Feisty & Fabulous at 40+ - the continuing adventures of TTC

[fruitbowl]

Erm hope this will do as a continuation thread. Hello to anyone new to the thread. All welcome... xx

Hi Tetley, how did you feel with the Puregon, any side effects?

I'm not sure of the temp, but after the LH surge it is between 36-48 hours until you ovulate. Not sure how long it takes to make a significant change to your temp, but from what I can gather it is quite a quick change.

TFLS where are you in your cycle now? Have you managed to check any of the 'signs' yet?

I'm not loving the injections, every one sends me deeper into inaction. I've just managed to do half the washing up...
I phoned one of the nurses and she reassured me that this is all completely normal.
What's going to happen in the next two weeks, my house will fill up with rotten food, dirty washing and tramps will move in.
(can you still say tramps or is it urban street specialists?)

Kiwikat cd 1

Big rat's bottom. Am as disappointed as HELL.

Boooooo! Kiwi that's poo. Next time you have 17 follicles - go for it!! Don't listen to that smelly old reproductive specialist what does he/she know, apart from being an expert? Rubbish!
Better watch out when I say 'rubbish' my urban street specialists might wake up and start rummaging again.

Thanks Rowing. Very nice of you to give me some nice words when you're in the middle of a hormone maelstrome yourself. x

From what I understand (but I'm new to this) tetley, the temp rise is usually a day or two after ovulation. I'm working my way through Take Control of your Fertility at the moment [adjusts student's glasses] where it says things like drinking alchohol the night beofre or getting less than 3 hours consecutive sleep can give you a falsely high waking temp (just hoping one of this might have occured in your case and you ovulated later than you think).

kiwi - that's lousy. Hang in there, it's a bitch but it will happen [I'm mustering all my positive vibes to send to you].

rowing - I'm on CD21. Not much is happening yet (to my immense impatience) but I suspect my cycle is all out as the m/c was only a couple of weeks ago. Glad your nurse reassured you re the tiredness. Don't worry - we'll always come and rescue you before you feature on a BBC urban street specialist documentary!

Wondered where the thread was! Had dropped right down the page!

Come back everyone!

Hi there everyone hope you don't mind me joining in........
Haven't read all the posts but me thinks I'm a little behind as just had my first AF since coming off the mini pill in January. Am 42 have DD 4 and DS 19, so ttc for our last one.

Hi everyone,
TFLS thanks for reassuring me about the urban street specialist doc. It would be nice to meet each other, but I didn't think it would be via a fly on the wall expose on BBC2. [sheepish Rowingboat waves from TV screen, whilst sitting on a heap of old laundry]

Fifi, I'm posting to ensure our top of the 'conception' heap status.

Curly welcome, good luck and hope you aren't here long, in the nicest possible way.

OK so today I went for a scan and got sent home to try again. Not only is my endometrium/womb lining too thick, but I have lost 8 or 9 follicles since the last scan. The woman said she was being 'conservative' [apologies for the frenzy of exclamation marks in this post] and wouldn't count the 'black dots' which she wasn't sure were follicles. So I have four follicles and a load of 'black dots' oo'er what could they be. I'm wondering if somebody had a picnic on my ovaries and those dots are ants, hoovering up the crumbs.
Not very happy about having arranged lots of time off for NOT having egg collection and transfer. No, those will most likely be the following week when I will be back at work, most likely removing an asbestos roof and bricklaying or something equally relaxing.

Never mind, I did get to try acupuncture tonight and it was very strange. I still have a sore wrist from one of the pins - does that go away quickly???

Ouch!
It has restored my appetite and taken away the nausea, so that's good!

You make me laugh, Rowing! Hello Tetley, Fifi, FatLady, welcome Curly!

Oh yes, acupuncture ... I said I'd do it this cycle, didn't I? I wonder why I'm hesitating ... The pain? The money? The inconvenience of getting to the sessions? A few of you have done it now, and you all seem to have found it worthwhile. So, on the strength of that, tomorrow I'll book a session.

Tetley, I missed your earlier post re coming to London, as I was so caught up in my 'AF Arrival Despair', so have just seen it now. I completely understand if you have a full calendar of things to do while you're here. With this rubbish weather, at least you've got the fabulous Natural History Museum in South Kensington, which they might like. How old is your DD?

Rowing, try to stay away from asbestos.

Am thinking of getting a couple of the those FSH tests online to test for ovarian function. Are they any good?

Welcome curlylox - hopefully no#3 will be along soon.

Hope the tiredness has abated rowing and that your lady was just being too conservative and your "ants" turn into worker ants! Sod's law about the timing but please leave the asbestos alone! I've not had any soreness or discomfort with accupuncture so sorry about the wrist. But good news about the appetite.

kiwi if you are going down the accupuncture route, make sure to find someone who specialises in fertility. There is a Accupuncture Fertility Network website where you can search locally. I had another appointment last night and it was so helpful. She has helped me clear up some post m/c problems but said my chi (energy levels) were low. No shock there, I could give a squashed slug a run for its money at the moment.

Sorry no knowledge about the tests fifi.

On the questions front, does anyone know if there is anything you can do to improve your egg quality? I read somewhere that royal jelly can help.

Thanks for the welcome. Ok ladies where do I start with charts etc as can't remember from 5 years ago and I do believe that lost many brain cells with my last DC and never quite recovered them all back

Right - have booked my acupuncture appointment for Wednesday 12th. He's someone who specialises in fertility and I contacted him after someone on MN recommended him. I'm excited and nervous - very pleased to hear that it's been working for you FLS.

What's this about royal jelly?

Curlylox, have you tried fertilityfriend.com ? It is great for charting and it runs you through how to do it.
I've just been reading Randine Lewis about improving egg quality, and she suggests Coenzyme Q10,royal jelly(it's regenerative and tonifying,it also improves sperm production in men,it helps the queen bee lay millions of eggs, so maybe it will help us?),blue-green algae, wheatgrass, and chlorella, alsoL-arginine.She mentions Human growth hormone(but I don't think it is easily acessible) and DHEA (which shouldn't be taken if you have elevated levels of male hormones).
The TCM idea is also that you don't want a "cold" reproductive area, so you improve blood flow to the area, with accupuncture,massage and avoiding cold foods,raw veges and dairy.She also says to avoid alcohol,caffeine and nicotine.
I had also heard belly dancing improves blood flow to that area so I did that for a while.It was a laugh, but I felt so self-conscious!
Rowing, sorry to hear you were sent home.How frustrating.
I purchased some ovulation pee sticks the other day in case I ever start ovulating again!I like them because at least you can get two lines without all the squinting etc.When I was ttc Charlie I must have peed on a thousand HPT sticks.What a waste of money and time, I'd spend ages scrutinising them, under flouro light, in the bathroom, outside in the sun....I think I am one of those POAS addicts...
ANyway, heres to the babymaking.

Sorry, also meant to say sorry about AF Kiwi.

Wish I was a bit closer I'd love to meet you all in LOndon, but Australia is a bit far. I have always wanted to visit Britain but still haven't got there.
Probably have to wait til retirement now...Hmm, at my age it isn't that far off!Actually having a baby this late means I'll probably still have to work when I am 80!Teenagers can be expensive, then I'll have to save up for retirement. Ahh, the joys...

Angi I can see you hanging out of a window with a torch and a magnifying glass, in the sun. It's awful isn't it?

Second what Angi says TFLS, I did a bit of reading on this and have tried loads, but stuck with a few.
I have been taking 90mg Co-enzyme Q10 since January, started DHEA about two months ago, I also take an amino acid supplement because eggs are protein so the theory is you need protein to 'build' them. I also try to eat an egg a day or a couple every two days, I don't have any cholesterol problems, otherwise I would be cautious.
Other supplements I have heard of and tried include GABA, 5-HTP, (l-)Ornithine and l-arginine. The amino acid tablet I take had ornithine and l-arginine and I can't be bothered taking the 5-htp or GABA, I do have some, but they really went for my tummy - not worth it IMO.
I did wheatgrass, but I reckon just eating leafy greens and a good mix of other seasonal fruit and veg is great and easier.
What else
Propolis is the stuff bees give to the queen or something, you can buy a supplement. I think it tasted vile, vaguely remember reading that.
Have to go DS is pouring gold glitter all over the place...
I used to do loads of belly dancing and didn't conceive during that time so not convinced, but I do think it is good for your ladybits, so perhaps worth trying after having the child, to get everything back into the right place.
For toning the uterus, evening primrose, red raspberry tea, motherwort and lady's mantle teas are all good. Motherwort is good for general reproductive health and for keeping you calm

Where is everyone? Dixie64? Spiral? Beamel?

Don't give up! Come back and keep us company!

Back from travels with DD to various grandparents and cousins. Just managed to muster enough energy to make some cupcakes today and now just catching up on the thread. Enjoy a cake while I catch up lovely ladies ... x

Hi Fruit thanks for the cakes. I like the icing!
Not much happening here. I keep forgetting I am actually in the process of undergoing IVF because it is dragging on a bit and stuff.
I have another scan this week to see if I can move on to the next phase, but I have decided to try to get another doctor. Wasn't very keen on poppy seed/ant ovary doctor. She told me she didn't want to get my hopes up by counting them. Made me feel 102. Smuggy smug smug I think!

Oh God - got a message on Sunday from the fertility clinic (calling on a Sunday??) checking that we were still ok for the appointment on Tuesday 18th August with the nurse for preparation for IVF. What? I know that we're going to talk to Dr G about it, and have a 'where do we go from here' meeting with him on Monday 17th, but it seems to have snuck up very suddenly. This is our 4th round of clomid. Rowing, can you shed any light onto what this 'preparation' meeting might involve? Am frankly terrified - it just seems like such a big jump.

Kiwi, we had an initial meeting where the doctor went over what IVF involved. Have you both had hormone/sperm tests, if not then they will ask you to get those done.
Will you be self-funding if you actually need IVF (hopefully not because the Clomid is going to work this month).
Is this the month you had a row around bding time?
Don't panic though, it will be quite laid back and any decisions to be made are yours not theirs.
At this point going to an preparation meeting is not a financial commitment and if they want you to go ahead you are likely to have a few months to wait before you can start, so don't feel pressurised. They should tell you when you are actually committed to making a payment.
Ask me anything, hopefully I will be able to help.

Hi Rowing, thanks for your message. It feels like everything is all happening at once - I had acupuncture for the first time last night, but it was only the introductory session, so mainly talking and only a very brief session with the needles. (He told me my element was Wood - I like making lists, I can get very angry and I like to be in control - all true.) And having another session Monday night, as that will be cd14 and that or cd13 is when I usually ovulate.

A scan tomorrow lunchtime to see the results of the clomid - didn't have a scan last month, as we were on holiday, but got in as much bd as was possible, but to no avail. (The row was the previous month.) So Monday morning we have the meeting with the specialist, then Tuesday the meeting with the nurse. We've had quite a few tests done already - everything is normal, there's no reason why it's not working, blah blah - and in the back of my mind I remember the specialist saying that we'd begin in October, so that ties in with what you're saying. Yep, we're paying for it ourselves. Ulp! Thanks for the offer of advice - I'll be taking you up on that!

And how is everyone else? Any news? Sorry this post is so me, me, me ...

Hi everyone

kiwi - wow, no wonder you're feeling punch drunk. But I guess you're just exploring your options and there is no need to commit to any decision straight away. Hope the accupuncture helps with the stress - I found it did.

Thanks to everyone for the info on egg quality - more avenues for me to obsess research. Not sure I'll try the belly dancing route though - DH might put his back out laughing and that wouldn't be helpful Wonder if cupcakes are advocated in any fertility diet (thanks fruitbowl) - well they contain eggs...

rowing - sorry things are dragging on for you. Maybe it would be a good idea to get another doctor - I do think it's important that you trust/have a chemistry with the person you're working with in situations as personal and important as this.

curlylox - another recommendation for Fertility Friend here.

Sorry, been offline for a few days. AF turned up unexpectedly early on Monday - first one after m/c. I was sure I hadn't ovulated so was busy charting and trying to track down "the o/v moment" that it took me by surprise. But I guess on the positive side (she says through still slightly gritted teeth) that my body is trying to right itself. So back to square one but a new month awaits.

HIya everyone.I feel very silly.I have been peeing on sticks today because I have been having some weird symptoms the last few days.Of course sticks were negative.God knows if I have ovulated,if we bd around the right time.I mean for goodness sake Angi, you haven't had a period and why would you get preg so easily at the ripe old age of 42?I am a nutter!
But, after weird dreams,very sore right boob, strange taste in the mouth, odd cramping in the lower belly,nausea when I'm hungry....it got me thinking. I suppose if the symptoms keep happening I'll POAS again. All I know is we did the deed about 12 days ago(doesn't happen much these days!)
I didn't use FMU, had to go and buy tests, so maybe it's too early, but more likely I am a complete idiot eperiencing "phantom" pregnancy symptoms.
I hope all is going well in the ttc stakes for everyone.Sorry about the boring long post.
I'm actually quite disappointed.Would love to have a nice surprise(wouldn't we all).

Hi Angi, oh it would be so lovely if you were pg. I am very hopeful.
You may as well think you are until you know you definitely aren't. That should stop you doing things which are ill-advised whilst pg, like going out on a pub crawl with Russell Crowe or something.
When would you know? Silly question if you haven't had a period I s'pose.

Oo! I forgot to say! I did get to start the stimming drugs yesterday, the endometrium was 3.?? but below 4mm anyway. Yay! So now moving on to something else.
The doctor said he could only count 4 definite follicles, but he also said it was quite awkward to see. The nurse said she would expect me to produce 4 or 5 follicles at my age and based on my scans.
Let's prove her wrong, shall we!!!
Anyway, I only want one good one, the rest would just be a waste.
The doctor said it would be 10 to 12 days from yesterday until they collect the eggs to fertilise in vitro, so that's likely to be the 24th or 25th of August.