-
Sigh...I just came upon a treasure trove of reviews about the new RE. And holy moly. I can't go there. Why didn't I see this before? Everyone was complaining about how horrible the RE's staff doctors and nurses are, and how you don't see him after your first consult. Then I learned that he actually killed a patient during an egg retrieval. There is NO WAY I am going there.
-
@spaniellove: what?? I didn't know that was possible!
-
So I hope I don't come off the wrong way, but as you guys know, I'm on cycle 8/9. I've never had a BFP before but I have this feeling that even when I get that BFP that I'll be scared of miscarrying. I'm starting my first IUI soon and I'm wondering if there's a reason why I'm not able to do it naturally. I think I'll be super worried that when and if I get pregnant that it will be doomed.
I'm pretty sure when I get my BFP that I'll wait a good 20 weeks before telling anyone IRL. (I'll definitely tell you guys!)
-
@MK0180: IUI + clomid is only 12%? That is incredibly depressing. Although! A) the odds of healthy young people is still only 20-25%. Those are also sucky odds and as we have noticed women get pregnant all the time. AND, if you think about it our odds right now have to be 4% (just a number I pulled out of my butt). So 12% means that your odds of getting pregnant would be 3x higher than before.
@Babybear: Good luck with your appointment! I hope it gives you good results!
@Marionberry: Fingers crossed for strong swimmers!
@Sweetooth: As if everything else isn't enough, eh? Money stresses me out too. Hugs.
@MrsCB: RaintreeBee: I'm thinking positive thoughts for you! Get what I did there? *Positive* thoughts?
@KentuckyGirl: I'm so sorry it didn't work. I hope it's just a matter of getting the dose right and then all will be rainbows.
@Spaniellove: Yeah - don't go there. That dr sounds awful.
@BlustripeBee: Hugs. It's hard not to worry about what happens next. But one thing at a time. Get the BFP first. There are lots of people that get pregnant with help and don't have MC afterwards. That can be you too!
-------------------------------------
So ladies, I'm sad. The last couple of months I had been looking forward to appointments, which has kept me from worrying about TTWs etc. But now, I'm just waiting. Waiting to find out when my appointment is supposed to be for the referral. My doc sent all the paperwork out on Oct 24 and I'm just waiting for the appointment to be set. The clinic only has 3 doctors, so I'm worried that it's just a waiting list and I DON'T LIKE WAITING!! I hate all the waiting involved with this. It's been almost a year of this. Waiting to ovulate, waiting to test, waiting for AF, waiting for appointments, waiting for test results and now waiting for an appointment to be scheduled? Gaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
Thanks for listening to my rant. I needed that.
-
@marionberry: Thank you tons! My doctor now was taken back when I told him my history. He asked why I never went. I told him that I did, but didn't know any better to ask questions or demand an answer. My mom just figured I'd be okay (probably because she's fertile mertile).. I knew something was up though.
-
@Grace: So sorry you have to wait. I'm impatient like you. I drive myself crazy when I have to wait for something - especially this important! Best of luck!
-
@bluestriped bee: I can understand. In my case I have had a loss before, but when you've had to work so hard to get there it can take a long time for it to feel real and safe. It's okay for you to set your own terms about when you want to tell the world!
-
@grace: I'm so sorry you're stuck waiting. That would drive me nuts. You'd think they'd know that fertility patients are all impatient and try to get you in quickly but apparently not.
-
@Grace: ugh waiting is the worst! I hope that it doesn't take you too long to get in for an appointment!
@marionberry: I'm so happy that your DH finally got his SA done!! Any news on when you'll get the results? -
@shutterbug: because we work there we can check the system for results but it appears they're not in yet. Dh just checked.
-
@babybear: welcome to the group - I hope you have a good appointment next week and are able to work with an RE soon.
@spaniellove: the internet cannot always be trusted. But I know that it's hard to read negative comments. I think when you said that he actually killed a patient...that would end it for me. I wouldn't go to that doctor.
@bluestriped bee: I can relate. I haven't had a BFP or a loss, but I feel like even when I achieve it I won't really be able to enjoy it. You'll know what works best for you when you get your BFP
@Grace: The waiting is SOOO hard. I have been waiting for 6 weeks for the appointment that I have today. And even the very first RE appointment I had, I waited 4 weeks until I was able to get in. Let it out - scream at the top of your lungs! It's just ONE more sucky thing about infertility. All of the waiting. It blows. It's ok to be sad.
- - - - - -
Last night my husband and I took some time to prepare for our RE appointment today. I also wanted to go over the bill we had received so we could prepare our questions around that as well. It was an emotional talk. I cry so much these days whenever I really sink in to the reality of what is going on. We decided that after I have the surgery to remove what's in my uterus, then we want to be more aggressive with the next steps. No more "wait and see" - we're ready to jump in to IUI, or SOMETHING. Not IVF yet. But we just want to know that our odds are higher than they are right now. I don't think I can have the surgery and just see if I'm lucky and that's all it takes. I feel like I can't handle more months of AF instead of a BFP. The hard part will be swallowing the costs of the more aggressive route. But my husband thinks that the emotional cost right now is higher, and it is wearing me down. And I'd agree with that. Wish me luck today - I hope to come out of this appointment with a full understanding of what is next, and if I have any chance of conceiving in 2013.
-
@sweetooth: good luck!!! Sounds like you're well prepared, and I think if it were me I'd go the more aggressive route, too. Hugs!
-
@sweetooth: Yeah, I thought maybe it was just something a bitter patient or rival made up so I looked it up and found a legitimate source. The extent of neglect going on was scary, and fits with all the subsequent complaints. I'm sending you TONS of wishes for a positive, productive RE appointment today! Both a "wait and see" and a more aggressive approach could be good for different reasons, and if you're tired of waiting then yeah, be aggressive as soon as your body is ready!
@Shutterbug: Do you have an endocrinologist appt today? Good luck!
-
@spaniellove: yes! thank you
-
@spaniellove: OMG that's awful. Are there other practices in your area?
@Grace: Haha :-P. I hear you on the waiting. I feel like this process just consists of tons of waiting, which I'm not good at.
@sweetooth: Good luck with the surgery! I know what you mean about wanting to just do something already.
------
My trigger is finally gone, yay! I'm 8DPO so I think I'll try to hold off testing until the weekend. I've gotten used to testing every day though, lol. IDK though, I just don't feel like I'm going to be lucky this cycle. The tons of intrusive ultrasounds plus blood draws wasn't easy, but it just one cycle and I keep thinking it can't be this easy - one round and boom, pregnant. I'm kinda wishing I'd kept up with charting so I could some idea if I should be hopeful or not. -
@sweetooth: Thank you kindly! I don't know how you all do it. I was almost in tears writing my post last night at the thought of possibly having trouble with pregnancy, etc. So glad to have support though.
-
@Shutterbug: Thanks! And I hope your appointment goes well today!
@spaniellove: Thank you! I wrote on your wall, but maybe you can reach out here on HB to see if anyone has a Dr. recommendation?
@MrsCB: Thank you! The surgery will only happen if/when I get my next period. I anticipate it arriving any day now though, so I'm just trying to tell myself that surgery is in my near future. It's easier to accept if I just tell myself this now
I know what you mean on thinking "it can't be this easy" - but maybe, just maybe it will be. And you'll get your BFP
I'm thinking positive thoughts for you. And I feel similarly about the charting thing.@BabyBear: It's definitely a tear-filled journey, but the support of the women on this thread help make it all more bearable.
-
@Grace: Well, when you put it that way I guess the odds are ok?
Waiting is quite possibly the worst out of all of this process, I think. I'm sorry you are waiting for the referral to go through and I hope it's not much longer!@spaniellove: well... that's... not.... cool. Glad you did some digging around are not going there.
@sweetooth: Good luck with the appointment today!! I agree, I think the emotional cost is a lot harder than the financial. I hope you are able to get a plan of action in place
@MrsCB: Sending you lots of positive vibes for a great outcome
@BabyBear: I saw your "intro" post - welcome! Good luck with your appointment
@bluestriped bee: I think it's a valid feeling. I've read that a lot of women who tried for so long and are finally able to get pregnant (whether via meds, IUI, IVF or a combo) have that same feeling. I think I probably will as well
-
@sweetooth: I can imagine so. What a great community.
@MK0180: Thank you! =) -
@MrsCB: @sweetooth: There are actually a number of clinics in my town! And those are all of the clinics in the area - but everyone goes to the two I considered. We decided to stick with the one we've been going to, because despite the things we didn't like about them at least I know they won't kill me (wow, such low standards). And if I have to do IUI like they want it's still not as bad as what I hear about the other place. What's another few months at this point....
-
@mrscb: Good luck on turning a test pink now!
@sweettooth: Good luck with your appointment and good for you for deciding exactly what route you're willing to go down. I agree that it's really hard emotionally to continue the go and wait path. I hope your RE is really receptive and your appointment goes well. -
Results are back (just because we looked them up and not because we've heard from a provider yet). Not sure what they all mean, but according to research they all sound pretty good other than volume. His volume was low, .5L but given his anxiety toward giving the sample this is not a surprise to me at all. Count was 117, motility was 80, progression was 3+, and % normal morphology was 45. Does this sound good to you? If so, it appears I'm the problem. At least I think this means a cheaper option, and hopefully just some drugs or something. I look forward to hearing from my OB now with my ovulation results.
-
@marionberry: I know nothing about SA results, but I hope that's all good news!
----------
I got my progesterone results back, it was 3.1, which I think is very low for 7dpo. I'm afraid the dr is going to say I didn't ovulate, but can I get a positive OPK and a temp spike and still not O? -
@Shutterbug: You could get a positive OPK and not actually ovulate. Sometimes you can have an LH surge (which the opk picks up on) but the egg doesn't release, especially if you have PCOS. But I'm pretty sure the temps will always indicate accurately, assuming there's nothing to artificially elevate them - like alcohol, late temps, etc.
-
@MrsCB: thanks! For what it's worth, here's my chart: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/392d2e
-
@marionberry: I'm curious, when you say count was 117 do you mean 117 million total? Or 117 million/mL? Or something else? And 80% motility?
@Shutterbug: Is your LP always short? Your low progesterone might not be indicative of not ovulating, but rather a LP defect - in which case you can do supplemental progesterone after O.
-
@marionberry: that sounds pretty good to me.
-
@spaniellove: yes - usually about 9 days. I hope that's all it takes
-
@spaniellove: 117million/mL and 80% motility. Just checked.
@shutterbug: I hope that's not what they think. I know nothing about progesterone, but I got my ovulation test done and don't have results back yet so I'd be curious what my progesterone level is. We can compare as soon as I get them back. -
@marionberry: Those numbers sound good! I never thought about it much, but my RE decided not to test my progesterone.
-
@spaniellove: well they must be 100% sure you're good to go. That can't be a bad thing! My doc didn't think I really needed it, but we did it just to be sure. So hopefully it's good news I hear back, lol.
-
Any new appointments/testing/plans to add to the roll call?
Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday! The weekend is almost here!
-
@marionberry: I'm no expert, but in the quick comparison I did to the results from my husband's SA, things are looking good for your husband! Hope you hear the conclusive results from your OB soon.
@spaniellove: I'm glad to hear you do at least have the first doctor you have already seen, and that you can move forward there. So what are the next steps for you again? I can't recall - are you moving on to IUI right away?
-
My appointment went well yesterday. I think all of the preparations we did for the appointment, and the decisions we made prior to going in there made it very productive. So now my plan is this - I get my period in the next few days and then I call my nurse to get my name on a list for the uterine surgery. I also begin taking BCP to thin my uterine wall and make sure I'm not pregnant when the surgery happens. The surgery is not a set date because that would take longer to achieve with my doctor, and it's better to just get on the "lottery" list. I'm ok with this. I'm hopeful that this surgery happens before Christmas.
Then, I can either jump into Clomid/IUI in the next cycle, or wait until the new year and start then. It's up to us. I'm torn because I am just ready to get this show on the road. But I think since my cycle will be monitored and the window will probably fall right around the Christmas holiday it would be better to just wait until the next cycle. I think I'm going to wait and see how the surgery goes before making the decision.
The only concerns I have right now are that we still don't know what's really in my uterus. Sonograms can only tell so much. So the little camera that they will shove in my hoo-ha (sorry, I know there's a medical term - but I can't think of it) is the best way to see what's going on in there. I get to see pictures of my uterus! What a great Christmas present, maybe I should frame them and give them to my family
(I kid...)I do feel a TAD more hopeful. I have prescriptions in my hand for BCP, Clomid, Ovidrel and Prometrium. We've signed consent forms, and all I need to do now is get my period. So I feel like the waiting is no longer JUST waiting. It's waiting, with calculated steps that follow.
Now I just want my period to arrive this weekend so I can really drink, eat sushi and live it up before all of the fun begins
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'm so thankful for all of you.
-
@marionberry: Those results sound good! On to the googling about how to increase volume, I imagine?
@Sweetooth: Good luck! I hear you on being aggressive. I'm very muh in the mindset of "let's get on with this already!"
@Mrscb: Ugh, that sounds like the worst TTW. Although, I guess it's shorter 'cause you only have to hold out a few days after the trigger leaves? Good luck!
@Shutterbug: I think it is possible to have a temp spike and not O. I'm sure I've read it somewhere and that's why drs poo-poo our temping attempts (not that it'll stop me). But I'm with Spaniellove, I think you produce low progesterone after O (mine was 17 at 12 dpo and it says normal is 3.8 to 50) which is causing LP defect. Hopefully, you can get progesterone supplements and you'll get preggo!!!!
@BabyBear: @marionberry: @Shutterbug: @sweetooth: @MrsCB: Thanks for the ear and the sympathy. As it turns out, I got home from work and the appointment for the ultrasound was there. Not the fertility clinic, but it's something! Oh, and I found a forum of women that have been to my clinic and apparently the wait is commonly 4-6 months. Gaahhhh. This is what happens when they are the only clinic in town, I guess. But I'm going to talk to my doctor after the ultrasound and see if she can refer me to a regular gyno. I'm sure there are some diagnostic procedures that can be done outside of the fertility clinic. Fingers crossed anyways.
-
@Grace: You're in my thoughts!
I had to re-schedule my endo appointment for December 4th. I wasn't able to get my blood work done two weeks prior to the Nov. 20th appointment because of all the devastation and loss of power in my area from Superstorm Sandy then a snowstorm. It stinks, but at least I don't have to wait until the new year!
-
Looks like its update time! Glad to see several of you have a plan for moving forward, I hope all goes well for everyone.
As for me, I'm just sitting around waiting to O. It looks like it will be on schedule (Sunday), but I've been on edge since I O'd like 4 days early last month and missed it. So I've been taking OPKs for the last several days just in case. Glad my O'ing is likely going to be on a weekend, since we're often too tired to BD on week days. Looking forward to being in the TWW actually!
Other than that, the only other thing I'm actively doing is acupuncture (I feel like thats all I talk about, feel free to tell me to shut it
On the day of my last appointment I was having a stressful day. The acupuncturist picked up on that and did who-knows-what, but I left there feeling relaxed and its lasted the rest of the week. I think she flipped a switch or something. I've also been drinking my pre-O tea twice a day. My temps seem to have gotten less erratic, which is great! I'm pretty hopeful for this month, but I'm trying to be realistic and thinking of it as a longer process.I hope everyone has a nice weekend! I have 2 different parties with girlfriends
One of which is a baby shower...
-
@spaniellove: Omg, that RE sounds terrible. Do not go there! @bluestriped bee: I feel the exact same way re: miscarriage. I think it is fairly common among folks who had a difficult time conceiving.
@Grace: AAGGGHH. I hate waiting too! 4-6 months!!!! ARe you in the states? That seems like an awfully long time. Hope you get in soon!
@sweetooth: I think it makes sense that you want to couple the surgery with more aggressive treatments but also that you might want to wait and see how you feel and what you know after the surgery. I am so happy you have all the scripts in hand. Sounds like you have a great game plan. Please keep us updated re: the surgery. I will be thinking of you. Love the idea of the Xmas present. Lolol. I sometimes think I should do surgery for my endometriosis instead of IVF (there is no scientific consensus) but am afraid of what the doc will find. So I can relate.
@MrsCB: I wished I had charted this IUI cycle too. I am going to start again next month.
@marionberry: The SA results sound excellent to me! One less thing to have to worry about.
@Shutterbug: It looks like you ovulated. Your progesterone seems low, though, for a 7 dpo test. It is possible that you just need progesterone supplements since your LP seems short. My progesterone was borderline according to my RE (11.8), so he recommended Clomid to strengthen the ovulation. I think this is because not all ovulation is equal.
@BabyBear: Sorry for the delay. That really stinks but glad you are getting in relatively soon.
@Mrs.Someone: You are inspiring me to go back to acupuncture! Hope you survive the baby shower.I tested again today at 13 DPO and BFN. So it looks like IUI #2 is a bust. I am okay, I guess. I am going to go against the grain and say that the early testing isn't such a bad thing for me mentally. I feel like if I get a BFN at 11 DPO then I can slowly adjust to the reality before AF comes. It softens the blow somehow. I am at my parents 'house out of town and am thankful AF hasn't shown up because I would have had to have gotten my blood drawn at some lab here in order to start my next cycle. I have an appointment with my RE on Tuesday to decide how to proceed, but I think we will go ahead and do one more IUI (Clomid, although perhaps I will see if he recommends injectables even though it is late in my cycle and I can't do the the "injectables training course" since I am out of town). Tentative plan is to move on to IVF in February, taking a couple months off of fertility treatments in late december/january due to the need for me to concentrate on getting tenure at my school!
Also, I think I posted awhile back about being upset that a friend was pregnant after only trying for a month or so. I was getting anxious because our husbands were planning a vacation together (including us) but that this would be a couple weeks before we started IVF. I felt so incredibly jealous of her. Today, I learned that she lost her baby at 16 weeks. I feel so incredibly sad for her and can't believe I had negative feelings. I feel sick about it.
Sorry for the epic, long post.
-
@raintreebee: I'm sorry for another BFN, and for your friend's loss
-
@Shutterbug: I had a progesterone level of 4 at 7dpo and a 8-9 da LP. even though my chart suggested I was ovulating and I was getting a positive OPK every month, my doc classified it as a "weak ovulation". Progesterone didn't help, so we decided to go the Clomid route to make the whole system from start to finish stronger. I got pregnant on the second cycle of Clomid (IUI #1 failed).
Just popping in to say I'm cheering for all of you. This time last year, we just started seeing an RE and I was diagnosed with unexplained infertility. Today, my baby girl is 3 weeks old. Stay positive..because he or she really is worth the wait.
I'm pretty sure when I get my BFP that I'll wait a good 20 weeks before telling anyone IRL. (I'll definitely tell you guys!)
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite3
2958 comments