TTC for 18 months or more. Moving onto IUI/IVF/ICSI -part 2

[bluebird3]

We have relocated from the conception board where we were previously chatting under the thread 'ttc for 10 months or more'. A lot of us are now long term ttc-ers and are going through infertility treatment or looking to take steps in this direction so we feel this might be a more suitable home for us!

Feel free to stop by and say hi and hopefully we can share the journey together and make it a little easier along the way!

Ps I'd love some dumplings!

Great news gee. How are you feeling post-ec? I had some spotting as well so I think a bit is normal.

Glad things are moving just.

I'm getting really fed up...it's 4 weeks since my cycle failed. I had a heavy period just after. Since then it's been in and off spotting/light bleeding. I just want it to stop! I've ruined so many pants thinking it had gone only to start again. Dh is fed up too as he doesn't really like dtd when I'm bleeding. We have done a couple of times but it's sort a mood killer when you realise you're bleeding. Sorry if tmi!

Good luck today gee!

Blue so sorry to hear you are still bleeding - do you know what the clinic / hospital says about it?

I've been having brown spotting for 4 days and had blood last night - a week early! I called the hospital anyway as I'm not sure when to count day 1 - I have really light periods so I usually count it from when I see red blood, even if it's a wipe. Will see what they say - silver lining is that we can crack on early!

Good luck gee

maple fingers crossed you get to start sooner

We are booked in to start in may

Good news just! I have one embie on board and one to freeze so that's good news. Had acupuncture before and after so hopefully that'll help. Been out for a nice lunch after so feeling pretty chilled.

Hurrah glad it all went well gee fingers tightly crossed it gets comfy

Great news gee.

Congrats on being PUPO gee!

Hooray for a may start just!

Congrats gee!

Hi all. Can I join please? I came off the pill in August 2015 having delayed things to get my career together (not a massive delay, I am only 33 now).

My DP has erectile dysfunction which is making TTC almost impossible. We manage sometimes but not enough. I don't think he'll see anyone about it. I feel like such a fraud being on the infertility board with this issue but I don't know where else I fit.

I'm absolutely devastated that it hasn't happened and I think I'm getting to the point of thinking it never will. I can't even share my pain with DP as it puts too much pressure on him which makes the situation worse. Every time we try and fail I lay in bed and then lie crying once he's gone to sleep.

I've booked some tests next week privately (just stuff like AMH, FSH) to see if I have any obvious issues and to see how much time I have left.

I just don't know where to turn, there is no one is real life I can talk to.

Oh vox that sounds incredibly hard and my heart goes out to you both - he must feel wretched. I just had a quick look and googled mumsnet+erectile+dysfunction+ttc and looks like there's a few threads you may find helpful.
It'll be tough but it might be worth talking to him about if he can come any other ways such as masterbating by himself as if so, he could deposit in a pot and then you syringe into yourself. There's a thing called a Stork you could try you can buy on Amazon. Or could you find a way to do the pot thing as a couple i.e. Not coming on your belly/bum but you kind of catch it? Might be embarrassing but you could try making it a bit sexy.
If the catching thing is not an option, but he can come occasionally, IUI could work for a couple like you which is less intense than IVF and cheaper.
I don't have any more experience or suggestions I can help with but this isn't a rare problem so you will certainly find support on mumsnet. Don't feel you're alone.

vox, that sounds so tough. I'm sure you are welcome here. Seconding what gee said about the syringe. Besides the MN searches she recommended, you might also have a look at self insemination in some of the same sex TTC pages, as I think female couples have perfected the syringe method. Has your DP had his ED looked into? Do you have any counselling available for yourself? It must be incredibly hard to bear all alone.

Also, warm congratulations to gee, thinking lots of good thoughts for you.

Congratulations Gee! All the best for the next two weeks.... I will be crossing my fingers hard for a bfp for you soon. Dare I ask when is test date?

Maple, so are you starting on the pill now?! Exciting!

Just, amazing news! That was so fast once they got their arses into gear eh. I'm starting in May too so we'll be cycle buddies . Due to start the pill around 11 May when my period is due.

Welcome vox, I am so sorry to hear about your struggle - that must be so hard. You are very welcome to vent here and don't feel a fraud at all. Many of us have no known issue and yet it is still taking forever. I have experienced the crying silently after an aborted attempt during the crucial fertile days, so I can only imagine how tough it must be ttc with erectile dysfunction. I do second the suggestion of also finding a forum with others experiencing the same, if only for some practical suggestions of what to try above what gee has suggested. for you and all the best in this hideous journey.

star I'm due to start my pill on the 13th so we will be proper cycle buddies!

vox that is incredibly tough. The NHS do recognise that as a reason for fertility treatment though. They suggest 6 months of self insemination and then visit doctor.
The hard part will be getting him on board but honestly I think it's a selfish bugger who wouldn't.

Is mine short protocol? I'm so confused. I'm taking pill then on to 225 menopur and then add in cetrotide after 5 days?

Hi just, no idea what they call the protocol but it's the same one I'm on. 125 gonal f then add cetrotide after 5 days. Not long now!

Congratulations Gee on being PUPO !

Sorry i have been quiet lately i have just been feeling sorry for myself and i was needing some time alone to collect my thoughts.

Vox Sorry that you find yourself here but welcome dont worry we are all here for diffrent reasons.

Im glad to see everyone is moving forward. Sending out best wishes

Star I'm waiting for my period to start properly - i had one wipe of blood on Sunday night then brown ever since I spoke to the nurse today and she said when I feel confident it's started (so if nothing else this week) or I actually get blood again then I start on norethisterone day 14 to 25. From day 21 I start buserelin. Then after my bleed from coming off norethisterone I'll go in for a scan to hopefully start stims!

Quite a few of us starting soon

Welcome vox. That sounds very difficult, I'm so sorry to you and DH for everything - does he get stage fright do you think / is it often around ovulation / does he know it's around ovulation? I agree with what the others have said - I'm sure I've read people self inseminating or iui maybe a something to investigate? Is he fine with masturbating?

Scottish I understand - sometimes it's good to step back from it all.

Hi vox. I don't have much new to add but second what others have said about trying self insemination at home or gently broaching him seeing his GP to see if there is anything they can do to support him and you.

scottish no need to explain, we all understand needing a bit of time away.

Welcome vox you are very welcome here

Hello Scottish nice to see you and hope you're doing okay

Thanks for the welcome. We have a holiday planned for the summer and I am thinking that if it hasn't happened by then I will broach the subject with him. He knows when ovulation is as he will actively avoid sex because of the problem. I currently don't check for ovulation as I get such severe pains for a week beforehand it isn't really necessary but if we go down the insemination route it is something I will definitely do.

We've always had this problem but we found other ways to be intimate but none of that results in a baby. I did think some of it was related to his fear of me getting pregnant before we were TTC as his ex had a termination which left him devastated, but we still have the problem now and he says he has always been like it. This adds another layer of complexity as I think he links the termination and me not getting pregnant somehow.

I've got two people who know we're trying but not getting anywhere but they don't know what the problem is as it isn't my problem to talk about. One of these people is a colleague but I could become their line manager soon so that may change how easily I can talk to them. The other has recently had a baby after becoming pregnant first month and is from the 'well there's so much that can be done so no need to worry' camp.

Good luck to everyone. Although it is nice to feel like I'm not alone, I hate knowing there are others in this position.

Hi scottish

vox think it's good to have a time frame. It sounds like he could do with talking to someone about how he feels.

Just arranged my drug delivery! Coming on Tuesday

Just ooo, I didn't get mine delivered! I had to collect it in a massive brown paper bag from the hospital pharmacy!

Vox it's a crappy place to be unfortunately but we are with people who totally understand how we feel - I take a lot of comfort from that (although I wouldn't wish it upon anyone!) and we are all here to hand hold. I think it's good to have a time in mind as to when to start thinking about other options.

AF has actually come today! Whilst I feel happy and relieved I actually suddenly feel scared... I think it's finally sinking in that I'm really going ahead with it starting norethisterone on 18th April..

Eek maple bet it's all feeling a bit real now! I know I'll feel the same, I'm so eager to get going but I think I'll have a wobble when it does!
I know, delivery seems v fancy! Early too, I've got to somehow hide drugs in the fridge from any guests. To be fair not many go in the fridge but a fair few do. Maybe some sort of opaque Tupperware! I will admit to googling how to organise my meds, think I'm trying to take what tiny bit of control I can!
With that in mind, any tips?

Hi Vox! Hi everyone!
I've been lurking as not much has been happening with me and I'm a fair bit behind most of you on your journeys. Although I've not had anything constructive to add please know that I've been thinking of you all!
I had my hycosy today. The results were good but it took three attempts as my cervix was clamped shut! It was agony whilst they tried to get it to open. The consultant said this probably indicates a problem in itself but they could physically open my cervix for EC if we move on to IVF. Has anyone heard of or had a similar issue?