[HopeToBeAMom]

Ladies,
I just got back from some tests (HSG, Sono, bloodwork) and man my uterus has had enough action for a while. The HSG showed one tube clean and the other blocked, but they couldn't get it unblocked for now. Anyway, I had the Sono a bit ago and my uterus looks great, bloodflow great and ovaries good. The only thing he said he was concerned about other than the blockage in the left was the fact that I am doing the "clomid challenge" this month and my ovaries showed only 5 follices and on the challenge they like to see b/w 10-20!! Man, I was a bit depressed. He said that his concern is that I am showing not very good egg quality/quantity, so that could be an issue. It sounded like both the blockage and eggs were something he could help to try to fix. Is this true? Can you increase your egg quality through medications or am I only going to be able to do egg donor?

[aries2276]

Hi,

Please take a heart.Sure you have hope.We both are exactly in the same boat actually you are in a better position.
When the RE tested me he said my eggs were againg fast.My right tube was also blocked.
So he prescribed injections ( gonal f).I had IUI twice and second timne I got pregnent.But I'm miscarrying now.I have to go tests for recurring mc.
I'm sure with meds you'll conceive.
If you have any ?'s or concerns please ask.

[kticesk8s]

Hi there! What was your Day 3 FSH? I've heard that wheatgrass really helps egg quality -- as far as I know, my egg quality is good, but I'm taking it anyway, just in case. I have heard of situations where it has lowered FSH levels 10 points plus. You can get either powder or tablets in health food/organic type stores. In addition to that, there are a ton of other health benefits anyway, so it's not a bad idea for anyone.

[rinty68]

I am sorry that today's results were not what you expected.
I would not lose hope though. There are many things that can be done to help things along.
Hopefully there are ways of improving egg quality.
My friend who is 46yrs old had her ds last year and surely egg quality at 46 is not great,
and she still had a perfect baby boy

Let us know how things go for you hun ok?

I am here if you ever want to talk, or PM me.

((HUGS))

Sarah

[KittyMom]

Aha, one of my favorite research topics right now. I don't know if there is anything he can prescribe to improve egg quality but there are some great natural supplements that can improve your egg quality.

First I recommend you buy Randine Lewis's book the Infertilty ure. Great information in there. I would recommend acupuncture with someone who specializes with fertility if you can. They can set up TCM supplements as well. You may wnat to get your DHEA tested - I would cautiously recommend it 'if' you get the testing done first (it shouldn't be taken randomly but 'can' really help).

I am currently taking the following to help improve egg quality for my next IVF cycle:

B100 complex x 2 per day
Folic Acid 2mg per day
Wheatgrass 2000mg per day (not with other supplements)(they recommend wheatgrass juice but I can't find it anywhere so take the compressed tablets)
CoQ10 100mg per day
Flax capsules 2000mg per day
Prenatal omega 3's (fish) 1 per day
Provex 2 capsules per day (grapeseed extract)
Cellwise 2 capsules per day (antioxidants)
Materna prenatals 1 per day (will switch to a better natural prenatal once this bottle is done).

I am contemplating Royal Jelly, NAC and OPC but I am going to wait until after I see the acu next Weds before I start anything new. I also take bromelein in my luteal phase to help with implantation (away from food or it acts as a digestive enzyme - I actually took it at 3am most nights when I wake up to go to the bathroom LOL).

I know it's a lot but I am really happy with this combination. I was taking Evening Primrose Oil from AF to ovulation but my RE said cut it out completely and he also got me to cut out the extra B6 I was taking. He also recommended cutting caffeine completely (done), removing dairy and crappy carbs (done - well okay not 100% on this but for the most part done) and eating good, lower fat protein (done).

Hope that helps a little!

[kticesk8s]

Kittymom, you sound just like me! I am big into natural remedies as opposed to medical ones if at all possible. As it is now, I'm taking in the neighborhood of 25 vitamins/supps per day, plus eating healthy and organic whenever possible. I haven't cut out dairy though, that would be tough for me! I'm pretty sure that my fertility is normal, but the better my eggs, the better our chances, I say!

Here's what I'm taking -- totally overkill, but I've been feeling so good, so why not?

-Prenatal -- Primacare. I looooove this one and my insurance covers it (it's prescription strength). It includes 2 pills taken at breakfast and dinner -- one is a gelcap with DHA.
-Baby Aspirin: This is part of the protocol with IVF at my clinic, regardless of your fertility status.

Additional EFA's:
-Fish Oil (2 x 1000mg)
-Flaxseed Oil (2 x 1000mg)
-Expecta Lipil (200mg): DHA from a non-fish source. It's OTC and I found it at CVS next to the prenatals. It's kind of expensive, but each box contains a $2 off coupon for your next purchase.

Additional Vitamins & Minerals:
-Stress B Complex
-Extra Vitamin C (500mg): Will probably take out when I get PG, since there is plenty in Prenatal and B-Complex
-Extra Iron (65mg)
-Extra Calcium (2 x 400mg Calcium Citrate, 1 x 600mg Calcium Carbonate): I split this up at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Your body can't absorb much calcium at a time, so taking mega doses at once is pointless. Also, they need to be taken with food.
-Extra Vitamin E (400iu): Will switch to 200iu when I get PG (Vitamin E is good when PG, but too much is bad)
-Extra Folic Acid (800mcg): My RE wants everyone to be taking 4mg (crazy amount, most RE's say 1mg!) -- so far I'm on 2.2mg, if you count up the prenatal, B-Complex, & this pill.

Herbs & Supplements:
-Grape Seed Extract (50mg)
-Wheatgrass Tablets (5 x 1000mg): It does have a lot of Vitamin A, which is generally a no-no in pregnancy, but it's in the form of Beta Carotene, which will not reach toxic levels, so it's fine. I split up the 10 tablets over breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This isn't really considered an "herb," rather is actually a "food."
-Green SuperFood Powder: Same benefits as wheatgrass, although there are a few other ingredients that have additional benefits (for improving fertility and/or overall health). I mix the powder with juice 2-3 times per day. Ingrediants: Organic Wheatgrass, Organic Barley Grass, Organic Alfalfa, Organic Spirulina, Organic Spinach, Chlorella, Organic Broccoli, Organic Acai, Organic Maca, Organic Carrot, Organic Beet, Raspberry, Rose Hips, Pineapple, Green Tea, Acerola Cherry, Organic Flax Seed Powder, Apple Pectin Fiber, Digestive Enzyme & Active Culture Pre & Probiotic Blend, Siberian Eleuthero Root, Royal Jelly, Bee Pollen, Peppermint. Again, this isn't really "herbal," rather it's a "food."

As for diet, I drink a lot of water, and eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, protein, whole grains and good fats. Dairy is low or nonfat. I try to eat as many organic foods as possible, incorporate all different colors of fruits and vegetables, maintain a low amount of sodium, and I have eliminated artificial sweeteners. I try to make food choices that will keep my body alkaline (I think the book Kitty mentioned talks about this). Here is a typical day of meals:

Breakfast -
Oatmeal with tupelo honey, almonds, cinnamon, dried goji berries, notfat milk
Some sort of fruit (Blueberries, grapefruit, or banana)
Green superfood powder mixed with 100% juice (grape, cranberry, apple, etc)

Snack -
Raw veggies (i.e. carrots or snap peas) or fruit (apple, orange, red grapes, or pear)

Lunch -
Yogurt with granola and/or dried fruit
Piece of sprouted bread (i.e. spelt) with almond butter OR whole-wheat pita with hummus & baby spinach
Raw veggies (i.e. carrots or snap peas) or fruit (apple, orange, red grapes, or pear)
Green superfood powder mixed with 100% juice (grape, cranberry, apple, etc)

Snack -
Hard Boiled Egg with pepper

Dinner -
Grilled boneless, skinless chicken breast
Grilled or steamed veggies (i.e. squash, zucchini, corn on the cob, green beans, asparagus, etc) -- I usually pick two
Small scoop of brown rice
Salad (red leaf romaine, radishes, bell pepper, red cabbage, green onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, garbanzo or black beans, nuts of some sort, feta cheese, and olive oil/balsamic vineagrette)
Green superfood powder mixed with 100% juice (grape, cranberry, apple, etc)

Dessert -
Sorbet or berries


I'm sure this is VERY overwhelming to most reading, but it has been a slow process. Over a long period of time, I gradually changed my diet, adding in goodies and subtracting baddies, and now I'm used to it. I don't recommend make a ton of changes all at once, because it is easy to get burned out. Also it has always helped me to have one dinner and one lunch per week where I'm allowed to "cheat" and eat whatever I want.

[KittyMom]

Teehee, another supplement girl Interesting at the 5000mg of wheatgrass. I didn't know how to convert the juice to tablets so I made a guess at the 2000mg. How did you come to that amount? It is such an important supplement for egg quality so I want to make sure I am getting enough.

What source is the expecta lipil you are taking? Borage oil is supposed to be good but it is pricey so I am wondering if that's what is in it.

For anyone considering 'complimentary treatments' you may want to read this (very long) thread. It is an IVF board but the information is relevant for anyone looking to alternatives for fertility. Oh and it's not here at JM so don't forget to come back

[HopeToBeAMom]

Thanks ladies for all the wonderful replies. It sounds like there is hope. I am just beginning my "infertility treatment journey" and hopefully it is not a long one! Bless you all and may you all get what you are looking for.
Thank you
Shannon

[kticesk8s]

Teehee, another supplement girl Interesting at the 5000mg of wheatgrass. I didn't know how to convert the juice to tablets so I made a guess at the 2000mg. How did you come to that amount? It is such an important supplement for egg quality so I want to make sure I am getting enough.

What source is the expecta lipil you are taking? Borage oil is supposed to be good but it is pricey so I am wondering if that's what is in it.

For anyone considering 'complimentary treatments' you may want to read this (very long) thread. It is an IVF board but the information is relevant for anyone looking to alternatives for fertility. Oh and it's not here at JM so don't forget to come back[/b]

Ha, I've actually seen that thread that you are referring too! I find that board informative, but not very friendly, so I check posts, but always come back to JM.

Here is the wheatgrass I use -- Amazing Grass. I also use their Green Superfood, and luckily both are available in the healthfood store by my house. As for the serving size, this particular brand recommends 1-3 servings per day of 5 pills per serving, so that would be 5-15 pills per day. I had been taking 10, but I think with the combination of wheatgrass and superfood, I've got my bases covered, plus it isn't cheap. I actually really like the effects of both, and will probably continue "forever." The wheatgrass gives me a wonderful boost of energy, which I LOVE, and it helps to counteract the side effects of the iron that I'm taking.

As for the expecta, I forget what the source is, I'll check. It's around $11 for a month which is pricey, but like I said, each box contains a $2 off coupon. Here is the website: clicky

[KittyMom]

Looks like both are not available in Canada (typical).

One thing I forgot to add to the list is whey protein. It was recommended to me to have at least one whey protein shake per day to improve egg quality as well.

Man I ahve been online wya too much this afternoon I really should sweep the floor