[fantesia28]

Hello,

I hope you don't mind me posting here... I am just not sure where I belong anymore!

I am 34 years old and have recently suffered two miscarriages (have had three in total, but not in a row). The last two my babies had heartbeats, but stopped growing at 6 weeks (though hearts continued till 8 weeks). I miscarried in my 9th week.

I am seeing an RE and have had all the recurrent loss testing, plus just went through my "testing cycle" with hormones, antral follicle counts, etc. This was a far from normal cycle to begin with... even after have a normal 1st AF after my last loss.

Here are the results. I had normal estradial readings on CD3, but extremely high FSH at 31.2.

Low antral follicle count and on CD10, had two small follies that were not anywhere large enough to ovulate. I also have been spotting this whole cycle!! Again... this is after having a normal cycle last month.

I also had a sonohysterogram to see if there was anything abnormal in my uterus and he saw what appears to be some sort of tissue in there that will need to be removed. We are assuming this could have been left from my miscarriage in February since I didn't get a D&C... and could be causing my continuous spotting right now. I havne't had my results appointment (will be having this next week), but I am terrified at what my doctor is going to tell me.

I know that all of the antibody/clotting disorder tests came back ok. I am hetero MTHFR C677T, but this is easily treated with Folgard and most likely not the problem. The way I understand this is this may be an egg quality issue since my reserve may be subpar.

I have researched and can't figure out what the treatment might be for something like this?? Any thoughts? I have seen some people mention IVF, but quite honestly since we can get pregnant on our own very easily, I don't think this is something we are willing to do. Is there something that they can do to make the egg quality better or more developed? Is there treatment that would be compatible with someone that has high FSH?

I am just looking for some information as to what the treatment recommendations "might" be. It's so hard waiting!!

Thank you!

 

[fantesia28]

Wow... I feel so alone here... nobody has any thoughts?

 

[wtg4miracle]

Hi Fantesia--sorry for your losses. I have heard to decrease your FSH is by taking DHEA 25mg tid. Wheat grass shots along with whey protien shakes. Also try Acupuncture will help increase blood flow to your ovaries and uterus. Also eat a high protien diet also helps.

I am not to familar with the clotting issues.

Have you gotten your progesterone checked?

I hope this helps.

 

[fantesia28]

Thank for the reply!!

I have had my progesterone checked... it's borderline, but not out of the normal range. I am currently doing acupuncture - actually just went for my 3rd visit today.

I love it and it helps alleviate some of my stress. However, it's still too early to say if it's helping anything else yet.... I am all knew to the acupuncture world!

I need to still get some wheatgrass... my local health food store didn't carry it. I am taking Folgard, prenatal vitamin + DHA, Calcium/Magnesium, Royal Jelly and some chinese herbs.

The biggest issue I am having right now is that I have been spotting since my period and I am now on cycle day 17!!

I have a call into my doctor about that to see what they think I should do from here. I am hoping they will call me back today - won't count on it though.

I am so scared that the high FSH is affecting my egg quality, thus causing my losses... but I keep reading that even if supplements lower the levels, it still doesn't take away the fact that there is still an issue. I wonder if this is true?

I am also wondering what type of treatment my RE will recommend?

Thanks again!

 

[Raleska]

I don't have specific advice, but you should know you're not alone. I'm hypothyroid and have an FSH of 30. I've begun DHEA and wheatgrass as well as black cohosh, prenatal vit, and B-complex. I'm going to look into acupuncture.

I was told I have premature ovarian failure. The reason for hgh FSH is because the follicle/ovary doesn't respond to the brain's FSH, so the brain sends more. I've read a little about it, though, and it does seem there's some hope. My RE said the only chance of pregnancy is with donor eggs and the evidence I've foubd on the web seems to indicate that's not necessarily true.

 

[SleeplessMommy]

Did they do progesterone checks during the 2 pregnancies? That is an easy problem to identify and fix.

I assume they measured FSH as part of the "clomid challenge"? I think you could repeat the cc in another cycle. It does sound like something is going on hormonally right now that you have the spotting. And obviously, you ARE making eggs sometimes since you have had 2 pregnancies - even though they did not find nicely sized follies this time.

If you can't get a better FSH number on a re-test, I think you are looking at injectibles - maybe. But if the FSH number was really that high you should not be getting pregnant at all, right? I am hoping for you that it comes down.

I am sorry for your losses.

 

[fantesia28]

Thanks girls! Well here is the scoop.

I met with my RE yesterday and it was a very sad day! He basically told me that at this point he feels that my recurrent losses are due to egg quality. He says that I am very fertile, but my body is just running out of eggs and in essence good quality eggs.

He said that at this point I am at the worse side of things and there is little that he can do for me besides monitor things and hope for the best. He said at this time, medication would not be of any benefit for me.

My FSH was 31 on CD3- we did not do a clomid challenge test. Basically he says I would have better luck or the same luck trying on our own unless we want to go for donor eggs. This is not an option for us.

Now... I did get pregnant easily before, so maybe all hope is not lost! Of course we obviously know that my time may be limited! He also said that at some point the ice berg breaks and even though my cycles were always normal before, doesn't mean that that will continue. He says my numbers may go back down, but probably won't stay that way. He gave me a 1% of having a successful pregnancy.

I am devestated and quite honestly having a hard time believing this would be true! I am planning on getting the surgery that I need (hysteroscopy to remove fetal tissue from my last loss), and then I guess we will see how my cycles go from there. Though I realize that I might have to accept we are done having babies, my heart doesn't believe that yet! Surely I have to have one good egg in there - maybe the next time we can catch it!

Yesterday I felt hopeless on this subject, but today I feel much more positive... I can't give up quite yet! I think we will try once more and see what happens.

I am hoping to hear stories of hope somewhere since I know that they are out there. Maybe age is on my side, I just turned 34 so maybe not all of my eggs are gone or bad.

Oh Sleepless Mommy... yes, they did check progesterone and I was actually on it with my last loss.

Thanks again!

 

[fantesia28]

Raleska~ I am sorry for your recent diagnosis! I so feel your pain as my FSH was right around the same as yours. I started acupuncture earlier this month and was also doing some chinese herbs but have stopped those for now.

I added in wheatgrass supplements and Royal Jelly to my normal daily vitamins. I am taking Prenatals, DHA, Calcium/Magnesium, Folgard and the two above.

My estrogen has also been pretty low this month... I read somewhere that grapefruit can increase estrogen levels... need to go find that again. I know last month I had a normal cycle and I was eating grapefruit daily for breakfast... maybe that has a positive effect for me. Not sure!

Unfortunately I will have to take birth control called aygestin for the next 2 weeks in preparation for my surgery... not looking forward to it, but am looking forward to get things moving along in some fashion.

Keep me posted on how things go! Don't give up... I have read lots of success stories out there and TCM seems to be a great help too... usually takes a few months for this to be beneficial though.

Take care!

 

[SleeplessMommy]

Fantesia - that does sound like terrible news

hugs to you.

 

[georgiep]

Not true - I was told the same thing when I had FSH of over 30 and my little boy just turned one. DHEA 75mg three times a day.

 

[fantesia28]

Hi ladies... I just thought I would give you an update. My FSH this cycle was 39 and I got pregnant again. Things are looking like I will miscarry again.

I am doing acupuncture, TCM and DHEA. At this point, I am not sure that anything is really going to help anymore. The RE's that I have seen won't do anything - said Egg Donor is probably my only option. One RE said we could do IVF with my own eggs, but I would probably only get one egg and since I get pregnant, would be better for me to just try on our own. I am not 100% that some sort of fertility meds wouldn't help, but who knows at this point... maybe they are right.

I am breaking out terribly right now, which I assume is from the DHEA - I am worried that maybe it's making my DHEA/testosterone levels too high now. Guess I need to have some labs drawn to see where things are.

So... long story short... I get pregnant VERY easily (every time we try), but I can't seem to hold onto my babies (and all of my testing has been okay outside of the FSH/DOR).

If anyone has any other advice or words of wisdom, prior successes, etc. I would greatly appreciate it!

 

[MrsReady2bMama]

I'm so sorry Fantesia! What a terrible thing for you to have to repeatedly endure.

:

The only thing that crossed my mind was to wonder whether you would consider using a surrogate to carry your embryos? It seems you and DH can successfully create embryos, so perhaps having another woman carry them to term would be the key to success. I have no experience at all with this, and can only imagine the costs, risks, etc., etc. that may come with it, but it was just a thought I had and wanted to pass it on...

Best to you mama!!

 

[JFTB1177]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fantesia28 The RE's that I have seen won't do anything - said Egg Donor is probably my only option. One RE said we could do IVF with my own eggs, but I would probably only get one egg and since I get pregnant, would be better for me to just try on our own. I am not 100% that some sort of fertility meds wouldn't help, but who knows at this point... maybe they are right.

I have a friend who was diagnosed with very high FSH when she was 26 (she is 31 now). She and hubby had been ttc for a while (not exactly sure how long), without success. Docs told her same thing- she had "bad eggs" blah blah blah, could try IVF with her own eggs, but gave her an extremely low success rate blah blah blah. Btw she hadn't gotten PG at all while ttc (so no m/c's, etc).

The IVF (with her own eggs) worked the FIRST try!!! They implanted 3 embryos- one took and split to make identical twin boys.

Babies were born healthy!

Thinking she was infertile and her eggs were "bad", she and hubby obviously didn't use birth control. When her twins were 8 months old she found out the unthinkable....... she was PREGNANT, naturally! Her doctors were stunned. 9 months later- baby boy #3!

It gets better... A few months ago she had baby boy #4, conceived naturally as well. So much for "bad eggs".

Don't give up hope... and don't believe your "diagnosis" too much. I have known too many women told they would never conceive who, well, conceived! Sending you lots of HUGS and prayers and baby dust!!!!

*Have never gone through IF but I've had 4 m/c's. Doc told me he had no answers for me but as you can see from my siggy I didn't give up!*

Jen

 

[justimaginelove]

Hi fantesia28,

I am so sorry for all of your difficulties.

Taking pure DHEA is likely to convert into the wrong hormones and can also go into androgen and estrogen pathways, causing more hormonal imbalance. The goal should be to support the endocrine system by using adaptogen herbs and supportive nutrients to help the body to restore hormonal balance instead of using supplements as hormonal replacement therapy. If you do whish to use DHEA, I would suggest you work closely with your doctor a naturopath so your hormones can be monitored while you are taking DHEA.

Did you know that you can impact the health of your eggs? During the cycle of an eggs life there is a window of opportunity, a period of time when certain factors can affect the health of your eggs that are preparing for ovulation.

During the 90 day period before an egg is ovulated, the eggs are effected by:

■Blood Flow
■Proper oxygenation
■Hormonal Balance
■Nutritional intake
■Stress

Learn about natural therapies that may increase egg health at this link: http://natural-fertility-info.com/increase-egg-health

All of the these natural therapies will also help to prepare your body for IVF if you choose to go that route.

best wishes,

Dalene

 

[dinaa123]

Hi fantesia28 (and others),
I am 30 yrs old and started ttc in Aug 2009. I got pg right away but lost the baby at 5w4d. We didn't actively TTC the next cycle but got pg in the November cycle. I got a + hpt 3 days before AF was due but AF started 4 days later.. i guess it was a chemical pg.

I am going through that m/c right now and I tested with First Response fertility test that measures FSH and got a close positive. I am worried that I might have a high FSH.
I also suspect I have high testosterone. (I get thick stubby facial hair on jaw line. I have to tweeze 4-5 hairs 5-6 times in a cycle).
I also used to get hot flashes couple of years ago but not much anymore. But my body feels very hot to touch in the second half of my cycle.
Do these symptoms point to high FSH or something else?
Should i have tested with the first response fertility test in a normal AF and not during my m/c?
anyone have any similar symptoms with high FSH, or any other symptoms?

so many questions going through my mind.. so apparently i get pg very easily but not able to stay pg.. 2 m/cs in a row..

.. i am meeting with my doctor in 2 days.. hopefully he does more tests on me and does not ask me to wait till a 3rd m/c!

Thanks for your responses..