ERA / EMMA / ALICE testing thread 5(!)

[VenusStarr]

Just setting up a new thread as we're coming to the end of thread 4.

@Janefx40 @birdbybird @seven201 @Gardenlady543 @patientpatient @MyEasterEggs @thislittlebird @Yuliaaa @Violette22

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@Janefx40 that sounds promising! So pleased things are looking up for this cycle!

A womb massage is essentially abdominal massage, also called Maya or Arvigo. I think it may have helped with scarring but as with most things we’ll just never know.

My OH thought she was doing a hands on massage of my actual womb until I was a few sessions in. We didn’t discuss how that would have worked… 😂

@Janefx40 I’m so glad things were looking much better at your last scan!

Can I ask ladies. If you was in my situation would you wait till the new year to start IVF and have the other 2 medicated cycles I have left and try that first. I’m just so low each month I don’t know if to cut to the chase and head to IVF. It won’t be funded so we will need to save and I’m interested in the refund 50% package so it’s a lot to consider. I just don’t know if I can keep going through this. Obviously I know IVF isn’t a guarantee either.

Also any changes to anyone else’s period after the covid vaccine? It seems weird that it came out of no where and started last July. I don’t think stress has caused it.

Also does anyone know if IVF isn’t very successful if FSH is high.

in the space of 6 months it went from around 5/6 to 11! Which I know is way too high. My AMH was 8.4 (I’m 36) so I was told it’s low end of average but I’m worried it’s actually egg quality now due to the higher FSH and the “weak ovulation” causing my luteal phase defect

@Loz2467 I'm afraid I don't know anything about medicated cycles. FSH of 11 isn't too bad and also it varies month to month so you could find it is lower next month anyway.

Some clinics like it below 12 for IVF. A few prefer below 10. That is simply because the stimulation drugs contain FSH and they don't work if your FSH is already high. It doesn't mean you're not able to conceive naturally.

You can lower your FSH to prepare for IVF if you need to but yours isn't that high anyway and as I said, it might go down naturally. If I were you I would test it again maybe 3 months before starting IVF and see if you need to do anything to lower it then.

Is there much of a difference between canesbalance and balance activ? From what I’ve read they pretty much do the same thing. I’m considering a course along with canesflor. Wouldn’t do any harm, right?

Help!!! So I had a positive OPK on digital which surprised me as it was only 15mm yesterday. When I ejected the test bit it was flooded. So I did 2 more with other kits and they both said blank circle - but I'm not sure whether digitals work if you just do a one off?

I did 2 non digitals which are definitely not positive (all with same urine as I collect in a cup). I've brought the urine with me to clinic in case they can test.

I was due to have intralipids today but had planned to delay to tomorrow as a safer bet for the 7-10 day window - in theory I may not ovulate until Sunday. Also I have a really busy work day today so it would be better to do it tomorrow.

BUT if this is accurate then I have to do it today. They will do bloods but by the time I get the results it will be too late to trigger.

Clearly not positive. Read on the CB website that if you have an LH surge on the first day of testing it would display peak fertility. So I am going to assume the first was an error!

I went and had intralipids in the end. Not going to trigger today but as long as it isn't after Saturday then it will be fine.

@MyEasterEggs you'll have to look at the ingredients, I like balance activ as it has glycogen which is a prebiotic (nutrient for good bacteria) I'm not sure about other brands.

@Janefx40 are you due another scan soon as that might help predict timing?

I sent the images from the scan I had a few weeks ago to the surgeon and he said from that scan it looks like he may be able to get the fibroids out through hysteroscopy which would be good, although the images look the same to me as the last set. Op is in a week, I replied to say to do the lap whatever happens so I know if there is endo or not.

@Gardenlady543 how are you feeling about the op? It seems you've been waiting for it for a long time x

Thanks @Gardenlady543 I went for the balance activ as I’d ordered it and ingredients looked fine. But then I noticed nutritionist had previously suggested canesbalance so of course had a bit of a wobble. Constantly questioning myself.

Hope your op goes well next week. Fingers crossed the fibroids can be dealt with 🤞🏻

Sending good vibes your way @Janefx40

Another weird one tonight as easy@home definitely negative (not even close to positive) but digital positive. Now worrying the one earlier today was accurate and I missed ovulation. They did bloods tho so should have detected surge if it was there.

Sorry to be all ''me me me" but all such a headfuck. Things are going well otherwise and I'm just panicking something else is going to go wrong (like missing ovulation!)

Is easy@home one of the better ovulation tests @Janefx40? It’s been so long since I used strips but considering it so I know when I’m heading down to London.

Wish I could offer reassurance. I really struggled with the timing and testing side of things when we were TTC naturally…

@Janefx40 im not fully clued up on this but surely the clinic would of detected a surge? Are you TTC natural or IUI? Could you be releasing 2 eggs maybe? Is that a possibility? I know I struggle with the east at home tests and I try to use them alongside my digital. Last month my digital went straight to peak so I did easy at home and it wasn’t peak but getting there but if yours is no where near? I got ovulation pains later that day / next morning. Not sure if this is any help.

@Loz2467 @MyEasterEggs thank you. Yes hopefully the LH would have been picked up in bloods although something weird is going on. The easy@home is a barely there line so not anyway near.

also last month when I did monitoring, I had a scan the afternoon of my positive ovulation test (just for monitoring) and I had already ovulated when I got there.

Quick question. Where do you all source your meds from? I used to get them from Stork but they won’t deal with patients of clinics they’re not officially associated with now. So I’m comparing costs of other pharmacies! Thanks 💛

@MyEasterEggs my clinic has contracts with specific providers. It used to be Pharmasure who were great but now they switched. I just get from them or their supplier for most things.

I usually buy Lubion from Asda as it is often cheaper. You need to be organised tho as it takes longer to get the meds through.

Been in a caravan with my sister and families, so just catching up.

Omfg @Janefx40 ! <that was from reading about your thin lining. Omfg again < that is for your thicker lining!! Gosh, the ovulation tests sounds very confusing (mine often are too). Good idea to get the intralipids done. So when is the embryo going in? Are you stressing about the ovulation timing, or feeling alright now?

@Gardenlady543 I'm so glad your surgery is finally nearly here. How are you feeling about it?

@MyEasterEggs thank you for the info on Diamine Oxidase, I'd not heard of it. I'm glad you can start supplements today help your levels. That is hilarious your dh though she was massaging your actual womb!! My ivf meds I get through stork as my clinic use them. I tried shopping around once but it was a bit of a disaster (as no where stocks lentogest it seems so I ended up paying two prescription fees, so it was even more expensive!).

@Loz2467 what type of medicated cycles? You mean clomid or similar? Clinics tend to shut down over Xmas, then there's often a backlog. So if you want january, don't leave it until December to tell them. Ivf isn't a nice thing to do, so if you think something else could work maybe try that for the rest of this year.

VenusStarr hope you're enjoying your break. I wasn't sure if I should tag you or not (due to the break!) so didnt.

Hope everyone else is doing alright.

So after I had that brown spotting for 5/6 days that I retrospectively decided must have been my period, I was due to go for a scan and intralipids at CRP (for our trying naturally cycle) tomorrow. Then had solid smiley/peak fertility on clearblue (not positive on cheapie sticks) and CRP said to come in today. Went along and I have a follicle ready to go, but I have retained products from the pregnancy/miscarriage. So sodding annoying!! She thinks the spotting probably wasn't a period. She said I could have the mva to remove it or see if it goes with my next period. So I'm waiting for my period and then after that's done I will go back for another scan. Really hope that removes it all!

I've ordered a saliva ovulation test thing. Should arrive this evening I think. Interested to see if it works! Also, I turned 40 yesterday - so a fun present to myself!

Hey, I'm ok, cd1 today which is kicking my ass. Going for my lh, fsh and estradiol bloods tomorrow. I've actually just mentally crashed to be honest.

I just wanted to reply to @seven201 I had this after medical management, my GP prescribed antibiotics and within a few days of stopping I passed some pregnancy tissue and had a proper period. So might be worth a try? Rather than waiting.

Good news on the lining @Janefx40 🙌 what a turn around. X

@Janefx40 do you just hand the prescription into an Asda pharmacy? I’ve tried to find info about their fertility medication online before but haven’t got very far. How long does it take? I have enough Oestradiol from EndomeTRIO cycle to do me a week so will probably need everything else in a few weeks.

@seven201 I believe the question was “so how does she get in there?” 😂 erm…abdominally? He’s given up on asking me anything about treatment now!

@VenusStarr thank you for that. Dr Edge thinks my period will arrive in a couple of weeks as I'm about to ovulate. She didn't mention antibiotics at all. I think we're just hoping my period gets rid of the retained product. I didn't know that antibiotics could help. Much to think about! Thank you for letting me know.

Sorry you're having such a rough ride at the mo. Period hormones certainly won't be helping. I hope you're snuggled under a blanket on the sofa with a bar of chocolate.

@VenusStarr hope you're ok and bloods go ok. Are you going to take time out completely or will you try to conceive naturally?

@seven201 oh how frustrating. Will you wait for the period or get the antibiotics?

@MyEasterEggs you have to take the prescription into Asda or have it emailed. The branches all vary so it can also be worth going in or calling up and asking about prices for each item. They are usually the cheapest but not always. In my branch I have had to pay in advance. They can then order and it has usually be 3 days but they do say it can take up to a week (or more depending on the item). Basically you need to have a conversation with them. Good luck x

Thank you.
@Janefx40 probably not ttc naturally, we're both so deflated by everything, not sure we can face the pressure. X

@VenusStarr is totally fine to not try for a while.

@Janefx40 when is your transfer scheduled for?

I've filled in an e-consult form for my gp to ask about antibiotics. Will see what they say.

@VenusStarr yes great plan to take a break. Although we hated the idea of a break, being forced to take one Feb-June was actually really good for us both.

Transfer is next Thursday all being well. We triggered yesterday evening. I think even tho my bloods didn't suggest a peak just yet, my lining was ok and it is actually better to trigger before the natural surge starts really. Lining might have got better if we'd waited but wasn't worth the risk with the confusing tests.

So must now avoid Covid and any other disasters and try to make it to Thursday!!