~~Infertility ONE thread, April 2012~~

[hope4light]

A monthly thread to talk about all of our various journeys through the difficult, trying, and often heartbreaking world of infertility. This thread is a place to chat, vent, get support, cheer each other on, and hopefully occasionally laugh!

Please let me know if there are any changes/updates to make.

Trying to Conceive #1

Lilacvioletiris (35, DX hypothyroid 10/11) and DH (40, initial diagnosis no sperm, azoospermia 3/23/12) TTC #1 since April 2011. Waiting to see the urologist for DH and figure out where to go from there

mexilady (29) married to DH (32), ttc for over a year with short lp and spotting. All labs have come back normal so far, including normal SA. Seeing an RE, starting Femara.

Kparker (27) DH(34) married since 10/2008.  TTC#1 since 9/2008 w/ MIF.  Using sperm donor; 3 failed IUIs so far. HSG + IUI #4 in Jan 2012, suspected female IF. moved to graduates!!!!!!

krunchyk Me (32), DH (33), ttc #1 1/11.  Diagnosed with PCOS at 19.  Eastern Medicine diagnosis of phlegm stagnant.  Currently taking 1500 mg of Metformin daily along with supplements and acupuncture.

Teresaresa (32) DH (46) TTC#1 since 04/09…. Married 06/09. 2.5 years of trying naturally with acupuncture, herbs, yoga, etc. "Unexplained infertility" 1 failed Clomid cycle w/IUI and 2 failed Femara cycles w/IUI. Starting 4^th medicated cycle with Femara and IUI, Restoring Fertility DVD, new acupuncturist, a shamanic healing, and daily affirmations

Jukim married to DH since 01/01/09.  TTC#1 since 11/11.  Battling Hyperthyroidism since 04/11.  The thought of it being a long journy is unnerving  but God is gracious! 

gtree TTC for a year, just started clomid.  Hope 2012 brings babies!!

Gemmine (27) Me+ DH TTC #1 since July 2010. 1 loss at 5 weeks in April 2011. 

 http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/gemmine84

moved to graduates!!!!!!

Shesaidboom (28) TTC #1 since early 2007. Four early miscarriages and one second trimester loss. Struggling with PCOS. Four failed IUIs, three on Femara and one on injectibles. Currently working on losing weight to achieve a BMI under 30 in order to qualify for IVF.

toothfairy2be (26) TTC#1 since 10/10, Failed Clomid/Femara/Gonal F, 4 IUI. Switched to NaPro Technology and diagnosed with Stage 3 Endometriosis with a complex chocolate cyst, all removed at laproscopy March 29th--- making a baby the old fashioned way in 2012.

Sourire (30) DH (33) - TTC # 1 since August 2010 with short LP, LP spotting and suspected endometriosis.

 http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/2d1bce

Monkeyscience  moved to graduates!!!!!!

Renavoo  (35)  moved to graduates!!!!!!

Blueyezz4 TTC #1 (technically #4 - long story) since 2006; Moving on to our 3rd Fresh IVF in Oct. after 5 failed IUI's, 2 failed IVF's and a failed FET.  Hoping & praying for a miracle. Mother to our twins boys - lost at 22.5wks on 6-20-09 and another little angel in heaven lost at 8wks!

deborahbgkelly (30) Began TTC 2/2011; BFP after IVF in 11/2011. Late second trimester pregnancy loss of identical twin boys in 3/2012. When we are allowed to DTD again, current plan is NTNP. Fertility challenges: Endometriosis, Diminished Ovarian Reserves (likely due to Endo) and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (anti-thyroid antibodies). 

Chicajones (27) DH (30) TTC#1 since June 2010. Diagnosed with PCOS and Insulin Resistance in Oct 2011. Long cycles, currently taking Metformin and watching my sugar. Moving to the UK in the fall, but hoping for a BFP before we leave!  moved to graduates!!!!

 http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/32b88b

Tickletoes (36) & Hubby (45) TTC #1 since 8/10, 3 early losses on 11/4/10 , 6/14/11 , 1/19/12 . First fertility visit scheduled for 2/20. My chart: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/Tickletoes

Charley: 38, husband 38. TTC our first. Me: One unsuccessful cycle with Clomid/IUI in Jan of ’12. In March of ’12 diagnosed with Hydrosalpinx in right tube and endometriosis, polyp at 2cm located in the “sweet spot” of uterus. Lap surgery scheduled for April 13, 2012. Other treatments: positive thinking, green juice, loads of supplements and creative visualization.

Trying To Conceive #2

Sila (26) DH (29) TTC#2 since 12/10 rarely ovulating with PCO and motility/morphology issues. 1/12 DH starts intensive acupuncture. 2/12 First Clomid cycle no response. 3/12 Motility up to 50%, penetration 100% all with acupuncture! 4/12 2nd Clomid cycle with IUI!

MammaBird (42) moved to graduates!!!!!!

rcr (38) TTC #2 since December 2007. Two failed IVFs, four canceled IVFs, five failed medicated IUI cycles. Considering donor eggs, sperm, or both. Trying to keep hope alive and not obsess about IF and TTC.

Gozal (33) trying for number 2 since 2009. Finally diagnosed with prolactinoma after extended breastfeeding; PRL levels normal 4/11; ectopic pregnancy 6/11; three monitored natural cycles after the ectopic, now on round 2 of Clomid with trigger and IUI. moved to graduates!!!!!!

Tinymama TTC#2. Male IF issues (poor count/quality/motility).

Marmo (31) Dh, age 36.  Trying to conceive #2 since 3/10, unexlpained secondary infertility.  Tried 4 rounds of clomid, beginning Femara/ovidrel and good old fashioned bd 2/12.

Hope4Light (31) DH 33.  TTC #2.  Trying Since: March 2011 (after PPAF came back) with severe MFI.  IVF #2 Cycle 1; Lupron started March, stims in April.  ER 4/16/12, ET 4/19/12, Beta 5/4/12!

Smilesarefree TTC#2 for almost 2 years, waiting on a diagnosis.

Trying To Conceive #3

Brichole1214 Brandy (27) DH (31) TTC#3 since March 2011!  Waiting for an appointment with my GYN to see what our next steps will be with TTC!  Praying for a baby in 2012!!! 

 http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/158654  

Skeemama  TTC#3 since 2006. Several losses along the way. Hopeful. (most days)

Graduates

(May everyone who passes through this thread find her way to this section!)

kparker, gemmine, gozal, wissa19, Monkeyscience, Mammabird, Tenzinsmama, Renavoo, Tantylynn, Kaydove, Brichole1214, Sweet.Bee, Lega, NishaG, Kewpie80, Tear78, ValH, Lesliesara63, no5no5, Minkajane, EastbayK, Grapesbunch, thtr4me, alexaskj, trumpcard, poetgirl, ann_of_loxley, livelovelaugh

Join our graduates on the Graduates thread for Winter/Spring 2012

Missing In Action...but we're still thinking of you

(please let us know if you'd like to jump back in)

babymc, yoyonana, RosieL, Silverbird, fierrbug, rhiandmoi, aprilmom, wendlynn, lydiah, jenger, tryingfortow, wallabi, gale, cassnbeth, mindfulmomma, emski4379, kyliel, moonfireglow, Milletpuff, First Short Photo, Stretch358, InGodsHands, Simplymere, Indianagrl, Victorian Patch, lovebug, LuluRoo, catheleni, zanelee, JodiAriel

PLEASE let the thread keeper know if there is anything you would like to add/delete/change in your synopsis above. Bolding requests is appreciated!  

Edited by hope4light - 4/26/12 at 5:10pm

[hope4light]

Check it out - it worked from home!!

Happy Monday everyone, and here's to a MUCH better April!  I'm hoping to see a bunch of BFP's!!

[toothfairy2be]

Thanks for the new thread! I'll be back with personals wednesday, just returned to work & i'm exhausted!

[Sourire]

Thanks for the new thread hope!

[SilaMarila]

Thanks for the new thread! Here's to a hoppin' April! Personals and updates tomorrow...

[Smilesarefree]

Hope - Thanks for the new thread!

TF2B - Glad to hear the lap went well, what's next?  I bet you are exhausted, take care of yourself.

Milk - I don't even know what to say, the journey that you have been on ... you have a lot of courage and I admire you for not giving up, hopefully this new doctor will help.

Crazy stuff about the ftube being able to reach over and grab an egg from the other side, who knew! Our bodies are amazing, now if only they would listen to us and do what we want!!!  I with you all in saying good riddance to March, hope April brings us better luck.  DH (I wish we could come up with a better acronym for this) is supposed to do his SA #1 tomorrow morning, he couldn't last week cause of the short notice and work.  AFM CD 31 no O yet, hot flashes continue, I have like 3 an hour.

[Sourire]

lilac - in FF if you look at the little box that shows your O date, right at the bottom there is a button called Tuning/Override. Once you select that there are a few different "Detector Tuning" options you can select which usually give you different O dates based on your symptoms. I sometimes use that if FF isn't giving me the O date I want!

monkey - my uncle in law is a radiologist. He actually does a lot of ultrasounds on pregnant women. However he doesn't have any of his own patients, he does ultrasounds for other doctors and then explains the results to them. Actually we also had a conversation that same night about how he doesn't believe in ever explaining to his patients anything that he sees on the ultrasound because they won't understand and some of them freak out for no reason. It just confirms my opinion that he's a patronizing jerk! And yeah, I'm pretty sure my cousin in law wouldn't bother confiding in her father much. I actually feel a bit sorry for her, going through IF with such an unsupportive father. My dad helps me so much!

AFM - I was pretty quick to jump on the baby aspirin bandwagon a few weeks back near the end of my last cycle. I've been taking it ever since. However I've come to the conclusion that baby aspirin is doing me more harm than good. I've always been the type of person to bleed easily and aspirin is a blood thinner. Since I started taking it I've been having way more frequent nosebleeds (every couple of days), I started spotting a few days before my trigger and it has continued until today, and my cervix started bleeding when they did the IUI. I really think the baby aspirin caused this. I'll continue taking it until the end of this week just in case I get a BFP (I'm 11 DPO today) but after that I think I'm going to have to give it up for good!

[deborahbgkelly]

Hope,  Here is a blurb for you (it may change): Began TTC 2/2011; BFP after IVF in 11/2011. Late second trimester pregnancy loss of identical twin boys in 3/2012. When we are allowed to DTD again, current plan is NTNP. Fertility challenges: Endometriosis, Diminished Ovarian Reserves (likely due to Endo) and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (anti-thyroid antibodies). 

Edited by deborahbgkelly - 4/4/12 at 4:20am

[mexilady]

Okay Sourire, so when are you going to test? Fingers crossed lady!!!

[lilacvioletiris]

Sourire, I will have to play around with FF a bit.  It is just so weird to see my temps just a touch above the coverline, rather than really above the coverline.

[hope4light]

Deborah - I'll update your blurb from home tonight.  Hang in there, I'm still thinking about you and have you in my prayers!!

Sourire - it's always crazy to me how something can work so well for one, and not really for another.... sorry about all the spotting, I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that you get your BFP!

[deborahbgkelly]

Thanks Hope!

[toothfairy2be]

could i be updated please!

toothfairy2be (26) TTC#1 since 10/10, Failed Clomid/Femara/Gonal F, 4 IUI. Switched to NaPro Technology and diagnosed with Stage 3 Endometriosis with a complex chocolate cyst, all removed at laproscopy March 29th--- making a baby the old fashioned way in 2012.

monkey- a complex chocolate cyst is basically multiple cysts filled with old blood which when ruptured resembles dark chocolate. My reserached is mixed on prognosis, but I am glad that sucker is gone... It was seriously taking up half my ovary. Yes, I should have been told about it after one of the multiple bleeping ultrasounds. I don't know how to feel about that, whether it is par for the course with RE's or if mine was particularly dismissive of endometriosis. Moving on anyway, the horizon is bright.\

sourire- I can't believe test day is so close! I hope you get a nice surprise and don't need your lap after all. It sounds like the aspirin is thinning you out too much, are you just taking 1 baby aspirin or more?

smiles- seems strange to go from such short cycles to long cycles... I hope they have answers at your appointment. The waiting stinks.

Thinking of everyone! Waiting for updates!

AFM- 6 days post-op. I've worked 2 days this week. Tired after, as expected. Monday was pretty grueling and my back was absolutely killing by lunchtime. I ended up taking an hour nap in my dental chair when my patient didn't show up. I've watched the movie of my surgery 3 times... it astounds me over and over. My incisions hurt a little today but I haven't even taken a tylenol since 9 last night so things are improving. I am stir crazy without exercise but I can't do anything for 4 weeks, boring! I am feeling super emotional after being on Vicodin for 4 days (I've been off since Sunday, my first experience with any type of drug). My husband left Sunday and won't be home until Friday night and I just kept crying on Sunday before he left and today I have been crying on and off all day just feeling bad for myself that he isn't home and I tried to buy Yankee tickets as a surprise for his birthday and realized 10 minutes later I bought the night that I am in Maryland at a wedding and hubby is supposed to be home watching the dog since we couldn't leave him with my sister since it is the weekend of her due date... I seriously was on the phone with ticketmaster and then with my credit card company, they can't do anything. I just felt so defeated, ya know... like I tried to do something nice and how does that even happen. Hopefully he will be able to some how go with my MIL... which sucks because I really wanted to make like a speical NYC weekend for the 2 of us... but I'm not going to buy a second set of tickets an hotel etc. That is my little rant. I have a headache from crying and I feel silly for getting myself so worked up. I just need him to come home. I think all of the emotion and stress leading up to surgery and then recovering all built up. I'm usually not so emotional.

[hope4light]

Updated!

For some reason I couldn't get rid of the bold, but hey, that's OK LOL.  Gotta jet, just had a minute to update!

[SilaMarila]

Smiles - Did DH make it to his SA??? I'm sorry no O yet. It really sucks. I know from experience. Sorry about the hot flashes. How frustrating/annoying. 

Sourire - If you've always been the type to bleed easily, I'm going to take a wild guess that chances are you don't have a clotting disorder and the baby aspirin most likely is not needed. 

Hope - Date was ok. It was a shorter than usual date bc DH had a basketball game and his mom was leaving the next day and had things to get done - but we wanted to squeeze something in before they left so they could babysit. I was feeling self-conscious and gross, but somewhat got over it by the end. I also had a couple drinks - Glad you were able to enjoy some too! We also brainstormed a little about a night or 2 away so the seed has definitely been planted! How did the baseline u/s go?

Gozal - Hi!!! Yes, I see a future of uncomfortable IUI's...

Cait - Oh man. I teared up just reading your sad trying-to-do-something-special-for-DH story. Irrelevant, but I also teared up during an episode of How I Met Your Mother today. I know it won't help you feel better to say it, but I've had days just like that. Just when I was about to Google chocolate cyst...keep looking onward and upward friend.

AFM - I called yesterday since DH's test was last Tues and they thought they would have the results back. Not yet. The nurse was really nice though and assured me they should for sure have them by tomorrow of Fri and to call again then. I keep preparing myself for total devastation, but no matter how well I prepare I know if the results are bad it is going to be a sad sad day. Boring over here. CD16 and no O yet duh. I don't expect it for another 20 days at least. Anything before then would be a miracle. In other news we've caught up on DTD anyways. I had some pink when I wiped 3 days after the HSG. I think just an irritated cervix, plus it was also after BDing. I was still feeling like I was on the verge of a UTI so yesterday I started my home-remedy UTI protocol and feeling much better today!

[Gemmine]

Sila: Good to hear about your HSG. So they said your tubes were clear?? Waiting patiently for the results.

Milk: I love you for "sumbitch". That's a daily vocabulary word for me. Chunks of uterus floating around in a specimen cup.....*faints* I'm so glad he wasn't an asshat though. I am actually encouraged by this visit, Milk. The IVF suggestion--wow that's a lot to take in. Are there any loan programs available there, and if there are, is that something you 2 are open to? I hope these 2 weeks go quickly for you though I know they won't, that's just how it goes. Thinking of you all the time my friend.

gozal: I am sorry to hear about your GP.

Sourire: I hope you had a nice birthday. Where are you in your cycle? I'm sorry to hear about all the random bleeds! I was definitely afraid of bruising/cuts while on baby aspirin as I am extremely clumsy. That sucks!

Cait: Wow about the endo. I'm so glad they were able to help. Since so much was removed, does that now give you a better chance of conceiving "naturally"? I don't know much about TTC life post-endo. Does it make a dramatic difference? So hopeful for you! Aw man, that's awful about the tickets. I hope he can go with someone but that weekend with just the 2 of you would have been so nice.

I hope everyone else is doing ok. I'm ok, was referred to the MFM b/c baby has a cyst on its umbilical cord that needs further....scanning I guess? So that's in a couple of weeks. Other than that just lying low due to nausea and fatigue.

[SilaMarila]

Gem - Yep, said they were clear! I had more brown when I wiped today so maybe there were some cobwebs in there? Crazy about the cyst. I hope it turns out to be nothing and no big deal! Get some rest!

RE still doesn't have DH's SPA results  This place is seriously so reassuring though, the nurse said she was going to call in to the lab and see what was going on since it's been a week and a half. I'm trying not to get worried that something was terribly wrong. DH's blood work all looks normal. They tested testosterone, LH, and I don't remember what else. I was kind of hoping that one of those would be high or low and be responsible for his sperm issues. 

I thought I would share something I read yesterday.

"Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur." 

This is something I need to work on in order not to multiply my own suffering...

[Milk8shake]

<deep breath>  I have some catching up to do!

Lollie, Tear and Zub and others in Stalkerland (you know who you are) - thank you for checking on me.  I appreciate it, and it makes things feel a little less lonely.  

Oh and Tear - I miss you in a big way.  

Wissa - Thanks   PGD, is pre implantation genetic diagnosis.  It's to make sure only chromosomally normal embryos are implanted, to increase success rates.  Mind boggling, really.

Gozal - Hi! So many familiar faces here.  It's a good and bad thing, I guess.  I like your 2012 motto, too.  Thanks for the info on saving for IVF costs - it kinda does put it in perspective a little! 

Sourire - Good point about the vacation!  I hope you enjoy it, and can do something nice post lap.  Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  Sounds like your uncle needs a slap though.

Sorry about the Crinone related daze... I agree that it sounds like aspirin is not required for you.  Oh, and 11dpo?  How have you not tested yet?  I am so on the early testing bandwagon!! 

Hope - sounds like your weekend away was AWESOME fun.  I'm jealous.  How did the u/s go? 

Smiles - I can honestly tell you that for me, it has nothing to do with courage.  It is primal mothering instinct that keeps me going.  I am scared sh*tless most of the time.  

Cait - Ugh, so sorry about all the ticket stuff ups.  I would totally cry too.  

Crap - I'm not finished yet, but I promised my mum I would go to Good Friday service with her.  Here's hoping the church roof doesn't fall in.  Back later!! 

[CharleyInVT]

Hope: Thanks for starting the April thread. I’d like to be add a blurb about myself please, under TTC #1. Can it say:

Charley: 38, husband 38. TTC our first. Me: One unsuccessful cycle with Clomid/IUI in Jan of ’12. In March of ’12 diagnosed with Hydrosalpinx in right tube and endometriosis, polyp at 2cm located in the “sweet spot” of uterus. Lap surgery scheduled for April 13, 2012. Other treatments: positive thinking, green juice, loads of supplements and creative visualization.

Thank you.

[CharleyInVT]

Krunchy: Yay for ovulating! That’s wonderful news. I also hope that your cycles become shorter. An extra three cycles per year would be wonderful.

Mexi: I’m so glad your HSG went well. I didn’t find it painful either. Well, I found my HSG results to be painful, but the not the procedure itself. I’m so glad you felt relief.

Sila: Good news about your HSG too! I have trouble having catheters go in easily as well. I found out from my RE that most OBGYN’s use larger ones than people who spend more time inserting them – like an RE’s office. I wonder why if smaller ones will do the job easier/better/the same as larger ones. Do you have any resources you could share about doing an abdominal massage? My acupuncturist mentioned them, and I wanted to ask her about them, but didn’t. I also took your advice and bought some brazil nuts. I read that they help with thyroid issues too, which my DH has. I wish you would get those results! I’m glad they are so nice at your doctor’s office. Good news about your home remedy making you feel better.

Milk: I’m sorry for your shocking news. That sure is a lot to take in. I’m glad this new doctor is aggressive though and that he knows where you can find quality help closer to home. I think the stuff about age is a little bit of bunk though. At least at 38 myself, I hope it is. It sounds like you’re on the right path and I wish you so much happiness and support. I know you have about a week and a half left to wait before you get your results. May it pass quickly.

Oceane: Come out of lurking whenever you’re ready.

Gozal: I’m sorry to read about your grandfather. Sounds like you had a heck of a week. Thanks for the welcome.

Sourire: I’ll write up a full report all about my lap next week. I’ll try to post it by next Sunday night. Yeah, it’s a bummer that nothing rhymes with 12! Also, Happy Birthday! Welcome to your 30’s – may they be wonderful, fruitful and full of happiness.

Hope: I too planned on being done with having kids by now. A few years ago, during another one of our many, many moves, I came across my old journals from jr. high. After watching Dirty Dancing at the movie theatre I wrote a spirited entry about how my life was going to turn out. I seriously thought by the time I was 30, I would have 3 kids, 2 Academy Awards and a flying car. It was going to be a station wagon, to haul all of my kids and awards around. I also thought all of our food would come in pill form by now. Little did I know that I would not even get married until 33, not even know what I truly wanted to do for a career before the age of 35 and not even really feel 100% ready to TTC until 36. Sheesh. My parents were in their mid-teems when they had me. My mom was only 15. When we get pregnant, I will for sure be the oldest person in my family, both sides of it, to have a baby. In fact, if I was my parents, my child would already be out of the house. Crazy, right?

Will you test soon?

Toothfairy: So lucky that you got a DVD! I know I’m not getting one and I’m still jealous! I had no idea about the 4-week thing. No one has mentioned that to me – and I’m not liking hearing about it. I’ll have to talk to my doctor about it. No way can I not exercise for 4 weeks. Not because I’m so fit mind you, but because within the 4-weeks after my surgery, I’ll have to walk my dogs, which means I have to lift them and carry them down and up a flight of stairs – and in May I have a whole house to empty, paint and clean. Not to mention cleaning out a garage and a store and a yard to clean. May is a crazy busy time for me. No time for breaks beyond week one of recovery.

I’m sorry you’ve been crying/emotional. That is tough. Can you sell the tickets and try to buy them for the next weekend? It feel so bad to make mistakes like that. I have a similar story that happened to my husband, and now we laugh about it, but at the time it was awful. Will your husband’s travel end soon? Seems like he’s gone a lot. Our situation is opposite, it’s usually me leaving him for short and long periods of time. That’s partly why I’d like him to leave his job so badly, so he can travel with me more.

Teresa: How are you? I’m thinking about you.

AFM: I’m not able to do much physically as far as baby making goes. My lap is next Friday and I’m anxious for it to get here. In the meanwhile, I’ve been trying to focus on other ways to help us with baby stuff. For example, we got a nice new bed this past weekend. It’s a king size, organic, memory foam hulk of a thing. Our old bed was 7 years old, small and awful. I have so much trouble sleeping as it is, that getting a new bed seemed like a good thing to do. My mother actually bought it for us as an anniversary gift. So kind of her.

I’ve also been reading some new books – one of them is called “Let’s Panic About Babies” and it is so funny. It is all made up stuff of being pregnant and babies in general. I keep reading bits of it out loud to my husband an every page so far has made me laugh out loud. I needed some laughter, so I’m grateful.

Next week I plan on gearing up with some serious nesting before the surgery. I know I won’t need the full two week recovery time our doctor suggested, but I am going to take a week off. No internet (except for here) and no work. I’ve alerted all of my clients that I’ll be away. I plan on cooking and cleaning up a storm so my husband has less to do. He’ll be taking Friday and Monday off to watch over me, which is nice. I also ordered the box set of The Hunger Games and plan on reading them and taking Downton Abby breaks in between book reading. I had one huge project released into the world this week and I’m wrapping up another big project this week, so I figure I deserve the break. Especially since my May and June have so much travel and work in them. I hope to take the full month of July off.

Anyhow, I have lots of hope for all of you this April. It has to be better than March, right?