We don't want to be done

KristysRedBarn · October 2010

Feel free to tell me that we are crazy or that our RE will never approve, etc. I don't have to have P&R.

Dh and I talked more this weekend about where we are at with ttc. We aren't ready to be done. We can't afford and aren't prepared to do IVF and the RE doesn't want us to use injectibles without IVF. I can understand that. With PCOS I will have 3-4 cycles per year, which doesn't really work.

So here is what we are thinking, we want to give this plan 6 months or so. I will go back to charting (which I despise) and use OPKs. I will take vitex and go low carb to try and force O. Dh will take L-Carnitine to improve his sperm. I will take prometrium every 4-6 weeks to force the cycle to end and bring on AF. We know this may not/probably won't work, but we're just not ready to give up yet.

So, are we crazy? Thoughts or suggestions?

Aubs13 · October 2010

You've got to do what you've got to do, and I think we all understand that. We're here for you, and my fingers are crossed that this will work!

{{hugs}} to you.

mlmtgg · October 2010

I don't think you are crazy. I wish I knew more about PCOS or the meds - but know that giving it your all is important. glad you guys had this talk.

dandyelle · October 2010

You are not crazy! And I don't blame you for wanting to try the good ol' fashioned way (with a little help of course) for a while. You have to do what's right for your family and situation.

I think your plans sounds really reasonable, and it involves both of you which I think is good.

I'm here to support you... Keep us updated.

AppleRidge · October 2010

I think that sounds like a really sane, rational plan. The only thing I wondered is whether you've discussed IUI with your doctor. Are there any benefits to going that route?

Court1 · October 2010

No, not crazy. I don't know much about PCOS, but I hope your plan works for you. :::Hugs:::

babygirlpriest · October 2010

Regarding the medical ins and outs of your plan - I have no clue.

But I agree 100% with you needing to exhaust every possible option. DH have less than no hope of success but are contemplating another IVF almost entirely for peace of mind. We feel that, if it does not pose a financial strain, every avenue should be pursued.

I can think of nothing worse than, 10 years from now, saying "what if?" and I think you two are making a smart decision in trying to prevent those questions from surfacing.

ade2be · October 2010

You're not crazy. I can't blame you a bit. You do the best with the options that you have. I have PCOS and I have gotten pregnant on my own before...and I have 100+ days cycles most of the time! I think the low carb helps a lot (are you already on metformin, because it helped my cycles regulate?) I hope it works, I really do

KristysRedBarn · October 2010

BBHME:
I think that sounds like a really sane, rational plan. The only thing I wondered is whether you've discussed IUI with your doctor. Are there any benefits to going that route?

We have talked IUI. It's a pretty slim chance that it would work, 20% or less. Dh isn't very comfortable with it either, and I can respect that. I'm not sure if I have shared lately or not, but Dh grew up Amish, so medical intervention is a hard thing for him, I'm really proud of him for being willing to go as far as we have gone. Also, there is the financial aspect of it, it's not covered at all.

Scout05 · October 2010

I don't think you sound crazy in the slightest. I think this is a reasonable and rational approach.

If you aren't done, you aren't done, and that's all there is to it. You have to give it everything you can, if that is what your gut is telling you to do.

mdm2137 · October 2010

I think if that's what you and your DH want to do, then go for it. I really hope this works for you.

EntropicEpona · October 2010

I agree with everyone else. You guys are NOT crazy. You've got to do whatever you feel comfortable doing, and throwing in the towel is a big decision...keeping at it is entirely a rational option.

Clerk9 · October 2010

I think that going the less-invasive route sounds like a good plan, especially considering your DHs background & your insurance situation. In fact, I think it just proves that you are both very thoughtful, considerate people who will make fantastic parents.

I sure hope it works out for you guys.

Amanda78 · October 2010

Doesn't sound at all crazy! I think having a plan that you are both comfortable with is the most important. I hope this works for you.

ksiebert1974 · October 2010

What medication have you tried so far? I know all of our bodies are different but just wanted to share what finally ended up working for me...just food for thought

I had DS 4 years ago. It took a while to figure out, well find the right doctor, to put me on 150 mg of clomid and a trigger shot and boom...I was pg. Fast foward 2 years later....we figured the same forumla would work. Wrong. We tried clomid, we tried clomid + shots. we tried high dose shots...nothing. He (the specialist I was at) was strongly pushing for IVF and I was just not there yet. I asked about Metformin, he said he had not seen much luck and really thought my only hope was IVF. Well it ticked me off that he didn't even want to discuss it with me so I found a new doctor...an RE who is the most amazing compassionate man ever.

His thought was we just needed to find the right "recipe." He put me on metformin and femara. At first it did nothing so we started with shots. Again, nothing. He was actually starting to try to nudge me towards IVF. But I finally got some response which was followed by three failed IUIs. However at this point my body was actually starting to respond on it's own to the femara - no shots so that was a relief, not to mention a savings of $1500 per month! Not sure if you're familiar with it but femara works similar to clomid so you take it at the beginning of each cycle. Well after 3 failed IUIs (right around last xmas), we decided it was time for a mental break. I took December off with the intention of another IUI in January. Along comes Jan, I start Femara, my U/S appointment is on Monday and I think l I'm ovulating on Thursday. So we do the deed, I go in for my U/S and I did indeed ovulate. I have NEVER ovulated on my own. And I got pregnant. Unfortunately I ended up losing it at 9 weeks. He wanted me to take 2 cycles off. I had my D&C, and proceeded to wait for my period...which never came. So I called and said, I can't just sit here and do nothing. I'm 36 and no idea how long this is going to take to get pregnant again so he started me on meds to get my period to start then on Femara (I stayed on Metformin this entire time). That month I got another egg. I was blown away as my body has never responded this easy. I was going to schedule IUI but he thought we'd be just fine on our own since it worked the last time. And low and behold, about 1-1/2 months after my miscarriage, I got pregnant again - the good old fashioned way. I'm now 24 weeks along and am still quite shocked. It was a LONG, tearful, expensive 2-1/2 years but definitely worth it.

So again, I know all of our bodies are different - maybe you've looked into all of this but if not, it's worth considering. Have you considered a second opinion? My first doc was big on IVF and didn't really want to explore much else. My second one was a godsend.

I'm happy to share anything else if you think it will help - just let me know.

ETA: Sorry, in all that blabbering, I forgot to state the obvious...I have PCOS as well. Figured you may have inferred that but wanted to add it just in case.

BabyMimi · October 2010

I think you have a good plan considering the insurance situation and your husbands beliefs.

Some things you may/may not want to add. These are things I have read about/heard about over my past 2 years of TTC so some of them may be stupid but you never know right?

1) Make sure you are on a regular sleeping schedule. Go to bed the same time every day and get up the same time every day. Some say that it helps to regulate your cycles

2) Make sure that you are getting enough sun every day. Getting the right amount of sun at the right times every day can make your ovulation and cycles regulate. Read more about it here: https://www.conceiveonline.com/fertility-health/light-and-fertility/?Itemid=0

3) I would consider adding a B6 supplement to your vitamin regimen

4) Your DH should be wearing boxers only, taking cool/lukewarm showers (never hot) and shouldn't be..you know...with himself AT ALL

5) Yoga for fertility. There are a million DVD's on amazon.com. Some people swear by them. I know it seems a bit granola but since you are taking the less invasive approach, why not?

6) There are guided meditations on itunes for conception. I have one that I listen to and meditate after I get my IUI's done. It's called Guided Meditations for Conception and Pregnancy by Chitra Sukhu and I downloaded it from itunes.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head

Good luck!

DoingItRight · October 2010

I hope that this works for you!!!

KristysRedBarn · October 2010

Thank you ladies. Your support is amazing.

BabyMimi, thanks you, those suggestions are great.

KristysRedBarn · October 2010

babygirlpriest:
Regarding the medical ins and outs of your plan - I have no clue.

But I agree 100% with you needing to exhaust every possible option. DH have less than no hope of success but are contemplating another IVF almost entirely for peace of mind. We feel that, if it does not pose a financial strain, every avenue should be pursued.

I can think of nothing worse than, 10 years from now, saying "what if?" and I think you two are making a smart decision in trying to prevent those questions from surfacing.

I completely understand this. I hate those "what if"s.

surfergirlkona · October 2010

babygirlpriest:
I can think of nothing worse than, 10 years from now, saying "what if?" and I think you two are making a smart decision in trying to prevent those questions from surfacing.

This exactly. I agree with BBHME on the IUI as well, is that a possibility? Have you picked up any PCOS fertility books or tried any of the diets as well?

Big hugs to you. You need to do what is best for you both.

ETA: I just saw your comment in regards to IUI. IUI isn't so much more then using injections and then putting the swimmers right where they need to be. It is much less medical then IVF. Maybe you can get some information on it and see if he warms up?

bbhalphen · October 2010

I think your plan sounds good, but I'm not a dr., of course. Good luck!

dondraandluis · October 2010

I don't think you are crazy. I pray that it works out for you (((HUGS)))

GuppyAmy · October 2010

I was thinking about you today driving home. I think giving up carbs is a good start, also have you ever looked into celiac disease? https://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/ I'm currently trying to give up wheat for a little while to see how I feel.

triple_sevens · October 2010

I'm just chiming in to say that you are not crazy at all. Determined is not crazy!

Also, you and DH could try acupuncture, which is supposed to help most when both partners do it. At the very least, it should relax you somewhat.

rjl07 · October 2010

I don't think you are crazy at all for not wanting to give up. I hope this plan brings a BFP for you soon. ((hugs))

KristysRedBarn · October 2010

GuppyAmy:
I was thinking about you today driving home. I think giving up carbs is a good start, also have you ever looked into celiac disease? https://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/ I'm currently trying to give up wheat for a little while to see how I feel.

Thanks Amy. I have wondered about Celiec Disease. I live in the wheat state, the thought of giving up all these wonderful breads is awful, but I would do it if it would help.

BabyMimi · October 2010

I thought this might be helpful too. This is for your DH:

NutritionThe importance of a healthy diet cannot be overstated. To function properly, the reproductive system requires the proper vitamins and minerals. Nutritional deficiencies can impair hormone function, inhibit sperm production, and contribute to the production of abnormal sperm.

Eat a natural foods diet that focuses on fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, poultry, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

Drink ? of body weight in ounces of water daily (e.g., a 150 lb man would drink 75 oz of water).

Eliminate processed and refined foods (e.g., white flour), junk food, sugars, alcohol, and caffeine.

Avoid saturated fats and hydrogenated oils (e.g., margarine); use olive oil.

Pumpkin seeds are naturally high in zinc and essential fatty acids which are vital to healthy functioning of the male reproductive system. Eat ? to ? cup a day of pumpkin seeds to help maintain a healthy reproductive system.

SupplementsThe following supplements have been shown to increase sperm count and/or motility. Allow 3-4 months for the supplements to work.

Arginine?Take 4 gr daily. Needed to produce sperm. If the sperm count is below 10 million per ml, arginine probably will not provide any benefit.

Coenzyme Q10?Take 10 mg daily. Increases sperm count and motility.

Flaxseed oil?Take 1 tbsp daily. Is a source of essential fatty acids.

L-carnitine?Take 3-4 grams daily. Required for normal sperm function.

Multivitamin-mineral?Buy a high-quality product and take one serving size (differs from brand to brand).

Selenium?Take 200 mcg daily. Improves sperm motility.

Vitamin B-12?Take 1000 mcg daily. A B-12 deficiency reduces sperm motility and sperm count. Even if no deficiency exists, B-12 supplementation may help men with a sperm count of less than 20 million per milliliter or a motility rate of less than 50%

Vitamin C?Take 500 mg 2 times daily. Is an antioxidant.

Vitamin E?Take 400 IUs 2 times daily. Is an antioxidant and improves sperms? ability to impregnate.

Zinc?Take 15 mg 2 times daily. Required for a healthy male reproductive system and sperm production.

AGFaso · October 2010

Clerk9:
I think that going the less-invasive route sounds like a good plan, especially considering your DHs background & your insurance situation. In fact, I think it just proves that you are both very thoughtful, considerate people who will make fantastic parents. I sure hope it works out for you guys.

this. I think you guys are absolutely doing the right thing. I really wish you the best of luck.

butterfly843 · October 2010

You have been in my thoughts and I think it sounds like a good plan. I don't think you are crazy at all. Dh and I are trying on our own right now and I'm hoping for a miracle even though we only got pregnant with ivf.

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