TTC after 35
Jacque Sills
member
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I'm I fooling myself...TTC & 43?!?
Jacque Sills
member
in TTC after 35
Hi Everyone,
I am new to the board and embarrassed to admit this info. I just wanted to learn about others experiences..... What are your thoughts?
Thank you in advance for your time and honesty to my dilemma.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: I'm I fooling myself...TTC & 43?!?
If you're fooling yourself, then we all are!
My BLOG: www.ivfbabyquest.wordpress.com -Update - old blog.
PAIF/SAIF Welcome!
Me: 42, Hubby: 35, TTC since Jan 2010. Dx: DOR due to advanced maternal age. Also: Hypothyroidism (100mcg Levothyroxin). Positive for MTHFR (hetero-C677T), Factor V Leiden, and Fragile X (on DH side). Taking pre-natal vitamins.
First natural PG 9/27/11; mc: 1/20/12
First RE visit: 8/8/12, Saline Sonogram: 8/28/12, IVF injection class: 10/11/12, add FaBB Tab for FVL, +Vitamin D.
IVF #1: 10/17/12 Baseline: FSH- 9.4, E2- 24, LH- 3.7, Prog- 0.3 The u/s showed 6 follicles in my right & 9 in my left. Rx: 150 Bravelle & 150 Menopur SQ nightly. 10/21/12: Add Ganirelix SQ every morning.
ER 10/28/12: 13 Retreived. 7 Mature. 6 Fertilized. 5 Made it to PGS. ET 11/2/12: CANCELED. All 5 came back from PGS as having "severe abnormalities."
IVF #2: 1/7/13 Baseline: FSH- 8.8, 4 follicles in my right & 6 in my left. Rx: 150 Bravelle & 150 Menopur SQ nightly. 1/11/13: Add Ganirelix SQ every morning. hCG Trigger 1/16/13
ER 1/18/13: 9 Retrieved. 5 Mature. 5 Fertilized. 2 Made it to PGS. ET 1/23/13: CANCELED. All embryos (he even sent the ones not growing) came back from PGS as having "multiple severe abnormalities."
IVF #3: NEW RE! 3/1/13 Baseline: FSH- 9.6, E2- 61, Prog- 0.94, 3 follicles in my right & 4 in my left. Rx: 150 Bravelle& 150 Menopur SQ in PM. 3/7/13: Add Ganirelix SQ in AM. hCG Trigger 3/9/13 SQ.
ER 3/11/13: 6R, 2M, 2F. Day 3: one 8 cell, grade 0. Five day ET 3/16/13: one early blast, grade Fair. 3/24/13 AF came a day before beta. BFN
IVF #4: (Added acupuncture to this cycle.) 3/25/13 WTF & Baseline: FSH-11.8, E2- 56, Prog- 0.84 3/26/13 Start stims. 3/30/13 u/s: 5 follicles in my right & 4 in my left. Rx: 225 Bravelle& 225 Menopur SQ in PM. 3/31/13 Add Ganirelix SQ in AM.hCG Trigger 4/3/13 SQ.
ER 4/5/13: 5R, 3M, 3F naturally. Day 3: two 8 cell, grade 0, one 8 cell, grade 2 (Scale 0-best to 3-worst). Five day ET 4/10/13: two blastocysts (the 3rd stopped growing.) Beta 4/18/13: 2.5 BFFN. RE recommends we stop trying and focus on living childless, due to the extremely poor quality of my eggs.
***Decided to stop trying and live CFNBC. I couldn't adjust. So, six months later...
IVF #5: Changed RE. Going to one of the big name clinics now. OWDU: 10/29/13. Update: HORRIBLE experience. Disgusted and distraught at their complete unprofessionalism and how much money and precious time they cost us. Sickening. Have now changed RE again. New Patient appt. 1/30/14.
BFP! Out of nowhere, I got KU the old fashioned way! POAS 1/26/14 - Positive! FDLM 12/30/13. Beta #1 16dpo= 373. Beta #2 18dpo= 801. EDD 10/6/14
2/4/14 1st U/S revealed a 5wk2day sac but no fetal pole. Started 200mgs of progesterone suppositories daily
2/11/14 2nd U/S revealed a perfect 6wk1day "diamond ring" embryo with a beating heart! 138bpm! Add 1mg folic acid and 40mg Lovenox
2/25/14 3rd U/S: perfect 8w1d embryo, 178bpm. 3/6 start spotting. 3/11 10w1d U/S shows no heartbeat. Scheduling D&C. The Stork has forsaken me again.
IVF #5.2: New in-state RE. Supplement priming for 1.5 cycles prior to start of cycle, including DHEA 50mg (stopped 5/15), CoQ10 200mg 2x/day, L-Arginine- 1000mg 2x/day (stopped 6/5 due to cold sore!), myo-inositol- 2g 2x/day, melatonin- 3mg, and Neevo (prenatal for MTHFR).
5/16/14 Day 2 bw cycle prior: FSH- 12.22, E2- 38.37, Prog- 1.35, LH- 9.46. 6/2/14 Day 19 bw: Prog- 23
6/12/14 Baseline: E2- 122.7, Prog- 0.4. 5 follicles in left, 4 follicles in right. Start stims: 375IU Follistim & 150IU Menopur. 6/19 Increase Follistim to 425IU, Menopur still 150IU. 6/18 add Ganirelix. 6/23 Ovidrel trigger SQ. 6/25 ER: 8R, 8M, 5F naturally. Start Medrol & Doxy. 6/26 Start Endometrin. 7/2 Start Lovenox.
7/8/14 Beta= 137.4 BFP!!! (My first from IVF!) E2- 1109, Prog- >60. Stop CoQ10, myo-inositol, and melatonin. 7/9 2nd Beta= 281.4. TSH- 2.70. Increasing Synthroid to 100mcg daily. 7/24 6w3d u/s measured 6w3d, hb: 121bmp! 8/5 8w1d u/s measured 8w3d, hb: 164bpm! Graduated from RE to OB. Now I just need to find an OB!
EDD 3/18/15!
Hi Chucktgirl,
Thanks for your response. I looked at the other people that have posted and it appeared that I was one of the oldest and since, I have only read books, internet articles and all...the literature seems to be set on my age of 43 being the drop off age for success in fertility, if I am reading the information correctly. I haven't been to any fertility specialist, as of yet., due to insurance and finances.... so I do not have any of that expert information. That is what I was hoping to find from one of you gals on this board. Maybe, close to my age that could share their doctor experience and tell me what they said to that fact. I have an apt., for next year that was the soonest they could get me in. It appears it takes a while to get in. I have inquired around to a few fertility docs to get a quicker apt. date, with no luck.
Don't mean to bombard you with my info., but I truely have no experience with this except for a few years of TTC naturally with my hubby.
And, just feeling very scared, sad and lonely through this experience right now. For the first three years, I have been very relaxed and tried to stay positive in faith, just having a little down moment. I hope you can understand.
J
I may have been fooling myself to be TTC at 35 (I'm now almost 39 with no success to date -- we'll see what the future brings), but you may not be fooling yourself -- obviously some women get pregnant naturally in their early to mid 40s. If it doesn't come easily you'll have to decide how far you want to go -- fertility treatments, even donor eggs. There's no right answer for everyone. Welcome to the board, and good luck.
ETA: I posted before I saw your new post above. If you've been trying naturally for a while, it's worth consulting an RE (as it sounds like you'll be doing) to learn about your odds and your options. They can do some tests that would help figure out if it's worth doing treatments with your own eggs, or whether it might be best to consider DE (or adoption).
Thanks, Brooklynesque. I appreciate your advice and support.
I need to do some more research on Fertility Specialists, since I am seeing that a lot of the women are using Registered Endocrinologists. That would probably be a better fertility doctor for me with my age. I am sure that they will want to check the health of my eggs to ensure that they are ok and healthy.
Honestly, I have been in denial about my fertility and was just thinking that, yes, I can definately get prego, like all the other 40 somethings out there, since I am a healthy person with no issues to my knowledge, but three and a half years later...here I am. Just trying to get educated with the facts to get started on my journey.
I have never posted on any board and don't know the fertility acronym language, as of yet, so sorry if I sound like a dork....Lol. I am sure I will be getting it together soon.
Thanks again for everything!
GL to you! I will be 43 next month. We started seeing an RE in January after my OB/GYN did some basic bloodwork on me at the end of 2011.
I'd make your first stop getting an AMH and Day 3 BW done to see where you are at.
I do know that women do get pregant without much intervention in their 40's; unfortunately, I have not been one of those ladies.
DOR and AMA
2/12-5/12: 4 IUI cycles = all BFN;
7/12: DE IVF # 1 (with ICSI)- 20R, 16M, 14F, 5DT of 2 blasts; 6 frosties = BFN;
Lupus anticoagulant initially high, then found to be normal on hematology consult;
Follow up testing in September all clear;
Started synthroid for "high normal" TSH;
FET # 1- late October 2012- BFP on FRER; beta # 1- 21(low), beta # 2- 48 (still low), beta # 3- 132, beta # 4- 1,293; beta # 5- 5,606; last beta- over 100,000. First u/s 11/21- heard heartbeat
12/12- Officially an OB patient!
Level 2 ultrasound at 20 weeks shows vasa previa and VCI
Referral to MFM and mandatory c section for delivery
Beautiful baby girl born at 34 weeks
Finally home after 15 day NICU stay!
Trying for sibling: FET # 2- May 2014; beta 5/31, BFN
FET #3, early July 2014; beta 7/14, BFN
DE IVF # 2- August 2014; 14R, 13M, 11F, 5dt of 2 blasts (3 AA), 5 frosties = BFN
FET #4- December 2014, yet another BFN
Dr. KK work up shows borderline uterine blood flow, elevated NK cells, and MTHFR mutation (homozygous for c677t)
Added baby aspirin, prednisone, supplements, Metanx, and intralipids
Switched to large clinic for final attempt; had endometrial receptivity testing in January; FET March 2015 = yet another BFN
Likely OAD- NBC
Hi Chicagobride07,
Thank you so much for this information. Does AMH mean, Advanced Medical History? I got a list of Acronyms from other bumpie off one of their posts from before, but this one wasn't on there...as I said, before I am new to this lingo.
The other was bloodwork, right?
As to the medical background, I downloaded the fertility chart from this site and have posted my monthly results on there. I have kept it on my cell phone for years til I started transferring it to these pdf's, so I can print them up to take with me, when I go to my doctor apt. I am re-thinking about this doctor due to, he is not an RE and I am thinking that is what I need versus, a OB/GYN that specializes in fertility. I have heard only great things on the internet about him, but know nothing about him from a real person that went to him and has a baby, as a result. I just moved up to Canada and feeling a little like a fish out of water, if you know what I mean....
Again, thank you so much for helping me with this information, your support and sharing with me your experience with your doctor, so I know what to expect and that there are others out there that are going through this experience, as well.
It is appreciated. Thanks so much! Please keep me posted on your journey. I wish you the best and again, thanks for sharing.
Thanks, MarylandWed,
That is reassuring to say the least.....since, I haven't went to a professional yet, I have 5 months to wait, maybe, I will go buy a pack of cigerettes...Lol, just teasin'
Thanks for the support!
Take care.
In response to your question... AMH stands for Anti-M?llerian hormone. This link explains it further https://www.fertility.ca/2012/05/amh-why-it-is-so-useful/
Good luck in your journey!
***SIGNATURE WARNING***
TTC #1
Me 42, DH 47
Dx = AMA/DOR, MFI
IVF/ICSI #1 = BFN
IVF/ICSI #2 = BFP; early loss
IVF/ICSI #3 (DE) = BFP; early loss
FET = BFN
IVF/ICSI #4 (DE w/ CCS) = BFP
Beta #1 @ 10dp6dt = 265; Beta #2 @ 14dp6dt = 1251.
1st U/S @ 6w2d showed one perfect little heartbeat!
2nd U/S @ 7w2d. HB 132 & everything measuring on track.
Our beautiful little girl arrived January 2015!
Hi Sophistikitty,
I really appreciate the clarification and help. What a small world to know that this link is from a fertility center close to me and that a person that I just meet is going to this facility/doctor. Crazy in a good way.....
Are you here in Canada? Hope you don't mind me asking, just new to this area and country. My husband is Canadian and we just moved up here.
Best in luck to you and your journey and thanks again for making mine a little easier to navigate through!
Small world! Yes, I am in Toronto. I was originally with another clinic but eventually decided to switch to Hanna.m. I feel they have a much more thorough approach than my previous clinic.
I hope your stay here is short but in the mean time I am sure you will find the ladies here to be a great support!
***SIGNATURE WARNING***
TTC #1
Me 42, DH 47
Dx = AMA/DOR, MFI
IVF/ICSI #1 = BFN
IVF/ICSI #2 = BFP; early loss
IVF/ICSI #3 (DE) = BFP; early loss
FET = BFN
IVF/ICSI #4 (DE w/ CCS) = BFP
Beta #1 @ 10dp6dt = 265; Beta #2 @ 14dp6dt = 1251.
1st U/S @ 6w2d showed one perfect little heartbeat!
2nd U/S @ 7w2d. HB 132 & everything measuring on track.
Our beautiful little girl arrived January 2015!
Hello Sophistikitty,
I am glad to hear good things about this clinic. The other lady I meet briefly, speaks very highly of the clinic, too. So, I am going to get a referral to them and make an appointment. Would you mind recommending and or telling me about your doctor, if you don't mind me asking? Is he or she a RE or does that qualification matter? As I said before, I have had my head in the sand, just knowing that all would be well and I would get prego soon enough, so that is where the embarrassment settles in, if you know what I mean. I have started reading some books to get up to speed with understanding what infertility is all about and how to go about dealing with it. I still don't have any idea what the process is for IVF or what is IUI, so I have a bit of studing to do...ugh! Lol....
Thanks for all your support. You have helped me start to feel stronger in my journey. Yesterday was a really tuff day, since I am having very irregular cycles and am a little scared that I might be peri-menapausal. My cycles have been all over the board, my usual was 29 days, but since we moved, which I understand the stress factors, I have been at 34, 36, 24 and yesterday at 18 days, so just been feeling a little down and scared about that, since I am just considered a visitor at this point and really would like to see a specialist sooner than later, but I understand the situation that I am in.
I hope my message doesn't sound negetive, I am just a little concerned and that is why I reached out to talk to someone around my age that has seen a RE or fertility specialist and wouldn't mind sharing their experience to help me understand and feel a little calmer about what to expect.
Hope all is well for you and thanks again. I am about 40 or so minutes north of you next to Lake Simcoe! The drive to this clinic wouldn't be that far, I hope it all works out.....
Best in Regards! Jacque
Generally a ?fertility specialist? is an RE (reproductive endocrinologist), but yes, the qualification matters. I would not see anyone other than an RE. I see Dr. H himself and would highly recommend him. The wait to see him I believe is about three or four months but you can request to be put on the cancellation list and in that case might be able to get in earlier. I would certainly advise you to get a referral as soon as possible. If you are unable to get a referral you can contact them directly and I believe they will charge you $250 for the first consult.
***SIGNATURE WARNING***
TTC #1
Me 42, DH 47
Dx = AMA/DOR, MFI
IVF/ICSI #1 = BFN
IVF/ICSI #2 = BFP; early loss
IVF/ICSI #3 (DE) = BFP; early loss
FET = BFN
IVF/ICSI #4 (DE w/ CCS) = BFP
Beta #1 @ 10dp6dt = 265; Beta #2 @ 14dp6dt = 1251.
1st U/S @ 6w2d showed one perfect little heartbeat!
2nd U/S @ 7w2d. HB 132 & everything measuring on track.
Our beautiful little girl arrived January 2015!
Bonjour Jacque,
I am an int'l bumpie in France, and ttc at 44. So, no you're not the only one. I wish you a lot of luck and many blessings. I can't give a whole lot of advice since I am just starting on this journey.
DH and I see the gynecologist next week. I have a lot of concerns: age, my weight (over), and medications that I take.
Will let you ladies know how the visit goes.
Wish me luck,
hulagirl
Hello and Bonjour Sophistikitty and Moonyunchoi,
It is so nice to receive your messages, ladies..... Sophistikitty, I will definately be calling the clinic for an apt., maybe, I will see you in the clinic!
and, so thankful to you for the information! It is so refreshing to see your responding emails with your encouragement. You are a jewel...... I can't say enough and so refreshed to feel your support! I will be giving his office a call in the morning. Those prices are affordable and can't wait to meet him for begin our journey....I, now know that I am on the right path to begin. So, thanks again for all your help with my issues....
I was so refreshed to hear your message, Moonyunchoi. It really warms my heart to see other women, in a similar pair of shoes....so to speak that are on the same journey, as I. Please...please keep me posted on your story, so I can support you, too. As, I will with you and the other women on this board...(Sophistikitty)
I understand about age, weight and medicines.....when, we were living down in the states. I was under such stress with my job, (legislative state law) I acquired an ulcer, having a past injury issue with pain management medicine and all kinds of other fun stuff, no pun intended......I broke down and went into a medical decline of major weight loss, some minor kidney malfunction and other stuff that I don't want to bore you with.....but, the point at the end is that ,I lost 80 pounds and my job and altered my medicine regiment to help with my ultimate goal of being a mother....
It was the best thing that happened, but a scary experience, to say the least.
As I stated before, I have been TTC for the past 3.5 years, and I just moved up to Canada from the states and now on a waiting pattern with a visitor visa, til I can get my health card, but not understanding the health system process up here....I am so relieved to hear that the clinic that Sophistikitty recommended will take cash patients, so....I am all over that and will be calling in the morning.
Thank you ladies....so much from the bottom of my heart.
You don't know what you have done for me.....having changed my spirit from fear to inspiration.......you are both such kindred spirits!
Much blessings to both of you and all the ladies that have posted with their expertise and opinions...... Please keep me informed and I will, too, to you all in my progress.....it is a blessing to meet you both and the other ladies on this forum.
Best in Regards, J