The Trials & Tribulations of Trying to Conceive when its just not happening (12m+)

pinkteapot

Doctors can be so insensitive sometimes, vesper. Congratulations on the weight loss so far. Apologies that I can't remember your full story. Has anything been diagnosed so far? If your next tests are clear, are they dubbing you as unexplained infertility (like me!)? If so, Clomid has been shown to not be much help, and the latest NICE guidelines tell doctors not to prescribe it for unexplained. Can dig out the link if you need it...

It is useful for people who have ovulation issues, so depends on your situation.

danielley

Well I will rest up today then. My DH is torn as we have been looking after his Mum following her losing his Dad so suddenly so he is having to go back there this afternoon to be with her and I might join me at the moment I just want to stay in my own bed with a hot water bottle.

The embryologist has called up. 11 of the 16 have fertilised so they are aiming for a 5 day transfer but there is a chance they could call us in on Saturday (day 3) depending on the progress.

vesper

pinkteapot wrote: »

Doctors can be so insensitive sometimes, vesper. Congratulations on the weight loss so far. Apologies that I can't remember your full story. Has anything been diagnosed so far? If your next tests are clear, are they dubbing you as unexplained infertility (like me!)? If so, Clomid has been shown to not be much help, and the latest NICE guidelines tell doctors not to prescribe it for unexplained. Can dig out the link if you need it...

It is useful for people who have ovulation issues, so depends on your situation.

Thank you, I've lost 14kg so far (target to get to down to 30bmi is 25kg in total). Although obviously I want to keep going under 30bmi, not just stay there.


Short history, got pregnant in 2006 but lost it at between 8 and 12 weeks (not sure exactly how along we were as it was not planned but very happily embraced, but I started miscarrying the day after it was confirmed at the doctors).
After that we realised the time was right to start ntnp. Carried on after that using a CBFM and properly trying.
Carried on from there until last years when finally plucked up the confidence to go to the Doctors for help. So far I've had blood tests and a couple more tests, but they believed it was hubby that was the problem after his first 2 results (and poor tests in the past). Apparently its not him now though.
So at the moment they don't know what the problem is, most probably unexplained. Was a bit shocked they said about Clomid after I had read that it wasn't very effective. But would love to see the link, the more I can read the better.

pinkteapot

OK, sounding similar to us in terms of where you've been recently. We went to the dr after a year of trying and had blood tests and sperm analysis. All normal. I had a HyCoSy which showed my tubes were open. If I remember rightly, that was all the tests before we were declared unexplained, but it was a couple of years ago now so maybe there were others!

See this page:
http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG156/chapter/1-Recommendations

Section 1.8 on unexplained infertility. 1.8.1.1 and 1.8.1.2 specifically say that Clomid (clomifene) shouldn't be prescribed as it doesn't help. It induces ovulation, so won't do a lot if you're already ovulating!

I took Clomid for three months just before this guidance changed in 2013. We had an appointment afterwards where I'd previously been told we'd get another three months' worth. I went prepared to argue, but fortunately the consultant said we didn't have to take any more.

All it did for me was make my cycle a few days longer, and give me shocking mood swings.

However, some areas definitely ignore NICE guidelines. For example, the page says that IVF should be offered after two years of TTC, but where we are it's three years. So they might still insist you try the Clomid and make you jump through the hoop!

tea_lover

Danielley that's a great fertilisation rate! Go embies!! FWIW, I'd stay where you are this aft. Let your DH go and be with his mum, and you focus on keeping your strength up for tomorrow. Maybe a nice quiet house and a few hours sleep will really help.

vesper

I'm willing to try anything really even if it just ticks some boxes for the NHS. Although can not say I would look forward to the mood swings, I'm bad enough without any further aid of that.
As far as I know I am ovulating normally, well they haven't said anything to say I'm not.
But will have to put up with the yukky bits I suppose, after all where I live they only offer 1 go at IVF. So definitely want to investigate all opportunities even if they aren't likely to work. We are on a low income so there won't ever be the opportunity for private help.


Thanks for the link. Will give it a read when I've finished work.

pinkteapot

A lot of people are fine on Clomid so don't worry about mood swings. Everyone reacts differently to hormonal drugs. Worth asking the doctor what the Clomid will do and how it'll help though.

codemonkey

Fantastic news danielley. I'd stay in bed and let your DH go to his mum by himself. You need to look after yourself so your embies have the best possible chance after ET.

Tea - I hope you can sort things out. When DH and I bought our house, I paid the deposit so we had a "sanity clause" written up to protect that. I think its been made null by our marriage though. I don't suppose you did this too? Its really difficult to save a relationship when only one person is talking.

afm - I've managed to give myself horrible sunburn. I was outside for about 3 hours doing the garden and walking the dog and I put sunscreen on, but am still bright red.

gettingthereslowly

Hi all,

Tea sending you lots of hugs. sorry to hear you are having a rubbish time.

Danielle well done on the egg count! Plenty of rest is best. I had mild ohss and that was really uncomfortable. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

afm just got back from app. Have to wait til sept to start. Got my tabs and have to ring on cd1 to confirm dates and timelines.

Hope everyone is well xxx

pinkteapot

Bit miffed with clinic. Phoned last Friday as it was CD1, but still don't know if they can fit us in this cycle. We're waiting for a letter from them confirming baseline scan appointment date. Until the nurses have done our scheduling (and made appointments), we don't know if we're going ahead. Rarely, they have to postpone people to the next month if they're too busy.

So, down-reg should start two weeks today, but don't know if it will.

I don't mind the appointment date so much, just wish I knew if we were go-go-go or not. Finding the uncertainty stressful.

We're on the NHS so can't really complain. If I was paying privately I'd be feeling pretty peeved.