TTC After 35 Weekly Check-in (week of Feb 27)

laurad75

Hi Ladies.  I am proposing this page have a weekly check-in rather than a TWW thread so everyone can participate and stay connected no matter your TTC status.  I used the questions from another page but I would certainly be open to anything you wanted to add or edit.  

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment):  

Diagnosis (If you've been): 

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?):  

Rants/Raves: 

How are you doing?: 

GTKY:  What was the last thing you shopped for?

vlagrl29

First real month TTC after our CP in December - currently TWW 9DPO

This month we aren't doing anything different except I did track O with OPKs. I also had 7 days of water/stretchy CM so we had really good timing but I've pretty much have counted myself out this month because of our great timing and tracking lol.

Got progesterone tested Saturday and waiting for results.  I'm very hopeful that if it's low then I just need some vaginal suppositories to make TTC easier.  If its normal than we'll keep on trucking.  My personal timeline which DH is ok with is winging it until June and then try out clomid. 

I'm doing well considering.  This month has been so much better mentally for me than last.  I feel good knowing my cycles are all back to normal.  I try and put my focus on other things which makes the BSC non-existent.  practicing yoga, staying busy with DD, working on my business etc - it really helps me to focus on the present and not wonder and stress about the future.  In a year none of this will matter I figure.

The last thing I shopped for was probably new yoga clothes at a consignment store.

laurad75

 @vlagrl29  It must be scary moving forward after your CP.  GL to you this cycle!

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment):  On bcp prepping for IVF

Diagnosis (If you've been): DOR

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): 6

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?):  waiting.  I just got an email that my insurance approved a second round of stims/ ER so my clinic will likely order my meds this week and we can hopefully get going soon.  

Rants/Raves: H is away for a couple of nights skiing and I'm looking forward to a lazy night with the TV all to myself. 

How are you doing?: I'm a little nervous going into this round bc my ER earlier this month resulted in only 3 eggs.  All 3 fertilized but just one made it to freeze - that embryo is being PGS tested and hopefully we will get the results this week.  I want to be hopeful but feel like I should be realistic too.  

GTKY:  What was the last thing you shopped for?  I bought new yoga tights this weekend.  

katekate628

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment):  WTO

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): CD15

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?):  started using opk's and temping this cycle. Getting the hang of my bbt is annoying! 

Rants/Raves: *TW* is both a rant and a rave. My little sister is pregnant. I'm so excited for her since we started ttc about a month apart. I'm also annoyed that we are going into our 5th month ttc and she has become a little distant discussing pregnancy/ttc with me. I know I'm just annoyed at all the negative tests and AF coming. 

How are you doing?: I'm pretty good, waiting for my husband to get home from out of town tomorrow so we can make the most of the next several days! 

GTKY:  What was the last thing you shopped for? Lipsense lipstick

katekate628

Forgot to say good luck to everyone on this cycle!

vlagrl29

@laurad75 - it is scary but I want to use my younger 30s eggs so we gotta keep on keeping on.  The only positive I got out of our CP is that at least we can get pregnant lol.  I feel good knowing that I'm doing everything I can to make sure next time is much better hence the P test.  I'd hate for it to be low and then loose another embryo.  GL on your IVF.

@katekate628 - good luck with the bbt and opk. 

laurad75

@vlagrl29 I hear you!  If our embryo comes back normal from the PGS testing I will be so eager to transfer but we are going to do at least one (if not two) more ER's to 'bank' some more embryos before its too late.  I'm really hoping this go around will give us more eggs to work with.  

vlagrl29

It was an emotional roller coaster for sure and in Jan. I struggled with what I wanted to do.  I was pouring myself into everything I could control.  I was big into letting go - I let go of things I can't control and like things that I can.  It was so hard.  I couldn't even get my mind in the TTC mind frame again.  We maybe had sex 3-4 times that month.  Then right before my period started early Feb and I was bawling really hard to DH - I told him I really do want a baby and I think I was letting myself feel again.  I told him I don't want the pressure of timed BD and all that crap - I just want to have "fun" for the next  4 months.  I told him I want to do it now while I'm still in my late 30s.

SP128

@laurad75  Thanks for starting this!!  Great idea.  GL on the prepping and hopefully everything goes smoothly.  Hope you get more eggs

@katekate628   BBT is a pain in the rump but once you get into a groove it's not too bad.  Pretty useful info.  

@vlagrl29 Hope you get p results soon!  FX for you this month.  

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment):  WTO.  Should O in the next couple of days.  

Diagnosis (If you've been): 

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): CD13  

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?):  Preseed, OPK, BBT

Rants/Raves: Rant:  So many preg ladies everywhere.  That is all.

How are you doing?: I'm doing ok.  I booked an appointment with an RE last week.  My apt is on 3/16.  I would like some testing just to see if there is anything to be concerned with.  I'm getting impatient and not getting any younger.  Deep down I think I just need some more cycles.  I don't know how I feel about the possibility of taking meds right now.   

GTKY:  What was the last thing you shopped for? Nordstrom Rack had a clear the rack sale last week.  I bought a shirt and a blazer.

vlagrl29

my personal opinion @SP128 since you're my age or just a tad younger -- I'll be 37 in May -- you may just need a few more cycles.  Have you had any of the fertility tests done?  If not at least get that as it made me feel a lot better.  My doctor's nurse told me if all tests came back fine then we could start clomid.  I researched that drug and decided I wanted to give us a full year of TTC before going that route.  It helps people ovulate if they aren't. If you do ovulate it gives you a much stronger ovulation and possibly better chance of multiples.

SP128

@vlagrl29  I just turned 36 late January.  I really do think I need a few more cycles.  That's my gut.  I'm hoping the RE can start fertility tests soon after the consult.  At the very least we would know if there is something to worry about. This whole process is just so trying.  Since I had all last week off, I googled the RE process briefly.  It was so overwhelming that I just started to cry.  Stupidly or ignorantly, I just never thought it would get to me making an apt with an RE.  

vlagrl29

I did all fertility testing with OB cause we have zero fertility benefits

PoeMasque

@vlagrl29 if your progesterone comes back low you will need clomid or Femara. Low progesterone on an unmedicated cycle is a signal of weak ovulation and means your eggs are immature at O, so you need intervention before O, not after. Which is good since I think you said you are allergic to the progesterone suppositories? 

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment):  two more days of BCPs, then baseline US and starting stims for IVF #1

Diagnosis (If you've been): weak ovulation and possible DOR

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): no idea....AF should start Thursday or Friday 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?):  IVF. Hopefully! I'm well aware this cycle could be delayed due to any number of issues 

Rants/Raves: we started this process in DECEMBER! I'm so ready for it to finally begin

How are you doing?: I started a blog for friends/family to be able to participate. I was nervous about sharing our struggle, but now I'm so glad I did, the support has been overwhelming (in a good way)

GTKY:  What was the last thing you shopped for? Water beads, pipettes, colored sand, small plastic toys.....basically toddler crafts and fabric to make baby items with. I work with low income new mothers and get to do crafts with them for work, it's awesome. 

vlagrl29

@PoeMasque - really?  I wasn't aware of that.  I just thought I would need to take vaginal suppositories while TTC and that would be it.  I guess that's one thing I will as my OB about if it does come back low.  I was allergic to the progesterone pills.  Thanks for the info.

Back in Jan. during my follow up appt after my loss my OB said that if it was low I would take the suppositories and continue so up to 10 weeks of pregnancy.  I only took 1 pill back in december and got that horrible reaction so didn't take it again.  My P was slightly low but I guess that could have been because it wasn't going to make it IDK if it was that or if was me or if I popped out a random egg early cycle - it's still all so confusing to me.  She said they go with the pills first because they are the cheapest.  I guess the suppositories and creams are more expensive.

Labluver2

 Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment):  WTO

Diagnosis (If you've been): inflamed tube no blockage

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): CD2

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?):  temp charting, taking prenatal and cosq10. Waiting for our appt with another RE to begin IUI 

Rants/Raves: I had a person say that I was too old to start having children now. 

How are you doing?: trying to stay positive and knowing it will happen when its ment to happen.

GTKY:  What was the last thing you shopped for? Food last night PMS hit full force wanted Ben and Jerry's ice cream so bad lol

Momifbysea

@laurad75 thanks so much for starting this, makes so much sense, and I'll stop doing the TWW ones so we can all post on these. Great idea!

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment): TWW 

Diagnosis (If you've been): MFI (motility/morphology), possible DOR or poor egg quality due to AMA

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): 5DPO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?):  prenatals, vitamin D, DH taking vitamin D, omega 3, CoQ10, IUI #2 with Femara CD3-7, simultaneously doing pre-IVF baseline ultrasound/bloodwork and IVF injections class (both done last week) to prep for starting BCP mid-March? In midst of insurance approvals and anxiety over pills and injections at the moment.

Rants/Raves: Pregnant people all over it seems! Also, woman at the pharmacy was very rude to me when I went in yesterday. I had returned her call from the day before a few minutes before 6 when they close. Well when I went in yesterday she had the basket of scripts she was working on for me, said with an annoyed voice how they were essentially closed when I had called and that she's been trying to work on all my scripts in between things all day and then her note from my phone call was on the counter and she had noted "she calls right before close...really?!?" Great customer service. She saw I had seen it, pressed the paper against her chest facing her, and turned bright red. She was also condescending about insurance, talking down to me explaining that I was giving her my major medical card instead of pharmacy card for the injectables even though I had called BC/BS and they said these drugs ARE covered through them and to not use my pharmacy card. I reported her to the clinic and got the sweetest call back from her an hour later where I let her grovel and ask if she could please have the BC/BS card number so she could try getting them approved that way. I said "oh, you mean the one I tried to give you when I stopped by?" I said I had been to the RE clinic and they had explained this is her first month doing this so I understand there is a learning curve...grr. I'm not usually like this but she drove me there! Rave is that I'm really happy with our clinic, they are so nice and on top of things! A real blessing!

How are you doing?: I'm back and forth. Anxiety hit hard Saturday after seeing the long list of pills and needles. TW: DD hasn't been sleeping well so my lack of sleep combined with feeling overwhelmed about whether I can handle IVF has triggered panic attacks, nausea and stress. I'm feeling a little better each day since the class though as this all sinks in.

GTKY:  What was the last thing you shopped for? TW: new sneakers for my 3-yo DD. Bright pink with navy trim and chartreuse tabs. So cute!

Momifbysea

@laurad75 and @PoeMasque glad I'm just a few weeks behind you as far as starting BCP. You can be my IVF mentors! Thinking good thoughts for you both!!!

@SP128 you are not alone! The whole RE process can get really overwhelming but it helps me to think just baby steps (no pun intended). I agree with PP that it would be good and hopefully reassuring to get the testing done. It really helped me to know my numbers were fairly good for my age and that we had some male issues. I pray you can get that same reassurance that will guide if you just give it some more time naturally or if it might make sense to go the next step in terms of intervention. Thinking of you!

laurad75

@Momifbysea I have no tolerance for poor customer service but I'm glad everything is straightened out.  The IVF meds are very intimidating but once you get the hang of it, it's much easier.  

Momifbysea

@laurad75 thankfully my husband has agreed to do them for me! He is squeamish too when it comes to watching other people who are bleeding, getting injections, etc but if it's being done to him he's fine. so it means that much more that he's stepping up for us. Any tips on making the stomach ones more tolerable?

laurad75

@Momifbysea What meds are you taking?  The injections aren't that bad.  Toward the end of my last stimming cycle my stomach was a little sore but if you put some ice on it before hand it will numb it a bit.  

If you are doing multiple injections each night you may want to learn how to mix them if that's an option.  That way you will be doing one injection rather than 2 or 3.  There are helpful youtube videos to walk you through.  

My H offered to help in the beginning but I was much more comfortable doing them on my own and I would reward myself with a piece of chocolate or something after.  Honestly, after a couple of nights it won't be so nerve wrecking.  

Momifbysea

I left my meds list at home so will add later but I think it's like 4 injections a day. Did you have to start with two different antibiotics? I will have Augmentin and Flagyll, hello nausea!

laurad75

I did not take antibiotics during my stim cycle.  I was on an antagonist protocol with gonal-f and menopur to stimulate and then added cetrotide to delay O.  

vlagrl29

A bitch nurse took my blood on saturday - acted like I'd have to come back if I didn't pay a bill I shouldn't even have to pay.  Not helpful and I was livid telling her it had to be done today and I can't come back I've been waiting 3 months.  I'm paranoid now my vile will suddenly go missing. lol.

vlagrl29

After sleeping on it and going to yoga this morning I decided I will take the suppositories if need be but I just don't want to take clomid/femera yet.  My loss is still so new and I just want to enjoy a few months of TTC having fun before having to go full on blast tracking medicating and very timed BD.

Literally just thinking about having to take clomid and P sent me into anxiety mode and DH didn't know it but I went to the bathroom and cried/prayed for a miracle.  I just can't take the TTC stress anymore.

SP128

@vlagrl29  I hear ya girl.  I got a little misty eyed at work today.  My mistake was looking at FF's due date predictors.
It's a rough road.  All going to be worth it.

@laurad75 and @PoeMasque   Just curious how long the process is from meeting with an RE for a consult to actually getting either IUI or IVF.  I'm trying to prepare myself on how much longer if we do interventions.  I feel like once we decide to do treatment, I'm going to it RIGHT NOW.  Impatience.  Not proud of it.  

vlagrl29

I got a message from quest that my results were back and my progesterone came back at a 9.  I left a message for my OBs nurse to give me a call tomorrow to discuss.  I have a feeling that's low right?  If need be I will want to try the vaginal suppositories since the pills messed with me back in december.  I'd want to start those asap in case there is a fertilized egg in me right now.  This may actually give me a bit of hope now and I can stop blaming myself for the HSG I had in December.

liljoy-2

@vlagrl29 Uh, I think your number is on the low side. Anything above 5 means you ovulate but if it's under 12 (?) it also can mean an immature egg (weak ovulation). My immature eggs didn't turn into embryos after 2 IVFs, only the mature ones. 
I think progesterone won't fix this (it is only given after you do ovulate and possibly have an embryo but your empty follicle doesn't produce enough progesterone to sustain the pregnancy). I think only ovulation induction drugs and hcg can mature eggs. You can maybe inquire about hcg shots if you see a RE. 

And btw, Femara/letrozole was easy breezy for me, zero symptoms. Clomid was another story but for lots of ladies it is not a big deal. Compared to lots of shots for IVF, it's still a walk in the park. 

AFM, I did my 2nd IUI this month, on my "good ovary side" and had a BFN today. It sucks, this whole process and IF sucks big time...

laurad75

@SP128 I met with our RE for the first time in July and luckily I was toward the end of a cycle so when I started a new cycle just a few days later I was able to go in for blood work and went on clomid CD 5-9.  Some insurance companies require you to do a 'clomid challenge' before any further treatment to show that you respond to fertility treatment.  I think we did one more cycle with clomid and TI before moving to IUI.  We had planned to do 3 IUI's but we had some issues and actually ended up just doing one which went perfectly but ended in a BFN.  We took December off to catch our breath and then moved to IVF in January.  IVF requires a lot of patience.  Here is my timeline for example:

When we started the first IVF cycle I went on bcp for 2.5 weeks to suppress the ovaries (this is pretty common practice) while they got insurance authorization then went off bcp and waited for the withdraw AF, then started stim injections which I took for 12 nights and finally had my ER in early Feb.  We were doing FET with PGS so if there was going to be a transfer (unfortunately, there won't be) it wouldn't have been until sometime this month.  

vlagrl29

thanks for the info and sorry about your failed IUI @bestofjoy - this is all very confusing to me.  I'll talk to my docotor about Femera along with everything else once the nurse calls me back.  I'm in no way ready to see an RE yet because we have no fertility coverage on our insurance.

Momifbysea

@bestofjoy sorry for your bfn! It does suck big time but I hear you on the Femara being a walk in the park compared to the pile of IVF drugs and needles! I was so nervous for my first IUI though and taking the Femara. Looking back it wasn't a big deal!

vlagrl29

I heard back from the nurse finally!  OB confirmed it was low and needed to be in the double digits so they are recommending P supplements.  my 2 options are cream and suppositories, both go into the vagina.  I don't have a preference as long as I can get it at my pharmacy.  So she will get back to me once she knows which one walmart makes.  I asked about clomid and they don't recommend it yet which I'm fine with.  I've been stressing too much about this and am totally fine taking the supplements for now.  After our loss I vividly remember telling DH that I just can't handle the stress of TTC right now and that I wanted to have fun with it until we hit the year mark and then be more proactive if need be.  I've cleared my mind and feel much better.  Thanks for the advice ladies.  I'd rather put my main focus on the things in my life that I can really be productive with and have control of.

Momifbysea

@vlagrl29 so glad you got some clarity and can move forward!

vlagrl29

Thanks! @Momifbysea - I felt a huge relief after I talked to the nurse.  I've been carrying around an extra weight that the HSG procedure I had done in December caused our loss and now I don't have to blame myself anymore.

SP128

@bestofjoy  : (

@laurad75  Thank you so much.  The whole process is intimidating to me.  I have my initial apt on 3/16.  I'm very tempted to try to move it up but, I should be starting my TWW soon (OPK and body being confusing) and was planning on testing obsessively before the appointment.  I believe I should be getting AF on 3/15.  If AF comes on the 3/15, I should make it for some of the testing since it is so early in the cycle.  

I picked a center near my house.  Hopefully they are good and I'm not kicking myself going into Boston.  

laurad75

@SP128 I'm in Boston too!  I go to Boston IVF in Waltham.  Where will you be going?  

SP128

@laurad75  I'm going to do Boston IVF in Quincy.  I remember you saying you were from Boston over the summer.  If I need labs or us, I'll go to Waltham.  I'm really interested in their wellness program, but Waltham is about 35 minutes away.

laurad75

@sp128 Small world!  Yes, Waltham has the Domar Center and I go there for acupuncture.  The mind/ body wellness program interests me too but it's a big time commitment and $500 OOP assuming insurance pays for the two consult sessions.  I'm not sure I could commit to 21/2 hours a week for 10 weeks but it's nice to know it's available.  I'm reading Dr. Domar's book so that will have to do for now.  

SP128

@laurad75  If you don't mind me asking, how much is the acupuncture there?  I looked into it with a lady from Westborough and it was crazy expensive.  My insurance only does a yearly $150 reimbursement for acupuncture.  I looked on Boston IVFs website and they didn't list Quincy as a site that does IVF so I may end up in Waltham anyway.  

laurad75

@SP128 It's $75/ session and you can buy packages that make it a little less.  In this area that seemed pretty standard.  My insurance covers it at 'in-network' clinics but there are not many choices and the most convenient to me was Brookline which isn't all that convenient.  

amberruka

@bestofjoy sorry about your BFN, this really sucks sometimes. 

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment): WTO, CD6. 7th cycle TTCAL after 7 month bench to regulate Graves. Technically 6th cycle as no BD during FW last month. 

Diagnosis (If you've been): Graves' Disease. Wish I had known this before I got pg. 

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): CD6 WPO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?):  PNV, OPK. Graves' causes falsely high temps so I don't use bbt. 

Rants/Raves: DH and I will be on a little weekend vacay to New Mexico next weekend, hopefully some BD (I'm lucky to get 3 in FW, though it's usually 2).

How are you doing?: I'm optimistic that I was able to get pg at 37 with using basically the Ovia app only (took 8 months), but knowing I'm not 'normal' and as the months go by, some days are better than others. 

GTKY:  What was the last thing you shopped for? Plane ticket upgrades! After returning from a funeral this weekend across the country I wanted to make our NM weekend extra special and fun. DH has never been in 1st class, he can't wait! 

Momifbysea

@laurad75 just getting back to you on the meds I will be taking: Bcp and baby aspirin week one, adding Doxycycline and Flagyll week 2, then when I start stims it's menopur, follistim, Dexamethasone, then my list has Ovidrel, Cetrotide, Valium for the retrieval I think, promethium, progesterone injection, and Vivelle patches. Quite a list. Am still nervous.