TTC#1 Natural or With Meds

[ILoveme29]

Hello everyone, first I would like to say sorry that any of us have to be going through such hard times trying to conceive our precious gifts from God. This journey is not easy

Just quickly about me I have been TTC for 21 months
I have PCOS and somewhat normal cycles but annovulatory
Ive done 2 rounds of clomid with no success
then femara w/iui ~ BFP but MMC is Aug.2015
then 5 more back to back iui's after that w/ no success
ive seen about 3 specialist, will be seeing a new one next week
took a break from Jan.2016 to now June.2016 due to no AF

Im currently taking Metformin 500mg Twice a day, prenatal vitamins and Vitamin D

I wanted to know what plan is everyone else taking or trying to get their BFP?
how long have you been trying?
Planning to try Natural or with Meds?

I would appreciate all who respond im kind of on the edge of losing hope. but I know giving up should not be an option when TTC

 

[PinkPokaDots]

TTC #2 natural. This is only my second month trying. We conceived #1 naturally right after an early miscarriage, we were trying for #1 for 4 months.
I am coming up on ovulation soon, and we have been having relations every other day so we don't miss anything. I take a daily prenatal, I use OPKs, check my cervix, and watch my CM to know when I'm most fertile. This month we are trying some new things. We are using preseed, and putting in a softcup afterwards. And I plan on eating pineapple core and brazil nuts from 1DPO-5DPO to help with implantation.
I'm sorry that this has been such a struggle for you... Even the short while we have been TTC has been extremely stressful. Hoping you get your BFP soon

 

[ILoveme29]

@PinkPokadots thank you for your response. wow your very lucky getting pregnant quite quickly. im guessing you have normal cycles?
I tried something similar to soft cups, which was called Stork. I had no success then either. my biggest problem is producing mature eggs. my eggs go up to about an 11mm and doesn't grow anymore due to PCOS.
ive heard of the pineapples I think i will try that next time.
wishing you the best of luck this month for your BFP

 

[PinkPokaDots]

I had normal predictable cycles before my son. They haven't been quite as normal since having him, but the last three months I've had a 30-31 day cycle consistently. So I'm hoping this is my new normal (I used to be 28 days).

 

[arturia]

Have you tried a low carb diet? You made no mention of this in your list of things you've tried. Basically, since PCOS increases (or is a side effect of) insulin resistance, a diet low in carbs (any diet for diabetics) is helpful in managing symptoms and increasing the odds you'll O on your own. Another thing you haven't mentioned is your weight. Especially due to the built-in insulin resistance, women with PCOS have a tendency to become overweight. Dropping lbs if you are over would also do well to help with BOTH the insulin resistance and fertility. As an added bonus, I've read that clomid's effectiveness is also limited by extra weight, so if you still can't O on your own after all that, you might have better luck with clomid.

Please note that it's very possible to be PCOS and normal weight, so I make no assumptions here, but that weight and PCOS have a complicated relationship. (It's actually kind of a chicken-and-egg one since the last research I read wasn't sure if obesity caused PCOS or if PCOS caused obesity. )

In either case, if you haven't tried it yet, try it!

 

[ILoveme29]

@Pinkpokadots that's sounds promising and yes average 30 days is still pretty close to normal. fx to you please keep me posted. what type of O predictor kits do you use? I have only tried digital in the past because im not too sure of how to read them. im on CD6 right now hopefully I see an O this month just for the heck of it. mind as well try anyway lol.

@Arturia im sorry your right I forgot to mention I switched my diet in the past month I came down from 183lbs to 173lbs, my Doc is very happy about that. I no longer drink juice. just tea and water. no bread, no pasta no junk food. been eating a lot of fruits and veggies. my doc told me to stop juicing because of the sugar after the fruits are blended. and no I tried clomid when I was only 165lbs still didn't work. my physicians say im not obese im not big at all lol, which is a reason y they were confused of my PCOS, but there are many factors. I was told the only issue is my egg growth. any who im still losing weight anyway to help. Your absolutely right it is very tricky and hard to keep up with as well. thank you so much for your response.

 

[PinkPokaDots]

I use the internet cheapies OPK and HCG tests that I ordered off of Amazon

 

[sarah2211]

My DH and I are on our 8th month TTC 1 so I imagine we are just where you were when you a while ago. I have PCOS but I get a temp rise without medications so I'm thinking I ovulate naturally. I'm taking Metformin, same dose as you and waiting to see a specialist in the next month or so. I'm not sure what the next step will be, especially as I'm already ovulating. I'm not overweight either

I'm really so sorry it's been a rough journey for you. I bet you've been through all hell of emotions and through something you never thought you would. Good luck, all the best and I really hope it happens for you soon!

 

[ILoveme29]

Hello @Sarah do you have normal cycles as well?, and yes its been a very difficult journey including the loss I had. I couldn't even try for the past couple of months due to not even having AF. I was given provera just to make my cycle start.

I believe after you have tried for atleast a year naturally with no success. RE will move forward with performing different tests to rule out reasons that could potentially stop you from getting pregnant. Have you ever had an HSG done? or any kind of monitoring?

 

[BelleNuit]

I'm so sorry about your loss and the incredible struggle you have had so far! I don't have pcos or any fertility related problems that I'm aware of, but we've been trying actively since December (and NTNP for November) with no luck. There was one cycle that was only 17 days long where I spotted the whole way through and my temps were really high and wacky. I sometimes wonder if it was an anovulatory cycle or if it was a miscarriage. I suppose it doesn't much matter, either way I still have no baby

This month we are trying a bunch of different supplements for both DH and myself, and we are making some progress on lifestyle changes. I know it can take a few months for all of that to work out, so I'm trying not to get too disappointed if it doesn't happen right away.

I'm getting really scared we may end up with unexplained infertility. I would be completely 100% willing to try meds if they would help.

 

[sarah2211]

Yes my cycles seem to be regular. Recently they've been around the 36-37 day mark with ovulation occurring around CD 22-23. I'm currently waiting to see a gynecologist/fertility specialist. I've only had blood tests to suggest PCOS and scans that I had a few years showed no cysts but I was on the pill at the time. I'm not overweight but have a couple of other symptoms.

In terms of tests, I've had two CD21 tests and a full hormone panel which showed low progesterone, low estrogen and high androgens. My DH is doing an SA and we should hopefully be seeing the specialist next month. I was expecting to wait at least until we were at the 1 year mark. I live in a country with a good public health system, but often you have to wait, especially if you're not urgent. So we are very lucky to be getting in this quickly. However just because we have an appointment doesn't mean we will get any answers or help.

That is frustrating. I'm glad you got provera to start your cycles. It must be so frustrating to not even be able to try. Will you go back to IUI?

 

[ILoveme29]

thank you @belleNuit what are you taking? any certain vitamins?. my DH is taking Geritol we have read on it and its suppose to increase the sperm. not that he has any issues but we both want to make an effort. I was thinking of taking it myself along with Vitex. I plan on starting that this weekend. it does take a little while for your body to adjust to new supplements so I rather start as soon as possible. Have you seen a specialist?

 

[ILoveme29]

@sarah your lab result are very similar to mines. my testosterone levels are triple the high. and its so odd I have a squeaky voice, no access hair on my body actual nothing that would show physically. but oh boy it shows when it comes to trying to conceive. I wish there was a easy way to reverse it. and I believe I had my MC due to low progesterone and RE didn't pit me on supplements until my 5th week baby's heart stopped at 7 weeks4 days.

im not exactly sure yet I go to see a new specialist on Monday. I pray she will be able to help since she will be the fourth person im seeing in the past two years.

Good luck to you and hubby when seeing the specialist. my advice to you is be prepared with any questions u may have before time. I find I have more questions after I have already left the office so now I write them down.

 

[BelleNuit]

thank you @belleNuit what are you taking? any certain vitamins?. my DH is taking Geritol we have read on it and its suppose to increase the sperm. not that he has any issues but we both want to make an effort. I was thinking of taking it myself along with Vitex. I plan on starting that this weekend. it does take a little while for your body to adjust to new supplements so I rather start as soon as possible. Have you seen a specialist?

I had been taking B6, calcium, vitamin D and a prenatal. I added maca root, fish oils and vitamin C

Got zinc, vitamin C, fishoils and a multivitamin for DH.

I haven't heard of Geritol, I think that is really sweet that he wants to help out with the process however he can!

I haven't seen a specialist yet. Waiting till the 12th cycle. I still have a little bit of hope supplements & cutting back on bad habits will be the trick for us eventually.

 

[ILoveme29]

I think that is a fair amount of time, fx for you. what exactly does NTNP mean? ( im sorry kinda late with that I know lol)

 

[BeraBee]

Hi and I am so sorry to hear about your struggles! Hope, positive thinking, and support is all that matters to succeed.

Have you heard about agnus castus? I have pcos but we havent been trying for a long time. I came across that name, did some research and ordered it. For some women with pcos it seems to work, but not for others.

 

[ILoveme29]

@BeraBee thank you and welcome!

I did in fact hear about it as well as vitex its on a list of things you can take to help with hormone balance and Ovulation induction. I wish you an easy journey. even with PCOS it varies of course from person to person. how long have you been trying if u don't mind me asking? and any specific things your doing to monitor your O

 

[BelleNuit]

I think that is a fair amount of time, fx for you. what exactly does NTNP mean? ( im sorry kinda late with that I know lol)

It means not trying not preventing. Basically we stopped using preventative measures but weren't specifically timing BD either.

 

[ILoveme29]

@Belle thank you I kept seeing it but was afraid to ask lol

Question about what CD do you ladies start to check for O?

 

[BelleNuit]

I O early, usually cycle day 12-13