Long Term TTC & Assisted Conception - May 2007 #2

Sleep? What's that?? I have had the worst sleeps of my life this TWW. My little brain just keeps going over and over and over...
Not complaining though, i do feel grateful that we made it this far.

Kotare what day is your BT?

Friday - 3 more 'sleeps'.

You are so close that is exciting! Have you been tempted to do a HPT?

Hi Ladies

Karena - glad you survived injection number one - i reckon it gets easier as you get more used to what your doing - GL!

Ellie - congrats again hun - i'm glad you got some good news

Jo - the job sounds great - i'd love to only have to travel 15 minutes to work each day! i have to drive 35 minutes (in countryo conditions, not city - so a fair old hike) - but i love my job, and i love where i live, so it's just gonna have to be like that! good thing i don't mind driving! am holding onto hope for both your BT and your interview that you get positive outcomes!

Shannon - good luck with the rest of your wait hun - i think we all get more than a little paranoid along this journey!

i guess i'm in the same boat as the rest of you lovely ladies in the "no sleep" department! have had a shocking nights sleep most nights lately - last night alone i was up to the loo four times! ah well, i'm guessing it might have been my mind in massive stress mode for today - but WOO HOO - we actually got a good result! my body is FINALLY starting to respond - we have 3 decent follies - so on antagonist meds for the next few days, as well as the puregon, to stop me o'ing before i'm supposed to - a follow up u/s on friday to make sure they've matured enough, then hopefully trigger friday and IUI on Saturday! WOO HOO WOO HOO WOO HOO!!

Great news BG!!!! 3 follies...triplets...YIPPEE...that will be one big baby bonus...hehehe!!!

I'm another that had a shocking night's sleep last night!

And then had to get up at the crack of dawn (heck, it was before dawn, the sun had barely risen when we left home!) to take DH into RPA. Only to find it was a complete waste of time. DH's veins aren't where they are supposed to be, so they couldn't get into the testicular vein, so couldn't do the embolisation. He'll need to have a ligation now. Surgery... on his testicles... SCARY!!

Anyway, choosing to focus on BG's great news today. :D It sure made me smile to hear that today after we got our bad news. :dance: Yay for BG!

BW

Yay BG, i replied in your journal.
BW - replied in your journal too. In hope we all get some well deserved sleep tonight.

Shannon - no HPT yet, but the temptation is overwhelming. I have 5 lullaby HPT in the drawer, and when i wake up in the am, it's all i can think about. But, as yet, i have not done one. I've got this idea that if i test - i'll be jinxing myself. I think i'll try my best to wait until Friday, unless AF turns up before then (then i'll probably do one just to make sure).

hello ladies,

Kotare - im sure that Friday will bring you much joy..GL hun

Shannon - going to the loo 100 times well theres a sympton if you ask me.lol im sure this is the FET for you i just know it, im already jelous.

BG woooooohooo WTG im with you on the triplets, thats great news.

BW im sorry to hear of the stress with DH, i hope it all goes well and that there are some real strong swimmers in there.

Ellie - again wonderful congrats, do you mind if i ask how many IVF cycles you did, im starting to feel very past it IYKWIM.

Well spoke to DH about adoption - just setting the ball rolling, not giving up on me or IVF yet, just a safety net and i guess these things can take there time, i proberly wont start looking into it for another month os so. ill see how this next stim goes

Sticky vibes xx

Hi Lou
Have done one IVF and this was our first ICSI...we just tried everything else along the way...include 6 mc's and you end up with just over 8 years! Hang in there...it's so hard but you never know what miracle is waiting for you tomorrow...lots of hugsxxx

Jo - Goodluck with the interview tomorrow, and B/T on Friday :)

BG - Woohoo for your body responding!

BW - Sorry to hear how things went this morning.. how is your DH?

BIG Helloo to everyone else.

Me - I've started spotting and expect AF here in the next day or so. Going to get some OPK's for this coming cycle, one last ditch extra effort before visiting the FS.

Nic

Hi everyone!! :) Back from our holidays. Had a lovely time in Darwin, even though they are still experiencing some wet season weather so it was hot and very sticky!! Thank goodness for air con! ;)
We got back yesterday morning after an awful flight that left there ar 2.30 in the morning. I slept like a log last night....for 15 hours! lol

I have had a quick read through to try and catch up with where everyone is at, but don't think I could manage personals...there is so much going on!
Lou, just wanted to send you a big hug....your BT result was the first thing I looked for when I logged on last night. I don't know how you manage to keep going.....well, I guess I do because I'm not going to stop any time soon but I know it's hard. Feel free to PM or email me anytime if you feel like you need an ear. :)

No news from me on the TTC front. I think I am around 2 weeks away from starting my next stim cycle so I guess I better think about calling the clinic and getting things organised. It's definitely time to get back on the rollercoaster, but I am feeling good and ready for it after a good break.

Good Morning Ladies
Just thought i would pop my head in and say that i am out of the race thsi month AF arrived overnight.. so now i have exactly 27 days to come up with $$$ to go again! Feeling blah but a lot less emotional than last time oh well personals later.

S

Oh Shannon...so sorry hun...thinking of you xxx

Oh Shannon, so sorry that AF arrived. :hug:

Megan, great to see you back :)

Me, I'm back to CD1.. I was kind of expecting it, but at the same time I kind of wasn't expecting it either IYKWIM?? Anyway, last cycle before FS visit. AF should be due a couple of days after our appointment.

Nic

shannon - sorry about AF arriving. good luck with the next cycle.

Hi Girls
Just popping in to say hi ...hope everyone is having an ok day...there's so much going on...goodluck everyone xxx

megan - welcome back hun - glad you enjoyed your holida and have come back refreshed and ready for your next cycle - good luck hun

shannon - so sorry AF arrived hun.

i'm feeling pretty ordinary today - not sure if i've picked up a bug or whether i'm having a bit of a reaction to the antagonist med - have been queasy and upset tummy all day - and my joints are all sore - kinda flu-ish iykwim? i'll get over it i'm sure - but it's been annoying the hell out of me today! have also got a cold sore and inflamed glands in my jaw - i guess it doesn't rain, it pours around here!! my little niece decided to headbutt me in the mouth yesterday, so i think i know how the cold sore started... i'm still in a great frame of mind though - even after having to do injections at work, so i guess it's going to take a lot to drag me down!!

Hi all,
:( So sorry Shannon - AF knocked on the door this morning for me too. Now i really really wish we had some snowbubs. It would be easier to take than going through all that cr*p again so soon.

Welcome back Megan. Good to hear you enjoyed the break.

Sorry to hear you aren't too good BG, but as long as your mood is still so positive, then that's great to hear!

Thanks for everyone's kind words. My job interview went well, and i am pretty excited. I was the only person being interviewed (they need 2) and she seemed keen to get someone going soon. So hopefully i hear back this week. I felt like a normal person for the first time in a while - Although when i put on my special 'job interview' suit, i realised how much weight i've lost lately. It looked a size too big! AARGH. I don't need to lose weight - i'm only 58kgs now, and i'm 5ft8. I used to always be 65kgs. The stress is obviously getting to me!!!

Obviously a bit sad that spidey-emby didn't stick, and my plan of telling DH the best news of his life on his birthday is also out the window. But he never really held too much hope - the next cycle can only go better i'm sure!!! No tears even, just looking forward to the next FS appointment in 9 days time.

sorry to hear that AF arrived Jo - she's not a particulalry friendly visitor. sounds like your interview went well - fingers crossed that you hear back with some good news very soon

Jo...sorry that AF arrived...well done on the job interview...can't wait to hear the good news!

Jo, sorry that AF arrived. Hope you hear back about the job soon :)

Nic

Oh shannon and Jo - im so sorry girls. holding your hand all the way through your next step with you both. PM me when ever you want

Megan - ive missed you! How great to get away i would love to go to Darwin (never been). you were one of the first people i met when i joined bb, you sound great and ready to hit that roller coaster with me. xx

Jo - so glad to hear that the interview went well and hoping you get the good news soon

BG its that time of year im affraid and sound like you need a early night weekend with a good movie, go the jim jams hooray.

BW how are you feeling today? hope you and DH areOk?

well af is still lingering but we have our appointment with our FS on Friday and DH is coming with me so that will hopfully be anice day out.lol (no sneeky shopping trip on the way home.lol) I am however getting my hair done in the afternoon which will make me feel human again

Hi to allxx

jim jams have been getting a work out since about 5 - and i'm thinking i might crash early tonight. have already had a nana nap (DH's fault - he kept stroking my hair til i fell asleep!), and still feel useless - DH cooking dinner at the moment, and i'm guessing by the time McLeod's Daughters finishes i'll be ready for bed. have early mornings tomorrow for work and friday for u/s- and i'm guessing saturday will be early for IUI - so roll on Sunday mornings sleep in - and god save the person who wakes me up before i'm ready - i'll shoot them!!

good luck for Friday Lou - fingers crossed for good news for both of us!

Hi Ladies!

Just a quick hi -
Shannon & Jo, I'm so sorry:hug:
Hoping you guys are ok, and the same for your DH's xxx
Megan - Glad to hear you're back and ready to get back on board again!;)
BG - I always, always get a cold sore every cycle of IVF, and with all other fertility drugs as well:doh:
On our 2nd cycle (1st one with a transfer) I was very excited to get one in the 2ww, as I got one in the 2ww when I fell pg with Luke... No such luck so far, must be something to do with the big boost of hormones into our bodies!!!
BW - On the weekend, I went to a tea house for a tasting day to buy some tea for my Nan for Mothers Day... during the tasting, they had different "tea experts" talking about the benefits of different teas for different ailments.
They had a speaker on "Nettle Tea" - Apparently it worls miracles for those people with rheumatiod (excuse my spelling if its wrong!)arthritis, and other similar conditions... I'm sure you've heard about it before, but I thought of you when I was there, and thought it was worth mentioning!!!

To everyone else, a big Hi!!
Hope you are all doing great... not much happening here, AF arrived Monday, she was due Mothers Day but spared me (Not usually so nice, is she??!!!)
Just counting down the days till we fly to Melbourne & see Antonia for a new take on our journey!!!
We see her 2 weeks from today, so not long now!!!

Much love to everyone!

Holly
xxx

Holly, I hadn't heard of nettle tea before at all. What does it taste like? I may have to look into it, as I really don't want to be on prednisone longer than I have to, but the other drugs aren't safe in pregnancy. Although, that does bring up the question of whether the nettle tea is safe in pregnancy, too.

I'm feeling about as tired as BG by the sounds of things. I had another bowen therapy treatment last night. I do feel wonderful afterwards, but as my body is sending so much energy towards healing itself afterwards, I tend to crash really early. Have spent tonight marking, reports are coming all too soon... have acupuncture tomorrow night, and then my parents are staying for the weekend, arriving on Friday night. At least I'm not yet doing the daily blood tests for the transfer! After being extremely light for the first few days, AF has decided to start being feral - heavy, clotty, fortunately not very painful. Took my first letrozole tablets tonight, so now I really do feel like I've got the FET cycle underway!

Jo, Shannon, I'm really sorry to hear that AF showed up. :( Wishing you both the greatest success next time round.

Really must wander off to bed now.

BW

Nettle tea is great BW...I have some each day with some BCP (a digestive blend) tea as well. Nettle tea is apparently great for TTC as well has some sort of iron and other stuff, my naturopath put me on it...it is a bit bland on its own but with say a peppermint or something with flavour is great.

I am so so sorry for those who have had BFNs while I have been away that so totally sucks for you all.

I am sooo so glad things are on the up for you this cycle BG I have my fingers firmly crossed for a positive outcome this time.

Well, I had my laparoscopy last week as planned, ended up with three cuts (great!!) so have been a bit sore and miserable for a few days. They also did a dye hysteroscopya and took a biopsy of the uterus at the same time to cover a few bases. Apparently I have beautiful ovaries and uterus but i had endo on both ovaries. My FS explained that studies have shown that any amount of endo no matter how small can affect the quality of the eggs and also the fertilisation and implantation of the eggs. They have done animals studies that have shown some really remarkable anomalies occurring when endo is present (apparently it produces some sort of fluid stuff). Also studies from a few years back when you couldn't freeze eggs and any extras were donated to other people have shown that those eggs that came from a person with endo did significantly worse than those from a "normal" person.......quite scary really.

Anyways they got it all so no more endo. I went today to get my stitches out and get the result of the biosopy and that was all clear so my FS had told me to go and buy a tatts ticket cos it is a jackpot this week and we might win some money for another cycle..hehehe...everyone thinks they are a comedian:rolleyes:

BW - I have to go to the bank tomorrow, and the tea place is next door... I will get the info they had on the weekend for it and post it on here tomorrow for you.
The person talking about it said great things about it & also referred to fertility too, so I would imagine it is safe to use during ttc & pregnancy.
I wish I had paid more attention now, but I just didn't want to be a know it all!!!;)
I was thinking about buying some for myself at the time for ttc, so I will be all stocked up with info for you tomorrow!!!

Good Night Everyone:bedtime:

Love Holly
xxx

Thanks, Mel and Holly. The nettle tea sounds like it could be just the thing for me. I'm getting really curious about the taste now! Holly, where exactly is this tea place? After figuring out exactly what it would do for me, the next task is to figure out where I can acquire some.

Mel, I really hope that the endo being gone makes things go so much better for you. Good luck with the saving for a new cycle, I really hope it doesn't take too long and you're off and running again really soon.

BW

Mel - Glad to hear your lap went well. I'm winning Tatts too - not the whole lot - just a few grand is all i want. (although, the whole lot would be nice too!) Thanks for your post about the endo. You have made me think maybe this might be something i have to look at. I still have endo left on my bladder and bowel, which was not removed, because it would require surgery. I did wonder if my eggs were dodgey after our poor result.
The FS is going to be bombarded with questions!

BG - OMG Saturday is sooo soon. This is really exciting!

BW - Hope the parent's visit goes well. It must feel surreal being so close to finally having the FET. It seems like time has flown since your OHSS, but it must have just dragged for you.

I think i might get my hair done too Lou. It's great to make you feel better - only problem is i have curly wurly crazy hair, and sometimes i come out looking like a freak! I think it's god's joke - i am a control freak and it's the one thing in my life that refuses to be controlled.

Holly - Look forward to the tea info. Maybe you could get commission off them!

How are you holding up Shannon?

I wish you could do stim cycles back-to-back. I have to wait a whole month again then start the down reg cycle for a month, then start the Stim cycle. Seems sooo far away.

Hi all

Sorry that I have been MIA. Appointment about a week ago didn't go so well and I haven't wanted to think about anything TTC related since or it would have done my head in.

Turns out that DP's SA that was done a few weeks ago came back really really bad so the point where they are weary of trying ICSI with it. Apparently they could find 6 (not 6 hundred or thousand or million - just 6) that were moving about and of those their morphology wasn't any good. They are going to test him again in 2 months to see if things have picked up (his boys were always a bit dodgy but not this bad) and if not he gets a series of tests.

So, the up shot is that we are in a holding pattern again.

ARGHHHHHH!!!!

It is so incredibly frustrating. But amazingly just typing something with lots of repeating letters in capitals makes it somehow better! LOL

Good Morning Ladies

Mel - Im glad the lap went well good luck with tatts! I've got QLD lotto covered up here!

BG - yay for Saturday and your body behaving!!

BW - Good luck witht he FET

Kotare - I know waiting sux! I'm doign ok better the 2nd time round my feet are a little more planted on the ground, DH is still holding out hope a little so i will do the BT on Monday for him. And we managed do the worste thign possible when we were both hurting and fight all last night! Arghhh
Look after yourself and your DH! :hug:

Taffylou - I am so sorry honey, i don't know if you want to hear this or not but my chinese therapist specialises in male infertility and my husband has been takign his tablets for about 3 months now and he managed to increase his count from 2 mil upto 16mil within 2 months, he claims to be able to help men with no count fall preg naturally and has in the past. They are just tablets and he works with clients interstate. let me know if youw ould like some more info. I am thinking of you and your DH!! :hug:

Hello to everyone else.. and God Luck!!

Shannon

Hi Ladies!

So, the tea info!!!

I went in this morning, and ended up being in there for quite a while!
The lady that owns the tea house was really great - Very informative & knows what she's talking about!

I asked as much info on the Nettle Tea as I could -
It is the tea for all of us!!;)
Nettle Tea is a blood tonic, and is also fantastic for kidney functions - During IVF or any type of AC using elevated levels of hormones, the kidneys are the part of the body that gets depleted first.
Apparently, no matter how good your embryos are, or how stress free you may be, each woman differently has a different level within her own body as to how good her kidneys cope with the process.
If your kidneys aren't handling the AC, no matter how good your embies are, they won't make it if your kidneys aren't working properly.
Nettle Tea is a boost for your kidneys, and helps them work to their full capacity during AC.
The blood tonic is so blood flows toward the uterus - Vital during AC for the embryos to implant.
So Nettle Tea is for both of these primarily.
It also assists with your general well being, and helps your body to de-stress, and to sleep better...whilst not making your fatigued or tired. It basically makes you settle down without having to "slow" down, IYKWIM!!!!!
I tasted some while I was in there - Not much taste, really - She said ideally you mix it with peppermint - Both for flavour, but more importantly because peppermint is a tea for the mind, so whilst the Nettle is doing what it does, the peppermint is acting as an agent so the mind tells the body why we are drinking it, and that its working for us.
She gave me a sample of both the Nettle & peppermint to use in my plunger... just made a cup and drank it while posting here - It was great!!!

BW - I spoke to her about your arthritis - She said its great for this because of the relaxant, but then told me about their own blend they make specifically for Rheumatiod Arthritis, and any other condition similar to this... the main ingredient is the nettle tea, but there are others too.
I told her it was for a girlfriend, and she made me up a sample for you!!!!:D
I have emailed you, so if you email me back with your address, I'll be happy to post it down to you!!!
She also gave me a full menu of all of the teas they have, and all of the things they are for - I have one of them for you too!!!!

Girls - If any of you want a copy of the menu emailed to you, email me & I'll email you back!

They also have different blends they have made up for different trimesters of pregnancy - to help to keep the uterus in tact (for miscarriage,etc) - for morning sickness, fluid retention, and even one to help your uterus retract back into shape when you're breastfeeding!!!!!
It was certainly a very informative morning!!!

The place is called "Montea Cristo" - its at Erina Fair on the Central Coast - I asked if it was a chain store, but its not.
She said there are places where you can buy nettle tea, however all of the other teas I've mentioned are their own special blends, so you can't get them anywhere else.
She did say they do free delivery anywhere (I presume in Australia) for orders of $30 or more.
The contact details are on the menu, anyway!!!
I bought some nettle & peppermint tea while I was there, and got quite a bit for $10 (thats for both teas) - so its extremely well priced!

Anyway!!! This may very well be the biggest post ever, and I don't want to get into trouble, so I'll leave it at that!!!

Talk Soon,

Love Holly
xxx

Taffy hun - my dh was taking herbal tabs for his swimmers (all natural). He never had a SA done but my NP thought that to further increase our chances of falling pg - he should take them. I think he was taking three a day and combined with my treatment, we got pg 4 months after starting the herbs (before that we were ttc for 18 months plus two losses and one lost tube). It might be worth seeing a NP to get some and help his little swimmers.

PS my friend was told the same thing about her DP's swimmers and the week they were due to start IVF - she got a bfp.

Wishing ALL of you lovely ladies a BFP very soon and sending you all truckloads of :bluedust:

Lisa

Holly - After I found out I was pg, I was drinking a tea my NP gave me to help the uterus support the foetus (2 m/c previously). I was also drinking a tonic for my blood and to assist the kidney's. My NP beleives strongly that there is no reason a healthy tree cannot bear fruit, so if these teas will improve your overall health then they will have a positive affect on fertility! I believe thats what made the difference for me this time around.

Hi Holly

The tea idea sounds great. I drink peppermint tea daily because it tastes good and it helps me destress and sleep well.

Cheryl

Hi Girls
Scan was terribly sad...no hearbeat...now I wait for mc...too upset to talk now

Sounds like tea may be what gets me through! I am actually very pro the healing effects of just sitting down and having a cup of tea let alone any additional healing qualities.

Unfortunately DP is very anti "mumbo jumbo" of NPs and the like but I have managed to get him to drink chamomile tea at work now which his secretary says helps his stress levels! Maybe I can get one for him to drink that will help his swimmers.

I will be close enough to Erina for the long weekend - I think that I will have to pop in and see the lady at the tea shop, all I have to do is work out a vaguely believable story for the inlaws as to why I want to go shopping :)

Oh Ellie - I am so sorry - sending you lots of hugs

OMG Ellie, i'm so sorry. Sending you big :hugs:
Please take care of yourself.