[Krista]

Originally Posted by Will'sGirl

Well, I'm out this month. AF started last night for real. I had spotted throughout the day, but yesterday evening the spotting turned bright red and got heavier. So, I've called my RE and left a message at the nurse's station. I want to talk to him about a luteal phase defect, because I think I may have one. I got a positive OPK on CD 19 and 20 and AF started on CD27. So we're looking at a 7-8 day luteal phase, which I know is not long enough.

How are you today? Any new signs or symptoms?

Jennifer,
I've had the same prob w/ my luteal phase. I'm reading "The Infertility Cure" and she has some tips in there to adress it w/ chinses medicine. Do you have acupuncture available to you?

You can also have your progesterone checked on CD 21 to see how it is and if needed they can put you on progesterone supplements.

Sorry for your disappointment this month.

[Will'sGirl]

Originally Posted by Krista

Jennifer,
I've had the same prob w/ my luteal phase. I'm reading "The Infertility Cure" and she has some tips in there to adress it w/ chinses medicine. Do you have acupuncture available to you?

You can also have your progesterone checked on CD 21 to see how it is and if needed they can put you on progesterone supplements.

Sorry for your disappointment this month.

Thanks Krista. I just called my RE's office this morning and they have me coming in on Sunday morning to do an ultrasound to make sure that I don't have any follicles lingering and make sure I'm ready to start the next cycle.

My doctor wasn't in today but was going to be in this afternoon, and the nurse was going to talk to him about possibly prescribing Prometrium to begin taking that a couple of days after I ovulate this month, which should also help sustain the luteal phase. I also think they may have me come in on CD21 to check progesterone levels to make sure that I ovulate.

Actually, I have a friend going to acupuncture (for other reasons) and she has encouraged me to start going. Its just SO expensive. I'm still considering it though. I did order some supplements online today. One called Vitex (Monk's Weed) and also Vitamin B6. Both are supposed to help lengthen the luteal phase.

I am crossing my fingers and hoping that since this month is starting with a real AF I may have a more normal cycle. Last month's AF was just weird...

Anyway, if you read about any more good ideas regarding luteal phase I'd be glad to hear them.

[Krista]

Actuallly if you pick up the book- The Infertility Cure there is a whole section on it...

I'm glad they are testing you and putting you on the prometrium. Make sure you take it vaginally- I know some docs prescribe it orally but it has a lot more side effects that way. I've done prometrium for 5+ months...

[Will'sGirl]

I'll definitely pick up the book. I'm an avid reader anyway, and since this is now a little obsession (ok maybe a big obsession) I'm sure I'll find it interesting.

What type of side effects can you expect on progesterone, either taken orally or vaginally?

[phigment82]

I'm so sorry - I didnt get any updates from the group today.

OMG I almost cried when I read your post. How are you? I don't feel like this is my month either. I won't know till Tues. b/c the prometrium thickens the lining to wear I have a regular cycle.

My prayers are with you.

[phigment82]

Hey girl

I took it for like 5 months orally and had no side effects. But last week they told me to do it vaginally. Agian no side effects. except for the thick white discharge after a few days.

but my doc office did tell me to do it at night b/c it can make you drowsey. Although twice i forgot and took it in the morning and still nothing crazy happened.

on the alternative medicine not - have you thought about chiropractic?

but everyone is different.

Ill keep you updated on me. I'm thinking about doing a test on Mon. b/c my DH b-day is Tues and I'd hate to be in a horrid mood that day.

................God doesn't give more than we can't handle. ............... I keep telling myself that.

[Will'sGirl]

Hey,

I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed for you and hoping this is your month. But even if it isn't we'll hang in there together and trade notes on what's working and what's not until we both get our BFP!

Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers. I'm doing better now. I was really bitterly disappointed last week, but after going to the RE's office yesterday and getting the ultrasound I feel better. I talked to the doctor on call and I really liked her and she spent a lot of time talking to me and discussing things with me. She said she thought prometrium was a good idea and also mentioned the Ovidrel shot. She said that would give me a better window to know when ovulation would occur. She also discussed IUI with me and I think that may be an option for us in the new year.

Also, she measured my ovaries and told me how many follies I had. I think I heard her right when she said I had 20 on one side and 22 on the other, with none dominant at this point, which is exactly what we want at this point.

They were checking for cysts with the ultrasound too and she said it didn't look like I had anything to worry about there. I go back for another follie/cyst check on the 16th. I feel better about it anyway.

DH kinda ticked me off yesterday by asking me why I was in such a rush, but then he's one of these really laid back people who thinks its just going to happen when its going to happen. I'm not really in a rush, I am just one of those people that when I come up on a problem I tackle it and figure it out, and that's where I am with this.

Anyway, sorry this was longwinded, just feels good to be able to talk to someone who knows the feeling! I hope you're having a great day! Keep me informed!!

[phigment82]

DON'T appologizE! Girl I'm here with you!

I totally understand "the rush." I'm the same way. For about a year I never knew what my body was doing. After my first RE appt. I was somewhat relieved to know any informaiton. Even when it wasn't a good diagnosis. I told my DH I can handle not being able to have a baby if I have to, but this not knowing mess is killer.

Not to go TMI on you but we haden't had sex in almost 2 weeks, b/c I was so scared that I would begin to spot. He was very patient with me, and he seems to see that I'm holding a lot of worries and thoughts on the inside.

I keep trying to tell myself that "God doesn't give more than I can handle", and that "when the time is right," and "It's in God's hands," - but when your in it and it's consuming your thoughts none of those things really help.

I'm still crossing my fingers too, but I'm not anticipating a pregnancy. My theory is expect the worst so you can be surprised with happy results.

I'm so pesimistic.

Are they rushing into IUI? Have you tried the shots yet? What about the HSG test?

I know thats my next step the SA and HSG. And I'm not sure if they will let me do another round of Femera plus monitoring while waiting on the date to do the test.

- Jen

[Will'sGirl]

I understand completely about worrying that having sex will cause spotting, I've kinda been worried about the same thing!

That's my husband's theory about everything! Expect nothing and you won't be disappointed! hahaha I on the other hand tend to be the eternal optimist, so I am more disappointed I suppose than he is about such things.

I haven't tried the shots yet, but I think that will probably be what we do this month. I'm on Clomid and the doctor I saw yesterday said we could do a shot this month if we wanted to, she thought it would be a good idea.

She also said that if we choose IUI they would do a SA when they did that and if it looked like anything was wrong with that, they would send him for a full analysis.

They've never mentioned HSG to me, but its something I've been thinking about and I think I'll ask them about it on the 16th when I go back for another ultrasound. Then at least I'll know if there are any tube blockages.

You know, some people get pregnant so easily that they have no idea what it really takes to get there! Oh well, as much as I would have liked to be one of those oblivious people, I've met so many great people on this forum that I would never have met otherwise, that I feel really blessed.

I keep trying to tell myself the same thing, God's not going to give me more than I can take, I just wish he didn't think I could take so much!

[phigment82]

amen sister

i too think that he has great confidence in me.

i am quite the independant type of person and to have to ask for help every step of the way is driving me nuts.

[Will'sGirl]

Have you tested yet? I know you'd said you might test today? I'm for you!!

[phigment82]

no testing yet - im supposed to test in the morning, but i might just do it tonight before i go to bed -

(guess ill hold my pee till then - hehe)

thanks for the prayers. I'll have a story tom. no matter what the outcome.

[phigment82]

so it's not the end of the world, but i hate my body. i never did anything harmful to it, but it hates me. W/e! The aggrevation will pass and I'll be fine.

I know that it will be worth the wait, but in a world of instant gratification for everything you want this is a long journey, and I'm not enjoying this ride.

there better not be any baby announcements today!

[Will'sGirl]

I read your post and was so disappointed for you. I wanted at least one of us to have good news this month.

I know what you mean, I feel like my body has betrayed me. I've never done anything too bad to it either! As happy as I am for those people who get their good news, its hard to hear it after disappointing news. And guess what?! I just heard that my sister's friend (maybe not anymore?) is now pregnant with her second child by a different father and she's not been married or even committed to either one. Whatever I guess...

The frustration will pass, especially once you have your next plan of action. I'd call your RE today and see what they say. Do you think you'll try Femera again?

Maybe December is our month?

[phigment82]

The RE office said to wait for and then call them. When I go to the office for that I'll see whats next. For sure and SA and HSG. But I don't know if that means that I can't be monitored this month and do the tests.

It's just annoying. I tested last night so I wouldn't be so emotional today. I made my DH look at the test and he teared up. I think thats gunna be harder for me too. If he gets emotional it might make things harder on me.

Still I'm trying to "look on the bright side" and all that stuff. Things could be way way worse and we are very blessed. All these things I know and want to rejoice in, but right now seem stupid.

I'll stop ranting now, but thanks for being there to listen.

Would you want to just exchange emails instead of posting?