Can't cope with this!!

[dperkins64013]

I came off the depo injection late 2015 after being on it for 6 years. I didn't have a period the whole time I was on the depo but came on roughly the time I was due my next injection. From then I was on for 3 months solid. After that I would have one or two normal cycles then be on my period for another whole month or two. It's only been the last 6 months that my cycles have started to regulate - in a fashion. My cycles now vary from around 24 to 28 days. Although my cycles have started to regulate, my cycles are ridiculously heavy with me having to change my tampon roughly every two hours. I've now been prescribed tranexamic acid and they're so much better. I suffer with terrible cramps though, to the point I could keel over in pain. I've had an external and internal ultrasound which have come back normal and my partner has had a normal semen analysis. I've had two progesterone blood tests, the first with a score of 12, the second with a score of 32. I've also had a HSG x-ray on my fallopian tubes which has come back normal - according to reception when I rang my GP surgery (haven't discussed results with gynae as of yet). I've just started to use clear blue advanced ovulation tests and haven't had any high/peak results to indicate I'm ovulating - CM hasn't indicated ovulation either. Due back at gynae in October. Literally don't know what to do anymore. I'm so sick of seeing people announce unexpected pregnancies when here I am desperate for a baby and nothing is happening! X

Dperkins im so sorry to hear what you are going through. Don't get too disheartened until you have spoken to your gynaecologist and please do let us know what she/he says.
How is your diet? Weight? Sleep? Have I starting taking conception vitamins?

AniSL

I feel for you ... both the stress of not falling pregnant when everyone else seems to be and for the heavy and painful periods (I too was on the tranexamic acid for them). Re: the infertility, my DH and I were tested and all came back fine but still no pregnancy ... there is no golden bullet but the following did result in me falling pregnant:

• Doing the deed once every two days (rather than every day) over the week of expected ovulation (to allow DHs sperm time to re-generate - sorry - can't think of the right word but I hope you understand what I mean!!).

• Taking pre-natal vitamins.

• Seeing a acupuncturist (weekly) who specialised in fertility.

I fell pregnant within the first month of adopting all these things after a year of trying. Most important is for you to try not to stress about this but I know that is impossible just to switch off ... but do whatever you can do to reduce your stress as that's so important.

Good luck

(Sorry about the random bold words - no idea how that happened!)

@AniSL

My gynaecologist is pretty useless. I'm sick of it now so he'll not know what's hit him when I go back. I want to be put on Clomid as that seems the only option to help with ovulation. I'm taking follic acid, vit C and have just started taking iron tabs. My diet isn't brilliant but isn't terrible - somewhere in between. Again, my weight isn't brilliant but I'm not overweight. I'm 5 ft 6 and 11st 5 - gynae said my BUM is fine. As for sleep - why even is that?! 😂 I tend to get around 6 hours a night but am constantly tired. Starting to think I may have endometriosis - irregular, painful, heavy periods, tired literally all the time, constipation during period and troy or conceiving. Going to mention it when I go back in October.

@IWantAWittyUsername

Yeah we tend to do every other day. I literally have no sex drive - not sure whether that's linked to the low progesterone. So everyday would be my worst nightmare lol. Taking folic acid, vit C and iron tabs at the minute. I stress myself out about it so much and it's driving me crazy!

Why the acupuncture? Can that help?

@AniSL

Oops!! Gynae said my BMI is fine, not my bum!! 😂😂😂

Sorry to hear you're having such a shit time. In fairness to your gynaecologist, it seems he's asking reasonable questions at this time. It can take 18-24 months for periods to rectify themselves after depo. Other factors which he will no doubt be considering are your age, his age, smoking, alcohol, exercise.... All boring but if you can optimise these then statistically you have a better chance of conceiving naturally. Sending you big hugs 💐 (and a good time😉)

@dperkins64013 I have no idea about the acupuncture but it worked and my friend has also had success with it. Have a Google or speak to an acupuncturist.
I'm not massively into "alternative" therapies (I'm happy taking drugs!) but I do credit it with playing a part.

Hi dperkins

As mentioned above, fertility acupuncture has been widely reported to help individuals when TTC, albeit success rates have been investigated when undertaking ivf rather than naturally. I am currently undertaking fertility acupuncture fortnightly. I am also awaiting my first appt for fertility massage (also another treatment that has people talking).
I downloaded the app 'Ovulation calculator' to help me monitor things but it also taught me stuff I didn't know. Sleep is apparently just as important as the rest of it when TTC.
I'm currently also taking Fertilaid and East Meets West Female Formula, works out a bit expensive but at this point I'm trying everything. Have you tried Agnus castus?
It's a shitty feeling but sending you positive hugs and hope you get some good news

A

deperkins,

re your comment:-

"Starting to think I may have endometriosis - irregular, painful, heavy periods, tired literally all the time, constipation during period and troy or conceiving. Going to mention it when I go back in October".

I would mention this to another gynae and before October as well; I would enquire whether anyone else has cancelled their appointment in the meantime. Would also suggest you keep a daily pain and symptom diary as well if you do not do this already as this will give them clues

The tiredness you are experiencing may be due to you actually being anaemic due to the heaviness of bleeding. Alternatively problems with the thyroid gland may be to blame.

If endometriosis is present this is usually diagnosed through a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy. The tests that you have had done to date will not detect it if it is there.

You need a diagnosis/diagnoses first and foremost.

Some of the symptoms also point to a thyroid problem has this been investigated? Should be a standard fertility test. Good luck it's so frustrating when it's not happening.

@homemadecookie

Honestly he's useless, half of the tests I've had is because I've asked for them. He's one of the 'ooh there's no rush' types. My partner and I are both quite active at work but don't necessarily exercise, and we do both smoke but less than five a day. I know it's better not to smoke at all but I just haven't got the willpower to quit. The only time I think I could quit is if I was to actually get pregnant. Then I'd quit without a doubt. My partner doesn't drink full stop and I go out literally once every three months, if that. And don't drink throughout the week. The depo has literally ruined my life! X

@AniSL

Ooh I'll have to have a look into the acupuncture! I monitor everything too - using 'Glow' at the moment. Drives me mad seeing the calendar saying when I should be ovulating when all I want to do is scream at it to shut up because I know I'm not. No I haven't tried it, what is it? X

@AttilaTheMeerkat

I've tried to move my appointment forward but they're not having any of it. I've been tracking the physical symptoms such as the cramps on my fertility app. I don't bother tracking the tiredness because that's just an everyday constant. I've had thyroid tests before and everything was fine. Also had my iron tested. Apparently it needs to be between 8 and 200 and my score was 10. That was done by the GO a while ago but they never did anything about it. I am taking shop bought iron tabs at the minute though. I'm definitely going to mention endometriosis and see what he says! X

@AttilaTheMeerkat

GP not GO lol x

@farfallarocks

Thyroid was tested a while ago by my GP but they said everything was fine :-/ x

Tbh, I'd probably go to a good fertility clinic and not bother with getting fobbed off by a gynaecologist. Specialist fertility doctors are likely to have a better understanding of things.

As for diet, supplements, getting sleep, cutting down on caffeine, exercise and acupuncture - they make an insane difference.