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 💪🏼🌸🙏🏼

pjs Well hopefully I do not overdose on folate!!! I just found reasonably priced 1000mcg folate on Amazon - only 4/5 a day!
I have favourites too

Evening ladies. Anyone with Netflix needs to watch mindhunters, it's based on a book about the real beginnings of behavioural analysis/serial killer catching etc, set in the 1970s.

Mouse sorry AF came. I'm currently trying not to get my hopes up as I'm 12 dpo and AF is due tomorrow and I have no spotting and very sore boobs.

Fertility fair sounds interesting, will you share what you learn in the seminars?

GP appointment booked for 10th November. Couldn't do sooner than that because of DH's work/an impromptu work trip for me. Starting to see why things could take time to get going let alone the NHS waiting times!

Loving mindhunter too!!! (Watching it right now) We binged stranger things season 2 today... all 9 episodes. Lol. Had a VERY lazy day. After the wedding on Friday and AF showing yesterday I needed it. 🤓

Oh we want to start stranger things next!

Need to catch up.on series 2 of designated survivor as well!

13 dpo and counting. Can't believe I've made it to 13 dpo with no spotting. Tummy feels funny though so definitely expecting AF.

Fingers crossed for you Flash! I keep forgetting that it's possible to get pregnant without the use of IVF - show us how it's done!!

I'll also be checking out Mindhunter, thanks for the tips.

PJs it sounds like you had a huge step forward at your appt. I completely agree with everything you say about that test not being available as well. All that wasted money, extra stress and needless medical intervention that women have to go through that could be avoided. It's shocking - I am very surprised NICE haven't got involved to be honest. At least you are both now on the right track. How is your DH dealing with it all?

Jam I don't see any reason why you shouldn't have one more shot this month. Sod's law and all that.

Mouse I love the dress you wore for the wedding but sorry about AF

Kwick that puppy is gorgeous!! You must all be very excited. DP would love to get a dog but I think we're out at work too much so have said no... Cats are definitely in the plan though.

Tonight will be my 12th dose of stimms and it looks like egg collection will be on Friday. Because of my high AMH (I had 50+ follicles at baseline scan) I have been on very very low doses of drugs - 75iu of Menopur and 12.5 units of Gonal F - increased to 50 of Gonal F in the middle of last week.
One vial of Menopur lasts me for 16 doses, whereas some people use an entire vial - or two or three - in a day so you can see how gently they have been stimming me!
I have one follicle at 16mm and a few others between 10-12 so not very many at all. Hoping the softly softly approach hasn't scuppered my chances of getting a decent number of eggs...

I haven't had any side effects from the drugs - just a few bruises in my flabby bit where the injections have been. I have come down with a crappy cold and have a very sore throat though, which is making me feel much worse than any of the IVF :(

Hoping that Wednesday's scan shows the smaller follicles have caught up and I have a decent shot at a few good eggs.

Hope you're all having a good Monday!

Hey girls, I hope you are all well and soldiering on with your journeys - I haven't managed to keep up with the thread (sorry) so please excuse my very self-centred post. I will do my best to catch up this week, and i'll try and keep this short...

I had my laparoscopy last Wednesday, it was meant to just be an investigative process but I was informed after I woke up that they had performed some "clean-up surgery" whilst I was under. I didn't even realise they could do that but I thought, hey, if they've fixed something then I don't care. They wouldn't really divulge too much information at this stage as all the results went on to the fertility department.

I've just today got back from my follow-up appointment with the gynaecologist...this is only the second time in 14 months I've actually seen her. She said I had a lot of benign tissue in my Fallopian tubes (endo) that was cleared surgically. The main issue however is a huge clump of ovarian endometrioma which is literally encasing my left ovary and part of my right. I honestly don't understand why this shit wasn't picked up in the 4 ultrasounds I've had over the last year. The surgeon didn't attack this because it's thin and very close to the ovarian tissue, he risks damaging the ovaries, loosing follicles, egg count etc etc.

My only option really is IVF, but my gynaecologist said that they may have difficulty collecting good, quality eggs. My initial IVF appointment is in January so I've been told to wait until then, in case clearing the tubes has had some miracle affect (unlikely) and they will review my options with me then. Oh and I've also been told to stop taking the Clomid immediately as its likely whats been causing the adverse pain at ovulation.

I think I should be feeling pretty deflated at this point, but I don't really feel anything. A little smug that my very first self-diagnosis of myself was correct all those years ago, I wish I could shove these test results in the Doctor's face who told me that I should stop googling my theories online and relax.

I know I said a week ago I was ready to give up, but I'm not. It's going to be hard, but I have knowledge now and I feel like I can start attacking this with my brain. xx

Oh skipper what a shock! I don't know what to say. You sound incredibly brave and determined. Was your DH with you at your appointment?

Sending you lots of good wishes sk1pper, answers are a good thing for sure but it must have been such a shock. However hard the journey ahead may be, you sound so strong and brave xx

Good to hear from you @sk1pper Sorry it wasn't better news but must be comforting to start to get answers about not only the baby factor but also about your period pain. Hopefully this is the start of a new chapter of moving forwards.

Hi ladies, hope you are all well!

over this is great news on your no spotting! Still have my fingers crossed for you!!

kwick 😍 that puppy is just gorgeous!! You must be so excited to get them in a month?!

So had my hycosy and scan today. At the grand old age of 34 I have only 1 follicle on each ovary. Devastated doesn’t even cover it. Not sure what my amh is but guessing that’s shite as well-consultant will have that result from blood test done last week. The consultant we seen today for scan seems to think ivf won’t be a great option for us and he said my consultant at the clinic will go into more detail of what our plan should be.

Any one else in a similar position? I’ve been so upset today. Need to give myself a shake.

Flash - unfortunately DH has been unable to attend all my appointments over the last few weeks. He’s burnt 9 days of holiday on my/our appointments this year (he only gets 20 days total) and he’s got no more to burn. I feel for him because he’s only had our honeymoon break this year but at the same time I feel like he should try harder to get some compassionate leave. But I don’t know what his workplace is like, maybe it is as tricky as he says it is.

Gee - unfortunately I will still be suffering with bad period pains. The only real cure is hormonal drugs like the pill (not an option when you’re TTC) or a hysterectomy - but even that isn’t guaranteed to work. Apparently endo gets everywhere, it’s like cancer. It could be in my womb, outside the womb, in my bowels - fuck knows. But there must be some natural remedy to reduce it or at least stop it spreading, that’s my focus right now.

I love you guys I really do, I’m so excited for you all. It literally feels like we’re at the last stages of a very long journey.

inspector I am sure you will be very juicy at your next scan 🤞🏼

skipper so good to hear from you - I was thinking of you only this morning my lovely.
I am SO outraged on your behalf!!! I cannot the fuck believe why it has taken them so long to diagnose!!!
You do have options available to you and I am glad you are willing to fight. I will be right there with you, every step of the way, egging you on.

planegazer I hope you get more insight when you see the consultant. There are still options no matter how hopeless it may seem right now.

skipper are you still doing the castor oil packs? Will you give fanjo steaming a try with me?

Hope everyone has had a good Monday. Seems like there's a lot to catch up with so I'll try my best.

plane anyone would feel upset with that result hope you can get some answers and a plan of action going forward

skipper so sorry to hear your news. Don't give up there's still hope and ivf might work for you.

inspector good luck for the scan on wed. Will the increase the dose if needed? Sounds like they've really dialed it right back.

flash well done on making it to 13dpo. When is af due? Are you testing or just wait and see? My DH wants to watch stranger things too

kwick pup looks so cute!! Have you heard from the lab about your embryos?

Sorry about af mouse and wingingit

pjs sounds like a very useful consultation. I'd have a bee in my bonnet about it too if I were in the same position. So glad you're finally getting some answers and can move forward from here.

lemony my DH did a 'dodgy' sample - he said it didn't seem right and he missed half the pot! The results unsurprisingly came back abnormal (previously normal) but during ivf when he had to produce a sample to fertilize the eggs the lab said it was all perfectly normal. We were told we'd need ICSI but clearly not! Also as pjs has sadly experience a normal SA does not mean it's normal! Are you planning on going to the fertility show?

jamon hope Sod's law works for you! When are you starting treatment? Sorry I've lost track!

2 more sleeps till test day for me ....

Wow mouse you watched the entire second season?! Respect to that! I will be checking out Mindhunter

Fingers tightly crossed for you flash

Good to hear from you penguin I’ve got everything crossed for your scan Wednesday xx That’s a really good point about NICE I wonder if we should all write to them.

Skipper lovely it’s good to hear from you. I’m sorry it wasn’t better news, and I’m aghast at how long it’s taken them to diagnose this. I’ll bet you wanted to shove the results in hour GPs face! Idiot. I hope you and your DH can help each other process this and find a way forwards. Women with endometriosis can and do conceive. If you do go down the IVF route you’ve got a whole troop of cyclers here to help you through. Wish I could give you a big hug xxx

Plane sorry it wasn’t better news for you too, that’s a lot to digest and I hope the next steps with the consultant give you more info and guidance on what’s next. When do you see them?

Thanks otters we’re throwing the dice one more time this week... not expecting anything just trying to enjoy the shagging! I start taking Progynova next Tuesday. I’ve come to the conclusion I’m not down regging - I think my clinic just haven’t bothered explaining to me - and Progynova is a way to control my cycle and build up my uterus lining maybe? I have no idea. How are you feeling???? Got my fingers tightly crossed for you 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

Hi all, just checking in after a weekend of trying not to think about TTC...didn't do that well! Sorry there has been some bad news over the weekend - for plane skip and pjs

plane so sorry to hear this, it must have come as a real shock. I've only got 7 antral follicles (all on one side) - the doctor who told me didn't think it was a huge issue and that they could work with it, Google is not your friend though as it does give very bleak figures - avoid if you can. I am by no means an expert but I think they could still try and stimulate you - you do hear of people going from no to some follicles. Also it might be worth looking into natural / mild IVF through places like Create - they look to work with your natural cycle and only mildly stimulate to get one or two eggs rather than hundreds. They seem to have very good success rates for people with low AMH and a number of people on here seem to rate them.

skip so sorry about your news too - so frustrating that this is why you thought. At least now it has been diagnosed and you can move forward, although it might not seem that positive now. You have a great PMA - I hope that sees you through.

pjs sounds like at least you're making progress - that is a lot of vitamins, you will both be rattling! Sounds like a really positive experience though?

flash keep us posted, so hope we have some good news at last.

Love the sound of Mindhunter - next on my list after Stranger Things!

kwick that dog is the cutest? Does he/she have a name yet?

I'm day 13 of downregging - only 8 more to go! Feeling a bit tired, emotional and clumsy - good job I have given up the booze as that is how I normally am when I've had a drink.

otters hope you have managed to keep yourself occupied in the two week wait and you are feeling Ok? That seems to have flown by - but I bet you don't feel the same!

AF was due yesterday/today otters. Bought frers today, will test Wednesday morning if no spotting by then.

At yoga tonight, my yoga teacher (who knows we've been TTC for a while) handed me a pineapple and told me to eat it!

Skipper I can only imagine how difficult it must be to coordinate schedules for tests etc. Hopefully you and he can spend some time together this evening.

Plane I'm so sorry your scan wasn't better news. I hope that they can give you some more information to move forward with at your next appointment.

Keeping everything crossed for you penguin.

jam happy shagging! How are you feeling? How are you and DH doing?

struggle what happens after down regging?

otters just 2 more sleeps!!!!🤞🏼
Hopefully I will hear about embryos tomorrow.

jamon apart from the Progynova are you taking anything else? Like Norethisterone? If not then you are not down-regging.

struggle the name is Vader (as in Darth)

flash I 😍 your yoga teacher!!! 🍍🍍🍍

Thanks girls.

struggle we are at the lister and they seem to chuck the kitchen sink at you if you have a low reserve which is good. Thanks so much for the positive words, you are right about google it doesn’t make for great reading.

jam next appt is 2 weeks tomorrow. Fingers crossed we can get some sort of a plan together then.

Thanks again girls, I read this board more or less everyday although I rarely post. Your support for one another in this rather alien and depressing time really has given me such comfort.

Oh skip - it's so lovely to hear from you, but what an outrage; how did they not pick it up earlier?? As the others have said, your attitude is amazing - am so glad you're continuing. Really hope this is the final piece of the puzzle for you - take care xx

plane that must have been a shock - sending you hugs. Glad the Lister are taking it seriously - fx for some progress

flash am not-jinxing-it-excited for you - so hope spotting and AF stays away!

AF arrived. I'm trying but I can't find much comfort in the no spotting and 13 day LP this morning.