Welcome to 'Trying To Conceive Over 35'

[alicatt]

everyone!

FF gets on my nerves sometimes. It rudely removes my crosshairs when there is a significant change in my temp, only to replace them the next day.
So, today, I have no crosshairs...not that it matters much anyway since there was no opportunity for this weekend. BUT, the radiologist said I would be most fertile for the next three months. I am on with getting my BFP as a Christmas present. If I could have that for Christmas, then I wouldn't want anything else!! But if i don't get that, then I want DIAMONDS!!!

Well, I hope everyone is doing fabulous. I am still swamped at work and my thesis keeps me busy at home. Oral exams are at the end of next week. After that, well, I will be able to breathe a bit and hopefully catch up on everything that is going on in here!

~~Jess

I am with you there! Since we are making my cycle start on Nov 26th, I should know whether I am pregnant right around Christmas. Here is to getting a BFP for Christmas!!!

Did you get any feedback about your hormones? Estrogen, Progesterone, LH, FSH, AMH? Those are the important ones! Or did you do those? If you haven't, you should! Things you want to know:

FSH - shouldn't be too high, mine is currently around 6-8, which is great! If it is 15, that could be bad.

AMH - should be between 2-5 (on one scale, there are 2 so be careful). If it is too low it means your ovarian reserve is getting low.


How about your BF's SA? Is he going to go do that?

So happy to hear from you! That you managed to get out from under your thesis!

 

[jm1355]

everyone!

FF gets on my nerves sometimes. It rudely removes my crosshairs when there is a significant change in my temp, only to replace them the next day.
So, today, I have no crosshairs...not that it matters much anyway since there was no opportunity for this weekend. BUT, the radiologist said I would be most fertile for the next three months. I am on with getting my BFP as a Christmas present. If I could have that for Christmas, then I wouldn't want anything else!! But if i don't get that, then I want DIAMONDS!!!

Well, I hope everyone is doing fabulous. I am still swamped at work and my thesis keeps me busy at home. Oral exams are at the end of next week. After that, well, I will be able to breathe a bit and hopefully catch up on everything that is going on in here!

~~Jess

I am with you there! Since we are making my cycle start on Nov 26th, I should know whether I am pregnant right around Christmas. Here is to getting a BFP for Christmas!!!

Did you get any feedback about your hormones? Estrogen, Progesterone, LH, FSH, AMH? Those are the important ones! Or did you do those? If you haven't, you should! Things you want to know:

FSH - shouldn't be too high, mine is currently around 6-8, which is great! If it is 15, that could be bad.

AMH - should be between 2-5 (on one scale, there are 2 so be careful). If it is too low it means your ovarian reserve is getting low.


How about your BF's SA? Is he going to go do that?

So happy to hear from you! That you managed to get out from under your thesis!

Hey Ali...all the hormone tests were the very first thing that my fertility specialist did. And he said everything came back PERFECT. He even did the vaginal ultrasound and told me I had "amazing ovaries." I asked him if that was his idea of flirting!
The day I had the ultrasound done, he said it looked like I had just ovulated...from my left side. But he said he could see my ovaries perfectly and they looked great.
So, now, we are going to try for another 3 months, and if nothing happens, then BF is going to do the SA. He is not fond of that idea at all. But, oh well...

I am looking for the place I stashed my results from my hormone tests and I can't find them. I am going to make a call and get those again...just for my own peace of mind...

 

[jm1355]

I am sitting at my desk at work...supposed to be working...but I was remembering when I first started dating my BF. At the mere thought of having sex, my first thought would be "I sure hope this nuva ring works." Everytime we had sex it would come out and back then I would think "oh no! What if the birth control doesn't work?!" I swear, everytime we had sex I was scared to death I would get pregnant! And now... I'm scared to death we wont! My my my, how times have changed!!

 

[alicatt]

everyone!

FF gets on my nerves sometimes. It rudely removes my crosshairs when there is a significant change in my temp, only to replace them the next day.
So, today, I have no crosshairs...not that it matters much anyway since there was no opportunity for this weekend. BUT, the radiologist said I would be most fertile for the next three months. I am on with getting my BFP as a Christmas present. If I could have that for Christmas, then I wouldn't want anything else!! But if i don't get that, then I want DIAMONDS!!!

Well, I hope everyone is doing fabulous. I am still swamped at work and my thesis keeps me busy at home. Oral exams are at the end of next week. After that, well, I will be able to breathe a bit and hopefully catch up on everything that is going on in here!

~~Jess

I am with you there! Since we are making my cycle start on Nov 26th, I should know whether I am pregnant right around Christmas. Here is to getting a BFP for Christmas!!!

Did you get any feedback about your hormones? Estrogen, Progesterone, LH, FSH, AMH? Those are the important ones! Or did you do those? If you haven't, you should! Things you want to know:

FSH - shouldn't be too high, mine is currently around 6-8, which is great! If it is 15, that could be bad.

AMH - should be between 2-5 (on one scale, there are 2 so be careful). If it is too low it means your ovarian reserve is getting low.


How about your BF's SA? Is he going to go do that?

So happy to hear from you! That you managed to get out from under your thesis!

Hey Ali...all the hormone tests were the very first thing that my fertility specialist did. And he said everything came back PERFECT. He even did the vaginal ultrasound and told me I had "amazing ovaries." I asked him if that was his idea of flirting!
The day I had the ultrasound done, he said it looked like I had just ovulated...from my left side. But he said he could see my ovaries perfectly and they looked great.
So, now, we are going to try for another 3 months, and if nothing happens, then BF is going to do the SA. He is not fond of that idea at all. But, oh well...

I am looking for the place I stashed my results from my hormone tests and I can't find them. I am going to make a call and get those again...just for my own peace of mind...

Yep I would, and compare them to the recommendations on this page:
https://www.fertilityplus.com/faq/hormonelevels.html

Then you will know for sure that everything is perfect I'm so glad!!!!

Now you just have to get busy on the right days

 

[alicatt]

I am sitting at my desk at work...supposed to be working...but I was remembering when I first started dating my BF. At the mere thought of having sex, my first thought would be "I sure hope this nuva ring works." Everytime we had sex it would come out and back then I would think "oh no! What if the birth control doesn't work?!" I swear, everytime we had sex I was scared to death I would get pregnant! And now... I'm scared to death we wont! My my my, how times have changed!!

I was having the same discussion just the other day with a friend. How we spend so many years trying NOT to get pregnant, then when we finally do want to get pregnant.. and we have to jump through a million hoops in the hopes of doing just that!

 

[jm1355]

Your encouragement and support is much appreciated!

 

[alicatt]

Your encouragement and support is much appreciated!

I'm not sure if our cycles will line up, but wouldn't it be awesome if we were both in the 2WW together and both got a for Christmas!!!

 

[jm1355]

Your encouragement and support is much appreciated!

I'm not sure if our cycles will line up, but wouldn't it be awesome if we were both in the 2WW together and both got a for Christmas!!!

That would be pretty awesome!!

 

[TerriLou]

I am sitting at my desk at work...supposed to be working...but I was remembering when I first started dating my BF. At the mere thought of having sex, my first thought would be "I sure hope this nuva ring works." Everytime we had sex it would come out and back then I would think "oh no! What if the birth control doesn't work?!" I swear, everytime we had sex I was scared to death I would get pregnant! And now... I'm scared to death we wont! My my my, how times have changed!!

Hey Jess, I mentioned this to my Hubby the other day too, reminding him of a time when we got a bit carried away and a condom broke, he marked me down to a chemist on the following day to get the morning after pill. I was really upset as even then, 11 years ago, I really wanted a baby, but he wasn't nearly there yet. I spoke to my Mum about it soon after as she works in a Pharmacy and she said that her Pharmasist wouldn't have given me that pill with me having PCOS and not having a period for 6 months. I can remember saying to my Hubby, what if this was our only chance? LOL, I know they say it only takes once, but us ladies here on this forum are proof that this is not always the case eh?

 

[TerriLou]

Sorry I haven't been on here for a bit, been really busy, work is picking up at the moment, so I guess people are starting to buy houses again, yay!

Hubby phoned up the Doctors today and managed to get an appointment for 3rd December! All they will do then is sort out the paperwork for his SA, then he'll have to make a seperate appointment to have the analysis done! I can't believe how long it takes to get an appointment. He doesn't work near home, so its more awkward for him to phone and try to make a same-day appointment, which is what I try to do for me.

I was speaking to him about it the other day, seeing if he minds getting the analysis done as I know some men feel a bit upset about it, he feined an insulted reaction, which was quite funny, he understands that to get me looked at, they have to rule him out. I told him that I'm sure the problem is with me and he's being great. He wants me to lose weight before I get pregnant really to avoid a lot of the issues obesity can bring, but we're still going to continue trying and hope I lose weight in the meantime.

FirstTry, I'm really excited that you can go for IVF, it sounds odd to me that you have too many eggs for IUI, but then I've never really known much about it until hearing when Ali has been going through it. I've got everything crossed for you, I hope it all goes perfectly.

Twotogo, hopefully you'll get more of an obvious line next time you test. I got a positive on the Clearblue Digi before the FRER. Fingers crossed for you too.

 

[alicatt]

Sorry I haven't been on here for a bit, been really busy, work is picking up at the moment, so I guess people are starting to buy houses again, yay!

Hubby phoned up the Doctors today and managed to get an appointment for 3rd December! All they will do then is sort out the paperwork for his SA, then he'll have to make a seperate appointment to have the analysis done! I can't believe how long it takes to get an appointment. He doesn't work near home, so its more awkward for him to phone and try to make a same-day appointment, which is what I try to do for me.

I was speaking to him about it the other day, seeing if he minds getting the analysis done as I know some men feel a bit upset about it, he feined an insulted reaction, which was quite funny, he understands that to get me looked at, they have to rule him out. I told him that I'm sure the problem is with me and he's being great. He wants me to lose weight before I get pregnant really to avoid a lot of the issues obesity can bring, but we're still going to continue trying and hope I lose weight in the meantime.

FirstTry, I'm really excited that you can go for IVF, it sounds odd to me that you have too many eggs for IUI, but then I've never really known much about it until hearing when Ali has been going through it. I've got everything crossed for you, I hope it all goes perfectly.

Twotogo, hopefully you'll get more of an obvious line next time you test. I got a positive on the Clearblue Digi before the FRER. Fingers crossed for you too.

Tracey..

I wasn't sure if you saw the posts that we had about PCOS and Gluten Intolerance? I read an article that said 85% of women with PCOS actually have gluten intolerance that is partly the cause for the PCOS to begin with!

If you haven't thought about going GF, I think you might want to check it out!

So glad you popped in to say hi and that your DH is moving forward to get his SA done.

 

[alicatt]

Hey All,

So things are finally coming together

I just called over to the IVF Med company (https://www.ivfmeds.com/) to see if they had shipped my meds, and not only did they ship them, they shipped them with a rush order free of charge, a savings of $89! So I should get a tracking notice today or tomorrow, and my meds should be here by the end of the week They aren't going to be here in time for my appt on Wednesday, but at least they will be here in time for me to actually need them (Nov 26th). It just means I'll have to pop into my Dr's office one morning on my way to work to pick them up, not as convenient, but definitely not too terrible.

This is all good news, I go in on Wednesday (yes, this Wednesday) for my trial transfer, and the ultrasound to make sure that we are clear of any cysts, and the green light to start my cycle. Then Friday I start the Lupron, and take it for 2 weeks, then I will start the stimulation medications on Nov 26th.

It won't be long now.. YAY!

 

[twotogo]

Okay, so the first mammo wasn't too bad.
This one, however, was a compression mammogram. And let me just say when they say compression, they ain't lyin'! Ouch.
I had it done at 1:45, and my boob is still screaming in pain. The tech was very nice and showed me in detail what the doctor was looking at and concerned about.
Afterward, though, I just felt like crying. Don't know if was the pain or hormones, but I still feel like crying.
I came home to my son having a melt down over school work. He felt overwhelmed and frustrated, and that usually makes him shut down. We are trying to get him through that because in life you have to push through and get it done anyway. I tried to give him coping techniques, and he seemed to understand them, but right now he is at home crying while I'm over at the church office making copies for our Monday night women's Bible study. It's just been a bad day.

I am proud of myself that I have been three days without gluten or sugar. And when I was at Walmart wanting to cry my eyes out I didn't go to the donut section like I really wanted to. So, there is one positive.

 

[alicatt]

Okay, so the first mammo wasn't too bad.
This one, however, was a compression mammogram. And let me just say when they say compression, they ain't lyin'! Ouch.
I had it done at 1:45, and my boob is still screaming in pain. The tech was very nice and showed me in detail what the doctor was looking at and concerned about.
Afterward, though, I just felt like crying. Don't know if was the pain or hormones, but I still feel like crying.
I came home to my son having a melt down over school work. He felt overwhelmed and frustrated, and that usually makes him shut down. We are trying to get him through that because in life you have to push through and get it done anyway. I tried to give him coping techniques, and he seemed to understand them, but right now he is at home crying while I'm over at the church office making copies for our Monday night women's Bible study. It's just been a bad day.

I am proud of myself that I have been three days without gluten or sugar. And when I was at Walmart wanting to cry my eyes out I didn't go to the donut section like I really wanted to. So, there is one positive.

I had a mammogram 5 years ago and I still remember the pain! I cringe just thinking about it. I felt like they were trying to make pancakes out of my boobs! It was not pleasant. Did the nurse say anything about what she was seeing? or do you have to wait for the radiologist to review it before you get the results? I hope it is nothing serious!

As for your son, I can only imagine how difficult it is for you to watch your child so upset. You said you are giving him the tools to work through his issues, and that is the best thing you can do! Being a teenager is probably the most difficult thing we can go through, remember the hormones, and the stress of peer pressure, and doing well in school, it is a wonder we get through it at all. I remember the pain I felt when I was that age. I do think that it is a rite of passage, and something that makes us stronger. Hopefully your son will look at today as a learning experience so that when he encounters a similar situation in the future he will be able to handle it and not be so upset. I'm sure as a Mom all you want to do is hug and cuddle him and never let him go!

 

[babydust2me]

Hey ladies! TMI alert...So this is weird...AF started Friday night. I had light to medium flow on Sat. Then light flow yesterday and today no flow! So really only 2 days of AF??? This is abnormal for me. But Then today I was at the store with my kids and had to take a potty break with them. I went to the bathroom and had no spotting, absolutely nothing so I didn't put on a panty liner. Then a few minutes later walking around the store I feel a watery discharge...of course, I think it's AF coming back. I go to the bathroom and it was completely clear. ??!??? weird right??? I might test again tomorrow am just cuz this is so odd. It is probably just a weird period but again...strange...thoughts????

 

[alicatt]

Hey ladies! TMI alert...So this is weird...AF started Friday night. I had light to medium flow on Sat. Then light flow yesterday and today no flow! So really only 2 days of AF??? This is abnormal for me. But Then today I was at the store with my kids and had to take a potty break with them. I went to the bathroom and had no spotting, absolutely nothing so I didn't put on a panty liner. Then a few minutes later walking around the store I feel a watery discharge...of course, I think it's AF coming back. I go to the bathroom and it was completely clear. ??!??? weird right??? I might test again tomorrow am just cuz this is so odd. It is probably just a weird period but again...strange...thoughts????

I'd definitely test again. That is an awfully short period. Weren't you unsure of your actual ovulation date? Is it possible that you ovulated late, and this is implantation bleeding?

 

[FirstTry]

Coy: yes, the trigger shot involves DH stabbing me in the butt cheek with a big, long needle.

Coy & Ali: we had spaghetti made from brown rice (Trader Joe's) for dinner last night. It was pretty similar to regular pasta, though not exactly the same, and GF. And inexpensive.

I wish I had a Trader Joe's in my area. They don't have them in FL
I have Publix (which some have a really good GF/health food section), but otherwise it is Whole Foods, which is mega expensive! My friend that has an autistic child and has been feeding him GF has been giving me brands of the things she likes best. She said she likes pasta made with corn. So I bought some of that yesterday, figured I'd try it out in a few days.

GL with the trigger, it is not fun! I tell you by the end of my last IVF cycle I felt like a pin cushion!

Oh, BTW about the cost. I hope they at least rolled what you had paid for the IUI thus far into the cost of the IVF! My insurance won't cover the US's because they are monitoring for an IUI/IVF cycle. So they have 1 flat rate that covers all of the basics for the IUI/IVF and then add on's like the ICSI and assisted hatching.

Have you had a change to talk with the Dr about these things? Do they have a plan? Did you ask about the trial transfer?

They wouldn't give me credit for the monitoring that I paid for already. Grrr! But since I got the $2500 off based on the negotiated rate, I guess it's fine.

The doc thought we would not do ICSI this time nor AH. But it sounded like it would be a game day decision. They do the trial transfer earlier in the cycle, so I missed that window already. Ditto for PGD.

So, my estrogen went down today to 1550 from 1720. I don't think that's a good thing. The nurse just said that it indicates that I will have no further growth and confirms that we should trigger tonight.

I just have to look at it as this is a sub-optimal IVF cycle. It just kinda happened and we didn't do the full stimming. So, we might not get many eggs or embryos. The alternative was to skip this month and let the 6-8 eggs die. I couldn't do that. I need to feel we at least have a chance.

Ugh, this TTC stuff can really drive you bonkers!

Ali: I'm so happy for you to be starting your cycle soon. I hope you get your BFP this time.

TerriLou: Thank you for your support!

 

[alicatt]

Coy: yes, the trigger shot involves DH stabbing me in the butt cheek with a big, long needle.

Coy & Ali: we had spaghetti made from brown rice (Trader Joe's) for dinner last night. It was pretty similar to regular pasta, though not exactly the same, and GF. And inexpensive.

I wish I had a Trader Joe's in my area. They don't have them in FL
I have Publix (which some have a really good GF/health food section), but otherwise it is Whole Foods, which is mega expensive! My friend that has an autistic child and has been feeding him GF has been giving me brands of the things she likes best. She said she likes pasta made with corn. So I bought some of that yesterday, figured I'd try it out in a few days.

GL with the trigger, it is not fun! I tell you by the end of my last IVF cycle I felt like a pin cushion!

Oh, BTW about the cost. I hope they at least rolled what you had paid for the IUI thus far into the cost of the IVF! My insurance won't cover the US's because they are monitoring for an IUI/IVF cycle. So they have 1 flat rate that covers all of the basics for the IUI/IVF and then add on's like the ICSI and assisted hatching.

Have you had a change to talk with the Dr about these things? Do they have a plan? Did you ask about the trial transfer?

They wouldn't give me credit for the monitoring that I paid for already. Grrr! But since I got the $2500 off based on the negotiated rate, I guess it's fine.

The doc thought we would not do ICSI this time nor AH. But it sounded like it would be a game day decision. They do the trial transfer earlier in the cycle, so I missed that window already. Ditto for PGD.

So, my estrogen went down today to 1550 from 1720. I don't think that's a good thing. The nurse just said that it indicates that I will have no further growth and confirms that we should trigger tonight.

I just have to look at it as this is a sub-optimal IVF cycle. It just kinda happened and we didn't do the full stimming. So, we might not get many eggs or embryos. The alternative was to skip this month and let the 6-8 eggs die. I couldn't do that. I need to feel we at least have a chance.

Ugh, this TTC stuff can really drive you bonkers!

Ali: I'm so happy for you to be starting your cycle soon. I hope you get your BFP this time.

TerriLou: Thank you for your support!

I wouldn't worry too much about your falling estrogen level, that is totally normal for it to fall right before you ovulate. The estrogen level will start to fall, and your LH will start to rise. The trigger will just push them out.

I just hope that it all works out!

 

[Grey Eyes]

FirstTry- I am so excited for you!
Ali- wow, so day after tomorrow! Yay! I am excited for you, your "wait to start" is almost over I can't believe that we are in November already--where does the time g? Then you start stimming on the 26th? Awesome!

Jess- I know what you mean re:bc....Dh and I did the same thing, I was on that stupid depo provera shot for 2 years- 2 years!! Wow, then when we started trying to get prego it took another 2 years to get that junk out of my system and my period back. Argh, the things we do to ourselves I'll never do that again! Dh and I have already talked and decided against any bc in our future. we'll either have to be careful as far as timing or just take our chances I am not opposed to having another one but boy...pregnancy is hard work

AFM- HUGE sigh of relief, my attorney contacted me today and is more than happy to represent me int his new case. I gotta say being accused of being a criminal makes me almost feel like one iykwim. I hate that feeling! Anyway, he is in contact with the prosecutor now so we will see what we can get done. Phew! Why me? lol!

Aeryn is growing fast, still very tiny of course but she is an eater! She nurses every 2 hours without fail...at night she may go as long as 2.5-3 hours and let me sleep For some reason this baby seems easier than the other 2 dd's...dh says it is because I am experienced now, but I am just happy she is healthy AND I get to sleep

 

[alicatt]

FirstTry- I am so excited for you!
Ali- wow, so day after tomorrow! Yay! I am excited for you, your "wait to start" is almost over I can't believe that we are in November already--where does the time g? Then you start stimming on the 26th? Awesome!

Jess- I know what you mean re:bc....Dh and I did the same thing, I was on that stupid depo provera shot for 2 years- 2 years!! Wow, then when we started trying to get prego it took another 2 years to get that junk out of my system and my period back. Argh, the things we do to ourselves I'll never do that again! Dh and I have already talked and decided against any bc in our future. we'll either have to be careful as far as timing or just take our chances I am not opposed to having another one but boy...pregnancy is hard work

AFM- HUGE sigh of relief, my attorney contacted me today and is more than happy to represent me int his new case. I gotta say being accused of being a criminal makes me almost feel like one iykwim. I hate that feeling! Anyway, he is in contact with the prosecutor now so we will see what we can get done. Phew! Why me? lol!

Aeryn is growing fast, still very tiny of course but she is an eater! She nurses every 2 hours without fail...at night she may go as long as 2.5-3 hours and let me sleep For some reason this baby seems easier than the other 2 dd's...dh says it is because I am experienced now, but I am just happy she is healthy AND I get to sleep

Hey Coy!

Yep I'm really happy to finally be starting. I just hope that it all goes well on Wednesday and I get the green light to move forward. All the meds are on their way, the only thing left is for me to find a donor. I still haven't been able to pick one out! I'm stuck on the fact that the new site I chose doesn't give out their ages. I think that is an important consideration, don't you think? So I want to contact them, but their customer service people are only there during business hours, and so I have to either wait until I'm at home, or a quiet time to discus that while I'm at work IYKWIM!

Sooo happy for you, that you have a lawyer that will handle the case for you. Hopefully (s)he is going to get it thrown out. Seems to me like the prosecutor is an idiot for even attempting to try it at all! So is this a criminal case or a civil case? It is also very cool that Aeryn is eating well and growing Means you are a great momma! Oh, and as for BCP, I was lamenting to my friend at work about how much I hate the BCP, and she said, well don't hate it too much you might have to go back on it after you have your baby. I looked at her like she had lobsters crawling out of her ears and said there is no way on earth I will ever take BCP again. She said well what are you going to do if you are in a situation where it calls for it? I said, make the guy get snipped She just laughed, and said she didn't think she could do that to her husband. To which I said, I don't ever want to put hormones into my body to alter the way it needs to be after this IVF cycle. I then said if I couldn't snip my man I might consider an IUD (non-hormone emitting). This business of putting hormones into the body do make it do one thing or another is not normal, and I much preferred my body per BCP! It may not have been perfect all the time, but it was MY cycle, not one dictated by a silly white pill! I must say she wasn't expecting that outburst!! She was my friend before she took the job at my company so talking about those types of personal things is normal for us.

Miss you!