Hut of Gl/Doom, lost count of the number coz its been so long - optimists need not apply!

[OracleInaCoracle]

Couldn't find the hut but in dire need of a hideout away from all those "its been 2 months" and "am I pregnant" threads.

For those of us who've been burnt by ttc, can't get pregnant, can't stay pregnant or are sick of hearing the "just relax" refrain.

Leave your hope at the door and grab a gin, we are back in the speakeasy with meths on tap!

Hehe another hospital visit for me missed out on a forest day today at nursery as the hospital wouldn't re arrange my appointment but hey ho! Have just found a massive bruise from yesterday's injection too! Dear me I'm falling apart.

In other news... There isn't any really... Hope everyone had a good weekend, AF starting here there any everywhere so looks like we're all game for another shot at the illusive baby making....

Can I come in to the hut? I dont know if i meet the criteria

Hello all. Well I've taken the plunge and deactivated my facebook, I just needed the space.

Hello BB, if you are having significant difficulty ttc and are at the point of having strangers stare at your fanjo, you are in the right place. Tell us about yourself...
carrie I did that for a while. Felt lots better for it.
marbles how are you sweetness?
pink sorry to hear about the evil witch :( but glad you have something positive to focus on with your course.
We are doing quite well I think...not too much detail but I think we've had a fair crack at it this cycle. Reckon I'm about to start the tww....

Hi girls.

I'm assuming i'll be back to normal cycle again after the chemical pregnancy. So AF should be here anytime between Weds and Fri. My boobs are hurting, but that's also a usual pre-af sign for me so not reading anything into it.

I'm not doing so well generally. Had a sort of falling out with a couple of friends who I feel have been a little thoughtless, but to be honest I'm so skewed at the moment I don't know if i'm over-reacting.
I've been very low during the week, and now I have no concentration and am really struggling with some every day things. At the weekend I was shopping with DH and DS and went to the cashpoint. 20 mins later realised I didn't have the cash and really frightened myself when I realised I could remember putting my card in, I remember covering the number pad - I don't remember putting my pin in - I remember pressing the amount I wanted and then I can't remember anything until about a minute later when I opened the door to a shop. I'd obviously removed my card (i have that) and walked away without taking my cash.
This has scared me because that is so totally out of character. I was so upset we abandoned the walk we planned because I just wanted to come home.

I feel like I should go to the GP but i'm not sure how to explain how I feel or what I expect him to do about it.

phoenix does it count if they have in the past?! Basically I have one DC, struggled to have him for 14 arduous long months in that time my fanjo did indeed get viewed by a stranger. Have now been ttc 16 months have irregular cycles (12-58 days) not sure if i ovulate or what each time... Ha a scan which showed a for want of a better term 'manky' ovary, however blood tests have not confirmed this (mainly as my docs will not do this on the right days from what i can google!) anyhow the added complication in this is that my docs will not explore me further (how wrong does that sound?!?) as i am overweight an now as i have a DC. I have tried OPKs but im not sure they are compatible with whatever is wrong with me, or that i do them right aha! Anyway all that gabble done i don't know if i have any 'right' to be here, and i honestly dont mind if anyone feels this isnt the right place as my problems seem quite insignificant when written down

BB no you stick here with us. It's a very supportive place to be.
I'd push for a referal to have further tests to be honest. Just because you have a child already is no reason to deny you that. I have a 6 year old DS, and my GP referred me as soon as my first year of unsuccessful TTC had passed.

In my experience you need to gen up on both NICE guidelines and your local PCT rules - go in armed with knowledge and point out to them what you should be entitled to.
I've had my own problems with my Consultant and so I know it can be draining to keep pushing, but we'll support you if you feel you would like to do that.
Could you see another GP in the practice or move to a different surgery?

Hehe Phoenix I think you misunderstood me when I was talking about AF I wasn't talking about me mine came and went to weeks ago I was on about everyone else and AF looming over the hut right now

I went for my scan today one dominant follicle (not as many as last time but ones all it takes) size 24mm woohoo anything between 18mm and 26mm is considered good on a medicated cycle so triggered about an hour ago and a nice bit of swi everyday this week hubby is on night shifts so home from work early for me Thursday Friday hehe

Welcome to the hut BB everyone is welcome as long as you enjoy tea biscuits and/or wine

Sorry your feeling low queen maybe go to the gp and see what he suggests might b able to shed some light might b worth a shot x

Thanks queen Im glad i didn't want to make anyone annoyed along the lines of should be grateful etc (been told that in RL!) as I am but general boards ( general life!!) seem to be making me a bit, well, bitter

I actually found myself wailing to DH yest (AF arrived at cycle day 58 so a month late having had sickness oral thrush etcetc) that "it wasnt fair that X just shits babies out like a chicken with an egg"

I moved GPs due to a disagreement regards my issues, current gps are quite good have explored what they can however they (and previous consultant) both state no further investigation until my weight improves. I am keen to loose weight for my health self esteem etc however the stubborn part of me is stating the fact that i was 6lb heavier when i concieved my DS...

I should also mention that I had a miscarriage at 17 and 19, but at that time my cycles still were not regular (was on the pill - naive user error) so to my mind my cycles have never been regular by themselves...

I am taking 500mg of EPO as well as vit c zinc multi vit iron and folic acid i was aking agnus castus but ive been made aware it could be doing more harm than good! I should come clean and say that i am not reliable at taking the many supplements, an also that DH probably do need to step up the sex however i blame my state of mind for that one!

Thanks pink xposts!

Hello everyone! Seems busy on the board tonight so thought I'd pop in.

AF has now been AWOL since June last year so I'm literally counting the weeks until my next app with the consultant!

Hope everyone is doing ok, on my phone so can't look back and comment individually but just want to say how much I like popping in here, there's no one in RL who really 'gets it' like you ladies do

BB - agnus castus is a really powerful herbal medicine and it can definitely make any problems you are having worse. I have a friendly medical herbalist who helped me to get my cycles on track as I was irregular when I came off the pill (long cycles, I had the same when TTC ds). I did self medicate with agnus castus several years ago, but that was before I learnt a lot more about herbal medicine. If you have underlying hormonal problems then herbal medicine to help with it is a far more refined art.
Has anyone raised the possibility of PCOS with you? I'm not an expert on it, so not sure if it's something you should be querying.

I have the opposite weight issue to be honest. I am underweight by the BMI standards, but I have always been very slender and I don't look ill or dreadfully skinny. My GP did suggest that putting on a bit of weight may help but I just find it very hard to gain. I can understand that them focusing on your weight may seem a little unfair but maybe you need to view it as something you can take control of and also stick two fingers up to them and say 'i'll show you!'
Unfortunately to some degree with the NHS you have the play the game. Doesn't make it fair though.

Hi flixy, oh goodness i bet u ant wait!

Queen PCOS has been diagnosed by my lovely gp but her surgery guidelines wont allow me to be formally diagnosed as bloods dont match?! So basically PCO without the S? I hadnt realised with AC it could hinder, am wondering perhaps i EPO and other vits an also hinder?! So clueless

Weight is a point of much for me, i loose a bit and it stays of it just takes a long time, i have some concerns re insulin etc as i am aware it plays its part with PCO and I was gestationally diabetic, so I think whatever i have isnt helping on that front!

Am having a smear next week ( so lucky arent i?!) which i hope will get certain fears out o the way, and am throwing myself into some diet and exercise so almost giving myself this month 'off' with a view to going hell for leather thereafter?!

The funniest thing about the statement ive just made... In the back of my mind... Im thinking 'yeah month off, will be relaxed, trick body' truly loopy

Anyway enough of me! 'who' are you all?

You're in the right place BB. The other vitamins should be fine although I think I read you should only take EPO for half your cycle can't remember which half! Maybe take for the first half as it increases CM?
I'm phoenix / phee / flamey . Been ttc for dc#1 for 2 years at Christmas. Male infertility issues due to a prolactin producing growth on his pituitary - it lowers testosterone and so reduces sperm count/motility. Now on treatment to shrink growth and he seems much better. We hadn't really been trying since August when FR got his blood resultant through but now we are. I'm feeling optimistic that it might happen soon!
I too am overweight - by a couple of stone - I am doing the Paul Mckenna system. Tis brilliant. Had been on diets for years. Now I'm not counting points/calories but eating what I want, enjoying it but still losing weight and feel motivated to exercise!

Hi BB Welcome to the hut - a real help at times :) I have been through a load of treatments and out the other side - no longer TTC as there is sod all chance. Planning to look into adoption later this year, but I am currently house hunting, it's very exciting.

Hope everyone is well, I've really not been thinking about pregnancy/babies recently. I have a childfree aunt, who has an amazing social life, and constantly goes off on holiday etc. Someone to model myself on... I'm sure there will be another pregnancy announcement soon to kick me in the teeth though.

Hi delilah hi phoenix im glad im in the right place!

Ah i think i will limit EPO then! This is the thing with DIY homeopathy i seem to be doing it wrong!!
Wow delilah house hunting im we moved in here a year ago, i love moving! Want to buy next though so i feel we will be here a while! Adoption is something I've thought about as the fertility issues have continued i have seen first hand how worthwhile it can be, its an amazing process.

Phoenix my DH had similar tests his came back fine which then compounded my guilt!

This is the side of ttc that so many don't see, the side where it really is hard. Thats the kick in the teeth for me, the way everyone else takes it so lightly!

Is paul mckenna the one you do in your sleep? I quite fancy that!

When eating you follow 'the rules': eat when you're hungry,stop when you're full, eat consciously and eat what you want. Then you listen to a mind programming cd. I listen as I go to sleep.
The trouble with infertility is it's not talked about. I told a friend who has a one year old about our troubles, she admitted ds had been 2 years in the making cos she has PCOS! there's such a taboo around it though isn't there?!
I would suggest you Google any supplements you think about taking along with conception. I certainly would say don't take the agnus castus unless being supervised by an expert. I think EPO is good for encouraging early cycle cm but can hinder implantation...does anyone else know? I have just avoided it since I get plenty of cm generally.

this is the kind of thing I've read before...

Ah thats really interest i must admit that I had had more EWCM but had attributed it to AC now i know its EPO, i think i will stick to the advice and only take it pre ov. Altho given i don't know when I will ov i will probably just take it to cd 14?! And hope my body plays ball! I have a ton of OPKs (bought in bulk) but have had conflicting advice as to whether I can use them?!

You are right there is definitely a taboo, I'm quite candid about it but its been somewhat to my detriment! MIL had (surprisingly) been quite good, even offering to try and get me clomid... Did point out that would be risky / illegal bless her!
I think the problem is its either not spoken of or spoken of so insensitively!

Ah mckenna sounds interesting I'm currently calorie counting (well have an app that does) and am doing ok on it altho have had a few lapses, i fond emotion = eating for me (stereotypical comfort eater me!) i am slowly changing the behaviour though and realising longterm its not making me happy!

I do try and be supportive of RL friends hut IMO they don't make it easy!! One friend doesn't believe in talking about conception.. and is very what is meant for you wont pass you by (I cant be so passive i hate loss of control) another is very ive been trying a month I'm not pg boo hoo...(knowing full well my issues) and another 2 have had babies but as they are the wrong se they have been disappointed, one had a traumatic birth and friend constantly say this is why the baby is difficult, she cant love her like she loves her son... I keep telling myself to be kind etc but its on equal measure!!

Where is everyone else in the processes?

BB i've been through all the tests, diagnosed with blocked left tube with hydrosalpinx. Was scheduled for lap and dye at the beginning of Dec. Found out I was pregnant on the morning of my pre-op assessment and lost it a week later. Have now been removed from surgery list for three months as 'having had a biochemical pregnancy it seems one of my tubes is working' and they are waiting to see if I conceive again.
generally my Consultant is an arse and I spend a lot of time in the Hut moaning about him!

Aw queen sorry to hear that, it hard to loose something you want so badly! I mc myself in apr or at least i got a positive on a test on the 6th and started bleeding the 7th... It doesnt get any easier to deal with does it? I think the prob with doctors is as its their job they lack the human factor

I'm ttc with second child. I have a DD from a previous. Before I had her I had misscarriages, ovarian cysts and an ectopic so down to one tube. Oh and had surgery when 19 for a condition called pelvic congestion and was diagnosed with endometriosis at that time and told to have children before I was 30. DD is about to turn 6 and I am 32.Time is ticking and its not happening. Its only been a year of TTC but due to my history I have already been referred. Had two lots of cycle blood tests which came back that I am ovulating and partner has had his test and fine other than high PH but my doctor didn't know what that meant. Having problems with periods and have had a positive test a few months back but period two days later so not sure if I was or wasn't lol. Anyway that's all my stuff. Oh and been bumped up the list at the hospital as well due to complex history so going there the 14th of Feb

Wow carrie sounds like you are having a tough time! At least you will be seen soon, hopefully get some answers

We've been very half heartedly TTC since last June, when I came off the pill, but only half heartedly as I know I have high prolactin levels which is stopping me ovulating and having periods so, bar some miracle, I can't really conceive at the moment!

Have been seeing a consultant annually for the past 5 years or so and so far I've had a CT scan to rule out any tumour and that was all clear. Have my next appointment in 8 weeks and I'll be asking (demanding?!) for treatment to regulate my hormone levels and hopefully I'll be TTC with gusto!

As I said in earlier posts, I like coming to the hut as none of my friends are TTC and my DH has a daughter from a previous relationship who was a 'happy accident' so he doesn't really get the whole 'struggling to conceive' thing.

Blimey flixy i would also demand help, from what i can gleam clomid seems to be whats routinely prescribed where I am (south) altho i suppose there must be allsorts available! Hoping for luck for all those that need it anyway! My AF is weird this month... Started really heavy and awful on CD3 an seems to be trailing off... Most peculiar! Such fun eh