TTC Check In!

ball.and.chain · July 2013

Good morning everyone! How are things going?

This is the weekly check in for those who are TTC (trying to conceive) or in the planning stages. Newbies welcome!

QOTD: How do you manage the stress that comes along with TTC?

KH826 · July 2013

Today I am 11dpiui. I am feeling very crampy, very bloated and very much like an emotional mess. The emotional part I think is all a result of NOT managing the stress of TTC well (so that QOTD is perfect for me right now, ball.and.chain!)... My main problem is that I have had "symptoms" after every IUI, and each cycle turns out to be BFN. I don't think I am that crazy that I am manifesting symptoms, but I think that my cycles and my body have changed since starting TTC and now I get all of these pre-period symptoms that I never used to have before. So I wasn't used to lots of cramping and sore breasts and little acne breakouts, and I also wasn't paying attention to any of it. So now that I am scrutinizing everything, and my body has started doing new things before my periods come, all of these things seem like symptoms, but they never are...

So, my TTC update is that I am 11dpiui today, and if my period stays away until Thursday, then I will test that day. My response to the QOTD is basically that I don't feel like I am managing the stress well. Outwardly I think I am managing OK, but inside I feel like a total mess. I need to work on that. Especially if our TTC journey keeps rolling on and becomes more challenging... I am looking forward to reading everyone's responses to this question. Hopefully, I will learn from you ladies!

Pinkspark · July 2013

Hello everyone!

Currently on meds to regulate my thyroid- After a blood test next week I get to sit with my endocrinologist this month and see what the next step is depending on my levels. Here's hoping that I'll actually get to TTC soon. Very frustrating!

QOTD: Doesn't really apply to me at this moment... But I would probably deal with it the way I deal with everything else stressful: Ice cream and retail therapy

firstcomeslove2013 · July 2013

Hey all! Happy Monday

I am currently 7dpiui. I had a really rough day yesterday. I was so weepy and spent all day bursting into tears. I cried through church, I cried when and I watched Pitch Perfect yeah explain that and I cried when we had to clean. I am not the type of person who cries!!! I have no idea what is happening and I am guessing it's stress. I also have been having a terrible, shooting pain in my left breast.

I agree with KH, my body plays some nasty tricks on me during the TWW and I don't like it.

QOTD: we try to stay busy. This TWW we have really been avoiding talking about it... We get so attached each time!

lbugher · July 2013

Greetings, ladies! I'm planning my first IUI for either this month or next I'm hoping I can start this month but thus far it looks like it may not happen... I have to wait until my stupid period starts (my boobs don't even hurt yet, and usually I bleed about 10 days after the first "bad" boob pain starts). Then the doctor said I should come in 12-13 days after my period starts, get an ultrasound, look at my follicles, and then decide if I need the trigger shot or not. I'm going to be out of town from the 19th-25th so... I may not even be around But that's okay. I'd really rather NOT be in the 2WW over that time frame because I have a wedding rehearsal dinner (with booze) on the 19th, a wedding (with open bar) on the 20th, my close friend's 30th birthday (with a booze limo) on the 21st, a Justin Timberlake concert (with promised booze because I hate the teeny-bopper music DP adores and she made me a deal so I'd have a good time) on the 22nd, and then the 23rd is my birthday and I'm going to the most magical place on earth which has a sauna (can't use if PG), a hot tub (again, no-no if I'm PG), and allows drinks by the infinity pool (no drinks when PG) and the most fantastic cheese plate on the planet (with lots of cheeses I can't eat if PG).

So... with all that coming up, it would truly suck to be in the 2WW and not be able to fully enjoy the festivities the way I'd like. That being said, I want a baby more than I want to party so if I can do the IUI I'll very likely go through with it.

QOTD: How do you manage the stress that comes along with TTC?

Hmmm... no stress yet because I haven't really tried. DP and I talked about it and we both decided whatever is meant to be will be. I'm going to try Circle + Bloom to keep me calm, and I'm going to try accupuncture (despite my reservations with needles) because I heard it works. I have an appointment with an RE on July 18th - so I may go with him in August for my first IUI, or I may do it here this month at my OBGYN's office. It's all up in the air until my period starts and then I can make a decision. Until then... just rollin' along. I'm happy it's a 3 day work week. DP kept me busy this weekend with painting the nursery. Yes, it's a little early, but we're excited we picked teal and cream as the wall colors (one teal wall, 3 cream). The colors go well with either pink and yellow accents or green and yellow accents, depending on the gender of our baby. DP already has big plans for how she'll decorate. I let her have free reign because she has a MUCH better eye for design than I ever will.

Jazibel · July 2013

Got my period by surprise last week. My previous cycle was 39 days (unusual but these are my first cycles since K was born). Then a 26 day cycle. Hmmmm It's all very odd.
Anyway still monitoring, fingers crossed I keep getting consistent sleep so my BBT means something. I'm currently on CD7 so I'll start OPKs later this week since I've ovulated as early as CD 11 and late as CD 20 in the last few years. I hope that I can put together some semblance of a plan for an August try. I might even ovulate twice in August (beginning and end of the month).

QOTD: I haven't started TTC again yet, so I'm not sure how it will go this time. The stress of planning is a little more lighthearted this time, I really want to start trying for baby #2, but I feel a little more flexible (at least most days).

ball.and.chain · July 2013

Sooooo...not much going on in the TTC department, since I'm still benched. I did have a conversation with my psychiatrist last week about my antidepressants, since some studies have shown an increased miscarriage rate in women taking SSRIs. She had originally said she wouldn't be concerned unless I'd had multiple losses, so I wanted to revisit it. Sounds like I'm still clear to stay on them if I am comfortable with it, which I am; the benefits outweigh the risks, which are small. My PCP concurs, and I'm going to check with my RE but I think she will as well. I'm relieved.

Otherwise...going to start eating healthy this week and light exercise if my hip can tolerate it. I could stand to drop a few pounds before the next transfer.

Midwife appointment next week to check on my recovery from the DC.

QOTD: Like KH, I really struggled with the stress factor in the first year to year and a half of our process. I have a personal and family history of untreated anxiety, so I started seeing a therapist after about 6 months, and that has been helpful. She recommended mindfulness practice, which I have sort of dabbled in but have not fully embraced. After my first loss, I went from stress and anxiety to depression, and was referred to a perinatal and reproductive psychiatrist, who put me on antidepressants. And honestly, that's made the biggest difference in how well I cope with this process. I probably should have been on them a long time ago, but prior to the loss my depression was lowlevel and I was functional, so I never pursued it. My other, nonpharmaceutical techniques include regular exercise, Circle Bloom recordings, keeping busy and staying social, and regular therapy.

KH826 · July 2013

ball.and.chain:
:
Like KH, I really struggled with the stress factor in the first year to year and a half of our process. I have a personal and family history of untreated anxiety, so I started seeing a therapist after about 6 months, and that has been helpful. She recommended mindfulness practice, which I have sort of dabbled in but have not fully embraced. After my first loss, I went from stress and anxiety to depression, and was referred to a perinatal and reproductive psychiatrist, who put me on antidepressants. And honestly, that's made the biggest difference in how well I cope with this process. I probably should have been on them a long time ago, but prior to the loss my depression was lowlevel and I was functional, so I never pursued it. My other, nonpharmaceutical techniques include regular exercise, Circle Bloom recordings, keeping busy and staying social, and regular therapy.

My wife has really been encouraging me to find a therapist to talk to, but I have been resisting. I am not sure why. I think it is likely a good idea, but I feel like I am "not ready yet" if that makes any sense... I applaud you for taking the steps you needed to cope and get control of your anxiety and depression. I can definitely relate to the anxiety, and the family history of untreated anxiety. I feel as though I am functional, but I definitely have days that are worse than others. I fear my wife gets the brunt of it, since I feel the most myself with her and can let my guard down. I am hoping that this TTC process, in the end, teaches me how to better manage a lot of things including my anxiety...

trisholio · July 2013

We have taken a break from TTC while going thru the process of becoming foster parents. Honestly I am not sure which is more stressful!

We are going to start TTC again in August, with a new donor. We are very excited and hopeful it will happen quickly!

QOTD: I suck at handling stress. Well let me say I can handle a lot, jungle things, run on no sleep, keep our household running and work two jobs.....but when I hit my breaking point my body shuts down. I get horrible abdominal pains, migraines and horrible insomnia. We do our best to manage our stress and have nights with no plans, spend time with good friends, I enjoy ice cream as a treat :-) We also see a couples therapist and have since before we got married. I also see her by myself on occasion.

bundleoluv11 · July 2013

Hey Everyone!!! I haven't been on here in a few . I had two iui 's with frozen sperm in feb and it didn't take I was so sure. Now, I have been waiting and i'm ready to start again with a different mind frame. My doctor told me that I can start using cloimd 50mg and so, I will start that later this month and hopefully go for my second set of iui's next month.

shelly2314 · July 2013

Well...after a very exciting BFP on an HPT and then a disappointing BFN on the blood test, I have been an emotional mess. I was suppose to start my period last week (on Monday) and have gotten nothing so I've really been trying to get passed all that. The Dr. made me come back for a blood test today just to be sure...while I know I am NOT pregnant, it still kinda put that little bit of hope in there (damn that hope feeling). HOld on...ok. dr just called, I was right. Not pregnant, just no period...good times,

Sorry...needed to vent. So we will wait for AF to come and visit. Our fertility dr is on vacation this month so we will not be able to try until next month. While that is bothersome, I might need a month to deal with the emotions.

as for the QOTD...I do not handle the stress well at all. I seem fine on the outside but my inner self decies it not longer needs to sleep, eat well, finish a thought, or concentrate on anything not baby related. I don't know what will work for me. I don't handle certain stressors very well.

MaryanneN · July 2013

It's my Birthday!! I am 33 today. I got a BFN on the 29, but thankfully AF started on the 30th. So round 3 begins. I will check in with Folli size next Monday. My wife and I took this past - pretty hard. So I am going to try Acupuncture this month. I feel like I need to do something else, even though that this is just all about timing and many other uncontrollable factors.

Qotd: this question seems appropriate for all of us this week. I am not handeling the stress very well. I find myself getting depressed. It is not my thing to get depressed so all of these emotions I am having are foreign to me. That is why I feel like acupuncture is the way to go. I spoke to the woman on the phone she made me feel comfortable and she is also a midwife. This makes me even more confident that if it only helps with my emotions, then it will be money well spent. I did not sleep well at all last week. I hope acupuncture helps.

For now going out with the family and relieving some stress with a few drinks!!!

StacyLH24 · July 2013

Next Monday will be our first RE appointment. I still need to fill out all of the paperwork and get the appropriate things sent to the office. I'm looking forward to actually beginning our journey. I am hoping that we will be able to start in August.

QOTW: there hasn't been a lot of stress yet as we haven't really started. We had originally planned to use a KD but that didn't pan out. It was disappointing and hurt as he is someone very close to us. All in all, we believe it has worked out for the best. I tend to turn to food to deal with stress and also get emotional. I have been cutting back on external stressors in prepping for TTC. Hopefully it helps.

GoaliesWife123 · July 2013

Better late than never...

TTC for DW and I is well on its way. I have been seeing an acupuncturist for my herniated disc in my back, and now that (after only 3 sessions with her and a chiro) I am 75% better, she is going to be focusing on getting my cycles regular and getting me a successful pregnancy.

I am currently CD16 and yesterday I saw for the first time a positive DIGITAL opk. I have seen a positive wonfo, but never a digital, so this was really exciting. We are going to start trying in September and we are both ready. We are still getting finances in check, but I don't think anyone ever feels "ready" in that department unless they are independently wealthy.

QOTD: DW and I lean on each other. We tend to internalize the stress, but the only stress from TTC has been insurance and we deal with that by researching and hope that one day we won't be second class. Our acupuncturist is helping us learn to "live in the present" and not the "what if they do this, or say that". That is supposed to help and that is what we are trying to do.

kristi&p · July 2013

I was sent for blood work on Monday 6 days post IUI. My level came back at 1.9. RE says I didnt ovulate even with a good sized follie. He feels the clomid isnt helping. He wants to move to injects with Follistim there are other oral meds but he is trying to weigh the fact that our donor is $600 or so each vial he would hate to see the same reaction with another oral med. So I am torn becuase my insurance wasnt 12 IUI to kick in my other fertility benefits covering the injects. So I am waiting to hear if a prior auth would be approved or not. I was offered letrozal and oral medication if I didnt want to move to injects. has any one taken that in the past?

QOTD: How do you manage the stress that comes along with TTC? I have been besides myself these past couple of days the follie was great the IUI went smooth had really high hopes so this blood work result was a huge blow. I was doing acupuncture and it was great for stress but I stopped due to cost with my chiro adjusments it has gone from $35 to $80 due to maxing out my insurance visits. But I am trying to decide if I will go back. Or maybe just for a good hour relaxation massage?

healz413 · July 2013

kristi&p:
I was sent for blood work on Monday 6 days post IUI. My level came back at 1.9. RE says I didnt ovulate even with a good sized follie. He feels the clomid isnt helping. He wants to move to injects with Follistim there are other oral meds but he is trying to weigh the fact that our donor is $600 or so each vial he would hate to see the same reaction with another oral med. So I am torn becuase my insurance wasnt 12 IUI to kick in my other fertility benefits covering the injects. So I am waiting to hear if a prior auth would be approved or not. I was offered letrozal and oral medication if I didnt want to move to injects. has any one taken that in the past?

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't ovulate! How disappointing!
I was under the impression that if people developed a mature follicle and used the trigger shot, they would definitely ovulate. Am I mistaken about this? Why does your RE think that you will ovulate on a different drug if the issue isn't follicle development?
I looked back to your previous posts and you said that you follicle was measuring 29mm even before you triggered. Does your RE think that it could be a cyst? I'm still having trouble with the idea that you had a mature follicle and used the trigger shot but the RE says you didn't ovulate...

There may well be something here that I don't understand (and perhaps someone with more experience can help us out), but I would be hesitant to move immediately to another, more expensive treatment option if your RE doesn't have a hypothesis for why you didn't ovulate this cycle.

I'm sorry this is all so difficult. It really sucks!

KH826 · July 2013

I agree with Healz... 29mm is a huge follicle, and I also was under the impression that the trigger shot pretty much guaranteed ovulation. Did the do an ultrasound to confirm? If you didn't O, what happened to that huge follicle? Is it still there and you will O soon?

Sorry for all the questions... And so sorry that you are struggling with this! It really is so difficult...

In terms of your med question, letrizole is the generic of Femara, which is what I take. I have had positive results with it, and have seen 2 dominant follicles each cycle instead of one, and the side effects are mild compared to other meds. It is more expensive than clomid, but some insurance will cover it since it was not originally indicated for fertility treatments.

Good luck and keep us posted!

kristi&p · July 2013

healz413:
kristi&p:

I was sent for blood work on Monday 6 days post IUI. My level came back at 1.9. RE says I didnt ovulate even with a good sized follie. He feels the clomid isnt helping. He wants to move to injects with Follistim there are other oral meds but he is trying to weigh the fact that our donor is $600 or so each vial he would hate to see the same reaction with another oral med. So I am torn becuase my insurance wasnt 12 IUI to kick in my other fertility benefits covering the injects. So I am waiting to hear if a prior auth would be approved or not. I was offered letrozal and oral medication if I didnt want to move to injects. has any one taken that in the past?

I'm sorry to hear that you didn't ovulate! How disappointing!
I was under the impression that if people developed a mature follicle and used the trigger shot, they would definitely ovulate. Am I mistaken about this? Why does your RE think that you will ovulate on a different drug if the issue isn't follicle development?
I looked back to your previous posts and you said that you follicle was measuring 29mm even before you triggered. Does your RE think that it could be a cyst? I'm still having trouble with the idea that you had a mature follicle and used the trigger shot but the RE says you didn't ovulate...

There may well be something here that I don't understand (and perhaps someone with more experience can help us out), but I would be hesitant to move immediately to another, more expensive treatment option if your RE doesn't have a hypothesis for why you didn't ovulate this cycle.

I'm sorry this is all so difficult. It really sucks!

With such a low progesterone level, the doctor feels that it was an empty Follie I am still very confused on this whole thing myself.

I was concerned about the Follie size as well when I first heard about the size, my normal RE wasnt in the office the week that I had Ultrasound and IUI (this is a practice with 2 offices and 6 RE) I asked with only one follie that can be measured and with it measuring so big what is the possibilty of it being a cyst kept being told chances are there is an egg and not to worry but the progesterone check will confrim. So with a level of 1.9 6DPIUI, I was told the feeling was an empty follie and becuase I wasnt ever able to get more than one measurable follie all 4 times on clomid (stair stepping once) they arent seeing the response they would like from clomid so would like me to move to a different medication.

My RE would like to move on to injects, becuase of the lack of response to clomid. He stated the oral medication that I can change to also moving forward to injects (he recommends the injects becuase he wasnt sure if I would have the same response to the letrozal vs the clomid) I have one vial of sperm left with the dr office before I need to have more sent in from the bank. I considering just doing antoher round of oral medication with the letrozal and see if ai have a different response.

I called my nurse yesterday as I havent been able to talk to her and I have been dealing with another nurse that wasnt helpful at all. I left a voice mail so I will hear back from her tomorrow.

I am going to be asking the following:

The follie that measured at 29mm could that have been a cyst and not a true mature follie and that be the reason that I had low pergesterone level?

When speaking to the previous nurse she made a comment that my ovaries "looked" polysistic, if that is the case what is the treatment plan for PCSO and why was I not told this before.

Do women respond differently to Letrezol vs Clomid?

I wish this wasnt so confusing but if needed I will be setting up a time to meet with the RE in his office to go over the details in person with a list of all of the quetions that I have.

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