TWW: Week of Aug 8-14

jennh75b

Tell us how many DPO you are, what you're doing/not doing this month, when/if you'll test, and symptoms that have you wondering if this is THE month! If you haven't already made a separate intro, please first do so in a separate discussion thread so we can get to know you! Good luck!

artemis618

I (and FF) think I'm only here for one more day!  15 DPO, basically just waiting for AF...so not this month.

Will continue with the temping/Charting this cycle, PNVs, ubiquinol, Wondfo OPKs, preseed instead of regular lube, fish oil, reducing caffeine but adding green tea, aiming to HIO EOD during FW...

jennh75b

I'm 13 DPO.  I had my usual pre-premenstrual cramps and bloating yesterday, then back to normal today, which is normal- AF likes to put on a several day production before the big event.  AF is either due Saturday or Sunday.  My nipples are still pretty sore/sensitive, but I still think it's from the Clomid.  There hasn't been anything over the top to indicate that this might be it.  Every little nuance that I've noted, I've experienced plenty of times before.  We BD'd daily from -4 to 0.  Just trying to stay positive!!

eggplantface

***lurking, I'm not in TWW***

@artemis618 What kind of green tea do you drink? As in, what brand? My CM could use some help. I remember being in my 20s and noticing CM but not for fertility, just "Whoa, what is all this stuff?" and now it's just not so much as back then.

@jennh75b Same here. AF presents a teaser trailer long before opening day. "Coming soon....to a vagina near you..."

artemis618

@eggplantface. I just drink the Costco (Kirkland) green tea that I already had . I like it well enough anyway.  I just thought I'd jump on that bandwagon when I saw others trying it since watery seems to be as good as it gets for me these days (same difference from my younger years).

TW?  So...I'm still here, I guess  - this AM was my 16th high temp (AF was due Tuesday per FF, then now it's not...), so I tried an Internet cheapie but since I wasn't totally awake I didn't reserve any FMU for higher quality tests (it wasn't as dark as the control line but it wasn't faint).  This is my first cycle temping so my first chart ever and I wasn't quite sure what to expect of it (and I just learned how to post my chart here yesterday )


So I guess I may still be in the game?  It'd be nice if I could blame these three pimples on something (I swear it's not fair having to worry about wrinkles and zits at the same time).  I spotted a little Sunday and Monday so was sure AF was coming.  I feel so stupid and clueless.  Not sure if I should give it more time - but I don't even have an obstetrician should I need one and don't know how quickly they schedule should I actually need one (or when).  Are things different at AMA (I'll be 39 in two months)?

Thanks for letting me think "out loud"

Edit:  typos and to add that FF suggests this Saturday as my test date since first cycle temping and no history.

jennh75b

@artemis618 - sounds to me like you're still in the game!  I have never had any secondary line on a test so I'm pretty excited for you!  As far as when to call a doctor...all I can say is that my RE's instructions was to notify them if AF hasn't come by CD 35.  Now that is, I'm assuming, based on my cycle of about 29/30 days.  But maybe others in here who have had BFP's have more advice on when to call a doctor to go in for testing.  Good luck!!

Aurora1973

**lurking not in TWW**

@artemis618 Yes, I'd agree that you're still in!!  FX so hard that you continue to get that line...congratulations!!!  I would say keep testing another few days to see if the line gets darker.  TW:  when I got my BFP that resulted in a CP, it never got darker and eventually was a BFN again, on the 4th day.  If it does keep getting darker, I'd call your doc to see what their usual process is.

Lu19

@artemis618 - sounds very exciting! Hope everything continues to stay on a 'positive' track. FX for you!

I'm 12DPO and testing tomorrow, AF due Friday. I have been all over the place, emotionally, this cycle. Hopeful and positive, then depressed and cynical.. BSC in full force! Our timing was pretty decent; my symptoms, meh, not much to say - I keep reminding myself that with DS, I had absolutely zero symptoms until about week 6 or 7.

Christina239

@artemis618! That is sounding awesome! 

As for me, it has been a rough month emotionally. I started out so positive and then around O time got in a huge fight with DH which affected BD timing so I lost most hope for the month. We still managed -4 and 0. Of course as AF gets closer, those inklings of hope start to weasle their way in again. I am 13 DPO. Yesterday and today I had the smallest amount of spotting but today is only CD 24, so am I going to start having pre-AF spotting starting on CD 23 now??? That seems ridiculous!!! (It sounds similar to what you said @jennh75b )

I've been under a lot of stress lately and had a migraine 2 days ago and 2 huge zits pop up on my face, I'm assuming all stress related. Also sore boobs but that's normal preAF for me. 

Im just feeling so discouraged and thinking how we are coming up on the 1 year mark and how I should've been trying harder and how hard it is to try harder. I'm thinking of skipping this next month for sanity but know it will still be all I think about. 

jennh75b

@Christina239 - I could have written your post myself.  I know what it's like when life gets in the way of BD, and fights, illnesses, etc. always seem to creep in during that week.  BD and fighting do not mix well!  I definitely feel your frustration.  Even the months you give it your all, it's frustrating.  Trying harder is many times out of our control because of those life things that happen, too, so try to give yourself credit for BD'ing when you did, rather than when you didn't.  

I started having spotting literally right after I posted my last update above yesterday.  I usually get that two days before AF, then sometimes a day of nothing, then AF.  Today the spotting is stronger and I'm expecting AF maybe even as early as today based on this.  I tried to be so positive this month, and I am crashing hard I think, which I knew would happen by being extra positive.  I don't even want to tell H about AF coming.  I'm really beating myself up and angry mainly with nothing to blame but my age.  I know when I tell H he will beat himself up thinking it's him.  I'm totally not looking forward to babysitting our niece and nephew this weekend.  It's going to be tough.

 

@Lu19 - good luck with testing!  FX for @artemis618!!!!

Aurora1973

Hugs @Christina239 and @jennh75b.  I'm so sorry you're both having hard TTC days.  I really, really know the feeling.

PoeMasque

***lurking from WTO****

@jennh75b I thought about you today when I had my first appt with an acupuncturist for fertility (which is actually covered by my insurance! Yay!), we discussed my pre-AF spotting and bad cramping with AF. She said those are hallmarks of blood stagnation and put me on some herbs that will help with both. She was super positive that I would have dramatic and fast results....she even said there was a lot of research to back up acupuncture for help with spotting and cramps, so I'm interested to see how it goes! 

artemis618

Thanks, ladies!  @jennh75b @Christina239  DH and I didn't really have a fight per se this cycle, but I am apparently really bad at asking for the "on demand" sex - which basically ended up with me crying the night of -2 (feeling awkward/undesirable, pissed at having potentially wasted a cycle at this age, etc.) I had a +OPK the next day so we BD'd that afternoon and the following (O) morning.  There's not really any way to make BDing just a functional thing, for which I'm usually glad - but with the whole ttc process I sometimes wish we could!

PoeMasque

@artemis618 I was having the same issue with my SO (and I do NOT like just asking for sex, takes the fun out of it for me). We compromised by having me put "best days" on our shared calendar, then it's my SO's job to initiate at least every other day for that week  

jennh75b

@PoeMasque - now that is impressive that your insurance covers acupuncture!?!  I would never think an insurance plan would cover that.  I'm jealous!  Funny that you mention this, because I recently went to a new trigger point therapist for my back and she told me to try acupuncture for fertility, she heard it has positive results.  Definitely keep me posted on the spotting/cramps.  That would be awesome to not have to deal with that.   

Edit/Update - I'm officially out.  

Aurora1973

@jennh75b My insurance doesn't cover acupuncture for fertility but it does cover it for pain, which surprised me.  I have gone for migraines, and it did really help!  You should double-check to see if yours covers for that, and whether menstrual cramps qualify as pain...it's worth checking into!  Also, I'm pretty sure my acupuncturist sneaked in some helpful stuff since I told her we're TTC.

jennh75b

That is interesting!  I just looked up my insurance and it looks like they started covering it for pain, migraines, etc. just this year.  This is good to know since I have back issues.  It needs a doctor's order/proper diagnosis, though, for it to be covered.    Thanks for the info @Aurora1973!

artemis618

Aw, I'm sorry @jenn75b . Maybe treat yourself to some acupuncture?  I find it so relaxing and fall asleep EVERY time.  I think I get 20 visits to allocate between chiro and acu (though probably also not for fertility specifically) per year or something like that (my chiro person was also an acu person - but she just moved away this summer).  It is nice to have some insurance subsidy for it!

Aurora1973

Hugs on being out, @jennh75b.  I agree with @artemis618 about acupuncture being relaxing.  I also fall asleep every time.  I think it's great for mental health and well-being, too.

jennh75b

Thanks @Aurora1973 and @artemis618.  I actually just scheduled an appointment for next Wednesday!  I've never done it before.  The place I'm going to doesn't do insurance, and I haven't seen my pain doc in almost a year, so I'm just going to self-pay.  If I find it beneficial for my back pain, I may go back to my pain doc to get a referral for it so my insurance will pay...but I'd have to go somewhere less convenient that's in-network.

justsuzie

12 dpo
I tested this morning because I was going to X-rays for a post op apt because I broke my leg 5 months ago. Negative. So, will try again when AF should be here in a little over a week. 

Charting but but not temping. I'm starting that next month when I'll be at 5 months ttc. Then off to the doctor to get some advice. 

Christina239

Thanks for the kind words @jennh75b and @Aurora1973 I really needed them and appreciate it. I am also officially out  

Christina239

@artemis618 I don't like asking either so it's a tricky road as I don't want it to feel like "work" for him but also making sure it happens at the right times. I also find myself trying to carefully pick my battles (which isn't necessarily a bad thing) but just thinking to myself "hmm if I say something about this thing that's annoying me, there's a chance it could turn into a fight and if it does what cd is this..." Etc. 

jennh75b

@Christina239 - so sorry!  *hugs*

Aurora1973

Ugh.  So sorry you're out, @Christina239.  Take good care of yourself.

PoeMasque

Sorry to hear you are out @jennh75b and @christina239  

but glad to hear you are going to acupuncture @jennh75b yay!! I really hope it helps with the spotting and cramps for both of us!