TWW Tuesday 7/30

ejoseph16

**This is a thread that welcomes all regardless of where they are at in their TTC journeys. Please be mindful of topics that are discussed that could be hurtful to those going through tough times. Mention of children or pregnancies of others should have a TW (trigger warning) and be in a spoiler if possible, and only be mentioned if it is extremely pertinent to the conversation. Thanks for keeping this a safe place for us all to engage!** 

Month/Cycle: 

CD/DPO: 

Timing: 

Typical LP length: 

Testing: 

R/R:

CS/Q:

ejoseph16

I’m up early today! 

Month/Cycle: 7/5/3 AL

CD/DPO: 26/8 DPO

Timing: -2, -1, 0

Typical LP length: 12-14 days 

Testing: Thursday or Friday... starting to get anxious 

R/R: SS is making me real BSC right now! It took everything to not test this morning, but it’s way too early! I have been so positive this cycle that I’m just going to be crushed to see the BFN, so I’m trying to hold that for the end of the week. AF arrives Friday or Saturday. 

Rant: we got a storm last night that made our power flicker at 8:30 (right after the bachelorette started), and it knocked out our cable service, including internet and phone, so I couldn’t even watch it on my phone! Ugh! Thank goodness it will be on Hulu today, I guess it will be a bachelorette day because the second part of the finale is tonight! 🤦🏼‍♀️ 

CS/Q: nope. Just SS like I do! Lol

babyodo

Month/Cycle: 3/3

CD/DPO: 27/15

Timing: -1

Typical LP length: ~15 days

Testing: WFAF

R/R: Still going through emotional hell with my BFF. I got a Snapchat from her after I went to bed last night, and I don't have the energy or the mood to open it and deal with her right now.

CS/Q: Temp shift today. I expect AF tomorrow.

ejoseph16

@ttcbabyodo sorry you’re having so much trouble with your BFF! What happened? I must have missed this... 

millpe

@ejoseph16 I hope you can hold off on testing for a couple more days! Stay strong! Lol

Month/Cycle: 7/4/2 AL

CD/DPO: 18/4

Timing: just once 😭

Typical LP length: 12

Testing: not gonna waste one this month

R/R: I'm exhausted this week! I don't know if my body is fighting something (H was sick this weekend) or if my hormones are all out of whack or what. I have to drag myself out of bed and haven't been able to find the energy to workout in a week. I also already feel like AF is on her way so it might be a long tww for AF.

CS/Q: nope

whitealbum29

@ejoseph16 - good luck with the anxiety/holding out! Just lose yourself in The Bachelorette today like I plan to tonight! FX you get good news at the end of the week.

@ttcbabyodo - sorry about the continued BFF drama. It's really rough to feel exhausted by someone you care about...you do have a right to boundaries though! 

@millpe - I hope you feel better soon! 

Month/Cycle: 12/11 (see Q)

CD/DPO: 32/6 I think

Timing: either great or non-existent (don't really think I O'd this cycle)

Typical LP length: 14

Testing: nope

R/R: Nothing really to report....I'm glad there's a second night of The Bachelorette tonight to distract me from this cycle. 

CS/Q: This feels like an obvious question now that I'm typing it out....I've been counting my cycles since we started TTC a year ago based on when AF comes...but I've been reading that when you don't ovulate as I suspect I didn't this month and am not sure I did for several months last year after my IUD came out, your period isn't really a period. Has everyone been counting their cycle number based on when they confirm they O'd, not on when they get AF?

ejoseph16

@millpe FX you either start to feel better or it’s a good sign! It only takes one time! 

@whitealbum29 I count every cycle, though I’ve only had 1 an-O cycle since starting TTC. BUT STILL, I count every cycle, doesn’t matter if I O or not. I never really considered not counting an-O cycles... super excited to see the Bachelorette. I was disappointed in her top 2 before the storm hit... but hey. I’m usually wrong when it comes to who they select. I used to be able to call it in the first episode. 

emeraldduchess

Good morning, ladies! ☀️

Month/Cycle: 12/11/1st cycle AL#2

CD/DPO: 27/6 (according to FF)

Timing: -4, -3, -2, -1

Typical LP length: 12-14 days

Testing: betas on 8/9 if no AF

R/R: I really need to start getting my supply list together for the new school year so I am not doing it at the last minute and spending a lot of money all at once. Cute stickers and pretty colored pens are always my downfall, but I am going to try to control myself this year. 

CS/Q: Looks pretty so far! The progesterone is kicking my butt, though. I was not prepared for the fatigue that comes along with it. 

babyodo

@ejoseph16 - The drama with my BFF reared its ugly head this weekend. Long story short, she has a personality disorder stemming from childhood that has caused here severe attachment and abandonment issues (namely with men). This is compounded by the suicide of one of her good friends last year. She has attempted suicide three times this year so far. She refuses to go to therapy to treat her disorder, so her suicide attempts are more aimed at getting new meds than getting into therapy, even though twice she has been admitted to inpatient treatment facilities. She knows I'm getting my master's in clinical mental health, so I feel like subconsciously, she is using me as her therapist rather than seeking treatment. I can't do it anymore, so I put my foot down to her (the second time since February) and she's pissed at me for it. She withdrew from attending a concert with me in August, and told me this morning that she will not be coming to my birthday party in September. 

emeraldduchess

@ejoseph16 ugh, that's so frustrating about the storm knocking out the cable! Enjoy your Bachelorette Day. Do they bloat the finale with tons of recaps/interviews/montages? That's what they do to stretch out the "Dancing with the Stars" finale every season and it drives me nuts. 

@whitealbum29 that's interesting about a period in an an-O cycle not really being a period. What's the thinking behind that? It seems like if your uterine lining sheds, that would count, but I'm not a medical professional.  I would count every cycle like @ejoseph16 says.

@ttcbabyodo I am so sorry about the BFF drama. I'm sure you're doing the best you can to be supportive. You definitely can't be on call for her 24/7 though so I don't blame you for taking a break and not opening the snapchat for a while. 

@millpe I hope you feel better and get your energy back soon!

whitealbum29

@ejoseph16 @emeraldduchess Oh ok good, that's a relief! I read it here -

"In a normal cycle, the production of progesterone is stimulated by the release of an egg. It’s this hormone that helps a woman’s body maintain regular periods. But during an anovulatory cycle, an insufficient level of progesterone can lead to heavy bleeding. A woman may mistake this bleeding for a real period. This kind of bleeding may also be caused by a buildup in the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium, which can no longer sustain itself. It can be caused by a drop in estrogen as well."

...and thought I saw it elsewhere too but maybe not. Anyway the drop in estrogen does cause a "real" period right?! It could be BS. Kind of interesting but it does seem much more intuitive to count cycles as when you have AF/bleeding, and I don't need more confusion in my life so I'll keep doing that I'm sure.

whitealbum29

@emeraldduchess Very pretty chart! Have fun school supply shopping.

ejoseph16

@ttcbabyodo ooooh ok... I think I remember bits and pieces of that. Ugh. It sucks that you have been friends for so long and now she’s pulling away just because you put your foot down. I had to split with my best friend since preschool for similar reasons, and she wound up marrying my cousin. 🤦🏼‍♀️ I get it... it’s emotionally draining, especially when you have your own baggage. I’m sorry you’re going through that. 

@emeraldduchess yaaaaaay supplies shopping! I did mine a few days ago. MH is getting a little tired of the school corner in our house, but he will get over it! Lol and yes, they have a live audience and do interviews with the guys as they get eliminated, then do interviews with them and Hannah... it’s exhausting. 

@whitealbum29 I have never heard of that! Crazy... my mom and sister both have PCOS, so they don’t regularly ovulate, but also skipped periods because of that. I don’t know. Our bodies are confusing. 

bluetickgal

Month/Cycle: 14/9/4 AL

CD/DPO: 32/15

Timing: Good

Typical LP length: 14-16

Testing: WFAF

R/R: I had my annual checkup/physical this morning. The doctor is going over everything and says oh, you take Metformin for PCOS, I said yes. And then in the very next breathe...now how many kids do you have? ZERO!! (In my head) thanks so much for reminding me! Then she went on to tell me about other people she knew (that were mid-30’s) who went through fertility treatments and then got pregnant on their own. I said I've heard of that happening too, but it hasn't happened for us yet! 🙄 She is the worst (for so many reasons), and I really need to switch doctors before next year! 

CS/Q: Nope. 

@ejoseph16 I understand the SS...I wish I could turn it off and just not think about every little thing, but it’s impossible! Hope you can hold out till the end of the week to avoid a too-early negative, and I hope you get great news then! Your chart looks really good! Sorry about the power glitch, hope you enjoy watching all things Bachelorette today though! 

@ttcbabyodo sorry to hear the BFF drama is continuing! That’s tough...I’m sure you want to help her, but at the same time...that’s not fair of her to use you as a therapist even though that is what you are studying! Good for you for putting your foot down. Hopefully she will get the help she needs! 

@millpe I hope you get to feeling better soon...and AF doesn’t show at all! 

@whitealbum29 I counted my 2 an-o cycles (took Clomid and didn’t O, and had to take Provera to induce period...those cycles lasted 44 & 67 days, so I wanted them to count for something! Haha.) I hope you O’d though and it’s just not clear right now! 

@emeraldduchess oh, I would definitely get into school supplies shopping...give me all the stickers!! Sorry the progesterone is hitting you so hard, but your chart looks really good! 

flowntheloop

Month/Cycle: 5/5

CD/DPO: 27/13

Timing: very good, EOD to ED.  -5, -3, -1, 0, 2
Not exactly sure of ovulation time, but cervical position and mucus consistency point to ovulation being 2 Weds. ago.

Typical LP length: ~15 days

Testing: Tested Monday morning with a leftover Clearblue Rapid Detection test from last cycle(not my first morning pee, unfortunately), and got a BFN.

R/R:
Rant: Just waiting for AF to show up right now. I had my usual pre-AF headache last night, and I have some annoying cramps this morning. I'm getting closer and closer to 6 months of TTC (end of September), and it is really stressing me out. I'm supposed to talk to a doctor (at my age) after 6 months, and I really don't want to be age-shamed or discouraged.

kpearse99

@bluetickgal why would she bring that up?!?!  Shouldn't she know better?  I'm doing major eye rolls over here for you!

Month/Cycle: 10 / 8 (AL)

CD/DPO: 32 / 16

Timing: Only twice

Typical LP length: I don't know anymore

Testing: Just waiting for AF at this point - I had period cramps all day yesterday so I'm expecting her to arrive today and I really hope she does because I do NOT want another long and abnormal cycle like the 40 day one I had last month.  I'd like to be back to my regular 30 day(ish) routines... especially if I'll be moving into IUI's.  Also, I've noticed these last two cycles that I really didn't have EWCM... so I have no clue what's going on there.

R/R: Rant - Work is driving me crazy lately.  so many meaningless meetings that don't really involve me so I don't know why I'm being forced to waste my time.  And I have a lot of travel coming up for work that I am not looking forward to.

CS/Q: What causes a long LP??

kpearse99

@ejoseph16

@ttcbabyodo I'm sorry that is still going on with your friend.  It can certainly be exhausted and you shouldn't feel bad if you need a break from it right now.  Do what you need to do.

@millpe just sending you

flowntheloop

@ejoseph16 Stay strong! You can do it! The BFN definitely destroyed me this cycle.
@ttcbabyodo I'm waiting on AF as well. Booo! I'm sorry that you are having issues with your BFF. It sounds like she needs professional help. I agree that it is not healthy for you to continue the way you were! Good for you for setting a boundary!
@millpe Feel better!
@whitealbum29 I could use a good distraction right now! Just waiting for AF right now. She's definitely incoming, if I'm reading my body's signals right.
@emeraldduchess I can't even imagine what you are going through with the progesterone. *hugs* Hang in there!
@bluetickgal I'm so sorry that your doctor is making things so difficult. I'm terrified of seeing a fertility doctor because I'm terrified of being age-shamed or discouraged from my goal.

flowntheloop

@kpearse99
Seems like we are in the same boat with waiting on AF. I had my usual hormone headache last night, and the cramps began this morning. Not a happy girl right now.

I'm sorry that work is making you so unhappy lately.

kpearse99

@flowntheloop I felt the same way when I was told to meet with a RE (also because of my age) and I was so nervous and full of so many emotions when I first went in to meet with him.  But I left that first appointment actually feeling relieved and less stressed.  I think it might surprise you and that you should look into meeting with someone for a consultation.   It doesn't mean you actually have to do anything or start anything with them, it might just be nice to know what options are out there for you.

mvt2003

*lurking from WTO* 

@ttcbabyodo I'm so sorry, and 100% understand the emotional exhaustion that comes from having a close friend with emotional issues that they either refuse to or only halfheartedly address. I'm still living with my drama, although setting some boundaries has been helpful, so I can really only offer my support and empathy. Please remember that sometimes it's ok to take a break and take care of yourself. 

@bluetickgal I am literally fuming for you. Not in any way helpful or appropriate. I'm so sorry. 

flowntheloop

@kpearse99 Thank you for your encouragement. I already have a doctor phobia, so I suppose that doesn't help the situation. I have been scouting reputable doctors in the area, so I have the phone numbers ready if I am unsuccessful by the end of Sept/early October. It is almost time for my yearly OBGYN appointment, so maybe I should bring it up there? I don't know...

kpearse99

@flowntheloop That's what I did, I knew I had my yearly OB appointment coming up (at 8 months of TTC) so I waited to see her first and got her thoughts and opinions.  She told me not to wait anymore and gave me 2 recommendations on who to contact, which I was thankful for because I didn't know where to start.  I think if you have an appointment coming up and it would make you feel better to wait to talk to your regular OB first and get their input.  You should also get their recommendations, as they would know best!  Again, I was shocked at how better I felt just walking out of their office.

ejoseph16

@bluetickgal the biggest Stephanie tanner “how rude!” to your doctor! WTAF?! 

@flowntheloop sorry for your BFN. 😔 it’s frustrating when our bodies don’t cooperate. 

@kpearse99 not sure about the LP question. WTF to your body. How frustrating! 

misshelen86

*lurking 

@ttcbabyodo YGPM

kiki047

*lurking*

@whitealbum29I counted my an-o cycles. Even though I didn't end up ovulating every time, we were still actively TTC since we couldn't confirm that I didn't ovulate until after the fact.
And I believe the bleed following an-O cycles (editing to clarify) *can be considered breakthrough bleeding, as opposed to a menstrual bleed. Where menstrual bleeding is caused by a drop in progesterone, breakthrough bleeding would be caused by a drop in estrogen. Your uterine lining builds up at the beginning of your cycle and without the corpus luteum your body won't produce the progesterone to maintain the lining in an an-o cycle, thus triggering your body to shed the lining. 

ETA: breakthrough bleeding is similar to a withdrawal bleed that you would experience when using hormonal BC, same idea.

flowntheloop

@whitealbum29 @kiki047 Oh, wow! Learning a lot from you! I never thought about this aspect of cycles!

babyodo

Aaaaaaaaand AF just showed up.    Ugh. On to WTO for Cycle 4.

kpearse99

@ttcbabyodo I'm sorry   I'm hoping mine will follow shortly and I'll join you over in WTO.

flowntheloop

@ttcbabyodo *hugs* I'll see you over in WTO soon for my Cycle 6 I'm sure. Rest up and recharge!

whitealbum29

@kik047 ahhhh ok yes that makes sense! The estrogen vs. progesterone dropping. Thank you!

whitealbum29

@bluetickgal - OMG I'm so mad at your doctor! It's bad enough to field thoughtless remarks/questions from acquaintances but from your doctor?? For chrissakes.

@flowntheloop - agree with what @kpearse99 said, I hope talking to your doctor at your annual makes you feel like some options are opening up! If it makes you feel any better you're being more proactive than me, I'm a couple years behind you but SO is almost 40 and he's dragging his feet getting an SA...his doctor told him waiting a year, where we almost are, was fine for some reason.

@ttcbabyodo - I'm so sorry AF started.

emeraldduchess

@flowntheloop I had the same worries that you did about seeing an RE, especially the "age-shaming" (I am 37, I'll be 38 in December).  My RE has not once said anything about my age or made me feel bad for waiting until my mid/late 30s to start TTC (and to be honest, if any RE does make you feel like that, then they're a jerk and you deserve better care than that). 
I mentioned to the nurse taking my CD3 blood work that I was nervous about being AMA and feeling guilty for waiting so long. She told me that there are many, many women my age who are TTC for the first time because we live in a different economy and culture than previous generations. The school nurse where I teach is also a L&D nurse and she said something similar. Most of the women she sees are in their 30s and 40s (she even had a first-time mother who was 52). So don't let those worries get to you (and don't google "TTC over 35" either! ).  

@kpearse99 ugh to long, pointless meetings.  Trust me, as a teacher I have sat through my share of those! 

@bluetickgal WTH to your doctor?!?  

photographerwife

@ejoseph16 SS is the worst! sending calming thoughts! 
@ttcbabyodo sorry about the BFF drama:( That sounds really hard, She really does need to get help, and your friendship cant be her therapy. I know you probably love her, but sometimes its good to give toxic people space, for themselves and you. I had to cut out a best friend who has BPD a long time ago because she was just super toxic to herself and me. I miss her sometimes, but its been better overall. I hate that you are having to go through all of this. Im sorry about AF.. 💕
@millpe I hope you feel better soon.
@whitealbum29 I dont have any experience with this, but i would think that you could just skip those months since the actual cycle is about the O, and then shedding and retrying. But I dont know, I can see the though process behind that! FX for you that you get some clarity soon. 
@emeraldduchess Stickers and cute pens would be my downfall too! 
@bluetickgal sorry about your insensitive doctor, you would think they would know better. 💕
@flowntheloop sending love.💕

photographerwife

First of all, | wanted to apologize to anyone that saw my tags in the wrong board, I feel like an A hole. 

Month/Cycle: 1/1

CD/DPO: 16/2

Timing: -6, -5, -3, -2, 0

Typical LP length: 12-14

Testing: Im going to see if I make it to 18 DPO, we'll see. 

R/R: Starting on the floors today, Ill be glad when they are done. Today has been hectic already, im ready to go back to bed. 

CS/Q: No CH yet, but another temp rise, I think I was a little warm when i temped this morning, still just trucking along. 

bluetickgal

@flowntheloop hopefully AF arrives soon so you can move on to the next cycle (still crossing my fingers for you this month, but I know you said yesterday you weren’t very hopeful)! Please don’t let my doctor’s experience discourage you at all, she is my primary care doctor...and a complete flake! I wouldn’t think any OB/RE would age shame!! 

@kpearse99 I have no clue...I don’t know if they document that in all charts or what...but I have been going to her for about 6 years now, so it should have been documented already if so! Was definitely not what I wanted to hear this morning! Sorry you feel like AF is coming, but hopefully that at least means a normal length cycle if so! Have you been medicated the past couple of cycles? I know you are going to start Letrozole, but didn’t know if you did any other meds before. Clomid definitely dried up my CM, but Letrozole hasn’t had that affect. Sorry work isn’t so great right now...I hate pointless meetings too! 

@mvt2003 @ejoseph16 @whitealbum29 @emeraldduchess thanks for helping to validate my anger/hurt!! I figured maybe I was just being sensitive! I have no clue what relevance the question had...and why she couldn’t use some common sense that if I have PCOS and am medicated for it, I might also be struggling with IF! 🤷🏼‍♀️ This is my primary doc and she has always been spacey, but this was the final straw...I will find a new doc before next year! 

@ttcbabyodo I’m so sorry AF showed! 😕 I’ll probably be joining you in WTO tomorrow or the next day.

@photographerwife thanks! Hope the floor project goes by quickly, and maybe you can get a nap in today. 

flowntheloop

@whitealbum29 I'm hoping it will make me feel better too. I don't really know how to bring it up to my hubby if I do end up wanting to pursue other options. We are technically taking a more relaxed approach to TTC, so I don't want to put any pressure on him.

@emeraldduchess I had forgotten that a few of us here were so close in age! Your RE sounds amazing. I am hoping I can have an equally good experience when/if I get one. You definitely have lowered my stress levels (at least temporarily)!

@photographerwife Thank you so much.

@bluetickgal I'm impatiently waiting on her to get here. My cramps passed, so that is frustrating!
As for your experience with your doctor, that is not discouraging me more than I already was. I've had some awful experiences with doctors over the years (ranging from symptoms/illnesses being dismissed to two separate instances of being hit on/borderline hit on by a GP and an OBGYN).

kpearse99

@bluetickgal I have not been medicated on any cycles yet, so I'm not really sure what's going on with my CM.  It's not dry or anything I just never got the EW consistency (sorry for TMI).

Kathryn0903

Month/Cycle: 2nd

CD/DPO: 22/7

Timing: -4,-2,-1

Typical LP length: 12ish days

Testing: maybe Tuesday if I can hold off

R/R: short work day today, so I was able to fit in a nap!

CS/Q: no chartibg yet. Not sure what to feel at this point. Felt bloated yesterday like AF was coming. Today I was so tired and took a nap which is not like me at all. Hoping it means I'm KU.

shamrocandroll

**Lurking from WTO

@ttcbabyodo So sorry about AF.  And sorry to all the other ladies not feeling optimistic right now.  Big hugs 

newmomtx06

Super late today so I’ll tag everyone I can! 

@ejoseph16 SS drives me nuts! Keeping everything crossed for you!

@ttcbabyodo sorry about the BFF. I’m sure that’s draining. Extra sorry about AF. I’ll probably meet you over at WTO 

@millpe feel better soon!

@whitealbum29 enjoy the bachelorette and good to know about cycle counting! 

@emeraldduchess good luck getting the supplies. Such a pretty chart! 

@bluetickgal ugh what a jerk! I’m so sorry. You deserve better. 

@flowntheloop sorry you are stressed

@kpearse99 hope work gets less crazy and that your cycle is short.