Thread 32 | TTC#1 | Making the move from conception to infertility. We've taken some blows but we are not beaten

[Jamon]

Hi all. We're a group of first timers who've been plugging away on the conception boards for some time. The support here is amazing so if you're in a similar boat please jump onboard.

Time to hand hold through treatments and support each other through to becoming the mums we deserve to be 💪🏼🌸🙏🏼

Ooh yes pics please!! They're really cute and fluffy aren't they? We had to get our sofa cleaned this week because of our pup weeing on it when he was a baby but he's worth it :)

That's good that you've got quite a lot of things planned jam and good you've got a bit of time off stored up in case you need to use it.

How are you feeling about the IUI treatment kerry? Is it very common? I don't really know anyone whose had it so am interested in what's involved etc.

There's an article in this week's Grazia about one writer only getting one round of IVF wheres her colleague got 3 because of postcode. Good to see these things being talked about, there seems to be a LOT of press coverage recently.

I'm going to go online and book a doctor's appointment tonight. Told DH i wanted to mainly because I wanted to get the ball rolling as things could take time and he was totally fine with it. I know how much he wants a baby, just think he's a bit passive about it (apart from the sex of course!)

Oh I love looking at pictures of cute fluffy puppies, kittens etc.

Re IVF, in my area I think you get one fresh transfer and one frozen, although obviously that translates to just one if you don't have any embryos worth freezing. But you are also eligible for it if you've had up to two private IVF rounds as well.

I have annoying PMS symptoms creeping in, was irrationally irritated at DH opening the blinds this morning!

I have everything crossed for you otters.

Hopefully lots of little kwicks are created today!! I still think the whole process of creating life is amazing whether naturally or in a petri dish.

Lots of luck to anyone else going through their treatments.

Anyone who knows about my thyroid issues my consultant via the gp has halved my carbimazole dosage. So moving in the right direction!!!

I also second the puppy photos. My pup is now 18 months old and is no longer a puppy. Bless her.

Hey ladies
Sorry I've been AWOL of late, been totally lurking though!
Congratulations on being PUPO Otters - got everything crossed for you.
And good luck to everyone else embarking on treatment - Winging Jam and Kwick - sorry if I've missed anyone.
I think getting things going at the Docs is a good idea Flash - we had our first GP appointment in May and its only now that all tests are complete.

Not really much to report with me... had hycosy a few weeks ago which showed that tubes were open so we now have a confirmed diagnosis of unexplained infertility. I'm struggling a lot emotionally though, spotting this morning so fairly sure that AF will be here in force tomorrow - which obviously means this is the worst day... But on the whole I am finding things very hard. I had an appointment with the Counsellor at the FC yesterday and although I’m probably focussing on the negatives I did feel that she was quite harsh with me. She told me that I’ve as much chance of influencing conception as I have of being able to stop my heart beating at will… And then confirmed that I probably do need to be able to reengage with the rest of my life as there is a chance that this might never happen. Not sure if it was tough love but I basically sat and sobbed throughout the session. I just feel very empty and lost.
On the flipside and desperately trying to find a positive we’ve had a good breakthrough with in ILs and they now understand how rubbish this is for us, how miserable we are and that I’m just not going to want to discuss children, babies and my SIL second first time trying pregnancy so that’s all a lot better.

jam yes long protocol - it definitely feels very long as I won't know the outcome until mid December I don't think. I am planning a very boozy Christmas if it doesn't work!

No real symptoms - I've been feeling a bit tired and a bit fuzzy headed but that could be anything really! Have got really sore boobs too but I am due on today/tomorrow so could be that - although buserelin is notorious for messing up your cycles

I found it so weird not trying this cycle - and really sad that it had come to this - but I feel so much better now injections have started.

Good you have got fun stuff planned and very jealous of your holiday - I think you would be fine with meds, maybe an ice box to travel with, and then check your hotel would have a fridge. MIL needs refrigerated meds for a condition so she just rings ahead.

Great news about the new job baguette - I think a new challenge will be a great distraction! Hope you have a nice last few days.

flash do you know how long the referral would take? You could say to your husband you'd like to go into the new year knowing your options, and even with the referral you don't know to do anything for a while if you're not ready.

Also I think I am sometimes that yoga heavy breather 🙈. Especially when I'm struggling to stay in tree pose!

otters great news about your Frosties. No experience on an IVF 2WW but I think keep busy, plan nice things, don't put too much pressure on yourself and STAY AWAY FROM
GOOGLE! when is your test day?

kwick puppies and embryos - what an exciting time. Are you having a frozen transfer?

I am becoming a proper weirdo looking for signs - for ages I have been seeing single magpies and then yesterday I saw too! I was waiting to a bus this morning and saw one, then turned around a little friend was there with him. I know it doesn't mean anything but it makes me feel a bit more cheerful!

AF is due today. I’m 10DPO apparently but even though I’m not spotting yet (normally would all day yesterday) if i poke about I can see some spotting when I wipe. Can’t believe I got my hopes up, I just want to scream. I suppose I should take positives that my cycle lengthened by a day unless AF rocks up this afternoon. 😢

Mouse I'm so sorry you think AF is due. Really hope it's not. Also, cervix can get very sensitive in 2ww so prodding might cause small amounts of spotting, that aren't actually coming from your uterus (apologies if you know this already.)

Sorry Lemony haven't had any tests as such yet so can't offer advice but big hug and hopefully someone will come along in a minute who knows more about it. and for you.

Hi lemony, not sure if relevant but we went to see a urologist who deals with sperm issues basically and he sorted my DH out and got his results back to excellent quality sperm. I know he also deals with all aspects of sperm including count. His name is dr Jonathan Ramsay. Might be worth checking him out.

So sorry lemony, seeing your issue really puts it into perspective. Sorry for moaning people. I should be flipping happy my cycle has changed and so far no spotting so I should be thankful. I ovulated a day earlier too. And breathe. I’m at a wedding tomorrow too, I shall not be a negative nancy.

Lemony there’s lots you can do to improve sperm. Does your DH take any vitamins. Vit c is meant to be an instant boost. Fx it’s just a little blip. X

Also, on the subject of vitamins. What do your OHs take?? DH keeps asking if he can do anything more.

Glad you're feeling cheerier Mouse but noone on here ever has to apologise. We've all been through enough to not compare ourselves to each other.

DH and I are rubbish and don't take anything. He never has, and I used to take the conception vitamins and then stopped bothering.

For me, I found the stress of wondering if I was doing enough became less the fewer 'extras' I did.

Lemon - You really need to see the full SA results as there are a number of parameters that need to be assessed together in order to confirm if there is an issue. Can you get a GP appointment?
My DH has been taking proxeed for about a year now, our issue was morphology which is notoriously difficult to improve but his count and motility are able average which I would definitely chalk up to the Proxeed. Its pretty bloody pricey but gets a lot of good reviews and although we don't know if it has improved things for DH as he didn't have an SA before he started - I think it is making a difference to his other parameters.

So sorry lemon that is so tough. Vitamins can definitely help, I've seen good things about proxeed and great he is willing to give up alcohol and caffeine. I think it can take 3 months to see an improvement.

I know it's really hard, but at least there are sperm so you can still have a baby. I know treatment is overwhelming, but I think with ICSI you can overcome all these issues - good to have that as an option in the future.

Step away from Google as it just makes you feel far more worried. Try and keep yourself busy until you can get home to try and keep your mind of it xxx

Another proxeed advocate here as well. Massively boosted Dh's morphology result in 6 weeks so worked wonders for him. You can buy online from revital.
Hope you're ok. It's a lot to take in but it can be improved

Well done booking your appointment in flash

That's really good news basset, definitely going in the right direction

Hmmm flora I'm not sure how helpful that is from a counsellor to be honest. I don't think you need to start thinking about it never happening at this stage. You haven't exhausted fertility treatments by any stretch of the imagination. I think she pitched where you are at in the journey completely wrong there. Very glad to hear your ILs are on board now. DH went to see his this week and filled them in on how hard this all is for us and what not to say/do. I feel like a bit of a weight has been lifted there too

struggle I'll be finding out mid-December too. Will be with you on a boozy Xmas if also negative although I'll need to watch it as I'm not really drinking at all so am complete lightweight and don't want to spiral into depression. Fx for us both that we will not be having another drink for at least 9 months.

mouse definitely positive on your LP. I really hope it doesn't come - but I know you will cope and come back stronger if it does

lemon sorry it wasn't better news for your hub - I hope both of you are okay. I remember getting our low morphology result, we were both reeling, completely shocked. Take some time to let it sink in and process. There are definitely things you can do and its brilliant he is willing to give up caffeine and booze. He also need to keep things nice and cool down there - no saunas and no using his laptop on his lap. I'm another big advocate of Proxeed Plus - its the only one I've seen professionally recommended - and within 3-4 month of taking it DH sperm went from 1% to 4% morphology.

It may mean that they put you forward for IVF sooner - but if you do then you will get through it and we will all support. IVF bypasses low sperm count and ovulation problems by getting the buggers out and introduced in a petri dish!

Maybe take yourself out for a little coffee / walk if you are not managing well at work xx

Meant to add that I had the call from the nurses today. I start down regulating a week on Tuesday and they've booked me in for baseline scan on the 16th. The drug company should be in touch next to arrange delivery.

I'm fertile at the moment and its still soooooooooo weird to not be manically shagging. Expect me to keep saying this for the next week. It's been my life for the last two years.

Jam I'm so excited for you to get going with this. We could have some BFPs on this thread by Christmas! Does anyone remember the last time we had one?

Hopefully my embryo is implanting today 🤞 it feels like forever since transfer but it's only been a few days.

quiet when are you testing ?

jam sounds like lots of lovely things planned. So pleased you are starting treatment soon. It's definitely weird to not actively try - been there, got the t shirt.

flash well done on going ahead with booking the drs appointment

kwick any updates?

bassetmum yay for lower carbimazole dose. Are you still holding off TTC until thyroid sorted or started already? (Sorry been out of the loop)

flora hi 👋🏻 that sounds like a tough counseling session. You may have to choose the right counsellor for you. Not much point if it's going to be counter productive. Sorry you're having such a tough time.

struggle I found it weird not trying during the cycle. How are you finding the injections ? My otd is 1st nov and have definitely stepped away from dr google!

mouse enjoy the wedding tomorrow. Hope AF doesn't show up. I've been feeding my DH lots of vitamins ! Started with just wellman but I've added vit c, vit d and omega 3 and cut him back on caffeine and alcohol.

lemony sorry about the sperm results. As chlo said a specialist urologist might help but it depends what the problem is. Maybe the FC will shed some light on it? My DH had low/poor morphology and we thought we'd need ICSI but lab said the sperm looked fine and we had normal IVF and 5 of 7 mature eggs fertilized so it was clearly fine. Only difference was vitamins as above and less caffeine and alcohol.

I was ttc for ten cycles otters, with no luck before my thyroid issues were discovered. Then i was told under no certain circumstances was i allowed to continue ttc until my levels were sorted. Anniyingly Im still not seeing the consultant in the flesh till the beginning of January then I am going to ask if i can move to propylthiouracil as you can ttc on that medication.

basset that's so frustrating. Hope you can switch and start ttc again. Do you have to wean off one to start the other?

Basset. That’s what I take. 2x 50mg daily. However my GP pretty much said my short cycles and miscarriage is my thyroids fault on Monday. Probably why I cried all the way home. Lemme know if you need a chat. X