"It's been 84 years" infertile donkeys ahoy, all aboard! Not a fertile unicorn insight bus 5

[notyetamumbuttrying]

Buckling up for the ride of their lives, our infertile donkeys 🐗and their stats below:
@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 42 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 ttc no1 for 19 months

@paintfairy that’s interesting about it delaying ovulation! I didn’t really think about when in my cycle I was having it (it was about 3dpo I think) Just wanted to get it done before the ivf starts! They did hesitate in giving it to me, but I told them I hadn’t got pregnant naturally in 3 years so it was very unlikely I could actually be pregnant!! I may end up not having the booster if it’s really close to EC though! Really don’t want to mess up my chances of it working!

@Motherofkittens28 ah good to know! Ouch to the cyst! I'm due on Sunday so hope it comes and I'll call the clinic on Monday to get my Ivf drugs (I think/I hope). I didn't get given a stage, will ask at the follow up. I managed to look at the notes with the hca and I think it's moderate as it was found in 3 places. Pod and those 2 other parts of your uterus.
@paintfairy I'm wary of it messing up my cycle too and don't feel at risk personally so don't think I'll take it unless they force the point and convince me.

@Motherofkittens28 it's difficult isn't it. I've had all other vaccines and one for holidays etc. But this is not properly tested and I just have reservations. I have a logical mind and it makes no sense to rush to stick yourself with it in my opinion, until I see how it plays out. The survival rate is 97%. If it was like 50% I'd probably feel differently. I literally have stopped saying anything to anyone. People all get on their high horse about it. Just do what you want, they'll do what they want, move on. It's not up to other people to tell you what you should do. Certainly not whilst it's still in trial!
@crazycatlady1981 if you have it after ovulation then obviously it won't delay anything likely. I think before- it just triggers an illness type reaction which can make your body delay. Which isn't the end of the world for most people but if ttc, its annoying. 🤣 I wouldn't have thought to time it either. It was only the fertility nurse saying that, that bought it to my attention.
@notyetamumbuttrying there can be zero evidence whether it affects fertility yet. Its not been out long enough. So I agree. It also makes me wonder if there's a common denominator with all us infertile donkeys that we just don't know about it? Could be anything like! A childhood illness, living under a pylon, wash powder, too much McDonald's, who knows! 🤣 You do wonder though? I'm sure infertility is becoming a bigger thing. So to add something extra in (unproven) makes no sense to me right now. I think everyone should have a choice though.

@crazycatlady1981 sorry af arrived, my Covid jab didn't seem to effect my cycle, it was my most normal cycle for ages, so odd how our bodies all act so differently!

Thanks for the compliments on the nails ladies

@notyetamumbuttrying I'm not in London anymore I'm afraid (though I'd make a lot more doing nails if I was) I live in East Sussex now near Hastings

With Covid jab I've had my first one but I and my son are both vulnerable so to me it's not worth the risk but it depends where in my cycle I am for my second one etc

@paintfairy @Marvellouslymadmum @notyetamumbuttrying @crazycatlady1981 @motherofkittens28 I'm in a vulnerable group and was asked to shield so decided on balance it was better for me to have the vaccine. It left me feeling awful and I had to call in sick for a day and it took me over a week to recover but didn't notice any upset to my cycle as a result.

On that note AF hadn't arrived this morning so I took a test which was BFN then she arrived 2 hours later with a vengeance and OMG is she a right bitch right now! I am in so much pain with cramp and she's seriously effed up my blood sugar. I've just had to eat a Nutella covered ceral bar to recover from an unexplained hypo!

I think it must be the acupuncture and supplements as I haven't had an irregular painful cycle like this in years . . . They used to be really painful amd irregular when I was younger and improved as I got older, so maybe it means I'm getting more fertile?! one can hope!

@RobinRose regarding the SA my fiancée 's actually improved after the 1st 1 and is now considered normal, though morphology is 4% which is the borderline value so I've put him on all the supplements under the sun to help improve it!

So here os a question for you ladies who have tried acupuncture and/or take supplements . . . Have any of you found that they make things worse?

So far I've had 4 acupuncture treatments
I take the following supplements

5 mg folic acid (prescribed)
Conceive Plus for women
Magnesium
Maca 10,000 my
Ashwaghanda 3,000 mg
Vitex and Wild Yam
GinSen Woman's Life Power
Vitamin D 3,000 IU
Vitamin K2
Night blend with chamomile 5 HTP

@MIW01 acupuncture has been ok for me. I had it on cd 1 of my February period and my March period was my first normal flow cycle in months and months (since last August probably). Then I had it last Friday and my period came by the Sunday (after being late), and it was again “normal” flow for me, and 5 days.

I did have was a migraine two days after my first session, but apparently that’s not unusual. Plus I get hormonal migraines anyway. I wasn’t taking supplements this month but I was in February but they didn’t make things worse, B6 seemed to make my PMS much better, going to start taking it again soon.

The only other thing I did have that was different was the covid vaccine in February (cd 1, started before vaccine) and April (cd 1 was the next day). So it’s impossible to say it was the acupuncture that helped, I guess I’ll find out when I have it again in May and I do not have anything else like a vaccine.

I just noticed vaccines are being brought up above, I hadn’t seen that when I started my reply about acupuncture. But as an asthmatic with an overreactive immune system I’m glad I’ve had both doses now, I think getting covid would be worse on me than a vaccine.

@Motherofkittens28 my clinic said to have it as risks are far higher if you catch covid. Royal college of obstetrics has done research and if you get covid you are 25% more likely to have preterm baby purely for the mums physical health during covid. I had mine and no effect, any effect would be temporary and the ones you have heard about are probably the few who it may have affected but equally a tiny bit of extra stress can do the same thing. Most people with no issue don't tend to tell other people it was fine, you always hear the worst stuff x

@Motherofkittens28 I know it seems these vaccines have been rushed but it took a year, think about flu vaccine its a new one evey year the moderna and Az one are based on current vaccine technology they've just changed the virus. Its gone through the 3 stages every vaccine does and there's always a learning curve with a new vaccine being given bit it was the same when they brought out polio, tetanus, whooping cough, meningitis, ebola. The choice is ultimately yours but as a nurse I did my research and feel its safe (for example the clots with AZ -youre way more likely getting a clot on birth control or being pregnant by like 1000 times) sonjust offering reassurance on safety of it. Do whatever you feel comfortable with x

Hey ladies hope your all doing well, sorry trying to catch up ❤️
I've been to gp for bloods but my temps down and frer is negative now so its probably not good at all, bit of a rough two months, in some sense I preferred the stark white negs 😭

I am under 30 so will be getting the phizer or moderna but the sounds of it! But I will get it if offered before we are pregnant (hopefully I will be pregnant before then Haha!)

But the risk of blood clots from other things are much higher than AZ!

@MIW01 dont know much about supplements sorry! But I have seen that a high dose of b complex is supposed to be good for you

@notyetamumbuttrying yea I have painful sex and periods so i have an inkling! But you never know

Morning all, cycle 2 meds just arrived, there are about a million things! Way more than last time so definitely glad we get another nurse planning session to tell us what to do as the only thing the same is the ovaleap but there is less than last time . Thanks for all the responses re the vaccine, I think I'll see where I am when I get the call. Likely I will be in my ivf cycle as I'm due to start in 3 weeks and I'll be in the 35-39 cohort.

@paintfairy oh I see! Thank you for explaining 😊 and good luck!

@MIW01 good your partners swimmers improved! This will be my dp's 3rd, the second had improved lots since the first one so hoping for more improvement 🙏

@motherofkittens28 when do you start taking your new meds?

I cant remeber which one of you ladies mentioned taking magnesium ... I have been taking it for a month and although my migraines didn't seem to ease up, I had no painful period cramps!! I didn't need any paracetamol or hot water bottle yesturday which is amazing! I was waiting all day for them to start but they didn't, just a few barebale things, so big thanks to whoever suggested it! 🌟

Hey, haven't caught up properly. Keep having a read but haven't had a chance to sit down and reply.

How are you feeling now @notyetamumbuttrying?

Yay to the med delivery @Motherofkittens28! My scans Monday so hoping I can start the stims then-still dreading setting up the Ovaleap pen 😬

@Marvellouslymadmum I love your nails! My lash lady and nail lady have both messaged me to see if I'm okay as I'm usually first in the queue after lockdown but can't as isolating and can't have them during ivf anyway.

Hope you get some answers @Aimzie

With you all on af with a vengeance. Mine came yesterday. I had my acupuncture and asked for her to help bring on the bleed and as I walked out of my session I felt it come and was in loads of pain last night with it. It's not too bad today, I just feel tender but having a very heavy and clotty bleed but at least my lining will be thin 😏

@RobinRose still a way off. I'll have a baseline scan on my next day one (10th May expected) then if all looks good I think I start the following day.
@Crazydoglady123 fingers crossed for Monday! I'm happy to answer any questions on the ovaleap pen when you get to it, it's no big deal once you have done it once or twice.

Oh wow @Motherofkittens28 good luck. I am in the same age group! 35th birthday in September 2020

That's promising @RobinRose keep doing whatever you're doing! Sounds like it's working

Sorry to hear this @Aimzie look after yourself

Sorry to hear you're also suffering with AF @Crazydoglady123 - I'm hoping this means the acupuncture is doing something good for the long term! As I didn't expect ALL my symptoms to get worse!

I’m still here, reading but nothing much to add re vaccine and supplements / acupuncture etc.

Sorry for all AFs who are suffering more than normal, she is a cow! And @Aimzie what a shit few weeks, I hope you’re alright?

I’m just waiting for appt with satellite clinic, to sign forms and ask questions... heading toward ovulation so maybe this will be last natural chance, who knows! I hope you all have a nice weekend 🙂

@paintfairy couldn't agree with you more!! I'm defo gonna fight my corner to not take it and just keep it to myself as it's others opinions that do damage.
@Marvellouslymadmum nice part of the world 😊
@MIW01 sorry about the painful AF, hope it's eased today?

@Aimzie sorry honey, hope you're ok x
@Annny27 be worth mentioning that to docs as that's enough to get a diagnostic lap, that's all I said to them and I got one and was right!
@Motherofkittens28 are you doing a long protocol?

@Crazydoglady123 not great today tbh so have gone bk to the sofa and staying put for a bit. Washed up and did dinner last night and now thinking it was too much too soon perhaps. I'm glad you came on but ouch to the pain! No idea what my period will be like. Been bleeding since the op but not a period. Due on Sunday so be interesting to see if it's delayed or not! @MIW01
We'll all be in that age group as I'm 35 now. @Motherofkittens28 I've been told to call nurses on cd1 of next period so looks like I'll be starting on Ivf drugs ASAP? I'm surprised it's so soon after surgery tbh!

@kerrym87 I completely agree regarding vaccines. I'm in a vulnerable group and the risk of catching covid for me far outweighs the risk of side effects from the vaccine.

There's no evidence RE the blood clots that they are causal so the jury is still out on that one. You're at great risk travelling on a plane tbh

@notyetamumbuttrying no I'm on a short protocol this time given how unsuccessful my long protocol was last time. You're on a long aren't you? Generally you start your drugs to downregulate on day 21 for a long protocol, so they will book your downregulation scan for 21 days after you start AF. This time I start straight away on day one so looking at egg collection and transfer towards the end of May if all goes well.

@notyetamumbuttrying yeah I think that's it. Nod and smile. Do what you think is right for you.

@Motherofkittens28 yeah long for me, so start on down regs. Ah so they're booking the scan in advance for me then. Best of luck with short, hope it works for you! X

@paintfairy most definitely ♥️

@Annny27 @kerrym87 true with the vaccine blood clot comments. I saw even a laparoscopy has a 1 in 1000 risk of a blood clot (leg). People just don't realise there's risks for these in a lot of things already and the vaccine is low in comparison.

@MIW01 I was exactly the same with my Covid jab and why I had it too! Rubbish that af is being so mean but yay to the possibility of better fertility! 🎉

I've only had improvements on the supplements so far as far as I can tell

I agree about the vaccine @thislittlebird Covid would definitely effected me worse with how my Asthma is! I've got my second one next month.

@Aimzie this must be so confusing for you 😔

@Motherofkittens28 ooh exciting that your meds have arrived!

@RobinRose not sure who recommended the magnesium but I've been taking it too, seems to be helping this month

Thank you @Crazydoglady123 I can't have lashes as I'm allergic which makes me sad 😞 but at least I get good nails! I did a could of sets for a friend and her daughter today so easing in gently but I found I still enjoy it as much as before. My af has been like this recently don't know what's going on!

@notyetamumbuttrying yea it's a lovely area. I may have a read up on endo as it's not something that's ever occurred to me but I've had bad back pain and abdomen pain throughout my cycles particularly from ovulation all the way through and also starting to get pain during sex which I've never had before 😫 that's really soon for your ivf to start too!

I spoke to the doc today who gave me the number for sussex downs fertility which is where my oh has been referred for his sa so waiting for a call back from them now. She's sending me for one more lot of bloods but said that's literally the only other thing she can do for me, when I mentioned about my strange Lp changing each month and varying by a lot she said yes that can happen with age but also said that it's pretty much out of her area of knowledge now so it'll be down to the fertility docs to investigate once I eventually get my referal!

@Marvellouslymadmum let me know how you get on at Sussex Downs as that's 1 of the clinics we've been looking at?

Thanks @notyetamumbuttrying AF is an absolute nightmare atm!

Been researching and sure I have low progesterone and LH, really hoping these changes are for the better. Think I'm doing the right thing taking the vitex amd wild yam and all the supplements. Also noticing symptoms and been reflecting on changes over the years and it really does run parallel with early onset perime opposed which os so depressing, so that fact this cycle has reverted back to symptoms I had in my younger years can only be a good thing! So I am telling myself looking on the brightside. Had the FSH blood test today and keeping everything crossed I've done enough to bring it down below 10!