TTC 1st child 35+ (Please spoiler any PG news/announcements).

[purplelou]

oh and yes - the doggie is so very clever (NOT!!) bless her, this morning she's gotten stuck in a bush trying to chase a pigeon and needed rescuing

I know it's not possible, but I SWEAR me and your dog are related!!

have you been chasing piegeons too

 

[purplelou]

purps one of our dogs managed to get bitten by a squirrel that was playing dead!!

hi to all.we're moving on fron morecambe to north wales today on our uk mini trek round friends and family.have a lovely day everyone.vx

omg - poor doggy! I bet he had a fright!!

hope the weather holds for you chick! enjoy your travels xx

 

[BDownmommie]

Hi All,

Been a few days since i logged on - and wow - what a hell of a few bad days....i don't know where to even start...

Nutshell - DH and I got into ever so big argument that it led to him giving the silent treatment for 24 hours and then him staying at his brother's for 2 days while I spent 2 days on the couch crying my eyes out....fun fun.... (big fight about whether or not to go IUI / IVF route or wait it out and see if nature grants the baby....)

Either way, now the argument is solved (I hope) and we agreed (tuesday) to move forward with IUI if AF arrives this month...well sure enough, she did yesterday (and she arrived 4 days early). Called clinic and tried to book HSG and then spent about 2 hours calling difference labs, clinics, US departments all over. The clinic said that they wanted me to go to a closer clinic for the HSG, but as it turns out, there isn't one closer (hence all the phone calls yesterday), so now i wait for the clinic to call this morning to see when i go (day 5-11 lol)

Also, have to get a bunch of new blood work done because the last ones are now getting close to out dated. DH isnt too happy about that either, he really not a fan of needles...

And the clinic is now saying that it will be more than a month between this test and the consult with Doc to determine course of action. I find that strange because the first doc gave me the prescription for the fertile drugs, and now i am told not to use them...

So sad, this whole process is so utterly frustrating...not only am i continuously mad at myself for not being able to make this dream come true, but now DH and i are/were fighting, i am yelling at random strangers (at clinics etc...) I know that in the end it would be worth it - but this fight is draining me...

I honestly don't know what to do, how to think about moving forward in this battle (wow - that actually brought tears, TTC is a battle)

 

[flutterbee]

Hello Ladies,

I figured I have nothing to lose but get good advise with this board! I am 38, soon to be 39, DH 40 and trying for our first. I have so many things against me and feel it may not be in ther cards for me. We have only been trying for 4 months(feel bad for belly aching already) but there are so many obstacles it's scary! My age, my weight, husband issues, and now my levels are coming back low. Just makes me so sad. Spent so many years trying NOT to get pregnant , now this.

I have been using OPK's and getting positives. I think we hit the mark each month. I just got my progesterone checked and it was 3.6 so the doc wasn't sure I ovulated last month. Waiting now for the FSH test results.

So, I'll start off with a few questions.
1)Can I still be ovulating with that Progesterone level?

2) Should I stop drinking alcohol? I drink on a regular basis, 2-3 days a week. I have single friends and frequent Happy Hour. I am reading that may be a cause.

3) I am afraid a Fertility specialist will turn me away due to my weight. I have recently lost 35 pounds, exercise regularly and I am not on any major meds. Any experience here with that issue?

Thanks Ladies, looking forward to your assistance!

Welcome Janey 211! I am new here also (joined yesterday) but everyone here has been awesome!

I understand about you worrying about your age. I'm 37 and I fear it may be one of the reasons it is taking me longer to conceive. As far as the alcohol, I have heard that it can slow down fertility. I have stopped drinking pretty much all together which wasn't hard for me because I don't drink alot anyway lol. In addition to that I have majorly slowed down on all caffeine. I drink maybe 1-2 caffeinated drinks a day as I was told and read that can also slow down the fertility.

I am a little overweight also *sigh* but I do exercise regularly and am training now 3 times a week to do a 5K. I have read that exercise can help but too much can hinder. It's probably best to talk to your doctor about what types of exercise would be good and how much.

Ahh progesterone / When I had mine checked before starting on Clomid, my level was a sad 1.5 which scared me really. My doctor started me the next month on Clomid and then we checked my levels and they were at 20! A HUGE improvement! I was advised to seek help from my Dr. after having tried to get pregnant for 6 months. At that point is when she ran my bloodwork and checked me out and started me on the Clomid. I am on round two. It might be worth checking into. She did talk to me about my weight but did not make me lose before starting Clomid. She knows that I am counting calories and exercising regularly.

I hope this helps some and good luck!

 

[tigerlily1975]

oh and yes - the doggie is so very clever (NOT!!) bless her, this morning she's gotten stuck in a bush trying to chase a pigeon and needed rescuing

I know it's not possible, but I SWEAR me and your dog are related!!

have you been chasing piegeons too

Well, you know, when you've had a few drinks....

 

[flutterbee]

flutterbee: You've come to the right place, everyone is soooo lovely here! Good luck with TTC... oh, and you also have a younger hubby like quite a few of us!

Hahaha yes he says I am a "cougar" lmao!! He keeps me young though!

Thank you, thank you for the warm welcome!

 

[purplelou]

Hi All,

Been a few days since i logged on - and wow - what a hell of a few bad days....i don't know where to even start...

Nutshell - DH and I got into ever so big argument that it led to him giving the silent treatment for 24 hours and then him staying at his brother's for 2 days while I spent 2 days on the couch crying my eyes out....fun fun.... (big fight about whether or not to go IUI / IVF route or wait it out and see if nature grants the baby....)

Either way, now the argument is solved (I hope) and we agreed (tuesday) to move forward with IUI if AF arrives this month...well sure enough, she did yesterday (and she arrived 4 days early). Called clinic and tried to book HSG and then spent about 2 hours calling difference labs, clinics, US departments all over. The clinic said that they wanted me to go to a closer clinic for the HSG, but as it turns out, there isn't one closer (hence all the phone calls yesterday), so now i wait for the clinic to call this morning to see when i go (day 5-11 lol)

Also, have to get a bunch of new blood work done because the last ones are now getting close to out dated. DH isnt too happy about that either, he really not a fan of needles...

And the clinic is now saying that it will be more than a month between this test and the consult with Doc to determine course of action. I find that strange because the first doc gave me the prescription for the fertile drugs, and now i am told not to use them...

So sad, this whole process is so utterly frustrating...not only am i continuously mad at myself for not being able to make this dream come true, but now DH and i are/were fighting, i am yelling at random strangers (at clinics etc...) I know that in the end it would be worth it - but this fight is draining me...

I honestly don't know what to do, how to think about moving forward in this battle (wow - that actually brought tears, TTC is a battle)

aww hun!! big
you have a horrible few days!
this whole process is soo blinking stressful!! you are not alone in argueing or getting grumpy with your DH over all this.
as far as different doctors doing different things - it seems (from doing lots of reading on here) that's the case in a lot of places. everyone follows their own protcol, wants their own tests etc - which makes it very frustrating for the person in the middle - you.

I guess if you have heard good things about the doctor you are going to see , that is important and maybe wait and see what he says when he sees you both with all your tests. a month isn't going to make much differnce in the grand scheme of things, and whilst you wait - you can still

big again

 

[purplelou]

oh and yes - the doggie is so very clever (NOT!!) bless her, this morning she's gotten stuck in a bush trying to chase a pigeon and needed rescuing

I know it's not possible, but I SWEAR me and your dog are related!!

have you been chasing piegeons too

Well, you know, when you've had a few drinks....

 

[padbrat]

We have sun! We have sun! OMG Dr Foster went to Gloucester and there was no bloomin rain for once!! hehhee Lils... who needs beaches and palm trees when you have hills, lakes and .... ummm....oak trees! I feel the need to go to Glastonbury as well after you tour guiding it to the max!

Fro... I am pleased i make you laugh. Sometimes I think if I didn't laugh I would cry... when things get on top of me I always try to think that things could always be worse.

Purps you need a job on the news chick.. and the latest on Never is...LOL

Dwrgi... how funny you remember I am a total booze bender BFPer! I swear it works... I dunno how... but it does. Ladies: Note this is in no way a recommendation to go boozing up...I will not be responsible for any liver/kidney/bodily damage! Hehhee
Plus you don't need to feel it chick.. we feel it for you!

Kl good luck with those eggies!

Dash sorry you have been feeling blah... so have I TBH. Been over a year since I fell pregnant and I have a sneaking suspicion that is it... all my eggies have disappeared...Guess we have to pick ourselves up and dust on some PMA and hope. x

Hello new ladies. best of luck with your journeys.. I am afraid I am a TTC dufus... and not much help at all really lol x

 

[BDownmommie]

Thanks Purplou - i can appreciate that i am not the only one going thro this silliness with fighting...i am sure most of everyone here has....

I really hope that the DH and i will enjoy the whole in the future, but right now...with all that happened...i think IVF will work faster

So i have a question for all of you....letrozole - have we heard good things or bad things about this?

 

[owl35]

Welcome flutterbee and treegap

janey, that good old alcohol dilemma. I can only speak for myself and I'm not that strict. I don't drink during medicated cycles but if I'm on a break I don't think that a glass now and then will hurt. Maybe I'm wrong but I take that chance. I like

ksluice, yay for so many eggies! and fertile pantene vibes coming your way

Bdown, sorry to hear you're having such a tough time. Hang in there

I took an ovulation test yesterday because I was convinced the nurse is wrong and I just have 2 estrogen producing cysts hanging out down there. But the test came back with two lines so I guess there is something going on... whatever

 

[janey211]

Thanks Ladies.

Alcohol is out more exercise is in. I am in th US and will need to pay for any fertility treatment. My insurance doesn't cover it. I know a doctor is going to tell me to lose more weight and I totally understand that. I just hope that while I do that, they will at least help me ovulate via clomid or something.
I am starting to take fertilaid and a few other supplements and want to get my husband tested so we at least know I am the problem!

Good Luck to everyone ! Hoping for good news for everyone soon!

 

[flutterbee]

Thanks Ladies.

Alcohol is out more exercise is in. I am in th US and will need to pay for any fertility treatment. My insurance doesn't cover it. I know a doctor is going to tell me to lose more weight and I totally understand that. I just hope that while I do that, they will at least help me ovulate via clomid or something.
I am starting to take fertilaid and a few other supplements and want to get my husband tested so we at least know I am the problem!

Good Luck to everyone ! Hoping for good news for everyone soon!

FYI - I get the generic Clomid at the Wal-Mart pharmacy for $9, not even using my insurance. I have insurance but it's only $9 for the generic so be sure to check that out! Also my Dr advised me to go on Clomid first and if after 6 months that doesn't work to then have my husband tested. She said the reason for that is because the test for men costs about $150 and insurance does not cover it. Just wanted to let you know what I found out!

Good luck! We can exercise together, lol! That being said, if I DO get AF on Monday, or at all...a couple of beers WILL be in order for me at that time, LOL!

 

[BDownmommie]

Ok - so many phone calls - man, if i didn't know better, i would swear my boss knows what i am up to....

Got my HSG confirmed - next friday, CD9

however, when i asked if i start the letro tomorrow she wasn't sure - more phone calls - yay however, find out YES start tomorrow for 5 days = ok, bought drugs - grand total $3.71 for 5 days

ok can do

another phone call from doc - blood work? ok, will redo tonight afterwork

Next - FSH testing on CD3 - ok, guess what? another test - only must be tomorrow - yay needles

next - another call - what about the baseline US? yep, 2 months ago - however, not good enough. going to docs in about .5 hour for that

What next? Honestly, since things are moving along, i don;t mind at all - just please tell me all what has to be done, all at once - please please please

 

[treegap]

hi again ladies!

sorry for the quick post this morning.... feeling a little better energy wise now... but only 1/2 hr left to go at work! yippee

Fro - that is awful about KD! He needs a good talkin-to... which I'm sure you did.... Hope it gets easier with time. Hang in there.

Pad - you house-wifey you!! so funny... Lady of Leisure - okay that's cool - you enjoy it girl - you deserve it! (wish I was one )

Dwrgi - sorry you are so down today too.... maybe there is something in the air today... So hope you have a blast in Glastonbury (sp?) !!! Sounds like it's the exact thing you need right now! to get your mind off this CRAP! Enjoy hun

Purple & Owl & Lils - what is going on with the TIRED /sleepy thing around the world today?? Hope we all get some nice zzzzzz's tonight!!

Butterly - take your time hun with your decision... we're here for you!

Flutterbee - welcome! Hope AF stays away!

Lils - progesterone sucks!! I was okay when I took it once/day but ever since I started 2X/day about 8 months ago - it has made PMS worse for sure. Don't have much hope though as the symptoms always start 7/8 DPO.... like clockwork... (just intensified this month) You LUSH woman!!! So funny re: vino/alcohol = thinning blood + fruit servings! You are one seriously funny chick Thanks for making me chuckle... as always

Owl - great surprise on the follicles/'cysts" - Good luck girl!

TreeGap - welcome ! If you are doing the OPK strips -you may want to do twice /day (once at like 10-11 am and another around 6-7pm)... I found I never missed it when I started doing it that way... Sometimes the + last for 12 hrs only and sometimes it lasts for days.... Just depends...
Good luck!! And GL with FF too!


Have a great night ladies..... and hope we all have more energy tomorrow (to keep chugging along) ...

Can I do the OPK strips first thing in the morning? I'll be starting work up soon (I'm a teacher) and don't want to do it at school! Also, if the + shows up for several days, does it stop once you've ovulated?

Ugh- thought AF arrived or was about to yesterday, but it was weird spotting which I almost never have. Still isn't here.

 

[Dwrgi]

Because of the cost, we may end-up going down the donor route if the ICSI cycles don't work. We'd go with an anonymous donor I think, how did you decide on using a known donor?
C xx

Hia lovely! Good luck with the gonal-f. I promise that the fear of needles will soon seem like a distant memory, you'll be so used to it. Just pinch the skin first to get a good handful!!!! I thought I'd chime in with some info. re. DE. My clinic works as a partner clinic with IVI Valencia, and their current success rate is 65%, so that's encouraging. (It's the same with the Russian eggs that they import, mind!). Now, the cost of doing a DE cycle with IVI Valencia works out about £7500. Spanish donors are anonymous plus you get about 8 (minimum)-12 eggs, so hopefully some to bank as well, as frosties (They're grrrrrrrrrrrrreat!! ). With the Russian eggs, they are not anonymous, and cost about £8k. You also 'only' get 8.

This is just for information's sake, as I think it's useful to have all the data that you can. I am sure, however, that you won't need a donor egg cycle, as this will work, so huge good luck and hope the appointment on Monday goes well. Remember to drink LOADS of water to stave off the effects of the medication. Big

 

[dashka]

Hi ladies!

Dwrgi - have an awesome time today hun!!

Lils - hope you are not drowning in work today... Thinking of you

Janey211 - welcome!! Re: alcohol - differing views.... I don't drink much - perhaps 1/2 glass of wine 2X/month (or less) - but there is an old wives tale someone said on here -about it helping implantation (little wine ofcourse)
I need to exercise more myself! Good luck!

Frol - nice to hear from you! hope you are keeping well

Ksluice - yay 18 mature eggs! awesome news.... PANTENE vibes your way girl... and hope many fertilize

2 have 4 kids - Hi! nice to hear from you.... I'm so sorry about your chemical pregnancy in July (just read in your signature).... did I miss that before??

Purps - oh sleep not good again??? sorry hun... My doggie is the same in a thunderstorm... she whines and whines and paces.... poor thing. The other thing that sometimes keeps me up with her is she gets licking, licking licking her pillow - it's gross... but she can keep going for a long time!!
Thanks for the Never update and hope you get some sleep tonight!

Tiger - Mad cat lady!!! LOL Good luck with Gonal F - may it treat you well... and GL on blood test Monday... Great long post by the way!

Nessaw - ouch for your doggie !! Happy Travels girl

BDown - sorry to hear about the last few terrible days - that is awful... We've all been there at one point or another... This stuff can either break a relationship or make it stronger.... but sometimes it gets worse before it gets better IYKWIM ? Hopefully this will make your relationship with DH stronger in the long run... We have been trying for 10 years (and adopted a little girl a few years ago) and I can't say the stress of TTC has gotten any better (but somehow I don't cry as often as I used to)... used to be daily years ago!! Hang in there and hope your IUI goes well!!

Flutter - Hello!!! Re: Clomid I remember when I took it about 8 years ago (was only 32)- they told me to take a break after 3 months... is your doctor telling you to take for 6 months straight? I really hope it works for you - but TBH I don't know many who have had Clomid work for them at our age...(vs. injectibles) (don't want to bring you down - just help )...So you may want to ask Doc after 3-4 months... Also I wouldn't wait to get your DH's SA done.... better not to waste any time incase it is him..... Sorry don't want to upset you - just want to give advice that may be helpful I REALLY hope you get your BFP soon!

Pad - hope our 'lady of leisure' is feeling better today.... You always make me feel better with your great sense of humour!

Owl - DTD - DTD - DTD - DTD - DTD -DTD -DTD -DTD!!!!!!

AFM - DH went to get his SA /DNA fragmentation test done today.... So we should have the results on everything - bloodwork, u/s, my HSG, his SA/DNA thing all on Sept.4th (our follow up with RE). I am getting excited kind-of.... We have also been trying to put some money away every month - just in case we opt for IVF (although we'll probably have just one good try at it financially) - I may have to do the laparoscopy -he scheduled one for me in 3 months -don't know day yet - but it's not for sure that he'll want me to get it...just scheduled just in case.

Who knows what will happen - it's just been so friggin' long at TTC -that I need some answers.... And I'm glad I'm at a good clinic now and not some rinky-dink one like before. Thank you ladies (especially Lils and Dwrgi for kicking me in the butt in a nice way - to do this!)

Hello to everyone out there and hope you all have a great day!

 

[Dwrgi]

purps one of our dogs managed to get bitten by a squirrel that was playing dead!!

hi to all.we're moving on fron morecambe to north wales today on our uk mini trek round friends and family.have a lovely day everyone.vx

That is so funny about your dog and the acting squirrel! Dogs are so gullible!! But completely adorable-

Where in N Wales are you going? I am so nosey, but I went to coll in N Wales (Bangor/Bang-Her ) and love the area! Plus, it's Welsh, of course, so I'm dead curious! Have a lovely trip!!!

 

[Dwrgi]

hi ladies, just posting a quick update on my EC. i am still feeling a bit loopy so apologies for the "all about me" post

so...18 eggs mature from 29 collected. please send all the fertilization vibes you can. I posted on my journal that my doc said we want the dna to shoot out in perfect strands...no tangles or split ends...so please send well conditioned hair thoughts to the dna in my eggies. i keep thinking of the pantene commercials here...lots of pantene dna for you little eggies... FXed!!!

OMG-that is absolutely amazing!!! I have no fear at all that this is going to be your lucky month!!!! Clever, clever thing!!!!

 

[dashka]

hi again ladies!

sorry for the quick post this morning.... feeling a little better energy wise now... but only 1/2 hr left to go at work! yippee

Fro - that is awful about KD! He needs a good talkin-to... which I'm sure you did.... Hope it gets easier with time. Hang in there.

Pad - you house-wifey you!! so funny... Lady of Leisure - okay that's cool - you enjoy it girl - you deserve it! (wish I was one )

Dwrgi - sorry you are so down today too.... maybe there is something in the air today... So hope you have a blast in Glastonbury (sp?) !!! Sounds like it's the exact thing you need right now! to get your mind off this CRAP! Enjoy hun

Purple & Owl & Lils - what is going on with the TIRED /sleepy thing around the world today?? Hope we all get some nice zzzzzz's tonight!!

Butterly - take your time hun with your decision... we're here for you!

Flutterbee - welcome! Hope AF stays away!

Lils - progesterone sucks!! I was okay when I took it once/day but ever since I started 2X/day about 8 months ago - it has made PMS worse for sure. Don't have much hope though as the symptoms always start 7/8 DPO.... like clockwork... (just intensified this month) You LUSH woman!!! So funny re: vino/alcohol = thinning blood + fruit servings! You are one seriously funny chick Thanks for making me chuckle... as always

Owl - great surprise on the follicles/'cysts" - Good luck girl!

TreeGap - welcome ! If you are doing the OPK strips -you may want to do twice /day (once at like 10-11 am and another around 6-7pm)... I found I never missed it when I started doing it that way... Sometimes the + last for 12 hrs only and sometimes it lasts for days.... Just depends...
Good luck!! And GL with FF too!


Have a great night ladies..... and hope we all have more energy tomorrow (to keep chugging along) ...

Can I do the OPK strips first thing in the morning? I'll be starting work up soon (I'm a teacher) and don't want to do it at school! Also, if the + shows up for several days, does it stop once you've ovulated?

Ugh- thought AF arrived or was about to yesterday, but it was weird spotting which I almost never have. Still isn't here.

Hi TreeGap - I think if you read the instructions - my OPK strips say I have to test after 10am and before 8pm (that is when the urine will have the highest amount)...
What I do is very 'undercover' - I bring the test along with those little bathroom paper cups (I bought a box of 100 or whatever) -you get them at grocery store.... and put them into a little bag (opaque ofcourse) and will pop it under my arm before I go to ladies room and do it in the stall... I am so used to it now... Can you do that on your break (recess / lunch?)

Also - when the test line is AS DARK or DARKER than the other line that means it's positive - anything else is negative - even if it's almost as dark... When it is negative it doesn't mean that you've ovulated - it just means that you will ovulate 12-48 hrs from the LH surge. If you start temping then you will know when you have ov from the temp rise. Using Fertility Friend (FF) really helps ...
GOOD LUCK!