IF Testing and Treatment week of 1/21

lulu1180

This is a place for those of us who have already started TTC, but have started infertility testing and/or treatments. You can express your thoughts, feelings, and frustrations on infertility. TTC can be a long journey naturally, then add in the difficulties associated with infertility, and it becomes a whole new ball game. The road to infertility can be lonely, frustrating, and complicated, so let's make this a place where we can vent, ask questions, and support one another. Feel free to resurrect this thread at any point in the week if you have something to say. Treat this as an ongoing conversation. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):

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

How are things going?: 

Any questions?:

GTKY: What is your favorite activity to do when it snows?

lulu1180

Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA/DOR, high prolactin

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO, CD3

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Trying naturally

How are things going?: Meh...last cycle was only 16 days again and when I had tried to contact the REs office to get information about a monitored cycle, I was told that the RE wanted to meet to discuss next steps.  I've told her/her nurse at least twice that I won't be doing IVF because it's so cost prohibitive so I'm mildly annoyed that I can't just get the last treatment cycle over with.  After this last cycle, we'll just try naturally until we decide to stop.  

Any questions?: Nope

GTKY: What is your favorite activity to do when it snows? Curl up under a warm blanket with a good book and a cup of tea/cocoa

kbrown2385

Diagnosis (if you've been): rpl, official diagnosis pending testing results

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO CD8

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): saline sono tomorrow and should be getting results from the restaurant of the testing. 

How are things going?: looking forward to getting off the bench this week. 

Any questions?: We haven’t heard anything regarding dh doing an SA. Has anyone with rpl not had one done? Should i push for one just in case? 

GTKY: What is your favorite activity to do when it snows? Read a book or do a puzzle

lulu1180

@kbrown2385 Are you doing the testing with an RE or an OB?  Regardless, if they suggest doing any kind of treatment (medicated cycle with or without IUI), I would insist on an SA first just to confirm that the numbers look good.

kbrown2385

@lulu1180 we are working with an RE. Part of me wants to push for it just so we have that box checked.

lulu1180

@kbrown2385 I'm actually surprised they didn't order one; it's pretty common with IF testing.  I would definitely push for it if I were you.

rikiteacup

Diagnosis (if you've been): low count (both SA under 10 million), 1 blocked tube

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): H is finally seeing the urologist this week (we've been waiting for 3+ months) to look more into his low count and we are making an appointment with a RE.

How are things going?: Argh. So, one of my friends started a new job and they are looking to expand. I got a phone interview and the pay they offered was $15K too low. They realized it was too low, nobody wanted to work for that amount to they revised the pay. Now they want me for an in-person interview and the pay is now $15K over what I make now ($30K more than they initially offered!). I am TORN. This would be a good opportunity but I don't think right now is the time to switch jobs. I am probably going to miss work a lot due to medical appointments. I like my current job and they are super flexible. I have to schedule the interview for this week. I might go and hope they don't offer me the job?

Any questions?: What can I expect at our 1st appointment with the RE? How does it work for insurance since both of us are going?

GTKY: What is your favorite activity to do when it snows? I would love to say skiing but I haven't done that in year. I like to stay inside by a nice fire.

prpl11butterfly

Diagnosis (if you've been): Unexplained RPL

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): TI w/progesterone 

How are things going?: I'm anxious to get this cycle rolling. Its CD6 but I feel like it's going to be foorrrreevveerr to get to CD12 and start OPK. Plus AF is dragging her feet on the way out. I think I already have my hopes too high. I have to keep telling myself that it's not going to happen first cycle. Its just not how things work for us. I did have a rough weekend. I'm not sure what triggered it but I was just super bitter and angry about not being pregnant and the losses.

Any questions?: nope

GTKY: What is your favorite activity to do when it snows? I'm also going with being in warm blankets and a book. I pretty much spent my weekend doing just that. And some laundry.

prpl11butterfly

@lulu1180 sorry they are dragging it along for you. Maybe they have something better then IVF to suggest.

@kbrown2385 I would definitely request the SA. I'm pretty surprised it wasn't standard practice.

ruby696

@lulu1180 That's so frustrating. My RE initially said she didn't think we needed IVF and now she's hinting at it. Annoying. I so hope you're one of those magical unicorns who defies the odds and gets KU on your own.

@kbrown2385 Good luck tomorrow! MH hasn't had an SA either. I guess I should ask about that.

@prpl11butterfly Sorry you had a rough weekend. Sometimes it just hits out no nowhere. I hope you're also a magical unicorn that gets KU the first cycle. FX for you! 

AFM:

Diagnosis (if you've been): Unexplained RPL (still testing)
 
Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): Benched. 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Nothing this cycle. Waiting for cycle three to test FSH and Estradiol. 

How are things going?: Boring. No testing and benched. So I guess I'm just living life like a normal person? Maybe I'll take an OPK for fun or something..

Any questions?: Nothing comes to mind.

GTKY: What is your favorite activity to do when it snows? What @lulu1180 said. Give me a blanket, book, fire and some cocoa.

ETA: tag

kbrown2385

@lulu1180 @prpl11butterfly it was mentioned during our initial appt but only the karyotype for both of us and the saline sono was ordered. Idk if she was just waiting for results from all of that before looking further into it or what, but I’ll definitely be mentioning it tomorrow.

@ruby696 that makes me feel a little better! 

Edit for tag

rikiteacup

@kbrown2385 I would push for a SA. 

prpl11butterfly

@rikiteacup girl, take the job if you want it! Don't let TTC put a great opportunity on the sideline. As for the insurance billing, the appt will probably be billed under you (unless consult is free). Your testing will be processed through your insurance and his through his (I'm assuming you have different insurance since you questioned it). That's how things worked for us. My company covers disgnostic and treatment but his only covers diagnostic. His SA was considered treatment and was OOP at $175.

b_1029

@lulu1180 sorry about the annoyance with the REs office. Hopefully they're able to do a monitored cycle for you.

@kbrown2385 I hope you get good news from all your testing! I agree with others on the SA for YH. That was one of the first things the RE ordered for us.

@rikiteacup I hope YH's appt goes well this week. That's really tough about the job - on one hand, more money would be nice, but the flexibility is awesome too. Might as well see how the interview goes though and if it's something you really want? As far as the RE - I think mine just counted under me as a consult. DH's SA was separate and we just paid $150 up front. We haven't gone back for a more in depth appointment yet because we thought we'd magically get KU on our own with all the normal testing so I'm not sure how insurance would work then.

@prpl11butterfly I'm sorry about your weekend. Sometimes the timing of being upset makes no sense. Hopefully time flies by for you so you can get started on the OPKs and progesterone!

@ruby696 what do normal people even do?! I can't remember 

kobrien827

@lulu1180 I'm sorry your RE is being like that. How frustrating when doctors dont listen.
@kbrown2385 Although I havent had rpl, I feel like a SA would be beneficial. It doesnt hurt while they are testing you to look at him as well just in case. 
@rikiteacup MH and I have the same insurance so whenever we have a RE appt, it was put through under my name, since I was technically the patient. Everything for IUI and IVF was also billed to me, even though he had his part to do as well. Not sure if every office does it this way though. Good luck during your 1st appointment. Bring lots of questions!
@prpl11butterfly Come on AF, get outta here! 

Diagnosis (if you've been): MFI

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WFFET

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): FET

How are things going?: Good! AF showed up this morning so I have my baseline blood and u/s tomorrow and as long as my body cooperates this time, start estradiol, PIO and FET hopefully the 1st week of Feb. I'm nervous my estrogen/lining will be too high/thick like it was earlier this month but I guess we will see. 

Any questions?: Nada

GTKY: What is your favorite activity to do when it snows? Lay around watching movies and drinking champagne. Did this on Saturday and it was the best day ever. 

b_1029

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): just trying naturally. 

How are things going?: as usual, ok. Not bad but not great. I went to visit my cousin in California this weekend and it was nice to not be thinking of TTC constantly, but found it still crept into my head at the quieter moments. I just wish it didn't control my life and no matter how hard I try not to think about it, I still do.

Any questions?: I don't have any ATM

GTKY: What is your favorite activity to do when it snows? Agreed with others - curl up on the couch under a blanket with a fire going, and either watch a good cheesy Christmas/winter movie or read a book. And obviously have some tea/cocoa  

inthewoods23

@rikiteacup if you do get a job offer, I'm sure they can work with you to make sure you get benefits starting on day 1 of you working there. I think sometimes that depends on the day of the month that you start or something idk. I always thought it was 30 days until you could get benefits, but I've heard people start on certain days because the they get the benefits right away.

@lulu1180 I hope you and your RE can get on the same page to save you from so much frustration!

@prpl11butterfly AF this cycle for me was like 3-4 days of very light flow and I agree when that happens because I know they say AF ends when there's no more blood but it's like, should this day just be considered spotting or still AF??

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): IUI #2

How are things going?: I was glad that the ball could get rolling so fast to begin the process for IUI #2, but now I feel like the days are going by too slow!

Any questions?: I think I'm good for now. Curious to see what my follicles look like. I already had a 12mm follicle on CD4 so I wonder if it's already towards maturity?

GTKY: What is your favorite activity to do when it snows? Stay inside lol. Hot chocolate, a blanket, and TV sounds great. And maybe some really good comfort food!

nitnat007

* I will have to come back for tags and comments later*

Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA; MFI

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): warming the bench while DH is away

How are things going?: We are about half way through this trip until DH get home again. I am counting the days. The first couple weeks it is so great to have the alone time and then it flips over to me missing him and being a little bored without him. I just crossed that line lol. Otherwise not a whole lot going on over here. 

Any questions?:

GTKY: What is your favorite activity to do when it snows? After walking the pup (who loves the snow), I like to curl up with DH and a good show, some fancy tea. 

crookshanks10

@lulu1180 I hate that you can't just have a "next steps" conversation with the doctor over the phone. I had to go in for ours and I already knew what I wanted to do and it was really a wasted trip haha. Best of luck to you this cycle!
@kbrown2385 I hope your saline sono goes well today! I would definitely ask for a SA. Super easy and typically not expensive.. it's worth it just to know. 
@rikiteacup That is a tough call to make in regards to the job! I would at least go and see what they have to say. They may be super flexible like your current job! 
@prpl11butterfly Good luck this cycle! TTC is a bunch of waiting, which is the worst!
@ruby696 Isn't it weird when you're not doing OPKs or some sort of obsessing? 
@kobrien827 I hope your baseline goes well!! 
@b_1029 Give me all of the cheesy Hallmark movies when it's snowing! Haha.
@inthewoods23 I hope IUI #2 does the trick!!
@nitnat007 I hope time goes by quickly for you and your DH is home before you know it! (:

Diagnosis (if you've been): LP defect, possible endo

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WFAF, then I'll start my IVF cycle

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): I had my saline sono and mock transfer yesterday. Both went well! The worst part was having to go with a full bladder. Once I got there I had to pee a bit in a cup so they could do a pregnancy test (EYEROLL), and not empty my bladder all the way so they could do the procedure. That was hard haha.

How are things going?: Good! Excited to get started

Any questions?: N/A

GTKY: What is your favorite activity to do when it snows? I love curling up on the couch and watching movies while watching the snow fall outside! 

nitnat007

@lulu1180 That is frustrating that you have to go back in in order to move forward. Hope that your RE doesn't try and push you into something that you do not want. 
@kbrown2385 FX for results today. Let us know how it goes. 
@rikiteacup I agree, don't hold back. If it is the job that you want, go for it! Also, I would push for the SA too. Rather know what you are dealing with. 
@prpl11butterfly Hopefully Af has gotten her shite together and is out of here now. The next few days will go quickly! Excited for you to start!
@ruby696 Haha the bench can be such a tough place to be. Take that OPK just for shits and giggles. Why not?!
@kobrien827 Ooh everything crossed for you for the FET! 
@b_1029 Sorry that TTC still crept into thoughts even being away from it. Finding distractions is good for us though. I hope that you still had a great time with your cousin. 
@inthewoods23 Come on #2!! That is great that you were able to roll right into the next one. FX!
@crookshanks10 Don't you just love when they do that to you? "Yes we want you to have a full bladder, but oh yeah can you pee just a little first" Ugh. It is like that is a test within itself! Hope AF gets here soon so you can go ahead and start. 

inthewoods23

@crookshanks10 that reminds me... Hope you've been doing your kegel exercises 😆 I believe when you stop pee flow that's you working that muscle.

prpl11butterfly

Just got an email from RE office. Genetic lab never got my blood so I have to have it redone. And, my insurance has a new policy on genetic testing so it may be further delayed.

ruby696

Ugh @prpl11butterfly, that sucks. I hope your new insurance covers it. Will your RE still go forward with TI and progesterone this cycle?

@crookshanks10 Sending all the positive thoughts your way for your IVF cycle - good luck! 

@inthewoods23 Good luck with IUI #2!!

@nitnat007 Hello fellow bench-warmer! It's nice to have company, even if it's temporary. I hope the time flies and YH is home soon. It's always so nice when they get back. 

prpl11butterfly

@ruby696 I've asked, just waiting for an answer. Super anxious and annoyed. Ins said it will be covered but RE has to follow the process for getting it approved before I can have it done.

b_1029

@nitnat007 totally understand that, I feel the same every time DH is out of town. I can't imagine if he were gone for that long! Have anything fun planned to pass the rest of the time?

@crookshanks10 ah! I can't even imagine letting a little pee go and then having to hold it...sounds like torture. I'm glad everything went well yesterday! 

oh man @prpl11butterfly that is so frustrating. I'm so sorry.

nitnat007

@prpl11butterfly That is super annoying! I have had stuff forgotten before and had to go back too. Just such a time suck. FX on the change to policy and hope that it doesn't delay or affect you moving forward. 

@ruby696 This whole bench warming thing gets old. MH's job has taken away so many cycles from us. You are almost all clear aren't you?

@b_1029 I have a couple things in the line up, but nothing overly exciting. My weeks are super busy with work and gym/teaching so the weekends are spent with pup and relaxing. But I do have a gf's birthday coming up that we will go out for. 

ruby696

@nitnat007 I have 1.5 cycles to go. It's both frustrating and kind of nice to not obsess. 

Eta: numbers are hard.

inthewoods23

@prpl11butterfly what the F!! That's so frustrating! My clinic forgot to check my vitamin D at my first baseline so they took it the next time I came in, for an US I think. Pretty sure this was before the IUI cycle. Anyway, that's how I found out I'm vitamin D insufficient and was 0.6 points away from being vitamin D deficient and needing to be on prescription strength vitamin D.

That's 50,000 UI for the prescription compared to 6,000 UI. Boy did I dodge a bullet!

prpl11butterfly

My RE doesnt even test D, just said take 2000 a day because all the women in New England are lacking. I was actually on RX D last spring because I was very deficient. 50,000 a week for 8 weeks and then 2000 for life. It wasn't a big deal though.

kbrown2385

@prpl11butterfly how forking annoying about the testing. I don’t understand how things are just forgotten. Hoping you aren’t delayed much and can get that done!

AFM add me to team unexplained. My uterus looked great, all our genetic testing came back perfect, all other bloodwork looked great as well. We talked about a sperm analysis for dh and will do that but she doesnt think that’s the issue. For whatever reason I can’t get past 6ish weeks. For now we will do progesterone starting at ovulation and hope it works. While I’m happy we don’t have anything wrong, I’d still like some kind of answer. Just another “I don’t know” to add to the pile 😑. I’m off the bench though, so I guess that’s a plus. 

Edit i didn’t finish

inthewoods23

Yep I think all doctors are in agreement that everybody is lacking the vit D.

ruby696

@kbrown2385 Ugh, sorry for the unexplained diagnosis. It's so hard to not have something to "fix." FX you have good results with progesterone. 

prpl11butterfly

Need some soul searching here. I can bench this cycle, try naturally, or sign a waiver to continue with the medicated cycle. I'm going to confirm but pretty sure it's my carrier screening (cystic fibrosis, fragile x, spinal muscle atrophy) which would only be an issue if DH is also a carrier. And it's highly unlikely there is going to be something found..... I'm feeling like maybe I'll just sign the waiver (because I seriously don't see us having success in the first round). I need to run this all by DH obviously but I know he will go with what I feel is best. Thoughts?

ruby696

@prpl11butterfly I would probably sign the waiver because I'm impatient. In fact, we did try during the cycle we had blood tests done. Then I found out I was a carrier for SMA. Thankfully DH was not, but it was a stressful couple of weeks. At the end of the day, the risks really are minuscule that you would both be carriers.

However, as an attorney, anytime I have to sign a waiver, I get pretty antsy. 🤨

zamoraspin

@kbrown2385 Because you are testing for what is possibly wrong and have experienced RPL I don’t find it strange your RE hasn’t ordered an SA.  *TW Unless it is taking you a long time to get pregnant nothing in a standard SA is going to explain the RPL. And even if it’s taking  you a long time to get pregnant all the SA will give you is a possible reason why you’re having difficulty getting pregnant, not the reason for the losses. The only sperm test that might help explain the RPL would be a DNA fragmentation test.  We went through testing with an RE and never did a traditional SA until we decided to do IVF - and that was just a check the box thing. I’m not saying not to do the SA if it will give you piece of mind but I actually don’t think it’s standard for a lot of RPL folks because low count, morph and motility are not going to explain the RPL - DNA frag might. Definitely if you’re doing ART you’ll want to know what you’re working with. End TW* Good luck!

kbrown2385

@zamora_spin that’s pretty much what the dr said. We can do it to check the box but it probably won’t tell us anything more than we know. Part of me doesn’t feel it’s necessary for us. Thanks for the explanation!  

inthewoods23

I posted in the WTO thread, but midcycle US showed a 25mm follicle so trigger tonight and IUI on Friday 😀

I'm not sure if I'm more excited about the IUI being so soon, or about the fact that we'll get beta results on a Friday so we can either spend the whole weekend sulking or freaking out in excitement.

rikiteacup

I finally have some good news!!
H's urologist appointment was today. Hallelujah! We've been waiting since last October. Turns out his low count is due to a varicose vein. The doctor said that in 2/3 of the cases, sperm count goes back to normal 3-6 months later.
Now, if this works, I still have a blocked tube which means some cycles, our chances for a BFP are 0. I am also going to turn 37 this year so we would like for things to not take too long.
We have to think about all our options but we would like to still go to a RE to try naturally with hyper ovulation or IUI.
My knowledge regarding RE and procedures is pretty limited right now but if somebody has some insight, I'd love to hear about it.

@inthewoods23 yeah for an IUI sooner!

kiki047

I'm just lurking this cycle, less time to keep up with both WTO/TWW and IF. Sorry I haven't been updating! 

Popping in to say YAY @rikiteacup that's such a relief to hear about YH's results!! 
@inthewoods23 GOOD LUCK TOMORROW!! 

inthewoods23

@rikiteacup that's great to hear!!

lcking82

I’m going to come over here now:

Diagnosis (if you've been):  PCOS 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  CD40, WTO, but about to do Provera

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):   Finally got lab results back and everything is pointing toward PCOS. AMH is sky high. High testosterone and estrogen, high LH. HbA1c up too. The good news is thyroid and prolactin are fine (as was DHs SA). At visit, U/S had lots of follicles and one dominant one but by temps and OpK I haven’t ovulated yet, so we’re going to do Provera and Then Letrozole for the next cycle. Plus low-carb diet. 

How are things going?:   I’m not surprised this is the answer. My an-o cycle every 3-4 months was pretty suspicious. 

Any questions?:  not right now. Have been lurking and looking at old threads so much. 

GTKY: What is your favorite activity to do when it snows?  Freak out about driving, buy lots of bread and milk?