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 @Natty2 . Definitely great to have support with eachother.

We paid to have some tests done at 9 months privately as I was just concerned it wasn’t happening. All seem okay, nothing which suggests an issue (although I do have polycystic ovaries apparently but not the syndome).
DH results showed a slightly low count - but other factors were fine. Doctor recommended Proxeed so he’s been on that and made some lifestyle changes too to try and get the count up a bit more.

We started the referral process through the GP in May but its taking a while. They are making me repeat all the tests before they refer us to fertility as I had done them privately and they won’t accept them. DH has a repeat test later this month so hopefully see some improvement. I have a call with the GP on Thursday to find out what is going on with the tests as there’s lots of delays. I’m also going to ask how long the referral wait time is but I’m also scared to ask as I am worried it’s going to be a long time.

I’m currently considering having a Hycosy privately at the end of the year as I’ve heard good things but we’ll see. it feels like something to try before we go down the ivf route with the NHS.

Hows the process going for you?

I’ve also decided to stop using OPKs and be more relaxed hahaha (as if I can relax - it’s all I think about) but I’m gonna try!

@Foreverhopeful92 what area are you in? As I would suggest getting the referral in ASAP, I have a month more to wait until I see gynaecologist on NHS to hopefully start ball rolling on IVF. But the referral went in December last year! (Kent based)

Got smiley face on OPK today, CD12 so an early one! But means I can get my repeat day 21 test booked in

Thanks @missmoosh this is my fear! I asked for a referral in May but the GP won’t refer until we’ve had a list of tests done including a scan which I’m currently on the wait list for (Over 3 months and counting so far!) even though I’ve had one done privately - they won’t accept it - well my GP won’t. I’ve had all my bloods etc done and DH has his test this month.

I'm speaking to the GP on Thursday and hoping she’ll be able to let me know wait time when the referral happens but I am scared it’s gonna be a long wait. :(

Oooh exciting times! I’m CD2 so quite a bit behind for this cycle. Hope your repeat test goes well :)

@Foreverhopeful92 I hope they send the referral for you soon! Maybe push for it and say given wait times anyway the tests can be done whilst you wait? So bad they won't accept private results, it's not like they are doing anything different?!

@missmoosh Honestly I asked for a referral back in May when it had been a year but its like ‘computer says no’ kind of thing. Apparently I have to have tests and scan before the GP can even make the referral!! So definitely won’t be getting the referral until at least October / November.
Gosh I’m so scared about the wait time at that point! I don’t know how you’ve waited since last December! I’m in awe!!! Pleased for you that the appointment is coming up soon! is this your first appointment with them?
How long would you have been trying by then?

@missmoosh glad you can get the day 21 tests booked in! I'm on CD 11
Good luck this month!

@Foreverhopeful92

That is really annoying to have to make you go through the tests again! They should accept the private tests, it's no different
For us we contacted the GP in January after 12 months of ttc. They organised the initial tests but my DH ended up going privately as nhs were taking so long for his! I got some additional ones done privately too, AMH and follicle count but the GP forwarded everything to the NHS fertility specialist for the referral. We were amazed that we heard from the gynaecologist within 2 weeks.
Our first face to face appointment is October, but this was delayed to allow enough time for my DH to recover from his varicocele op. No idea how long the IVF wait list is though 😞

I hope your phone call with the GP goes well on Thursday. I would keep on pushing as much as you can, I know they are inundated, but my initial scans were delayed because I think they forgot! So when I called up to chase, I was booked in for the very next day.

I had hycosy scan last month too, I think it’s worthwhile doing to rule out any blockages. Fortunately mine were clear so really is just a matter of time for us now, as we’ve done everything we can and have relatively ‘normal results’

I took some advice on here and stopped tracking my temperature this month, trying to relax too! But I’m the same as you, it’s constantly on my mind!!

Thanks @Natty2 for your kind words. I’ll definitely keep pushing with the GP to get the referral so at least I then know I’m on a list somewhere!!

Sorry to hear you’ve had a journey with it all too! Amazing you heard within 2 weeks! Although still a long wait til October for the appointment. I think that’s the case everywhere though!

Hope they can rearrange for you soon and you don’t need to wait too long.

Great news re your Hycosy results - I have heard it can improve fertility for 3 months afterwards so fingers crossed that is the case for you!

haha we can keep each other on track this month with the relaxing and not testing!!

@Natty2 thank you! All booked in so that's a relief! I went for a week from tomorrow as the smiley face was today. So assume will ovulate in next 24 hours. Got the worst ovulation pains as well!

@Foreverhopeful92 it's been a rough wait I can't lie. Originally they said January next year for appointment and I cried at that! Hopefully yours is not as long as mine!
So my timeline is a bit odd. We started trying back in October 2020, but I was diagnosed with Graves in 2021 and had thyroid removed at the end of 2021. We tried the entire time but no luck and we had our wedding coming up, so decided to take a break. Then started trying again August 2022, im now on cycle 15 of that attempt. So over 2 years now, but i dont mentally count the time when my thyroid was whacky. I have never seen a BFP in all that time though and it's heartbreaking. So ready to start a family!

@missmoosh oh wow I’m so sorry it sounds like you really have had such a difficult journey with it all!
I really hope the appointment goes well and things move quickly for you now!
I completely understand how you feel about seeing that BFP and wanting to start a family! It’s so difficult when something you want so much isn’t happening and feels out of your control.
i really hope we have some good news and steps forward on this thread soon xx

@Natty2 yep, currently going for a third.

It shouldn't really be a surprise as my first took 10 cycles over 16 months (but only 6 after my hyperthyroidism was diagnosed) and my second took 12 cycles. But this one kicked off when I had a surprise pregnancy (early miscarriage) last year, so I guess I hoped things might be a bit easier if I was able to get pregnant whilst being slightly flaky about taking the pill! How wrong I was!! I've not had a whiff of anything since....

@curliegirlie I'm sorry you have been through such a hard time and a miscarriage too 😞 hope you can still hold the faith for a little longer and luck will all come our way soon!

@Foreverhopeful92 hope your gp call went ok!

@Natty2 Thank you! It was okay - no real news. She was really apologetic and said she doesn’t know why the hospital rejected the scan and has sent to somewhere else - like a medical centre instead. She’s said if I don’t hear about an appointment in 2 weeks she’ll try and do the referral without the scan.
I asked about referral wait times but she said she didn’t know so I guess I’ll have to wait and see!
Hope you’re doing okay! X

How is everybody doing? 3dpo and already going mental haha

@missmoosh 😅 tww is so draining! I had a positive on my opk this morning so will be in the same boat soon! Although this time I'm not doing my temp testing etc so hoping I won't think about it too much... got lots of social things on over the next 2 weeks as well so hoping that helps. Although I'll let you know how that goes in reality 😂

@missmoosh I'm on CD13. I haven't been using OPKs this month so not sure where I am exactly. We've DTD Mon, Weds, Fri and will go for one more tomorrow I think. I think I've done enough OPK cycles not to be too stressed about timing.

I've got my call with the fertility clinic on 25th so that's coming round fast now

X

@Natty2 hahha I have temped but only to confirm ovulation, as I needed to book in blood test..so gonna join you now in the no testing. I too have a lot of plans but I have already googled so much so it's clearly not helping me! Don't know why I still have hope every cycle after all this time 😅

@LucyLoopyLu good on you not using the opks, your timing sounds like you will hit fertile days regardless! Good luck with the call, do let us know what they say! I'm getting impatient for my appointment in October, so fed up waiting haha

I was 6 and a half years, i then had a miscarriage but fell pregnant 6 weeks later. It was then 8.5 years till i had my second.

@DesteB gosh that's an awfully long time, I'm sorry you had to go through that. May I ask how old you were when you had them? And if you did anything specific or was it just random when it happened?

Time is going so slowly! How is everyone doing?

@missmoosh I think I will have ovulated either Sunday/ Monday but hard to know without temping! So early days for me still. How many days dpo are you?

@DesteB I'm sorry it took such a long time for you! Was there particular reasons why?

@Natty2 6dpo - got my blood test to confirm ovulation tomorrow. Though the fact I have burst out in tears already today would suggest I have! 😅

@missmoosh 😅 good luck!

@missmoosh good luck for today!