LTTTC #1 - Support Group *Please share your story

[Bee Bee]

HI Ladies! My name is Brittany and I'm STILL TTC #1.

My hubby and I have been TTC since Sept '13. In August '13 I had a total thyroid removal because it failed on me. My first few months TTC went pretty well and I started charting right away but then suddenly I stopped having a period. Since I was charting, I knew I wasn't ovulating. I went to a OBGYN and she performed a US and said I had polycystic ovaries and she also did blood work. I asked her flat out if I had PCOS but she told me no. She sort of stringed me along for a few months so I finally just gave up and called an RE. Once I got in to see the RE, she looked at the exact same blood work and US and said that I definitely had PCOS. So, unsure if the OBGYN was uneducated in PCOS or if she just flat out lied to me. :/ But it sucked because I lost 6 months of TTC at that point. Also got the hubby's sperm analyzed and everything on his end is stellar, so it's just me.

My new RE put me on Metformin and then I finally started Oing on my own again. A few cycles went by doing just metformin and I noticed that my cycles were getting further and further out. Starting at 30 days and finally ending up on 60 days. Which made it impossible to time BD. (because I would also get 2-3 +OPKs a month) So, I finally talked to my RE again and she agreed that we should try Femara.

During my second cycle of Femara, I had to switch REs because I moved 2 hrs away from my original one. During that cycle, the original RE performed a US and said that my follies were not big enough and that I hadn't O'd yet. So, before I left her she put me on one more small dose of Femara (3 days this time). Got to the new RE a few days after that and US also couldn't confirm O so he was maybe going to put me on another round. And at this point my temps had not risen so I felt I hadn't O'd yet either. This RE ALWAYS tests for preg before administering Femara so we did blood work. I got a call that afternoon and they said I was pregnant. Which, obviously, I was not expecting and came as a complete shock!

I went in for my second HCG test and it had only risen about 5, instead of doubling. So, they informed me that I was most likely going to miscarry. They tested me something like 4 days later and my HCG had only dropped by like 5 or something. During this time, I also started noticing ovary pain and pretty extreme. After another HCG test and it not falling properly, I went in for a US at the RE. He looked at my ovary and it was 4x the size it should be. Apparently one of my follies just kept growing and the HCG made it worse. It was also leaking fluid into my pelvis. The docs were afraid I would damage my ovary so they ordered a D&C since I wasn't M/Cing fast enough. I did the D&C and when the results came in, they found nothing. So, at this point we knew it was ectopic. They had me go to the hospital IMMEDIATELY and administered Methotrexate. Finally, after that, the numbers started falling and I was officially not pregnant anymore 5 weeks after I found out.

I had to wait one cycle and then I had to perform a HSG test. Luckily, nothing was damaged and everything is A-okay. And that was now 2 cycles ago. This cycle they gave me HCG and they also had me go on progesterone because when I was pregnant it was incredibly low and during a chemical, it was low then as well. So, I suspect I have an implantation issue because of it.

And here I am! I am actually testing tomorrow but I don't have high hopes. If I get a I am told to go off the progesterone and wait for AF. I really do hope this is it though because it's just getting more exhausting each month

 

[KatO79]

Welcome Bee Bee

I'm so sorry to hear that your pregnancy was ectopic and you went through all that, that must've been awful

I'm no expert in charts but think yours looks promising But I don't know if that's normal for you with it rising like that. I hope this is your sticky BFP

If not, what's your RE's plan? Will you at one point be trying some form of assisted conception?

 

[Myshelsong]

Hi Bebe welcome to the group, hope this is the month for you!

Thanks DBZ for the support I just feel crazy lol. I am hoping these are pregnancy symptoms but don't want to get my hopes up too much. We are testing on the 30th with the beta. Hoping this is it, especially since I feel like I feel different than normal cycles,... But that is probably just my head.

 

[Stine]

Bee Bee- welcome! I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. Hope to get you BFP soon.
Myshel- FX those are all good signs and not the meds. How you feeling today?
How is everyone else feeling during their post IUI?

AFM- bad news again. The eggs are the same. He can't tell if I ovulated or not because all the eggs look the same and there are no signs of ovulation. My lining got to 9 so that is good. I had a progesterone draw to see if I did ovulate. If I did I have to wait till next month and I'll probably go to injections. He thinks the Femara might not be enough to make my eggs mature. If I didn't then I'll start another round tomorrow at 5mg for 5 days and recheck Monday. I am highly annoyed and frustrated.

Family dinner went ok. My SIL & BIL decided not to come to dinner and no mention of my issues or hers came up Thank God! So for now my life is remaining mine. DH is on board and now understands after a nice talk why I just want this to be for us right now.

Hope everyone is well.

 

[Bee Bee]

Welcome Bee Bee

I'm so sorry to hear that your pregnancy was ectopic and you went through all that, that must've been awful

I'm no expert in charts but think yours looks promising But I don't know if that's normal for you with it rising like that. I hope this is your sticky BFP

If not, what's your RE's plan? Will you at one point be trying some form of assisted conception?

I've been taking progesterone all TWW so I'm sure it's 100% the reason it looks so good. lol. That chart is not normal for me on any normal cycle but progesterone keeps temps high and AF at bay.

This morning I got a so I am supposed to stop taking the progesterone now and wait for AF.

Honestly, my REs plan is whatever I want to do at this point. I know I CAN get pregnant with O meds so I want to continue down that road as long as possible. I cant afford IUI or IVF. IVF will never be an option. IUI MIGHT, but it would have to be a pretty desperate situation.

 

[Myshelsong]

Sorry for the negative hun.
Hope next month is the month for you, it looked like your timed everything right. Did they check your follicle size during this cycle, or are you just temping to confirm ovulation date?

 

[Bee Bee]

Sorry for the negative hun.
Hope next month is the month for you, it looked like your timed everything right. Did they check your follicle size during this cycle, or are you just temping to confirm ovulation date?

They checked and I don't remember the size but he checked it a day or two before giving me the HCG trigger because he wanted it to grow a bit more if possible. Then I just confirmed with temps after the trigger.

 

[KatO79]

Bee Bee- welcome! I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. Hope to get you BFP soon.
Myshel- FX those are all good signs and not the meds. How you feeling today?
How is everyone else feeling during their post IUI?

AFM- bad news again. The eggs are the same. He can't tell if I ovulated or not because all the eggs look the same and there are no signs of ovulation. My lining got to 9 so that is good. I had a progesterone draw to see if I did ovulate. If I did I have to wait till next month and I'll probably go to injections. He thinks the Femara might not be enough to make my eggs mature. If I didn't then I'll start another round tomorrow at 5mg for 5 days and recheck Monday. I am highly annoyed and frustrated.

Family dinner went ok. My SIL & BIL decided not to come to dinner and no mention of my issues or hers came up Thank God! So for now my life is remaining mine. DH is on board and now understands after a nice talk why I just want this to be for us right now.

Hope everyone is well.

Awww sorry Stine, that stinks The large one hasn't grown at all? That's just weird He probably should've given you a higher dose when he saw the size last time. Maybe injectables would be better for you? They normally pack a bigger punch. I hope you didn't O and that you manage to do the IUI before.

I can understand they didn't come if the family is so nosy and they were afraid of a bunch of questions. Good thing they didn't bother you and you had that talk with DH

AFM I'm 9 dpiui and nothing much happening. I'm trying to avoid symptom spotting this time since I was fooled the 2 other times. We'll see. AF is otherwise due around March 28th and I'll test March 30th if she doesn't show by then.

Welcome Bee Bee

I'm so sorry to hear that your pregnancy was ectopic and you went through all that, that must've been awful

I'm no expert in charts but think yours looks promising But I don't know if that's normal for you with it rising like that. I hope this is your sticky BFP

If not, what's your RE's plan? Will you at one point be trying some form of assisted conception?

I've been taking progesterone all TWW so I'm sure it's 100% the reason it looks so good. lol. That chart is not normal for me on any normal cycle but progesterone keeps temps high and AF at bay.

This morning I got a so I am supposed to stop taking the progesterone now and wait for AF.

Honestly, my REs plan is whatever I want to do at this point. I know I CAN get pregnant with O meds so I want to continue down that road as long as possible. I cant afford IUI or IVF. IVF will never be an option. IUI MIGHT, but it would have to be a pretty desperate situation.

OK it was most likely the progesterone then. Too bad, hope you have better luck next cycle

Yes, it's horrible that assisted conception costs in other countries. I'm in the super Lucky position that you get 6 free IUIs and 3 free IVFs here if you've been trying for 1 year and have a referral. That is, if it's your 1st child you're trying for while any other kids are automatically self pay. IUI might be enough for you and could be worth a try. The only thing is most people first get there BFP after #2 or #3 with a few after #4. At least that's the nurses' experience at my clinic. I hope that you won't need it and do get that BFP soon

 

[Bee Bee]

OK it was most likely the progesterone then. Too bad, hope you have better luck next cycle

Yes, it's horrible that assisted conception costs in other countries. I'm in the super Lucky position that you get 6 free IUIs and 3 free IVFs here if you've been trying for 1 year and have a referral. That is, if it's your 1st child you're trying for while any other kids are automatically self pay. IUI might be enough for you and could be worth a try. The only thing is most people first get there BFP after #2 or #3 with a few after #4. At least that's the nurses' experience at my clinic. I hope that you won't need it and do get that BFP soon

I think it's something like $300-$400 USD here? For each session. IVF on the other hand I think is upwards of 10 to 12 thousand. @___@

 

[Stine]

I think he couldn't find the bigger on that he seen last time which is why he thinks maybe I could have O. The dose next month well be higher but I want to push for injections. He said if after 2 cycles with Femara I don't respond they normally do injections but if I had such a poor result maybe we can not waste my time and go right to them. Any suggestions on which ones have better success/not as many side effects?

FX for the 28th!!!

 

[Myshelsong]

IUI cost sucks for me as well. Cost 400 per session plus the drugs that don't have 100% coverage.

Stine, so sorry about the tests, I didn't see the comments before.
See if you can get 7.5mg at least Instead of the 5mg, I found it really get mine fast and large. But I only got one follicle with femara both times.
I found Gonal was ok until the last two days, then I became a raging psycho but again they had me on a high dose of both femara and Gonal F. I did end up growing 12 follicles, four viable though so I guess my crazy was worth it ...? If I get pregnant I will highly recommend it.

Glad DH is on board and the family dinner wasn't as bad as you expected.

AFM I am feeling not great. I feel hungry and kinda sick and my nipples (tmi) are super sensitive. The build up of drugs in my system I think is just making everything so extreme compared to the femara cycle alone.

 

[Stine]

IUI cost sucks for me as well. Cost 400 per session plus the drugs that don't have 100% coverage.

Stine, so sorry about the tests, I didn't see the comments before.
See if you can get 7.5mg at least Instead instead of the 5mg, I found it really get mine fast and large. But I only got one. I found Gonal was ok until the last two days, then I became a raging psycho but again they had me on a high dose of both femara and Gonal F. I did end up growing 12 follicles, four viable though so I guess my crazy was worth it ...? If I get pregnant I will highly recommend it.

Glad DH is on board and the family dinner wasn't as bad as you expected.

AFM I am feeling not great. I feel hungry and kinda sick and my nipples (tmi) are super sensitive. The build up of drugs in my system I think is just making everything so extreme compared to the femara cycle alone.

That's ok. Thank you for your advice. I think he would go to that if I ask. I told him I really don't care if I have multiples so no need to worry about that when it comes to the meds. I guess a lot of people do care. DH and I already talked about it and we would love twins. Whatever God gives us. I'll ask for the Gonal too if he asks me about injections.
All those symptoms sounds promising. FX

 

[KatO79]

I think he couldn't find the bigger on that he seen last time which is why he thinks maybe I could have O. The dose next month well be higher but I want to push for injections. He said if after 2 cycles with Femara I don't respond they normally do injections but if I had such a poor result maybe we can not waste my time and go right to them. Any suggestions on which ones have better success/not as many side effects?

FX for the 28th!!!

Yes if he insists on Femara then the dose should be higher.

I've been on Puregon with my doses increasing: IUI#1 was 50 IU, IUI#2 was 66 IU and IUI #3 was 75 IU. Have had 2 follicles each time and no problems in them growing at any time. Haven't really had any side-effects other than those ovary twinges and some slight breast pain. The common side-effects are:

Likely to affect 1 to 10 users in 100:
- Headache
- Injection site reactions (such as bruising, pain, redness, swelling and itching)
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) (think this is a risk with any injectable)
- Pelvic pain
- Stomach pain and/or bloating

I don't think there's any huge success differences between the FSH injectables as far as I know

Thanks

AFM I am feeling not great. I feel hungry and kinda sick and my nipples (tmi) are super sensitive. The build up of drugs in my system I think is just making everything so extreme compared to the femara cycle alone.

Here's hoping it's a sign of something more positive coming your way

 

[DBZ34]

I think he couldn't find the bigger on that he seen last time which is why he thinks maybe I could have O. The dose next month well be higher but I want to push for injections. He said if after 2 cycles with Femara I don't respond they normally do injections but if I had such a poor result maybe we can not waste my time and go right to them. Any suggestions on which ones have better success/not as many side effects?

FX for the 28th!!!

I'm on 5mg of Femara now and I got two follies out of it. I was thinking 2.5mg of Femara seemed really low. If he's not comfortable going straight to 7.5, 5 mg plus injectibles might do the trick.

Have you been doing opks since your last scan? I hope you didn't ov already!

I did Puregon, like Kat. I didn't have too many side effects other than bloating...and I think I was a little more hormonal/moody after the trigger when I was on it than I was this time. It did sting after DH injected me, but that might be the same with any injectibles.

But, I only took two doses of it, so I might not be the best judge.

IUI cost sucks for me as well. Cost 400 per session plus the drugs that don't have 100% coverage.

Stine, so sorry about the tests, I didn't see the comments before.
See if you can get 7.5mg at least Instead of the 5mg, I found it really get mine fast and large. But I only got one follicle with femara both times.
I found Gonal was ok until the last two days, then I became a raging psycho but again they had me on a high dose of both femara and Gonal F. I did end up growing 12 follicles, four viable though so I guess my crazy was worth it ...? If I get pregnant I will highly recommend it.

Glad DH is on board and the family dinner wasn't as bad as you expected.

AFM I am feeling not great. I feel hungry and kinda sick and my nipples (tmi) are super sensitive. The build up of drugs in my system I think is just making everything so extreme compared to the femara cycle alone.

Myshel! Those symptoms! I'm feeling super hopeful for you right now!!

 

[Myshelsong]

So this is the longest tww of my life, how about my IUI buddies?

I am trying to think of distractions to keep me motivated instead of crazy.
Taking my Dog to the vet tomorrow, picking up medication for my cat, finishing the living room paint job - one coat left of half of the wall - making a picture album online for the year 2014... this one is going to take a few days I am very very particular with photo albums.

Making Jerk Pork tonight, excited about something spicy to eat and not the boring usuals.
What are you guys doing?

 

[KatO79]

So this is the longest tww of my life, how about my IUI buddies?

I am trying to think of distractions to keep me motivated instead of crazy.
Taking my Dog to the vet tomorrow, picking up medication for my cat, finishing the living room paint job - one coat left of half of the wall - making a picture album online for the year 2014... this one is going to take a few days I am very very particular with photo albums.

Making Jerk Pork tonight, excited about something spicy to eat and not the boring usuals.
What are you guys doing?

How did the 2nd coat end up looking? Was it better? Hope your pets are ok, why does your dog need to go to the vet? And what medication is your cat on? Our cat should go in for her yearly check-up, especially since she has a very, very mild heart condition (she isn't even on meds - yet).

Hasn't been so bad this time, I've had plenty of earring projects these few days although I'll not have many tomorrow and I'm 10 dpiui today Maybe I should get started on making that photo album of our trip to Russia during last summer I keep procrastinating because of all the pictures I need to sort through Doesn't make it easier that I hate just about every picture of me The only pics I like of myself are my wedding pictures

Sound like a meal for DH I don't know what we'll be having tonight though. I'm a pescetarian so that makes meals complicated here as we need to either make 1 meal we can agree on (either with fish or a vegetarian meal) or 2 separate meals if DH really wants meat Last night we ended up with a salmon omelet

 

[Myshelsong]

The Cat has really bad cat stomatitis, which is a painful inflammation of the gums. Poor guy, we had his back teeth already removed, but it did not help so we are doing a round of antibiotics and possibly will be taking out the front teeth. he will need kitty dentures soon

The dog is just her routine vaccinations, nothing is wrong with her hopefully except that I need to walk her more.

Paint looks great, i am finally happy with the colour choice. Thinking about the kitchen next, but that will be in awhile - few years at least - as we will be doing the counter tops and back splash as well. No point in painting before that stuff gets picked out.

You need to post some pictures of your earrings! I will post pictures of my paintings and we can have a share our craft day lol!

 

[KatO79]

The Cat has really bad cat stomatitis, which is a painful inflammation of the gums. Poor guy, we had his back teeth already removed, but it did not help so we are doing a round of antibiotics and possibly will be taking out the front teeth. he will need kitty dentures soon

The dog is just her routine vaccinations, nothing is wrong with her hopefully except that I need to walk her more.

Paint looks great, i am finally happy with the colour choice. Thinking about the kitchen next, but that will be in awhile - few years at least - as we will be doing the counter tops and back splash as well. No point in painting before that stuff gets picked out.

You need to post some pictures of your earrings! I will post pictures of my paintings and we can have a share our craft day lol!

Awww poor kitty, hugs to him Sounds like he'll be on a purely wet food diet then if you need to take his front teeth out

Glad to hear your dog is fine though and it's just a routine appointment

Hmmm I do have a few pics on my mobile but have made a few more earrings since. So I'll need to have another photo shoot with the new ones first We should do that one day though The only thing is I'm not sure I know how to post pics on here

 

[Stine]

Heard back from the RE. Progesterone showed I HAVE NOT O'ed yet I restarted the Femara at 5mg today for 5days and will have ANOTHER US on Monday. I haven't been doing the OPK this month because I figured I was being monitored why worry Plus they didn't say I should. Guess I will at this point. The nurse said that restarting the meds will stop me from O'ing and since there were no signs of O happening anytime soon they are not too concerned. I also was told that they have a lot of woman that start this med and this happens. The eggs kinda stop and need to be "restarted" midcycle Would have been nice to know this before I went in and lost my mind thinking I was doing something wrong. DH is so happy we didn't miss it. He has been on "standby" too so it's nice to relax for a few days knowing we still have a chance

 

[KatO79]

Heard back from the RE. Progesterone showed I HAVE NOT O'ed yet I restarted the Femara at 5mg today for 5days and will have ANOTHER US on Monday. I haven't been doing the OPK this month because I figured I was being monitored why worry Plus they didn't say I should. Guess I will at this point. The nurse said that restarting the meds will stop me from O'ing and since there were no signs of O happening anytime soon they are not too concerned. I also was told that they have a lot of woman that start this med and this happens. The eggs kinda stop and need to be "restarted" midcycle Would have been nice to know this before I went in and lost my mind thinking I was doing something wrong. DH is so happy we didn't miss it. He has been on "standby" too so it's nice to relax for a few days knowing we still have a chance

Yay Stine

They really should've told you that so you wouldn't worry if it happened I was sure though that it was most definitely not your fault You can't control how your body reacts to meds.

Here's hoping those eggs are getting nice and big now and there are no further mishaps