TTC for 10+ months, part 8

[eurochick]

A friendly, supportive thread for those taking a blooming long time to conceive!

Morning ladies! Today will be a good day lemons! Good luck with the scan.

Well done critter for not letting FIL get away with his joke. I think people who've not been through it have no understanding of how painful it all is and certainly no joking matter (unless it's us making the jokes!). I hope you have a great holiday and some lovely quality time with the 'rents.

buzzy at your friend being told it was all due to her age. That This Morning downs & ivf thing pissed me off (just the sound of it, not that I actually watched it!), cos it assumes older ladies are having ivf and so more likely to have downs babies. Grrr.

sar you are right about not giving up, although as mrsd says, we have very limited funds. I've heard a lot about people for whom it took 5 goes! Scary! No way could we afford this. My first cycle after the post ivf bleed was a very long one, as I ov'd late. From my reading, this is very normal.

I'm thinking that princess is involved in a massive shagathon in her lush spa hotel, hopefully conceiving mini princess!

Something I've been thinking about is if we ever manage to win the prize ie have a baybee, will I be happy with just the one?! We'll have been through so much and spent so much that I hope so, but I had always wanted 3. Things don't seem any less painful for you carrie. Did your dd happen quite easily? God I really hope my baybee craving will be satisfied by just the one. I can't go through years and years of this!

On a different note, anyone else in London sick of the Olympics already?! So fed up of not being able to get anywhere easily.

X post missm. That's really interesting about tamoxifen. We could really do with some help in the numbers department! If I remember correctly, you are abroad? I wonder if it's a more commen treatment where you are. Nothing has been suggested for mr gin. His hormone levels were all fine, but if there's anything that can help, surely we should try it? Something else for us to ask at the clinic in August... Not that we can afford private drugs for him too.

Right I am back! And it is a good day still! It was just to check for pesky cysts - absent :) and to determine dosage for stimulated IUI - low . The did a quick and dirty side AFC (for the dosage decision) because there were at least 10 follies in the right ovary and "loads" in the left, I am on low dose and reassured about meno-pause and stuff. Will be interesting to see how many grow and how quickly on 75 units of menopur, starting today.

I agree about the keeping going sarlat but with mrsd I worry a little about funds. We have a cycle and a FET funded. And we have my parents, who both have had good careers, perhaps in part due to the very much unwanted infertility. But I would not be keen to ask for money. However, whilst we live in my tiny flat, we're saving, so I reckon we should be okay for a second round. And if necessary, I think we could borrow/steal/have a third one of the parents, providing we'd give them some forewarning.

And was it gin about making the decision to not let this thing beat us? I agree, but I also think that asking for help can be very much an integral part of that decision. At the moment (mostly because of the weather and exercising more) I am in a good place. But I know that can change. And I know I can and should ask for help if need be. Curious to see what the injectables do to me...

Oh and I hope tamoxifen does help a little, missM although I agee with your reasoning that it might not. Good to know that lowering estrogen makes people nicer, whilst clomid makes people rather less pleasant . On that note, how are you today, pout?

I don't know how commonly it is prescribed for men and any research I've done has only shown marginal improvement but I have found a few others on forums who said it really helped their counts. Definitely ask if you're interested and I'll post here if he does have any positive results from it.

sarlat the not giving up comment really hit home. I feel like we are a bit at the moment. Or at least contemplating it. Maybe we will get motivated again to keep trying after a break.

Gin I finally got into the Olympic spirit a little today - I got into work early to watch the flame pass my office and was right at the front of the crowd. Although this was after coming through London Bridge station and seeing all the barriers they have set up there for the queuing system. Eek. That or the Jubilee Line (double eek) are my only ways home! I might just sleep under my desk...

Princess is back on board, toot toot (pulls imaginary lorry horn) There is no way I can catch up with what has gone on since I have been away on shag leave but I would like to say the following:

Joy I'm really sorry about your AMH results. I remember you dreading them so much and it can't be nice to have such a slap in the face. But as others have said your other hormone levels are great and you have lots of follies and the action plan seems to be underway. I hope this is nearly the end of the TTC road for you. I'm sorry the past few days have been so scarey. Big hugs.

Pout I'm sorry you're feeling so down. Clomid sounds awful. Have you finished this months' worth? I hope you feel better soon xx

Lemons good luck with the scan today.

MrsD I know it's always crap to have a bit of bad news, but so much more of your test seems positive. I hope you get some answers from your doctor. I'm sure you are not in that 1%. Hugs.

Well I had a read yesterday and this thread moves like grease lightening (huh huh). I'm sorry I can't do a more detailed name check, I'd be here all day but I have been thinking about you all. So we had a really, really lovely time away. My freckles are out in full force, I have tan lines (light ones), I've had the most relaxing spa treatments, the most delicious food (including half a scone with jam and clotted cream and mussels in white wine and cream sauce - dairy I've missed you), I've been drunk, I've played tennis, I've been swimming, I've been to stone henge (apparently her awesome majesty has magical fertility powers). We stopped off for a sandwich and some awesome fertility magical powers on our way home and ended up doing the tour. I've had the best anniversary break evaah! I did have to complain about a few things at the hotel - service was not up to scratch, standards have slipped considerably since we were last there (it was more local pub than 5* - one of the waiters actually rolled his eyes at me when I sent my breakfast back for being on white bread - I specifically asked for wholemeal very clearly - eye rolling - I kid you not!! Rude!! ); noisy building works were going on from early morning to early evening; we had a leaking shower that kept us up all night on the first night; and they couldn't bring me a carrot and apple juice to the pool from the main house because of the building works (the juice was the final straw and saw me marching up to the main house to complain) Anyway, they knocked a tiny amount off a rather large bill (not impressed) and the receptionists parting words after a rather terse response from me about how little they had taken off 'given the circumstances' and how we would be going elsewhere next time were, "well at least it has been sunny here for you" to which I saw red, looked her in the eye and said "it would have been sunny in Brighton too". She went bright red and didn't say anything other than, "shall I fetch your car for you". DH smirked and then said, well that's what you describe as acerbic. I was narked because, she didn't bloody turn the sunshine on did she? Anyway. All this aside, we did have a lovely time away together (and did enjoy the sunshine). Oh and back to work today. Rubbish. And it's sooooooooooo nice outside. I wanna be outside on the beach topping up the tan.

Right well, I'm sorry that I haven't done a full name check. I hope everyone gets to enjoy the sunshine. I'm taking my kindle and a houmous and salad on organic wholemeal seeded bread to the park today. Back to work. Back to the brown diet. Welcome to the first proper 2ww. Approx 12 days until D Day. Argh! The break seems so far away now and we only got back last night. However, no mentalling in the slightest.....I'm actually the happiest I've been in a very long time. How long can this last?!

Just a quick hello as you've dropped off my active convos! joy your AMH hit me hard as my FSH is 11. A year ago . I'm very nervous as to what they say when I go for IVF.

critter the fertility house sounds great, can you PM me the address?? But for goodness sake don't spell it whiskEy. No E!!!! You will literally be lynched .

Sorry for being so crap. ERTD is pissing me off. And I've discovered I'm becoming obsessed with all the other things going on in my life which is good as it takes my mind off TTC, but sometimes feel when I come back to MN it brings me down to earth with a crash . You ladies are so amazing and supportive but just now I feel I need to MN-lite for a bit. I hope that's ok. You have all become so important to me, and I'm still here; just not religiously so.

Anyway better work. And phone the doctor. And book the marriage celebrant. And An appointment with IKEA kitchens, and and and!!

Shit joy that was the most selfish thing I just said. I hate phone posting and being in a hurry. Made it all about me . Gawd I'm so sorry, I hope all the lovely knowledgeable ladies here have made you feel less panicked. Hugs to you. And everyone else. Except the finger. Who is useless.

Nelly feel free to make us as light as need be. But can I just say your hurried description of the phone calls you need to make to docs, ikea and celebrants just brought a smile to my face. Do obsess about weddings and houses (and for god's sake do not, I repeat: do not buy a made-to-measure worktop, unless you are good with measuring stuff - I did that wrong on my kitchen, way back when, it worked out well in the end, but that stress of it). I admire you all in one approach, I am only just coping with ART and a new job starting next week - EEK.

YAY princess is back. Sounds like a fab break, even if somewhat more expensive than it should have been.

Not to worry about the giving up comment, euro. I think the bottom-line is hard-core full-blown IVF is not the way for you. So I think it is a case of finding what works for you.

Well done on the olympic spirit as well, it is bypassing me as much as something that is plastered all over the telly and the papers can bypass one...

Isn't this weather heavenly - hope its even reached those people who were stuck with all that horrid rain a while ago?

Euro your plan for the smears sounds good - i am suitably reassured for you (...puts worry-wart part of self back in box). Very impressed with your handling of the christening - that would take me weeks to recover from.

Beryl and Joycep yes I think the clinics I've been have used my lower than average follicle count to decide not to put me on downregging, and this time round give me a higher does.

Hi Gin yes am doing ivf again, should be going for EC either sat or mon. No I'm not at a london clinic, its one on the south coast. Last time we got 9 eggs, 6 fertilised and all 6 went to blasto stage. That was a year ago though (we've done an FET round in between) so preparing myself for slightly lower response (scan looked ok on monday) tbh I'd take just one 3 day embie if it stuck! Do you have DH on any kind of regime to help with the possible fragmentation / sperm issues? I've read good reports about alternative type therapies really helping these issues, if you've got a willing DH

Buzzy that's interesting about your friend's results from Dr G. The standard regime that Mr S prescribes for anyone going through ivf with high nk includes clexane, intralipids and pred so am taking those anyway this time round. If this round doesn't work i think we will have to stump up and go and see Dr G for the additional tests. Sorry for your MIL woes. I suppose one way of looking at it is that she must think highly of you to recommend someone else to come and talk to you about difficult things. Maybe she sees you as independent and not needing her or something?

Sarlat its reassuring to know i'm not the only one to feel this way, and thanks for your good wishes and positive feelings. I sometimes hope it will be similar to when we were at school and the things that seemed important, about who got boyfriends first etc seemed hugely important at the time, but years later is kind of forgotten about. My mum says things like 'although this phase seems like its going on forever it will pass and you'll look back and think yes that was difficult but we got through it...'. Its a good sign they're happy for you to do a natural cycle FET, and think your plan for positivity is great.

Princess oh to be settled in a new house, can't wait, moving is not fun is it. It sounds like you've been waiting ages for your house to be ready. Hope you got to see the new batman film in the end, to your name being mud. I could do with some of your willpower at the moment, finding it very hard to avoid diet coke, chocolate and having a less than organic/fresh diet than I would normally have - just feel like i can't do it all, i can either do the medicalised approach, or the natural / alternative approach but can't seem to find the willpower to do both at the same time. must try harder.
Lemon Great news for today, well done! And your mum's story is very reassuring - i always like to hear that despairing has nothing to do with a happy outcome!

Muddy you are officially mental for taking on all that, but it will make for a great story...'oh yes the month it worked for us happened to coincide with.....!

Purple that must be very interesting and rewarding - to know that what you're producing will hopefully help to change and improve things. trying hard not to make inappropriate crack about my declining socio-economic status

Miss Medusa thanks for your luck wishes, and sympathetic understanding! Your trip sounds amazing, hope you have a great time.

Pout I agree with Carrie and Critter, you have my utter sympathy and clomid really is the devils juice. I've taken a number of fertility narcotics now, and have had very few side effects, but with clomid my mood really did drop off a cliff and had some very low, very scary thoughts, and only managed 2 months on it. There's plenty of other follicle stimulating medication you can take, i would push for a change if its not suiting you. I completely agree also about that this morning segment. I read a bit about it afterwards. I don't really see how the two topics are related. Surely its a seperate decision whether you would want to keep a baby or not that has been diagnosed with Downs, that takes into account loads of factors unrelated to how you got pg.

Rabbit sorry you've been feeling rubbish, that on top of everything else is not good. Sounds like you've made a good decision about further treatment. I hope everything is still healing nicely for you - it must take a few months for a system to 'right' itself' after major surgery like yours? Have you had any acupuncture or massage or reflexology or anything since your surgery?

Joy how are you feeling, hope you're ok. I have good feelings for you that at least one part of the tests / treatments you#ve got coming up now will do the trick. So hard to get news like that and find the willpower to keep going and keep positive though.

mrsden that article about feelings after infertility was really interesting. i do sometimes think they need to come up with a term like 'post natal depression' that relates to the stress and pain of long term failure to get pg, which gives it some recognition. not 'barren-related depression' though! Something which gives it a bit of cudos. 'Epic TTC-athon Exhaustion'?

on the subject of feeling down, i still find meditation helpful sometimes, though don't do it nearly as often as i did. and still got spare cds if anyone wants one. Also has anyone read a book by Louise L Hay. Its introspective psychology, thought based nonsense so inevitably i found it fascinating! her basic premise is that all negative emotions thoughts and feelings come down to one simple thought or fear that everyone has which is the same; 'I'm not good enough'. There's lots of recommendations about exercises to address things, but i found her explanation of why this is the route of all negativity quite interesting and its changed how i've viewed other people's behaviour a bit since.

Probably not as helpful as all this sunshine though! Sunshiney waves to you all including nellie, carrie lemon beryl critter mrsden and anyone else i missed.

PS thanks for letting me join the thread, albeit intermittently. Not sure i ever officially asked to join, thats not very good thread etiquette is it! Can I please join you lovely ladies (after elbowing her way in)

Muddy totally get that you need to take a break what with all your TTC extra curricular activities going on! I think that distractions are great but make sure you don't end up too burned out. And make sure you get plenty of 'you' time, especially coming up to the wedding! I've been 'removed' from the renovation project because I don't have any use at this point in time. I have been told I am more of a hindrance when I 'tag' along (I felt a bit inside when told) as I either argue too much or don't have anything to do and get in the way. No more rocks to move, no more walls to strip, bath needs professional attention (he seems to have forgotten that floors need to be stripped and the fire places need sprucing up....) This means I have weekends back (unless I fancy a spot of gardening or there's an emergency) and will be focusing on feeding MrP (he usually does dinner) and looking after our semi-functioning household - it's a shambles here chez Princess and it's usually very ship shape. We also decided that we are going to get a cleaner in so that I can do more enjoyable things with my time. Especially as ding ding round 2 we are going back on the market with the flat. Weak yay I'm sacrificing reflexology and leg waxing for cleaner. I don't mind that deal at all. Anyway, enough of my ramblings. I've everything crossed for your IVF and all of your other schemes. We're here if you need us :)

x post Care I don't think you need to ask to join us? I'm glad you're here. I like having a fellow Sussex bod in the mix. You've reminded me that I need to get back to my meditation book (mindfulness) it is very, very good and I feel in a much better frame of mind to get back to it. Especially being removed from the project. And yes, it is [the house] taking a long time. We were only going to do a few light bits and pieces, as time has gone on we've taken everything out of the house - partition walls, concrete floor, all of the old plaster, kitchen, bathroom, loft insulation and boards, ceilings have been replaced, new ceiling joists put in.... it's been a right old uphill struggle and has turned into a full on restoration project. And now we're hit with waiting for plaster to dry (traditional rather than modern plaster) because of the crappy weather up to last week. We've got to hire another dehumidifier if we want to get things going. Because I hate to be the bearer of shitty news, rain is forecast all of next week. Oh did I mention that we have been doing most of this in evenings and weekends. Knackered.com!!!! I think that we are on the home straight but am dubious that OH will have the new 'nest' ready before end of August. I delivered the ultimatum that it had to be finished by the end of August because we will have owned the house for 6 months and not stayed there for one night! I'm getting very impatient.

yay, you're back princess. We missed you! I'm glad you had a nice time but boo to bad service. Bad service really annoys me, it costs nothing to be polite and helpful. And apologetic if things do go wrong.

nelly I totally understand you wanting to spend time away. You have a lot to organise. I'm a bit jealous that you have a wedding to plan, I loved planning mine so much and was left feeling a bit lost when it was over. I hate to say it but I found the actual day went by in a blur and I don't remember that much about it. I'd love to be able to re live it. Are you starting ivf soon?

care I so hope the ivf works for you this time round. You must be getting closer. If you have enough embryos will you go for set or det? I was talking to my friend with twins the other day (hers were conceived naturally) and she said that she feels very jealous of mum's with singletons because they have it so easy. But her boys are so gorgeous. I really don't know how I'd feel about twins. But two babies is better than none!

that's so true about the not feeling good enough. That's exactly how I feel but about everything in my life. I found out I failed an exam I had to take for work. I burst into tears in the office when I found out. Everyone was so lovely and kept pointing out that I'd had to do the written test not in my own language so it was harder for me. But I know that's no excuse. I'll have to take it again so I'm just going to have to revise better. We've also been told that there might be redundancies coming up. I was last in and I'm only part time so I think I'd be the first to go. No baby and no job, oh jeez.

I was last to get my period, last to kiss a boy, last to get a boyfriend at school so I guess it's right that I be last to get a baby too.

The daily mail have an article on their website about that ivf thing on this morning. I don't know why they had to bring the ivf angle in to it, why not just have the debate on whether to terminate regardless of means of conception.

Thanks for your understanding ladies. This is why you are so ace.

care mild but overcast and threatening rain here. So jealous of proper warm weather!

It's weird, isn't it, that the hold music at the IVF clinic is Coldplays clocks? "closing walls and ticking clocks"? Ticking? No, you must be mistaken. Anyway having plucked up courage to book, I had to leave a message. Grr.

Oh Nelly I hope they get back to you soon. I also think you should inform them of their highly inappropriate hold music. I've just had the office idiot manager on the phone telling me how lucky I am to be able to go on nice breaks away with the husband, and that he used to do things like that with his wife, before kids and well, it's not the same and you have to get babysitters.... Moan, moan, moan. Gar! This time I just replied tersely, "Oh well". Perhaps he'll get the message doubt it, he's quite thick or maybe he'll complain about me to my Dad again... Like a give a flying feck

MrsD Sorry to hear about your exam. And the cut backs. It's always so stressful to be in that position. I'm sure you will be ok. I'm very that you are part time. Although I can understand feeling vulnerable. If it helps to know that you aren't the only one I often wail about being a failure and am known for my dramatic and dark pity parties (did I mention the accompanying wailing. Oh I see I did). You are not a failure by any means! No way! A failure couldn't have got this far with TTC I can tell you. Those appointments, hours of researching, dealing with the coven, getting out of bed with the black cloud that doesn't shake for days, presents for new babies, kind words to other ladies in the same boat = NOT FAILURE. In fact = determined and brave young lady. It's funny you say about the last to get periods, I was pretty late and so at the age of 12 and in year 7, took myself to the nurse to ask her when my period come and was there something wrong me with? It turned up 2 weeks after my 13th birthday. I also didn't kiss a boy until I was 14 and felt soooo immature. And then I snogged the school geek. He was so ugly (come to think of it so was I), but at least willing. Little did I know that I would be snogging plenty later on maybe too many I also took 6 attempts to pass my driving test and not because I couldn't drive but because I got so nervous each time and because on the Isle of Man you can learn to drive at 16 and they are super strict (I failed my second test on hesitating at a roundabout. There were cars at all exits and I decided to wait until it was safe. One person's safe is another person's unnecessary hesitation - it wasn't like I was there for hours - IMHO I was failed for being a safe driver! It still irks me know and that was 13 years ago. BTW I swore at him loudly at the end) I underperformed in my A levels, I bailed out of a career I worked really hard for, my sister's a super brain with 4 degrees (including a phd) at 26 (3 from Oxford)..... So I have had my fair share of being / feeling crap / substandard. However, recently I've decided to think about these things as my life story. I can drive, I have periods, I'm married, I have a degree, I have an ok-ish if not confusing CV, I have no baby but as someone up thread said, I'm hoping it's like being a teenager where this one thing matters to you. And I must say out of all the crappy situations I've been in, there always seems to be a really good outcome (especially after the 'love' of my life dumped me at 21 and I realised what an arse he was and ended up being sooo much happier without him - didn't feel like that when he dumped me though). Oh gawd, I'm sounding like a Celia Ahern novel. But I thought I would quickly ramble through this to make you feel less alone? I don't see you as a failure. I'm sure you don't see me as a failure? Hugs and a Anyway, you'll nail that exam next time.... :) And as for all of us, there will be babies. Probably at the least expected juncture. Just like my periods and my husband. I never thought I'd put those two in a sentence together!

Hi guys, nothing exciting to relate but just to say I'll be off the grid for a couple of weeks, back in mid-August, on my hols to London and Scotland (drinking whisky, not whiskey! - thanks nelly! ). Thinking of all of you, and really hope that when I get back the finger has pointed at one of our lovely clan.

princess love that you thought to say the acerbic remark - I always think of comebacks after I've left the scene of the crime! Glad you had a lovely time, bad service aside. Agreed on the mindfulness - my sister meditates for an hour a day and is super into all that stuff - she did a 10 day silent meditation retreat earlier this year, and she's been trying to encourage me to do more of meditation. It definitely does help.

euro I hope your cycle comes back soon - good news about the CM and the horn, that is promising.

carrie so sorry you are feeling low and sorry about the row with your DH.

buzzy glad you had a nice chat with your friend. The little boy sounds precious.

lemon really glad that your scan went so well - we deserve some good news on this board!

sarlat love the never give up advice. Just what I needed today. Thank you.

care I will look into the Louise Hay book - thanks for the tip!

nelly totally understand that you might need a break from the board. You have so much on your plate at the moment. I would love it if you joined me in the Scottish House of Fertility! It'd be great to have a whisky drinking partner. Can't believe about the hold music.

mrsd sorry that you are feeling sad. This is just crap luck, not our fault, but of course it's easy to spiral into those thoughts, I know I do.

gin like you I have always wanted three children or more... guess life hasn't turned out the way we planned, yet, at least. Maybe IVF twinks? And then an extra one for the road? That's what I fantasise about, anyway.

missm, have a lovely hol if I don't 'talk' to you before you leave.

Waves to rabbit and pout and others that I know I have missed. See you all in two weeks time!

Nelly - how exciting all this plannning. I would like to plan a wedding again. Houses are also a lot of fun - hope you get some chill out time too. But I think I could do with 'project' at the moment to get my teeth in to.

Mrs Den - sorry about the exam result. for you tonight!

Princess - great to hear shag break was fabulosa. Hotel deserved a telling off!!

Glad that my positivity comments are helping others a wee bit. I am trying my best to be more optomistic. But I'm not convinced I can make it last........but I am trying. It's all too easy to revert to TTC type! Earlier today a fear started creeping in that the next FET still won't work due to un-checked and unknown immune issues. But I haven't allowed myself to ponder on it or do any research / enquiries.

I hope my 'keep trying' quotes earlier didn't appear as though I think obtaining money for treatment is a non issue and I'm really sorry if it did - I am in the exact same position as some others. We can probably afford one round of IVF after our one NHS cycle is finished but no more. I guess all any of us can do is use the resources we have got, for as long as we feel we want to.

Euro - I haven't seen any evidence that you have given up. If you had continued with that IVF cycle - that would have been you giving up as it clearly wasn't meant to be and you would have been doing yourself a diservice. I think it took a lot of courage to say, NO, stop now. The other plans you have put in place including some 'time off' are still part of going forward.

Waves to everyone else - nearly the weekend thank goodness.

Euro - you didn't scare me ...really...that's quite funny you don't remember it though! Sorry your cycle hasn't turned up. I had a 6 week cycle when I was put on Gonal F. It was very odd.

*Gin - i produced 5 follies on gonal f. It wasn't that many but too many for IUI! Sorry about the ouchy boobs. You have obviously taken my pain this month. Mine are ever so slightly sore now, just like they were in the old days but AF will be here at the weekend so I don't know why this month is different. First blissful month in 2 years. I also though the Ruby Wax programme was good. I went to see her stage play about mental illness as well. I love the fact she is trying to get rid of the stigma. One of my sibling's has had clinical depression so I find it quite fascinating. I can also see that I am quite far from it but I certainly go through very miserable days but that is just not the same.

Rabbit - you are definitely the lap Gold medal winner in the 10plussers group. I have no idea how you have coped quite honestly.

Critter - have a fab time over here and no thinking about ttc. Don't fret - you won't have a low ovarian reserve.

buzzy - I am glad you had the chance to chat to someone face to face about everything espeicaly with someone who is struggling.

sarlat - as always , very positive and sensisble words from you, thank you. When I do really want something, I tend not to give up.

mrsd - the ec under sedation was the bit that was scaring me about ivf now i will have to have a ga, it is freaking me. I totally understand the fear. I am sure it is irrational - and hopefully it won't be as bad as I have built up in my mind. I just hate not being in control which is odd because I have certainly had my fair share of intoxicated out of control nights . Anyway, We can hand hold. it's just taking every step as it comes and not worrying about it until the moment. Sorry about the exam result as well. How anyone can do an exam in another language I will never know...A level french deja vu which was bad enough! Also you don't want to know how old I was before I had my first kiss because I know it would be older than you so I can beat you on that one!

pout - thank you for bumping my other post. I have just seen a couple of people have replied.

missmedusa - thanks that helpful to hear from someone who has had a hysteo. It will be intersting to hear whether your DH's swimmers improve on the tamoxifen.

lemon - that's great you had a good appointment and I am sure very comforting to hear about your excellent ovarian reserve. Fab!

that's another thing i don't understand. I remember they saw 11 eggs on just one ovary after my miscarriage two years ago. that means in 2 years my egg reserve has halved. I didn't realise it happened so quickly. To me that sounds like I am on a very quick downwards slope. Anyway, must stop scaring myself more.

princess - welcome back and so glad you had a wonderful break. I loved your post to mrsd about feeling crap and substandard. I found it very heartwarming.

nelly - please don't apologise! These forums are quite difficult in a way because when you get a bad figure and share with people, it may scare other people. For what it's worth FSH levels can vary quite considerably. As i mentioned yesterday I was reading about a girl with FSH levels of 60 who got pregnant with ivf. Her levels dropped to about 11 on one of her ivfs...so it really depends on the month. And totally understand about having a little break from MN> look after yourself.

care - when I read about your bfp , I will dance around the house with pure joy. I have a good feeling that now you have found these other things that this will make all the difference to ivf. How are the anti-bs going/? oh and MrJ and I have been plotting to get to sussex for years...hope to join princess and you down there one day!

Bon soir lovelies.

medusa interesting about the tamoxifen for men

gin my friend was also told that they were not worried as she already had a child clearly the Dr was rather thick and arogant

lemon sorry are you going for iui with SO?? Good luck for the new job next week

euro are you able to do some of your work from home, I was surprised that they had put barriers up already around South Kensington and Knightsbridge

care good luck with EC :) My friend still has some test results to come from Gorgy so will be interesting to see if he throws anything else into the mix, I think Shehata is the only one using Hydroxy. I don't think MIL engages her brain too often although she has a heart of gold, and its more the case I am the only person she knows who has miscarried and had investigations.

nelly sometimes you need to step back and have some me time, helps you look at things in a slightly different frame of mind.

mrsd sorry about the exam and the redundancy threat, you've had a rough time lately and its all extra stress that you don't need right now, big hugs
oh and I was the first to get my period just after my 11th birthday, first to have to wear a bra (first person to ping my bra strap was a girl who has grown up to be a lesbian tv chat host) I was the tallest in my year, first to get braces where are our babies you fat lazy fecking finger soon you'll have your baby and be on maternity leave so exams and redundancies will all be a thing of the past

critter have a wonderful trip home, he is a gorgeous little boy :) and I enjoyed our cuddles

nothing to report, went to osteo and had a chat about ttc, he said some of his SA werent good but they still managed to have 2 kids, I hope that is the case for us, waves to everyone,

Just popping in pissed to wave at all of you lovely ladies.

Have a fab time in good old blighty critter and I'll be very jealous if you go whisky drinking with nelly. That decline is odd, joycep and makes no sense

Oh and of course you don't need to ask care but you are very welcome all the same.

Yes, buzzy we're trying a few SO with IUI rounds while hanging out on the IVF-waiting list. First one funded, others self-funded (and we agreed to try two, maybe, possibly). First stimulation injection done, and I draw blood but otherwise I am sure at will be fine.

Anyone with menopur experience on here? It is lots of DIY mixing and stuff

lemon i'm on gonal f so its all ready to go in a pen, you just have to make sure to do everything slowly and to leave the needle in for at least 10 seconds afterwards to avoid bruising, it sounds fiddly but is alot cheaper

Buzzy - is your gonal a private prescription? Id so I am intrigued to know how much you paid?