TTC #1 at 35+

[Deb111]

I'm doing ok thanks girls - well, knowing the sort of person I am, I'm probably not really doing very well IYKWIM lol - I'm not like hubby who has the very sensible approach of "there's no point panicking until we know more" but for me it's all feeling quite numb and unreal at the moment which I guess is my body's way of coping ... so I guess I AM coping - in my own way - most of the time.

The appointment is approcahing fast so hopefuly we will get some more positive news then

Lola - hope the clomid does the job for you

Leilani - hope your FS appt comes through soon - do you have a time scale or know when you will get dh's results? Hopefully you wont need the appt after this 2WW

Hugs to you both

 

[Leilani]

OUr appointment is on May 18th - so just biding time til that comes.

It's been over 3 weeks since DH made his "deposit" - but we'ver heard nothing from his useless GP! I wanted the results, so if they were bad too, DH could have the more in-depth SA done at the FS before our appontment, so we don't have to wait again!

I really hope you get some positive news Deb, is it the Urologist appointment you're waiting for?

lola - will you be out of town doing something nice?

 

[Deb111]

OUr appointment is on May 18th - so just biding time til that comes.

It's been over 3 weeks since DH made his "deposit" - but we'ver heard nothing from his useless GP! I wanted the results, so if they were bad too, DH could have the more in-depth SA done at the FS before our appontment, so we don't have to wait again!

I really hope you get some positive news Deb, is it the Urologist appointment you're waiting for?

lola - will you be out of town doing something nice?

Can you not phone up and kick up a stink til you get the results?

Yes it's hubby's appt with the urologist on 12th May. At least your appt is nearly here hun and it does feel better to at least start the process of looking into the problems TTC xx

 

[Leilani]

I keep asking FH if he's rung up - and he says "I'll do it tomorrow". I think he's a bit scared to do it, he was upset the first time, but I said it could have been a one-off bad sample, whereas if this time the results are bad, then there is a real problem. His GP's practice is at the end of our road (200m), and the GP lives about 12 doors down, in the past he has left prescriptions and sample pots in our letterbox, so there is no reason (other than the GP being slack), why we haven't got the results yet.

I might send DH along after we've had our Saturday morning coffee.

 

[spacegirl]

Hello girls,

It's been v quiet here lately...Lacking baby dust too

Deb, I hope you are ok. I've got my fingers crossed for you.

leilani, I would go over to his house and ask! Why not?!

Lola, I'm sorry you are out this month. Sounds like you've got a plan togther of what to do next. In the meantime crack open a bottle of fizz and grab the smoked salmon (perks me up after AF shows).

As for me I got 2 peaks on the CBFM and a temp rise 48 hrs later which is good. But I've realised recently I may have major problems getting pregnant. 10 years ago i was diagnosed with mild to moderate endo. after a laproscopy. The light pains I was having was just ovulation pain/cyst as it turns out but they found a bit of endo too.

I don't have any problems pain and flow wise like some do with endo. so after feeling ill on the pill they gave me I stopped taking it and carried on life wthout problems. I've since read on web that it's a progessive disease with no cure so it could be worse inside me now (I have no pain/problems though). It can dramatically decrease chances of pregnancy even after ablation of the adhesions.

I'll have to stop myself reading stuff abt it on the web because it just brings me down and makes me feel like it's never going to happen. I've decided to do 2 more cycles (so I have more charts) then go doc and tell him abt TTC and endo. and poss get another lap. to see what damage there is.

It's so hard isn't it...?

 

[Deb111]

Thanks spacegirl

I think a lot of us have decided google CAN be a great tool but can also be fatal!

I've read about plenty of people with severe endo who have had healthy babies so there's no reason for you to believe you can't too

Hopefully the dr will be able to help if you need it and get another laproscopy done to put your mind at ease

Deb

 

[Leilani]

Evening Ladies.

Oh well, as expected the witch showed up bang on time (I could set my watch by her) this morning.

We finally got the SA results - DH picked them up on Monday after work, I'd forgotten that DH was going to ring on Monday, so was cooking dinner when he ran off down the street to collect them from the surgery. It should have taken him 3 minutes to get there and back, and I swear it felt like he was gone for ever (probably really only 6-8 minutes), so of course I was thinking the worst, and thought I'd have to go out and find him crying in the street!

To cut a long story short, the results were heaps better than the first sample (too low to count, some sperm seen), though they still aren't great - this is what the slip says:
Volume: 1 mL (2-6) AA
Viscosity: Normal
Total Motility: 40 % (50-100) AA
Rapid Progress:29% (25-100)
Slow Progress: 11%
Non-Progressive: 13%
Non-motile: 47%
Sperm concentration: 6 x10*6/mL (20-200) AA

We're assuming the figures in brackets are the normal range and so the AA indicates below normal. If this had been the first sample, I think we would have been a bit gutted, but to go from nearly nothing to this seems like a huge relief.

We are crediting this improvement to his new undies (boxers not briefs), maca (nature's viagra!!!) and Menevit (men's pre-natal multi vit). The latest SA was done 2 months into this regimen - and we all know sperm takes up to 90 days to mature. My DH is pretty healthy, exercises regularly, doesn't smoke, has maybe 2 beers a week and has always taken a men's multi-vit daily, and initially he wasn't convinced the expensive pills would make any different to his regular routine - he is now!

The question I have now is, should I give the Soy Isoflavones (work like clomid to help with ovulation) a rest for this cycle? We are seeing the fertility specialist 2 weeks from now, or should we give it a final shot? I'm thinking I should skip it - so if he does any blood tests (which I'm sure he will), I don't want the soy to give better results than my soy-less body would. So should we give it our best shot this month, which includes fully mature vitamin enriched sperm and the Soy or not?

 

[lola13]

That's a tough call, Leilani. I think I would opt for having the results show my natural state. Of course, keep trying even if you don't take the soy. You could be one of those BFP'ers that tell us to just relax & stop trying so hard

That's great news about the SA improvement. The vitamins say to expect results in 3 months, so it's really encouraging that he's already improving. Looking forward to hearing what the FS recommends. I've been spending time on the LTTTC boards and there are options to help us along if necessary.

 

[Deb111]

Great news about hubby's SA Leilani

I would say drop the soy this month so you get a true reading if FS does tests x

 

[Hope4BFP]

Hello lovely ladies! How are you all doing? I've not been on here much lately so there's lots of posts for me to catch up on, will be doing that later. Just wanted to say hello and that I have been thinking about you all

I did quickly scan through who has posting even though I have not read the content. Where is Lisa? Is she still busy with move? And Tracey, busy with the wedding? What about our pregnant ladies, Sam, Ella, Marie - hope you are all doing ok?

Will catch up with all the posts and be back later!!

Big (Bug for Lisa) hugs xx

 

[Deb111]

Hi girls

How's everyone doing? Hope those Mums to be are being well looked after

Thought I better stop "TTC#1 at 35+" from dropping off the first page!!

 

[Leilani]

Hi Deb - have been thinking about you and your DH and the urologist appointment. I'm keeping everything crossed that there's an easy fix (or even a hard fix, because a fix is better than nothing). Do you know what happens at the urologist? I haven't a clue! How are you going?

As for me, I've been ill for the past 6 days (sice AF showed up), with really bad gastric flu, I've never known cramps like it. I'm glad we puched out fs appointment back a week, I really don't think I could have stomached it today! Almost back to normal today, which is just in time to start BDing. Got a very dark low on my CBFM this am, don't think I've ever had one so low/dark! It'll be interesting to see when I ov this month without the soy.

Lisa, Lisa - are you out there???? She must have some news for us; house, puppies, engagement, bfp??

 

[Deb111]

Hi Deb - have been thinking about you and your DH and the urologist appointment. I'm keeping everything crossed that there's an easy fix (or even a hard fix, because a fix is better than nothing). Do you know what happens at the urologist? I haven't a clue! How are you going?

As for me, I've been ill for the past 6 days (sice AF showed up), with really bad gastric flu, I've never known cramps like it. I'm glad we puched out fs appointment back a week, I really don't think I could have stomached it today! Almost back to normal today, which is just in time to start BDing. Got a very dark low on my CBFM this am, don't think I've ever had one so low/dark! It'll be interesting to see when I ov this month without the soy.

Lisa, Lisa - are you out there???? She must have some news for us; house, puppies, engagement, bfp??

Hi Leilani

I was doing ok thanks, but with the urologist appt tomorrow, I haven't been doing great this week. feel sick and I'm snapping at everyone and the children at school are driving me mad (they seem very hyper at the moment).

I'm not sure what the urologist will do - a physical exam I think and maybe he will have more knowledge about what may be causing it and whether the thyroid problem or medication could be a factor?

I will update after appt tomorrow

Sorry you've been ill but glad you're feeling better. FX'd for you this month - it's about time we had some more 's in the group!

Deb xx

 

[Deb111]

Hope no one minds me just copying this from posting in another group, but I am so stresses I don't have the energy to re write it, so apologies if you see this in other places too)

Urology appt was pretty much a waste of time!

After the mess up last time of having the letter that said SA was 'normal' and then being told that was an error and he has azoospermia, we now turn up at appt with urologust to be told "it's a shame I don't have any blood test results to maybe give 'some' indication".

We pointed out that they took them at our last appt, so off he goes to see if they're on the system but just not in our file and guess what?! NOTHING! So either they've lost the results or the blood. So hubby had a quick examination - nothing to report, and urologist spent 10 mins asking age, medical history, blah blah blah (read our file!!), then nurse re-took the bloods and put him on waiting list for SSR in 3 to 4 months time and then RE-DID the bloods!

So now we have to go back in 3 weeks time for results of bloods! So we ask him what he thinks the odds are of finding sperm in cases like this and he says "with nothing to really go on, I'd have to say 50/50!"

Plus we were also told that my FSH level was a little high, which may be a natural fluctuation, but I have to have my CD3 bloods done again as it may suggest my egg reserves are low! It gets worse!

They are hardly filling me with confidence!

 

[Leilani]

Grrr Deb - I'm really cross for you - why do all these people who you put your trust in (well I guess it's the labs mainly) seem so incompetent. I'd have been spitting tacs.

Are you a teacher too? I told my class to "get on with it" this morning, as I'm in no mood to answer silly questions - luckily my other classes today are older and really can just get on with it today, with little intervention from me!

I got a high on my CBFM today after a prolonged period of lows - looking at the lines, I expect to get a peak tomorrow, the estrogen is almost invisable. Have gone without Soy this cycle, as we have the FS appointment tomorrow morning. If I tell him I'm about to ovulate, do you think he'll have a look and check my lining etc? Not sure what to expect really, it might just be a talk-fest or I might have to drop my knickers - not sure.

Am feeling a bit anxious about it, haven't slept well the past 2 nights. My GP told me my hormone levels were as expected for a 36 year old, but that they are in a range that may need intervention. I've no idea what this means (I never got the actual results), but I know the FS has them, so hopefully he can explain it all. We are taking DH's latest SA reults with us, as his GP is more than useless, and I don't for one minute imagine they have been forwarded to the FS, unless my GP did it.

Hellooo - is there anybody else out there???

 

[Deb111]

Grrr Deb - I'm really cross for you - why do all these people who you put your trust in (well I guess it's the labs mainly) seem so incompetent. I'd have been spitting tacs.

Are you a teacher too? I told my class to "get on with it" this morning, as I'm in no mood to answer silly questions - luckily my other classes today are older and really can just get on with it today, with little intervention from me!

I got a high on my CBFM today after a prolonged period of lows - looking at the lines, I expect to get a peak tomorrow, the estrogen is almost invisable. Have gone without Soy this cycle, as we have the FS appointment tomorrow morning. If I tell him I'm about to ovulate, do you think he'll have a look and check my lining etc? Not sure what to expect really, it might just be a talk-fest or I might have to drop my knickers - not sure.

Am feeling a bit anxious about it, haven't slept well the past 2 nights. My GP told me my hormone levels were as expected for a 36 year old, but that they are in a range that may need intervention. I've no idea what this means (I never got the actual results), but I know the FS has them, so hopefully he can explain it all. We are taking DH's latest SA reults with us, as his GP is more than useless, and I don't for one minute imagine they have been forwarded to the FS, unless my GP did it.

Hellooo - is there anybody else out there???

Hiya

Yes, I teach 5 and 6 yr olds and they can rarely ever just 'get on and leave me alone' although I do try occassionally! What do you teach?

I bet you're excited about getting things started with your appt tomorrow - make sure you update us tomorrow. At my first appt they took some bloods from me, made a load of notes about our medical history and then took some swabs and did a transvaginal scan. However, we hadn't had any tests done before we went so couldn't discuss hormone levels or hubby's SA results.

The best advice I can give you hun is to sit down tonight and write a list of things you want to ask - your mind will go blank tomorrow. I didn't do this at first appt and regretted it, but don't go in without my paper and pen anymore.

Hope you've had a good day xx

 

[lola13]

Hi girls, I'm here too! I had a little trouble finding the thread this time.

Leilani, if DH is going with you, it would be the perfect time to do IUI, although they may be unlikely to do it unplanned. I'm a little off with the time difference - was your appt today or tomorrow? Let us know what they said. Maybe you're joining me on clomid.

Deb, what CD are you on. Have you done the CD3 bloods?

AFM, I'm on my 2nd round of clomid, which I'm told has higher success than the first. I'm skeptical though that this comes from well-wishing fellow ttc'ers. I had my first peak on CBFM this morning and BD'd this AM and plan to again tomorrow AM. That's all we're doing this cycle - thought I'd save up the swimmers for the optimal time. You definitely feel ovulation on clomid - low back, tummy, literally sore ovaries. It's not comfortable but at least there's activity happening.

I know I haven't been as active on this thread, but I definitely want to be better at staying connected!

 

[Leilani]

Hi Deb - I wish I'd read your post earlier - I didn't have any questions to ask!

I was getting some bits of paper together this morning, which was lucky, as we had to take our passports to prove we're New Zealanders (so we get on the publicly funded list), I then read the leaflet they sent us 2 month ago and it said I'd have an internal ultra-sound scan done.

So as expected, I did get my peak on the CBFM this morning and told the FS and he asked which side I thought I'd OV from and I said left - so when he looked there was a 20mm folicle ready to pop on my left ovary (I actually think the right one is dud, I never feel anything on that side).

Anyway we met with the specialist - a very friendly, very good looking chap in his early 40s, and he took our history. I gave him DH's latest SA results, which he said whilst much better, probably not good enough to get pregnant - though he did say not low enough to say we don't ever need to use contraception again in the future. I was surprised that he didn't ask for another SA to be done, but I guess he knows that whilst DH is producing sperm, it'll probably never get into the 10s of millions, even with the vitamins. He said that in all honesty ICSI is the only way to go for us. We don't qualify for free treatment until we have been trying a year (August) and then the waiting list is 11 months after that - so nothing would happen til next July at the earliest, but if we go privately we can start in 2 weeks time (next CD1).

So DH and I have a lot to think about and of course the $$ side of things, but I expect if we don't start in 2 weeks time, it'llbe the cycle after. We were given lots of stuff to read and a dvd to watch and details of a financial plan, where you pay for 3 cycles, and if you don't get a baby after that, then you get 70% of your money back. The only negative things about this is, if you get pg on the first cycle, you've paid a lot for it, whereas if you get pg the second it's almost break even. Though with only 35% chance of it happenning first time and 85% after 3 tries, I think this is the way we'll go. Not sure where we'll get the cash from - though we have 2/3 of the cost on hand, so would only need to borrow part of it!

I'm sure there's more to add, but it's morning tea, then I have my restless year 11s. I teach business studies to 15-18 year olds, so in the main, they are great kids!

 

[Deb111]

Hi girls, I'm here too! I had a little trouble finding the thread this time.

Leilani, if DH is going with you, it would be the perfect time to do IUI, although they may be unlikely to do it unplanned. I'm a little off with the time difference - was your appt today or tomorrow? Let us know what they said. Maybe you're joining me on clomid.

Deb, what CD are you on. Have you done the CD3 bloods?

AFM, I'm on my 2nd round of clomid, which I'm told has higher success than the first. I'm skeptical though that this comes from well-wishing fellow ttc'ers. I had my first peak on CBFM this morning and BD'd this AM and plan to again tomorrow AM. That's all we're doing this cycle - thought I'd save up the swimmers for the optimal time. You definitely feel ovulation on clomid - low back, tummy, literally sore ovaries. It's not comfortable but at least there's activity happening.

I know I haven't been as active on this thread, but I definitely want to be better at staying connected!

Hi Lola

nice to see you

To be honest I have no idea what CD I'm on - I've given up bothering to count but I reckon CD1 will be next week sometime so will get the bloods done then.

FX'd for you ith the 2nd round of clomind xx

 

[Deb111]

Hi Deb - I wish I'd read your post earlier - I didn't have any questions to ask!

I was getting some bits of paper together this morning, which was lucky, as we had to take our passports to prove we're New Zealanders (so we get on the publicly funded list), I then read the leaflet they sent us 2 month ago and it said I'd have an internal ultra-sound scan done.

So as expected, I did get my peak on the CBFM this morning and told the FS and he asked which side I thought I'd OV from and I said left - so when he looked there was a 20mm folicle ready to pop on my left ovary (I actually think the right one is dud, I never feel anything on that side).

Anyway we met with the specialist - a very friendly, very good looking chap in his early 40s, and he took our history. I gave him DH's latest SA results, which he said whilst much better, probably not good enough to get pregnant - though he did say not low enough to say we don't ever need to use contraception again in the future. I was surprised that he didn't ask for another SA to be done, but I guess he knows that whilst DH is producing sperm, it'll probably never get into the 10s of millions, even with the vitamins. He said that in all honesty ICSI is the only way to go for us. We don't qualify for free treatment until we have been trying a year (August) and then the waiting list is 11 months after that - so nothing would happen til next July at the earliest, but if we go privately we can start in 2 weeks time (next CD1).

So DH and I have a lot to think about and of course the $$ side of things, but I expect if we don't start in 2 weeks time, it'llbe the cycle after. We were given lots of stuff to read and a dvd to watch and details of a financial plan, where you pay for 3 cycles, and if you don't get a baby after that, then you get 70% of your money back. The only negative things about this is, if you get pg on the first cycle, you've paid a lot for it, whereas if you get pg the second it's almost break even. Though with only 35% chance of it happenning first time and 85% after 3 tries, I think this is the way we'll go. Not sure where we'll get the cash from - though we have 2/3 of the cost on hand, so would only need to borrow part of it!

I'm sure there's more to add, but it's morning tea, then I have my restless year 11s. I teach business studies to 15-18 year olds, so in the main, they are great kids!

Glad your appt went well and nice to know he could confirm ovulation. Have you had any CD3 bloods done yet? I've lost track of your tests!

I'd like to go privately to be honest just to get the ball rolling, but hubby says I'm just being silly as the waiting time for his SSR is only 3 - 4 months and I don't think there is really an ICSI waiting list from what I've heard. If it turns out that there is then I shall insist we go provately cos of my age and the possible DOR. We don't have the money, but my parents have said they will pay for whatever we need - bless them!

How are you feeling about the ICSI? I guess it didn't come as too much of a shock to you as you knew there with issues with dh's SA. Yay - we can be ICSI buddies!!!