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 everyone, I've been a bit ill this weekend so haven't really felt up to posting. DS and I have both had a stomach bug and Sunday was hell.
Fifi I just wanted to say I'm not sure that there are reliable stats on conceiving over forty. A lot seem to be based on people going for assisted conception which means they have a problem of some sort male or female.
Nan keep us posted with your findings. I have done a little bit of research into overseas and am about to contact the clinic in Hungary that I cancelled when I had the bleeding from the cyst.
Loubers, I'm afraid I have no experience of IUI, as I have a blocked tube so it wouldn't do much for us. Why are you doing IUI rather than IVF?
Juicy, sorry you are feeling down, it's nearly spring though and that's the time for frolicking and babies. Check the dosages on those amino acids, they can really go for your stomach and make you feel quite tired. I stopped when I was ill, but I'm about to do a bit more googling on the recommended amount to supplement. I'll keep you posted on my findings....

At the moment looking at natural/mild IVF at Create, also considering Lister. It is a bit of a minefield, you have to keep telling yourself they are in it to make cash, not to be your fertility friend. The holy grail would be easier to find than a reliable idea of predicted success, and probably cheaper! Going abroad sounds very organised Rowing! Have to go, tea ready.

Hi ladies

Not been around for a bit. We do seem an angsty lot on here at the mo, I agree. That's the great thing about being here I think, we do not judge eachother but understand and pass the virtual chocs!

Well now, you asked for news of a BFP. Sorry it's a bitter sweet news bulletin but I did have one, if only for a day last week. Tested positive on thurs & couldn't believe it as was due to start clomid this period but it never came. Me n DH were so tentatively excited after last summer's MMC. Good job as well as I started bleeding the very next day.

I'm not so much upset as just bloody bloody fed up of it all now. So many years of futile hope every month and then the awfulness of MC. I feel ready to throw the towel in. We'll do the 6 months of clomid then we've decided that'll be it for us.

I was offered a scan over the weekend but I was only 5.5 weeks so didn't see the point as I feel sure it's a proper MC. I've taken the fertility clinic's advice to wait til a few days after the bleeding stops and then do another test to confirm negative.

Wish it was better news for all our sakes.

Pass the industrial size Fruit n Nut. Oh sorry, I already ate it.

Hope we all cheer the feck up soon!! xx

Fruit I'm so sorry to hear about your bad news. I can do a ram raid on Smiths and fill up the back of a truck with dairy milk if you like?
We are a bit of a bunch aren't we! There will be good news soon, there will!!
Nan, there are a few ladies on the assisted conception thread who are with Create, they are really nice over there, if you have any questions.

Boo hiss Fruitbowl.

Aw Fruitbowl - really sorry. It's sh*t isn't it.

If we're having virtual chocs - I will have a soft centre please - a cherry one if poss.

Hi Everyone,

Sorry so many feeling down at the moment.

Fruitbowl - thats miserable, I hope you are coping and wish you loads of luck in the future.

I finally got a nice clear thermal shift yesterday, still up today and the red lines appeared on my FF chart so I'm quite happy. Just pleased to know that bit is working and have some data to show the gynae doc.

Could I have a virtual chocolate covered toffee pls ?

I so want to feel like winter is coming to an end !

Bx

Thanks gals.

Now this is a shameless plug here but I've found it helps me in times of TTC craziness to rant and rave a bit on this blog I made:

www.mummyfied.blogspot.com

thought you gals might relate to some of it. If any of you have blogs or have read any other good ones, would love to know.

And yes, more choccies please! Rowing - a truck full? You are a true angel! But what will I do for supplies tomorrow? Cherry ones fifi - yum. D'ya know what? I'm gonna say b*gger it and order a truck load of cherry LIQUERS! Any other orders?

x

Sorry beamel, cross posted. Good news on your charting. And have noted your choc order!

Ooo cherry liqueurs how yummy!
Fruit I have just looked at your blog. It is funny and frustrating to read.
I was supposed to go back for another scan this morning cd15 to see whether I have released the egg or another cyst is forming. The doctor thinks I may be prone to cysts and not releasing the eggs properly - which is interesting. However, I don't think this is going to help/make a great deal of difference as we are considering IVF anyway.
Didn't go because still feel pretty dodgy after the tummy bug, so am about to phone to see what they would like to do about the scan.
The most positive thing was the amount of interest shown by the doctor, makes a change.

Beamel - loved your blog. I too have a DD and ttc another but I am even older than you! Wouldn't mind but got DD after only a couple of months. Ah well - pass the chocs!

I know how you feel Fifi, I didn't try to conceive my DS, it was whilst using contraception as well. Now it's a disaster.
I sometimes forget to be happy that I have my DS, and to remember how lucky I am to have conceived him. It is so easy to become focussed on another pregnancy and to forget the good things.
I have been looking into flights to Hungary and it is a nightmare for us there are not direct flights, so even going for a consultation is likely to mean an overnight stay and hours of hanging around. Poo!
I can't see my four year old loving it, when he has to go over with DP! Imagine trying to pack favourite toys and books for a week on a budget airline with a tight baggage allowance. I won't be popular.

I know rowing - feel should settle at one but most of me just wants to try...Guess I won't settle until the fat lady sings, whenever that is. I had a cut off at Xmas but since we are now in Feb looks like that is a non-starter!

This week I am mostly temping, avoiding alchol and coffee and waiting for the green light (or red stripe!) from my OPK. Gawd - it comes round so quickly doesn't it! I swear we haven't had non BD sex for months!

Good luck to us all. We need more sucess stories on here!!!!!!! To cheer us all up.

Sorry Fruitbowl - it's your blog not Beamels. I knew who I meant!

Fifi, I know how you feel, I am obsessed with the whole thing, and secretly know it I am stressing too much. It would be lovely to have another child, I just have to make myself remember not to forget the one I have in all this.
Secretly, I hope the IVF goes wrong and I get twins (but also realise this would be extremely stressful and expensive).
Have just emailed the hungary clinic for an appointment - aaargh!

I knew who you meant too fifi!

"I swear we haven't had non BD sex for months!"
Blimey it has to have been YEARS for us

LOL!

BTW - opk says postive so need to start tonight BUT realise I have no preseed in the house! WTF can I use as really need some assistance in the lubricant area (sorry if TMI!) Is there anything I can buy that is sprerm friendly? Over the counter as it were.

Oh Fifi what a predicament! I've read in passing about egg whites at room temp but sounds pretty messy and you'd need to check it out 1st incase I dreamt it? Most other lubricants are bad news for the little fellas aren't they?

Again prob TMI but I understand how imp it is, as sometimes if I don't have the preseed, I'm too sore to BD for the next vital few days . Must be common amongst us old duffers!! (meant with love of course )

Good luck! You can always make a great choc mousse with the spare yolks!!

Hellooo, can I join, I will be 40 in May?

Been TTC for over a year now and am starting to get a bit down about it.

Am concerned i am not producing enough egg white.

Oh, as a new MNetter, how can I find a means to understanding all the acronyms?

Welcome RnR sorry to hear you're feeling down. Hope you find some support here amongst those of us who understand what it can be like.

You'll find a list of acronyms here

Do you mind me asking have you had any fertility tests via GP?

x

Brilliant blog fruitbowl - heavy stuff but great humour, and beautifully written !
Really hoping for good news for you soon.

Hope you manage to get Hungary sorted rowing. Have you chosen to go there because of cost, or are they more willing to undertake IVF in our age group ? I have heard both.

Welcome RnR. Hope we can cheer you up a bit. Re. the egg white, have you tried the grapefruit juice thing ? I tried it this month and I think it may have made a difference, although difficult to tell as I have only just started to study my secretions closely (Sorry TMI !)

Any virtual turkish delight going ? Choc covered of course !

Bea x

Hi RnR, welcome to the thread! I would be happy to answer any question I can.
If it is eggwhite cm you are after there are a number of methods to increase the quality - 1000 mg of Evening Primrose oil for the first part of your cycle - stop after OV because it also tones the uterus by causing contractions, which isn't very helpful for an embryo.
Also any chesty cough medicine from Asda's own to Tixylix as long as it contains gaufeinesin (sorry horrid to spell), you take a couple of spoons morning and evening for the days preceding ovulation.
Grapefruit juice from day 1 to OV - usually day 14, but whenever it is for you.
I think that's about it, and of course you can add a bit of preseed to move things along just before bding.
Speaking from experience, they all seem to do the trick and you could always combine your top two.
Fifi did you find anything, I always find saliva does the trick.

clearly, I need to be careful here, don't want to get too confused between ordering nice virtual chocs, and suggesting sperm friendly lubes. Now I think about it, didn't someone do something with a Mars Bar once? Not sure if it was in the interests of getting pregnant though!

Heh Hmm! I would like to order a bumper load of virtual hazelnut whirls if that is possible please, just organising the grapefruit juice to accompany!

Fifi, we could be too late I realise, but just in case, not sure saliva is actually the best thing! I think I read somewhere it has sperm hostile qualities. In extremis I would go with egg white, if you've time, there is a link somewhere, try google cm friendly lubricant, however this is not exactly the sexiest warm up ever! Good luck x

Beamel, I've finally gotten three crosses on my chart, very exciting. Good news you also got the red lines too! Hope patterns all show ov straightforward. x

Rowing finally got stats from Geeta at Create, 1-2% success in my age group=not going there! Mind me asking, are you going to try IVF with your own eggs in Hungary if you go? I feel too old to risk the funds on it, so will now think for a few months about DE IVF, and do some research whilst trying naturally.

Fruit, I am so sorry to hear your recent roller of a time of it . I'm sure we all can sense how you must feel. I'm off to read your blog with interest, hang in there!.

Hi Nan, I would love hazelnut whirls!
I am planning to use my own eggs in Hungary. my FSH last year was 7.5, but last week had gone up to 9.9. I am taking this as a sign to get my bum into gear.
The doctor said it was fine as long as it was under 10, so I'm going to press on whilst the iron is hot , and other laundry-related metaphors.
I think it fluctuates quite a bit according to stress levels etc... so even a reading over 10 could become a lower reading next time.
Have you had any bloods taken for hormone levels? If your FSH is over 13 I think the clinic would be likely to advise donor eggs. There is a lady on the assisted conception thread who has used two donor eggs and both have worked first time, so a lot to be said for this route.
There is a lot of info about increasing egg quality through diet on this thread
Also some information further up this thread about other advice.
Hope that helps a bit.

Hello lovely ladies - just wanted to check in and say hi. I've been lurking, but RL has been a bit full on and I don't seem to be able to get it together in my head to post atm. I will catch up properly, but at the moment all I feel up to is putting in my choc order - can I just say Green and Blacks Dark Choc with Cherries, a truckload will be fine! Oh and sod it, some G&B Milk Choc while we're at it.

Not much news from here except that the Serenity Progesterone cream arrived, have now been applying it diligently for a week post OV. Can't say I have noticed anything different so far, but it is supposed to lengthen the luteal phase, so we'll see very soon I suppose. What I don't understand is that they say that you'll feel so much better for having more progesterone, but isn't it prog that gives you that horrible pmt feeling??? Will report my findings!

Oh and have been meaning to post a note to Grownupbabes about the thermometers (BBT vs normal) - I did a scientific test, one under each side of my tongue, and the BBT measured about 0.3 of a degree C higher! Which is quite a lot really.

Big hugs to all, sounds like we need it! Repeat after me - Spring Is On The Way... xx