- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Infertility
UnrealityGirl
member
New and Looking for advice
UnrealityGirl
member
in Infertility
I'm new to the forum but not new to TTC. My husband and I are considering trying again soon. I'm 29 yrs old and the last time we tried I was 27. The issue we had originally was that first of all if I conceived I would be high risk since I have Factor V, which is a blood clotting disorder, and I've already had a blood clot. Second I'm a chronic migraine sufferer so there are medications I would have to stay on. This is where it gets fun. I'm well out of the normal range for a migraine patient. I've seen 4 neurologist and been on every drug combo they could come up with and none of them helped. I felt more less like guinea pig to them. When trying to discuss with my very last neurologist that i wanted to get pregnant they would always more or less say we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Very frustrating. Well, I was on Depakote, which is an anti seizure med that they use for migraines. This caused my cycles to be off and me not to ovulate properly. My OB gave me Clomid to help me ovulate plus I had the support of a Maternal Fetal Specialist. My Neurologist refused to help in the process at all. She pretty much said without saying it that you shouldn't get pregnant. Anyway to wrap this part up, my migraines were too poorly controlled at the time so we stopped trying.
A few things have happened since then. I've had migraine surgery, which has greatly improved my headaches. I still have more then the average person but I can live with it. On the down side. I had a pulmonary embolism in December and almost died from it. Yeay Me. Soooo, this will make me extra high risk. On top of all that when I went back to my OB to discuss whether it's even viable for me to TTC he said I may have endometriosis and would probably need exploratory laparoscopy surgery. Another factor is my husband had been tested and although he has a high sperm count then have low mobility so if I did choose to try I would also probably have to do IUI.
I should have another consult with the maternal fetal specialist in the next couple weeks to see what they have to say. But my main concerns are should I really try since I can't change the medications I'm on due to my migraines. Everything is safe except for my Topamax, which is a high dosage of 600mg, and Relpax. My OB said he's had women on it but no one on that high a dosage and Relpax which is an absolute no. That one worries me. That's what I take when I get a migraine. I don't want to be completely sick the entire time I'm pregnant. Plus I don't want the baby to have any birth defects because of it! Then there is the blood clotting risk factor and all the extra hoops to jump through. I know adoption is another option but it's not something we would be able to do for several more years and I really don't want to wait.
I don't know if anyone has had quite as many crazy complications but I'll take any advice I cant get. Thanks!
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
This discussion has been closed.
Re: New and Looking for advice
I am sorry things have been so difficult for you. I have no advice except to see an RE that specializes in immune issues, since you have potential issues with your husband's sperm and have multiple issues of your own to be concerned about. Adoption and Surrogacy are both valid choices but neither are easy, cheap, or fast, and you really need to have a clear head about what this really means for you both. There is an Adoption board that may be interesting to you. Good luck with moving forward.
IUI#3 - Jan 6 IVF#1 -5/18 - stims start (225 gonal f, 75 menopur, 5 lupron) ER 5/29 - 14R, 11M, 7F. 6/1 - Transferred 2 8cell embryos (grade 1 and 2). 8dp3dt +HPT, Beta#1 - 92, Beta #2 - 174, Beta#3 - 614, Beta#4 - 2010. 6wk u/s - TWINS! Baby A 114bpm, Baby B 112 bpm
So sorry for your struggles. I am a chronic migraine sufferer, but mine are vanilla compared to what you've described. Until recently, it was difficult to find a neurologist who was even willing to work with me during IF treatments. In general, it seems once many specialists hear you're TTC, they immediately take a hands-approach and thoughts of med mal loom large.
I've gotten off of all the good stuff. Topamax was a game changer for me. I can't believe you take 600mg!! The cognitive problems associated with Topamax tend to be noticeable once you hit 75mg. I always felt in a haze on Topamax, but it's helped like no other drug. I tried depakote years ago with little relief.
While we're going through IVF, I see the neurologist once a month. We're working hard to reduce frequency and severity with supplements (CoQ 10 and magnesium sulphate). I know, I know -- that sounds like some kind of a joke. In better news you have a good 33 1/3% chance of your migraines improving with pregnancy.
Dealing with my headaches and migraines now is a challenge. I'm relying exclusively on Norco. So, I still suffer terrible aura -- mostly nausea and vision loss. I like to think that acupuncture has helped, too.
As for as your possible endo diagnosis, I'd strongly suggest you see an RE. We and my doctors are quite sure I have endo, but my RE has not recommended a lap to confirm. Theoretically, IVF circumvents obstacles to getting pregnant that endo may present. So, just because you have endo doesn't per se mean you can't get pregnant. An RE will be able to address any possible male factor, too.
You have lots of options. Seems like you've thought a lot about them already. Your health is paramount, of course. I would just encourage you to work with an RE before making any decisions. Definitely do not rely on your ob/gyn for infertility help. You'd think they would be educated in this regard, but generally, they're not. Also, it seems like you could really use a neurologist who will support you better during this process.
Good luck!
Baby boy Henry born 2015.
Expecting our capstone baby (boy) early March 2018.
Have you tried Botox injections? My neuro has patients who come in weekly or even more frequently during pregnancy. Narco definitely won't function as an abortive, and neither does Botox. But the Botox is supposed to be a pretty effective prophylactic when preferable medications aren't options. Good luck!
Baby boy Henry born 2015.
Expecting our capstone baby (boy) early March 2018.