TTC - 3 long years - where do I go next

[Badleg]

I have been a long time lurker on this forum but would now appreicate some help.

I went to the doctors around 18 months ago and had a couple of blood tests (I don't remember which ones - but was told they were fine!) and then got referred to the hospital. Which was awful and one of the worst experiences ever.

I met with a doctor and the majority I remember about the appointment is 1. I was obese and 2. I couldn't have IVF as my husband has a child from a previous relationship.

They didn't offer any of the tests that go before the leap to IVF so I don't know if my tubes are blocked, if there are any other issues at all.

I am still struggling with my weight. I am fit, healthy, I exercise, don't smoke, rarely drink, good BP etc etc

My husband had his sperm analysed and they said its fine.

I have booked another GP appointment for 2 weeks time with a doctor at my surgery who has an interest in fertility.

My question is what do I need to be asking my GP for help with. I don't want to be discussing IVF just yet. I want to know why I can't conceive after 3 years. Surely I can have this investigated even though I am over weight. I often have extremely painful and heavy periods which are really dibilitating.

I have got the clear blue fertility monitor but I was getting into a huge state over when I was ovulating and if we didn't manage to have sex I was a complete nightmare distressed and depressed. I decided to stop that for a while and just go back to enjoying life for a while.

I have booked a reflexology session which to me sounds completely wacky but I am willing to try anything.

Badleg

Normally they would start with day 3 and day 21 blood tests to see if your ovulating.

They they would send you for a HSG to check your tubes and see if you have any blockages. They will also give you an internal ultra sound to see if you have any signs on pcos etc.

How many months of blood test did you have? Are you fairly regular?

Do you know when you ovulate?

I had 4 months worth of blood tests overall to see if I was ovulating and I wasnt.

Weight is a big factor and they will always point it out (Im heavier than I should be and my gynae doc has asked me to lose weight). Being heavier that you should be can make your hormones out of whack and cause problems with fertility ask your doctor if they can help with loosing weight to.

You also need to mention how bad your periods are...I know some ladies get periods like this if they have endo

Good luck with the appointment

Thank you. from memory I only had 2 blood tests and I believe they said I was ovulating. I also got positives from the clearblue fertility monitor.

I am very regular 28 day cycle on the dot. I ovulate D14 so quite text book.

I wasn't offered any other testing. I am going to push for these.

i am going to really try with my weight now and get it down.

Weight can affect fertility, and sometimes fertility problems also cause people to be overweight for example PCOS. Did you ever have an internal scan to see if your ovaries look ok? I think it might be a good idea to ask for this and also for the standard blood tests like thyroid and the hormone ones. 3 years is not normal, so don't let the doctor fob you off. If they insist that the problem is weight then could you agree a plan for weight loss with the dr with a view to refer you back to a fertility clinic when you reach normal BMI. But, I think you should ask the dr to rule out medical reasons for high weight because these might also be a reason for infertility.

Badleg Just to let you know that a positive on a ovulation test doesnt mean your ovulating...I get positives EWCM and cramps but im not ovulating...

I also have a text book cycle so it wasnt obvious I have a problem.

Make sure they do a few months worth of blood tests because even if you ovulated that one month doesnt mean your ovulating regularly.

Dont let them fob you off!

It's really hard to stop to doctor fobbing you off, as I'm in similar situation ttc 2, daughter is 12 so it's been a long time in between ... next month will be 3 years since ttc2 and I too was only offered 2 blood test checking I ovulated and checking stuff like thyroid etc and scan at the hospital checking ovaries looked normal and partners semen test which also was normal.

I was told all the other test come under funding for ivf even the before test, which is why supposedly rating as come to an end unless I pay myself. Doctor scribbled down Bourn clinic. My partner isn't keen on ivf when it means we would have to pay for it. He doesn't seen the logic behind this when so far everything has come back normal.

I'm going to perhaps get the test done privately to check for tube blockages that wouldn't have shown on scan even if it means I have to pay for it... I'm sure it won't be to much compared to actual ivf. Failing that I may attempt to change my doctor for a more sympathetic one !

I would love to know how u get on as I feel like the doctor has washed her hands with me now ! And it don't think there's that many if us that have been trying for 3 years with normal results !

Have you been tested for thyroid issues, badleg? We were struggling as well, and when we went to the GP I asked to be tested for thyroid issues as I had a feeling something wasn't right (overweight, constantly tired) and it turned out I had an underactive thyroid and was put on medication.

At the same time I had tests in the hospital, including an HSG to test for blockages. It wasn't fun, but somehow everything lined up for a few days after this procedure and I got pregnant, so the painful HSG was well worth it!

Have you tried charting your temperatures first thing when you wake up? Other than ultrasounds It's the only reliable way to find out if you've ovulated or not afaik. If it turns out that you're not ovulating then you could to the GP armed with this info!

Weight should not be a barrier to you having treatment.

Would not use temp charting and such methods; at 3 years of ttc without success you are well beyond such initial stages. Also you've used this already and it stressed you out.

You also need up to date test results; anything done over 6 months ago should be discounted. Positive results on the OPK monitor mean nothing, they will not take any notice of those.

You may not need IVF but in your case they should be looking at performing a laparoscopy (keyhole surgery op to see if endometriosis is present).

Extremely painful and heavy periods can be caused by endometriosis; is there any way that you can see a gynae as a private patient to have an initial conversation.

In the meantime I would keep a daily pain and symptom diary as this would give the gynae clues.

Hi, I just wanted to tell my positive story of falling pregnant after trying for 3 and half years! Although the pregnancy ended badly unfortunately :( but a positive for ttc after a long time.
I came off the implant when we decided to try. I had irregular periods and after 3 years i decided to go to the doctors. they did some blood tests which were fine and referred me to the specialist after having my partner tested too which was fine. However a week before my appointment which i had been waiting for, for 8 weeks, i found out i was pregnant!
Like i said at the beginning it had ended badly 2 weeks ago :( resulting in miscarriage at 16+5 :(.

good luck though! it will happen when you least expect it :)xx

I too am over weight! Before I knew I was pregnant, I started Slimming World - which I highly recommend! I lost 2 stone in 9 weeks and that's whilst being pregnant (without knowing of course)

Thanks for all your information. I am so sorry Shorty that things haven't been successful this time for you.

I am really going to try and push the endo side of things as I do believe this could be one of my issues. I have kept a diary and know what pills I have to take to control the pain what the pain is like. I get nausea and diarreah (awful spelling sorry).

I would like to also push for the HSG test and will ask for the bloods to be retaken.

I have this all written down so I can talk to the doc calmly and clearly and this will focus me so I don't get upset.

I am currently sat here eating carrots! I am starting afresh today with my diet. I will loose this weight. will try and find a local slimming world. Many people rate this.