Any success stories and ideas for secondary infertility?

[Annabellaboo]

Hello ladies.
I am hoping to get some ideas and support on here.
I am 35 years old, very healthy with a 3 year DS. We have been trying to conceive our second child for 2 years now. I became pregnant very easily with my first and had an easy pregnancy.
This time nothing.
I have had all the tests the nhs provides. Progesterone normal, I ovulate, DH sperm count is normal, no blockages etc etc. I have tried charting, ov sticks, changed my already pretty healthy diet (cut out refined sugars and have lots more greens etc, and alkalised my body). I take advised supplements and have even tried acupuncture.
I do however have short cycles, sometimes as short as 21 days but averaging 24. This is a little shorter than I had before my DS.
We cannot afford IVF and I am not sure I can face that anyway.
My consultant last month has prescribed me a half dose (25mg) of clomid, which a scan showed on the first round it definitely boosted things even more with a good few mature follicles. I already ovulate but she thought as my cycles are quite short and a little irregular it may give me a boost.
I have been convinced several times I was pregnant (oh how cruel our bodies and brains can be!) but AF always turns up.
I guess what I am asking is does anyone have any other suggestions of things I could try or why I can't conceive time. I am open to theories and alternative methods.
Any experience in this subject and success stories please share.
I try not to stress about it all, but some months it just really gets you down as there is no real 'reason'. The hard thing is watching other mums around get pregnant multiple times so easily.
Thank you for listening!
Anna

Hi ladies

Sorry about all the af arrivals :( it's just rubbish!

Rose - my dr prescribed progesterone after I told him about a suspected chemical last November - when I mentioned my usual spotting pre af he recommended it. HOWEVER I read on a thread about recurrent miscarriages (unsure why I was on there as I haven't had them) that progesterone can make your lining extra fussy about what it lets implant. This would probably be ok if my DH didn't have backward sperm, but it does concern me slightly as my only 2 suspected chemical pregnancies have been during months when I wasn't using the progesterone. Decided to try another month without this month and see what happens.

We have been emailing back and forth with serum in Athens. I think when we go for Ivf it will be with them. I had got myself all geared up for October but now DH wants to make it January. Basically they have suggested he try 40 days of antibiotics in case he has a hidden infection. You are then supposed to wait 60 days after finishing the course in case it improves count/results in natural pregnancy. I get what he's saying and I know deep down he's probably right but it just pushes it further back... I said we should wait for the results of hidden infection test before deciding. If he does have one, then it probably does make sense to wait. If not, I'd prefer to still press on for October. Hope that all makes sense, it's a bit waffly!!

Rose-sorry that last post about Clomid was meant for you! Got mixed up!

Closephine- we may be IVF cycle buddies. I'm interested how it works going to Athens? Do you need to stay there for a few weeks or go back and forth do you think? We have been recommended to try ICSI.

Not waffly all makes sense X

Closephine-could be promising about potential hidden infections. Surely he won't have a 40 day course of antibiotics without it being confirmed first? I am just concerned as I know how much a long dose can weaken the immune system and if not hidden infections being an issue it could have an even more negative effect on sperm. I am sure you are aware of this, just wanted to make sure. Also, I have recently done research on colidal silver as it was recommended to me by a herbalist and my homeopath too as it can kill Bacteria and all sorts of infections as well as many other uses. Have a google it is very interesting and is a potential natural way of clearing up infections. It won't hurt either way so could be worth a try. I was recommend a dose of 3 teaspoons a day.

Anabellaboo - I'm not ovulating apparently but getting every symptom of having done so. Clomid would be a good start- even if that wasn't meant for me ;)

I'm interested in how to get progesterone because I feel maybe my problem isn't so much lack of ovulation but that my progesterone runs out too early so I have no chance of implantation let alone pregnancy. Clomid could potentially help both tho, right?

Hi bloop- yes Clomid does increase your progesterone. Mine was really high whilst on it.

Thank you. I'm hoping that I won't need Clomid and my body will stop being an Arse about things... I'm going to see GP for tests today - eek

Anna - DH seems pretty convinced he has some kind of hidden infection and that even if the serum tests came back negative he'd still want to try. He's only had about 2 courses of antibiotics in his whole life so I think he'll be ok in this instance and he really wants to try so I'm not going to try and stop him. I'm sad that it delays us even further but it really has to be January at the latest for Ivf. I can't last any longer! The thought of another barren Christmas is already depressing me. If we didn't have to save all our money for Ivf I would fly us off somewhere snowy and wonderful to take my mind off it but sadly not!

Ladies, I'm starting IUI this cycle. We had our appointment with the NHS doctors today, and he said we probably have about a 1-5% of falling pregnant per cycle, and the lining of my uterus had looked a little thin on my scan, and that the IUI hormones may just help thicken it. So, as we're day 2 of my cycle, and DH is in between jobs this month and can be around to look after our little girl, we decided to go for it. Closephine, I know you've had IUI obviously, but I can't remember who else has. Just wondering, do the hormone injections from your experience have lots of side effects?, I'm expecting to get a bit emotional.
Certainly wasn't expecting this outcome today, and feeling quite nervous about it all, but I am just desperate to try something now, I know the success rate is pretty low- 10-15% apparently- so I'm trying to stay reasoned and not get excited at all- though as we all know that is not really possible.

Hi Rose - I was on the lowest dose of gonal f and didn't experience many side effects. I was a bit irritable at times but that was about it. Are you having gonal f? Good luck! :) keep us posted about how it's going.

No IUI for me this month - they are moving the scanning machine at the hospital and apparently this makes it impossible

Hi closephine- I understand and it does make sense with everything else you have tried and all you have been through. Are serum prescribing the antibiotics for you?
Wouldn't it be great if it is a hidden infection and this could clear it up for DH?! Really hope so.
I feel like AF is on its way soon. Typical monthly symptoms. I am not upset just a little disappointed as usual. Blah. Same old. Boring.

Rose- that is quite exciting! I know it's a low success rate but it is better odds than you currently have and it always feels better to be doing something to try and help. Good luck!

Thanks Closephine and Anna- I'm on Merional, which is just FSH apparently. They said something about my uterus lining looking thin and this might help thicken it. But yes it just feels good to be doing something. They've recommended 3 cycles. And thanks Anna for the advice re. clomid. It looks like they're not concerned if I'm ovulating, or my progesterone levels- so t's not going to be for me.

Closephine, sorry you're having to wait till January to start IVF, but who knows, maybe, just maybe, the antibiotics will do the trick. If anything, if that's what your DH thinks is causing it, then maybe this will help put his mind at rest and he'll feel much happier proceeding to IVF if you need to.

I'm a bit stressed this afternoon, I've got a meeting with some prospective employers tomorrow and I think if I agree they would take me on, it's a short term job (6 months), but some of the scan days and insemination days for IUI I'm sure will fall on days I'd be at the new job, and I don't know whether to say something now to them. I really don't want to have to tell them something so so personal, yet I'm not sure what I'm going to say when I do need time off last minute, so wondering if I should be honest??! If I say it's a last minute medical thing they'll wonder what on earth is wrong, especially if I have to repeat that same excuse! Have any of you been in a similar position/have any wisdom to impart here?

Oh Rose that's a tough one about the job. Could you not just take them as annual leave so you don't have to explain what it's for? I wish you the best of luck with the iui.

Closephine I've spoken with a few women who have had the hidden infection test and antibiotic treatment but I've also read fertility doctors saying these infections aren't necessarily infections per se but that sometimes these bacteria live naturally in your system. I'm wary of using long term antibiotics without an active infection, especially given the fears surrounding antibiotic resistance.

Doing some crazy googling this morn! AF is 1 day late but so far only bfn. Feels like AF has been coming for a few days but nothing so far. Seriously not fair I don't want this tease again (it's been a while since he last questionable cycle). I am doing so well emotionally but this is just messing with me! AF will probably arrive as soon as I post this lol!

I sympathise Anna. Hate the cycles that mess with your mind. Did you do the bfn this morning? Fingers crossed for you!

Thanks rose. Did one yesterday and it was nagative. Didn't do one today as I was sure AF was on way but now cramps have gone again and no spotting yet
I know I am setting myself up for a fall....

Anabelloo im in a similar situation Altho I've no idea when I'm due as my LP is all over the place. I had spotting from 10dpo and v slight blood at 11dpo. Enough to proclaim af started, then it stopped. I've had v little spotting today but lots of pressure, cramping, stitch etc. Test says bfn and temps have dipped so it's just a matter of time for me. Boooooooo to uncertainty

Sorry you're both in limbo Anna and Bloop.

Anna - I seem to remember you have quite short cycles. Even if it does turn out that your af is on its way (fingers crossed its not) perhaps it means the laparoscopy has done some good and has set your cycle back to a slightly longer length one?!

I had an accidental pregnancy, figured the next one would be just as easy.
We were trying for 7years, dr couldn't find any reason why we weren't conceiving, we'd done it before.
Then one day I was pregnant, we'd given up trying
Then 17 months later I was pregnant again and again 16 months after that!

AF just showed up this morn I should have known better and not even thought it could possibly be my time for a miracle. now I feel sad and disappointed and it's been a while since I felt this bad. I also just snapped at DS which makes me feel even worse maybe I don't deserve a second. DS is being particularly needy and difficult at the moment and not sleeping well so none of that helps. School holidays are challenging, I can't get much work done and have to constantly entertain a very hyper boy who never stops.
Closephine- yes I suppose it is good my cycle has apparently been a more normal length this month. Might be a one off as its happened before but we will see.
Bloop- sounds promising for you this month with the strange cycle. Fingers crossed.
Thisusername..-thank you for your success story. It shows you never do know. Amazing you kept trying for 7 years, must have been so hard at times. I am 35 so not sure I can even think about trying for 7 years, I just hope it is soonish or I probably will just stop completely and move on.
Sorry for the downer post everyone. Hope everyone has a lovely sunny Monday.

I'm so sorry to hear about the bfn's. Honestly bodies are so cruel and it's just such a tough cycle. The hope is pretty much always there. I said to my husband last night I just wish I had a crystal ball. If I just knew that it was never going to happen then I'd go through the grieving process then try and move on but the cruel thing about this is this never ending cycle of trying and hoping.

I've been googling again. I am OBSESSED! Keep trying to find similar stories to my own but it's just stupid as they aren't going to predict mine! It's actually laughable as my DH found my google searches and I got a telling off he gets infuriated as he wants to go into IVF positively. I am trying but I don't want to set myself up for a fall. But to be honest positive or not I'd still feel exactly the same if it failed. Can someone just stop my brain from thinking it about it ALL THE TIME please???? My best friend had her baby at the weekend. I dropped in some bits in the same baby ward I had mine in. I was quite relieved as I did genuinely feel happy for her and fell in love with her second daughter. So least I'm not all bitterness and green eyed!

Wow that was a rant.

Thisusername- thanks for your story that must have been so hard but It's lovely to hear a success

Ah Anna I'm so sorry af arrived :( I had a feeling when you said you were getting bfn's it probably would so hope you didn't think I was being unhelpful in my post when I suggested the lap may have helped your cycles. everyone has good days and bad with their DC so don't think for a minute that you shouldn't try for another because of it. We had some nightmare days last week with our ds. He's snapped outbid it now thankfully but I think being on school holidays and out of routine definitely doesn't help.

Sorry about to go out so can't reply properly to other but just wanted to say sorry Anna

I'm sorry annabellaboo - onwards and upwards!

Af has kind of turned up for me. I say kind of as its not really been turning up properly for months. I don't think I'm destined to have another child either. My due date would be only 5 weeks away now and I'm dreading it. It's the day after my dd's birthday :( I'm so very close to giving up altogether.

Shit that onwards and upwards should've been at the end of my post. Sorry Anna that wasn't meant for you :-/