I was diagnosed in Jan 2013 with endo via a lap and have done two failed IUI's to this point.
My DH and I have decided that before pursuing more treatments at my RE clinic I will go see a well-known ND in my area who has had a lot of success with endo patients.
Is anyone else seeing an ND for fertility? I have my first appointment coming up and I am wondering if there are any specific questions I should ask at the first appointment. I would appreciate any success stories as well!
pomelo / 5228 posts
I am! Though it started out as just seeing the ND to change my thyroid meds (I wanted to go on a more natural form). At the time I was seeing an acupuncturist for fertility, so I didn't intend to get treated by the ND. At my first appointment we went over all my history and she tested me for a few things. She found I have MTHFR, Hashimoto's, and low progesterone. I started treatment on those right away, but continued with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. A few months later I decided that wasn't doing the trick, so I went back to the ND. She ordered an ultrasound, HSG, and SA for DH (since we had hit a year trying by that point). She also re-did my cd3 bloodwork that my OB had done. I actually go back today to start treatment and figure out the next step.
Overall, I am not a fan of artificial hormones or other drugs, so I wanted to try this approach first since it is more natural. We're giving it another few months, then will head to an RE if it doesn't work. I might consult with an RE sooner though, just to see what the next suggested steps would be (ND recommended this).
nectarine / 2433 posts
@Mrs.Someone: Oh glad to know someone else is on a similar path. I would love to hear an update from you once you have your follow up today.
I have already been to the RE and had a ton of testing done before the IUI's but I am interested to see what else she wants to test for and her approach in general. The RE faxed her my records so hopefully she will be able to review them and "target" specific testing. I'm not a big fan of all the hormones and fertility drugs either. Based on some studies I have read it seems like there is more to suggest that endo is inflammatory and likely related to the autoimmune system and that the typical treatment plans at RE clinics don't typically take this into account. I am hoping the ND will have more to offer on this front.
pomelo / 5228 posts
@mrswin: I'll make sure to update later this afternoon! What I like about seeing an ND is the search for the cause of the problem instead of throwing drugs at the symptoms. Pretty much the problem I have with all standard medicine 
Also, I know of at least 2 other ladies around here that are now pregnant, as well as a friend of mine with a newborn, all after treatment by an ND. I hope it works for you! When is your appointment?
nectarine / 2433 posts
@Mrs.Someone: I am starting to lean more towards that approach as well. This is my first cycle after my two IUI's when I was on Femera and I ovulated CD7 (!!) so I'm not sure what has happened to my cycles because of the treatments. I'm glad to hear that it has worked for others and I hope that your ND is able to help you get your BFP.
My appointment is a week from tomorrow (May 16th). The wait to get in to see her was over a month!
pomelo / 5228 posts
@mrswin: Wow, cd7 is super early! I know its annoying, but it must be a good sign that your doc is scheduled so far out!
As for me, turns out my doc is sick, so my appointment has been rescheduled for Friday 
nectarine / 2433 posts
@Mrs.Someone: Tell me about it! I have never ovulated this early and we completely missed our window this cycle 
Too bad that your doc was sick today but at least Friday isn't too far away!
pomelo / 5228 posts
Just a quick update on today's appointment. Turns out everything from me is now looking good, and she didn't get the SA results so she really wants to see what those say. Otherwise, shes giving me some general herbs for fertility that I'll pick up next week.
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
@bluestriped bee: Thinking they are referring to naturopaths?
pomelo / 5228 posts
@bluestriped bee: @Mrs. Jacks: Bingo! Naturopathic Doctor. ND is less to type
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
I did! I saw a naturopath for my infertility - he diagnosed my PCOS, and put me on a whole regimen of seeds and oils to regulate my cycles, and inositol for my blood sugar/insulin.
I didn't really ask him questions at the first appointment...he asked me questions! Tons of them - and I was so grateful that finally someone was listening (and was interested in the root cause of my problems!)
nectarine / 2433 posts
@bluestriped bee: @Mrs. Jacks: Yes that's right! Sorry just lazy typing and ND takes up less room
@Mrs.Someone: Glad to hear your update. It's too bad she didn't have your DH's results yet. You said everything is looking good and she is giving you some herbs, did she indicate what she expects to happen going forward. Please feel free to wall me if you don't want to share the details here.
@redsmarties: I think I remember from lurking on WB a bit about your story. I was told that the first appointment will be all questions! How long were you with the ND before your BFP?
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
@mrswin: I was seeing the naturopath for about two years, but we only started working on my fertility in about March. I got my BFP in November (my cycles started regulating by July, after three months of figuring out what was wrong).
pomelo / 5228 posts
@mrswin: I don't mind sharing here, I think it could be helpful for others who want to work with an ND.
So the SA results came back pretty good, the only thing that is a little off is motility. She prescribed me a few supplements for DH, and I'll go pick up my herbs today too. She thinks everything is now in order, and agrees to see how it goes for the next 3 months. I do think that acupuncture helped my levels get more in order, and the HSG unclogged my tube, so I'm hoping we're finally in the clear for it to happen.
nectarine / 2433 posts
Update!
I had my first appointment with the ND on Thursday and it was almost 3 hours long. She reviewed all the test results for both DH and I that the RE clinic did. She also looked at all my charts.
Her main concerns are:
1. My AMH is not where is should be given my age so she wants to see if we can improve my egg quality with a combination of supplements and acupuncture. She thinks the poor egg quality could be part of the reason I ovulate a little early.
2. I seem to be insulin resistant (I have suspected this for some time) and she is concerned about the "inflammatory" issues that are caused by not properly controlling my insulin, as a result I will be on a modified diet (similar to what is recommended for diabetics). She explained that the inflammation is believed to aggravate the endo making conception more difficult by interfering with implantation.
3. She reviewed DH's SA results and doesn't agree with the RE that the count is an issue. Her concern is motility so she has prescribed some supplements in the hopes that we will see an improvement here.
Generally she felt that any one of the main issues would not likely prevent us from getting pregnant but combined are making things difficult. She thinks that if we can improve DH's motility, my egg quality and control the inflammation that we should be able to conceive naturally (worst case would be IUI). She was optimistic and took so much time to explain everything to me. I left there feeling better about my IF prognosis than I have felt since we first started trying.
Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
pomelo / 5228 posts
@mrswin: Thats great! So glad to hear it went well. Did she give you any sort of timeline for treatment?
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
@mrswin: So glad it went well! I'm insulin resistant as well, so I was put on a modified diet as well as inositol powder. Hope that your changes result in great things!
nectarine / 2433 posts
@Mrs.Someone: She didn't lay out a definite timeline yet. She wants me to get the diet changes underway and take the supplements until my follow up at the end of June. At that point we will see where things are at, specifically blood sugar, etc then decide what the next steps are. She mentioned that by the fall (or sooner) she expects to see positive results.
ETA: she doesn't expect too much improvements from DH's SA for at least 60-90 days after starting the supplements
@redsmarties: The diet is by far going to be the most difficult part! Any tips?
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