TTC 16 months awaiting referral

[VeryBigMelons]

Hi there,

I've just joined this site looking for a little friendly support. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 16 months now, which I know is nothing compared to some of you! But it's starting to feel like we've been trying forever! I have used home ovulation test kits since the start, but i never got a positive to say I was ovulating. So 10 months ago i bought a clear blue fertility monitor and started using that. After using it for 4 cycles it confirmed I wasn't ovulating so I went to see my doctor.
I had my 5 and 21 day bloods done three times. All came back with low progesterone. She also requested my DH had a semen analysis. He's had 2 done and both came back with good count and motility but very low morphology. Our doctor decided we should be referred to the fertility clinic (NHS), however then our doctor left our surgery so we had to have a new doctor who was not familiar with our case which wasted valuable time getting him up to date, which means we have still not been referred yet! However this monday I went and had a chlamydia swab and my bloods done for rhubella, and when the results are back our new doctor will refer us!
The whole time I've used to CBFM I've had 2 cycles where it suggested I ovulated, but thats the only times in 16 months. Last month i was on low through my whole cycle I take pregnacare conception vitamins daily and DH takes Wellman conception. I had been researching soy isoflavones for a while and decided to give them a go, so this cycle i took 120mg on days 3-7, I am now CD12 and still showing up low on CBFM.
Starting to feel a little disheartened, so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[JenniferS92]

Hiya, i've been trying for 3 years with my Oh and finally went to my doc about it all. The first doc wasn't interested but i made another appointment to see a different doc at my cllinic and he listened asked questions took Oh blood pressure and weight asked us the questions like how many times do you BD etc and now were being referred to a specialist (NHS) at the womens hospital. but my doc said it could take up to two months to hear off them which is so fustrating!! but aparently people have said fertility isnt high on their lists and get round to it eventually

if you would like a buddy to go through this with ill gladly be it because it sounds as if you are at the same point i am x

 

[VeryBigMelons]

Yes that would be great to be buddy's on this!

It's so frustrating that everything seems to take so long isn't it?! I've had my results today from my rubella bloods and my chlamydia swab and all was clear, so the doctors going through with the referral now, but have also been told that it will take a couple of months!

Have you been using any ovulation kits/clear blue fertility monitor?

 

[JenniferS92]

Sounds like youve had more tests than myself lol.
and no i havnt as of yet but im planning too. Looking into maybe temping and taking that pregnacare conception ill do anything to aid my chances x

 

[VeryBigMelons]

I take the pregnacare conception and DH takes wellman conception, every little helps Not sure if they actually work but it makes us feel better that we take them!

I'd really recommend using CBFM or some sort of OPK just so you know if you're actually ovulating. I normally have all the right symptoms for ovulation, ewcm etc but when i started using the CBFM it showed i wasn't actually ovulating, hence going to docs and blood tests etc.

I've thought about temping but don't think I really need to with CBFM, plus I'd probably forget to do it lol.

Have the doctors suggested any tests? bloods or otherwise? They really need to check your hormone levels. This should be done before getting referred. Xx

 

[JenniferS92]

That's why i'd like to start taking the pregnacare/wellman, you never know!! cant hurt to have the folic acid etc in your system

see i have all the symptoms this month of ovulation and using my fertility app on my phone it matches up with the symptoms i've had i know that its not accurate but thats what i'm going on at the moment ... I don't even know where to start when it comes to choosing the right ovulation kits?

The doctor didnt really ask anything about me apart from how often do you BD etc and then took my OH's blood pressure and weight. Do you think i should be going back and asking about blood tests etc? of will the fertility specialists do all that? i'm confused now xx

 

[VeryBigMelons]

well i was told that the clinics like you to have had as much done by your doctor as possible before being referred. Plus seen as it takes so long to be referred and wait for appointments, the more tests you can get done now the better, at least they're already done and you wont waste time waiting to have them done/get results in the future.

I really would invest in some opk's though, just because you've got symptoms doesn't mean it's happening. Go and have a look in Boots or online. You can get some really cheap ones, then there's the clear blue etc which are a bit more. At least then you'll know.

If you've been trying for 3 years I'm really surprised the dr hasn't done more tests. I would make another appointment and ask if you can have your bloods done to check progesterone/estrogen levels, and check for pcos. Also ask if OH can give a semen sample for analysis.

Let's Get things moving, let me know how u get on

 

[VeryBigMelons]

I've just had a look on amazon for you for opk's, you can get some really cheap ones for around a fiver, then clearblue ones are around £17 or the clear blue fertility monitor is on offer at £50! Have a look and see what you think xx

 

[VeryBigMelons]

You still around Jen?

 

[Galaxy Girl]

Hi :wave:

Me and DH have been TTC for 20 months now!

I have had 21 bloods done which confirmed ovulation and everything come back 'normal'
I am due to have my scan on the 17th (tuesday) and DH is due to have his SA on the 25th
When the results have come back from both of those we will be refered to the FS.
I cant wait to get the ball rolling - 1 step closer to our BFP (hopefully)

Good luck in your journey sending you lots of baby dust

 

[VeryBigMelons]

Hi Galaxy,

I hope you get some info from your scan! It's so frustrating playing the waiting game isn't it.

I finally received my appointment letter yesterday from the fertility clinic, booked in on 9th october. Finally feel like the wheels are in motion now. Would be good to hear how you get on with the scan and SA, so stay in touch!

 

[Galaxy Girl]

The waiting is definitley the hardest part especially when I am the most impatient person ever

I will definitley keep you updated on both results - Although both come with a week of more waiting

Really pleased you have your appointment date and it's not really that far away

Your have to keep me updated on what goes on in the fertility clinic so I know what is going to come

 

[VeryBigMelons]

I will keep you informed and if I can give you any tips then that will be a bonus. Has DH had a SA before at all? And are you taking any vitamins, or tried soy isoflavones? When they did your bloods did they just do d21 or did they do d5 aswell and was it just for the one cycle?

 

[sammyttc]

This thread is perfect for me! So great to read. My Husband and I have been Ttc for about 15 months now (with a bit of ntnp at the beginning). I have been using OPKs since the beginning and it does seem that I ovulate based on Hormones. Have been seeing my doctor throughout the process and was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism about 3 months ago. Am now on synthroid!

Have done a variety of bloodwork and just had an ultrasound on Friday. My husband had a semen analysis and everything was good!

I am now just waiting for my appointment with the RE on October 9th (same date as your appointment, VBM, what are the chances?!)

Feeling very anxious. Just want answers!! I would love to have a few people at the same place as me in this journey! It's a lonely place to be sometimes...

 

[JenniferS92]

Hi all!! so nice to see more faces on this thread so we can all share!!

sorry VBM!! havn't been on in a while but congrats on the fertility date that was quick!! you will have to keep myself and the new ladies informed at let us all know what goes on!!

I myself are going to go back to the doctors this week and see if he actually referred me .. read some stories on here of the doc saying one thing but then not following through with it and i have a sneaky feeling that's what been happening with my case because of being 21 i get the impression that they think because i'm young there is no problem but there is i mean 3 years!!!

Also going to get opk's on the advice of VBM!! tuesday when i get paid. think you are right and i have to do something!!

Have lots of time on my hands now!! so will be on here more

 

[VeryBigMelons]

Sammy you're so right, it can be very lonely! We've not told any friends or family about ttc or the problems we're having so it's good to finally have some ladies to share this all with!

Sammy where did you have you're ultrasound? Was it at the doctors or the hospital, and did they how long it would be before you get the results? I can't believe we've got the same appointment date!! It's made me feel so much better getting that appointment, finally feel that things are moving along now!

Jen glad you're investing in some OPK's it definitely worth it! And yes keep chasing at the doctors, it's the only way to get anywhere!!

 

[sammyttc]

VBM...

We just finally shared with my parents and sisters... it just got to be too much pressure because they REALLY want us to have a baby and they were constantly asking/joking/ etc. So I finally broke down and shared. Although I love my family dearly and they try so hard to be a great support... unless you've gone through this, it's hard to understand.

So! I'm in Canada and I notice you're in the UK, so it might be a bit different... but my doctor referred me to the hospital for the ultrasound. When he did my ultrasound he told me it would take a week for my doctor's office to get the results! So for now I am just waiting to hear!

I just confirmed Oct. 9th off work so I am feeling so excited for it! A bit nervous too. Did you have to fill out this super long survey? I am glad to hear that you are feeling good because of your appointment too.

The fertility clinic around here is hosting an information session on IVF next week so I think I might go to that... just to be as educated as possible.

 

[VeryBigMelons]

Sammy we're exactly the same, all our family/friends keeping asking when we're having a baby, as they would have expected us to have started a family by now. I find it really awkward when they mention it, luckily my husband is quite good at stepping in and making excuses! We just feel that if we told those close to us there would be a chance of them telling someone else, and them telling someone else and then we'd be the talk of the town, and we just couldn't handle that.

I have to wait to be referred to the hospital before having any scans etc. I'm hoping it will be one of the first things they do. The IVF information evening sounds fantastic! I might have a look if they do anything like that over here. Yes i agree, you can never be too clued up!!

 

[Galaxy Girl]

I will keep you informed and if I can give you any tips then that will be a bonus. Has DH had a SA before at all? And are you taking any vitamins, or tried soy isoflavones? When they did your bloods did they just do d21 or did they do d5 aswell and was it just for the one cycle?

No this will be DH first SA. We have been pregnant before but sadly it ended in MC at 13 weeks.
I am not taking any vitamins at the moment, however it is on my to do list to research and buy some

Yes I have only had CD21 bloods done for one cycle. It came back 'normal' and confirmed Ovulation.

My scan went well I had an internel and external. Dr told me the FS would want to do an internal so she killed 2 birds with one stone doing it there and then. I now have to wait 10 working days (2 weeks) for the results. She didn't say much at all which was hard. All she said was "nothing out of the ordinary".
I guess I will have to wait for the results to get back to my Dr

Hope your all well

 

[sammyttc]

Galaxy I'm waiting for results right now too and it's so nerve wrecking!! So many options! Good luck