Long cycles and the tww

[crazycatlady5]

Hi again! I say test again in a couple days if still no af.

I'm feeling frustrated tonight. Just wish it was something within our control and that I would hurry up and get my bfp!

 

[ksquared726]

I'm with you there! I've been so depressed and angry since my BFN yesterday. I even tested today for some reason, knowing it would be a BFN but just feeling like I had to do something. I decided to make an appointment to see an OB/GYN. It's been 7 months since BCP and things are only getting worse. I also had an odd lump/sac thing back in August that they cut open and has healed, but they didn't know what it was because it wasn't like a normal vaginal cyst. So I want an ultrasound and for them to really check everything out. And to ask about Vitex.

Hoping we both get out of our funks and things start happening!

 

[aidensxmomma]

Hi again! I say test again in a couple days if still no af.

I'm feeling frustrated tonight. Just wish it was something within our control and that I would hurry up and get my bfp!

I completely understand. I am feeling frustrated, too, because I don't know how long it's going to take and I know that there are some fertility issues for me, which stresses me out right from the start. I was really, really hoping to get lucky this first month, but it doesn't seem that I did. I'm on cd37 with no sign of AF or a bfp. I took another test yesterday and another BFN

ksquared - like crazycatlady said, test again in a few days. Hopefully you're able to get a doctor appointment right away and they can help figure out what's going on.

jules - Welcome Have you tested recently?

 

[ksquared726]

Thanks, aidensxmomma . It really helps to talk to you guys and compare our similar stories. Sounds like you and I are right at the same point in our cycles. Except I keep feeling like AF is coming, with backaches and sometimes cramps.

Has anyone else had the super long luteal phase, at 3-4 weeks like mine have been? I seem to ovulate a little late but it's the luteal phase that takes forever. Most people I've seen with long cycles don't seem to have that drastic of a luteal phase. I thought if it's PCOS then it would take longer to ovulate? Maybe my progesterone is slow to build and then whatever tells my body to trigger a period just isn't happening when it should. I see Jules8 might be 20dpo, so just wondering.

Thanks!!

 

[Jules8]

Thank you for welcoming me!!

I tested last Friday and it was bfn, but am waiting until Sunday to test again. FF originally said I ovulated on CD24 then switched to CD36 then back to CD24 and is now back to CD36. How confusing! So I am either 21DPO or 9DPO. I am going with the later ovulation because it makes more sense so Sunday will be 14DPO. My LP is usually 14-16 days.

I am hoping to get some fertility testing in the near future. I had some bloodwork back in July and there was one hormone that was slightly elevated so I have to go back and get it rechecked to see if it leveled out. I would also like them to check for pcos and anything else that may be causing a hormonal imbalance.I bought Vitex to see if that would help and so far I don't see a big difference at all, but I will keep taking it until my appts since it works better the longer you take it.

It surely is frustrating so I understand how you are feeling. I have found some really great support on this site, it definitely helps to have others to talk to when I feel like banging my head against a wall.

 

[ksquared726]

Jules8 - if you're used to a 14-16 day LP then the later one is probably right, like you said. I hope you get your BFP on Sunday! So what was your fertility appointment like?

Need some advice from everyone - I called about scheduling a fertility appointment. Apparently for this type if appointment, my insurance only covers 50%. So depending on what tests they think I should get, it will cost $150-$400! It's an hour-long consultation and exam with a fertility doctor and it's with my normal Kaiser network, which is what we have here in Southern California. It's just weird that my insurance doesn't cover much of this. Normally I just pay a $30 copay for doctor visits, but maybe because this is a specialist? Not sure if I should keep the appointment. Or try my primary care doctor, but I know that she wouldn't have the specialized knowledge to help me here and would just refer me to a specialist anyway. Or should I wait another month for Vitex to work better? But I'm tired of waiting and feel like something is wrong! Ahh! We can afford the money, but it's still a lot. And then what if I need more visits or tests??

What would you do? Or do you think this is this a normal cost for a fertility consultation?

 

[Jules8]

I went to my OBGYN first and let her know that we were going to start TTC. I asked for bloodwork to check my thyroid so she just marked to check all my hormone levels. She also gave me a referral to a local fertility specialist that does a free consultation so that is my next step then go from there.
I was talking to a friend that just went through a horrible time with fertility treatments about how messed up it is that fertility treatments are treated like plastic surgery and are not covered like they should be...like women that are having fertility issues chose for it to happen. It makes me so mad. She did an IUI that worked but she miscarried then 2 failed IVF cycles. Insurance wouldn't cover any of it so they are out like $15000+ and no baby. She even went through a research study so it was wayyy cheaper than it would usually cost.
With all that aside I would go for the appt. if you can afford it. You can take the Vitex in the meantime or start back up after the appt. after talking with the specialist.

 

[ksquared726]

Thank you for listening and the advice . I'm going to try to see a regular OB/GYN first and get my hormone levels checked and an ultrasound to make sure there are no cysts. They're supposed to call me tomorrow, so I hope they'll do all of that. Maybe it's too early to go through a full fertility checkup. I'm starting to wonder if I'm producing too much progesterone, so that's why my luteal phase takes so long and my temps remain high. I am definitely sticking with Vitex since it regulates hormones. Hoping its an easy fix that the gyno can take care of! And I can save a little $$.

 

[crazycatlady5]

Let me know how the apt goes and what they say about vitex. If I get another bfn this month I may try opks or temping or make a dr apt next cycle. So hearing more about vitex would be good! I'm from Canada so don't know much about the health system and insurance down there, between my dh's benefits and mine most things other than dental are covered up here.

Yesterday during bd I had sharp pain in my left side. And then felt it again while walking. Could that be ovulation related?? I really should have done opks or temped...

I feel like it goes so slow waiting till the end of each cycle..

 

[aidensxmomma]

ksquared - I agree with Jules about going to an OBGYN first. That should be covered by your insurance, and if not, it might be cheaper than seeing a specialist right away. I saw my OBGYN about my irregular cycles and she was able to diagnose me with endo and also she's able to do the surgery to both confirm the diagnosis and possibly give me a better chance of conceiving. My insurance covers my appointments with my OBGYN, but I don't believe they would cover anything for a fertility specialist.

crazycatlady - That does sound like could be ovulation related. I often get cramps/pains like that when (I think) I'm ovulating.

I'm thinking about using OPKs soon. I think it's more frustrating for me to not know when I ovulate than it would be to just pee on the sticks. I'm still not completely sold on the idea, though. I think what I might do is try the plan on BD every other day and if that doesn't work, start taking OPKs the cycle after that. I'm not decided yet.

I'm on CD38 and started getting cramping yesterday. I think AF is going to show up soon. I have one more test to take, but I think I should save it for next cycle.

 

[Jules8]

ksquared- Your welcome! TTC is so confusing when it doesn't happen right away so if sharing my experience can help a little..why not. The OBGYN is a great place to start, it sounds like you have a plan in action! I am interested to see what you find out. If my consultation wasn't free I would be waiting a lot longer to go, I am more curious than anything. lol

crazycatlady5- That sounds like a good ovulation sign!

aidenscmomma- OPK's in my opinion are evil with long cycles. lol The cheap ones are hard to read and the digital ones don't come with a lot for an expensive price. The cheapest digital ones I found were on ebay which was $15 for 20 so not too too bad, but that will only last me 1 month. I have been temping..confused still but I like it. At the end of my cycle it gives me a lot more information than the OPK's did and eventually I will be able to determine when I should use the OPK's in my cycle so I don't have to use so many. Hopefully you wont need them and can use your last test for a bfp!

 

[ksquared726]

This morning I got woken up at about 4am by the most terrible cramps. Probably the worst menstrual-type cramps I've ever had with the corresponding backache, and also (tmi) diarrhea really bad. I almost laid down on the bathroom floor the cramps were so bad. Took some Tylenol and was able to sleep again. I still feel it now but the Tylenol must still be in effect since that was only 3 hours ago. But no AF or spotting at all. What the heck?

I will definitely let you all know how the appointment goes. When I was dealing with these awful cramps and thought AF was here, I figured I should cancel the full fertility appointment for now since Vitex did cut my cycle down a bit. Even if it wasn't as short as I'd hoped. Though we'll see if I actually get AF! Maybe I need the doctor to do a blood pregnancy test to be sure. Also, I was researching last night and all I could find about a very long luteal phase is that it doesn't hurt the chances of conceiving, it's just inconvenient. A short luteal phase is a problem. Ugh!

Crazycatlady - that sounds like ovulation pain to me! Sounds like you caught it at a good time too since you were in the middle of BD-ing! I have mixed feelings about OPKs. The two cycles I've tried them, my results were inconclusive. But I think most people here use the digital ones with the smiley face, so perhaps those are more reliable.

Aidensxmomma - That's good to know! I'm glad your ob/GYN was able to take care of everything for you. I feel good now about canceling the fertility specialist for now. And if you feel AF is coming, I would wait a couple of days too to see if it comes. Then take the test if it doesn't .

 

[Jules8]

Blah! AF made her arrival just now. Literally must have started on my way to work because it wasn't there earlier. Some positive things about this cycle that could be due to Maca and Vitex. My cycle went from 56 days last month to 45 days..not a huge improvement, but an improvement. I also don't feel as bad as I usually do when I get af. Usually I have insane cramping the day before and a bad migrane. I am a bit dissapointed but moving forward to my first new cycle in the new year! Good luck to the rest of you ladies that don't have af yet!

 

[Penguin20]

My Last 2 cycles have been 40 days and i'm on CD33 now
I took agnus cactus this month hoping that it would help as heard so many good things about it but no luck yet
I had cramps and headaches on & off today so maybe af on it's way

 

[ksquared726]

Jules8 - Sorry to hear AF showed up! An 11-day improvement is still pretty big! My friend told me about Maca too, so I might try it if the next cycle is a bust too.

Penguin20 - if you do get AF soon, that will still be an improvement! I'm hoping that the small improvements we all see during the first month of Vitex turns into an even bigger improvement (and BFPs!) the 2nd month .

I'm all set for an appointment with an OB/GYN for a family planning consultation on Jan. 22, so 2 weeks. They said at that appointment the doctor can order some tests to check hormone levels and an ultrasound, so I'll try hard to push for that. I also asked the nurse I spoke to about Vitex. She and another doctor she asked hadn't hear of it, but looked it up and said it sounds pretty safe. She said it looks to be popular in Europe. I'll talk to the doctor about it too.

The horrible cramps haven't returned fully, thank goodness, but I do feel some cramps and gas and some sharp pains, like I do with AF. Still not here yet, but I can't imagine it being much longer. If it comes today or tomorrow, that will be a 10-11 day improvement from last cycle.

 

[crazycatlady5]

Oh ouch ksquared! Could that be pregnancy symptom though?? The getting sick?? I don't know? Let us know how the dr apt goes!

Sorry to hear about af Jules - at least you can start trying again and your cycle was shorter!

 

[crazycatlady5]

Oh just saw your last response. Did they do a pregnancy test there ?

 

[ksquared726]

Thanks, crazycatlady! If I don't have AF by then, I'll definitely have them do a blood test. I haven't gone in yet, just spoke with a nurse over the phone. But my temp is dropping so AF will probably be here soon. I thought it would be here when I woke up, but still nada.

 

[Kburt]

Hi ladies! Mind if I join? I definitely struggle with the TWW being longer than it should due to long cycles!
I have always had cycles on the longer side (35-40 days), and that was before my dd graced us with her presence a little over a year ago. But now I am still breastfeeding and on my second cycle back. First cycle was 44 days. 😜
This is our first month actively TTC and although FF tells me I am ovulating tomorrow, I'm almost certain I am 8dpo (which would fit into my old 35ish day cycle). I haven't started taking opks or temping, but I felt pretty confident that I o'd around the first and I have had a whole slew of symptoms that I can't ignore. Thinking about testing this weekend, but if I am truly ovulating tomorrow, then it's going to be a very long two more weeks!!!
Ugh!!

 

[crazycatlady5]

Ok weird feeling/symptom today. It feels like af is on it's way, but it's absolutely not, since I have two weeks or so until it's due! Sore lower back, that stomach feeling in your lower abdomen that is unmistakeably af, all that feeling. And cm, I'm not so good at analyzing cm, so can't elaborate on it, but it's def there and is abnormal for day to day for me.

Do these symptoms sound like ovulation or possibly early pregnancy signs???? (Wishful thinking...).

One app says I'm supposed to ovulate tomorrow, another said I did on the second, and I had that pain in my left side about 4 days ago. So who really knows. Any feedback??