Anyone TTC #1 and 30 or older?

[alfi924]

Hello again ladies, I have a question. Have any of you had the Gonal-F injectable?? I am looking for opinions as my dr just called and is going to fill this prescription for me to start...any stories on it will help as I am not a fan of needles, or giving myself needles

 

[bighouse]

Wow I can't believe how many of us are cycling the same! CD3 for me now.

 

[bighouse]

Alfi- I've done gonal-F injectable. Giving myself needles was a bit unnerving at first, but after a few nervous ones it was really easy. I'm a pro at it now, either sub-q or IM. A lot of women have their husbands give them, but I found it easier just to do myself.

 

[alfi924]

Alfi- I've done gonal-F injectable. Giving myself needles was a bit unnerving at first, but after a few nervous ones it was really easy. I'm a pro at it now, either sub-q or IM. A lot of women have their husbands give them, but I found it easier just to do myself.

Thank bighouse - I will have to ask my husband bc there's no way I can do it myself lol - Did you have any side effects? I read some did and some didn't. Just preparing myself for the boat load of meds I will be taking.

 

[crystlmcd]

I feel all left out of the cycle buddy group. Haha. CD10 here and just waiting to O.

Zen - I hope this break helps you relax and gives you a BFP!

 

[bighouse]

Alfi,

I honestly can't remember about the side effects. It's been a while. And they had me taking so many different meds at the same time, it's hard to tell which side effects came from which meds.

I will say that my hormones/body got pretty messed up from being on the fertility meds (overall). It took my body a long time (and some medical intervention, strict dietary changes, etc) to get back to some semblance of normal after pumping all those hormone-altering meds through my body for so long. It isn't something I think I should do again, just because I don't think my body can handle any more. I worry too about the long-term risks (that there really isn't enough history to know yet).

This is probably TMI but after the fertility meds I started lactating, and never stopped. I have never been pregnant but according to my screwed-up hormones, my BBs think I just gave birth. It isn't so much that it leaks in my bra, but it is enough to be annoying. Makes me wonder how else those meds altered my body inside! And I've been off them for a long time now.

I know we are all desperate for a but personally I do regret taking so many fertility meds. I wonder if it has done more harm than good (messing up my hormones, some of which seems to be permanent). But I know many women get pregnant with the help of fertility meds, we just might not hear as much about the long term effects.

 

[cutestuff]

Hi Zen. Glad to see you back, but understand about the break. Just think, by the time your husband comes home, both of you will be so horny you will go at it like rabbits and ending up getting a BFP....
Fleur- I am sorry your body is messing with your head. That sucks. Mine is doing the same this month, though I don't temp or use opks... More cause I don't have the money for the kits or the time to really figure it out...
Thank you all for your wishes and thoughts. We had make up sex last night. I am almost sure it was too late, but again my body is messing with my head. Woke up this morning with extreme nausea and a super dry metalic mouth like I have never had before. It sucked....

 

[MJsBabyShaw]

Zen - I can totally relate. Sometimes I wonder "what the heck did I do with myself before TTC??" I think I was really busy working all of the time. Then I got this new job and have all this free time - I feel like much of my day is spent researching, obsessing, and thinking about TTC. I told my mom that my New Year's resolution is to stop talking about it, which includes online. I think after this cycle I will say my goodbyes too. But I still have this cycle, so hopefully it's a good one!

Fleur - it can take a few cycles to get back to normal after a miscarriage. Don't worry about the OPK still showing negative....it will get there. You might want to test in the afternoons as well just so that you don't miss your surge. Are you trying this month or are you still waiting to try?

bighouse - that's so strange about the lactation! Does your doctor seem concerned? This is why I decided to try acupuncture first....I am too freaked out to take harsh fertility drugs. I actually regret being on birth control for so long...I think it messed up my hormones. I read that Clomid can reduce fertile CM and thin your lining - some people have success with it, but for me it's not worth messing with my already likely thin lining. Taking progesterone last month was even a big deal for me...but I actually am happy with the progesterone! It made me sleepy at night, which I liked, and now my AF is much heavier, which is GREAT. Plus my LP was a solid 13 days long. I think I will continue taking it every cycle to help with implantation. Unfortunately that means I have to track my ovulation and I can't just "not try/not prevent" like I was planning. But I really think my chances of getting and staying pregnant will be improved if I take the P.

crystl - we will cheer you on! Hope you O soon so that you can get a BFP before christmas!

Someone in this group HAS to be getting a BFP soon.

I wonder where PrayingforBB has gone? She used to comment here quite a bit. Hope she is doing okay.

 

[drjo718]

Just checking in, I'm CD10. Took 100 mg clomid this month. Opk today was approaching positive, but it tends to go back and forth with no progression so we'll see what happens!

 

[MJsBabyShaw]

good luck drjo! you are cycle buddies with crystl Did you ever get your CD3 blood work done?

 

[dede3124]

I have found myself checking this thread more during the day. Lot's of good advice and support so I want to put this question to you ladies! The RE isn't scheduling until March! In the meantime I want to get some input about what labs/tests/things to look at/whatever that I might be able to do with my GYN or on my own. I know I see you guys posting lots of medical stuff so you know more than I do. I also like to research things before having them done so open to items to research/books to look at/whatever.

I have regular cycles 27-30 days and O on CD 13 or 14 consistently. My luteal phase is 13-14 days. I use OPK and temp. I have been getting acupuncture for two cycles. I did my CD21 blood work and my Progesterone measured at 15.23. I did CD3 blood work yesterday and hubby is supposed to get SA done next week (we know he has swimmers because he did an at home test--but it didn't give any information about the quality of the swimmers).


Advice?

 

[crystlmcd]

Yay, I have a cycle buddy! I probably won't O until next week, usually around CD15.

Sorry, I'm no help dede as I haven't had any testing done. I'm sure some of the other ladies can help you out.

 

[drjo718]

good luck drjo! you are cycle buddies with crystl Did you ever get your CD3 blood work done?

Yay, a cycle buddy! I have no idea when I'll actually ovulate, though. Hopefully soon if the clomid worked!

I had FSH and LH drawn on CD 7. They came back at a ratio just under 2:1 so they said no pcos. Not sure how accurate it is since I was taking clomid though. :/

 

[Hollynesss]

Dede- it looks like you've covered the bases pretty well already! CD3 blood and CD21 progesterone are great places to start, and so is the SA for your husband. Really these are the main helpful tests that you will need before seeing the RE. It sucks waiting so long too see the dr!

Zen- you will be missed, but I definitely understand I hope that you are able to find some peace and clear your head. You are always welcome here if you need to vent!

 

[Praying4BB]

I wonder where PrayingforBB has gone? She used to comment here quite a bit. Hope she is doing okay.

I'm here MJ, thanks for thinking of me!! I've been busy and frustrated and frustrated and busy, but mostly just busy since DH got home a few weeks ago. We've been busy making up for lost time And it's crunch time at school with finals, papers, and projects so I've been letting that distract me from TTC. I need to catch up on everyone's updates- any good news yet??

I've had a very interesting cycle thus far... still not sure if I've O'd but the Clomid is wreaking havoc on my body. I've had horrible lower abdomen pain for the past week, almost like trapped gas or constipation, and if it's even possible, I feel like my ovaries are swollen. I had an u/s on CD 21 to see if O was going to happen this cycle. I had three follicles larger than 15mm and my RE gave me an option to take a trigger shot on CD 24, but I declined since I usually do O on my own (albeit super late). It was reassuring to see those follicles for sure! I guess they just grow slowly? And I assume that is what is causing all the pain, yesterday it was so bad I stayed in bed most of the day, much worse than any AF.

I think I might have O'd last night- positive OPK yesterday, little temp rise this morning, and good grief, all that pain! But I am still having a few twinges today, so not sure. I'll be sure to jump on DH when he gets home tonight just in case

 

[MJsBabyShaw]

Glad to see you back here Praying!!

No BFPs yet but I have a really good feeling that someone will get pregnant here in the next couple months.

Your chart looks like you ovulated already, but getting another BD session in certainly won't hurt! Good luck this month and sorry that clomid is giving you such tough side effects.

 

[deafgal01]

Dede- not to be nosy or anything... How frequent do you do the deed? Sometimes doing it too often (like daily) doesn't give the swimmers a chance to build up so they suggest doing it every other day or 2 days. Uh, depending on your husband's SA, he may want to take vitamins (I'm not sure what other tips to offer without getting more info about life style- smoking, drinking, etc.)

Other than that, I think you've covered all your bases and you're doing the right thing moving forward with the appointment with the RE.

 

[deafgal01]

Alfi (and Big)

My body did get way messed up after only ONE cycle of medicated IUI. I think it took my body maybe 4 to 5 months or so to finally return to normal after that. I had my husband do the injections on me (this way he could be part of it, and I hate needles anyways so I could never really get to the point of giving myself the injections anyways). I haven't done any more IUIs after that.

I think who gives the injections depends on individuals. Some like to have control and will do it themselves as they think it's easier that way. For others (like me), we prefer to let someone else do the work for us so that we don't have to work up the courage to do it. So it really depends. They do walk you thru the process of how to do it (and my office sent a dvd home with us in case we needed to be reminded along with a paper handout).

 

[KatO79]

When we start IUI in January, I'll be injecting myself. Think the idea of DH doing it makes me more nervous and I'd be afraid of him doing it wrong I just checked and my first AF after New Year's will be around January 6th so I can first call the clinic that date and start my 1st IUI.

So 10 dpo today, guess I'm one of the odd ones out and haven't synched up with many of you Won't be testing unless I'm late by at least 2-3 days and that's according to my longest cycle within the norm which is 27 days (about 90% of the time I have a 26 day cycle). Not feeling too positive though about it so expecting a bfn

 

[Fleur828815]

Am CD 14 today but OPKs still negative so I suppose I can be your cycle buddy too crystlmcd.

Hi Praying! It must be great having DH back home, enjoy catching up!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.