Short Luteal Phase Thread 4!

[maplebaby]

Hope you don't mind the newbie starting the new thread but thread 4 for those with a short LP!

Will try and add previous thread link later - no idea how to on my phone!

Also meant to say that I'm sorry to hear how awful you're feeling, take off as much time as you need until you start feeling a bit brighter again. there's no point being in work if you can't concentrate anyway xxx

Hi Sunshine, funnily enough I re-read 'it starts with the egg' today and I think I'm going to give DHEA a go. That's really good advice about looking on Ebay for Zita West CDs, thank you.

Urgh I'm so angry for you that your clinic's opening times have changes. The whole process is stressful enough without you having to worry about time off work and gossiping colleagues xx

How are you getting on Friendly? Did you order some DHEA? I hope you're ok

Just a little update from me - went back to the clinic yesterday for a scan to check the cyst and its gone!! So we started injecting last night. I spoke to the director at work and she was really good saying not to worry about time off etc, even gave me a hug which was slightly awkward (and some of her comments weren't really appropriate). Anyway, I feel better now that I have her on side although what bothers me now is how I explain to my immediate colleagues (and direct boss) that I keep going out every other day for a couple of hours at a time, I know I don't have to say anything but they will only gossip if I don't. Any suggestions? xx

That is brilliant news Sunshine, I'm so so pleased to hear the cyst has disappeared without you needing anymore procedures. I've got absolutely everything crossed for you for this round of IVF, do you mind me asking if you're doing anything differently this time? Good to hear that your director at work was supportive and understanding, hopefully that helps to put your mind at rest a bit. It's a tricky one what to do about your direct boss and immediate colleagues. It's not nice to think of them gossiping about you but I'd just say you need some time out for personal reasons and they can make out of that what they will.. you could be seriously ill for all they know and frankly it's none of their business.

I had another scan today where they confirmed the blighted ovum diagnosis. I stopped taking cyclogest a week ago and I'm a bit worried the bleeding hasn't started yet as AF always arrives 2-3 days after stopping cyclogest. I'm hoping things will happen naturally but I have a feeling I'll have to have some sort of 'surgical management'. It was tricky finding DHEA but I've managed to track some down online and I've ordered it. I'm still debating whether to have some immunology investigations, I just can't believe I've had 2 consecutive unviable pregnancies :(

Good luck Sunshine, I'll be thinking of you and sending love and positive thoughts

I can't imagine how hard that must be for you Friendly, its just so so unfair to have to go through everything you've been through. I really hope the miscarriage happens naturally for you, have they said how long to wait to see if you do start to bleed?

This time around I've started on the higher dose of Gonal F, in a few days time we will also be adding in Menopur and then in the luteal phase I'll be having progesterone jabs instead of the pessaries. Will also be having more frequent scans to check I don't ovulate before egg collection this time round. So a few changes this time. xx

Thanks Sunshine. I have to say it's quite hard to move on when I'm just waiting for the miscarriage to happen and I don't know how long it's going to take. They said I could wait another month (when I would be 12 weeks) and if things haven't happened by then then they would recommend a D&C to avoid infection. Not sure I can wait another month though so will see if anything happens in the next week and will then make a decision.

That all sounds really promising Sunshine. They say that the first round of IVF is often a trial run so it seems like the clinic have learnt lots and are making the necessary tweaks. I had Menopur for my cycle. I really have everything crossed for you xxx

Hi Friendly, just wanted to pop on here and check how everything is with you, has the miscarriage started naturally yet? Hope you're ok.

Still stimming here, am currently on 3 injections a day which am finding fairly tough, I'm still so scared of them I thought I would have got over my phobia by now! x

Hi Sunshine, oh my, 3 injections a day is tough going - I really don't envy you. Is your DH doing them for you I hope? I'm keeping absolutely everything crossed for you xx

I had another scan at my clinic on Tuesday and they said as my cervix was tight shut they didn't think the miscarriage was imminent so I am booked in for a D&C tomorrow . I've been a bit of an emotional wreck at work this week so think I just need to get this out of the way for some closure and then I'll have to think what to do next! xx

Ah no Friendly, am so sorry to hear this, will be thinking of you tomorrow hope you start to feel better once it is over with xxx

Yes DH has been doing the injections for me, luckily he has a lot of patience as it takes quite a bit of build up before I'll let him anywhere near me.

Really hope you get on ok tomorrow Friendly xx

Thank you Sunshine. I think it's a simple procedure so I'm trying not to worry and thankfully DH has been able to get the day off to look after me. I don't think I can cry any more tears so hopefully I'm over the worst of it from an emotional point of view..

Hehe that made me smile as I was exactly like that when DH had to inject me. I had to psych myself up every time. I really hope all is going well with the stimming and your follicles/eggs are growing big and strong. I have a really good feeling that things will work out for you this time Sunshine xx

How did you get on today Friendly? Hope it all went ok xx

Thanks for thinking of me Sunshine. It went ok thanks. It took a bit longer to recover than the egg collection procedure but overall all went fine and not too much bleeding so far. I'm taking tomorrow off work too so I'm taking things easy and looking after myself. Please keep me updated on things your end, hopefully you don't have too many more days of injections to do. Sending lots of love and positive vibes your way xx

How are you getting on Sunshine? Thinking of you xx

Hi Friendly, thankyou for thinking of me. I had egg collection on tuesday which we got 5 eggs so was pleased with that, unfortunately got the call the following morning that only 1 had fertilised normally (a couple of the eggs weren't mature and 2 just didn't fertilise). Anyway had a 3dt yesterday when they said it was average quality 7 cells. They did ask if we wanted to wait until day 5 but as there is only 1 thought the best place for it is in me. Am praying on everything that it implants. Have been using the Lubion progesterone injections this time - my stomach is so swollen and sore from them but will be worth it if it works.

How is everything with you? Did you decide if to get the further testing done? Also have you started the DHEA? Hope you're doing ok, this is all so hard. xx

Hi Sunshine, so glad to hear you made it to transfer as know there are so many hurdles to get there. You must be disappointed to only have one but remember one is all it takes! I really am routing for you and have absolutely everything crossed, you so deserve this to be successful. Sorry to hear the progesterone injections have made you feel so swollen and sore but like you say, I know you would put up with pretty much anything to get a good result. I hope you are taking some time off work xx

I'm doing ok thanks. I'm still feeling a bit bloated and my HCG levels haven't completely dropped yet so just waiting to get back to normal. Urgh I just hate all the waiting. I'm booked in to see a specialist miscarriage consultant on 23rd March so will see how that goes. I started taking DHEA this week, 25mg three times a day so hopefully that will make a difference next time. I'm thinking maybe another fresh round in late April/ May depending on how long it takes for my cycle to get back to normal xx

I know what you mean about the waiting, sometimes I wish I could just fast forward my life until this all works out. Is the miscarriage consultant at the Lister too? Have you had any side effects from the DHEA? I have considered it so often but was worried about side effects.

I've got next week off, I feel like I've hardly been in work lately what with all the scan appointments and took a couple of days off sick for egg collection. Xx

That's exactly how I feel Sunshine. Just feel like I'm biding my time until all this hopefully finally works out.

No the miscarriage consultant isn't from the Lister, he's a chap I heard about from reading various forums. His name is Mr Hassan Shahata and he has a clinic in Epsom, Surrey. He is a specialist in immunology and natural killer cells.. I expect those tests will be eye wateringly expensive but think it's worth it as I don't want to pay for another fresh round of IVF and go through the heartache of the same thing happening again. I suppose it's for peace of mind more than anything else.

I haven't had any noticeable symptoms from taking DHEA so far but will keep you posted. I think you're supposed to take it for 4 months(!) for it to have any real impact on egg quality.

Glad to hear you are taking some time off and please don't give taking time out of work a second thought. Your health and wellbeing is the number one priority at the moment xx

Thought I'd drop by to see how you both are. Friendly I am so sorry to hear you've suffered a miscarriage again. It's so cruel, I really admire your strength. Sunshine, I have everything crossed that IVF works out for you.

You both deserve this so much and I'll keep checking back. Xx

Hi Sunshine, how are you getting on? I'm keeping everything crossed for you xx

Unfortunately it hasn't worked out again!! Despite using the progesterone injections since egg collection, less than a week after transfer I started with the bad AF pains and light bleeding again. Had to travel back early from our break away to get my progesterone levels checked, they were only 19!! Less than they would be even on a natural cycle. They said to double up the dose which I've been doing since Saturday but it hasn't got any better, and surely even with double the dose my progesterone levels still won't get any more than double what they currently are (so max 38) which isnt nearly enough. It just feels like a total waste of a cycle as even if the embryo was going to take, it hasn't really had a chance and I don't really know what else to do to stop it happening again. Back in work today and am an emotional mess and my stomach is so bruised and sore from the jabs. I just can't face going through all this again if its not even going to have a fair chance of implanting. And to top it off my close friend had her baby a couple of days ago and keeps texing me photos and saying how much she loves being a mummy!!

How are you getting on? Still taking the DHEA? xx

Unfortunately it hasn't worked out again!! Despite using the progesterone injections since egg collection, less than a week after transfer I started with the bad AF pains and light bleeding again. Had to travel back early from our break away to get my progesterone levels checked, they were only 19!! Less than they would be even on a natural cycle. They said to double up the dose which I've been doing since Saturday but it hasn't got any better, and surely even with double the dose my progesterone levels still won't get any more than double what they currently are (so max 38) which isnt nearly enough. It just feels like a total waste of a cycle as even if the embryo was going to take, it hasn't really had a chance and I don't really know what else to do to stop it happening again. Back in work today and am an emotional mess and my stomach is so bruised and sore from the jabs. I just can't face going through all this again if its not even going to have a fair chance of implanting. And to top it off my close friend had her baby a couple of days ago and keeps texing me photos and saying how much she loves being a mummy!!

How are you getting on? Still taking the DHEA? xx

Oh Sunshine I'm so sorry to hear that, it just doesn't make sense that your progesterone levels aren't higher especially with the injections. What does your clinic think? I'm not surprised you're an emotional mess, should you really be in work? Are you 100% sure it hasn't worked though, could the bleeding be due to implantation? I really wish there was something I could say to make things better but I can imagine you're feeling completely and utterly fed up with it all . I'm going through the same thing with my best friend and her baby, she knows what I've been through and I'm finding it really hard.

I'm plodding along, still taking DHEA and still no noticeable symptoms although the more I read up on it the scarier it is so I'm thinking about stopping. It looks like my company is going to go through a takeover so genuinely worried about my job. As if things weren't stressful enough!

Really hope you're ok xx

Oh no, that's the last thing you need with worry about your job as well, do you know when you'll find out? It doesn't help that all the IVF treatment/drugs are so expensive, when we started ttc I thought that when it did happen I'd be able to enjoy a couple of years off with the baby but the way it's going if it ever does happen it'll be straight back to work Did you ever hear anymore about your NHS cycle? I hope they've managed to sort themselves out by now!!

The clinic haven't really said too much about it although haven't had the follow up yet, we have already paid for another go with them but I don't think we will try again until atleast July - I think I'm going to start on DHEA too although agree with you that the side effects are scary. Did you speak to your clinic before starting it?

It's so hard isn't it, she doesn't know we want a baby so she isn't purposefully being insensitive, but i just feel like avoiding her. Luckily I am off work again next week, this time away with all the family - they don't know what we have been through either so I'm quite glad really that they won't be feeling sorry for me - just going to use it as an excuse to try to relax, have a few drinks etc (can't remember the last time I had a nice glass of wine!!) xx

Oh my, I have no idea how you've managed to keep all your treatments quiet from your friends and family. You've been through so much and I hate to think you don't have people to lean on . Like you say though, at least you won't get the concerned looks and people pretending they understand what you're going through. I hope you manage to get through this week and you can get drunk and have fun soon!

Re: DHEA - yes I did mention it to my clinic and my consultant seemed to think it wouldn't do any harm.

Work is really uncertain at the moment, should find out about the takeover in 2-3 weeks then who knows how long it will take them to agree terms and finalise a deal

I went to my GP last week and asked if she could refer us for NHS treatment (previously went through DH's CCG). Will see what happens but think we'll get rejected as I've had an FSH reading higher than 12

I really hope that you are entitled to treatment on the NHS, it does all seem so unfair esp that it's such different criteria depending on where you live.

I know, sometimes I do consider speaking to friends/family about it but I just don't want them feeling sorry for me or treating me differently. To be honest I don't think any of them would genuinely understand anyway, not sure you really can until you've been through it.

Really hope the job works out ok for you Friendly, will be keeping my fingers crossed for you xx