Our journey begins...

[hopingforbabyf]

Hello! We're just starting our journey of tests etc. I've had problems with my period since coming off the depo 2 years ago. They finally settled about 7 months ago but have been coming every 2/3 weeks since. I've had weekly blood tests for the last couple of months and all have shown no ovulation. I saw my doctor tonight for the next step and she's taken another blood test to check all my hormone levels etc again (these were done at the beginning of the year when we were trying to sort out my periods).

We've to wait until the Xmas rush is over then hubby is to take a semen sample up to the hospital. Once she's got the results from this and my blood test she's doing a referral to the infertility clinic. She thinks the dr will most likely do tests to see if my tubes are okay and/or give me medication to try and make me ovulate.

Would love to hear from anyone in a similar position or anyone who has been through similar and can tell me what to expect

 

[Poispinner]

Hello welcome to the journey! I am in a similar position. Was on depo for 18 months but came off it 3 years ago. Periods came back after 3 months and have been as regular as clockwork thankfully. So many peope have had troubles after depo. Had bloods which confirm ovulation, OH has done two samples which have come back fine. At a bit of a loss really but got our first clinic appointment in 3 weeks so will hopefully get some answers soon. Hope your not waiting too long. Keep us updated x

 

[hopingforbabyf]

I didn't have periods until about May this year, I just had constant brown spotting/gunk. I don't know if it was the depo though as I had spotting on that too and also think I had it on other contraception. I only had two shots of depo but amazing what just two shots can do to your body! My bloods confirmed all my hormones etc were fine but I'm not ovulating. Hopefully it won't take too long for the referral as the dr should have my blood results back next week so just need to do hubby's semen sample after new year and she will do the referral once the results from that are back.

I can't imagine what it must be like if everything comes back fine and there's no real reason for it...I hope your appointment goes well x

 

[Poispinner]

Thank you. I really dont know what to expect. Hoping we will move forward and they are not goin to make us re-do all tests again but if thats what needs to be done then so be it! Everything just seems to take so long . I shall let you know how I get on x

 

[Poispinner]

That does make me feel quite lucky regarding depo then!! Cant believe two shots has caused so much problem. Hopefully you will get some answers soon x

 

[laurat]

I wason depo for about 9 years and I now think its the devil in terms of mucking up your body. Both my sister and I have had fertility problems after it as welll as 2 of my friends.

In my case I had no period at all for a year and went to the dr. She blamed my weight as I was very overweight. I lost 8 stone and still had no ovulation back so that was rubbish. I was referred to fertility dr. Hubby sample was fine so problem just me. The first step was a drug called clomid. This is very successful for people who dont ovulate. However unfortnately that did not work for me. I got to try letrozole too. It slowly started to grow my follicles with a couple of shots of menopur. They made the decision then I wouldbe best with IUI as the only problem we had was no ovulation. So IUI it was. First time I ovulated and the procedure worked and I now have an 18 month oldwhirlwind!

I wish you all the luck!

 

[hopingforbabyf]

Hi laurat, thank you so much for your reply...gives me lots of hope so glad it worked for you! We will be doing hubby's semen sample after new year then just need to wait for our appointment to come through. Frustratingly my period seems to have gone missing and I've not had one for nearly 4 weeks. Hopefully it will turn up this weekend!

Hope you all had a nice Christmas

 

[hopingforbabyf]

Well hubs did his semen sample on Tuesday but turns out the dr gave us the wrong forms/container so he had to do it again yesterday. Had a message from the dr when I got in from work today saying it was normal so I'm hoping she's done the referral today.

Anyone know roughly how long it took to get your letter with initial appointment?

 

[kkheartsbaby]

Hi we got referred in May and received hospital letter in June for first app in July... then went back every 8 weeks til now we're starting ivf. Fingers crossed you hear from them soon xx

 

[hopingforbabyf]

That was quite quick then! I thought it would take maybe a month or so for letter but thought appointment would be 2-3 months after letter. Good to know it can happen quicker but I suppose it depends on each hospital.

 

[Poispinner]

I received my letter a week after referral and had appointment within 4 weeks and that was over the xmas period. Was very surprised with how quick they were, wasnt expecting to receive letter til after xmas . Hope your not waiting too long x

 

[hopingforbabyf]

Didn't have to wait long at all, appt came through today - it's in 4 weeks. I really wasn't expecting it to happen so quick - I thought we'd get our letter in February maybe with appt in March/April at earliest. All seems a bit real now! Mixed emotions!

 

[hopingforbabyf]

Argh they've changed my appointment! Got to wait another week and a half...so 5 weeks to go! Still can't complain I suppose as not having to wait long really...

 

[hopingforbabyf]

Feeling really broody today! We were shopping last night and overheard the girl in front of us speaking to the checkout lady. She's pregnant, due in July and when the baby is born she will have one just turned two, one just turned one and a newborn. How come it's so easy for some people?? Also people who got married around the same time as us are due babies very soon after catching just a month or two after their wedding. I was out for coffee this afternoon and there was babies everywhere, and pregnant people. Or people with young babies who are clearly pregnant again.

It's so unfair how some people manage to fall so easily. I think it makes it worse because they have no idea what it's like to struggle and are very forthcoming with asking when we will be having kids. I wouldn't dare ask that question because I know how much of a struggle it can be and sometimes I just want to say "actually we've been trying for over a year now". I don't think they have the first idea what it's like having that disappointment each month.

Sorry, just needed a wee rant there! On a better note we have our first appointment a week on Tuesday so will hopefully know the next steps of our journey then.

 

[KeepItCrossed]

We've all been there hopingforbabyf, really hope you feel better following your appointment. Knowing that there is a plan in place really helps! x

 

[hopingforbabyf]

Thanks! Yes, I imagine it does! Sometimes I feel really positive about everything and then other days (like today when I've been surrounded by babies and pregnant people) I feel really down about it all and like it's never going to happen. We have no idea what our appointment will bring or what the next steps may be but I'm feeling hopeful as I know there are so many things they can do.

 

[hopingforbabyf]

I've to take a urine sample with me to our appointment - does anyone know what this will be for? It says a recently passed sample so do I do it just before we leave? Our appointment is late afternoon.

 

[hopingforbabyf]

Ok so we have a plan. The consultant was all up for giving me medication today but because my last few cycles have been pretty regular (24/26 days) she thinks my body may be returning to normal on its own so doesn't want to give me medication until she knows I'm not ovulating. So I've to get day 19 blood tests done for the next two cycles and go back to see her in April. If I'm ovulating then great, we've to keep trying until the end of the year and if we haven't caught I'll have my tubes etc checked. If I'm not ovulating then she'll give me medication for 3 months and if we haven't caught after 3 months I'll get my tubes checked then. If they're blocked then IVF is our next option.

 

[kittykitchn]

Ok so we have a plan. The consultant was all up for giving me medication today but because my last few cycles have been pretty regular (24/26 days) she thinks my body may be returning to normal on its own so doesn't want to give me medication until she knows I'm not ovulating. So I've to get day 19 blood tests done for the next two cycles and go back to see her in April. If I'm ovulating then great, we've to keep trying until the end of the year and if we haven't caught I'll have my tubes etc checked. If I'm not ovulating then she'll give me medication for 3 months and if we haven't caught after 3 months I'll get my tubes checked then. If they're blocked then IVF is our next option.

How are you feeling about that? Have been stalking waiting for your update. What route do you want to happen ideally?

 

[hopingforbabyf]

How are you feeling about that? Have been stalking waiting for your update. What route do you want to happen ideally?

Tbh I'm not sure. Of course we would love to conceive naturally but the thought of another 10 months of heartbreak when my period turns up is pretty awful. I suppose we just have to wait and see what the blood test says. I'm booked in for next Friday which is only cd17 but may change it to the Monday.

I'm glad we've got a plan and hubby is looking forward to us trying again I think we're just going to have to focus on one thing at a time though. Ideally, I'd love us to fall naturally this month but that's wishful thinking haha! It's the thought of trying really hard and then finding out I'm not even ovulating - it makes me feel like it's a waste of time but then each month I think 'maybe this month'. I think it's the not knowing...if I know I'm ovulating then it'll be game on as hubby's sperm seems really good and I'll know we're in with a chance but it's the fact you don't know if you've ovulated or not until afterwards so you have to be on it and try anyway! If I am ovulating I think I'll be a nightmare and convince myself I'm pregnant...it'll be like that very first month ttc all over again!

It's one of those things that I think is never going to happen to me so I hope I'm proved wrong.