TTC for 1 year +

[FlapJackered]

Does anyone want to join?

I have been TTC #1 for 15 months and had a MC at 8 weeks in February.
I am off to the GP tomorrow to try and get a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist.
Tried every trick and tip and old wives tale in the book to get a bfp!
It would be good to have a group of longer term ttcers to chat to.

@Mrs71 you made me laugh 😂. It was awful, yes, but I was nowhere near wanting to die. I feels like an insanely strong cramp. If I ever had to get another one, I wouldn't even hesitate to agree.
Your GP should be better at his job but at least he referred to another specialist. There are a few medications for this so you're not all lost.

@KatBeCool that's good they can do it so soon, fingers crossed for you this cycle! It Sounds like they are covering everything.

@FlapJackered, @Mrs71 I had a hycosy which I think is similar to an HSG. The hycosy wasn't so bad, obviously it was unpleasant but I didn't find it much more painful than a smear test, it just went on for longer. I read the horror stories too so I was super nervous going into it, but it really didn't live up to them. So I think it really does vary person to person.

So our fertility clinic has got in touch (first contact with them). We had to do an online questionnaire and then got an email saying they have sent us a letter with more info and "further investigations" which need to be completed before we get an appt. Any idea what "further investigations" might be!? (They don't really have any info on us at the moment other than possibly my blood tests from gp, which were normal). I'm thinking perhaps more blood tests or something but no idea... Anyone else had this?

@PineappleC with me they wanted a chlamidiya screen before they would do anything but that was it. They didn't ask about anything else.

@PineappleC they make sure that you are otherwise healthy - good bmi, no stds, hiv, etc.

So it begins. CD1, got appointment for Friday for more day 3 tests again, they said it's part of the IUI process even though I had the tests done just a month ago. They are giving me letrozole instead of Clomid, I guess it's a good thing. Already got my pile of injectibles.

@KatBeCool very exciting!! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

@PineappleC they have a tick box of tests you need to have done before you can be referred including virals and things like rubella immunity etc.

@RosettaR that is good to know! I am such a wimp with these things, I find internal scans hard enough 😬

@Mrs71 it's the only test I haven't had that I probably should. I have a feeling they might suggest it at the consultant appointment. I will definitely do it but just slightly terrified. 😕
That is good news you have been referred to an endocrinologist, when is your appointment?

Hi wondered if anyone could give me some advice on here? Really feeling so fed up and don't know who else to ask! Dr. Google is never a good idea. I feel like I shouldn't moan about problems TTC and even be on here tbh as I already have 2 children (conceived easily). I've always wanted 3 or 4 kids and so came off implant 2018 in the view to sort of seeing what happened was nervous and happy when I conceived in August 2018. Sadly I MC in September 2018 and was and still am heartbroken 😔 and feel like it's made me very obsessed about having another baby and have no idea why it's just not happening for us.
During the 14 cycles since the MC I've had about three with mid cycle ovulation. I went to the GP about this and when she asked if I was TTC I said 'sort of' 🤦🏻‍♀️ as even then I felt like I couldn't say yes as I already have children. She sort of put it down to ovulation and didn't seem too concerned but as I was she sent me for a transvaginal scan which was clear, the sonographer mentioned small cyst on ovary but GP never even mentioned that in the results and basically said to stop worrying and come back in 6 months. Well we are now on 5 months and still nothing - what do you think it could be? What tests could they even do for me now? Obviously I wouldn't be a candidate for IVF route wouldn't even if that was an option. But what else could all this be caused by? I think I may ovulate late as the mid cycle bleeding is really about 8-9 days before period? Maybe low progesterone (only heard about this from googling and mumsnet!!) And may be this is what caused MC? How do you test for low hormones? What could they prescribe?

I started to wonder if I even am ovulating but do regular (albeit short) cycles mean I must be?? I did use OPKs and never got a positive so gave up as they were stressing me Out.

Basically I am going to book my 6 month appointment soon and want to go armed with enough info that she takes me seriously and doesn't fob me off if that makes sense.

Sorry if those post upsets anyone, I can only imagine how hard it must be going through all this when you are TTC your first.

Thanks in advance for any replies xx

Gosh sorry, that was a bit long! I can just tell AF is due any day and feeling like s* tbh

@FlapJackered my appointment is tomorrow! I got a cancellation how lucky is that. Otherwise it was a 7-8 week wait. I wouldn't of waited anyway I would of gone private. I'm feeling positive about it as I have so many questions to ask.

@RosettaR thank you that's made me feel slightly better but still petrified. I haven't even had the other internal scan all I've had is blood tests.

@KatBeCool wish you all the luck in the world. I really hope you get your BFP! You must be feeling positive.

@queenqueenqueen I'm sorry about the mc. Even though you have 2 children already, I can know how you're still feeling as you still have the urge to have more children. That feeling is the worst when nothing is happening it can be so lonely.

@Mrs71 thank you! I'm trying to feel positive. It's been many months and even more cycles so I'm glad to be taking a more drastic approach.

@FlapJackered you'll have to do it lol. It's one of the very first tests other than the bloods. Just remember - ibuprofen, relax, breathe deep.

@queenqueenqueen all the tests start from the beginning every time - scans, blood work, etc. It's the only way to find out if something is wrong. As you age, your body changes, often times within just months, so things could've changed. Even something as simple as low vitamin D can affect you getting pregnant.

@KatBeCool wishing you so much luck for this cycle!

@queenqueenqueen I'm sorry for what you've been through with the MC. I would expect at your appointment they will treat you much the same as someone ttc #1, because your body can change as others have said. They normally start with blood tests to check hormone levels and a few other things, plus semen analysis for your OH (I guess they may not do that if you conceived recently). The 21 day bloods where they test for progesterone is probably the most important because that should confirm if you're ovulating or not. Depending what they find they may be able to give medication e.g. progesterone if that's low. It's not IVF or nothing!

If you're under 35 they might tell you you need to try for 12 months first, but if you're over 35 they should do at least some tests after 6 months. Having said that there seems to be uncertainty about whether the 6/12 months starts again after an MC or not ...

In general though it sounds like you're doing the right thing, try for one more month then see GP. Who knows, maybe you will get your BFP next cycle and you can forget about the tests...

@FlapJackered and @KatBeCool any advice on what sort of questions to ask the endocrinologist today? I'm going to ask about the TSH 0.03 levels and whether this is causing a barrier for me not being able to conceive. Just thought you two know more 😂

@Mrs71 our TSH was on the other end of the spectrum, so entirely different treatment. But I would absolutely mention ttc and if it might be affected. I read up on some treatments for your condition and some, to me, seem a bit drastic. I'm sure there will be more tests to possibly find the cause. With high TSH they just throw drugs at you for the rest of your life, with low TSH it's different. The one good thing is that it's been studied long and well so they'll help you one way or another.

@KatBeCool thank you! I'll let you know how it goes later.

Hi all! Hope you're all keeping well. Checking in to see how you're all doing and an update on my end.

We are now going into cycle 13 of TTC.

DH's sperm analysis came back as absolutely fine and above average - he's very chuffed with his results, ha.

Had a GP app on Wednesday - he prescribed me Clomid 50mg and Metformin 500mg for three months. I'll be starting the Clomid on my next cycle, so end of this month.

GP suspects some mild PCOS on my part based on a scan back in Feb but I have regular cycles, hormones all look fine and no other hallmarks for PCOS. Advised the Clomid may just give me the boost I need but if no luck with it to come back after three months and he'll get us referred.

Hi ladies!

I went for my appointment with the consultant. She threw so much info at me I was a bit taken a back. Glad my DH was doing all the listening. She said that she can't diagnose me with over or under active thyroid until further testing. She thinks it's under active not over which is 🤔 but can't confirm it until tests. She sent me for another blood test which I already went for whilst I was at the hospital when she gets the results for that she'll write to me and send me for one more. After that she can look at what to do. I don't know why this is so complicated. She said over active thyroid can cause infertility which I really didn't want to hear. I suppose I just got to wait next couple months and see what happens.

@Mrs71 they look at your T3 and T4 levels and it's basically a puzzle. Something like if TSH is low but T3 is high and T4 is normal - it's this, and this and that and this - then it's something else, and there are like 6 different possibilities. So yes, I'm not surprised there will be more testing. But as I said before, it's all fixable with medications. Mine was easy, TSH was high, T3 and T4 were normal, so treatment is just levothyroxine. When do you go back for more tests?

Had my appointment today, waiting for results. They measured all my follicles, and ovaries, and lining. I could see there were a few larger ones in both ovaries. Started letrozole today. I read on some forum yesterday they called the sonogram stick "dildocam". I agree.

@latulipe are they going to monitor you? I had four unmonitired cycles of Clomid and it didn't do anything for me. My new consultant doesn't believe in taking Clomid by itself and always suggests using gonadotropins as well as Clomid (or letrozole ).

@KatBeCool she sent me for 2 more blood tests which I just had done today as I was at the hospital anyway. She'll read into those results when she gets them back and will write to me with another blood test sheet after that which will be in a month or so. Then she said she will have a better idea. Least the ball is rolling and something is getting done about it.

Did it literally feel like a dildo? 🤭 how are you feeling? It's moving very fast isn't it.

I think I've posted on this thread before.

I'm mid cycle 17, and given up all hope!
I think I need to book my 2nd appointment with the doctors, we've had the 21 day bloods and sperm tests which all came back fine.

Can anyone advise what the next steps would be?
How long did you have to wait for a referral to the fertility clinic.

I never thought I'd get to this point of having to get help, no one ever thinks it will be this hard.

@Mrs71 well a dildo isn't moving around like that into every crevice lol. But if it did, yes. It is definitely moving so fast. In three days I start the injections, more dildocam at some point, actual IUI, all in less than two weeks. Glad they're doing tests quick for you too, just a matter of finding the right treatment.

Hey all

I'm having a melt down this evening and looking for some words of wisdom/encouragement!
I'm officially into months 22 of TTC and freaking out that the clock is running out as I'm 37!
Kicking myself for leaving it so late (even thought I didn't have the right partner etc etc)

I rang fertility clinic on Wednesday and they told me it looks like I'd be called November!!
N.ireland has such a long waiting list. I'm going back to GP to get an urgent referral put in (only 1month waiting list for urgent patients) so no point going private just yet but so long before I even get to the 1st appointment!

As @MrsChicken89 said - why is it so bloody hard to conceive?!?
My brother is 4 years younger than me - he had 2 children the 1st month they tried! And then they split and he went and had a 1 nite stand on Valentine's night 2018 and had a baby girl born last November!!

Life is so so unfair
I type this with tears of frustration, anger and general fucked-off-ness dripping down my face

Sorry to bring the mood down but this is the 1st time in nearly 2 long asses years that I feel like I've hit a brick wall!!

@KatBeCool best of luck and really hope it works out for you!

No, not being monitored. I think the GP prescribes it as last resort before referral so we'll see what the next three months have in store.

@Broodyaf it's shit. It can feel fucking lonely and it shouldn't be this hard but it will happen. It will happen for you, for me and for everyone on this thread. It will.

Thank you @latulipe
I just feel so incredibly lonely in this whole process. And it's all I ever think about!

I have done that much research myself and I reckon I need Clomid & maybe letrozole/metformin - not sure about those 2

Can you please tell me all about Clomid &metformin
How often you take it? What
Way u take it,
How u feel etc

Thank you so much

@Broodyaf I know. It can totally consume you. I find myself just scrolling and scrolling through a shit load of forums and Googling success stories and statistics. It completely takes over. DH is great though, so positive and supportive.

The GP prescribed me Clomid 50mg and Metformin 500mg.

I take Metformin once a day and Clomid will be taken on cycle days 2-6. I start Clomid around the 29th (cycle day 2) so will update you then. I'm not being monitored though which is a bit shit as I won't know what is going on inside but to be honest, I'll do whatever at this rate.

@Broodyaf oh and both are taken orally. For the dose I have been prescribed it is one pill for Metformin and one pill for Clomid (as well as the other supplements I take - surprised i'm not rattling as I walk)