Page 3 | TTC 2 years

Lasagne30 · 2021-03-09T08:59:56+00:00

Hi all, Me and my partner have been TTC for almost 2 years now, just looking for some friends in a similar situation. I am currently undergoing fertility testing. My partner has super sperm so it would appear that the problem lies with me. I also have adenomyosis, however I was told that this does not neccessarily affect fertility. Yesterday I had a HSG test, which was quite unpleasant, I experienced really bad cramps which I am told can mean I have blocked fallopian tubes, although the doc that performed the procedure said everything looked good. Just waiting on results. Anyone else experiencing any similar situations? TIA Lasagne30

maw16 · 18/05/2021 11:11

@lasagne30 I was prescribed letrozole very quickly - started fertility investigations in September 2020 and was put on letrozole in January 2021! So far I have been going through the public system as well but it does strike me as odd that they haven't done my HSG yet. My consultant has now put me on the list to have it done as we're not getting pregnant on letrozole however my appointment isn't until August and the hospital it being really difficult about booking it around my cycle. Originally, my consultant said she expected me to be pregnant already and didn't want to check my tubes as I'm low risk (my age and no history of infection etc.). Sorry this has been such a ramble! I'm just debating whether to try and get the HSG done this week or just carry on with the letrozole...

Unexplained infertility is definitely not the easiest 'diagnosis' so I feel for you!

1940s · 18/05/2021 11:10

@Lasagne30

So I had my appointment today...finally! I got a different doctor than last time, this one was amazing! She was much younger and I felt like I could relate a little more to her than the older lady, I felt like she kind of looked down on me for some reason. Spoke very quickly and in medical terms and got frustrated when I asked questions. This new lady was so good, we spent most of the consult laughing, it was great. She didn't seem too fussed that I didn't get the GTT, and apparently my HSG all came back normal. She prescribed me Clomid today. Went and picked it up and if unsuccessful this month I will start taking it in a little over a week. Have you had any side affects after taking it? She also said that she can give me a referral to start IUI, although I just wanted to start with the pills for now. I find the thought of IUI very unsettling and to be honest my partner isn't too thrilled about them sticking a giant needle into my stomach either lol I go back in 6 weeks to see how I'm going and she may want to up the dosage. Hows your journey going?

IUI isn't a needle in the stomach by the way. It's a concentrate of your partners sperm deposited via the vagina past the cervix into the womb at the 'right' time of the month usually following Clomid abs a trigger injection (small) to time ovulation perfectly

Original poster

Lasagne30 · 18/05/2021 11:01

@maw16 I went through the public system, tbh I am quite surprised I have gotten through so quickly, I have heard of people being on waiting lists for years for simple procedures.
I was told I had to get all the tests including HSG before I was given any drugs at all so that's odd that you managed to get a prescription beforehand.
Apparently Adenomyosis doesn't affect chances, but PCOS does. But I know women with both who have had several babies without problems. I guess it's just the luck of the draw. Thats why I hate the term 'unexplained fertility.' What a joke lol
But welcome to the thread! Feel free to let us in on your journey, makes us feel less alone haha

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maw16 · 18/05/2021 10:46

@lasagne30 Just reading through this thread and I started off in a very similar position to you! I was also diagnosed with suspected adenomyosis a couple of months ago, my fertility specialist doesn't seem to think it will affect our chances. I also have PCOS and have been taking letrozole (does the same thing as Clomid just supposedly less side effects) for the last four months and have been ovulating but still failing to get pregnant. However, I still haven't had my tubes checked so am starting to worry something else is wrong. Did you have yours done privately or with the NHS?

Original poster

Lasagne30 · 17/05/2021 11:05

That's all good 🙂 I hope your interview went well and it's a better suit for you.
Oh really? Isn't that weird, I mean we are in pretty much identical situations, why would they not go through the same channels. I am definitely in the same head space with it being a last resort. Nobody WANTS to do IVF or even IUI.

Yeah just the 50 to start.
No arrival of AF just yet, but I have some mild cramping today so I have a feeling she's on her way.
When you took your first pill, did you count spotting as day 1 or wait for full bleeding?

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ljayc · 15/05/2021 03:32

Sorry for late replies, I’ve been so busy with work, but also applied for other jobs and had an interview yesterday.
Glad your consult went so well, finally and you got some clomid!!
I’ve done my drug taking for this month and hope this works as I really don’t want to have to resort to IVF if at all possible. IUI wasn’t even considered for me, they just advised to go straight to IVF if unsuccessful on clomid due to lower success rates of IUI and timescales for me. Not had any issues or side effects with clomid so far. Is yours 50mg at the mo?

Original poster

Lasagne30 · 11/05/2021 10:02

So I had my appointment today...finally!
I got a different doctor than last time, this one was amazing! She was much younger and I felt like I could relate a little more to her than the older lady, I felt like she kind of looked down on me for some reason. Spoke very quickly and in medical terms and got frustrated when I asked questions. This new lady was so good, we spent most of the consult laughing, it was great.
She didn't seem too fussed that I didn't get the GTT, and apparently my HSG all came back normal.
She prescribed me Clomid today. Went and picked it up and if unsuccessful this month I will start taking it in a little over a week.
Have you had any side affects after taking it?
She also said that she can give me a referral to start IUI, although I just wanted to start with the pills for now. I find the thought of IUI very unsettling and to be honest my partner isn't too thrilled about them sticking a giant needle into my stomach either lol
I go back in 6 weeks to see how I'm going and she may want to up the dosage.
Hows your journey going?

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Original poster

Lasagne30 · 05/05/2021 10:20

Yeah I had to get the progesterone too, luckily she managed to get some for that but she did say it was only JUST enough haha
Yeah I was the same. I started trying so it would fall in line with my long service leave being due haha but that didn't exactly go to plan.
Yeah it's alright, think I just need a change. Sounds like you're the same.
Stick it out for another 6 months and hopefully the drugs work for you!

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ljayc · 05/05/2021 08:28

@Lasagne30
No, I had bloods to check progesterone levels but no mention of checking glucose 🤷🏼‍♀️ I did get a letter yesterday asking me to go for an AMH blood test to check egg reserves in case we have to resort to IVF. It’s not your fault if they can’t take the blood, so hopefully she can prescribe you the drugs anyway.
I’ve been considering a career change for a while but kept hoping that maternity leave was soon to come, but a few years on and I’m just getting more miserable and bitter by the day 😂
Retail management sounds great, as long as it’s not selling maternity-wear or prams! 😂

Original poster

Lasagne30 · 03/05/2021 22:31

Oh wow, yeah that is quite a stressful job, maybe you could get a transfer within your department so you get to keep your entitlements.
I actually have a friend who does a very similar job, how weird is that? Haha
Retail management is nothing compared to that lol
Exciting!! Good luck yourself!
Got my app. next Tuesday, I'm just worried that she is going to turn me away because I was supposed to get a glucose test to check for diabetes but everytime I've gone to get the test, they can't get blood from me. Apparently I have very deep veins, well that's their excuse lol A couple of times they've managed to get the first lot from me but have no luck the second time and obviously don't try for a third time. It's very frustrating, especially seeings as I've tried 5 times to get the test! Hopefully she will still give me the drugs regardless. Did you need to do a glucose test as part of your testing?

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ljayc · 03/05/2021 18:10

@Lasagne30 Hope you’re okay? I think problems TTC makes you entitled to be grumpy lol.
I’m a probation officer and specialise in supervising repeat female offenders, so I am constantly around women who are street homeless, drug dependant, living chaotic lives etc, and like you said, despite that, seem to fall pregnant very easily. It feels like some of them haven’t been out of prison 2 minutes and they accidentally fall pregnant for the 10th time. I spend a lot of time talking through options for their unwanted pregnancies and in social care meetings talking about children being removed - it’s so sad, but also very frustrating when TTC myself. I’m working non-stop long hours and constantly feel mentally and physically drained.
I started clomid today!! Hope you get yours soon! Try and stay positive and good luck 😀

Original poster

Lasagne30 · 01/05/2021 00:40

Well let me know how you go this month.
I am quite nervous about the results actually. I just want to go on the drugs and honestly if that doesn't work I think i will give up. I just want it to be easy. The hard part is supposed to be the actual baby, you know.
Yeah but I'm sure the consultant is just grasping at straws at this stage, trying to give you a reason, any reason.
There are plenty of people out there that have stressful lives that fall pregnant without even trying. Obese people, drug and alcohol addicts, people who take every precaution not to; they all get pregnant everyday. It just baffles me how someone healthy, happy and young can't.
I am quite grumpy today haha And I think you can tell by my post lol
What do you do for work?

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ljayc · 24/04/2021 10:49

Yeah, not much pain or cramps but plenty of other symptoms to make up for it. I’m usually about 29 days too, but don’t think I’ve ever had one as long as 36! I’d be pretty hopeful if that was me too - what a head fuck 😆
I should start clomid first week of May (presuming I’m unsuccessful again this month), so will see how that goes. Hopefully your results are all good, although you then get the “unexplained infertility” diagnoses which isn’t much help.
My jobs really hard work at the moment and I’m really trying to keep stress levels down as that really won’t be helping, to the point I’m looking to change jobs and potentially lose out on maternity entitlements, but consultant said there’s a good chance that’s the cause x

Original poster

Lasagne30 · 23/04/2021 06:15

Yeah well I've never had pregnancy symptoms so I'm not sure if there will even be a difference. Wow you get lots of symptoms haha That must suck, I really just get tender boobs, I mean, really tender; if I sit down too harshly, omg it is agony. And I keep my partner at bay with a 2 foot long stick 😂
Usually 28/29 days every month but the longest I've had was 36. I was so sure I was pregnant that month and then was devestated when AF showed up.
So, no baby this month. Well, I suppose I will see the specialist next month and hopefully she puts me on Chlomid to kick start something in there.
Call me crazy but I think Christmas is hectic enough without throwing a birthday in the mix haha I'll be happy with any other month baby lol

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ljayc · 17/04/2021 08:42

My main PMS symptoms are bloating, fluid weight gain and constipation, but also get mild cramps, spots on my chin, anxiety and irritability, increased appetite some months, and very occasionally I get breast tenderness. PMS v Pregnancy symptoms are so annoyingly similar, it’s hard to tell isn’t it.
I always start analysing everything around day 27/28 😂
I think some of the few symptom differences for a lot of people in early pregnancy are sickness/nausea, nipple changes and spotting but like you said, everyone’s different so who knows 🤷🏼‍♀️
How long are your cycles usually?
Oh I really hope this is your month!!!🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽 It’d be a Christmas Baby! 🎁

Original poster

Lasagne30 · 17/04/2021 05:12

Ahh okay, well hopefully you get lucky with Clomid and don't have to go through the hassel of IVF. Oh really? Isn't that strange. Ah well the more help you can get, the better.
Can I ask, do you get PMS symptoms?
Since going off the pill, I get really sore boobs a couple of days before I get my period, but I am trying to figure out if you get the same symptoms from early pregnancy. I know the same hormones rise before period and once you're pregnant but I imagine things are different for everyone.
I am currently on day 27 today so I guess I'll know real soon anyway.

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ljayc · 15/04/2021 08:45

@Lasagne30 It’s 5 pills (1 a day taken on days 2- 6) and it’s for a max of 6 months. Too late to start this month so I’ll start taking in May, but referred for IVF anyways and she said I should expect to have had my first consult with them by July/Aug at which point they’ll tell me to stop the clomid, so I’ve maybe 3 or 4 tries before resorting to IVF. So depending on your cycle and consult date, you probably won’t be far behind me with starting the drugs - we can moan about the side effects next 😂
I moved house in Dec and consult also advised to get my GP changed over to my new area ASAP as it falls under different CCG that offer 2 IVF rounds whereas CCG in previous area only offer 1 round (madness since I only moved a couple of miles), so I went and changed doctors the next morning!

Original poster

Lasagne30 · 15/04/2021 01:55

Hahaha well when you have 2 toddlers getting into everything and anything I will send you a screen shot of that 😂
Yeah see thats one thing I never got, O pains. Apparently they're not that common.
Yeah I think they should change it from 'unexplained fertility' to 'useless doctors' haha
There has to be a reason!
Yes, I to am glad thats over. You start to feel like a guinea pig after a while lol
So is Chlomid a pill? I thought it was an injection.

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ljayc · 14/04/2021 12:46

@Lasagne30 I totally agree about the twins! When she was doing the prescription she said she had to first warn me that there’s a higher ‘risk’ of having twins and I was like, bring it on. Two at once is better than none for sure!
I used to test for ov but am so regular I stopped bothering and just check every now and again but can usually tell when I’m ovulating, I always get mild pains around day 14/15 and TTC throughout fertile window to be sure.

Yes - hopefully you won’t need the consult anyway and recent HSG and a busy month of trying will help haha! I guess you’ll find out next week!! 🤞🏽 I’m day 9 but will have drugs in me next month so hopefully that helps if no joy again this cycle! Unexplained fertility is so frustrating - after trying for so long, something obviously isn’t working right but hard to fix what we don’t know, so we’re just trying everything, including trying to reduce stress, eat and sleep better etc. But on the bright side, the poking and prodding is done at least for a while hopefully :)

Original poster

Lasagne30 · 13/04/2021 22:58

Sorry that message before last didn't notify me for some reason.
Yeah it would be particularly devestating now.
From what I understand, the pill doesn't have any affect on your fertility, even if you have been on it for an extended period of time. That's what my doctor told me anyway.
To be honest, I wouldn't mind having twins, knock 2 out in the one go and then take my bloody uterus out and throw it to the wind! Haha I'm sick of it!
Yes, I am hoping! I just got back from holidays and my fertile days fell smack back in the middle of them, currently on day 24, 10 DPO by my calculations.
I have tried to use the dip tests, but I always seem to just miss it, I never actually get a full positive, just a faint line.
I use my CM to track my ovulation, it seems to be the best way for me. What about you?
Ahh that sucks! But atleast she put you on Clomid! From what I've read there are heaps of success stories of people using it. Good luck!! 😁
Consult is still a month away! Taking forever 🙄 But hopefully this month is the month and I won't need it! Fingers crossed

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ljayc · 13/04/2021 22:26

Hey @Lasagne30 how are you getting on? I had my consultation yesterday and was diagnosed with “unexplained infertility”. The HSG showed tubes were completely clear and ultrasound showed no issues and that I’d just ovulated. They’ve exhausted all tests and so I was offered option to go straight for IVF or if I first wanted to try 6 months clomid to hopefully ‘boost’ ovulation, but I asked for both 😆 I was told the wait to start the IVF process can be about 4 months so I asked for a prescription to take in the meantime, which she agreed. Your long awaited consultation must be coming up soon so I hope it goes well for you :)

ljayc · 20/03/2021 01:43

It was a while ago now, straight after coming off the pill before we’d really started trying - I was about 10 weeks. It was pretty awful but I didn’t know I’d have difficulties TTC again and went back on the pill for a bit after that. I’d be devastated if it happened again now after years of trying!
Your ex work colleague sounds a bit insensitive, especially since you told her you were trying, and not sure that’s the right way to go about finding a sperm donor really!
Problems TTC has definitely created a bitterness in me too haha.
Ohhh you never know then!! I know having multiples carries greater risks (and must be bloody hard work), but I still think it would be amazing!

Hopefully you’ve still got an increased chance for the next couples of months. Do you use ovulation tests?
CD14 today so fingers crossed and legs uncrossed this week 😂

Original poster

Lasagne30 · 20/03/2021 00:50

@ljayc Yeah sometimes you have to distance yourself for your own health-that shit can put you in a really bad spot mentally. That's awful. I don't know how I would handle a miscarriage. Probably not well. Were you far along?
I used to work with a girl and she was the only person I had told that I was TTC and she said "Oh yeah I want another kid and I get pregnant REALLY easy" so she went out and got pregnant on purpose to some random guy she didn't even know and I had to watch her grow each week and in the end I just told her I didn't want to know about it or talk about it. First of all I didn't agree with the way she did it and secondly, it was like she was rubbing it in my face. Our relationship became toxic and she eventually resigned when she was due.
In reality, it probably wasn't as bad as I built it up in my head but I just felt like everytime she would say she was soooo exhausted she was poking at me and I just hated her by the end of it.

It's almost like having so much trouble TTC has made me sour towards anything child related. I really hate that it has done that to me.

I have heard that the drugs can encourage multiples and tbh twins actually already run in my family so that would be interesting! Lol

AF is due in about 2 days and like I said, I'm fairly certain I missed my ovulation this month (and obviously no sex before the HSG so really no chance) so I will have to start fresh next cycle.

So I take it you're on about day 14 now? Hope you dusted the hubby off and took him for a ride or 3 this week 😂
Lasagne30

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ljayc · 19/03/2021 23:56

@Lasagne30 No, I totally get it, it’s so hard! I’m similar. I started to dred meeting up with a certain group of friends with their bumps and toddlers. We’d watch their kids play together and they’d all talk about parenting the entire time. I started avoiding the get togethers because I just used to come away feeling 💩
and a few years ago, after I miscarried, my best friend, my sister in law and younger cousin all announced they were pregnant and my family had a big gender reveal for my cousin on Xmas day (around the time I would have been due) and although I was soooo happy for my cousin, I secretely cried in the bathroom - it was exhausting putting on a brave face all day, especially with all the jokes about me being childless (I hadn’t told anyone about the mc). But yes yes yes to the good vibes! You never know, with the drugs you might end up with 2 for 1!!! When’s your 2WW? x

Original poster

Lasagne30 · 19/03/2021 04:24

OMG yes! Even my own mother said to me "You know its harder to push them out the older you are!" I was like 🤨 But yes I would definitely prefer people thinking I am choosing to wait rather than have the pity. They can mind their damn business lol
My brother in law accidentally got his girlfriend pregnant just after we started actively trying and they have had that one and another one in that time. I must admit, that has been particularly hard for me, I try to avoid them as much as I can because I feel like they can pick up on my negative attitude towards the whole situation. I try not to, but honestly it's hard, especially seeings as he used to say how he never wanted kids at all.
But yes, positive vibes for us for the next 3 months! Atleast being miserable when you're pregnant you get something out of it at the end! Haha
Lasagne30

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