Long-term TTC & Assisted Conception - December 2009/January 2010

Hi Ladies,

Emstar - Looks like we part ways with out cycling this month :( We're not doing a frozen transfer until Feb. GL babe!

Babytruj - You have been through the wringer on your first cycle, hun. I've never had OHS but I have heard it is very, very painful. Rest sounds best and it's great you're so upbeat and positive. I've never been told to take egg whites, let alone 8 per day! I have heard protein is good for egg quality, but surely seeing as how the EPU is over you wouldn't need to keep taking them ...

Danyelle, Thanks for the reminder about NK test. I am getting tested for that soon, as well as about 11 other tests for autoimmune/implantation issues. I just need to summon up enough courage first, because they have to take 12 vials of blood! Yuck.

Hi Terry! Good to see you're back. We're doing similar things this year, your cycle in March; we're cycling in Feb/March and trying to get fit before then. GL to you!

Murraycod, acupuncture was fine. I had a couple of places where it stung for about 2 minutes, and found out one was the kidney point and the other was the stress point. She had told me before treatment that I would probably have issues with my kidneys due to underactive thyroid which can make the body cold, and might have to give me some herbs before my next transfer to give me some "heat". The detox is going to be yuck and very expensive. There are three stages to it, and each stage you need to buy different pills/powder. Aaaaagh! I will definitely have some fizz for you - as well as some red and some white :lol:

Brunette you seem to be doing the same things I did when I started acupunture. I know all the different herbs etc are expensive and let me tell you some of them taste vile but once a started my detox a few months ago I really started to fell really good on the inside. So perceive through it and you should reap the rewards. I still take 4 different vitamins a day and when I'm cycling I get given another chinese herb which is horrible but I find after a few days of drinking it it tastes ok. When you eventually do the blood tests make sure you go home after I had them done at lunchtime and by the time I got back to work I felt like I was going to pass out. My FS told me that it can take upto 6 weeks to get all the results so I reckon you should sum up the courage to go for it.

sorry ive been quiet lately ladies.i hope you all enjoyed christmas and new year.ive been taking time out and spending it with the family after a lousy december.not only mums cancer diagnosis but also 2 days before xmas we found out DPs application for early release of some of his super was turned down because it was missing one sentence :wall: so we are going to appeal the decision but in meantime we have to chance up new supporting letters from the drs including the missing sentence. AF still hasnt shown up.she should have been here monday last week, but looks like shes going to be majorly late like last few months even though this cycle was medicated and BFN bt.MUM sees surgeon this friday so hoping she may have surgery next week.also after having talk with DP i think i am going to see gynae again and see if i can get another lap done as i think my endo may be back.so with all thats going on and what im trying to get organized ttc might have to get put on pause for a little while

Thanks for the tips, Terry, especially about going home after the BTs. I was thinking of doing them in the afternoon as I would be more hydrated after drinking 8 glasses of water during the day :)

Trubabe, :hug: Hope everything goes well for your mum when she sees the specialist!

Danyelle, the links are:

hormone levels reference (US) - Hormone Levels & Fertility Bloodwork - Fertility Plus

conversion to Australian (SI) units - Conventional units to SI units - conversion factors.

Afm, to be completely honest, my sleep patterns are so screwed up because I became very depressed after our transfer was cancelled. The insomnia kicks in and I can't get to sleep at night and then I can't wake up in the morning because I've only just gotten to sleep. Last "night" I finally got to sleep after sunrise... :wall: Hopefully since I've only had 4 hours of (bad) sleep I'll manage to get to sleep at a normal time tonight... :crossfingers: And then I just need to reach a point where I won't burst into tears if someone asks me how my Christmas was by Monday (when I go back to work).

Hi Girls,

Just letting you all know that i had my FS appointment yesterday and we have gone from the Anatagonist Protocol to the Agonist ( down reg) Protocol which i start the synarel on Friday....I'm hoping that with this change comes a positive result..just as we all wish...

Danyelle - i noticed in your post you mentioned St George hospital...Are you with IVF Australia there ?? if so, who is your FS?? That is where i go and just glad to see someone might be so close to home!! :D

Juniper, :hug: I feel for you babe. After the first few IVF cycles which failed, I remember being at work and tears just welling in my eyes when nobody had asked me anything. I kept telling myself, `get a grip, you're at work,' and just hoping no-one had noticed. Keep your chin up!

Brunette, I've done that so often when I wasn't this upset - I am absolutely dreading having to go back to work on Monday! I just know I'm going to have either one or both managers (who know about the cancelled transfer) coming in to ask me how I'm doing. :doh: And then I've got my performance review sometime in the next two weeks and the IVF is sure to be raised during that as well...

Juniper, any chance you can head them off at the pass by emailing them something before they come and and ask you questions? Do they already know the results, or this is something they do each cycle? My manager knows about IVF, too, and while I have chatted to her about the cycle prior to getting the result, she never asks me afterwards and I never tell her - a bit odd, I suppose, but she seems to just know not to ask.

Hey guys

The egg whites are extra protein which are supposed to be good for absorbing any excess water - so it helps with the OHSS a lot and eases the bloatedness. I am feeling better, and will keep up with the egg whites, but maybe only a few a day, for the next week or so.

Juniper76: Thanks for the links.

EmeraldStar: My sister is with Dr Sacks at IVF Australia. I'm with a clinic at Hurstville.

AFM: Got me blood results back today and looks like another :bfn:
I'm off to sulk for a couple of days. See you guys in a few weeks.

Ladies: I am so sorry but

I am really sulking today, sitting here crying. I am very angry with myself today.

I want to know: Why is it so hard to get pregnant ?????????????? and why is it even hard when your over 38 .

Oh if I could turn back time !
If you had asked me 20 years ago if I ever thought I would have problems, I would have said no way, thats why I'm on the Pill.
(I was on the pill for 15 years, don't know why ! Only found out when I went to FS that I can't fall pregnant naturally being PCOS)

Sorry for the whingeing :redface:

Oh Danyelle sweetheart I'm so sorry you feel so crapy today. If there is anything I can do:hug:
I know that at the end of each month, the start of a new month can seem so hard of a hill to climb, but we somehow get there in the end. I understand that you feel like it is such a long journey to walk at the moment, but sweetheart you will suprise yourself when you realise that you are back up the top, ready for another try.
Please take it easy babe, I know it is totally easy for me to say right now, my heart goes out to you, but I hope that I have a friend like you to chat to when I have my moment of crappiness XXX

Babytruj you must be egg whited out by now!:lol: How are you feeling though, any better??

Juniper, Brunette, EmeraldStar, Trubabe, Terry, Spring, Daisie, everybody, (sorry if missed people XXX) Hope you are all well, and taking it easy XXX

Sorry for the lack of persies, I haven't got much of a head space today, had my scan and bloodwork thismornig, am now awaiting the results, will have them thisafternoon.
By the scan I have average 10eggies per ovary.
Left averaging 18-22mm and Right 15-19mm. No wonder I am so sore down there...
Am assuming EPU Monday??? Will soon see XXX

Danyelle No one can really answer your question. In all honestly I have my own issues with the contraceptive pill as I believe that it has its own side effects. One of my sisters went sterile after being on it for 10 years as a result, and I have read that some dr's have said it really isn't designed for long term use. The weird thing is I know they use it to help people with PCOS as it helps regulate AF but obviously you also don't get PG on the pill so in your situation its a catch 22. And who knows right now where its the PCOS or the fact you were on the pll for so long that is causing your problems.

I did find this info for you though ...

Infertility
If your BMI is more than 29 and you're not ovulating, you may need to make lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising, will help you lose excess weight. This can increase your chances of getting pregnant.

If you are still having difficulty getting pregnant there are several treatments available. You should see an infertility specialist to discuss which is best for you.

Fertility medicines such as clomifene stimulate your ovaries to release eggs. You can take this for up to a year. If you have been ovulating with clomifene but haven't become pregnant after six months, your doctor might suggest intrauterine insemination, where sperm is placed directly into your womb.

Metformin is a medicine that reduces insulin resistance and may improve fertility (as well as reduce excess hair). You may have it along with clomifene if you don't ovulate with clomifene alone. Metformin is only licensed for the treatment of diabetes in the UK. Ask your doctor for advice.

Hormone injections with human gonadotrophin hormone (a mixture of luteinising hormone and follicle stimulating hormone) may be offered if clomifene has not worked for you.

You can have keyhole surgery to make tiny holes in the surface of your ovary to stimulate it. This is known as laparoscopic ovarian drilling. It's as effective as hormone injections, and it might be an option for you if clomifene doesn't make you ovulate.

Assisted conception, such as IVF (in vitro fertilisation) is another possibility. You could also consider other forms of assisted conception such as egg donation or surrogacy.

I wish I had an answer for you sweety but I don't. And yes if we could all turn back the clock we would. Some girls in my group have got PG then lost there bundles for many reasons, and so who really knows why. I so don't understand so many things that happen to us. We assume once we reach the goal of a BFP all the anxiety will stop but I actually think its worse now, as suddenly we actually have that little life in our hands.

And as you can see I still watch over you all waiting for that time when you will get your vey own BFP, which hopefully won't be too far away. I wish everyone good luck wherever you are in your cycle and treatment and lets hope 2010 is better for everyone xox.

Ok Girls after my last post I was thinking about you all so here is a little something for you all ...

I have a created a little mantra for this year!

This year it is 2010
And it's time for us to start over again,
Moving mountains for the healthy babies we will create
With the support of our families and fabulous mates
Our periods will be gone far far away away
At least for a minimum of 240 days
Joy and happiness will be our only reason for tears
Especially when our bundles are finally here..
So another year has started and here we go
On our very own roller coaster as we all know.

I wish you all the very best for this year. I wish you all every success. I want just one thing from you all. No matter how hard it gets, no matter how many times you think it cant get any worse, I want you to remember there is only one way and that is up.

The only way to go up is to have come down in the first place. Be sure to keep a positive mind and be prepared for everything. Write down a list and ask every question you need to, 10 times if you have to.

But no matter what you achieve this year just remember to take tiny steps. Every process in TTC is a step.

Finding out what th problem is with your infertility is a step.
Setting up a plan for your cycle is a step.
To be able to start a cycle is a step.
To get your eggs collected is a step.
To then have your little embies grow is a step.
Then to have them put back is another step.
And finally the biggest step is getting that BFP.
Then there is the step up to parenting.

Now we have all seen people in here come and go. So we all know its possible. Just remember no matter what your cycle or treatment your are undertaking, just take it in steps. And remember every step is an achievemnet on its own. Don't have any expectations and be positive.

I admire you all and have so much respect for you that I know in my heart you are all wonderful strong ladies and this year is going to help you all move forward.

:cheer: So here's to 2010. :bluecheer:

Hi all
Sorry Been MIA again - crazy holiday season at work - its insane

Trueblue ~ great to see you in here. All the best with the clomid cycles and hope you get a BFP very soon. Thanks for spreading the word about our tractor.

Danyelle and Trubabe ~ so sorry for your BFNs! :comfort: GL for your next tries. Hoping 2010 is your year!!

Emstar - All the best for your #4, youll get there, I recon 2010 is def your year 2!!

AFM ~ On a down reg cycle at the moment - the pill and start Synarel on Jan 15. EPU or Transfer on the 8th Feb - day after my 30th Bday.
Still stressing about the money - things are going to be very tight for us.

GL to all, may 2010 be the year!!! :pink-babydust::bluedust::stickyvibesgirl:

Hey Rob, love your mantra for 2010. Thanks for your comments.

Murraycod, Wow, 20 eggs! You go girl! Good luck for your pick-up!

Danyelle, sorry it didn't work this cycle. It's horrible when you get the BFN and it affects us all in different ways. Take time out for yourself and be kind to yourself.

Babytruj, interesting about the egg whites helping - not only for egg quality but also for OHSS ...

AHHH sheit, sorry Loops, trublue and rob. I didn't mean to forget you girls before Sorry :redface:

Loops hope your down reg cycle is the one for you this year, would be a fantastic 30th Bday pressie. I turn 30 on 11thMay.:shhh:

Rob I love the mantra you wrote, thank you for looking over us still XXX

Time for a new thread ladies, all the best for 2010