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]

Yeah Good luck Heron! Nearly time for you to get up - what's a 5.30 start about then. Eek! Like you say, gets you in practise for the sleep deprivation. Best of luck. I'll be picturing a heron in those classy white dvt socks!

Rowing hope you get thru for your appointment. My weekend was part of my counselling skills course - person-centred approach. I'm hoping I will be chilled eventually but at the moment feel like I've been on an adrenalin junkie weekend of extreme mental sports!!

Take care all x

Bumpless

I am so sorry to hear your situation. I can sympathise, my situation is very similar.

Am 40 this year, been trying for no 1 for similar time to you. Also, like you I only met Mr right just over 2 years ago!

Have had endo for years so knew would probably have problems. Was referred for IVF at St Mary's in Manchester - however, they wouldn't treat me with my own eggs as FSH levels were, 15.7, 12.4, 14.4 and 17.9 over a 4 month period. I then had the new AMH test in September which, basically just backed up the results of the FSH tests - it was 1.9 which indicates very low/undetectable fertility.

Anyway we went for a consultation at CARE (the private clinic in Manchester) - they agreed and said there was no point in treating me with my own eggs as it would be a complete waste of money.

So I am now waiting to see if a family member is a suitable donor.

Sorry I know this doesn't give you any advice or anything, just wanted to post that you're not on your own.

Hello everyone and especial warm hello to vonsudenfed, sorry about the drop in temp. I try to tell myself that it is ok to get my hopes up in the 2ww, even though it is so disappointing when AF arrives. The alternative is to feel very negative all month and that surely can't be good.

Both my miscarriages were at 11+ weeks and you're just starting to think that it is going to stick around, so sorry to hear about yours, vonsudenfed.

Heron, hope all is going well today - I wonder what time your new little one was/is to be born???

Rowing, ditto what Bumpless said, hope you are getting lots of hugs

Sorry Eleveld, didn't read to the end of the thread before I posted. Sorry you're having such a hard time too. Have family members offered to donate for you?

Hello, I wonder if anyone can help with FSH and LH tests. I've just had a blood test for these done because I don't seem to be ovulating - the sticks don't show any surge and temp readings no peak .

Any idea what results i should be looking for? will get results tomorrow? The consultant i'm seeing is really dismissive and unhelpful so i want to try and work out things in advance.

Thanks!!

For ovulation the key test is the progesterone one - usually done around day 21 of the cycle. That needs to be 30+ to indicate ovulation.

Re. The FSH , LH and E2 tests - for FSH the lower the better and under 9 is particularly desirable. LH needs to be lower than your FSH and can't remember what E2 should be.

Thanks Nancy66!

At last, go an external and internal ultrasound booked for the 22nd - please, please tell me the internal probe isnt really like a vibrator!!?? (shock) well thats what I read on one post on NM lol xx

krispy - just so you don't worry too much. Last time I ttc'd the sticks didn't work for me. I still managed to make DS (now 18mths).

Hi all,
ILC - it's hard to describe the probe, they always put a condom or condom-like thing on it, so you can't see it very well. At a push I would say it is like a giant crochet hook, but without the hook. It doesn't feel as uncomfortable as a speculum, so don't worry. You will probably be suitably distracted by the imagery on the screen anyway - squinting at it, thinking 'what is that!'.
Cor' finally got through to the scanning appointment place, took an age. So I have to dash along tomorrow morning after dropping DS at nursery (please let them open the door on time for once). Have to get up at 7ish and drink 1.5 pints of water then not go to the loo until after the scan. Can't say I'm looking forward to it.
Will keep you all posted after.

oh a condom aswell lol! thanks rowing, Im sure it will be okay, just got a bit nervous when I read that!! When I have had pregnancy scans they never let me see the screens until they knew what was going on. I think for my twins it was different as the scan was more thorough, but that was further on in the pregnancy. xx

Hi Rowing, I suspect your compost heap supplement is perfect according to my book! She's recommending all that, plus various amino acids to be taken before going to bed that boost the amount of growth hormone you release in deep sleep phases, which apparently then kicks all your other hormone levels into shape. Hey, gotta be worth a try! where did you get your supplement from? Plus DH went out and bough a yam, which looks somewhat like a boulder and won't fit in any saucepans - anyone know any good yam recipes?

Eleveld, huge hug, what a horrible situation. It's odd, isn't it, you meet Mr Right years after everyone else does and think: now finally it's my turn! I was really affronted when we didn't get pg straight away, thought it was terribly unfair! any news on your family egg donor? Really hope you get some good luck soon. How are you feeling with all this?

Hey, if all the probes were like vibrators at least there'd be something to look forward to...

Hi Bumpless, you could always put the yam in the oven if it won't go in a saucepan? Or the bin, when your DH isn't looking. That was nice of him though wasn't it!
That isn't the same kind of yam as wild yam though, I think that is African yam: the kind in a grocers. I read an article about an African tribe where they all ate yam everyday and had a very high incidence of twins and triplets.
Which Amino acids should I take? I'm worried that taking fifty tablets a day is going to do it. I think I need at least another five or six, so amino acids would help bring the number up.
Can you just steam the yam and eat it with sausages or something or chicken? Or make one of those red hot African curries, red lentil or something?

Oh, sorry, I bought the compost tablets on Ebay here stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Book-Garden the green barley and wheat grass jobbies.

Well waiting for AF to turn up to start another cycle (of misery no doubt).

Detox is rapidly going downhill since DH's return. I broke the seal on Thursday and have only managed one alc free day since. Rubbish. Am moderating - i.e. one small glass of wine instead of usual vat, however, it's still rubbish.

Juicy, never mind, that's great the moderation. I think you should keep a record on your calendar, I bet you would see a difference from week to week.
Do you think it's the relaxation aspect that you like with booze? Maybe one night a week you could replace it with a hot bath and music or a relaxation tape or yoga and see how that goes?
I am more of a social drinker so it's more the initial nerves that I use booze for, but once you have the 'booze head' on it's difficult to apply moderation.
You can do it!

Afternoon all, and hello Eleveld - I did the meeting Mr Right rather late on too, hence why I am here too.

Bumpless - very amused about the yam. Let us know how the cooking and processing goes...

Rowingboat - how are you doing now? Has anyone had any more helpful conclusions about what that was all about?

Well I am, frankly, confused. Temp drop on Mon, fine, that was when I was expecting AF. Then no AF, no AF, so I thought the temp thing might be because I'd changed to a lighter duvet (with my clutching-at-straws head on). But now it's started today. Just as I was starting to hope a little bit. Bah, bah and bah. It's probably the menopause.

And so I am going to have a big glass of wine tonight and sod it all!

Hi Rowing - thanks for your understanding. It's more that DH is drinking and I fancy it because I see him with a glass. It's that moment when DS is finally asleep and I feel like I "deserve" it IYSWIM. If I get past dinner the urge is gone.
DH has 2 weeks out of 5 alc free due to his job, so can't really expect him to abstain with me when he's home.

Good idea with the calendar - will give it a go.

Good for you VSF - you do deserve it
(unlike me)

And sorry about AF VSF - poo

Hi to all

Juicy - I think you're doing really well - one small glass a night is practically recommended on health grounds. If you're doing the moderation thing that sounds perfect to me. Agree that the hardest time is early evening through dinnertime - after that I'm not bothered (and am quite happy to munch on chocs instead )

I'm not doing quite so well - managed about 5 booze free days and felt especially virtuous, though not really any healthier Then one night thought sod it I fancy a glass of wine (or two) and that was it. I am cutting down though, trying to start a bit later and have less with dinner. Also avoiding things like visits to the pub at weekend lunchtimes etc. Will also try to avoid any 'sessions' (eg when you meet up with friends and end up having a lot more than you intended, then suffer for it the next day) as I think that's more potentially damaging than a couple of glasses with dinner.

Sorry to hear about AF Vonsudenfed - it's those little flashes of optimism that make it all the worse isn't it

Will pop back in a bit - big wave to everyone in the meantime!

Hi everyone,
not much to report here. I will be seeing the GP next week to discuss whether I need to be referred to a Gynae. Hope not, I reckon she might just sent me for another scan next month to see if the cyst has shrunk.
Probably need to update FF so I know what's happening. Does a cyst actually change your cycle dates do you think? I mean that blood was probably from the cyst it wasn't AF.
Fingers crossed I get a normal AF this month, at least that would be something.
Juicy and COC you are both doing well, stop giving yourselves a hard time, it will only make you give up. [stern face]
VSF - sorry to hear about the temp drop confusion. I recommend extensive, frenzied googling to find the cause. I might go and do that now.
My poor old rescue cat just went home with my mum because poor old DP was dying from the fur and fluff. Poor old cat, he is so lovely. He has never met another cat and my mum lives in a neighbourhood with loads, so he might be all mangled up and with ripped ears by next week. Or the king of the neighbourhood cats. He's lovely. Bye bye Tamclap! (don't ask)

Hi Rowing - what happened with your scan yesterday, did it show an ovarian cyst? (Sorry I'm a bit behind ) I don't know re cycle timings but hopefully the old Google font of knowledge will show up something... Hugs to you xx

Yes, I think I missed that too Rowing. Is it a cyst? That would be big improvement on suspected eptopic mc, right?

Yes, I think I missed that too Rowing. Is it a cyst? That would be big improvement on suspected eptopic mc, right?