Those rats are jolly well going to be smacked this cycle and AF shall have arrows, hatred and misery cast upon her! No argument shall be brooked on both points.

[SantaAndHisChristmasImps]

Rubbish thread title, apologies.

smegs I am not at all suprised sadly, GPs don;t know much about fertility. Mine ticked a box on a form for me for a blood test that only applies to men. Nothing suprises me anymore!!

imps I hope you are feeling very happy!!!

hugs to maybe on this PHD

I have actually just emailed my DH at work to say we should go on hols a week after he wants to go because that is when I am ovulating. I kid you not. I have reached new lows. He reply 'dear or dear, alright then if that is what makes you happy'

Gah!

P.S. Billie Piper. Again.

far that' not anything to be ashamed of, that's practical. Good holiday timing = definite upduffedness!

I thought Billie Piper announced her pregnancy last year sometime? Is it the same baby?

Yes I think so too smegs I am ignoring the fact I have tried that twice before and it has not gone anywhere!!

I missed the Billie Piper annoucement, was news to me, I am obviously catching the ;its a boy' announcements. Was also sad to read that Beyonce had a MC before her baby as well :(

Morning everyone. Well, I had a bit of a meltdown last night and a big cry. Feel a bit better today, though I think I made DH feel worse. I told him this ttc stuff feels really lonely, and where do all his feelings and emotions go. He never seems upset when AF arrives, doesn't seem worried or stressed or anything. We had a good chat and cleared the air. I can't be angry at him for not sharing with me when I avoid sharing with him. I don't want to make him worried or upset, and he doesn't want to make me worried about him worrying. If I know he's as worried about us having problems, then it makes it seem like there is more reason to worry. Sigh.

Having said that though, AF hasn't actually turned up. I was expecting it all day yesterday due to a big temp drop and really bad cramping. However, yesterday was the earliest I've got up in 3 weeks, so can't easily be compared to the day before. This morning my temps are back up, but I was awake for about 20 mins before taking my temp (the alarm hadn't gone off, and I convinced myself I could go back to sleep). We did get up this morning to get the pot for DH to re-do his SA. Hopefully the result will be back in time for my appointment Thursday. Not sure if we should do it on Wed morning or Thurs though (we're pushing the restriction on time since last ejaculation, which was last night).

There's been lots of post on here since yesterday, I shall try and catch up briefly with all..

Beedle I hope your night away from home went by quickly and painlessly. I also hate eating out alone in restaurants. Though mostly because I think other diners will look at me and wonder why I'm there alone.

Imps so glad you got to resign. When do you start the new job? Sorry AF has turned up in full force, and painful too. She's just going out with a bang, as she knows she doesn't stand a chance with all the holiday SWI.

Bean nice to hear from you. Staying away from the internet is a fine goal and I wish you luck with it. Just, come back and visit sometimes :)

Sweetie thank you for thinking of us up here. The winds were really bad last week, the house was actually shaking. I was outside propping up our fence when the shed next door got ripped apart. My heart was beating like a jack hammer, I had to go wake DH up so he could give me a cuddle and calm me down.

Munx glad DD's nursery went well. I remember going with my dad to drop of my brothers. We had to sit in the back and sneak away when they weren't looking. They were fine being there, but hated being left. I hope the +ve OPKs stop soon, you must both be knackered by now!

Loopy nice to see you, how are you doing?

Generic I posted on the thread, but looks like we're the only ones. I've decided to leave off the extra vits until I've seen the doctor. I'll ask him about supplements etc and see what he says. I want to do the vit D either way, but will check the dose with him to make sure it's safe to take while ttc. Take it easy on your week of rest, sometimes you really do just need to take that extra little bit of time to get properly better. You're immune system may be low from the stress and trauma, and you don't want to get ill again.

Maybe so sorry you're feeling under the weather. How close are you to finishing your PhD? Have lots of hugs and pampering from us until you can get home to DH for 'the good stuff'.

Smegs have you noticed any change from the 50mg dose? My LP is about 11 days, and ideally I'd like it a bit longer. I can't believe what the GP said to your DH, well, depressingly I can believe it. I really do wish they would accept their limitations and admit they don't know something. I guess they have to sound certain for their patients to have confidence in them, but if you don't know, don't say!!

Sorry for another epic post.

Cor, that's a massive post! Sorry you're feeling a bit down, Stasi. OK, so you may have upset your DH a little, but on the positive side you two have really communicated about your feelings and TTC. It has to be a good thing. Maybe you'll be more 'together' in this whole thing now, IYKWIM?

Nope, I haven't noticed a change, but then I only switched to 100mg yesterday! It should take a few months to kick in properly, I think. 11 days is quite respectable though - mine still hangs around the 8/9 day mark, which clearly isn't long enough.

Hello all
Nipping in and out while having lunch then going to meeting to discuss my future at the university. Scary.

Imps, he had a Meckel's Diverticulum. Wierdly my brother did too. Quite rare. We specialise in unusual medical disorders. He gets Heinoch Shonlein Puerperis as well. Explaining that is for another time. Bloody medically interesting children. Anyway, the diverticulum would have killed him 50 years ago, but nowadays is a fairly run of the mill op. Very unlikely side effects, so should be all clear for ever. But you never forget the sight of a nappy full of blood. Sorry, that was very melodramatic.

Stasi hope you're feeling better today.

For the record, I have just had beetroot soup for lunch. Yum. Must brace for side effects later.

Right, late for meeting now. Ta-ra.

Smegs sorry, I never notice how long posts are before I post them. As I write them in a text editor the font size and spacing doesn't line up to the sizing when I post them here.

Whim Really hope your meeting goes well, do you know what's likely to happen? I was confused at first between you and Maybe, and thought you'd be discussing your boss and PhD. However, a scan back through and I see my mistake. Brooking extra hard for you that everything is, and turns out, ok!

I looked both those things up, I always wanted to be a doctor when I was little, and still love learning about all the diverse disorders people can have. Sounds like both conditions are not fun though, I hope your DS is well now.

Still no AF here, and the cramps have mostly stopped. I shouldn't really get AF till today or tomorrow. This has been a weird cycle from temps p.o.v. as my usual readings are 36.5 before ov, 36.7 after ov. Never really get up higher than that. This month however I got all the way up to 37.0 on CD7, steadily going down since then to 36.5 yesterday, and 36.6 today.

I don't really want to get my hopes up, esp with all the cramps, but I find I can't really help it when things deviate from the norm.

I second that, far, it's very practical indeed and if I were that organised I'd have done the same thing.

I didn't realise Beyonce had had a mc. I'm still running with the theory that she used a surrogate and it was a fake bump :o

Oh Stasi If it's any consolation at all, I think that's really normal. Men don't have to live with symptoms and AF and ovulation and hormones and all that jazz; they seem to manage to just not really think about it?

Good luck whimsy

Bloody awful day at work. Would it be unprofessional to open that bottle of pinot at 2pm?

How about a walk round the block popcorn. Save the vino for teatime a bit later. Hope it gets better, what ever you choose.

Stasi, thanks, neither are much fun! I'm now enough of an expert on HSP that the consultant gets me to explain it to the students, rather than her. I wish I could remember her name, she was excellent. Touch wood, he's had no HSP for 2 years. Most children grow out of it by their teens, so perhaps that's what's happened. There's very little research into it, as it's untreatable so the cynical drug companies have nothing to gain by funding research. Just as soon as I buy a lottery ticket win the lottery, it's the top of my list to spend on!

Meeting was quite good. I have a bit more of a contract to tide me over, and hopefully some more work after that. I only do 2 days a week, split over 3 school days, so a few days contract goes quite a long way.

I've just finished my PhD. Maybe has nearly finished hers. But hers is in a proper subject, whereas mine was about firemen. I mean fighters.

Lol whimsy - I have a migraine, so I doubt I'll be partaking at all. (I've just looked at FF and it seems I get migraines about 7 days before I ovulate, how weird is that? Must be the oestrogen? )

Hi ladies,
for resigning Imps, I hope the sheer pleasure of that has taken the sting out of the tail of nasty, painful AF!

Glad you are ok Bean, was starting to get worried about my cycle buddy! Do pop in occasionally to say hi and let us know how you are. I keep trying to use the internet less but clearly I fail miserably at it!

for migraine Popcorn and crappy day at work, that sucks. I prescribe some serious drugs, a soak in the bath and a nice early night.

In fact I think you need the same prescription too Maybe

Far I agree with Smegs, timing holidays with ovulation is completely sensible and guarantees that there will be lots of holiday shagging which is good for any relationship This holiday will be THE ONE

Ooh Stasi, I can't help but be a little bit excited for you too - deviating from your normal pattern sounds promising and cramps are bona fide pregnancy symptoms too, any plans to PIAR soon?

Yay for good meeting Whims!

CD15 here, no on OPK yet but line is darker so am guessing it will be tomorrow. DH working until 11pm tonight so we snuck in a cheeky afternoon shag before he left for work DS was at pre-school so no chance of being disturbed!

Just nipping in quickly to say that everyone here at my office has confirmed that I have made the right decision to move - honestly, you'd think I'd eaten their mothers the way they've sneered at (but otherwise ignored) me. I'd take £100 loss each month any day over working alongside these morons for a day longer than my notice period (which is 3 months by the way - nightmare).

Anyway, catch up with the latest goings on later!

Nightmare Imps - can you up your working from home?

Well done olives

Quick post from my phone on the way home. Been to a counseling type appointment at the hospital. It dies seem to be helping un a way I didn't expect, though she confirmed that there is nothing to fix, and no goal to achieve. We're just talking. In one way it seems pointless, its also good to talk about it all though.

Anyway, came in mostly to say still no AF. Might PIAR tomorrow morning, but it'd only be for fun. I think AF will be here in the morning to spoil it. Maybe I should PIAR tonight instead. I'll never use up all my sticks otherwise!

Well done for an afternoon shag, are you expecting a positive opk soon?

imps can't you try and swing garden leave? Or work from home as much as possible. Glad you're getting out of there, they don't sound like fun people to work for or with.

Oh Imps they are twats idiots. They don't know what a good Imps they are losing

Stasi good to hear you have been able to talk things through with someone impartial. You are allowed to feel vulnerable sometimes, it happens to us all.

Well done for the cheeky afternoon shag Olives

Hope the migraine is feeling better Pop they are nasty, nasty things

Whim did you get to meet many firemen? I think that in itself is miles better than my PhD

I had no idea about Billie Piper either Far

Thanks for all the kind words smackers, I feel a bit better now. My friend took me out for lunch and a chat, and I went and saw the career advisors. I have decided to plough on this year, get my PhD and then opt for a career in medical/scientific writing, which I am really happy about! Gt home, took pup out for walk, and am now waiting for the return of DH for a 5 mile run

Imps Blimey, what a bunch of git wizards you work with. Don't look at it as £100 pm, but £3 a day. I'd pay £3 a day to work with nicer people. Only about the same as a fockamoccachino, and def worth it for the lack of stress etc.

Maybe yes, I met many fire fighters, all but one of whom were male. Only one was worth writing home about. I did meet lots of scary old crones older ladies who were completely lewd and terrifying about fire fighters, and had people flash their boobs at us in the fire engine.

Don't give up on your PhD now. The point at which it seems hardest is actually when it all starts to make sense. Also, there#s chuff all work out there at the mo, so you're better sitting tight for a year. One of my BsIL does freelance medical writing having done his PhD in medical physics. He writes up conference papers for eminent professors who can't be bothered to write them up themselves.

Would anyone else like any careers' advice?

Whim you speak such wise words. I won't give up I promise

I am getting quite into the idea of writing. Going to start getting feelers out now in preparation I am very jealous of your fire fighters Better than pompous professors and geeky post docs! What are you doing with your PhD Whim?

Just back from run, and whilst I feel as though I have a furnace in my chest, it cleared my head a bit

What's for tea brookers?

Oh my goodness, maybe, I hadn't realised you were going for a run! I'm full of admiration. My running shoes have been dumped under the bed for over a month now, but I think I'm off out again tomorrow. Good for you. I'm inspired!

We had veggie lasagne early with the kids. And wine, because apparently it's illegal to eat lasagne without wine. Who knew! Only a bit though.

I've got a couple of things in the pipeline, as it were. I was hoping to be pg by now and be able to just pick up odds and sods without worrying too much about a full on career. However, things haven't quite worked out like that and there's not much money going around for post grads at my uni. I've got about 20 days to tide me over, writing up journal papers and doing a couple of big funding bids. Hopefully also there'll be enough marking and teaching to keep me off the streets too. But it is all a bit precarious.

Ladies interweb seems to be playing up. It is painfully slow I could throw it out of the window tonight. Am off to read my Kindle in bed in a minute, while DH plays bloody PS2 games downstairs - bliss.

Big YEAH to Imps for resigning, well done you, just a shame you have face them for the next 3 months. I am sure it will fly by and will be so worth it when you starting working at the new place.

Stasi everyone needs to let it all out every now and again, I am glad you managed to have the chat with DH so he understands too. Will pop in early tomorrow just to witness your BFP - fx chick

Olives you lucky thing

Whims & Maybe you two are both just toooooo virtuous with your PhDs and firemen and running [many saintly emoticons]

Pop hope you are feeling a bit better after the wine

I listed what vits I am taking on the other thread. I am also taking baby aspirin this cycle, but wouldn't list it there as it is my choice and not following any medical advice only Dr Google. Imps as you mentioned this morning I think I have also had a few near misses and hoping this will help a bean stick. Gawd what straws we grasp at!!!

Evening ladies.

Am exhausted, so won't manage a long post. I did try to follow what was going on.

Well done imps, fingers crossed Stasi, running maybe!? wow!

There is more, I am sorry. But big love and chocolate cakes to all of you.

Xxxx

Oh Munx hope you are having a nice sleep.

Sweetie I hate it when the tinterweb plays up, so frustrating

Whims wine is compulsory with lasagne. It is indeed the law That's good you have things to tide you over. Post-docs are far and few between where I am, and I honestly wouldn't stay there if you paid me

I love running. I have run a marathon, and got very close to my second before busting my knee 3 weeks before and wiping myself out for a year! So only just getting back into it properly now. Have signed up for a half marathon in March so something to train for!

Thank you to everyone who posted on my other thread - I will put together a list and summarise supplements here tomorrow!

Stasi sorry you are feeling low and I hope your chat with DH and your counselling continue to help. You have been through some stressful things in your life, so be gentle on yourself.

Olives hurrah for afternoon delight!

Whimsical - hope your funding situation works out. It's tough at the moment isn't it.

Maybe I will remain mysterious for fear of outing myself but that's kind of the line of work I am in and I would be happy to help if I can at all.

Hope you're OK Pop and Munx

Sweetie I've thought about aspirin too, but it seems too much like a proper drug for me at the moment if you see what I mean.

Generic you are a star, that would be fab, thank you!

Hmmm, I'm wondering about whether to take bay aspirin post ovulation. My consultant has recommended I take it from BFP but I know some of them suggest taking it from ovulation or even throughout your cycle. I know what you mean about it being a proper drug though Generic and I think that's why I'm wavering. Any opinions on this ladies?

baby aspirin not bay