[KCMomma]

Hello everyone! I just really need to vent a little and since my DH is out of town for work, I have to take it out on my keyboard!

Well, the witch AF has shown her ugly face again this cycle! A little background on our TTC journey: We stopped "preventing" at the end of August 2007 and we "just saw what would happen" for like 2-3 months. Then I began "charting" my periods and symptoms. In January 2008 I started taking OPK's. And have since started actually charting with TCOYF 3 cycles ago (onto the 4ths cycle now). The past two months I have used CBEFM, which has helped a ton! So here's what we are doing now. I'm charting with TCOYF online, taking temps, cm, opk's and testing with CBEFM. This past cycle I thought for sure we had it because of the inital high temps in a row. However, they started a downward spiral and then the witch showed today........my heard is broken yet again. I try so hard to put on a happy face and stay positive and say "OK let's move on to next cycle", but it gets increasingly harder each month. Every time I think about it I just want to cry. And it seems as though everyone around me are either pregnant or with a baby already. It's like you know when you start wanting a certain car...then you start seeing that car where ever you drive...that's how it is with TTC. There are pg people everywhere!!!!!!!!!! And I want to be happy for them, but it gets so hard. Poor DH tries so hard to be supportive, but I know he doesn't fully understand. That's why I turn to you guys. I just don't know what's wrong with us?!!? Why cant' we get pg? What are we doing wrong? Last time I went to my OBGYN she said to buy the CBEFM and use it for 3 months and see if I'm getting "peak" days. Well, the two months I've used it, I've gotten "peak" days. So I know that I"m ovulating. DH has his appointment to get his SA done on August 14th. For those that have done that, what should we expect with that visit? Should I go with him? Will we get the results that day? Do we need to not BD before hand? If so, how many days before his test should we not BD? DH is super nervous about going in for the test. He's scared to death that there will be something wrong with him. After we get those results I plan on making an appointment with my OBGYN again.

I've seen so many BFP's on here lately that truly give me hope, but are equally hard to take at the same time. I just feel so lost, alone and sad........

I've seen women on JM talk about robitussen (or however you spell it) and baby aspirin. What do they do for you? Oh I've also heard (or read) people talking about IUI's what is that? Sorry if these are stupid questions. Also, has anyone tried acupunture? I just wonder if it has helped anyone and if so, how in the world does sticking needles all over your body help you?????

I'm willing to try anything at this point. Anyway, thanks for listening ladies...I"m just at a breaking point right now and not sure where to go at this point.

[*becky*]

((((Hugs))) honey. I'm so sorry. We have all been there.

I'll do my best to answer some of your questions:

Just because you ovulate doesn't mean you have quality eggs/ovulation. I ovulate on my own, but when they tested my progesterone it wasn't high enough. Basically there were several month where my chart looks awesome, but my progesterone wasn't high enough for a bean to stick. I would ask about getting your hormones checked.

I don't know about the SA, my DH never had one done. But there are several ladies here who know about them.

Robitussen or Mucinex has a medicine in it (can't remember the name) that increase the flow of mucus. Usually for your sinuses/nose, but it can also increase your CM. I have used Mucinex in the past and it does work for me.

Baby aspirin - it is a mild blood thinner. This can be helpful for women who have had previous miscarriages. Thinner blood means that placelets are not so "sticky" which allows more blood flow to your reproductive organs.

IUI stands for Inter Uterine Insemenation (sp?). This is where they take a sperm sampling from the male, spin it at high speeds to remove the excess fluid (just sperm are left) and they insert them directly in the uterus via a catheter.

I will let someone answer on acupuncture...I don't know about that.

I hope this helps!

[Hopingfor1soon]

Well Becky did an excellent job of answering your questions and said exactly what I would so I wont repeat her!! I am really sorry about AF!!! I know how hard it can be to see them all the time!! YUCK!!

Oh just a quick answer about the SA. My DH did his in the office that morning. That have seperate little rooms for them to "donate" their sample in. I didnt go with into the office but I came with to the appointment to make DH feel better. My DH was really nervous too. They will also have him fill out a short questionaire too more than likely. As far as results it took me a week to get DHs. I know some girls have gotten them the same day so that is just something I would ask about when your there.

If the SA comes back normal I would definitely talk to your RE about testing your progesterone! That is also my problem and Becky's too I believe. Like Becky said, you can still ovulate and not have high quality eggs. And that is honestly an easy fix. I would ask them to go ahead with the basic tests too if you have good insurance.

If you have any questions at all dont be afraid to ask. I am going through lots of medical assistance so I can give you an answer to most of them or direct you to someone who cans!!

Good Luck! I hope that helps alot!

[caseyb]

Ditto to what the other girls said.

I know that Cheryl (CherylK) and Shannon(ShannonMVT) are both using acupuncture so they might be able to help you there- I'm sure they wouldn't mind a PM or maybe they will chime into this thread to answer.

One thing that I have tried differently this month is to give up caffeine (I'm now a Diet Coke recovering addict) and so far this month I have seen LOADS more EWCM than usual, but I haven't ovulated yet so I'll let you know in a few weeks how that worked out for me

[simplycurly]

Robitussen or Mucinex has a medicine in it (can't remember the name) that increase the flow of mucus. Usually for your sinuses/nose, but it can also increase your CM. I have used Mucinex in the past and it does work for me.[/b]

Guaifenesin is the medication in Mucinex and Robitussin (plain if you use it), that helps to thin mucous secretions. It's usually used for chest congestion, but some have found it helps with cervical mucous too.

I've never tried it but heard that it helps!

[snsgirl336]

I think the others have answered most of your questions, but I wanted to send you some

[LynneD]

I just wanted to add when my DH had his SA his intructions were no caffiene, no alcohol and no BD for three days prior to the test. We were able to get his results the next day. HTH!

[Rachel Katsouros]

I completely understand how you feel. Sometimes you need to vent. This process can be so frustrating!! I am also looking into having DH get a SA done soon. We have been trying since Nov 2007. It has not been a year yet but it's right around the corner. Is he having his done at his primary MD or a urologist? I need to know who to start making phone calls to...

[KCMomma]

Thank you all so very much for all the responses!!! It really does help to vent! And thank you for all the answers to my million questions. That will really help. I'm doing a little better today, but only because we are really busy at work. Had to work till 4am last night so since I'm so tired I don't really have time to think about my frustration.....so I guess that's good?!?!?!

Anyway, thanks again ladies. It really made me feel better!!!

Oh RachelK~my DH is having a urlogist do his SA. We figured we would have to see one anyway, so why not have him do the test. Good luck to you guys!

[dng]

I just wanted to say that I also had progesterone problems. DH had a SA and we got the results the next day. I went in the room with him because he was really shy. Most places say that if you live within 30 minutes of the lab that you can collect the sample at home and bring it to the lab. You have to keep the sample warm though. (I have heard of girls putting the cups in their bras to keep it warm.) Good luck!

[~CadensMommy~]

just wanted to add my DH also had a SA done at our fertility clinic and they just told him no BDing for 2 days prior. We had our results back the day after and DH said it wasn't so bad "the room was really nice" haha

[KCMomma]

Thanks ladies again for all the responses! DH is getting his SA done on Thursday. We've called them several times to ask questions and they never call back. So DH is gonna go to the office tomorrow and get our questions answered. If he's going to get the results right then and there, then I will be going with him. If not, I'm not gonna go. I'll KUP and thanks again for all the nice responses. This board is a life saver!

[DoulaMama]

I'm so sorry all this is so hard for you.

Accupuncture is known to help infertility- I don't know exactly how or why, but it has been proven- both anecdotally and in medical studies to be effective- especially when combined with western medicine. if you google accupuncture and trying to concieve or accu and infertility a lot of info comes up. The way in which it's helpful is that points onyour body are connected. For example when my hip is bothering me I get accupuncture on my opposite sholder and hand. It works for most people- whether you believe in it or not. Some people however (very few) are not able to be helped by accupuncture, and no one knows why.

Mucinex- well the active ingredient- has a thread in the medical assistance board right now you may want to peek at.

I replied in the babyasprin thread already- I'll be on it next cycle- but it can be dangerous to your health- so it really is something you need to talk to your DR about. However if you google "baby asprin trying to concieve" a lot of info (anecdotal) will come up.

I'm so sorry this is so stressful for you. It just isn't fair! I hope you get pregnant soon.