TTC for 10 months or more, and now we're moving onto thread 4! Ten plussers welcome!

[MPP81]

Thread for anyone TTC for over ten months. Please feel free to join us!

Took the liberty of starting a new thread (with what is obviously a brilliant piece of rhyme!) as I assume everyone else is sleeping peacefully right now :)

[RebeccaNoodles]

MPP you poor thing, what a wait! I can sympathise because from once being scared of IVF and not wanting it, I now want to do it NOW and am scared that we should have tried to fit in a private cycle before our NHS one ... But we didn't and it's too late now. I like Brenna's idea, hope that's possible ...

Banana are you still laid up? I cannot believe you have been messed up by relaxin of all things. It is just too crap that you have to deal with that on top of everything else. Are you in pain or is that a stupid question? I don't know anything about hypermobility but I saw elsewhere that you have pain from a spinal injury, that must be horrendous. Wish things could be a bit easier for you. Sending , choc or whatever you're having.

[MPP81]

Brenna we're getting married in May and off on honeymoon in june, so I have a lovely relaxing holiday to look forward to, but im sooooo impatient. It does make the wait bearable though. I'm just being horribly greedy and wanting to do everything now!

Rebecca I can understand you wondering if you should have fitted a round in before the NHS one, but you made the decision you felt was right at the time and no one can do more than that. Hopefully it'll be here before we both know it.

Banana how are you feeling today? A bit better I hope.

Lucie thinking of you. Hope you're OK xx

[bananafish81]

Right, epic post coming up ladies, strap in!!

Given the blazing BFPs I'm still getting, Dr did a scan this morning and there are no retained products, everything is looking great. We know there was no evidence of a molar pregnancy, so nothing sinister is going on. Had bloods done, so will see where my levels are at on Mon for our follow up.

However, as soon as my hormone levels are back to normal, we are gonna be back in business!

We will get the full results of the tissue testing in my formal follow up on Monday, when DH will be there. It’s my hunch that the consultant knows the problem was chromosomal, as when I said I wanted to do another fresh cycle so we could do PGS, and leave our 4 frosties on the subs bench, he said this was definitely the right choice, and that he was going to suggest it as an option to consider, except I got there first

He seemed very relaxed about other potential issues, which is what makes me think he knows the reason for the miscarriage was chromosomal

Shared my thyroid results - he said my TSH won’t have made any difference to the miscarriage, but as it was slightly higher than would be optimal, that it would be reasonable to put me on some low dose thyroxine to cover it off

I tested positive for a ureaplasma infection - he said that won’t have made any difference to the mc, as it’s only a factor in later pregnancy. But it could be why I get so many UTIs, so he’ll give me some antibiotics to knock that on the head.

I told him about getting my level 2 immunes tests done. As I've mentioned before, he generally doesn’t recommend the Chicago tests, as he said levels can bounce up and down, and peripheral blood doesn’t necessarily accurately reflect what’s going on in the ovarian environment.

BUT, he was really impressed when I told him about the Athens tests (especially how inexpensive they were!), and said he was really really interested to see how they came back. I joked about preparing for a bollocking for having got them done, but he said all this testing was great, I'd done lots of his job for him He said it made his job so easier when patients were really focused, so whether he was humouring me or not, he was really lovely about it all.

He said regardless of the immunes results, we will add in immunes to the transfer protocol, and treat with pred / intralipids / clexane / aspirin / progesterone

Good news is, as soon as my hormones are back to normal, we are going to crack on with another fresh cycle ASAP

The plan is to do as many fresh cycles as it takes to get a decent number of blasts to biopsy for PGS

So if we get a decent number of blasts when we next go - awesome. We’ll biopsy them, freeze while we wait for the testing results, and transfer a viable embryo in a FET

If we don’t get enough blasts first time, we will biopsy them, bank them, and do another fresh cycle to get more blasts, and then batch the biopsies from both cycles for PGS testing. And then transfer in a FET as above.

He said it was best to do a hysteroscopy as close to transfer as possible, so we won’t do that till nearer FET cycle time. He can check out the uterine environment and do a scratch while he’s in there.

So. Lots of very very positive news. I am so so so pleased that we don’t have to wait months and months before we can go again. Hopefully my hormones will get a move on - he said once they’re back to normal, no reason we can’t start stims in the next few weeks!!

Phew!!

[bananafish81]

Oh, and I also asked the Dr what did he think made the difference in my embryo quality between my first and second cycles. He said the DHEA etc could definitely have played a role, but he thought the biggest factor was likely to be my oestrogen levels. My oestrogen levels were low first time round, whereas the cumulative effect of the stims on my ovaries from the first cycle helped to kick things into gear for the second.

He said hormone levels made a big difference to the ovarian environment, and that although the inherent quality of my oocytes was likely to be decent, because I am relatively young in fertility terms, the hormonal environment would def have played a role.

Things should hopefully be even more responsive now, so hopefully my quality won’t be total crap this time around…

[Brenna24]

Banana it is so good to hear you sounding so positive. Everything crossed for next round (except my legs for obvious reasons ).

MPP we got married in May last year (and then again in September in Italy for my husband's extended family). That should keep you relatively busy for sure. I hope it all goes well.

[RebeccaNoodles]

Hey - that all sounds brilliant news Banana, well done! I'm so glad you're out of limbo. And well done for all your research ... they should really be awarding you a medical degree at this stage.

Your consultant also sounds great - I'm glad he wanted you to be informed; some medics sadly seem to hate that and there is a definite sense of 'don't bother your pretty little head' - I feel - with some male gynae doctors when it comes to fertility. I might PM you for his name, if that's OK, to have him in mind if/when we go private after our NHS go.

Anyway well done! Hope you feel better too and able to celebrate!

[JustTrixie]

It absolutely is a case of wanting AF to turn up MPP, any day now! You're on the same dose and protocol I was on last time. You'll be so busy with your wedding and honeymoon I am sure July/August will come around nice and quickly.

You should get a discount for doing some of your Drs. work for him Banana glad everything went well and you have a good plan in place. You have reminded me about some concerns I was having re my immunes...I'll be on aspirin, prednisolone and intralipids but no gestone or clexane. I did mention to Kings that I had had extra progesterone and clexane during my previous cycle but they don't seem concerned. Wondering whether to try and keep it simple or contact my private clinic and get hold of some gestone and clexane.

[stealthbanana]

Hi guys!

Fabuloso news banana am pumped for you to get started again.

mpp I got married in May too, it's a great month to be married in! Hope all the prep is going well horrendous as it is and you are getting excited!

lucie hope you're ok and your little bean is hanging in there

AFM, I was right behind banana into our doctor's office this morning. Everything is going well, the progynova is working its magic and my lining is at 8.2mm. So I am going to get details of when FET will take place probably tomorrow afternoon, and will start progesterone probably in the next couple of days/early next week.

Also talked to doctor about my allergies and given it is now spring time which is traditionally a nightmare for me with hay fever he has given me a script for prednisolone which I'll need to start taking 4 days before ET. So I feel relieved that I had the conversation - he looked a bit alarmed when I told him I had high IgE levels on my blood tests and asked me why I hadn't mentioned it before. I said, I've only seen you in the late autumn and winter, it hasn't been a problem!

Finally we talked about the results of the PGS. He was very happy and confirmed there was no specific genetic thread and it was just all random aneuploidy on the ones that failed. So that's good.

So...I guess I'm gearing up to be PUPO!

[Brenna24]

Exciting. Best of luck Stealth.

I didn't realise hayfever could be a problem. Mine has now started and will be awful for the next two months. Maybe I should nick the dog's prednisolone for a while.

[loopylou1984]

Lots of exciting stuff going on here! Good luck to everyone.

Sorry I've not been about much, I feel a bit in limbo at the moment. I hate the in between parts. Am looking forward to my next acupuncture though, so that's something. The acupuncturist recommended a book which I am now reading. It's called Total fertility. Will let you all know how it is.

Lucie - am thinking of you. Hope you're okay. Xx

[MPP81]

Morning all!

Banana That's completely fab news! Your doctor sounds very supportive and it sounds like you have already a great plan in place. Full steam ahead!! :)

Brenna two weddings! You are very brave! I'm relieved I only have to do this once! I never realised how awkward people can sometimes be over weddings! But seriously, to be fair, I've enjoyed wedding planning for the most part. I had a dress fitting yesteray and I'm very excited again. I'm surprised at how much I love my dress considering I'm not generally very interested in dresses/make up/hair stuff. Brenna and Stealth were you lucky with the weather for your may weddings? I'm hoping for a minimum of no rain haha :)

Trixie then I shall cross my fingers for a quick arrival for AF for you so you can get going! Would it make you feel better to try and get the immune stuff privately? If it would, then it might be worth a try.

Stealth That's fab news!! Almost PUPO time! So excited and have everything crossed for you!

Sammy limbo sucks! Glad you have the acupuncture to look forward to though. I haven't heard of that book. I'd be interested to hear what you think of it.

Lucie Hope you're OK.

[stealthbanana]

mpp I actually got married in the Southern Hemisphere so May was the end of autumn. I planned for a completely weather-proof wedding (as was also post daylight savings so getting dark at 5pm) and it was the nicest week of weather for 60 years -24c and sunny every day and night time temp didn't drop below 18c We ended up opening a big terrace at our reception that I wasn't planning on using so everyone could mingle out there.

But regardless of the weather you will have a fantastic day! So excited for you.

sammy sorry you're feeling the waiting blues. They're the worst. Hugs.

So I have a FET date. Next Friday afternoon. Aaaaaaaaah! Went out and got quite drunk last night, I appear to be going into rebellious teenager mode now it is actually on the horizon

[BorisIsBack]

Stealth - that's so soon. Very exciting!!

Banana - your consultant sounds great. Hope you are doing ok.

Sammy, lucie big hugs to you both.

I also got married in May, the weather was perfect. It's a great time of year.

[Itsme247]

Stealth it's funny you should say about the rebellious feeling, I am totally there!! I think it's knowing that it's 'booked in' gives you a sense of time running out.. It's a great feeling and it's something you want to work but equally it does (hopefully!) signal the end of carefree drinking sessions!!

[JustTrixie]

Exciting Stealth! May as well get drunk while you can

Can't be too long until your follow up now Sammy, the waiting between cycles is tough.

Hope everything is ok Lucie, did you decide whether to have a scan this weekend?

I'm really undecided MPP, I still have a bit of time. Part of me wants to follow what the hospital say and keep things nice and simple but if it doesn't work I'll be thinking maybe I should have got hold of the other meds. Really the aim is to get a good haul of embryos and avoid OHSS but obviously a BFP would be absolutely amazing.

[bananafish81]

mpp I know how much of a killer the waiting is, but I can't think of a better distraction than getting married before you cycle (not that James Joyce isn't, er, suitably distracting, obvs. Ahem) 

brenna we also did getting married twice (DH said afterwards 'can we stop getting married now?!'). We got married legally in a civil ceremony - very few close family members, ran into the town hall, said 'I do' and then went out for brunch. Then 3 weeks later we had a wedding ceremony, the white wedding do with friends and family, dinner and dancing and boozing etc - I'm Jewish and DH isn't, and we're both atheist, so we had a Jew(ish) blessing, with all the smashing of the glass and all that jazz. It was ace!

Rebecca absolutely do PM me for the name of our lovely Dr. I joked to him I'd send him an invoice for my referral fee as I keep recommending him to people (including stealth, and my SIL, as well as quite a few people on other fertility forums) . He is exceptionally kind as well as really bloody good. His success rate across all ages was 68% clinical pregnancy, and Jan this year was a particularly good month with 90% of cycles leading to clinical pregnancy (of which I was one of them, although obv live birth rate is slightly lower). Don't think I could be in better hands tbh 

trixie so excited that you're so close. I don't know if he meant Gestone when he said progesterone, I assume so because obv Cyclogest is a normal part of everyone's cycle, so no reason to mention it otherwise. Can't hurt to ask? Clexane isn't super cheap but it is very safe and common part of NHS protocols (unlike pred and intralipids) . See what they say?

stealth hurrah for being ready to rock and roll. Glad he hadn't lost the will to live after I unleashed the notebook of doom and lobbed a wodge of test results at home

lucie we're all thinking of you 

sammy acupuncturist sounds terrific! And that book sounds v interesting. Do report back for us - infertility book club?!

it's me get in there and have lots of and

Boris hope you're having a nice holiday 



Feeling happier about things now my mind isn't gaming out a million and one scenarios and we have a solid plan. And one that doesn't involve waiting for months. I have to mentally tell myself we're playing a long game. It's shit - I was pregnant, I should be in the second trimester and spending the next few months watching my belly grow. But I'm not. And as much as I want to be pregnant again asap - and one of our frosties might be a good one and it's possible I could be pregnant again v soon if we popped one back - I cannot face finding out my baby has died inside me again. I can't prevent it from happening again, but if we throw the kitchen sink at it, we can cover off as many bases as possible. PGS tested blast + immunes + thyroxine + hysteroscopy and scratches should give us a much better shot of getting and staying pregnant. Two stims cycles and a FET could take bloody ages. Obv it could be just one and a FET and we could be doing a transfer sooner. But have to assume we'll have to bank over a couple of cycles at the very least. I so so so want to be joining you ladies in being pregnant. But I also so so so want to avoid another mc if at all possible. So remind me it's a long game when I'm in the inter-cycle interregnum and climbing the walls with impatience!!

Just hope my hCG levels are on their way down. At the moment it's like Schroedinger's pregnancy. I'm neither pregnant nor un pregnant! Depressing to hope the repeat beta shows the hCG is decreasing, but hey ho...

[JustTrixie]

Have you got an idea of how many blasts you would like Banana? It absolutely is a long game. I said to DH that obviously it would be amazing to get a BFP on this cycle or our funded FET but also accept that we could well be in for another few years of tests/transfers.

Sorry, I didn't make it very clear before, definitely asked about extra progesterone on top of the cyclogest. On my FET last year my private clinic had started testing progesterone levels prior to transfer and mine were around 60-70 which would have been fine in a normal cycle but they wanted them over 100 so had injections thrown in on top of the cyclogest. My progesterone levels shot up to over 600. I told the hospital about this at my consultation but they just said they didn't see the benefit in pumping me full of extra progesterone on top of the cyclogest. And when I asked about the clexane they said aspirin should be sufficient. I don't really want to ask again as I imagine I will get the same answer but I guess there is nothing stopping me getting hold of some clexane and gestone myself. I would just feel a bit naughty ignoring what they have said.

[Brenna24]

MPP I am not that brave. We were only going to have one and then a blessing for the grandparents in Italy but MIL got quite carried away and it ended up being a second wedding. They organised and payed for it though, so I didn't really have to do anything other than turn up. It was a really lovely day and I am glad we did it. Our May wedding here was the only nice day in May. It rained for the whole of May and I thought we were doomed (although I had it all planned so it was ok if it did rain), then we had a beautiful, if windy, and then it rained on the way home from the reception and went back to rain again.

Wow, Stealth that is so soon. Best of luck.

Banana that sounds great fun too. I really hope the transfer works for you this time.

[bananafish81]

hCG levels back from Thursday. 24 days post ERPC and my hCG levels were bloody 420. When we did my first beta at 10dp5dt they were only 299! FFS

Getting it redone on Monday to see what rate it's decreasing by. Dr said it's nothing to be worried about as there's no retained products and definitely no molar tissue.

It's like Schroedinger's pregnancy. I'm neither pregnant nor un pregnant.

Just. So. Bloody. Fed. Up.

Oh and the genetic testing results aren't back yet, so Monday's appointment has been moved back to Weds. Another 2 days to shit myself, woo!!

[Brenna24]

Hugs Banana that sucks.

[lucieloos]

Hi everyone, sorry for being so quiet! Mega catch up on the way.

Trixie, glad your nurses appt went well and everything is falling into place. Won't be long until you get started now. It's hard to know what to do about the extra meds. I topped up myself without telling the NHS but I have no idea if it helped or not and I've actually stopped the clexane whllst I've been bleeding.

Rebecca, so sorry to hear about your mum that must be very hard. Big hugs to you.

Boris, hope you had a good holiday. Do you have your scan this week?

MPP, great that you have your protocol from reprofit. I got all my meds from their pharmacy out there. It was really easy I just emailed the prescription to them and they gave me a price and sent it out. I always receive the stuff in about 5 days and can track it all the way online. The prices are very competitive as well and cheaper than most places in the uk. The only thing that I didn't get from there was the tigger shot (Ovitrelle) as once that's out of the fridge it should be used within 30 days and I ordered my meds a couple of months before.

Sammy, glad you are enjoying the acupuncture. The book she recommended sounds interesting! You will have to let us know if there are any useful hints or tips.

Banana, so sorry your hcg is still so high. That really does suck. The waiting is so hard. Hope your appt next week goes as well as it can. Thinking of you.

Stealth, eeekk so excited you have your fet date! Good for you going out and getting drunk. Hopefully it will be the last time you can for a while.

I have been pretty quiet on here as trying not to stress about things but don't know if I'm succeeding really. The last couple of days the fresh pink / red bleeding has eased quite a bit and luckily I haven't had any cramps, pain or clots with it. I'm now pretty much just having dark brown on wiping which I assume is old blood and leftover from the last week or so. Im hoping that once this has come out that will be an end to it. I was feeling a little happier with that and then stupidly went and did another CB digi this morning and I am still on 2-3 weeks which I got last weekend. I've obviously been googling like mad and people say they are wildly inaccurate and shouldn't be used to get an accurate reflection of how far along you are and lots have said theirs didn't change until they were well into their 6th week but it's still hard not to worry. I just turned 6 weeks today. We are thinking of booking in for an early scan the middle of next week when I will be 6+4 but I'm so terrified about what they might say I haven't been able to bring myself to book it yet.

[bananafish81]

lucie don't trust a digi!! They are so unreliable. Friend used one at 9 weeks and told her she was 2-3. Never shifted. All they do is shit people up. Thinking of you

[lucieloos]

Thanks banana, I also did a frer yesterday and it was noticeably darker than the one I did this time last week so just kind of expected the digi to have moved onto 3+ by now. I know the tests don't mean anything though. Not really sure why I bothered but it's hard not knowing what is going on in there.

[loopylou1984]

Lucie, I'm pleased to hear from you. I was worried. Keeping everything crossed for you. I think def book the early scan, it will (fx) put your mind at rest. Plus, if it was bad news then it would be better to know than just worrying.
I've not read that much of my book yet, but there are some useful recipes in it for trying to build up blood! Xx

[stealthbanana]

Hi lucie, really glad to hear from you & also pleased you have calmed down just a little. Can't offer any advice on CBs (other than the fact that I am boycotting them due to their stupid opk ads that follow me round the Internet) but they sound pretty unreliable. Keeping my fingers tightly crossed for you.