Where to now - frustrated!

Hi everyone,
I have been visiting and reading everyones posts and have found great comfort reading about everyone else's experiences. This is the first time i have posted anything - sorry if it's long:).

We have been trying to conceive for about 14months now. I have irregular periods (anthything from 30-40 days), my lmo did some blood tests and in combination with urine and saliva ovulation tests we found i wasn't ovulating. I was then ref to FS Mac Talbot (in Melb) who sent me for a HSG, and U/S. It showed i had a dermoid mass on my left ovary and had polycystic ovaries (can't remember exact count, but only mild). I then had a laparoscopy 2 weeks ago - had the mass removed, had ovarian drilling done and a D & C. My husband has had a sperm test done - all good. I commenced Metformin about a month ago and i'm due to see my specialist again in a week.

I had stoped testing with my maybe baby (ovulation indicator) because it was sending me insane! I'm wondering if my next step is to start clomid? Or just continue with the metformin and start ovulation testing again?? I'm also thinking of starting accupunture (yet to find someone)? It's all so frustrating because technically they haven't found anything directly causing my infertility. I initially went and began investigating because even yrs ago when we weren't trying i was shocking at taking the pill and was often off it for up to 12months at a time and never fell pregnant despite never using protection??

Anyone's thoughts would be greatly appreciated :).

Bella - Mac is pretty good at discussing your options with you (he's my FS too) and it sounds like he's done with you pretty much what he did with me (although my gyne did the surgery and clomid bit) - i'm guessing he'll suggest clomid first as it's the cheapest and least invasive form of ovulation indution that they can use. it is up to you though whether you start this, or wish to wait and see whether the metformin helps. for a few people, the met can help kick start a cycle again, but given that you've had drilling, which is - from my understanding - done to increase the ovaries response to meds, i would assume he's looking to move you on to meds to force ovulation.

for me, clomid didn't work. it wasn't fun with side effects, but i put myself through it cos it was a chance to help me reach that dream... when that didn't work, i was referred to Mac and we started ovulation induction using injectable meds and IUI (intra uterine insemination) - some FS will allow ovulaton induction and timed intercourse - from what i gathered from Mac, he finds this a waste of time and will only allow OI with IUI... hoping that clomid is enough to kick start your ovaries and you never have to go through OI and IUI though!

hope that helps a bit

BG

Thanks heaps Brigsygirl for your reply :)

What were the side effects like with the clomid (tell the truth i won't be scared off!!!!:)). How does the regime work? Sorry lots of questions i know. I'm actually an emergency nurse but have very very little obs/gyne experience (i work at a major hosp which doesn't have obs/gyne!) but when doctors find out i'm an experienced nurse they sometimes assume i already know things!

You also mentioned expense - we have private health insurance but it doesn't cover IVF etc do you think i should start thinking now of increasing my cover???

Thanks to everyone again.

in all honesty, PHI doesn't cover a lot of the expense, other than the actual "in patient" bits - so EPU and transfer. everything else is medicare. IF you think you'll get benefit from the other things you'll get with the higher cover, go for it - but weigh up how much the extra will cost, and compare that with the day-stay costs for the clinic and see if it's worth it - you have to be on the higher coverage for 12 months as a rule... it took 15 months from first round of clomid to first full ivf for me, so it's something, if you think you may end up on that path, to consider now for sure...

clomid wise, you generally take tabs 5 days in a row - depending on the doctor, it may be cycle days 2-6, or as late as 5-9. BT on day 21 to check for ovulation. side effects aren't too bad - hot flushes, headaches - i know of a couple of people that had much worse anxiety issues than normal... i found the worst bit was feeling like i had AF pains ALL the time for about 2 weeks - just drove me nuts - especially when it didn't work so it felt like it was a waste each time! i'm a classic under-responder to drugs though (well, strong side effects, no response the way i should respond - go figure!!), so it might not happen like that for you!

Hi Bella55,

I read your post and can totally agree with your thoughts and feelings. I went off the pill May '06 and did not get AF for over a year the last couple of months I have started to get AF again, but only through the help of Clomid, which I did not ovulate on. I have had most of the tests and all have come back normal. I see an accupunturist and he thinks I have been ovulating and I am very healthy. This is such a frustrating road to be on as all I see around me is pregnant bellies and get angry that it is not me. I went to FS today and I am scheduled in to have a laparoscopy next week, I feel very scared, but I know it needs to be done to remove a disgusting looking cyst that likes to hang around. After this, who knows....maybe IUI or IVF.
Take care on this journey and know that you are not alone