Entering the world of Assisted Conception...like it or not...

[miranda007]

Lemon and Hiker.. Fingers crossed I hope the wait goes quickly.

Ah TTC naturally really gets so annoying after a while. Man I remember so many times we'd have gone to a movie or dinner and come back and gone ehhhh I guess we should because it's that time. And some nights it was so hot (not the sex - lol hot and humid and disgusting weather) and it was the last thing u felt like doing in the heat.

 

[Hiker1]

We did get to bd last night. We were both so tired and fell asleep but after a few minutes I guess DH woke up and rallied. I probably would have just stayed sleeping if he hadn't. Did the first progesterone afterward. Blegh. Oh well - I guess we gotta do what we gotta do! I feel really confident that we've done everything we can this cycle to make it happen. I do feel (cautiously) optimistic for once in a long while!

The nurse said to try the next 3 nights, which would include tonight then. In the past I would think that would be way too late for ovulation or any egg catching...anyone know why they'd recommend to continue on for so long? If we don't manage to tonight, I won't stress too much though. will be nice to have a 2 week break from needles, appointments, blood draws and ultrasounds.

Side note of relief...We got hubby's preliminary genetic testing back - no signs of Cystic Fibrosis genes. So while I'm a carrier, the fact that he isn't means we have virtually no chance of our children having it. Small chance that one would be a carrier also, but that wouldn't affect their health in any way (like me - never knew I was a carrier until all this started). So that is a HUGE relief for me!

Tiny, when do you test? How are you feeling since your IUI?

Lemon, how did the HSG go today? Did you get your hubby's SA back yet? It is a relief once you start getting all the results back and can then start figuring out what's the complete picture about your fertility.

How are all our lucky preggo ladies doing??

 

[Smille24]

I think if you miss tonight it won't hurt you bc you already ovulated.

I'm doing ok. I started spotting brown blood so I'm waiting on my ob to call me. I hate not going through my RE anymore bc they got back to me so quickly. I'm praying it's nothing.

 

[TinyLynne]

I hope the spotting is nothing Smille. I'm sure it's all ok. It's brown, so that's good.

I'm 9dpo and tested with and blue wondfo (never used these before) bfn. I have almost always had a BFP on a FRER at 9dpo, but I HATE the new curved ones and their stupid indent lines or I never would have even tried ICs. I may get FRERs on my way home anyway. I'm just totally bummed out. It hurts more that we had so much into this one and I was SO sure we would at least get pregnant, even if only for a little while.

 

[lemon_tree]

Done with the HSG test! It was bearable. The doc had some trouble getting the catheter through my cervix to inject the dye. She has to try for awhile, and also used this thing to straighten my cervix out (that was the only bit that really hurt) and finally got it through. Still cramping and bleeding lightly now, but I hope that ends soon.

It was interesting to watch it on the screen.

My right tube is blocked but my left tube is open. They didn't see fibroids or polyps or anything in my uterus itself, but also didn't get a clear picture of the uterus because mine is tipped.

I don't know what the blocked tube means for me. It may have a fibroid pressing on it or it may just be blocked on its own. We can do surgery to remove the fibroid, but what can be done about a blocked tube?

I feel relief that this is over and I got some answers, and sad about that discovery. I can't wait to see the doc next Thursday to discuss in more detail.

 

[Smille24]

The spotting stopped, it only occurred when I went the the bathroom. The dr wants to see me Tues, but said it's only to give me peace of mind as she doesn't think anything is wrong.

Lemon- There is a surgery to unblock tubes, but the fact that your other one is clear it might not be necessary.

Tiny- sorry about the bfn .

 

[Hiker1]

Smille, I hope everything is OK!! You must be a nervous wreck right now!! So glad it stopped though. I'm sure you'll feel better once seeing the doctor.

Lemon, your HSG doesn't sound like it was fun - like they had to do the same thing they did to Tiny for her IUI. I can't say anything about what a blocked tube means. I'm sure your doctors will have good recommendations about where to go from here. Perhaps it's somewhat of a relief knowing there is a "reason"? Doesn't make you feel better about it, but then you can start with a plan of action. I think the most difficult would be to get a diagnosis of "unexplained infertility". Good luck with your appointment next week!

Tiny, so sorry for the BFN. What a let down. Although it is really early, if AF doesn't come you may want to try again in a few days? Remind me again - did you take Clomid or injectables or anything prior to your IUI?

A little update from me - I scheduled acupuncture. Where I looked before was so expensive and just out of the question. My friend suggested looking into "community acupuncture" and sure enough there's a place quite close to me! I heard that acupuncture can be a great compliment to fertility treatments. I'm open to it, and certainly it can't hurt! I've never done it before, so I'm pretty excited. The practicianer said ideally to start acupuncture prior to the other treatments, but still better late than never. It's scheduled for the day before I test. So I'll either be ahead of the next month of fertility treatments or ahead of the game for pregnancy treatments. The lady said even if my IUI worked this month, that acu is good for helping the body sustain a pregnancy. When she said that, I freaked a little and realized this whole time I've only been focusing on the TTC part - I dont realize that if I actually do conceive, then there will be even more stresses and hurdles that come with "sustaining" and not miscarrying and keeping the baby healthy and alive...it's almost too much for my brain to handle!! Then the delivery itself...then OMG a human I will need to care for...I need to chill!!

 

[TinyLynne]

I know it's early. I will continue to test. I did Letrozole. Which I have not conceived on and I think may be the issue (I did conceive on it the first time, but stress of life was immense and I didn't O until CD39 so the Letrozole was definitely out of my system long before).

Doesn't that straightening tool just suck?!? I hope you recover fast!

It's hard not to think ahead so far hiker, I do all the time. But I keep reminding myself that I have to get through step 1 before I can get to the stress of step 2 and I don't even know what stress waits for me after that!

 

[Hiker1]

How long have you been on Letrozole? I did that last month (for only 1 month) then my doc moved me straight to injectables. Has yours discussed what the plan is over the next few months for you? Or one cycle at a time?

I agree - one step (and stress) at a time is all we can handle. I have to remember that the year of monthly what-ifs and TTC on our own is past us, as are all the initial bloodworks and tests and genetic scans. Now we can just focus on playing with drugs and treatments! Ha!

 

[Smille24]

I'm doing good. The spotting didn't last long at all and the dr didn't seemed worried. She only booked me for a sonogram for peace of mind so I wouldn't be so stressed. I'm honestly ok.

 

[TinyLynne]

Glad all is ok Smille!

Hiker, this was cycle 5 on Letrozole. We did talk about injectables, but he won't let me do more than 2 follicles. 3 he said if DH and I discuss selective termination. He really doesn't get our odds. Well, maybe he does, but he will not even take a 1 in 100000000000 chance of more than twin multiples.

Next cycle I'm not going to take anything and go back to carefree (yeah right, lol) fun and no tracking. I need a break from pills and making appointments fit into our schedule. Plus not spend the money for it every month.

 

[lemon_tree]

Ugh Tiny that tool was the worst!

So my appointment to go through the results of my initial tests is Thursday, but I logged onto the patient portal yesterday and found my bloodwork and AFC results, and I'm a little stressed but not sure what to make of the big picture. (I should have just waited to talk to the doc.)

I have very low AMH: .44
They found 9 antral follicles during the ultrasound, and indicated 6-10 is reduced.
My estradiol is 79.4, reference range is up to 84.
My FSH is 3.76, reference range is 3 - 14.4.

Nearly all of my other tests were in the normal range, except prolactin, which was slightly high.

The AMH number is what worries me most though - Dr. Google makes it seem like my ovaries are a hopeless case and many docs won't try IVF treatment unless you're a .7 or 1 or higher. I slept on it, and feel less anxious but still really sad today. Do any of you have low AMH or know anyone whose had a successful pregnancy with a number like mine?

 

[Hiker1]

Hi Lemon,
So sorry you got this news. It is such a heartbreaking thing to learn there may be an issue with your ovaries. And unfortunately you are right that you AMH number is not great. But do take heart, as I am in the same boat and my doctor was in no way discouraged. I have .50 AMH, and my FSH was 12.8. I've read that FSH over 10 is a no-go for IVF. So I feel doubly screwed. Looks like your FSH is quite good. But if my doctor isn't discouraged and is proceeding with trying treatments, then I feel I must have a shot. I remember him saying .5 AMH is not good but it's certainly better than those with .05 AMH, which he has seen. So no I haven't conceived even once, so I can't give you hope from me personally, but I know there are definitely people who have conceived with way worse numbers.

My friend who is 42 told me her AMH was .07 3 years ago, and now here she is 20 weeks pregnant with a healthy child.

I don't think we are doomed, but I do think (and we both know already) that it will take us longer to achieve success. I'm sorry hun. Hopefully your doc will give you some insight and guidance.

 

[lemon_tree]

Thanks for your input, Hiker, that does help to know. Having no context for something like this is really hard, and hearing that promising treatments are off the table totally sucks. But I'm so optimistic about your latest treatment, so I guess I should try to cultivate that optimism for myself, too. Thanks for sharing the story about your friend, too. I definitely think we are both still in the game.

Forgive me if I've missed this somewhere, but what did your doctor outline for you, for your treatment options?

 

[Hiker1]

So the first time I met with my fertility doctor and he had all the data, he said obviously something is up with my ovaries, and basically we can't be wasting any time. I think his words were "we need to get you pregnant as quickly as possible" and that we need to be "aggressive" with treatment, starting least invasive and moving to most invasive in a pretty quick manner. What that meant essentially was: 1) one month using oral meds (Femara) with IUI, 2) 3 months of injectables with IUI's, then 3) straight to IVF.

I'm on my first month of injectables, so if this month doesn't work, I figure it will be March and April continuing with injectables, then in May, starting the IVF process.

Everyone is different, so I don't know what your doc will say. Given your much better FSH level than mine, you might not be as doomed as I am! haha!

I think I told you guys I'm starting acupuncture in a few weeks. I'm hoping that will help too. And CoQ10 may help with egg quality? My 42 year old friend was taking those...did it get her pregnant? Who knows, but both seem harmless enough to try, so I'm doing it. Those might be things you want to try as well?

Side note, last night I woke myself up crying out in pain because I got a stabbing feeling on the right side of my abdomen. No idea if this is from all the follicles I had, or the progesterone? I've had pretty intense cramping since the IUI in general. Anyone else have this when on progesterone? or post IUI? I dont recall this at all last month.

PS lemon thank you for your support and optimism! I run such a fine line between trying to not get my hopes up and face the reality of my failing ovaries and trying to stay positive and optimistic that maybe this could be our month? This sucks.

 

[lemon_tree]

Hiker, I know how you feel about guarding yourself against getting your hopes up. I struggle with that too. It's so much easier for me to be optimistic for other people than for myself.

It sounds like you've got an awesome plan in the works. How long between when your doc laid out that strategy and when you started your first IUI cycle? I talk to my doc on Thursday and I am wondering if we'll be able to start something immediately. I hope we can.

But yes, I think your chances are solid and I'm really rooting for you. I hope you get your BFP this cycle.

 

[Hiker1]

Had to consult my calendar for a timeline for you...
Dec. 29 was my first appt with the fertility doctor, got my period Jan 6, started Femara on Jan. 9. So literally the start of my next cycle after meeting with him was when we started treatment.

 

[Smille24]

Hiker- I always had cramps at night after the IUI. It's the progesterone. It will fade after a week or so. Progesterone can cause pregnancy like symptoms like sore boobs. I swear that's why mine still hurt.

Lemon- if your specialist is anything like ours, you will have your consult after all of your tests. Your dr will come up with a plan and as soon as your af starts you'll be going through treatment. It goes pretty quick. They know you wanted to be pregnant yesterday and they definitely want to get it done.

 

[Hiker1]

Smille, glad it's not just me with the cramping. I sure hope it subsides because I don't know how much longer I can take this! I think it must be the progesterone, (probably when the capsule bursts open), because last night I put in around 11:30pm and at 1am was awoken again with the most painful cramping. It's almost too much to bear. I took some Aleve again and lay in misery until it subsided and I fell back asleep. I'm on 200...what are you on? Do you think I should tell the doctor this is happening?

 

[Smille24]

I didn't get unbearable cramps, just mild that would last an hour. I think you should call the dr, maybe the dosage is too high. I'm only on 50mg.