Ignoring the LIES, DAMNED LIES, and STATISTICS: Fiesty & Fabulous 40+ers TTC

[xserialshopper]

Open to all 40+ers TTC.

We're friendly - not cliquey (sp?) and would love to know you{smile]

Hi all, I just have to ask if anyone is watching 'bring back fame'!
I just want to see how well they have all aged - the most annoying programme ever, but highly addictive.

Hi again,
well! You know that ovarian pain on Tuesday - started bleeding and haven't stopped since. I ended up at the GP's yesterday to see what was going on. She insisted that I did a pg test in case I had an ectopic, it was negative. Then I did a blood test for the HCG to see if anything is there. It's all so weird, I have to go back tomorrow lunchtime and do another blood test to compare to yesterday's just in case the HCG is going up.
She said she didn't think it was an ectopic, otherwise she would have sent me to the infirmary immediately.
So don't really know what's going on. I think it must be a miscarriage, possibly from an ectopic. Feeling a bit weepy today, it's a bit poo!
I did start AF quite early the cycle before last and it was quite light then the last cycle was very light, so I don't know.
But just wanted to add Peanut and Grownup that Wild Yam post ovulation is supposed to improve the luteal phase.

Blimey Rowing Not surprised you're a bit weepy!

When you posted on Tues were you on CD8 or 8DPO? Why do you think it might be ectopic (don't know much about the symptoms, sorry)? Hope they can give you some answers at the docs. Look after yourself xx

I was on on CD8 on Tuesday, this is day 11. I'm sitting here googling to see what I can find. At least tomorrow I will know whether I have the HCG levels raised. Otherwise???
I think it must be a miscarriage.
Thank you for your kind words, DP is out at a birthday and DS has been a four year old all day.
Hugs

Hugs Rowing. So sorry it's horrible for you. Hoep you get some answers xx

Well out again unfortunately. This is the 5th cycle so a bit down as feel time running out for me as 46 in May!!!!!!!!! In fact it may already have run out. Conceived within 3 months both times I was pregant but only 42 then I suppose so 3 years may have made a difference.

Doing everything the same, charting etc although probably not as much BDing. Does this matter as long as it's at the right time? I thought as long as there was some sperm there when the egg came out......I think I will need to do a 10 day marathon.

LP is only 10 days but wasn't a problem in the past it seems. So it's wild yam then is it? Does it work and where do you get the tablets?

Any other suggestions. Have cut caffeine down to a couple of cups of weak tea a day, hardly any alcohol. No way can I cut out chocolate though. Am generally healthy, not overweight and take multi vit every day.

DD still gets 2 shorts bfs per day but can't see that impacting?

Help!

BTW - anyone over 40 who is pg. How long did you take to conceive?

hi rowing, all sounds really confusing. sounds really miserable whatever it is.. still haven't had time to catch up on backposts so don't really know what's going on with everyone.

fifitot - if you've only been trying for 5 cycles it's not v long - will take longer at our ages whatever we do. you're obviously v fertile...

well i'm ovulatory at the moment - suspected I was as i'm getting lusty over inappropriate tv men (never meet any men in rl these days..)
so we've started the nightly bms. although after about 3 nights either me or dh will sigh and say what's the point anyway, it doesn't actually work.

ho hum.

Thank you Fruit and Peanut - still feel very PMSy and this has really screwed-up my cycles. I read that it can take between 4-8weeks after the bleeding stops before the next AF. Not very handy when you are thinking about IVF! Grr!
I know what you mean Peanut, it's so hard to keep going when you don't think it's working. Rubbish! Just have to keep watching ER or whatever to get a hunky bloke fix.
Fifi - you could do a google on the wild yam. I have been looking into a good IVF diet and high protein seems to be the best for improving egg quality, which is the problem at our age. Also wheatgrass is supposed to be just great for everything. Oh and co-enzyme Q10 is suppposed to be great for improving egg quality as well.
To improve the lining of the uterus, EPO and red raspberry leaf are supposed to be good, from the start of the cycle to ovulation.
I think there is quite a bit of bloke stuff, but zinc is definitely good and I think some of the proteins l-arginine and that sort of thing.
Look www3.fertilethoughts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123317 there is a lot of advice on

rowingboat - sorry to hear all that, it sounds both confusing and miserable, all with hormones for added extra misery.

Fifi - I was ttc last year, when dd was only having one night feed. Tried for 3 (?) cycles, then stopped the feed. Conceived next time round (then a miscarriage, but that's not the point). So it made a difference for me.

And me, I have chronic PMT, my family are driving me up the wall and I can't even yell at them because my hormones make me cry. Bah. And my step-brother and his wife are having a baby, and I am pleased for them, but that made me cry too. I'd quite like just to go to bed, but sadly that's not much of an option with DD around.

Sorry to whine, will try and be more positive next time.

And does anyone know if it matters if you have a long luteal phase - mine was 16 days last time round?

Thanks for the info. Have bought some pro natal vits today and may consider angus castus or whatever its called to lengthen my usually 10 day LP - though wasn't a problem last time round.

peanuthead - I know it's not long in the scheme of things but feels like time is running out! You know what I mean I'm sure. Every wasted cycle is depressing.

vonsudenfed - you've got me thinking about the feeds but not sure what the science is about bfing an ttc. Will look into it. Can't face dd's trauma if I stop bfing!!!!!

Rowing - boo hiss. Hope you get answers soon and feel better.

vs - We've all been there with the pg friends. And Peanut - the "why bother" feeling (esp when you're knackered) Soo in touch with those emotions.

fruit - hope you're wrong and you are pg. That would be COOL!

My current vitamin regime is:
Royal Jelly vials
Pregnacare
Cod Liver oil caps.

I did the Guafanesin cough syrup and EPO day one to OV last time but have stopped doing that as can't get the guafanesin and always forget to do the EPO at the right time. May look into B6, Wild Yam and progesterone cream, but only if the next couple of cycles don't cut it.

My abstinence came to an end last night, but I did only have the 1 glass. Am saving my next glass for tomorrow night, then it's the start of another week off the sauce! Woohoo

BTW two of my "younger" friends have both conceived while BFing. Neither really planned. Don't want to say how I felt as I stupidly gave up BFing thinking it would improve my ability to conceive.

oh don't - I gave up bfing rather sadly at 6 1/2 months announcing to all and sundry that it was because we planned to have another immediately... don't know how I thought that was going to happen when it took 4 iui's to concieve dd.

so fifi maybe now you're older (sorry) the bfing is affecting your fertility - although an extra two months isn't long... and I have a very fertile friend at work with 5 children(and a grandchild) who has just had her 6th at 46. But it took her a couple of years of trying this time round and it was pretty quick before so what I really meant was 5 months is nothing and it might take a while this time.

glad to see I'm not the only one ekeing out my alcoholic treats...

Have had no alcohol tonight, just a chocolate biscuit, 8 mini dime bars and 5 chocies out of the Roses tin

Fifi, there are lots of people who get pg whilst bfing, as long as your cycle is back to normal. You could request a day three test because one of the hormones tested in prolactin, if you have elevated levels they would tell you.
Sorry that link for the IVF (but presumably TTC as well) diet was very weird this is it again www3.fertilethoughts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123317 it's a great site.
My GP phoned me to say the HCG levels are below 5, which means not pg - think I had worked that out. So next week I have a scan to see what is happening.
Carryon the reason I thought it was ectopic was all the pain was on the left, around the tube/ovary, rather than the uterus. The first GP also said there was a large swelling on the left, which, she said was too big to be an ectopic. At which point my, very confused, and sad head fell off because it did not compute. brrwhizzcrrkk (that was my brain).
Do feel a bit better, but extremely drained and tired.

AF makes her entrance yet again. You'd think she'd at least do something to ring the changes and lighten things up. Hasn't it sunk in that I'm not exactly pleased to see her each time? She could make a fecking effort. Dress in a different colour for starters. What's with all the red all the time? Bloody boring. Red hat, red coat - even matching red scarf and mittens this time. Even Father soddin christmas varies it about a bit with the white fur contrast! But no. Just plain crappy, shitty, red, red, red as usual.

(goes off to drink a bottle of lavender, snort a line of rescue remedy and flush head down toilet...)

Hello ladies, may I join you? I've been reading your thread for the past couple of days and am so impressed by how wise, funny and supportive you all are to one another!

I've never done one of these before so here goes (deep breath):

I'm just 41, TTC#1 for 18 months. DH and I only met 2.5 years ago, hence late start.

My doc has just referred me for IVF, which I was expecting. What I wasn't expecting was to be told I have a FSH of 15, which apparently the NHS have known for 8 months but no-one told me. Horrible shock and I would have been going for private IVF months ago if I'd known... feeling sad and angry...

I'm confused about clinics and not in a very trusting place at the moment so would really value your advice. My doc has referred me to Harley Street Fert Centre but when I called them they said hey didn't 'need' to see me for 3 weeks and weren't encouraging me to visit before that. ARGC weren't answering their phone this afternoon either. My doc also faxed my prescription to a company who are charging £350 over what chemist direct charge for puregon- do I have to have theirs? Help!

Rowingboat, so sorry to hear of the horrible time you're having.

Sorry, had to get that out. Apols Rowing for being selfish. What day is your scan? I hope it's not too long before you get some answers. Sounds like a v fragile place to be in with the uncertainty. We're thinking of you (between ranting that is!).

Look after yourself

Hi Bumpless, welcome, great that you are doing something to help the situation. I think FSH can go up and down, it's the egg quality that matters not the number.
I'm not sure of the ins and outs of IVF, but if you go over to the assisted conception thread, I'm on there, but not much use, however, all the others are total gurus on the topic.
How lovely to have found your DH.
Fruit, AF does she have red hair and a big red nose and big red clown shoes. I have heard she is still wearing those red low-rise trousers with her big red bum hanging out.
You are not selfish you are a treasure (that's the kind of thing my nan would say to me), I like your posts, make me laugh.
I don't know when the scan is yet, they will call me. By the time I get there, the whole thing will be gone and there will be nothing to see (move along, nothing to see).

Welcome Bumpless. I would have thought you can get your script from the chemist of your choice as long as you have the original. As for all the other stuff I defer to the experts on here. I am not up on the assisted stuff as not going down that route (yet).

Rowing - sorry you're going through this. How pants.

Fruit. She's on her way over to my house when she's finished at yours. Fully expecting her to pull up in her routemaster sometime next week...biatch.

Thanks girls, I'll ask the gurus - and get the scrip from somewhere reasonable! Feeling much happier today, just knowing there are friends out there helps a lot. And i've been for a run - feeling saintly

Fruitbowl - you made me laugh out loud about AF! Thanks for cheering me up - feeling guilty as just shouted at DD who cried. Bad mummy

Hi All

Been lurking all this time
I have a scheduled section next week; baby will be 37+5 days. I wanted to wait another week but doc says due to my high bp, better be safe and get baby out.

We can do it! women over 40 can do it! i am 42 yrs old.

Oh.My.God. Where has the time gone!!! Heron's having a baby, heron's having a baby

Sensible head back on. If Heron can do it so can we. Feeling the positive baby vibes coming from that last post.

Sections (in my experience) are pretty ok. After the first week you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. Hope all goes swimmingly xxxx

make that jig