9 months+ trying to conceive, still losing hope, still trying

I’m back here as AF showed finally on CD50.
I had my appointment with my gp and she said it all looks normal (endometrium looks like I’m having a normal cycle) and I don’t have any cysts.

She prescribed Clomid (5-10 protocol) as we have been trying for over a year. DH is getting SA on Monday.

I also gor a referral for hysteroscopy and laparoscopy so if we are not successful in the next three cycles, I’m getting that done as well.

Baby dust to all of you! 🌸

@Tinkerbell098 yes I think so. He refers to HSG as the gold standard and he writes don’t be fobbed off by lower quality tests using dye and ultrasound. I mean I suppose it’s only his opinion but I thought it was interesting x

@Hoping43 interesting regarding HSG better than hycosy. Sorry, I haven't had a proper look at the website, but is it because HSG is more detailed and more informative than hycosy?

@NatW2021 I had lots of places not offer the hycosy on its own too! It’s annoying actually because it’s fairly simple procedure I think in and out. But they seem to like you to be a patient.

I just had to call my clinic to cancel so waiting for a call back to know how much refund I get🙈

@Hoping43 @OK92 - i found one yesterday that accepts NHS results and you just pay for Hycosy - its not as local but think its £470 so works out cheaper and it says you find out results on the day, im going to book early next week if/when AF arrives. Just need my GP to do a referral and send my bloods and SA over.

Oh really! That’s annoying. That was going to be my plan if the NHS don’t offer it. Could you do it if you have an appointment with the CARE consultant first? I rang them and they said they accept NHS test results so I don’t think you would have to pay for loads of testing. Think the consultations are around £200 x

@NatW2021 🙄 I also had a few rude/confused receptionists when I was calling up to book one! Seeing as it's a procedure people often do before IVF I don't understand why a lot of places don't offer it as a one off.

Sorry quick rant - just rang CARE and they said they dont offer the Hycosy on its own - the receptionist was so rude!!!

@OK92 Thank you 😊 i think i am going to bite the bullet and go next cycle the worry is just eating me up i just need to know either way! Sorry to hear you are going through this to its just awful i Didnt realise how hard it would be.

@Hoping43 - i have heard of CARE i think there is a local one to me so will contact them today to ask next steps.

I find i feel better when i am doing something productive so once i know where i stand with this i feel i have done most of what i can other than more exercise/loosing weight in prep for IVF if that is the next step although i really really hope its not.

@Tinkerbell098 he's on Impryl and has made some lifestyle changes though was always quite healthy anyway. But eating better, loose pants, taking a break from spinning. Guess it can do no harm! Dr Ramsey said they deteriorate over time yes so had we started trying earlier for DC1 we'd probably have encountered the issue if we were trying for DC3 if that makes sense rather than number 2.

@FlyOnTheWall89 we are doing it privately. No idea when the op will be, he has scan and dna frag next week then the follow up app early April. Really hoping it can be scheduled in for May.

@NatW2021 I just went to a local fertility clinic in London, a lot of places I called needed me to already be a patient with them to book one in so I wasn't left with much choice in the end but turned out fine and had a good experience.

Hi @NatW2021 I don’t know if you have read any of the information by Prof Robert Winston on the Genesis research trust website under the “ask Robert” section but he strongly recommends HSG over hycosy. Typically much more expensive but that’s what I’m going to fight to have at my appt in a few weeks and I feel like I’ll have to consider paying privately if NHS won’t fund. CARE seem to do both procedures though x

Hi @OK92 are you going the scan and op privately via Dr Ramsay or have you spoken to the NHS since the appointment? Any idea how quickly your OH will be able to have the op? X

@Tinkerbell098 thanks ill take a look at.

Does anyone have any recommendations for Hscosy? Not sure if anyone went to a national company? I just spoke to someone i found on google and first impressions wasn't great, it seems there aren't many about.

@NatW2021 another thing I've seen on here is red clove oil? I've never used it, usually 1000 mg EPO does it for me.

@FlyOnTheWall89 - i know it worries me, i have been drinking 2L a day for a good while now so will keep up with that and might up EPO dosage from AF

@NatW2021 how strange - that defo won't help things, but with the lube, you'd think maybe that was enough. I know the best kind of lube is your own EWCM.... do you drink enough - silly question but some people don't x

@FlyOnTheWall89 yep ive tried it, i was taking 2000g a day, i still take it, don't get my wrong i get some watery cm (again sorry tmi) but not what i would expect 🤷‍♀️

@NatW2021 Have you tried EPO? I am sure you'll have seen it mentioned on here. It works wonders. You can take between 500 and 3000mg and I only need 500 and TMI, but I am slipping all over the place haha. It isn't an expensive supplement either, which is nice considering the cost of the other ones we take. xx

@FlyOnTheWall89 - i know just don't want to keep spending out i feel i have spent a fortune on TTC. Again sorry for TMI but i dont think i het enough CM, i used conceive plus once and it wasnt the best but think i need to get it out again next month.

Not getting my hopes up at all regarding bbt - i said this before bbt can be disheartening as it sort of gives you a heads up that your not pregnant but just cant bring myself to stop it 🤦‍♀️

@NatW2021 @Tinkerbell098 I've started the fertiliy this month and I don't tend to get a suction feeling... I get it as far in as I can, but I definitely don't feel it's totally correctly placed.

The dip is an interesting one. I get a dip most months so I researched it and there is no evidence it is related to implantation (sadly). Sometimes it does coincide with implantation, but it can just be normal cycle stuff. Scientists are not really sure why some people can dip at times and then go back up. Hopefully for you, it's a dip related to implantation! I think AVA did a good, very digestible article on it. X

@NatW2021 thanks I hope so too. I've spent all morning reading through IVF protocols and researching good IVF clinics if we get told we need to go down that road on Thursday. It sounds too scary but we are ready if it needs to be.

@OK92 welcome to the group. Sorry you are also having a hard time on this journey. I don't know much about MFI, but did Dr Ramsay advice on any supplements that your OH could take that would further improve motility in the mean time until you wait for the operation? Not sure if there is anything else that could help in the meantime? Did he say it must have been quite recent as you conceived 3 years ago and this has just happened in the last year or so? How is his overall sperm count and morphology?

@Tinkerbell098 - fingers crossed!! I try not to get to hopeful anymore as just leads to further disappointment!

Glad it went ok, hope everything goes well on Thursday!

Also just want to say thanks so much to everyone for being here, i sometimes think i god all i do is moan and complain on here but it really is the only place i can express my true thoughts and feelings so thank you 💗 xxx

Hi ladies, wondering if I can join? I've been reading the thread here and there from a distance but now onto cycle 8 TTC #2 and we have recently diagnosed MFI so it is likely I will be trying for quite a while longer, and need a support group so I don't drive myself crazy! I have been on another thread with @Indianna2006 and @FlyOnTheWall89 but makes sense to join here now!

A little background - DD was conceived first try 3 and a bit years ago (didn't realise how lucky I was). After 6/7 months trying for number two we got some tests including a SA for DH which showed v low motility. He saw Dr Ramsey in London last week who diagnosed a 'monster' varicocele and basically said this is probably why nothing is happening, as the sperm is getting too hot. It's a waiting game now for him to have a scan, follow up app, and then book in an operation. Then another 3-6 months wait after op to see if it's improved his sperm. Feel so sad at how long it may all take.

I really resonate with all your frustrations at seeing others either pregnant or with babies. It definitely seems so easy for so many people. I know I am so lucky to have DD but am so desperate to give her a sibling!

I will do some proper catching up on the thread now. I had a hycosy last month (before we found out about the varicocele) so hoping it does something but also know it probably won't in my case.

@NatW2021 that's very strange, if it goes up again from tomorrow onwards, it might be something. 7 dpo seems about right for an implantation dip, so fingers crossed for you!
HSG was better than I thought, was very painful when the catheter was pushed in (although probably not the worst pain I've been through), but didn't last that long. It was actually over before I knew it. It really helped that the doctor and the two nurses were really nice and kind and held my hand throughout. I won't get the result until this Thursday at the follow up appointment with my gynaecologist.

@Tinkerbell098 that was my chart from last month not sure what happened there - this is this months x