Weekly checkin - Aug 26

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: Eeek last week of August already! What's a fun memory you have from this past summer? 

happyktmom

1. happyktmom from Virginia

2. TTC#2 for 18months 

3. I'm doing 21dayfix, working out every day, pnv's, extra vit d, vitex, progesterone (doing PCOS reset), coq10, temps, charting
I have not been successful at cutting out alcohol or caffeine.  Maybe since I'm putting my cycle in a an anovulatory state, I can hold out until it's THE cycle.  Since I'll be away from DH next month I may go ahead and do 2 months of progesterone cream to reset my cycle.

4. CD13, still spotting as of this morning - probably caused by progesterone

5.  I decided to up my progesterone for a whole month (I posted link on another thread), cd5-26 this cycle and next.  I have no reason to be anxious this month or next, ALAS!  I am fascinated by this Dr. Lee and resetting cycles for PCOS.  I will obviously run past my OB GYN next month at my annual. (it'll kinda be too late but that's ok)

Favorite thing from this summer by far has been our quick beach getaway.  We only had a few good hours of sun on the beach but my DD loves the water and beach as much as I do!  So awesome!

Whiggrrl65

1.  kmetcalfe77

2. TTC#1 for 12 months

3. I did Letrozole this month (after three cycles of clomid) and produced one follie on the right.  Triggered Monday am and IUI yesterday am.  This may sound silly but the new thing I am doing this month (other than the letrozole) is eating pineapple.  My friend was TTC for over a year and had a few IUIs.  She ate pineapple and it worked! I'm sure its an old wives tale but I'm giving it a try!

4.  1DPIUI.  Start progesterone suppositories (crinone) tomorrow night.  Beta scheduled for 9/8 but I'm sure I will test during the weekend before.

5.  I'm hopeful for this cycle.  My body responded more quickly to the Letrozole and this is the first time that my right ovary has produced a follie.  Also, DH had a perfect sample to use yesterday--so everything combined, I am optimistic.

Fun memory was taking my niece and nephew (they are 7 and 8) to see an outdoor concert of Lord of the Rings.  There was an orchestra and choir that played and sang with the movie.  The kids loved it and we had a picnic! 

Knottie16743552

Hiyo!!!

1. Knottiesomenumber, Erin from NJ

2. TTC#1 for us (2 for me, 3 for DH)

3. Just attempting to use FF and OPKs

4. I have NO IDEA. Thought it was like CD37, like 16dpo but now I think I was all off and FF is saying 10dpo. I have no idea. I'm a week late from my last 2 periods but I took a test Monday and it was bfn. I really have absolutely no idea. I'm just annoyed at this point.

5. Just feeling annoyed at this cycle.

A fun memory was going to the OBX with family and going to AK for work.

carrieandr

Carrie from Florida

TTC #1 since January, 5th post-d&e cycle

Charting/temping (missed 4 temps and started opks late, FF is totally thrown off)

I'm pretty sure I'm 6DPO

No symptoms yet, not that I'd trust them. If I O'd on CD12, timing was -5,-4,-3,-1.

QOTW: Our recent trip to NC with DH's friends was great. Really relaxing and fun. Plus Universal and Islands of Adventure with DH, my parents, my sister and her family.

jennOK

1. JennOK

2. TTC #2 for 4 cycles. 1 yr. 2 months off BC.
3. We are just keeping at it through December. Then we'll go in for testing. Plan to start temping to confirm if I'm actually ovulating.

4. Where are you in your cycle? Waiting to O. CD 6.

5. How do you feel about this cycle? I hope it'll just happen, but my cycle went long last time, thinking now that we totally missed O if it even happened at all. Now I'm wondering what's going on, and what will happen this time. So, anxious I guess. Lol

QOTW: Eeek last week of August already! What's a fun memory you have from this past summer?
Family day at the zoo.

emsmama15

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

Heather from MN

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

TTC #2 for 15 months

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? 

IUI#6 (lucky #6?  I hope so) with Gonal-F and trigger.  Doing all the usual stuff - supplements: CoQ10, Myo-inositol, Fish oil (really increased dose - 6g); diet: gluten free, decreased dairy, decreased refined sugars; Alternative therapies: acupuncture, REIKI (AWESOME!), and Circle and Bloom meditations; Post IUI I've been doing progesterone supps and @kmetcalfe77 - I totally ate pineapple for the 5 days following my IUI - the part you really want is the core though, so don't throw that way.  I ended up blending mine into a smoothie, that core is TOUGH!

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

CD20, 8 dpiui.  I have a beta next Monday.  I ALWAYS test at home before beta, but I don't think I'm going to this time around because I have a family party on Sunday and I don't want to be depressed if it's a BFN.

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

I feel like I'll get pregnant this cycle.  I just don't feel like I'm going to have to do IVF, but I could be wrong.  If that's the case, we'll move on, but I just can't help but feel it's going to work this month.  We had 5 nice looking follicles and a healthy E2 level.  My hubby's sample was great.  It lines up nicely.  I'll be very sad if this one doesn't work.  This has been the most hopeful and positive I've been in a long time.  I credit the Reiki, acupuncture, and meditation.  

QOTW: Eeek last week of August already! What's a fun memory you have from this past summer? 

I love the 4th of july.  We had my daughter's 2nd birthday party up at our family cabin and just had so much fun.  I'm looking forward to it cooling off just a little so we can do more stuff outside, but this summer has been fun!

Please, please, please - we need some more BFPs around here!!!!  

emsmama15

As a side note, I was telling someone today, the longer I try to get pregnant, the crazier I get with trying stuff.  Pretty soon I'll be eating only lettuce... 

Whiggrrl65

@emsmama15 Reiki sounds like a great idea! How often do you get the treatments?

dolphin012

1. dolphin012 from CA

2. ttc #1 for a while

3. Prepping for FET transfer

4. Stopped OCPs on Monday, continuing with leuprolide shots. I have my 'baseline' appt on friday. If all looks good (which i believe is defined as thin lining and dormant ovaries) i will start estrogen patches shortly after. 

5. Still a ways away so not super focused on it yet. But, of course feeling optimistic for our 5 day blast that we will transfer first. 

QOTW: Highlight is a fab-u-lous backpacking trip i went on for work. Hard work, beautiful scenery, sore muscles, too much sun -- love it all.

Shout out for bfp this round! Cheering hard for our IUI gals!!!

MntnGirl

1. MntnGirl, CA

2. TTC #1 ~1yr, 2+yrs no goalie, CP 1 yr ago, one blocked tube

3. This cycle: started temping again (you all convinced me of its value), taking maca CD 1-14, prenatal vitamin and vitex daily. This month started CoQ10, serrapeptase (for blocked tube), and pre-conception tea. I drank it for a month before CP, but will only drink CD 1-14 now. Ordered 100 OPK strips. Realized without testing or temping we've been a little sloppy with our OV/BD timing.

4. Where are you in your cycle? AF was off last month (maybe due to Vitex), but is back on track. CD 4. Have had occasional mild ovary pain for past 4 months (I'm guessing cyst, which is partly why I started taking Vitex and I think it helps). Seeing GYN next week for the pelvic pain and check-in. Scheduled to see new RE in October - I'll be 41, our limit for TTC naturally.

5. How do you feel about this cycle? Looking forward to talking to GYN and getting pain checked out and then seeing new RE and discussing options.

QOTW: Favorite summer memory - a quick road trip with DH to escape from work and see friends.

emsmama15

@kmetcalfe77 - I've seen her weekly for the past 6 weeks.  I'm going again today.  If this cycle doesn't work, I'm hoping to see her as needed and then when we do IVF, I'll probably do it regularly again.  So many people have commented to me about how happy and peaceful I seem lately.  I think it's really helping!  

Kellyj103

Kelly-CA

TTC #1 since February, 4th post-d&e cycle

Charting/temping

CD6

I feel so completely defeated. We got pregnant almost immediately last time and it was so easy. Now it feels like a lot of work and it's hard for both of us not to get discouraged. We want a baby so bad. It hasn't been easy.

QOTW: seeing Taylor Swift, it was absolutely amazing.

thistle8677

@emsmama15 fx!!!!

thistle8677

1. thistle8677 in Oregon

2. TTC#5 (#1 for SO) since August 2014. History of recurrent mc. (5th cycle post d&c)

3. Opks, bbt temps, prenatals, 1500mg fish oil, seed cycling, ketogenic diet (gonna try it again last time I lost 5lbs in 8 days), swimming at the gym 3-5 days a week, and mucinex a week before ovulation.

4. Today I'm cd29 (13dpo I think) bfn & temp drop
Waiting for AF.

5. I told SO that I want to try for another 3 cycles and then reevaluate. Honestly, I'm waiting for him to go get blood work done to see if he is a carrier for chromosomal abnormalities. Without this info we could face more losses, if I get pg that is...I want to know what we're up against and for the past year all the focus has been on me and my Drs appts. It's time for him to do his part. So he has a window of time, and then after that I guess we'll either have that info or we won't and I'll decide whether or not I'm able to keep trying.
I feel like I've lost connection to my body and I feel like the d&c really messed me up physically and mentally.

This summer had a lot of really sweet memories, it was busy and full of day trips and small vacations. I think my favorite memory was last night celebrating my eldest daughter's 18th bday. We took all the kids out to dinner, and nobody had a meltdown or complained.

thistle8677

@CarrieandRoy fx for you!

carrieandr

@Kellyj103 -- I'm right there with you. I started TTC in January, got pregnant in February, and I'm on my 5th post-d&e cycle. I agree with everything you said.

jilligan14

1. Jill from NC

2. TTC #1, not preventing since 11/12, actively trying since 8/14

3. Temping, prenatals, inositol supplements, evening primrose oil, probiotics, cayenne, Vit D. Also some herbal supplement from the acupuncturist. She has me on a strict diet of absolutely no carbs/sweets/fruits for 6 weeks, so it's just protein and veggies. I was doing Vitex and licorice from CD 3-9 for the past few cycles but had a surprisingly short cycle and didn't bring them with me on our trip. Taking a break from OPK's because they haven't worked for the past 2 cycles and they are expensive.

4. CD 6

5. I hate my body right now. I spotted last Thursday-Saturday, it turned into full flow Sunday-Tuesday, completely stopped on Wednesday, and then started up again full force this afternoon (caught me completely by surprise and I noticed that I'd soaked through my shorts right as I was about to board a train - YIKES! Thank god the shorts were dark brown and not white!!!). It looks like AF isn't stopping anytime soon... I'm feeling like I need a break. I got pregnant twice last year without doing anything (no OPK's, no temping, no vitamins, no special diets) and I just feel like maybe I'm trying too hard??? I don't know. I just want AF to go away, for me to stop feeling so moody, and for my uterus/ovaries to stop hurting. Oh, and to get pregnant (of course).

I had a wonderful time spending a few days with one of my best friends in New York City. We crammed in so much in just a few days and it was exhausting and incredibly fun!!

Good luck everyone! I'm hoping to see some BFP's soon!!

jilligan14

emsmama15 said:

As a side note, I was telling someone today, the longer I try to get pregnant, the crazier I get with trying stuff.  Pretty soon I'll be eating only lettuce... 

Hahaha! I TOTALLY agree!!!

thistle8677

@jilligan14 I adore you. I'm so very sorry you have to deal with these unpredictable cycles. I wish I had magic powers and I could just grant you a much deserved bfp.
Sending love xo

thistle8677

@emsmama15 I feel like I am my own pet guinea pig.

BulgariHeart

Hiya!

1) BulgariHeart, bicoastal.

2) TTC #1 for 3 cycles.

3) I'm following a TCM protocol to improve my lazy circulation, regulate my heavy cycles and lengthen the LP. On top of that I take a full spectrum of vitamins and minerals.

4) In the longest TWW ever. 16dpo and waiting for either AF or a BFP. Will test again on Sunday... I hope.

5) I don't know what to feel or think. I don't want to make myself believe I'm pregnant, yet I'd love to indulge in the happy feeling that I am... or might be.... Ugh, I'm going in circles. 

ladeuce13

1. Kay from BC, Canada

2. TTC #1 for 11 months.

3. Temping, charting, CM, CP, PNVs and fish oil, HFE drops and Fertili-tea from my ND, thinking of acupuncture for my next cycle.

4. 2WW - cd30, 13dpo. AF is due tomorrow.

5. I was feeling pretty confident and/or hopeful but now I'm just over it. Bring on AF so I can start again.

QOTW: Eeek last week of August already! What's a fun memory you have from this past summer? It was a pretty low-key summer. I'd say going out on my friend's boat and just spending the day out on the water.

carrieandr

@emsmama15, tell me more about this lettuce diet (she says as she sips pomegranate juice because she read it helps build up the uterine lining).

jilligan14

Thanks @thistle8677. AF is literally driving me crazy right now but I'll get through this. I think it's time I try the all-lettuce diet to cleanse my body of this ridiculousness!!!

MntnGirl

Regarding supplements and other fertility helpers - I thought I'd heard/read of everything, but I'm seeing new things on this board every week. And trying them all! Glad the all lettuce diet is a joke.

@jilligan14 I don't like the cost/waste of the OPKs either. I just bought some cheap strips in bulk on Amazon. I've used the same brand for HCG and liked them, but for LH I know they won't be as easy to read as the Clearblue digital. Good or bad, I'll post about them in about a week.

KLake42

I'm checking a bit late.

Kathleen in GA

TTC #1, cycle number 5

Medicate IUI with acupuncture and TCM herbs

CD 10, just had an ultrasound.  These are the smallest follicles yet, 13, 15, and 15.  My RE thinks they're just growing a little slower than usual, which isn't terrible.  So long as I don't start to surge early, I'll trigger on Tuesday for a Wednesday afternoon IUI.

My emotions are all over the place.  Part of me is starting to think that IVF is inevitable.  But I also recognize that I may end up with more mature eggs than usual, if I have an IUI on CD 13 instead of CD 11 (as I usually tend to do), so maybe?  I made the mistake of looking up statistics, and that's never good.

But I'm trying to be hopeful.

My best memory of this summer-- I'd have to say it was the day my marriage was suddenly recognized all over the country, including my home state!