New to the group

tortuga47

Hi ladies. A brief intro. My son just turned 15 months yesterday, and I thought my period never arrived because of breastfeeding. After what I thought was a BFP (yay, I thought I caught that first egg - BUMMER) I learned very quickly, it was a low level of HCG in my urine due to Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) causing a false positive. After my tests never darkened, the doctors assumed it was a CP, but I never bled. After pushing for further testing, I was alarmed my FSH came back at 136.5, my LH at 98, AMH at <.03 and my estradiol non existant. My doctor, and my second opinion doctor told me it was impossible for me to get pregnant, as well as every RE I called. None of them would even see me. At first I was depressed, but over the last two months I've kind of regrouped. I did a lot of digging online and found it's NOT impossible, and although my odds are more limited than most, many women do go on to get pregnant. Only about 5%-10% conceive without a donor, but my doctors first response was to put my on BC to regulate hormones which would make pregnancy almost impossible, I have to believe a larger percentage would conceive if they didn't blindly follow their doctors suggestion. I started acupuncture, started chiropractic care and this past week (I was pretty much told I must wean if I wanted any chance of another baby - I'm 34 and my odds are already pretty bad) I began my TCM herb and supplement regimen. Deciding to wean was pretty devastating, but I'm trying to tell myself I'm doing it with the best intention. I'm feeling optimistic. I know I've a hard road ahead, but the first bit of good news in after a month of acupuncture my LH is already down. How much, I don't know, but I took an OPK last night which has been glaringly positive for months (due to my hormonal imbalance) and I've never been so thrilled to see it NEGATIVE!! I've been lurking on your board for a while now, and am at peace to now introduce myself. It may not be a journey I'm thrilled to be on, but you all seem extremely supportive and knowledgeable, so I'm grateful to share it with you all. 

edited for clarification

lcloffredo

Welcome, I don't have too much experience with what you are talking about but weaned my DD when she was 15 months to have my tonsils out (with the hopes of also conceiving) and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Obviously not pregnant yet and she will be 2 next month. Hope your journey is a successful one and your stay here is short

SnowflakeBride06

Welcome and am glad you pushed for further dx and are being proactive.  

I haven't heard of POF causing low hcg in the system. I hope that you get more answers soon.

This is a friendly and supportive group, but I hope your stay here is short

pettycrocker

Welcome to the board. Good for you for taking matters into your own hands, I love that you are pursuing the natural route. I tried acupuncture for a while and I thought it was amazing just for relaxation purposes, and I have heard tons of good things about it boosting fertility! 

Good luck  

GraceyandTroy

What a fascinating situation.  I'm sure you don't feel that way, but I think it's really interesting and love reading that you are figuring out a way to overcome it.  That's awesome, congrats on your negative opk  Welcome and best wishes.  

What herbs are you taking and how are you taking them?  I am also using herbal support to get my hormones balanced.  I drink them as infusions.  

Momarazzi007

Welcome! I too had to wean dd in order to start trying again so I know how hard that was! It's good you are being proactive in your treatment- we are our only advocates! Congrats on neg Opk and hopefully more good things to come soon!!!

lucky7wife

Welcome! I hope your stay is brief and successfull!

freakyfast

Welcome and good luck. 

tortuga47

GraceyandTroy said:

What a fascinating situation.  I'm sure you don't feel that way, but I think it's really interesting and love reading that you are figuring out a way to overcome it.  That's awesome, congrats on your negative opk  Welcome and best wishes.  

What herbs are you taking and how are you taking them?  I am also using herbal support to get my hormones balanced.  I drink them as infusions.  

Every week my TCM gives me a different concoction based on what I need, so I'm not entirely sure. It's about 20-25 bottles I see them measuring, and they have me take three scoops twice a day after meals with water. It's atrocious! Like liquid mud. On my own, with their approval, I take vitex, CoQ10, L-Arginine, wheatgrass, spirullina, royal jelly, pollen and propolys in addition to my normal vitamins, calcium, DHA and probiotic. I'm also taking melatonin (smallest dose) at night because that is when my hormones are suppose to balance the best. I feel like a supplement addict right now, but better than a lifetime of meds I suppose. I also started a castor oil packet last night.

tortuga47

Thank you all ladies! I appreciate the support network! And, thank you for the ladies who had to wean understanding how difficult it is. I'm still torn up about it

KC1212

Acupuncture junkie and somewhat success story here!

It took 4 years to conceive my son.

With acupuncture and herbs it took 5 months to get pregnant (chemical) and I got pregnant the very next cycle (tubal). So I'm a believer.

tortuga47

KC1212 said:

Acupuncture junkie and somewhat success story here! It took 4 years to conceive my son. With acupuncture and herbs it took 5 months to get pregnant (chemical) and I got pregnant the very next cycle (tubal). So I'm a believer.

THANK YOU!!! I need to hear success stories like yours Thank you so much for sharing!

KC1212

It was actually a grad of this board that sold me on acupuncture. She got pregnant with IUI but, swears acupuncuture gave her 28 day cycles with ovulation on day 14. She eventually went back for help with her morning sickness.

GraceyandTroy

tortuga47 said:

It's atrocious! Like liquid mud. 

Lol!  I know what you mean!  I have a hard time with my infusions.  But the hope of a baby will make us endure all sorts of things!  

tortuga47

GraceyandTroy said:

tortuga47 said:

It's atrocious! Like liquid mud. 

Lol!  I know what you mean!  I have a hard time with my infusions.  But the hope of a baby will make us endure all sorts of things!  

So true!!

chrissynena

Welcome! I also did acupuncture with my fresh IVF cycle. I loved it. I started again with this FET, but it just isn't in the budget. Good luck