40+ ttc: the one where we all get knocked up!

[ababsurdum]

Shiny new thread. Here's the link to the previous one.

FWIW here are my results from last year:

12 follicles on right; 9 on left (normal reserve is 6-12 overall)
AMH: 26.66 (normal is 20 or above)
FSH: 4.1 (normal is below 8)
LH: 5.0 (should be equal to or less than FSH but not critical)
If FSH is over 20 then the quality of the eggs would be compromised.
Everything else okay i.e. nothing blocked etc.

It was a bit pricey but the nurse/consultant were great and very informative. They phoned me with the results when I was visiting DP and I burst into tears as was so happy. I had it in my head that there was something wrong with me.

Amazing results! I've had most done except oestrogen, AMH and a scan. OH gets SA results this week. There is stuff they can do with a low sperm count though.

Yes, they were pretty good. I'm considering getting them done again if there is no BFP by the end of the year. I suspect things have dramatically changed... I've got a great GP who agreed to do various tests in April last year. My oestradiol came out at 177 pg/ml on day 3. Don't know whether that's good or bad?

DP seems to think his sperm is okay. He has two grown up kids from a previous relationship. My thought is that you never know what happens as we age.

Hope you will find the further tests/scan reassuring. I'm normally quite squeamish but actually enjoyed looking at my winking ovaries

I doubt they would have changed that much. I'm not sure about oestrodiol. Did they test progesterone?

I'm just feeling particularly pessimistic at the moment. Between the GP tests in April 2015 and the private clinic ones in December my LH and FSH had actually improved?! Argghhh. Who knows? Just oestradiol tested. Might push my luck with the GP and ask again. Are you going private for your tests?

citybumpkin at 42 a few months ago my AMH was 7.4. Even that is ok though - within the normal range for my age, and above the bracket for 'very low'. The fertility clinic had no problems with that at all. You've got a long long way to fall before things get too low, I would think...?

I guess they can fluctuate. Did they improve by much?

Yes I would ask for a progesterone test, it can't hurt.

We had the following done through GP: FSH/LH, progesterone and SA.

But at the same time were referred to the fertility clinic where they do the same tests all over again!

Thanks Fuzzy. I know that too much emphasis should be put on AMH in particular as nothing can really be good indicator of egg quality though. I just need to put my positive pants back on again.

How are things going with you today?

Ali re test stats:
April - LH: 5.2 and FSH 5.7
December - LH: 5.0 and FSH 4.1.

Sod it, I will be cheeky and just ask the GP. I just went private of my own accord as basically was told there wasn't anything they could do on the NHS due to my age and the fact that DP already has children. As DP is based overseas he is visiting his local GP for the SA.

Two lots of tests can't hurt either!

Amazing - do you think it's random or down to supplements?

Not sure why they allowed tests - I think they felt sorry for me!

The reason I'm hesitant with the clinic is that I'm not sure I want treatment so what's the point. But I would like a scan to check there's nothing wrong in there.

During today's injection DP managed to cut his finger whilst breaking off the tip of the glass vial and now I'm off to google how to safely remove the tip ...

And of course the injection site is red and itchy and now I'm starting to worry about allergic reactions ... please tell me some itching is perfectly normal.

Ali, I have no idea why the improvement? Since seriously TTC I've been taking a plethora of supplements, eating more fruit (already a veggie - 23 years), going to aerobics, swimming. My only failure is that I've not given up wine entirely. As said things could be worse now.

I cheekily got a scan on NHS as previously I've had bowel problems so had a slight twinge that my GP wanted to check out.

Where are you based Ali?

That's funny City as my vegan friend also has a really low FSH level.

Which supplements do you take?

I'm based in London.

Cthul, ouch! Both of you! I'm sure itching is normal. What's in the injection and is it your first round?

Interesting re the friend. Perhaps no meat or the fact we eat more veg? I've always taken various supplements being a veggie but have added recommended TTC ones so:

Multivitamin with iron
B6 and B12
EPO
D with calcium
Omega 369
Folic acid
COQ10 (ubinqinol)
Just started maca and agnus castus (ac after ovulation only).

It might be overkill but when I remove some of the above I do feel the effects. I'm now sat here eating pineapple after wrestling with it for half an hour!

I went to a Midlands clinic and would recommend. Offered various treatments but said we would see how it goes.

Great news, Giz! Lovely to have your happy little bean in the right place! Just keep repeating: today I am pregnant, today I am pregnant...

Fuzzy a ttc break if this cycle doesn't work out seems so sensible.

Any update, Clara?

Sounds like your tests are good, too, City. Great stuff!

Good luck for the approaching fertile weekend, Ali. I hope I've got everyone straight - busy day on the thread!

I'm on the fence about having tests myself. We're supposed to be in the 'if it happens, it happens' camp. So if we had bad tests we wouldn't necessarily do anything different. But then I do find myself wondering about donor egg ivf abroad...

The madness of ttc is that today I felt a bit queasy all day and naturally had convinced myself that I was pregnant, despite the negative test last week. Then I had some bleeding this afternoon. I guess even the normal shift to period hormones is going to make me feel sick now. Ah, the joys of aging. I also am forever convinced that every weird cycle is peri menopause.

Hope everyone else is well!

Oh no, and sorry about the sore injection site, Cthuloo. (And also your DH's finger, but surely the whole process is going to be harder on you!)

And as for injecting positivity into the process, Ali, what about adding excitement by trading massages? or forget the trade and just have dp massage you That always leads in a positive direction around here.. Too cheesy? We are old skool.

Thank you IAteSomeofthePies. Alibaba2 this is my first round of IUI, so everything is new. I'm taking Menopur (=menotrophine) for follicle stimulation. Thankfully the itching has now stopped.

Evening ladies, well it's busy round here. ;-)

Congrats on the positive results Ali and City and on starting IUI Cthul!

Fuzzy, like Pies I think you're wise on your planned approach and have everything crossed for you. Pies, hope things settle for you v soon.

Thank you all for the crossed fingers too, I'm 5 days late, feeling slightly sick and only had cycle this long when settling back after breastfeeding.. So gradually concluding I must be pregnant!

Now need to see if I can make it to 12 weeks.. Pls keep fingers crossed for me!

Exciting Clara!! Definitely keeping everything crossed and keep us posted. Are you going to book a blood test?

Fingers crossed, Clara101!

Thanks Ali! Yes, going to wait a bit but probably before Christmas. I'm not sure whether to continue with COQ10. I need to check that but if anyone knows pls let me know.

Fingers crossed, Clara!

I think the coq10 should be ok. What dose are you taking? Is it ubiquinol?