Post Pill TTC – Party Harder

[TheHotelCalifornia]

Roll up, roll up, it’s time for a new thread for the ladies who are experiencing the highs and lows (mainly the lows…) of coming off the pill and TTC! Here you’ll find stories of delayed ovulation, crazy long follicular phases, crazy short follicular phases, light AFs, short luteal phases, long luteal phases, confusing temp charts and blindingly white OPKs, to name a few. This our 4th thread (I think!) and we've had a few ladies get their BFP recently which is so exciting! Join us, won’t you?

Welcome back:

@mintgreenlife
@juno231
@kay00
@sperr
@mrsmacmc
@chinchilly
@curcurbita
@tillybabs
@ams19
@moocher90
@trying4one
@flowerbudd
@pumpkineverything
@tatty1987
@mancmama39
@elsie2021
@danielle2012
@spencer22
@charwils
@ftm94
@lobster8
@musicaljojo

Apologies if I’ve forgotten anyone, please tag them!

@Moocher90 hm then that does surprise me, at the very least I would expect your crosshairs to be dotted as you have no positive opk (from memory) listed, ewcm after presumed OD and the temp rise is fairly low as well. I guess we'll see when AF arrives!

Hi everyone, sorry I've gone a bit awol. My sister in law announced she's expecting recently and I've found it quite difficult, it's horrible as I don't want to feel this way. I'm CD23 and no positive OPK or temp spike yet. My EWCM has increased today though after it started up a few days ago. I've been looking more into short luteal phases and high TSH today and am sure my TSH is the issue. In a short luteal phase thread so many of the women in the thread mentioned an under active thyroid. One said her TSH was 2.7 and was medicated to bring it down privately and then conceived, so based on that I really do need treatment as mine is 3.5! I've ordered a private blood test to get a whole profile of my thyroid and as for TSH bloods should be taken first thing in the morning. In a way I'm hoping it actually comes out higher than the NHS test so that I can call the GP and hopefully be taken seriously for medication, as the NHS guidelines for the first trimester are nothing other 3.7, so should get medication to bring it down when TTC for that reason. Feeling pretty blue about it all, but at least I'm figuring things out now x

Oh @MintGreenLife, I'm really sorry you're finding things tough at the moment I totally understand why you would find your SIL's news difficult - and it is hard because you want to be happy for them. I've had a few bittersweet moments with friends announcing pregnancies and giving birth recently too, so I do think it's normal when TTC - so try not to beat yourself up too much.

I'm pretty sure my luteal is pretty short as well - wonder if I should get my TSH checked. At least you are making progress in getting to the bottom of things, hopefully the private test helps? Sending hugs.

Meant nothing over 3.7!

@crabette thanks ☺️ I'm just feeling a bit teary all the time at the mo. If I let my mind wonder too much I start feeling very upset about it all. Just got to keep my fingers crossed that everything I've been trying this cycle extends my LP a bit, but I'm not hopeful. Will keep DTD anyway!

What makes you suspect you might have a short LP? It could be worth looking into as under active thyroid and short LP does seem to be linked. Do you have any other symptoms related to an under active thyroid at all? How are you getting on otherwise? X

@MintGreenLife sendung hugs 🤗 it is so hard when everyone is pregnant around you. 30 minutes after I got my BFN yesterday a friend sent me a picture of a scan announcing her pregnancy. You couldn't make the timing up! It will be our time, dont lose the faith. You are doing everything you can and that is all you can do ❤

@MintGreenLife It's so so easy to let it all get on top of you. Especially right now, when we're all quite stuck with our thoughts and limited distractions! Always here if you need a vent, it's a hard one for folk in real life to understand, when they're not going through a similar struggle.

I've been bad at temping generally, because I'm a snoozer, but I've been trying to monitor my cycle now for about 6 months post pill, and natural cycles estimates my ovulation each month at approx CD20 of a 30 day cycle - though has been a day or two later than this. So that would give me a luteal of somewhere around 8-10 days. Where do you think yours are sitting?

I'm going to be really strict this month and try to temp daily the whole cycle, and up my LH, just to check this is right... I did catch one LH before and it did tie in with this though, so I think I'm clutching at straws a bit.

My only doubt is that I have a bad habit of starting temping around the time I think I've ovulated, as a check - so my first temp inputs were CD21 and CD22 this cycle, which were high, but it might have been high before this I guess. Just difficult without knowing the intricacies of how the app assesses these things! And I'm not sure how much is a hangover of it considering data from older cycles.

I've downloaded FF too today, as loads of you guys here seem to be doing well with it - going to see how that handles my new data without being skewed with 6 months of post pill weird cycle patterns. (And maybe I'll try to check the CM... never done that though so it'll be a learning curve!)

I haven't really done much research on the short luteal / under active thyroid - but I've literally just googled symptoms of under active thyroid there, and to be honest I could relate to about half the symptoms on a list of 12. So might be worth a check, thank you for the heads up.

Otherwise, I'm struggling a bit too with lots of new pregnancy and new babies around, particularly as my OH has been quite depressed with his work through all this... and as a result, has totally lost his libido. Which is not at all helping the TTC cause! So it's a nice positive to focus on that you're at least still DTD lots and in with a chance! 😂🙈

Oh @AMS19 that timing is horrific!!! Hopefully you'll be laughing with her about it in a month or two, after your BFP! 🙏

Thanks @AMS19 it's so hard isn't it, especially when the people getting their BFP get them so quickly so won't understand how this feels at all.

@crabette I've attached my chart from my last cycle, which was the first cycle I've actually been able to properly pinpoint ovulation and my LP length, I did suspect from my previous charts though that I had a short LP.

As you can see my LP was 8/9 days (started spotting at 9DPO), but my temps started coming down at 6DPO, which indicated progesterone decreasing from then. Think even if I extended my LP unless my progesterone stays up a bit longer the chance of pregnancy would be pretty slim.

I've had quite a few of the hypo symptoms most of my life, and actually found out my thyroid was slightly above the normal range when I was a kid too, so seems normal for me, but still no good for TTC and I think unless I can bring it down I'm not going to have much luck. Have decided if NHS won't help we will probably go private, although bad time to decide this with lockdown!

It's not easy is it 😢 Sorry to hear DH's libido isn't great. Funnily enough mine said the same, but he's still managed to keep up DTD. Mine is awful and has been for years, which is also hypo related! X

@MintGreenLife Thanks for attaching your chart - it's pretty easy to read, even though it's not showing you what you want to see really 😭 Can see your temps coming down at 6DPO.

Attached my "chart" 🙈 - really just a few temperatures. Natural cycles has me with a "confirmed ovulation" of CD23, but I'm really hopeful it was before this because you can see my temps haven't been consistently high at all. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I had daily negative LH's CD18-21, but only tested once per day so maybe missed it.

Surely if it's affecting TTC NHS should help? How did you find out your TH, just going to GP and asking for a test? Think it's worth going private if you can see from the data that is a key issue, hope you don't have to though! Glad you're managing to keep up DTD, I'm going to have to be a top seductress next month I think 😂🙈 On top of temping and charting and everything else!

@crabette hmm, do you know what your usual pre ovulation temps are like? That one high one looks to be right for post-o, my coverline is usually around 36.2-3 and then post-o temps are 36.6-8. Last cycle I had a positive OPK for three days, and suspect that would be normal for me, so pretty hard to miss, unless you give up testing like I have several cycles.

You'd like to think, however the normal range is 0.5-4.2, and mine is 3.5, so within what's considered normal for everyday health, but for TTC it should be under 2.5. So I called a few months ago as I was worried about my cycles and potential PCOS, so GP booked me in for a blood test. I didn't have any of the markers for PCOS so that's probably fine, but my thyroid was tested as part of the workup. The GP told me everything came back normal, but when I asked to see the results there was a note saying 'if this patient is planning pregnancy or is pregnant please see this advice' and then a link.

When I looked at the link it was for the endocrinology department and said that the guidelines for the first trimester of pregnancy is TSH no higher than 3.7, and then when I looked into it further the general advice is below 2.5 for pregnancy and TTC. That's why I'm hoping my private test comes back a little higher, as surely if the NHS endocrinology advice is TSH no higher than 3.7 for pregnancy and they know I am actively TTC they can't ignore it, as puts me at higher risk of miscarriage and should be treated.

Haha oh god it's just all too much sometimes isn't it. My DH has only just taken more interest and decided to be a bit more proactive after 7 months and he's realised it actually probably won't be as easy as he thought, and after I ended up sobbing about it all a few nights ago, urgh.

@MintGreenLife Yeah so this is a previous chart from natural cycles - it’s putting my cover line at about 36.3. I’ve only had one positive OPK ever - it was super strong, but then tests showed absolutely nothing the day before or day after, so think mine must shoot quickly! I’ve missed them all other cycles, though I’ve only been testing once per day and think actually I need to be doing a few times per day to catch it.

I can’t believe you actually had to ask to see your results to notice that pregnancy note, surely they’re duty bound to tell you that knowing you’re TTC! This infuriates me. It’s like if it’s not an infectious disease or life threatening condition they’re not interested in actually being helpful. Fingers crossed your tests are pretty conclusive and you can push a referral or some kind of action.

Aw, I completely get the sobbing! 😢 Good your OH is sharing the load a bit now - I do think they just assume it’ll be super easy! And it doesn’t help with so many folk telling you how easy they had it. I’ve been saying for ages I think we’ll find it difficult, and kept getting eye-rolled - so frustrating.

@crabette hmm, well I would say that higher temp would sugguest you may have ovulated, but then again a few cycles ago I got a few high temps before it went back down again and I carried on getting EWCM for around another 5 days, so think I ovulated after those high temps, which was confusing. Hopefully after a few more temps things will become clear.

Yeah it's pretty rubbish really isn't it. Really feel like unless I can get medication to bring my thyroid levels down it's going to be next to impossible for us, so hopefully I'll make some progress over the next few weeks. Af least I have an action plan I guess.

Oh yeah totally, I swear everyone I know who's pregnant or had a baby fell in the first couple of cycles, people just don't get that it can be a struggle and actually incredibly upsetting when it is. My SIL fell first try I believe. I knew as soon as they said they were TTC it would be me that would end up hurt over it and they they would fall quickly and we wouldn't. I just had a feeling 😔 Xx

@AMS19 😱 that really is bad timing. But just think, its likely you'll be pregnant within the year and this baby will be your baby's cousin 😊 hopefully with just a few months between them.

@mintgreenlife im impressed by your inquisitive and explorative mind, without it you wouldn't be honing in on your issues quite so quickly. For every twist and turn on your journey is you taking a step closer to your pregnancy. I think the private tests are a great idea, you can get them done faster and talk to experts who don't have an agenda to save money by giving you the bare minimum of tests. Please keep us updated, we are all rooting for you.

@MintGreenLife that’s an appalling way to be treated I’d be asking some questions as if they know you are TTC then you should have all the facts to help!
I’m on day 4 of my period and I just want to eat everything, I’ve even tried brushing my teeth to see if that will stop me cause it’s ridiculous, I just want snacks!!!

@musicaljojo ha I do that! Brush my teeth and get into bed to stop myself eating

@Kay00 thank you, that's a really nice way to look at it ☺️ I guess the silver lining is hopefully I've worked out what's happening with me, and if the NHS won't help then we will go private and hopefully getting on meds for my thyroid will solve the issue 🤞🏼 I'm hoping to do my private test on Monday, and then go to the GP with the results. How are you getting on?

On the plus side I'm now 5 weeks into being gluten and dairy free and haven't had a single flareup of my IBS the whole time, so at least I seem to have gotten that issue under control.

@musicaljojo it is disheartening, I'm torn whether to go back to the same GP or ask for an appointment with someone else. Think for now I'll go back to the same one and if dismissed will ask for a second opinion before going private as a last resort. I say eat all the snacks if it'll make you feel better while on AF! X

@mintgreenlife, thays really good news! It sounds like cutting out dairy and gluten have been a great move... and apparently dairy is bad for TTC (hormones or something? Although I have to admit that I hope it isn't because I love love love dairy lol).

@Kay00 low fat dairy is full of hormones, but full fat milk, yogurt etc isn't, so that's your safest bet ☺️ X

@MintGreenLife your honesty is so refreshing and we are all rooting for you. You have come so far already (I've been lurking a while) and you are doing everything you can at this time.

The 14 months it took me to finally get pregnant and stay pregnant with my son were some of the most difficult times of my life. Everybody around me seemed to get a BFP on their first go. Someone at work would announce and I would go and cry in my car. At times I almost lost my mind... but it was all worth it and I'm now trying to do it all over again... I sometimes think we must be mad.

Got everything crossed for you to get the meds you need for your thyroid or to get that BFP regardless.

I'm glad we have this thread and everyone can speak freely and support each other. Sending hugs (and gin) to anyone struggling tonight X

Thanks @mrsmacmc ☺️ I'm really glad I've shared how I'm feeling today, as I've been feeling pretty bad this week and for a few days felt like it was better to suffer in silence, but feel so much better for sharing, mostly because everyone is being so supportive!

I've been reading up a lot on how to naturally decrease my TSH, so at least as a bare minimum if I can't get medication I can try to decrease it naturally myself. Two of the points are to quit caffeine and gluten, which I've already done, but there are other things I can do too, and I know I could be healthier and exercise more. Both myself and DH are planning on starting a healthy eating plan and exercising more together from Monday 🤞🏼

It's honestly the most painful thing isn't it. When SIL's pregnancy was announced I managed 30 mins and smiling, questions etc before I excused myself and burst into tears in the bathroom, then continued to fight back tears for the rest of the evening, and have felt fragile ever since.

How long have you been trying for your second for? X

Meant @MancMama39 for my last message! So sorry, I mistagged! X

@MintGreenLife no worries and big massive hugs to you ❤️

@mrsmacmc 💕

@MancMamma39 What a lovely positive post. I'm appreciating the hugs (and gin!)

I've got a perhaps stating the obvious question for you ladies. When do you actually count AF starting from? I've just went for a pee, and had a little bit of red on the toilet paper.

I know this is a sign of AF beginning, and that in the morning I will need to wear a pad, but it's so light these days that I probably won't need to wear anything to bed tonight. Should I count today as CD1? Or consider this as spotting, and CD1 tomorrow? At least it's a fresh start on the temping I suppose!

P.S. @Kay00 I had no idea about dairy!! 😱😳😭😂🙈