RE Consult

My last cycle was short and I ended up being able to do another round of CD 3 tests last Friday (8/20). We had scheduled our RE consult to discuss the high FSH results for Tuesday, 8/24, so it worked out perfectly to have the latest results for our discussion. The nurse called on Monday, FSH = 12, E=33. YAY! :o) As RELIEVED as I felt, it was just as confusing...

We talked to our RE on Tuesday and here is his perspective:
*even though 12 is obviously better, 12 is borderline
*an isolated, elevated FSH is worrisome to him, it could be a sign of a potential problem
*12 doesn't say whether or not I'll get pregnant but when FSH gets to 25, "IVF is no benefit, absolutely no benefit" (CRINGE!)
*12 means a diminished response to stims - but it is good info to know and we can work with it - start with higher stims for a cycle
*there is nothing you can "do" to treat a high FSH
*there is nothing that we can attribute the high FSH to (diet, exercise, alcohol - I was worried about that since we had just got back from vacation)
*he thinks I should get AMH test - it is a cycle independent test (so he says, it doesn't matter if it is taken in a different cycle)
*AMH is a blood test and he thinks a good test to compliment the FSH. If it is <1, then we have reason to be concerned for POF.

Since the early miscarriages in the spring, I have been searching and reading as much information as I can. One topic that I have read a lot about is Luteal Phase Defect (LPD). I asked him about LPD because it seems in some cycles, my luteal phase is short.

He said the luteal phase is directly related to the follicular phase (before ovulation). If the follicles do not develop well, the luteal phase is shorter. He said he wrote an article that was published in 87-88 about this....he was talking over our heads for a bit but basically, he said there isn't a "test" to know if this is a problem - you just treat it as it is a problem. He said the treatment is adding progesterone support after ovulation. I said, well, I guess I'm asking if we can treat it as it is an issue because I think it may be. His thoughts on that:
*if we do a treatment cycle, then they would add progesterone support anyway
*if we want to do natural cycles, then sure, he would be fine with adding that 3 days after +OPK and then do HPT to see what happens

Finally, we asked about clomid for both of us. He said he wants to see DH's S/A first but that again, depending on what we wanted to do with cycling, he would be fine with me doing clomid.

So.....basically, I need AMH and a baseline progesterone test. DH needs a S/A to give us more information and determine where we go from here. We are a little frustrated because REALLY why didn't he just have the AMH done last wk when I did FSH???? If he knew that those 2 tests together would give us a better indication after the 25 FSH.....but WHATEVER, I'm trying to stay positive and see this as the next step for us that will lead us to a wonderful outcome!

June-July Re-cap, more bad news.

Cannot.believe.it.is.August!  I haven't kept up here or the IF boards.  Honestly, I've tried to "forget" about all things TTC for the past month or so....yeah, not working so well.

After our June RE consult, we did much talking about what "we should do".  July was shaping up to be a busy month....we had a long-weekend away planned and a 2-week vacay.  To avoid dampening our spirits, we decided to put off my Day 3 blood work.

We spent the 4th of July in the Disney World area and made note of all the places "we will bring our child someday."  That evening, we caught a ride to WDW, purchased a few adult beverages, and found "the perfect spot" on the beach of Seven Seas Lagoon to watch the fireworks and water parade.  We were bummed they only lasted 11 minutes!

The next week, we were home for 5 days and then off on our 2-week hiatus to St. John, USVI.  Even though Tropical Storm Bonnie made for some interesting weather, we had a fabulous time.  We ventured to the BVI and explored new places.  We celebrated our 34th and 35th birthdays.  We ate lots of yummy food, laughed a lot, and enjoyed our time together.  The beaches were as gorgeous as ever and we just love, love, LOVE the islands!

As our vacation was coming to an end, AF arrived.  Impeccable timing.  Since I planned an extra vacay day before I returned to work and that just happened to be CD 3, we decided to move forward with the tests on 7/26.  Our RE's office called the next day with the results:  FSH = 25.3 and estrogen >30.  FSH should *ideally* be <10.  RE wants to "talk".  I don't want to hear what he has to say.  I don't want to hear about donor egg as our next option. 

At our June consult, he briefly mentioned donor egg as we discussed getting the updated tests, b/w, and figuring out what was next.  My heart sank then, I was offended that he "went there." And now, here.we.are.

We have an appointment in a few weeks but I don't know if I even want to go.  If I could go.  Physically, I am fine.  Emotionally, I am not.  From the outside, I am fine.  On the inside, I am not.

Moving Forward, Etc.

Long time, no post.  Where to start?  The pregnancy ended in a natural miscarriage.  AF arrived on 4/30...which in itself brought crap-load of emotions.  We were in such a *good* place before that roller coaster...and then....

5/28 came and went.....AF was late again.  5/30 brought us another +HPT (DH insisted on waiting 2 days).  I called the RE's office to schedule beta for the next day.  Then, AF arrived that evening!  Blah!

We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on 6/5!  We went to a casino resort for a weekend getaway!  It was wonderful and DH got extra points for my spa package!  :)

We ended the relaxing weekend with a visit to the RE on 6/7 to discuss the recent events and future plans.  We asked our questions about what could have happened with the pregnancies, RPL and other testing.  RE is cautious about RPL testing since these were such early losses.  He feels that we need more information to make a more informed decision.  We agree.  So.....we did a baseline beta for me that day (result is 0, since the recent +HPT); I will re-do CD3 testing next cycle; DH will have a new SA.  From there, we will decide if we want to try on our own a few more months, pursue genetic testing, or do IUI with/without meds. 

To complicate matters, DH has been having problems with his back again.  This has led to meds that may affect his counts and a cortisone injection is on the horizon.  The injection steroid may affect his counts, too.....so his SA will be all about the timing.  And then, if it isn't good ~ I know we will have questions as to whether the meds affected it. 

When is timing not an issue when TTC and IF?  :(  The complications continue...

Monday's update

I stopped the prometrium yesterday.  It is odd not to take something that is supposed to help.  But I also do not want to delay the inevitable if that is the way this is supposed to unfold.

Today, I had a few twinges/aches but nothing major.  My bb's are still sore and I felt a little nauseous this morning.  And most of all, still no AF.  Hmmm, I wonder if she'll show tomorrow?

My SIL called today to check on me.  I am glad she cares and called but it was awkward.  Basically, she was concerned that my doc was making me wait until Thurs to do b/w and not doing an u/s.  Honestly, she was kind of adamant about it.  After she stopped talking, I said, "Well, it's too early.  Today is 5wks 1day."

She said, "Oh, I didn't realize that."

Yeah, we are the crazy people who were SO EXCITED that we were finally pregnant that we blabbed to the whole world at 4wks 3 days!!  What were we thinking?!?

3 days to go...

Roller Coaster of a Week

Just been living life the past few months and not focusing on TTC and IF...I needed a break.  I have been busy with work and all that comes with starting a new program.  I started working out and going to the gym regularly; just taking it day by day.  Until this week...

I realized last Sunday evening that AF was due any time.  I had been ill the previous week and with stress from work, I thought that was delaying her arrival.  Tuesday morning (4/20), I woke up with what seemed like AF cramps.  I took some ibuprofen and went about my day.  By the afternoon, my mind was racing.  Still, no AF.  On my way home, I bought HPTs.  I took one when I got home and to my SHOCK it read "Pregnant"!  We were in a daze! 

On Wednesday morning (4/21), I called my RE's office and went in for a beta.  1st beta = 77.2 and p4 = >40  These are great #'s!  I went back on Friday morning (4/23) for another beta and not such good news....2nd beta = 77.6 and p4=18.  The RE said it didn't look good for this to be a viable pregnancy and wanted me to come back today/Sunday (4/25).  I asked about progesterone supplement since the p4 dropped so much.  They gave me a RX for prometrium (suppository).  Today's #'s 3rd beta = 77.9 and p4 = 32.5.

I had a different nurse than during the week.  I asked her when she was taking my blood if the prometrium would cause the p4 to rise anyways even if the hcg didn't?  She said no because it is a suppository and it provides the p4 support but not enough to absorb into my blood yet.  DH asked her about the twin theory (if both implanted but then 1 wasn't making it causing the p4 to drop and hcg to remain the same)....she said she absolutely thinks that is a possibility; however, though since this wasn't an IVF cycle, the chances of twins are diminished.  We told her that actually twins run on DH's side of the family...his aunts, our nieces, etc. So....she was like, well then definitely that could be a possibility. She said if the #'s do not rise or go down, then we'll have to monitor it and see what happens.  She mentioned the ectopic possibility, too.

So when she called, she said the hcg remained basically unchanged at 77.9 and p4 at 32.5. The RE thinks that the prometrium may have caused the rise in the p4 and may be delaying mother nature's work (miscarriage) (which contradicts what the nurse first told us this morning). So they want me to stop the prometrium and go back in 4 days (Thurs). The RE's feeling is that we'll see it drop or if something is awry right now, it should take off by then if it's going too.  And if not, they'll need to monitor it closely to see if it's ectopic.

So....guess what, we wait!  The story of our lives!  It figures it would go this way for us....nothing is ever easy!  Now I have 4 days to search the boards and internet for beta trends like this.

I'm doing okay....frustrated that it's going to be a long process to figure out what is going to happen but it is what it is. I am scared about the ectopic possibility because I've read lots of bad stories about those ~ so at this point, I am hoping that is NOT the case!  DH is doing okay....he's more frustrated about it than I am, I think.  I have read SO much on the board over the years that there are so many crazy situations and he doesn't have that.  I just keep telling him, it doesn't look good that this is going to be a healthy pregnancy. Although, anything could happen at this point, the majority of situations where the beta doesn't double do not turn out good.

The next 4 days are going to be the longest of my life!