Can anyone help me? I need all your knowledge and experience

[witherhills]

Feeling completely lost.
Been TTC for 3 years, 2 early miscarriages.
I have one DS(4) who was conceived first month of trying
I am nearly 42
Been to the Bridge Clinic for tests and really unhappy with treatment/diagnosis.

The consultant has assumed that because of my age, my eggs would be the problem. AMH of 0.48 pmol has confirmed this. I use OPK's and see the LH surge every month
But that's it, no other hormone tests.
Next step is hycosys to check tubes. And then make the decision about IVF/ICSI. No mention of clomid, he talked about ovary stimulation with injections( is this normal?)
Is it worth it?
Do I need to insist on more hormone tests, FSH etc
My GP did send me for blood tests which included FSH, apparently results are normal, no level given, hopefully the nurse is ringing me this afternoon to explain.
I am absolutely devastated at the thought of no more children. DH says we will do anything.
I am also reading about follicles and eggs and scans. And this is going to cost a fortune, not the £3k that seems to be for one round of IVF, £500 for ovulation stimulation.

if anyone has any knowledge, advice or experience I would be really grateful for any help at all
thanks

I don't really have a clue but I just wanted to say hello and give you some sympathy. I've seen you around on the forums a bit. You'd be very welcome in the hut (most active IF thread) for general support. We're all having ttc/infertility issues and would be a good place to bend an ear.
In terms of your situation, I don't know about the specifics of your choices but if you don't have enough information to make an informed decision about how you progress, you have a right to get more information. I think you should push for more tests and more information. Hth.

Hi, Very similar situation myself. Im 41 and began to go to fertility clinic in Liverpool.
Prior to that i was messed around at my local hospital, they did blood tests that showed that i did not ovulate...they suggested clomid. I didnt take it as they did not suggest any follow up, just gave me the instructions and sent me on my way.
Then i went to Liverpool, my GP reffered me.
They did tons of blood tests, not sure what they were but some where to do with hormones. Each test came back ok, and they did not recommend clomid.

They told me that there were no further tests available to me, no treatment and no answers.
So here i am, aged 41 and nowhere else to go. I have an 8 year old, who will be an only. It is horrendous, but i have accepted it now. Its over for me.

I would urge you to push, harder for tests, to speak to your consultant and ask for clear concise explanations about what all the tests mean, ask for them printed so that you can take them away and look them up.
It seems that you do not have a complete picture which you need to make sense of it all.
Good luck x

Ok the reason clomid hasn't been mentioned is that low amh is a indication of egg reserve, therefore you don't have time to hang around (or that is how IVF Hammersmith explained it to me.)
AMH is also an indication of how you are likely to respond to the drugs as well, and again low amh normally means that you need higher doses to respond.
So yes what he is trying to say is that your amh level indicates that cracking on is required, you don't have time to maybe see if other methods work, especially if you are paying and your best value for money may be to go straight to ivf.

@witherhills I think you might invest a lot emotionally, physically and financially when your age is going to make pregnancy with own eggs statistically unlikely. I had a son 8 yrs ago with own eggs at 39 and then did subsequent unsuccessful cycles clinging onto hope that it'd work because I'm slim, healthy, look young for my age etc but then I accepted that I needed donor eggs which worked first time and has honestly made all the grief and angst melt away. It might not be for you and you'll have lots of people telling you to take vitamin pills, tests etc...which you might want to explore but honestly I so wish I'd just done this sooner to reduce the age gap between my son and his soon to arrive brother. Wishing you every success I know how hard it is when it feels hopeless.

@witherhills Just read your post again and realized you've not actually had any ivf cycles either. It might be help you mentally to go through one cycle as they say it only takes one egg. The odds aren't great but I'd probably try if I'd not done any. Ivf becomes diagnostic as well as a treatment which will give you more insight also. I honestly would put the money here and not in further tests.

Hi, not sure if you noticed but that thread is from 2011 so 15 years ago.

Yup I posted on here back then. My much longed for DC just became a teenager!

Awwwwwwww! Mine too!

I want to tell my 2011 self, just hang on, he’s on his way, he’s waiting for the right time but he will be with you soon… the utter utter joy of being able to write to myself the happy ending to a long and hard road is immeasurable!
So glad you brought this back havealittlefaithbaby

Some doctors may focus on options they believe offer the highest chances of success. But choosing the right doctor is one of the most important factors in your journey.
It’s a good idea to ask your doctor about all available treatment options, not just IVF. Ask how effective each option might be in your specific case, how long it could take, and what the potential costs are.
When you have a clear picture of the success rates, timelines, and financial aspects, it becomes much easier to make the right decision for yourself.
Wishing you the very best of luck.