35+ TTC #1

[elisev]

Hi all,

Just wanted to start a thread for all of us over 35 just starting out.

I am: 36 (37 in Nov)
Cycle #1 CD 22

I've been 'prepping' my body for this for a year, lost weight, increased my fitness levels and been taking vitamins etc so I feel like I've been mentally preparing for this for AGES, as a result I'm finding the waiting game torturous! I've been tracking my cycles, 27 days average, and using OPK's - just started that this month. We dtd the day before getting a smiley face and then twice on the day we got one.

Are there others who feel impatient/worried like me because you feel time is not on our sides? So bloody stressful!

Thanks sooz
If you're 35 or over I think you get treated seriously if you've been trying for 6 months, the same as anyone else that's been ttc for 12months. We'd been to see gp after 10 mths as we were concerned and thought we'd try our luck because of my age, and were fobbed off. But went back recently having got our 12mths under our belt and were immediately given a form for sperm analysis- this is what SA stands for! And I was told to book in for day 21. There may be other tests they can do like thyroid tests but I would've thought this was the least they could do to start with.

I went to the GP yesterday. Have been set up with a blood test and we are getting an SA, too, probably because of our ages at this point.
I hope everything is alright.

Ha I have taken 2 hpt today! Both bfn as I realised have been peeing on it rather than dipping like it says! I wasn't sure it made much difference as they were ic and sensitive tests (10mIU) and didn't want to collect my urine in a pot! When i did i noticed it was cloudy despite 2 hot drinks this am...

Am getting bit twitchy as opk indicates I ovulated around 7th which makes me 10dpo but cd 30! If luteal phase stays "normal" that means af isn't due till 22nd Sept! But have been getting pms symptoms on and off for several days now although that's not unusual. My cycles aren't usually over 33 days so now I'm unsure how close I am either to the best time to test or (more likely) start of next cycle! Aargh!

When are you getting your tests done mare and sooz?

Hi ladies, glad I found this thread! Sometimes I feel daft for worrying so much when there's people trying for years but I'm 36 next month, ttc month 2, and fretting I've just left it too late. Oh and sick to death of hearing about other folks positives!

Feels like it's been going on longer anyway because we had 3 months preparation time while we waited until I became eligible for maternity pay, and now this is my second cycle.

Currently on day 37. (Usually 26-36 days, mostly around 31) 2 negative tests (day 34 evening and 36 fmu) but still no AF either.

Having a few symptoms... Sore boobs a few days ago, shattered all the time, constantly need the loo, gone right off coffee and wine, craving lemon and fish (not together!) aarrrghhhhh!!!

Hi Rachael, and welcome!

I know what you mean, feeling bad I left it so long sometimes, but you do both have to be in the right place, and we're not all the same are we? I find other peoples positives hard but keep telling myself it'll be me one day, (hopefully) and that I should be nice to them!
Me and oh have been ttc for about a year now and have started fertility tests -really didn't think this would be necessary.

Cd 36, that's harsh I'm on cd31 and feel hard done by! Lets hope this is our month

Welcome, Rachael. We all know how you feel here.

I just had a random longer cycle of 33 days rather than about 29. Fx for you it's a bfp!

Mira, I'm going to doc today to start the ball rolling. The hard bit will be getting DP to give a sample for an SA, everything else should be easy!

Took my first Clomid last night. Been having mixed feelings about it. And if this cycle BFN, do I carry on taking Clomid or just try naturally, unmediated and no IUI? Or do I take Clomid but no IUI? I think I'm over analyzing it all. And still debating whether to tell dad or not. DH will be flying over next weekend and I hope IUI will be on Saturday/Sunday, so I'm not completely alone. He then is flying home on Monday. But if IUI scheduled past next weekend, I've got nobody with me. I'm already having rubbish time as in a way dreading going home as memories of mum are hitting me hard. Big sigh. Trying to stay stress free. Got my next acupuncture on Tuesday. And these things are so expensive. Does it help me in terms of fertility? Not sure, but she says I'm in a much better place now, fertility wise. Hmmmm will have a chat with her tomorrow. Flying home and to the clinic on Wednesday. It will be CD8 and 4 days of taking Clomid then.

Good luck russkispy
Yesterday I took an ic and frer and bfn. I'm now day 32 and haven't been aware of any cycle longer than 33 days. Feeling v periody tho, like it will start any second. My cycles have varied from 25 to 33 days. I have had a lot of stress in my life which has made my hair start to go white prematurely, I'm now wondering whether stress has caused an early menopause! I'm worried about the state of my eggs, and also that being so desperate to get pregnant is keeping af away in some weird hormonal way like a phantom pregnancy! 1 year of ttc and I'm cracking up!

miraflores According to the GP I need to go get my blood tested on CD2, as I am now on CD8 it's quite a long time from now.
The hubbie needs to make an appointment for his test first so we don't know yet when that will be.

We are still hoping that with the combination of Maca, Agnus Castus and Spirulina I am taking we might get some kind of miracle and don't have to go that route.
I don't really see a difference yet, other than that I feel I am less exhausted, like some fog has been taken off my brain if that makes sense. I am very curious what will happen during and after ovulation which is when I tended to get all the pains I have been having that made me go to the GP in the first place. If that get's better, I'd call it a success even before a BFP.

Anyone here who is taking Maca? I am very interested in hearing if you had any results.

Welcome, Rachael/

Not this month but at least the limbo bit is over onwards and upwards.

Can anyone explain Angus castus please? I'm taking it because of my irregular cycle length and short luteal phase, but there's conflicting info on whether and when to stop. I took it all through last month from day 1, and stopped the day before I came on. When should I start again? And should I stop at ovulation? Or will that mean it doesn't affect the luteal phase?

Xx

I've been taking Maca, Spirulina and Angus cactus since April/May. I only take Angus Cactus from CD1 to a couple of days before OV day, I.e CD12-CD13. Been taking Maca every day but not during AF time. This cycle I had it all the way through and only had 2 days of AF. Not sure if that's normal? Too short, I think. I'm usually 4 days.

Good luck sooz!

mare have you had day 21 progesterone yet? What do they test for at cd2, is it fsh?
I'm a bit confused with all these supplements are they all for irregular cycles or for something specific? Does anyone take evening primrose oil, I think you take it up to ovulation to lengthen luteal phase?
Also is there anything you can do or take to increase egg quality?

I only just started taking all, Maca and Spirulina for just about 1 week now, Agnus Castus for about 3 weeks.

After reading up on it I am taking Maca all the way through my circle. I only started on my last CD2 though (am now on CD8).
Agnus Castus I take from CD1 to ovulation. Then stop until the next CD1.
Last AF lasted the normal 5 days.

Got this link you might find interesting
babybumpapp.com/community/groups/90/posts/2377456-must-read-natural-fertility-vitamins

Thanks russkispy wow loads of information there!
mare perhaps will look into taking some of these supplements, I'm only taking pregnacare, didn't realise til later there's a separate one for ttc!
Am especially interested in ones for egg quality and anything suggested by Dr after our appt on weds

What is wrong with me?! Another ic=bfn!
Have started spotting now
Not sure how much more of this I can take.
Am trying to find something to look forward to like weekend away or something. What does everyone else do to cope/stay sane?
Have bought that fertility book by zita west haven't read through it properly yet but doesn't have as much practical advice as I was expecting. She does advocate acupuncture so maybe ill try that. Also our preseed arrived, they delivered it to a neighbour! If only they knew what was in that parcel

Sorry to hear how you are feeling. I feel like that too sometimes.

Unfortunately I think you have to find a way to forget about it and not let in dominate your life. Easier said than done, but I don't think the stress helps one bit. I'm trying to have a month off from the madness myself. I'm taking my temperature and supplements but trying to just spend time together, sex because we want to not because it's the right day, and not manically counting days.

I hope you find some peace with it all xx

miraflores I am really sorry you feel this way right now. We only just started trying and I am already having these thoughts that it might not work out. But then I agree with Rachael, we can't let it dominate our life.

I did forget to answer your other questions further up. I checked the paperwork I got and the tests they are doing on CD2 are: Full blood count, Thyroid, LH, Testosterone, Prolactin, FSH, Globulin level and serum oestrogen.

Thanks rachael and mare sorry was really wigging out yesterday.
we've been trying so long and its really getting to me. Just gotta take a deep breath and continue but never thought it would be this hard!
Thanks for answering my question mare we are seeing Dr tomorrow so maybe we'll have some of those tests added on. What is globulin level by the way?
OH is quite relaxed still, or seems so, don't know how he can stay so calm!
Glad I can talk to other 35+ ttc#1, if you guys can keep it together so can I!

Had to google Globulin levels and it seems that if they are too high it's a sign of infection in the body (like cancer).
But digging a bit deeper it seems that low globulin levels are connected to PCOS, so I think that's why it is on my list.

So apparently there is a program on tonight about fertility bbc1 22.45. Alex Jones - fertility and me, might watch it on I player tomorrow as it is on quite late! Thought you guys might be interested

Argh, long post but lost it!

Mira, thanks! It went okay. I know how you feel every month, it usually lasts a day or two with me then I'm okay. I have bloods to be taken in cd3 and cd21 so I have something else to focus on which is nice. DP and I are dtd every three days to lessen stress.

I took evening primrose oil but stopped as I had a really short lp that cycle and I don't think that's good. I also took conception care tablets but I started spotting before af, so stopped a couple of months ago and this month I didn't spot. I'm taking folic acid on its own.

I hope everyone's doing okay today. Cd6 for me so long time until cd3 and bloods!

I take everything! B complex, C D E folic acid iron manganese magnesium zinc chromium, iodine selenium plus omega seeds. I follow the Optimum Nutrition for Pregnancy guidelines so they are mostly far higher levels than the RDAs. But I confess I haven't told my doctor because I don't want to be told not to worry again!

I took Angus castus last month and I think I will start that again. Plus I've recently gone right off alcohol and coffee so that can't hurt. Well, except for a Guinness on Sunday night but I'm only human xx

Hows everyone doing?
Had a bit of a meltdown earlier, as was worrying I was technically infertile after reading guidance on Hereford ccg website!
went to the drs for results: my day 21 progesterone was fine -76nmol/L and OH sperm was good except liquefaction time was over 2 hrs, didn't notice this on the bit of paper til much later and Dr didn't mention this but she was really harassed as the computer system wasn't working properly and she had to run downstairs to print off our results.
Now finding it difficult to find any good information about delayed liquefaction and what effect this could have on fertility. Although I've read preseed could help. Does anyone else know anything about this?
Would appreciate any help
Ta

I don't know anything about it but wanted to give you virtual hugs. It's horrible not knowing. I hope you get reliable info on it soon, try not to worry. Big hugs!