Ttc for what feels like an eternity? Then you've found your bus! No fertile unicorns here, only infertile donkeys!

[notyetamumbuttrying]

Buckling up our are usual riders...and their stats on the fertility/infertility train 🚂
@Annny27 29, no1 since June 19
@RobinRose 27, no1 since Oct 2019
@kerrym87 34 no1 since sept19

@Motherofkittens28 39 no 1 since aug19
@Yutes 34 no1 since aug19
@Crazydoglady123 32 no2 jan19, ivf in April21!
@Marvellouslymadmum 41 no3 since April 18
@Tofu35 35 no1 since sep19
@Hayley19835 38 no1 oct18
@Narwhal88 32, no1 since jun19
@Dogmum13 29 no1 since dec19
@SlothMamaToBe
@Theawkwardblonde no1 for 18 months
@CreativeThinkerTequilaDrinker 15 months ttc ivf in June, ov 8th April
@2020mission 33 no1 14 months ttc
@Sjhigs 37 no1 since sep18 ivf consult mid April
@crazycatlady1981 39 no1 since Oct18, ivf in May
@PeanutButterBrownies
@Juno231 33 no1 since jan20
@clolo 31 no1 since jun19
@Aimzie 28 no1 4 years NTNP 22 months ttc
And me 😊 35 in a matter of hours no1 since sep19, ivf may/June

@MiniBaker I have low ovarian reserve so I wouldn't view my AFC as normal, however, normal varies by age and its a range rather than a single number.

@Crazydoglady123 OK I see - when I’m Googling it’s hard to know if they are talking about each side or in total... no we get AMH back next Thursday so by the sounds of it that gives a more useful indicator... xx

@Motherofkittens28 I’m 30 so I’m looking and think mine is in the normal range just... what is OHSS? x

Sounds good @Motherofkittens28 :)

@MiniBaker OHSS is ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome, its a risk during ivf if you have a lot of follicles, it's pretty rare but it's very serious if it happens. It's not relevant for normal ttc though as it's related to the effects of the ivf drugs on the follicles.

@Aimzie any news? Sorry I've jist caught up with the thread! How long have you been TTC?

@Motherofkittens28 tbh I think it's time to ditch that dame and focus you're time and energy on those that deserve it!

@thislittlebird I'm on acupuncture session no.4 now. Has triggered some new symptoms! Am also on new supplements sou could be that

Let us know how you get on @Narwhal88 and @notyetamumbuttrying

I've decided to test this cycle. Just in case I'm missing chemicals or something. I've discussed all my 'mystery symptoms' with my acupuncturist but all she has to offer is that we need to work on clearing my liver and the fact I have regular cycles is reassuring. That we both need to de-stress and focus on TTC naturally!

@MiniBaker here’s a link I read after my AFC scan www.verywellfamily.com/follicle-female-reproductive-system-1960072

I’m not convinced there’s a ‘normal’ with these things, seems very variable from person to person since I’ve been hanging around mn.

I wouldn’t worry about your numbers being a bit high, I had 17 on one side and 11 on the other (28 total), and I’m 37 going on 38. What was your AMH?

It is a higher risk of OHSS when on fertility drugs but I think @Narwhal88 had higher numbers too and didn’t suffer from OHSS so it can be very variable. Sorry if I’ve misremembered who said that they had higher afc but didn’t have OHSS.

@MIW01 oh interesting, what new symptoms? My one acupuncture session was my best cycle lately in terms of symptoms. I’m not sure whether to hold off on restarting the vitamins (including b6) until after I’ve had it to see if I can notice any changes and know they aren’t vitamins causing it.

Interesting that @Crazydoglady123’s screenshot says ‘normal’ is above 15. I guess that just goes to show how hugely different the numbers can be and still be classed as normal.

@MiniBaker its on higher side but normal range over 30 on afc is pcos (I have 33) my amh is 17.9 but its not so straightforward with me as I have pcos so my amh is elevated due to high afc. They all give an idea of ovarian reserve and likely response to stimulation but doesn't always guarantee that result. I'm waiting to see my consultant to see what that means for us as my sister had similar number but it didn't go to plan.....

@kerrym87 What happened with your sister? My AMH is 36 and I assume they’re looking for more than that? I did ask about pcos and she sort of said “er, maybe borderline but don’t worry”.

Someone on another thread had 40 or 50 per ovary and had started having conversations about PCOS with docs when she found out she was pregnant (it had taken a couple of years).

Morning all. Bfn this morning, as I expected. But we have our ivf in motion, so I'm not too down about it.

Talking about ohss, I know someone recently who got a really amount of eggs (well over 30) and got really poorly and needed a hospital stay and didn't end up with anything to transfer. It's absolutely devastating and also a complete head🤬

I want to get myself into a good headspace and really look after myself before we start ivf, has anyone got any tips for keeping on track with diet and exercise (we'll ignore the fruit and nut bar I ate in the bath last night! 😋😂)

@Aimzie any update? Did you manage to sleep?

@Narwhal88 what about you, how are you feeling?

I’m out, can’t say I had high hopes but it’s still disappointing every time AF appears, no baby in 2021! Hopefully onto ivf soon...

@VenusStarr I know what you mean about how our reactions change when ivf is on the cards, almost takes the sting out doesn’t it, knowing there’s an alternative approach.

Ref exercise and diet... do a menu for evening meals so you know what you’re having in advance... and if you feel like you don’t want to exercise or you don’t need to - that’s when you need it most. No one ever finishes exercise and says ‘wish I hadn’t done that’ it’s so good for you mentally so get a plan and try to make it routine, no questions asked, post online to make yourself accountable or join a group 🤞🏼

@VenusStarr

That's OK *@thislittlebird* we didn't know about my immune issues until we started ttc and I only got tested last November after my 4th loss. I've always had sensitive skin and had eczema as a child but can get random flare ups, even from things like make up that I've used before. But I also never really get ill, I'll have a cold for a day and it's gone and I always thought I was lucky.

I remember when we first went to the GP for tests and I sat in front of him with all my results but my husband's sperm analysis had been pushed back and I was crying asking him to just refer us because I knew something was wrong and he refused. I had a particularly bad skin flare up at the time (which I now know is my rosacea) and asked him what I could do about it and he looked me in the eye and said 'is there anything that you're stressed about at the moment?' completely seriously! I was like 'are you effing serious?!' and I just gestured to his computer. God, that was over 2 years ago 😔

Thank you @crazycatlady1981 if I've not gone completely mad by then! I can't stop thinking about it.

Sorry @VenusStarr, I forgot to reply from the other day.

I’m sorry you’ve had so many losses, that must be tough. I’m the other side of it who can’t get a bfp to start with so I don’t know what will happen after that.

Interesting though, I’ve had eczema since I was very young and it’s never gone away, but it did improve as I got older (with dermatologist help). I definitely did get colds though, used to get them a lot at one time but I do also have asthma.

The lack of willingness to refer is infuriating. I had a similar situation where they wouldn’t refer and I had to wait and wait for my period to come back to normal (it had a weird month) and then I could do the tests.

My god, can’t believe he said that to you. Like????? Are you kidding me lol

My dermatologist has put me on a low dose anti anxiety medication now. I’m hoping it will help, it’s a vicious stress/ttc/skin circle.

@VenusStarr the story about the person with the 30 eggs....I do wonder if I’m going to give the more mild ivf a go if our nhs round doesn’t work. Try to aim for the quality over quantity thing, because I worry I’ll just produce a ton of average to poor quality eggs instead of a few decent ones. It’s something to think about for me anyway.

When are you due to start ivf? I use my fitness pal to track calories. My Fitbit app can do I too afaik. I need to get back on top of my diet again but we’re away the week after next so I’ll probably start the end of April properly.

@VenusStarr sorry about your bfn, but it’s good that you’ve got ivf in place to focus on!
With diet, like @polejunkie said, it’s good to plan meals. We try to have 3 x high protein meals a day with lots of fruit/veg and try not to snack in between apart from fruit usually (although that went a bit to pot when I made Creme Egg Brownies over Easter weekend!! 🤣) protein is key for making our eggs big and strong for ivf 💪🏻

@polejunkie sorry the witch arrived! It never gets any easier does it! 🙁

@Aimzie keep us posted!

Thank you @thislittlebird that is really helpful.
Yeah it does seem to be really variable!

@kerrym87 I thought it sounded a bit high - how did you get diagnosed with PCOS? I don’t think I have PCOS as I have very regular periods and do seem to ovulate each month as I track my LH levels and get the peak at roughly the same time each month.

However, I have been trying for about a year and not conceived so it is possible. Will ask Doctor about it in our follow up 😊

The one steps were negative this morning 😢 not feeling as happy about it all as yesterday, temps still up tho and the spotting is quite light but orange/red with alot of cm in it 🤔
Im so glad I showed yous the tests because I'd be feeling like they weren't real now 😂
I should probably give it a day or two until the spotting stops 🙄
Just all seems a bit on the late side for anything as I'm 17dpo now 🤔

@MIW01 ❤️, we've been NTNP for 4 years now and trying for 2 years. We started investigating last year but it was public in the hospital and all they have done is internal & external scans to confirm pcos still there. So we booked private for 22nd of April now because the hospital was just so slow and Ive heard from my consultant once in the last year 🤔
I had lost my period for 6 months about 5 years ago, then I had a complete lifestyle change and lost 3 stone and it came back but very irregular, so we have never ever even had a scare or a faint line until last month, which was CP so I'm not afraid it's the same thing, and there is just something wrong that they can't stick 😭

*now afraid

Hey all!

I have been quietly following again,although I appear to have missed loads! Feeling a bit meh about everything right now.

I haven't got much to say at the moment but my pelvic scan and AMH were booked in for next week, much quicker than I expected but I have had to rearrange till beginning of May, which I am ok about. I've waited this long so a little longer won't hurt! Af due next week 👎

@Aimzie fingers crossed 🤞for you lovely!

Hope everyone is ok x

@VenusStarr another thing with diet/exercise I think is to be kind to yourself and have the mindset that anything is better than nothing. I.e. don't push yourself to do 1h of cardio 3x a week and HIIT x amounts per week. Start small and aim for a 20 min workout off of youtube or something - it will feel a lot more achievable and odds are once you start you'll feel more inclined to keep going. Same with food - don't go cold turkey and strict, cut things out bit by bit or eat the same food but add more and more veg to it whilst reducing the carbs on your plate.

@Aimzie I'm so sorry - that must be such a head f*!

@notyetamumbuttrying ha I'm glad you liked the meme! Are you still going ahead with your laparoscopy next week?

Like some of you I don't have much to say/add atm but I'm definitely reading all the posts.

Sorry to hear that @Aimzie. I don't know what's worse tbh. Never getting a BFP or them not sticking, both seem equally cruel!

Tested and got BFN as expected. Though still 5 days until AF due so may be too early. Bit despondent with it all now and really fed up with medical professionals blase attitudes, "we'll you can just," no! Why can't you just try and empathise with how awful it is to have to grapple with the possibility you may not be able to have your own biological child!

@thislittlebird symptoms mainly general but the biggest 1 is that I usually get migraines on the right side of my head and now I'm getting them on the left! I'm getting more digestive upset, such as heartburn. Acne throughout the month and more severe. Increase in aches and pains, especially my joints, and weird tingling in my nipples! I started taking vitex with wild yam when I realised my progesterone is actually a bit low (28) just introduced Vit D & K2 - the conception supplements were a bit low in it. Also ashwaghanda and maca for stress. And this herbal blend designed for low AMH/high FSH by GinSen called women's life power. Got my FSH blood test next Friday so trying all I can!

Awh I know im so upset, but I really don't understand how I could of got those tests yesterday, and negative this morning, now I can't even trust tests 🙄 I guess il just see at lunchtime when the frers come, the spotting has stopped now tho so that's good, it only lasted a day 😑

@VenusStarr I've been reading up on the Mediterranean diet being best for IVF

@Aimzie sorry about the tests. That must be so frustrating for you.

@Motherofkittens28 when did you bleed on the buserelin? I'm CD30 (day 9 of buserelin) and still no bleed yet? My femometer app has af predicted for tomorrow and my baseline scan is on Tuesday