TTC thread take 2

[ead79]

I had stomach aches, tummy growls, and loose bowel movements not at all pleasant I had to be near a toilet at all times. The trick for me was adding more fiber to my diet and taking the pill half way through my meals. You take the pill with food and for me I am on 2,000mg a day which is two 1,000 mg pills one with breakfast and one with dinner. I started out at 1,000mg a day for a year then last year doubled it. The other thing is you want to avoid missing a pill because if you do the 2 week symptoms start all over again, I have come close a couple of times of forgetting to take it.

Now here's some of the benefits: I lost 20lbs right away and have continued to lose weight and maintain the weight loss. It really curbs your appetite so I rarely snack during the day and if I do it's fruit as sweets just don't even taste or sound good to me anymore. I eat a lot smaller portions than I used to and feel more full. As for my cycles I would only have a period 2-3 times a year before metformin. Now I have them every month plus the clomid has also helped with that too.

As to your other question about skipping a month on clomid that is completely fine. In fact I am skipping this month as my DH is out of the country so there was no point in taking all the meds since it definitely isn't going to work without him here!

I completely understand your comment about how to know when you need to be more aggressive or not. My OB was somewhat conservative and I felt like well let's see if the clomid works by itself for 3 months. So after 3 months of it not working and no monitoring as I didn't even have a clue what my follicles were doing and knowing I could only take the clomid 3 more I told her I wanted a referral to an RE.

Before we went to the RE, DH and I both said let's tell her we want to be as aggressive as possible. We didn't even have to say a word that's their plan of attack as they deal with this every single day. It was funny as soon as we got in the car after our first appointment we turned towards each other and said in unison "we'll that's the aggressive approach!" That's why I say now that I feel those first 3 cycles I just wasted since I didn't respond at all whereas the last 2 cycles I actually had the chance finally to become pregnant, but hindsight is 20/20.

Your symptoms sound a lot like what they mention on the internet. Sounds delightful. But of course if that's what we have to do, we'll do it.

I'm not 100% decided yet, but I think I'm going to do this: if the 100 mg of Clomid I'm on now makes me ovulate, I'll take it for a couple of months and hold off on the RE. If it doesn't work, I'll go ahead and go up to 150 mg of Clomid, and also call and get the ball rolling with the RE. I could always cancel the appointment, and this would help us not have to put things off longer.

It would be nice to see an RE from the perspective of having someone to answer all my many questions as well. DH and I aren't sure how comfortable we are with IVF, so I don't know if we'll go down that road or not. But I'm by no means ruling it out! I'd really like to hear from a specialist about the success rate for IUIs in my situation and if injectables without an IUI are worth my time.

Thanks. Walgreens Fertility Services had the Lupron in stock and will be sending it to my home. We should have it tomorrow. Now, we just need to hope that my estrogen level comes down. I started spotting yesterday and the nurse said that getting a period would definitely bring it down. Fingers crossed!

Hoping that estrogen cooperates and comes down for you!

acupuncture session #3 tonight. Girls...it looks like I *might* have ovulated as early as cd 12!! If that's the case then my IVF cycle will be starting sooner than I thought. ooooh I hope I hope I hope!!!

There will be no suppression for me this time around so just as soon as AF makes her arrival, I get into the dr and start meds!!

Wonderful--I hope you can get this show on the road ASAP! Waiting just plain stinks. I wish a whole month didn't have to go by every time before we can start the process over.

 

[Falltime]

Your symptoms sound a lot like what they mention on the internet. Sounds delightful. But of course if that's what we have to do, we'll do it.

I'm not 100% decided yet, but I think I'm going to do this: if the 100 mg of Clomid I'm on now makes me ovulate, I'll take it for a couple of months and hold off on the RE. If it doesn't work, I'll go ahead and go up to 150 mg of Clomid, and also call and get the ball rolling with the RE. I could always cancel the appointment, and this would help us not have to put things off longer.

It would be nice to see an RE from the perspective of having someone to answer all my many questions as well. DH and I aren't sure how comfortable we are with IVF, so I don't know if we'll go down that road or not. But I'm by no means ruling it out! I'd really like to hear from a specialist about the success rate for IUIs in my situation and if injectables without an IUI are worth my time.

Yep I seem to follow the typical side effects. I should mention it's not like it's an all day thing it maybe lasts about an hour or so, of course everybody has different reactions some people it doesn't phase them at all. Lucky Ducks!

Sounds like a good plan. Does your DH have any issues? If there aren't any my RE said IUI wasn't any better than timed intercourse and there was no use spending the extra for it. We are trying to make this happen as natural as possible and we are trying to avoid IVF too but if that's what it takes we are willing to do it, since we only have 1 clomid cycle left. Personally I really hate that it takes meds to get my body to work the way it should work normally but on the other hand I am really glad that medicine is as advanced as it is that these meds work.

Does your OB have the ability to do ultrasounds? It does help to at least be monitored that way at least you know how many follicles you have and their sizes and since you also have PCOS to monitor for cysts too. Luckily I haven't had any cysts but I have heard they are painful.

Well I restarted doing my exercise routine like I said I would and I have lost 5lbs so far. I am hoping to lose another 5 before my next appointment. It's finally warming up here so I can get my bike out of the garage and go for a ride along the river. I love spring!!!! (well and fall time too since that's my handle LOL)

 

[cherbear]

ooh I need to get a bike!!! I've been saying this for a few weeks now. I want DH and I to both get bikes so we can ride together for exercise and recreation. There's a nice park with a bike path behind the college (where we both attended), so I would love to go there in the afternoons after work and ride bikes. Need to find some cheap though!

 

[Falltime]

ooh I need to get a bike!!! I've been saying this for a few weeks now. I want DH and I to both get bikes so we can ride together for exercise and recreation. There's a nice park with a bike path behind the college (where we both attended), so I would love to go there in the afternoons after work and ride bikes. Need to find some cheap though!

That's what DH and I do. We got our bikes a couple of years ago. I hadn't ridden a bike since I was kid so I was a bit wobbly at first but now I love it. Of course back then you never wore helmets either and I think I look silly in mine but I still wear the thing. I wanted a purple bike since that's my favorite color but they didn't have that color in the style of bike I picked so ended up going with hot pink! We have 50 miles of trails by the river so we just pick a section and go. It's great because it's shaded and you get to see a bunch of wildlife along the river. Ok I want to go right now but I am stuck at work. Might have to cut out early today!

 

[ead79]

Yep I seem to follow the typical side effects. I should mention it's not like it's an all day thing it maybe lasts about an hour or so, of course everybody has different reactions some people it doesn't phase them at all. Lucky Ducks!

Sounds like a good plan. Does your DH have any issues? If there aren't any my RE said IUI wasn't any better than timed intercourse and there was no use spending the extra for it. We are trying to make this happen as natural as possible and we are trying to avoid IVF too but if that's what it takes we are willing to do it, since we only have 1 clomid cycle left. Personally I really hate that it takes meds to get my body to work the way it should work normally but on the other hand I am really glad that medicine is as advanced as it is that these meds work.

Does your OB have the ability to do ultrasounds? It does help to at least be monitored that way at least you know how many follicles you have and their sizes and since you also have PCOS to monitor for cysts too. Luckily I haven't had any cysts but I have heard they are painful.

Well I restarted doing my exercise routine like I said I would and I have lost 5lbs so far. I am hoping to lose another 5 before my next appointment. It's finally warming up here so I can get my bike out of the garage and go for a ride along the river. I love spring!!!! (well and fall time too since that's my handle LOL)

That's great to hear that the side effects don't last all day--that at least helps! So far my Clomid side effects haven't been too bad at all (mostly hot flashes and weepiness).

DH's SA came back normal, so there don't seem to be any issues on his end of things. I'm glad about that of course, but it does make me feel like the "drag" or the problem. DH says that's ridiculous, that it's not like I can help it. And he's right, I know it even when I feel like it's my fault.

We've got 4 cycles left after this one, so we'll see what they say about IUI. I totally relate to the wanting to do it as naturally as possible and hating that it takes meds to make my body work. But like you, I agree that may just be what it takes. I too am glad that at least help is available!

I don't know for sure, but I'm assuming my OB can do ultrasounds since she can do IUI. But I think that DH and I agree that we would probably rather do IUI at the RE than using my OB, even if it is more expensive. That way we're seeing the expert who does it all the time.

Congrats on your weight loss!

 

[joanne312]

Ladies, I finally did it- I deactivated my facebook. Seriously, it was person after person after person announcing their pregnancy, showing ultrasound pictures, showing baby pictures. I would get so upset everytime I would look at it. So I finally gave in and deactivated it! I'm sure I'll go into facebook withdrawals, but it was so toxic I know this will be better for me in the long run. Maybe when I have some good news to brag about I'll rejoin, but not for now.

 

[Kennywife]

Hugs to all!

Well, we're not going to WDW in June. We decided a change of pace was better. We are still going in Sept. though. Plus, this now frees me up to go solo in December! (Unless I'm expecting of course)

We're going to our fave place when $$ is tight. Eureka Springs, Ark. We're staying at Lookout Lodge in a Jacuzzi suite in the adults only section! Very excited!

Here it is:

http://www.lookouteurekasprings.com/

 

[ead79]

Ladies, I finally did it- I deactivated my facebook. Seriously, it was person after person after person announcing their pregnancy, showing ultrasound pictures, showing baby pictures. I would get so upset everytime I would look at it. So I finally gave in and deactivated it! I'm sure I'll go into facebook withdrawals, but it was so toxic I know this will be better for me in the long run. Maybe when I have some good news to brag about I'll rejoin, but not for now.

I know what you mean--my Facebook is full of ultrasound pics, pregnancy progress pics, and new baby pics. Some days it definitely hurts me to see it all. Good for you for doing what you need to get through it!

Hugs to all!

Well, we're not going to WDW in June. We decided a change of pace was better. We are still going in Sept. though. Plus, this now frees me up to go solo in December! (Unless I'm expecting of course)

We're going to our fave place when $$ is tight. Eureka Springs, Ark. We're staying at Lookout Lodge in a Jacuzzi suite in the adults only section! Very excited!

Here it is:

http://www.lookouteurekasprings.com/

Enjoy your getaway!!

 

[cherbear]

Ladies, I finally did it- I deactivated my facebook. Seriously, it was person after person after person announcing their pregnancy, showing ultrasound pictures, showing baby pictures. I would get so upset everytime I would look at it. So I finally gave in and deactivated it! I'm sure I'll go into facebook withdrawals, but it was so toxic I know this will be better for me in the long run. Maybe when I have some good news to brag about I'll rejoin, but not for now.

WOW! So...if you want to rejoin, how does that work? Can you just reactivate the same account so that you keep your pics etc? Or would you have to set everything up again, add pics...? I think that's one of the main things keeping me from leaving FB.

 

[joanne312]

WOW! So...if you want to rejoin, how does that work? Can you just reactivate the same account so that you keep your pics etc? Or would you have to set everything up again, add pics...? I think that's one of the main things keeping me from leaving FB.

If you want to rejoin, you can just go back to the site and use your same email and password, and all of your stuff will be back. This is what it says on the fb website:

If you deactivate your account:
Your profile and all information associated with it disappears from the Facebook service immediately.
People on Facebook will not be able to search for you or view any of your information.
We save your profile information (friends, photos, interests, etc.), just in case you want to come back to Facebook at some point. If you choose to reactivate your account, everything will look just the way it did when you left.
A lot of people deactivate their accounts for temporary reasons and expect their profiles to be there when they return to the service. This option gives you the flexibility to leave and come back whenever you want.



So it sounds like deactivation of an account is different than deleting an account, so that if you want to go back you can!

 

[ckret01]

Ladies, I finally did it- I deactivated my facebook. Seriously, it was person after person after person announcing their pregnancy, showing ultrasound pictures, showing baby pictures. I would get so upset everytime I would look at it. So I finally gave in and deactivated it! I'm sure I'll go into facebook withdrawals, but it was so toxic I know this will be better for me in the long run. Maybe when I have some good news to brag about I'll rejoin, but not for now.

Girl, I know exactly what you mean. I am so close to deactiving mine too. Evertime I log on, I see that someone just got pregnant, just gave birth, one year old bdays etc all with pics. I am happy for them but it is such a reminder that I am not blessed with a child and have been on this long journey for 4 years and I don't even know if it will ever even happen for me.
I feel bad, but everytime I see a post about pregnancy, I block out these friends so I don't see their posts on my wall anymore.

 

[cc1013]

girl you are close to 100!!! We are going to WILL your estrogen down!! It WILL come down, it WILL come down. I just know it will!

Thanks Cheri! I think your good vibes might be helping! AF arrived today, but that's actually a good thing because it means my estrogen level came down. HOPEFULLY it came down enough to continue with the IVF. We will find out when I get by bloodwork done on Monday. With AF arriving, I definitely feel better than I did a few days ago.

 

[cherbear]

Thanks Cheri! I think your good vibes might be helping! AF arrived today, but that's actually a good thing because it means my estrogen level came down. HOPEFULLY it came down enough to continue with the IVF. We will find out when I get by bloodwork done on Monday. With AF arriving, I definitely feel better than I did a few days ago.

yay!! If AF arrived, you can pretty much guarantee that your estrogen is down!! awesome!!

Now I need to WILL this possible cyst away! I started having pain this morning in the right side of my pelvis, seemingly my right ovary. Of all times!!! I'm hoping whatever it is resolves itself before AF comes in about a week or so! I'm ready to get this party started. A little worried now!

 

[cc1013]

yay!! If AF arrived, you can pretty much guarantee that your estrogen is down!! awesome!!

Now I need to WILL this possible cyst away! I started having pain this morning in the right side of my pelvis, seemingly my right ovary. Of all times!!! I'm hoping whatever it is resolves itself before AF comes in about a week or so! I'm ready to get this party started. A little worried now!

Do you have a history of cysts? I really hope it's nothing and disappears quickly! Isn't it amazing how this stuff shows up at the exact wrong time!?!?

I am going to follow your lead and WILL it away! It WILL disappear!

 

[cherbear]

Do you have a history of cysts? I really hope it's nothing and disappears quickly! Isn't it amazing how this stuff shows up at the exact wrong time!?!?

I am going to follow your lead and WILL it away! It WILL disappear!

actually, I've had 2 cysts that I can remember, over the past THREE years!! One of them ruptured and caused a good deal of pain. I haven't had one (that I've known of) since we started treatment. It's just ironic. I know I can't be sure, but I don't know what else could be causing this pain?

Thank you!!!!! It WILL, God willing!!

 

[cc1013]

actually, I've had 2 cysts that I can remember, over the past THREE years!! One of them ruptured and caused a good deal of pain. I haven't had one (that I've known of) since we started treatment. It's just ironic. I know I can't be sure, but I don't know what else could be causing this pain?

Thank you!!!!! It WILL, God willing!!

Hi! How are you feeling today?

 

[cherbear]

Hi! How are you feeling today?

thanks for asking!!! Actually, I'm not hurting anymore!!!

So either it was a small cyst that burst already, or it was nothing. Maybe just post-O soreness that was irritated by *hmm-hmm* the other night

I did keep heat on it for a while on Saturday, and took a hot bath too. So maybe I helped whatever it was to go away.

But my temps are nutty! Grrr, it's so confusing.

 

[cc1013]

thanks for asking!!! Actually, I'm not hurting anymore!!!

So either it was a small cyst that burst already, or it was nothing. Maybe just post-O soreness that was irritated by *hmm-hmm* the other night

I did keep heat on it for a while on Saturday, and took a hot bath too. So maybe I helped whatever it was to go away.

But my temps are nutty! Grrr, it's so confusing.

Great news about the pain going away! I hope your temps become more normal.

 

[cc1013]

So my estrogen officially came down!

What a relief! So happy we can proceed with this IVF cycle and not have to wait until June!

I will begin with stimulating meds tomorrow (Follistim and Menopur) and then go back to the RE on Sunday. It looks like we will probably do the retrieval sometime around April 17th. I'm excited, but very nervous.

Thanks for all the positive thoughts!

-Christine

 

[Kennywife]

Good Luck to everyone!

Hey I was thinking of something funny. I was planning all my ADR's today (finally got them all done!) Anyhoo, what are the rides and attractions at WDW that you "must-do?" Kinda like our version of Stacy.

I'll start:

MK:

POTC
IASW
Splash Mountain
Mickey's Philharmagic
MSEP
Wishes
Boo to You Parade

Epcot: (my fave park)
World Showcase!!!!!!!
Test Track
Turtle Talk With Crush
Soarin'
Illuminations
Food & Wine Festival
Holidays around the World
Character Spot

DHS:
Muppets
Star Tours!
The Walt Disney tour ride
Fantasmic!
Osbourne's Festival of lights

AK:
Kiliminjaro Safari
Kali!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's Tough to be a Bug
Meeting the characters! (Best place to meet them imo)

Downtown Disney:
AMC
24 days of Christmas
Goofy's Candy Company!!!!!
Basin
Mickey's Pantry...I love shopping for my kitchen!

Restaraunts:
California Grill
Crystal Palace
House of Blues
Via Napoli
Raglan Road