[bebek]

Hello! I am new to this site and have been trying to conceive for about 5 months. I am in the process of getting all sorts of tests done for my gyno.
ie: FSH, HSG and soon Progesterone on the 22nd day of my cycle. My husband has been asked to get a semen analysis. I am also charting my BBT.

I stopped taking BC after about 15 years back in November. I had irregular periods before BC and after. I would go for 3 months sometimes! My doctor thinks that I don't ovulate and I think she is right, but once we get results back from these tests we will have a better idea.


My HSG was sooooo painful and the radiologist said that one of my fallopian tubes was clear, she wasnt sure about if the dye went through on the other side and had to "examine the x ray more closely" to check it out and she would get the results to my DR. I have been afraid to call for results. I still have one more blood work request to fill and I guess I will just go in and get all the info once all of my tests are done.

I figured I would TTC this month even though I am having all these tests and probably dont ovulate anyway. My BBT charting has been a disappointment. I am on day 18 of my cycle and my temps have been up and down , up and down, by just a few points. No major spikes or anything. My CM is never of the egg white consistency, though I am always "wet and slippery" never stretchy...which I think is what I am looking for.

anyway, I think Clomid is in my near future and I have mixed feelings about it. Is there any one out there who has anything to say in recommendation....good, bad, ugly? I am open to the natural alternatives, yet don't think I have the patience. But I am growing more and more desperate.

any stories to share about BBT charting would be helpful to me as well.

I just need some one to talk to who has been through/is going through the same things. I hate feeling down about this. My husband is great but he just doesnt understand what I am going through. This is total "girl talk".

Looking at the thread this seems like a great, vibrant and active community. I am happy and hopeful about joining!

-Bebek

[Nola]

Welcome! I have only positive things to say about Clomid-it got me pregs on the first cycle.

[bebek]

thanks.

wow. congrats. those are the kind of results i wanna hear!

did it make you "moody and hormonal" as I have heard?

[wasabipea]

Hello bebek and welcome! This is a great little subforum you've joined. Everyone has been very supportive and helpful as many of the ladies here understand the frustration, the anxiety and the rollercoaster of emotions that we each go through with TTC. I wish you lots of baby dust.

My SIL has had a succesful run at Clomid. She got pregnant after the first cycle. She didn't speak of the moody side effects.

[bebek]

thanks for the welcome and advice. It does indeed seem like a helpful and supportive site. I am glad i found it.

[Alidoll]

Hi and welcome.

While Clomid works for some, I hasn't for me (I've just finished 6 months of the stuff). The first month wasn't too bad..just a really heavy AF. Second month I started getting cramp mid-cycle then again 3-4 days before AF. This was really bad by the last month so was glad to stop TBH. It's a major rollercoaster..I was late last month so had high hopes but was not to be. Again, this month was late but AF just started tonight so am .

DH keeps saying "not to worry" but it starts getting really draining after a while. I know he really, really wants a baby and I feel such a failure for not being able to conceive. Sorry - hormones all over the place tonight so probably not the best person to give encouragement.

Lots of babydust heading your way though...

[bebek]

I feel the same way as you when it comes to my DH. I feel like I am letting him down. He never says that , but I feel that he is thinking it.

You are such a strong woman to have gone through what you have. It should be no time before you can share the good news with everyone.

as for the clomid...if it becomes an option for me, i think i will take it and see how it goes.

thanks for the help
hang in there

lots and lots of baby dust

bebek

[beejerry]

I did not take clomid since my Dr won't prescribe it with my history of endo. But I did take all the tests you've mentioned. They could be painful at times, but they're much easier than going into IVF when you've to inject yourself 3 times a day!

As with any drugs, people react differently. I've heard many success on the clomid, so it's worth a try.

[KristyDarling]

You just described me exactly about 6 years ago. I tried BBT charting, and my cycles were long and spiky: up and down, up and down, but no big O spike. I also had uterine fibroids (which I had since I was 24) which might have been affecting my fertility, so I underwent the full battery of fertility tests, including HSG, FSH, you name it. It was a heart-wrenching time. Turns out I had high FSH, so the doc said my eggs were probably prematurely aging. First thing we tried was Clomid, 3 cycles and no dice. Since my FSH was high (at the same level as a premenopausal woman in her late 40s) and time was of the essence, my fertility specialist didn't want to keep trying with the Clomid, so he put me straight on the injectables. We got pregnant on the first cycle! Had our son in 2003, and then did injectables again in 2004, and once again got pregnant on the first cycle, and we gave birth to our daughter in 2005. Our doc's best guess is that I just wasn't ovulating, and I needed the heavy-duty drugs to stimulate my system into releasing eggs.

I wish you the best. I know very well the deep heartache and frustration that comes with infertility, but stay positive and know that medical technology nowadays is quite amazing. There is hope. Hugs!

[bebek]

kristydarling,
thanks for giving me hope. Who knows what my situation is. I am anxious to find out. There are so many variables! But whatever the case, having hope is important.

When you say injectables, what exactly are you referring to ? and how much does all of this cost? I remember my doc asking if my insurance had "infertility benefits"....what an oxymoron.

thanks for the kind words.
-bebek

[KristyDarling]

Originally Posted by bebek

kristydarling,
thanks for giving me hope. Who knows what my situation is. I am anxious to find out. There are so many variables! But whatever the case, having hope is important.

When you say injectables, what exactly are you referring to ? and how much does all of this cost? I remember my doc asking if my insurance had "infertility benefits"....what an oxymoron.

thanks for the kind words.
-bebek

Hi there,

I lifted this info from WebMD:

---------------------------------------
Injectable Hormones
If Clomid on its own isn't successful, your doctor may recommend injectable hormones to stimulate ovulation. Some of the types are:

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), such as Pregnyl, Novarel, Ovidrel, and Profasi. This drug is usually used along with other fertility drugs to trigger the ovaries to release the mature egg or eggs.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), such as Follistim, Fertinex, Bravelle, and Gonal-F
Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG), such as Pergonal, Repronex, and Metrodin. This drug combines both FSH and LH.
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (Gn-RH), such as Factrel and Lutrepulse. This hormone stimulates the release of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland. These hormones are rarely prescribed in the U.S.
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Agonist (GnRH agonist), such as Lupron, Zoladex, and Synarel
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone Antagonist (GnRH antagonist), such as Antagon and Cetrotide

Indication: Any of these hormonal drugs can be used to stimulate or control ovulation as a way of treating a number of infertility problems.

Use: All these drugs are given by injection only and in varying doses depending on how they are being used. Some are given beneath the skin while others are injected into the muscle. Injection sites can include the stomach, upper arm, upper thigh, or buttocks. The injections are usually started on the second or third day of your cycle (with the first day being the first day you see bright red blood) and given for 7 to 12 consecutive days. Some patients will be prescribed both injections and oral Clomid.

Effectiveness: As with clomiphene, the injectable hormones have a high rate of success in stimulating women to ovulate. Of those who ovulate, as many as 50% are able to get pregnant.

Side effects: Most side effects are mild and can include tenderness; infection; and blood blisters, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. There is also a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, a condition in which the ovaries become enlarged and tender. Ovulation-stimulating drugs also increase the chances of multiple pregnancy, which can raise the risks for both mother and child.
-----------------------------------------------------

The only side effects I had with injectables were bloating (ick!), and also I developed an ovarian cyst with my first pregnancy. They kept an eye on the cyst and it didn't cause me any problems...and it gradually shrank.

Hopefully, after all your fertility work-ups are done, your doc will have more info to go on, and will suggest the right course of action. MANY women find success with Clomid, it's a wonderful first-line treatment. They always talk about the mood swings and bloating, but I had neither when I tried Clomid. Everyone responds so differently to these drugs.

Best of luck to you with your treatments! Please feel free to PM me anytime with more questions.

[bebek]

you are so great. thanks for the info. there are just so many questions. This is such an involved process...i guess trying to imitate/compensate for all of the complexities of "natural" conception is tricky. The human body is an amazing thing.

thanks again

[Nola]

Originally Posted by bebek

thanks.

wow. congrats. those are the kind of results i wanna hear!

did it make you "moody and hormonal" as I have heard?

Not at all

[jenniletv]

I have not had the testing yet. DH and I have been trying for about 7 months. I am also not familar with Clomid, although I have heard many great success stories and some not so great stories. I just wanted to welcome you to the board and wish you much luck!!!
Baby dust to all!!

[bebek]

thanks, jenniletv!