Forum: Trying to Conceive with Medical Assistance
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December 13th, 2011, 07:08 AM
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Mega Super Mommy
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: British but living in California
Posts: 2,036
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Someone told me to come over here and introduce myself - I am not sure if this is the right place for me though - maybe it is, maybe it isn't!
My name is Nina (31) and my SO is Dan (29) and we have been TTC since Jan 2011. I had one ectopic prior Dan and have had 2 miscarriages since Dan (one very early and one at 7w2d).
After my last miscarriage my doctor agreed to do further testing as it was my third loss. Granted all my losses have been different (one thought to be ectopic but never confirmed, one never seen in uterus and my last one, which was definitely seen and heart was beating).... but still may as well start testing I thought!
After the third loss he told me to start taking baby asprin every day, which I am doing (note - I hate taking extra drugs).
I had to wait until CD 2 to do a million blood tests. I had a super long cycle after my miscarriage but finally CD2 arrived and I went in and gave 15(?) vials of blood to be tested.
Results are all coming back slowly....
Firstly my ANA test result came back as positive and it should have been negative. My doctor disregarded this test entirely which I though odd as my research online says it might make a different to my fertility.....
Then my doctor emailed me to tell me that my FSH levels are elevated for my age. The upper limit of normal for my age is 10 and my result was 9.5. He told me that this may indicate that my brain is working a little harder to stimulate my ovaries and that may be a reason for the RSAB (recurrent Spontaneous abortions).
The specialist had told him "The elevated for age FSH though implies diminished ovarian reserve as a cause of her RSAB" - this sounds super scary.
I am still waiting on another test but at this time the only treatment he'd (the specialist) recommend is DHEA 25mg three times a day.
He said that this is an over the counter supplement that may help decrease the chance of miscarriage and that I should start it now and continue until a positive pregnancy test as it takes at least 2-3 months to start working.
I've been reading about it online and it is a hormone - I'm a bit scared to take it!! Does anyone else have experience with this? And taking this much of it?
Also I read that there are many types of DHEA and the type you take is important (it should not come from mexican yams or something and it should/should not be micronized, and it should/should not be bioidentical)?!?!? How do I decide which brand to buy??? Please help!
I am going to see an infertility specialist when all my results are back.... but I don't have health care coverage for it, which sucks.
Any advice Ladies? Should I stay here, or go elsewhere?
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December 13th, 2011, 07:33 AM
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broken.
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 5,832
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welcome to the board, I am so sorry for your losses.
I'm Jennifer, one of the cohosts of the board and we are TTC #1 after multiple losses. We just had the complete genetic loss panel come back normal, so our reasons are unknown.
Are you already seeing an RE or is this an OBGYN? I'd definitely get input from an RE, as their entire job is to get people pregnant and get them to stay that way. A lot of RE's do discounts for self pay patients or will work with you to do everything they can to get insurance to cover as much as possible.
__________________
My Blog
2006-2012 6 years of NTNP, TTC, TTCMA, Losses, Surgeries, and Diagnoses.
RPL and Genetic Tests came back 100% normal
No known reason for our losses.
50+ cycles of heartbreak, loss, and the hated waiting.
RE Reconsult 4/26-Done
Cycle 52- letrozole, trigger, & DS IUI- ???
Follie Scan 5/21: 1x16mm, 1x7mm, 5x6mm or less
Follie Scan 5/23: 1x21 mm, 1x14mm, 5x7mm or less
Trigger 5/23 10,000 IU
IUI 5/24- count was excellent, perfect timing.
Beta 6/11-?
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December 13th, 2011, 07:37 AM
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With Faith
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,000
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Hi, Welcome. I remember you from some other boards.
I don't know much about DHEA but my doctor recommended it to me as well. I did not know about the 3 month lead time though.
__________________
Me-38 DH-38. TTC #1 since August 2009
2/2011 - IUI + Femara + HCG trigger and Progesterone injection BFN
3/2011 - IUI + Femara + HCG trigger and Progesterone injection
4/2011 - not doing IUI - DH out of town
5/2011 - IUI with Femara and HCG trigger. In hospital due to infection from IUI.
Took a break from all meds this summer.
9/2011: - Start with new RE - testing begins.
10/2011: - Hysteroscopy - determine tubes are blocked.
10/2011 : - Laparoscopy - clip blocked tubes, determine right ovary is adhered to pelvic wall, cut adhesions
11/24/2011: IVF cycle #1 begins. Start stims.
12/2/2011: End stims. HCG trigger.
12/4/2011: Egg Retrieval. 9 eggs, only 1 embryo.
12/7/2011: Transfer.
12/20/2011: IVF #1 failed.
1/16/2012: IVF #2 first scan
"Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible." Matt. 19:26
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December 13th, 2011, 07:51 AM
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Mega Super Mommy
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: British but living in California
Posts: 2,036
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *JenJen*
welcome to the board, I am so sorry for your losses.
I'm Jennifer, one of the cohosts of the board and we are TTC #1 after multiple losses. We just had the complete genetic loss panel come back normal, so our reasons are unknown.
Are you already seeing an RE or is this an OBGYN? I'd definitely get input from an RE, as their entire job is to get people pregnant and get them to stay that way. A lot of RE's do discounts for self pay patients or will work with you to do everything they can to get insurance to cover as much as possible.
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Hmmmm..... I have no idea what an RE is really - ha ha - I am from England, but living in Cali but still not getting all their health system stuff. I think he is an RE who works in teh OBGYN dept - is that possible? He is not a infertility specialist though.....
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December 13th, 2011, 08:15 AM
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Platinum Supermommy
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: right of center
Posts: 13,077
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Welcome, Nina! I'm sorry you had to come over to this board and hope that you get that sticky BFP very soon. I'm Melissa, and DH and I are getting ready for a frozen embryo transfer next month. Our inability to conceive naturally has no explanation as of yet.
I don't know much about DHEA or whether or not to take it, but this might help if you haven't already seen it : Premature Ovarian Aging, DHEA Treatment for Fertility in Older Women :: CHR
I agree with Jen...you need to see someone who specializes in infertility. The ANA test is something that should be looked into...the test is known for giving false positives, but if yours isn't a false positive it could absolutely be causing your fertility issues.
Have you had your AMH checked?
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December 13th, 2011, 08:34 AM
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Mega Super Mommy
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: British but living in California
Posts: 2,036
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KMH
Welcome, Nina! I'm sorry you had to come over to this board and hope that you get that sticky BFP very soon. I'm Melissa, and DH and I are getting ready for a frozen embryo transfer next month. Our inability to conceive naturally has no explanation as of yet.
I don't know much about DHEA or whether or not to take it, but this might help if you haven't already seen it : Premature Ovarian Aging, DHEA Treatment for Fertility in Older Women :: CHR
I agree with Jen...you need to see someone who specializes in infertility. The ANA test is something that should be looked into...the test is known for giving false positives, but if yours isn't a false positive it could absolutely be causing your fertility issues.
Have you had your AMH checked? |
Yes, I did see that website, thank you. The weird thing is that I am 31 - not exactly in the older women category! Anyhow.... yes, I agree completely that the ANA test might mean something.... but it was the specialist that told the Doctor it meant nothing.... so maybe I will find another one....
AMH - not sure about this one!?!
Here are a list of the results I have had back so far....
LUPUS ANTICOAGULANT
CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODY
FACTOR V LEIDEN, PT 20210
MTHFR GENE ANALYSIS, PCR
PROTEIN S TOTAL
PROTEIN C ACTIVITY
FSH (FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE)
TSH (THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE)
ANA (ANTINUCLEAR ANTIBODY)
GLUCOSE, FASTING
THYROPEROXIDASE ANTIBODY
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December 13th, 2011, 08:41 AM
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Super Mommy
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: ohio
Posts: 849
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You should stay here on this board. These ladies are just a medical degree from being Gynecologists. I get more information here than any place. Not only information, but support. So if you are looking for that stay!
__________________
Gretchen 
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/35d578
Me (42) DH(32) - ttc our first together-I have 13yr old DS
Cycles 1-6 = BFN
Cycle 7 SA results abnormal morphologhy, 50 mg clomid = BFN
Cycle 8 sonogramn normal 50 mg clomid + trigger = BFN
Cycle 9 SA results abnormal morphology and motility. Count 200 mill, 100mg clomid + trigger = BFN
Cycle 10 natural = BFN
Cycle 11 hsg tubes clear, natural + trigger+iui = BFN
Cycle 12 repronex + trigger + 2 iui = BFN
Cycle 13 natural ovaries to stimulated for more meds = BFN 
Cycle 14 natural cycle - planning ivf/icsi/donor egg in Oct  =BFN 
Cycle 15 natural cycle - searching for donor = BFN
Cycle 16 natural cycle = I am sure it will be BFN
Cycle 17 natural cycle with Acupuncture =
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December 13th, 2011, 08:58 AM
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Mega Super Mommy
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: British but living in California
Posts: 2,036
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Yes! I am looking for knowledge and support! 
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December 13th, 2011, 09:17 AM
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Platinum Supermommy
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: right of center
Posts: 13,077
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AMH measures the age/health of your ovaries. Unlike FSH, which fluctuates throughout your cycle, AMH is more stable and can more reliably tell you if your ovaries are a problem or not. Here's another link (you'll have your Google PhD by the end of this!). Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) Test to Determine Fertility
Also, ditto what Jen said about many specialists having discounts for out-of-pocket people. Both specialists I have seen have discounts...not huge, but every little bit helps.
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December 13th, 2011, 09:52 AM
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Mega Super Mommy
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: British but living in California
Posts: 2,036
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I found that very interesting. I have asked my doctor about it. He is getting a bit sick of me and my questions though..... sigh. I would like that test, it sounds like a good idea!
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December 13th, 2011, 10:42 AM
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Platinum Supermommy
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Missouri
Posts: 5,191
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Hi Nina!  And welcome! You have definitely come to the right place! There are some VERY educated girls around here! 
I am Jill (34) and DH is Joe (34) and we are currently TTC #3 with 1000 mg Met and 7.5 mg Femara CD 3-7.
__________________
Thank you so much AlexAiden Mommy for my beautiful siggie!!
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December 13th, 2011, 12:17 PM
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POAS Queen
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,947
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Hello and welcome!
Gretchen is right about being a degree away from being gynos I'm new here, but as far as I'm concerned, you can stay! You're pretty much just in the testing mode right now, but considering what you've been through, this is probably the first step toward actual MA. What part of California are you in? I'm in San Diego and I LOVE my reproductive endocrinologist, but he might not be "the one" for you. He's pretty med-heavy (which normally I would hate, but at this point we've been trying so long that I'll take any/all help I can get).
I don't know much about the AMH test or the DHEA, but I can tell you that I used DHEA, 75mg/day, for a few months, and I was ovulating more regularly while I was on it. However, I never ended up pregnant, and feared it may have been because I was self-RXing a hormone, so I stopped.
__________________
With us on earth for five short days, with us in our hearts forever.
(Thank you Natasha for this beautiful graphic of Andrew, and to the ladies of the Nov 10 PR who help me in carrying on his memory.)
Jan. 2009: Came off years of BCP and started TTC
March 2010: BFP -- finally!
Oct. 22, 2010: Drew is born, but has to stay in the NICU because of cord complications resulting in oxygen deprivation and brain problems =(
Oct. 27, 2010: I held him in my arms while Daddy, Grandma, Great-Uncle and I sang him to sleep =( Hardest thing I've ever done...
June 14, 2011: Drew's baby brother or sister waved hi to us with a BFP!
June 25, 2011: Natural miscarriage... Can we please catch a break here?
Nov. 2011: 100mg Clomid followed by 2mg Estrogen, Ovidrel trigger, and 200mg progesterone suppositories 2x/day 14 days. BFN.
Dec. 2011: 2nd medicated cycle. BFN.
Jan. 2012: Took a month off to breathe...
Feb. 2012: Same regimen of Clomid and other meds, add IUI. 2 eggs and 8.5 million swimmers. BFN.
March 2012: 75 IU Follistim CD 3-11, follie scan CD 8 showed 6 follies likely to mature. Triggered, IUI on CD 14, 4 million swimmers. BFN.
April 2012: 75 IU Follistim CD 3-10. Scan showed 2 mature follies, 2 almost certain to mature, and two not likely but possible. (All 6 evenly and perfectly spaced out between the left and the right.) Triggered, IUI CD 13 with 5 million swimmers. BFN.
May 2012: 75 IU Follistim starting CD 3. Waiting to O. Timed intercourse. Likely 5 follies to mature.
^^ Click graphic for chart ^^
 
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December 14th, 2011, 06:19 AM
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Super Mommy
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: ohio
Posts: 849
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I know my RE did AMH testing on me and said it's better than a 3 day FSH test. He also did the FSH as well. My numbers where normal, but I didn't get the actual numbers myself.
Good Luck.
__________________
Gretchen
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/35d578
Me (42) DH(32) - ttc our first together-I have 13yr old DS
Cycles 1-6 = BFN
Cycle 7 SA results abnormal morphologhy, 50 mg clomid = BFN
Cycle 8 sonogramn normal 50 mg clomid + trigger = BFN
Cycle 9 SA results abnormal morphology and motility. Count 200 mill, 100mg clomid + trigger = BFN
Cycle 10 natural = BFN
Cycle 11 hsg tubes clear, natural + trigger+iui = BFN
Cycle 12 repronex + trigger + 2 iui = BFN
Cycle 13 natural ovaries to stimulated for more meds = BFN
Cycle 14 natural cycle - planning ivf/icsi/donor egg in Oct =BFN
Cycle 15 natural cycle - searching for donor = BFN
Cycle 16 natural cycle = I am sure it will be BFN
Cycle 17 natural cycle with Acupuncture =
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December 14th, 2011, 06:53 AM
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Mega Super Mommy
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: British but living in California
Posts: 2,036
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Great, thanks ladies!!
I will ask for the AMH test as well - to back up the FSH results. I think I want this before I start taking DHEA!!
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December 14th, 2011, 07:10 AM
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Super Mommy
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: ohio
Posts: 849
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I know they want FSH to be 10 or under.
__________________
Gretchen
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/35d578
Me (42) DH(32) - ttc our first together-I have 13yr old DS
Cycles 1-6 = BFN
Cycle 7 SA results abnormal morphologhy, 50 mg clomid = BFN
Cycle 8 sonogramn normal 50 mg clomid + trigger = BFN
Cycle 9 SA results abnormal morphology and motility. Count 200 mill, 100mg clomid + trigger = BFN
Cycle 10 natural = BFN
Cycle 11 hsg tubes clear, natural + trigger+iui = BFN
Cycle 12 repronex + trigger + 2 iui = BFN
Cycle 13 natural ovaries to stimulated for more meds = BFN
Cycle 14 natural cycle - planning ivf/icsi/donor egg in Oct =BFN
Cycle 15 natural cycle - searching for donor = BFN
Cycle 16 natural cycle = I am sure it will be BFN
Cycle 17 natural cycle with Acupuncture =
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December 14th, 2011, 07:20 AM
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Mega Super Mommy
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: British but living in California
Posts: 2,036
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Yes, and mine was 9.5 - so while that is still high..... I am just not certain it is the problem and unsure whether I need to be taking a hormone. I guess I will get told I should so that it doesn't get above 10 - but his response had so many maybe's in that I got a bit freaked out by it. If a specialist tells me to take it - I'm on it!
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December 14th, 2011, 12:44 PM
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Super Mommy
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: ohio
Posts: 849
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anything under 10 they are happy with so don't worry about your 9.5 k?
__________________
Gretchen
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/35d578
Me (42) DH(32) - ttc our first together-I have 13yr old DS
Cycles 1-6 = BFN
Cycle 7 SA results abnormal morphologhy, 50 mg clomid = BFN
Cycle 8 sonogramn normal 50 mg clomid + trigger = BFN
Cycle 9 SA results abnormal morphology and motility. Count 200 mill, 100mg clomid + trigger = BFN
Cycle 10 natural = BFN
Cycle 11 hsg tubes clear, natural + trigger+iui = BFN
Cycle 12 repronex + trigger + 2 iui = BFN
Cycle 13 natural ovaries to stimulated for more meds = BFN
Cycle 14 natural cycle - planning ivf/icsi/donor egg in Oct =BFN
Cycle 15 natural cycle - searching for donor = BFN
Cycle 16 natural cycle = I am sure it will be BFN
Cycle 17 natural cycle with Acupuncture =
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December 14th, 2011, 12:55 PM
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Mega Super Mommy
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: British but living in California
Posts: 2,036
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I'm not that worried, but my doctor seems to be and wants me to take 75mg of DHEA to lower it - and since DHEA is a hormone.... I'm not sure I want to be taking it unnecessarily - if you know what I mean?
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December 15th, 2011, 07:03 AM
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Super Mommy
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: ohio
Posts: 849
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I do know what you mean. Make sure you only do what you are comfortable with.
__________________
Gretchen
http://www.fertilityfriend.com/home/35d578
Me (42) DH(32) - ttc our first together-I have 13yr old DS
Cycles 1-6 = BFN
Cycle 7 SA results abnormal morphologhy, 50 mg clomid = BFN
Cycle 8 sonogramn normal 50 mg clomid + trigger = BFN
Cycle 9 SA results abnormal morphology and motility. Count 200 mill, 100mg clomid + trigger = BFN
Cycle 10 natural = BFN
Cycle 11 hsg tubes clear, natural + trigger+iui = BFN
Cycle 12 repronex + trigger + 2 iui = BFN
Cycle 13 natural ovaries to stimulated for more meds = BFN
Cycle 14 natural cycle - planning ivf/icsi/donor egg in Oct =BFN
Cycle 15 natural cycle - searching for donor = BFN
Cycle 16 natural cycle = I am sure it will be BFN
Cycle 17 natural cycle with Acupuncture =
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