Feisty & Fabulous at 40+ more adventures of TTC

[gonepearshaped]

Actually now I feel guilty using up the last post of the thread - hope this will do as a continuation

ILGH sorry I meant to reply ages ago. I have considered returning to the acupuncturist I saw when I was going through IVF and it was very helpful - apart from in achieving a pregnancy.
What did you have for the sinusitus, did you get anything from the doctors?

Mabh yes definitely medal - 6 days on the trot and you haven't just started seeing each other, amazing!

Bluebell that's great news. Best of luck for a happy, uneventful pregnancy. I don't know if you were self-funding for AC, but if you were just think of the lovely money you have saved!!

Hi girls(well I still feel like one despite the wrinkles and fatigue!)How are you?

My LO is much better, back to his normal little rascal self.He's into everything and has two more teeth - all the better to bite my nipples! Bloody hell that hurts!

Well, sadly Mia's spell(fertility spell bought off ebay) didn't work within the twelve weeks like it was supposed to but she said she'll cast again...I hope it works this time.I know it sounds barmy, but I'll try anything!! Ghengis, we haven't heard from you in a while...Are you okay? Didn't you also get a spell from Mia?

Surely my fertility will return soon???My LO is 15 months...anyway, you've heard me moan enough about this.
I am trying not to be insensitive, so I apologise for moaning about this stuff when I already have a LO. I know some of you have been ttc for a long time, so please forgive me if I sound insensitive.

I am thinking of asking my acupuncturist to help me out, maybe she can tweak something to get things going?I dunno, can you do that if the body isn't doing it for itself?

I've stopped taking alot of the extra supplements, mainly because I have been busy with the sick boy and just so tired,couldn't be bothered.Not sure if I'll take the vitex again, as I did for a long time and it hasn't helped bring on ov or AF.I have heard that if you don't need it, it can mess up ovulation.I have also heard it helps if you have high prolactin, which I may have due to breastfeeding...it's all abit of a guessing game, maybe I should see a naturopath?Has anyone else gone down that road?

I hope everyone is feeling well. Mahb - 6 days is AMAZING! You must feel like a champion, either that or you'll be walking funny!

GL everyone, whether it is waiting to O,doing the baby dance, or waiting to test.

Morning all. rowing it was just the acupuncture that shifted the sinusitis - didn't get anything from the docs.

gumblossom acupuncture definitely worth a try. I think they may work on a particular meridien to "release" - think it's the liver although may be wrong, as well as on the more specific meridiens. Others will know better than me - I just remember the release one as I had acupuncture to help DS2 arrive when he was overdue. He came 2 days later. This, of course, was probably a coincidence!

AF on the way. This is DPO12 and I got a BFN on the clearblue - was hoping the spotting was implantation but it's more likely a sign of short luteal phase. Got my agnus castus and B6 at the ready and am going to see the ob-gyn to ask for advice on the progesterone cream. Lucky to have private health care here so can go straight to relevant doc instead of through GP in UK. Also,this month is supposed to be my month according to the psychic (I, too, will try anything!). She was spot on with DS3. With my cycle, though, her prediction will cover this and the next cycle so fingers crossed. I know this is completely irrational and ridiculous but never mind eh?

It's Eid so DH has 4 days off - family time. It'll be lovely, esp as DS1 feeling ok after his hernia op. DS3 still has horrid cold and wiping snot everywhere but he can't help it, being just 16months old.

Anyway, sorry for the me me me drivel, I'm off to get ready to go out. Have good Fridays all.

ILGH, I didn't realise your LO is practically the same age as my LO! So are you ttc no 4? Sorry if you already mentioned this, I can't remember everyone's details. I am also thinking you are not living in the UK, are you in the middle east somewhere? Or was it Italy? Did you see a psychic in person, or was it online?
Gosh, hope you don't mind all the prying?
What is Eid?
Sorry the spotting wasn't for implantation. I have heard so many women say that B6 sorted their luteal phase defect, hope it helps with yours.
Gotto go LO just hit the deck!

Hi guys... well DH was having to apply a bit of determination by day 5 or 6. Poor thing. I'm sure he'd normally love it, but he is very tired at the moment - he is a salesman and very busy pre-Christmas. We've been together for ten years .

Supplement-wise, I just take a high-strength multivitamin (vit A as betacarotene), extra folic acid, zinc and essential fatty acids. I'm very keen on the high-strength multi-vits as my experience with Optimum Nutrition people convinced me that the 100% RDAs are pretty pathetic. I don't tell the GP however as they toe the RDA line like it's going out of fashion. They are under-informed, I think.

I'm slightly wary of the herbal supplements with ttc. I don't have any hard examples, it's just that I'm not sure they've been tested in conjunction with each other/different diets and I don't want to upset the balance. But then, I don't (as far as I know) have any particular issues other than a slow thyroid (pass the jumper, please).

Ref. the spooky stuff, I am a bit, I suppose, and am a reiki practitioner. Similar effect to acupuncture, I think.

ILGH looking forward to hearing what your doc says about short LP. I am seeing my GP on monday and am going to ask to be referred to a consultant and pay. Read on-line about someone having clomid to really boost the first half of cycle and progesterone gel for the second half of the cycle (except yo keep taking it you don't just take it for 4 days like I did.) That would suit me and of course there's an adde chance of twins with clomid (my DH had a premanition that we would have twin boys - already got 2 DS's!!!!)

Anyway, you'll probably see your doc before I do cos i have to go through GP so we can compare notes.

We are such a funny bunch arn't we - we go from alterative therapy to regular medicine to on-line psychics - no one can say that we are not keen!!!

Love to all - enjoy the week-end. Whatever i do this week-end will be better than last week-end (vomiting bug!)

Hi Everyone,
Brief appearance just to say I've been scanning in between illness - DS went off again over the weekend turned out poor thing had an ear infecton and perforated his eardrum - to make things worse he was feeling better and I'd struggled along to a party with him when i noticed it . Antibiotics have done the trick tho and he's back to a vey cheeky almost 4 yea old! Gave me the bug tho, so on Tues when I should have been gearing up for a good old sess in the bedroom, my temp was 39.8. Yet another month down the drain I guess.
Gumblossom I will be emailing Mia this week as it's 3 cycles since the spell.
Back in the swing of it now, hope everyone has a good weekend xx

Hi all,
the horrible bugs have really gone to work on us haven't they!
Aaargh!
I still have sinus congestion, but at least have had a couple of decent nights sleep.
Starting to hate my non-antibiotics prescribing GP, but I don't think I am now bad enough to get anything like that.
Ghengis sorry to hear about your LO, but good news that he is all perky again. They are so scrumptious when they are four, my DS just turned 5 and he is hilarious.
Hippy good luck with the GP, we are beyond funny.

Looks like the bugs are visiting us too! I always thought we were a very healthy bunch, but in the last two weeks I have had my LO ill, then my 12 year old daughter, and I woke up feeling very crap this morning. I have a bad cold and my ear is aching. On top of that I awoke feeling very nauseous, but that has gone now, thank goodness. Wishing it is morning sickness, but know too well that it is highly unlikely, as you need to ovulate to get pregnant!!Ha,ha...
Ghengis, it's good to hear you are still here.Sorry your LO hasn't been well,and that you've been sick too.
I agree, Rowing, that is an adorable age. My LO is 15 months, and totally gorgeous, but I am always wondering what on earth to do with him, he only wants to play with all the things he isn't allowed to have! The tv remote, the telephone, my mobile phone,pens and markers, my laptop! He loves being outside, so I try to do that a bit, but of course, that needs close supervision.It would be fine if I had nothing else to do! I keep trying to get him interested in his toys, but he seems totally bored with them. Time to do some ebay shopping, maybe?

What's everyone else up to?

Gum poor you! I hope your ear gets better soon. It could be your balance that is making you feel groggy.
They are so gorgeous when they are little as well, but very hard work. I don't envy my friends who have children under two, they never get to finish a conversation...
I remember my DS was quite good at playing, but had to wear reins outside or would dive into the road/river/fire etc... He did play really well with weird things like boxes or polystyrene, but not so much 'proper' toys.

Hope the gumblossom household recovers quickly.

rowing - I found acupuncture helped last time I had a head cold. The other thing that helps when I have sinusitus is an old fashioned steam inhalation. Are you due to resume your treatment in December? Sorry my frazzled brain can't remember exactly.

AF did get me - but the good news is that I've at last returned to a normal cycle length (were either short or long post m/c) and I had no spotting before this one. Sad when you get overjoyed by such things!

TFLS well done you on the cycle length. What did you do, was it the acupuncture?

Acupuncture is tempting, but we have spent so much already and still have to pay for further treatment that I just don't think I can shell out £38 for the session.

Still didn't get the decorations out, cor so much for that idea. Anyone cracked yet?
Can't believe it's December tomorrow.
Shriek!

Evening all.

Saw the ob-gyn this morning and she was great! I said that we'd never had problems conceiving but I had now noticed I had what I thought may be a short luteal phase - gave her dates and told her about spotting from day 21 etc. She agreed it could be lpd and said that the treatment would be progesterone. She said I needed tests for LH and FSH from bloods taken on day 3 (which today - good timing!), and to call her when I detected LH surge on the OPK and she would scan my ovaries at ovulation. Then I need more bloods at day 21. So, had blood taken today and made an appointment for next Saturday which is when I expect OV to be. All good so far. Just hope the results are good. I'm lucky to have her I guess and I sort of know her too - her son is in DS1's class and her DH is the kids paediatrician. Bahrain a bit like that!

hippychick hope you have simialr luck. gumblossom - that's not prying . Am ashamed to say I have no idea what Eid is for - must look it up. The psychic was someone who specialises in birth predictions and you email her. She then e-mails back after a few days - you send a photo of yourself too and give details of the family you already have and mcs etc. Cost about 10 canadian dollars.rowing hope that sinus infection clears up soon. I second the steam inhalation too if acupuncture is out of the question. Cedarwood is nice.

Put our tree up today, was earlier than normal but boys have been begging. Had my Grade 5 singing exam today too. It's been busy!

Phew, sorry for the marathon post. Not too boring I hope.

Dear all

May I join you all (again) please?

Have been on the TTC 40+, then pregnant and knickerchecking, then miscarriage threads over and over again for the last two years and giving it a last gasp try (or maybe two) in the New Year, possibly via IVF this time, if we can rake the funds together.

bluebell am so happy for you!

Welcome Sussex, so sorry to hear of your recurrent miscarriages.How heartbreaking for you.

Well I did a really silly thing last night...I went looking for an opk in the bin that I'd tossed earlier without really looking, anyway, didn't find it, but did find an ept I took 4 days ago (I do them regularly, not because I feel preg or anything, just because I've no cycle to go by). I know you should never look at them once the time has passed, but I did, and I saw a really clear second line! I knew not to get too excited, but I was quite amazed as I'd never seen an evaporation line on a first response brand test. Anyway...the excitement has passed because it's definately an evap, as I did a test his am and it's definately negative.I actually enjoyed the excitement for a bit and it has reinforced that I really would like to get pregnant again.

I'm seeing the acupuncturist today, so will see what we can do to get things going.

How much does IVF cost in the UK? We're pretty lucky in Australia as it is heavily subsidised by medicare and I think we'd only have to pay about $2000.I won't go down that track, though, I'm lucky enough to have a large family, another would be lovely, but we won't do any ART.

ILGH, sounds like you have a really good obgyn, hopefully she'll sort out the lpd for you.

Rowing, I think our xmas decorations won't come out til a day or two before xmas with Destructo Charlie around! We'd have to put the tree behind barbed wire!And then he'd cut himself trying to get to all the pretty stuff!Not sure what we'll do yet.

I do hope some of us get a nice little present for christmas...

Hi everyone,

Sussex, boo that's awful! You must be so fed-up going over this so many times.
We have done two rounds of IVF and failed, but have frozen embryos from both rounds, so we are going back for a frozen transfer in January.
Please feel free to ask any questions if you are considering that option.

Gum that's great news, but please don't start looking through bins on a regular basis. I don't think I could have put up a tree when my DS was under three without dire consequences, but he's five now so I don't see him climbing it now.

ILGH thank you for the recommendation of cedarwood. I have been using saline irrigation, which does help a lot, but I think there are so many coughs and colds floating around that I keep being set-back by them. Can't wait for the Christmas break - two weeks of not being accosted by coughing children yippee.
Do you get much of a break over Christmas? Are you travelling anywhere?
That is good news about the gynae today, and perfect timing. How long until you get your FSH results?

Hi Sussex, sorry about how you've ended back up with us. Fingers crossed it'll be your lucky thread. I thought for one second I knew you as your profile sounds just like one of my friends. Checked out the photos though and your son has the "wrong" hair colour lol!

Not going anywhere for xmas, DS1 is 6 on 22nd and we may have a wee birthday tea.Trying to minimise the holidays etc as we are saving excess money to pay off mortgage asap so when we get back to UK I can afford not to go back to work in the horrible old City and can retrain as a midwife.

Think I should get the results for FSH and LH this week some time. Will probably bump into the doc on the school run!

And, yes, here's hoping for some lovely Christmas presents this year - BFPs.

ILGH - all sounds good. I went to GP and she said she thought it was still early days (5 months since coil out). But I pointed out that I'd had 6 cycles and as far as I knew I'd Ov'd all the time and just got AF on day 23 every time. She is writing a referral letter and I have an appointment at a private hospital on Saturday. I think he will say similar stuff and require similar blood tests. At least I'll feel like I'm doing something. As I said to the GP, "It just seems so pointless to keep trying when you know that the lining is going to come away before the poor little possible embryo stands a chance!"

Glad to have someone in the same boat though.
Welcome back to Sussex - sorry to hear about your last couple fo years. Hope this is the time for things to go right for you now.
Who was the other person who got a BFP at the same time as Tetley - I remember there being another one - are you still out there lurking?????.

Hi all. Had a lovely acupuncture session yesterday. She is working on my kidney yang, which apparently is depleted, so I have some herbs to help as well. I am really hoping it will help balance the "yang" and I will feel well and full of energy! Oh, and that I'll ovulate...My acupuncturist thinks I should consider weaning my boy as this is depleting my energy too, and obviously not helping in the ovulation factor.However, I am not that sure I am ready to do it.He really loves it, and I do too, though he is getting a bit demanding. I'd like to still do a bedtime feed, but not sure how to go from all the time to once a day!You'd think I'd know by now.I'll head over to the weaning section on MN soon.

Hippy, glad to hear you'll see a specialist, hopefully they can sort things out for you.

Off to research "kidney yang deficiency"...

All this talk of Xmas decorations really brings it home how close we are. Haven't done decorations but am half way through the xmas card marathon. DD can't quite get the concept of opening one window a day on the advent calendar. Think we are going to have to blu-tack the windows down that she's opened ahead of time

Wish me luck ladies, hycosy this afternoon....

spiral good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Gum I'm glad to hear you are feeling good after your acupuncture, but I do have to say there are areas of this method which are a bit 'out there'. I actually think your practitioner is being slightly irresponsible in advising you to stop weaning. Personally, I wouldn't be too quick to rush into weaning because of depleted yang, without really checking out the other information sources and research from the other health professionals.
YOu are really helping your LO to fight infection, and protecting yourself from ovarian and breast cancer by extending your bfing.
Anecdotally my AF returned completely when I introduced solids at 26 weeks, it was regular as clockwork straight away even though my LO fed like a baby possessed, which may mean nothing, but could mean your cycle being erratic is not related to bfing. It would be a shame to stop and then find it makes no difference to your cycle.
It does seem some people take longer to go back to normal after having a baby and some people are changed after having babies. I know two of my friends changed after baby no. 2. One now has thyroid issues and the other is diabetic.
What have your doctors said about your hormone levels?

I know you are right Rowing, and my instincts tell me to continue breastfeeding. I don't really want to wean, but I would like to spend a bit less time with him on the boob, which I am sure I can achieve if I put my mind to it.It is just a matter of distracting him I think.
As for my hormones, last time I talked to my Dr he told me that I should just be patient, there's no hurry.I had many other blood tests and I know my thyroid,blood sugar etc is all normal and fine.
The thing I have a problem with is patience, I simply don't have it where this is concerned.I worry about time running out, but I know I shouldn't...can't help it.

Spiral, how did the hycosy go? I hope it was all okay.

ILGH, have you got your results yet(the fsh and lh)?

gumblossom my practioner suggested I had a look at this site (apparently you are meant to eat more of a Yin diet pre ovulation and a Yang diet post ovulation):

Yin and Yang diet

Second/proper catch up post. I clearly can't multi task.

sussexoldspot - so sorry to hear about your tough couple of years. But welcome and lovely to have you on board here.

rowing I'm crediting the acupuncture for getting my cycle back but then again maybe it was just mother nature and would have happened anyway.... But slightly weird results this time as already got a High reading on the CBFM on days 6 and 7. Very early for that... so maybe the yo-yo continues?

ILGH glad the appointment went well. I'd find it very strange to bump into my doctor like that! Must be very friendly but potentially a bit claustrophic at times?

Ditto well done for getting the ball rolling hippy.

Spiral hope today went well.