RE-Introduction, need advice

wbird · July 2015

Hello Ladies!

Gosh it was December 2013 when I first made my introduction to the forum. You guys were amazing and so supportive through my two rounds of IUIs. After a year though, my RE + clinic frustrated me so much, I fired them. Think 4 hours of a day waiting in the clinic, or I'd waste 2 hours EVERYDAY for bloodwork (30 minutes to drive to and from clinic, and then another hour for blood draw). Other horror stories as well. Plus I felt like I was just cattle, and they kept pushing IVF and never took the time to explain anything.

So quick re-introduction! Because I need your advice.

DH is 33, I'm 32. Married for 8 years (made it past the 7 year itch, ROFL!), and TTC for over 5 years now, depressing. I did two round of IUIs in May and June of 2014. The diagnosis back then was "unexplained fertility". My HSG came back clear, hormones tested out fine, hubbie's test came back with flying colors.

After I fired my RE, from a friend's recommendation, I did the holistic / natural route. NaPro or Creighton Model... basically just charting and trying to figure out the underlying issue of my "unexplained fertility". Ends up, my progesterone and estrogen levels are extremely low and my CM (cervical mucus) is non-existent. So I've been charting for a year, taking vitamins, progesterone supplements, on HCG shots every cycle, femara and now Menopur.

Found out that Femara killed my CM, so that would explain how my IUIs failed in the past, so now we've moved to Menopur & we're finally at a place where my estrogen and progesterone levels are where it needs to be with my HCG shots and progesterone supplements. So all in all, we're technically in a good place.

This is where I need advice, emotionally I'm so frustrated. My sister in law who just tried for 2 mo is pregos, my bestie who tried for forever just delivered a beautiful baby girl, and I'm just tired of waiting, not to mention the countless numbers of baby showers I've thrown in the past 3 years. Should I just suck it up and find a new RE for IVF? Or should I give this other "natural" option a couple more months since they think they've sorted through our issues. I'm at my wits end

Off my soap box.... thanks in advance ladies! Sorry in advance for the all the negativity.

KidShrink · July 2015

A few things (inspired by my fun route):
- did you get a post coital test for your mucus? Turns out I thought I had none, and it just to the RE to prove me wrong.
- How's the thickness of your lining? If not overly thick, did you get a 3D ultrasound to look at any possible anomaly?
- Do you have any symptoms that you have no explanations for (other health problems, muscle tightness, diarrhea, etc.)?

I would have remained 'unexplained' if it wasn't for my RE pushing further. And it would have likely not have mattered what we did given my situation.

wbird · July 2015

Never even heard of a post coital test until now. It's amazing that I was with my initial RE 8 mos and they never mentioned that once. Not surprised.

Lining thickness was horrible on Clomid. Femara was better. Menopur was good too.

No other unexplained symptoms really... Unless you count allergies. I'm practically allergic to everything outside.

I'm starting to think I need to find a new RE.... Sounds like yours is pretty thorough and does a good job of explaining things. My first one didn't even consider CM.

KidShrink · July 2015

Mine is pretty amazing (he just has really shitty staff). He doesn't believe in 'unexplained' infertility, and will do what needs to be done to find what's preventing a pregnancy from occurring.

PCT is a little controversial it seems, and he only did it because I kept on repeating I had no CM. I won't lie, not my favourite test (although not painful at all). However, I think CM is just there to help sperm find its way to the uterus. Beyond that (i.e. with IUI), it shouldn't matter.

My personal concerns started right after I got off the BCP (warning, this may get TMI). I had awful pain when urinating, but only when I was having my period (and the heavier the period, the worse the pain). I saw doctor after doctor (including an OB), and they all told me my pain made no sense, and just take Tylenol. I then saw an osteo (because I was at my wits end) who did internal manipulations. No super pleasant, but in one session she fixed my problem (adhesions between my uterus and bladder). No symptoms from then on, but then I was diagnosed with fatty liver disease- makes no sense, I have allergic reactions to many alcohols and barely ever drink, I'm also not overweight. I ended up needing to have my gallbladder taken out because it just wasn't working anymore, and it was stuck a 'inflammatory tissue'. Awful diarrhea....only when getting my period! But all along, no doctor ever agreed I might have endo (despite a strong family history), because my lining wasn't thick enough. All my symptoms were considered independently of each other, and no one ever put them together except for my RE. Turns out I had endo everywhere...bowels, bladder, right ovary and then all the way up to the liver and diaphragm. So I'm not saying to freak out and start looking for things that aren't there, but it's worth making sure everything else is right/not pointing to something (e.g. Thyroid issues?)
What do they think of your low estrogen and progesterone?

wbird · July 2015

You know.... I've been wondering if it's endo. For some reasons, the 2 REs I've had in the last 3 years haven't recommended that I get a lap yet. So sorry to hear about your discovery!

You know, for as much as they promote getting to the root of the issue... I really don't know why I have low estrogen and progesterone. LOL. The HCG and progesterone supplements are fixing it though. HCG is making me fat, but small price to pay, if this all works out.

Looking forward to your follies update

Gretchen1771 · July 2015

You are such a good friend to throw baby showers while going through all of this. You are incredibly strong. I don't know that I would be able to do it. I'm sorry I don't have advice for your main question, as I have only just started with an RE and only have experience with him. I hope you find the solution that works for you. Only the best wishes from me to you.

moodytuesday · July 2015

Your cm did not play into your IUIs failing. IUI bypasses that. Are you taking menupar from, an OB? Who are you getting HCG from?

I would definitely see an RE if you are not already. I wouldn't be taking any fertility drugs if it wasn't prescribed by my RE.

jnissa · July 2015

Honestly, as much as I generally side eye the natural route, my opinion would be that you've invested so much time and effort into it at this point that another 3-6 months isn't going to be the worst thing to stick it out.

My RE always told me that while there were no guarantees, she was comfortable saying that my fertility wouldn't change dramatically in a six months window, but after that I was holding off on making decisions at my own risk. So maybe set a mindset that you're doing 3, 4 or 5 cycles naturally and then drawing the line and seeing a new RE.

Also, I am fundamentally in the camp of not taking fertility meds from anybody other than an RE. Menopur is a serious stim that can impact egg quality negatively. Just be careful and look out for you!

wbird · July 2015

Menopur + HSG through OB. They do the same level of monitoring through blood draws and ultrasound like my old RE.

@jnissa DH and I discussed and agreed to the same thing. Couple of "natural" cycles, but lets get the new RE lined up. I polled a handful of friends and found a new RE with high SART scores. They all promise that I'll love this new RE (fingers crossed), and we've got an apptmt scheduled for next month. I'm getting tired of waiting!

Thanks everybody for the input! I'll keep you ladies posted

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