Unexplained Infertility, but feel like drs are missing something..

[popchick75]

Hi there,

I'll try to sum it up as simply as possible:

Trying for 2nd child for around 10 years
-Doing infertility treatments/tests for around 9 years
-2 rounds of IUI
-1 round of IVF
-Too many rounds of clomid to count
-3 HSG's: 1st - tubes had mucus in them but dr was able to open them up; 2nd and 3rd were clear.
-genetic testing

What tests have shown:
-low antral count, but great amh (unusual!)
-maybe a minor genetic clotting issue, but should be fine by taking baby aspirin
-ovaries stimulate very easily despite low antral count...45+ eggs produced during IVF
-ovulate on my own
-OPKs always show up positive or almost positive no matter what time of month it is (suggesting high LH levels)

Medical history:
-daughter was a surprise conception without trying,C-Section
-have had issues with ovarian cysts every so often
-painful ovulation...sometimes for just a day, sometimes lasting from O to AF
-not overweight (5'7" tall, 134 lbs)
-37 years old
-very irregular periods until daughter was born (only 3-4 periods per year)
-have already been through 4 REs with no answers
-OH's SA came back saying he had 3x sperm as average man..absolutely perfect.

Is any of this raising any red flags for anyone? Is there anything that I am missing? The doctors all say 'unexplained secondary infertility', except for one who suggested PCOS, however, he said that before doing any tests for it...at that point we were getting IVF testing done. The high LH, good amh, history of cysts, and prior issues of irregular periods are all symptoms of PCOS, however, I am not overweight, currently have regular periods, don't have a high follicle count and ovulate on my own, which would be arguments against PCOS.

At this point I'm just throwing it all out there for everyone to see if any of this sounds familiar to those of you who have been LTTTC. I just have this feeling that the doctors are missing something...

Thanks for reading and any help you can offer

Amy

 

[Dazed]

It all looks like a mystery to me. I have read somewhere that having an unusually high sperm count isn't always a good thing. Have they done a post coital on you? I know that wouldn't have an impact on the IVF, but it could be something. Also, they could check to see if you have high NK cells. Again, that may not be an issue, but its something else they can test if they are willing to. I have to admire your will to go through so much.

 

[PinkPeony]

Might be worth trying a naturopathic doc. Sometimes they'll order more obscure blood tests and take a different angle on things.

 

[MalaMae]

Hi!
You sound similar to me, except trying for #1 and having low or low in normal ranges AMH (depends where you read about the levels), but ovulating by myself with good follicle count, the most regular period you could ever think, open tubes, hubby with supersprem (actually the FS called it that). I'm 36.
I don't think doctors are doing enough tests, they just push you to pills, injections, IUI, IVF (it's great money making business), not to mention the stress they're creating.
For 3 weeks I've been doing acupuncture and feel less stressed and much happier.

 

[popchick75]

I've thought about acupuncture too. It's just hard to wrap my mind around some of the alternative therapies working tho after I've been through so many other treatments. I need to go back into my regular obgyn next week for my yearly exam. I think I'm going to make a list of 'basic' tests that I want redone (hormones, blood sugar, etc). It can't hurt to check. I just keep having the feeling that it's something simple that we are just overlooking.
I'm sure stress is playing a part in it. When I conceived DD all of those years ago, I had a stressful job and 3-4 periods a year (i was only 25). I quit the job I hated and started a part time job that I absolutely loved. It was that month that i got pregnant. But how do you just make stress *stop*?

 

[PinkPeony]

Ok I'm going to jump back in with another acupuncture recommendation. I've been going for 3 months now and it's made a huge difference in my cycles. We haven't conceived yet but we just found out a month ago it's bc of male factor problems. But I was having weird cycles and lot's of random spotting and stuff and now I'm great. I totally can't explain why it works - I was not expecting to make a big difference but I was at a loose end and willing to try anything. It's also a massive stress reliever. At first you just feel relaxed during the sessions but eventually you start to get used to the relaxed feeling and it becomes easier to get yourself to go back into that calm state when the stress boils up.

Definitely get those tests done again and then if you do end up trying the alternative route it can be good to bring those results with you. They may be able to see something there that is out of balance or whatever. Good luck hun. I hope you get some answers.