Informal GKU IF Check-in *6/13*

[lilsneezy]

This check-in is meant for anyone on GKU who has hit the 1 year mark of TTC (6 months if you’re over 35), has an infertility diagnosis, or is going through IF testing/treatment. It is meant to be a place for people to share and ask any questions who might not participate on 3T/IF and who would like the company of others going through the same experiences.

If you would like to participate, please send cateyes a PRIVATE MESSAGE or TAG her with your info and she will add you on. This will be posted every Monday. If you have any suggestions or would like something added, please feel free to post.

QOTW: If you could go back to the beginning of your TTC journey, what advice would you give yourself?

[mustloveerica]

Hi everyone! I take my last BCP tonight and then have my baseline tomorrow. I am hoping to start stims on Saturday. We also got our genetic carrier screening results back. They were super weird and unexpected. My husband is a carrier for cystic fibrosis and turns out I am a carrier for nonsydromic deafness. This is super weird because my husband is deaf. What are the odds that I'd be the one that is a carrier for deafness and he isn't. Strange! Part of me thinks the results got mixed up but DH says he knows his family carries cystic fibrosis so he believes it is correct. So hopefully baseline goes well tomorrow. I'm excited to get this show on the road.

[ironbaby]

mustloveerica, yay for hopefully starting stims! How exciting. That is odd how you are a carrier for deafness. Is that the same type of deafness as your H has?

AFM, I am in TWW of my first medicated IUI cycle. The IUI went really well and super easy. 67+ million motile sperm in the sample. Now I am just waiting. I am debating if I will start testing out the trigger at 7dpo.

QOTW: Don't tell anyone that you're trying. I got so much unsolicited advice; I wish it was just between H and I.

[Deleted]

Good luck with your baseline mustloveerica

Fx ironbaby

I'm on day 5 of cycle 28. How the hell is that even possible? I counted three times to make sure that was right.

We're no closer to doing treatments, but as soon as we get situated with MH's new insurance I will be making an appointment with RE. I'm tired of being in pain, and not getting answers. And oh, I had a 17 day cycle. Screw you, ute.

QOTW: If you could go back to the beginning of your TTC journey, what advice would you give yourself?
I would have researched more and spent more time off of BCP before starting. That had been the original plan, but we changed our minds.
I wasted several months not tracking LPs, and hoping things would just fix themselves.

[ironbaby]

SO glad you'll be going to see an RE, @wallflwr926. You do not need to be in pain!

[lilsneezy]

Hi! Still chugging along on cycle 34 or some shit. I started temping again after 3 months of NTNP so that's fun. I'm still continuing with weekly acupuncture treatments (I have one today) and really enjoying it. I've definitely noticed quite a few changes since I started going so I'm trying to remain hopeful that this might get me KU. It's hard to stay positive after 3 years of the same result but I'm trying. I also started taking these herbs my acupuncturist gave me and it tastes pretty fucking horrible. I'm going to ask her today if I can switch to the capsule form because I don't know how much longer I'll be able to choke this stuff down.

QOTW: I would tell myself that you're about to go through some really difficult times, but to not give up. I don't know how this story ends so I can't say "it will be worth it," but I know I've tried my best and that's all I can do.

[wannabmama]

I'm on CD2, thanks a lot, body. AF came early and now allllll the timing is screwed up, plus...cd2.
I don't know what to do about cycling...if we do ivf next cycle, I'll probably have to cancel driving out with my mom and gma to her lake house, my mom will have to rely on someone else (her sister, who does not want to go out at that time) and I'll miss out on my gma's last trip (likely) to her lake house (she's 93). Of course, pushing it back another month makes me nervous, I'm not getting younger, life is passing me by. H still holds onto hope we can get KU on our own, but I don't. He wants me to do the trip, lets us try two more months on our own. He doesn't get the ticking clock at all. I meet with my RE on Monday, I'll see what she says. The trip would be CD6-10, if my cycle was normal this month...but of course it won't be. Ugh! If only I had a fucking crystal ball.

QOTW: I'd have gone to IVF earlier. We wasted so much time and I'd way rather have tried at least twice (if not three!) times before I leave this job. It feels totally insane to do IVF right as I start a new business. I wish we had done everything sooner.

[easilyunamused]

Thanks for starting lilsneezy, im glad that you are loving acupuncture.
mustloveerica, that's so interesting! Is he not a carrier for deafness at all then? Good luck at your baseline!
ironbaby, fx this IUI works! That's a great sperm count.
@wallflwr926, I'm glad your going to the RE. Even if YH isn't interested in treatment, you deserve to know what's going on with your body. Would he be more ok with you doing clomid and TI? He isn't being "treated" that way.
ugaqueencity, the first cycle I did the same. It can drive you crazy. Good luck at your monitoring appointment!
wannabmama, I'm so sorry your body isn't cooperating. That's such a hard decision. Those memories will be great to have, but I know how you feel about time slipping away. Men don't really have to worry about that. What cd would you be on if you went?

AFM, I'm hanging out on cd27 of a natural cycle. I've started temping again so I'm not completely in the dark about what my body is doing. I have no clue when I'll O. I've never been great at OPKs. Once cd1 does come, we'll try IUI #3 again. Hoping my lining will cooperate.

MH is getting more onboard with IVF, so I think I'll schedule a consult for that once we have the IUI going.

QOTW: I wish we would've started trying sooner, but obviously I know that we started when we were able to.

[daisy818]

mustloveerica , good luck with your baseline tomorrow!
ironbaby , glad the IUI went well - FX for you!!
@wallflwr926 , ugh on the short cycle - so glad you will be seeing an RE soon about the pain though
lilsneezy , FX that the acupuncture makes a difference
ugaqueencity , hope the monitoring appt goes well!
wannabmama , sorry about CD2 and the timing getting screwed up

Clomid cycle #1 was a bust, it's CD1 for me today. On to Clomid TI cycle #2!

QOTW: When my OB said, "Since you have a presumptive diagnosis of endometriosis, come back in after 6 months of TTC and we'll do a lap to check it out," LISTEN TO HER. I feel like that was just 5 months wasted.

[Deleted]

easilyunamused - Personally, clomid is probably the last thing I would agree to right now because i'm prone to cysts. I have to go back to OB to follow up about the current status of the cysts they found a couple weeks ago.

[easilyunamused]

Jun 13, 2016 10:28:46 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

easilyunamused - Personally, clomid is probably the last thing I would agree to right now because i'm prone to cysts. I have to go back to OB to follow up about the current status of the cysts they found a couple weeks ago.

Is fermera better for women who are prone to cysts then? I was mostly asking if YH is on board with you getting treatment, that he won't have to give his sample too and whatnot.

[easilyunamused]

daisy818, sorry this cycle was a bust.

[jense927]

mustloveerica, good looking with stimming!
ironbaby, wow glad to hear the IUI went good. Those are great numbers!
@wallflwr926, sorry about that pain..that sucks
lilsneezy, glad to hear acupuncture is going well. I have been debating whether to start myself. We are taking a break so I am weighing if we want it to be a true break or not
ugaqueencity, good luck at your monitoring appointment!
wannabmama, sorry about CD2 and the timing
easilyunamused, good luck with IUI 3!
daisy818 sorry to hear about the clomid not working out.

I am fairly certain our IUI #2 is not working either. I am 10 DPO and am feeling all the normal CD1 symptoms. Crampy and starting to slightly spot. Ughh...onto our break before IVF in the fall.

[Deleted]

Jun 13, 2016 10:32:47 GMT -5 easilyunamused said:

Jun 13, 2016 10:28:46 GMT -5 @wallflwr926 said:

easilyunamused - Personally, clomid is probably the last thing I would agree to right now because i'm prone to cysts. I have to go back to OB to follow up about the current status of the cysts they found a couple weeks ago.

Is fermera better for women who are prone to cysts then? I was mostly asking if YH is on board with you getting treatment, that he won't have to give his sample too and whatnot.

He's not agreeable to any fertility treatments anymore. Only testing and treatments to resolve whatever issues I have with pain.

[wannabmama]

mustloveerica how strange with your carrier results! Good luck stimming!!
ironbaby wow great numbers! GL!
@wallflwr926 I hope you canter help with the pain, no bueno!
lilsneezy I'm glad you like the acupuncture! I hope it does the trick!
ugaqueencity on no medicated cycles I miss having monitoring appts, ha...it's sort of comforting to have updates!
easilyunamused I'd be on CD6-10 if I went and this current cycle was "normal"...hope your lining cooperates for a great IUI and you don't have to go on to IVF but glad YH is on board if you do!
Boo so many sorries daisy818 for busted cycle and CD1

[daisy818]

easilyunamused, GL with IUI #3!

jense927, I'm so sorry it feels like CD1 is on its way - I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for you

[butlerfan]

Still waiting to hear from our licensing worker.....as I vented in randoms about among other things.....

******trigger OPP mentioned******

So I see on Facebook pictures of my cousin who looks to be about 4-5 months along and my mom hasn't told me (live in same town, etc). And her husband was overseas until December fulfilling his military commitment as a pastor-got back in time for Christmas. They have 3 kids already (and 1 loss that I'm aware of). So while they can have as many kids as they want I guess being told would have been nice along with I'm sure she got pregnant very quickly after he got back which is triggering my life isn't fair mentality currently.....

*****end trigger**************

QOTW: I have no idea right now...not having a good day/weekend IF or foster care wise. I guess to have started sooner since we would need donor eggs. Even though we waited until we were more financial secure (especially after what my ex-boss did to me which delayed us from starting)

[lgraceh]

cateyes, I think I'd like to go here now...

I guess I definitely fall into IF now. I'm on C15/M14. IUI #2 was Saturday. It was my first medicated cycle. I'm just feeling kinda empty. Not really hopeful, but not crushingly sad. Just here. I had 3 pretty big follicles on my monitoring ultrasound on Friday. I think one was at 22mm? So they triggered me right there. DH's counts were lower this time 70 million last IUI, I think around 63 million this time, however 0% rapid and linear... so between that and thinking my follicle was too big, I'm pretty meh on everything.

QOTW: I wish I would have gone off BCP sooner. Or that I tried harder to lose weight sooner. I can't help but think that is the barrier that is preventing us from GKU (since we don't really have a diagnosis). But now I just can't get motivated to try harder. All I can think is that is will take forever to lose the weight.

[rooskie]

I just typed out tags and emailed it to myself on my work computer and now I can't get the email on my phone. So I'll post when it comes through.

AFM, I set up H's 6th SA and if there are sperm they are doing a freeze. Crap is getting real.

QOTW: I wish we would have had H's testosterone tested when we first started TTC. He was really lethargic and they just put him on Prozac. Come to find out he had slightly low T. He has a lot of the other classic symptoms too.

However we would not have been able to afford IVF then so nothing really could have been done.

[ceejay]

mustloveerica - so excited for you to start stimming!
ironbaby - FX for you! That's a great sperm count for IUI!
@wallflwr926 - I hope the insurance gets situated ASAP so you can see an RE and hopefully get some help and answers for your pain.
lilsneezy - thanks for starting and I'm glad acupuncture is going well for you!
ugaqueencity - hope you get some good news at your monitoring appointment on Wednesday.
wannabmama - I'm so sorry that AF came early and messed up the timing for IVF. If I were you, I'd probably still go on the trip... in the grand scheme of things, waiting another month or two shouldn't make a huge difference, but I know it's hard to wait longer when you've already been waiting so long. Good luck deciding what to do.
easilyunamused - good luck this cycle.
daisy818 - sorry for CD1. Good luck with your next medicated cycle!
jense927 - I'm sorry it looks like IUI #2 is a bust.
butlerfan - I'm sorry this has been a rough week for you. FX you hear from your licensing worker soon. Do you know if you have been assigned to someone yet?
lgraceh - welcome to the check-in though I'm sorry you find yourself here. 63 million is still a great count for IUI. Is "rapid and linear" referring to motility?
rooskie - FX for YH's next SA.


Hi guys. I'm in a natural cycle at 11 DPO but I'm spotting and cramping so I know my period will start soon. It doesn't really surprise or frustrate me at this point, I'm so used to it... I think we're going to do IUI #2 next cycle but we haven't decided for sure yet. We have suspicions that our foster sons' bio mom might be pregnant again, but we don't know for sure. If she is, we would probably be asked to take in that baby whenever it is born. So that possibility is influencing my thoughts on deciding whether or not to do another IUI. But we don't know for sure yet so I don't want to hold off on treatments if our suspicions are wrong... There's just a lot on my mind lately....

QOTW: Maybe just to not get my hopes up every month?

[butlerfan]

Update: just got an e-mail from our licensing worker (I now have a name!!!!). So she wants to meet the week of 6/27 and wants to know times/days that works for us and she is excited to meet us and sorry for the delay due to staff changes, etc.

At least I have a name and a somewhat date/week of when we are starting the next step. I mean it is two weeks away and what not (but that means I can maybe finish the rest of the things I want to have done by then...).

Of course that is the week my MIL will be in town....but she won't be staying with us so this could get interesting.

[Deleted]

mustloveerica good luck, that is so weird about the genetic screening

ironbaby FX for you!

@wallflwr926 hugs, I hope you get relief and answers

lilsneezy I'm glad you like acupuncture. I've seen people talking about it but I don't know much. How does it help? If you don't mind my asking

ugaqueencity +1 to 1st medicated cycle and over analyzing everything! GL with monitoring

wannabmama sorry about AF

easilyunamused I'm glad your H is more on board with IVF!

daisy818 I'm sorry for CD1

jense927 hugs

butlerfan I'm sorry. But yay for the update and having a name!

lgraceh hugs

rooskie good luck!

ceejay that is a lot to have on your mind. May I ask if there is still a goal of reunification for your foster son? Or moving towards adoption? Sorry if I am prying. I hope you find out if your suspicions are true soon so that you can start thinking about decisions.


AFM I'm about 8/9 dpo in my first medicated TI cycle. FF says 9 but I triggered 10 days ago and the RE office is going by 8dpo. I got my progesterone test today and it was only 6.7 so I started the crinone. I was pretty disappointed with that number. But I guess I expected it.
Now I just wait.

QOTW- i guess I would tell myself to be patient but I know I'm not the type. I probably should've pressed harder when I tried to talk to my OB about concerns and maybe gotten some tests done sooner (like FSH). I'm glad I went straight to the RE when I felt ready and bypassed getting a referral.

[ceejay]

Jun 13, 2016 14:10:38 GMT -5 @irish said:

ceejay that is a lot to have on your mind. May I ask if there is still a goal of reunification for your foster son? Or moving towards adoption? Sorry if I am prying. I hope you find out if your suspicions are true soon so that you can start thinking about decisions.

The current goal for our two foster sons is still reunification, but it could be changed to adoption at one of the next few court dates. Their bio parents haven't been making much effort to see the boys or work on their required service plan. 

[kawaiikitsune]

mustloveerica FX for your baseline tomorrow!
ironbaby Yay for such a good post-wash count and so glad your IUI went well! Crossing all the things for you this TWW!
@wallflwr926 WTH wallie's ute?! FX you get the insurance issue sorted out soon so you can move forward.
lilsneezy Thanks for starting! Glad the acupuncture is going well and seems to be working. Hopefully, you can get the pills instead.
ugaqueencity FX for Wednesday!
wannabmama I am so sorry your body is being uncooperative. *hugs*
easilyunamused FX your lining plays nice! Good to hear YH is onboard with IVF.
daisy818 So sorry Clomid cycle #1 was a bust. *huge hugs*
jense927 All the hugs.
butlerfan So many hugs. How frustrating that must be with your cousin. Yay to finally getting some good news!
lgraceh Crossing all the things for you this cycle.
rooskie FX for some sperm!
ceejay *hugs*
@irish FX for you!


AFM, I am currently in the TWW of natural cycle #42. Not holding out much hope but I did resume temping this cycle and our timing was "meh". I got a call from my nurse on Friday and have my hysteroscopy scheduled for July 7th! Still waiting on her to call back and let me know what time. She had to talk to the OR at my local hospital to see when they had an opening. Holy shit, I am so excited to be doing something after all this nothing. Nervous as all hell but excited. My MIL offered to take off work and be there at the hospital to support MH & I, which was super sweet. My MIL is not that sentimental and she has had a hard time accepting our IF journey so that gesture is huge to us.

QOTW - Don't set your expectations so high. Don't start making Amazon wishlists and bookmarking baby furniture.

[JustJudy]

Hi all! Sorry I've been MIA, the move has taken over my life. We arrived last Monday and it's been insane, and likely will be until the end of this week.

Last Thursday I met with the RE who helped my parents conceive my sister and me via IUI. I loved him. I'm meeting with one more in 15 minutes, but I'm pretty sure I'm going with the doc from last week. Looks like I'll be starting IVF with my next cycle though. Eek!!

[Deleted]

Jun 13, 2016 14:21:18 GMT -5 ceejay said:

Jun 13, 2016 14:10:38 GMT -5 @irish said:

ceejay that is a lot to have on your mind. May I ask if there is still a goal of reunification for your foster son? Or moving towards adoption? Sorry if I am prying. I hope you find out if your suspicions are true soon so that you can start thinking about decisions.

The current goal for our two foster sons is still reunification, but it could be changed to adoption at one of the next few court dates. Their bio parents haven't been making much effort to see the boys or work on their required service plan. 

Hugs. That's a tough road. It's sad the parents aren't making an effort but they are super lucky to have you!

[Deleted]

kawaiikitsune - Not an insurance issue for once. ::knocks on wood:: We are switching to MH's plan because the non-profit I work for keeps increasing the cost of the plan and decreasing the coverage. MH is a new hire and my enrollment period is midyear so it works out nicely. H's insurance plan appears to be better for about the same amount of money.

[lilsneezy]

mustloveerica Good luck at your baseline tomorrow!
ironbaby Keeping my FX for you!
@wallflwr926 FX for getting some answers soon.
ugaqueencity My first medicated cycle was a mindfuck, for sure. FX for you on Wednesday!
wannabmama Sorry your body is being a jerk and messed up your plans! I hope it all works out for you
easilyunamused I hope IUI #3 does the trick!
daisy818 Sorry about CD1. Sending you big hugs!
jense927 I highly recommend trying acupuncture! I was skeptical at first but I've definitely noticed a change in how I feel, especially on CD1. I totally understand wanting to take a real break from all things TTC, but it might be a nice thing to do during your break to prep for your next cycles. It has helped me in a lot of ways! Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about it.
butlerfan ::hugs:: IF is so not fair.
lgraceh Sorry you found yourself here. FX for your IUI!
rooskie FX for lots of spermies!
ceejay I'm sorry you're in that situation. I'm keeping my FX'ed that it all works out for you!
@irish I don't mind you asking at all! I started getting acupuncture treatments hoping it would help my IF, and also because I was having a lot of anxiety and panic attacks at the time. I still struggle with anxiety but it has really improved since I started treatments. Besides the anxiety stuff, it helps me sleep better, I have more energy, less sinus/allergy issues, and it makes my period cramps SO much more bearable. I also have eczema and it seems to help with that. This is kind of embarrassing but I had two warts on my hands that I could not get rid of. I literally tried everything; OTC medicine, natural remedies, I even had a doctor try to freeze them off. After over a year of torturing myself, I gave up and got a referral to see a dermatologist to get them removed. I kept putting off making the appointment out of fear of the pain involved, but after about 2-3 acupuncture treatments I noticed they started to shrink. Now, less than a month later, they're both completely gone and I'm 100% sure it was from the acupuncture. I don't really get how it works, but I'm a believer!
kawaiikitsune So glad you finally have your hysteroscopy scheduled! Happy to hear your MIL is being supportive too. Keeping my FX for you!
JustJudy Hope the rest of your move goes well! Best of luck going forward with IVF!

[kayladawn91]

Hey! I am in a natural cycle from hell, I haven't had one of these in a while. I thought I Od a week and a half ago but I guess not. So now I'm on CD36 and no O in sight. I'm really frustrated that my body has decided to be a twatwaffle this cycle. I was really happy that my cycles had been somewhat regular since October and now this. Once this cycle is over I'll have an SHG done so nothing new here yet.

Eta words

[Deleted]

lilsneezy that is awesome! I may have to look into that, I suffer from anxiety, sleep problems and sinus/allergy problems as well! Thanks for the info