TTC 35+ Thread 12

[Misty84]

Hope this works girls, haven’t done this before, we’ve run out of space on the other thread.
@thislittlebird @ElsieG3m @Marvellouslymadmum @KatRee @Anxiouswannabe

@KatRee af has decided to be an awful tease! Last night I was in agony and started spotting, today so far nothing 😑 she's planning a sneak attack! Yes the pain is down to adenomyosis and I have possible endometriosis as well so all ties in with those, I have only spoken to the gp so far who didn't say much but I finally have my gynaecologist referral in two weeks so will find out more then. I have my step sons over today so not too much relaxing unfortunately.

@thislittlebird I would say it's to do with the adeno/endo but who knows! Hopefully I'll find out soon, it never used to be like this has just got progressively worse since I came Off the pill.

@Mikkelsmum thank you, unfortunately I'm just used to it now

@KatRee and @thislittlebird We used the caps to crack the ampoule, it was fine.
And regarding the needle, I think because you squeeze a big chunk of fat to put it in, the area becomes desensitised a bit therefore doesn’t hurt (hurrah for fat!😛) It feels a bit weird when the liquid is pushed in but nothing major.

Going for my baseline scan tomorrow, it’s going to be really interesting to find out my current stats.

@Marvellouslymadmum Sorry to hear that AF is planning a sneaky attack, I had similar this cycle too. 3 days of stop-start then boom!🙄

Thank you @Mikkelsmum! 🙂

@KatRee oh, nice of them to drop by with this news

I'm super confused about what to do in terms of buying rounds. We now have an appointment with Guys ACU on Aug 31 after me moaning at the weekend. I think I'll wait to see them and then assess how many rounds to buy based on that appointment. If I'm looking at 6 months plus for any nhs help then I don't think I can wait.

@Mikkelsmum I have the same AMH worries, although I know my AFC is high so it makes sense my AMH is high, I just can't help worrying it's about to drop off any minute now.

@Marvellouslymadmum how are you now?

@Misty84 glad the caps work, I was worrying about the glass. I definitely have some fat to squeeze! Let us know how your scan goes.

Hi ladies, hope everyone is doing ok! I met with a new clinic this morning to discuss options. It was encouraging in that they suggested a few non invasive options before IVF since it is so high risk for me. One interesting nugget of info I got from them is a tip to try probiotics as I get mild, cyclical BV. There is new evidence to support probiotics for fertility reasons because they can help to lower systemic inflammation, support immune and vaginal health and prevent infections. Going to give them a whirl and thought I'd just pass on the info! 😀

@thislittlebird They can see 5 good sized follicles at the moment, and no cysts x

@ElsieG3m Only thing I have to add about probiotics is to be cautious with them. I’ve tried them and ended up with what I think is known as CV. Basically too much good bacteria. Who even know that was a thing 🥴
Here’s a links: dermnetnz.org/topics/cytolytic-vaginosis/

I’ve now bought one with fewer strains which I might try at some point, but probably won’t be taking daily again after my last experience.

@Misty84 that’s great! Did they do any other tests today?

@Misty84 five sounds great!!!!!!!

Oh, I forgot to say. I got a call with my Guys ACU appointment today. After I moaned at them on Saturday over email. No idea what will happen at it, but it’s on Aug 31. Very handy because my dh is off work that day, saves some hassle of moving things.

Hi, do you mind if me and my dusty ovaries tag along?

I'm ttc no.2, had a MMC late last year and just started trying again about 3/4 ish cycles ago.

Really interested to know at what point you decided to seek medical help, I'm wondering if I should or not.

Have been tracking ovulation using opks but only just ordered a thermometer to get some more accuracy / confirm if I am actually ovulating at the moment. AF turned up yesterday so onto the next cycle I go!

All tips and advice welcome

Thanks @AnxiousWannabe @thislittlebird, I’m not sure if 5 really is that good, I guess for someone with my low AMH it is. I was absolutely terrified waiting to be seen, I think I’m going to feel the same way at each appointment!
The scan was all they did, they said at the next one (on Weds) it will be a scan and blood test.

Hi @MoonStrike, I started TTC July 2019, started investigative tests July 2020, and now Aug 2021 started IVF.

A thermometer is definitely useful to confirm ovulation. I use Fertility Friend app to track everything.

@Misty84 no, it’s not high numbers but at least you sort of know to expect that. Fingers crossed you grow a few more in the next few days to come. Your DH doesn’t have any issues too, which should be good.

@MoonStrike welcome on board! I decided to seek help at about 9 months of ttc. Being over 35 I could have gone earlier to the GP, and in hindsight I should have. Started ttc in October 2019, found we both had issues along the way (infrequent or no ovulation/PCOS and low motility), never had a bfp, and here we are nearly two years later about to start private ivf.

If you’ve had one before hopefully that will count in your favour and put your mind at ease a bit because you know you can conceive.

@Misty84
I thought you just started a few days ago and you already have five good sized ones ? That sounds good to me...

I know how u feel about waiting to be seen. It's like putting your body through an exam that you have absolutely no control of. Like I was told my lining wasn't what they expect to be ...I was like wtf can I do to fix it? Nothing.

It's out of our control...

Fingers crossed things work out for u.

Yes totally @AnxiousWannabe! There’s really nothing we can do about it! Such a strange position to be in. I have to go in every couple of days for scans and each time it’s going to be just waiting for good or bad news! 😕 My poor nerves!

Thanks for the responses

My cycles have been all over the place after the mmc so that's got me worried. Think I'll face the music and get in touch with the docs this week and go from there.

Just been reading through, so many different journeys everyone's on. Hope the investigations and treatments go well for you guys, it's really positive that there seems to be some good progress. It's so tough and all consuming so I really wish you the best of luck!

@MoonStrike my cycles were all over the place after mine as well. I contacted the GP and they said perfectly normal for 6-9 months after a miscarriage, so refused to see me. I was looking for a private specialist but in the meantime had acupuncture and they normalised. I could see a difference in my BBT chart immediately the 1st month, and got pregnant the month after. Just mentioning, as I was freaking out wondering when they'd ever get back to normal- took me six months for that to happen

Omg we got funded for ivf, I just got a letter 👀

Well, one round. But still, beggars can’t be choosers.

@thislittlebird that's wonderful news!!! I have everything crossed for you!

@Lucylaroo thanks! Honestly can’t believe they’ve suddenly approved us. It’s been a real slog to get here. I had dismissed it as something that would not be possible for us and private was going full speed ahead. Will have to see what they say at the end of the month.

@thislittlebird
Oh wow! That's awesome! Most times you just need one cycle :p

@AnxiousWannabe fingers crossed. Would be nice not to have private but we’ve budgeted for it either way. At the very least nhs + 2 private rounds at the lister = the three recommended by NICE. Feels like a good shot at it.

@03A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 that's great to hear, gives me some hope! I've started back on CoQ10 again and floradix (on top of my other vits) so hoping that will help. Will look into the acupuncture too, thanks for the nudge, had it after an operation and it really did help.

Femometer turned up today so will start tracking bbt as of tomorrow, hope I've got the discipline to keep up with it

@thislittlebird you must be so chuffed!

@Marvellouslymadmum How are you feeling today? Has the 🧙‍♀️finally put in her unwelcome appearance? Hope you're ok

@Misty84 so relieved to hear the ampoules aren't too difficult to crack! I also have plenty of inches to pinch for the jab! Thinking of you and hoping the scan and tests go well tomorrow x

@ElsieG3m I actually just got some probiotics last week but a bit nervous about taking them without advice because I think it's all about getting the right balance of bacteria isn't it and it's difficult to gauge without tests. Someone on the ivf thread said their clinic had recommended them though, so thought it might be a good idea, but I'm only taking them every other day for now

@MoonStrike Welcome! I 'm so sorry to hear you had a mc. I was trying but not really trying for maybe 2 years, but was very relaxed about it initially - I only contacted gp after a few cycles of really trying, using OPKs etc and then wished I'd done it sooner. I think if you are confident you're timing things right then after 4-6 months is probably a good time to think about investigations. Of course sometimes it does just take time, especially when we're a little older, but I do wish I'd known sooner that I actually do have a physical reason that makes natural conception difficult (blocked tube in my case)

@thislittlebird - great news about the funding- shames it's taken so long as it was clear you should have got it from the start

@MoonStrike @KatRee I am very chuffed but also hesitant because every step of the way it’s felt like another obstacle blocks us from making progress so I’m really hoping this is going to be good news and we can start soon.

Did you guys see this? news.sky.com/story/nhs-blood-tests-hit-by-tube-supply-chain-disruption-meaning-some-non-essential-tests-may-be-delayed-12378856

Feel bad for the people who will have their routine fertility tests put off but hopefully it won’t be for too long.