Hi everyone,
There's probably like 15 different posts for my questions, but I'm looking to just talk with someone. No one of my friends or family know so I really just need some personal viewpoints.
I'm 28 years old. My husband and I have been together for 11 years and married for 2. This September, after a year of being in our home, paying down some debt, and getting job stability, we decided we were mentally and financially ready to start a family.
Both our families are great, but just didn't understand why we were waiting (I almost threw things at my family last holiday...one more "when is it your turn" i want to ge a grandma blah blah..question...oye..) but we wanted to not be financially strapped.
Prior to this year, I stopped taking my birth control. I was on it since I was 17.
During the last year, I had super irregular periods... like 3 for the entire year. Finally saw my dr in late spring. She ran some tests and did an ultra sound.
Tests viewed my levels as normal but the ultra sound showed signs of pcos.
My dr said it doesn't rule out pregnancy but can sometimes make it tricky. She also didn't full blown diagnose me with pcos, as the blood tests were normal, but did say I have symptoms/signs of it.
I expressed to her we wanted to start trying, so she prescribed me the following:
Provera (to enduce a period I think)
Metaformin 2pd
Clomid (durring period)
It had been 3 months since my last period, and this time around, I barely bled but had what I'd describe as "heavy spotting (brownish) for 7 days, plus cramping so I assumed this had to be my period and followed directions as prescribed and took the clomid.
2 days after my period, I thought I was ovulating (pink spotting, cm, cramping) but did the lh tests and it came back negative. My husband and I were intimate durring the day prior.
Now, friday of this week, the ov. Tests finally showed a surge friday and saturday. We were intimate those days.
We were not intimate today (ran in a 5k too tired) but did test tonight and lh test was negative.
I'm a super impatient person when it comes to life planning and I also worry.
At this point, I'm worried that what I thought was my period wasnt, and that I screwed up the process. I am also worried that if I did ovulate what my chances are of it taking effect and if my timing of us being intimate was ok or if it was off.
It seems like so many irresponsible people can get pregnant on accident but that we, who are planning things right, are going to have to go through this process in a formulaic way. Just worried snd stressed and i have no idea what to do or think.
I see my dr on Wednesday, but does anyone have any thoughts or wisdom you could share? Thank you much.
Re: new girl...and I just want some advice? plz thank you :)
http://global.thebump.com/ticker?TT=fruit&TT1=fruit&CL=40&CT=W&CG=F&O=GreenFruitweek11&T=ticker_fruits_bg_green&D=&M1=&D1=2016-09-14&T2=&T1=&T3=&CC=&CO=&CO2=&W=&TS=&R=&SC=Green
My first step in treatment was clomid as well. 5 cycles there with no luck. From what I have seen on these boards many women with PCOS do not have the best response with clomid. But FX that you do!!!
To make sure you are using the clomid properly. Day one of your cycle is always the first day of FULL FLOW period. If you are having a weird cycle and are not sure you should always consult with your dr/nurse. Your doctor should monitor your cycles with a follicle check ultrasound. If they are not monitoring your cycle this way you should ask why not/see if it is a possibility. In terms of the home ovulation kits, my OBGYN told me not to even bother with them when I was on clomid. He said they were a waste of money based on how we were monitoring the cycle and triggering with an HCG shot for ovulation. Will you be triggering for ovulation or relying on your body to ovulate on its own? This will impact whether the home ovulation tests are work the Money for you.
I was with my OBGYN doing clomid cycles with timed intercourse for about 6 months and then started with my RE. I have had better response with letrozole and injectibles.
Likely if you need to move onto other/more expensive medications than clomid they will want additional testing to you and your DH.
Beta 5/9/2016 BFP!!
Embryo transfer scheduled for April 28, 2016 and beta test May 9, 2016 (day after Mother's Day!)
Transfer Meds include: Lupron Depot (4/1), Minivelle Patch (every 3rd day), Estradiol (3x daily), Amoxicillin, Progesterone in Oil, Methylprednisonlone. Lovenox and baby asprin added after transfer.
3/22/16 - Sono Saline ultrasound cyst to be aspirated on 4/1/16 if not cleared up by 3/29 US - It cleared on its own
Retrieval 3/4/16 - 26 eggs retrieved, 23 mature, 20 fertilized, 14 embryos currently frozen
Starting IVF Stims on +/- Feb 22, 2016
HSG scheduled for 1-26-16 - All clear "beautiful uterus" (though inverted)
Switched clinics and now prepping for IVF in February / March
Trying to conceive since November 2012
It is pleading. You should be panicked. Do a search on this board. You are risking your future fertility.
First of all before you take clomid, you need to make sure you don't have any other problems that would make the clomid moot. That is because clomid has a lifetime max of 6 cycles. After that some doctors won't give more clomid because of a potential concern about cancer. Although that link has not been proven. Also, if it doesn't work after 6 cycles, it's probably not going to work. The two most important tests are a semen analysis for your husband and an hsg to make sure your tubes are open.
For each cycle you are on clomid, you need Bloodwork and vaginal ultrasounds on cycle day 3 and then starting mid cycle about every other day until you ovulate. Opks are not reliable when you are on clomid. The tests on cycle day 3 are to measure your hormones, check for pregnancy (clomid is not good if pregnant) and check for cysts (clomid causes cysts. Also, if you start a cycle with a cyst and take more clomid, the cyst may grow exponentially and cause you to lose an ovary. I have seen some women on this site end up in the ER because they weren't monitored.)
The ultrasounds also check if you are overresponding or underresponding. If you overrespond (like I did) you have to decide whether to cancel the cycle or risk high order multiples and a second trimester selective abortion. If you underrespond, you doc may change meds for next time.
The ultrasounds also check your uterine lining, because clomid might cause your uterine lining to be too thin and prevent pregnancy.
Another side effect is that clomid may dry up your cervical mucus, thereby decreasing your chances of pregnancy. That's why reproductive endocrinologists usually pair clomid with an intrauterine insemination.
Finally, I would very highly recommend you see a reproductive endocrinologist for infertility and not an OB. REs are the experts here, not OBs and they do the proper tests and monitoring as a matter of course.
On December 4 in Trying to Get Pregnant
Hello, Newbie here again. 2nd posting. I have some issues need some clarity on. Have an appointment with my gyno, just going insane. lol
Posted before, very helpful/encouraging.
28 years old...been receiving treatment for 2 months now to try and regulate my irregular cycles most likely caused by Polysistic O syndrome. Went on provera, clomid, and metformin. Still on metformin daily. 1st Cycle in October seemed to go well. Everything worked. I had some "typical" symptoms. Thought I even may have had some implantation bleeding but turned out just a week of brown spotting before my period. Progesterone levels were good, gyno liked how everything worked, took like 4 pregnancy tests and the AF came on the day it was supposed to. Que disappointment. Time for round two.
AF came, but this time, it was mega short....3.5 days. October it was 5 days and then a week of brownish spotting. This time, 3.5 days, no spotting, just stopped. Took clomid days 3-5 as prescribed. Kept log on my ap. Did an LH test on day 12 as prescribed, LH surge. Hubby and I were intimate 3 times, every other day. I am assuming I ovulated, had the "typical" cm, slight twingeing on my left ovary area, but it was not as "obvious" as last time, so part of me is still skeptical. Didn't pee soon after day 3, developed a Uti 5dpo. Began taking bactrim for that. Relatively "dry" 2-3 dpo 7 dpo I was super nauseous. Got sick in the am. 9 dpo, also nauseous. Had to actually leave my classroom in class to excuse myself. I continued to have nausea symptoms for 4.5 hours. Didn't get hopeful because bactrim side effects can be nausea. But I am actually throwing up which is bother some. Definitely not feeling anything else with the nausea so I know I'm not sick. 10dpo slight "pulling" feeling in my lower abdomen. Off an on, maybe 3 times that day? Curious so I took a pregnancy test, even though it was way early... Negative. 11dpo I noticed I was damp in my panties. I decided to check my cm and after examining my finger, had some white residue. 12dpo, same cm, little more of it on my finger, white. Does not have any weird odor. Felt a "pulling" again 3 times today (did it just a few moments ago). I had nausea this am, didn't throw up, went away. Went to an early dinner with hubby around 430, felt fine. Walked around, nausea again. Threw up twice. I have had the worst gas. I literally burped probably 15 times in the last 3 hours. Again, thinking it's a side effect of the UTI medication, but hubby is skeptical. Says the throwing up/gas does not seem like me. Took a bath and noticed my nipples are a bit sore, mainly my left one. But my boobs themselves don't feel sore. I have had no spotting (sign of implantation, right?) Sorry if TMI.
I have been reading online, which my gyno told me not to do. lol I can now see why. I will say, some of the posts on other sites, people are super rude to people like me and just say, "just take a damn pregnancy test." Well, isn't a site like this to get information before taking a pregnancy test and to listen to others experience? So, if you are going to say something unkind such as that, please refrain from responding. I am not dumb, and know the obvious way to know is a pregnancy test. However, I don't want to jump the gun and be let down. Also, I have already dropped $100.00 on tests and really don't want to waste anymore money if it's going to be for nothing.
Venting: Part of me is also just annoyed. I am annoyed that PMS symptoms are exact to pregnancy symptoms. I am annoyed that my husband and I have done everything right (together forever, married, pay some debt, home, then kid) and we can't just automatically conceive, but irresponsible people around us can get pregnant like that. I am a natural worrier, a planner, and worry that it wont happen in a timely fashion (we don't want to be old parents and want 2 kids).
Part of me is annoyed with mom, whom I love dearly, but who would "cryptically" talk about her "difficulties" with getting pregnant with my brother and I but brushed it off as nothing. I didn't find out until last week that she has polysistic and endometriosis, both are hereditary. I would have like to have known this, I don't know, years ago, and I would have stopped my birth control a hell of alot sooner than just 1 year ago in order to allow more time for my cycles to get on track.
I know I am supposed to be stress free, I am really trying. I am keeping busy (I teach high school so I am busy all the time anyways), I am doing yoga, reading/adult coloring book when I have free time. But I can't help but be annoyed with the sense of urgency around this subject.
So, informed ladies of the interwebs, what are your thoughts? Should I try testing again? Wait and see? Can you have symptoms like the above without implantation bleeding and be pregnant? Is there anyone else like me that is worried about "the clock" ticking away, how are you coping?
Thanks again. Much appreciated.
RE DX for me: Anovulatory cycles/Mild PCOS RE DX for DW: Endometrioma on left Ovary.
Reciprocal Ivf Feb 2016. DW eggs and I am carrying. EDD: 10/27/16
RE DX for me: Anovulatory cycles/Mild PCOS RE DX for DW: Endometrioma on left Ovary.
Reciprocal Ivf Feb 2016. DW eggs and I am carrying. EDD: 10/27/16
Married Jan. 2014
Me:36 DH: 39
TTC since August 2014, Mild PCOS + uterine fibroids
Myomectomy June 2015- 18 fibroids removed
IVF #1, May 2016 = 32 eggs retrieved, 12 fertilized, 7 frozen, 3 PGS normal
FET#2, July 2016 = one embryo transferred
TRIGGER
BFP! Beta = 617
Due date = 4/9/17
Delivery date = 3/20/17
I thought I could see the OBGYN for my issues as well as my OBGYN is a fabulous doctor with excellent credentials as well . However , after I met with an RE after having trouble I knew I had made the right choice . An REs specialty is getting people pregnant . An OB has a lot of other responsibilities . For me I guess it just helped knowing that my RE ONLY does fertility work and runs extensive tests and monitors me constantly . Ultimately if you are getting all the monitoring appointments at your OB and you feel comfortable with them then by all means that is great !!
It can't hurt to ask about Femara as an alternative to clomid . Femara doesn't have nearly as many side effects (from what I have heard ) and doesn't thin your lining out . I know many women who have switched from clomid to femara and had much better experiences !
Wishing you the best of luck and sending baby dust your way !!
**BFP and loss warning**