TTC for 10 months and the rest. Ten plussers welcome. Thread 2.

[lucieloos]

We have been so busy chatting I've started a new thread. Welcome all 10+ ladies. Hope we all have some luck on this thread.

Just popping in to see how you got on today Sammy.

I'm on the way to my follow up so on my phone. Hi and welcome to Figgy and Sunshine. Will write more later.

Hi, I'm Chloe me and DH have been TTC since Jan 2014 we had a pregnancy in between but had to have a TMFR due to Anencephaly. Starting to get tiresome now, went to see GP and all my levels for ovulating were good but that was in March and haven't been back since - I'm scared.

I seem to be reading and seeing a lot about people having miscarriages (which in itself is so sad it happens so bloody often :( )and conceiving again pretty quickly (Well within 3-4 months) so I have a horrible feeling that something is wrong. It took us 8 months last time and now we're over twelve months TTC again and it's just not happening.

Baby dust xxx

Will reply to everyone later but just a quick note to say good luck Trixie!

I had my scan and she said the quality is looking better than Saturday and possibly slightly thicker, but not thick enough and no LH surge yet or sign of a dominant follicle.
I'm worried now that my lining has been the issue all along... Do you know what your thickness was out of interest? Xx

Sunshine - are you having your tests privately or nhs?
Do you have pcos? I only ask because I has fluid when I was overstimulated on my IVF, and I think it can happen (rarely) for people with pcos.

Welcome Chloe. I'm sorry I don't know what Anencephaly is? But sorry to hear about your mc. Long term ttc is so tiring, but you're in good company here.

Trixie - how did you get on?

Hi all - have lurked for a long time but have finally registered to post here. Hope that's ok?

Ttc for 13 months and not a sniff of a bfp! Had 21 day bloods taken a fortnight ago, and day 5 ones to come this week. And then after that i guess trying to decide what to do next depending on what the results are...

It's so helpful to be able to share all this. We haven't told anyone in RL at all, which I'm starting to find very difficult. I just feel like we've been in limbo for the last year.

Aga welcome.
Yes, I know that feeling: 'we won't book that trip as I could be pregnant/I'll drive tonight as might have conceived/can't sign up for that run in case I have a bump by then' sound familiar?
Well anyway, this is a great bunch of ladies to share the experience with :).

Sammylou on NHS. I suffered painful periods as a teenager so went on pill. Came off pill in January after ten years. Cycles have been regular and light/medium flow however there have been two cycles where I was heavy and the pain was so bad I fainted, was dry heaving and had to go to A&E.

After the second time my GP reffered me for the scan after the doctor in A&E said I should see a gynaecologist. I also had a second smear test (less than three years since my first) and results came back normal.

My mum had endo and my sister has had several ovarian cysts removed so think GP thought it best.

Don't think I have any of the symptoms of PCOS but who knows. Think it was 4.4mm of fluid. There's not much on google about fluid in the pelvis.

Scan was on CD2 and I can't remember the thickness but she said the endometrial lining was normal for that stage in my cycle.

I think endo itself scan cause fluid too... Or have you been cleared for that?
Hope you get your appointment and some answers soon. Xx

Wow lots of new people on here! The thread dropped off my list so just marking my place so I can have a good read back tonight!

Sammy, just checked and my lining was 7.2-8.3 mm on CD 15 (1 week before transfer) they didn't measure it when they did transfer but said it looked fine (I am a bit concerned that . When are you due to go back?

Sorry for not posting yesterday, head was spinning a bit after my follow up. I did try and log on at home but internet connection was playing up and it would have taken ages to write everything I wanted to say on my phone.

So, I asked the Dr about th positive hpt I had before my blood test and he said this was really odd as if I had had a chemical pregnancy then my levels would likely be higher than they were (only 3.8) he said maybe the test was faulty or there was an interaction with the meds?! He said maybe the embryo did start to implant but we'll never know. Feel like I was clinging on to the positive that I was pregnant when maybe I wasn't at all!

Their advice is to have another FET before doing implantation failure tests but we don't want to risk another embryo (or 2!) so we went through the different tests;

1. hysteroscopy (to check for scarring/polyps that may not show up on ultrasound) In his experience if there is no indication of anything then they don't tend to find anything but it is not impossible for there to be some minor scarring, however if the scarring is only minor then it may not actually be causing implantation failure.

2. immunology blood tests. Have had three tests already which were recommended due to my Raynauds and all came back clear. Waiting for an e-mail with details of the additional tests. My GP agreed to do the previous tests so may be able to get some of these done on the NHS.

3. NK cells - blood test first and then possibly a biopsy to check my lining.

4. a womb receptibility test. This is the one he was suggesting as next step. He was saying that in general there is a 2-3 day window each cycle where the womb is receptive to an embryo, however in some women the window is shorter (as little as 6 hours!) The test involves preparing as if doing a FET (including scans) and then rather than transfer an embryo they test the lining and send the results off (takes a few weeks) and it apparently pin points the window. It would cost about the same as another FET though! They would then adjust the transfer date for my next FET accordingly.

It's so hard to decide what to do, part of me wants to just take a break from it all but then part of me wants to rule everything out before our next go. And another part thinks maybe we have just been really really unlucky and another FET would work.....

Sorry that was so long!

Figgy, I found that my cycles went a bit crazy when I started ttc, I went from a pretty clockwork 29/30 day cycle to having a 34 day cycle then a random 22 dayer then they were between 29-34 days. I honestly think that it is because I was stressing about ttc. Temping is brilliant for confirming ovulation but since I have stopped trying to pinpoint ov I have gone back to 29 day cycles. I have had reflexology some months too which has helped keep me relaxed. I am 35 next year and on cycle 23 ttc #1 and have a failed IVF and a failed FET behind me, I think I have pretty much tried everything to get pregnant. I know it is hard but maybe it is a case of it just taking a bit longer for some people.

Sunshine, I hope you don't have to wait too long for your next scan.

Hi Chloe, so sorry to hear about your TFMR and that it is taking a long time to fall pregnant again. I have seen ladies on here who have sadly suffered losses fall pregnant again the next cycle but equally others that have taken longer. Since you've hit the 12 month mark it may be worth making an appointment to see your GP.

Hi Agapanther, these threads are a lifeline going through long term ttc. I have told my immediate family and most of my friends but it helps to chat here with ladies who are actually going through it too. Good luck with your test results.

Wow Trixie - that's a lot of information to think about, no wonder your head was spinning! I'm not sure what I would do in your situation, do you have the money for the tests?

My next scan is tomorrow. Opks are still fairly light, but definitely a line there. Just hoping my lining has thickened.
I don't think yours would have got any thinner, sounds about perfect to me. Although that's a big range?
I just don't think I'm OVing this cycle tbh, but we'll see what tomorrow brings. Xx

Having a big catch up!

Trixie, glad you had your review. I think you've just been unlucky at the moment as around the age of 35 still 40-50% of blasts won't be viable due to chromosome abnormalities. So out of your 7 maybe 3 or 4 might be good and you have only used 2 so maybe you just haven't got to the good ones yet. Having said that I would still have the hysteroscopy, gennet in Prague won't start treatment without one. I know the operative ones are expensive in the uk though so a difficult decision. Will your clinic let you have all the immune treatment without having the nk tests? A lot of clinics will do that as no harm in the treatment and would save you a bit.

Sammy, so annoying about your natural cycle. I hope your scan goes well tomorrow and you ovulate but if not maybe you should let your body have a couple of months to settle down before trying again.

Figgy, hello and welcome! Has your dh had a semen analysis?

Hi sunshine, have you had any of the blood tests done?

Welcome Chloe, sorry to hear you are struggling but as Sammy says you are in good company here.

Hi Aga, it's very tiring isn't it. I found it a relief when I actually told some people in real life. It took the pressure off a little bit having someone other than dh to talk with about it all.

Nothing much happening here at the moment, enjoying the little break and looking into my next protocol. I think the next one is going to be a combination of long and short cycle. I'm hoping for 2 more blasts to finish off my collection!!

Not been cleared for endo, the scan apparently can't detect it.

No bloods done either. Am sure that once the new year comes and we've been ttc for over a year then if it hasn't happened hopefully we'll have some diagnostic tests done.

Trixie that sounds like some tough decisions to make.

Sammy, we had set aside some money for the tests but not enough to do all of them. Realise I had an incomplete sentence in my previous post- oops, meant to say I was worried my lining had gone the other way and was too thick. Good luck today!

Lucie, the Dr was saying about a test they can do on embryos to identify the most viable ones, I think they check the dna to rule out ones with chromosome abnormality. Apparently it can only be done in a fresh cycle though so we can't thaw our remaining embies and have them checked. Wish we had known before and had them tested. My clinic prescribes prednisolone in all cycles and I'm sure if I asked for the intralipids they would agree. I would like to know whether I have high levels though as maybe I need to be taking prednisolone in natural cycles.

I am thinking we will do the hysteroscopy next cycle and possibly the NK cell blood test and other immunology blood tests and have a think about the ERA test.
I have my counselling session at the clinic this afternoon so will be good to talk things through.
There is a fertility show on at London Olympia on the 7th November as well so figure I may pop along to that as there are lots of specialists giving talks.

Sunshine your GP will definitely refer you for tests once you hit the 12 month mark. There would be no harm in going along before, my GP was happy to do some blood tests a bit earlier than 12 months.

Yes trixie I have had a biopsy of cells taken from my last blasto and frozen alongside it so that if I get some more to blasto I can have biopsys from those too and we can then do the DNA testing on them all to check the chromosomes. Unfortunately we didn't do it for the first two we froze. I'm kind of in two minds about it as I would panic if I did it and they said only 1 is normal as it still doesn't mean it will definitely work whereas if I have say 5 blasts frozen and the first couple don't work then I know we still have a back up and have 3 more left. I know it probably doesn't really make sense. We will have to have a good think about it next year once we have finished doing the collections. I think if we maybe had 6 to test and then also the 2 untested ones i would feel a lot happier about having it done but we won't have that many now.

I have looked into the receptivity test before but I think it can work out quite expensive as it may need to be done a few times if they don't find the womb to be receptive on the first test

sunshine how old are you? Sorry if I have missed that and you have already said? I am 34 and the Dr has done my bloods they came back fine of course not sure what happens next..

I have no idea about temp charting may research later and still waiting for my OPK's DH and I had always said we wouldn't take the fun out of ttc but after 10 months I want functional and productive sex!! If we don't get lucky in next couple of months will be back to dr for dh to be checked out.

As frustrating and disappointing as this is I am lucky that we have ds I am not going to pursue IVF should this not happen naturally but definitely need to take tips from you ladies about other things could be doing.

Am sorry to hear of everyone else's troubles too.

Hi Figgy I'm 27 and DH is 28.

I've been charting my BBT for four months now. I quite enjoy it! Makes me feel like I'm doing something to help myself conceive haha.

Quick update. Lining still 6mm, still no dominant follie and still good quality. Another scan booked for Friday morning. Xx

You must be getting pretty fed up now Sammy! Really hoping for good news for you in the morning. Have you decided what you'll do if there's no change?

Lucie, I have done a bit more reading about the ERA since Monday. I had heard of it before but had no idea how much it entailed! I just thought that if they found the lining to be pre/post receptive then they moved the transfer date forward or back accordingly rather than test again to check. I think we are decided on doing the hysteroscopy and NK testing before Xmas. I've managed to get a GP appointment for this afternoon so going to see about having some of the immunology tests the clinic recommended done at my surgery - my previous Dr was happy to do some before but he has left which is a bummer.
Brilliant that you have had the biopsy done on your blast. I think I would rather know rather than go through a cycle with a blast that had no chance of implanting. it's so hard isn't it.

It is hard trixie, I just really don't know what to do about the testing. I think we will have to wait until we are in the position where we need to make a decision and think again about it then. I know what you mean about preferring to know. I just think if we only have 3 to test in the first place then chances are we may be lucky to get just one that is ok and I jdon't want to pile anymore stress on myself if that is the situation. In some ways i would rather not know and just see what happens. It's so hard.

I agree about the ERA it's something i would do as a last resort really. I think it would take a lot of time and money and I'm not overly convinced about it. Good news that you will have the hysteroscopy though and also more immune tests. Where will you get the nk test done?

Sorry meant to say good luck for tomorrow Sammy, really hope your lining has grown more.

It makes sense not to put pressure on yourself Lucie, hopefully after a bit of a break when it comes to making the decision you will know what to do.
I meant to say before, my clinic is part of the Gennet group so I wonder why they don't push the hysteroscopy more.
I'll have my NK test done at my clinic, they can take a biopsy at the same time as the hysteroscopy.

ps Figgy, was thinking about tips for you other ladies but if I listed everything I have tried/read I would be here all day. A few things off the top of my head, conceive plus (sperm friendly lubricant) have read success stories but could be more down to luck than anything. And Co Enzyme Q 10 supplement for egg quality.
Also I read a fair few fertility books (not that it did me any good!) The impatient women's guide to getting pregnant is really good, and taking charge of your fertility is supposed to be good. There are loads on Amazon....

Thanks Trixie I'll take a look ordered my thermometer yesterday my opks have arrived and I've got some super duper tracking app now just need to get rid of this period and get to it

Happy Birthday Sammy, hope you have a great day and get good news at your scan