and that was my issue. OH was fine and my HSG was all clear
pleased to say I got my BFP on my last cycle on Letrozole so I called today to cancel my IVF appointment. best of luck x

Congrats!! H & H 9 months!!

 

[Gkmk]

Thanks Ella for the info. I like honey and cinnamon and will it give it a try. I am already having grapefruit juice from couple of months but I don't think it had any noticeable effect on my cm. Just had a look at your chart, looks promising. I like to chart but the dropping temps makes me so sad I had to stop charting. Some cycles I went so mad that I couldn't sleep peacefully. Good luck to you and everyone

 

[welshgem]

Hi ladies! It was IUI day today and I'm pleased to report that it all went without a hitch.

I've been taking the Seven Seas 'trying for a baby' vitamins which contain folic acid, iron & vitamin d amongst other things. OH has been taking omega 3 supplements as well as Vitamin C & Zinc tablets and his SA today came back (post wash) count of 10 mil, 90% motility, 70% morphology. I was hoping for a higher count but fingers crossed this works for us.

The procedure itself was over in 5 minutes. Just a quick squirt of the sperm through a catheter and job done. I had to lay there for 20 mins afterwards and now have to use progesterone pessaries for 2 weeks.

 

[Gkmk]

Hi

In hubby's SA results, Semen viscosity is "viscous". I googled and looks like the parameters are low, normal and high. Not sure why the SA result did not say one of this. I don't know if viscous means low, normal or high! Any thoughts?

Water intake will help the semen to have normal viscosity. I keep telling hubby to drink good amount of water and he drinks only when I remind him, otherwise his water intake is less.

 

[Jaybo]

Hi all,

So it sounds like most people had their initial tests with a FS which is interesting as our GP won’t refer us without blood and SA results. Probably just different NHS trusts! I’ll be glad to see a FS as although my GP is good he did give me the ‘oh don’t worry it takes time to make a baby’ ‘just relax and it will happen’! Arrah! I’m hoping a FS will be a bit more sensitive.

Thanks DBZ34 glad to hear I’m not the only one having difficulties getting my DH to the Dr for SA!! To be fair to him he has never refused to go, he just keeps putting it off. He’s promised to go this month, so we'll see how that goes!

Han – I think you’re right my DH has been saying things about it being his fault we haven't conceived yet more frequently since my blood tests came back ok, so I think he is putting it off because he doesn’t want to feel like he’s let me down. Bless him! He cycles a lot so he's a bit worried that may be contributing.

Glad to hear your IUI went well Welshgem. Very exciting, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! I’m 3DPO today so we must be around the same point in our cycle!

GKMK – sorry I can’t help on your SA. Did they not give you any figures on count, morphology etc?

We both take pregnacare conception vitamins. Honey and cinnamon sounds like a good combo – I’ll think I’ll give that a try too!

 

[han17]

Hi guys sorry for my late reply been mega busy!
Defo going to try honey and cinnamon - it's on our shopping list along with omega 3 for hubby, so thanks guys

Gem your appointment sounds promising... R u going back to fertility clinic in meantime or just doing the 2 week wait at home? I'm so praying for you... If you are I think that will really give us all strong hope

Gkmk- I'm sorry I don't know what that means either, could you book a telephone appointment with your dr to see if thry could explain it to you?

Jaybo-we didn't see a FS until we had bloods and SA anyway... Maybe it's a protocol, I'm not sure.... The positive things is that your on your way.

I'm due on my period this weekend, and I've been thinking about this in the past month.... If I am on, I'm thinking I'm going to stop trying (but not preventing).... If I'm anything like my mum (which I most defo am) once she stopped trying it all happened naturally for her. My mum had similar tests (not exact as it was 32 years ago with my bro) and she came out of the FS and said to my dad that they weren't trying anymore... I think I might try that approach.

Has anyway tried that before?

Xxx

 

[han17]

Oh jaybo I forgot to mention that my hubby is also a very keen cyclist... Sometimes I do worry when he goes out for 3 hour bike rides!

 

[Keds195]

Hi ladies just read through the whole thread. Thank you its very informative. Me and dh have been trying for a year now. And nothing my cycles are very regular and always get positive opks.
We had our first gp appointment on monday morning.
went really well i thought ive got day 21 blood test 2 moro morning to check for ovulation. Hubby had a sa on 11tb feb and im waiting for a scan from the hospital. Gp said wait to see what those results are then go back and see where we go from there xx

 

[welshgem]

Jaybo - thanks for the well wishes. Yes, I'm 3 or 4 do IUI depending on if you count the actual day of iui or not so we are in the same TWW.

Han - I hope it works too! No going back to the clinic now until it's a yay or a nay. Just have to sit out the TWW at home and then take a test on the 27th.

Keds - Welcome to the thread; good luck with the bloods and testing.

AFM - no news to update you on. I'm on progesterone pessaries which are making my boobs really sore and my skin has broken out. Couple of twinges every now and then but besides that it's all quiet on the symptoms front.

 

[han17]

Hi guys, strangely I have come on my period today... Usually I would have come on on a sat late or Sunday morning (I'm incredibly regular), so slightly worrying that I'm on now! Never mind, another month bites the dusk!
As I said in my previous post, I'm giving up trying and being so specific with dates now, I feel so so sad when I'm on I don't wanna put myself through it anymore!!

Will now need to book in my hsg!

Hope u ladies are having a happy Friday xx

 

[DBZ34]

Gkmk- I hope the honey and cinnamon works! I thought my chart was looking really good a couple of days ago, but alas, AF is here. The temp dip really is tough to see, but I really like knowing when to expect AF, if she's coming. Gives me time to prepare myself.

Sorry I can't help with your hubby's SA. They didn't say anything about viscosity at our appointment. Hmm. I suppose, if I had to guess, I would think that viscous was the normal result. You want it to be viscous, but not too viscous. Maybe there would be a low or high if there was a problem. But, that's just me guessing. I'm with Han, you should try to call and talk to someone about the results.


wgem- I'm so glad your IUI went well. How's your TWW going? Those progesterone pessaries are kind of a pain...but I'm sure it'll all be worth it. Do you think you're going to test early? Do you have to go back in to the FS for a test too or do you just call them up with the results?

Jaybo- Yeah, I had to have the bloods and SA done first too. The FS wouldn't see us without it. He made an exception on the ultrasound I was supposed to have because they cancelled last minute. He just did a transvag u/s during our intake appointment instead.

My DH is just so funny about things. He doesn't like to think about doing it until the medical professional says so. *sigh* At least things are moving forward now though. I hope your DH gets in there for his SA soon!

I've read that if a man cycles long distances that he should lift up off the seat periodically to get blood flowing into the lower regions again and he should also consider a wide, padded seat or padded bike shorts. I hadn't realized that cycling could have an effect on sperm until I started reading up on sperm and how to improve it. But I hope your DH's SA results are good!



Han- Good luck with the not trying. Maybe your next cycle(s) will be it for you because you're less stressed by not trying so hard. I'm having a little break this cycle too. We're doing the IUI in Feb after this next cycle, so I've decided that before we go heavy-duty, I'm going to take it easy. I'm still going to temp, because I like knowing how my cycle is going, but I'm not doing the progesterone or the preseed this month. I feel less stressed already. Here's hoping it works for both of us!!

Maybe you ovulated earlier in your cycle? LP can vary by a day or two some months. It shouldn't change any more than that though. I wouldn't be too worried unless your LP was less than 10 days long this month.

I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes for you!!


Keds- Welcome to the thread! I'm glad it was informative! I hope all your testing goes well!!