TTC 12 Cycles+

[unCliche]

Anyone else??

Me - 15 cycles in right now so I know how you feel! It's rough at times, got to hope we'll both get there soon! 🤞 Have you been referred for any tests or anything?

Solidarity @KerryW87 💪 Yes we will, hopefully sooner rather than later!

I'll be entering cycle 14 shortly. I had to abstain this cycle as I had a HyFoSy, which discovered a blocked left tube, which they managed to unblock! I'm hoping it's the reason behind why we're struggling. Have you had tests done too?

@unCliche Ahh, I've actually been reading into that test as I've heard just the test itself can be enough to fix things and a lot of women have gotten their BFP after having it. Really do hope that'll be the case for you 🤞 Where are you in your cycle just now?

Can I ask if you went private or NHS? Our referral was sent away in July but still haven't heard about our first appointment 😞 Bit fed up at the thought of waiting for months! I've had day 21 bloods done at my GP and partner had an SA and all looks good so god knows why it isn't happening!

We did fall pregnant last year but sadly lost my wee boy halfway through our pregnancy and haven't had a hint of a positive test since, so who knows x

So sorry to hear about your loss @KerryW87. It must have been completely heartbreaking to go through that💔

I'm currently 9DPO with AF due in two days so as soon as she starts I'm going to make sure I give that cycle my best shot! Positive thinking, healthy eating and no drinking! That goes for DH too!

I went via the NHS. I'm in Berkshire and things moved very quickly in my opinion. I approached my GP in June. Had preliminary blood tests that same month. Recieved a referral to the clinic shortly after, then had a telephone consultation with the clinic end of July and booked in my HyFoSy during that call for September. I then went in for a vaginal swab to check for STDs and also had my day 3 bloods. After my HyFoSy, the nurse then booked in an appointment for 3 months time to talk about a referral for IVF if I don't fall pregnant. I'd definitely chase your GP to see what's happening as July is ages to be waiting for just a referral! If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

When did cycle 15 start for you? I don't think I'm looking forward to my next TWW. I think I'll be super anxious, jumping between excitement and worry! I'm just feeling so hopeful and don't want to have to face to possibility of never being able to get pregnant, even with unblocked tubes!

@unCliche Thank you, that's kind ❤️ Worst thing I've ever experienced, if I'm honest. Miss him terribly but I'm a lot better than I was thanks to counselling and keeping busy, so I'm grateful for that.

Ahh not long to go then until the new cycle! 😁 Will keep everything crossed for you. Definitely with you on giving it the best chance re. being healthy/cutting out drink etc! I've read a lot of positive stories of women conceiving after having that test so I really hope this is the case for you!

That's fantastic it all happened fairly quickly for you, the waiting is long enough with TTC without additional wait lists for appointments! I might phone the fertility clinic this afternoon and chase up my referral, desperate to try and get something done. I'm 34 and my partner is 35. We both take the right vitamins, have sex on the right days, eat fairly healthily, don't smoke etc...running out of ideas as to why it isn't working!

I'm on CD13, should get a positive OPK tomorrow hopefully 🤞 Aw god I bet! It's a total mix of excitement and stress anyway, but after having to abstain for a cycle I bet you'll be feeling extra anxious to know! I'm here for any TWW rants/insane symptom spotting when you reach that point 😂

@KerryW87 You're so strong. Something like that would have completely broken me. I'm glad to hear you're over the worst of it. It's only a matter of time before you get to hold a baby in your arms.

Have you considered doing some tests privately to help speed things up? A HyCoSy/HyFoSy/HSG is quite pricey so I'd recommend doing that on the NHS but things like blood tests can be inexpensive and having some results will help move things along once you've finally gotten your referral. Tests like TSH, AMH, LH, FSH, etc.

Let me know what the clinic says once you've called them. Hopefully they haven't forgotten about you and they're just really, really slow instead.

Did you try anything different this cycle? I'm thinking about taking soy isoflavones (SI) on CD 5-9 as I tend to hyperovulate (release two eggs) with or without SI, but I've found SI increases my chances of hyperovulation so I want to make sure I'm maximising my chances of pregnancy! Might even do SMEP!

@KerryW87
Have you got the NHS app on your phone? You can check referrals that have been sent via the app :) that's how I found my appointment date and time before the letter in the post, if there's no referrals present under the appointments maybe your surgery hasn't sent it off properly?

I was referred in may after trying since August 2020, first appointment July, follow up October 😘 I have PCOS known long cycles, clinic started me on metformin & my cycles have now come back normal, we also have male factor as DH has a varicocele (recently found out from two bad sample results) which he's now been referred to urology for help

@unCliche Thanks so much, that's a lovely thing to say and I very much hope you're right 🤞❤️

I did see that a HyCoSy is around £700 here, so definitely outwith my budget but to be honest I hadn't considered bloods etc! That actually might be worth me looking into, especially if we're stuck waiting on an NHS appointment to get the ball rolling. Thanks!

The clinic just rang out today, couldn't get a hold of anyone 😐 Going to try again tomorrow and see if they can give me a rough idea of what's happening, Ill let you know what they say! :)

I started acupuncture last month so this will be the second cycle trying it...have run out of new things to try now though 😂

Ohh I've heard about SI on this forum but never really looked into it! Do you need it prescribed? Wow, that's interesting! How did you know you hyper-ovulate, were you getting two positive OPKs a month? Ah I hope that the new unblocked tube along with SI and good old SMEP does the trick! 🤞🤞 Have you done SMEP before? x

@kaylsd Oh my god no, I had no idea that was even a thing?! Thanks so much for telling me about this! Going to download the app just now and see if I can get any info! 🤞

That's great it all happened within a decent timeframe for you! So glad the metformin is working, that must've been such a relief :) I hope your partner gets some help for this soon - is there something they can do for it as far as medication or a procedure etc? Fingers crossed it's your turn really soon ❤️❤️

@kaylsd Ahh, NHS Scotland doesn't have the app, just England! Gutted 😂😂

@kaylsd Ooo didn't know that. Just downloaded the NHS app onto my phone. It'll definitely be useful if I have to go ahead with IVF.

How was your first appointment? Did you have bloods done? I've read stories of men having varicoceles removed and all semen parameters improving so there's hope yet! Plus with your now regular cycles you're definitely on the right track. I hope everything works out wonderfully for you!

@KerryW87 Ah annoying! You'll have to keep pestering them until you get an answer 🤪

I considered acupuncture! Even called up to enquire about it, but didn't end up following through with it. Do you think it's helping you?

SI can be bought OTC. They're basically just vitamins. Everything I tried wasn't working so thought I'd give them a go. The first cycle I took them, I had very strong ovulation pain on both sides but thought it must have been just one egg causing havoc across my whole abdomen. I had an ultrasound scan that happened to fall on the day after ovulation and when the nurse checked my ovaries she said I'd ovulated from the right side, then she said I'd ovulated from the left side too! Now when I get pain on both sides I know it must be a double ovulation. I get just one LH surge but the eggs release within minutes to a couple of hours of each other because I can feel it. I tried SMEP once, early on in my TTC journey. Didn't work 😆 Have you tried it?

@KerryW87 depends on what the urologist recommend, as it's causing him pain and discomfort I think he'll go down the embolisation route :) I'm gutted that the NHS app isn't available in Scotland! There's a TTC thread for Scotland on here I'm sure I've seen it maybe go in and ask how long it took for there referrals :)?

@unCliche I found my first appointment really useful! They did a physical examination with a speculum, they checked my bloods I had done at doctors like my day 21 ect which confirmed I don't ovulate always (I knew this anyway as my last cycle before was 117 days 🤣🤣🤣) checked my ultrasound scan and hubs SA and said like going forward he wants to repeat his SA which sadly came back worse, repeat USS after taking metformin to see if it can improve which it did :) my last ultrasound scan showed my cysts had disappeared and my ovaries was within normal volumes and it brought back AF with signs of ovulation for me and told us he will review us again in October with aims to start treatment of ovulation induction if hubs SA improves and the metformin works, or look at referrals to IVF With ICSI which I think will be the likely outcome for us! I've heard some lovely positive stories when people have had the embolisation surgery on a varicocele because affectively it's an occlusion we could do without down there and likely linked towards his bad results! But he's had a lifestyle change since his last SA even more so than the last one, he takes supplements and stopped drinking so we shall see!

@unCliche Sorry, just getting a chance to reply! Sister gets married on Saturday and I offered to make the cake, bouquets and centrepieces...as well as work and uni so it's been a FUN WEEK 😂😅

Well, the jury is still out on whether or not it'll get me that BFP but I will say I absolutely love it! It's one if the few times I actually feel totally relaxed, so that's a benefit on its own! Have also read so many positive stories of women getting pregnant after acupuncture, so I'd look into it if you fancy it! :)

Ok so I just properly read up on soy isoflavones, think I'll get them next cycle if this cycle isn't the one! Is there a set amount you're supposed to take each day/does it vary? I've just appointed you the SI expert, sorry 😂

That's so interesting that you can ovulate from both sides! Here's hoping that can only increase your chances! 😀🤞Hope this new cycle will be the one for you!

Didn't work for us either...was fun at least 😂

@kaylsd Aw I'm so glad he's getting it seen to anyway, and hopefully it'll be your turn once that's all sorted!

Oh is there? I'll have a wee look and see, thanks! The app seems like such a great idea, hopefully Scotland follows suit at some point 😂

@kaylsd Oh wow, sounds like they pretty much gave you a full check up. I didn't even get a physical examination prior to my HyFoSy! Have you had your tubes checked yet? 117 days? Whaaat? How did you not drive yourself insane waiting and waiting and waiting for your next cycle?? How/when were you diagnosed with PCOS?
Supplements really worked well for my DH. He went from having mild oligospermia (low sperm count) to numbers way within the normal range. I think his count more than doubled actually. Obviously you guys are facing a different situation altogether but if the embolisation works then the supplements and life style changes will definitely help boost things as well!

@KerryW87 Gosh you're a busy lady! Congrats to your sister! You must be super creative and talented! You'll have to share pics of some of the things you've made! Such a lovely thing for you to do! Are you working full time while studying?? Where do you find the time to even exist? 😂

I'm not sure I physically know how to relax 😂 My mind is never quiet but maybe acupuncture will be the thing that'll work on me!

Haha! That's fine! You're meant to take it similarly to clomid, so for 5 days at the beginning of your cycle. I'll copy and paste here a really useful guide:

• Soy Isoflavones for Dummies
• Some BFP stories

Because I ovulate and I only want to improve the eggs I already have, I take them on CD5 - CD9: 120, 120, 160, 160, 200mg. I did do CD3 - CD7 during the third cycle I tried SI but no BFP. I hoped that since I had a short LP of 10 days, it might help with that but my LP never changed. That being said, AF should be here today and isn't!!!

Gosh I typed this message out over an hour ago but didn't get to send it as some people came to see my rabbit as I'm rehoming him and they've taken him away. It's been nice knowing him! 🐰

How are you ladies today?

@unCliche I've not had my tubes checked yet no hunny as the consultant said I would only need them checking over if hubs Sa Improves for us to do ovulation induction with clomid but as it's not improved and got worse I'm thinking that they'll just put us forward for ICSI which bypasses tubes as problems anyway so I don't think I'll be getting it done :')
Where abouts are you within your TTC process?

@kaylsd Ah that makes sense then! Do you know how long the IVF waiting list is in your area?

Currently CD3 of cycle 14 and expecting to ovulate two Friday's from now! How about you? Are you having another really long cycle?

@unCliche Sorry, this week has been MANIC 😂 Wedding was yesterday and it was an amazing day! Here's my sister's bouquet and the cake, didn't take any photos at dinner so the pic is from them stacked up at mine before the flowers went in the (very DIY looking 😂) jars!

I work part time as an EYP and my degree is related to my work so it's the only reason I'm able to study whilst earning! I have two older sons (almost 10 and 12) so all combined Im pretty much constantly flapping about like a headless chicken and stupidly busy 😂🙃

As for the not knowing how to relax, maybe acupuncture could be a wee treat to yourself then! You'll deserve some time to chill...you physically can't move with wee needles all over you so you will pretty much be forced to relax for an hour 😂❤️

How are things with you? Has your new cycle started yet?

Forgot to actually attach pictures 😂 Hope you've had a nice weekend! :)

@KerryW87 Wooooow! The talent! Your sister and her husband must have been so chuffed! That cake 😍 Absolutely stunning (I asked for photo of your sister to be removed as it's safer that way but I did make sure I had a good look at the cake). Do you bake professionally??

That's so useful being able to study while you work but your life sounds so busy. Not sure how you have time to do everything!

Do you know what? Think I'll actually give acupuncture a go! It'll be a unique experience if anything!

Things are good here. I'm at a conference for work so I'll be busy this week but should be fun not having to stare at a laptop all day! I'm currently on CD4 so tomorrow I'll start the SI and hopefully this cycle will be a success!! Have you ovulated yet?

@unCliche Oh god, didn't even think 🙈 Definitely for the best, thank you! Also thanks so much! That's kind :) I don't bake professionally as such; I do make birthday and wedding cakes occasionally which helps the Christmas savings every year...and then freebie cakes for all family occasions 😂

It really js! Never thought I'd have the opportunity to get a degree as I always had to earn with the boys to look after (was a single parent for quite a time before I met my partner and had to be careful with every penny!) so I try very hard to remain grateful to be busy doing this....although still definitely have the odd huff or meltdown when essays are due 😂😂

Aww, you so should! Sounds like you deserve some relaxation and if you're anything like me, you'll love it! Try and find one that specialises in fertility too!

So hopeful for you this cycle, especially with the procedure done and now taking SI too! When do you usually ovulate? Will keep everything crossed! 💕🤞 I ovulated Saturday but missed it as it was my sister's wedding...only managed to cover the Thursday night so not hopeful for this cycle! Might try SI next cycle!

I need a baker in my family to give me freebie cakes! Store bought cakes just aren't the same. With wedding season picking up again, you could definitely use that as an opportunity to make money - if your busy-ness allows for it!

Haha I do not miss coursework deadlines!! It was hard enough doing a degree as a young 20-something, I couldn't imagine the added pressure of kids and a job. Well done for powering through! It'll all be worth it in the end!

Thank yooou! I ovulate around CD14/15 so approx. next Friday! Hopefully the next few day fly by and DH and I get in lots of fun time! With my tubes clear, I'm going to be visualising sperm swimming up them every time I DTD 😂

DTD 2 days before ovulation should be enough time for sperm to meet egg without the sperm dying off - I think you'll be fine! But if this cycle isn't a success then at least you'll have something new to try next time! A lot of women have found luck with SI so you could be one of them!

Had a long day at the conference. Been manning a stand for work and my feet are aching. Just in the hotel now trying to relax a bit. How are you??

@KerryW87 How's your TWW going?

I'm on CD17 and still waiting to ovulate 😱 not sure if the hyfosy is delaying things??