"unexplained infertility" and LP spotting - Page 2

[Gryphonn]

Hey Daurelia, how is the TWW going?  I used to start the progesterone two days after ovulation, btw. 

[daurelia]

@Gryphonn, you are so sweet to check in with me!

Yes, I am in that dreaded 2ww... but strangely, I feel... fine? I mean, I say it's strange because in my early days of TTC I was on pins and needles, and more recently it's been a very blue time when I wait with dread for what I know is coming (AF). 

But after nearly 3 weeks of doing vitex & B vitamins and RRL tea and acupuncture and more recently starting progesterone cream, I am actually seeing REAL differences in my cycle. I am feeling really good right now and confident that I am on to something that might fix my problem. I'm about 8 DPO right now, and no spotting yet-- and this is around when I would start spotting my last 4 cycles.

So even if I'm not pregnant this cycle, I feel really good about what I'm doing. Also, my mood has just been better than it has been in months. Maybe it's the B6? B6 is known to improve mood. Just in general, I'm feeling more in charge of my infertility than I did before.

I am sure I'll be crushed next week when I get my period but I have to remind myself that even the most fertile people don't get pregnant every cycle, so I should just keep doing what I'm doing for a few months.

I hope everyone else is doing well. This board has been an unbelievable support to me during the last 5 months of depression.

[hippiemama2bee]

So sorry to hear you are dealing with unexplained IF.  It really is frustrating not knowing what is wrong.  Since you have spotting nearly a week before AF, that signals a problem. 

I used to spot 3-5 days before AF and my GYN was concerned about that.  He tested my progesterone 7dpo and found I have low progesterone in my luteal phase, which likely causes the spotting.  He put me on Clomid to force a stronger corpus luteum, and the spotting has lessened to 1-2 days before AF.  I've done 4 rounds of Clomid with no success.  I am trying soy isoflavones this cycle since they are supposed to act like Clomid, be more gentle and natural, etc.

I've heard progesterone cream can help, but it really doesn't supply enough progesterone to sustain a pregnancy.  You may need progesterone pills or suppositories from your doctor.
 

[SASHA100]

HELLO 

I KNOW WHAT YOU GOING TRU AT 31 DOCTOR TOLD ME UNEXPLAINED ALTHOUGH HUSBAND GOT LOW SPERM COUNT I TRIED FOR 3 YEARS NATURALY NO LUCK THEN TRIED 7 IVF NO LUCK WAS DEVASTED GETTING OLDER ADD ALOT OF PRESSURE ON MY MARRIAGE THERE WAS DAYS I JUST CRYING THEN LAST YEAR 2012 I DECIDE I WILL NOT GIVE UP I WENT FOR ACUPANTURE ONCE A MONTH MY HUSBAND ASWELL JUST TO RELAX AND GET RID OF STRESS THEN THE DOCTOR PUT US BOTH ON CHINA HERBS FOR CLEANSING AND HUBBY LOW SPERM WE USE IT FOR 6 MONTHS

I FELT SO GREAT AFTER THAT IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR I DECIDE THIS IS MY YEAR AND WE REALY BELIEVE IN IT TWO LADIES TOLD ME AT MY GYNAE APPOINTMENT IN MARCH Y THEY FELT PREGNANT AFTYER BEING IN MY SHOES FOR YEARS I BOUGHT THE BOOK ONLINE IN MAY I TOOK ONE WEEK STUDY THE THINGS THAT WE MAYBE DO WRONG AFTER TRYING TWO SIMPLE THINGS I FALL PREGNANT IN AUGUST IM TWO MONTHS NOW WENT FOR MY FIRST ULTRASOUND YESTERDAY EVERTHING IS PERFECT I FEELING GREAT.ALL I CAN SAY NEVER LOOSE HOPE

[ALM0612]

It is possible that you might have gluten intolerance issues. I am a Holistic Health Coach specializing in hidden gluten sensitivity/intolerance. It ssems that gluten is a huge contributor for unexplained infertility cases. Contact me if you would like to discuss this further.

[daurelia]

I feel that I should update this thread, in case someone is searching for threads on terms like "LP Spotting" (I know I did...) and wants to know how all this worked out. The first cycle taking all these supplements I didn't get pregnant but I had less spotting.

I made an appt with an RE (someone that SKJ2011 recommended to me since she is also in Chicago). And last week I had my appt, which was near the end of my second cycle with all these fertility supplements. The doctor agreed with my theory on my infertility based on my charts (that it was low progesterone), she was like, for all we know your egg is meeting the sperm every cycle and it's just never implanting. So the plan was for me to come in for blood tests and ultrasounds often. Part of this was for diagnostic purposes, to get kind of a "flipbook" of what everything looks like throughout my cycle, and also part of this was so maybe we could catch a super early pregnancy early and get me on progesterone. 

 

It happened to be late in my menstrual cycle last week, when I first had blood drawn, so they were like "we'll do a pregnancy test". I was like, ha, that's pointless. Well, I found out late on Friday that I AM INDEED ever so slightly pregnant, with hormone levels really low, but there.

 

I got the call while I was driving and I swear I almost crashed, I was so shocked! Did NOT see that coming. After about 14 cycles trying I've stopped doing pee stick pregnancy tests because it's just too depressing, I've stopped thinking it was a real possibility ever, so I never would have caught this. But after that call, when I got home I took a pee test and it was ever so faintly positive. This was EXCELLENT timing though because they said my progesterone levels were a little low. They prescribed me progesterone pills and baby aspirin to help me stay pregnant.

I'm feeling kind of baffled. I have been working so hard. SO HARD. on emotionally accepting my infertility, coping with that fact of my life, and suddenly it's (maybe) over? I don't know what to feel. I'm also super not prepared. When I first got pregnant a year and a half ago, I was SUPER prepared- very healthy lifestyle, knowledgeable, etc. This time I was not really taking prenatals (I kept forgetting because what's the point, etc), my head is not really in the game...

 

I say maybe because it's SUPER early, the pregnancy hormone levels are very low, and even aside from that generally speaking my chances of miscarrying are really high. I would guess that my chances of this turning into an actual mid-july baby are like 30% (I just made that up) given that I have this history of LP spotting, low progesterone, and miscarriage.

 

So I'm trying to not get too excited about this. All weekend DH and I kept saying mid-conversation "if this thing is still happening..." "if this situation is still going on..." not wanting to say what it actually is.

 

Whenever we did talk about it though we always came to the conclusion that no matter what happens, this is VERY GOOD. Even if I miscarry, which is likely, this means that low progesterone WAS the problem and by doing all these natural supplements to boost progesterone I got pregnant. And that is super super good news even if nothing comes of this and I miscarry in a few days.

 

So there's that. Still kind of reeling. A lot of sleepless nights the last few nights with anxiety about the whole thing. I feel the tiniest moisture in my nether region and I race to the bathroom to check for spotting. Anyone else experience pregnancy after infertility? Will I ever get to a point where I can relax? I wish I could have the kind of pregnancy other people have, where the moment they see the positive pregnancy test their lives change and they're happy... I feel so robbed of that experience.

 

Sorry to sound so maudlin. I'm just not sure how to feel just now. Going in for a blood test tomorrow.

[KarinaNYC]

That's wonderful news! Congratulations 

[KarinaNYC]

I just wanted to add that if you're dealing with feelings of anxiety, depression, and/or fear consider taking a look at the support groups offered by Resolve. In my area, they offer pregnancy after infertility groups. It may be worth taking a look if the feelings continue to overwhelm you. Best of luck.

[pokeyAC]

daurelia - I'm so happy to hear your news!  That could be a great story someday--went in for infertility testing and found out I was pregnant.  Sometime the starts just align and things happen the way they should.  Maybe you found the right combination of supplements that did the trick.  It's such a mysterious process that it can be frustrating.  I understand your anxiety and apprehension.  That seems totally normal.  I hope you are able to find some peace soon, and I hope that your next test results are great!  There is a thread in I'm Pregnant for graduates of the Infertility One thread.  I'm sure the women over there can understand how it feels to be pregnant after a long struggle.  Sending sticky vibes your way!  I wish you all the best.

[Gryphonn]

Hey!!!  That's fantastic! 

And, you mentioned they tested "late in your cycle" not after the next cycle was supposed to begin, so of course the hcg would be low still, right?

Congratulations!!!