TTC for 18+ months and feeling low!

[Natty2]

I'm fairly new at this forum and decided to join after TTC since the start of 2022
We discovered earlier this year that my DH morphology was low, although all other results were normal. He implemented life style changes straight away, and even went through a varicocele embolisation a few months ago, so we're waiting to see if that's helped.

Having gone through the rest of the year undergoing tests everything seems normal, so the NHS are not letting us even get on the IVF list until 2024. It's been such a long, physical and emotional journey and there seems to be no end in sight.

Anyone else going through similar things? I feel like I live life in 2 week cycles and it's so hard to try and not think about it all!!
Any tips?!

Thanks all, been having a real wobble today 🥺
Otd isn't until next Tuesday 13dpt which seems longer than most clinics. We may test this weekend. TWWs are torture 😫

@LucyLoopyLu good luck for Monday! Can’t believe you’re already at 12 weeks!

@Natty2 that is a very long wait for test day! Maybe have a look to see what days other clinics do for there’s and go from there if you are going to test before?

@Natty2 I was on this thread around the start and still come back to see if it’s happened for you, keeping everything crossed for you!

We’re now 1.5 years in and I’m losing hope 🥲

@kalixxx thank you 💛
I'm sorry to hear you're still on this journey, it's tough. Have you started any tests?

@missmoosh we may test on Saturday, If my period doesn't arrive before then! I think the pessaries will be holding it back, but really felt like af is coming today, usual symptoms and I'm technically 13dpo tomorrow which is my standard time for it to arrive!

@Natty2 dont forget the pessaries can cause period like symptoms too! I have no idea how you are holding out, I would have been testing by now!
all the sticky bean dust to you!

@Natty2 I’ve had the initial blood tests requested by the GP which has confirmed I’m ovulating. We dropped off my OH’s analysis yesterday, been waiting 4 months for that appointment! When we handed it in the guy said hmm that should be enough, which wasn’t very reassuring! Hopefully we’ll start to get some answers soon.

I think I've just had so many times ttc where I've been a little hopeful and thought about testing but then been hit every time with af by 13dpo that I think I've just learnt not to even bother before then! I know this time could be different but we'll see.

It's nice to have the support on here though all, thank you ✨

My dh's tests took so long too that we ended up paying for a lot of private tests just to speed things up. Hopefully won't be long to get his results in from then and you can go from there!

Good luck 🤞

All, I don't know what came over me today even though it's my 13dpo. Fmu no blood so I thought maybe I might be ok.. but still felt strong pre period cramps.
Decided to test spontaneously after second wee, and wasn't expecting to see a line at all.
I can't quite believe my eyes at the moment- 8dp5dt
🥹
Early days though so I'm not getting to excited yet but never thought I'd see this day

@Natty2 oh my goodness 🤍 I am so delighted for you! What a lovely site to see! Congratulations xxx

Hi @Natty2 i posted on this thread at the beginning and just got a notification of your updates.
Massive Congratulations to you!
When I was pregnant j had very intense period pains, I kept thinking it was going to start and even moaned to my dh that he was lucky he never needed to experience it. I was certain I wasn’t pregnant due to how much I felt my period was going to start. Only when I was 2 days late that j thought to maybe take a test and it was positive.

Many congratulations OP x

@Natty2 yeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!!! This is the best news! I am so so so so happy for you! A really strong line for a second wee as well! It’s happening!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

@Natty2 yay, amazing! That does look like a good strong line for a second wee! Congrats 🎉

@Natty2 omg amazing news!!!! Congratulations 🥹🤍

Thank you all 💛 I know it's early days and anything can change so I'm not sure it will sink in for quite some time yet.
Will just hope that the line progresses and see what the clinic says from next Tuesday!

@Natty2 try to relax and enjoy the moment as much as you can! It’s one thing I wish I did more of looking back! It is a stressful time but taking all the little wins you can! Especially before the symptoms kick in!

@Natty2 yes just try and enjoy it if you can (easier said than done), do something nice if you can - a nice day out / nice meal. I wish I had done more fun things before we started all this!

@Natty2 hope things are going smoothly so far!

No good news for us, OHs analysis came back with only a 1 million count, 2% morphology, I can’t remember motility off hand but that was the only positive at around 60%. We’ve got to repeat again in another 3 months. Feeling pretty low about it but going to try new numerous things in the mean time.

@kalixxx sorry to hear that. Hopefully you will be able to improve. Are there diet / lifestyle / supplement changes you can try?

Hope you're ok

@kalixxx I'm sorry the results were low, I understand as my dh's morphology was 1% .
He made a lot of lifestyle changes, reducing coffee and alcohol (which he pretty much stopped for ivf)
Reducing stress and making sure he regularly exercised and Taking vitamins such as procieve/ proxeed.
I honestly think Coq10, made a difference to him on our last round of ivf and my egg quality. This is the one we had

Ubiquinol 200 Milligram EAF CoQ10 (Enhanced Absorption Formula Coenzyme Q10 as Kaneka Ubiquinol) (90 Softgels) amzn.eu/d/atmP3Y0

Hope this helps for the next 3 months 🤞

@kalixxx so sorry to hear that, although we didn’t have sperm issues I agree with the ubiqunol, not the cheapest but we also started taking the high strength stuff just before we finally fell

@Natty2 @LucyLoopyLu @missmoosh Thank you all! I’ll have a look into ubiqunol, I’ve seen it mentioned before and heard good things. I’ve read a lot of success stories about proxeed plus so I think we’re going to try that. I’m going to look into what other supplements he can take along side.

Other than that it will be life style changes, although he’s pretty healthy, he does like a good drink over the weekend though so he knows he needs to cut that down!

@kalixxx that's good, at least you have changes you can try for the next 3 months and see where you stand then. I've also heard good things about proxeed plus. Remember the stuff about hot baths / crossing legs / cycling / tight underwear as well, although some things are easier to stop doing than others! I have seen lots of people say that they've managed to get a real improvement between SA tests in 3 months though so don't give up 💓