Question for those who've had trouble conceiving (back from the dr 1/21)

[pearlieq]

I was trying to think how to word my post but this one just about sums up what I wanted to say. Please don't be offended but I can tell from your photo that you're a 'larger' lady - I'm one too so please don't take it the wrong way - and this can be one of the major indicators for PCOS. Especially if you have problems losing weight. Other symptoms include irregular mestruation, facial hair growth and acne. If you have any of these other problems then I'd request a blood test and ultrasound which helps with this diagnosis.

I agree completely--it's what I thought as well, especially when the OP said her charts never showed any kind of pattern (very typical for PCOS). PCOS is much more prevalent than most people think and it would be the very first thing I would suspect with a larger lady (which I am too!) who is having trouble conceiving.

Even if you don't pursue having a baby right now, getting PCOS under control is really important if it's an issue. Along with the fertility issues, a woman with PCOS is at a much higher risk of diabetes, heart problems, and certain cancers.

Good luck, OP. I hope the visit is helpful and the doctor is supportive.

 

[bekkiz]

At the same time, DO NOT let your doctor railroad into a PCOS diagnosis just because you might "look" like a typical case. Mine did and she was 150% wrong. Literally diagnosed me by looking at me. Had me in tears, in fact, and I hadn't even started to TTC yet.

Demand thorough testing and be your own advocate. Fertility is really not well understood, and even an OB/Gyn might not have all of the answers. And unfortunately, sometimes doctors go for the easy (though wrong) answer.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The problem with PCOS testing is that there isn't any one test that's standard, and as I mentioned before, the syndrome is still not well understood. Sometimes it is a matter of looking at symptoms and doing a blood test to confirm. The question is, which test? Insulin levels are usually a good indicator (hyperinsulinemia), though sometimes you still hear of ultrasounds being done to check for cysts which, not every person with PCOS will have. As a matter of fact, no two women will have the same symptoms at all. It's kind of a potpourri of symptoms that people can have. Completely confusing, I know. That's why it's best to see an Endocrinologist to help sort it out.

http://women.webmd.com/tc/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos-exams-and-tests

especially when the OP said her charts never showed any kind of pattern

That's what made me think it as well.

 

[TandT]

Yikes! Not really what people struggling with infertility enjoy hearing. Kind of like a knife digging a little deeper.

Tina, I've been TTC for almost 3 years now and have been through pretty much everything.

There should be a standard "infertility workup" that your doctor will do. I don't remember exactly EVERYTHING that was done at that time, but if you Google it, you should get some specific answers. I know they will do all kinds of bloodwork, and it will have to be on certain days of your cycle to check hormones and everything.

They might also do various kinds of ultrasounds to see if there's anything immediately noticeable that could be causing troubles.

It is really important that your husband get tested, too, because the problem could very well be him and not you.

Unfortunately, they have discovered nothing wrong with me so there's no easy fix in my situation. I do have friends, though, who discovered thyroid problems, PCOS, etc through these tests and were able to get pregnant after going on medication.

Good luck!

OMG..I SOO agreee....that was very inappropriate to say... about getting pregnant everytime she walks past her husband?? WOW...REALLY??? Some comments are better left unsaid

 

[handinpocket]

OMG..I SOO agreee....that was very inappropriate to say... about getting pregnant everytime she walks past her husband?? WOW...REALLY??? Some comments are better left unsaid

This is helping the OP.....how?!

OP, I would try some homeopathic things like robitussin and grapefruit to thin out CM. I have heard that pre-seed has done some great things for those trying to concieve, I wish you the best of luck.

 

[Nicolepa]

I haven't read all the replies so forgive me if this is a repeat. First of all, you need to reread that book. I, like you was grossed out by it, but you really need to know that stuff. It will help immensley.

Next you need to start charting again. If the charts aren't telling you anything it may be because you aren't ovulating regularly. That can be caused by a host of problems but clomid can help.

Also get your thyroid checked as that can impact fertility. Look into PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrom ???) as that can affect ovulation. You also want your progesterone checked.

With my first I did 7 or 8 rounds of clomid. My last month of clomid (before they sent me to the fertility specialist) I did the test where you they put the dye in and make sure everything is clear. I don't know if that did the trick or what but I was pg the next month!

 

[LovetheMouse12302]

Just wanted to say I'm sorry and I feel your pain. We have been trying for some time with baby #2. Started trying February 2008, found out I was pregnant October 2008 (I miscarried), waited to try in spring 2009 and here we are. My dr. thinks it's a timing issue, maybe I'm not patient enough. It's very frustrating though. I don't have any advice, just wanted to send hugs!

 

[lovemygoofy]

Thank you all for your stories. All this support and help has me in tears. My appointment is this morning and I'm so nervous I feel like I could get sick. Too bad its not morning sickness lol

I will have a very blunt discussion with my GYN this morning and if he/she doesn't want to hear me then I will go back and find another doctor. I've no doubt that there is something wrong as my cycles have always been horrible and I have had history of cysts in the past. My gyn told me not to worry about it that the birth control would help them and if they burst it would hurt some but it would be okay. Boy those things hurt!!

I am very familiar with the inside ultrasound and for all those women that have had one we all now know what it's like to be a stick shift transmission

I have lost almost 40lbs in the last year and feel good finally. Because of my family history and my short window, I'm really stressing all this. Lastnight I just finally broke down and cried and got it out of my system. After all my husband and I have worked for everything else and we can make this happen too.

The irony is that we are prepared for multiples. He and I are both grandchildren and great grandchildren of twins and I'm a daughter of a twin. Between us we have 19 sets of twins within 3 generations. We knew us procreating would be something lol

Thank you all so very much. I'm ready to go do this and get started on finding some answers.

 

[barrett7890]

hiya,
we are currently struggling with number 2.

3 months of trying and we got pregnancy No.2 - miscarriage

7 months of trying after that pregnancy No.3 - another miscarriage

(lovely, 2 in one year!!!)

now back to trying again.

What i found worked well was the ovluation predictor sticks, I am very very regular, always have been, but it was both months of using these that got us pregnant the 2nd and 3rd time.

Have you used these? I read that you were cahrting, but wasn't sure if you were including sticks?

cami
x

 

[Gabes_mommy]

I didn't read all the posts, but what I recommend is seeing a Reproductive Endocronologist. I believe you can self-refer - I did. It took a few months for me to get an appt but once I did it was great. They ran a battery of tests and then started me on treatment. I got pregnant with DS on my 2nd IUI/Clomid cycle. Working with the RE was a wonderful experience. His whole staff was so nice and they all really rooted for me to succeed. They also monitored my pregnancy until 12 weeks.

The testing and the pregnancy monitoring were covered by my insurance but the fertility treatment cycles were paid as cash by me. It was worth every penny though. It was probably about 2K total - 1K per cycle.

Good luck!!!!

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I have no experience but I wanted to wish you a lot of good luck. I hope you can get an answer and a helpful doctor and get pregnant soon.

 

[excitedtraveler]

I had difficulty conceiving and lost a pregnancy. After seeing a specialist and a little medical intervention (Clomid) I have 2 children.

I highly recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264083436&sr=8-1

It is an excellent resource and gives you a lot of information on fertility, things that could affect it, what to do etc. Loved it!

-If you have been charting for a year and you have records of that then bring them with you to the Dr. to show him that you were keeping track of everything and seriously trying.
-I charted and kept track of everything on fertilityfriend.com. So when I went to the Dr. I had computer printouts of all my cycles and what days we ttc etc. I pretty much had figured out my problem before I even got the the Dr.

The test my Dr. started with were:
-ultrasound
-endometrial biopsy
-post coital sperm analysis(kinda creepy but necessary I suppose)
-sperm check for dh

A lot of other women have their tubes checked as well. It's called something like a hytosalpingogram (I'm sure I didn't spell that right).

Also, if by change you are using any kind of lubricants, stop, they kill the sperm. There is one kind that you can get that's sperm friendly and can actually help the sperm get where it's going. I can't remember the name. You can google it.

I hope this helps. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

 

[tnkr_bell]

Grrr...I just spent 20 mins typing out a post and went to post it and my internet connection when down. Here goes take two.

Tina,

Dh and I tried to conceive #1 for two years before I finally got pg on clomid. Unfortunately that ended in a miscarriage and it took another two years before we finally got pg with ds8. I know have ds8, dd6, and dd3. Had hard time ttc dd3 and had a mc inbetween also.

The first thing I recommend is taking your charts with you to the OB. Maybe he can at least show you were you are O'ing or they will show that you are not O'ing at all. They should hopefully offer proof that you have been ttc for a while.

The dye test that people have mentioned is called a hysterosalpingogram. They inject dye into your uterus and take several x-rays to see that it is going through your fallopian tubes and that there are no blockages.

Dh should also get a sperm analysis done to check for count, mobility, and normality. I believe you want the count to be over 100,000. My dh's was always around 20-30 thousand which was part of our problem.

If the hysterosalpingogram comes up clear then you may want to get a laproscopy. This is where they make three small incisions in your abdomen and go in with a tiny camera and check for signs of endometrioses.

I'd have to say the first step is making sure that your cycle is normal and you are O'ing around cd 14 and that your luteal phase (last half of your cycle) is 14 days long. Have you had anyone look at your charts to see if they can figure out what's going on?

I also highly recommend "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. It is just a tremendous source of knowledge. Actually, if I still have my copy I would be happy to send it to you. Just let me know and I will look for it. I don't need it anymore.

Wishing you the best of luck, and let us know how your appt. goes.

 

[lovemygoofy]

UPDATE

Thank you all so very much. I felt much more prepared after reading this thread this morning. I was so nervous and emotional going into my appointment but determined.

I feel so lucky because my doctor is a very caring female and understands my concerns. She mentioned most of everything that was said in this thread. I have to do a lot of bloodwork in the upcoming month and I do have to schedule and ultrasound and the dye test thingy.

The doctor believes that I should begin Clomid in March but she says we aren't playing with this for the next year waiting and hoping that if at 6 months there aren't results then we move to the next game plan. I explained that my husband and I have talked about our limits which she is glad to hear and that we have a plan.

So anyways thank you all for your help and suggestions and well wishes. I don't know what will come of it but I'm ready to fight for what I want and having a doctor that wants that too helps so very much. Not to mention all of the dis lol cheering on my sex life

 

[clovergirl5]

Thank you all for your stories. All this support and help has me in tears. My appointment is this morning and I'm so nervous I feel like I could get sick. Too bad its not morning sickness lol

I will have a very blunt discussion with my GYN this morning and if he/she doesn't want to hear me then I will go back and find another doctor. I've no doubt that there is something wrong as my cycles have always been horrible and I have had history of cysts in the past. My gyn told me not to worry about it that the birth control would help them and if they burst it would hurt some but it would be okay. Boy those things hurt!!

I am very familiar with the inside ultrasound and for all those women that have had one we all now know what it's like to be a stick shift transmission
I have lost almost 40lbs in the last year and feel good finally. Because of my family history and my short window, I'm really stressing all this. Lastnight I just finally broke down and cried and got it out of my system. After all my husband and I have worked for everything else and we can make this happen too.

The irony is that we are prepared for multiples. He and I are both grandchildren and great grandchildren of twins and I'm a daughter of a twin. Between us we have 19 sets of twins within 3 generations. We knew us procreating would be something lol

Thank you all so very much. I'm ready to go do this and get started on finding some answers.

You got that right lol!

 

[Gabes_mommy]

UPDATE

Thank you all so very much. I felt much more prepared after reading this thread this morning. I was so nervous and emotional going into my appointment but determined.

I feel so lucky because my doctor is a very caring female and understands my concerns. She mentioned most of everything that was said in this thread. I have to do a lot of bloodwork in the upcoming month and I do have to schedule and ultrasound and the dye test thingy.

The doctor believes that I should begin Clomid in March but she says we aren't playing with this for the next year waiting and hoping that if at 6 months there aren't results then we move to the next game plan. I explained that my husband and I have talked about our limits which she is glad to hear and that we have a plan.

So anyways thank you all for your help and suggestions and well wishes. I don't know what will come of it but I'm ready to fight for what I want and having a doctor that wants that too helps so very much. Not to mention all of the dis lol cheering on my sex life

Yay! Great news!!!

Just wanted to give you a heads up about the Clomid. It causes some women's ******l fluid to become toxic to sperm, killing the sperm. This was true in my case. They took a sample of sperm from me and all the poor spermies were dead. Ask your doctor to test you for this so you aren't using the Clomid in vain. If it is the case you can have an IUI which is a very simple procedure where they take your DH's sperm and insert it directly into your uterus bypassing the killer fluid. It's no worse than a pap smear IMO.

The Clomid also made me crazy angry so be prepared for that. It was totally worth it though.

 

[clovergirl5]

UPDATE

Thank you all so very much. I felt much more prepared after reading this thread this morning. I was so nervous and emotional going into my appointment but determined.

I feel so lucky because my doctor is a very caring female and understands my concerns. She mentioned most of everything that was said in this thread. I have to do a lot of bloodwork in the upcoming month and I do have to schedule and ultrasound and the dye test thingy.

The doctor believes that I should begin Clomid in March but she says we aren't playing with this for the next year waiting and hoping that if at 6 months there aren't results then we move to the next game plan. I explained that my husband and I have talked about our limits which she is glad to hear and that we have a plan.

So anyways thank you all for your help and suggestions and well wishes. I don't know what will come of it but I'm ready to fight for what I want and having a doctor that wants that too helps so very much. Not to mention all of the dis lol cheering on my sex life

Aww, so glad you, dh and your dr. have a plan. Its time consuming, I know, but sooooo worth it. You will get there. Stay positive and try to stay stress free if at all possible lol. I have a feeling, pretty soon, we will all be congratulating you for a pos preggie test.

Just a fyi...the pp who mentioned fertilitiyfriend.com--that is a good charting site and a wealth of info. I used that charting tool. I believe its still free too. Good luck and tons and tons of babydust headed your way!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Tina, wishing you all the best,

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Tina,
Have them check your blood sugar levels too. I have low blood sugar and had gestational diabetes. I had to use Clomid b/c I was not ovulating and got pregant while using it. With my second daughter, I ovulated one month w/o clomid and got pregnant naturally. I think it was b/c I was eating better and had lost weight. Since then, my cycles have been more regular, but if I gain weight or am eating a lot of bad food, my cycles are messed up again and I think I am not ovulating. I'm praying that things work out for you.

 

[surfergirl602]

Good luck!!!

We got pregnant the month after we stopped using the Clomid. hated that stuff. lol

I am glad that your appointment went well!