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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Would you be my Infertility/Clomid/Follicle tracking friend please?!

999 replies

scienceteachergeek · 06/07/2015 22:28

Hi there ladies

I’m really looking for a ‘clomid friend’ or ‘infertility pal’!

I’m 30, DH is 38. I came off the pill July 2013 to regulate my cycles and ended 15yrs of antidepressants in March 2014 as I’d read that was the best plan if possible.

I’d been having regular 27/30day cycles since I came off the pill but after no positive tests, buying OPKs and the Clearblue Advanced Fertility Monitor, plus charting temps and monitoring my cervix and mucus it quickly became apparent that I wasn’t ovulating. After all the blood tests, sperm analysis, trans-vaginal scans and the HSG it showed that he was fine but I wasn’t ovulating, but there was not obvious reason why.

Fast forward to now, 2yrs since coming off the pill, I have been prescribed clomid and have taken my first 5 tablets. I’m day 12 today and have been having follicle tracking to check if the drugs have worked. My largest follicle was 16.4mm today and have to go back on Wednesday to check it again.

Do any of you know if that’s a good size? Or have any experiences of being further down the clomid path? Or are you in a similar position? I just feel like I’m going out of my mind and could really use a buddy!

Thanks for reading and hugs to you all. Interested in hearing from any of you xxx

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Vap0 · 04/12/2015 08:21

Hi
Spoke with Drs yesterday and have another telephone appointment today. There is nothing they can do and can't scan me or anything like that as am not 6w yet.

There was a lot of blood yesterday, I don't think anything could have survived that.

Not very happy though as my hpt hasn't reduced the darkness as I would have hoped. Symptoms have gone, sore boobs etc. We are out at dp's parents house tonight, his bro is home who we haven't seen since last Xmas so can't really cancel. But with this "not fading quick enough" hpt now I can't drink even though I know it's over, although that's probably a good thing as I'll probably just end up in a pool of tears and snot if I do have a drink.

Blood test results didn't double as they should have done so clearly it was doomed from the start.

Wednesday 12:00 300
Monday 18:00 1025

It's just so shit. I lost it with the Drs a bit yesterday asking what I had to do to get help and are they really going to make me go through this again without sound anything. He came back saying progesterone isn't proven to help. So I asked why everyone else who has had recurrent mc are given it. He said he would write to my fertility Dr and ask him if he felt it was the right thing to do. I told him this is doing nothing for my mental wellbeing and he said "yes, I can understand that". This Dr was the 1st one I saw at least 2 years ago. He hadn't read the notes before calling and so didn't know what he was phoning about which I can understand they are pressed for time but surely they should make time when you're dealing with situations like this?

To think i have to go through this again before being offered any help is just so ducking shit!

I'm so angry about the lack of help and support. No guidelines were given on what I should do other than rest. Not so easy when you're 5hrs from home with calls to do which require a brave face, a chirpy nature coupled with a smile and patience with customers. I couldn't just go home for fear of the questions I would face from my arsehole boss. So I don't really know what now. Just sit and wait for bleeding to stop. Get pregnant again (hopefully) then most likely lose it again as clearly something isn't working properly. Then wait to stop bleeding again before maybe they may offer some help??? With this in mind it's perhaps looking like March time (if I'm lucky and assuming I get caught again quickly?)

scienceteachergeek · 04/12/2015 16:03

Are they giving you a blood test or anything? How are you supposed to know if it's all over or not? Thinking of you xxx

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Vap0 · 04/12/2015 16:24

Update science they are scanning me on Tuesday lunch time. I don't think anything will be left by then to see but it's good to know that they will see if everything has gone or not. Did another hpt when I got in and it's stronger than this mornings? The lady who booked me in for the scan said it will stay positive for a while. Loads of big clots today when I got in. I'm 99% sure it's all over. Just wish the hpt would show negative. It's mad. You spend years willing there to be a line and now I'm willing it away...

They didn't do any scans or blood tests last time so I'm surprised they are doing anything this time.

FlatWhiteToGo · 04/12/2015 17:14

I've been offline for a few days as I'm in the middle of moving house. I've just seen your posts Vap. I REALLY hope this isn't the end and that it's just a blip. How absolutely horrible for you though. I'm so sorry. Are you busy all weekend or can you take some time for yourself to deal with all of this?x

Vap0 · 04/12/2015 17:29

This is the end I'm afraid.
I've done it before and know what to expect. This time I was more pregnant than last time so is more difficult physically. Hpt still say pregnant. Epu said they will stay positive for a while. Unfortunately the weekend we are mega busy. On our way to dp's parents now for the night. I'm dreading sitting there in a pad. I feel so gross wearing a pad. Then a friend is coming over for the weekend tomorrow and staying over and night out tomorrow. Brilliant!

I'm having a drink tonight.
I've just had enough of my shit body not working properly.
I've lost too much blood and clots for this to be a blip. More than my last 10 af put together I'd say. There is no way anything has survived this

On the emotional side of things I'm just angry at the moment. Haven't done as much crying as last time. I think I was prepared for it a bit after the spotting and last time.

How is everyone else doing?
Who is going to poas next?

FlatWhiteToGo · 04/12/2015 17:38

Sad oh Vap I'm devastated for you. This is so unfair and I'm so sorry you're going through this. I don't blame you for being angry. I'm amazed you're keeping it together enough to see people this weekend! Do whatever you need to do...even if that means sneaking off or cancelling...I'm so so sorry x

bananafish81 · 04/12/2015 20:59

Vap so very very sorry - there are no words. We're all thinking of you, we're all here for you, and we're all sending you much love and strength xx

Vap0 · 04/12/2015 22:14

To be honest I've done enough feeling sorry for myself. I don't mean that in a bad way to others who need more time as we are all different. I have actually enjoyed having the distraction tonight. I have told my friend who is coming tomorrow the reason why another friend (the one who is pregnant accidentally with her 4th child and didn't even know until 4mts) isn't coming. Friend who is coming is a Dr herself. She said she wouldn't come, I told her that was the last thing I wanted. I need the distraction. She also said she has spent time in "this area" no idea how much but she welcomes questions. I'm so relieved to have a medical professional who is actually on my side talking to me. Feel a bit guilty making her talk shop on her weekend off but she did offer.
Any questions you want me ask speak now. Not saying I'll get all the answers....

NewLeafExpat · 05/12/2015 17:31

Thinking of you Vap. Hope you manage to enjoy some time with your friend as a welcome distraction.
Xx

Vap0 · 06/12/2015 11:18

Morning all
Hpt has gone negative now which i suppose is a good thing. Just need this bleeding to stop so we can try again. I'm hopeful that we seem to have got the hang of getting pregnant now (twice in 4 months is bloody good odds). Just need to work out how to hold on to it next time. I should be counting my blessings that something is happening.
We have had an exceptionally boozy weekend. It's been fun. My Dr friend has no answers. I think I was expecting that. Just shows that no Drs have any answers even if they want to.
Anyone testing soon?

bananafish81 · 06/12/2015 11:40

Massive massive hugs Vap - hope you and your partner are being kind to yourselves, frankly if anyone deserves a boozy weekend it's you.

I know strictly the RPL is defined as three consecutive miscarriages, but could be worth pushing your GP to see of they can run some investigations, even if they won't refer you to the RPL clinic. At the very least, could they check your progesterone levels and test for antiphospholipid syndrome - both of which are eminently treatable with progesterone pessaries / baby aspirin and Clexane?

Take care of yourself lovely, we're all thinking of you xx

bananafish81 · 06/12/2015 11:55

RE: testing, can you believe I've never actually taken a pregnancy test?! Well, apart from one Internet cheapie when I tested the trigger shot so I could see what a BFP line would look like (who has a bloody BFP practice run??!!)

Unfortunately the first time I'm going to have to do a HPT is probably if/when we have transfer, as have to test on OTD, because temps will be artificially high and AF likely kept away by the progesterone pessaries. In retrospect wish I'd done a test as the first BFN I'll have will be at a time when there actually was a genuine flicker of hope that I could actually have conceived. Ought to have had a BFN practice run really...

FlatWhiteToGo · 06/12/2015 16:37

Hello everyone. I've finally got 5 minutes to write a proper post. We're in the process of moving house and I don't have wifi or a computer...and 02 are alleging that my 3G has run out on my phone...so getting on Mumsnet and posting is quite hard! I'm at the parentals' though and am stealing their wifi Grin.

Firstly, Vap, I'll say it again: I am so sorry. What a crap turn of events after all that excitement. I'm glad you've managed to be a bit distracted and have a bit of fun. I hope you have lots of fun things planned over the Christmas period Grin.

As for your boss, what a total DICK. That is totally uncalled for. I really wonder what goes through some people's minds. Anyway, he is the least of your problems (or at least, you need to make him the least of your problems!). Just focus on yourself and OH and planning fun things which will cheer you up.

Banana - Your comment about the BFN practice run made me laugh and cry in equal measure. Isn't it awful that we can't even contemplate getting a BFP or getting excited?! I'm so sorry your body is playing up and that you need to halt everything and start all over again. How are you feeling? Have you got fun things over Christmas to take your mind off things?

Birchy - I'm also sorry you need to wait until Feb for the lap & dye. This TTC malarkey is SUCH a long drawn out process. I know it's no consolation, but we all understand the huge strain of all this WAITING with no answers (and more to the point, no baby!).

AFM, I've had a few weeks of feeling a little better. Not "good", but not staying up all night getting upset about things and googling everything under the sun. We've decided that we're not going to "try" in December. If we feel like having sex we'll do it, but I'm not temping or doing ovulation tests (and more to the point, I'm not changing plans/travelling 200 miles for a shag like I've done for several months when using OPKs and I've suddenly hit the fertile period).

We had our FC appointment the other week and in some ways it was quite frustrating (ie no real answers, except that it's probably DH's sperm issues which are slowing us down), but we are being referred for IVF which is good. There are a few hoops to jump through (I need to register at DH's GP, which may be difficult as we now live out of the area...and we all know what a "computer says no" nightmare medical secretaries can be!), then we both need to have additional/repeat test, then we go to the consent clinic then we start the IVF process itself (and obviously there are weeks/months in between each stage). On the whole though, I feel better for starting the process and trying something different.

Our focus now has to be getting healthy. In the past 2+ years I've gone from being a size 8-10 and going to the gym 5 days a week/running half marathons/doing tough mudder-type events and eating REALLY healthily to being a size 14 (I know that's not big at all, but it's the gaining such a large amount in a small amount of time that bothers me!), eating total crap throughout the day and exercising twice a week (if that!). I don't want to get to IVF, have it fail, then wonder if it's partly because I wasn't living a healthy lifestyle. I want to know that I gave it everything Sad.

Anyway, I hope you've all had good weekends Grin x

FlatWhiteToGo · 06/12/2015 16:41

P.S. As for testing, after last month's drama I'm not going to test until I'm 8.5 months late and have gained a few stone...

NewLeafExpat · 06/12/2015 17:01

Hi gals,

Yes as for testing and a BFN trial run I estimate I have had about 100-150 BFNs... If (when) I get a BFP I know it for my line scrutinising skills are top notch... Willing to see a line, changing the light, using a torch. It's so god damn sad and depressing but true!

I am still taking my 100mg Clomid, got a mid cycle scan booked for 18th (cd18) and I have the most ridiculous journey for it. If I explain I feel you either won't believe me or will really think I'm nuts GrinGrinBlush

vap glad u got some let your hair down time.

flat yay for new home, congrats, and I'm happy to hear u and DH are taking December together to enjoy and reset. I am gymming and eating healthily for December too as I have also picked up about 4kgs in the last year. Also good to hear about the ivf referral. I want it but the thought scares me.

I just feel fed up and lost still but hoping to give it another good go this month and I tell myself I'm allowed to "break down" and cry/scream/kick up a fuss next month if it doesn't work.

scienceteachergeek · 06/12/2015 17:11

Oh flat you made me smile.

Not sure I've thanked you all for joining my thread. Back in July when I started this I felt so very alone, and now I don't feel quite so lonely Smile

My news is that I'm really barely sleeping and have been put on some pills to help. The side effects are vile though and being completely exhausted is preferable! I'm still waiting for counselling and my doctor is pretty desperate to put me back on antidepressants. I've resisted for now but I'm definitely depressed. DH is no better but managed to get him some anxiety medication which will hopefully improve things. His mental state is making me worse so we're on a bit of a downward spiral at the moment.

My first week at work wasn't so bad. I didn't tell any of the kids but one guessed and I had to lie about it. I got sent home two of the days but I managed full days for the rest.

Got a hospital appointment tomorrow where they check all is well down there after the operations.

In short, I don't want Christmas to happen and I certainly don't want to be 21 in less than 2 weeks!

Thinking of you all though, as always xxx

OP posts:
Vap0 · 06/12/2015 17:13

flat good news about starting IVF. Any ideas how long before anything will start happening? Well done for having a break over Xmas. I wish I could but I'm totally consumed by this whole thing. I have my CB ovulation sticks at the ready. I wasn't going to use them this month as doubt I'll ovulate and they are £2 per stick but can't deal with not knowing.

I'll be with you with your health kick. Not starting yet though. Going to have a very MERRY Christmas first and then detox in Jan and lose the weight (currently 4lbs most likely a bit more after Xmas) the dr wants me to before I go back to see him.

Has anyone out up their Xmas tree this weekend? Mine smells lovely in front of my window.

Oh and my friend from work sent me some lovely flowers after I told him about the mc. How lovely of him.

Just bought a couple more frer from Amazon for £7.50 which is pretty good.

banana how do you manage not poas? That's amazing!

[santa]Star

FlatWhiteToGo · 06/12/2015 17:58

Thanks. I'm sure I'll still do a bit of symptom spotting, but I'm keen to have a little time where it doesn't occupy my EVERY waking moment.

£2/stick. Bloody hell Sad! After this month I'll go back to OPKs etc, but FWIW the fertility specialist said they tell patients not to use OPKs and temping and to just have regular intercourse throughout the month (around every 2-3 days).

I reckon time frame will be: (hopefully) register with doc in January; start doing tests in Jan/Feb/March; have consent clinic April/May and start around June/July. It seems like a long time, but it could be much worse and it feels better to have the ball rolling. The difficult bit will be registering with the GP as we live out of the catchment area. Although DH is currently a patient there, I'm not, and your IVF entitlement is done on where the female is registered. Basically DH works there and used to live there and I work there several days per month. The rest of the time I work elsewhere and we live elsewhere. The problem is, the place where I mostly work (and where I'm currently registered) only has an entitlement of 1 NHS attempt; the place where I live has an entitlement of 2 NHS attempts (but they'd make us wait a year from registering before starting treatment); and the place where DH is registered and where we'd be seeking treatment has 3 NHS attempts (but we're now both out of the catchment area so they may refuse to register us!). Nothing in life is ever simple, is it!

FlatWhiteToGo · 06/12/2015 18:13

NewLeaf, Science - For some reason I missed your earlier posts!

NewLeaf - You are absolutely allowed to break down at times. We all do. Sometimes this just feels like the worst thing anyone could possibly be going through in the world. Obviously it's not, but it's such a miserable lonely journey it's understandable that we're all feeling pretty down and exhausted about it all. I hope things get better in 2016 for all of us.

Science - You poor thing. It's probably best that you both go on the necessary medications to help sort your mental and physical problems. That was my attitude, even though I didn't particularly want to be on medication while TTC. Depression is bloody awful. I am sure your DH's problems are bloody awful too. It may just take a few weeks or months of medication to feel a little bit better, and then you'll be in a much better position to deal with the drama of TTC.

I'm sorry the sleeping medication isn't helping. Can you try a different type? Be careful if you're drinking (it is December after all Grin) as these can mess with a lot of meds, like sleeping meds.

I'm sorry about the upcoming birthday. Assume you meant 31? Ha ha. I'm afraid I'm turning 31 not long after you! I feel a bit sad as I remember being anxious about having a big 30th party as I didn't want people noticing I wasn't drinking (because I assumed I'd be pregnant by then). F*cking AF turned up the day of the party!

I'm so sorry you felt so lonely back in July. I felt exactly the same and then Vap directed me to this thread. It sounds a bit silly, but honestly you guys have made me feel so much better in my lowest moments. Thank you so much Grin. As I said above, I just hope 2016 is better for all of us!x x x

scienceteachergeek · 06/12/2015 18:53

Yes, unfortunately I do mean 31! Sad

OP posts:
bananafish81 · 06/12/2015 19:11

Flat good luck with the move - hope the mortgage numpties pulled their finger out and that you and Mr FlatWhite will be v happy in your new home

Glad the wheels are in motion after your appointment, although ‘unexplained’ is understandably infuriatingly frustrating

Wow, marathons and tough mudders! - that is seriously impressive stuff. Getting healthy sounds like a really positive plan - agree totally that whilst there’s no reason at all your lifestyle would realistically have anything to do with an IVF cycle failing or succeeding, I can totally relate to wanting to do whatever I can to try and control the controllables, so I don’t look back and think ‘if only I’d done / not done X or Y’

PMSL at your ‘eight and a half months’ comment - I’d be soo tempted to do the same. Most clinics still make you come in for a beta even if the result is negative, to make doubly sure it’s a BFN before you stop taking the progesterone. Don’t know what the process is with my Dr as I’ve not yet got to transfer to have that conversation!!

Newleaf keeping everything crossed for your mid cycle scan, hope the journey is worth it (and no one here would think you were nuts….or at least no more nuts than the rest of us!! Grin)

science you’re going through so so much it’s entirely understandable that you’re feeling low. You have to do whatever you feel is right for you re: the antidepressants, but just remember that your future bubba needs you to be in a good mental and physical state, and that if the Dr is happy for you to be on the medication (and millions of women take SSRIs throughout pregnancy all over the world), they must think the potential benefits outweigh any risks. Echoing everything Flat has said below

Hope the appointment tomorrow goes well and that things are healing physically - and that in time the emotional scars will start to heal Flowers

vap Think you and your partner have earned a blow out Xmas, the health kick can deffo wait till Jan, I reckon. And I’m so there with you on the Clearblue sticks - if I wasn’t on the pill I would totally be there POAS with you. I’ve peed on lots of OPKs, just not done any preg tests as there hasn’t been a month since we started trying (admittedly not that long ago, so it’s not that many months) that I could have conceived - my lining has been consistently too thin to support a pregnancy, so never at any point thought I could have had any chance of being in the game Sad

Flat I know the clinics say not to bother with OPKs etc, my consultant was fine with it - because if I didn’t, I would have no idea IF I was ovulating and if so when my period should be due. It’s a lot less stressful to just have some leisurely regular shags, but unless you have clockwork cycles, it’s a lot easier said than done tbh.

AFM, it’s quite weird being on the pill and having an enforced month off from TTC (as part of fertility treatment to try and get me up the duff!!). Quite good timing though given the raging flare up of cystitis I have at the moment - second course of antibiotics in a month, fourth in 9 months. Urgh

Baby blitzkrieg at the moment, with friends and family on all sides popping them out. My friend and his husband even announced they were having a baby on FB - I’m not entirely sure quite what the arrangement is (surrogate or co-parenting, or other…) but I messaged him to say congrats, and that I understood only too well that the process wasn’t always straightforward. He was so lovely, and said they’d been tinkering with it for 18 months, and hoped it worked out for us, as he really hoped to have friends nearby with kids the same age. Brought a tear to my eye as I just can’t let myself imagine the thought that we could actually become parents one day - just makes my heart ache

NewLeafExpat · 06/12/2015 19:36

Wow so many posts tonight...!

science thank you for starting this thread like you And the rest of us it makes TTC nightmare that little bit easier to have you gals along the journey too. I really hope you are able to break through and I'm Glad your week at work was better than expected.

Wow, I turned 31 just over two weeks ago too!! Seems we are all along very similar paths! And ditto to it all, I remember 1.5 years ago planning my 30th thinking "oh no, no drinking on my bird at holiday! OF COURSE I will be pregnant by then!" Pffft. My Friend is getting married next September a 12 hour flight away, I still believe I'll be pregnant by then so I Guess I haven't learned or I can't give up hope deep down.

banana my lining is crap too, and sometimes I don't know if/when I ovulated due to shit cycles, but I always POAS at least 5 times a month anyway. I just can't help it. Maybe it's like an addiction you haven't unlocked yet hahahaha

Now that. Hear that FRERs are cheap on Amazon I might get myself some. I have never used them before and will allow myself two FRERs a month I think haha!!

Vap0 · 06/12/2015 20:13

Here is the link to frer

www.amazon.co.uk/First-Response-Early-Result-Pregnancy/dp/B001RYNLE0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1449431868&sr=8-2&keywords=first+response+early+result+pregnancy+test+-+2-pack

Thanks for the opk link, my last bad batch really didn't help so I think I'll stick with my CB ones as I know they worked last time. Even though they are expensive.

It's sad to think we all met in July on here and we do not yet have one happy story between us. How crap are all our bodies. Hopefully 2016 will give us some good news..... Very pleased to have you lovely bunch to chat too and feel less alone with all this crap. Thank you all Flowers

banana I love hearing about your friends having a baby. Do keep us informed on how they are going about it and how they get on.

flat the timings on IVF sound pretty good to me. I'll bet you're wishing time away even more now.

My dr also told me to stop poas but for no reason other than "just relax" well bollocks to that. How can you get pregnant when you don't know when or if you are ovulating? Of course normal people manage it but I think we've established we are not normal. And then when i go back to see him in Jan he will ask me if I've been ovulating as it's always the 1st question they ask. God I hate my dr. Dreading seeing him.

science sorry to hear you are struggling. I hope tomorrow's appointment helps to give you some closure. I hope you can get yourself some antidepressants that don't affect conceiving too much. Really hope you get your counselling sorted soon.

Just eaten most of a big bag of malteasers, that's another 500 calories I'll have to burn off in January. Ha Chocolate

NewLeafExpat · 06/12/2015 20:50

Just re-read my post. Sorry for the many typos. Although the bird thing did make me laugh! I meant birthday obviously!!!

scienceteachergeek · 06/12/2015 21:24

Thanks for your encouragement regarding the antidepressants. I'll see how this week goes.

Just to make you all feel better about POAS....my CB advanced fertility monitor asks me for a stick everyday for between 10 and 20 days in a row. Of course I oblige and it tells me how far along my cycle i am. Then with three days to go until my period it asks for me to piss on different sticks to check for pregnancy. There's an awful lot of expensive sticks used here Smile Looking forward to getting it out again and peeing into my shot glass again every morning Smile

OP posts: