Weekly check-in Feb 3

dolphin012

This check in is for anyone on this board to participate in and will occur every Wednesday. If you are new here and haven't made a separate intro on the main board please do so before checking in so we can "meet" you! It's easy to do just click the new discussion button in the top right and post away. 

1. Your Name or Screen Name (not full names) and State you are from. 

2. How long have you been TTC? Are you TTC #1,#2,#3, etc.? 

3. What are you doing this cycle? Are you seeking help with a fertility specialist (RE)? If so, what stage are you in? Charting/temping? Testing? Medicated cycles? IUI? IVF? DE? 

4. Where are you in your cycle? (Waiting to O, 2WW etc) If in the 2ww when will you test? 

5. How do you feel about this cycle? (Are you hopeful, anxious... etc) 

QOTW: What are some good books you have read lately?

rspalding001

1. Rita from Santa Cruz CA 

2. TTC # 2 for a year and a half. 2 MC's and 1 CP.

3. This cycle I'm getting my progesterone tested at 7 DPO so I wont be taking the progesterone suppository to make sure my results reflect what my body is doing naturally. I discussed with my Dr and we agreed to start progesterone if I get a positive pregnancy test but not before for this cycle. I'm not doing baby aspirin any more either since one of my tests showed that my blood takes a little longer than normal to clot (43 seconds when it should be less than 40 and most people are in the 25-35 seconds range), so I guess I don't need a blood thinner messing that up any more.

4. I'm in my TWW, I think I'm 1 DPO but not 100% sure since I just do OPKs and don't temp. We will be doing the BD this whole week to be sure

5. I'm hopeful about this cycle since we have had plenty of time to BD so I think timing wise we have no issues. But we didn't get to do the HSG so I'm still not sure what that test would have reveled. Hopefully this is our month and I don't have to worry about it. 

QOTW: OMG so many good books! I have been on a "read the book before you watch the movie" kick lately so I've read The Martian, The 5th Wave, and am currently reading the Revenant. I also read Old Mans War and The Infinite Sea which are not movies but also very good. 

thistle8677

1. thistle8677

2. TTC#5 (#1 for fiancé) 19mo. TTC (recurrent loss; unable to conceive in 12mo.)

3. Currently seeing Drs. for fiancé's secondary Hypogonadism and autoimmune diseases. 

4. 8dpo 

5. Not hopeful at all. Just anxious to get my man helped. 

QOTW: One of my absolute favorite books (and I've read it several times) is Women Who Run With The Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.

thistle8677

Good luck @rspalding001

MollySm

1.  Molly from CA

2.  TTC #3 (I had one miscarriage between my girls, so trying for the 4th pregnancy).  We are on cycle 2.

3. I am temping, but with my older daughter's terrible sleep, I keep missing temps and/or having only small chunks of sleep.  I am sure I O'd on Mon or Tues, but temps are not as high afterwards as they normally are.  

4.  1 or 2 DPO.  I love to test and have a bunch of cheapies, so I'm sure I'll test a lot.

5.  I am hopeful.  We had good timing, and I'm excited to be pregnant. 

I recently finished the 5 Game of Thrones books.  I really liked them and am annoyed that #6 isn't finished yet.  

jennh75b

****new baby mentioned here****

1. Jenn from PA

 2. TTC#1 on and off since 9/2014

 3. This cycle will just be checking CM. I have first RE appointment in March.

 4. I'm at CD 9.

 5. I don't know how I feel about this cycle - I guess more hopeful that DH and I are on the same page with it as far as BD frequency, so we are hopefully giving it our all. DH has cold # 2 but it should be gone by BD time - just a few weeks ago he had bronchitis so we had to skip that month of TTC. Now just hoping I don't get the cold. I'm a little down in the dumps yet happy nonetheless for my BIL and SIL - they had baby #2 yesterday a month early. t's a girl - they didn't find out so it was nice to hear what it was. We haven't gone to see her yet since DH is sick.

 6. I read pretty regularly but haven't found any that really stick in my mind like The Secret History by Donna Tartt has. I read another of her books, The Goldfinch and it was pretty good, but not as great as The Secret History. I historically read memoirs as opposed to fiction, but decided to read some fiction for a break from all of the memoirs about usually mental health issues (I'm a social worker so this is what I find interesting.)

 @thistle8677 - We used that book in my undergrad women's studies course - or possibly women's lit course. I remember the name, but don't really remember much about the book.

Kaessi

1. Heather from TX

2. TTC #1 since 9/14

3. Waiting on UR appt for husband's low SA (next Thursday).  Tried OPK for the first time this month but failed miserably. Just ordered a crap ton of Wondfos on Amazon, so waiting on those to come in.

4. My best guess is that I'm about 5DPO. I have never actually taken an HPT...sounds crazy I know, since I've been TTC since 9/14. But I always tell myself that I will test the day after I have calculated that AF should arrive...and lo & behold the crazy b*tch shows up right on time, every flipping month. Ugh!

5. Not feeling real helpful, due to the recent diagnosis of DH's low count & motility.

QOTW - I travel some for work & enjoy audio books while on the road. Recently "read" Tina Fey's "Bossypants" & Jen Hatmaker's "For the Love". Both were hilarious in their own very different ways.

thistle8677

Welcome @kaessi I noticed you were new to the board, but I missed your intro! I've been kind of MIA for a bit. I feel like you had a thread somewhere about getting an SA done, so I wanted to go back and comment. I'll have to take a look. My fiancé just turned one into the lab yesterday. We don't have big hopes for this month (due to low testosterone and multiple autoimmune diagnosis).
Anyway, hello and best of luck to you 

MntnGirl

1. MntnGirl, CA

2. TTC #1 ~1.5 yrs

3. Still seed cycling (flax and pumpkin seeds first half of cycle, sesame and sunflower seeds second half of cycle).
OTC Supplements: Prenatal, NAC, Vit D, DHA, DHEA 75mg once a day, CoQ10 200mg twice a day, Baby Aspirin once a day. 
Prescriptions: Levothyroxine, Norethindrone, Dexamethasone, L-Methyl Folate, Lupron.

4. In first IVF cycle - started shots this week. If all goes as planned, ER in about 2 weeks.

5. Feeling overwhelmed by all of the supplements, prescriptions, and shots. 

QOTW: Bossy Pants by Tina Fey and Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg - quick (light) reads about successful women/moms.

@jennh75bThe Secret History by Donna Tartt sounds interesting. I will add it to my list. 

Good luck ladies!

PoeMasque

Jen from oregon

TTC#1 since Nov 2015

not even charting this month. We decided to just BD every other day for 2 weeks around O time. 

Im on CD 6

i made an appt with my Dr to discuss HSG (mid cycle spotting) and referrals to an RE. I'm hoping we can actually do all the BDing that we've promised ourselves. I've been working out a lot more in the last month and trying to eat less sugar. Crossing my fingers I stay healthy as we enter the real flu season at work.

I'm currently muddling through the game of thrones books, but it's slow going for me. they're good, but I usually fall asleep while reading them. Before that I was in school....so it's been a while since I read anything really riveting. 

Kaessi

Hi @thistle8677 & thank you for the welcome! Yes, after months of putting it off, DH finally agreed to an SA in late December. Results came back with low count & low motility, but that's all we know at this point -  the nurse on the phone didn't give any more specifics. We were initially referred to an RE but are going to try the UR route first to see what the actual diagnosis and what are options are. Good luck to you & I hope you guys get better results than you are expecting!

@mtngirl2007 I am intrigued by seed cycling. Is that something you decided to do on your own, or was it recommended? I include flax seeds in my diet every day, and pumpkin seeds several times a week. Haven't heard of cycling before now but you have me intrigued & I will research!
I also do a lot of natural things and am always interested to learn more. (I see an herbal consultant every other month). DH & I are currently taking MACA & Marshmallow - both have been shown to be beneficial in keeping both male & female reproductive organs healthy. I've also started to get him to take 400 mgs of Vitamin E a day, to help with count & motility.

amimhof

*Vulgarity warning*

1.  Amanda Marie from MD

2. TTC #1 for 8 months

3. This cycle adding a ferning microscope in addition to monitoring temperature and CM.  Plus taking Prenatal and Vitamin D (daily), iron (exercise days), and calcium (when I can't fit two dairies in).

Because of being unable to conceive and suddenly getting really long cycles (7 weeks) my midwife wanted to do some blood tests.  I'm supposed to do tests on day 3 and 21.  I did day three on Monday and got the results on Wednesday.  The midwife emailed me the results, noting that my prolactin was high.  She said:

"The prolactin level can be elevated by certain medications, or by a tumor on the pituitary gland. You should see an endocrinologist for further evaluation."

So yes, the midwife sent me an EMAIL indicating that I have CANCER.  Is there anyone else here that does not think that is incredibly fucked up?

After several frantic calls I was finally able to talk to someone at the health center.  It was the lactation consultant and she deals with prolactin issues a lot.  She told me that I was only slight above normal range (.5)  and that I don't have a tumor, and said the midwife should never have sent me that email.  Regardless, I think I will be looking for a new center, or at least insist on a different midwife.

And on top of that, I have to deal with the second draw.  The second draw is usually day 21, but that's based on a 21 day cycle (it should be 7 days before anticipated period).  Since I in a normal cycle don't ovulate until day 20, so I was expecting them to say come in around day 28 or so.  But no, they want me in on day 21, and probably once again later in my cycle.  This despite my terrible and well documented fear of needles.

Sorry for the vent.

4. Where are you in your cycle? CD7, waiting to O

5. Stressed, because the midwife wants to take a lot of blood simply for the hell of it.

QOTW: What are some good books you have read lately?

I've been working my way through Ron Chenrow's Alexander Hamilton.  It's a great but long read.

chloe97

Chloe from Chicago 
TTC after MC since January 
Cd 2

Im temping, trying acupuncture, Chinese herbs, epo, cm, cp, coq10, opks, prenatals. Oh yeah throwing in preseed bc why not?!?@mtngirl- do you feel like seed cycling has helped? My friends suggested it and I've started it this cycle.

4/5) I tested 5 days in a row (was drinking on vacation)- all BFNs. I had some horrible PMS and was freaking out that AF was stuck due to scarring from my D&C, which my dr attributed to my cycle still regulating. Though I cried 3 days in a row about my BFNs, I'm feeling much better. I'm going through an intense AF and as strange as it to say this-it feels so good. Hormones are regulating, and I feel like my body is finally ready, so I'm doubling down this month for a BFP! 

QOTW I read Big Lies by Liane Moriarty on vacation. I love her stuff- great beach reads.

@kaessi I loved Bossypants! I just finished Amy Poehler's Yes Please! on audiobook and it was also fantastic!

Kaessi

@chloe97 I am halfway through "Yes Please" as well & I'm loving it! I've been listening to it while at the gym & sometimes I randomly burst out laughing while on the treadmill...I get some strange looks but whatever!
I'm sorry you've had a rough few days, but glad you're feeling better & your spirits are up! I cried a lot this last cycle as well...sigh...sometimes it just sucks to have all these dang female emotions.
Do you think acupuncture is helping you? I've had it before to help with headaches, but haven't been in several years. Am considering giving it a shot. And what Chinese herbs are you taking?

@amimhof Oh my goodness, that's awful that she would send you that in an email! How unprofessional! I hope you are able to find a new (and better!) midwife soon. And glad she was incorrect!!

@poemasque I also had mid cycle spotting for several months in a row. Mentioned it to my dr. but never seemed concerned...on my own I did some research & found info about the Premama fertility supplements. Started taking them about 4 months ago & mid cycle bleeding stopped completely. Not certain if there's a corelation but I'm going to assume they're at least helping?

rspalding001

@amimhof wow how horrible to get an email like that. Id definitely look for a different midwife. In regards to the CD 21 test, is that for progesterone to confirm ovulation? I'm doing the same thing I think, but I waited until I got a positive on my OPK and will do the test next Tuesday which will technically be CD 25 for me but only 7 DPO. Maybe since your cycles are so long they just want to see what your progesterone is doing at that time? Either way Id get the test done again at 7DPO to confirm ovulation. At least that is my basic understanding of the test. I could easily be wrong about your particulars. Good Luck!

amimhof

rspalding001 the test is to rule out PCOS.  Initially the midwife was going to discuss with others on staff to pick a date, since the second test is supposed to be in the middle of the luteal phase.  However, they've decided that I should do the 21st day and a date TBD.  To me, there's no point in a blood test to confirm ovulation on day 21 since even when I was regular I was ovulating on or around day 21. 

I'm going to call back and tell them I'm not a pincushion, they told me two blood tests, that's all they get.  Two weeks out and I'm already stressed about getting blood taken again.

chloe97

@kaessi I laughed out loud too at the gym listening to Yes, Please!. As for acupuncture, I'm only a month in, so I can't say too much about whether it's working. I went yesterday when I felt super hormonal and I feel much better today! But that could just be normal cycle resolution. At the very least, it's something proactive that I can do and it's relaxing! My cycle has gone from 33 to 31 days after my MC and I attribute that to acupuncture, it also could just be post- mc changed though. I'm still skeptical about the (expensive) herbs. I decided to go all in and take them every day this month, we will see if it works. I will quit them if I get a BFP though.

thistle8677

@amimhof I'm so sorry! We are facing a possible diagnosis of a pituitary tumor for my fiancé right now. I know this isn't very comforting, because really a tumor on that gland is indeed alarming and potentially dangerous, but from the research we've done it is often not cancerous. 
I'm really sorry you're going through this, and I hope that for both of us, it's not a tumor.
The world of medicine has been quite dismissive and callous to us on this journey and I'm sending you a lot of love and support. I hope you get some answers soon. Xo

amimhof

Hi @thistle8677 !  I noticed after I posted that your fiance may be having similar issues.  I didn't find out until later that most of these tumors are benign (would it have been so hard for her to put that one little work in the email!).  Glad to see his latest test results came out well. 

PoeMasque

@amimhof I'm so sorry that's how the midwife told you! I think sometimes practitioners forget they are talking to people who's lives revolve around the "task" they are completing. On the bright side, the word tumor does not mean cancer. Our bodies actually grow tumors occasionally and we have these natural killer cells that break them down. It all happens without us knowing (most of the time). Also, a tumor may be self-contained, meaning that it will never spread (which is what cancer does), so once removed it's gone forever. Still, not information for an email  

@Kaessi thank you for the suggestion! I will check out the premama supplements. I've had mid cycle spotting since I stopped taking birth control 2 years ago, every month. My mom had really bad fibroids in her late 30s/early 40s so I think a trip to diagnostic imaging is probably a good idea. 

thistle8677

I absolutely agree! @amimhof...it's so unnecessary to drop a possible diagnosis like that and offer NO comfort or at the very least some more information!!!! 
I'm sorry and I hope that you get some answers soon. Do you have an MRI scheduled already? Xo

amimhof

@thistle8677 - no MRI scheduled.  I'm going to wait until after my second blood draw and see what those results are.  The top end of their normal range is 23.3 and I was at 23.8, so I was barely over.  Plus other factors that can impact prolactin have been in play (high stress, exercise, high protein diet, and not fasting). I'm just going to see what it looks like in a few weeks. 

thistle8677

@amimhof that sounds like a very good plan. As a side note, do you suffer many headaches or migraines? 

MntnGirl

@Kaessi - @thistle8677 posted about seed cycling a while back and since I already include nuts and seeds in a daily smoothie, I figured it's worth a shot and no harm in it. Definitely google seed cycling. NAC and CoQ10 would be my other recommendations (my RE quadrupled my CoQ10 dose). And I'm not an expert, but if you're both consuming raw maca, look into that (I believe you want to avoid raw - in a world where raw is usually superior). I was taking chasteberry and gelatinized maca before I started IVF process.

@chloe97 I don't know if seed cycling has helped. My cycle is regular and my hormone panel is "normal," but with AMA, I will take all the help I can get and there's the non-fertility related benefits as well.

I looked up premama - it's folic acid and myo-inositol (especially good for PCOS) in case anyone is curious.

@amimhof I feel the same way about needles and medical staff have little sympathy. I'm getting used to being a pin cushion with daily injections and biweekly blood draws. I hope your next draw brings good news!

Happilili

1. Happilili from MD
2. TTC #1 CYCLE 4
3. Prenatal vitamins, GNC  DHA 600, Calcium charting temping and OPK. Thinking about adding Royal Jelly.
4. Cd 4
5. Feeing hopeful
Qotw" Audio booking "No Excuses" by Brian Tracy.  I feel motivated.  Great read/audio

amimhof

@mmtngirl - daily injections!  At that point I would have told hubby, sorry, but it's time to look at adoption.

@thistle8677 - no, fortunately no migraines and few headaches (which usually occur when right before my period or if I'm dehydrated), another reason I'm skeptical that it's a tumor.