Trying to Get Pregnant

IF/Testing Check-in Week Feb13th

245

Re: IF/Testing Check-in Week Feb13th

  • @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. 

    Here's an NIH explainer if it's useful: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2278348/ 


  • Loading the player...
  • @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!

    @Marley629 Good luck with the rest of your TWW!

    @kyersten I'm excited for you to begin IVF. Good luck!
  • @zwink1 @BertieMeetsGertie @bababatty Thanks friends <3 I'm doing OK now. Or at least better than my super fatalistic first couple days. 

    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. 



  • @adirat again, im so sorry. We're here for you love.
  • @adirat my lovetit is a big hug. I'm so sorry. Are y'all going to see a genetic counselor? 
    httpss-media-cache-ak0pinimgcom564x9c95d69c95d674dd5cf4fca6bd9d384e78e24bjpg
    LFAF February Siggy Challenge - "Favorite TV/Movie Couple"


    httpdb88884558af2dd1308c-3341812d6775871652d58b599202ab3cr4cf1rackcdncomthebumpvanillaforumscomFileUpload26b89148c7b33ea94ce2d81113588d17jpghttpdb88884558af2dd1308c-3341812d6775871652d58b599202ab3cr4cf1rackcdncomthebumpvanillaforumscomFileUploadd47bf7ca05f00f6cf5bf636c32d9a75bjpghttpdb88884558af2dd1308c-3341812d6775871652d58b599202ab3cr4cf1rackcdncomthebumpvanillaforumscomFileUpload8eecaf9159c3ef2d76474f4858e0ca7cjpg
    httpdb88884558af2dd1308c-3341812d6775871652d58b599202ab3cr4cf1rackcdncomthebumpvanillaforumscomFileUploada6e4cbc633a118da3abd087f7518f2c8jpghttpdb88884558af2dd1308c-3341812d6775871652d58b599202ab3cr4cf1rackcdncomthebumpvanillaforumscomFileUploadc77e51750c881e1e2ec7bd004e796cd3jpghttpdb88884558af2dd1308c-3341812d6775871652d58b599202ab3cr4cf1rackcdncomthebumpvanillaforumscomFileUpload54f663537b430163ad7fac1203ceb664jpg

    Me: 28 | DH: 29
    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


























  • httpss-media-cache-ak0pinimgcom564x9c95d69c95d674dd5cf4fca6bd9d384e78e24bjpg
    LFAF February Siggy Challenge - "Favorite TV/Movie Couple"


    httpdb88884558af2dd1308c-3341812d6775871652d58b599202ab3cr4cf1rackcdncomthebumpvanillaforumscomFileUpload26b89148c7b33ea94ce2d81113588d17jpghttpdb88884558af2dd1308c-3341812d6775871652d58b599202ab3cr4cf1rackcdncomthebumpvanillaforumscomFileUploadd47bf7ca05f00f6cf5bf636c32d9a75bjpghttpdb88884558af2dd1308c-3341812d6775871652d58b599202ab3cr4cf1rackcdncomthebumpvanillaforumscomFileUpload8eecaf9159c3ef2d76474f4858e0ca7cjpg
    httpdb88884558af2dd1308c-3341812d6775871652d58b599202ab3cr4cf1rackcdncomthebumpvanillaforumscomFileUploada6e4cbc633a118da3abd087f7518f2c8jpghttpdb88884558af2dd1308c-3341812d6775871652d58b599202ab3cr4cf1rackcdncomthebumpvanillaforumscomFileUploadc77e51750c881e1e2ec7bd004e796cd3jpghttpdb88884558af2dd1308c-3341812d6775871652d58b599202ab3cr4cf1rackcdncomthebumpvanillaforumscomFileUpload54f663537b430163ad7fac1203ceb664jpg

    Me: 28 | DH: 29
    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


























  • @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


  • @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

  • @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 said:
    @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.
  • edited February 2017
    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.
  • @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

    Age Specific Baseline FSH and AMH Levels
    AgeFSHAMH
    < 33 Years< 7.0 mIU/mL= 2.1 ng/mL
    33-37 Years< 7.9 mIU/mL= 1.7 ng/mL
    38-40 Years< 8.4 mIU/mL= 1.1 ng/mL
    = 41+ Years< 8.5 mIU/mL= 0.5 ng/mL

    Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) :: CHR

    https://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/infertilityedu/causes/anti-müllerian.../fsh/

    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.
    *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

  • @zwink1 so glad everything looks good!
    *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 ok, now I'm concerned. My FSH was 8.3 and I'm 31.... My gyn didn't say anything about that result, however. 
    Me: 31 DH: 32
    Dating since: 11/17/2001
    Married: 9/26/2009
    TTC: June 2016
    BFP: 9/01/2017
    EDD: 5/14/2018


  • @BertieMeetsGertie did she check your AMH?
    *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 thanks, what does amh indicate? I can't seem to get any answers. I'm actually going in tomorrow to talk to the nurse and get my reports
  • JuneRoseRubyJuneRoseRuby member
    edited February 2017
    @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

  • Thanks @JuneRoseRuby, I hope you get clear cut answers from your RE

    @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
  • edited February 2017
    @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
    BFP: 9/01/2017
    EDD: 5/14/2018


  • 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.
  • I just talked to my RE about bloodwork today so I thought this might be helpful @travelingcouple @BertieMeetsGertie

    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. 


  • @adirat how did the appointment go?
    *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 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

  • @adirat that's great! I'll be crossing everything for your medicated cycle!!
  • 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 :)
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"