Friday, February 26, 2016

CD3 Testing



Today was Cycle Day 3 testing for me: blood work up and vaginal ultrasound.

I had previous CD3 blood work drawn in November 2015 through my regular gyno, which resulted in me being put on thyroid medication for a slightly elevated TSH level. The workup today is apparently more extensive, really getting into the various hormones.

I also had a vaginal ultrasound to check the insides of my lady bits. I had a vaginal ultrasound done back in 2013 due to a messed up period/birth control situation so luckily this wasn't new to me. The first time was a bit of a surprise, but now I guess I'm a pro.

The tech wouldn't tell me anything other than "looks good, you're all set" soooo who knows. We have a follow up appointment scheduled on 3/7/16 with the Dr. to review the test results and make a plan for the future. We shall see, we shall see.

In other news Husband has had his man-bit surgery moved up to March 10th from March 31st. 

Saturday, February 20, 2016

From the Beginning

We started trying to conceive on the day of the Michigan Michigan State football game in 2014 (Michigan State, of course, won). It's been 16 months since that day at we are still trying.

After a year I went to my gyno and she sent me for a blood test and HSG. My HSG, which is the most painful thing I have ever encountered, except maayybee breaking my arm, was free and clear. My blood test came back fine except for a slightly elevated TSH level, for which she put me on 25 mcg of levothyroxine. I went back 2 months later for a follow up blood test and my TSH went down to 2.07 so I do have that going for me.

In January 2016 I met with my gyno to go over my next options and I decided to try clomid (50mg) for 3 months. I started my first round of clomid in February while on vacation. After reading so many horror stories online about people who had terrible side effects I was nervous about taking it but my only issue was spotting for about 6 days. I'm still 4 days away from AF so maybe it worked, maybe it didn't...

I also started acupunture in December 2015. At this point I'm willing to try anything, do anything if it may help! I've been going once a week for 1 hour. After starting seeing the acupuncturist I cut refined sugars and dairy from my diet. Apparently dairy can affect cervical mucus making it more hostile for the sperms. The first few weeks were VERY tough mentally for me. I cried in the car driving home from the grocery store at least twice. I felt like there was nothing I could eat. I love food, and when delicious things like cheese and chocolate are cut from my diet I was miserable, but again *willing to do anything*. The acupuncturist also had me start taking chinese herbs and probiotics, and eating sardines, sauerkraut, and rubbing on iodine every day to help absorption of my thyroid meds.

As for M: He had a sperm analysis done in March 2015 and again in February 2016. His numbers for motility and speed of progression are on the low side of 'normal' but still considered just that. He also has a varicocele in his left testicle. He has had some pain down there lately so he saw a urologist this past Monday (2/16/16) and has scheduled a surgery to remove the varicocele for March 31, 2016. There is not guarantee this will affect his numbers but *willing to do anything*.

In Nov 2015 our friends told us they were pregnant and then in Feb 2016 our other close friends told us they were also expecting. That second announcement was the kicker. I messaged my gyno that very same day asking for a referral to a specialist. 


Today (2/19/16) was our first appointment with a specialist. We met with the PA to review our medical histories. Our next course of action is more blood tests and an ultrasound for me to check hormones and my uterus. Hopefully I will get these done next week (unless AF doesn't show up next week.......) and be able to schedule our follow up for the following week. At that appointment we will go over a plan of action for moving forward. Whatever happens, we're on this roller coaster together.