Still At it - SPRING '06 edition

[SAI Ladies]

This thread is for people who have been TTC for an extended period of time (6 months or more) and/or for those with known/diagnosed infertility issues. The and/or is the important statement here. ;) We welcome you to join whether you're trying to conceive for the first time, already have children, have suffered miscarriages, you're seeking treatment or not.

For non-members:
We always welcome supporters and cheerleaders! Please understand that this is our own safe place to discuss infertility and our feelings about it, and keep your comments supportive and on-topic. Thanks!

Table of Contents for Page 1:
Post 1: Members (part I)
Post 2: Members (part II)
Post 3: Members who are expecting
Post 4: Members' BABIES! (part I)
Post 5: Resources (including HPT Sensitivity Comparison)
Post 6: Links to old threads, recent congrats & condolences


Your current threadmistress is suzfuzsunflower - please try post all updates in red so that they're easier to see!

Still At It...Membershttp://www.webmuseum.com/blove/ttc.gif
in alphabetical order by user name


Alioop12345
TTC #2 since 5/05
On: Estradiol, Gonal F, HcG, Viagra supps and Progesterone supps

Alliannie
Me: 22
DH: 23
Married: 08/04
TTC: 1/05
Charting: 5/06
M/C: 06/06 10wks-D&C
Issue: Anovulatory cycles or very weak ovulation, delayed ovulation
Treatment:
5/06 start Provera to induce period and then Clomid 50mg


Asha
both of us are 28
married 8/16/03
off bcp 01/04
first started ttc 7/04
tests done - dh had semen analysis and everything is ok on his end, we are going to wait one or two more cycles before i go for testing
charting for three months with no clear indication of ovulation
2/06 - transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasounds - no cysts
3/06 - hsg - clear tubes but a heart shaped uterus (uterine anamoly)
april 2006 - starting 50 mg clomid


Bellefior
Me – 37
DH - 36
Married – 5.31.03
Charting – 5/05
Off BCP since 5/05
Issues: low SA, repeat SA to be conducted, followed by visit to RE
DX Male Factor Infertility
RE Appointment 6/2
Preliminary testing to be completed June/July
Urology consult at end of June
Follow up with RE July 27th

Bumble
Me – 30
DH - 33
Married – 8.31.03
Charting – 1.05
TTC – 4.05
Off BCP – years
m/c in June 05 @ 8wks
Obstacles to overcome: impatient-ness
RE visit 1.06, diagnosed with PCOS
SA 1.06, count looks good
HSG 2.06, tubes clear

Cath
Me: Catherine, 32
DH: 34
Married: 11/01
TTC: 11/03
Diagnosed w/PCOS in July 2004
Clomid didn't work, now Follistim
3 failed IUIs
1 chemical pregnancy a month we were taking a break(10/05)
2/06 IUI failed
Moving on to IVF


CTs_Punkin
Me - MMT (33)
DH - CT (37)
Married - 11/2004
Charting - 1/2005
TTC - 1/2005
Off BCP - 11/2004
Issues: Premature Ovarian Failure
April 06 - Diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure
April 06 - LAP - no blocked tube, a little endo removed from back of uterus.
My Chart!! (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/mmthomas)


DaniML
Me: Daniela - 29
DH: Ross - 36
Married: 04/13/03
TTC: 06/04
11/04: Cervical Ectopic (2 shots of methotrexate to terminate)
TTC again: 01/05
11/05: Dx: Borderline diabetis (weight related) & PCOS, Metformin (850 mg twice a day, but changing to 500 mg twice, and then later 3 times, a day because they are making me sick)

GA GAL
Me:25
DH:25
Married: 12/03
TTC:9/05
HSG: all clear
1/06-2/06: testing
3/06: Menopur injections and trigger shot, BFN
4/06: Cysts on both ovaries


graciebella
Me: 34
DH: 30
Married 10/04
TTC since 10/04 with a break 3/05 to 10/05
Clomid 50 mg 10/05
Known issues - 1 blocked tube, irregular ovulation
Hysteroscopy/Uterine Polypectomy 6/05
previous pregnacy no issues 3/92

Gymwidow
ME: 29
DH: 29
Married since: 6/03
Off BCP since: 2/05
Charting since: 2/05
TTC since: 7/05
Known issues: PCOS diagnosed 9/05, HSG clear 10/05, SA normal 11/05
Treatment: 11/05: 50 mg Clomid = 1 good follie, late O ~CD20, short LP
12/05: 50 mg Clomid = 1 good follie, HCG trigger, O on CD 17
1/06: 100 mg Clomid = 2 good follies, HCG trigger, O/IUI on CD15
2/06: 100 mg Clomid = 2 good follies, HCG trigger, O/IUI on CD14
3/06: 100 mg Clomid = 3 good follies, HCG trigger, O/IUI on CD13
4/06: no meds, O'd on my own on approx. CD19
5/06: Gonal-F injections = 5-7 good follies, Lupron trigger, O/IUI on CD 11
6/06: no meds, HCG trigger, O/IUI on CD 16


jjsanner
Me - Jen (31)
DH - Eric (33)
Married - 4/03
DS - Elijah 2/04
Charting - 10/2004
TTC #2 - 4/2005
Testing Results: 12/05 HSG clear, 12/05 SA normal, 1/05 Bloodwork normal
11/05: Clomid 50mg/Met combo - failed
12/05: Clomid 100mg/Met combo - failed
1/06: Non-medicated cycle, + HPT, miscarried at 4 weeks
2/06: Taking the month off, new RE, will be starting Clomid 100mg next cycle


jlp
Me: 31
DH: 40
Married: 01/04
TTC: since 07/04
Off BCP: since 03/04
Diagnosed with PCOS: 10/04
Irregular cycles, multiple cysts
04/05: Clomid 150mg - small follies/O on CD21 - failed
05/05: Clomid 200mg - 3 large follies/HCG shot on CD 18 - failed
06/05: Clomid 200mg - 2 medium follies/repeat U/S - failed
07/05: Clomid 200mg - HPT + CD19 - failed
08/05: Took the month off
09/05 / 10/05: 1st RE appt. - diagnosed Insulin Resistant - Metformin 1500mg - AF arrived CD85
11/05: Metformin 1500mg - Femara 2.5mg - low dose hcg therapy, and trigger CD15 - failed
12/05: Metformin 1500mg - Femara 5mg - 2 17mm follies, and multiple small to medium - trigger CD 14 - failed
01/06: Metformin 1500mg - Femara 2.5mg - 75 units Repronex CD7-11 - U/S CD12 (January 24th)


JnShanna
Me: Shanna (30)
DH: Jose (31)
Married: October 1, 1994
Charting since: August 2005
Off BC: July 2005
Issues:
05/06 Annovulatory cycles
05/06 SA - abnormal, zero sperm count



Kazata
Kazata
Me: 32
DH: 33
Charting and off BCP since March '04
TTC since July '04
Issues: Went to the ER twice with ovarian cysts. Cycles on the short side.
Testing: Confirmed ovulation by ultrasound, Progesterone 7 dpo was 9.9.
RE saw sac of fluid in abdominal cavity during ultrasound, suspects adhesions caused by endo, wants to do lap.
Post Coital was normal.
SA: High abnormal forms, morphology was 4% (kruger scale), count ok at 29 mil/ml, motility slightly low, after 30 minutes was: rapid, 41%, slow 5%, no progress 7%, not moving 47%; after 2 hours: rapid 32%, slow 6%, no progress 6%, not moving 66%


knoelani
Me: K / 29
DH: B / 33
TTC: 12-2001
Dx: Late ovulation, PCO w/ 80% of symptoms of PCOS, SA issues
1-05: 50 mg Clomid
1-28-5: HSG, all clear
2-05: 100mg Clomid, 1500 mg Metformin
3-05: 100 mg Clomid, 1500 mg Metformin
4-05- DH SA poor results, clomid break, still taking 1500 mg Met
5-6-5: DH SA & urologist appointment: A okay
6-16-05: 1st RE appointment
7-05: 100mg Clomid
8-05: 150mg Clomid, 1st IUI - Failed
9-05: 150mg Clomid, 2nd IUI - Failed
10-05 to end of year: Break from all things medical
1-06: 150mg clomid, 3rd IUI
3-2006: Lap~ three cysts removed, tube unblocked
4-2006: Injectable / 2 IUI cycle
4-2006: Injectable cycle cancelled due to cysts
May 2006- Follistim injections/trigger/ 2IUI

[SAI Ladies]

Members (continued)

MrsR
Me - Jessica, 32
DH - Matt, 32
Married: October 18, 2003
Off BCP since: June 2005
TTC since: June 2005
Charting since: February 2006
Testing results: 4/06 bloodwork normal, HSG clear, SA normal
Treatment: 5/06 - clomid 50mg

MrsSmith
Me: 25
DH: 26
Married: 3/2003
Issues: PCOS, random cycle lengths and no ovulation
TTC: we never officially started, but we've never prevented either
RE visit: 6/2005 - PCOS, suggested Provera and Clomid
Clomid 100mg in OCt 2005

Patience
Me: 33
DH: 34
Married: 10/03
TTC: 12/04 (with charting)
Issue: Anovulatory cycles or very weak ovulation, delayed ovulation
Treatment: Acupuncture and Chinese herbs
3/06 Clomid (50 mg) with acupuncture
4/06 100 mg Clomid

pocket
Me: Pocket, 33
DH: Pita, 30
Married: 8/23/03
TTC: Begin Clomid 50mg August
Issues: PCOS, Hypothyroid

polarama
Me: 30
DH: 30
TTC since: 10/05
Charting: 10/5
Known issues: Only had 2 periods since 10/5. RE thinks it's possible PCOS, am in the midst of testing to get a formal Dx.

ptcern
Me: Jenni, 30
DH: Gerry, 30
Married since: 7/05
Off BCP since: 8/05
Charting since: 8/05
TTC since: 8/05
Issues: SA 4/06-showed low count (23 mil) and clumping.
Repeat SA 5/06 was normal.
5/06-Started acupuncture.


silentbunny
Me: Kirsten (35)
DH: Sean (32)
Married since: 05/22/04
Off BCP since: 02/05
TTC since: Officiclly since 04/05
Known issues/test results:
Long, crazy irregular cycles. Diagnosed with mild PCOS this summer. I ovulate, I just take an incredibly long time to do so.
Was on Metformin all this summer, which did nothing but make me nauseated.
09/25/05 -- first cycle on Clomid (50 mg) O'd on day 28
11/08/05 -- Clomid (100 mg) plus a steroid...dexamethazone(?)
12/09/05 -- BFP!
12/31/05 -- miscarried at 7 w, 4 d

skb
me: 31
dh: 33
10/04: TTC
03/05: hormone levels, ultrasound, SA normal
11/05: HSG uterine abnormality
12/05: MRI Dx septate uterus
01/06: Septate resection
02/06: HSG uterine cavity normal
04/06: 50mg clomid/tracking/tigger
04/06-05/06: 50 mg clomid/trigger/tracking
05/06-06/06: 50mg clomid/tracking/trigger



suzfuzsunflower
Me: 24
DH: 24
Married: 08/09/2003
TTC: March 2005
Charting: March 2005
Known Issues: PCOS
10/05 - HSG shows partially blocked right tube
11/05 - 50mg clomid
01/06 - 100mg clomid
RE recommends injectables
SA 5/06 - 1% normal sperm - count 125 million


Suzlywoozly
Me: Sue/28 DH: Jeff/32
Married: 6/15/02
TTC: 10/02
10/02: 1st Lap-Found ovarian cysts and endo
4/04: Started Progesterone supplements and 25 mg clomid
8/04: 50mg clomid - Had no follicles
9/04: 100mg clomid - Had 2 follicles and 1st failed IUI
10/04: 100mg clomid - Had 1 follicle and 2nd failed IUI
11/04: No clomid due to 2 ovarian cysts. Started Metformin 1500mg/day
12/04: No clomid due to "large mass" and ovarian cyst on left ovary.
Surgery the second week of January.
m/c 6/05
IVF 8/05-9/05
9/05 IVF cycle #1: BFN
10/05-11/05 IVF cycle #2:Waiting to do a FET
11/05 FET #1-transfered two blasts; BFN
01/06- Waiting around for a miracle


Tandis
Me - 29 (30 in July)
DH - 31
Married- 4/26/03
TTC- 5/04
HSG- 9/04 tube clear
SA - 2/05 normal
Endometrial biopsy - 2/05 normal
RE - 3/05
IUI #1 - 5/05 50mg Clomid, trigger shot, failed
Laparoscopy - 5/05
IUI #2 - 7/05 50 mg Clomid, trigger shot, failed
IUI #3 - 8/05 50 mg Clomid, trigger shot, failed
Acupuncture - 11/05-1/06 (acupuncturist broke both of her hands, so I'm waiting for her to resume work) probably will go back in June 06
Known issues: one fallopian tube, one ovary (left side). Severe scar tissue, which RE partially removed in May
Currently trying: self massage, castor oil wraps, organic/natural foods, no dairy/cold foods (per acu. instructions)
Clomid challenge 5/06
IVF starting 6/06



TazLuv
Me – 29
DH - 29
Married – 7-13-02
Charting – was, but have given up on that
TTC – since June '05
Off BCP – 6/05
Issues: annovulatory cycles
Clomid 50mg 1/29 - ovulated per progesterone test
Currently on Clomid 50mg cycle 2
Clomid 50 mg, 3 failed cycles (31 days, 43 days (Provera induced), 28 days)



Thea
Me=Thea 29
DH = Craig, 36
TTC since July 2004
Off BCP May 2004
HSG left tube blocked, tubal cath opened tube
Clomid challenge test, other bloodwork normal
SA (X3) low normal morphology %, very high sperm count
Will begin with 3-4 cycles IUI in January 06 then reevaluate
Feb 06 abominal myomectomy to remove large fibroids
Mar 06 cleared for IUI w clomid to strt in April



thedoorchick (jasonsbride on the WC)
Me: Emily (35)
DH: Jason (31)
Married: 1/19/02
TTC: 11/02 to 3/03, then 12/04 (took a hiatus due to jobs, etc).
Charting: 7/02
SA: High count and motility, low morphology (1%)
M/C: 5/03, 3/05, 4/05
9/05 - 100mg Clomid, failed IUI
12/05 - 100mg Clomid, failed IUI
2/06 - Femara and Repronex, failed IUI
3/06 - Injectables (Menopur), failed IUI


tigerest
Me-28
DH-29
Married 7/6/02
Off BCP 7/03 (started charting 11/03)
10/04 - DH's SA Normal
1/14/05 -Laparoscopy and Chromotubation=Endo removed/Both tubes blocked
4/15/05 - Laparoscopy #2 a success! Both tubes surgically repaired.
12/22/05 - HSG Both Tubes Blocked Again
Starting IVF January


Wonderousglance
Me: 27
DH: 31
TTC since 1/02 with many breaks in between
Endometriosis diagnosed by laparoscopy in March 05
Just started seeing RE and in the process of getting all the diagnostic tests done

*~*~*~BABYDUST*~*~*

[SAI Ladies]

Taking a Break

hangin'in
Me: Jen (39)
DH: Ron (27)
Married: 10-03
TTC: 10-03
Dx: High FSH in May 04 (13.25) Given Donor Egg speech by RE. FSH retested in February, numbers came back in normal range. Did 1 month of ccupuncture in March.
IUI 2/05, failed
IUI 4/30/05, 2failed
IUI 6/05 failed
the Dr. really only recommends Donor Eggs at this time, and DH and I aren't ready to do that.

Polkadot
Me - Lauren 26
DH - Brian 27
Married - 11/20/2004
Charting - 5/2005
TTC - 5/2005
Off BCP - 5/2005
Issues - Chem Preg 1/06
5/06 bloodwork shows no O~Clomid 50 mg



Moving on to adoption
Karlatta
Me: Karla, 25
DH: Scott, 26
Married: June 2002
TTC: July 2003
PCOS, Endometriosis, Only One Tube
11/04 - 1st IUI, Pregnant!
Miscarriage 1/05
05/05 - 2nd IUI, Failed
10/05 - 3rd IUI, Failed
Moving on to Adoption

Moving on to IVF

gator97
Me: Kristen (30)
DH: Peter (30)
Married since: 11/06/04
Off BCP since: 12/04
TTC since: 2/05
Known issues/test results:
8/05 laparoscopy: moderate-severe endometriosis
9/05 - Chem PG
1/06- HSG clear
1/06- DH SA normal


kischer
kisch
WC name- kisch
kischer=ME (31)
hubby=DH (31)
Married- 10/6/01
TTC- 5/02
HSG- tubes clear
SA- normal
Off BCP- of course
M/C's - 7/04 & 12/04
RE - since 9/04-
Clomid - 7 cycles, 2 OBGYN, 5 RE, I think
HCG - 2 cycles
Acupuncture - yes- 4 cycles
back at the RE - 10/05
Letrozol/Femara - 10/05

julesp313
Me: 34
DH: 39
Married: March 2003
Charting: September 2003
TTC: December 2004
Issues: None known
BFP - 12/2005
M/C - 12/05 @ 6w
May 06 - elevated FSH levels, decreased ovarian reserve

[SAI Ladies]

http://home.hot.rr.com/lizandrob/smilie_file/smilie_preggo1.gifMEMBERS EXPECTING:
in order by due date and color coded by sex where known

June 2006

bottleored
Me: Caroline (38)
DH: Paul (42)
Married: 10.03
TTC: 1.04
Charting: 3.04
Uterine Polyp: 5.04 (D&C, hysteroscopy)
SA normal, b/w normal
9.04 - 5.05: 6 rounds Clomid
10.04: HSG - left tube blocked
1.05: Tubal recanalization - left tube unblocked!
1.05, 2.05: very low HCG results, discovered antibody issue
6.05, 8.05: injectibles (and low dose HCG), blood thinner, progesterone
BFP 8.29.05 m/c 9/05
9.05: injectibles
FF Chart (http://www2.fertilityfriend.com/home/44b0a)


July 2006
ShelbyMay
Me: 25
DH: 27
Married: 05/17/2003
TTC: 2/05
Charting: 9/04
Known Issues: Possible semen allergy; antibodies could be inhibiting
sperm

klav
Married: 10/03
TTC: since 1/04
Off BCP: since 1/03
MC: 11/04
regular cycles: about 28 days but have been fulcuatio sence MC in Nov
Laperoscapie: 02/03?? could not find anything causing pelvic pain
HSG:7/05 thought there might be a blocked tube but to know they would have to do another Lap. not interested because they said everything was fine before??with the first Lap.
All Blood work done for IUI: 6/05
06/05: Clomid 50mg , Estrodil and progesterone - failed
010/05: Clomid 100mg, Estrodil and progesterone will only be one month. Oct
Will begin IUI class in Nov
Currently: Waiting to O at the present time
BFP: 10/30/05
EDD: 7/10/06
Chart (http://www2.fertilityfriend.com/home/21291)

August 2006
Jennylou
Me: Jenny
DH: Sean
Married: 9/20/03
PCOS
Forever in our hearts, DS Andrew Wyatt 5/20-5/22/05
TTC #2 with clomid and metformin
July 2005 - 50 mg - BFN - 9 day LP
August 2005 - 50 mg - BFN - 13 day LP, spot arrived 11 dpo
September 2005 - 100 mg - BFN - 12 day LP, spot arrived 11 dpo
October 2005 - 100 mg - BFN - 11 day LP
November 2005 - 100 mg - pregnant!!!
We're having a GIRL!!

babylove
Me - T (27)
DH - K (31)
Married - 8/2003
Charting - 11/2004
TTC - 3/2005
m/c @ 6w4d in 4/2005
Issues - Luteal Phase Defect (low progesterone, late/erratic O, long cycles)
Clomid 50 mg (O on CD17) - 09/2005 BFN
Clomid 50 mg (O on CD 17) - 10/2005 BFN
Clomid 50 mg w/ u/s and b/w monitoring (O on CD 18) BFP!! - 11/2005

September 2006

UTChick
Me: 28
DH: 34
Married 9/20/03
Off BCP since 12/04
SWH until 5/05
TTC w/ Charting since 5/05
Known issues: irregular ovulation
HSG normal
BFP - DEC 05

Stephanie
Me: Stephanie, 25
DH: Brian, 29
Married: 10/6/01
TTC: 3/04
Known issues: None, that we know of yet. Varicocele possible.
SA to be done in the next month. Cycles returning to normal after BCP.
BFP 12/2005

ocgatita
Me: Judy
DH: Edward
Married: 4/04
TTC #1 since: 6/04
Known Fertility Issues: None
BFP - 12/2005

DallasLady
Me - Giovanna (25)
DH - Tony (39)
Married - 9/01
Charting - 11/2002
TTC - 1/2005
Issues - Low sperm count (14mil/ml) and low morphology (6% Kruger)
First IUI cycle 11/2005- BFN
Jan 2006 - BFP!!

MSH
Me: 24
DH: 24
Married: August 2003
TTC: August 2003
Off BCP: Never on them
Charting: December 2003
12/04: DH had surgery to correct SA issue
02/05: PG!! - m/c'ed at 5w4d
04/05: PG!! - m/c'ed at 5w6d
08/05: CP
11/05: CP - was perscribed prog sup.
01/06: Waiting to have HSG done to make sure tubes are open and there are no other problems
1/06: BFP!!!

Happy1
Me: Nikki
DH: Tim
Married: June 8, 2002
Forever in our hearts: Jacob John born and died
10/6/03 at 35 weeks due to genetic issues.
TTC #2 since: January 2004
Known Fertility Issues: DH has an extremely low sperm count which we just found out about a month ago. He has seen a Urologist but there are no physical signs that would explain the decrease.
IUI - it worked! - BFP - Jan 2006

October 2006
Nigellas
Me: Kerry
DH: Chris
Married: 8.7.01
TTC: Off and on since 2001.
4 miscarriages (11 wks, 19 wks, 6 wks and 12 wks)
RE is stumped – unexplained infertility and RPL.
5 failed Femara cycles
Currently on Gonal-F with IUI
2/06 BFP!!


November 2006
Kemorr
Me: 29
DH: 31
Married: 1/5/2002
TTC: September 2004
known issues: short LP, spotting, low forward progression, low morphology.
HSG normal, day 3 bloodwork normal, 7 DPO progesterone normal except for most recent cycle - slightly low.
Clomid 50 mg 4/05 - BFN, Clomid 50 mg with IUI, trigger and progesterone
6/05 - BFN
7/05 - Clomid, HCG trigger and IUI - BFN
8/05 - chemical pregnancy
9/05 - injectibles with IUI, BFN and 10/05 treatment break, laparoscopy and hysteroscopy
10/05 - Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, stage 2 endo diagnosed and treated.
10/23 IUI with injectibles BFN
2/06 - IVF - BFP!!

December 2006

ag05
Me: 33
DH: 31
Married 5/01
TTC since 1/04
Clomid 50 mg 5/04
Clomid 100 mg 6/04
Clomid 150 mg 7/04
Clomid 150 8/04 - pregnant
11/04- missed miscarriage w/ D&C (13 weeks)
Clomid 150 mg 2/05 - pregnant
2/05 - miscarriage (6 weeks)
Started seeing RE 5/05
Known issues - Compound heterozygeous MTHFR, Irregular Cycles
8/05 Femara 5 mg/Ovidrel shot
9/05 Femara/Ovidrel shot
10/05 Femara/IUI
11/05 Chemical Pregnancy
1/06 - Femara/Injectibles/IUI, metformin, baby aspirin, progesterone, 4 mg folic acid
BFP - March 06

PurpleSunshine7
BFP March 06

Delaney21
Me: 26
DH: 27
Married since: 6/14/03
Off BCP since: 2/05
SWH since: 2/05
Charting: 10/05
Known issues: 2 ovarian surgeries - right ovary potentially damaged

Marteneym
Me: 23
DH: 27
Married since: 10/4/03
Off BCP since: 9/04
SWH since: 10/04
TTC since: 12/04
Fertility Blend cycles 4,5,6
Known issues: Delayed Ovulation, SA issues(improving), Varicocele possible
9/05 Clomid 50mg
9/9 FSH and Rubella- NORMAL
9/12 SA ABNORMAL-
count 30mil /Motility 30%
10/05 Clomid 100mg
11/05 Chlomid 100mg
12/12 IUI #1- failed
count 30mil/ Motility 70%
12/05 Chlomid 100mg
1/06 Chlomid 100mg
2/10/06 IUI #2- failed
count 52mil /Motility 85%
4/06 - BFP!!

Mobox
Me: 35
DH: 35
Married 6/04
TTC since 4/05
HSG Clear 1/06
Clomid 50 mg 1/06

Katmg
Me: 26
DH: 30
Married: 11/08/03
Off BCP since: 5/04
Charting since: 8/04
TTC w/ Charting since: 1/05 (took a break when I started a new job) 05/05
Chart:
Issues:Male factor/low sperm count/morphology.
Jan 2006 - BFP!
M/C - 02/06
Taking a Break until ~May
4/06 BFP!!

January 2007
Lucy Van Pelt
Me: Ginger - 35
DH: Brad - 30
TTC: 3/04
Dx: PCOS 1/05 (no reg periods since I started menstruating at age 12 - usually 6-8 months apart)
4/05: HSG - all clear, SA - perfect (of course, as DH put it, "even my sperm are over achievers")
5/05: 50 mg Clomid - nothing
6/05: 100mg Clomid - ovulated, but had horrid migraines
7/05: Femara
8/05: BFP
9/05: m/c at 6 weeks
10/05: Femara
11/05 BFP
11/05 m/c at 6 weeks
12/05 Metformin
May 2006 - BFP!!


February 2007
Elenna
Me: 31
DH: 33
Married: 9/11/04
Off BCP since 7/04
TTC w/ Charting since 11/04, SWH for 4-5 months in the middle of that time
Chart: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/4b883
Known issues: S/A results are abnormal 9% morphology and low (24%) motility. Family history of progesterone problems.
HSG: normal and all clear.
4/06: 50mg Clomid days 5-9
5/06: 50mg Clomid days 5-9 ---BFP 5/26
DUE - 2/1/07

jodylovesscotty
Me: Jody (32)
DH: Scott (32)
Married since: 08/30/03
Off BCP since: over 11 years
TTC since: 1/05
Known issues/test results:
2/06- HSG: one tube constricted
1/06- DH SA normal
JUNE 06 - BFP!!

La_bride_2004
Me: 33
DH: 37
TTC: 2/04
DX: male factor, high DFI
IVF #1- OHSS/ chem. preg (Dec 04)
IVF #2 - FET - chem preg (June 05)
varicocele repair surgery, 8/05, 13 found and repaired
11/05 chem preg., SA results now show normal count
1/05 normal hysteroscopy, no uterine septum
Status: SCSA testing Feb 06, if normal, on to injectibles/IUI
04/06- Injectables/IUI #1- cancelled, wrong med. dose
05/06- Injectables/IUI #2- 8 follicles- positive beta

[SAI Ladies]

BABIES!!
in order by birth and color coded by sex

ds2003
Me: 27
DH: 31
Married since: 11/08/03
Off BCP: 12/03
TTC since: 6/04
Charting since: 7/04
Known issues: dx PCOS 7/04, annovulatory
Test results: DH's SA-normal; HSG 1/14/05-normal;
-->Ovarian Drilling 5/20/05- I'm finally ovulating
3 failed Clomid cycles before Ovarian Drilling (50, 100, 150 mg)
Meds: Currently taking 1500mg Metformin and 5mg Femara/letrazole
BFP October 2005!
Noah Alexander was born on Monday, June 12, 2006 at 4:26pm via C-section. He was 5lbs 11.5 oz and 19 inches long.
FF Chart (http://www2.fertilityfriend.com/home/ds2003)

Baby Lust
Me: Amanda (23)
DH: Shane (27)
Married: 10/19/02
TTC: 3/04
Charting: 6/04
SA: High count, low motility
Clomid: 50mg April, May ; 100mg June, September
Chemical Pregnancy: June
BFP: 9/30/05 after 100 mg Clomid, Round 2
It's a BOY! Lucas

Scooter
Me: 29, DH: 32
married: 8/01
m/c 8/02 at 5.5weeks
TTC since 4/03, charting since 9/02
Unexplained IF, uterine polyps removed 6/04
8/04 failed 50mg clomid cycle
10/04 & 11/04 failed clomid 100mg & progesterone
1/05 new RE, suspects immunological issues, began baby aspirin and Folgard
2 more cycles clomid (100mg) + IUI = failed
started accupuncture
2 cycles letrozole (2.5mg) +IUI + progesterone = failed
7/05 bravelle (1.5 amps) + IUI + progesterone = success!
FF Chart (http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/18494)
PREGNANT 8/18/05!!!!
EDD 4/29/2006
It's a Girl!! arrived 5/8 at 6:56 am. She was 6lbs 14.5oz

jrsygirl
Me: Holly (31)
DH: Brian (32)
Married:September 2002
TTC: 9/04
M/C: 12/04
7/05 injectibles and IUI
PREGNANT 8/18/05!!!!
EDD 4/28/2006
ADD 4/5 - TWINS Paige Kelly and Cole Robert

amygrrl
me: amy (35)
dh: dan (33)
dd: ~avery elizabeth~ born still on June 3, 2005 at 27 wks from possible
cord accident (we love you, baby girl!)
frozen embries: 3 on ice from our round with Avery
TTC since: March 2003
Treatments: 6 failed rounds of Clomid. 1 successful IVF producing
Avery
PREGNANT 8/5/05!!!! our miracle baby!
ADD: 4/3/2006 It's a Girl - Malin Elizabeth


Kopper
Me: Katie (26)
DH: John (28)
Married: 9/21/02
TTC: 7/04
Charting: 03/04
6/05 3rd day BW normal
6/05 HSG all clear
6/05 SA normal count and motility, low morphology
Starting IUI next cycle
FF Chart (http://www2.fertilityfriend.com/home/9e5e6)
PREGNANT 7/05!!!!
Due 4/6/2006
BOY! Jacob Alexander



amychris03 It's a BOY!!!
Me: Amy, 29
DH: Chris, 35
Married: 6/21/03
TTC: 9/03
BFP: 7/13/05
EDD: 3/26/06
ADD: 3/15/06
Sam, 6 lbs 9 oz, 18.5 inches long

heidi0622 It's a SURPRISE!!!
Name: Heidi/29
DH: Mike/29
TTC: 03/04
Treatments: 50mg of Clomid this cycle and I had acupuncture for the past 3 months
M/C: 10/04 at 5.5wks
BFP: 7/12/05
EDD: 3/22/06
Guess on the sex: BOY (no clue why!)
ADD: 3/13/06
Benjamin John, 7 lbs 1 oz, 20 inches long

Christy5599
Me: Amanda (Christy was my mom's name) 27
DH - Matt 30
Married 06-29-02
Off BCP - 01-03
TTC - 08-03
BFP 6-28-05
Due - 3-7-06
ADD: 3-9-06
Patrick Aiden, 8 lbs 8 oz, 19.5 inches long

angelgirl8
Me: 28
DH: dave, 28
Married: 7.6.03
TTC: 1.04
BFP: 6.2.05 after 2nd IVF -- twins!!
EDD: 2.8.06
ADD: 1.10.06 -- It's a BOY and a GIRL!!

Akire
Me: Erika - 34 DH: Jeff - 37
Off BCP: 7/03
TTC: 7/03
Charting: 8/03
HSG: 5/04 - One clear tube
BFP 11/04!! - EDD 8/6/05
Sydney Allyn 8/07/05 @ 3:23pm, 8lbs 8oz, 21.5in

Carissa (Crosew on WC)
Me: Carissa (25) DH: Eric (25)
TTC: Since 3/03
Diagnosed with PCOS and low progesterone.
Clomid, Metformin, prometrium and trigger shot
BFP 3/04, M/C 4.04
BFP 9/04!!! - EDD 5/25/05
Grace Elizabeth 5/15/05

Jennylou
Me: jenny
DH: Sean
Married: 9/20/03
PCOS
50 mg clomid and 1500 mg glucaphage
Forever in our hearts, DS
Andrew Wyatt 5/20-5/22/05

amygrrl
me: amy (35)
dh: dan (33)
TTC since: March 2003
Treatments: 6 failed rounds of Clomid. 1 successful IVF
Avery Elizabeth born still on June 3, 2005 at 27
weeks from possible cord accident (we love you, baby girl!)

[SAI Ladies]

Abbreviations and acronyms
List of TTC & IF acronyms
written out (http://womens-place.com/ttc/ttcacronyms.php)

HPT Sensitivity Comparison Charts
Fertility Plus (http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hpt.html)
Pee On A Stick (http://www.peeonastick.com/hpts.html)
Mama's Ark (http://www.mamasark.com/hpt.htm)
Baby
Hopes (http://www.babyhopes.com/pregnancy-test-sensitivity.html) (they've checked with the manufacturers to verify the numbers)
Remember, the hCG starts at 1 at implantation and increases as time goes
on, so the smaller amount of hCG it measures, the more sensitive the test
is!

Books
Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler, MPH (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060937645/qid=1041654042/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1/104-0287896-1655948?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

The Fertility Sourcebook by M. Sara Rosenthal, PHD (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0737303808/qid=1042220393/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-0287896-1655948?v=glance&s=books)

Healing the Infertile Family by Gay Becker (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0520211804/qid=1125724439/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-5989308-5276662?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

Inconceivable
by Ben Elton (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385334656/qid=1041659461/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/104-0287896-1655948?v=glance&s=books) The movie "Maybe Baby" (below) is based on this book

Inconceivable:A Woman's Triumph Over Despair and Statistics by Julia Indichova (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0767908201/qid=1059292613/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-2812959-1358247?v=glance&s=books)

The Infertility Diet: Get Pregnant & Prevent Miscarriage by Fern Reiss (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1893290395/qid=1059292976/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-2812959-1358247?v=glance&s=books)

Conquering Infertility: Dr. Domar's Mind/Body Guide to Enhancing Fertility & Coping with Infertility by Alice Domar, Phd (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0670031550/qid=1059293116/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-2812959-1358247)

Girlfriend to Girlfriend: A Fertility Companion by Kristen Magnacca (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1588202135/qid=1082306449/sr=8-2/ref=pd_ka_2/104-9895052-8814318?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

Great List of books for Infertility (http://www.ein.org/infertility/books.htm)
Includes these and more!!

Movies
Maybe Baby (2001) (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000062XKW/qid=1041654127/sr=8-4/ref=sr_8_4/104-0287896-1655948?v=glance&s=video&n=507846)

She's Having A Baby (1988) (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6300988996/qid%3D1041654195/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-0287896-1655948)

Websites (by subject)

Charting
Ovusoft aka TCOYF (http://www.ovusoft.com/)
The site for Toni Weschler's book which includes message boards, chat and cycle galleries which are very helpful.

Fertility Friend (www.fertilityfriend.com)
A free charting site which includes a lot of information and cycle galleries.

Local Support
RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association (http://www.resolve.org/main/national/chapters/resolvenearyou.jsp?name=chapters) Nation-wide referrals to local support groups and therapists.

The American Infertility Association (http://www.americaninfertility.org)
Lots of information and support, including message boards and chat rooms.

Financial Concerns
ARC: Advanced Reproductive Care (http://www.arcfertility.com/)
information on financing infertility treatments

Family Fee Plan (http://www.amerifee.com/fertility-financing/index.asp)
information on financing infertility treatments

State Insurance Requirements (http://www.resolve.org/main/national/advocacy/insurance/index.jsp?name=advocacy&tag=insurance)
Links from the Resolve site about insurance & laws.

Inciid's Insurance pages (http://www.inciid.org/index.php)
Click through menu on right for more financial topics and the insurance
forum.

General TTC
Trying To Conceive.com (http://www.tryingtoconceive.com/)
All things TTC! Lots of info as well as a place to buy herbal therapies for conceiving.

Baby Med (http://www.babymed.com/)
Tons of information. Everything from Chinese gender charts to an FAQ section on pretty much any TTC question you could have.

Baby Hopes (http://www.babyhopes.com)
Baby makin' supplies!

OBGYN.net (http://www.obgyn.net/)
Lots of general info on women's health. They also have doctors on line who answer questions.

Infertility Sites
INCIID (http://www.inciid.org/) Pronounced "inside".
(The International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination) Excellent national resource.

Resolve (http://www.resolve.org)
Wonderful site with lots of infertility information and support.

I dream of baby (http://www.idreamofbaby.com/fertility.php)
Learn the basics of fertility issues here. This site also has a great message
board community!

Fertility
Plus.org�s list of female hormone levels (http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html#female)
Starting your fertility work-up? Check out this site to see a list of the commonly tested female hormone levels, the function of each hormone, and the normal levels of each hormone.

Shared Journey (http://www.sharedjourney.com)
Shared Journey is dedicated to providing quality information on topics such as
infertility, miscarriage, surrogacy, pregnancy after infertility, living child-free, and adoption. Our information is supplied by well noted Reproductive Endocrinologist's, Psychologists, Adoption professionals and links through various sites.

FertileHeart (http://www.fertileheart.com)
A community of people exploring holistic approaches to fertility. A site by author Julia Indichova (see books above)

Specific IF Issues
Soul Cysters (http://www.soulcysters.com)
PCOS site with lots of support and info

Dr. Beer (http://www.repro-med.net)
Reproductive Immunology information, including lists of tests, pricing, local referrals

Reproductive
Immunology Support (http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/immunologysupport/)
Yahoo group for RI patients, tons of info and articles

Info for Family and Friends
Empty Arms (http://www.vocalicious.com/empty_arms/empty_arms_mod.html)
This is a great video so they can understand what you're going through. (And get out your kleenex!)

[SAI Ladies]

Welcome to the 2006 Spring Still At It thread on Constant Chatter! Let's all hope (and pray if you wish!) that this new thread will mark the beginning of an unprecedented amount of fertility on the board...

In our last thread we have sent a hearty
congratulations to these happy members!!:
Klav
ocgatita
MSH
Dallas Lady
Happy1
Katmg
Ag05
PurpleSunshine7
Delaney21

In this thread we have sent a hearty congratulations to these happy members!!!:
MarteneyM
Lucy Van Pelt
Elenna
Mobox
Jodylovesscotty
La Bride
Katmg


Our condolences to:


We welcomed these new members:
Jodylovescotty
JnShanna
GA Gal
MrsR
Polarama
Ptcern


Members we'd like to hear updates from:
DaniML
graciebella
Jlp
kischer
Pocket
silentbunny



previous members who are expecting or had their babies!
Let us put you back in the stats!

[SAI Ladies]

Link to the previous Thread
http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=13442

We are now open for Business!!!
Here's hoping SPRING brings us lots of BFPs!!!

Please update any stats that are out of date!!
Also, if you would like your chart added to your info, please post it & I'll add it.

Thanks!

[polkadot]

ok..well i am here and subscribing but the link you posted in the old thread dont get me here...but i found ya anyway ;)

it kep saying server not found...

thanks for starting a new thread...

[CTs_Punkin]

Hey there -
Just wanted to say that I actually O'd this month... who woulda thunk after 11 months??? Our BD timing wasn't great, but still happy that I managed to O on 100mg of Clomid w/o a trigger! Yeah.

Of course, I'm slightly pissed at my DH as he was supposed to go in for his follow up SA today and forgot... so now we may need to postpone our appt w/ the RE on Thursday. I'm pissed because I had timed the appt well so that we could move forward within a week of the appt onto whatever the DR suggested... Ah well. Men, they would forget their pants if we didn't remind them!

Have a great weekend ladies!

[TazLuv]

Subscribing...

And waiting - no idea what is happening but if I did O this cycle (2nd on clomid) then it must have been late and we must have missed it. :(

Hope everyone has a nice weekend!

[marteneym]

CTs- Congrats on oing. That is so huge and incredibly awesome. What great hope that must give you. Hope you have a great weekend.

[Hangin'in]

still lurking about.....

[julesp313]

I'm still here! CD18 and no O yet! Apparently my ovaries have gone on strike. Poor DH is exhausted but giving a valient effort when called upon... ;)

[Cath]

Subscribing. Can you update my stats!

2/06 IUI failed
Moving on to IVF

Thanks.

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Not too much going on here with me. I go in for a follie check on Tuesday. I am feeling kinda bloaty from the femara so I am hoping for good news at the RE.

They switched up my migraine meds. Instead of taking the atenelol which is a blood pressure medication, I am now taking fluoxitine, aka Prozac. I find it ironic that now that I am on an anti-depressent (even though it's for migraines, not depression), I am even more depressed about the whole TTC thing as well as other aspects of my life right now. Also, I'm getting headaches more often - had to go for a shot of morphine last weekend and I've been dealing with another headache for the past three days. *sigh* :(

[purplesunshine7]

hi ladies , I thought I check in . It's been a rough week. I had cramping for a few days and just kept ignoring it as it wasn't constant, but then it became constant so I went to my doctor who sent me to the hospital. I was there all night. I am on meds now because they said I have a urinary tract infection, but I am still a bit worried. They did ultrasound and found nothing at all, they said it is too early to see anything, I remember what hapened last time they said that to me. But my HCG keeps going up it was 53at 10 dpo, 908 at 16 DPO and now it is 1400 at 17 dpo. I guess I shouldn't worry, but it is so hard not to. Just wanted to check in I hope eveyone is doing well . tomorrow is APRIL FOOLS DAY .

[Patience]

Thanks for starting the new thread! Just checking with everyone. CD13 for me with Clomid and no O yet. I took Clomid from CD 5-9 and had bloodwork done on CD3 & 10. My results were good according to the message I got from the doctor's office, but I didn't get a chance to talk to anyone at the office before they closed for the day, so I don't know what my FSH levels were. My s/e from Clomid were headache and hot flashes (so far). I usually get EWCM a couple of a days before O, so either my CM has dried up because of Clomid or I'm O'ing later this cycle.

CTs_Punkin Yay for O'ing! I hope your "not so perfectly timed BD'ing" was good enough to get you pregnant.

julesp313 What a trooper your DH must be. ;)

Lucy Van Pelt I'm sorry you have to deal with the frequent headaches. Hope you feel better soon.

purplesunshine7 I get UTI's pretty easily if I don't keep myself hydrated. Feel better soon. Sending sticky vibes your way.

[polkadot]

CTs_Punkin- Yeah! for Oing...i hope you caught the eggie.

julesp313- Yeah for your hubby still DTD with ya...myself and my DH would liek this O thing to come on soon...we are very tired...

Lucy Van Pelt -I get migraines too and they drive me nuts...i am on amitryptiline as preventative and have fiorinol if they get bad...i hope this works for you...and try not to get too down..

purplesunshine- Sending sticky vibes your way. Remember to just breathe and all will be good..(((hugs))) & ~~~sticky vibes~~~

patience-i hope you O soon and maybe you could take Robitussin or use Mucinex to help with the CM...

[polkadot]

the doorchick- that is great...figners crossed....

ok...so i am beginning to think i will never O...my temps are very screwy and not at all like they used to be...before the m/c....i really hope that the m/c didnt mess me up in there...i am worried that I am Oing too late. When my doc told me to come in for bloodwork if i didnt get pg this month , he said to come in on day 3 and day 21...so that he could see my level during AF and after i Oed...but if i dont O until day 18-20 (normally) then what will he be able to tell. So when i told him that...he said "OH, yeah that is kinda late but we'll see!"" OK so know i havent O'ed and today is cycle day 19 and no O yet...i have been getting + OPKS but still no huge temp dip or jump like i normally had before the m/c...

Shaking fist*** why cant my body work properly!!!

[Patience]

thedoorchick - That's wonderful news. Hoping for the best for you.

polkadot - Yeah, I hope I O soon too. Same goes for you! That's pretty frustrating to sit and wait for O. I hope this cycle is a fluke and your m/c has not affected your O date. I have the same issue about being tested on CD21 because the results will show that I don't have enough progesterone because I didn't O on CD14. Why can't doctors understand that not all women have perfect 28-day cycles?

[Thea]

Subscribing. Checked my stats and realized I need to update...

Feb 06 abominal myomectomy to remove large fibroids
Mar 06 cleared for IUI w clomid to strt in April

delaneyconrats H&H 9 months

CT's congrats on Oing

polka crossing finger for an o for you

the door chick
n$umbers look great, keeping my fingers crossed for you

purple try not to stress. UTI's are quite common in preg women. Hope you are feeling better


Me. CD 27, some light spotting and killer heart burn and killer hormone related headache. AF probably right around the corner.

Just have to say.... GO Gators!!!!!

[papergirl]

hey girls.. i'm still here. i really hope spring brings us lots of babies. right now i am 8DPO and should get my period on thursday which also happens to be the day we see our RE. sex was timed perfectly around O but for some reason i'm just now feeling like anything is going on. i keep praying but i just don't feel like anything is happening. :(

thinking good thoughts for all you ladies approching the big O.

rebecca

[gymwidow]

Hi ladies. 12DPO here and nada. No FPS, no spotting this time thank goodness (last month it started at 11DPO even with the progesterone supps), and no testing yet. The nurse at my RE's office wanted me to wait till Wed. for a blood test and DH asked me to wait till at least Tuesday before using an HPT. So more waiting. I still don't *feel* anything or expect anything, so my hopes aren't really that up. Anyway, a few more days will tell!

Sorry I haven't been around for SO's much lately. I just have been kind of boycotting most things TTC-related in the hopes that it will keep my mind off the 2WW. I'm lurking around, though, and thinking happy thoughts for all of us!

Threadmistress, thanks for starting the new thread! Would you please update my stats to add: 3/06: 100 mg Clomid = 3 good follies, HCG trigger, O/IUI on CD13. Thanks!

[TazLuv]

ETA: Removed to start its own thread

[polkadot]

i still havent O'ed and I am going nuts...i have never had an anvo cycle since i have been charting but it looks like thats what is happening...who knows...?????? :rolleyes:

gymwidow...looking great girlie!!

[kazata]

Thanks for the new thread! I realized I need to update my stats:

Kazata
Me: 32
DH: 33
Charting and off BCP since March '04
TTC since July '04
Issues: Went to the ER twice with ovarian cysts. Cycles on the short side.
Testing: Confirmed ovulation by ultrasound, Progesterone 7 dpo was 9.9.
RE saw sac of fluid in abdominal cavity during ultrasound, suspects adhesions caused by endo, wants to do lap.
Post Coital was normal.
SA: High abnormal forms, morphology was 4% (kruger scale), count ok at 29 mil/ml, motility slightly low, after 30 minutes was: rapid, 41%, slow 5%, no progress 7%, not moving 47%; after 2 hours: rapid 32%, slow 6%, no progress 6%, not moving 66%

Well, AF is here today, and I'm feeling discouraged. I have a question for those of you that have done a lap or have endo. Did you have an HSG done first? My RE wants to go straight to a lap (because of the sac of fluid he saw - which was only present on one of my ultrasounds). I don't understand why endo or scar tissue not blocking a tube can be a problem and wouldn't an HSG show blockage? My problem is that I've never been pregnant, not staying pg. Of course, with DH's SA results, I figure that might be adding to any problem, or might be the real problem. So, if you had a lap did it uncover problems not shown through an HSG? Did you have an HSG first?

thedoorchick Wow, what an improvement on the count - I hope this is it for you! Did your DH do anything to try to improve sperm?

polka Hang in there - so frustrating to have to wait for O, sending you O vibes!

CT Yay for O'ing. That is great news!

gymwidow Good luck! I'm hoping this is it for you!

[Thea]

gymwindow looking good, hoping for good news tommorow

polka hang in there, hopefully O will be here soon.

kazata sorry, no experience there

Bellefior sorry, no experience there either

bumble its hard soe months, but yeah for an RE appt.

CD2 here. Start on 100mg Cloid tommorow. Hoping for few se's.

[gator97]

kazata- I had a lap first, HSG second. I wasn't being treated for infertility at the time but for suspected endo. I have a strong family history and had a ton of symptoms.

My endo does not block my tubes. I had a minimal amount on one ovary and a bunch in the cul-de-sac (behind the uterus). I got pregnant the cycle after my lap. Unfortunately, it was a chemical pregnancy.

In my case, I have fluid buildup around my ovaries and in the cul-de-sac. My RE said that it is toxic to egg and sperm and basically cuts their shelf-life in half. So, fertilization becomes an issue.

I've also read that just having endo in your body can set your hormones off balance making getting pregnant a problem. For other women, it has no effect at all.

My endo would not have shown up on the HSG b/c my tubes were clear. You can do an HSG at the same time as your lap.

[gymwidow]

Hi ladies. 14DPO here and I still haven't tested. I'm thinking of it as delaying the inevitable. I'm totally not expecting to be pregnant so I'm just putting off finding out for sure until tomorrow when I'm going for a blood test anyway. I did a lot of thinking about it and talked to DH this morning and I think we're going to take a month or two off from treatments. I probably will still chart and who knows, maybe my body will do its job by itself, but I think I need a break before we start the next round, which is injectables. I find myself feeling very apathetic about it all - feeling like our chances are nil, and just not caring as much and just going through the motions, and I don't think that's a good thing.

Of course, I could decide that's all b.s. and go full forward in a few days :rolleyes: , but for now, I think some time off is a distinct possibility.

CTs Punkin, congrats on your O!

Cath, good luck with IVF.

Lucy Van Pelt, I hope you're feeling better!

purplesunshine, sticky vibes coming your way!

thedoorchick, I hope this is it for you!

bumble, that's how I feel - like nothing is happening. Sigh.

polkadot, thanks! I hope your body sorts itself out soon!

Bellefior, sorry, I have no idea.

kazata, thanks, good luck to you too!

Thea, thanks. I hope the Clomid goes easy on you.

[Tandis]

Thanks for the welcome :)

Kazata - I had the HSG in Sept 04, and a Lap in May 05. The HSG showed my tube was open, but the Lap revealed a lot of scar tissue. Depending upon how much scar tissue you have, it might be keeping your tube from reaching over and grabbing the egg, like what my Dr. thinks is the problem with me.

The HSG can only show if the tube is open. Neither it, nor an ultrasound, can show if there is scar tissue around the tube, or in your uterus, which is what a Lap does.

Bellefior - I would think if the cysts went away on their own, it wouldn't affect your fertility. However, you might be more prone to cysts than others (not PCOS necessarily, but able to get them easier than another person, KWIM?), which could be a problem. Personally, I seem to be prone to luteal cysts, which doesn't keep me from ovulating, but does seem to screw a little with my LP. HTH! :)

**********************************

After talking with DH, I've decided maybe I gave up on my RE too early. Of course, he (the RE) was pushing rather heavily towards IVF, and I didn't like that he just assumed that even if we did it, we would also have to do an ICSI, even though DH doesn't have any problems. It's just something else to cost us more money. So I'm trying out a new RE tomorrow. This new doctor was recommended by my acupuncturist, so I'm hoping he has a different outlook than my last RE. <Keeping my fingers crossed!>

[pocahontas]

Hi ladies...I see that a lot of you are familiar with Clomid. So I figure you may be able to answer this for me. I have only been TTC for 4 cycles (actually April currently makes 5)...so I'm not quite ready to consider any Clomid routes yet (although I did make an appt. this month with an RE just in case.) Anyhoo, I notice that many of the stats say things like, "Clomid 50 mg." But sometimes there are people who are on "Clomid 50 mg with HCG trigger." My question is...is the "trigger" shot only for people dx'ed with PCOS so they will O? I have been told that those with PCOS don't O on their own and so I am wondering if those of us without PCOS would not necessarily require a "trigger shot" if we are put on Clomid? For those of you without PCOS...in what instances did you have to take Clomid plus receive a trigger? Thanks in advance for the insight.

[kazata]

Thanks for the responses Gator and Tandis I guess I'm becoming more and more convinced to go ahead with the lap, even though I'm scared of it. I might end up putting DH on fertility blend or other supp's for three months, try a repeat SA, and if his numbers improve see if I get pg, and if not, do the lap then, on the other hand, that seems like a lot of waiting. Sigh. I hate living from month to month.

Bellefior I've had ovarian cysts in the past - one hemorhagic - when my OB recommended surgery, I went to an OB that specialized in cysts/laps and he told me that cysts should not have a long term effect on fertility (mine ended up going away without the need for surgery), though the cycle that you have a cyst there may be an issue with fertility. However, when I went to the RE, he seemed concerned with the fact that I've had cysts in the past - though it seemed to be more from a perspective of if I get cysts that may indicate an ovulation problem, not that the cysts themselves caused long-term damage. So long story short, I'm not really sure what the answer is.

[Tandis]

pocahontas - Like thedoorchick said, the trigger is done so your Dr. (& yourself) will know exactly when ovulation occurred. In my instance, we were doing IUIs so ovulation had to be timed to coincide with that. I don't have PCOS, and I O pretty much every month on my own.

Kazata - Honestly, the lap wasn't that bad. I have three little incisions (usually it's only two), and I took off work for a week, even though I was feeling fine after a couple days. The whole procedure only lasted about an hour, and I was home probably about an hour and a half afterwards. Is there something about doing it that scares you?

[skb]

With regards to the lap discussion I agree that the lap will provide information regarding tissue and adhesions in the abdominal cavity surrounding the uterus. But I don't agree that a lap will provide information about scar tissue "inside" of the uterus. I think that would require a hysterscopy.

pocahontas I agree with the above posts. Clomid is not exclusively prescribed for endo and PCOS. A "tigger shot" may also be prescribed even without ovulation difficulties. I think ovulation will occur within 12 hours of the trigger. So in the case of timing with or without IUI. Given that you have "only been TTC for 4 cycles" and I'm gathering you have no known fertility issues, hopefully you will not require the services of an RE or clomid. Best wishes with your TTC journey!

[pocahontas]

With regards to the lap discussion I agree that the lap will provide information regarding tissue and adhesions in the abdominal cavity surrounding the uterus. But I don't agree that a lap will provide information about scar tissue "inside" of the uterus. I think that would require a hysterscopy.

pocahontas I agree with the above posts. Clomid is not exclusively prescribed for endo and PCOS. A "tigger shot" may also be prescribed even without ovulation difficulties. I think ovulation will occur within 12 hours of the trigger. So in the case of timing with or without IUI. Given that you have "only been TTC for 4 cycles" and I'm gathering you have no known fertility issues, hopefully you will not require the services of an RE or clomid. Best wishes with your TTC journey!Thanks to the ladies who clarified the Trigger. SKB...I actually do have fibroids which may or may not prove to be a fertility issue (I have known cases to go either way.) That remains to be seen...hence the RE appointment next week. I, too, hope I will not have to go the clomid route since I heard a lot about mood swings and other s/e but I am glad to have gotten this information so that I am at least prepared for what "may" come. Thanks again!

[skb]

pocahontas Sorry I don't have any experience with fibroids but perhaps some of the other ladies will have something to share. It's good to see that you are consulting an RE to cover your bases. If it helps, I have not had any s/e to speak of while taking clomid 50mg days 3-7. Hopefully some good news will result from you RE appointment. Take care.

[kazata]

Is there something about doing it that scares you?

Well, other than I'm a big chicken? ;) I guess, just being put under, having a breathing tube in, having someone messing around in my insides, and for all I know creating damage. Honestly, I've probably blown the whole thing way out of proportion, and I'm starting to come to grips with it. Reassurances that it isn't that bad from people who have gone through it help tremendously, so thank you!

[Tandis]

SKB - You're right, I meant *around* the uterus, not in :)

[skb]

Well girls.....I've sort of been MIA so I'll have to come back and update my stats later. This cycle is a 50 mg clomid days 3-7 and I have a follicle check cd 10 which is tomorrow. Clomid has been ok so far. The only thing that I noticed, and quite clearly, was almost like "hot flashes." Within 5 hours of taking the clomid I would just heat right up! I've had 2 headaches, on day 1 and day 9 but I can't say for sure if there is a relation (I'm thinking it's the decaf). You'd have to ask dh about any *moodiness*but I'm sure he'd report that I've been an absolute doll! So when we're talking side effects...does that mean the days I'm taking the clomid or count the rest of the cycle too?

kazata I can relate to your apprehension. When I had my uterine resection I felt uneasy. I'm sure you'll work it out.

[jjsanner]

Hi guys. Just back from my CD 12 follicle check u/s appointment w/ my RE. So there are 2 @ 14mm, one @ 11mm and another that I didn't get the measurements, but it's at least 11mm because she said I would have 3 if not 4 eggs released when I trigger on Sunday. 4 eggs :eek: ! And my lining is nice and thick. It was weird though, they have to ask if you would be open to selective reduction. Here in AZ I guess they will only treat you while carrying 3 babies. Any more than that and they have to refer you out of state. I wasn't sure how to respond. I guess I've never thought about it and certainly never expected that I would be placed in that situation. I guess we wait and see what happens.

[Lucy Van Pelt]

I had my CD 13 follicle check yesterday. I had a nice big 22mm follie ready to go! I did a OPK at the doctor yesterday and it was negative so they told me to test every day. Well, today I got my positive opk! I guess my planned trip to visit friends and family is now cancelled. We have important business to take care of. ;)

[tigerest]

kazata - Are you having an RE or a gyn do it? I have had 3 HSG's and 3 Laps. So let me know if you have any questions. Honestly, my first 2 laps were a total breeze, easier than my HSG's, but I have blocked tubes.

[gymwidow]

Hi everyone. Well, it's a bust again this cycle. Blood work came back yesterday with a BFN. I cried, DH and I talked, and I'm better today. Sad and tired of it all, but okay. We decided to take a month off from treatment. We'll still chart and BD, but since my chances of Oing without help are slim, we figure it'll just be for fun and to "keep in practice". In about a month, after all the stuff we have coming up is over (holidays, a trip, and company coming in), if AF doesn't arrive on her own I'll call and get a script for Provera to bring her on and then we'll start fresh with injectables. For now, I'm off to research homeopathic treatments for PCOS - anything that might help!

[kazata]

gymwido I'm so sorry. Sounds like a month off is just what you need, I hope it helps emotionally. This process is so draining.

tigerest Thanks. I'm going to have an RE do it. Is there some kind of qualifications I should look for in the person performing it? At this point I'm not even sure what my questions are, just that I feel apprehensive, and I want to be sure the RE knows what he is doing (which is also why I want an RE not an OB to do it). I guess I want to be able to trust the person - I'm not sure if there are "decisions" that might need to be made depending on what they find, but that's part of what worries me - I don't want to wake up and be told, well, we tried to repair x,y,z but we had to remove your ovary, or something (I guess that is just a fear b/c I had an OB that did want to remove my ovary for a cyst that I had - which ended up just going away after about 6 weeks). With this particular process I'm not sure what they are looking for and what they can do/repair when they are in there.

[chloechloe]

Hi everyone
I hope I can stop in here. I was a SAI lady a couple of years ago on WC. I now have a 1.5 year old daughter and I am considering TTC again. I have a few things to do first but kind of dread the possible stress and dissappointment again. :( Although I feel that since DD took so long that if that is it for me I am still blessed. Can I check in now and then?

Also my friend has high prolactin levels and no periods and a tumor on her pituatary gland. Is there any way she can get periods to start???

[skb]

chloechloe Quick post. My girlfriend also had a pituatary adenoma which of coarse tricks the body and causes the elevated prolactin. So if she's not addressing the adenoma then she'll likely have to consult a doctor about the hormonal issues.

Hope TTC for you is "easier" the second time around. Good luck!

[knoelani]

I haven't checked in since the new thread started, so I wanted to pop my head in.

Gym~ I'm sorry this last cycle was a bust. Please be good to yourself and take care of yourself. A break for a cycle just may do wonders for your state of mind.

kazata~ my lap was no big thing. Sure it was scary to go in and have it done and it didn't tickle for a few days afterwards, but almost exactly a month later, I feel fine and have felt fine. Good luck and it's ok to be aprehensive about it!

Emily~ I hope this 2ww is going well for you and I've got my fingers crossed for you.

It looks like we have a few eggs getting ready to go! Good luck ladies!

[ag05]

gymwidow - I am so sorry. Hope the injectibles are better for you.

[polkadot]

Hey Girls...i havent been here lately...Gymwidow..i have replied to you in a couple other threads but...maybe a break will be good for you and DH...hopefully the injectables work for you...or maybe you'll get a break baby and wont need them. fingers crossed..:D

as for me...i bought a fertility monitor today and it should be deliever in two days...my chart is so confusing...i am pretty sure I o'ed but FF aint so sure...It still hasnt called my O and I am at day 24...i think i O'ed when I had the +OPK's last weekend...around cycle day 17-19...anybody is welcome to take a look and disect.

Hope we see some good things soon around here!!:D

[skb]

OK ladies, the question is........when to have sex???

As it turns out I took 50mg clomid days 3-7. I had a follicle check today, chart day 10 and I was instructed to trigger. I really wasn't expecting much today. To my surprise there were "2 follicles past 20mm and the lining is thick." The problem......

I've had the trigger.....but nobody can seem to tell me when we should BD. I won't be able to speak to my doc until tomorrow.

So once you've had the trigger...when do you anticipate ovulation? When were you told to BD? I am not temping or using OPK (I was not advised to do so).

Thanks in advance.

[gymwidow]

skb, you should O about 36 hours after you trigger. If you trigger this morning, you should O tomorrow afternoon or evening. I'd say go ahead and BD today and tomorrow and the day after just in case. Congrats on having 2 good follies!!!! :)

Thanks, everyone, for the good wishes. AF showed up this morning. I'm still a little apprehensive about taking a month off, but I know it will be good for me. The emotional wear and tear is just too much and I know I need the break. Hopefully it will be just the right treatment!

[TazLuv]

Bellefior, no reason to apologize, that is why we are all hear. Sorry it didn't go better. :( (((((((hugs))))))))

[marteneym]

After 18months of TTC our wait is finally over. I got a BFP today at 12dpo. It was very light yesterday but I wasnt sure I wanted to believe it. Today it is still ight but definitely a +. This was the month we were no meds/IUI. I temped and did OPK's. I wasnt sure I would be ale to O on my own. Obviously I did. Our miracle baby is on the way. Thank you all so much for all of your support. I couldnt have done this without you. You are all in my prayers. hoping your BFp's are on the way.

Gymwidow- I am so sorry about your BFN. I hope my story of our break for a month gives you hope. Good luck.

[CTs_Punkin]

Bellefior Hugs, I know it is hard sometimes! Hang in there.

As for me, my RE appt didn't go as well as I'd hoped. Looks like I need a LAP done and that my chances of ever concieving with my own eggs is pretty slim. My elevated FSH levels combined with my really low AMH level points to early ovarian failure. This makes me incredibly sad, but we are trying our best to think positively.

Our plan for now is to go ahead with the LAP this month and then to try 2 IUIs after that, since it is so much cheaper than IVF, that if it doesn't work, we'll likely move to IVF w/ donor eggs... I just don't think I am up for trying IVF w/ my own eggs with only a 10% estimated success rate, and a higher rate of MC due to the poor quality of eggs that I do have left. W/ Donor eggs, he said I have an 80% chance of getting & staying pregnant.

DH's SA came back wonderfully... nice to know it's not him - not sure how well he'd take it if his swimmers weren't up to snuff. He had 112 Million count and 70% mobility and I think he said 6% normal, which was good....


Hope everyone is hanging in there. Have a good weekend.
MMT

[CTs_Punkin]

Oh MarteneyM CONGRATS!!!

I'm so freaking excited for you!!! Yeah... we have both been on this journey for so long together! I wish you so much happiness! Happy & Healthy 9 months to you.

[TazLuv]

Congrats MarteneyM!!

That is fabulous and good way to start the weekend! :D

[polkadot]

ellidew---hugs and prayers are with you...try not to think the worse..the test results are not even in. But be glad that you and your doc have a plan of action.and that insurance may cover some of it.

Congrats Marteneyn H&H 9 months to you!!!

[gymwidow]

Well, ladies, I'm starting my first non-medicated cycle in months today. AF arrived overnight (man, am I glad I thought to put on a pantiliner b/f going to sleep last night!) and I'll start charting this weekend. Hopefully it will do some good! :rolleyes:

Bellefior, hugs. I posted to you over in TTC - I hope you can find a solution to the mess.

marteneym, OMG! I'm so excited for you! Many congrats, and yes, thank you so much, you did just give me a renewed burst of hope for this month. :D

CTs Punkin, I am so sorry. I'm glad that you do have a plan together. I hope that it works well right off the bat!

[Nigellas]

Oh my gosh, MarteneyM- CONGRATULATIONS! :D:D:D Such wonderful news!

[kazata]

Congrats Marteneym!!!!

[Tandis]

Congrats Marteneym!!! H&H 9 months to you! :D

***********************

Well, you would have thought after two years I would have learned to never say never -- I think we might be headed towards IVF this summer. I spoke with the new RE, which he essentially told me that there was absolutely nothing he could do for me if I wasn't going to go through with IVF. So we're still at our two options -- IVF or adoption.

After much discussion, we decided to give IVF one shot and if it doesn't work, well, we know that we tried and can start looking seriously at adoption in a few years.

When we first started this we both said we weren't willing to go as far as IVF or adoption. Funny how a couple years puts things into a different light.

[suzfuzsunflower]

Congratulations, Marteneym! So happy for you. :)

I haven't been in here in 2 weeks, give or take. Since we were going to/are waiting until Jan. to do anything, I have not been in here a lot. DH and I are again looking at trying to do injectables this summer and not waiting.

Our health insurance might be better than we thought. The bill for my RE appointment was discounted by about 50%...so we're thinking that the follicle scans at the doctor's office may be discounted by that much as well. We only have to pay about 20% of the cost of the bloodwork that I had done :), so the bloodwork that I would need to have done would hopefully be discounted that much during the cycles. The only question is the medication...how much that will cost.

So after getting used to the idea of waiting 9 months, I am hopeful and excited. I'm going to the RE on Mon. or Tues. to get the stuff for DH's SA and to discuss my bloodwork results - I'm also going to see if they can tell me if the folly scans and bloodwork will be discounted. Hopefully this all makes sense to you all....insurance is so confusing and such a pain!

Hang in there, ladies, and have a wonderful weekend!

[Patience]

marteneym: A big congratulations to you and your DH! I wish you a wonderful pregnancy.

Sorry no time for SO's right now. Hope everyone has a good weekend!

[ag05]

Marteney - Congratulations!

Suzfuzsunflower - Oh, I hope you get to move things up. Thats exciting. My insurance covers no meds and I totally thought it covered no follicle scans so I put things off and later found out it did cover them at 80%. That was huge I think. So good luck on that.

[papergirl]

and today little miss spot appeared. :( at least this cycle i haven’t cried. instead i was more angry. i’m just so tired of this not being my month. i’m feed up with not know why we can’t get pregnant. we had our RE appointment and they went over our test results. according to our doctor the HSG shows i have beautiful tubes and uterus. yes, he used the word beautiful which isn’t the first time i’ve been told this about my uterus. dh’s sperm is good and the nurse actually used the term “superstar.” i’ve been temping for a year and i know i O and the metformin has helped to make my cycle shorter – so what the hell is my problem? i’m just so feed up. i know i was diagnosed with PCOS but that hasn’t kept me from O’ing so i just don’t get it.

onto better news (i think)… this cycle i am going to start clomid with IUI. the only reason the RE gave as possibly being our issue is that the eggs i am releasing are not healthy/viable. so he hopes with the clomid i will have multiple eggs that are healthy. at least i get to move on to something new. at this point it’s the only joy i get out of this process.

……………

tandis: i hope you find a better connection with your RE. i’m not sure how much i like our current doctor but i do like his aggressiveness and ultimately i think that is what i’m more interested in. keep us posted.

belle: happy to hear you got a +OPK.

jjsanner: how exciting.. and no, i am not talking about the thought of having 4 babies at once. i just think it’s great to see so many good eggs and i doubt that all of them would develop into babies. i would just take the doctors comment as protocol and be giddy with joy for the chance to be pregnant this cycle. i’ll be thinking of you!

gym: sorry this wasn’t your month.

marteneym: congratulations!! a miracle baby indeed.

[Asha]

at least this cycle i haven’t cried. instead i was more angry. i’m just so tired of this not being my month. i’m feed up with not know why we can’t get pregnant.

oh, i have definitely had my angry moments. one night i really had a melt down and was crying and yelling at the same time. poor hubby!!!

marteneym - CONGRATS!!!

[Asha]

update (i don't think i have updated this. well, i hope i am not turning senile and i already said all this.) - well, i talked to my gyn about my abnormal uterus. she doesn't think this is causing me to not get preggo, so she doesn't advise a mri unless she thinks the results of the mri would stop me from trying to get pregnant. i don't think it would stop me bc my abnomality isn't so severe (according to her), and there is a somewhat good chance that i could carry a baby to full term. the gyn said it all depends on where the egg implants itself. so, i went for blood tests and am awaiting the results. afterwards, the gyn will probably put me on clomid.

[suzfuzsunflower]

Hey....just a question - Does anyone know if septum's (did I spell that correctly) can be inheirited? I was talking with my mom today and she told me that her mother had a septum in her uterus, and my mother had the same thing. Just wondering - thanks.

Sorry about spotting, bumble. I hope that the clomid and IUI works for you.

OK, I have another question. Do most people who do clomid and trigger or injectables and trigger do an IUI or just have timed sex? We're having DH's SA done soon, and if all is good were just planning on doing timed intercourse...but I had a friend who has been through all of this tell me that she thinks we would have better chances with an IUI even if DH's spermies are good.

[Asha]

Hey....just a question - Does anyone know if septum's (did I spell that correctly) can be inheirited? I was talking with my mom today and she told me that her mother had a septum in her uterus, and my mother had the same thing. Just wondering - thanks.

from what i have been reading online, it appears that there is no known cause for uterine abnormalities. there is possibly a genetic link but that hasn't been fully supported yet.

from what i understand, usually people just have "timed" sex when first starting clomid.

[suzfuzsunflower]

OK, thanks Asha.

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Congrats Marteneym!!!

Well, I am now in my 2ww. I am starting my progesterone tonight! We got two days of bd in. Last night DH was feeling kinda sick and wasn't feeling it. I was kinda pissed because I have done it when I am not in the mood either, but I am just hoping the two times were the charm this month. :p

[skb]

asha Similar to you, my doctor said that my septum was not preventing us from getting pregnant. There was no concern about getting pregnant, the concern was about "keeping me that way." With the MRI it was determined that the septum was mild and on resection again confrimed to be mild. Nonetheless, my doc thought that a septum is easily correctable and didn't want any possible complications during pregnancy. I also consulted a second opinion. I do feel better knowing that there is no possiblility a septum will prevent me from carrying to full term, create a breech position etc...I just really wanted the best shot possible of having a "normal" pregnancy when the time came! With that said, as you already know women with unknown uterine anomalies deliver all the time and women with known septums choose not to have resection pre-pregnancy. Obviously there is no right or wrong way and we all must choose for ourselves and trust in our doctor's recommendations. May I ask, are you aware of which anomaly you have...septate or bicornuate? There are different choices and issues with each one.

[skb]

suz

I agree with Asha. From what I've read there doesn't seem to be enough research to indicate if there is a genetic link to uterine anomalies. Alot of the reading I've done indicates that it has been difficult to set up such research. Anomalies often go undiagnosed, plus diagnostics and treatment options have changed since our grandmother's times.

My doctor has us doing clomid, follicle tracking, trigger and timed BD. My husbands SA was normal. When I asked about IUI he said that he stopped performing the procedure because the research reports there is no statistical advantage. Perhaps that would be different if there are SA issues.

[Asha]

skb - my gyn seems to believe it is just a widely divergent uterus rather than a bicornuate uterus; though, the radiologist called it a heart shaped uterus which seems to indicate a bicornuate uterus. though, you can't really tell there is a septum or not unless you do an mri, right?

[Asha]

I was kinda pissed because I have done it when I am not in the mood either, but I am just hoping the two times were the charm this month.

well, it is kinda hard for a guy if he really isn't in the mood. ;) that's sometimes the frustrating part of this all. it's harder to get into the mood with sooooo many months of "unromantic" sex.

[julesp313]

I haven't got caught up - just wanted to show my face after being on vacation for a week. We went to the Grand Canyon and Bryce and Zion national parks and had a fabulous time with absolutely no thought about TTC or the associated misery, except I did temp each morning. It was heavenly. Now I get to figure out when we want to start seeing an RE - DH has consented to it (he was so against it but he's realizing the futility of "just keep trying") - I'm out of town at the end of May and mid-June so I want to make sure I time things right so we don't screw up a cycle with the RE. Sigh... so much to think about already... :(

[Thea]

CONGRATS martenym!!! I remember first seeing you around the swh thread on wc and I am super happy for you!

Starting my OPK's tommorow. Getting nervous about IUI, which is weird. Don't quite now how to explain it. Anyway, hope everyone d a good weekend.

[skb]

asha Was the radiologist commenting on the appearance of a HSG? Bicornuate and septate uteri will appear similar on a HSG but are not the same. In other words, a HSG cannot diffinitively diagnose between septate versus bicornuate. Other procedures are required to determine which anomaly it is exactly. There are different ways to distinguish bewteen a septate or bicornuate uterus. My doctor went the MRI route because it was the least invasive. Although many say the gold standard is a laproscopy and hysterscopy. I am not sure where a "widely divergent uterus" falls in the relm of uterine anomalies. Hope that helps.

[CTs_Punkin]

Hi ladies, thanks for all your thoughts & prayers for me & my DH as we go through this difficult time. I'm still unable to really get it in my head that I may never have children using my own eggs. It's very very sad, but I'm trying to make it through each day and not get too ahead of myself.

I have my LAP scheduled for tomorrow morning. So I should know more about my tubes then. I decided that we would go ahead with the LAP becuase if we even had a shot using IVF w/ or w/o donor eggs, I would need to make sure I didn't have any fluid in my tubes preventing me from getting PG. So we decided to get the LAP done and then perhaps try 2 IUIs before moving forward w/ IVF. I doubt we will be doing IVF w/ my own eggs, since the DR thinks the percentage of success would be pretty low. But I'm just trying to think of tomorrow before getting ahead of myself. Who knows what he might find in there tomorrow....

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!

[DallasLady]

Delurking to say CONGRATS to MARTENEYM!!! H&H 9 months :D :D :D

This was the month we were no meds/IUI. I temped and did OPK's.

This is how it was for us to. Maybe relaxing isn't so bad after all.

[suzfuzsunflower]

CT - Hugs to you. I hope that the LAP goes well.

Just got back from the RE. I got the kit for DH's SA (thankfully he will be able to do that at home and then take it in), talked about money for the injectibles, and about my bloodwork results.

Injectibles are still going to cost a lot. The menopur isn't too expensive, it's all of the lab work and follicle scans that would be the bulk of the cost. Our insurance sucks. Right now we have to pay all of the allowable costs; if we wait until Jan. when we change our insurance, we will only have to pay 30%.

As far as bloodwork goes, all of it came back normal. Which is good...but...if I have PCOS like my doctor thought, wouldn't there be something ABnormal about my bloodwork? Maybe I don't have that?? :confused: I know that they checked my testosterone level, progesterone level, FSH, and something else. This was not done on CD3 - I don't know if that makes a difference.

[jjsanner]

Congrats Martenym! It is so exciting to see a BFP in here! Especially after all that time trying. H&H 9 months to you and DH!

As for me, DH had to work late last night so I had to administer the trigger shot myself. I am such a baby around needles, too. But, I am happy to say that it wasn't that bad at all! My stomach is a little sore and bruised this morning, but that is to be expected. So now we wait.

Question.....my RE said to abstain for 2-4 days prior and to BD 24 and 48 hours after the trigger. Does this sound right? I am concerned that I'm gonna o earlier (like today) and miss it. Thanks in advance...

[skb]

jjsanner

I'm thinking your RE would know. I have to admit it's got me worried. I thought my doc said that after the trigger within 12 hours but I'm not 100% sure. As luck would have it, my bad luck that is, I went for follicle tracking on day 10 and was told to trigger. I really wasn't prepared for so soon and when I called my doc's office to confirm the timing they were out of the office until the next week! So I called another office and they said within 12 hours....I thought that sounded familiar and went with it. Needless to say we had sex immediately after the shot, 12 hours later and about 24 hours later. Honestly, I had enough! So I'm the opposite.....now I'm worried it was too much, too soon! I really would have appreciated more specific instructions!

I am also wondering if there are different triggers, different dosages and if it matters about which fertility drugs were taken up to that point.

[marteneym]

CTs Thank you so much for the congrats. Good luck on your LAP tomorrow. You are continuall in my prayers. I will try to come in and check on you from time to time. I have faith that it will happen for you.

TazLuv, Polkadot, Gymwidow, Nigellas, Kazata, Tandis, Suzfuz, Patience, Ag05, Bumble, Asha, Lucy, Thea, Dallas, JJ, and anyone else I missed Thank you all so much for the congrats. I am still in shock that it has finally happened. Thank you all as well for all of your support. I will still come in from time to time to cheer you on. I hope it happens for all of you as well soon.

[Thea]

OK, dumb question time. It looks like my IUI may be on Sat or Sun. I guess I was really thinking it would be a school day, because now I realize we may have an 8 yo in tow. So, is it possible for DH to get his part done while I hang out with DS, then he can hang out with him while I get my part done?? Would rather not do it this way, but we are a 2 hour drive from the clinic, I have no family near by, and I don't think I will fnd a baby sitter on Easter weekend. So,not asking if it will be the best way, but whether or not its feasible. Hoping the clomid makes me O early like they said it might.

Thanks in advance.

[Hangin'in]

Thea In our case there was a 45 minute to 1 hour lag between *collection* and insemination. They have to wash and count the sperm and get the little guys all ready! So, there probably will be no problem switching off with your son.

[gymwidow]

Thea, ditto. They need at least an hour - 90 minutes to wash and prep DH's sperm before your IUI. My DH and I go in separately - him first and me 90 minutes later (as per my RE's instructions).

jjsanner, my RE also had us abstain for 2-5 days prior to IUI. We sometimes BD the night of my trigger, but definitely the day after and the day after that if we can. You should O about 24-36 hours after you get your shot.

Hi everyone else. I hope you guys don't mind, but I probably won't be posting a lot of SO's for a bit. Things are really busy at work this week and I'm trying not to focus on TTC stuff anyway since we're taking a break from treatment this month, but I'll be lurking and posting occasionally.

Today is CD5 and I thought AF had left yesterday but I had some more spotting this morning. Hopefully that will end today. I decided to go ahead and use OPKs this month along with the charting, just to see if I can actually O on my own. I'll start those next week.

I'll be reading along and thinking of all of you!

[knoelani]

Congrats Marteneyn!! I am very happy to read this and hope you have a wonderful pregnancy.

[skb]

Well, I had a follow-up ultrasound 5 days post trigger. I had 2 follicles that were ready to go. One decided to "pop" and the other was "anovulatory." So we know we're working with one good follicle anyways. This is my first ever 2WW. I typically have a short cycle and ovulate late around day 16/17. I've never had to test because it has always been way to soon and then AF shows 9/10 days after ovulation. This time I ovulated around day 10. So I should have at least 2 weeks to wait. Oh dear.

[ag05]

Hi everyone. I hope you won't mind my mentioning a little update on me. I got to see my little fetus and a heartbeat today and so things are looking good so far at least. I'll still be reading and wishing you all the best of luck.

[Thea]

Thanks Hangin'in and gymwindow. No sign of a positive OPK yet. :) My RE told me about the prep time, but I guess I forgot.

skb..wishing you luck in the 2WW

ag05..that is so cool!

[Asha]

do a lot of you still use hpt? i used to use them a lot, but then got sad seeing all the negatives, so i just wait around to see if evil aunt flow gives me the monthly curse.

[julesp313]

I missed a BFP... argh... Congrats, Marteneym!

Emily - I'm with you on the testing. I try very hard not to test - I'd rather just wait and see. Sometimes that doesn't work, of course, but I find it very slightly less depressing to see AF than a BFN...
Asha - see my comment to Emily... :)

I got my usual pre-AF temp drop and spotting today so there's another month of absolutely nothing good. I'm calling the RE tomorrow to set up an appointment. I think my body has quit on me - I think when I got pregnant in November, my body was so shocked at itself for actually doing something right, it went haywire and gave up. I also finally told DH that we are NOT going to achieve this alone - we need help and I can't take any more "just keep trying" and failing miserably every single damn time. So. There we go. :)

[polkadot]

Hi Girls~

I could have written this myself...
I think my body has quit on me - I think when I got pregnant in November, my body was so shocked at itself for actually doing something right, it went haywire and gave up. I also finally told DH that we are NOT going to achieve this alone - we need help and I can't take any more "just keep trying" and failing miserably every single damn time. So. There we go.

I am 13 DPO and tested this morning and BFN....i am bummed...i know that i was confused by my O date this month thinking that I Oed later than FF saiys...and I know i could still be only 9 DPO...but my temps were nice so i tested....UGHHHH i cant take this much longer...i bought a fertility monitor for next cycle...so i wish she would just show her ugly face so i can get on with it....:rolleyes:

[suzfuzsunflower]

I'm sorry that there is so much frustration for a lot of you right now. Hugs to all. :)

I went to a new ob/gyn today, and I loved her! She was very friendly, and really seemed to know her stuff. I told her what my RE said, and that injectables are our next step. Since we won't be trying the injectables until Jan., she suggested trying clomid 150 mg. I did not ovulate on 50 or 100, but she thinks that 150 could work. My RE didn't think so....what would you all do? Would you go ahead and try the 150 knowing that it probably won't work? I am leaning towards doing it, just so that I will know that I have done EVERYTHING that I could.

I hope that everyone has a nice day!

[julesp313]

Lauren - yup, right there with you, unfortunately... :(
Suzfuz - I can't comment on Clomid as I've never used it, but if you're not planning on trying injectibles til January, would trying 150mg do any harm? Apart from the expense and associated hassle of monitoring (if you have that)... I would say try it if it won't be too much of a PITA.
Emily - OMG, cautious congrats! Will hope and pray that this is it for you... :)

Me - CD1. Yay. Hmph. Am calling the RE at lunchtime (when the rest of the team leaves for lunch) to make an appt. So over this wait and see crap.

[gymwidow]

thedoorchick, quietly doing a little cheer here for you. I hope that it you get good beta results back fast. I'll be thinking of you!

[jjsanner]

thedoorchick, hoping this is finally it for you!

suz, I would go ahead and do the 150mg. Aside from that, would this cycle otherwise be a break for you? I don't see how it could hurt. In fact, I think there are studies that have shown 150mg to work where lesser doses have not. I for one did not respond to 50mg but did to 100mg. Hope that helps.

I am 2 DPO (post trigger). It looks like I actually o'd about 48 hours after trigger (if I calc'd it right). Does that sound right? I know they say you will o 32 hours after trigger, but I couldn't find any specific reasearch to support that number. It appears that IUI's are done anywhere from 12 hours to 48 hours after trigger, so who knows. I am a bit crampy today, but at least the ovary cramping has subsided. That was not fun at all. :(

[Thea]

the door chick Big smile for you and keeping my fingers crossed!!!

suz not that I have any real reason, but I say it wouldn't hurt to try it. If the side effects make you too crazy you could always stop, and it's only 1 month right??

julessorry about AF. Hope you get an appointment soon

jjI have no clue! But keeping my fingers crossed for you

Me...well the OPK I have been using I decided I wasn't sure about it. I was getting some twinges yesterday that in the past have correlated with O, but my OPK's have had no line what so ever on the test side, not even a light one. I bought a new kind this afternoon, tested, and I have a line almost as dark as the reference. Glad I trusted my instinct. I imagine IUI will be Saturday, will do another OPK in the morning (from the new box) and then call the RE. Anybody else do a cycle of IUI where it was timed with OPKs at home? I know it saves expense, but it is making me crazy that I might miss my O! I'm probably ju8st crazy anyway! Thanks for the vent.

[marteneym]

Thanks for the congrats Knoelani, thedoorchick, and jules!

Thedoorchick- Just though you would like to know, your test looks just like my first did. Good luck. All crossables for you.

[suzfuzsunflower]

Thea - I hope that the OPK is correct. :) Good luck with the IUI!


jules - I hope that you get an RE appointment soon.

doorchick - A quiet congratulations to you. I hope that your beta results are good. :)

I talked with DH, and we're going to try 150 mg of clomid. If I ovulate, great! We'll try up to 3 cycles at 150 if I ovulate. If I don't ovulate, fine - at least I will have known I have done everything before we start the injectables. We're going to wait until July to do the clomid. I will be done with the school year, DH's semen analysis will be done, and if the clomid *somehow* works and we do get preg., baby would be due at the end of the school year. While I don't think it will work, I'm holding out a little hope....:)

[ag05]

doorchick - Fingers crossed for your bloodwork.

[suzfuzsunflower]

doorchick - Sorry about the negative HPT. I hope that your repeat beta is OK.

[polkadot]

doorchick- i hope that your betas double. I did the same thing, when i was waiting fo rmy second beta...i got a negative also...i was really just trying to prepare myself for what i knew was coming. I hope its completley different for you...you are in my thoughts!! (((hugs)))

[papergirl]

Sorry, but this is going to be a quick post. Went to the RE last week and we went over all the tests I had done (HSG, blood draw, SA etc.). Everything looks good and no problems were detected. I am thankful for that but it also makes me mad becasue if everything is OK then why is that a year later we are still TTC?

Our next steps are Clomid with IUI. Luckily the appointment was at the start of my new cycle so I am already on the Clomid and go in for an u/s and my trigger shot on Wednesday. I figure we will try this three times and then move on to IVF. Notice how I am already thinking ahead because at this point I don't think anything is going to work. I should probably change that attitude but I've been hopeful for over a year and eventually it's gonna run out. In August we think we'll begin seriously talking about adoption so that's our current game plan.

Good luck to anyone who is testing soon.

[jodylovesscotty]

Hello Ladies,
I would love to join your thread. I am currently on the charting thread, but taking a break, and feel like I fit in better over here. We have been TTC for a year and 4 months now. After a year I talked to my ob/gyn and did all the testing. DH's SA came back normal, my HSG came back that my right tub is a little constricted, but other than that the infertility is pretty unexplained. I tried clomid for the past two months, but got a yeast infection each time with it, which wasn't fun. So DH and I decided to stop taking it and see what happens until our RE appointment in June. We will start the IUI process then. This month is pretty much a bust since I had a yeast infection to get rid of and a cyst I got taken care of and you can't have sex for 2 weeks so there is no infection. So next month we will just see what happens, and hope for the best. Anyway, here are my stats:

jodylovesscotty
Me: Jody (32)
DH: Scott (32)
Married since: 08/30/03
Off BCP since: over 11 years
TTC since: 1/05
Known issues/test results:
2/06- HSG: one tube constricted
1/06- DH SA normal

[julesp313]

Jody - welcome! You'll find the women here are a fabulous group with a ton of knowledge - and a good place to share, vent, bitch, commiserate, celebrate etc. :)
Bumble - good luck with the Clomid and IUI. I suspect that'll be our next step too.
Emily - sorry about the HPT - I hope the betas give you the reassurance that this is indeed a good result. Will be thinking of you.
Suzfuz - glad you and DH made a decision on the Clomid. Hopefully you'll get a good response to it.

Me - pah. Yesterday turned out not to be CD1, but today sure is. Cramps are a bitch. Going to LA tonight to spend Easter with my mum and the ILs. It's raining here - rather indicative of my current mood. ;)

[Asha]

welcome jodylovesscotty!! i had no idea that yeast infections were a potential side effect of clomid. great something else to look forward to in addition to acting like a hormal monster!! :)

[Patience]

thedoorchick I hope your second beta will give much better results. *Fingers crossed for you*

suzfuzsunflower Good luck with 150 mg of Clomid!

bumble How frustrating to know that everything appears to be ok, but yet we still have trouble getting pregnant! I know how you feel about thinking ahead because I've done that myself. Hang in there. Good luck with your IUI.

jodylovesscotty Welcome! I recognize you from the Clomid thread. :) The ladies here are very supportive.

julesp313 Sorry about AF and cramps. Hope you have a great Easter with your family.

12 DPO for me. My only new post-O symptom is more-than-usual amount of creamy CM, but I think it's due to the Clomid. Otherwise, I'm feeling nothing. Not even sore BB's which is my usual post-O symptom. I might test tomorrow, but I've heard that Clomid can lengthen LP's and mine is usually 14 days. I hope Clomid doesn't lengthen my LP until 18 days because that'll be torturous!

Have a great weekend everyone and Happy Easter!

[Thea]

the door chickI am so sorry for you. That really stinks.

jodylovesscotty welcome and good luck

patiencehang in there. I'll be in your shoes for the next 2 weeks nd I hope I can have your patience.

jules Doesn't it just add insult to injury when AF arives and she is being so mean too!! Hope you are feeling better.

bumble How frustratng! But your game pan sounds good.

Me. Positive OPK this AM, so we are going in for IUI tommorow. Easter Sunday! Don't know if that is symbolic or not?? Hated having to tell my 8 yo that he is going to miss the town easter egg hunt. We will do one for him here before we leave for the clinic though.

Have a Happy Holiday everyone!!!!

[papergirl]

for all you ladies that commented on my post.. thank you. it means a lot to know that i have a place where people understand me.

thedoorchick i am really sorry you are going through this. i can't imagine. i'm sure when you saw that BFP you were on cloud nine and it sucks to then find out it was false.

[polkadot]

HPT was negative again today. I went for my beta, but I consider that moot at this point.
thedoorchick~I did the same thing the night before I went in for my 2nd betas. I think i did it to prepare myself more than anything... I hope this all takes care of itself sooner rather than later...it was very hard at first but it does get easier...when Af rolls around again...it gets hard...but hten you always have a little bit of hope and the girls around here know how to make you feel better...(((hugs))))

Jody~ Welcome...i have seen you around...sorry you are here...but the women here are wonderful...

Bumble~good luck with the Clomid and IUI!!

Suzfuz~good for you and DH making a decision on the Clomid, Ihope it works for you...i suspect that will be our first move..if we find out my tubes are clear...

patience~ i hope this is it for you and that clomid didnt length your LP only to torture you...I had lots of creamy Cm when i got my BFp...fingers crossed!!

me~ We are onto our 11th cycle...I am going in for cycle day 3 bloodowrk Monday and hopefully we will talk about a plan of action. I hope he will give the green light for a SA and maybe an HSG to make sure my tubes are not blocked...

Good luck to everyone waiting to test...and **boo** for anyone who is having a visit from AF...

[suzfuzsunflower]

Jody - Welcome! It is good to have you here...but I hope you don't have to stay too long. ;)

Rebecca - I am so sorry. :(

Polka - Good luck with the bloodwork Monday and talking about the next step with your doctor. I hope that it goes well.

Thea - Good luck with your Easter IUI!

--------
Thank you everyone for the well wishes on the clomid. DH is going to have his SA done on May 1. If all is good, then we will try the 150 mg clomid in June or July. I'll be glad to do it, but at the same time...I hate clomid!! :mad: I'm sure that there are others of you who feel the same way.

Have any of you NOT ovulated with 50 mg or 100 mg clomid, but ovulated on 150 mg (or not ovulated on 50 but ovulated on 100)? I need some type of hope, even if just a tiny bit, that the 150 could work. My dr. wasn't too confident in it, but I wanted to try.

This is our 14th month at it, and I have not ovulated once. Kind of frusterating, but at the same time I don't feel as emotional and upset by all of this as I used to. I think that maybe I'm beginning to except my IF, and have realized that we are not going to have a child right this moment, that it is going to take time. Or maybe I'm just calm for the moment, and am going to be very upset by all of this junk next month. Anyone else feeling the same way (sometimes you feel calm and at peace with all of this - sometimes you are about to go CRAZY!!)? Or maybe I don't know how I feel...


Have a wonderful remainder of the weekend!

[Thea]

Just a quick post. 14 million spermies at 80% motility. Keeping our fingers crossed around here.

suz I definitely feel the same way. Sometimes I am so calm and even upbeat..sometimes I want to scream because this is so frustratng. Thankfully I usually hav enough going on to distract me.

[Alioop12345]

Threadmistress- pleae put me on hold----

I am having surg on my shoulder 4/27 and we will not beTTC for 2 month or so while I recover... good luck to all~

[gymwidow]

Well, my body has gone right back to "normal". On Saturday, CD9, I started spotting again. Just like before the Clomid. You might remember what led me to the doc in the first place last summer was the fact that I would get AF, and then she'd leave, and then a few days later I'd start spotting and that would go on for weeks at a time.

Anyway, I emailed with my RE this morning and he said the only way to stop the spotting is for me to go back on BCP! He said I can take those for as long as I want and then as soon as we're ready to start trying again, stop the pills, get AF, and start over. I talked with DH about it and we decided not to do that. We want to start again in 2 weeks anyway, and part of the whole reason we took this month off was so that I could give my body a few weeks w/o sticking it full of fake hormones. I can deal with the spotting for 2 weeks, and then I'll go in for a hormone level check and if it comes back showing that I haven't O'd, then we can start right away with treatment again, without me having to get another AF first. Just having the last week without having to think about TTC and knowing that I'll have another 2 weeks of no TTC-obsessing has been great. I'm halfway to thinking positively again, and hoping that the injectables will work their magic quickly!

thedoorchick, many many hugs to you. I am so sorry.

suzfuz, good luck! I didn't mind the Clomid so much (the worst s/e I had were awful hot flashes at night). I O'd on both 50 mg and 100 mg. I never went above that since with 100 mg I was consistently churning out 2 or 3 follies.

Thea, I hope this is it!

polkadot, I hope your appt goes well today.

Patience, when will you test? I hope you get good news soon!

Bellefior, I posted to you over in TTC - you have my empathy and sympathy all rolled into one.

Alioop, I hope your surgery goes well!

[Tandis]

Gymwidow - Sorry to hear your body's not cooperating. Glad to hear your short break from TTC'ing has been good! :)

Bellefior - Wow. Really can't blame you for snapping. Hubbies can just be so completely clueless sometimes. Not that making fun of your cooking is a good idea at *any* time, but I can't believe he would do it on the day AF arrives! That's just calling for a smackdown! Hope everything is better today {{{HUGS}}}

Alioop12345 - Good luck with your surgery.

Thea - Those numbers sound really good! Good luck!

suzfuzsunflower - Sorry, I've never been on anything above 50mg. I would have to imagine 150mg would do *something*!

[TazLuv]

Tandis, I know how you feel. My mom called the other day to tell me one of my cousins was pg again, her first one is less than a year old and I felt the same anger. It's just not fair, and I've decided its okay to feel that way!

********************

Nothing new for me. I took my 5th dose of Provera yesterday so hopefully AF shows in the next week or so and we'll start my 3rd round of 50mg of Clomid. Not sure what happened with the 2nd one since we know the 1st one worked but we let cycle 2 goo to 40+ days because the BD timing would have been terrible for cycle 3 otherwise. If this cycle doesn't do it, its back to the doctor to find out what is next. I think my husband's SA is next.

Sorry to hear everyone is having such a crappy April - hopefully someone will get a BFP soon to cheer us all up. :)

[polkadot]

TazLuv~good luck to you...i hope you dont need the SA!

Tandis~I feel your pain. I dont knowif you were here when i posted but my sister who already has one little girl is PG and she is due two days after I would have been had I not m/c in Jan. So I completley understand what you are feeling and everyone keeps telling me its natural and that its okay...so, i'll tell you the same thing...you can pm or email me if ya every wanna talk ;)

Gymwidow - oh girlie...i am glad you are somewhat thinking postitve at this point I have convinced myself that feeling somewhat positive is better than feeling all around crappy!!! (((hugs)))

I had my cycle day 3 bloodowork this morning. Can anyone tell me how this works? Will the doc call with results ( i havent a clue what they were even looking for) and then set up the appt for cycle day 21 bloodwork? I dont know how this works...any experiences and advice are welcome!!!

[polkadot]

Yay!!! Doorchick...that is wonderful news...

[Cath]

Congrats Doorchick. I've been lurking to see if you had good news!

[suzfuzsunflower]

Bellefior - I used to torture myself as well....like taking a preg. test even when you know you didn't ovulate...not too smart, but I used to keep thinking "what if?" I'm sorry about everything that happenned on Easter.

Ali - Good luck with your surgery.

Emily - Yay! Congratulations on the good beta :) :) :) Best wishes on a good repeat.

Polka - My doctor did not call with the bloodwork results, but told me that I could call after a week. I called and they discussed the results with me over the phone (they also offerred for me to come in if I wanted to). I hope that your bloodwork comes back OK, or provides you with answers.

gymwidow - I'm sorry to hear about the spotting. That must be frusterating.

I don't really have an update on myself. Short of a miracle, nothing is going to happen without medical help, and I'm not on any medication right now. BD has been very relaxed lately, which is nice.

DH is having his SA soon. Our RE is allowing us to do it at home. I'm worried that DH is going to have a problem...um, performing that morning. I'm worried that the pressure is going to get to him, that he'll be unable to produce a sample, and that we'll have to wait another month do it. I'll be happy when that's over, and hopefully we will find out that DH is fine.

[Alioop12345]

congrats door chick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Thea]

congrats doorchick!!!!!!

[jennylou]

emily congrats. :)

[Nigellas]

Oh gosh, Emily- I am so very happy for you! :):):)

[gymwidow]

thedoorchick, that's wonderful news! I'm so happy for you! :D

[TazLuv]

thedoorchick, you are not hogging the thread, with all the bad news we've had lately we need a little bit of hope. Congrats! :)

[polkadot]

ITA...its better to have happy news than sad boring...news....:D

[CTs_Punkin]

Congrats Thedoorchick!! I hope the roller coaster stops soon! :)

As for me, I've been keeping to myself this week, just lurking about.
The LAP last Tuesday went quite well - My tubes are open, and he lasered off a little endo off the back side of my uterus. But that doesn't unfortunately change my ovaries outcome... :( I see the DR tomorrow for a follow up on my surgery - hopefully he'll give us the go ahead to BD again... I think I may be gearing up to O soon... so I hope so.

I've been pretty depressed lately and am thinking that perhaps I need to see a therapist about this IF stuff. I'm pretty angry these days - and I think I'm unfairly taking it out on my hubbie... will need to check and see what my insurance covers on that.

other than that, hope the spring is turning out well for everyone. As so far it's pretty much sucked A$$ for me....

[julesp313]

Can't keep up...

Emily - HPTs are odd creatures, but with those beta numbers, I'd say that's a very good sign... :)
CT - I'm about to start seeing a therapist for this. I realized, as you are, that my emotions over IF are spilling over into other parts of my life and the last thing I want is for this to put even more strain on my marriage or job or family and friends. My insurance has excellent mental health coverage so I figure, why not take advantage of it?

Just called the RE's office and I have an appt next Wednesday. I have paperwork to complete and return, DH has to fill in a form or two, and we have to check his insurance to see if they cover BW and SA. Mind you, I'm taking the results of his previous SA with me - if he can avoid having to do another one, that would be good. It's going to be hard enough to get him to produce a sample for IUI! Am absolutely miserable that it's come to this but also very excited and anticipatory about getting some help... the catch-22 of IF, huh? :)

[Tandis]

Bellefior - My Acu. recommends the OvaCue II monitor at this site: http://www.zetek.net/ because it not only tells you when you are ovulating, but if you actually did - unlike the others. I think it's $45 to rent, and $300 to buy. A little expensive, but it looks worth it. Personally, I was using the Clear Blue Easy monitor, which worked great for me. I'm planning on selling it, if you're interested.

CTs - Glad the LAP went well!

Doorchick - How weird about the HPTs - Are you going for another beta? What does your Dr. say about it?

*******************

Thanks for your replies ladies. It great to be part of a group that really gets it. I figure the more I talk and think about it, the less of an impact it becomes. DH and I both agree that while we're happy for her, she's an idiot for doing this now, so we're just going to leave it at that. :)

[polkadot]

oh Belle~ ((((hugs))))

[julesp313]

I have a question for those of you that might have an answer... :)

My insurance covers "all diagnostic testing related to infertility" plus "any treatments necessary to address infertility, EXCLUDING artificial reproductive technologies". Now... what the heck does that mean? I know ob/gyn blood work and my HSG were covered. I *think* that diagnostic would include ultrasounds - I would LOVE to think that it only excludes the meds and IUI process. Any input on this?

[julesp313]

Bellefior - my mother made the "just relax" comment one day when I was having a really crappy time of things. Poor woman got the full force of my TTC frustration. She learned... ;)

[julesp313]

Belle - no, I have a PPO through Aetna. They have great coverage for so many things but sadly not IF... I know for sure Clomid isn't covered - any drugs solely prescribed for IF are not covered. I'm just hoping my RE will be able to run stuff through as diagnostic, like ultrasounds, so that I can save a bit of money where possible. :)

[Thea]

jules I had a tubal cateritization performed that was coded as treatmnt that was paid for by my insurance. They have a very simir clause stating that they cover treatment except for ART so I am assuming they mean those kind of procedures probably including laproscopy if necessary. When I had my surgery (abdominal myomectomy) my RE coded as completely unrelated to fertility by saying that my fibroids were symptomatic so it was covered (except for a $600 copay for a hospitalization!!). However, I was told that U/S connected to IUI and IVF will not be covered even if they are coded as diagnostic. So, I would check on that if you could. Hope that helps.

thedoorchick when is your next beta?

[knoelani]

Oh Emily, I am so sorry. I was really hoping that this was going to work for you. You're in my thoughts.

[polkadot]

thedoorchick~ ((((hugs))) I am so sorry....this must be so hard...we are here is you need to talk, vent, cry, whatever...you are in my thoughts and prayers...:(

I had my second betas drawn and that afternoon AF found me...I had gotten my results but i knew she was aroudn the corner...b/c i had taken a HPT and it was BFN...I am so sorry you are havign to deal with this...just remember we are here for you..

[katmg]

I had my repeat beta this morning but the RE's office never called me with the results. That's very odd.

However, it doesn't matter anymore, as AF showed this evening.

:(

Oh, I am so sorry. Your doctor should have called you...that's really just awful. You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm currently somewhere in my 2WW but not feeling very optimistic. I'm just tired. Tired of waiting, tired of everyone else being pregnant, tired of thinking about this all the time...tired.

[TazLuv]

thedoorchick, I'm so sorry - we were all hoping with you.

[jennylou]

I have a question for those of you that might have an answer... :)

My insurance covers "all diagnostic testing related to infertility" plus "any treatments necessary to address infertility, EXCLUDING artificial reproductive technologies". Now... what the heck does that mean? I know ob/gyn blood work and my HSG were covered. I *think* that diagnostic would include ultrasounds - I would LOVE to think that it only excludes the meds and IUI process. Any input on this?

That's what it sounds like to me.

Emily - I'm sorry to hear your news. :(

[la_bride_2004]

Coming back to this thread. We've been on hold for a long time while DH had surgery, and we decided to try injectibles/IUI because I am not up for IVF. I've got some nice follies cooking and it looks like I will trigger next week.

TheDoorChick- sorry for the BFN :(

Jules- envious of the coverage! We have diagnostics too, and yes, they do cover a good chunk of the bloodwork, office visits and ultrasounds, but no to IVF, IUIs, etc.

[Alioop12345]

thedoorchick-I am so sorry

Jules This is exactly how my insurance phrases it.... we have BCBS of Alabama. All tests, laparoscopy, bloodwork, and meds are covered for me... (except for the Viagra which no one covers for RE issues)...Things such as GIFT, IVF, IUI are NOT covered. HTH

[jodylovesscotty]

jules~ If your doctor puts you on Clomid the cheapest place I found it and where I buy it is from Costco. I hope you have a Costco by you. It only costs $12.91 each cycle, compared to around $50 elsewhere. It is also cheaper than that if you buy more than one month at a time, which I didn't.

[Cath]

thedoorchick - I'm so, so sorry.

[Asha]

except for the Viagra which no one covers for RE issues

up until about 6 months ago medicaid of ny paid for viagra. :mad: :mad:

[Asha]

If your doctor puts you on Clomid the cheapest place I found it and where I buy it is from Costco. I hope you have a Costco by you. It only costs $12.91 each cycle, compared to around $50 elsewhere. It is also cheaper than that if you buy more than one month at a time, which I didn't.

i don't know if this is true or not, but i have heard that you don't have to be a member of costco to use their pharmacy. something like it is illegal for pharmacies to be member only. i was told that you just have to tell the person at the door that you are only there to use the pharmacy. i don't know if it works bc i am a member of costco, but it wouldn't hurt to try. while you are there, you might as well go around the store and taste all the freebie munchies too. :D

[Nigellas]

Oh gosh, Emily... What a rollercoaster. :( I'm so very sorry. Have you called your RE's office yet to see what they think?

[polkadot]

oh Emily~ So sorry...((((hugs))))

[Asha]

Do you know if you are prohibited from BDing for any time after the exam?

i wasn't allowed to have sex without a condom. that's bc if you are pregnant an hsg will cause you to lose the pregnancy. also, i wasn't supposed to have sex for about 3-5 days after the procedure to prevent infection.

[julesp313]

Emily - I'm so, so sorry to hear your news. I wish I had wise words but I don't... just thoughts and prayers. A foot rub would go well with ice cream, I think... it's amazing how good it feels to have someone slather lotion on your feet and manhandle them. :)

Thank you all for the input on my insurance. I found in an old thread a company who will research your insurance for you and tell you what's covered. The RE's office will also be calling my insurance to confirm my coverage. I know ultrasounds are covered for diagnostic purposes as I had one when my dr suspected fibroids, but I'm guessing maybe if the U/S comes from an RE's office, the insurance company might say it's related to ART and not approve it. Whatever - we'll pay if we have to. But obviously I'm going to get as much out of my insurance company as I possibly can.

Also, on the Costco suggestion, I think I'd read that before - I'm a member there so that's a moot point, but I looked up their drug prices and if I can get generic Clomid, it's a huge savings, so I'll be sure to ask the RE about that.

Belle - I was told nothing in the vagina for 24 hours after my HSG. Also, with an SA, your DH should abstain for about 48 hours prior to producing his sample anyway - but generally no longer than four days. So I guess if his SA is the day after your HSG, that'll work out well - you'll be abstaining anyway. :)

[gymwidow]

Emily, I am so so so sorry. I wish it were different. Sending you hugs and thinking of you......

Bellefior, I was told no sex for 24 hours and after that to enjoy! All my doctors told me that sometimes you have an increased chance of conception following HSG because the dye really clears your tubes out. We were also told to abstain for 3-4 days prior to DH's SAs. At least 3 days, but no more than 4.

[Asha]

All my doctors told me that sometimes you have an increased chance of conception following HSG because the dye really clears your tubes out

i am hoping that it is true bc i am now in the 2ww. i have noticed that i am more wet down there, so i am keeping my fingers crossed that it's a good sign and that hsg thing worked. though, i am trying really hard to not get my hopes up bc i really don't have any symptoms.

[Nigellas]

Emily, have your doctors tested you for clotting issues? I remember Phen had a lot of early losses and it turned out that Heprin (I think that's what it was) was able to ultimately help.

I really am so sorry - one loss is too many. Multiple losses are completely unbearable. (((hugs)))

[polkadot]

take a test and see what the heck is going on...fingers crossed...how many DPO would you be?

[la_bride_2004]

Bellefior

Do you know if you are prohibited from BDing for any time after the exam?

DH's SA is scheduled the day after my HSG (day 10, well before usual O date) and am wondering if that is going to hinder TTC this month. Thanks.


Well, to be honest, you may not want to BD for a few days afterwards, depending on how you feel. Usually there is some iodine leakage. After a few days you should be fine though- they schedule the HSG early in the cycle specifically for this.

The SA scheduling also sounds good- usually you have to abstain from 1-3 days before those anyway.

[la_bride_2004]

thedoorchick

Yesterday's beta was 5. Yeah, big surprise.

Also I confirmed that we have NO insurance coverage for IVF; not even the drugs which I felt might be covered since my injectables and everything else was covered.

But then again, if I consistently conceive pregnancies and lose them, do we really want to go through IVF just to miscarry again?



Just sending you some hugs....I have SO been there- 3 times so far, and yes, it is heartbreaking to have it happen after IVF. Unfortunately, it's also extremely common with male factor issues. :( Did you RE refer you to a RU?

[tigerest]

thedoorchick - So sorry for your loss. {{HUGS}} Yep, it sucks to have that happen with IVF, so I see why you wouldnt want to do it. However, with IVF they get to take a look at egg and embryo quality too. But there are a lot of reasons for RPL, which I heard treatment for RPL can sometimes be different than infertility with insurance so that might be something to look into. On top of egg quality, there is blood clotting disorders, immune issues, endo, ect that could cause early losses. I hope you get answers soon!

Bellefior - Ya I would probably take a test too or go in for a Beta. As far as the HSG, I think we BD'ed as soon as my pain stopped. I don't think they put any restrictions on me.


I have been away for a while now. I had my tubes removed and its been a long recovery for me. But I should be doing a frozen embryo transfer mid may. RE thinks that the endo and fluid in my tubes were the cause of my + then - betas. We are also doing some of the blood clotting and immune testing just to make sure! So its probably time for me to sell my fertility monitor since its kind of pointless to use now.

[jennylou]

i don't know if this is true or not, but i have heard that you don't have to be a member of costco to use their pharmacy. something like it is illegal for pharmacies to be member only. i was told that you just have to tell the person at the door that you are only there to use the pharmacy. i don't know if it works bc i am a member of costco, but it wouldn't hurt to try. while you are there, you might as well go around the store and taste all the freebie munchies too. :D

Well, it's true in Costco's case. I was the one who suggested that Jody call Costco and turns out I could have saved myself some cash! Of course, I might have wasted that in gas and shopping (there are some good stores near Costco that aren't near me - Kohl's, Old Navy, Motherhood, World Market, etc). ;)

[polkadot]

DH also gets another blue ribbon this week for being an insensitive jerk. When I told him all this over the phone, and how I thought it sucked, I got in response "what would you like to have for dinner?" I nearly lost it, but kept my cool and asked him why he completely ignored what I had said. He said that while he had heard what I had said, he was trying to get my mind off of it and make me feel better. I told him making me feel like he was ignoring the situation did not make me feel better in the least. I wonder if there is a book out there I can give him to read to teach him how to be more sensitive--somehow I suspect he would not read it.

Oh my husband is famous for this...and I repeatedly tell him what an ass he his being and then he says **well i dont know what to say** So on occasion I must remind him..After I am finished saying what i need to say please insert a sensitive remark. Most of the time he doesnt do it and tells me I a freaking out for nothing...but you would think after 11 months of going through this crap he would have figured it out by now...:rolleyes:

I hope your doctor can give you some answers....:D

[ag05]

doorchick - I am really sorry.

[Patience]

thedoorchick I'm so sorry. Sending a big hug your way.

I've been swamped at work, so I haven't had time to post. AF found me yesterday afternoon. :( So, I called my doctor for another prescription of Clomid for this cycle. She's increasing my dosage to 100 mg this time. Oh joy...now I get to have a continual headache for 5 days because I'm supposed to take one 50 mg pill twice a day. :rolleyes:

As if getting AF isn't enough, I found today that the wife of my friend has gotten pregnant again even though her youngest is only 8 months. And because life is *just* that unfair, this was an accident. They were supposed to be done having kids! Why do things like this happen when people like us would do anything to have a child? Sigh...

[Thea]

the doorchick I am so sorry. Big hugs to you.

[julesp313]

Is it Friday yet? Ack to work. :)

Just faxed 18 pages of extremely personal information over to the RE's office... I sure hope it gets to the right person over there! Poor DH had to endure me asking about his testicles and sperm over breakfast... made me feel like finally he has a tiny taste of what we women deal with! I had to complete 16 of those 18 pages for me, he gets two pages of "check the box". And I checked the damn boxes for him! He doesn't know how good he has it... ;)

[skb]

Very sorry to thedoorchick.

I am 14 days post trigger and for the past few days I've felt sort of crampish in the mornings. Actually it seems very similar to last month when I was late beyond my typical 26 day cycle. But this cycle was my first with the clomid, tracking and trigger ensuring an earlier ovulation time. So I suppose I either test or just wait until this weekend and see if AF shows?

[jjsanner]

skb, I would test if I were you! All traces of HCG should be out of your system by 14 days post trigger so you should get an accuarte result. How you've managed to wait this long is beyond me!

I am 9 days post trigger and feeling crampy as well. Although I tend to have cramps throughout the 2WW so it very well could be nothing. No spotting to speak of. My longest LP to date is 12 days, so I am waiting until at least Sunday to test, Monday if I can hold out. I really don't want to deal with a false positive associated with leftover HCG from the trigger shot. I ** think** the RE told me to test 2 weeks (14 days) after the trigger injection, which would be Sunday.

[suzfuzsunflower]

Why, if you are a woman of reproductive age, does everyone automatically think that you are pregnant if you have a stomach ache?

[Asha]

well my bloodwork came back and everything is normal except a slightly lower than normal level of estrogen.

my dr. is going to put me on clomid the next cycle. i gave my dh a serious warning that i will become a hormonal monster and not take anything i say personally.

suz -along the same line, everyone asks if you are pregnant if you are slightly bloated too. unfortunately, i am bloated 70% of the time.

[skb]

jjsanner......It's easy. I have a shorter luteal phase and AF always shows before a test would show anything. But I think things are a bit different this time thanks to the clomid/trigger. I did purchase a test that says I can test the first day of my missed AF.....but that isn't for a few days yet. I'll cross my fingers for you!

[polkadot]

Why, if you are a woman of reproductive age, does everyone automatically think that you are pregnant if you have a stomach ache?

Because some people are just stupid...:p
__________________

[GA_GAL]

Hi-

I'd love to join this thread...I'm lucky enough to have a group of girls at work that are all teachers in the same grade going through fertility treatment, but I've been lurking here for a while too. After coming off BCP in August of 2005 I had no period on my own for 7 months. Lots of tests done and I have very low FHS. I was sure my first cycle of "treatment" would give me the BFP I've been wanting, but no...AF showed up 7 days too early. Just went in for an ovary check and found out I have cysts on both ovaries. Right now I'm just waiting to be re-checked and be all cleared to start Menopur injections again.

Here's my stats:

Me:25
DH:25
Married: 12/03
TTC:9/05
HSG: all clear
1/06-2/06: testing
3/06: Menopur injections and trigger shot, BFN
4/06: Cysts on both ovaries

[suzfuzsunflower]

Welcome GA_Gal...so, you've taken Menopur? That's the injection drug that my doctor wants me to take. How did you feel while on it?

[GA_GAL]

suzfuzsunflower, I felt fine while on Menopur. I started off at a very low dose (37.5 IU) for 5 days and then continued to get bumped up every 3-4 days until I finally was taking 150 IU (a total of 21 days). My follicles were not responding and my Estrogen levels stayed very low until I got on the higher dose. I was a little moody, but I think a lot of that was due to the fact that my cycle almost got cancelled 3 times and I just wanted it to work so badly.

My DH travels a lot for work, so he started off giving me the shots, but I ended up having to do it myself a lot of the time and although I was terrified at first, now it isn't bad at all...

Does your insurance cover any meds? I would have spent over $1000 in one month if my insurance didn't help.

[Asha]

ok, i need your help ladies. after a raving rant in my journal, i realized ranting isn't going to solve the problem. dh is very mad that i partake in an occassional beer while we are ttc. for about 8 mos, i did give up alcohol, but then i just got frustrated especially when i read that it really wasn't harmful in small amounts especially after it was first conceived. can you help me find evidence that alcohol in small amounts in the first week or two isn't going to kill or deform the baby? also, if i am doing something that could be potentially harmful then please let me know too. of course, i will give it up once i do get preggo, but it seems absurd and unnecessary to have to give up alcohol completely for an extended, unknown period of time. as a compromise, i even told dh that i would just drink during my period, and he was still mad about that.

[Asha]

yes, i am not a big drinker now too. just a glass of wine or bottle of beer. yeah, i have told my dh that everyone does it before they have o'ed, but he doesn't care what everyone else does.

[Hangin'in]

The embryo does not gain any nutrients from the mother's body until it has embedded and established an umbilical cord..... usually about a week or week and a half after implanting, so having a beer or a glass of wine is not going to cause damage to an embryo at that stage because they aren't using you as a source of food and oxygen. I don't know where I got that info.... but I can research it later today and give that to you.....

[Asha]

The embryo does not gain any nutrients from the mother's body until it has embedded and established an umbilical cord..... usually about a week or week and a half after implanting, so having a beer or a glass of wine is not going to cause damage to an embryo at that stage because they aren't using you as a source of food and oxygen.

that's what i was thinking about, but you say it so much more clearly than i explained it to my dh. i am amazed that someone who had so much training in science just goes off his gut reaction most of the time.

[katmg]

Asha - my understanding is that the fetus isn't even "attached?" to the mother's blood supply until about 4w. So it wouldn't be getting any of the alcohol from her blood anyway. It is more important to be taking prenatals before you are pregnant than to avoid alcohol, imo. You need that folic acid before you even know you are pregnant.

ETA: cross-posted with hangin'in and she said it better than I did...

[Hangin'in]

yep, the placenta does not even start forming until ~4 weeks after conception.

[Asha]

yeah, i do take my vitamins. i mean this situation sucks enough as is and to completely cut myself off from one of life's little pleasures just makes the situation just even worse. i am still really mad at dh for saying that i don't care about our maybe baby and that i will end up deforming our future children. i think the stress he is causing me is worse than drinking alcohol at this point.

[katmg]

yeah, i do take my vitamins. i mean this situation sucks enough as is and to completely cut myself off from one of life's little pleasures just makes the situation just even worse. i am still really mad at dh for saying that i don't care about our maybe baby and that i will end up deforming our future children. i think the stress he is causing me is worse than drinking alcohol at this point.

I would be very frustrated if my DH didn't want me to drink during TTC. He moaned about not being able to drink for a month if he had to take some sort of supplement for his sperm count. I just gave him "the look" and he shut up about it pretty quickly. Perhaps your DH would like to give up alcohol with you if he is so insistent about it?

I gave up drinking for a bit for TTC and it just made it that much harder each time AF showed up. Maybe if it had been just one month for us to get pg, it wouldn't be so bad, but after 15 months - nope.

The stress is definitely more troublesome, I would think, than the drinking. I hope that you can reach an agreement with your DH.

[Asha]

Perhaps your DH would like to give up alcohol with you if he is so insistent about it?

he might do that, but that's really not the issue here. i just enjoy having a drink every once and awhile and am pissed off that my dh would be angry over me doing something that isn't going to hurt our maybe baby.

[GA_GAL]

Asha, I don't think I could get through this entire process without having a couple of drinks. I stop drinking during the 2WW, but the way I look at it, if I can't be pregnant, I'm not going to stop living my life...

Hopefully your DH will start to change his mind after you share "scientific" info with him.

[Asha]

well, i just called him and told him that scientific info, and he still in a pissy mood. :( i just want to crawl into bed and go to sleep for a long time. i really hate all of this.

[tigerest]

I am sorry Asha. I too gave up alcohol completely my whole first year TTC!!! But then I couldn't take it anymore! The way my DR put it is that its sort of nature's way of protecting the embryos before a women realizes she is pregnant! Also, in IVF they discourage caffiene more than alcohol...but they say both are ok in moderation, and they are more concerned with egg quality than harming the embryo! But now I usually drink on CD1, when I need it the most! :p I hope you guys reach an agreement!

[Asha]

thanks ladies for supporting me. i know my issue with alcohol isn't that bad compared to some of the real heart aches you have been through.

[julesp313]

Asha - I can't drink (allergy) but I have my ways of coping, namely Salt and Vinegar Lays. DH learned the hard way not to make snide comments. The men have absolutely no concept of what we are dealing with, both physically and emotionally, and in my not very humble opinion, they have absolutely no right to say a damn thing unless you're doing something truly harmful, like snorting coke or injecting some other banned substance (I don't know enough about drugs to know what you might inject... heroin, maybe? ;) ). Otherwise, they should shut up, support you, and know that you're not stupid enough to do anything that would run the risk of endangering your future child. GAH!

As for me, I am slammed at work - I'm taking a five minute CC break before I smash my laptop over my client's head. Which I will do if they keep up their piss-poor attitude and no-help uselessness. It may be Friday but that means diddly squat to me, considering I have to work all weekend.

[Asha]

Otherwise, they should shut up, support you, and know that you're not stupid enough to do anything that would run the risk of endangering your future child. GAH!

amen!! sometimes they just don't get it.

[skb]

jjsanner....ugh. As it turns out AF showed today...so no need to test. That makes my cycle an all time short of 24 days. So I will begin my second round of clomid with follicle tracking.

04/06: 50mg clomid/tracking/tigger

[Asha]

skb - hoping that it works this time for you!!

[Lucy Van Pelt]

A quick update - unsuccessful AGAIN. :( :( This is now 2 full years of TTC and nada to show for it. I've already had my pity party of crying and whining and now I am just trying to move on with things. I'm waiting for AF to show which will probably be this weekend. I think I am going to talk to my RE about doing IUI next cycle. I just never imagined when we decided to TTC two years ago I would be in this situation. I have pretty much decided that if I have another m/c or I am not pg by my 36th b-day (July 21st), I am going to hang it up and do something else with my life.

So far as the drinking stuff goes, it has been an occasional issue for DH and myself as well. I am not a big drinker by any means. I have a drink MAYBE once every few months. Last month, I went to Cheesecake Factory with some co-workers and I wanted a drink. I can't drink when I take my Metformin so I skipped a pill nad had a drink instead. I got home and was talking about my day with DH. I told him a had alcohol during lunch and he asked abotu my pill. I told him I skipped it and he got his panties all in a bunch. He just doesn't understand how draining all of the meds are and what I go through on a daily basis. Between my migraine meds and fertility meds, I take at least 7 pills every dang day - sometimes more if I have a migraine or am taking the Femara. I am still getting sick a few times a week from taking the Metformin as well. I told him to take a Metformin pill and see how his body reacts so them maybe he would have some more compassion to what I deal with on a daily basis. He didn't, of course...:rolleyes:

[tigerest]

My DH occasionally jokes around with me about not eating too much sugar and to eat healthier..but he is sort of joking, he knows I am harder on myself.

BUT I did tell him once if he ever gives me crap...he is gonna wake up one day with ME GIVING HIM A SHOT to see how he likes it!!! ;)

[tigerest]

Sorry for the BFN's ladies! :(

[suzfuzsunflower]

I'm so sorry that so many of you are facing disappointments and hard times. This journey is rough, isn't it?

I'm frusterated that my body isn't working. Have you all ever thought about what it would be like to just be able to have sex and get preg.? I really cannot imagine that. I am instead left with a broken body, and no way to have a biological child w/o medical intervention short of a miracle. And medicine has yet to make me ovulate, and I worry that the injectables will not work either. We live with so much uncertainty, don't we?

Ga_Gal - Wow! You had to have the injections for 21 days! :eek: That is a long time. I'm going to be starting on 50 IU, and I really hope that I respond to the medication. Insurance...that's the problem. Current insurance sucks :( , and we'd have to pay almost all of it out of pocket (around $2000 per cycle). We'll be on better insurance next year, so we're going to have to wait until then. It makes me sad. :( We are going to try 150 mg clomid to see if it could make me o (I did not ovulate on 50 or 150). Did you take clomid? If you did, did you respond to it?

Lucy - I'm sorry for the BFN.

skb - So sorry for CD1.

alcohol - I haven't had any in about 6 months, but when all this infertility junk gets really heavy I really want to. :) DH and I are going to a party tonight, and I'll probably have some wine or something. Chances are I won't be preg. for a very long time - might as well enjoy my life some. If it becomes clear that I really could conceive or am preg., then I would stop right away.

Have a nice weekend, everyone!

[GA_GAL]

I don't think guys will ever truly understand what we are going through and I dare any of them to try and deal with the emotional, physical, and psychological stress TTC puts us through.

suzfuzsunflower- I ended up doing the injections for so many days because each time they increased the dose they saw my follicles responding or estrogen increasing just enough not to cancel the cycle. Looking back, I'm thinking that might have not been the best thing to do, but live and learn. I know it is hard to have to wait for insurance reasons...sorry. Hopefully the higher dose of colmid will help though and you won't have to worry about injections. I was given the option of trying colmid, but they said it would most likely not work for me. I decided to skip it all together.

[skb]

Question Does anybody know what the numbers/measurements are for follicle size and uterine lining when clomid/tracking/trigger is involved?

Thanks in advance.

[suzfuzsunflower]

I have a question. How long did it take for you to get the results for your husband's SA?

Thank you. :)

[jennylou]

asha - re: alchohol. I thought about giving it up while ttc, but frankly, you'll spend nine months not drinking, probably won't drink much if you breast feed after that as well. Add in ttc, and well, that's just a long time not to drink, particularly if you enjoy a nice glass of wine. :) I know just giving it up while I was pregnant last year, I could not wait to have a nice cold beer!:p The fact that nothing would cross to the baby that early sealed the deal for me.

[papergirl]

thedoorchick - i'm sorry to hear about your last cycle. know that we are all here cheering for you.

skb - sorry this was not your month. it just isn't fair.

lucy - do you have to take the metformin one at a time? i am on this med. and i take all three at night after dinner and just before bed. i've wondered if this can be hindering it's purpose but then i remind myself that my cycles have gotten shorter which is a result of the drug.

for any of you ladies testing this weekend i hope this is it.

.........................

this cycle we are doing clomid with IUI. i had my trigger shot on wednesday and the IUI on thursday so i'm officially in the 2ww. on my bum cheek where i got the trigger shot i was soar for 2 days.. does this seem normal? i didn't hurt but it was soar and a bit bothersom.

also, for you ladies on clomid is a side effect no sex drive?? i seriously have NO interest in sex and dh is buggin me to play. grrr.

[Asha]

also, for you ladies on clomid is a side effect no sex drive?? i seriously have NO interest in sex and dh is buggin me to play. grrr.
oh gosh, i was hoping it would increase my sex drive. i have found that i have almost zero sex drive lately. not fun!! you can now all see why i need a drink.

[polkadot]

Oh great...ihope it wouldnt decrease your sex drive...that would suck since its supposed to help you O in order to get PG...i hope its only a hort tierm thing in your case...

[papergirl]

asha + pockadot: you ladies make me laugh. i have heard all these evil things about clomid and how it makes you moody etc. honestly, i felt like things were normal for me so i was very greatful. then every night my husband was looking for sex and i was turning him away. usually if i'm not in the mood i can still muster the energy to pretend. right now, i can't even fake it. :rolleyes: i'm not sure what the problem is so i've started to wonder. let's hope my drive comes back, you know?

[Thea]

bumble I did not have that issue before the IUI this cycle, so I am not sure. I am in the 2WW now and I have ZERO right now, but not sure if I an contribute that to the clomid

drinking By all means, have a glass of wine with me. Actually, my DH has been a little surprised I nly have 1 or 2 a week. After I explaned the science of how I couldn't hurt the embryo at this stage he was gung ho to resume our enjoyment of wine. I too had stopped drinkng except for while on my period for the first year of TTC. If an occaional glass of wine cn decrease my stress levels some, then that HAS to be good for conceiving, right?

Welcom GA Gal!!

suz it depends on how detailed the SA is. They can give you the initial info (count, motility) fairly quickly (at the most about a week but maybe just a few days) howevr if they are going to lookat morphology based on the WHO standards it takes at least 2 weeks for those results.


Well, as for me, today is day 8 after IUI and I think (based on my temps) 7DPO. I will try to wat until next Monday to test. Have been feeing crampy since last night. Not sure what that is all about.

[gymwidow]

Hi all. CD18 I think here. I've had all the signs of impending O (tons of CM) and actually had a huge temp jump on Saturday and got a little excited, but my temp went back down yesterday and has stayed down. So I'm thinking I probably won't O again this month. No big deal. DH and I are going away for a long weekend together and I have a bloodwork appt scheduled for next week to check my status. If I haven't O'd then we'll immediately start in with injectables.

Anyone have any recommendations as to which injectables meds are better/easier to deal with than others? TIA!

Asha, what a PITA. The only thing I can think of is that you need to tell DH it's your body and you're educated and aware of what is acceptable and not acceptable, and you will choose what you drink until you get your BFP. Good luck!

Lucy van Pelt, many hugs and much love to you.

suzfuz, I often wonder what it would be like to just BD and boom! wake up pregnant. We got DH's first SA results back 2 days later (but that was because my GYN's office was lazy about calling) and his second results were ready the same day (different doctor).

skb, follies should be over 18 mm and I'm not sure about uterine lining. Mine has always been 8 or 9.something and my docs have been happy with that.

I don't think I've ever noticed a decrease in my sex drive while taking Clomid. Usually when I'm not in the mood it's because DH waits till about 11:30 to come to bed and I'm just too tired to do anything about it then.

[Alioop12345]

GYM-

I am using Gonal F and I like it. I find the pen easy to use and it is covered by my insurance. If it is NOT covered...it is VERY expensive. Denpending on what dose you need, it can be upwards of 3000/month. I usually have two follies mature and MANY small ones on the dose that is prescribed for me. I have also not had problems with overstimulation although around O, my ovaries are VERY tender and I am quite bloated.

HTH

[jjsanner]

Well ladies, it has been a crazy couple of days.

I was bawling my eyes out Sat. night because I was feeling very crampy and was positive that AF was right around the corner. I awoke on Sunday and still no spotting (which, BTW, would be my longest LP yet with no spotting other than my miscarriage cycle two months ago), so I took a test. Very faint + HPT. So then I get all excited. Had a good day, took a family outing. Then late last night the spotting started. I called the RE first thing today and they ordered bloodwork. Am hoping to get the results today but most likely tomorrow. Still spotting very lightly.

Yesterday was 14 days post-HCG trigger. So there is a good possibility that the + HPT was from leftover HGC. I'm not feeling optimistic.

I am sooooo sad.:(

[Nigellas]

jjsanner - Hang in there! Spotting early in pregnancy is very common. When do you get your BW results back?

[Alioop12345]

HUGS JJSannerAnxiously awaiting your update


As for me...I am struggling....I am feeling angry and bitter. We reached the one year point and I have laready posted that we will not be TTC for a couple months because of shoulder surg on Thursday...Two more firends have announced they are PG (one friend this was her first month trying...actually "hee hee, we were not really trying yet"... uhm, whatever.

I can feel AF is coming.I just feel so bittter and mean. While I am happy for them, I just wonder if it will ever happen again for us. We are blessed with a beautiful son but it doesn't make it easier knowing that I am having such a difficult time getting PG now. It also pisses me off that a stupid injury is going to cause another delay and loss of 2 months income.... BOO...sorry to be such a pisser

[gymwidow]

Alioop, thanks for the info. I checked my notes and Gonal F IS covered by my insurance for only a $25 copay. Yay! I will ask my doc about that one next week when I go in. He gave me a list of ones to choose from (to check with my insurance about), so hopefully he'll let me pick.

I'm sorry you're having such a rough time right now. We're nearing our one-year mark of trying (although I'm not sure if I should even count our first few months since we weren't on drugs yet) and that milestone really isn't one anyone should have to reach. Hugs to you...

jjsanner, hugs and hopes for you.

[suzfuzsunflower]

jjsanner....hang in there, and I hope that your bloodwork brings good news.

alioop, I'm sorry that you're having a rough time. It was hard for me around the 1 yr. mark, too.

I have been very sad today. Another friend announced her preg. yesterday - that makes two in the last two weeks. It will be the 2nd baby for both of them. I'm thrilled for them, but sad for me. Very sad. I just want this day to end. I am feeling a lot of pain.

I know that you're all probably sick and tired of hearing about my DH's upcoming SA. It will be Monday. We'll both be so happy to get that thing over with. I'm going to test on Friday *just in case* (kind of hoping we won't have to do the sa), but since I don't ovulate I know it will be negative. Still I will test.

This sucks today. :(

[polkadot]

jjsanner~ Prayers and Hope for you and your family. I hope for your sake that if AF does show that the + you saw was just from the trigger and this was not another m/c. I cant imagine having to go through that again. I hope that your blood results come back very high. You are in my thoughts...(hugs)

[julesp313]

Sorry I've been MIA, but it's been total and utter chaos at work and it shows no signs of stopping... but I'm taking a lunch break today (albeit a short one) and catching up. Am reading along but not posting but trying to keep up.

RE's appt tomorrow. Am excited and terrified - no clue what he's going to suggest and I just hope he has more faith in my body than I currently do. :)

Hugs and good thoughts to everyone dealing with crappy stuff right now...

[jjsanner]

Just spoke with the RE. Blood test was negative (<1 HCG). :(

I have absolutely no idea what is going on. The test I took Sunday morning was definately positive. I took another this morning and got the faintest on lines. The doc didn't think it would be leftover HCG, although I guess that is still a possibility. Today is 16 days post trigger. I am still just lightly spotting, which makes this is my longest LP ever.

I have a follow-up appointment scheduled for Thursday morning. DH is going with me. Hopefully she will be able to shed some light on the situation.

I am sad, but at least it wasn't another miscarriage.

[skb]

jjsanner Sorry, I was hoping you'd be more lucky than me. Thought I would mention that with clomid I had a 14 day luteal phase as opposed to my typical 9-10 day luteal phase. Apparently one of the perks of ovulating earlier thanks to clomid. Nontheless, I think this was more diffiuclt than most months.....possibly higher expectations given the clomid....leaves you thinking, "this will do the trick." Ding ding, round 2 for me. Feel better.

alioop I hear ya! So hard when you're feeling in the low places to be h-a-p-p-y for others despite how hard we try...even if you already have a son. They say people struggling with secondary infertility often have a difficult time finding support. It isn't any less of a struggle because you have a son. You won't hear from me, "count your blessings or feel lucky....at least you have one." Hang in there.

[polkadot]

jjsanner~ So sorry...(((hugs))) to you...you seem like you are able to see the light and that maybe the doctor can shed some light on what is going on...hopefully she can give you guys some sort of plan. SOrry again...and lots of (((hugs))

[julesp313]

JJ - so sorry to hear the blood work results weren't what you were hoping for. I hope your doctor can help you figure out what's going on - the worst thing about TTC for me is the not knowing.

Me - I had shockingly copious amounts of EWCM yesterday, which at CD12 is very early for me. Did an OPK which was a strong near-positive, as in the lines were pretty much as dark as each other but the test wasn't darker - mind you, I took it at 8pm after only a half hour since I last peed. Anyway, we BD'd just in case. I've been having definite O pains on my right side so maybe this is an early month... who knows anymore! :)

[skb]

suzfuz I had to read back through some of your posts because I really didn't remember feeling bombarded by SA questions. After plodding along here for nearly 2 years....the only test dh has had to go through was the SA. Honestly.....I wouldn't say he was thrilled but his results were *normal*. As for me....blood tests, ultrasounds, HSG by 2, surgery, hormone replacement, clomid.....blah blah blah. And ta dah...."unexplained infertility." The other day he actually asked me if he should be having another SA. Ha Ha. I guess he doesn't think he's been plodding enough!

[Lucy Van Pelt]

JJ - so sorry the results weren't what we had all hoped they would be.

Yesterday, as I was getting ready to leave work, I got an IM from my SIL.

Yes - she is pregnant...again.

She had the absolute nerve to tell me that it was "unexpected". Give me a BREAK. She has been obsessed for the last few YEARS. What's so sad is that my brother doesn't want kids and has never wanted kids. However, he just doesn't have the balls to stand up and tell her "no!". It's pathetic. Oh yeah - she sent the u/s pics. Like I really want to see them right now?? Yes - I am bitter and disgusted. Hopefully those feelings will pass...but they haven't yet.

[katmg]

Oh Bellefior - I am so sorry that the HSG was such a bad experience for you. I have never had one done, but it just seems like there should be a way so that it doesn't have to be so awful. Isn't the fact that you have to have fertility testing in the first place bad enough? :(

As for me - This is my first "real" cycle since my m/c and I have a feeling that AF is right around the corner. I have been temping but haven't been writing it down so I know that I already ovulated, etc. but I don't have an exact date pinned down for when she should show up. I'm surprised at how sad I was today when I started getting cramps.

On that note, I watched a Friends repeat tonight - the one where Monica and Chandler go for fertility testing and get their results. I just started sobbing when Chandler told Monica that having children may never happen for them. Am I overly emotional just a bit? :rolleyes: I wasn't even annoyed at the portrayal of infertility - just so sad everything it brought to mind.

[Thea]

jj so sorry that the news wasn't what we were all hoping for....I hope you are able to get some answers soon

belle Oh, I feel for you. That is exactly how my HSG went (except they couldn't get the dye to go into the left tube, so they kept having me roll over which was even more painful). My DH was with me, so that was good. I had to go for a tubal catherization b/c they thought my left tube was blocked, but they give you nice drugs for that! (was awake, but didn't feel a thing! and my tube wasn't blocked it turned out.)

kat I hear you. I'll cry over anything like that these days!

lucy ugghh! How so thoughtful!

Nothing new to report here. Week is dragging on. Test on Monday

[polkadot]

Oh Bellefior~ I wish i had words of wisdom for ya....but i dont ...my hubby can be so insensitive sometimes...it kills me...We just started the bloodwork this month and if that all comes back fine then we will start with an HSG and a SA. I keep telling hubby that its not that big of a deal...i am sure its not the first time he's done it and it probably wont be his last...so he just needs to get over it. I agree that its the least they can do considering all the tihings we go through.

But in my head i just keep thinking...i hope its me i hope its me...i have come to the realization that if it is me they can do lots of things to correct the problem and we can have a baby. If its him he is going to be reluctant to do anything...its all about their manhood...its quite stupid...like we dont feel bad enough that we cant have/carry a baby, they have to add to it by being insensitive and embarrassed...i mean being embarrassed is not an excuse...

Whoa!! Sorry for that vent...i guess you can tell where I am with this situation.;)

[skb]

bellefior I hear you on the HSG. I've posted my experiences in more than one location so I'll hold back on the repeat. But just to let you know it was far from pleasant for me too and I am convinced that is the rule more then the exception. To make matters worse I had to have more than 1. The first time you don't know what to expect but the second time when you know what you're in for......let me tell you a bit of anxiety. I attended my second HSG fully medicated. My doctor was fully aware how painful I found the whole thing and did not offer any meds. So I went to my family doc who was completely unaware of how painful the procedure could be but likened it to colonoscopy. According to her, she is always surprised when she's heard back from patients how unpleasant a colonoscopy was and they weren't even offered pain meds. So she was extra empathetic about the HSG with me and wrote a very nice prescription. And get this.....when I arrived for the HSG the doctor pulls aside the techs (tech and tech in training) to likely, I can only guess, inform them that I may be diffcult because they were a little more attentive. So there I am on the table...with 3 people having a look....(the first time the tech didn't look but the second time I get an audience).....unbeknownst to them I am fully *medicated* but still highly unimpressed. Can you say I-N-S-E-N-S-I-T-I-V-E!!! I have yet to mention to my doctor (and by the way my doctor performs the HSG, not a radiologist) that I wasn't impressed about the audeince or that I attended medicated. But believe me, it will come up. If he wasn't as *good*as he is supposed to be (and he's been OK in the treatment room at his office)...then I think I'd look for somebody, preferably female with a better bedside manner. Whew....vent finished.

As for hubbys and their SA....see my last posts. But DH did provide the sample from home (we live 10 minutes away though). And my family doc was sure to mention that I should be very sensitive to the male ego. So I was very *supportive* of his potentially fragile feelings and once the results were back *normal* sure to mention......listen here, I have to go through XYZ and you get to whack off...big deal.

So this is clomid round 2 for me.....and wholly HOT FLASHES...the water is just running off me at night. No headaches as of yet but I think I'me feeling a little...we'll call it BLUNT.

Have a good day ladies.....thankfully the weekend is almost here.

[skb]

And one last thing......I had to take a taxi to and from my second HSG...couldn't drive due to the meds. Big old icing on the cake.

[julesp313]

Lucy - it never ceases to amaze me how little some people think before they speak or act. So insensitive... makes you want to smack them upside the head and say "Think! Please, just think...". :(
Bellefior - sorry you had such a horrible experience with the HSG. It's amazing how much the discomfort/pain varies as I had absolutely none but a friend of mine IRL had a fair bit. And obviously others like yourself have terrible pain. The things we go through. And men just DO NOT GET IT. I've resorted to telling DH in minute detail about what I go through - that usually shuts him up. So far, he hasn't been too insensitive though any time he whines about doing an SA, I just give him a look and he shuts up. He's learning... ;)
Kat - my first post-m/c cycle was so normal, it was almost depressing - I expected things to be different, it was like my body had already dismissed the fact that I had been pregnant. But of course my mind hadn't - I cried when I got AF the first time. Very understandable, I think - I hadn't planned on having it for at least nine months!
Thea - good luck with the testing!
Polka - I think all men have an issue with doing an SA. I told my DH, it's not like you haven't done this before - the only difference is doing it in a cup. Get over it! He's much better now that he knows what I have to go through, plus I like to remind him that at least his test ends with an orgasm! ;)
Edited for cross posting...
SKB - I'm dreading the possible Clomid-induced hot flashes - I live in Vegas, it's plenty hot enough without having medicated sweats too!

So, I went to my first RE appointment yesterday. I really liked the RE - my dr had said that this was the most highly recommended RE in the area but his "bedside manner" is not great. Well, I don't really want warm and fuzzy - I want someone who will cater to my type-A-ness and tell me details and stuff. I didn't find him cold at all - very personable and efficient. So, we talked about our TTC history, what tests we need to do, and what the plan might be.

I have to go in for a full blood panel (again... yuck), full physical, CD3 blood work, a sonohysterogram (the HSG was clear but apparently this one will show any lesions like polyps or fibroids in the uterus), ultrasound to see what my ovaries are producing, and then 7DPO blood work. DH gets to have blood work and a repeat SA - this time he has to do it in the office as they want the sample within 30 minutes and we don't live that close. He's being very matter-of-fact about it - he said as long as the door locks and there's some decent porn, he'll be fine. :rolleyes: Based on the results of everything, the most likely first course of action will be IUI, probably with Clomid and possibly with a trigger but more likely with OPKs as I do O on my own.

So, I go on Monday for the fasting blood work (at 7am - so then I can eat!) and Tuesday for the physical. All my diagnostic tests are covered by insurance so I don't mind getting them done. DH's tests will not be covered, so we're going to wait on his til after I get AF just to make sure I'm not pg this cycle and we do need to move forward on the RE stuff. His blood work and SA will be about $1200 so we only want to spend that if we have to! I want to call the RE's office and ask why an SA through them is $400 but the lab only charges $80... bastards.

Here's a funny for you... the RE said DH's morphology was low normal - that wouldn't be an issue if it weren't for me being 34 and obviously us having problems getting pg. So I told DH, your boys aren't all forming properly. He says "So you're saying I have retarded sperm?"... I said, no, not at all... they're just physically challenged. Now he's telling everyone he has retarded sperm... I guess it's good that he can laugh at things, right? :rolleyes:

[julesp313]

Just one more comment on the SA issue... I asked DH why he thought it was such a big deal, given what we women have to go through. He said our tests don't involve "performing on command" and so while they may be uncomfortable, painful, slightly embarrassing etc, it's not the same issue. I can kinda see his point, but still - how long have you been taking care of business down there? I'm sure you can manage it just once or twice under difficult circumstances. And you better get used to it if we start with IUI or IVF! :)

[skb]

I would likely feel uncomfortable to "perform on command" in a clinical environment. But I am less sympathetic when a sample can be obtained at home. I asked DH what he thought of his SA......and he just says, "it had to be done, we had to find out." I don't suspect he was thrilled but at least he didn't complain. And apparently I did not make mention about me going through XYZ versus his SA....but I was thinking it! Probably because I don't think an SA comes close to the seemingly endless investigations, follow-ups and medication that women endure. Embarassment is the least of my worries. Good thing women have the babies!! :)

[suzfuzsunflower]

jules - I'm so happy that you liked your RE! I had heard that my RE wasn't very friendly, but I loved her. She was nice, but like you said about your dr., not warm and fuzzy, just straight to the point. Good luck with all of the testing.

SA - Lots of talk about this in the thread lately. My DH complained A LOT last year when we talked about doing a SA with the doctor...since having the HSG, going to the RE, and having a lot of bloodwork completed, DH is going to have his SA on Monday, and he hasn't complained about it at all! He doesn't seem worried about it. I'm concerned about his ability to produce a semen sample. I'm not sure how he'll do performing on demand - I think he may be affected by the pressure. I am really hoping that the SA comes back normal, and that I am the only one with problems.

I'm going to take a PG test tomorrow morning...just in case. If it is somehow positive, then we won't have to do the SA. This won't be the case, however. It will be negative, and we'll do the SA Monday.

TG it's almost Friday!

[skb]

bellefior I completely agree with you about a good laugh. I had a good giggle when I got to the line about your underwear choice for the event. You are a better woman than me and just wanted to give you a little cheer for being so well prepared in the case of on-call *help*!!! I once attended a dinner event in which the subject of infertility came up. Suddenly several of the men were commiserating over their SA experience. One man actually went into great detail about the "room" and it's orange-striped 70s couch, old TV and crinckled mags, nevermind the old grumpy nurse. He had the whole table in stiches. Thank goodness it is Friday......follicle tracking Monday morning for me.

[Cath]

Hi everyone -

Nothing new is going on with me. Since I'm trying to schedule an IVF around a couple of big work events, I'm just hanging out until next week or so to get a new cycle started with provera.

The SA conversation is definitely amusing. My husband was uncomfortable with the whole thing, but he did it without too much complaint. However, he has always rated the *ahem* material selections each time he has had to perform before an IUI. Let me tell you, it was way more information than I've ever wanted about that!

One of the funniest things I've ever seen on this subject was an episode of the British series Coupling. The woman knocks on the door to the collection room and asks her partner what was wrong. The clinic called her and said he had been in there for a couple of hours. She opens the door further to realize that he had his pillow from home. He had called a couple of his friends for moral support, to bring him better videos or magazine and he couldn't get comfortable without his pillow. His friends were there still as well.

It really is one of the funnier things I've ever seen on TV. I highly recommend renting the DVD for a good laugh.

I don't have time for shout-outs, but I hope everyone is doing well!

Catherine

[Hangin'in]

DH never complained about having to provide samples. He went with me to my RE appts., and he told me that compared to what I had to go through.... he had the easy part!

[tigerest]

ARG!!! CC ate my post!

Bellefior - So sorry to hear about how painful your HSG was. Mine was a terrible experience as well, but my tubes were blocked. One good thing about having my tubes removed is that I will nevr have to go through it again! But I have heard that if its painful and your tubes end up being opened that maybe they were slightly blocked and now they are opened, so that could be good news! If you decide to buy a fertility monitor let me know, I will sell you mine. I have no use for it with IVF and I have been thinking about putting it on ebay.

cath - I have hear about that show coupling, I should rent it! Hope you get to cycle soon!

Jules - Your Sperm story was funny. Glad you guys are able to find humor in it! That always helps.

The SA stories are funny. Lucky for me my DH never cared about it. He doesn't embarrass easily though. I didnt get a chance to go with him, but he did tell me about it, and we had a good laugh as well. The "room" was right next to the nurse's station. He told me there were videos in there and when I asked him if he watched them he said, "HECK NO! Are you crazy! Someone might hear, and besides I didn't want to be in there that long!"

I asked DH why some men would have an issue and he said that its easy for guys to block this stuff all out when they aren't the ones going through the tests. But when its time for them to do something you can't ignore the fact that you are having trouble TTC, and its upsetting, so maybe some men take it out on the SA. That was just his take.

I decided to sit this cycle out to give my body a rest. But I will be doing a FET at the beginning of June!

Hope everyone has a nice and restful weekend!

[Thea]

Evil spot showed up this morning at work. I'm so pathetic I sat in the bathroom crying! I mean I know I am not pathetic and the emotions are normal but do you guys ever feel like idots when you get your hopes up for nothing? Sorry, I am in a bit of a sour mood. I am sure AF is around the corner as spot is bright red. (TMI, I know). I am sitting at home enjoying a rum and coke and trying to get my mind on next cycle. My DH is bummed too but totally absorbed in his car stuff tonight. I think it is hs way of dealing right now as he was so excited and sure that this was the month.

Anyway, sorry to be a downer...I promise to be more optimistic soon. Thanks for letting me vent!

[skb]

thea You're not pathetic or a downer. Enjoy your rum and the weekend. Sometimes having a good distraction can be useful. I'm off for a nice glass of wine and visit with friends tonight. Looking forward to it.

tigerest I'm feeling for your DHs take on the SA, makes sense to me. I'm almost "jealous" about your FET. Take that lightly....I just mean round 2 with clomid and timed BD and although hopeful not really convinced it's going to do the trick. What the heck is going to work already? .....3 more tries before the IVF referral. I hope June is the ticket for you.

bellefior happy to hear of the good results.

Plodding along...................................

[Asha]

ahhh...i see we are still on the topic of alcohol. mmmm....

sa - my dh didn't complain about it except for the fact that we had to pay for it out of pockets bc insurance didn't cover it. though, he did have to go in twice bc he was too uncomfortable the first time.

update:
april 2006 - starting 50 mg clomid

[suzfuzsunflower]

Asha - Good luck with the clomid. I hope that it works for you.

Thea - I'm sorry that spot showed up, and I'm sorry for the disappointment that you and your DH are feeling for this month. It is hard when you get your hopes up, only to have them cut down quickly when you realize that you are, once again, not preg. You are not pathetic for crying. I cry, too.

-----------
DH's SA is tomorrow! I will be so happy to have that finally done! We're doing it at home, and need to have the sample in as close to 7:45 a.m. as possible. I really hope that everything goes well in the morning. I just want it finished and done with! Hopefully the results are good, but if not, then at least we'll be able to formulate a game plan (i.e. IUI) to go along with the clomid/injectables.

Someone else is preg. in our Sunday School class. That makes 3 currently preg. women, 10 babies born in the last year, and 13 children older than 1 year old. There are only 3 other couples without children, and I'm starting to feel a bit left behind. I have felt jealous of preg. women many times, but I didn't feel that way today when C. announced her preg. I just felt sad. Sad for me, and for my friend that recently had a mc, and sad for everyone else that wants a child so badly and is having a hard time. :(

[Asha]

thanks suz. i freaked myself out by looking at the potential side effect. not a good idea.

suz, that's good that dh is getting the sa done. it's one less thing to worry about. i understand the feeling about pregnancy news. i don't even have to know the woman directly and i feel sad and jealous.

[GA_GAL]

Hi Everyone-

Sorry I posted here a couple of times and then vanished. My husband travels a lot for work and has our laptop with him so I'm left without internet access. Anyway, sorry to all of you who are feeling frustrated, disappointed, sad, jealous, etc., etc. It's so hard. Suzfuzsunflower-I know exactly what you mean about feeling sad...my mom called me today and told my my cousin is pregnant...my unmarried, divorced twice cousin. She always wanted a baby, so I "am" happy for her, but just sad for me and my other friends and all of you who are having trouble having a baby. It just sucks.

Anyway, I went in last week for my ovary re-check and I was all cleared. The cysts were gone. Finally, some good news in all of this mess. Right now I'm just waiting for AF to show up so I can start with another round of injections. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and praying this is the month. I know it is silly, but I'll be seeing my parents (who live about 10 hours away) the first week of June and would love to tell them the good news in person. Why do we do this to ourselves...if it doesn't happen, I'm just setting myself up for more disappointment. Oh well, I'm trying to stay positive and how you all do, too!

[skb]

In for a follicle check this morning and good to trigger tomorrow morning. The tech didn't give me the details and I didn't ask. Funny how last time I had 2 good to go on cd10 and this time must wait until cd12. She did ask what meds I was on this time and they didn't ask last time. Also, last time they had me follow up 5 days later and this time no follow-up ultrasound. I wonder what that is about?

[julesp313]

Has anyone had an HSG and a sonohysterogram? I'm just wondering if there is a difference in the discomfort level - I had zero pain with my HSG but now I'm all paranoid that the sono will be painful. Contributing to that is that I've been having shooting/burning pains right around my left ovary, and sometimes on my right too but more on my left, and now I'm all freaked out about what might be going on. ARGH! And it's bloody Monday... ;)

ETA: Another funny for you... DH asked me to thank the RE for saying we needed to have sex more often (every 2-3 days, regularly - obviously the RE doesn't work in public accounting) - now DH is making all sorts of demands and telling me "think of the baby, think of the baby". Sheesh... :)

[suzfuzsunflower]

ETA: Another funny for you... DH asked me to thank the RE for saying we needed to have sex more often (every 2-3 days, regularly - obviously the RE doesn't work in public accounting) - now DH is making all sorts of demands and telling me "think of the baby, think of the baby". Sheesh... :) :)

DH did his thing this morning. We won't find out the results until next Wed. The office said that they do not give SA results over the phone, and that DH will need to meet with the RE. The earliest appointment we could get was for next Wed. Kind of frusterating...knowing that they have the results TODAY...but we can't get them until next week. And I can't go to the appointment next week. My students are having end of the year standardized testing, and I can't get off. So I'm going to make up a list of questions for DH to ask, give him some normal SA numbers, and ask him to call me as soon as he gets out of the appointment!

Is there anything that you ladies can think of that we (DH) needs to ask the doctor regarding the SA results?

[skb]

jules Sorry, can't help you out with the sono. But what's the RE's thoughts on the every 2-3 day thing? Gheesh is right.

suz I'd get the numbers. I find myself wondering what my dh's numbers were now that I don't have a copy. Hope the results are *normal* as they say.

[julesp313]

Suzfuz - if DH's SA had come back abnormal, my first question was going to be what that meant in the realm of treatment - was he going to have to have surgery or was there even anything we could do to improve his numbers? Then I was ready to ask if that limited our options with IF protocols. Right now, the ob/gyn said his numbers were fine but the RE is concerned his morphology is a little low so if that's the case after the repeat SA, that will point us straight to IUI, as the RE said that would really help us wash out the "deformed" swimmers (poor DH, retarded and deformed...) ;)
SKB - the RE told me that the best way to rejuvenate the sperm is to "release and replace" them every 2-3 days. Obviously DH could handle this himself but he prefers to interpret as actual SEX every three days. If he thinks I'm working a 12 hour day and going home to service him, he's sorely mistaken. :)

The immigration reform protest is going on outside my client - we're on Fremont Street in downtown Vegas, and there's a lot of screaming people out there. Then, much to my pissed-off-edness, they're marching down Las Vegas Blvd, via 3rd Street - which means we can't get out of the client's parking lot til at least 7:30pm. So, that's a thrilling end to my Monday... ;)

[Tandis]

julesp313 - I had both, and while I remember a little pain with my HSG, the SHG was totally painless - just a little uncomfortable with all that liquid running down my behind ;) :)

[jjsanner]

Quick update....

We weren't able to meet with the RE to come up with a game plan because DH's SA results aren't back yet. He went in last Thrusday for his 2nd SA (1st one came back fine but it was through a different RE) and I was told it takes 10 days to get the results...That sounds a bit long, but whatever. So she called in the script for 100mg clomid and trigger, same as last cycle. Today is CD7, day 4 of the clomid. I go in Sun. for a follie check.

Has anyone gotten to the point with this whole IF thing that you just want to give up? I ask because this past cycle was TORTURE for me. First I thought I was preg., then I wasn't, then I was, then I wasn't, etc. etc. The clomid and/or the trigger gave me crazy false pregnancy signs. And after my miscarriage two cycles ago and the stress I am under here at work it is all almost more than I can bare. The doctors can't even seem to figure out what the problem is. I feel like they are treating me blindly. And I'm not even sure if the clomid is working.

So when we sat down last week on CD1 I told DH that I was done trying. If it's Gods will then it will be. If not, then hopefully we can find peace going down a different route. I am sick of the drugs/sick of the drugs making me crazy, and I'm sick of the ups and downs. We discussed mabey looking into other options like adoption or foster care. But then a day or two later I started to think that mabey we would give it one more month. Just MABEY it will work this time. But it's been just one more month now for the past 6 months.

[TazLuv]

jjsanner, hugs to you - I don't personally know what you're going through yet but my sister got to that point. She has one son and they finally decided if it was meant to be then it would happen, they had been through so much with trying for the 2nd. Hopefully this will be the cycle. :)

------------------

Update on me, I've been reading but not posting, today is CD-14 of my last 50mg Clomid cycle. I say last but really its just the last with this doc, if it doesn't work we'll head to the RE and see what they want to do next. I'm a little worried in that I'm having NO CM. I'm drinking water everyday and I'm drinking one glass of grapefruit juice every morning. I think I may be in that 25% group that has toxic CM due to the Clomid, that will be something we'll have to discuss with the RE if we get there. I should be O'ing Fri-Sun so maybe it will come back before then, who knows.

I hope everyone else is doing okay, we haven't had a BFP for a while. :(

[skb]

jjsanner I can't say that I'm at the point where I want to give up but definitely last cycle caused me to feel more deflated than usual. I can't remember if I'm on cycle 23 or 24 now. This is my second round of 50mg clomid. If this one doesn't go well then I will have 2 more cycles of it before beginning the IVF referral process and 2 more cycles while I wait. Believe me, after all the preliminary tests, surgery and follow-ups it seems like we've already been plodding along forever. But realistically we are just getting started and at least now there is a time frame and plan. I can only imagine that the IVF process will be even more taxing physically, emotionally and financially. So I'm crossing my fingers that it will happen before then. But I still believe that with continued persistance we will have a baby. So it's all systems go here and we fall nicely in the "unexplained" category. We've got the sperm thing and ovulation thing down.....now if we could only get the conception, implantation, carrying part figured out! I'm trying not to let this process rule my life and consume my toughts. A friend of mine tried for 3 years before delivering a healthy baby with the help of IVF. She reminds me among other things to have faith in my doctor. Take care.

tazluv CD 12, 50 mg clomid here and I triggered this morning. Now that you point it out the EWCM is not exactly present and it is never a problem au naturel. Hmmmm....oh well, nothing I can do about it now. But I'm curious what your RE would suggest.

[gymwidow]

Drive by posting.....

You guys will never believe this, but without taking any meds this month, I actually ovulated on my own! I went in for b/w today to see what my hormone levels were so we could start injectables this week and my progesterone was 15.9, indicating definite ovulation! They can't pinpoint exactly when, but based on my chart I'm thinking last Tuesday. Plus, with a level this high, it's probably been at least that long.

Would you guys mind checking out my chart and adding in your $.02?

I'll be back later with a better post!

[Lucy Van Pelt]

Has anyone gotten to the point with this whole IF thing that you just want to give up?

Yeah - pretty much every month! It's been 2 years of TTC for us and we have nothing to show for it except doctor bills and missed work.

CD9 for me. I go in for a follie check tomorrow afternoon.