Hello! :)

zigzag8412 · May 2016

Hi all!

DH (28) and I (26) (married almost 4 years) just hit the 1 year mark and started testing. My history (both personal and family) had us curious about the possibility of endo. OB said four possible problems: 1. Him (tested normal) 2. My sonogram (showed a bleeding cyst but otherwise normal) 3. My blood work/progesterone levels (came back abnormal- according to progesterone, I'm not ovulating) and 4. My tubes/endo (unknown at this point). OB recommended Clomid (since we know two possibilities are fine and one is definitely a problem) before looking into the tube/endo testing. She's starting me at 50mg days 5-9 with only TI. We start this coming cycle.

It seems like a whirlwind. Surreal. I mean, after 12 months trying, *I knew* something had to be off but it's completely different to have a professional tell you something's wrong. You read all the articles on what to ask for your first prenatal appt but there's hardly anything out there for what to ask for your first infertility appointment... (That was three appointments ago. I didn't know it was possible to go to the Dr's so frequently.) It feels like you were picnicking on the bank of a beautiful white water river and out of the blue you got tossed in. Suddenly it doesn't seem as pretty. Your adrenaline seems to be the only thing keeping you alive as everything you didn't know existed minutes before comes at you rapid fire and in need of response.

People who don't know ask you when you're going to start having kids or if they have some idea tell you things like "Oh my gosh! You're so young - you shouldn't worry about it taking a bit." and you just want to slap them but you smile and tell them they're right instead.

I wasn't regular before the pill (that's why they put me on it) but I've been within 26-30 days/cycle since getting off. I guess I'm still trying to figure out the value of a "regular" cycle when I'm not ovulating. I took OPKs the first three months since we weren't sure I'd be regular. I only ever got one positive. Maybe that should have tipped me off but I thought I was just doing it wrong and quit using them instead.

In the end, I guess it's kinda a blessing, seeing as how this is the easiest problem to "fix." I'm a believer and I know God's in control and is working everything to His perfect plan. I don't doubt that. My story is for His glory. But that doesn't always help the "suck" factor. Though it usually tempers it.

That's me. Any encouragement, success story, or positive thought is most welcome.

-Z

dragonfaerie · May 2016

Welcome to the boards! I'm so glad that you have an RE that is being proactive with you, but I'm sorry that you have to be here. It is certainly hard when people bug you about having kids. There's actually a few articles out (one I found on thebump) about what to say when people say the wrong thing about infertility. It was a bit snarky but not too mean.

Best of luck and prayers for you!

msirni0 · May 2016

Hi welcome! Are you seeing an RE or just an OB? I'm curious as to why they wouldn't have done an HSG as well. Clomid can be some serious stuff, and it's best to be monitored when you're on it. But if your tubes aren't clear, there's no point in using it, because the tubes are blocked. I would definitely go see an RE if you're not already, because they will be better able to monitor you on Clomid (I got really really nasty cysts from one cycle of Clomid, and if my RE hadn't caught it on an US and cancelled the upcoming cycle, I could have ended up with a serious problem). Good luck and I hope that Clomid is all you need!

zigzag8412 · May 2016

Thank you @msirni0! We haven't actually been to an RE yet (except for his test), just my OBGYN. We just started everything this month. She already caught one cyst on on my sonogram yesterday so I know she's aware of them and she's only given me one month (five days) of Clomid with the thought process of working on what we know is a problem before spending more money on something that may not be. I think she's trying to be $ cautious since that's a large factor for DH and myself (he's a social worker and I'm a bookkeeper). She's got me set up on a low dose (50mg) with 2 sono visits (7th and 17th) to keep an eye on it.
HSG/laparoscopy is the next step. It's likely if Clomid doesn't work we'll go straight to the laparoscopy since the pre-pill irregular cycles and painful periods combined with family history lean in its favor anyway. My understanding is if the HSG comes back irregular you still need the laparoscopy so we'd probably opt to skip the $400+ HSG test and just go straight to surgery. I'd appreciate wisdom if I'm misunderstanding.
Also, how much accuracy difference is there between a US and a sono?

zigzag8412 · May 2016

Testing signature...

Kp214 · May 2016

@zigzag8412 I am sorry you are going through this. I know it sucks.

It can be very hard on your relationship with DH; however, I believe it has made our marriage stronger. We have had some blows to our self-esteem, feeling alone, and fighting, but ultimately, we are in a better place all because of this process. So, God can use it for good.

I pray everything works out for you.

zigzag8412 · May 2016

And I for you, @Kp214!

It looks as if you've had quite the journey. I really appreciate your encouragement and wish you the best! God bless!

ADRIANAC1982 · May 2016

HELLO AND WELCOME

hoffmanr7 · May 2016

@zigzag8412 Welcome. I am fairly new to the board as well and have already found it to be a great source of comfort and support. I hope you do as well.

wintersong555 · May 2016

You sound like a wonderful person, and I can't wait until the day you get the blessing you've been patiently waiting for! People can be hurtful without even realizing it. I have to casually brush aside people's "when're you having kids??" comments, without them knowing the turmoil going on behind that smile of mine! People who have never walked in your shoes have no idea that the world isn't so black and white. Anyways, good thoughts and many hugs to you!

adunkin · June 2016

Welcome and FX your stay in these parts is short! FWIW, some recent research shows SHG is actually better at catching problems than HSG and you only need one or the other. If you're paying out of pocket, I'd probably skip the HSG as long as your RE agrees. Good luck!

JESSABER0414 · June 2016

Welcome @zigzag8412. I'm new here too and have a similar story. I found it and still do impossible to tell my in laws. We've been vague to say the least and they don't ask but I know it's killing them. My aunt recently pushed me into a distant cousin at a party and "you should talk to her, she had trouble getting her son, too." Awkward since I've never told this aunt about trying, struggling, or our diagnosis. Nothing worse than meddlers especially during the tww when you want to do anything but think or talk about it. Ugh!
FX for you!

Hello! :)

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