Intro, Just Dipping my Toes into IF

jjgrl55 · April 2014

Hey!

Some may recognize me from TTGP, though I haven't been posting there much for the past few months.

My DH and I are just now starting down the IF road, though without a diagnosis I still feel more like we are "unlucky" not "IF". Hearing the doctor consistently describe us with that word was a bit of a wake-up call, and the reason I wanted to intro on this board.

All of the the pertinent details are in my siggy. In addition, DH is active duty Army, so we have the double-edged insurance sword of free testing and treatments, but less control over doctors. I am quite scared that the doctor we saw yesterday is not an RE, but an OB with a fertility interest, as she wants to combine my initial bloodwork with a Clomid Challenge.....which seems like a pretty weird way of finding out how my body does on its own. She mentioned nothing of ultrasound monitoring. She also ignored my year of charts, my clear evidence that I am ovulating, and my observation that I have severe spotting from around 5 DPO until AF shows every month. All of these seem like things a decent RE would care about.

Anyway, while my initial bloodwork is scheduled for next month, I am trying to get in touch with this doctor over the phone. If she refuses to do ultrasound monitoring, I will be declining the Clomid. And if she gives me attitude about that, we may be forced to move out of the Tricare system and into the murkier waters of co-pays and civilian insurance. Thus, my initial testing may be postponed. But I'm not crazy for thinking Clomid on my first month out is pretty extreme, right?

Anyway, I am pretty excited about joining this board. TTGP is fun, but this appears to be a slightly more gentle environment. I have my snarky days, but some days I need a bit more of a soft touch, and it appears this may be that place.

sunlavender · April 2014

Welcome.

I definitely agree with being an advocate for yourself. Good for you for demanding proper monitoring. It is possible to have testing the same cycle as your first treament cycle, but not necessary by any means. Many have testing one cycle and then set treameant options for future cycles. It all comes down to timing and personal preference.

Best of luck. I hope your doctor is able to provide you with what you need, or you're able to find someone who can.

Lillovebug79 · April 2014

Welcome!!
I would definitely ask about an HSG to evaluate your tubes before taking clomid. If your tubes aren't in working order clomid is pointless. Likewise, I would have a SA before doing Clomid as well. Clomid won't be helpful if you are working with enough sperm. I would advocate for a better IF work up before starting meds.
good luck to you!

ronniesgirl1981 · April 2014

Welcome and sorry you are making your way over here. I have heard of other women doing the clomid challenge test pretty quickly, but I don't have any experience there.

jencity9 · April 2014

Welcome.

This initial phase of testing and finding answers can be scary, but it can also be very enlightening once you are able to process everything. And you are right that this is a very supportive and gentle environment!

CaitlinAnn24 · April 2014

I agree with @jencity9‌. I know testing and dealing with insurance can be overwhelming, but it is reassuring to finally be working on a plan. Welcome and good luck.

erollis · April 2014

You are being smart. Be an advocate for yourself. Clomid without proper monitoring is bad. Taking clomid without knowing what's wrong is bad and a waste of a cycle. Doctors like that have my mom freaked out.

jjgrl55 · April 2014

Thanks everyone! Hearing all the support about the clomid is making me feel much more confident about confronting the doctor about proper monitoring. And yes, I personally would rather have a full testing work up before taking any treatments, even if it means "wasting" a cycle on testing.

athlete010688 · April 2014

Welcome!!

lebradford · April 2014

Welcome!

Rachaeleigh · April 2014

Welcome. Good for you for advocating for yourself

KT416 · April 2014

I don't have any experience with Clomid, but I just wanted to say Welcome!!

I think everyone's journey and experience is different, but our first steps my DH got a SA & I had a few different tests, some that had to be lined up with my period and a HSG to make sure everything was ok. It's awesome that you are advocating for yourself!

BunnyBerry · April 2014

I totally agree with @lillovebug79. Clomid is a strong drug that can have serious long-term consequences. I would definitely want to know it was going to be a wise choice - tubes clear, uterus clear and well-lined, healthy enough SA - before taking the risk of making cervical mucous inhospitable for sperm to travel through, thinning the uterine lining, or developing cysts. Sounds like you feel the same way.

As far as your doc not caring about the charts or the 5 days of heavy spotting - my RE was glad to have my charts showing ovulation and luteal phase, and definitely trusted them. He didn't seem to care much about the spotting, but my guess is that he is just waiting for the bloodwork to tell him if the spotting represents anything important (like low progesterone).

Although my RE said our next step is most likely Clomid and IUI, I am going to question him on that because from what I read, if you already ovulate Clomid doesn't have the same chance of developing multiple eggs (the RE's reasoning for using it, he said), and it also makes a higher chance of developing unhealthy eggs, in addition to the other risks. But I don't really know enough, I've just been reading, so I will probably take his advice in the end.

Good luck in your decision, and if you do choose to find a new doc!!

Pintobean39 · April 2014

Welcome

sundaybrunch · April 2014

Welcome! I know the testing can be scary and overwhelming but I found strength when once we new what we're up against and could form a plan of attack.

jaztastic · April 2014

Welcome to the board and sorry you find yourself here.

jjgrl55 · April 2014

@callndl : Thank you for the PM offer! I have been very seriously considering Tricare Standard, not just for fertility issues, but also because I would really like to be able to have more control over my birth experience if/when I get to that point and Standard opens up so many options in that scenario. I am a bit scared of how long it will take to go through the switching process and then waiting to get into a civilian RE, but am very tempted by the control I would have over my treatment. If this doctor is difficult with me regarding my issues with Clomid (once I finally get her on the phone, that is) I am planning on making a call to Tricare to see what my options are about switching providers or insurance. Once I get to that step, you may be getting a PM from me!

Thankfully, though, his command is being incredibly supportive during this process and he has been able to come to every appointment, even the ones that haven't been strictly about him. I am at very thankful for that, as I know many military couples probably have a much harder time with getting proper command support.

Lastly, the only ultrasound-type of procedure she has ordered is an HSG. Nothing to check my anatomy, my lining, my eggs......I am so confused about why getting an ultrasound appears to be a procedure she just doesn't want to do.

aves0708 · April 2014

Welcome! Good for you for being firm and advocating for yourself. I hope your doc will work with you, and that your journey into the IF world is a short one

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