TTC first baby 1 year + thread 2

[Mrs71]

@KatBeCool @FlapJackered @Broodyaf @bunhead34 @RosettaR @MotherOfShihTzus @starkid @Lina365

I thought I'd start a new thread as the other one is full. Sorry if I've missed anyone out.

[Mrs71]

@PineappleC glad the test went well. It's crazy how some people find it so painful and others not? Was it over quite quickly?

@KatBeCool the little pains are so hard to ignore. Before ttc I don't think I ever noticed these pains I get now. Good luck for this cycle.

@starkid good luck for your appointment tomorrow. Hope it all goes well.

I still haven't had a phone call back from my endocrinologist. I called her secretary up today and she's on holiday till Monday so I'll have to wait till the secretary is back to find out what's going on with my blood test results. I just want to know it's driving me insane.

[queenqueenqueen]

Hi, sorry not been on this thread for ages but finally had my blood tests done and I've got an underactive thyroid ☹️ anyone know anything about this as I'm quite concerned and worried

[KatBeCool]

@queenqueenqueen I responded to you on your other thread. Don't be worried. Thyroids are so easily managed with medication and the body responds well and fast. Taking a tiny tablet every day doesn't even bother me anymore. I used to be like you, not thrilled with the idea of doing it every day but that annoyance goes away.

[queenqueenqueen]

@katbecool yes I recognised your name from here which is why I fame over! 👋
Thanks for your helpful reply, I do appreciate it.
How long have you been on the tablet for now? Really hoping things will settle down for me and TTC will be easier x

[KatBeCool]

@queenqueenqueen I've been on it for exactly a year. My initial TSH was 4.85 and was down to 1.66 in just a month. I take the minimum dose 25mg. Do you have any symptoms? What dose did they prescribe? I had no symptoms.

[FlapJackered]

Sorry I have been awol it's been hectic with work. Just found out my Sister is pregnant! Actually very happy for her as it is her 3rd round of ivf. She has been having blood tests to check her hcg levels and it has just brought everything back from my mc, I am finding it hard to be supportive, and she really does need the support.

@PineappleC that's great it all went well and everything is normal! That must be a relief!

@KatBeCool not long to wait now! I am not sure about implantation but fingers crossed it's a good sign!
The GP put my on a higher dose of LThyroxine and my tsh has gone from 2.5 to 0.67, which seems a little low. My thoughts are 0.67 is better than 2.5 for fertility? What do you reckon?

@RosettaR Sorry to hear you're feeling low, I always get that after ovulation too.

@starkid Good luck today! I hope s/he is a good consultant and you get the tests approved quickly.

@queenqueenqueen welcome to the underactive thyroid crew! It's much better to be treated and know it's not getting in the way of anything. I felt so much better when I started taking the meds too. What is your tsh?

[queenqueenqueen]

Not really @katbecool I guess that's what my periods being strange has been down to. Also, my hair is quite brittle so I'm REALLY hoping the medication sorts that out!!! 🤞🏻I'm not overweight or tired or anything though

No didn't ask for levels as I never thought too - it was such a surprise!

But she said it was on the cusp of what they'd treat and am also on 25mg

I already have DC who were conceived v easily/quickly and it's made me feel sad that this could have "caused" The MC. I'm trying not to think like that. Need to be positive x

[starkid]

Ok so back from fertility consultant:
. Scan showed a 4cm fibroid and some swelling on left ovary. Wasn't worried about the fibroid, but said due to my history and my stoma/bag, I not eligible for a camera go in to check it out or my ovaries etc., so just the dye test.
. Blood test results were fine but is booking me in for a Progesterone test on day 21 too as that wasn't done before
. Is booking me in for the HSG asap. She said preferably I'd be having assistance with getting pregnant straight away due to my history (clearly scarred all over the shot) but have to do the HSG first or they'll send me straight back to her. So once got the results from the HSG and blood test will be forwarded to the fertility clinic.
. DH having another sperm sample test done as saw a few abnormal sperm, said just to be on the safe side/tick it off.
. HSG is before day 10 of cycle, but when not bleeding. I'm due Monday and usually bleed for 5 days, so looking like not this week but next for that to be done, and will have the blood test done same day I think.

Think that's it! So everything I wanted to happen from the appointment happened. A relief, but also still a bummer, to hear she thinks it's likely i'll need an assisted pregnancy. A physical problem as well, so does that mean just IVF as an option, does anyone know? Least she's keen to get everything moving along quickly now.

[starkid]

Looking at NHS IVF offerings for my area, it offers one fresh cycle and one frozen transfer. Does anyone know what the frozen transfer refers to i.e. do you have to pay to freeze some, is that from taken at same time as the fresh cycle? So essentially 2 'goes' at it, minus the treatments/medications done for the eggs for the full fresh cycle, before it's transferred back into your womb? Just trying to prepare myself for what I'm entitled to where I am (not much I don't think!).

[KatBeCool]

@starkid "assisted" doesn't necessarily mean ivf. Just medication alone is still considered assisted. Basically they'll want to have your other ovary without the fibroid to be working harder.

@queenqueenqueen you'll start noticing a difference in 2-3 months, hair might take a bit longer. I highly recommend taking extra vitamin E for that, not just what comes in multivitamin. It's good for ttc anyway.

@FlapJackered so they say that between 1 and 2 is ideal for ttc. Some say that below 2.5 is fine. Honestly, at 2.5 they should've retested. Your TSH is higher later in the cycle after you ovulate. I'm not sure if 0.67 is better. I guess it's better than really high, but 2.5 isn't grounds for doubling your dose. So are you taking 50mg now? Will they test again?
Good news for your sister and it's so understandable how you feel, I'd feel the same way. Finding out that someone is pregnant, no matter if their nth ivf cycle is still hard because it only points out that I'm still not. I'm just waiting for my SIL to announce they're expecting their second. I swear I'll lose it, she's a bad mother and a horrible human being.

[starkid]

@KatBeCool - thanks, seeing as the reason she's presumed that's the route we'd be taking due to surgery scarring blocking my tubes, I don't think medication could help with that as it's a physical problem of the sperm not getting through the tubes! She didn't seem too concerned about the fibroid, more about scarring which will be confirmed with the HSG soon. I mean fingers crossed the scarring isn't as bad and can maybe have surgery to clear at least one of the tubes, in which case yes could be medication. But that's not what she's predicting from my medical history.

[KatBeCool]

@starkid it's still very possible that your tubes are fine otherwise she wouldn't even ask for HSG. So fingers crossed they're not blocked.

[starkid]

Yeah, she was saying she has to be sure to have tested everything before she refers me (even though she would've just referred me straight there if allowed, otherwise they'd just send me straight back). Hence checking progesterone and DH doing another sample too to be doubly sure... Checking everything off. But yeah never know, it might not be as bad. Might have been preparing me for the worst and all that!😊 🤞

[starkid]

@KatBeCool - oh btw have your boobs started hurting yet or still in the clear? Mine feel like they're going to fall off now so back to normal!

[KatBeCool]

@starkid they're maybe just slightly sore near the underarm and only if I maniacally squish them. So unusual. My temp shot back up after yesterday. But no point to test yet as the trigger remnants will still show.

[Lina365]

@KatBeCool It did indeed turn out to be just as painful as usual, and the bleeding got worse, too.
@Flapjackered and @KatBeCool It's hard when you want to be supportive but ultimately we all want the same thing and usually go back to thinking about what we're missing out on. It's a lonely place to be, no matter how understanding family and friends are. I find myself feeling a little bitter when I hear pregnant friends say "This'll be the last one". It feels unfair that other people get to decide how many kids they have and others don't have a single one. Imagine having (or wanting) to put a cap on the number of kids! It seems like another world to me. But that's just the perspective. I can't imagine being pregnant so it's a strange thought to me that I'd one day try to prevent it.

[Lina365]

@PineappleC Great to hear that the procedure went well!

[RosettaR]

So I had a private appointment with an endocrinologist this morning. I basically went because he saw my cousin a few years ago. She had been told she would never have children with her own eggs and then after seeing him conceived two naturally, so he has a bit of a reputation for miracles in my family. He has given me clomid and levothyroxine. He said even though it looks like I'm ovulating, clomid may increase the chances as you should release more eggs. And levothyroxine may help even though my thyroid is marginal (TSH 3.6 then 2.7 on re-test).

I'm feeling really anxious about it as I normally avoid medication. Also I have an NHS appointment next week and am scared they will be angry I'm already on clomid. Plus I don't have much idea how much it will cost, the blood tests were expensive! On the other hand it's got to be cheaper than ivf, and less drugs, so if I can get pregnant this way it would all be worth it!

[RosettaR]

@Lina365 I know it is lonely. I don't really know anyone in real life going through this, only my cousin but for her now she has her two beautiful children it's just a distant memory.

@KatBeCool that sounds interesting. Having said that I'm glad I don't temp any more, it's so hard not to speculate about every movement up or down. Keeping fingers very crossed for you though.

@starkid I'm glad you got what you wanted from your consultation. Best of luck for the dye test.

@FlapJackered that's good news about your sister, although I can understand it's bringing back memories. But it will be good to have children in the family. Also it's great to hear a success story at round 3 of ivf, it must be so hard not to give up hope at that point!

[Mrs71]

@FlapJackered amazing news about your sister. Although I can imagine the pain your feeling but also want to be happy for her.

@starkid glad your appointment went well. Good luck with the dye test. I really need to push my gp for a referral to the fertility clinic. I'm going to go to see him when I get back off my holiday in a couple weeks time.

@KatBeCool best of luck for this cycle.

@RosettaR I'm actually thinking about going to see an endocrinologist privately as my nhs consultant hasn't even got back to me with my results from last weeks blood test. I hate waiting around and just want to know!!

I called up a an ivf clinic around my area just for some further information and she said to me for a referral through nhs you have to be trying for at least 3 years? Is that right? Also they give one fresh cycle and one frozen from my postcode. Before any of that though she said thyroid levels have to be managed before they even think about it through the nhs or if I decide to go private.

[RosettaR]

@Mrs71 I was told 2 years but it might well vary from place to place. Either way it seems like a long time. I also only get one fresh cycle, don't know about frozen.

[KatBeCool]

@RosettaR your endocrinologist certainly means business to act so fast. So while I know many women conceived on Clomid, personally I wish I would've never taken it. It affects your lining and makes it a lot thinner even 2-3 months after you stop it. Letrozole is a much better alternative if you can ask for it instead.

@Mrs71 I'm not sure nhs demands that your thyroid is under 2 for the referral. Many gps don't even know it needs to be under 2 for ttc. 4.8 is the upper limit of the normal range and I've heard of so many of them refusing to even prescribe anything.

Temp dropped again today, which happened before at 10dpo, which is today. I don't even know where to look for hope.

[Lina365]

@KatBeCool What did they prescribe clomid for? I've been reading about Letrozol because the doc told me they'll probably try and boost my ovulation with something, and I've heard Letrozol what they often recommend for it. I have no idea how many appointments the prescription will take, though, everything's moving in slow motion, it seems!

@RosettaR I have a close relative who had fertility problems but I don't really feel I can talk to her. Sometimes it's easier to talk to people you don't know that well...

[KatBeCool]

@Lina365 my gynecologist prescribed Clomid to stimulate ovaries and persuade them to ovulate, which is basically what it does. But it has negative side effects which I didn't believe were as bad, but they were. Letrozole is traditionally prescribed for women who had cancer to kind of jump start their hormones again. It does the same thing as Clomid but has no negative side effects, other than possible mild ones like a headache.

[Lina365]

@KatBeCool Did you ovulate already or was it prescribed to boost it? I'd love to know what it actually means when they "strengthen" the ovulation with meds. Does it help follicle quality, improve the environment it's in... So many questions I forget to ask doctors while I'm there. Sorry to hear about the nasty side effects 🙁