[CMLmom]

Hi...I am a first time poster! I am been experiencing secondary infertility for a little over two years. During that time I only know (personally) one other person with secondary infertility! I have found it to be an extremely lonely place. I like this forum because it reminds me that there are other people like me and I am not alone. I have visited here over the past 8 months and decided to join in. I will continue to use this as a great place of support and understanding, however, I am also curious if anyone out there lives in the triad area of North Carolina (Greensboro, Winson-Salem, High Point or nearby)? I am in Greensboro and am very interested in meeting with other people who are dealing with secondary infertiltiy in a casual, informal setting. I really need contact with people who have been there and understand.

[StillWantAnother]

Well I don't live in your area, but Welcome! I too am relatively new to the forum and I know no one in my personal life that has dealt w/Secondary Infertility. Its definitely a lonely place. In our quest to try to figure out the cause we have done bloodwork, ultrasounds and my husband had a SA. Everything was normal. Oh, and I just had an HSG done which also was normal. Doc says to try on our own for another 2 cycles(b/c of the possibility of getting preg. after HSG) then he will try Clomid if not pregnant by January. What have you guys been through? How far are you willing to go? I told me husband IUI is the furthest we will go.

[CMLmom]

Originally Posted by StillWantAnother

Well I don't live in your area, but Welcome! I too am relatively new to the forum and I know no one in my personal life that has dealt w/Secondary Infertility. Its definitely a lonely place. In our quest to try to figure out the cause we have done bloodwork, ultrasounds and my husband had a SA. Everything was normal. Oh, and I just had an HSG done which also was normal. Doc says to try on our own for another 2 cycles(b/c of the possibility of getting preg. after HSG) then he will try Clomid if not pregnant by January. What have you guys been through? How far are you willing to go? I told me husband IUI is the furthest we will go.

Thank you for your response. Here's my story. Just turned 38 in Oct. Had my son at 33. Got PG the 1st try..no problems at all. Started TTC#2 when my son turned 2 (I was 35 almost 36). Took me completely by surprise when nothing happened. After 6 months went to my normal OB who started clomid and was on it for about 5 months. OB decided to do HSG which showed possible polyp in opening of uterus. Had surgery and turned out that it was only "artifact" on Xray b/c MD didn't find anything. He went ahead and did D&C in case it was there and he couldn't see it. Kept trying after 2 months went to RE (now with my age really would have seen RE about 5 months sooner!). My DH is fine..all counts, motility are normal. Finally found out my FSH was high (15.2). Diminished ovarian reserve. I was devasted...really a low point b/c after everything came back ok I knew what else could it be? Thought RE would send me packing but he thought meds would be an option. First month took clomid and tamoxofin with IUI..nothing. Second time started injectibles with Follistim...to my utter complete shock I got PG! HCG was slightly lower than normal but RE said not to worry. Started spotting a little. RE calmed me that it may be normal etc.. Actually stopped spotting and went in week later for US and ahd blighted ovum (baby never formed). Very, very sad time but at the same time felt hope that I actually got PG when I didn't think my body could do it. Had to wait a fre cycles after MC. Did another cycle with Follistim (higher levels)...no luck. Did another cycle which was back to back with no luck. That makes 4 IUI's. That was 8/08. Had to take emotional and financial break. Will start up in Jan with maybe 2 to 3 more cycles at most! Not ready to 100% throw in the towel. Faxed my records to another RE just to see if anything they could do? My emational status is actually much better now. I'm being really "in the moment" with my hilarious 4 yr old. I don't want to look back and regret not being emotionally there for him wanting another one when I have a beautiful blessing right in fron of me. Taken awhile to get to this place. Just can't imagine growing up without a sibbling!!! SI is a horrible place to be and you feel so alone. All the support groups are for PI and I wouldn't feel comfortable in that setting. Really grateful of this site cause it reminds you there are other people going through same thing. We cannot afford IVF.

How long have you been trying? Is your Dr. an OB or RE? RE's are great b/c they dig deeper to try to find the cause. I'm really looking forward to hearing from you and so good to finally connect with someone!!

[CMLmom]

I wanted to add something to my previous message. I'm not sure of your religious views so I hope I'm not out of bounds. One of the reasons I'm doing better is b/c of a book I read. It's called Infertility: Finding God's peace in the journey by Lois Flowers. Can get it on amazon.com and it has been an incredible help to me. It's talks about all the questions you ask yourself and it was soooo helpful to me. Someone told me about it so I wanted to "send it forward"

[DJ'smommy]

Hi Everyone,
I am a new to this forum and thought I would introduce myself. I am 38 and have been ttc for a little over a year. I have a 3yr boy. I got pg with him immediately (2nd try). dh and I started ttc when he turned 2 and have had no luck so far. I have unexplained infertility and my RE thinks scarring from the previous c-section could be the issue. I just had my last round of clomid w/ iui last week and will move on to injectables next month. DH had low sperm count (7mil) and I has 1 follie 18.5mm, so I am not hopeful that I will be pg this month.. My TWW ends Fri 12/12. we are for a christmas miracle.

CMLmom,
Thank you for the info on that book. I will look into it.

[CMLmom]

Hi DJ'smommy,

Sounds like we have a lot in common....same age, both with boys only 1 yr apart, got pg right away without problems the 1st time. I'm thinking good thoughts for you and hoping your IUI worked. As you can see above I've done 4 IUI's...1st was Clomid and Tamoxafin, the rest were with the injectables with Follistim. Was so shocked (very happy but apprehensive) that the it worked...at least we thought so until the ultrasond. I was filled with so much hope. Two more without success and we had to take a emotional and mostly financial break. Will start again close to 1st of the year for at least a little while. I do have a question for you....have you done a clomid challenge test to see what your FSH is? Mine is high which means my ovarian reserve is diminished (pertains to quantity and quality). Thats how they were able to explain mine.

I'm really happy you responded...especially with a sort of similar situation. I really look forward to chating more with you. It helps me sooo much!! And your welcome for the info about the book. It really was so helpful to me and still is when I need a pick me up. Take care and keep me posted....any time you near an ear! Lisa Litaker CML stands for my sons name (Carter Mack Litaker)

[sun_101]

Just wanted to say hello CMLmom, I live in High Point. I don't have IF problems but due to my husbands illness we had to use IVF.

I didn't see this thread otherwise I would have posted sooner.

[DJ'smommy]

Hi CMLmom,
Sorry I have been awol the past week. arrived 12/11 along with a horrible flu bug. So I have been in bed sick and depressed. I just decided to check my email and saw that you had responded. Anyway I am back now and feeling much better.
I am so sorry to hear that you last round was negative. I completly understand about the emotional rollercoaster. it really takes a toll on you mind and body.. I will be for you that your next is a sucess. I have never heard of the clomid challenge. I will ask my RE about it next time I am in the office. I have a friend the same age as us who has been TTC for a couple of years now and they did some test on her that determined her eggs were no good. I wonder if it was the clomid challenge. She is starting her next round with donor eggs.
So... I called my RE on CD2 and he started me on Gonal-F injectables that day 12/12. I am on CD10 with Gonal F. I am supposed to call me RE Tomorrow 12/22 for my next instructions. This my first and only month on injectables so I am really hard this time. Our insurance pays for all procedures but only a portion of the meds. The injectables are way more then we can afford. it ended up costing us $2038.00 this month
Thank you so much for the response. and sorry It took so long to respond. The same goes for you if you need and ear to listen.. I am hear and feel for you. DJ is my sons name and mine is Anna. If I dont talk to you before Christmas... Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas....This is a fun age for our boys and we need to be strong and make there Christmas unforgetable..

[CMLmom]

Hi Anna,

Good to hear from you. Sorry to hear that you were sick. My son has strep throat. Test in the office was negative but they sent it off and it came back positive the next day. He's much better now....on antibiotics.
How was your 1st round of injectibles? How did your ovaries respond? I undserstand about the cost. My insurance pays $1,500 a year...not much but I'm very thankful we get something b/c most plans are 0% for fertiltiy. Like I mentioned in my last email we had to stop in August after getting a huge bill plus emotionally we had to have a break. Haven't started back yet....wanted to wait till near 1st of the year. I'm sending my records to another RE for 2nd opinion. Might end up going back to my original one. May be a little while till we get started again. Did you ask your RE about clomid challenge test? It sounds like the test your friend may have had. I would do donor eggs or adoption in a heartbeat but we just cannot afford it. If we didn't have any kids that would be a different story. I'm just trying to really enjoy Carter b/c 4 is a hilarious age and sooo much fun. I don't want to look back and regret I wanting something that has been right in front of me the whole time!! Keep me posted on how this round went and hopefully your will be answered!! Can't remember if I've told you my name?? It is Lisa Litaker. Was wondering if you have a facebook page? I'm slightly addicted to it!! Talk to you soon.

Lisa

[hopefulstill]

Hi there. I am new here and just found this thread and wanted to introduce myself. I have been searching the threads looking for some comfort as I have just found out that my last IVF cycle failed. I have a daughter who is 20 months and I want so badly to give her a sibling. My husband had testicular cancer so we've had to have fertility treatments to get pregnant. We got pregnant with DD on the first try but I've had 2 failed FET cycles and 1 failed fresh cycle. I'm having a rough time right now. While I hate that anyone is having a hard time getting pregnant again it is nice to know there are people who understand. I am surrounded right now by pregnant friends who just can't possibly understand how hard this is.

[lilcbru]

I'm new too! I joined a couple other sites, but feel out of place, since I already have a daughter. My husband and I have been ttc #2 for almost 2 years. I finally decided to go to an RE in Sept. We tried Clomid for a month, w/o luck. During that month, I had an HSG test which showed my tubes were open and clear, but there was a strange pooling of the dye. RE decided to do a lap. He found severe endo/adhesions and said we didn't have much chance without IVF. I will be starting my cycle on Feb. 1st. I'm so nervous! I don't feel like anyone understands. Everyone in my family has several kids, so they just don't get it!

[sumner]

I too am a newbie. I have been reading the post for around two months now and although I want each person on this site to have as many babies as they would like I find comfort in seeing the stories, trials and tribulations. I have severe PCOS. In 2006 we concieved right away and lost it at 7wks. Since then we have been on clomid for 8 cycles, temoxifen for 2 cycles and most recently were told by our RE that IVF was our only hope. So I just started bc three days ago. I call the RE tomorrow to get the schedule for the Feb. cycle.

I am in Greenville, NC, not too far from the triad area. Keep me posted on everyones success.

Stephanie

[DJ'smommy]

Hi Lisa,
Good to here from you. I do not have a face page yet but am working on it. How was your Christmas? Ours was nice. My son really got the whole Santa thing this year and was so excited Christmas morning.
Well I finished my first round of injectables on 12/25, triggered on 12/26 and iui on 12/27. Now I am in that horrible TWW. I did 14 days of shots. The first 6 days were 150iu then 4 days at 225iu and last 4 days at 150iu. my body resonded good. on Friday the 26th (trigger day) I had 7 follies (22.5mm, 4 @ 17mm, 15mm, 16mm). The dr was pleased but I wasnt. I thought follies were supposed to be at least 18mm on the day of trigger and if that is the case then I only had 1 good follie for my IUI. Do you by any chance know if follies grow after trigger at all??? oh yeah DH sperm count was only 10mil... I think that is also on the low side. it is all in Gods hands now. all I can do is . Please keep me informed on how you do on your next round. I will be for you and everybody else on this thread.

Hopefulstill, Lilcbru, Sumner,
to this thread. We are happy you joined. I completely understand feeling out of place in other threads. It took me a couple months before I posted to this thread. Anyway welcome. My name is Anna and I live in Upstate NY (rochester).. where you get all 4 seasons in one week.. we just got hit with 12 inches of snow in the last 8 hours...
Hang in there girls.. I have a feeling this will be our year

[hopefulstill]

Hi Anna - Thank you for your welcome. I read that you are in your TWW. Good luck! You will be in my thoughts.

Lilcbru and Sumner - I'm glad you both wrote in too. Looks like you'll both be doing your cycles in Feb. I have a follow-up appt. with my doctor next week to decide what we are going to do since our last cycle failed. I can't decide if I want to start again right away or if I should take a few months off.

Anna, I noticed you have done IUI in Oct., Nov., and Dec. Did your doctor have an opinion on letting your body rest between cycles? Mine has said it's fine to go ahead without a break since the BCP our supposed to get your body back to "normal" but since we have had such a hard time I just can't help but wondering if I need one.

Nice to meet you all. I really appreciate your support already!

[CMLmom]

Hey Anna,

Our Christmas was good and glad yours was too. Hope you get great news in a week or so...what a fantastic New Year that would be!!! You asked me if follicles grow after trigger shot and I'm not sure. My 1st inclination is no, but ?? I'm going to start the process of sending my records to the other RE I mentioned earlier. Did you ever try and herbs (DHEA, bee pollen etc...?) My RE is against it saying that they come from all parts of the world where they may not be regulated closely and could be dangerous to a fetus. I'm considering if because I almost feel like I have nothing to lose not that I would want to harm the baby if I did get pregnant. Also I have a gift certificate for accupuncture that I'm going to use. I'm not sure if I should go ahead and use it now or wait until we are in the midst of an IUI cycle? So many questions!! So did you day you live in Rochester? Can't imagine how cold it is there. I'm in Greensboro, NC and would LOVE to get snow that lasted more than 4 hrs!! Been about 8 yrs since we've had a big one. My son has only played in snow once in his life for only 10 minutes...so sad. Talk to you soon and your news will be good!

Lisa