TTC Super Ovulation...

[duggs1976]

hey ladies,

There are a few of us who are ttc after mc's, however there will be ladies out there who are also ttc for the first time or second or third without success. If anyone is on, considering or had success on a super ovulation programme then do join us. How long did it take ? Did you try IUI with it.. ? Did you have PCOS?

Kicking this off and hoping some of you will join....

Hi, when I went through all the tests prior to my DS I'd had 1 Molar Preg, 1 Edwards Syndrome which is much worse than downs and then I had 4 MC's. On the 3rd MC I was told to take fragmin injections and asprin. Dr S discussed steriods but I was unsure due to side effects. At this point in time the results on the NKC's was negative i.e. there was no issue but the sticky blood was borderline and the letter I found the other day said that DR S thought I had mild primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome, therefore recommended fragmin and asprin. Fragmin being the daily injections that are taken as soon as you know you are pregnant (blood thinning). I did change my mind about the steriods i.e. I decided I would take them but Dr S said no I was not being treated for NKC. Anyone this one failed (being the 4th straight mc). I guess the 1st 2 MC's I had in my 30's can't count as they were chromosone problems i.e I had a reason for failure. The 7th preg in my 30's was of course my DS. First time on low dose steriods (just in case there was an underlying issue that had not been detected), fragmin, asprin and vits. After DS was born when I was preg again I took low dose steriods, fragmin and asprin. At this stage they didn't want me to take fragmin as they stopped recommending it. As I was pregnant they saw the horror on my face and said that I could stay on fragmin. Anyway this one led to failure. Heartbeat then no heartbeat. The 2nd MC was early about 6 weeks low dose pred, asprin but no fragmin. At this point I still did not know I had VHKC as I had not been tested since 2006/2007. When I went back to see Dr S his colleague ordered a new set of tests. To my surprise they said I had VHKC (3 something). They said I should take the higher dose of steriods but as I was already pregnant I did not take the higher dose until 2 weeks after I conceived. Anyway I lost this one at 6 weeks +. For the 3rd MC I was on higher dose of pred, asprin but no fragmin. I was concerned about not taking the fragmin but I guess you have to go with what the dr is saying. Anyway this was another early failure. After the 3rd MC Dr S colleague also recommended intralipids if I got pregnant again. Well I did get preg quite quickly but noone would give me the intralipids. They didn't explain why they just said it is not recommended. The last one (4th MC after DS was born) was the most horrendous one was at christmas (just gone). Got preg early scan showed heatbeat then I had a bleed at about 7 + weeks (fresh blood when I stepped up the step into my home). I honestly thought that was it again MC! Went for scan the next day everything OK. No issues. I was so emotional as I did not expect to see heartbeat. Went again for a scan 8 + 5 days and the hearbeat had stopped. Totally devastated. All of the above was on the NHS. After this 4th MC I decided to go private as the appointments on NHS were getting few and far between. Hence now when I went to DR S privately I raised ny concerns about not being given fragmin and the intralipids and he agreed to throw everything at it so here I am now waiting for my first follicle scan on Tuesday. Sorry about the long post but I think it is important to explain history. I did not find the letter in regards to the mild primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome until after I had my app with Dr S. I do believe my issues could relate to blood thickening issues and perhaps due to my age chromosone issues but the main reason for explaining all of my history is I still don't undertand why they don't throw the book at it when it first starts going wrong. Also I have tried to find out about the increased success rate of the intralipids. Has anyone been on them and if so how many times and how many failures? Is everyone like me heartbeats then no heartbeat or simply can't get preg which I guess is worse in some way. I did read a story about a women who in the early stages of pregnancy her blood starts to thicken. It is so frustrating because something is killing my 'babies' and making their hearts stop and the pattern is mostly the same. Can't get over the 9 weeks stage. Any info would be greatly appeciated.

abney oh u think you've been thru things then u read posts like yours. So sorry. How frustrating as u have DS so u know something worked. Without ruling out chromosonal it is so hard to predict. There r a few ladies on the ttc predinsolone thread that r now on hydroxy too as they have v high levels too. Probably inflamed becUse of the failed PG(s). freelance is best case now 22 wks. Sometimes at the higher end of v high intralipids and 40mg pred r not enough. Perhaps re post on there and ask on there too many of us r on there

At this rate I will still be here at 11am kittens the intralipids is SO slow ! Am in little room off main waiting room

Hey abney and welcome, albeit I'm not yet officially a superov member of this thread. I'm a stowaway from the Pred thread, waiting to get LH/FSH/E2 tested before Mr S decides whether or not superov is for me. Just wanted to say so very sorry to hear everything you've gone through and that I so admire your persistence and courage. I'm another 44 year old, I have a DD born in 2007 with no issues but since TTC #2 with new partner almost 2 years now and 4 MCs later, this is the next step for me if Mr S agrees. Like you I'm thinking that if nothing else it gives me greater chance to get pg each month. Anyway just wanted to say your story gives me a bit of strength not to throw the towel in on the age-front, so thank you!

Anyone know how kittens follicle scan went?

snoopy I meant to say, I so agree with you on both the longing to look like ME again, and also the swi having become a chore. I hate this, it feels like the fun has gone out of the bedroom, and I know it's down to me. Ladies, how do you keep the "interest" in your swi and non-swi, if you see what I mean?

I've just posted on the other thread so am cutting and pasting what I said about my scan as I'm just getting ready for a client to arrive and don't have a lot of time.

The upshot of my scan was that it was a tiny bit early to tell properly what was going to happen. Apparently I have 3 12mm follicles. Mr S is confident that at least one, if not 2 will develop but he said that 12mm it is tricky to tell as sometimes they stop at 12mm and then don't get any larger, so aren't viable. Once they get past 12 he has a pretty good idea they will go on to be released. Next month, if I'm not pregnant, I will go in for my tracking scan a bit later. Have been prescribed SWI on Thurs/Fri.

I prefer Mr S's suggestion of Sex than Louise's "making love".

Lets hope those follicles keep growing kittens sounds good. What cycle day was this scan?

ari re swi it all seems robotic now! Like "lets just get on with this" hurrumph up the stairs! lol and "hurry up, masterchef is on in 10"

Brilliant snoopy !! Love the master chef post ohh sooo true

Was CD11 snoopy. Next time he said for for CD13-15.

kittens at least we get more accurate and hopefully more successful each month. Go follies!!

Morning SO gang! Anything happening this week with anyone? pebbles do u have any scans this week I think you do?

LOL snoopy, haven't quite got to that stage yet but you did make me laugh! I'm still ostensibly trying to shield DP from the fact that SW-or-without-I is mostly only happening around OV time since I don't think he'd be too impressed, but I have definitely lost my libido somewhere along the line of all of this TTC/MC lark, which is a bit rubbish when you've only been with someone for 3 years as I have with DP. Trying to make an effort other times, but the will for it just isn't there (from my side of things anyway). Doesn't help that like snoopy mentioned I don't feel like me anymore ... I'm way heavier than I've ever been in my adult life, the pred makes me knackered while I'm on it, and I just generally feel unsexy.

kittens I also prefer Mr S's 'sex' approach - I know Louise is taking the 'softer' nicer approach but in reality it sounds like very little to do with making love, and more a mechanical 'get on with it and try to get that damn egg fertilised'. Oh what we're reduced to!

Sending lots of energy- and growth-boosting thoughts to your follies kittens :)

Can I just ask, I'm interested in the timing of this follicle scan you ladies have been having. I'm just interested in how come the scan can be too early - is this where OV isn't generally on a known day? Or do follicles react differently once on the medication?

ari you will either be on 2.5, 5 or 7.5 mg letrozole depending on how u react. I was on 2.5mg and only got 1 giant eagle egg then he moved me up to 5mg and seemed to get 3 follicles of between 17 and 21mm which are the parameters he is looking for. Scanning can be between cd 11 and cd14 so he can see how many and what size before trigger. Too small and there is scope to wait and grow more before trigger too large and you've missed a chance. It can take a couple of mths to get the dosage and timing right for each person. It does help knowing what is happening with your body each cycle though. Follicles can grow between 1 and 2 mm each day. Best of luck

Oh and he will also be checking uterine lining. Needs to be 8mm or more on trigger. If not he can help with drugs to build that up think kittens may have had those?

ari, I've always preferred 'sex' to 'love making'. The latter term always makes me cringe!

I had my first follicle scan at CD8 (they recommended 8-10 but as 8 was a Friday I went for that day), the reason they recommended having it this early was because I said my cycle was about 24-25 days and Mr S thought I must be mistaken, with such a short cycle, in thinking that I OV around CD14. Last cycle I OV'd at CD16 so they said to go in a bit later - CD11-13 but again 11 was on a Saturday and I have a job later today which I didn't want to cancel so I went for CD11. He thought I'll OV around CD15 so next time (hope there isn't a next time, but...) I will go for the scan CD13-15. It's all about fine tuning I suppose. I think the first time he wants to get a look early in case you miss your 'window'. It's interesting to see I've been OVing a bit later than I thought. I guess digi's advice that she gave ages ago is quite valuable - even if you think you've already OVd, carry on SWI in case you haven't just to make sure.

Morning,

My cycle is about 26 days now and he said come in for scan between cd 8-10 and day 9 was first one and spot on and second cycle day 10 and still good although follicles slightly smaller (which doesnt make sense) but spose ours bodies don't necessarily do exact same thing each month.

duggs I will be testing for a negative !! to see if Ovitrelle out of system late this week and probably testing sun/mon for positive. Crazy!!

Yep, I'm on those drugs. They are working very well. My lining was just over 8mm on Saturday.

Hello all. I was wondering if anyone could advise how the SO scan is done. Is it the same as an early pregnancy scan i.e internal? If so can you see the follicles on the screen. I haven't got a clue what to expect. Dr S wasn't giving much away. If they don't recommend the trigger shot what happens to the follicles. Do the follicles contain eggs? Again I haven't got a clue. Also I have read alot about chemical pregnancies. What are they? Last question do you go back again to find out if you are pregnant or not. What if you think you are? If anyone can help that would be great.

Hi abney Yes it's an internal. Well Dr S can see the follies and does point them out but can say I could see much apart from a dot as he is very quick when he measures them. I think (correct anyone if I'm wrong) that if too many and risk of multiples ie. 4 or more then he would say don't ttc this month. If 3 or less, ok it seems. Chemicals are really just very very early pregnancies which usually don't make it past a week or so after a positive test. And I think it's usually implantation problems, so I spose the body is creating all the right hormones for the test to show postitive but not much is developing. I have had a couple now. If we weren't all testing so early then we'd probably know nothing about it! The follicles contain the egg I believe. I don't know what happens to them (sorry to be thick!) maybe someone else can answer that?

Good luck for tomorrow let us know how you get on!

abney Don't worry about anything He is very quick and you are so busy looking at the screen it's over before you know it.

Abney the SO scan is internal an it shows black circles which r the follicles. They r then measured on the screen across and across. It really is quite fascinating. You take trigger shot and have sex as usual and nothing else is different from a standard cycle. A chemical pregnancy is when there is enough hcg triggered to get a positive line but it disappears so early it usually means the embryo implanted but failed v v early on. Either due to chromosonal, immunological or uterine issues. Hope this helps a little.

Thank you very much Snoopygirl and Duggs as I now know what to expect. I think my early losses i.e around the 6 week mark may have been 'chemical pregnancies'. I must be having a mixture of chemicals, chromosones and the 'unknown'. I feel if I can just get past the 9 week stage I might stand a good chance of keeping it although I would have to get past the 12 week scan. I am looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully being back on the bandwagon but obviously it is all very scary. Fingers crossed for tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes.

oh once follicles release an egg the follicle just deflates and absorbs back - corpus leteum or something you can only see if for a while.. but a dr would be able to recognise it once a follicle has released an egg !

Hi all hope you all had a good weekend, sorry not posted have had my mother in law to stay and had a busy but nice weekend.

It really sounds like you could do with a break Snoopy and to do some nice things for yourself. All this drug taking and sex on demand starts to get to you!! Alternatively let's hope it is your month and then no more swi!! :)

Ari sorry you are feeling a bit fed up of it all as well, it starts to get very hard all this swi. When do you get the results of your blood tests?

What happens with you now Kittens do you go back for another scan and do you still take the trigger shot?
I agree that being told by Mr S to have sex or intercourse is far better than make love which is v cringey!!

Welcome to Abney my god you have been through the mill and I admire your persistence and patience. Everybody on here is very lovely and full of information and support. I think Duggs has pretty much explained the follicle thing and hope your scn goes well.

Duggs had my scan today (pm'd you back at lunchtime) and follie was looking good at 17.5 although my lining was just ok at around 6.8. Have been spotting since cd11 which is really annoying. Just waiting for my surge but if spotting doesn't stop may have to convert to a medicated cycle and sart down reg next week. Think I will take yours and Snoopy's advice and start some cyclogest tonight, maybe it will stop the spotting....why is it always sooo complicated. Sigh!

pebbles, I am doing my trigger shot on Wednesday with my prescribed shennanigans on thurs/fri.

abney, the one thing I think you asked which I can't see the answer to is what happens to an egg if it doesn't mature and get released. It disintegrates and passes out with your AF, the same way unfertilised eggs do. Oh and you don't go back to see if you're pregnant as such. You just test like normal when your AF is due and if you get a +ve then you contact them and they monitor you and adjust your medication accordingly if necessary, as well as scanning you every 2 weeks from 6 weeks.