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

TFLS I can't really see the needles because she starts on my feet and ankles and moves up. I find that if I try to move around I seem to get jabbed by the needles that are already in.
I was a bit tense last week because I was expecting the jangly feeling when she puts the needles in, so she put the one in between my eyebrows in first - for calmness. It did seem to help because I shut my eyes straight away.
What is the sensation like for you, when the needle hits the correct spot?
Do you know which organs the needles are affecting if that makes sense?
My lady put two needles in for my ovaries and she puts some in my ankles and wrists, but not sure what they are for.
Hmm, must ask a few more questions tomorrow.
I hope she puts in extra needles for my ovaries tomorrow, got to get those two eggbabies in tiptop condition. Oh and the endometrium, get that sorted.
Fruit my commiserations about the WOD - boo! [Hits AF over the head with a large Gladstone bag.]
Is there a live chat on Mumsnet, it would be nice to do something like that, we could talk about acupuncture and temperatures.

Hi thefatladyscreams. No, my baby daughter is my second. My eldest baby is 21 this year!! lol

Morning Ladies (it's morning here in Oz).When I had accupuncture I didn't mind seeing the needles go in, but for some reason I always found the ones in my thumbs would really hurt if I moved at all.I would actually tense up before she put them in and sometimes she'd have to do them twice to stop it hurting.All the other ones didn't hurt at all.I didn't enjoy having them in my back,and when I was pregnant(up to the three days before birth)I found lying on my side for more than 20 minutes was too hard.
I do love that warm relaxed sensation that washes over me when I get it done.I am finding really hard to get back there because of Charlie.I am really precious about putting him into daycare, so I have to wait til DH is available.Luckily he's a teacher and can get home by 4.But I work two afternoons a week when he gets home.
Do you find it is hard to juggle everything? Especially those of you having fertility treatment.I suppose it becomes a focus doesn't it, a priority, and I think when ttc, it is good to be busy.
Yuck, just read over my post and it is all"I" this and "I" that! Sorry.
Hope all is well.Still waiting to hear all about Mia's spell.I am intrigued!

Missy, wow that's a big break! Was your DD1 a a handful, or were you busy doing lots of other interesting things?

Angi the thumbs are hard. Do you ever get a bit of stiffness in your hands after? The first time my left thumb was achey for a couple of days, but the next time it was OK.

I find that juggling keeps my mind off the IVF and TTC in general.
I work three evenings and one day at the weekend, to fit round DS. The rest of the day is spent going out on a lot of play date type things or on outings with the grandparents so it's a bit hectic, which means very little time to do housework dwell on the treatment. Probably just as well as I do tend to obsess.
As long as I manage to remember the injections I think I'm doing well.

Angifi - DD was entirely natural and entirely unexpected. Weren't ttc but weren't taking precautions as we didn't think it could happen at my age. DH gave up smoking and 2 mths later I thought I had caught the gastric flu that was going round the office at the time but it turned out to be DD or should that be at my ignorance of pg symptoms?

Hi all, back from acupuncture. It was a bit nippy tonight, and I'm not sure what's happening next week because of the scan on Monday.
It could be that the hossy will give me a date for egg collection and I might not be able to fit in another pin pricking before that day.
The acupuncturist told me one of the points she jabbed is called point of the child or something, it's around the point of the hips on either side.
Ooo, and there was one just above my naval that she forgot to take out tonight.
So now I have a little (bent) pin to do acupuncture on myself. [screwed up face]
Anyone want a bit of acupuncture [brandishes bent pin]

Ow Rowing! My guy hasn't left any needles in yet - I hope he doesn't! One thing that made me smile (somewhat wryly) is that he told me I'd mentioned 'being in control' three times since I came into the room, so was targeting a point on the top of my foot to help me 'let go' a little. Hmm ...

Another one back from acupuncture today.

at leaving one in rowing. Maybe it's a little extra for luck! Let's hope it does the trick for Monday. I keep getting the one between my eyebrows - she obviously thinks I need to relax .... She also focuses on my stomach and feet/lower legs but I don't know which links with which area. I've had some in my hands angifi which I found odd when I went to scratch my nose. I get a short sharp feeling when she adjusts them and sometimes a feeling like an electric current. I mentioned to her the different language acupuncturists seem to use and she commented that the more poetic language is more Chinese in origin which was interesting.

I have a similar age gap with my brother missy8c. I remember thinking it was really cool when I was young. Now I just think we're both old!

Forgot to ask kiwi - did it work? If so, I'll start massaging the top of my foot!

Hi everyone,

dropping in for my usual brief catch up. good to "see" you all. Well, puregon didn't turn out to be the miracle wonder drug i hoped it was. I am most definitely not pregnant! And as i am now far from my gynae "friend" who bu**ered off to norway for 3 weeks without telling me, this month will be ttc completely au naturel - no injections, no clomid, no hormones, nothing! i haven't even invested in grapefruit juice. I'm convincing myself that all this is much more likely to lead to a pregnancy...not sure if reverse psychology or slowly losing the plot...

Kiwi, oh is off back home on the 29th so would love to meet up after that as will be much more free. which part of london are you in? i'm in wimbledon. I'm heading off for a week in deepest suffolk tomorrow so won't be able to get on MN probably. let's see what we can organise when i get back.

Rowingboat...DD1 was a handful but tbh the main reason for the big gap was that I was doing other stuff, mainly career building (yawn). DD1's dad and I split when she was young and I later married a guy who didn't want kids. We divorced 4 years back and I'm now with a partner 8 years my junior with o other kids, hence DD2
Gosh, I sound like someone from the Jeremy Kyle show!! LMAO
Tetleytea...good luck with the natural approach!

Not at all Missy. More like an interesting romantic novel. You haven't appeared on daytime TV have you?!
I think that is adorable, to meet someone and...DD2!

TFLS I have quite a few in my feet and two at the inner side of my knees were added yesterday, it sent a shock down my leg.
I think I will check out the points in a book so see what she is doing - or just ask?

Tetley, you could be right about the stepping off the accelerator, could be just what you need.

Where's Grownup? How is the TCM going??? Who else was doing TCM, there was definitely somebody...hmmm.....!

Hello everyone,

I've been lurking as they say just so much going on at the mo and this TTC is like a hobby I need to devote more time to but can't.
I'm doing the TCM herbs Rowing (when I remember to take them - that's not going to do it) have stopped acupuncture for the mo due to holidays but will probably start again, quite a lot to shell out though. My guy is Chinese and doesn't really say anything the Randine Lewis book is excellent though, wish I could go and see her. I've changed my thermometer binned the ear one - no good for anything. The needle in the base of the thumb is a liver meridian and for stress/ anxiety it always hurts the most for me.
We've put our house on the market and the first viewing I opened the door to an 8 mnth pregnant lady - looked bigger than that to me and lo and behold she went into labour the same day and had a boy! Hope when they are recovered they buy and please let it be a sign! Talking of hocus pocus I looked up Mia's spell which is on Ebay and you can buy them apparently she has had a write up in P & B a good mag. I think it's all on the lines of positive thinking and I won't knock anything. I cried when I saw the photo of the tiny baby.
Glad to see you back Sprial although I will call you inspiral as I wouldn't have gone to the Docs if it wasn't for your story. We are waiting for the clinic to give us an appointment now. TCM says though that kidney yang deficancy is the most likely reason as you age not to concieve and I'm slowly doing the things they suggest.
Ddilemma Where are you in Wiltshire I am between Chippenham and Bath if you would like to meet up when the new term starts.
We are also off to France next week - it's been a favourite with the Feisty over 40's this year I see.
Oh by the way cycle this mnth was 24 days much better than 17 and FSH test negative so all seems well. Just got tender b**bs which is a sign of low progesterone I think even though tests from Docs were fine - does anyone know of a cure for this?

Good Luck to all over the next couple of weeks.Babydust to all.

Hi Summer thanks for the info on the thumb needle, so do you think they all do the thumb one?
I agree it is quite expensive for acupuncture and I couldn't afford to go every week - it's just because of the IVF. Although today though I was thinking that I would miss it, it does seem to make an immediate difference.
Do you miss going for acupuncture?
The lady I see is so nice and doesn't just try to improve my chances at IVF, she also addresses the side-effects of the drugs. It could just be that it is lovely to go and tell somebody about your aches and pains and to have them really listen.
I'm very pleased about yesterday, I told her I was feeling bloated, just like that horrible PMS type bloating and today it has gone! Cool!
That sounds like a great improvement in your cycle length, what do you think the length of your luteal phase is now?
I can't help with the progesterone dip, have you looked at any herbal remedies? Agnus Castus is good at balancing hormones and helps with PMS type symptoms. Don't know if that would help at all.

Summer, have you thought about using a progesterone cream in the 2nd half of your cycle?I used a wild yam cream.Some creams have other stuff in them, which is best avoided (in case you are preg), so look for one that is simple and herbal.I think if you have a seriously low progesterone, then a doc can prescribe it, but the cream is easily bought without a prescription.It is supposed to help pms too.
Is any one taking evening primrose oil? I think that is good for reproductive health too. When I was ttc I took that and vitex too.Now I am taking only a breastfeeding sup and fish oil as I don't want to pass anything on to Charlie.
I think Charlie has got wind of the fact that I'd like my menses to return, cos he seems to be BFing more than ever! He is trying to cut first teeth (and he turns one tomorrow!I wish the teeth would just sprout already!)so I think the sucking is for comfort(his, not mine, it is getting ouchy!).I suppose I could try weaning him, but really just want him to take the lead, and feel that is more important than a "possible" pregnancy that might not eventuate.
I looked up Mia's spell and promptly bought one! I can't help myself, and how can it hurt?It was very inexpensive and I just loved reading all the testimonials...
Rowing, I love that about my accupuncturist too.She is a great listener and seems to know what my body needs.
I envy all you folk popping over to France for a holiday! I would love to visit there, but for me it is a 24 hour flight! It must be lovely.

Hi ladies, left on a bit of a cliffhanger with the Mias Spell thing, we've been to suffolk for a couple of days by the sea (and miracle - didn't rain!)
I came acroos the spell thing the other day when i googled 'fertility', and followed a few links including one on another well known parenting website.......anyway for a couple of quid I too thought sod it - yes it is prob just a big coincidence that people who are trying all they can to get pg are getting pg, but the testimonials are great and the dreamy gemini bit of me says 'why not?' So will be spell casting tomorrow, and will keep you posted - Angifi look forward to hearing how yours goes too!
I don't have any more acup until 2 weeks time, as at end of cycle, but I usually have 2 in either thumbs or wrists, feet & ankles and 1 in top of head and a couple in my tum - sometimes with a burning joss stick thing on top just for added weirdness....but i love it and I only get a sharp sensation when the needles first go in, then nothing. My man did say that some people are much more sensitive to the treatment, and it's not unusual to have residual sensation for a couple of days.
Summer wd love to meet after hols, I'm guessing you must be Corsham/Box, I'm just the other side of Chippenham.
Hope everyone's having good weekends, I'm off now to see U2 in cardiff so if I am pg he/she/they'll be their youngest fan!!

Hope the spell works for all trying it. I'm sure the positive thinking along is worth the time.

Good luck with the house selling summersky. You're probably more of a domestic godess that me - but I hated the massive clean up operation before viewings . Have a great holiday.

I think there is a lot to be said for the reverse psychology approach tetley. Hope you have an indulgent time in Suffolk.

Does anyone else doing TCM have their tongue and pulse measured? My tongue was a very bruised colour post m/c and I went through a couple of days of sticking out my tongue in the mirror every morning. Even found a DIY tongue diagnosis website

It has helped though as my acupuncturist can see the improvements in my tongue colour/coating from my health kick which helped motivate me that it was worth it when my metabolism went haywire post m/c and I started putting on weight despite eating really well.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Enjoy the concert ddilemma - love the idea of a little sneak concert goer!

Forgot to say angifi - my dog is on evening primrose oil for an allergy. I'm eyeing up his tablets now .....

Ooo TFLS I'm off to analyse my tongue now. Any tips about fertility and tongue analysis??
It's a bit dark to see it now, better do it in the morning. [gets out hand mirror in readiness]

if my memory serves me, the evening p.oil is taken in the 2 weeks up to ovulation, I think it helps with cervical mucus. some say that taking it after ov isn't a good idea because it may affect pregnancy, but i can't remember why. sorry, no capital letters today,charlie just broke the shift key on the left.

My accupuncturist also looks at my tongue and does the pulse.She was able to tell me I was pregnant from my pulse last time, and i believe they can also tell the sex, but she couldn't with me.

Ddilemma, i'm so jealous of you going to a u2 concert.You lucky thing!

Lovely to catch up on all your news and views. Tetley, would love to meet up some time, I'm in the East End. Anyone else in or close to London? It is one of my fantasies that we all meet up for a very boozy lunch (ironic, considering most of us are doing little, if any, drinking right now) and swap stories while we laugh and weep. But you're all just so damn far away!

I'm intrigued about this progesterone thing. How would you know if you had low progesterone? One thing about this thread, you all give me loads of things to think about and investigate - I find it very stimulating.

Re the needles, I told my guy that the one on my left shin felt like a 'minor note' when he twiddled it, which I thought he'd understand, having something of a poetic bent, but he implied that I was a bit odd, and he had no idea what I was talking about. I do like him though, that was just an isolated incident. But boyo boy! Isn't it expensive?!

Kiwi - Wow that's amazing that she could tell you were pg. I vaguely remember that your blood increases or something when you are pg, so perhaps your heart has to beat faster to move it all around. I'm sure my blood pressure was higher than usual when I was pg.
Just rambling here.

I'm a bit too far away, but most of my family live in Essex and Kent, and I should come down South and see them at some point. I will keep you posted about that...

Angi the EPO is taken in the first two weeks to improve the cervical mucous and to improve the uterine lining. It causes the uterus to contract, which is not ideal if you are pg, so it should only be taken in the first two weeks or until ovulation.
I used to take around 2000mg a day and it does make a difference, the CM lasts longer too.
Grapefruit juice thins CM as well as does expectorant cough medicine containing gaufenisin (sp)

Come south, come south! Or north, depending on where you live, but come to see me!

I've been doing a bit of research into this low progesterone thing, and I think that's what's going on with me. My waking temperature has always been pretty low, and my temp during the luteal phase has been low too, but every time I've brought it up, every single doctor has said that it's nothing to worry about. However, looking over my charts - which I must admit, I've been pretty slap dash about keeping - in every one there is a real pattern of low temps, moving to low temps, which Toni Weschler says is typical of someone not producing enough progesterone. Sarah Dobbyn, author of the fertility diet, recommends sweet potato, flax seeds and vitamin b6, so I've been doing quite a bit of that, and she also recommends vitex, aka unicorn root, so I'm going to look into that as well. I've also been thinking about the progesterone cream, but would appreciate a bit of advice. Is there any way that using this could stuff things up in any way? If my cons found out I'd be using it, would he say "good God, woman, what were you thinking?"

Thank heavens for you lot, my very own encyclopedic database!

Hope you're all enjoying this glorious sunshine today.

Kiwi agnus castus is also know as vitex. I think that's what they call it in the US.
It does regulate irregular cycles, by balancing the hormones in favour of progesterone.
There's quite a bit of research available on the effects of agnus castus, it's quite widely used for menopause symptoms as well.
Wild yam supplement may affect progesterone as well, again lots of research, but it seems a bit undecided.
If you have had bloods done they have probably measured progesterone. Was your day 21 test OK? You can ask for a print out to see how it looks.

I would be coming South because I'm in Scotland.

Gals!

DDilemma - how were Bono et al? Big I bet!

TFLS - LOL at you thinking of nicking your dog's eve primrose! Hmmm the tongue thing sounds v interesting. I daren't look at mine! What's the tongur website you found? Will give me another thing to obsess about!

Hiya Kiwi - yes the acup. is expensive innit? I had to stop my sessions as DH has gone self employed and it's credit crunch chez nous! The acup was v sweet about it, said when I'm off the clomid, she;ll do some cheap sessions for me - I think I'm her personal challenge! And unicorn root - woooo, never heard of that, sounds magical - good luck!

Hey, the noo Rowing me ole mucker! Whereabouts in Scotland? My rellies are from Glasgow although we're now in Wales. How's your lil folliclys wollicklys??

I'm thinking about moving on with my life. But ask me again next week! xx