TTC for 10+ months, part 3

[joycep]

The other thread was just about to fill up and so here we are again with a slightly different name now as many of us have been trying for well over 12 cycles now. We had a few great successes on Part 2, with a couple of people getting bfp's on their 17th and 19th month of trying. So let's hope for more successes on Part 3. (Moaning, crying, sadness, anxiety & bitterness is certainly allowed on here!)

Stasi sorry to jump in but that's not quite right about the blood tests. The day 2/3 test tests for LH and FSH. They are looking for a number of things but key things are indicators for PCOS (if your LH is much higher than your FSH - they should be close to 1:1) and high levels of FSH (which raises as you age and I believe indicates levels of egg reserves because I know some places won't let you egg share if it is above a certain level). The day 21 test is for progesterone levels - to see whether or not you have ovulated. The level normally peaks 7 days after ovuation, so this is when you should have it done if you know when you ovulate. (Your LH surges just before ovulation - this is what the POAS ov tests look for. I've never heard of anyone having blood tests for this because even if there is a surge it doesn't mean an egg is definitely released but the day 21 test can confirm this.)

They might test for other things like prolactin, testosterone, thyroid function, etc as well. Mine were done with the day 2/3 test.

I hope that's helpful!

Thanks for the replies :-) I had the LH FSH test done at same time as my first day 21 and it came back normal. Hopefully day 21 will come back with an accurate answer this time.
stasi I like your idea, I think we'll fit into the older wiser and more patient category!!
Fingers crossed Joyce

euro that is my understanding of the tests too. cakes I think you need to have your LH and FSH tested on Day 2-5, not 21. It has to be tested at the beginning of a cycle to see the balance of hormones. Day 21 does not really mean day 21, it should be done 7 days after you ovulate which for many women would not actually be day 21.

Sorry if I posted wrong information. I tried to do some web research on it, but could only really find details on American websites, which maybe doesn't map across neatly. They're also 'selling' you the tests, so maybe push things differently.

My OH had his doctors appointment today, I was teaching him what he had to say this morning while he was getting ready. Was really worried he'd be too nervous to ask, but he managed it, and they sent him home with a little pot :)

I've got my next set of bloods on 11th Nov, which is day 20. My doc said those blood tests should be 7 days before next period, not 7 days after ov.. does this matter? It should be fairly close anyway, but if my ov is late in the week will it still be ok to go for the test just 3 or 4 days later?

Hope everyone is having a good day. I've got a long day ahead of me with a wedding dress fitting, and a hair and make-up test this evening. I never wear make-up, or bother to do much with my hair, so this could be interesting. I really, really hope my skin behaves on my wedding day, I'd hate to have loads of photos where my pimples out number the guests!

I've picked up an awful lot from lurking around this site and other sites for the past 10 months! My GP is also pretty well informed and my acupuncturist is very clued up on fertility testing, so I have good advisers!

At 3 or 4 days after ov, your progesterone won't have peaked. So if you have good strong levels, you might be over the level you need anyway (drs differ but generally say that more than 25 or 30 confirms ov) but if you fall under that level you might need to push to have the test repeated. Mine was done at 6dpo because 7dpo fell at the weekend (and I had already waited one cycle as the previous 7dpo fell in the middle of a 4 day bank holiday weekend). It was bang on 30. I wonder if it would have been a little higher if done on day 7 or whether that was as high as it was going to get. the gynae is happy that it confirms ov so hasn't asked for it to be repeated.

joycep how did the iui spa go today? Hope it was ok and you got some nice whale music to listen to! Good luck :)

I had a colleague pg announcement today [henvy] trying to be gracious about it as apparently she has pcos and has been trying a while, which I didn't know. Still got the sick feeling though.

such a confusing thing these tests, should expect it really given how they count length of pg. It would seem drs say 7 days before period but anyone actually needing the tests who tends to be irregular in first place goes for 7dpo. My dr gave me phone number to sort SA without even seeing my hubby.

When i get test results will askdr about day 3 test.

gah, the tests are horrid. I'll be glad when we have our full set. I'm still to go back to have day 2 fsh done because the consultant wasn't happy it was done on day 5 on a month where I ovulated on day 13. I hope it's in the region of 8 next time. But I always seem to have day 2 on a weekend. Plus I want to be super fit before I have it done . And I'm not at all fit right now. Have gone from bikram and 10ks to bed boundness in 6 weeks. I think my stomach is healing but I'm so tired and run down and keep having awful palpitations. I've lost a lot of weight and my periods are so so light. After a really bad night with a heart rate of 130 when lying down, I saw the GP who has given me beta blockers and is testing for thyroid issues. Hyperthyroidism runs in my family I'm not sure if it is that, but reading up this afternoon, it does sound like me. I don't know what this means in terms of fertility, dh does not want me to get the google fear! But I'm sure it isn't good and fits with my ongoing hunch that my immune system likes to attack stuff. Phew, good to outlet here, I'm not ever really properly ill so this is all a bit scary.

kitty sorry you've been pregnantwalloped too. Mostly the sheer 'how have you managed that' feeling is what I have.

joycep not sure if it was today or tomorrow but huge luck to you. I wave positivity in your direction!

TTC is officially suspended for me for now so I'm stuck on cycle 12 and prob will be til the lap is over, aiming to get back on the saddle so to speak (!) in the new year. I'm staying firmly here with you lot though, avoiding all thoughts of my ever mouldering eggs and deluding myself that we still haven't officially reached the year mark!

Wow - what a mardy bum I sound!

wine sorry the tests are getting you down, it's annoying having to jump through so many hoops to get pg when we were always taught was easy.

Maybe you should ask your doctor about seeing a counsellor, or just take a look in your local area. Having someone to talk to and teach you some relaxation techniques can be really helpful. It's very easy to get stressed out about your health, and very hard to control it yourself. It doesn't matter how many people tell you not to worry, that you'll be fine etc. You have to believe it for yourself or it just won't help. I think thyroid problems can cause some fertility issues, but I think they are also treatable. So if you do get a diagnosis, it might at least give you some answers.

I've done a little research and found a useful site here, the key point is at the end - "Among the various threats to fertility, thyroid disorders are arguably the easiest to identify and treat. With a little extra attention on the part of your doctor, women with thyroid disorders?whether too slow or too fast?are very likely to have problem-free conceptions, normal pregnancies, and healthy babies."

My OH did wonderfully yesterday and managed to ask the doc for a SA. They sent him home with a little pot and a form to drop in to the fertility clinic. I must say.. I'm not sure how you're meant to get it in such a small pot?

I've just realised I won't be able to make my appointment on the 11th for my second set of bloods. That means I'll have to do it on the 14th - which will be about 7 days post ov, and 5 days pre AF. Will that timing work out?

Thanks staci. Ttc has made me so sad and worried that I do wonder if all this is some awful stress crisis. Will get blood results tomorrow.

I saw my new acupuncture lady today - she was so so so lovely! And has made me feel mentally much better. I did like my other one, but this experience was so different. Like the difference between a slighty soulless Michelin starred restaurant and an amazingly homely pub?! I talk rubbish, often. she showed me a graph of age and conception rate, for 34 it was 10% - I've got some bloody lucky friends. So 2-3 percent kind of makes sense if there is sub optimalness. We all need to get lucky!

joycep how are you?

Loves to everyone else.

Also thanks staci for finding me that link. I think the pots should be bigger too! Dh had a little spillage but it didn't seem to effect anything!

Hey ladies wine I'm glad your new acu lady is good and I really hope you feel better soon. Stress can do funny things to your body. I ended up in a&e a couple of years ago with really bad palpitations and very rapid heartbeat, sounds similar to what you're going through. I had thyroid tests and saw a cardiologist, also took beta blockers for quite a while (loved them cos they made me feel so much less stressed but they also gave a nightmares and made me put on weight). Anyway they couldn't find any underlying cause, doctor said it could have been the result of an infection but I think it was probably stress related at least in part-like you I am very anxious and once I get into a cycle of stress I find it hard to get out.

Anyway sorry for blathering on and me me me but just thought I'd share. Hope everyone is well! Xx

Thanks kitty, that has made me feel better. I am a stresshead. I'm scared of the beta blockers, last night I dreamt of little purple elephants in top hats! Hope you're ok x

Sorry you are feeling ill wine. Thyroid problems can make you feel like that. I had something similar with a racing pulse a couple of years ago (between 100 - 130) and the Dr thought it might be my thyroid but tests came back clear (There is an extra test they can do something like thyroid antibodies because the first test can come back as normal even if there is a problem). Anyway my thyroid was fine (I had several blood tests done over a period of time to check). So I was then referred to a cardiologist who did various tests, all fine and concluded that it was normal for me to have a fast pulse. He said that although technically over 100 is considered abnormal, lots of people have a naturally faster heart rate and if the rhythm is fine it's no problem. I have since concluded that I was actually very stressed at the time and it was probably anxiety related although I didn't realise it at the time. Sometimes these things creep up and I think mine was set off by a particularly nasty bout of flu I had and then lots of big things happening in my life at that time. When I take my own pulse now it is fine, although never particularly slow but it is always high at the Drs so I think I have a touch of white coat syndrome. My story sounds quite similar to yours kitty. It's scary how similar we all seem on this thread.

If it is a thyroid problem, then it can affect fertility but once the treatment is sorted then fertility is returned so probably one of the easier things to be wrong (in terms of fertility).

Your wedding plans sound so exciting stasi. Good on your DH for managing at the Drs. I was so worried when DH went to see the urologist because he insisted he went on his own but he seemed to manage fine.

joycep how did the insemination go?

Just checking in to say thinking of you Joyce - hope yesterday went well and am keeping everything firmly crossed for you for the next 2 weeks xxx

Staci that timing sounds ideal to me.

We had our first "performance anxiety" problem last night. I am not too bothered because we had been out for dinner after work and then had to feed next door's cats, so by the time we were finally home we were both knackered. And while it should have been the start of our bonkathon for this cycle, it wasn't likely to be my most fertile day. Mr euro seems really cut up about it though.

wine - I@m so sorry to hear how stressed and ill you are. Do you think this is solely down to ttc pressures? I hope you get an answer to what is going on. Hyperthyroidism is the one wher eyou lose weight isn't it? Hav eyou considered you may be having anxiety attacks? Apologies for throwing other random theories in to the mix but I had these a number of years ago .. and they did the strangest things to me. My heart rate went so fast I blacked out and I ended up in an ambulance with a suspected heart attack. Anyway, i just thought of that because of your palpitations and sometimes with anxiety it can release too many chemicals; sth to do with fright or flight. Sorry i am probably barking up the wrong tree and i have a terrible habit of self diagnosis and diagnosing other people as well... Anyway It turned out that my panic attacks were caused by coffee. Good luck with your results today.

Just read kitty and mrsd 's experiences with anxiety...there sure is a bit of a running theme with us ladies!

Well my biggest achievement of the week was I managed to self inject myself. I had to take a trigger injection whilst at work. My hand was shaking so much but i plunged it in and it was fine and didn't hurt. I think i had such aproblem last time because i was pumping powerful drugs in me.
I had my insemination last night and it was fine. It does take 48 hours to get over the sheer undignity of it though. A bright spotlight is pointed up there and it's so embarrassing as after a few minutes my legs go in to involuntary spasms. Again i think it was done too late because my boobs were slightly sore by the time it ws done. Anyway, 80million swimmers up there as opposed to 150million last time so still pretty good. It obviously means sod all if my eggs are crap and/or we're incompatible.

Out of interest does anyone have a low intolerance level of children? There were so many children at this wedding i was at and every single one was annoying me. I hope i wouldnt see my own as annoying but I don't really feel like i will ever be particularly mumsy. I also don't really know how to handle children. Obviously i don't need to worry about it yet but i do find it slightly concerning that i don't have much interest in othe rpeople's children!!

Hello lovely ladies!

So sorry to hear all the tales of woe. Poor wine I really hope you're getting better. The new acu-lady sounds lovely and the other ladies have said helpful things about anxiety. I obviously don't belong really as I have good circulation, no migraines, no panic attacks, no nothing... But of course the no BFP makes me fit right in.

So this month was a write off, due to DH working abroad from two-days pre-ovulation. But now well into the waiting weeks, I have succumbed and discovered the due date if by a miracle (amazing straggler is a possibility) I get pg this month. That is insane, esp as I generally know what month it would be anyways...

Huge well-done to joycep for self injecting. And impressive numbers of swimmers - we are right at the 20-30million end of the spectrum here, so we'd never get up to those amounts... The indignity sounds pretty crap though. I am so not looking forward to February (when we might be embarking on IUI attempts). Sorry to hear about your OH's performance-issue last night, particularly as he is worried about it himself. That is not going to help matters, I guess. Sorry about the pg-announcements, kitty and someone else. It still makes me very [henvy] and I have not yet sorted out seeing the beginning of October arrivals in my circle of friends. I have 1 or 2 a month until next March now, I believe... And the later ones have probably not been announced yet.

Great wedding excitement stasi. Enjoy!!!

And a big wave and a plate full of home made goodies for the other ladies!

Oh and low tolerance level - no not really. But I have always been into kids. I have very low tolerance of pg ladies, though [hwink]

Joycep I think tolerance to children all changes when you have your own, my sister was a terrible sister to all my little brothers, had no patience with them at all. She kind of liked children, but had this idea that they must behave and do what they were told at all times. She's now a wonderful mum, and has surprised everyone how well she handled it all.

My child tolerance was put to the test this morning with a bus full of excitable school children and brow-beaten teachers. Especially as I had a headache too. For the most part though, I love children. I've been babysitting kids from a young age, and they always used to ask their parents to go out so I could come round. I think it's because I always treat children like people - I let them have their own opinions, and explain my reasons for things.

I wish I lived much closer to my sister and nephew. He's at a very sweet age (nearly 3) and is getting much more of a personality and more 'interactive'. My Dad is always phoning me to give me anecdotes of the latest thing he did or said. Everyone in the family always thought I'd have kids first, and now my parents are constantly nagging my sister to visit, my Dad is even talking of moving house to be closer to my sister and the light of his life.

Sorry, went off track a bit there.

Loving the chat today

joycep Im with you on the thing with other people's children - I'm generally not a fan. I tend to like kids when I've got to know them, but most of the time they just annoy me and in some cases actively repel me. As you can probably tell, I am not very maternal. For me and DH, TTC is more about the long term plan of wanting a family of our own, if that makes any sense. I sure as hell hope I'll like my own children, if and when they arrive! Other friends have felt similarly and they have been fine once they've had their own.

We do seem to have a lot in common on this thread - joyce your experiences with anxiety sound awful. I had terrible panic attacks in my early 20's but it never got that bad. I found cutting out caffeine completely helped loads. I have got everything crossed for your IUI, by the way.

mrsden I have terrible white coat syndrome too, my pulse and blood pressure goes through the roof at the doctors. Agree that anxiety can sometimes creep up and get you when you've been stressed over an extended period of time. I now tend to get IBS in that situation, your body always finds a way of telling you there's a problem.

euro Im sorry about Mr Euro's performace anxiety, I'm not surprised that some men have performance issues when TTC, it's a lot of pressure on them. I guess trying to play it down is the best approach.

to stasi biscuits lemons cakes and anyone I have missed. I hope everyone has a lovely weekend, I'm off on a hen do [hsmile]

lemons - 20-30m is plenty for iui, you need minimum 5m. Hopefully you won't be needing it though.

stasi - i think you're right. I'm sure you dote and adore your kids like nothing else. Apart from a bit of babysitting when i was a teenager , i have bascially never been around kids. I picked up my friends baby a few weeks ago and that was the second time in my life i've held a baby so it is all pretty alien.

kitty - i only had 3 serious panic attacks. It was truly the most scary episodes i have had. Shooting pins and needles going through the body, heart pains, tunnelled vision and this overwhelming feeling that i was about to die. It didn't take me long to realise that they were happening after i drank strong coffee. Hangovers and too much sugar give me mild ones now and i can feel them raising their head when the tube stops underground. Me neurotic? non! Enjoy the hen.

Well me and dh have come away for our anniversary break even tho I feel pants, cis the deposit was paid and we thought a change of scene would be good. Have had a good sleep in a big comfy hotel bed and amazingly my sex drive hasn't totally withered away!

It really amazing that a lot of us share similar traits on here kitty. I am wondering if these are panic attacks. It is strange though because I don't feel especially more stressed than normal. The screaming hycosy lady was deeply disturbing to me though, so maybe. I hope it all goes away soon. I don't drink caffeine.

Glad the iui went ok joycep and amazing that you injected yourself.

Euro your dh is amazing for getting that far without that happening yet. If I was a bloke I wonder if I'd be able to 'perform' when needed, i do doubt it. thank god women don't have that worry!

Sorry for not name dropping more. But on phone while in bed with dh he is reading though and we are decent in dressing gowns!!!!

I have used amazing four times in that post. I blame the beta blockers.

Wine, sorry you are having such a hard time, but glad you are away for an amazing nice weekend. Enjoy!

joyce interesting you mention tolerance of other people's kids, in the context of weddings. We have just had the debate about whether we should have kids at our wedding or not (and so the Bridezilla begins [hwink]). As yet we are undecided. I say no, mostly because we think it's going to be a stay-away location, and I don't want our guests all disappearing off at 7pm to put kids to bed. But then I don't want them not coming either. I think perhaps we've left getting married too late - there are too many grown-ups now!

I've also had the depressing thought that I now have a whole new set of TTC-date worry. In other words, when do I set our wedding date? Will I have to give up TTC for a bit so that I don't end up in labour at the altar? (OH hilariously said he'd just get a model to stand in for the day, oh hahaha ). Or even more depressingly, will I still be no closer for a BFP even if it's another year away [hconfused].

In happier news, we managed a well timed shag last night, with a (TMI alert) ahem, co-ordinated conclusion . This has GOT to be good for TTC, right? Normally it's me first, him second.

sorry for the me me me post! Will be hopefully working from home tomorrow so can keep up a little more :)