Spotting week before AF every month - anyone else?

[MrsPTTC]

Hi ladies,

Thanks for the link Nell

Just to update you, I saw the doctor on wednesday, I'm going for a blood test on tuesday to get my thyroid checked, I looked up the symptoms and seem to have loads, though they're mild. I know it sounds stupid but I hope it is low so I can get on some medication. My BFF has an underactive thyroid and when she told the doc she was TTC he upped her dosage and she got pg first cycle - it may have nothing to do with the meds though... I'm also picking up a pot & instructions for a test tomorrow, we're off all week (big 3-0 on wednesday ) so we'll do it one morning. The Dr said though for any investigations for the woman you have to be trying 16 months!! I thought it's usually 12 when you're over 30?! . Hopefully we wont get to that stage but if we do I think I might be telling a few fibs to get seen..
1st cycle off the AC and I've ovulated nice and early, well I got a nice positive OPK today and big blobs of EWCM, so I expect to ovulate tomorrow or tuesday . Hope everyone is doing ok xx

 

[yum]

hello all

nell - how r u feeling dear ? sorry abt the witch hope u got ur af by now ! i'm not sure abt meds but u can try hot pack ( i use original bed buddy & it helps to some xtent) u can try just pressing ur heel part of the foot with ur thumb & forefinger/index on either side of heel ( forming a c from back of heel) just press on both heels.it is supposed to have a pressure point which helps cramps..u can try a yoga pose.. with ur knees on floor sit back on ur heels (nail side of all fingers on floor) then bend slowly so that ur forehead touches the floor now, place ur palms on floor on sides & breath in & out a couple of times then get back to sitting on heels.. i do these & they help to some xtent( i think).i cant take meds so all these ! hope u feel better soon & get ur scope on wed according to plan ! i know wat u mean by endo..i always think abt it during spotting & cramps & hence wanted a lap !

mrshy - that's gud news abt clomid & everything luks in perfect order 4r the next cycle ! i hope u dont have to use clomid though ! fx 4r ya !

mrspttc- hope u'll find some ans with everythin..i know wat u mean by being it low so that u can fix it.. i'm not sure if u r having just TSh but to get accurate results u need to get the t4,t3 supposedly ! its gud idea to get ur DH tests too ! its gud that u o'd nice & early ! time to get busy !

happyshopper - wats going on with u dear ? long time since any updates ? fx 4r ya !

 

[Morticia]

Hi girlies

Just checking in with some good news - I'm 10dpo so far and have had NO spotting!!! wow, first month ever! I usually get it from 6dpo and AF arrives on 10 or 11dpo. I don't know yet if it could be down to a BFP (seems like a pipe dream by now!) and I won't be testing til Saturday anyway if that is the case (at 15dpo) - but one massive difference could be the vitamin B6 I've been taking 100mg a day for a month now. Keep you posted! and don't give up hope!!! xxx

 

[MrsPTTC]

Hi girlies

Just checking in with some good news - I'm 10dpo so far and have had NO spotting!!! wow, first month ever! I usually get it from 6dpo and AF arrives on 10 or 11dpo. I don't know yet if it could be down to a BFP (seems like a pipe dream by now!) and I won't be testing til Saturday anyway if that is the case (at 15dpo) - but one massive difference could be the vitamin B6 I've been taking 100mg a day for a month now. Keep you posted! and don't give up hope!!! xxx

Thanks Morticia, good luck & sending you lots of x

 

[MrsPTTC]

hello all

nell - how r u feeling dear ? sorry abt the witch hope u got ur af by now ! i'm not sure abt meds but u can try hot pack ( i use original bed buddy & it helps to some xtent) u can try just pressing ur heel part of the foot with ur thumb & forefinger/index on either side of heel ( forming a c from back of heel) just press on both heels.it is supposed to have a pressure point which helps cramps..u can try a yoga pose.. with ur knees on floor sit back on ur heels (nail side of all fingers on floor) then bend slowly so that ur forehead touches the floor now, place ur palms on floor on sides & breath in & out a couple of times then get back to sitting on heels.. i do these & they help to some xtent( i think).i cant take meds so all these ! hope u feel better soon & get ur scope on wed according to plan ! i know wat u mean by endo..i always think abt it during spotting & cramps & hence wanted a lap !

mrshy - that's gud news abt clomid & everything luks in perfect order 4r the next cycle ! i hope u dont have to use clomid though ! fx 4r ya !

mrspttc- hope u'll find some ans with everythin..i know wat u mean by being it low so that u can fix it.. i'm not sure if u r having just TSh but to get accurate results u need to get the t4,t3 supposedly ! its gud idea to get ur DH tests too ! its gud that u o'd nice & early ! time to get busy !

happyshopper - wats going on with u dear ? long time since any updates ? fx 4r ya !

Lol I have no idea what TSh or T4 or T3 is but I will ask the nurse! Thanks I've had to change my appt to next Monday now, but I've picked up the sample bottle & will be getting DH tested on Friday, FX'd everything is ok! x

 

[happyshopper]

Hi Yum,
I'm fine thanks, hope you are too. As always, my spotting went to full blown AF. Now I'm just waiting for the to naff off. I'm going to the doctors this month to get my hormones checked out xxx
Great news Morticia, FX the spotting stays away xxx
MrsPTTC, good luck with the results and I hope you get some answers and good news xxx

 

[MrsHY]

Hi girlies

Just checking in with some good news - I'm 10dpo so far and have had NO spotting!!! wow, first month ever! I usually get it from 6dpo and AF arrives on 10 or 11dpo. I don't know yet if it could be down to a BFP (seems like a pipe dream by now!) and I won't be testing til Saturday anyway if that is the case (at 15dpo) - but one massive difference could be the vitamin B6 I've been taking 100mg a day for a month now. Keep you posted! and don't give up hope!!! xxx

Ah I'm keeping everything crossed for you Morticia!! That's great news - even if it isn't a BFP (but am obviously hoping it is!!). I've been too scared to try B6 again - the first month I introduced it I ovulated really late. But I could be tempted again if it's worked for you. LET US KNOW! x

 

[karithomp6774]

Hi girlies

Just checking in with some good news - I'm 10dpo so far and have had NO spotting!!! wow, first month ever! I usually get it from 6dpo and AF arrives on 10 or 11dpo. I don't know yet if it could be down to a BFP (seems like a pipe dream by now!) and I won't be testing til Saturday anyway if that is the case (at 15dpo) - but one massive difference could be the vitamin B6 I've been taking 100mg a day for a month now. Keep you posted! and don't give up hope!!! xxx

Wow, that's great news! I am also 10 dpo and haven't started spotting yet. I am holding my breath because I started spotting last month at 10 dpo. I've just been getting white sticky cm and feeling crampy down there. Not sure if AF's on her way but it is a positive sign I have started spotting yet either! Good luck to you and hope the spotting and AF stay far away!

 

[MrsHY]

Any news ladies? Has AF stayed away so far, Morticia and Karithomp6774? x

 

[Morticia]

Any news ladies? Has AF stayed away so far, Morticia and Karithomp6774? x

Hi girlies
Thanks so much for thinking of me - some good news (so far...) I still have NO spotting or no sign of AF and I'm now 12dpo...also feeling very tired and tender in the tummy area. Not going to throw any wild parties just yet, as I'm very nervous about being disappointed, but at the moment I'm on a record - my LP is usually only 10 days, so I'm officially 'late', and I've literally never NOT spotted (if that makes sense) before. Plus my temps went up a little more today (only by 0.1 of a degree, but the past 12 days they've all been well above coverline). So I can't help being a little tiny bit optimistic...not testing til Saturday morning though, at 15dpo, with DH firmly by my side! will of course keep you posted and if by any chance it is good news (never thought it would happen to someone with such long cycles - have only had 4 or 5 AFs in last 9 months, and O so late - CD28/29...) I will be sharing all my secrets, tips and good luck with you all. lots of love and hugs and nerves xxx

 

[yum]

hello ladies

karimthomp & morticia - that's great news girls hope u get the bfp's real soon ! fx 4r ya !

mrshy- how have u been ? any positive updates ?

mrspttc- i guess its ur b'day today..happy b'day
i'm sorry if its not 2day ! tsh is thyroid stimulasting hormone by pitutary gland.t3,t4 produced by thyroid gland but not possible without tsh..i have a family history of thyroid & they always got t3,t4( mom had it 4r 20 yrs tll jan wen she got nrml levls & grand mom had it 4r 35 yrs till she passed away last yr)..i had tsh though..i guess most of them r ordered tsh..sorry if i confused u but i'm not sure abt the diff !

happyshopper- sorry abt af dear ! did u notice any change in spotting 4rm cream & maca this cycle ? u must be up 4r the day21 test ? did u get any cd3 tests ? hope everythin comes out as normal !

AFM, strted spoting mon..xpecting af on fri..bvits made my cycle longer i think..i was hoping to get af 2day or atleast 2mrw but if all goes accrdin to plan then its boring right ! i have been having little cramps since fri,more like ov pain..i have been having watery brown blood since mornin..can't wait to get full af ! little disappointed as i'm running out of options..thinking of trying prog cream this cycle but not sure yet !

 

[MrsPTTC]

hello ladies

karimthomp & morticia - that's great news girls hope u get the bfp's real soon ! fx 4r ya !

mrshy- how have u been ? any positive updates ?

mrspttc- i guess its ur b'day today..happy b'day
i'm sorry if its not 2day ! tsh is thyroid stimulasting hormone by pitutary gland.t3,t4 produced by thyroid gland but not possible without tsh..i have a family history of thyroid & they always got t3,t4( mom had it 4r 20 yrs tll jan wen she got nrml levls & grand mom had it 4r 35 yrs till she passed away last yr)..i had tsh though..i guess most of them r ordered tsh..sorry if i confused u but i'm not sure abt the diff !

happyshopper- sorry abt af dear ! did u notice any change in spotting 4rm cream & maca this cycle ? u must be up 4r the day21 test ? did u get any cd3 tests ? hope everythin comes out as normal !

AFM, strted spoting mon..xpecting af on fri..bvits made my cycle longer i think..i was hoping to get af 2day or atleast 2mrw but if all goes accrdin to plan then its boring right ! i have been having little cramps since fri,more like ov pain..i have been having watery brown blood since mornin..can't wait to get full af ! little disappointed as i'm running out of options..thinking of trying prog cream this cycle but not sure yet !

Thank you Yum! yes it was my birthday yesterday, I am now officially an older mother ha ha. Any updates from your end? What b-vits were you taking, was it a complex? This may be my next step, but gonna keep off the AC for a couple more months and see if it makes a difference before I start any more vits/herbs. Got DH for the SA tomorrow - scared! x

 

[MrsHY]

Hi everyone!
Happy birthday for yesterday MrsP!
Yum - AF finally came which was great because I was starting to worry this was the longest anovulatory cycle EVER. But because of the flipping spotting, I don't know whether to count yesterday (heavy spotting - a bit of flow?) or today (heavier flow) as day one of AF. And that's important because I'm supposed to start Clomid on day 2. So I don't know whether that's tonight or tomorrow night!
I think I'm going to err on the side of caution and go with tomorrow - because I've occasionally heard of women taking Clomid later in their cycles but never from day one. Also booked the ultrasound for a week tomorrow - when they'll hopefully see some follicles but not too many otherwise they'll stop my treatment...
Good luck to all xx

 

[yum]

mrspttc- that's how i felt wen i turned 30 & now i wish i could go back to that day hahaha ! hope everythinh goes well 2mrw ! gud luck !

mrshy- finally got ur af ! its funny how v wait 4r af's b/c many women don't want their af's( me too ) but during the spotting days i pray 4r af arrival & i'm so happy wen it finally strts
i'm no xpert but i think u shud count 2day as day1 b/c of heavy flow..gud luck with everything !

afm, no luck yet with full af ! tmi alert ! having more of watery maroon blood with tiny specs of tissue like clots ! its bad with the bvits ! i had this drop or two of blood earlier too but not so frequently..still little crampy ! hope the witch will come & embrace me real fast now ! lol

 

[karithomp6774]

Any news ladies? Has AF stayed away so far, Morticia and Karithomp6774? x

No, I started spotting on 11dpo-just one day later than last month I know AF will be here tomorrow since the spotting has turned from light brown to reddish brown. Oh well, maybe next month...Good luck to everyone else!

 

[MrsPTTC]

karithomp6774.

Well turns out you just drop the sample off & they send the results to your doctor in 2-3 weeks, so it'll be a bit of a waiting game. It was fun getting the into the pot this morning I tell you! x

 

[_Nell]

Morticia - any news? It sounds like you're having a good cycle, FX for you!

Karithomp - sorry your spotting started but 11dpo is pretty good, plenty of time for implantation not to be affected by your spotting at least.

Yum- I know what you mean, when my spotting starts I just want AF to hurry up as I always assume a BFP is out for that month, but not so, some people still spot then get a BFP. I tried B complex too, but only one cycle as it just made me O even earlier and my spotting was no different, I know ideally i should have given it a few cycles to see if it helps.

MrsHY, I too would count the heavy flow as day 1, like you say lots of people take clomid from day 2,3,4 or 5 in any case, but not day 1. Good luck with the ultrasound next week - let us know how it goes?
BTW, did you have to have a HSG or something to check on your tubes being clear before clomid? I'm just wondering if they give the tablets out first before the invasive dye tests or not?

MrsPTTC - belated birthay wishes . 2-3 weeks wait for an SA?! Ours was 4 days and that was nailbiting enough! Did they let you do the sample at home too? Ours had to be done in the hospital as they said they like to look at the sample within 30minutes of collection. Good luck with the results, I hope they're back sooner than 3 weeks for you.

AFM, well I had my hysteroscopy so that's done and out of the way. I have to wait now for the results of the biopsies, which may be a week or so and i'm trying not to worry about those as I guess it's just a precuation to test, right? I'm a bit unclear if my Dr managed to take the high level swobs or not (for infections). I didn't get to speak to her post op as I was in recovery, she just spoke to DH and said I was bleeding so she couldn't repeat the smear swob and i'll need to go back to my GP for that. I hope she got the other high level swobs though.
I go back to see her next week but she told my DH that my uterus looked ok, my fibroids aren't a problem for fertility and there were no polyps at all. She thinks the bleeding is likely a hormonal problem and would usually suggest going back onto the BCP . However as we're TTC she'll try give me some pills instead. I'm wondering if that's clomid, or progesterone supplements?

Anyway, I'm back to see her for my gynae review next week and hoping we can now draw a line under those spotting investigations and start to talk next steps and fertility treatment.

Babydust to all

 

[MrsPTTC]

Thanks Nell. Yes we did the sample at home then we had to keep it warm until we got to the testing centre & you had to get there within 90mins of ejeculation. I know 2-3 weeks is ridiculous considering they'll have been testing it straight away, surely it doesnt take that long to write to the doctor! My DH recently stopped smoking, but he wasn't a heavy smoker so I'm hoping it won't have affected his sperm too much, also, the Maca should be working it's magic now as we're onto month 4 of taking it. FX'd x

Ladies, it seems a lot of you are getting investigated and/or getting treatment for your spotting. How long have you had the spotting for, and how long have you been TTC for? My spotting is nowhere near as bad as yours, but my doc said I'll not be able to get looked at until we'd been trying 16 months, I did mention the spotting, but just in passing when I was trying to persuade her to check my thyroid... x

 

[MrsHY]

Hi all

Nell - good news about your uterus and lack of fibroids/polyps! And don't worry about the biopsies - I'm sure it's purely precautionary. Did they tell you what they were trying to rule out by doing them? Fingers crossed your appointment goes well next week and you get a good discussion going about your treatment options. Re me and a HSG - no, I didn't have to have one before starting Clomid. The policy at Kings is that they only offer them if the woman in question has had/thinks she could have had a STI at some point (apparently that's the main culprit for blocked tubes), or if the ultrasound showed something up (they can't see everything - but can often tell if there's an indication of a blockage).

Mrs PTTC - I demanded treatment more for my late ovulation and short luteal phase rather than the spotting - one GP and two fertility specialists have both told me now that spotting won't preclude a healthy pregnancy. But in my case, I was sure it couldn't be particularly good for my chances - given my whole LP is 8/9 days and I spot for 3-4 of them.

As for me, I decided that yesterday was cd2, so I popped my first Clomid tablet before bed last night! No symptoms yet other than that I woke up in the middle of the night VERY HOT - but then I had drunk a couple of large glasses of Pinot Noir and eaten a big steak dinner so who knows?!

much love all round x

 

[_Nell]

MrsPttc - I've been TTC 1 year and had the spotting every cycle from around 4dpo every cycle since, I also have some pain that coincides and short (22day) cycles with v light menses, so all in all not 'normal', plus we already knew I had fibroids since 2007. My GP only really got interested when she saw the spotting on an internal exam when i requested swobs, I think she was surprised at the sheer quantity of my 'spotting' really. I've also had 2 heavy red post coital bleeds and so really my spotting is being looked into as a gynae issue not fertility related. I have private insurance and it was a bit hairy (as they don't cover anything fertility related and know i'm ttc) but eventually we all agreed it should be looked into even if i wasn't ttc.
My first fertility appontment next week i'm doing off my own back (not NHS) purely because as part of the spotting saga investigations I've found out i don't have many eggs/much time left so I don't feel I *can* wait for the NHS tbh. I believe like you say the NHS aren't very interested until around the 18month mark, although some GP's say 12months.
I believe if you have a known issue like PCOS you would be seen/investigated much sooner.

MrsHy - thanks for the HSG info, I hope that's the same for me tbh as i've no history of STI and would like to avoid un-necessary proddling and poking. Re the biopsies, yes they did say it's for cancer and the uterine swobs are for infections (not sure which tbh). I'm not too worried tbh because the biopsies are just standard for abnormal bleeding, it's not like the dr. requested them because she saw anything odd. So FX!