Trouble TTC

TTC Checkin 9/11/18

I thought I'd get us started on a new thread.

QOTW: Would you want to live where you vacation or just vacation more often?

2018 BFP Hall of Fame

lablover78 dx: PCOS, Compound Heterozygous MTHFR Rx: IVF
Tops-2: dx: anovulatory PCOS Rx: Metformin, Letrozole & TI
halfanewt: possible PCOS, MTHFR gene, slight MFI Rx: IVF
seethosestars: dx: DOR Rx: IVF + FET #1
Kim41313: dx: unexplained Rx: IVF
soehlerk: dx: Unexplained Rx: Femara + IUI
Mlight28: dx Unexplained Rx: Clomid
SoonToBeMommaHowe: dx: Unexplained  Rx: naturally until IVF
honeybeebub: dx:septate uterus, MTHFR  Rx:  septum resection surgery, baby aspirin & progesterone
be08ryan:  dx: PCOS and AO Rx: Clomid
kiwielopingbride: Dx: Unexplained Rx: IUI
thothscribe81: dx: unexplained Rx: IVF
kristimh80: dx: unexplained Rx: Injectables + trigger + IUI

PAGING:

@BWhitta: dx: PCOS, low AMH and endo Rx: letrozole
@Bababatty: dx:Low Motility  Rx: IVF
@ChristinaV2015: dx: blocked tubes, PCOS, endo + MFI  Rx: lap, OPKs + TI
@ChristenMA83 : dx: MFI Rx: IVF w/ISCI
@emgem819 dx: PCOS, Rx: provera, femara + Bravelle
@hoffmanr7: dx: unexplained Rx:  IVF
@jmr1515: dx: Mild MFI/morph, fibroid  Rx: Surgery + TI
@mackenzie07 dx: PCOS and Endo  Rx: metformin, letrozole, ovidrel
@mandasand: dx: low AMH  Rx:IVF (Lupron, Menopur + Follistim)
@MrsM00re87: dx: DOR PCOS, low morph Rx: Femara + TI
@Mythril: dx: PCOS (anovulatory) Rx:levothyroxine, metformin and femara + TI
@rachlee2010: dx: DOR Rx: IUI
@Samanthaarielxo dx: anovulation Rx: still in testing
@sarah0985: dx: PCOS, possible blocked tubes Rx: Lap
@SM746830: dx: PCOS, blocked tubes Rx: Surgery, Clomid
@starlitfae dx: MFI & balanced translocation, thyroid  Rx: ivf with pgd testing
@funkykey dx: unexplained Rx: IVF
@Worldtravler0522 dx: PCOS/Unexplained Rx: IVF
@notamyrtle: dx: unexplained Rx: IUI + injects
@Kate437: dx:anovulatory   Rx:Letrozole + trigger
@SP128: in testing/unexplained
@eranvo27: dx: anovulatory PCOS Rx: metformin
@Charligirl28: dx: unexplained Rx: Clomid
@Brooke4131: dx: Secondary unexplained Rx: in testing
@fluffybookworm: dx: Anovulation + insulin resistance Rx: Metformin + prometrium + testing
@Asampson87: dx: unexplained + MFI  Rx: metformin + testing
@hannahlce: dx: anovulatory PCOS Rx: metformin + letrozole
@emmasemm: dx: DOR & autoimmune Rx: IVF
@floridanursegirl: dx: unexplained anovulation Rx:Metformin, IUI+Femara+trigger
@aeb1116: dx: unexplained Rx: IUI
@Happyin14: dx: unexplained, RPL Rx: IVF
@amac2313: dx: unknown Rx: Clomid
@nurseerin2012: dx: unexplained Rx: letrozole + IUI
@Knottie1467155066: dx: unknown Rx: letrozole + trigger + TI
@BenJay: Dx: PCOS/unexplained Rx. Metformin + supplements
@MicahDahn: Dx: irregular cycles Rx: preparing for testing
@moloninge Dx:PCOS, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, fibroids. Rx:Metformin,Synthroid,IUI w/letrozole, ovidrel, and progesterone.
@beec2421: dx: PCOS, hypothyroidism Rx: metformin, synthroid, clomid
@wishing-and-hoping: dx: unexplained rx: poss. IVF
@echocharlietango: dx: Unexplained Rx: trying naturally
@kgabhart: dx: Unexplained/PCOS  Rx: letrozole + IUI
@linz36: dx: Low AFC, MFI  Rx: testing/IUI
@jrm_14: dx: Adrenal/overian insufficiency, Borderline-low AMH, Low progesterone Rx: IUI w/ injectables.
@Bgreenfield10: dx: anovulatory PCOS, LPD Rx: Clomid + trigger
@serownarain: dx: in testing
@allisona66: dx: waiting for testing
@manhattanmama2: dx: unexplained Rx: IVF
@mirabelle33 dx: DOR, possible endo Rx: TBD
@meganttc3: dx: PCOS, unexplained Rx: waiting to test
@mrsjcrane: dx: unexplained Rx: femara + trigger + TI + 2nd HCG booster
@mighty-mouse: dx:pcos & HA Rx: provera/letrozole + trigger
@ladystout08: dx: unknown Rx: waiting for testing
@leafyarch: dx: MFI, no thyroid Rx: IVF
@oklahomak: dx: PCOS Rx: metformin/letrozole/estradiol/progesterone+ trigger
@drewsdarlin: dx: RPL, PCOS, Hashimotos, low vitamin D and Iron RX: ?
@rmarble23: dx: MFI Rx: IVF
@courtneyh2013: dx: MFI Rx: IUI + clomid
@sarahven dx:anovulation and PCOS. Rx: femara
@inthewoods23 - dx:MFI. Rx: pending.


NEWCOMERS:To be added to the Weekly Checkin, please answer the following:


1.  How long have you been TTC?

2.  What is your diagnosis?

3.  What is your current Rx plan?

Re: TTC Checkin 9/11/18

  • funkykeyfunkykey member
    edited September 2018
    @mirabelle33 - I hope it went well today! Thinking of you! (It was today, right?)

    @BWhitta - I'm so glad things are progressing well! FX!

    @ChristenMA83 - Congratulations on the weight loss! Amazing!

    @inthewoods23 - welcome. I hope you find support on this board. Will you see an RE after seeing a urologist, or are you waiting for the urologist's take first? 

    Also, ps. I saw on the other thread - holy cow, your cousin must move fast on the conception! 

    @Bababatty - Has AF started? Are you prepping for your next FET?

    AFM: Retrieval went ok - we have 6 fertilized eggs, and now I'm just waiting to see what makes it to blast, and then whether or not the blasts are normal. I hate, hate, hate this part. Keep your FX for me!

    ETA: I saw this article in the WSJ today - so interesting. It's about CNY Fertility in Syracuse, which does IVF much cheaper than most clinics. 
    https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-fertility-clinic-that-cut-ivf-prices-in-half-1536589667
  • @estherjvb - just realizing I forgot you above and pinging you now!
    How's it going?
  • Loading the player...
  • @funkykey thanks for starting a new thread. Just wondering if I could be added to the “paging” list as well? Thanks! And although I haven’t done IVF, I can only imagine how difficult that waiting must be - I hope you get great results!! Definitely FX! 

    AFM, nothing new since my intro post. Trying to conceive since May 2016. Irregular cycles for me and low morphology for DH. RX: Femara once new cycle begins. 

    And definitely wish I could just travel more! 
  • @funkykey the plan right now is to wait and see how our appointment goes on Friday. Very new to all this. Been waiting nearly a month for this appointment!

    QOTW: Not sure how I would answer this. I love where we live, however, DH and I honeymooned in Iceland last year and DH has definitely expressed the idea of living there at some point in our lives because we absolutely loved it. Ideal vacations for us would be to places like Alaska, Canada, Scandanavia. Really any place we can be immersed in nature. We have lots of trees in our yard so we have a nice slice of nature at home.
    *TW* History:
    Me: 34 DH: 36 | Together since 2007 | Married July 2016

    TTC #1 since 7.2017
    Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies

    IUI #1-3 all BFN
    IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
    FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
    RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
    FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
    2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
    Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
    TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20

    Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
    Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
    Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
    Bloodwork | 10.21.21 high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
    BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 B) | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy
    DS born 7.19.22 after induction


    TTC #2 begins 6.2023
    Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
    Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
    Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
    Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
    Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
    Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
    Repeat labs in 8 weeks
    Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
    TTC put on pause
  • @funkykey also yes! Cousin got pregnant about 2-3 months after their wedding. She had an emergency C section so they had to wait a bit before trying again but they want 8 kids so yeah... It's gonna be boom boom boom with them.
    *TW* History:
    Me: 34 DH: 36 | Together since 2007 | Married July 2016

    TTC #1 since 7.2017
    Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies

    IUI #1-3 all BFN
    IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
    FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
    RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
    FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
    2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
    Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
    TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20

    Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
    Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
    Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
    Bloodwork | 10.21.21 high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
    BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 B) | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy
    DS born 7.19.22 after induction


    TTC #2 begins 6.2023
    Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
    Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
    Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
    Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
    Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
    Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
    Repeat labs in 8 weeks
    Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
    TTC put on pause
  • @inthewoods23 - ah, your handle makes sense now! 

    OMG 8 kids?!?! My first thought was: "Are they insane?" My second: "They must be so rich."  :p

    I know everyone is different but 8 really seems like a lot! 
  • @funkykey well our grandparents had 7! I can't imagine the logistics to having so many so close together in age. Family vacations, even just traveling for holidays or for a meal out. At least with my grandparents my oldest uncle was in college when my youngest twin uncles were born. I think my mom was in high school at the time.

    Spaced out like that seems more manageable. 8 kids under 12? Yikes  :#
    *TW* History:
    Me: 34 DH: 36 | Together since 2007 | Married July 2016

    TTC #1 since 7.2017
    Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies

    IUI #1-3 all BFN
    IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
    FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
    RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
    FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
    2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
    Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
    TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20

    Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
    Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
    Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
    Bloodwork | 10.21.21 high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
    BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 B) | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy
    DS born 7.19.22 after induction


    TTC #2 begins 6.2023
    Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
    Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
    Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
    Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
    Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
    Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
    Repeat labs in 8 weeks
    Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
    TTC put on pause
  • BababattyBababatty member
    edited September 2018
    @funkykey Thanks for getting us started again! Congratulations on your 6! I hate the wait, too. So frustrating when it’s out of your control! FX for good embie numbers and PGS results! 

    I saw that article, and then forgot to read it (I’m in an open office so decided that might be weird). I’m curious why their costs are so low.

    @sincethelastday Welcome!! Sorry you find yourself here, but glad to have you with us on this journey!

    @inthewoods23 Welcome and good luck on Friday! Let us know what you learn! Also 8 kids in rapid order? That’s some Duggar-level reproducing right there! My mom talks about how hard it was to have 3 kids under 4; having 8 kids under 12 would not be any easier, I’m sure!

    Sometimes I wonder if people who are able to conceive so many kids so quickly appreciate their fertility (I’m saying this in general; not about your cousin specifically). I’m just being bitter, lol. My RE was like, “I think you need to focus on just getting to 1.”

    BTW I’m so jealous of your trees. I tried to convince DH that we could enjoy a non-urban life and he’s not buying it. At least I work near a park! I’m desperate to get out in the woods for more hiking this fall.

    @BWhitta Hooray!!!!! I am SO excited for you! Good luck today!

    @mirabelle33 Inquiring minds MUST know how your appointment went!

    @ChristenMA83 Did you say you’d lost all your pre-IVF weight? Color me jealous!

    AFM I started the Lupron last Thursday and it’s definitely making me irritable and impatient (sorry, DH), or maybe that’s PMS from this period that will.not.come. (I definitely whipped out an old Wondfo on Sunday. BFN of course.) I have a work trip at the beginning of October so starting to get a little stressed about FET timing. But mostly I’m stressed that even with a programmed cycle, my RE will cancel it for some hormonal issue that is out of my control. This is not something I was stressed about until it happened last cycle, so thanks for the curveball, Body!  ;) 
  • @Bababatty my cousin's wife is a few years older than me and as I've heard, her clock has been ticking loudly for her so we all knew they'd be working on it immediately. But yeah, I'm totally bitter too that they've conceived so quickly! The weird thing is the timing of them revealing #2 to my aunt and uncle makes it seem as though they told them the day after she POAS. Who does that??
    *TW* History:
    Me: 34 DH: 36 | Together since 2007 | Married July 2016

    TTC #1 since 7.2017
    Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies

    IUI #1-3 all BFN
    IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
    FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
    RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
    FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
    2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
    Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
    TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20

    Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
    Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
    Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
    Bloodwork | 10.21.21 high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
    BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 B) | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy
    DS born 7.19.22 after induction


    TTC #2 begins 6.2023
    Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
    Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
    Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
    Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
    Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
    Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
    Repeat labs in 8 weeks
    Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
    TTC put on pause
  • @inthewoods23 I have a relative who posted all her BFP's on Facebook immediately.  And I'm going to stop there because I don't have anything relatively nice to say about it or their social media behavior in general :wink:

    @funkykey 6 fertilized is great.  Fingers crossed the progress well and are all perfect.  I think the post-retrieval wait is the absolute worst.

    @Bababatty I lost the 18 lbs I put on during IVF and all the related stuff, so I'm back to where I was in January.  Now I can start on all the other extra weight I've been carrying around for years with no good excuse.
    December FET Spreadsheet
    TTC History in spoiler  Instagram
    Me 35 - DH 42
    Married Oct 2007
    TTC Since Oct 2010 - MFI Diagnosis 2012 (Morphology 1% + High DNA Frag)
    IUI x2 in 2012 - BFN
    IVF #1 Feb 2018 - 9 Retrieved - 8 Mature - 5 Fertilized - 2 Snowbabies - no testing
    FET#1 March 2018 - BFP - MMC May @ 10w4d
    FET#2 July 2018 - BFN
    IVF #2 Nov 2018 - 10 Retrieved - 10 Mature - 8 Fertilized - 2 Snowbabies - no testing
    “Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about.”― Winston Churchill
  • edited September 2018
    Just to jump on the “bitter train” here because it’s too easy not to, my DH’s cousin reassured everyone on Facebook that their third pregnancy was not an accident, so not to feel sorry for them that they were pregnant a third time around. As if!

    @Bababatty sorry to hear about all those stresses you’re facing right now! As someone who hasn’t done IVF, the keeping track of all the processes and the different waiting periods sound so incredibly overwhelming! I hope everything falls into place timing-wise for you and that your cycle doesn’t get cancelled. How soon would you find out that it’s still a go? 

    @inthewoods23 hope your appointment on Friday with the urologist goes well! Yeah, waiting for appointments suck! 


  • @sincethelastday Dr. Google tells me Lupron can delay the start of a cycle, so now I’ve calmed down, lol. This last cycle they cancelled us around mid-cycle, but it was to be a natural FET (no ovulation suppressing drugs) so that happened because three days of bloodwork indicated my hormones were wonky. I have to call on Friday if AF hasn’t arrived, so will ask them then if there’s a danger of cycle cancellation. 

    Also LOL to YH’s cousin. There is so much wrong with that FB Post!  :#
  • Whoops, forgot to answer my own QOTW: I would want to just vacation more, but 100% DH would just want to live where we vacation. Probably every 3 days he's like: "Let's move to Hawaii." I'm like: "Um, I was thinking we should see Japan?"

    @sincethelastday - welcome! Hoping the femara works for you!

    Also, the bitter train is my favorite train: 



    @inthewoods23 - GL on Friday! Yeah, now that I think of it, my grandparents had a big family, but the kids were really spaced out. The oldest was 18 when the youngest was born. 8 kids under 12 actually is insane!

    I was saying in another thread - there are lots of reasons I want to be a parent. One of the most superficial, ridiculous reasons is so I'm more free to judge other parents. Right now, it's like: "you can't judge until you have kids", which, I mean... Part of me gets it, but part of me is like: "Well, I'm a human, and I know character when I see it." :|

    I don't know these people at all - AT ALL - but I think it would be very hard to have 8 kids without expecting the older kids to take care of the younger kids.

    ... See? I'm so ready to be a judgy mom! ;)  :p

    @ChristenMA83 - great news! You are an inspiration! :) Honestly, I'm inspired. I'm too sore to go back to the gym right now - my ovaries are still feeling a bit tender. But I think I might be able to get back on the horse in about a week.

    @Bababatty - I'm so glad to see your update. I've been thinking of you lots. Keeping FX for you this cycle. 

    Ha - in my relationship, my DH is the one trying to convince me to have a non-urban life, and I'm like: "Why?"

    Just out of curiosity - do you feel like you've changed as a person since IF? I didn't, at first, but now I think I'm a totally different person. I think after our second FET failed, I really started to change. And DH, he was like: "No, I haven't changed." but I think he has too.

    The other day a friend of his was like: "My girlfriend wants to have a baby." 
    DH's first response (!) was: "How old is she?"
    Friend: "34"
    DH: "Yeah, now's the time." 
    He never, ever would have reacted like that before all of this. Never.

    For me, some of the changes are good, but I think not all of them. I dunno. I feel like I'm a lot tougher now, and I put up with a lot less BS. I'm also less optimistic. I dunno. 

    @mirabelle33 - thinking of you! Sending you a big hug!

    AFM: My six are still in the running. I'm expecting a drop-off this next couple of days, but hoping hoping hoping so badly for just one PGS normal embie. Just one. Keep your fingers crossed for me, please!
  • Hi ladies! This has been a crazy week and it's the first chance I've had to sit down and bump ...

    @ChristenMA83 it was definitely a bit odd, but there was more smoke than fire lol. Now that I know what to expect, I think it will be more relaxing in the future and I'll be better prepared for getting the salt out afterward!

    Congrats on reaching your goal to lose all your IVF weight! That's great! How are the supplements going?

    @inthewoods23 welcome and good luck for your appointment tomorrow! I hope you will leave with a plan that doesn't require too much waiting.

    @funkykey thank you for thinking of me and for the virtual hug :) I am thrilled to hear you had 6 eggs fertilize! I have EVERYTHING crossed that there are several strong fighters in the bunch that make it to PGS testing and that at least a couple come back normal. To answer your question, yes I do think IF has changed me and DH. I would like to think the change has been mostly for the better (I'm less self-involved and more compassionate), but I know there is a sadness that wasn't there before and I'm not sure it will ever really go away. DH was much more optimistic and cheerful than I was before all of this and I think he's lost a little bit of that too, which adds to my sadness. I have a similar story to yours (sorry if I've told this before!): several months ago DH told me that someone at work was talking about having to calm down her best friend who was apparently distraught that she was having a second boy instead of a girl. DH's response was something along the lines of "she should be thankful to be pregnant at all." Definitely not something he would have said to a colleague prior to IF ... so I'm with you on that the change has been both good and bad. I guess we just have to wait and see which way it tips in the end!

    @sincethelastday welcome! Do they know what is causing your irregular cycles or is it unexplained? Good luck with the Femera and I hope it brings you success!

    @Bababatty sorry to hear the Lupron and/or PMS is making you irritable. I hope AF shows soon and I'm sending you some good vibes for your hormones to regulate for this cycle!!

    AFM, the informational meeting at the clinic is officially crossed off our checklist before starting IVF! It went fine and we were one of between 10 and 15 other couples. They took us to a conference room and gave a little presentation. It was very well organized and professional, but I have to admit I already knew about 90% of the information they gave. The most surprising thing I learned was that after the ER, they will keep me in the hospital for 6 hours! Is that typical in the US? I don't remember hearing of anyone having to do that. Also, because there is no PGS testing in France, it looks like everyone has to do a fresh transfer and if that fails, then we have to do frozen transfers with any remaining embryos before doing another retrieval. The only exception is if you develop OHSS. I would hope they would also cancel the fresh transfer if there were any lining issues, but I don't think they mentioned that. I'll ask my RE when we see her. They emphasized that once the process starts we have to be very organized and flexible with our time and that the fresh transfer can take place anytime between day 3 and day 6 after ER. Oh and they require the SO to be present at the transfer (which I think is kind of nice). They gave a bunch of statistics at the end and their success rate for live births is slightly higher than the national average (about 27% in 2013-2014). The most sobering one was that after one year of seeking treatment at a fertility clinic, 47% of couples will have or be on their way to a THB. I looked around the room and realized that meant half of us would be successful a year from now and half of us would not. BUT they also said the most common reason for failure was because the couple gives up, which we are not planning to do! As soon as we got home, we uploaded our documents to their website and now we just wait for them to contact us with two more appointments: one with the embryologist and one with our RE to discuss protocol and our schedule. My current worry is that we get these appointments in time to start stimming (or suppressing?) with my next cycle. OF COURSE AF started on the day of the meeting and with my short LP, that means we have about 3 weeks to make it in time. They said they would contact us within 10 days ...

    QOTW: Would you want to live where you vacation or just vacation more often? Right now I would definitely like to vacation more. I love traveling and there are so many places I want to go! But when we're older I could also see us wanting to live in one of the places that we've enjoyed the most on our travels.
    Me: 37 DH: 35
    Married since February 2012
    TTC since February 2017
    10 natural cycles = all BFN
    Dx: weak ovulation with possible LPD; Rx: Clomid (4 rounds); Puregon + Ovidrel + TI (3 rounds)
    7 medicated cycles (see above) = BFN
    During the last medicated cycle, they found a small cyst on an ovary and ordered an MRI to check for endometriosis
    May 2018 switched to an RE and did more testing while trying naturally
    8 natural cycles = BFN
    Dx: AMA, endometriosis/endometrioma, DOR; Rx: IVF
    October 2018, IVF #1 = 4 ER, 2 M, 1 F
    10/25/18 Transfer of 1, 8-cell 3-day embryo = CP :'(
  • @funkykey To answer your question, OMG yes I have definitely changed as a result of IF. Like @mirabelle33, there’s definitely a lot more sadness.

    *TW* A friend, who knows what we’ve been doing, told me she was pregnant the other week (via text, THANK GOD, because I definitely started crying). She could still tell I was upset and said she didn’t want me to be sad. I replied that sadness and anger are my default emotional state right now. And then I just got sadder because she said that made her sad because I used to be such an upbeat person. It hadn’t really hit me before that moment how much I had changed from an optimistic person to just a really bitter person. Without meaning to, I’ve also pulled away from a lot of friends, like DH and I are retracting into ourselves. And that makes me sad, too. (And now I’m tearing up because damn these hormones. I cry at everything.) As for DH, the first time I really ever saw him cry was when I told him our third transfer was going to be another CP. It’s sad to see your stoic husband dissolve into tears with you on the couch. Overall he’s handled this all much better than me. But he does yell things like, “She should just be happy she’s pregnant!” at the TV.  :lol:

    @mirabelle33 I’m glad the appointment went well! Shocking how much we learn just by going through IF—and by being part of these boards, I find. I just saw a friend on IG mention PCOS and I almost DM’d her to say, “Infertile? Let me pepper you with my knowledge and advice!” Even though I do not have PCOS, lol. I hate that everything is so cycle-dependent and it always seems like cycles are coming at precisely the wrong time. I hope your clinic has fast responses!

    And no, I’d say my entire ER, from arrival to departure, took less than 6 hours. Maybe an hour or so in recovery?

    QOTW Defitely vacation more!! Interestingly, my parents are actually moving to our primary vacation spot. 
  • @mirabelle33 - thank you, thank you for the well wishes!

    I'm so glad the information meeting went well! Excited for you to get started!

    Um, OMG, I would be so mad if they told me that the "most common reason for failure was because the couple gives up". I hate that - I feel like it plays into the stigma that if this doesn't work for you, "you're just not trying hard enough", which is like one of the least compassionate, considerate ways of looking at this. If someone stops trying after 4 years and 2 failed rounds of IVF that they've gone $40K into debt for, I certainly don't think that their reason for failure is that they just "gave up". I'd be like: "Excuse me, have some empathy. These people are climbing mountains, and throwing that sh*t at them does not help." 

    Funny, I would say I'm both more and less self-involved and compassionate. I'm way, way less compassionate when people complain about trivial stuff, but way more compassionate about big stuff. I'm way more self-involved in terms of standing up for myself. I used to be more likely to suffer in silence when someone was kind of being a jerk, and now I'm way more like: "Screw you." I'm more likely to advocate for myself, whereas before, I might have seen that as more self-involved? 

    I feel more like a warrior now, if that makes sense. Like in the most realistic, grim sense of that word. I saw this article a while ago, and I disagreed: 
    https://www.thecut.com/2018/04/please-dont-call-me-an-infertility-warrior.html

    She said: "We are warriors, fighting infertility. But this language implies that we are more in control of our narratives than we actually are, that if we “give it our all” we will achieve the “victory” that we deserve. This narrative, I believe, is a dangerous one."

    But I guess I don't see warriors as people who are glorious and destined for victory. Soldiers fall almost as often as they win, you know? I associate that grim determination to keep going, and to fight even when being met with terrible odds, with being a warrior, at least on some level. 

    @Bababatty - :( I'm sorry about that experience with your friend. I'm pulling away a bit from my friends IRL too, which also makes me sad. I just feel like they cannot relate, like they have no idea. They know enough to know that they should be polite and considerate, but it's like it's really hard for them to comprehend the magnitude of what I'm experiencing, like how helpless and futile this seems at times. They're so convinced it's going to work out, and while sometimes I appreciate their faith, I'm also like: "Where were you when my last transfer failed?" It's like they just don't know how to handle that much suffering, and how to be supportive when I'm really, really down. Like so down that I can't get out of bed.
  • @mirabelle33 No, there doesn’t seem to be any specific reason for my irregular cycles. All my blood tests came back normal and I don’t have any medical issue that would be causing it. I started charting my cycles back in 2014 and since then to mid 2016 they were pretty regular (ranging between 28-32 days). Starting in mid-2016 they started getting more irregular and now they can be anywhere between 28-41 days. I can’t help thinking that the irregularity started around the time we started ttc, but then I don’t like saying that out loud to people because then they may spout the ever popular “you must not be relaxing enough and the stress of ttc is making your cycles irregular.” *eye roll* I did take Depo Provera for about 6 months back in 2015, so I’m wondering if that maybe had something to do with it, but the effects of that drug should be out of my system by now. Who knows...

    That’s quite the presentation your clinic offered - I wonder how much of a thing that is at other clinics? I hope you get your response from the clinic soon and that you don’t have to wait too long! 

    To be honest, hearing what you ladies go through with the IVF process, I really feel like I have no reason to be complaining about ttc. I think this is what has kept me from joining a group sooner because it feels like I haven’t really done anything yet, I haven’t started a treatment yet. But at the same time, I don’t feel like I belong in the just normal ttc camp anymore. For example, I have a friend who has been ttc for 4 months now and she complains constantly about waiting so long to get pregnant. And it drives me nuts because 4 months seems like nothing! But then I think that other people would say that being on Femara is nothing compared to other more intensive treatments. My intention was not to rant, but to say that I hope I can still be a supportive contributor to this group even if I’m a bit of a “freshman” when it comes to the whole infertility treatment world. Hearing back from you ladies and reading your posts have already made me feel so welcome and like I belong here, so a BIG thank you for that!! 

    And there ends my maybe cheesy post  ;)
  • @funkykey I agree with you about the warrior. Not all warriors are victorious, but they all fight really hard until they can’t any more. I agree with you about feeling more like a warrior now. I didn’t used to, but it’s sefinitely something I’ve felt more acutely now, and I do feel like it’s an apt description of dealing with IF. 

    As for the friends, so much yes! I had a couple good friends I talked to about it a lot and then I realized that the support they could give me just didn’t help because I’d moved beyond a need for simple optimism.

    @sincethelastday Please don’t feel like you don’t fit in here. You definitely do! It happens that right now a lot of us are doing IVF, but people come and go from the board at all different stages. And we welcome all who are struggling with IF. Most of us started with medicated cycles or IUIs and can definitely relate to where you are. I was so intimidated by the IVF ladies when I first joined. It seemed so intense! But I really enjoy hearing about the different treatments different doctors propose and I learned a lot from reading about more intensive ART treatments. I ramble, but really I want to say that I’m happy to have you here, and really we can all use as many supporters in our camps as possible!
  • @Bababatty ah, gee, you’re making me choke up here a bit, no lie! Thanks for your support and words of encouragement! I’m looking forward to learning a lot from this board. It’s funny how in the real world it can sometimes take awhile to really connect with someone, but with infertility it really feels like the connection with someone else struggling with it is instantaneous! 



    @BWhitta- that’s awesome about your friend’s warrior t-shirt!! How accurate you are with the whole meaning of courage! 
  • @Bababatty I can't stress enough how much I've learned from these boards over the last few months and I honestly think reading through a few IVF threads on the Infertility board should be required reading for anyone going through the process ;) Sometimes I wonder if I know a little too much for my own good though ...

    I'm sorry about what happened with your friend, but it sounds like she is a very kind and caring person. I haven't had too many people that know what we're going through have to tell me they're pregnant, but of the few that have, no one has handled it as sensitively as your friend <3

    I definitely feel like I've gone through phases of what I needed from friends throughout this process. When we were first trying and it wasn't happening, I was fairly open about it with a wider circle of close friends and of course they all told me stories about so-and-so who got KU on their 7 month of trying or after their HSG or the same month they contacted an RE, etc. I found those stories comforting at the time and looking back they probably gave me the encouragement I needed to keep going month after month of getting BFNs. Then once we did the initial testing and started treatment, I really only wanted to share what was happening with a few friends IRL that had been through it themselves. I just could not relate on a deeper level to anyone else at the time and these few friends were so supportive and generous with their time. However, now that it's gone on for almost a year now, I can feel another retraction coming on and I don't think I'm going to tell anyone IRL, except maybe one person, our timeline for IVF. It's sad but I know this time won't last forever and I think it's okay to adjust the privacy settings of your life to whatever you need in the moment. True friends will be there on the other side.

    @funkykey I definitely hear what you're saying and I hate that stigma as well, but to be fair, I was probably too casual with my translation and I don't think they used the phrase "give up" in French. It was more like "stop seeking treatment." It was a very blanket statement though and they did not offer any of the various reasons why couples stop seeking treatment, which is definitely problematic. Since we're just starting IVF, I think I took it as more of a challenge, but I can also see it from your point of view as being a slap in the face.

    Oh yes, I definitely meant more compassionate about the big stuff and I too have way less patience for people who complain about trivial things! For me, being more compassionate goes hand-in-hand with being less self-involved. I was definitely someone who was very wrapped up in my own problems and my own head and this has opened me up not only to other people suffering from IF, but just suffering in general all around the world. I still have to work on it to be honest, but I am much more aware of other people's problems and less indignant about my own, if that makes sense. 

    I think the term warrior is definitely applicable to those of us going through IF, especially the way you define it. She does make some good points in that article, but in the end I think we're all talking about the same thing. IF does suck and not everyone is going to "beat" it in the sense that they will have a biological child, but choosing to see yourself as a warrior and not a victim is an act of empowerment and it may just make you stronger and more resilient in the end.

    @sincethelastday it sounds like you already know it's a myth, but don't let anyone trick you into thinking that not being relaxed enough is the cause of your cycle irregularity or IF! I think that is one of the cruelest and most ignorant accusations thrown at women in this position. Personally, I have a diagnosed anxiety disorder and my cycles are an average of 23 days ... so being stressed or anxious does not lengthen my cycles. It sounds like you're just ovulating a bit later in your cycle or may have an occasional anovulatory cycle. Hopefully the femara will fix it!

    Also, I wholeheartedly echo what @Bababatty said about you being welcome here! When I joined back in February, we were still doing medicated cycles and we're only now just beginning the IVF process. This will be my first time and even though I wish they had all graduated already, I am so thankful to have these amazing women here that have been though it before to cheer me on. Please stick around!!
    Me: 37 DH: 35
    Married since February 2012
    TTC since February 2017
    10 natural cycles = all BFN
    Dx: weak ovulation with possible LPD; Rx: Clomid (4 rounds); Puregon + Ovidrel + TI (3 rounds)
    7 medicated cycles (see above) = BFN
    During the last medicated cycle, they found a small cyst on an ovary and ordered an MRI to check for endometriosis
    May 2018 switched to an RE and did more testing while trying naturally
    8 natural cycles = BFN
    Dx: AMA, endometriosis/endometrioma, DOR; Rx: IVF
    October 2018, IVF #1 = 4 ER, 2 M, 1 F
    10/25/18 Transfer of 1, 8-cell 3-day embryo = CP :'(
  • mirabelle33mirabelle33 member
    edited September 2018
    Oops I forgot to update you guys! As soon as I posted yesterday, I had an email from the clinic with our two appointments. They were slightly later than I would have liked, but I think we could have still made it before my next cycle. However, one was scheduled for the 1st of October and it's non-negotiable that DH has to work on the 1st of every month and he could not guarantee that he could leave work on that day (we have to sign papers, so his presence is mandatory at the appointment). Well, I agreed to let him try to change the date and emphasized both in text and email that it could not be any later than the 1st. He made it for the 8th. So after some tears on my part and some raised voices on both sides, I called the clinic and managed to convince them to let me try my RE's personal secretary. I don't know how she did it, but she squeezed us in on the 28th of September! We have our meeting with the embryologist on the 27th and our meeting with our RE the day after. I realize in my situation there are still no guarantees we will be able to start stimms on my next cycle, but I had to do everything in my power to at least give us a chance!! Phew.

    ETA missing words
    Me: 37 DH: 35
    Married since February 2012
    TTC since February 2017
    10 natural cycles = all BFN
    Dx: weak ovulation with possible LPD; Rx: Clomid (4 rounds); Puregon + Ovidrel + TI (3 rounds)
    7 medicated cycles (see above) = BFN
    During the last medicated cycle, they found a small cyst on an ovary and ordered an MRI to check for endometriosis
    May 2018 switched to an RE and did more testing while trying naturally
    8 natural cycles = BFN
    Dx: AMA, endometriosis/endometrioma, DOR; Rx: IVF
    October 2018, IVF #1 = 4 ER, 2 M, 1 F
    10/25/18 Transfer of 1, 8-cell 3-day embryo = CP :'(
  • To be honest, hearing what you ladies go through with the IVF process, I really feel like I have no reason to be complaining about ttc. I think this is what has kept me from joining a group sooner because it feels like I haven’t really done anything yet, I haven’t started a treatment yet. But at the same time, I don’t feel like I belong in the just normal ttc camp anymore. For example, I have a friend who has been ttc for 4 months now and she complains constantly about waiting so long to get pregnant. And it drives me nuts because 4 months seems like nothing! But then I think that other people would say that being on Femara is nothing compared to other more intensive treatments. My intention was not to rant, but to say that I hope I can still be a supportive contributor to this group even if I’m a bit of a “freshman” when it comes to the whole infertility treatment world. Hearing back from you ladies and reading your posts have already made me feel so welcome and like I belong here, so a BIG thank you for that!! 

    @sincethelastday - Like PP have said, I felt similarly when I joined (2 years ago, holy cow). I'd been trying to TTC for a year and nothing- nothing was working. I was beside myself, but also, on some level, convinced that it was going to happen for me the next month. Joining, I felt like a total imposter. I was desperate to talk to someone, and so lonely (at that point, I already felt like I didn't quite fit with my IRL friends), but I was also so afraid that I'd join and be like: "this is horrible", and then I'd get pregnant the next month and be like: "peace out, ladies". I worried that I was being presumptuous.

    Sometimes, I actually worry that I've been on this thread too long. I think: "Ok, maybe it's time for me to graduate myself to just plain old "Infertility Veterans" or whatever."   :p

    Anyway, rest assured, you can complain about TTC here all you want. I read an analogy somewhere that I liked - maybe some of us are deeper in the cesspool of IF than others, but we're still all in a cesspool, whether or not you're in up to your neck, or just up to your knees.

    I hope your stay here is short! And for us old-timers, I hope we graduate soon!  ;)
  • @mirabelle33 - that's awesome!! So soon! Keeping FX for you!
  • funkykey said:
    I was desperate to talk to someone, and so lonely (at that point, I already felt like I didn't quite fit with my IRL friends), but I was also so afraid that I'd join and be like: "this is horrible", and then I'd get pregnant the next month and be like: "peace out, ladies". I worried that I was being presumptuous.
    I think we all felt this way when we joined, at least I did ;)
    Me: 37 DH: 35
    Married since February 2012
    TTC since February 2017
    10 natural cycles = all BFN
    Dx: weak ovulation with possible LPD; Rx: Clomid (4 rounds); Puregon + Ovidrel + TI (3 rounds)
    7 medicated cycles (see above) = BFN
    During the last medicated cycle, they found a small cyst on an ovary and ordered an MRI to check for endometriosis
    May 2018 switched to an RE and did more testing while trying naturally
    8 natural cycles = BFN
    Dx: AMA, endometriosis/endometrioma, DOR; Rx: IVF
    October 2018, IVF #1 = 4 ER, 2 M, 1 F
    10/25/18 Transfer of 1, 8-cell 3-day embryo = CP :'(
  • @mirabelle33 Lol to knowing too much! I feel the same way. I literally wrote down every variation on treatment or test that everyone on here was mentioning over the summer. When I had my most recent RE follow up, I said, “I have a few questions,” and opened up to an entire page of questions and potential solutions in my notebook. Both my RE and DH were like, “Oh my God.” (Fun fact: my RE said he had read It Starts with the Egg essentially because so many of his patients do.)  :D

    Also that appointment screw up is totally something DH would also pull, and kudos to you for getting in faster! My therapist pushed me to be more assertive in similar situations; it’s  so important because as she said, there are others that are being even more pushy than you. I’m truly impressed by your appointment-getting abilities!
  • @mirabelle33 well done with advocating for that appointment!! And, yes, I will definitely be sticking around - I’m kinda hooked on this board now  ;) 

    @funkykey I think the situation you describe about complaining about ttc on here and then getting pregnant soon after joining is pretty spot on. I really hope we can all join that BFP hall of fame soon!! And the cesspool anology is hilarious, but also very true  :D

  • @Bababatty I actually haven't read that book simply because I feel like I already know all the essential information thanks to these boards :D
    Me: 37 DH: 35
    Married since February 2012
    TTC since February 2017
    10 natural cycles = all BFN
    Dx: weak ovulation with possible LPD; Rx: Clomid (4 rounds); Puregon + Ovidrel + TI (3 rounds)
    7 medicated cycles (see above) = BFN
    During the last medicated cycle, they found a small cyst on an ovary and ordered an MRI to check for endometriosis
    May 2018 switched to an RE and did more testing while trying naturally
    8 natural cycles = BFN
    Dx: AMA, endometriosis/endometrioma, DOR; Rx: IVF
    October 2018, IVF #1 = 4 ER, 2 M, 1 F
    10/25/18 Transfer of 1, 8-cell 3-day embryo = CP :'(
  • Hey all, update from the urologist appt this morning.

    Urologist checked DH for any physical problems. No vericoceles, so that's good. We went over the SA done last month. Numbers and motility are normal, morph is 1%. They like to see at least 4% but he said that's a subjective number so MFI isn't necessarily the problem.

    He asked how long we had been trying and asked a bit about my cycle. My cycles have been anywhere for 28 days to 39 days since being off BC starting Feb 2016 and mentioned that I BBT chart and do the OPKs. I did mention that my cycles follow somewhat of a pattern in that it goes up and down. Like if I have a 30 day cycle my next cycle is typically a little longer, like 33 days and the following will be shorter (say 31 or 32 days). So while it's a bit irregular, I have a decent idea of when I should expect it. I didn't mention it in the appointment, but only 2 cycles have been 39 days (during months I know my stress was higher than normal), maybe 1 at 37, 1 at 28 and maybe 2 at 29 so typically it's between 30 and 33. He thinks we might just be too mechanical with when we BD. So we need less schefuling, more spontaneity. I told him my OBGYN gave us the recommendation to BD every other day between days 12-24 to cover the full potential window for O (my OB showed no concern for the range in cycle lengths). The Urologist did mention, with the 1 SA we've done, that we could look at IUI. He didn't think we need IVF. I had to ask him if we wanted to go the route of IUI what steps do we need to take and he only then did he give us a name of an RE.

    DH and I agreed we should get with the RE. I'm tired of leaving things to chance especially since our situation makes it a little more difficult but not impossible. At least for #1 you know?

    So... we might just be really bad at timing. And we're both engineers :D I guess that means our dx is unexplained. Hopefully we can get with the RE soon!
    *TW* History:
    Me: 34 DH: 36 | Together since 2007 | Married July 2016

    TTC #1 since 7.2017
    Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies

    IUI #1-3 all BFN
    IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
    FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
    RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
    FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
    2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
    Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
    TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20

    Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
    Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
    Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
    Bloodwork | 10.21.21 high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
    BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 B) | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy
    DS born 7.19.22 after induction


    TTC #2 begins 6.2023
    Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
    Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
    Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
    Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
    Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
    Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
    Repeat labs in 8 weeks
    Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
    TTC put on pause
  • Hi everyone, checking in for the first time here. I've lurked on the regular TTC boards for a while now but didn't post much.

    1. TTC for three years now.
    2. So far the only Rx is submucosal fibroids, had one surgery which didn't remove them all.
    3. Waiting to see if my doctors recommend a second surgery or move on to medication while continuing TTC.

    Good luck to everyone with your journeys, it will take time for me to get to know everyone and I am still learning all of the terms and nuances of this board. But I will cheer you all on!
  • @inthewoods23 Thanks for the update on your appointment - I was wondering how it went. I think I remember you mentioning wanting to just jump in and get started with an RE, so it sounds like a positive plan with going forward with an RE appointment. Did the urologist give you an idea of how long a wait it will be before you’re seen by the RE? 

    My DH also has 1% morphology and had the same type of urology appointment quite a while ago. The urologist pretty much said to not bother doing anything further with him and just go straight to an RE. He even said that morphology isn’t a huge factor in the whole IF affair, so I found that quite hopeful (sounds like your urologist is saying a similar thing). 

    And I totally know what you mean about not wanting to leave it up to chance anymore! I found it such a relief once we had a treatment plan as it felt like I had even just a little more control than I did before. I hope you find a similar relief! Keep us updated! 
  • @sincethelastday I called the RE and the earliest appointment is 10/16 so we'll have to wait a bit  :/ but we got on the schedule!

    The urologist mentioned that vitamin C can help improve numbers so I think I'll be keeping up on getting DH to take a multivitamin just to help a little bit. Also that the RE might look into prescribing me something to make my cycles a little more regular, but we'll see of course.

    I feel more optimistic now that we've been through the appointment. Unfortunately, per my app, my next O date is while I'm gone on a business trip next week so we'll see if we have a chance this month. Last time I was suppose to O while on a business trip I O'ed a few days later than expected according to my OPKs so my O dated ended up being a day after I got back!
    *TW* History:
    Me: 34 DH: 36 | Together since 2007 | Married July 2016

    TTC #1 since 7.2017
    Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies

    IUI #1-3 all BFN
    IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
    FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
    RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
    FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
    2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
    Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
    TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20

    Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
    Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
    Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
    Bloodwork | 10.21.21 high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
    BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22 B) | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy
    DS born 7.19.22 after induction


    TTC #2 begins 6.2023
    Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
    Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
    Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
    Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
    Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
    Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
    Repeat labs in 8 weeks
    Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
    TTC put on pause
  • @inthewoods23 always the waiting game, isn’t it? Hope it flies by fast! 

    That was the first thing my RE do was prescribe me Femara to hopefully regulate my cycles. Sounds like we may be in a similar boat. I was shocked that my DH started taking Omega 3 with me, so that was a pleasant surprise as it supposedly helps with creating healthy sperm. With all the pills, tests, and treatment processes we women go through on this journey, it’s only fair our partners join in with taking a vitamin, etc lol. 

    Hope everything works out timing wise with your business trip and O as well! I swear we all become experts with timing and waiting.

  • @sailorariel from one fellow lurker to another, welcome! I just joined this board and feel at home already thanks to the wonderful women on here! I actually took a screenshot of all the acronyms so I can refer to it if I need to lol. As mentioned in your other post, hope you get some answers soon! 
  • @Bababatty - ha! What did your RE think of It Starts with the Egg

    Tbh, I bought it and read it and thought she seemed a bit kooky (and maybe a little self-righteous), but I tried a bunch of the stuff anyway. I miss our plastic tupperware.

    @inthewoods23 - OMG, I hate that advice! "Have more spontaneous sex". Everyone who says that, it makes me think that they never had to TTC for more than 8 months. They have no idea. 

    I'd definitely, definitely, definitely make an appointment with the RE! FX you get in soon!

    @sailorariel - welcome. I have a fibroid, but it's not submucosal so apparently should not affect fertility. That said, lots of women have them- you may be able to find some history on the infertility thread, just about fibroids in particular. Have you had the other IF testing done? Ie. your husband's sperm, your AMH level? 

    AFM: I have 4 frozen embryos! Now just waiting for PGS results, should be about two weeks. (That's right, another TWW). 
  • @funkykey oh my gosh, another TWW! Ughh! Hoping that this waiting period only ends with great results and that it goes by quickly! 
  • @funkykey Yay! 4 frozen embryos is great! I think that means you sent 5 for testing, right? I will continue to send all my best vibes for another great outcome in a couple weeks. I'm also sending you lots of hugs for the TWW <3
    Me: 37 DH: 35
    Married since February 2012
    TTC since February 2017
    10 natural cycles = all BFN
    Dx: weak ovulation with possible LPD; Rx: Clomid (4 rounds); Puregon + Ovidrel + TI (3 rounds)
    7 medicated cycles (see above) = BFN
    During the last medicated cycle, they found a small cyst on an ovary and ordered an MRI to check for endometriosis
    May 2018 switched to an RE and did more testing while trying naturally
    8 natural cycles = BFN
    Dx: AMA, endometriosis/endometrioma, DOR; Rx: IVF
    October 2018, IVF #1 = 4 ER, 2 M, 1 F
    10/25/18 Transfer of 1, 8-cell 3-day embryo = CP :'(
  • @funkykey I'm so excited to year you have 4 frozen.  Ugh on TWW for the testing results, but at least you're going in with a strong number.

    Welcome to the new ladies!  @sailorariel @sincethelastday

    @mirabelle33 Eek! the ball is rolling for you now.  Way to advocate for yourself and get your appointment moved in.  The supplements are going well.  The only side effect I've noticed is extreme dry-mouth every morning.  My insurance requires I have Day-3 labs done within 6 months of treatment.  I'm a looking forward to doing that next month and seeing if the diet and detox have changed my results any from earlier in the year.

    To answer the question has infertility changed you, we've been dealing with this since 2012 but not actively seeking treatment the whole time.  I don't remember myself before facing infertility.  The last year has made me a little less naive.  I will admit I thought IVF would be a slam dunk for us and we ended up with a snowball of disappointment.  DH is very sensitive and is still dealing with the emotional aftermath of the MC.  He hides it well but it pops to the surface occasionally (but this isn't a change for him - he's always been way more sensitive than me).  I think our IVF has made him more open to alternatives (sperm donor, adoption, embryo adoption) and maybe made me a little less open to them because I'm very mission-driven and I feel like we've started something and I want to "Win".  I know that's a dangerous sentiment, but it's the way I feel.  We've said this fall will be our last egg retrieval, so if that isn't a success then I'm going to have to redefine "winning" for myself.
    December FET Spreadsheet
    TTC History in spoiler  Instagram
    Me 35 - DH 42
    Married Oct 2007
    TTC Since Oct 2010 - MFI Diagnosis 2012 (Morphology 1% + High DNA Frag)
    IUI x2 in 2012 - BFN
    IVF #1 Feb 2018 - 9 Retrieved - 8 Mature - 5 Fertilized - 2 Snowbabies - no testing
    FET#1 March 2018 - BFP - MMC May @ 10w4d
    FET#2 July 2018 - BFN
    IVF #2 Nov 2018 - 10 Retrieved - 10 Mature - 8 Fertilized - 2 Snowbabies - no testing
    “Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about.”― Winston Churchill
  • @funkykey 4 out of 6 is fantastic!! Hooray! First hurdle done. FX for good turnout on the PGS results!!  <3<3<3
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