TTC 10 plus months, part 6

[mrsden]

A friendly, supportive thread for those of us who are taking a bloody long little longer time than average to conceive.

euro I'm 36, husband is 37, ttc #1, on cycle 18. Had all the standard tests and have a diagnosis of "unexplained infertility" and a referral for one round of IVF on the NHS. I also had immune testing privately that showed a high NK cell count. The private consultant suggested trying superovulation alongside immune therapy to speed things up while I was waiting for IVF. I tried three rounds of that. I was then due to start IVF but am not mentally in the right place so have put it off for a couple of months and am planning to try IUI in the meantime.

Whatmess I'm 34, DH 31, ttc #2. On about cycle 8 but that's in the 18 months since MC. Diagnosed with PCOS and stage 2 endometriosis. Had a lap & dye ovarian drilling and hysteroscopy beginning of March 2012 in which endometriosis was all diathermised with laser. This is cycle 1 post operation. Due back at consultants in May and if not pregnant will start on Clomid. DH all tickety boo.

frannie ttc #1 for 2 years, with no BFPs. Me 35 this month (looking forward to that) and DH 36. All bloods, HSG and scans have come back as 'normal', as has DHs SA. Start IUI next cycle.

lemons both 33, ttc #1 for 21 months; unexplained infertility, IUI (4x) from March

ladygee ttc #1 15 months. Me 29, DH 33. Diagnosis so far - one blocked tube and a below average sperm count. Self-funded cycle of IVF ICSI Feb '12, ended with BFN. Awaiting follow-up appointment to talk through next steps. We are also on NHS waiting list for ICSI, probably at the end of 2012.

ginsoaked ttc #1 21 months. Me 33, DH 33. DH has severe sperm issues - count of 3 million, poor motility and morphology. My tests all ok. No IVF funding in our area, so currently undergoing parent privately funded round of ICSI with Create in Wimbledon. Am stimming and about to start the antagonist. Eeek!

Morning ladies

Beryl hello and sorry to hear of your rough time of late. As I have said many, many times on here, my mother decided to tell the world and their friend of our TTC woes. She said to me last week how one of her friends has cut out an article on IVF from the paper and is sending it to her for me???????? I am now kicking myself that I didn't challenge her on how the geoff her friend knew about my wonky baby making bits. Telling people is such a personal thing and you must do what you feel comfortable with. I feel very exposed by the way my mother has carried on.

lisa sorry that your appointment left you feeling deflated. Sorry to be a dunce but what does ERPC stand for? Also what the heck is a perforated uterus? I hope that you cheer up a bit in time for Easter

frannie I had to giggle at your mum's comments! Mine said to me once how my sister got the looks and I got the brains
Oh God at the milestone dreaming. I do that too. I so hope that your birthday isn't ruined by an unwanted party guest!

euro I forgot all that gay stuff about Robbie Williams....

treacle hello, I don't think I have met you before on this thread. It sounds like you are having an awful time. June must feel like such a long time away.

lemons this must be one of the worst kinds of 2ww for you. I would be Googling like a demon too! I agree that cake is the way to go in this scenario!! I love the idea of Millionaires shortbread since it has all my favourite things but I have only ever tasted shop bought and they have been pretty vile. Is it easy to make them yourself?
Am thinking of you and so hope, like kitty says, that there is a big lottery type finger pointing at your house right now

ladygee Snow????? It is quite nice here. We had blue skies earlier and I got quite warm walking the dogs. Weird! I hope that you make it to your appointment today. I would be mega pissed off if I got snowed in.

joycep This whole thing is a mine field. I am constantly saying to DH how nothing is explained fully to you about what you should be doing, what you are likely to be entitled to on the NHS, time frames, how it all might work etc.. It doesn't help if you have a reluctant GP I suppose. Have you had the HIV test? That has never been mentioned to me. Mind you neither has the Rubella or TSH thingy.

Sugar free cake?....have you tried googling orange and honey cake, or polenta and honey? I will keep a look out when I go through my recipe file.

BTW wanted to say thanks to Minnie for confirming that I wasn't bonkers about the no SWI thing. Oh and wanted to second the idea about our recent BFP'ers sticking around and letting us know how they are getting on. At the rate of recent BFPs I have the urge to batten down the hatches and refuse to let anyone else leave the thread

euro I'm 36, husband is 37, ttc #1, on cycle 18. Had all the standard tests and have a diagnosis of "unexplained infertility" and a referral for one round of IVF on the NHS. I also had immune testing privately that showed a high NK cell count. The private consultant suggested trying superovulation alongside immune therapy to speed things up while I was waiting for IVF. I tried three rounds of that. I was then due to start IVF but am not mentally in the right place so have put it off for a couple of months and am planning to try IUI in the meantime.

Whatmess I'm 34, DH 31, ttc #2. On about cycle 8 but that's in the 18 months since MC. Diagnosed with PCOS and stage 2 endometriosis. Had a lap & dye ovarian drilling and hysteroscopy beginning of March 2012 in which endometriosis was all diathermised with laser. This is cycle 1 post operation. Due back at consultants in May and if not pregnant will start on Clomid. DH all tickety boo.

frannie ttc #1 for 2 years, with no BFPs. Me 35 this month (looking forward to that) and DH 36. All bloods, HSG and scans have come back as 'normal', as has DHs SA. Start IUI next cycle.

lemons both 33, ttc #1 for 21 months; unexplained infertility, IUI (4x) from March

ladygee ttc #1 15 months. Me 29, DH 33. Diagnosis so far - one blocked tube and a below average sperm count. Self-funded cycle of IVF ICSI Feb '12, ended with BFN. Awaiting follow-up appointment to talk through next steps. We are also on NHS waiting list for ICSI, probably at the end of 2012.

ginsoaked ttc #1 21 months. Me 33, DH 33. DH has severe sperm issues - count of 3 million, poor motility and morphology. My tests all ok. No IVF funding in our area, so currently undergoing parent privately funded round of ICSI with Create in Wimbledon. Am stimming and about to start the antagonist. Eeek

Pout TTC #1 28 cycles-ish. Me 36, DH 41. Diagnosed with unexplained fertility following normal bloods, HSG, ultrasound and SA and discharged from clinic last year. Subsequently moved house to a new PCT and had new referral. Am waiting for a lap, another HSG and hysterogram (sp?) booked for beginning of May.

Thanks for all the welcomes! Everyone?s so friendly? were it not for the fact that no one would wish to be here for ttc reasons, I feel really lucky to have found this thread!

Joycep I?m encouraged to hear your consultant took the short LP seriously, although I?m sorry it doesn?t seem to have solved things for you. Are you still taking the extra progesterone? Is it a cream? I had gotten the impression from my trusty friend google that short LPs were treated in the States but not here. I really do try to stop myself from scouring the internet in frenzied attempts at self-diagnosis, but it?s far too tempting. Oh, for the days when I didn?t even know I had an LP, let alone a problem with it? Before ttc, I would have said I had regular 28 day cycles. It turns out they alternate between long and short ones, ranging from 25 to 38 days Funny what you learn about yourself on this bumpy journey!

pout I guess the cut-out is a kind gesture??? But I?d be so cross if my mum told her friends without my say-so! It really is tricky working out who to tell and when.

Oh I'm so rubbish at keeping up! But wanted to say Hooray for mini and stasi, that's such amazing news!!

I'm out doing secret hobby stuff tonight but if not too shattered i will catch up later, if not tomorrow. But will try and remember some things.

joy ground almonds are often used to replace flour. Not sure about sugar though? Sorry about scary clinic but Babysteps. Going in the door is the first one.

Pout I seriously spat out my tea at your Luvvy lifestyle dream! Now I imagine you in a sloany stripy open necked collar, pearl earrings and an Alice band ( I was going to say Pearl Necklace but that is just Wrong Wrong Wrong )

Hope you feel better soon lemon. could your nervousness be a symptom .

So so much to catch up on but I did want to apologise for those I made tearful, even if it was in a nice way

gin x-posted with you.
Glad to hear that all is progressing nicely at your end. Hope that your DH picks up on the vibe that a stag do would be a no, no! My DH needs everything spelling out - or claims to!

at Starbucks. We have a big Starbucks nearby us on an A road that I find really weird. Shows how faux Surrey I am in that I want it to become a drive thru' Maccy D's instead

nelly pearl necklace? Now that would just be waste in these TTC times
LOL at sloany idea. I just have ideas above my station and am so far removed from that - think slummy
More secret hobbies? You know that we will all have to start guessing again don't you. Cage fighting...extreme ironing...

beryl I agree that Google is not our friend. The bitch has led me to believe that I was updiffed on many occasions and that's just the tip of the iceberg!

Wow, congratulations minipie. I'm so excited that it seems I have created a lucky thread! 2 BFPs in 2 days is excellent.

gin ec is so close for you, I can't wait to hear all about it. Like joycep I've always worried about the physical side of ivf. I've never really been in hospital before and I'm a total wimp. And I hate blood tests, I seem to have veins that disappear deep underground at the site of a needle.

lemons feeling nervous is normal I reckon. Take it easy on yourself.

joycep I'm not sure I could go to the effort of making a cake if it wasn't going to be laden with sugar and butter. But that might explain why I have pcos.

beryl I thought I had regular cycles and then I started ttc and realised they can be anywhere between 27 and 35 days. My LP also varies.

I showed DH the newspaper article about the clinic closing and all he could say was "what's the problem? that's not the clinic we're going to". And then he turned to the sports pages and switched off while I ranted about us never being able to get an appointment because it would be so busy now. He never wants to talk about ivf. When I bring it up, it's like I'm his mum talking about sex or something with him. He sorts of squirms and avoids eye contact and he does this thing where he hums when he finds something uncomfortable. Men!

Anyway, guess why they're closing the clinic according to the paper? To make room for the expansion of the ears, nose and throat clinic. Can you believe it? Apparently the fertility stuff wasn't profitable enough for the hospital. So there's more money to be made in tonsils and adenoids apparently. I suspect they never had many patients because the clinic I've chosen has a high reputation. Hopefully my clinic will take on more doctors now.

Hello all

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Like Beryl, I wish none of us had to be here but since we are, I'm glad you're all so friendly :)

joycep and beryl I am a short LP person too. Curious to hear how you get on with the progesterone joycep. I started temping about six months ago & discovered I ov on day 19ish of a 27-30 day cycle, with spotting 3-4 days before AF. After obsessive googling careful research I've figured that means low progesterone but the consultant had nothing to say about it and the fertility nurse told me to stop temping and using OPKs because they would only make me stressed. I have ignored her patronising cow. The clinic dismissed the day 21 tests the GP ordered because they were done on the wrong day... I share pout's frustration about the level of information in the NHS. Clomid made me ov earlier but didn't solve the spotting or short LP. On cycle 2 of it now so guess I'll see if it makes a difference this month.

frannie and joycep I have cried at acupuncture too... Do you think the acu is making a difference for you? I don't think it's done much for me physically but my acu lady is lovely and knows masses about fertility stuff so she can help me interpret some of the confusing information (or non-information) I get from the docs. It's good to have time with someone who has a more holistic take on things and treats me as a person rather than a set of symptoms.

Beryl I know what you mean about not wanting to tell people. I have told a few very close friends who I knew would be sympathetic but I feel like such a massive failure I just don't want people to know. I am a private person anyway (she says, broadcasting to the whole world) and I would rather keep it to myself. I'm aware no taboos are going to be broken that way but am thinking self preservation for now. My mum is from the same mould as yours Pout. All her mates would be on my doorstep offering advice. Plus I don't think I could cope with her hopes and expectations as well as my own.

Lemons I have the utmost respect for anyone who can do anything more than open a crisp packet when hungover. Hoping you get that lottery win :)

Nelly I am intrigued by your secret hobby. In my imagination you're either photographing diesel engines or twizzling your tassels burlesque style (or maybe both). I am considering taking up a dangerous hobby, maybe shell out a fortune on abseiling or skydiving for later in the year in the hope of tempting that ironic BFP.

Waves to those I haven't mentioned. I have discovered this thread moves faster than I do! Best do some work now, or perhaps I shall work out how to add my stats first.

euro I'm 36, husband is 37, ttc #1, on cycle 18. Had all the standard tests and have a diagnosis of "unexplained infertility" and a referral for one round of IVF on the NHS. I also had immune testing privately that showed a high NK cell count. The private consultant suggested trying superovulation alongside immune therapy to speed things up while I was waiting for IVF. I tried three rounds of that. I was then due to start IVF but am not mentally in the right place so have put it off for a couple of months and am planning to try IUI in the meantime.

Whatmess I'm 34, DH 31, ttc #2. On about cycle 8 but that's in the 18 months since MC. Diagnosed with PCOS and stage 2 endometriosis. Had a lap & dye ovarian drilling and hysteroscopy beginning of March 2012 in which endometriosis was all diathermised with laser. This is cycle 1 post operation. Due back at consultants in May and if not pregnant will start on Clomid. DH all tickety boo.

frannie ttc #1 for 2 years, with no BFPs. Me 35 this month (looking forward to that) and DH 36. All bloods, HSG and scans have come back as 'normal', as has DHs SA. Start IUI next cycle.

lemons both 33, ttc #1 for 21 months; unexplained infertility, IUI (4x) from March

ladygee ttc #1 15 months. Me 29, DH 33. Diagnosis so far - one blocked tube and a below average sperm count. Self-funded cycle of IVF ICSI Feb '12, ended with BFN. Awaiting follow-up appointment to talk through next steps. We are also on NHS waiting list for ICSI, probably at the end of 2012.

ginsoaked ttc #1 21 months. Me 33, DH 33. DH has severe sperm issues - count of 3 million, poor motility and morphology. My tests all ok. No IVF funding in our area, so currently undergoing parent privately funded round of ICSI with Create in Wimbledon. Am stimming and about to start the antagonist. Eeek

Pout TTC #1 28 cycles-ish. Me 36, DH 41. Diagnosed with unexplained fertility following normal bloods, HSG, ultrasound and SA and discharged from clinic last year. Subsequently moved house to a new PCT and had new referral. Am waiting for a lap, another HSG and hysterogram (sp?) booked for beginning of May.

Artemis TTC #1 24 months. Me 38, DP 40. Early MC a year ago, referred for tests beginning of this year. Day 3 bloods normal, 7dpo bloods inconclusive, SA normal, no other investigations & no diagnosis yet. Prescribed 3 cycles of Clomid (currently at beginning of cycle 2), next option IVF.

Wow gin stuff moving fast for you. Keeping things crossed for wonderfully growy follicles. And for keeping your DH at home to do his bit too!

I have forgiven myself for being nervous, annoyingly nerves give me an upset stomach (they did pre-first-IUI-scan) and so I feel slightly sick as well, cue more menkulling...

pout it was easy but time consuming, so perfect for a slow hangover day. I used this recipe: www.nigella.com/recipes/view/millionaires-shortbread-1659

GRRR at mrsd's husband. Hopefully they will get a few more docs in at your clinic. Any chance you could give them a ring and inquire about waiting times and things?

Sorry about the crazy mums, the annoying LPs and the general stress that is TTC. Jealous of secret hobbies. Mine is cooking Nigella recipes, but that is hardly a secret by now

Waves at all, especially the newbies and the fresh BFPs!

euro I'm 36, husband is 37, ttc #1, on cycle 18. Had all the standard tests and have a diagnosis of "unexplained infertility" and a referral for one round of IVF on the NHS. I also had immune testing privately that showed a high NK cell count. The private consultant suggested trying superovulation alongside immune therapy to speed things up while I was waiting for IVF. I tried three rounds of that. I was then due to start IVF but am not mentally in the right place so have put it off for a couple of months and am planning to try IUI in the meantime.

Whatmess I'm 34, DH 31, ttc #2. On about cycle 8 but that's in the 18 months since MC. Diagnosed with PCOS and stage 2 endometriosis. Had a lap & dye ovarian drilling and hysteroscopy beginning of March 2012 in which endometriosis was all diathermised with laser. This is cycle 1 post operation. Due back at consultants in May and if not pregnant will start on Clomid. DH all tickety boo.

frannie ttc #1 for 2 years, with no BFPs. Me 35 this month (looking forward to that) and DH 36. All bloods, HSG and scans have come back as 'normal', as has DHs SA. Start IUI next cycle.

lemons both 33, ttc #1 for 21 months; unexplained infertility, IUI (4x) from March

ladygee ttc #1 15 months. Me 29, DH 33. Diagnosis so far - one blocked tube and a below average sperm count. Self-funded cycle of IVF ICSI Feb '12, ended with BFN. Awaiting follow-up appointment to talk through next steps. We are also on NHS waiting list for ICSI, probably at the end of 2012.

ginsoaked ttc #1 21 months. Me 33, DH 33. DH has severe sperm issues - count of 3 million, poor motility and morphology. My tests all ok. No IVF funding in our area, so currently undergoing parent privately funded round of ICSI with Create in Wimbledon. Am stimming and about to start the antagonist. Eeek

Pout TTC #1 28 cycles-ish. Me 36, DH 41. Diagnosed with unexplained fertility following normal bloods, HSG, ultrasound and SA and discharged from clinic last year. Subsequently moved house to a new PCT and had new referral. Am waiting for a lap, another HSG and hysterogram (sp?) booked for beginning of May.

Artemis TTC #1 24 months. Me 38, DP 40. Early MC a year ago, referred for tests beginning of this year. Day 3 bloods normal, 7dpo bloods inconclusive, SA normal, no other investigations & no diagnosis yet. Prescribed 3 cycles of Clomid (currently at beginning of cycle 2), next option IVF.

lisa I'm 39 DH 38, TTC for 12 months, miscarriages in June and October, diagnosed with High NK cells, 1 x Super ovulation producing an amazing 1 Follie

sorry forgot to say hello to Beryl and purple

Had a bit of a melt down yesterday threw all my baby stuff away, didn't DTD so i'm already out this month, I'm not sure how much more I can take really.

pout erpcs are what they do to remove the baby if you don't miscarry nayturally its sometimes called a DnC. When they did it a second time they managed to perforate my uterus so now I have a scar, the NHS said it wouldn't be a problem but this guy thinks it could be so who the f**k knows, I certainly don't anymore. Can I ask you ladies what IUI involves, starting to wonder if that is our next step

gin silly question but do you bbt??? I've never really worried about ovulation until the steroids caused havoc for me but I know I do pretty much every month so would have been nice if there had been more than the one I would normally produce

Sorry for being so miserable will crawl back quietly to my pity box and lick my wounds

lisa IUI can be medicated (either with something like Clomid or injectibles) or unmedicated. I'm doing the latter.

Some clinics scan to see how the follicles are growing, but as I am unmedicated I just have to use OPKs and when I detect my surge, call the clinic which will then book us in. Hubby pops along and gives them a sample which they prepare (I'm not exactly clear on what they do but I think it involves centrifuging it to get the good sperm and then putting them in a carrier liquid). Then I pop along a couple of hours later, assume the position and the nice dr then places the swimmers directly in my uterus using a catheter. So it means there is a shorter distance for them to swim. And presumably gets over issues like viscosity (which was abnormal on one of the 3 SAs my husband has had).

thanks euro not sure if that will help us due to the logistics of here DH works and his contract, he'd have to be taking mornings off work etc

With a medicated cycle including a trigger shot you would have some control over timing. Mr euro knows not to book any meetings in on the most likely days!

well i was supposed to have the trigger shot this month but ovulated early, its stressful enough as it is without having to organise time off work for both of us, my job is understanding but not sure how far I can push them

oh goodnesss i dont post for 48 hours and im so behind all of a sudden. Firstly congratulations mini i guess scuba diving pressure did some good! Two bfps one day after the other ruins my one a month sats - in fact they went out the window a while ago. I hope the finger points at me soon kitty. As it does I might sneak my own finger back at it for taking such a fucking long time!

gin i send luck to you. stag dos are not ok at such a time

nb i have new keyboard for ipad. it has, typically, made my typing worse, for now.

pout my mum told anyone she spoke to she can't help it. i have inherited over sharing and told anyone who might listen. oh dear. but at the pearl necklace and wastefulness. I wore ( a real) one to my wedding and was the butt of dh and his friends jokes. In a way i found funny!

lisa sorry you're having a slump. I had a huge mood and put everything into the loft A YEAR ago including all opks, books and pricey zita west vits. It will pass i promise.

lemon big empathies. come on two week wait, be over and have a happy ending. Yum to the shortbread.

euro well done on your booze virtuousness. i can do ten units a week. but that is all. i keep thinking I must try harder but my glasses of wine, all five of them, keep me going and are my treat. i can give up caffeine (none has passed my lips for two years - wow! Coffee I MISS YOU) and eat 5+ veg a day and all organic, low sugar happy clappy all the other non pea poo, we even bake our own bread now for gawds sake but no, i can't go totally viceless. maybe those 5 glasses of wine a week are keeping me from conceiving. But i doubt it very much. Not one of my friends changed their drinking habits to concive and they were on the lash all the while. But in my head, it is a barrier?

joycep I can't keep track of who suggested the chocolate heartache book but they were clever it looks ace! Also the 101 cookbooks website has good ideas for virtuous treats. I am buying that book later

nelly enjoy secret hobbying

mrsden sorry about the clinic and yout dh not fully getting what you were irked about. I wish I had ear nose throat wibbles rather than womb wibbles.

Hello to new people on our thread beryl and artemis we are friendly and you can have a moan and outlet here.

Wave hello to ladygee frannie kitty and anyone else on our island! (I forget who started the island spa notion some time back!). Hows the meet up dates going joycep?

As for me I am a Grumpy Shoes. I think some hormones have done a plummet with this period as I am annoyed with everyone and everything and look forward to estrogen saving the day any time soon. I saw a pregnant lady on the way to acu at the bus stop with a very tight top with a 'bump' logo on it and she was smoking a fag looking in a right mood. I gave her evils!! I rang my fertility nurse yesterday. And guess what, has the consultant met with the radiologist yet to discuss my scans with the photos? Ha ha has he buggery! Because he's had a holiday and its so busy and it is Easter weekend you know. But it will have been 8 weeks since my MRI scan and I said no, I don't want to ring back next week to book an appointment I want to book one now so that it is in the system and he can jolly well make sure he has done his bloody job seen the radiologist. I am so stuck in their system. Worse, I have a lot of symptoms back, like a horrible feeling of pressure under my coccyx/bum? I can't say its pain, more like I'm being permanently poked hard. So I don't think the lump has gone, I think there is something there, no idea why they can't see it on the MRI but can in the photos. Roll on another lap I guess. Poor ruined belly button. I had a nice one to start with!

So, as for my update, well I've wriggled out doing this for a while as it pains me. But here goes, please will someone lovely add it to the list as I don't know how to keep the names bold because I am computerly a bit thick.

wine 35 (33 when started ttc) I am ovulating day 21prog 47 and regular 29 day cycles, DH latest SA 7% morphology with excellent count and motility. Previous SA 3% but count, motility were fine. Vits thought to have helped, consultant says no probs there. Failed HSG due to cervical blockage, lap and dye dec 2011 revealed large plum sized fibroid partially blocking cervix. Consequent u/s and MRI have revealed that the 'broid is an elusive bugger and mapping it out has been highly problematic. Consultant can't do myomectomy (fibroid removal) til he's confident of location so awaiting next lap and internal exam in two weeks. He doesn't think it renders me infertile as I'm still having periods and thus on paper we are unexplained . There are not a lot of cases like mine, assisted conception not possible yet due to blockage. In spite of all this I have not yet gone insane.

And that is my very boring story about trying to make a baby, which for most people takes a month or two and is free. Bah humbug. But we WILL get there! x

Oh and this will be cycle 16 for me, as we have missed a few cycles due to procedures and healing.

gin - I'm not sure, I'm a bit of wimp! I've been trying to fill out the form and it is asking whether i have any issues with anaesthetics. I had a horrible reaction to a local anaesthetic the one time I had one so I don't know whether that means anything. I don't even have any anaesthetics at the dentist. I went into the ARGC or the ABCD as MrJoy calls it. I'm not actually sure we can afford it but I'm staying with my MiL this Easter so i think DH is going to see if she can assist with a bit of it. She may want to come and live with us though if she helps out...am I that desperate for a baby, I expect so! Anyway, your cookbook sounds brilliant. I would love to check out a recipe but don't worry if too much trouble. I can just look it up on Amazon! Great news about your scan.

pout - it is a complete minefield. With the nhs i have felt i have been fobbed off and going private i have been ripped off. What is best , who knows? I guess i should be grateful that we can afford some of this private treatment but it doesn't come easily. I haven't had an HIV test. I got my Rubella tested last week and that was fine but i had to ask for that. I wish they just had a standard list of tests that they would do to us. Everything is so bitty and makes it so much more stressful. I just wish there was a one stop shop where you would have the 100 blood tests and then at least they were all done at once. I will have a look for orange and honey cake thank you. Oh and sorry about mother issues - they can be infuriating.

Beryl and artemis - I have spoken to several Gps and one fertility doctor about my LP and they all shrugged it off. The first fertility doctor i saw said it wasn't possible to have a 10 day LP. The mind boggles! Anyway my gynae immediately recogonised my 10/11 day LP was not good. She said it was a hormone imbalance. I was given progesterone pessaries. Anyway, on my googling and forum travels someone said this to me"usually the cause of luteal phase deficit is due to a weak ovulation - so giving extra progesterone won't necessarily correct it if it means the egg itself is not quite good enough ". Clomid gave me a 8 day LP which was terrible so that wasn't a success. Anyway, I've got no further forward as I dumped my gynae after 9 months! I now am on a natural progesterone cream, day 10-26, to try and balance my hormones. This month I will start rubbing it in after ovulation as opposed to before. It has definietely helped with soothing breast pain but hasn't increased my LP but it may have been delaying ovulation as i was taking it before ovulation. Oh 2 years ago when I started I didn't really know women ovulated let alone know there was only a 2 day window in our cycle - i thought you could get pregnant anytime!

Artemis - I did acupuncture last year to try and help with my Lp but it did nothing. But now I have resumed it. I'm sure my periods got lighter because of it. I don't find it particularly relaxing but i think I 'm incredibly stressed by all this ttc stuff. I am lead to believe that it can make the corpus luteam much stronger which is the bit that produces the progesterone so hopefully it will do something. Having said that , i'm trying to do as much stuff naturally before getting out the big guns.

nelly - ground almonds - that is a fab idea. I realise that is in my Middle Eastern cake.

mrsd - i have the same issue with DH. I was trying to tell him last night i was so scared of ivf and all i got was 'uuuum'. And that was is it. He was watching Mission Impossible 3 and couldn't careless that i was trying to fill out this form. Grrr at your fertility clinic closing to make way for nose and throat. The richest doctors in the world are the ivf ones...aren't they missing a trick?

Sorry for the monsterous post. Waves to everybody else.

yeah i've had my thyroid checked Minipie - clear as a bell!

wine - i would have given smoking, pregnant badge lady more than the evil. What restraint. I'm SO bloody sorry how you are stuck in this awful nightmarish system. Why can't they pull their finger out? They should be getting a move on as you can feel something in your coccyx area. I'm sorry you are down in the dumps as well, it's not surprising all things considered. But I hope you feel better soon and af buggers off. Big hug to you.

Meet up date - it will be either 29th/30th. Just giving final choice to mrsd and I will update you all. Any thoughts of places , do PM me!

Hi, can anyone give me some tips. I have an appointment to see my doctor next week. And what I want to say is

• look it has been three years of TTC #1 and have only managed one MC in that time. I am 34. Do something, help me become pregnant, I know you said I look fine but I want you to test for stuff that might be wrong. Last time she told me to use Persona to track my cycles but it can only be used if you have a cycle 35 days or shorter - mine is nearer 45 days and getting longer.

But I don't think that is going to cut it. So what can I say exactly to get my doctor to help me?

I mentioned on an earlier thread so far she only wants to send me for tests if I miscarry another 2 times as that would indicate there was a problem. Hello? I have been SWI for three years and no baby. As far as I am concerned, we have a problem.

wine PMSL about you giving the lottery finger the finger right back!! Sorry you are feeling grumpy, I?m right there with you. Woke up today to sore boobs and a massive mood slump, right on cue one week before AF due. Feel like I am about to fall into a black pit of PMT. So guess that?s on to cycle 20 then And so sorry the ?broid symptoms are back. I was really hoping it had magically vanished.

lisa sorry you are having a crap time and your follie was lonely :(. It all sounds a bit confusing. But remember you have been pregnant, more than once, relatively recently, so you CAN do this. You just need a bit of luck to go your way. Hang in there.

lemons hope you are ok, it?s no wonder you are nervous! You sound like you?re doing great to me, not long to go now and I?m very hopeful for you.

mrsd sorry about your DH being less than helpful. Can?t believe he hums. I hope the waiting lists aren?t too bad at your clinic. Hopefully if you get in soon it will before the surplus from the other clinic starts to filter through?

gin your cycle sounds like it?s going sooooo well ? I am really made up for you! Don?t even get me started on the stag do though. I really feel your pain, I think you?d be well within your rights to lay on a major guilt trip if he still wanted to go.

Hey nelly you sound busy. Enjoy your secret hobbying, as usual am very

freedom just seen your post. It does seem utterly ridiculous you haven?t been referred. How about printing off the official (NICE?) guidelines and taking them in, underlying the point that you fit the criteria and that additionally your cycles are becoming problematic? I can?t see how they could refuse you?

Pre-bank holiday waves to pout ladygee minipie joyce treacle artemis (still lurving your name) beryl - welcome sorry not to do more chatting and soz if I've missed anyone but I am nodding off.

Not much to report from here other than PMT and being delighted to get some days off work. Oh I had a letter with my recent routine smear result and it was normal. I felt pathetically grateful for one less thing to worry about! I?m going to try and keep myself distracted this next week to try and reduce the blues. I think I may buy myself a gift at some point

Evening all,
pout pearl necklace=waste= lemon and ginger tea snort! Yes, I am now also saved from other 'wasteful' acts too! The unwanted (bitch of a) guest won't be coming because her name's not down, so she's not coming in

gin All seems to be going great guns for you. Must be weird to be wasting all that ewcm and preventing ov; counter- intuitive after ttc for a while. Good luck with the egg collection (there are some Easter references in there somewhere- but not sure if that makes me totally inappropriate??!). Yep, my Mum's beard comments were actually when I was a teenager and has caused me no end of paranoia since!

nelly secret hobby sounds so intriguing... artemis' suggestion of burlesque dancing was my first thought too! My secret hobby is reading and posting on this thread!

lemons think you are fully entitled to a wobble- the 2ww is always a shitter but you've got every reason to be mentalling. Hope this next week passes quickly, as does the nervy tum.

Sorry you're having such a miserable time lisa, as wine says, it will eventually pass. About a month ago I felt like I was totally losing it and could no longer cope- I honestly thought I wasn't going to come out of it. A few weeks later and I managed to drag myself back to feeling human again. It's so hard but it really does show what a resilient bunch we are.

joycep sorry that you are having such a crap time with doctors/ NHS etc. It doesn't really seem like any of us are ever getting any answers and that test results don't then seem to set off a plan of action. So frustrating. Speaking of which wine, you must be furious that they haven't met-you have done bloody well to stay sane with what you've been through. Hope this next appointment finally gets to the bottom of this.

I am an inconsistent LPer too. Even FF says so....it therefore suggests I see my GP- hmm- I'm not even sure if he knows what an LP is? Can't believe that nurse told you not to temp or OPK artemis. I think I've found out more through that than any specialist i've seen so far. My acu lady said that I should maybe stop if the patterns were very similar each month but to do it for at least 6 months to fully understand your cycle. As mine are all over the shop I'm still doing it- my little egg finally made an appearance at day 26 this month....the last one of my 34th year and it limped out. Really low temps too this month so not holding out much hope .

Anyway, this post has taken me an hour to write (does it take anyone else this long?!) and I've still not said all I wanted to say!! Waves to anyone missed x

euro I'm 36, husband is 37, ttc #1, on cycle 18. Had all the standard tests and have a diagnosis of "unexplained infertility" and a referral for one round of IVF on the NHS. I also had immune testing privately that showed a high NK cell count. The private consultant suggested trying superovulation alongside immune therapy to speed things up while I was waiting for IVF. I tried three rounds of that. I was then due to start IVF but am not mentally in the right place so have put it off for a couple of months and am planning to try IUI in the meantime.

Whatmess I'm 34, DH 31, ttc #2. On about cycle 8 but that's in the 18 months since MC. Diagnosed with PCOS and stage 2 endometriosis. Had a lap & dye ovarian drilling and hysteroscopy beginning of March 2012 in which endometriosis was all diathermised with laser. This is cycle 1 post operation. Due back at consultants in May and if not pregnant will start on Clomid. DH all tickety boo.

frannie ttc #1 for 2 years, with no BFPs. Me 35 this month (looking forward to that) and DH 36. All bloods, HSG and scans have come back as 'normal', as has DHs SA. Start IUI next cycle.

lemons both 33, ttc #1 for 21 months; unexplained infertility, IUI (4x) from March

ladygee ttc #1 15 months. Me 29, DH 33. Diagnosis so far - one blocked tube and a below average sperm count. Self-funded cycle of IVF ICSI Feb '12, ended with BFN. Awaiting follow-up appointment to talk through next steps. We are also on NHS waiting list for ICSI, probably at the end of 2012.

ginsoaked ttc #1 21 months. Me 33, DH 33. DH has severe sperm issues - count of 3 million, poor motility and morphology. My tests all ok. No IVF funding in our area, so currently undergoing parent privately funded round of ICSI with Create in Wimbledon. Am stimming and about to start the antagonist. Eeek

Pout TTC #1 28 cycles-ish. Me 36, DH 41. Diagnosed with unexplained fertility following normal bloods, HSG, ultrasound and SA and discharged from clinic last year. Subsequently moved house to a new PCT and had new referral. Am waiting for a lap, another HSG and hysterogram (sp?) booked for beginning of May.

Artemis TTC #1 24 months. Me 38, DP 40. Early MC a year ago, referred for tests beginning of this year. Day 3 bloods normal, 7dpo bloods inconclusive, SA normal, no other investigations & no diagnosis yet. Prescribed 3 cycles of Clomid (currently at beginning of cycle 2), next option IVF.

lisa I'm 39 DH 38, TTC for 12 months, miscarriages in June and October, diagnosed with High NK cells, 1 x Super ovulation producing an amazing 1 Follie

wine 35 (33 when started ttc) I am ovulating day 21prog 47 and regular 29 day cycles, DH latest SA 7% morphology with excellent count and motility. Previous SA 3% but count, motility were fine. Vits thought to have helped, consultant says no probs there. Failed HSG due to cervical blockage, lap and dye dec 2011 revealed large plum sized fibroid partially blocking cervix. Consequent u/s and MRI have revealed that the 'broid is an elusive bugger and mapping it out has been highly problematic. Consultant can't do myomectomy (fibroid removal) til he's confident of location so awaiting next lap and internal exam in two weeks. He doesn't think it renders me infertile as I'm still having periods and thus on paper we are unexplained . There are not a lot of cases like mine, assisted conception not possible yet due to blockage. In spite of all this I have not yet gone insane.

kitty Me 33, DH 34. TTC #1 19 months. Unexplained/Male Factor (morphology) Going through early stages of one NHS round of IVF.