Page 15 | 35+ TTC#1 Thread 6

BambiOnIce80 · 2019-02-28T07:44:34+00:00

Spring is in the air and it's time for a new thread! Basically: a wonderful bunch of ladies supporting each other through the TTC journey when trying for a first baby after 35. Here's hoping we get some spring BFP luck for all of us!! 🍀🐣🍀🐣

Carley32 · 10/05/2019 17:29

Thanks @Pinkywoo I think i’ll Probably need to take you up on that 😊.

Yes I certainly struggle with that @BambiOnIce80 I am managing the 2 hour hold but not the limited drinking (I just forget mostly to be honest). But I’m similar.
I was thinking of trying the CB OPK again but is it really worth the money 🤔.
Haha oh dear. Don’t talk to me about stage fright lol.
Good Luck ☘️ 🤞

Welcome back @QuantumGirl. Oh no!! I am so sorry about, what sounds like the worst baby bombing so far 🙈. What a pisstake 🤐. I hope you still managed to enjoy some of your time away (other than the time you spent in the toilets). Good luck for some positive news tomoz 👍

QuantumGirl · 10/05/2019 16:58

Hello Hello Hello ladies. Sorry not being in touch, had a work trip to the US with a few days in NY with DH and thank you very much for all your tips, we really enjoyed ourselves 😊🚕🗽. DH left to the UK as soon as my work week started but unknowingly to me one of my colleagues brought his wife along and she insistently tagged herself along everywhere we went to and guess what, she is 8 weeks pregnant! It was the worst baby bombing ever!!!! She wouldn't stop talking about herself and her pregnancy, how she demands help with everything, couldn't walk anywhere in case something happened to the baby, talked about how lucky they were that they got pregnant on the first try and how they have already chosen 'little messiah's' school 😳😳😳 there was one day I actually had to hog about in the ladies just to escape the baby talk!!! Worst of all is that I watch my diet and try to eat healthy as much as I can and there was her stuffing her mouth with doughnuts and a BMI which is clear a lot higher than mine 😠. And that was me thinking a work trip would do me good and get my head away from babies for a while 👶 💣 💣💣

Tomorrow I'm off to an ivf clinic open day and don't know what to ask. We have 15 minutes of a mini consultation but I don't even know if we need it. This clinic is one of those 'al natural ' ivf with no or little drugs and I can't see them answering any of my questions without looking at my tests and doing new scans. If anyone have any tips please shout!

I'm sorry I haven't caught up with the thread yet. Still very much jet lagged but couldn't ignore those strong opk @BambiOnIce80 well done! I also had ewcm while in the US do will try to get some bd done this weekend 📆

Weathergirl1 · 10/05/2019 12:21

Best of luck @BambiOnIce80 🍀🍀😁

When we were successful it was all a bit of a 'OMG we have to do this now!' moment as I got a +ve OPK a few days earlier than I expected so 🤞 it's the same for you guys 😀

Original poster

BambiOnIce80 · 10/05/2019 11:15

Why, thank you @Weathergirl1 😁 I've not bothered with the soy isoflavones this cycle either (thought I'd best let my body fo it's own thing, seems we're heading for IVF 😏), so that result is all my bodies own doing 😄

I think my OPK crapness might be tied-in to me not being very good at abstaining from fluids for long enough @Carley32 (I think you struggle with that too?). I've been better at doing the 2 hour hold (like the kit insert says), but I've been chugging water and green tea all day before that, so I think (judging by the super pale colour) my wee is still too dilute for a proper result even with the 2 hour hold 🙄 So I decided that when my OPK's start looking like they're heading towards BFP (like last nights), then I'll do one with FMU the next day to see what the crack is... and, ta-da! 😄 I'm out for dinner tonight sans DP (bloody typical! 😩), so I'm going to eat and run and leap on him as soon as I'm through the door (I've text him of my intentions too 😈). Did the same the night before last and we managed to avoid stage fright, so I'm keeping everything crossed that it'll be the same tonight - wish me luck 🍀🍀🍀

OP posts:

Weathergirl1 · 10/05/2019 08:49

Wow that's a corker @BambiOnIce80 ! 👍🤞

Carley32 · 10/05/2019 08:06

On*

Carley32 · 10/05/2019 08:06

Me to @BambiOnIce80 🤞.

Wow that is the most positive OPK I have seen too! Excellent! So you Test in the morning and evening?
Best get in it Bambi 👍😄🤞

Original poster

BambiOnIce80 · 10/05/2019 07:52

Good morning ladies 🌞

I'd get myself down to the local EPU and explain the situation @Laney79. The worst they can do is say no, but with you having all your facts and figures to hand, surely they can't?! 🤞🏻🍀

Sorry you're feeling 💩 @Pinkywoo 💐 Best to get it out the way now though so that you can be on tip-top form in 3 weeks time 💒 😉

Your GP should give your results over to the private doc @Carley32 - he's a registered medical professional that you've given your consent to to be able to assess you. I hope they hand them over to him soon 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

So. You'd think I'd be soooo over cycle tracking, what with the fact that I can't get pregnant and have to go for IVF and all, but noooooo - I'm still temping and hitting the OPK's like Pavlov's dogs running for the dinner bell 🛎 🤪 🤦‍♀️ I guess I feel about TTC a lot like the way I feel about the national lottery - you've gotta be in it to win it 😬 I feel my odds of a BFP HPT are about the same as winning the bastarding lottery too 😏 Anywho. I never really get a proper BFP OPK, just near as dammit as dark as the control line or just as dark as the control line. Doesn't worry me though because temping, blood tests and my US' all confirm I ovulate - I just don't have much luck with OPK's... until this morning, that is!! Look at the line on that bad boy!! 🤩 Way flipping darker than the control line 😁 Might just call it quits now and never POA OPK again, seems we're off for IVF anyway 😂

OP posts:

Pinkywoo · 09/05/2019 20:54

That's brilliant @BambiOnIce80 thankyou! Sorry for the delayed reaction, I've got a uti and feel like shite, on the plus side apparently pregnant women are seen straight away at the walk in centre, I've never been in and out so quickly!

@Carley32 you are definitely entitled to your results, don't take no for an answer (I am available for lessons in being a stubborn git if necessary)

Laney79 · 09/05/2019 19:43

The actual study @BambiOnIce80 is really interesting. Basically for women with a history of miscarriage it suggests progesterone may help the pregnancy continue- and they found that as the number of previous miscarriages increases so does the effectiveness of the progesterone. But it's only in women who've experienced bleeding in the first 12 weeks. Here's the Tommy's info graphic www.tommys.org/sites/default/files/PRISM%20Infographic_v4.pdf

I asked my GP about it and she said it would have to be Epas that prescribed it if I started bleeding. My only problem is that we are due to go to Greece on holiday the day I hit 8 weeks-so now I'm thinking I need to have a prescription so I can take some with me just in case I start bleeding whilst I'm away...does that make sense? The only prob is finding someone to prescribe it!!! Arghhh

Carley32 · 09/05/2019 19:04

@BambiOnIce80. I told her that I was going private and she said she would send my results over with a cover letter for £30. Because they needed a letter to be attached. But when I spoke to the consultant he needed no letter and was just curious about my results and what they class as normal. So he has written his own letter to my surgery asking them to send my results to him. But I doubt they will.

I hope fast-tracked means FAST for you @Bambi 🤞. You have done enough waiting!

AliceRR · 09/05/2019 12:46

Thanks @BambionIce80

Original poster

BambiOnIce80 · 09/05/2019 12:45

I do indeed have a lovely GP @Laney79 and @Carley32, but I haven't seen her for the best part of a year since she referred me to the fertility clinic 😄 Tuesdays appointment was with the NHS fertility consultant... yep, I'm the kind of nightmare patient who questions whether the specialist consultant is interpreting the criteria correctly 😂 She's the only one who has the power to refer us to the ACU - lovely GP lady couldn't, unfortunately 😏 Should all be fast-tracked now we've had that conversation with her though, so we'll wait and see what they mean by "fast" 🐌 🙄

@Carley32, on the results front they should never be allowed to charge you to give you a copy of your results! 😱 Given the mention of an accompanying letter, was it possible she would be charging you for a referral (and to send your NHS results) to a private clinic when you were discussing that? A list of questions and potential follow-up questions sounds like a very good idea 💡🙂

@Laney79, that study sounds very interesting 🤓 I was reading through the IVF paper work that the clinic gave us in preparation for the referral and I noticed it mentioned that they only leave us on progesterone for 3 days after a BFP as there is no evidence to support a better outcome by using it for longer... I know the study is looking at a slightly different situation, but certainly makes you wonder 🤔 I'm already putting together a list of questions for our first IVF consultation (because I am a nightmare patient 😬), so think this progesterone query will be added to it 👍

Science geek here @AliceRR (🤓) and I know that the way aspirin works is to stop our platelets (blood cells that are essential in forming blood clots) from doing their job so well. I guess the logic in taking it through pregnancy is to stop it being so likely that clots will form in the placenta/cord and therefore potentially causing complications? Pregnancy makes it more likely for a bodies to form clots more easily, so some people start forming unnecessary clots when they wouldn't if not pregnant (if that makes sense?!). Happened to someone I used to know - no problems with inappropriate clot formation when not pregnant, but huge problems when pregnant. They ended up putting her on low molecular weight heparin rather than aspirin alone though.

OP posts:

AliceRR · 09/05/2019 10:57

@VenusStarr I also hate it when the medical professionals are like that. I think sometimes people don’t know what to say. It’s good your cycle seems on track 🤞

Sorry for not replying to everyone I’m just getting to know what everyone is doing

Can I ask what is aspirin supposed to help with? I’ve read of people taking it but wasn’t sure

Laney79 · 09/05/2019 08:17

Very interesting...

Hormone 'can reduce chances of miscarriage' www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-48207396

Carley32 · 08/05/2019 19:27

Your and GP. Bloody predictive txt!

Carley32 · 08/05/2019 19:26

Oh @BambiOnIce80 sorry about the just plain crap ‘grey area’ that is you next steps with the nhs. At least you seemed to have a lovely go who sounded very informative and helpful! You seem to have a plan of action which sounds exciting though so 🤞🤞🤞 for that. Good luck with those egg checks 🤞.

That is a strong line @Laney79 😍.

Time is going so fast @weathergirl1!

Sorry you had a ‘clinical’ (shitty) appointment @VenusStarr. I understand their job must be difficult, but showing a little compassion would go such a long way!
Hope you feel a little better soon ❤️

Thanks ladies. I know it was very frustrating. They seem to have an answer for everything, she said that she would send the results herself (with a letter at a charge mind). It was all a bit shady. But this time I’m hoping to go armed with answers for every but!

I have been able to book cycle bloods like advised for cd 21 and 23 though so that’s a positive. Currently CD7.

Original poster

BambiOnIce80 · 08/05/2019 18:07

Really glad to hear your scan went well @Weathergirl1 (and that 💩 is getting very real! 😂).x

That is one fabulous looking line @Laney79 😍 Good luck with your appointment today @Laney79 and I hope you get some good results 🤞🏻

Sounds like you've got a mini plan of action there @VenusStarr, so fingers-crossed for the next 4 months 🤞🏻🍀

@Pinkywoo, looks like I'm good to go for 1.30pm on the 30th so I'm all yours if you need me.x

OP posts:

Weathergirl1 · 08/05/2019 11:01

@VenusStarr urgh I hate it when medics are very clinical like that, especially when it must be pretty obvious that the patient is quite anxious about the whole thing. A little bit of compassion doesn't hurt! 🤞 With cracking on. My 12 week scan is in a fortnight (so will actually be a 13 week scan) - I'm expecting the process will be a bit more conveyer belt like than last night.

VenusStarr · 08/05/2019 09:51

Sorry I didn't come back yesterday. I feel really out of sorts, disconnected somehow. Its very odd. Anyway, they haven't discharged us, the consultant barely acknowledged the miscarriage. It was Very clinical appointment though. He's happy with dh's SA results so no need to redo. I will be hashing another scan, laparoscopy and hycosy. Then a follow up in about 4 months to review. He did mention the amh blood test but we agreed that at the moment we'll give ttc on our own a good shot, along with these tests, then if it's looking like we'll need an intervention / ivf then do the blood test. I think it'll make me more anxious to do that now and then almost no where to go with it, if that makes sense. In other news cd8 and I've had a fair bit of ewcm. Pleased my cycle doesn't seem affected by the miscarriage and we can just crack on.

@Laney79, hope you get some reassurance today. The line progression is good :) today you are pregnant 💜

@Weathergirl1 great news, When's your 12 week scan?

@BambiOnIce80 sounds like your appointment was productive. Sorry about the funding. We didn't even talk about ivf / funding at ours. Kind of feels a bit early to be doing that for me. Especially as we only get one free shot, I kind of want to exhaust other opportunities before we go down that route. And save some money!

Sorry I haven't mentioned everyone, hope you're all OK xx

Weathergirl1 · 08/05/2019 08:57

@Laney79 thank you! And yes that's definitely a much stronger line now 😀👍🤞

Laney79 · 08/05/2019 07:53

Hi @PixieN the aspirin evidence is minimal...some specialists say take it others say don't. Both my consultants (fertility and the one I saw during my mc) day it's worth a try and unlikely to harm so I'm taking daily 75mg. I didn't with my last two so feeling that I need to try something different. Also continuing with reflexology which I didn't in my last pregnancy and will go for acupuncture too. Way I figure it none of these things alone will cause a loss, so if there's any chance they may help, even if just with a placebo effect then let's try it. DHEA wise...like @BambiOnIce80 I was wary about this one looking at the evidence. My friend who had ivf in Hong Kong was recommended to take it by her doctor to try and help with egg quality, but with me and knowing my hormone levels were already a bit screwy I didn't want to upset the apple cart even more without advice. My fertility doc said not to when I asked him as he said it wasn't proven to help yet, and he didn't recommend it as it was "experimental" from his point of view.

@Carley32 it really annoys me when they won't give you results/copies of results. They are YOUR results!!! It's about your body so you gave an absolute right to see the results.

@Pinkywoo great idea about the witnesses! Hope the rest of the planning goes well.

@BambiOnIce80 frustrating about the funding but your gp sounds really helpful, and honest. Sounds like a really good appointment. Fingers crossed you can get the fertility stuff sorted ASAP. I think having a plan really helps. I'm still awaiting my AMH results but I did catch a bit of the info the dr was relating to the nurse at my scan last week-I think from what he said he could see 5 follicles for me, which doing research as I would isn't great and I worried that that might mean I wouldn't respond well enough to ivf...but then 3 days later I found out I was preggers so at the moment at least it's not an issue.

@Weathergirl1 great news on the scan! Fingers crossed all goes well with the bloods after the effort it took to get them pesky cells!

Got an appt with the fertility dr today-was meant to be to get the results of the sperm test, and my AMH and scan - but obv now it's likely to be more about me freaking out about a new pregnancy and doing all I can to avoid a third mc. Part of me feels I should've cancelled it, but I really want the test results, and some advice in case the worst does happen again. Mind you poas again this morning and it's definitely darker....

Weathergirl1 · 07/05/2019 22:51

Blimey lots to catch up on here! Hope your appointment went okay @VenusStarr 💐

51?! Oh my goodness! I take it your friend is pleased @BambiOnIce80 ? And here was I feeling that 40 was really the cut off for me 😳

Very excited about the prospect of wedding witnesses being sourced on this board. How cool is that?! 💐

News from me (without going into too much detail as I've already done that on the graduates thread!). Had a scan this evening and I'm 11+1 which near enough matches NC date. Had blood test for Harmony with multiple needles as my body didn't want to give up any precious red blood cells 😬 which was not the best experience for a needle-phobe 😱... Feeling a lot more real now and OMG what have we done 😲.

@carley32 I always find it easier to be assertive about things like this if you can write down what you're going to say on advance. And if you can guess some of the responses you might get then have replies to those prepared too. Makes it a lot easier than if you are just having to think of what to say on the spot. Good luck 🍀

Original poster

BambiOnIce80 · 07/05/2019 20:19

Phew! 😪 Busy, busy day, so sorry to have read and run earlier ladies - catching up properly now...

@Carley32 @beverlymarsh @AliceRR, yeah the "51 & pregnant" was a bit of a shocker all round, I think 😦 Didn't have time to talk to her properly, but she looked about 5% delighted & 95% terrified (think I'd look like that even now, to be fair 😬). Keeping everything crossed for them, of course 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

@PixieN, I've heard of it and read that it's a nightmare to get hold of in the UK (have to ship it in from the US, I think 🤔). From the reading I did, the side effects/risk factors were a bit too scary for me so I personally wouldn't take it unless a doc was involved and monitoring me. Here's a little link that might be helpful to weigh it up:

haveababy.com/fertility-information/ivf-authority/dhea-and-ivf-harmful-in-certain-cases

@Carley32, you can be perfectly polite about requesting your results because they're your results which they have to give you under the freedom of information act. You can smile sweetly whilst you're saying it too 😊😉

Sorry that you're struggling @VenusStarr 💐 How did your appointment go?x

I'll get back to you tomorrow @Pinkywoo as soon as I have worked out if I can swing it 💒 🙂

So. Fairly happy with how my appointment went, I think 👍 Went straight there with the doc about me questioning with her bosses about the eligibility criteria and that I hoped she didn't see it as a slight against her - she said she didn't and she sees perfectly where I'm coming from. She reckons the criteria don't really cater for people in my situation (awesome 😏), and she's sorry about that but her hands are tied by the criteria. She said the best she could do would be to argue my case for an early referral as a 'special case' because of my previous diagnosis, the blatant fact that it doesn't look to have changed and the fact that I'm 39 and not getting any younger... but even then the earliest she'd be able to refer me would be in 4 months time 🙄 Then add on another 10 months to a year to actually work our way up the waiting list and I'll be nearer to 41 than 40 and our odds will have crashed 😒 She emphasised that our chances of success really are better now and she completely understands our frustration - so I flat out asked her would she recommend going self-funded? It pained her to say it, but she felt in our circumstances it would. She'd fast track our referral to our IVF clinic and we should be seen in ~3 weeks with IVF starting in 2 to 3 months after that, but possibly sooner - finally feel like we're turning a (very scary! 😳) corner 😪 First thing's first though - need to get my AMH and antral follicular scan done to assess egg reserve and take it from there 🥚👍

OP posts:

Pinkywoo · 07/05/2019 19:22

That would be brilliant @BambiOnIce80! It's at 1.30, and yes tomorrow's fine!

Hope your appointment went well @VenusStarr