Intro and advice welcome

hopefuldog · June 2015

Hi ladies!! I'm sorry you all have to be here and sorry to be joining you. I've been casually lurking a while and was hoping I wouldn't have to officially join. I'm feeling very confused about my current cycle and plan and so I thought now would be as good a time as any to jump in!

A little back story:
BFP # 1 July 2012 naturally conceived 1st month trying! = missed m/c
BFP #2 July 2013 After 5 cycles of trying (a moderally short LP of about 10 days was noted. I was temping and using OPKs. I took B6 and Vitex and EPO to help my cycle). LO was born Feb 2014

TTC #2 for 9 cycles now. I quit BFing to get my cycle to return. My cycles have been short (24-25 days) with an 8-9 day LP, so after 6 cycles (with no improvement on B6 or Vitex) I got a referral to an RE. They agreed my LP was too short and started me on Clomid and progesterone after all the necessary testing (bw, hsg, u/s, etc).

Cycle #1 was 50mg Clomid and my LP made it to 11 days
Cycle #2 was 100mg Clomid and my cycle was back to 9 days
These were both on oral progesterone.

I'm ready to O for cycle #3. I had one 23mm follicle at my U/S on Weds, but my CM in my post coital check wasn't as ideal. My RE is now recommending and IUI. I'm also going to start Crinone vaginally this cycle. I like and trust my RE and they come highly recommended, but I guess I was caught off guard by the IUI recommendation. I'm scheduled tentatively for it tomorrow AM. I get if my CM isn't ideal, it will help sperm meet the egg, but the whole reason I'm there is to lengthen my LP. I feel like I'm messing my body up even more! Would you all do an IUI tomorrow morning? Should i be doing or asking something else?

Frenchteachermama · June 2015

What are you confused about?

hopefuldog · June 2015

Ugh, just saw it cut out some of my post. Sorry, ill edit it. Failing at my first post on here

Frenchteachermama · June 2015

Oh!

fuzzbumble · June 2015

Cycles can vary month to month, and you're going to respond differently each month. You just have to find the right dosage of meds. keep increasing.

hopefuldog · June 2015

Sorry, it's updated now. Not sure what happened!

Basically, do you all think I should do an IUI tomorrow? I thought my problem was a fertilized egg being able to implant, so I wasn't expecting to have an IUI. I feel like I'm making things worse instead of improving them!

(

hopefuldog · June 2015

Oh sorry, I just reread the newbie post after reading another post referring someone to TTCAS. I missed the part where this group is for IUI and IVF. I'm sorry, ill head over there. I didn't know that one existed and had been lurking here.

hopefuldog · June 2015

Although, i just went over there, and it's so quiet you can hear the crickets chirping!

Let me know if I'm welcome here. I'd love to find a community to give and receive support.

ellebelle2384 · June 2015

Thank you for reading the newbie post. We have recently had a lot of drive bys and it is tough to constantly feel left behind by people coming in, taking support, and leaving.

That said, honestly I'm surprised that you are already referred to an RE at this point. 9 cycles trying isn't usually enough to get referred to a RE (unless AMA? I don't know if I missed that somewhere) and LPD issues are relatively easy to fix with progesterone. Also it can take a while for fertility to return after BFing. It seems like you are being pushed into an IUI when it may not be necessary. I agree with @Fuzzbumble. Keep adjusting meds for now. GL.

CTinNV · June 2015

Hi @hopefuldog and welcome. You're right that other boards might be more your speed because most of us here are pursuing IVF or IUI. BUT I can relate to your uncertainty about escalating your treatment. I was in a similar situation but it was between IUI and IVF. My RE wanted to move us to IVF earlier but I wasn't ready emotionally and had a hard time accepting it. In retrospect, we absolutely should have listened to our RE and moved to IVF sooner. If you like and trust your RE, then please know their goal is to get you to a successful pregnancy. If your doctor feels IUI is the best way for you to conceive based on how your CM and other things look, then I would go for it. Good luck with whatever you choose! (And feel free to post what you decide)

fuzzbumble · June 2015

Some REs believe that adjusting meds is better to increase progesterone than adding crinone, with the idea that a strong ovulation will produce the progesterone necessary. That being said many I know have conceived using progesterone supplementation. So just keep that in mind.

If you don't feel ready, don't do it. Especially if you're OOP or have limitations on your benefits. I would want to see them get your LP to at least 12 days before adding any supplemental treatment like IUI. Don't let them push you. They love to do that.

fuzzbumble · June 2015

I totally agree with @ellebelle2384 that I am surprised your OB referred you so quickly. Many will do clomid, progesterone supplementation, and testing if necessary. They can even do magic coding where they make insurance pay when they wouldn't with the RE.

hopefuldog · June 2015

Thanks ladies! My OB does not do any fertility stuff, and frankly, I'd rather be under a care of an RE, since that is their specialty!

As far as being referred, it was based on my previous history of 9-10 days lutueal phase priory to BFP# 2 and then 6 straight cycles of an LPD of less than 9 days TTC #3. Would you all really have waited a full year when you have a known problem? Now I am questioning even that. Everything I have read and even my RE says it needs to be at least 12. It seemed silly to me to wait longer since I had a diagnosis. I am not AMA yet, but getting closer!

Me RE absolutely thought Clomid was better to solve my LPD and that progesterone would offer support. So he is continuing to adjust meds, since unfortunately my LP hasn't increased yet. The IUI is recommended because my CM was not as ideal this cycle. I do have some insurance coverage for it. Although, cost isn't my #1 concern. The more I think about it, the more I guess it can't hurt to try it...

ellebelle2384 · June 2015

It sounds like you're not confused about the plan then. GL.

hopefuldog · June 2015

I guess maybe confused it's the correct term. I understand everything, but I'm not 100% sold on my plan. I guess I was expecting the Clomid and Progesterone to lengthen my LP (as PP said, it should be an easy fix). I get why the IUI is recommended, but I guess it seems like a waste when I don't have a long enough LP. But if this is the cycle that it lengthens, then of course it wouldn't be a waste.

I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have asked so many questions or for as much support in an intro as a newbie here. I was just hoping for some advice before my appointment this morning.

Flamingemu · June 2015

Have you asked your RE WHY they want to jump to an IUI and gotten an answer you are comfortable with? Call your nurse, ask her to send you information, links to helpful research, etc.

From what I know of fertility treatments, an IUI will just help with timing, not necessarily don anything about whether a) it works or b) it keeps a fertilized egg there. You would still need the hormone supplements to aid with that.

So our questions to you are, why would you jump to IUI if you don't fully understand why your RE is having you do one and if you are not fully comfortable with it? Also, why would you essentially waste money on one at this point if you can still take time to adjust your dosage to see if that helps. From what I read, you have only tried to 2 cycles with meds? It took 6 months just to get my thyroid in check after having my daughter. Be patient. And ask more questions to your Dr.

Frenchteachermama · June 2015

@hopefuldog I think the ladies above have given you good advice. Since you are technically going into your 2WW and it is considered in bad form to intro during your 2WW why don't you join us if this cycle isn't successful...and I hope we don't see you because this one does the trick!

fuzzbumble · June 2015

I get the CM thing. But like I said before, I would want to make sure your LP is lengthening before putting money into other treatments. Good luck, and I second what FTM said, hopefully you don't come back.

hopefuldog · June 2015

Thank you ladies! I requested another post coital test at my appt this morning, and considering we hadn't had sex in about 36 hrs (vs the normal 12), my doctor was pleased with the amount of sperm swimming around. We talked and decided to hold off on the IUI and hope the Crinone does its job this cycle! I'm happy with myself for speaking up and asking questions (both here and at the REs office)! I think had I not requested the post coital we would have been doing an IUI. My main focus right now is getting my LP lengthened so we have just as good of a chance at getting pregnant as a "fertile" couple.

I didn't realize I shouldn't intro during a 2WW (I promise I did read the newbie post, but its got a lot in there, so clearly I missed or forgot that part! Oops!), so apologize for that. I will go back into lurking status (and hopefully not return!).

fuzzbumble · June 2015

Good news. Good luck!

jen4ny · June 2015

Good luck!

1983Lindsey2 · June 2015

Good luck!! I know that Clomid has been known to dry up CM, so if in the future you do have to do IUI I would not hesititate. I had my first with folltiism, IUI and then vaginal progesterone (Endometrin). FX that this is the month for you!

Intro and advice welcome

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