Today is the 6th day of being off of Provera. I was curious as to how long the time-span between Provera ending and my period beginning...so, I did some research.
Since I didn't find any clear answers with my research as to 'technically' how long to wait before expecting the monthly visitor, I finally emailed the professional. The Dr. said that it should be up to 10 days after completing the medication to start.
Tick, tock...I will have to "suffer" 4 more days of on and off cramping to see.
If not, I will have to take a urine pregnancy test (and hope for the best) , or contact the Dr's office, or both! *sigh*
7.24.2012
7.19.2012
Waiting, Cramping & Counting...
The family vacation has proved to be much easier than anticipated! It helps that I LOVE salads and vegetables. Also, the amazing steamed shrimp has been a very easy thing to eat. :)
Yesterday was the 10th and final day of Provera. You know, the pill that builds the up the lining of the uteran wall and makes the body have a period. [oh, joy] Usually, I have some pain during that time but with the addition of Provera, I'm already feelin some pretty intense cramping. I guess I'll have to see how bad it's gonna be once I start! :-/
Speaking of starting (like I mentioned before) we will begin THE counting! I will wait for day 3 [thru 7] to begin Clomid. After that, the crucial days of 12,14,16 & 18 for fertilization! ;)
Yesterday was the 10th and final day of Provera. You know, the pill that builds the up the lining of the uteran wall and makes the body have a period. [oh, joy] Usually, I have some pain during that time but with the addition of Provera, I'm already feelin some pretty intense cramping. I guess I'll have to see how bad it's gonna be once I start! :-/
Speaking of starting (like I mentioned before) we will begin THE counting! I will wait for day 3 [thru 7] to begin Clomid. After that, the crucial days of 12,14,16 & 18 for fertilization! ;)
7.12.2012
Carb-Withdraws
Today is the first day of 1500mg of metformin/day. Since I have started taking it- I have had to be more or less low-carb. I have done so well (since the cupcake incident)...
I just have to say that next week's beach vacation is going to be TOUGH (no hush puppies with my seafood or french toast for breakfast or pasta weesie at Carrabas for dinner!! AAAHHHHH!)
I, know, I need to keep reminding myself that the end result is totally worth it! :)
Thanks for letting me vent!
I just have to say that next week's beach vacation is going to be TOUGH (no hush puppies with my seafood or french toast for breakfast or pasta weesie at Carrabas for dinner!! AAAHHHHH!)
I, know, I need to keep reminding myself that the end result is totally worth it! :)
Thanks for letting me vent!
7.09.2012
Here We GO!
Today is cycle day 17! What does that mean? It means that TODAY I start taking the Provera to make me start my period. I will take this for 10 days [at the same time every day]. Once I start my period, I will begin my first round of Clomid on days 3-7....and as I have said before in the Game Plan post, we will wait for days 12, 14, 16 & 18.
Also, today, I started to realize that this is where it's getting real...If God's intentions are for this month, we could be preggo by August!! I hope and pray that this goes well and the first round works! If not, it'll be fine, we will continue our journey of TTC! :)
Happy Monday, folks!
P.S. I will try and keep up with my posts...I don't want to have to pay catch-up like I did last Friday. 5 posts in one day is CRAY! ;)
Also, today, I started to realize that this is where it's getting real...If God's intentions are for this month, we could be preggo by August!! I hope and pray that this goes well and the first round works! If not, it'll be fine, we will continue our journey of TTC! :)
Happy Monday, folks!
P.S. I will try and keep up with my posts...I don't want to have to pay catch-up like I did last Friday. 5 posts in one day is CRAY! ;)
7.06.2012
Cupcakes are STUPID.
My staying strong lasted for the first week. For the 4th of July, I decided to indulge on a brownie and a gluten-free beverage. All was good! I felt great!
Yesterday, however, a co-worker brought in some left over treats from the holiday; so, I indulged in a [delicious] chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing. STUPID cupcake.
I learned my lesson well. My stomach was KILLING me afterward.
I now know that the STUPID CUPCAKE has become my DETERRENT from sugar.
Yesterday, however, a co-worker brought in some left over treats from the holiday; so, I indulged in a [delicious] chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing. STUPID cupcake.
I learned my lesson well. My stomach was KILLING me afterward.
I now know that the STUPID CUPCAKE has become my DETERRENT from sugar.
Got 2 B Suga-free!
So, the Doc specifically explained to me that while taking Metformin that I cannot have any sugar--avoid simple sugars.
I have done so well by only eating low-carb options and lots of chicken,tuna and vegetables.
When I crave something sweet, I eat frozen grapes.
I'VE. GOT. TO. STAY. STRONG!
The Game Plan
Ah, yes, finally, a GAME PLAN!
We meet with the Dr. the following Thursday [June 28th] to map out what we will be doing for our first round of treatment!
I have to admit that this was a very scary thought--I wasn't sure what to expect with what very little knowledge of what my test results meant. I knew that I had a very low ovarian pool (egg count) and that my insulin was "a little high" but the rest were...normal??
Since it was decided that we're unsure of our window of time, there's no hesitation. We jump right into our first treatment. Doc says to take notes....so here goes.
I will begin Glucophage aka...Metformin as soon as possible. After the first week of 1x per day with a meal, I double my dose on the second week to 2x/day with a meal, finally the third week and thereafter 3x/day [if my body can handle it], 2x with a meal and the 3rd pill with another meal.
Then- on the 17th day of my cycle (July 9th) I will begin taking Provera for 10 days (until July 18th). Then...I should have a period. After that starts, on days 3-7, I begin taking Clomid [50mg] to make me ovulate [because I currently do not]. Finally, on days 12, 14, 16 and 18- we "do it" and hope to become preggers[!].
IF this first treatment does not work, we'll do the same thing, the next month with a double dose [100mg] of Clomid. If THAT doesn't work--we move to injections.
Let's just say that I PRAY that one of the first 2 treatments work....I despise the thought of giving myself injections :(
We meet with the Dr. the following Thursday [June 28th] to map out what we will be doing for our first round of treatment!
I have to admit that this was a very scary thought--I wasn't sure what to expect with what very little knowledge of what my test results meant. I knew that I had a very low ovarian pool (egg count) and that my insulin was "a little high" but the rest were...normal??
Since it was decided that we're unsure of our window of time, there's no hesitation. We jump right into our first treatment. Doc says to take notes....so here goes.
I will begin Glucophage aka...Metformin as soon as possible. After the first week of 1x per day with a meal, I double my dose on the second week to 2x/day with a meal, finally the third week and thereafter 3x/day [if my body can handle it], 2x with a meal and the 3rd pill with another meal.
Then- on the 17th day of my cycle (July 9th) I will begin taking Provera for 10 days (until July 18th). Then...I should have a period. After that starts, on days 3-7, I begin taking Clomid [50mg] to make me ovulate [because I currently do not]. Finally, on days 12, 14, 16 and 18- we "do it" and hope to become preggers[!].
IF this first treatment does not work, we'll do the same thing, the next month with a double dose [100mg] of Clomid. If THAT doesn't work--we move to injections.
Let's just say that I PRAY that one of the first 2 treatments work....I despise the thought of giving myself injections :(
Tests, tests, tests
Finally- day 3 of my cycle. Thankfully, day 3 landed on the Monday before our follow-up appointment [scheduled for Thursday of the same week] Let the blood tests begin!
I contacted the Dr. to make him aware of my "blood giving" and to keep his eye out for the report so that he could post the results before Thursday.
I anxiously await the results to be posted [on my online portal].
Finally, the results are posted, the next day, with an explanation from the Dr. All of the tests come back "Normal." hmm....now what??
I contacted the Dr. to make him aware of my "blood giving" and to keep his eye out for the report so that he could post the results before Thursday.
I anxiously await the results to be posted [on my online portal].
Finally, the results are posted, the next day, with an explanation from the Dr. All of the tests come back "Normal." hmm....now what??
Our First Meeting with the Fertility Specialist
*June 14th*
Meeting with the Fertility Specialist was very weird at first. We went in not knowing what to expect, having lots of questions and only partial answers to some.
I had to do the usual "intake" gamut such as weight, temperature, blood pressure....before we were taken to a room with a table and 4 chairs. The table had some informational items on it and a plastic model of "female parts" (this will come into play later...).
The Dr. comes in and, surprisingly, seems to be a really nice laid-back kind of guy! (I was thinking more along the lines of a less friendly, more socially awkward kind of person.)
We have a conversation regarding all of my test results, how the numbers work and what they all mean. The main concern, as well as what actually "sent" me to a fertility specialist in the first place was my AMH level. After explaining what the AMH level meant, the Dr. basically said that he wasn't sure how much time I had. THAT was THE MOST SCARY SENTENCE, EVER. My heart sunk. Yes, I am 28, extremely young in child-bearing years, per-se; however, while only looking at my AMH level, one would think that I was in my mid-thirties!
I had to have more tests run after the Dr. noticed that I was insulin resistant. Also, to better lay out a plan of action, he had to test my liver, kidneys, and a few other type of tests before deciding how to go about our "treatment plan." Luckily, I had already been through most of the testing earlier in the year.
(This is where the female model comes into play) ...While the Dr. was looking through my medical record [with his back turned] trying to figure out what tests I needed, my HUSBAND, decided to PLAY with this model of lady parts!! Now, granted, I was already about to cry after learning that my window of time was very small--so, he did well to make me laugh and keep the mood light (as always). He was pretending to be Dr. Spock from Star Treck using his tricorder to scan the earth...LOL. I love him.
Anyway, back to figuring out that a lot of the tests that were needed had already been done (thyroid profile, progesterone, insulin, and glucose) and the tests that I needed (with the exception of one or two--creatine, rubella, AST, ALT, TSH and Prolactin), thankfully, could be coded under "weight gain" research. This was a GREAT thing because I am not eligible for fertility services with my insurance for another year! I have to say, it's never been the case that I have been so happy to have gained 30 lbs [in a year] and not being able to lose it [even with extensive diet and exercise]!! I was to wait until the 3rd day of my cycle before I could get this blood taken. Our next appointment will be laying out our game plan.
Meeting with the Fertility Specialist was very weird at first. We went in not knowing what to expect, having lots of questions and only partial answers to some.
I had to do the usual "intake" gamut such as weight, temperature, blood pressure....before we were taken to a room with a table and 4 chairs. The table had some informational items on it and a plastic model of "female parts" (this will come into play later...).
The Dr. comes in and, surprisingly, seems to be a really nice laid-back kind of guy! (I was thinking more along the lines of a less friendly, more socially awkward kind of person.)
We have a conversation regarding all of my test results, how the numbers work and what they all mean. The main concern, as well as what actually "sent" me to a fertility specialist in the first place was my AMH level. After explaining what the AMH level meant, the Dr. basically said that he wasn't sure how much time I had. THAT was THE MOST SCARY SENTENCE, EVER. My heart sunk. Yes, I am 28, extremely young in child-bearing years, per-se; however, while only looking at my AMH level, one would think that I was in my mid-thirties!
I had to have more tests run after the Dr. noticed that I was insulin resistant. Also, to better lay out a plan of action, he had to test my liver, kidneys, and a few other type of tests before deciding how to go about our "treatment plan." Luckily, I had already been through most of the testing earlier in the year.
(This is where the female model comes into play) ...While the Dr. was looking through my medical record [with his back turned] trying to figure out what tests I needed, my HUSBAND, decided to PLAY with this model of lady parts!! Now, granted, I was already about to cry after learning that my window of time was very small--so, he did well to make me laugh and keep the mood light (as always). He was pretending to be Dr. Spock from Star Treck using his tricorder to scan the earth...LOL. I love him.
Anyway, back to figuring out that a lot of the tests that were needed had already been done (thyroid profile, progesterone, insulin, and glucose) and the tests that I needed (with the exception of one or two--creatine, rubella, AST, ALT, TSH and Prolactin), thankfully, could be coded under "weight gain" research. This was a GREAT thing because I am not eligible for fertility services with my insurance for another year! I have to say, it's never been the case that I have been so happy to have gained 30 lbs [in a year] and not being able to lose it [even with extensive diet and exercise]!! I was to wait until the 3rd day of my cycle before I could get this blood taken. Our next appointment will be laying out our game plan.
7.02.2012
"So, when are y'all going to have kids?"
It's inevitable. Whenever there's a discussion of new babies or marriage or anniversaries, there's always that question of "so, when are y'all going to have kids?" When we were first married, we always happily answered "one day!" now it seems that I am to the point of "Whenever God decides!" It's exactly that. Whenever GOD decides.
Our journey began in late 2010 when we decided that we would start trying. We were told that Fall that for sure we would be pregnant by December. When December came, no baby. Brian and I continued to keep trying throughout 2011 with diet, exercise, taking my temperature, using ovulation tests or both. Still. No. Luck!
In February of this year, I decided to take action. I went to the DR to get some answers. I had weight gain that I could not get rid of, no matter how much exercise, I was beginning to get depressed and I was frustrated. Brian was tested; no problems there so, I was finally sent to be tested. My thyroid, NORMAL, my other tests, NORMAL. My frustration grew thicker. What in the world is going wrong?!
Finally, I decided to switch DR offices. [~May 23rd] I needed more answers. I needed someone to tell me what was wrong and why we weren't conceiving. We met with the new DR and she spoke to us about infertility and the tests that needed to be done. She took some blood tests, one for Progesterone Levels and the other to measure my AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) Levels Once the tests were run, she noticed that I had an extremely low AMH level [0.25 ng/ml] and immediately referred us to Duke Fertility Center. FINALLY. Let's get the ball rolling!!
Our journey began in late 2010 when we decided that we would start trying. We were told that Fall that for sure we would be pregnant by December. When December came, no baby. Brian and I continued to keep trying throughout 2011 with diet, exercise, taking my temperature, using ovulation tests or both. Still. No. Luck!
In February of this year, I decided to take action. I went to the DR to get some answers. I had weight gain that I could not get rid of, no matter how much exercise, I was beginning to get depressed and I was frustrated. Brian was tested; no problems there so, I was finally sent to be tested. My thyroid, NORMAL, my other tests, NORMAL. My frustration grew thicker. What in the world is going wrong?!
Finally, I decided to switch DR offices. [~May 23rd] I needed more answers. I needed someone to tell me what was wrong and why we weren't conceiving. We met with the new DR and she spoke to us about infertility and the tests that needed to be done. She took some blood tests, one for Progesterone Levels and the other to measure my AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) Levels Once the tests were run, she noticed that I had an extremely low AMH level [0.25 ng/ml] and immediately referred us to Duke Fertility Center. FINALLY. Let's get the ball rolling!!
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