IF/Testing Check-In -- Week of 9/26

britters314 · September 2016

**General TW that this thread can and will mention MC and loss.***

This is a place for those of us who have already started TTC, but have started infertility testing and/or treatments. You can express your thoughts, feelings, and frustrations on infertility. TTC can be a long journey naturally, then add in the difficulties associated with infertility and it becomes a whole new ball game. The road to infertility can be lonely, frustrating, and complicated, so let's make this a place where we can vent, ask questions, and support one another. Feel free to resurrect this thread at any point in the week if you have something to say, and treat this like an ongoing conversation.

Diagnosis (If you've been):

Cycle/CD:

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?)

How are things going?

Any questions?

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are not strongly opinionated about)

Elyse1384 · September 2016

Diagnosis (If you've been): Me - Lean PCOS; DH - MFI (using donor sperm)

Cycle/CD: I've quite literally lost track. I do know it had been almost 1.5 months the since my last AF (prior AF was prep cycle for FET). Lots of insurance issues.

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW - PUPO! Just had my FET this morning and so the wait begins.

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?). FET

How are things going? Great now that I finally had the transfer after all the delays. This one cycle was about 3 months in the making.

Any questions? Nope

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are not strongly opinionated about). I REFUSE to buy a home without at least one woodburning fireplace. The more the better. I made DH walk away from an amazing house we wanted because the chimney was closed off (approach not reversible). I have reached out to realtors and the only Q I asked was about fireplace and chimney health. Sorry not sorry.

SaphireSweetie88 · September 2016

Diagnosis (If you've been): None yet. We will see after my appointment on the 4th.

Cycle/CD:

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW - I believe. I am not 100% sure if I have O'd or not because I am not temping / charting etc right now. I plan on starting after seeing what the doctor says on the 4th.

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Taking prenatal vitamins while anxiously awaiting my appointment.

How are things going? They're alright. No complaints right now.

Any questions? No.

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are not strongly opinionated about). I'm not sure. Everything coming to mind, a lot of people are strongly opinionated about (drugs, firearms, etc).

mrsdaddario · September 2016

Thanks for starting this today @britters314! I had an Re appointment

Eta: Spoiler box is pissing me off, so if it's in a funky spot I apologize!

Diagnosis (If you've been): Non-insulin Resistant PCOS

Cycle/CD: 12/10 - CD 8

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Gonal-F 150iu's, Lupron Trigger, IUI

How are things going? Going alright. I had another follicle check this morning. After my appointment on Friday, my estrogen was very low and there wasn't any follicle growth. They bumped me up to 150iu from 75iu and I did that for three days. I had two follicles, one on each side, at roughly 10mm a piece and another one that the nurse said would likely catch up as the week progressed. I'll go back on Wednesday, and again on Friday. More than likely they'll have me do a shot of Cetrotide Wednesday or Friday, so that if I have a straggler follicle, it will get a chance to catch up to the other follicles. Basically it stops me from ovulating prematurely. And if I had to guess we will likely have IUI next week.

Spoiler Box incase anyone is having a rough TTC day:
When I went to the RE this morning, as I was walking in a couple was walking out. The man was holding a picture of a sonogram with a little bitty baby on it. It made me feel hopeful and sad all in one swoop. Also, the nurse told me a injectable horror story. A patient who lived far away decided to get monitoring at an OB closer to her, and just get her IUI done at my clinic. It turned out the OB was only measuring her biggest follicles, despite the fact that she had multiple mature ones. In essence, they were only measuring the ones the tech thought were mature. When in actuality, this woman had 9 mature follicles. Since she told my clinic when she was ready for the IUI, they ended up doing it without an u/s to. (Which was probably dumb on their part). Anyway, long story short, she did an IUI with 9 mature follicles, and 7 took. She had to reduce until there were only 2. If that's not a lesson to not fuck around with where you get your care, I don't know what is!

Any questions? Nope!

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are not strongly opinionated about) Hmmm I'm not sure!

furbabymom2007 · September 2016

Diagnosis (If you've been):
Ovulation disorder

Cycle/CD: 15/1

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?)
IUI #2 hopefully with letrozole this time.

How are things going? Nervous about scan on Wednesday. Hoping there is nothing for the doc to want to cancel the cycle.

Any questions? Nope

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are notstrongly opinionated about)

let me think on this one... Everything that comes to mind makes me sound like an ass, lol

Bababatty · September 2016

@Elyse1384 Glad you were finally able to do your FET. I'm sorry to hear it took so long. FX!

@mrsdaddario FX for continued good follie growth. And to the story in the spoiler box: wow.

That is certainly a painful lesson in the value of qualified monitoring.

@furbabymom2007 Good luck with your scan on Wednesday. The "will they or won't they let me do this cycle" is definitely the worst part of WTO.

Diagnosis (If you've been): MFI (low motility)

Cycle/CD: 15/11DPIUI

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Letrozole + ovidrel + IUI#2

How are things going? AF is making noises (or rather cramps) like she wants to come--probably Friday. Not a surprise this cycle.

Any questions?

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are notstrongly opinionated about)
Michigan cherries, being a displaced Michigander. They are the best. It pained me to eat the NY cherries we got in our CSA this summer. And I flat out refuse to eat west coast cherries, mostly to annoy my in-laws.

ETA Spelling issue

mokay19 · September 2016

Diagnosis (If you've been): PCOS

Cycle/CD: 13th month/CD 37

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) I'm currently taking Provera since my bloodwork last week showed that I'm not pregnant and I hadn't ovulated (even though I told them both of those things, they have to double check... and after @mrsdaddario 's story, I'm glad that they're safe!). Nothing will be happening until later in October.

How are things going? I've been so down about TTC recently. I'm so excited for this move because I know that I will love Washington state over Florida, but I am so annoyed that it is interrupting our treatments. I don't ovulate on my own so I have zero hope. And then since I'll be starting a new job late October, I'm not sure how reasonable it is to hope for treatment right away. I'm just angry and down about the timing of all of this. And icing on the cake, is that my MIL will be in town in two days and she's a piece of work and constantly asks "What are you waiting for?" in reference to having children.... I might hit her if she says that this week, DH was already warned.

Any questions?

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are not strongly opinionated about) Hmmmm... this is a tough question... The only thing that comes to my mind is that you should NEVER put ketchup on a hot dog. I'm from the Chicago area so it's just not allowed, not to mention that I despise ketchup.

ClaireCF · September 2016

@Elyse1384 glad you were able to move forward! FX!

@mrsdaddario FX for your follicles! Wow to that story... I had a similar encounter with a couple that was done with the RE at my first appointment and I had seriously conflicting emotions.

@furbabymom2007 good luck at your scan!

@Bababatty I hope AF stays far away where she belongs!

Diagnosis (If you've been): Some PCOS-like symptoms, no ovulation due to overabundance of eggs and low hormone levels

Cycle/CD: 6/26

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Femara, Trigger, and first IUI

How are things going? Pretty good today. I was on clomid until my doc changed me to Femara this cycle and I had a better response so that's good, and my lining has gotten better with each cycle. I had my u/s this morning that went well, so I will trigger Wednesday and have my first IUI on Thursday. I'm feeling nervous but also good about moving forward with the next step.

Any questions? Nope

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are not strongly opinionated about) Hmm.. I have some grammar things thanks to my grammar obsessed editor mother, but other than that I can't think of much

DungeonTrollMel · September 2016

Diagnosis (If you've been): RPL, pcos, mthfr, endometriosis, hypothyroid

Cycle/CD: 17

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): tww dpIUI 1

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) clomid 75mg, trigger IUI on 9/25, progesterone, aspirin, coq10

How are things going? Going to be a long wait

Any questions? Nope

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are notstrongly opinionated about)

VACCINATE your children people!!!! Nothing gets me into a rage than people who think vaccinations cause autism. We irradicated these diseases for a reason and we need to keep it that way. ONE paper that was published with fabricated results should not be dictating the health of all our future generations. And the flu shot doesn't make you get the flu. If I see anyone say that, I will slap them in the face

mokay19 · September 2016

@Elyse1384 I'm so happy to hear that things got straightened out and that the transfer went smoothly! How long do you have to wait to test after a transfer? Just curious!

@SaphireSweetie88 sorry about the waiting... I feel your pain! Hopefully the next week goes by quickly for you!

@mrsdaddario Good luck with the upcoming scans.. FX that the medication does the trick and your follies grow!

@furbabymom2007 I hope your scan on Wednesday gives you the good to go for Letrozole!

@Bababatty Sorry about the cramps and impending AF

KristoKekerooni · September 2016

Diagnosis (If you've been): Unexplained RPL and Severe MFI.

Cycle/CD: Cycle 25, CD23

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Had a couple things retested (TSH and progesterone, but mostly nothing. We are pretty much stopping the testing

How are things going? Same old, same old, I guess. I'm sorta bitter about TTC. I do have my first appointment with a therapist today.

Any questions? Nada.

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are not strongly opinionated about)
Ohhhh. I have LOTS of things. I have really strong opinions on vaccines and researching everything you are ever told instead of taking it at face value. But I think I'm not alone in those. So, I guess a weird thing I am opinionated about is menstrual cups. I'm like, weirdly passionate about them and I think everyone should try them.

rh10264706 · September 2016

Diagnosis: unexplained secondary infertility

cycle/cd: 11/26

status: tww

what are you doing this cycle? Clomid 2-6, iui on O, progesterone starting 1dpo, both oral and suppositories.

how are things going? *****TW*****
I tested this morning even though my doctor said to wait until 14dpo and it was positive. I called my RE and am going in tomorrow for bloodwork. I'm cautiously optimistic.
I have only participated in the IF thread on TTGP so I did not post this anywhere else but I always felt hopeful when I saw anyone with IF get a positive. Thank you to everyone. This thread was invaluable to me ever since it was started a few months ago. ****end TW****

GTKY: I am strongly opinionated about schick intuition razors. They are life changing!!!

SaphireSweetie88 · September 2016

@mokay19 - Thanks! I hope so too. I'm trying to find things to keep me distracted

Elyse1384 · September 2016

@mokay19 - thankfully I only have to wait 11 days for beta (next Thursday). Not going to lie... I will probably POAS next Monday because I can't control myself.

@KristoB - OK so this board is the only place I had ever heard about menstraul cups. I finally looked it up when I saw your post and it seems like a great idea, but admittedly I think I'm way too intimidated to try. I do however love the facial expressions of the chic used in the step by step instructions on wikihow.

britters314 · September 2016

Diagnosis (If you've been): no diagnosis yet (though possibly MFI)

Cycle/CD: cycle 13, CD 26

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW, but really WTO because my period is going to show up tonight or tomorrow morning, which will put me at cycle 14

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?)
-still waiting to hear on bloodwork from last week (I called and got some info, see questions section)
-will schedule HSG once my period actually starts
-H is supposed to re-do his SA, but we'll see if he actually gets himself over there to do it
-trying Mucinex to improve CM during FW

How are things going?
Pretty well, considering where I'm at in my cycle. The blow definitely has gotten easier for me after trying this long.

Any questions?
I called and asked about my bloodwork, but the doctor hadn't looked at it yet, so the nurse could only give me some information. I'll have to wait on the big ones. Here is what I do know was out of range if anyone wants to chime in on any info they know about them.

Total testosterone slightly elevated (51, when the normal high end of the range is 45)
-Free testosterone was normal
TSH elevated (she didn't give me the number, but I had it tested in December of last year and it was 2.95, so it's probably gone up)

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are not strongly opinionated about)
I talked about my weird car opinion on the TWW thread so I'll do a different one. This one people in Chicago are very opinionated about but nowhere else. I really hate Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. I just don't get why anyone would cook a pizza with the sauce on top of the cheese. The cheese ends up all rubbery and gross and normal pizza is just way better.

Edited: wording

KristoKekerooni · September 2016

@Elyse1384 - A lot of people are super intimidated. I swear to you all the things you read and all the tips and instructions are over complicated. once you have it in your hand and you know the gist of it, it's so stinking easy and your life is changed forever. I would encourage you to go buy a disposable version of the cup (Walmart has them) and just try. There's not harm in trying! worst case scenario, you can't figure it out or you hate it and you toss them or give the unopened ones away.

mrsdaddario · September 2016

@rh10264706 Did you have a trigger shot? If not then I think that is a real positive!! So excited for you, and please update us on your beta results!! I don't want to prematurley say Congrats/H&H 9. That's the IF brain working, but I am keeping my fx for an excellent beta!!

KristoKekerooni · September 2016

@Cait32 - Yes, the Diva cup is awesome. I admit though, I keep stock of the disposables just to have sex on my period... haha.

but really. Cups are freaking awesome. I just recommend the disposables because they're good for starters and don't cost a ton for someone who is uncertain.

BaileyM321 · September 2016

First post here, hope it's OK to join in though I haven't started IF treatment quite yet...

Diagnosis (If you've been):
Unexplained secondary infertility. (HSG showed I have a mostly-blocked left tube, but it looks like it's due to a type of ovarian cyst that's been there my whole life, so likely it was always blocked. The other one is clear. DH's SA showed low morphology, but that has likely been true his whole life, too. So RE has no idea what changed between our two very-first-cycle-trying [ugh] pregnancies a few years ago and now.)

Cycle/CD: Cycle 12 CD 3

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?)
The RE sent us away a couple months ago to think about whether we wanted to do Femara + IUI or just keep trying. We've finally decided we definitely want to try Femara (though it's probably too late for this cycle). We're still getting comfortable with the idea of IUI and have a bunch of questions for her. We have an appointment to talk to the RE again tomorrow, so hopefully we can make some more progress towards getting comfortable and letting go of the idea of it "just happening".

How are things going?
Meh. Why am I having such a hard time wrapping my brain around accepting IUI as the best course of action?

Any questions?
For those of you with unexplained infertility, did you go straight to Femara/Clomid + IUI or did you try medication alone first?

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are not strongly opinionated about)
MICHIGAN! I'm also a displaced Michigander (shoutout to @Bababatty - I'm with you on the cherries, girl!) and my DH swears we're worse than Texans for our intense partisanship towards our home state. Heck yes, because it's the greatest.

pretzel2plus1 · September 2016

@KristoB I've actually been looking into menstrual cups lately! What brand do you recommend? Do you find that the cup reduces your cramps? That's one reason I'm interested.

Diagnosis (If you've been): endometriosis

Cycle/CD: Month 14/Cycle 12, CD 18

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO, but positive OPKs today, so hopefully I'll O tomorrow!

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) HSG and SA earlier this cycle. Both clear/normal, so we're just waiting for our follow-up appt on Oct 10.

How are things going? Pretty well, actually! H and I have been discussing the results of both tests, and we're kind of thinking that we might continue to try on our own for the rest of this year. It looks like all we're dealing with is the endo (not that it's not serious), so we really are hopeful that maybe we can do this without treatment. Is that crazy at this point? All treatment is going to be out of pocket, as well, so not that we can't afford it, but that's definitely a factor.

Any questions? None, except the "am I crazy?" above...

GTKY: When people say they hate math. Like, I get irrationally angry when someone asks what my degree is in (mathematics/statistics) and they respond with such disgust, "Oh, I hate math! How can anyone enjoy that?!" or something similar. I'm not sure what makes it acceptable in our society to speak so negatively about the subject, but (the majority of) people don't go around talking about how much they hate history or science or some other school subject. I don't insult other people's chosen professions or degree paths, so I'm not sure what makes it okay to speak negatively about mine. Sorry, off my soap box now.

tripledaggerWed95976 · September 2016

Hi ladies!! I have always seen this thread but haven't participated because i wasn't sure if it was exclusively for people who are currently going through infertility treatments- or if it's for anyone who have ever been diagnosed with infertility?
****child mentioned****
my husband and I have MFI (count and motility). We went through all of our testing/treatment in 2015. After months of testing, monitored cycles, and 3 IUIs we moved onto IVF and conceived our son. So, right now we are trying to conceive naturally while we wait to use our 1 left over frosty from our IVF. End TW******
if this is only for women who are currently undergoing their fertility treatments, I totally understand!

magnolia131 · September 2016

@tripledaggerWed95976 Thank you for asking this...I've wondered it too and was too shy to jump in and ask. I will be beginning medicated IUIs in a few months but have been unsure if it's ok/fitting to post here in the mean time when there's not much going on in terms of testing. To be honest, I've found lurking on this thread each week to be 10x more informative for myself than the CS/Q's in the daily threads...

mrsdaddario · September 2016

Anyone who has/is undergoing treatment or testing is more than welcome here! It's always good (IMO) to get as many viewpoints and experiences as possible in here.

@pretzel2plus1 I don't think you're crazy for wanting to try naturally for a while longer. I think what it comes down to is how fast you want the process to go. Obviously you want to be KU sooner rather than later, but I'm a shining example that even medicated cycles don't always work. I think you need to do what makes you comfortable. You may eventually get KU on your own, you just don't know, but either way you're playing with odds. So why not keep trying until the new year? If I ovulated on my own I would probably keep trying naturally!

ReesaAnne16 · September 2016

Tried to post this last night but then our internet went out.....

@Elyse1384 FX your FET was a success!!!

@mrsdaddario I'm amazed there are so many different injectable meds available; I didn't know they could give you one to prevent premature ovulation. I hope those 3 follicles keep growing steadily! Also that story is terrifying! I'm glad at my RE's office they have a screen for me to watch while I'm having my follicle scan, so I can see exactly what is going on. I can't even imagine facing the decision on whether to reduce; so heartbreaking.

@furbabymom2007 Good luck with your scan wednesday! I hope everything looks good!

@Bababatty I'm a displaced Michigander too!!! The National Cherry Festival is in my home town, so I definitely know what you are talking about... nothing beats Michigan cherries (and Michigan blueberries!)

@Mokay19 how annoying that your MIL keeps asking about that; I get so irate when people ask "what are you waiting for?" First of all... Why do you automatically assume we want kids? Secondly, Why are you assuming we are 'waiting'? and thirdly, how is this even remotely your business to ask??? Uggg... I'm sorry your move is messing with your treatment plans; at least there is no Zika in Washington

@ClaireCF Good luck with your first IUI!! We will be almost cycle buddies this month; my IUI is wednesday. The procedure is easy peasy, it's the waiting afterward that is the hard part.

@KristoB I hope your therapy session today was therapeutic; do they specialize in infertility counseling or is it more general? I should really try menstrual cups; the ladies who use them seem to REALLY love them.

@BaileyM321 Yes! Another displaced Michigander! (and fellow Spartan I see... Go Green!) Whenever I'm traveling, and people ask where I'm from, I say "Michigan!" (even though I've been living in Wisconsin for 8 years) and then I realize they probably mean.. "where do you live" and I get sad....
We're are also unexplained and we decided to jump strait to letrozole + IUI for 2 reasons. 1st our RE said our chances per cycle weren't any better on meds alone than just continuing to try naturally (about 3%) but with meds + IUI our odds went up (10%). Secondly, my OB doesn't monitor her patients on letrozole or clomid and I've heard too many horror stories (namely high order multiple pregnancies) to take that risk, so we decided monitored letrozole use with IUI was the best for us.

@pretzel2plus1 It's not crazy to wait to start ARTs if you're not ready! We waited about 4 months after getting our results and continued to try on our own before starting treatment.

@tripledaggerWed95976 You are very welcome here! I think this thread is intended for people who have been diagnosed with IF or are going through testing, but maybe don't want to leave the TTGP community. Congrats that you were able to have a son through IVF! I hope TFAS is successful for you

Diagnosis (If you've been): Unexplained (but with high DNA Fragmentation)

Cycle/CD: cycle 19/ CD12

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO Triggering today, IUI Wednesday

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Letrozole 7.5mg, IUI

How are things going? Great! I had my US on Saturday, and I have 1 lg follicle and 2 more medium size that may catch up as well... WAY better than last time. My RE says we will stick with this dose of letrozole going forward.

I've been doing some reading, and it seems that a shorter abstinence period (<2 days) before IUI is better for success rates because you get fresher, highly quality sperm. Last month I was so done with BD'ing that I think we have 5 or more days prior to the IUI, but this time around we're have better timing. Hoping this helps!!!

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? The order of adding ingredients when making Chocolate Chip cookies is VERY important. The (softened) butter has to be whipped with the sugar until fluffy before gently adding the eggs, and then the dry ingredients. I lived in Costa Rica for 5 months, and my friend there tried to make me feel more at home by making me chocolate chip cookies, but she destroyed them she threw all the ingredients in together, overmixed it, and then over baked them... they were flat, and too crispy, and I didn't want to eat them, but she made them for me.. so I did Now I don't let anybody else make the cookies.

KristoKekerooni · September 2016

pretzel2plus1 said:

@KristoB I've actually been looking into menstrual cups lately! What brand do you recommend? Do you find that the cup reduces your cramps? That's one reason I'm interested.

Diagnosis (If you've been): endometriosis

Cycle/CD: Month 14/Cycle 12, CD 18

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO, but positive OPKs today, so hopefully I'll O tomorrow!

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) HSG and SA earlier this cycle. Both clear/normal, so we're just waiting for our follow-up appt on Oct 10.

How are things going? Pretty well, actually! H and I have been discussing the results of both tests, and we're kind of thinking that we might continue to try on our own for the rest of this year. It looks like all we're dealing with is the endo (not that it's not serious), so we really are hopeful that maybe we can do this without treatment. Is that crazy at this point? All treatment is going to be out of pocket, as well, so not that we can't afford it, but that's definitely a factor.

Any questions? None, except the "am I crazy?" above...

GTKY: When people say they hate math. Like, I get irrationally angry when someone asks what my degree is in (mathematics/statistics) and they respond with such disgust, "Oh, I hate math! How can anyone enjoy that?!" or something similar. I'm not sure what makes it acceptable in our society to speak so negatively about the subject, but (the majority of) people don't go around talking about how much they hate history or science or some other school subject. I don't insult other people's chosen professions or degree paths, so I'm not sure what makes it okay to speak negatively about mine. Sorry, off my soap box now.

The Lena is actually my favorite, though honestly, there isn't much difference between the Diva, Lena, Lunette, Etc. There are also super super cheap versions of those on Amazon. They don't last very long, but they might be worth it to try before you decide which to ultimately buy. You also might want to keep a box of the disposable cups, just to keep on e in your purse or whatever. I hate carrying around the cup when I expect AF, even though it's in a bag. It just feels weird. So I carry a disposable and use that till I get home (bonus, those you can use to have sex while you're on your period because they don't hold a firm shape).
As far as cramping, it sorta depends. the disposables give you a bit of cramps because they're a tad larger. but those only last a day and they aren't bad at all. And I don't even get that any more because my body is accustomed to it. I don't get cramps at all with the firm cups. Just be sure you are buying the correct size (pre or post childbirth. The best way to figure everything out is to just try it! That's why I say buy the cheap versions first. You can always find a cheap version that has the same shape as the expensive version, so you can buy multiple different shapes. I just would make sure you don't continue to use the cheap stuff because they break down rapidly.

edit to add tag: @pretzel2plus1

KristoKekerooni · September 2016

@ReesaAnne16 - they specialize in it. I was really hopeful since they are the only one in the city that do. It turned out very well and I loved it! Also, yes. Cups. DO IT.

adirat · September 2016

*lurking but I hope you don't mind if I ask a menstrual cup question*

My gynecologist told me I shouldn't use menstrual cups since I have endometriosis. (She similarly said I should change tampons frequently or avoid them on the day(s) of my heaviest flow - the idea is that tampons or menstrual cups can get full and cause backflow.) I've looked this up and the advice online about menstrual cups for endo is very conflicting, and I haven't found any reputable medical website like NIH or Mayo Clinic with a definitive answer. Do you know if this is a real caution? Thank you!

mokay19 · September 2016

@tripledaggerWed95976 I also think that you are more than welcome to join! I don't think this thread is meant to feel that closed off and exclusive, we just want it to be a haven for people who understand these emotions and frustrations... even if you happen to not be going through treatment right now, you do have a diagnosis!

Bababatty · September 2016

@mokay19 I'm sorry that your MIL's visit is going to be an extra stressor. Good luck with your move, though!

@ClaireCF Good luck with your IUI this week! So many people seem to do better on Femara/Letrozole, I always wonder why they usually start with Clomid when there are so many side effects. I'm sure I could google this; I'm just musing. Anyway, glad you had a good response!

@KristoB I hope your therapy appointment went well! Do you feel like it helped with your frustration? I think it's great to talk to people about this in real life as well as the Internet. I've got my first group therapy session tonight.

@rh10263706 That's exciting! Can't wait to hear the results of your blood test!

@Britters314 I agree on the pizza thing. Cheese on top all the way!

@BaileyM321 and @ReesaAnne16 Yay for fellow Michiganders! My cousin from CA laughs at my family because we believe that anything grown or produced in MI is superior to everything else. The partisanship is definitely strong in our state. @ReesaAnne16 We have a cottage near TC! It's my favorite place in the world. We should take a break from IUI next cycle so we can get a plan going with the urologist we're meeting but I don't want to give up the chance of a summer baby--I already told DH at least one month of maternity leave is being spent at the lake. And FWIW I also say I'm from Michigan when people ask, but I follow it up begrudgingly with, "But now I live in New York." ;-)

mokay19 · September 2016

@pretzel2plus1 I 100% agree about people saying that they hate math! I'm an engineer so I had to take a lot of math (most of which were my favorite subjects) and often when people find out what I do, they're like "why? that sounds awful!" I want to be like "well, your face is awful but I don't run around telling the world that!"
It would be weird for people to go around saying that they hate doctors, so why is it any different to go around saying that you hate mathematicians or statisticians?

KristoKekerooni · September 2016

@Bababatty - You know it's funny, because we hardly even spoke about my difficulties with TTC and the losses. They were mentioned and we talked a bit, but not as much as I thought. We talked about a lot of other stuff. It was wonderful. I left feeling lighter.

ClaireCF · September 2016

@KristoB I'm glad therapy went well! I have been wondering if I should look into that as well. I have also been toying with the idea of using menstrual cups for a while, I actually had toxic shock in college so tampons are a bit of an issue for me.

@rh10264706 let us know how your bloodwork comes out! FX!!

@BaileyM321 looks like everyone has responded but I definitely think its ok to post in here! Welcome! I started doing clomid and trigger shot without IUI for a couple of cycles, but will be adding IUI this cycle. Definitely go with what makes you the most comfortable!

@pretzel2plus1 definitely not crazy! I think it makes sense to give yourself some time to try naturally, and start treatment when you're ready.

@ReesaAnne16 yay (almost) IUI buddies!! Good luck today! Glad to hear the procedure isn't too uncomfortable.

KristoKekerooni · September 2016

@ClaireCF - I would recommend the therapy. I feel so much better! It will be a life saver in those really rough months!
As far as cups- DOOO ITTTT. They really are the best decision I ever made. There has only been on case of TSS associated with the cups, and even tat was a stretch. The girl cut herself with her insanely long fingernails, so it really wasn't even the cup's fault. I highly recommend.

ameliabedelia-2 · September 2016

Diagnosis (If you've been): PCOS, premature LH surge leading to immature egg release

Cycle/CD: 16/1

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): I had my IUI today...AHHHHHHHHHHH

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Clomid, Gonal-F, Ovidrel trigger, IUI, Progesterone

How are things going? Ok. I had 3 follicles yesterday at my appt and was surging so we had to scramble to get my IUI scheduled today. They were 17, 16, and 16 MM. I am following the same pattern as usual, surging earlier than I should be. I was hoping to get a few above 18 but my body doesn't seem to want to let that happen.

Any questions? Anyone have any luck with 17 MM follicles being viable?

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are not strongly opinionated about). People that post pictures of their meals on fbook, like anyone in the world cares what you are eating.

rh10264706 · September 2016

*******TW********
My doctor just called with the results of my beta test from this morning. All my numbers look good and my HCG was 232. They are doing more bloodwork and an ultrasound next week.

again, thank you to everyone here. I wasn't able to contribute to the daily threads bc it was too much for me on my fertility journey to post everyday but I am so thankful for this weekly community. I will be lurking and rooting for you all so hard.

@mrsdaddario Thank you for your kind words. I have appreciated all of your insights and knowledge. Good luck to you, I hope so much that the injectibles work and I will keep my fingers crossed for a successful iui.

*********End TW********

mrsdaddario · September 2016

@rh10264706 That is amazing news! So very happy for you, and I wish you all the best!

laurad75 · September 2016

Bumping has been a challenge for me this week so I am finally jumping in.

@mrsdaddario That story was terrifying. Thank you for sharing.
@KristoB I'm inspired to give cups a try now. Maybe next cycle.
@AmeliaBedelia85 FX for you.
@rh10264706 Yes! So happy for you.

Diagnosis (If you've been): DOR; old

Cycle/CD: 6/10

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) 2nd round of clomid earlier this cycle. Waiting for a positive OPK and then going in for the IUI. I also started acupuncture this cycle.

How are things going? Fine. I am nervous because H left for a conference today until Friday and I would hate for him to have to come home early but if I turn an OPK he is going to have to. Or maybe I will ovulate insanely late again.

Any questions?

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are not strongly opinionated about) The misuse of the words literally and ironic. I will call you out every. single. time.

BaileyM321 · September 2016

Post-RE appointment update: The RE doesn't believe medicated cycles without IUI have any statistical improvement over just doing what we've been doing (i.e., well-timed sex) for secondary unexplained infertility, so Femara + IUI is our only next step. After hours of discussion and reflection today, we've decided to give it a try. Today is CD 4 and she does letrozole CDs 5-9, so I had my baseline ultrasound today and I'll take my first dose tomorrow. Very very nervous! But also a little relieved to have the decision off my shoulders now.

I just filled the letrozole prescription at the pharmacy down the road where we've been going since we got married more than a decade ago and where the pharmacist knows us by name. He wandered by while one of his employees was filling the script and did a double-take and then asked me if everything was OK and said he'd be thinking about me. I can't figure out if this is because infertility sucks (which it does) or because letrozole is a chemo drug and he thinks I have breast cancer now!! I didn't even consider that second option until I left the store, and now I feel really bad...

@ReesaAnne16 Go white! What a rough football week to be a Spartan in Wisconsin, ugh... ;-)
Thanks for the info on the reasoning for medicated vs. medicated+IUI. The numbers you gave exactly match what my RE told me today.

@Bababatty Soooooo envious of the TC-area cottage! I dream of being able to afford an Up North cottage (even though I live in the deep south now and I wouldn't even be able to get there very often). Somewhere on M-22. *swoon*

felix08 · September 2016

@elyse1384 A woodburning fireplace was on the must-have list for H and I, too! Nothing can compare to having a real fire crackling in the winter time. Ah, that just got me really excited to finally use the fireplaces at our new home.
@mrsdaddario omg, that IUI horror story is honestly a nightmare. FX your follies do their thang!
@bababatty Sorry that you're feeling out.
@mokay19 IF truly sucks in regard to time (and in regard to many other things). Everything takes so long. I hate that we have to think in ~30 day increments. We actually told MIL that we decided we don't want kids because his family is the worst about badgering us.
@dungeontrollmel UGH the autism/vaccine myth. The worst. Didn't the doctor who published that study rescind it himself?
@rh10264706 Congrats!
@baileym321 My RE explained that he usually likes to go ahead and pair meds with IUI no matter what because the meds can dry out CM making it harder to conceive in general. But I took clomid, so I don't know if femara does the same thing. Is there a reason why you're opposed to the IUI? ETA: oops! I see you've updated on your situation. Glad you and your H made a decision you were comfortable.
@pretzel2plus1 You're not crazy! You and your H have to do what you're comfortable with and if that's to try on your own for a while longer, that's great! There's nothing wrong with spending a few more months trying on your own--you can always move to treatment later on if you want to (but hopefully you won't need to). It's not like a few months will make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things.
@tripledaggerwed95976 I am glad you shared your story--we also deal with MFI and are trying to decide if we should do one more cycle of IUI or head straight to IVF. I'm not real optimistic about IUI so I'm leaning towards IVF but obviously am a little apprehensive as I can imagine it's a physically, mentally, and financially tolling experience. However! Hearing that you had success with IVF makes me feel more comfortable with the decision. FX you won't even end up needing to use IVF this time around.
@reesaanne16 good luck with your IUI tomorrow! When we did ours last cycle, the RE had us abstain for only one day.

Diagnosis (If you've been): MFI

Cycle/CD: 28/13

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): Oh, you know...just hangin' around...waiting for AF. My favorite activity.

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) We did clomid, trigger, IUI

How are things going? They're so-so. Yesterday was rough after the beta results (even though I knew they would be negative). Today we had a phone consultation with the RE about our next steps and he basically just told us it's up to us what we want to do as far as IUI again or IVF. It's nice to feel in control. I think we're probably going with IVF as 60-70% chances are sounding much more promising than 10-15% (or even less due to MFI).

Any questions? Not right now...I'm sure I'll have about a billion if we start the IVF process.

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are not strongly opinionated about) Hmm everything I'm coming up with are probably things that most people ARE opinionated about. I can't think of anything good at the moment.

tripledaggerWed95976 · September 2016

Thank u ladies for welcoming me!!

@felix08 I'm so glad my story made you feel a bit more optimistic!! MFI is so hard, if I could go back and do it all over again I would skip all of the monitored cycles and IUIs and go straight to doing IVF. Yes, it was definitely difficult- but I didn't find it all that much harder than doing IUI and (as you said) the results are SOOO much better!
My expectations of how hard it would be were sooo much worse than what it turned out to be.

mrsdee15 · September 2016

I'll be back for responses soon, promise!

Diagnosis (If you've been): unexplained IF

Cycle/CD: Cycle 12/CD 19

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Clomid + IUI + progesterone

How are things going? I had two great follies, I'm hopeful and I don't like it.

Any questions? Not really.

GTKY: What's one weird thing that you are strongly opinionated about? (i.e. something most people are not strongly opinionated about) Ooh good question! I once got irrationally mad that a sorority sister wanted to steal my sorority "family's" tradition. I just wanted her to get her own. It was so dumb but I was so upset.

IF/Testing Check-In -- Week of 9/26

Re: IF/Testing Check-In -- Week of 9/26

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