@TravelingCouple Yep, like @juneroseruby said I read Alice Domar's Conquering Infertility and I started doing some IF-related journaling as a result. I also developed a strategy to talk with my husband about IF in a more productive way (the strategy is straight out of the book). Both things are helping me, though I think I am going to look for a therapist to talk short-term about all my feelings associated with my fragile x results. DH thinks we are where we are now but I am frequently like "no I have more feelings now!" (rolling eyes at self)
@bababatty I hope it's good news with the SA! Keep us posted
@Travelingcouple I'm sorry to hear things are just getting more confusing, and your doctor never communicated this to you before! WTF! How long did it take you to conceive your son? Could it be PCOS if you conceived before (I don't know that I've heard of it popping up later, and wouldn't they have seen it before)? I hope you're able to get to the bottom of all this tomorrow!
Diagnosis
(If you've been): Luteal phase defect and premature ovarian failure
associated with fragile x premutation
Cycle/CD: Cycle
10, CD18
Status
(WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW
What
are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) This has been our testing cycle. Originally we would have been going to letrozole + TI in March, but now I'm not sure. My genetic testing done by the RE came back showing that I have what is called a premutation of fragile X. For me, this explains my low AMH and poor egg quality, which are both symptoms of premutation. (There are also other health risks later in life which are terrifying but I suppose nothing is to be done about them at this point.) The TTC problem is that I have a high chance of passing on the full mutation to a child, which causes serious problems including severe mental retardation, severe autism, and before that a generally higher risk of miscarriage. There were a couple days after finding out last week where DH and I were totally crushed, like curl up and cry crushed. Now it's a little more distant, less fresh a hurt I suppose, but we aren't sure yet what we are going to do. We're going to the RE's tomorrow to get some advice and request they refer me for another, special genetic test for fragile x that can predict my personal risk for passing on the premutation versus the mutation. We haven't decided yet if we want to keep TTC or move to IVF + PGS in which case we could select only embryos with my good x chromosome. Which by the way we cannot afford. Anyway it's been confusing and exhausting and I feel horrible all the time.
How
are things going? Horrible. See above.
Any
questions?
GTKY: Yes, our exciting Valentine's plan is to go to the RE! But if we aren't too distraught afterward, then we will go out to a late lunch in that part of Long Island at a place we don't normally get to eat.
@Travelingcouple Oh, I forgot to add -- I looked up this claim of letrozole causing birth defects a while back, and there is no evidence that this is the case. There has only been one study showing this link, and that study had serious methodological problems that make the conclusions questionable at best. Letrozole is a bit safer than Clomid, although generally speaking both are safe drugs.
@zwink1 good luck with HSG tomorrow. I took 4 Advil about 45 mins beforehand and I think it helped!
Diagnosis (If you've been): DOR, Factor V & MFI
Cycle/CD: cycle 18, cd 24, 10dpo
Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): tww
What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?)
Last Unmedicated cycle! Pnvs, coq10, vitamin d, baby aspirin, gluten and dairy free diet
How are things going? I'm torn. Im SS Like crazy. I hoping for AF not to show but at same time want it to be here so I can get the show on the road. I have all my stims in hand. Just waiting on ins authorization for the cycle which I think my clinic dropped the ball on a bit
Any questions?
GTKY: Do you have any plans for valentines day? Not really. We just exchange cards. We are going back out wed for date night and doing Trivia night so I guess tHan can be our Valentine's gift to each other.
@adirat I am so sorry again that you got the fragile x news, and have to deal with this. It certainly is a lot to think about, and while it's nice to have PGS as an option, it's not nice when that option seems unobtainable, or very difficult to obtain. So many hugs to you.
@adirat I am so very sorry about the fragile x diagnosis and all it entails! That's so stressful, I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. I am anxious to hear what your RE has to say. I'm glad it sounds like there's a work around, and I hope you're able to make it work financially. Hugs!
I have a question about therapy -- any tips on how to find a good therapist? I also asked this in the mental health thread but I'm interested if you guys have advice on finding someone for TTC anxiety and struggles specifically.
@Everycol0r Thanks. I spoke to a genetic counselor last week when I got the results. (Apparently they don't give people these results without having them talk to someone, I assume so you don't immediately go off the deep end.) There's another genetic test that can be done so I'm hoping to get that and understand my personal risk, then from there, we may meet with a counselor again. One fortunate thing about this condition is that it is sufficiently studied that there are good population estimates, so with the genetic counselor's help I was able to calculate the exact chances (in a population) for my range of premutation -- 50% chance of passing my normal x chromosome, 33% chance of passing the same premutation I have (which is more serious for a boy than a girl baby), 17% chance of passing the full mutation (which is quite severe). The goal of the other test is to find out whether my specific premutation skews more toward mutating further. I think we are tentatively comfortable with the 17% chance. If we found out mine is unlikely to mutate, I think we'd actually feel good about 50% normal/40% premutation/10% mutation or similar. But if we were to find out it's actually larger, like a 40% chance full mutation, we would feel differently and probably want to do IVF+PGS. We have decided to start saving for IVF in the meantime, just in case.
@adirat I'm so sorry for what you're going through!! I hope you get some better results from your next test. Btw--do you live on Long Island? I'm from there originally!
@TravelingCouple I'm so sorry you've been having a rough time. You completely put into words how I've been feeling lately. I read your post to DH so he can better understand what I've been trying to communicate about how I'm feeling. I think therapy is a great idea! And I'm sorry about the craziness with your RE but I agree with everyone else that you should get a second opinion if you can.
Diagnosis (If you've been): unexplained secondary IF
Cycle/CD: 14/22
Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW
What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) had my HSG done and supposed blocked tube cleared, DH had SA and results came back normal, basically just waiting to see if AF shows up before we move to the next step
How are things going? I had a rough weekend also. It's harder on the weekend because I'm home all week with DD and I'm always busy and then I work two overnights on the weekend and my mind always wanders to IF issues while I'm working. This whole weekend I felt seconds away from tears and actually started researching adoption because DH doesn't want to do IUI/IVF if it turns out we need it because it would be almost impossible financially but I can't see myself never having more children. The whole "unexplained" thing frustrates me more than ever.
Any questions?
GTKY: Do you have any plans for Valentine's Day? We went out to a musical yesterday and tomorrow I'm making some brownies from scratch and we're going to visit my parents. DH said he has a surprise for me so we'll see!
TTC History
Me: 35 DH: 34 Married 07/2012 DD born 07/2014 DD2 born 10/2018 DS born 10/2022
IF history: TTC #2 since January 2016 June-Aug 2017: 3 IUIs w/Clomid = BFN Sept 2017: Dx w/Endometriosis Oct 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN Nov 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN Dec 2017: pre-IVF testing Jan-Feb 2018: IVF--17 eggs retrieved, 13 fertilized, 9 frozen and 1 transferred on 2/10 = BFP on 2/19!!! EDD 10/29/2018 FET Oct 2021: BFP on 10/31! MC at 5 weeks FET Feb 2022: BFP on 2/15! EDD 10/29/22
I'm so sorry so many in this wonderful group are having a hard time right now. IF is a really terrible thing and there's nothing anyone can really do or say to help... I hate it. Hugs to all of you.
@wabash15 I hope this IUI works the first time around! Hope is scary, but we're here for you no matter what the outcome is!
@adirat My RE has a psychological team that they work with and recommend... maybe yours can also recommend one? I'm crossing my fingers you get some more information that provides at least some comfort and gives you what you need to make a plan for your next steps.
@shortstack930 I hope you and your H can make a plan your both comfortable with. It's terrible that you have to make choices like this and I'm so sorry that you do.
@marley629 I'm hoping AF just stays away so you don't even have to worry about the medication or insurance authorization!
@travelingcouple The more I learn about PCOS the more I hate it. It's very frustrating - symptoms can vary by person and like @antoto said, sometimes you get KU without issue and then sometimes you struggle for a long time. Honestly in terms of treatments, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of conclusive information (kind of like everything IF related...) so it's a lot of trial and error. That personally drives me crazyyyyy but I've slowly started to accept that this is just my reality. But I'm still bitter about it
Diagnosis (If you've been): PCOS and MFI
Cycle/CD: 8/22
Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): Benched
What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Benched for the rubella vaccine and then consult next month
How are things going? There are good and bad days...Lately it's been okay.
Any questions? I feel like I had so many over the weekend and now I totally forgot all of them.... of course.
GTKY: Do you have any plans for valentines day? No, H coaches basketball til about 7:30 so not really a lot of time for anything. He surprised me this morning with flowers and a Harry Potter boxed set so I'm perfectly happy with that.
@adirat I found the therapist who leads my group through the database on the Psychology Today website. (This was recommended by someone on another board who is a therapist. I can't remember who since it was months ago.) You can filter for things like expertise in infertility. From there I guess it's a bit of trial and error to find one you really like, but I found it helpful.
@Bababatty Thanks, that's a great idea. I'm really interested in finding someone who knows about IF so I don't have to start from scratch or hear things like "just relax."
@zwink1 GL today @adirat I hope you have a good conversation with your RE today. I hope with more information you and DH can come to a decision that works for both of you. big hugs. @shortstack930 the unexplained dx sucks. I'm right there with you. I'm sorry that IUI is not an option for you guys. I hope clearing your tube is what you needed. big hugs. @hartmich thanks girl. I hate that your benched for a month but I hope its just a small hiccup in the road to your take home baby.
*TW*
TTC 1/2012 Diagnosed : unexplained infertility 6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015 TTC #3 5/2016 Restarted Fertility tx IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
@adirat I just want to hug you so hard right now. I am so, so sorry you got this extremely difficult information. I think you're being very smart about getting more testing done. I will be doing IVF with PGS was well and we are having to take money from both sides of the family, and I'm hosting fundraising events at my yoga studio to help fund the whole thing. It's expensive as hell, but maybe you can discuss this with friends and family, etc. Or if that's not available, maybe you could set up a savings plan? Since you would be doing PGS and you're still quite young, age would be less of a factor so you could take a few years to save up. Also be sure to look at different clinics and their prices. Here where I live I have seen the full procedure I want (IVF+ICSI+PGS) go for as much as 25k to as little as 13k. Shop around! Even if you end up having to drive really far, or stay at a hotel somewhere for a while.
@antoto I'm curious about shopping around because I have no idea how one does it. We're you able to just call other doctor's offices, or did you have to set up appointments for each? Were you able to figure out why such a big price discrepancy? It's a brilliant idea since we'd be OOP if we had to do IVF. I'm interested so I can start planning.
@antoto I'm curious about shopping around because I have no idea how one does it. We're you able to just call other doctor's offices, or did you have to set up appointments for each? Were you able to figure out why such a big price discrepancy? It's a brilliant idea since we'd be OOP if we had to do IVF. I'm interested so I can start planning.
@Bababatty So a LOT of clinics list their prices on their websites, so that's a good way to check that part out. You should be able to just call and set up an appointment if you're already with an RE. Also lower price doesn't necessarily mean lower quality, higher price doesn't mean higher quality. My RE is slightly cheaper than others because the clinic is only two years old (though the RE worked at another clinic for many years prior to opening his own) and on the edge of town, so they use the lower price to pull in new clients. Larger, more established clinics in the middle of a big city are able to demand higher prices since they don't have to fight for clients.
Thank you ladies so, so much. Seriously, I don't know how I'd cope with the UGH that is IF without you all.
@adirat I'm so sorry about the results you got, and thank you for your support as well. @shortstack930 It's hard to put it into verbal words sometimes, but easier for me to type out. I need to get back into blogging, but maybe just a private blog for me.
So I called my RE office back and spoke with the nurse (both REs are out today..). She said that there are no notations on my chart that state PCOS anywhere. I am seriously like WTAF. I asked her specifically for my testosterone levels, follicles on each ovary, AMH level again...Here are my results (i'm getting the actual print out tomorrow when I go in)
Follicles: 7 on one side, 12 on the other - 19 total (nurse said this is not abnormally high, yet RE yesterday said it was) AMH - 8.9 (Nurse said normal, RE yesterday said high) Testosterone - 36, which the nurse said is within the normal range
So what the hell??? Do I have PCOS or not? This is maddening. I have a phone consult scheduled with the RE to speak again on Thurs. She's out today and booked tomorrow.
*TW pregnancy & loss mentioned* ETA: @adirat I got pregnant right after I stopped BC back in 2013 when we first started TTC. I had a miscarriage with that pregnancy. It took us about 9 months after the miscarriage to get pregnant with DS. A lot longer than I would've liked but not nearly as long as we've been trying now for a second.
@Marley629 and @wabash15, thanks ladies! HSG went well, both tubes are clear and uterus is normal (no polyps or fibroids, but it is slightly arced, which my RE was not at all concerned with) so that's good news! I have to go in Thurs for an ultrasound and labs, and I'm going to have them do the genetic bloodwork while I'm there too. Side note though, despite having a head's up from this board (and taking Advil before going) holy crap was I not expecting that ish to hurt as much as it did. It's been a couple hours and my left side is still twinging.
@adirat, I don't have much advice to offer in the way of finding a therapist except to suggest maybe checking the RESOLVE site. They have both peer-led and professional led support groups listed on there, and I believe they also have resources for finding individual practitioners. If not, my support group has been a great resource for finding local practitioners. Officially, they're not supposed refer one person over another, but we will close the official meeting and people are open to discussing who they use.
@TravelingCouple I am so sorry for all the back and forth. Its good you have an appointment to talk with the RE as for your results... your follie numbers don't seem crazy high, they are similar to what I had at baseline. As for AMH
@TravelingCouple I also have a super high AMH-9.34, and I haven't met with my RE since we started testing H with the urologist, so I also have PCOS questions for him since that was never tossed around during my testing. I know you need to have 2/3 of the signs, the cystic ovaries, high AMH, and irregular cycles I believe. I am sorry there aren't more doctors in your area. My friend has PCOS and they put her on Clomid and she conceived quickly the first time and then maxed out on it the second time and ended up getting pregnant using essential oils (I know a controversial topic).
@adirat I 100% can relate to your feelings right now. I know what it is like to walk into the RE and think okay, after this round of testing I will pop some pills and try that, if not, an IUI is okay, and then have him tell me that IVF is my only option. It is devastating and I know that feeling of crushed sobs and feeling so sorry for yourself. We are all here for you. I know you're a reader too and that really helped me to feel like I still had some power over it. Reading to know what I could do to assist our results and hopefully change our outcomes/chances. I am so sorry you got that news this week. The continued testing and visits to the doc will continue to make time pass. I am glad you're journaling as well. I find that writing one to two sentences per day about how I am feeling has helped. As far as the money, I just keep tucking bits away whenever I can. We changed things financially like we used to pay extra on our mortgage, and now we just pay the regular payment, and save the extra money. I have an etsy shop that I take all the money from that and set it aside. You are a resourceful girl and I am sure you will find the money if you need it.
Edited to fix comment on PCOS
32 years old (both H and I) Dating 7/2008 Married 7/2014 H Type I Diabetic TTC 1/2016
12/2016
mental break from TTC-NTNP
1/10/2017 initial appt with RE (all BW results WNL) 1/17/2017
SA DX Virtual Azoo (3 sperm 0%morph 0%motility) 1/18/2017
STP tubes clear 2/1/2017 initial appt with Urologist
2/15/2017 DX H Robertsonian Translocation H is on clomid and Theralogix Supplements 6/26/17 repeat SA: 47 sperm 0% morph 13% motility 7/26/17 IVF Consult, repeat SA (4 sperm) 8/21/17 Starting IVF cycle with Donor Sperm backup 9/1/17 ER ICSI PGS: only 2 donor embryos made it to freeze 9/13/17 Started cycle for IUI with donor and clomid 9/27/17 IUI canceled for overstim October Plan IUI with donor and low dose clomid
@travelingcouple AMH indicates your level of ovarian reserve. so how many follicles you have hanging around that could develop. This number naturally drops as you age because your using up follicles with every cycle. Unfortunately some women who may only be say 30 (random age) may have DOR (diminished ovarian reserve) and instead of having the typical number of eggs for a 30 year old they might have the typical number of eggs for a 40 year old. Having less eggs means its harder to get pregnant. I have a good friend IRL, we are very similar in the IF world except she is DOR and I am not. she's 35 but has the ovarian reserve of a 45 year old.
*TW*
TTC 1/2012 Diagnosed : unexplained infertility 6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015 TTC #3 5/2016 Restarted Fertility tx IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
@wabash15 no she didn't. I'll email her and see if I can get that tested.
Eta: my DH (who is a PA) said that most women follow their mothers in terms of menopause, some as close as to the month of their mother. My mom had me (her 4th kid) at 35 so that helps me a little bit (if what my H said was true).
Me: 31 DH: 32 Dating since: 11/17/2001 Married: 9/26/2009 TTC: June 2016
What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) Nada, waiting on AF to start BCP for IVF
How are things going? Not too bad, considering. With IVF on the horizon I feel like I can breathe a bit (we took care of all the pre-reqs so I'm not as stressed). I got my friend's leftover meds this weekend and that should help defray the costs significantly. I'm anxiously awaiting the protocol I'll be on so I know how much of her stash I can use and how much I have to shell out. Now it's just wait, wait, wait.
Any questions?
GTKY: Do you have any plans for valentines day? We don't do V-Day. It's like Rebecca's epic rant on This Is Us, he shows me he loves me every day, not with overpriced flowers on one day a year.
@TravelingCouple I don't have any insights to PCOS, but hugs, dear. Your RE sounds like a hot mess. I'm so happy the Bump has members who can point you in the right direction!
@zwink1 I'm glad to hear your HSG was clear but sorry about the pain. That's no fun. All the wine!
Me: late 30s | H: early 30s TTC #1 since April 2015 RE Dx: Fibroids, surgery Jan 2016 IUI #1 and #2, Nov/Dec 2016, BFN IVF March 2017: ER - 5R/3M/3F, 1 PGS normal Polyp removed May 2017 FET May 2017 - BFP! Baby boy born 2/2/18
Thanks @eggplantface, I'm so excited for you on your IVF! I know waiting stinks though. But it's nice that now you can take a breather since you've done all you can for now.
@travelingcouple I am not an expert on PCOS but my understanding is that typically someone with PCOS has lots of follicles but that they don't necessarily mature properly so you may have irregular cycles/an-O or "weak O" so while PCOS does not mean you cant get pregnant on your own it may make it much harder. Please anyone with more PCOS experience feel free to correct me/expound.
*TW*
TTC 1/2012 Diagnosed : unexplained infertility 6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015 TTC #3 5/2016 Restarted Fertility tx IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
@wabash15 oh ok, that's one of my questions for tomorrow too.. How to know if I'm having "weak O" or not. My temps are generally on the lower side and only jump up a tiny little bit after O.. It takes about 3-5 days for my progesterone to make my temp go up to even around 97.7~ I've always wondered if that indicates weak O.
This is for age range 26-30 years - does not apply to higher ages AMH Normal Range: 1.0 - 11.1, Median 4.2 AMH >1 correlates with a better response to ovarian stimulation and higher odds of live birth. AMH >11.1 may indicate PCOS or granulosa cell tumor and should be followed up by ultrasound of ovaries.
@wabash15 Good, thanks for asking. I brought in the information about the other genetic test I want to have done, and he's going to have a nurse call the hospital in Manhattan that does it and see how we can get it set up. Such a relief! He also had clearly read up on this condition before meeting with us, which I am so grateful for. We talked about what the genetic counselor provided as estimates of problems in a fetus, and he was comfortable with moving forward with a medicated cycle in March pending this other test (yay). DH and I have spent a LOT of time talking about how we want to handle this and if we want to try a medicated cycle, and we decided that we do. He said he understood our logic and was fully supportive, and said that if this other test comes back indicating something worse than the current estimates from the genetic counselor, then we can talk about IVF. So our goal now is to start letrozole + TI after I start my period next week. I don't think I've ever been so eager to get a period already
Also, my AMH has improved after the lifestyle changes that I made!!!!!! I am so so so excited. I'm now over 2 which means I'm back in the normal range for my age.
I a so happy that the appointment went well and that you are still going to be able to/feel comfortable with moving forward with a medicated cycle!! Medicated march here we come!
*TW*
TTC 1/2012 Diagnosed : unexplained infertility 6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015 TTC #3 5/2016 Restarted Fertility tx IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
Yay @adirat!! I'm glad your RE is well informed. I am so rooting you on girl. Looks like a lot of us will be trying something new in March! Thanksgiving babies for all
Re: IF/Testing Check-in Week Feb13th
@bababatty I hope it's good news with the SA! Keep us posted
@Travelingcouple I'm sorry to hear things are just getting more confusing, and your doctor never communicated this to you before! WTF! How long did it take you to conceive your son? Could it be PCOS if you conceived before (I don't know that I've heard of it popping up later, and wouldn't they have seen it before)? I hope you're able to get to the bottom of all this tomorrow!
Hugs friends. I'm so sorry it has been a rough few days for you. @juneroseruby @zwink1 @travelingcouple @kyersten
Diagnosis (If you've been): Luteal phase defect and premature ovarian failure associated with fragile x premutation
Cycle/CD: Cycle 10, CD18
Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW
What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) This has been our testing cycle. Originally we would have been going to letrozole + TI in March, but now I'm not sure. My genetic testing done by the RE came back showing that I have what is called a premutation of fragile X. For me, this explains my low AMH and poor egg quality, which are both symptoms of premutation. (There are also other health risks later in life which are terrifying but I suppose nothing is to be done about them at this point.) The TTC problem is that I have a high chance of passing on the full mutation to a child, which causes serious problems including severe mental retardation, severe autism, and before that a generally higher risk of miscarriage. There were a couple days after finding out last week where DH and I were totally crushed, like curl up and cry crushed. Now it's a little more distant, less fresh a hurt I suppose, but we aren't sure yet what we are going to do. We're going to the RE's tomorrow to get some advice and request they refer me for another, special genetic test for fragile x that can predict my personal risk for passing on the premutation versus the mutation. We haven't decided yet if we want to keep TTC or move to IVF + PGS in which case we could select only embryos with my good x chromosome. Which by the way we cannot afford. Anyway it's been confusing and exhausting and I feel horrible all the time.
How are things going? Horrible. See above.
Any questions?
GTKY: Yes, our exciting Valentine's plan is to go to the RE! But if we aren't too distraught afterward, then we will go out to a late lunch in that part of Long Island at a place we don't normally get to eat.
Here's an NIH explainer if it's useful: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2278348/
@zwink1 good luck with HSG tomorrow. I took 4 Advil about 45 mins beforehand and I think it helped!
Cycle/CD: cycle 18, cd 24, 10dpo
GTKY: Do you have any plans for valentines day? Not really. We just exchange cards. We are going back out wed for date night and doing Trivia night so I guess tHan can be our Valentine's gift to each other.
DX Diminished Ovarian Reserve, Factor V Leiden Mutation, Secondary Infertility
MFI (SA #1Count 11mill, Motility: 18%, Morphology: 1%)
AMH .328 | FSH 13.2
@adirat girl, you get ALL THE HUGS. I don't have any words of wisdom, but I hope the RE can give you some clarity.
@laurad75 I'm patiently waiting for your update!!
@TravelingCouple oh honey, I'm so sorry you are feeling so down. I hope speaking with a therapist will help you. Hugs.
@heatherdubrow I hope your appointment on Friday goes well!!!
Dating since: 11/17/2001
Married: 9/26/2009
TTC: June 2016
EDD: 5/14/2018
@Marley629 Good luck with the rest of your TWW!
@kyersten I'm excited for you to begin IVF. Good luck!
I have a question about therapy -- any tips on how to find a good therapist? I also asked this in the mental health thread but I'm interested if you guys have advice on finding someone for TTC anxiety and struggles specifically.
LFAF February Siggy Challenge - "Favorite TV/Movie Couple"
DD: 10/17/13
TTC#2 Actively: 10/14, NTNP: 01/14
Left-Sided Hydrosalpinx (cause: genetic abnormality, TREATED 11/16)
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/396b04
LFAF February Siggy Challenge - "Favorite TV/Movie Couple"
DD: 10/17/13
TTC#2 Actively: 10/14, NTNP: 01/14
Left-Sided Hydrosalpinx (cause: genetic abnormality, TREATED 11/16)
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/396b04
@TravelingCouple I'm so sorry you've been having a rough time. You completely put into words how I've been feeling lately. I read your post to DH so he can better understand what I've been trying to communicate about how I'm feeling. I think therapy is a great idea! And I'm sorry about the craziness with your RE but I agree with everyone else that you should get a second opinion if you can.
Cycle/CD: 14/22
GTKY: Do you have any plans for Valentine's Day? We went out to a musical yesterday and tomorrow I'm making some brownies from scratch and we're going to visit my parents. DH said he has a surprise for me so we'll see!
Married 07/2012
DD born 07/2014
DD2 born 10/2018
DS born 10/2022
IF history:
TTC #2 since January 2016
June-Aug 2017: 3 IUIs w/Clomid = BFN
Sept 2017: Dx w/Endometriosis
Oct 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
Nov 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
Dec 2017: pre-IVF testing
Jan-Feb 2018: IVF--17 eggs retrieved, 13 fertilized, 9 frozen and 1 transferred on 2/10 = BFP on 2/19!!! EDD 10/29/2018
FET Oct 2021: BFP on 10/31! MC at 5 weeks
FET Feb 2022: BFP on 2/15! EDD 10/29/22
@wabash15 I hope this IUI works the first time around! Hope is scary, but we're here for you no matter what the outcome is!
@adirat My RE has a psychological team that they work with and recommend... maybe yours can also recommend one? I'm crossing my fingers you get some more information that provides at least some comfort and gives you what you need to make a plan for your next steps.
@shortstack930 I hope you and your H can make a plan your both comfortable with. It's terrible that you have to make choices like this and I'm so sorry that you do.
@marley629 I'm hoping AF just stays away so you don't even have to worry about the medication or insurance authorization!
@travelingcouple The more I learn about PCOS the more I hate it. It's very frustrating - symptoms can vary by person and like @antoto said, sometimes you get KU without issue and then sometimes you struggle for a long time. Honestly in terms of treatments, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of conclusive information (kind of like everything IF related...) so it's a lot of trial and error. That personally drives me crazyyyyy but I've slowly started to accept that this is just my reality. But I'm still bitter about it
Diagnosis (If you've been): PCOS and MFI
Cycle/CD: 8/22
GTKY: Do you have any plans for valentines day? No, H coaches basketball til about 7:30 so not really a lot of time for anything. He surprised me this morning with flowers and a Harry Potter boxed set so I'm perfectly happy with that.
@adirat I hope you have a good conversation with your RE today. I hope with more information you and DH can come to a decision that works for both of you. big hugs.
@shortstack930 the unexplained dx sucks. I'm right there with you. I'm sorry that IUI is not an option for you guys. I hope clearing your tube is what you needed. big hugs.
@hartmich thanks girl. I hate that your benched for a month but I hope its just a small hiccup in the road to your take home baby.
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
And also *more hugs*
@adirat I'm so sorry about the results you got, and thank you for your support as well.
@shortstack930 It's hard to put it into verbal words sometimes, but easier for me to type out. I need to get back into blogging, but maybe just a private blog for me.
So I called my RE office back and spoke with the nurse (both REs are out today..). She said that there are no notations on my chart that state PCOS anywhere. I am seriously like WTAF. I asked her specifically for my testosterone levels, follicles on each ovary, AMH level again...Here are my results (i'm getting the actual print out tomorrow when I go in)
Follicles: 7 on one side, 12 on the other - 19 total (nurse said this is not abnormally high, yet RE yesterday said it was)
AMH - 8.9 (Nurse said normal, RE yesterday said high)
Testosterone - 36, which the nurse said is within the normal range
So what the hell??? Do I have PCOS or not? This is maddening. I have a phone consult scheduled with the RE to speak again on Thurs. She's out today and booked tomorrow.
*TW pregnancy & loss mentioned*
ETA: @adirat I got pregnant right after I stopped BC back in 2013 when we first started TTC. I had a miscarriage with that pregnancy. It took us about 9 months after the miscarriage to get pregnant with DS. A lot longer than I would've liked but not nearly as long as we've been trying now for a second.
@adirat, I don't have much advice to offer in the way of finding a therapist except to suggest maybe checking the RESOLVE site. They have both peer-led and professional led support groups listed on there, and I believe they also have resources for finding individual practitioners. If not, my support group has been a great resource for finding local practitioners. Officially, they're not supposed refer one person over another, but we will close the official meeting and people are open to discussing who they use.
Edit: to fix weird tagging issue.
your follie numbers don't seem crazy high, they are similar to what I had at baseline. As for AMH
Age Specific Baseline FSH and AMH Levels
Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) :: CHR
so an AMH of 8.9 does seem high (I think mine was 2.4)
sorry I have no info on testosterone but hopefully one of the PCOS ladies can give you some insight.
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
Dating since: 11/17/2001
Married: 9/26/2009
TTC: June 2016
EDD: 5/14/2018
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
@adirat I 100% can relate to your feelings right now. I know what it is like to walk into the RE and think okay, after this round of testing I will pop some pills and try that, if not, an IUI is okay, and then have him tell me that IVF is my only option. It is devastating and I know that feeling of crushed sobs and feeling so sorry for yourself. We are all here for you. I know you're a reader too and that really helped me to feel like I still had some power over it. Reading to know what I could do to assist our results and hopefully change our outcomes/chances. I am so sorry you got that news this week. The continued testing and visits to the doc will continue to make time pass. I am glad you're journaling as well. I find that writing one to two sentences per day about how I am feeling has helped. As far as the money, I just keep tucking bits away whenever I can. We changed things financially like we used to pay extra on our mortgage, and now we just pay the regular payment, and save the extra money. I have an etsy shop that I take all the money from that and set it aside. You are a resourceful girl and I am sure you will find the money if you need it.
Edited to fix comment on PCOS
Dating 7/2008
Married 7/2014
H Type I Diabetic
TTC 1/2016
1/10/2017 initial appt with RE (all BW results WNL)
1/17/2017 SA DX Virtual Azoo (3 sperm 0%morph 0%motility)
1/18/2017 STP tubes clear
2/1/2017 initial appt with Urologist
2/15/2017 DX H Robertsonian Translocation
H is on clomid and Theralogix Supplements
6/26/17 repeat SA: 47 sperm 0% morph 13% motility
7/26/17 IVF Consult, repeat SA (4 sperm)
8/21/17 Starting IVF cycle with Donor Sperm backup
9/1/17 ER ICSI PGS: only 2 donor embryos made it to freeze
9/13/17 Started cycle for IUI with donor and clomid
9/27/17 IUI canceled for overstim
October Plan IUI with donor and low dose clomid
I have a good friend IRL, we are very similar in the IF world except she is DOR and I am not. she's 35 but has the ovarian reserve of a 45 year old.
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
@wabash15 so then wouldn't a high number mean I have more of a reserve? I'm 29. I'm trying to see how high is bad
Eta: my DH (who is a PA) said that most women follow their mothers in terms of menopause, some as close as to the month of their mother. My mom had me (her 4th kid) at 35 so that helps me a little bit (if what my H said was true).
Dating since: 11/17/2001
Married: 9/26/2009
TTC: June 2016
EDD: 5/14/2018
Cycle/CD: 7/35, I think?
GTKY: Do you have any plans for valentines day? We don't do V-Day. It's like Rebecca's epic rant on This Is Us, he shows me he loves me every day, not with overpriced flowers on one day a year.
@TravelingCouple I don't have any insights to PCOS, but hugs, dear. Your RE sounds like a hot mess. I'm so happy the Bump has members who can point you in the right direction!
@zwink1 I'm glad to hear your HSG was clear but sorry about the pain. That's no fun. All the wine!
TTC #1 since April 2015
RE Dx: Fibroids, surgery Jan 2016
IUI #1 and #2, Nov/Dec 2016, BFN
IVF March 2017: ER - 5R/3M/3F, 1 PGS normal
Polyp removed May 2017
FET May 2017 - BFP!
Baby boy born 2/2/18
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
This is for age range 26-30 years - does not apply to higher ages
AMH Normal Range: 1.0 - 11.1, Median 4.2
AMH >1 correlates with a better response to ovarian stimulation and higher odds of live birth. AMH >11.1 may indicate PCOS or granulosa cell tumor and should be followed up by ultrasound of ovaries.
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
Also, my AMH has improved after the lifestyle changes that I made!!!!!! I am so so so excited. I'm now over 2 which means I'm back in the normal range for my age.
I a so happy that the appointment went well and that you are still going to be able to/feel comfortable with moving forward with a medicated cycle!! Medicated march here we come!
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17