Fertility tests start this week! Starting the journey to...???

[daisiesandpeonies]

We've been TTC for a while and no joy.
Have decided to go for tests privately - my scan and blood test are this week!
Just wondering if anyone else is out there at this stage??? Either NHS or otherwise?
In terms of 'symptoms' my skin has erupted with acne since being off the pill and my cycles are 6 weeks long, periods very heavy. Am trying not to self-diagnose with Google, but have some ideas of what they could tell me!

How long have you been ttc for may I ask?.

You need a diagnosis first and foremost.

PCOS could be a possible cause of your acne and long menstrual cycles; its a common cause of such. Heaviness of the cycle may be linked to your long cycles or perhaps a fibroid.

What scan and blood test are they doing?. Both of you should be tested in tandem. You really need to be fully conversant re the purpose of the tests and why they are doing them on such and such a day. Do not ever be afraid to ask them pertinent questions.

@AttilaTheMeerkat thank you for the advice - I'll make sure I ask why/what they're doing.
I'm being tested on day 5 of my cycle, I was told to ring up when my period started. I wouldn't be surprised to have either fibroids or PCOS, but as I said don't want to self-diagnose from Google. DH is also being tested. We've been TTC for just over a year.

Hi
I hope you don’t mind me joining as have just started my fertility testing journey as well.
Being TTC for 11m with one early MC last September. I’ve had initial bloods with GP and saw consultant last week who’s looking into AMH/TSH, ultrasound and contrast X-ray of my tubes.
OH has been tested and thankfully he’s got good swimmers so it may be down to me
We’ve both been to appointments together and it helps having the support.
daisiesandpeonies what made you start out privately? My NHS GP was very helpful-took a while for the right paperwork to land with the consultant but otherwise has been smooth so far.
Let us know how you get on

@MayZ have you had any results for bloods back yet? When are you going for your scans and x-ray? My husband and I are going to the consultant appointment at the end together but the rest all has to be alone because of work. I'm quite nervous tbh about what they might see on the scan and being there alone.
I started out private because I haven't had great experiences with the GP - I was told 18 months before they'd test me and not much concern given about my symptoms. Perhaps if I insisted on seeing someone else it would be different, but it's just a bit too stressful every time I go there. If I get a diagnosis and need treatment I'll probably have to go back there though, if our private insurance won't cover the whole lot.

LH and progesterone normal, FSH slightly high (could mean poor egg quality ) but am waiting on further bloods before I overthink it too much!
Am being sent appointment for ultrasound and have to ring and book X-ray once AF has been (dangerous if you are pregnant)
Initial bloods were back within a week of taking (different days of cycle) but my GP practice is quite friendly and coped with me hassling him! Can't ring my consultant so have to wait for her.
If you've got private insurance and GP not helping then good for you for using! My friend did that then jumped the NHS q (once infertility diagnosed they were quick in her area) always a post code lottery though.
I'm making the most of what the NHS will give me as unless they find a reason for infertility (apart from me being old!) I'm not eligible for NHS IVF
Good luck with your tests. Let us know how you get on

Can I join in too please?
36 (37 in a few weeks)
TTC #1
Cycle length average 24 days
Cycle no 26 I think of TTC

I've been to GP, got 21day bloods took. Low progesterone (although I'm getting them redone this cycle cos they were taken 11 days before AF so results would have been skewed

I've had transvaginal exam - think the lining of my womb wasn't thick enough

I've been referred to fertility clinic last week, so it's a waiting game now.

Hi Broodyaf

Did your GP do LH and FSH? And chlamydia serology? Mine had to jump through so many hoops before the fertility clinic would accept me!
Good luck (chase appointments -if I hadn't done I'd still be waiting)

Hey @MayZ
Yeah all the other hormone levels in the 21day bloods came back normal inc LH and FSH, and they took urine sample to check for chlamydia and gonorrhoea (both negative)

I'm going to ring fertility clinic next week to get an idea of waiting times. I've already rang them and they said the referrals are prioritised and to ring back next week for a rough idea. Hopefully I should be bumped up a bit due to being over 35 😏

What age are you? I feel the biological clock is ticking so much faster just cos I haven't been able to conceive yet

@Broodyaf good luck for you I hope they come through with an appointment soon 🤞🏼 Like @MayZ said it's a real postcode lottery. It's rubbish around where I live! How was the trans vaginal exam I'm a bit nervous about it? Have you been given any kind of diagnosis or particular reason why TTC might be difficult for you? I know that they often can't pin it on one thing. Too many questions, sorry!!

Haha @daisiesandpeonies I'm the same with questions and then I read my response back and I'm thinking "Jesus she's never gonna reply to that" 😂😂

No definite problem diagnosis's yet, but that's cos I've been cleared of having PCOS etc. But GP thinks there might be a problem with my progesterone, hence why I'm redoing the 21days bloods this cycle as the progesterone has to be taken 7 days after you ovulate otherwise the results can be skewed and give a false negative. So normally I ovulate day 10 which is why he requested my bloods cd17, but last cycle for some weird reason I didn't get a positive on OPK u til CD14&15 and my cycle lasted 28days (sod's law that I would have longer cycle for no reason!)

The transvaginal exam was uncormfortable but the sonographer is able to tell u there and then wat she sees. So she was able to tell me about follicles in my ovaries etc and that my ovaries looked fine, no cysts, but lining of my wall looked v thin to be the day before AF due. I was nervous about it too, but it's actually quite reassuring cos u get the results straight away if that makes sense?

I live in N. Ireland so the only private doctors are about 80miles away 🙄

@MayZ you sound so lucky that you've got a Doctor on your side about all of this who'll work to get the things you need - mine was such a cow!!
@Broodyaf that's good to know you get some answers on the same day - I just hope I don't get any horrific news when I'm there alone and then have to go straight to work! I'm feeling so certain that I'm going to be told I have PCOS or fibroids that I haven't really thought about other things. What are the symptoms of low progesterone? I have such heavy periods I can't imagine there being an issue with the womb lining though

@Broodyaf

I'm 39 (40 in Nov) so a much shorter clock ticking! Was in the wrong relationship for 13yrs he never wanted kids and my now fiancé kept
saying there's no rush (maybe not for him!) so now I'm worried I've left it too late. But medical science can do wonders for us, as long as I have eggs left. Have always had a regular cycle and that's not changing so am ever hopeful.

Am not looking forward to my testing but as long as I get some answers it's worth going through.
a friend had success with an AMH of 3 in her early
30's and overstimulation that depleted her reserve so there's always hope

@daisiesandpeonies I don't have any symptoms so I don't know. The blood test just came back low. Progesterone was 9.8, range is 16-28
My periods are medium and generally last 3days.

Isn't it just frustrating seeing AF rear it's ugly head cycle after cycle and u just think to yourself "how does anyone else get pregnant?" We have tried anything and everything! From legs in the air, pillows under my ass, pressed, reflexology, body basal temping, OPKs, pregnancare.... I'm exhausted!!! 🤷‍♀️😫

@daisiesandpeonies

Yes, have luckily had good local GP's and receptionists who let you talk to them on the phone! It's a shame there is such variance and you have to deal with their attitude-their personal thoughts aren't relevant and not helpful.

@Broodyaf
Fingers crossed it is a simple thing like low progesterone. The human body is crazy, like my friend said-she has no idea how we've overpopulated the world so well as we're so bad at reproducing!

@MayZ great you're in the right relationship now though and he's on board - know it probably just feels like breadcrumbs when you're longing to start a family but sounds like it's all in place for when that happens!
@Broodyaf no doubt this has been one of the hardest experiences of my life. I cry every time that AF comes now (my husband thought I'd trod on something in the bathroom the wail I let out last cycle) and physically cannot bear to use pregnancy tests anymore - I've developed a pregnancy test phobia, I can't stand the sight of them! I've wasted invested so much money on supplements, recipe books, everything....
I'm 31, but have been married a while and the questions from kindly relatives never stop. I feel quite alienated from my closer female relatives because they all fall pregnant so fast

@MayZ don't get me started on GP receptionists.... I'm sure most of them are lovely and they do have to put up with a lot, but I have no idea how my surgery recruits theirs. I was close to losing my temper after the doctor did a blood test and told me to ring for results - 'nothing to concern you, love. Anyway issues with falling pregnant at your age are not an urgent matter.' Arrrrrggghhhh!!!!!

@MayZ ur friend is right - it's a lot harder than we 1st ever thought... and to think that for years and years I was on the pill, the coil, the bar, some times two contraception's at the one time and now thinking back im wondering if I ever needed it, but sure that's Sod's law isn't it

Oh @daisiesandpeonies I've threw some major tantrums in the toilets too when the red dragon appears. So so unfair that everyone around me is pregnant or have babies, and I know all about the "no babies yet?" Questions...
"Does it f**king look like it???"
But I'm sure I've asked that question many times before too, u just don't know what goes on behind anyone's closed doors.

I take it this is both no1 for you both?

@Broodyaf yes I'll never ask the baby question of anyone again. Yes baby #1 for me. I was always terrified of falling pregnant too, seems ridiculous with hindsight. I'm now genuinely jealous of a good friend who had an accident a couple of years ago - it was with her long term partner and it all worked out well for them, just not exactly when they would have chosen. Oh, how I wish we could have had an accident how amazing not to go through TTC!

Isn't it the biggest chore now the whole TTC carry on! I do be so relieved when I'm well past my fertile window that I can go to bed and know all I have to do is sleep 🙈
I hate sex so much now. And there is never spontaneous sex now, it's all so bloody well planned 🙄

I'm pure jealous of my brother - his 1st child was an accident, the 2nd was planned and happened the 1st month of TTC, then he split with his partner, had a 1 nite stand on Valentine's Day with a lesbian and produced baby no3 !!! 😡😫

@daisiesandpeonies
@Broodyaf
Yes my first. I've been on every sort of contraception too-always scared of the accident too. Now I wish i hadn't been so careful. Know of 2 relationships where they were pregnant within 1m and one is now married with 3 DC and the other happily living with 2 DC! As another friend said when you're trying desperately every man and his dog seems to casually pop one out!

I'm with you on the stress of waiting for AF my positive before my MC was such a shock and never felt real. My OH is such a good man he always knows when AF comes I'm a weepy miserable mess and supplies chocolate and hugs.
I've grown an aversion to testing for anything and was considering stopping charting (but I'm too analytical by nature so that won't help!)
My close friends know but it's the odd comment that can hurt the most, especially from strangers who don't know your story. Seems everyone has a right to ask/mention it!

Hi everyone, can I join please?
36.5, TTC #2, cycle 8 (4 of real trying)

We just started with tests last week, had ORT scan and AMH bloods. Gone private for various reasons.

Just been told I have hypothyroidism, this is apparently causing my CP's earlier this year...off to get meds for this tomorrow.
Follicular tracking and day 21 progesterone now delayed until next cycle which is frustrating but clearly there is no point...

Blessed to have DC1, but feeling pretty low/in shock about all this right now. Xx

@Doris19
Hi
Did you have any issues with DC1 if not then hopefully it may just be alterations in hormones now causing problems

It's so frustrating that we have to wait for certain times for testing, seems to take forever!
I hope you get some answers soon

Thanks @MayZ
I have a history of endometriosis but managed to conceive DC1 naturally a few months after laporoscopy treatment.
The timing of tests is indeed super frustrating!

My best friend had her DC2 last weekend and I really thought I would be pregnant by the time she gave birth so that's a bit of a milestone for me.

Hey ho, at least I have hopefully found the cause now!

@Doris19 sorry to hear about what you're going though - it must have been a shock to find another condition. Do you mind explaining what the symptoms of endometriosis were for you? How old were you when you conceived DC1? Sorry for the probing questions!

Hi @daisiesandpeonies - hope this is useful it has got a bit lengthy! Of course, happy to share...
My endo symptoms were very painful periods. Literally would have to set alarm extra early to overcome the pain before getting out of bed. Also long heavy cycles with (tmi warning) what is described as chocolate - like blood at the end of my cycle. This is from the endo itself (google it for a better idea!). It was found because eventually the endo cyst twisted causing me awful pain. My mum has it too and it's genetically linked.

In case useful - endo does not always show up on TV scans. I had 2 smaller ones on my ovaries that were found by TV scan. I then had a laparoscopy op to remove these, where to his surprise my surgeon found I also had a cyst the size of an orange!! This was why it was so painful!

I was 30 when I had the endo removed, had a mirena coil for 9 months to prevent regrowth, and conceived 3 months after it was taken out when I was 31.