My First GIF Story or How much do I love you? or What's Been Going on in Uneek's World

uneek1323 · December 2013

Hi friends! I've missed you!

I'm going to try to tip toe back in here because of the love and the missings.

It's been a hard couple of weeks around here. All of the stars aligned and we finally were able to get all of our RPL results in and saw the RE. I was diagnosed with DOR and even though we saw it coming, we were still like

Me after hearing that you peed my friend’s bed.

I think it was just finally hearing the words and having my year old theory and fear confirmed that hit me really hard. And then, anytime a nurse looked at my chart to see "just how diminished" I was they got this look on their face...

Top 10 things that don't help... Number 1: THAT!

For days later I was a mess. I was able to see that it wasn't over for us, and we were given a few options, but I was crying at every turn.

Then friends and family started coming out and offering to donate eggs and be a gestational carrier even though that latter is not a viable option for us.

So instead of thinking about my fucked up ovaries, I went to the gym everyday

and decorated my house like a crazy person.

Then Christmas came and I did two things:

and

Tomorrow my husband and I are sitting down to talk about how we want to proceed. I'm 98% sure my husband and I are on the same page, we just need to hash out some details of what to do next. I know there's nothing I can take or do that can reverse the fucked up status of my ovaries, but does anyone know of any supplements or eastern treatments that have helped? PGAL and PAL are welcome to post, as well.

I hope to be back here more to love on and support you all. It's a bitch being out there with everyone's super happy and wonderful holiday families. Thank you to @snegde, @meladoriestar, and @LifeofCat for keeping tabs on me over the past few weeks.

dajhughes · December 2013

@uneek1323 I am so sorry it's been a struggle and ((hugs)) on the dx. I hope you and YH come to a plan that you feel comfortable with. Lots of love to you.

PS with you and @snedge on breaks our PIP and GIF stories have been seriously lacking. Thank you for the story time!
:-*

luciddreamer106 · December 2013

I'm sorry that you've been so stressed and that you received the DOR diagnosis. ((hugs)) I hope that this break has been good, allowing you to sort through your thoughts. You've been on my mind and you've been missed here.

I have no suggestions for you, just hugs. I bet it was overwhelming when friends and family started offering to help, especially since you haven't had a chance to come up with a plan. I hope that it came from a place of genuine love and support and wasn't just an awkward and sucky conversation.

PinkCamino · December 2013

I"m so sorry @Uneek1323. I hate that you're dealing with this diagnosis. FX that you and DH can come up with a plan you are both comfortable with.

I have heard of some ladies taking DHEA (sp??). I could have sworn that's what they call it. Also there's COQ10 (again sp??). I know at @buggirl72 has been taking DHEA, maybe she'd have more insight to share here.

HeyMrsPotter · December 2013

I'm so sorry about the DOR diagnosis, but thank you for the update, Uneek. I've been thinking of you and wondering how you are doing. ((HUGS)). We missed you! ETA: Keep us posted, hon.

buggirl72 · December 2013

Oh uneek, I am so sorry! That is a hard diagnosis to deal with. I hope your talk with your H puts you definitely on the same page.

As to your question on supplements, with my DOR diagnosis my RE recommended that I take 300mg of CoQ10 and 75mg of DHEA each day on top of my prenatal. He also recommended that DH take CoQ10 because the RE just thinks its really good stuff. He is what my RE said on those two supplements:

CoQ10 - helps with blood flow and supposed to be good for the heart. As far as our fucked up ovaries go, it provides energy that helps the egg when it divides from 46 to 23. Apparently, this stage is where an okay egg can become a totally messed up egg.

For me, I've had really no side effects to speak of. To get to the 300 I take 100 x3 spread throughout the day. My RE was fine with one mega pill - he recommended the Kirkland brand at costco, which is what DH takes. I'm really sensitive to vitamins so had to switch to GNC brand.

DHEA - my RE has all of his DOR patients take this. He says in his clinic it's about 50/50 on whether it helps but he wants everyone to take it in case they are in that 50% that it helps. When he talked about the DHEA he started with the story of the first patient in the literature that took it. She had DOR, did not respond to fert meds, and ended up taking six months off. During that time off she worked out and took care of herself. She also started taking DHEA. When she came back in and did a treatment cycle she had an amazing response.

REs are really divided on this. Some require it for all of their DOR patients prior to any treatment cycle and others think that it does nothing. One of the fert clinics that does require it explained that DHEA works as an androgen and will increase testosterone. While that hormone may seem counter-intuitive, an androgen rich environment helps in the development of healthy eggs. This site explains how DHEA works. It is written by a fertility clinic that uses DHEA so take it for what its worth. Google is the devil on this because you can also find fertility clinics that will tell you DHEA is the worse thing you can take.

My experience - my DH freaked when he went home and read about it and asked me not to take it. So, even though my RE recommended I start taking in May, I waited until November, because I'm even older and, with a less than 1% chance of getting pg, felt like I needed to try everything possible. I also know that my testosterone level when tested was in the extremely low end and barely, like less than 1 point, was in the normal range. Because DHEA works to increase testosterone, it made sense for me to take it because I obviously did not have a testosterone/androgen rich environment going on in there. Also, @BootsOrHearts credits DHEA with her spontaneous pg. Boots is also one of three grads that I can think of off of the top of my head who have a DOR diagnosis, craptastic AMH, but still managed to be IVF candidates and had a good response - though Boots conceived on an off cycle. @eggsquared is one of them and was also on DHEA, I believe. @MsAmandaPants also had a good response to fert meds even with a DOR diagnosis but I can't remember if she was taking DHEA.

side effects - I started taking it right after a really weird cycle so I'm not sure how much of that what I experienced cycle-wise was from the DHEA or from my weird body. First cycle, I had break-through bleeding on CD9 (again previous cycle ended weird so may have happened anyway) and looking at other forums, that is a side effect that other women reported on DHEA. Increased sex drive and CM. I also O'd earlier in my cycle, either CD10 or CD12 (FF had a hard time with my CHs). Based on the length of my LP, I moved my CHs to CD12.

Cycle 2 on DHEA - I dropped down to 50mg, did not have as many side effects but did O on CD10.

Because I don't know if the DHEA is making me have an earlier O date or not, I opted to not take it this cycle to see what happened. I ended up Oing on CD11. I'm on the fence for next cycle but leaning towards starting back up on it. The reason I don't know if the DHEA is causing the earlier O or not is because I have a lot of check marks building up in the peri-menapause column (including producing only one follicle on my last medicated cycle). A changing O date that is getting earlier in a cycle is just another sign of that.

I'm sorry this ended up being a novel. The only other thing I can think to add is that while DOR does indicate a low quantity it does not necessarily mean that you cannot produce good quality eggs, there are just fewer. If you do go the fertility meds route, the right combo of meds is what is important.

This all just sucks and I'm sorry you are going through this.

EKGibs · December 2013

Hi Uneek! I've missed you! I'm so sorry about your diagnosis. I hope you & your DH work out all the details & move to the next step. (((((((HUGS))))))))

alm288 · December 2013

Hi again! I'm sorry that you've been having such a rough time and that your diagnosis fears were confirmed. That sucks.
It's really positive though that you and your DH are on the same page. Hopefully you can agree on a detailed plan soon. It also sounds like your friends and family are a great support team - that's worth a lot! Wishing you all the best!! ((Hugs))

MrsHamon09 · December 2013

Welcome back, lovey! I am so sorry for your diagnosis. I hope the break was just what you needed and you and YH are able to hash out all the details and agood plan of action.

skategirl128 · December 2013

Big hugs to you and yh! I'm glad you're mostly on the same page. Fx you get a treatment plan in place soon! More hugs!!

CallaLily30 · December 2013

Welcome back! I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis but I hope you can figure out a plan that works for you! We missed you around here.

jap618 · December 2013

No advice just big hugs & I'm sorry you're dealing with that diagnosis. I hope & YH come to a decision that works best for you guys. ((hugs))

Edit to add that I laughed way too hard at the pups on the treadmill & the Christmas lights

Just saying

I love the GIF stories!

LM915 · December 2013

I'm sorry about your diagnosis and that you are struggling. Big ((hugs)) to you! I hope you and your DH come to a decision that works best for you guys. I'll be thinking of you.

LifeofCat · December 2013

Welcome back, m'dear! You know I missed ya.

I'm grateful that you and DH will be figuring this out together; your plan, whatever it may be, will be the best for you and your happiness. Big (((hugs))) to ya.

p3ngu1nn · December 2013

((hugs)) to you.

Belle3184 · December 2013

(((Hugs))) I'm so sorry your dealing with a difficult diagnosis. Good luck talking with DH and making a plan to move forward.

TVLily · December 2013

Welcome back.
I'm so sorry your dx and fears were confirmed. Best of luck with making a plan with YH on moving forward. It definitely helps when your on the same page.
Sending you lots of (((hugs)))!!!

carlsonbaby2014 · December 2013

((((Hugs)))) good to see you back although I'm so sorry about the DX. I have no advice just lots of ((((hugs)))) with your name on them,

anitaflora · December 2013

I'm sorry I'm so late on this reply. I almost positively attribute the increase in my AMH from less than .16 (Feb) to .76 (Nov) to either the Vitamin D or COQ10 or both. I have been taking 1000 Vitamin D & average of 400 (I think it's mg) COQ10 daily for several months and I really think for my body that made a difference.

I don't know the science behind it and I'm not completely convinced that there may not be some element where it's possible that the supplement might actually be "masking" my true results vs actually improving them - or instead showing the actual more true results - I am absolutely on the fence about all of that. But I know it went up when everything I read was saying it decreases with age.

And it's now possible for me to attempt IVF when it wasn't before. And right now that's what I'm going with and accepting I just don't know the answers as to how and why and if the IVF will work.

I am just so, so sorry you received this diagnosis, love. I want to reach out and give you a huge hug. It is a really tough one, as you know I know. But please don't lose all hope here! And if I can provide any more support in any way at all please feel free to message me. You have been such a supportive member here and if there's anything at all I can do please let me know.

So many more hugs your way lady.

gingerkid9989 · December 2013

((hugs)) uneek. I'm sorry for your diagnosis. I hope you and your husband have a great talk. I'm glad you're back!

LaRomana09 · December 2013

I'm sorry you're dealing with this diagnosis. I hope you and your husband are able to come to a decision that you feel comfortable with. (((HUGS)))

uneek1323 · December 2013

Thank you all so much! And thank you @buggirl72 and @anitaflora for sharing your experiences. It really helps try to navigate through all of this.

lincoln79 · December 2013

i'm sorry that you've been going through all of this. my last measured amh was 0.3, but the last ivf cycle i had 13 retrieved and ended up with 5 frosties and transferred 2 on day 5. i am not sure whether you have gone through ivfs or not?

i did take coq10 and dhea for cycle 2, and it was the worst one I had so I think it highly depends on the cause for the dor.

for us, we decided to pursue a gestational carrier because our twins from our last m/c were genetically normal (and we seem to have great embryos), but my body just doesn't want to carry.

there are a bunch of ladies on the third party reproduction that are doing donor eggs and embryos that would probably be able to answer questions you might have.

pm me anytime if you have questions that I might be able to answer.

((hugs))

BluEyedGirl26 · December 2013

I'm sorry for the diagnosis you received. (((Hugs))) I hope you and YH can come up with a plan moving forward.

stefuge · December 2013

Welcome back. ((Hugs)) for the difficult diagnosis.

peggels24 · December 2013

((hugs)) I'm sorry about your DX even if you did expect it. I'm glad that it seems you and your husband are on the same page.

taberbtb · December 2013

Welcome back. I am sorry your fears were confirmed with your dx, though I am glad to hear you and YH are able to sit down and talk about your plans going forward, and that you both are on the same page. ((Hugs))

lindsebert · December 2013

First, hello! I've missed seeing you around! (((HUGS)))

Second, I'm so sorry that your suspicions were confirmed. I'm glad you feel like you and YH are on the same page, and I'm hoping hashing out the details of the next steps won't be too hard. I have no knowledge, experience, or anything else on the topic, but I'm here to lean on whenever you need.

you! ((HUGS))

jenkellen · December 2013

Huge (((hugs))) lady. I am so sorry. I do not have any advice, but I am here to listen, hand hold, give a shoulder to cry on, or shake my fist at the sky for you anytime.

Serenla · December 2013

Sig

I'm sorry ihave no advice, I just wanted to send you huge ((((hugs))))

*

BootsOrHearts · December 2013

**Siggy and Ticker Warnings***

Uneek!!! So happy to see you!

Ah, the dreaded DOR diagnosis. It sucks rotten eggs and I'm sorry you have to be part of this club. I'm sure your RE explained, but it can affect egg quality as well as quantity and poor quality can cause early losses.

I'm so glad you are taking care of yourself, working out and enjoying life. Those are all the right things to do. It's easy for loss and/or IF to take over our lives and I know you've had more than your fair share of loss. You know you are an inspiration to many of the TTCAL'ers as well as the grads so stay strong and positive and know we love you!

@buggirl72 gave you the skinny on DHEA, definitely run it by your RE and ask what is the max dose he/she is comfortable with you taking. I didn't have any side affects and it's possible it helped. You do have to take it for 3-6 months (if I understand it) for it to start working. It can help quality of the eggs that are there.

As she said, you can still be a candidate for IVF (I can't remember if you've been down this road yet or not). Don't expect to post the big numbers some of the other IF'ers do (I remember getting stabby when I saw someone on the IF board post: 'Back from egg retrieval, got 27 eggs!!!!'). My RE said to expect 5 eggs or less but remember that it only takes one so don't be discouraged by that kind of thing. And anyway, what the hell are you doing to do with 27 eggs? One girl had 13 or something fertilize and I thought that poor woman, she could end up with 13 kids unless she gives some embryos up for adoption. Luckily I won't ever have that problem, ha!

Please keep us posted on what plans you make! I hope you had a lovely holiday. We are all rooting for you!

(((hugs))))

megrae12 · December 2013

((Hugs)) I am sorry for DX. Hopefully you and H come up with a plan moving forward that you are both happy with.

Caz1984 · December 2013

Welcome back,I'm so sorry for your diagnosis, I'm glad that your and YH are on the same page, huge ((hugs)) to you

MsAmandaPants · December 2013

****sig warning****

First, I am so sorry about the DOR DX. It just sucks and is really unfair. Try to keep the faith, though. DOR does not mean you can't get pregnant.

I am so sorry that I am just now seeing this--I've been offline the last few days. You've already gotten some great advice from bug and Anita. I did high doses of coQ10. I've heard something more along the lines of 600mg a day is good for DOR (3 doses of 200mg with breakfast, lunch, and dinner--I was really bad about remembering that damn middle dose and rarely got all three in), but it sounds like bug was told a lower dosage. If you can swing it, but might want to get ubiquinol, it is a version of CoQ10 that is more easily absorbed by the body (most coq10 is ubiquinone). If you do ubiquinol (what I used), you can do lower doses--more like 300 mg (again, across three doses). Some people can have heart palpitations on the higher doses of CoQ10, I would definitely discuss it with your doc before taking it.

Here is some info on ubiquinone vs. ubiquinol: https://natural-fertility-info.com/antioxidant-ubiquinol.html

DHEA is super controversial. Some say it is the key to combating DOR, but the studies have had very small data sets and my docs did not believe it. They told me not to take it, particularly because of some other factors in my bloodwork. DHEA might work for you, but because it messes with your hormones, definitely do NOT take it unless your RE signs off and tells you what dosage to take.

I may have asked you this, but have they checked your vitamin D? Low vitamin D can artificially suppress AMH numbers. Have them double check your D and make sure you are at a good level and if not, ask them for guidance on appropriate supplementation to get you where you need to be.

Also, I've heard that it is important to make sure that you are getting enough healthy fats in your diet.

Big (((hugs)))). I am sorry you are facing this. Feel free to PM me anytime if you have any questions or want to talk.

uneek1323 · December 2013

Thank you all so much for your support and great advice. >:D<

My First GIF Story or How much do I love you? or What's Been Going on in Uneek's World

Re: My First GIF Story or How much do I love you? or What's Been Going on in Uneek's World

Began trying for a baby January 2012
BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013
BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013
BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014

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My First GIF Story or How much do I love you? or What's Been Going on in Uneek's World

Re: My First GIF Story or How much do I love you? or What's Been Going on in Uneek's World

Began trying for a baby January 2012BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Began trying for a baby January 2012
BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013
BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013
BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014