LTTTC | Unexplained Infertility | Failed Fertility Treatments | Going Au Naturale

[Irish_eyes]

Hello everyone

There maybe a thread already on here like this one so sorry if there is but I thought it would be nice to have support from others in similar situations. I have been labeled with the dreaded "unexplained infertility" and did my free NHS IVF back in 2012 with a :BFN:. Unfortunately we don't have the funds for another round so we are left with going it natural and hoping for a miracle. I thought it would be good if those in similar situations could give each other support such as what they are doing differently etc. I find that although those going through AC have a little bit of hope but for those of us that can't it feels as if there isn't hope left. Hope that doesn't sound bad.

I have been on and off trying but back at it now. I am back using CBFM, temping and OPKs so I can get to know my cycle again. Hopefully in time I can do away with all these.

I take Bromocriptine (for high prolactin), baby aspirin, EPO for 1st half of cycle, prenatals, Folic acid and I am currently following Slimming World. I am also looking into implementing gluten free when I can. I did a bit of reading on this and it said that it could be linked with UF. Who knows it's worth trying. I am also a runner so the exercise bit is sorted.

Sad to have you here but looking forward to getting to know and providing some support. xxx

 

[popchick75]

I'm in the same situation. Done with treatments....we've been through them all with not one BFP. I'm back to just trying to BD at the correct time. This cycle i'm using progesterone cream. There was an interesting thread on here (i can find it if you're interested) from a woman who was LTTTC and had some luck with it. Her treatment story was just about identical to mine. What she did different tho was to use it on CD1 and 2 in addition to the TWW. It delayed ovulation and gave her eggs a few more days to mature (she was an early ovulater). 11dpo and nothing to show for it so far but some side effects from the cream. I really shouldn't expect anything after all of this time, but i suppose a few 'hail marys' won't hurt

 

[Briss]

popchick75, it's so interesting what you say about progesterone cream, I am constantly looking for ways to delay my O and extend my cycle. My FSH is high and I tend to O on CD11, EPO helps sometimes to delay O until CD 12-14 but it does not work every time. I tried Chinese medicine but it only made my cycle shorter to 24 days. I am trying a different practitioner at the moment.

Irish_eyes, "unexplained" is really hard, I am sure you have done every known test to figure out what's wrong

We had 2 failed IVF probably due to my FSH I am a poor responder but I am hoping to get NHS funding for our 3rd cycle which seems unlikely considering high FSH and is taking months and months of waiting. I am struggling with it. We have low sperm count issues so TTC naturally just seems so hopeless. although most recently my DH finally agreed to see a urologist and is undergoing hormonal treatment.

natural BFP would be wonderful, I heard so many stories of ladies getting failed IVF and ended up getting pregnant naturally. I've tried so many things naturally before we reverted to IVF but nothing seemed to work for us. I'd be very interested in hearing what you are trying ladies.

At the moment I am trying to improve my egg quality with protein diet, vitamins (coq10, inosinol, folate, vit D, vit E, fish oil, vits C (after O), pregnacare), various super foods, acu (helps bring blood to reproductive organs), moderate exercise (swimming), alkaline herbal teas (ginger/lemon, mate, red bush)

 

[popchick75]

popchick75, it's so interesting what you say about progesterone cream, I am constantly looking for ways to delay my O and extend my cycle. My FSH is high and I tend to O on CD11, EPO helps sometimes to delay O until CD 12-14 but it does not work every time. I tried Chinese medicine but it only made my cycle shorter to 24 days. I am trying a different practitioner at the moment.

Irish_eyes, "unexplained" is really hard, I am sure you have done every known test to figure out what's wrong

We had 2 failed IVF probably due to my FSH I am a poor responder but I am hoping to get NHS funding for our 3rd cycle which seems unlikely considering high FSH and is taking months and months of waiting. I am struggling with it. We have low sperm count issues so TTC naturally just seems so hopeless. although most recently my DH finally agreed to see a urologist and is undergoing hormonal treatment.

natural BFP would be wonderful, I heard so many stories of ladies getting failed IVF and ended up getting pregnant naturally. I've tried so many things naturally before we reverted to IVF but nothing seemed to work for us. I'd be very interested in hearing what you are trying ladies.

At the moment I am trying to improve my egg quality with protein diet, vitamins (coq10, inosinol, folate, vit D, vit E, fish oil, vits C (after O), pregnacare), various super foods, acu (helps bring blood to reproductive organs), moderate exercise (swimming), alkaline herbal teas (ginger/lemon, mate, red bush)

Here is the thread I was on:

https://babyandbump.momtastic.com/secondary-infertility/2100035-endo-ttc-help.html

Read the posts by Milty. Her story also involves endo, but she didn't have it until recently. Read what she has to say about immature eggs. Very interesting!

 

[Briss]

popchick, thanks! that's very interesting. I am actually beginning to think that my short cycles are due to a lap I had in 2012 because that's when it all started. before that my cycles were 25-29 (mostly 26-27) days and after 22-28 (mostly 25). not sure if it's possible to fix this. I was told today that using EPO to delay O may not be a good thing cos apparently it reduces progesterone.

 

[Irish_eyes]

Hi ladies, thanks for responding. My only hope is a miracle to be honest. When I did my IVF I didn't respond too well either. At the beginning they had me on a high dose of injections and I was feeling something working inside but as soon as I had to drop the doss, nothing. We got two eggs and both fertilised and both were transferred at 3dpt. They both were only 4 cell and I knew there was no hope. At my review I was told my eggs where old as one embryo would not have made a pregnancy. I had ask about a test for DH sperm (not a SA but something I can't remember) and basically was told my eggs are old. My cycle is 29-32 days long and I am a late ovulator. I think it ranges from 15-19. I always though late ovulation could be a problem too.

That link is quite interesting popchick.

I had a private appointment before my IVF and I was told that a lap test can cause all sorts of problems so I was never given one. I had a HSG which seem to be fine. Although my sister who is 42 had an op about 2 years because she severe endo. They never mentioned it to me at all.

At the moment ladies I am taking Bromocriptine as I have high prolactin, prenatal, extra Folic acid, baby aspirin, EPO first half of cycle and sometimes fish oils. I have looked into coq10 but seems quite expensive for the one that is meant to be good. I have also started using softcups and eliminating gluten from my diet.

 

[Irish_eyes]

Apologies ladies I type my post above with my phone and you know how predictive can be

 

[popchick75]

I was told the same thing about a lap: if the hsg is clear, then it is best not to do it because it can cause scar tissue and make things worse.

 

[Bluebearmummy]

Hi everyone...new to this so hope this is the right place to be writing!

Anyway me and my partner having being trying to conceive baby #2 for 20months now with no luck, we have both had tests etc an we have 'unexplained infertility' I feel so frustrated with not having answers as to Why we can't conceive! Each month is getting harder and harder and so upsetting! Anyone else in this situation? Anything your trying to help etc? Thanks x x x

 

[mandi21a]

I would urge you all to look into TCM, traditional Chinese medicine with acupuncture - 21 months with unexplained, every test was fine... Chinese doctor asked me to give him 4 months, 3 rd month BFP...
It is combo of herb tea with acupuncture and I attribute 100% of this pregnancy to him, please look into it !

 

[Irish_eyes]

Hi mandi21a, I was going to make an appointment with an acu practitioner. How often did you go? It's quite expensive so I can only do once a month.

 

[Wish4another1]

Everyone - thought I would join in. You can see in my signature ALL of our issues. We truly need a miracle. We have refused IUI and IVF so we are all natural and praying for a miracle.
I take Fertilaid, DHEA, and Ubiquinol as well as an additional vitex (except during AF)... I don't even feel O pains unless I take DHEA. I assume that is because of my super low AMH and my ovaries behave like they are 90...
I swing between hope and dispair... Very sad to think my husband will not have biological kids... Just have to keep trying...

to all of you!!

 

[mandi21a]

Hi Irish_eyes, I don't want to discourage you by saying I went twice a week! that is what he recommended for me... After my first whole month I got hesitant and switched to once a week (it really does get expensive,) the third month I met with a fertility doctor that I was on the waiting list to see... Spent 500 on another sperm test (which I never even got the results for) and his solution was I needed IUI for 500, I really didn't want to go the medical intervention route, so I decided to go ALL IN with the TCM doctor again, so 2x a week for my third (and last ) month... I figure, I was either spending it on tcm or iui.
If you are getting the herbs, pills and tea I would say you are fine to do once a month if that's really your limit. or maybe if you can go twice for your first month? To kick start it, Then on to once/month-
It's really about internal healing, so follow the diet restrictions, take the herbs even though you want to gag, and relax ! (As much as you can )

 

[mandi21a]

Wish4another1 : have you looked into or trying TCM/Acupuncture? It might be something worth discussing with a TCM practitioner as it can help egg quality and sperm quality if the both of you attend... It's something worth trying, and at the very least it WILL de-stress you, put you in a much better state of mind and help with ailments you thought were 'normal' (ie, my hair doesn't fall out in handfuls in the tub like is has my whole life, I don't sweat at night anymore, and MUCH LESS MOODY! .. The list goes on).

 

[mandi21a]

... Funny Little side story, he asked me not to try for the first 2-3 months, of course I said Ok... But sneakily tried the first month, after ovulation I went in for my treatment, he felt my pulse and said "are you suree you didn't try this month?...It feels like you did" -that's when I was sold, he could feel that we were trying.... The next month I didn't try, legitimately though lol (which was crazzzy hard) and by the third he said was strong enough to try

 

[Wish4another1]

I tried two sessions and I ended up getting really bad vertigo for 5 weeks... Not really wanting todo that again - thanks though

 

[Irish_eyes]

Mandi21a - I have done it! I have booked an appointment for the 24th which is just free consultation and acu. He said that then we will know the best course of action. I am very worried in case he says twice a week too but I would not be able to afford that as it £35 per session. I don't know I could maybe do once a week, I just have to see how much DH makes as he is self employed.

I wish I could have booked it sooner but I have other commitments and weekends seem to be the only option for me at the moment.

Wish4another1 - do you have vertigo problems initially or did the acu just bring this on?

 

[Wish4another1]

I never had vertigo until I took two days of Chinese herbs - the lady wanted me to take for a "cleanse" - I never went back...

 

[10yearsago]

Hi Irish_eyes, I don't want to discourage you by saying I went twice a week! that is what he recommended for me... After my first whole month I got hesitant and switched to once a week (it really does get expensive,) the third month I met with a fertility doctor that I was on the waiting list to see... Spent 500 on another sperm test (which I never even got the results for) and his solution was I needed IUI for 500, I really didn't want to go the medical intervention route, so I decided to go ALL IN with the TCM doctor again, so 2x a week for my third (and last ) month... I figure, I was either spending it on tcm or iui.
If you are getting the herbs, pills and tea I would say you are fine to do once a month if that's really your limit. or maybe if you can go twice for your first month? To kick start it, Then on to once/month-
It's really about internal healing, so follow the diet restrictions, take the herbs even though you want to gag, and relax ! (As much as you can )

mandi21a...This is my 3rd week seeing a TCM and I am going 2x per week as well and he has me on herbal pills, nothing else though. What else did they give you? I asked him about tea and he really did not have anything to offer me. But I have read many say that they are given tea and herbs. I assumed the pills he gave me were the herbs that I need to take since they say herbal pills on them.

 

[10yearsago]

mandi21a...This is my 3rd week seeing a TCM and I am going 2x per week as well and he has me on herbal pills, nothing else though. What else did they give you? I asked him about tea and he really did not have anything to offer me. But I have read many say that they are given tea and herbs. I assumed the pills he gave me were the herbs that I need to take since they say herbal pills on them.