Sunday, February 6, 2011

An Update

First I want to say thank you all for your suggestions and most importantly your prayers and encouragement. I know a lot of you have suggested charting my temperature and my CM. Honestly it was really good to read all of the comments, they all helped remind me that I am not alone in this struggle. So again, thank you!

Warning for the following, if you are a guy or don’t want to hear about all the female stuff feel free to stop reading now.

Moving along, I did try charting my temperature for two months before I had the surgery. I have ran into a couple problems though. First, my temp seems to run really low (like in the 96 range) which was lower than what the chart measured. About half way through the first month I found a chart for lower temps and started using that but I was still concerned by the low temp. Now I kind of wonder if it also had something to do with my thermometer which took like a minute and a half to get my final temp read (so annoying)! I showed the chart to Dr. B and she said that it looked like an ovulary cycle but she still didn’t fully think that I ovulated and my cycles were very irregular. Dr. B said that she doesn’t recommend charting temp because according to her it is not reliable and there are other more reliable ways to see if I have ovulated.

I asked her again about charting after I had the surgery and was going to be waiting two months before treatments but her answer was still the same with the addition of using the OPK’s and taking Metformin and Progesterone. Like I said in the previous post, she told me to take the progesterone on day 17 of my cycle incase I ovulate late and take it for 10 days. At that time I didn’t think to ask her what to do if I haven’t ovulated by day 17 (which is the main reason for all of these frantic posts)! Since my last appointment with Dr. B she has moved to a different practice so I can’t get in contact with her to clarify. I haven’t been charting because she seemed so against it.

However, after hearing from all of you lovely ladies I am going to start charting again next cycle (with the help of a new thermometer). One of my other problems is that I am very dry. Like in zero CM. I know that CM is very helpful in detecting ovulation so not having any makes everything even more confusing. I had started freaking out about all of the negative OKP’s but after hearing from others that they never worked for them I feel a little better.

Now back to taking the progesterone. This has been the most confusing part. I hate feeling so in the dark and everyone has been really helpful but in the end I have to figure out when to take it. I really don’t want to do anything to mess up our chances so I have just been a little spooked about taking it since I don’t know if I have ovulated. The hubs and I talked about not taking it this cycle since I am unsure and then trying it the next cycle. I have also thought about waiting until day 21 or so and then taking it. After talking to a friend of ours that is an OB today I think I have formed a plan for this cycle.

He explained to me that part of having me take it on day 17 is to try and get me more regulated. To him it sounds like I am probably not going to get pregnant this cycle so he suggested to start taking it now for the 10 days (since it is day 19 of my cycle). He did think it was a good idea to take a pregnancy test before I stop taking it just to be safe. I am going to call Dr. B’s old office tomorrow (where I have been going) to make sure I should take it. If I get the go from them then I am going to start the progesterone tomorrow and make sure I am not pregnant before I go off of it!

I know this is a lot of info but I just wanted to give an update to all of you who asked me what I have tried and have been so encouraging! I will make sure and keep you all updated! Boy is this hard work :)

5 comments:

  1. Thank you for the update Ashley! It's good to know what's going on with you - I'll still be praying!

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  2. Have you used FertilityFriend.com? That's where I chart, and I have found that it's a huuuuge wealth of information. We are trying to get pregnant right now and I am dealing with endo and coming off BCP ... I also have virtually ZERO cm and I'm starting to think about investing in PreSeed ... any thoughts?

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  3. Glad to hear you're feeling a little better! My normal temps are actually really low as well! They're in the 96-97.1 range pre-ovulation. I MIGHT get a spike to 97.5 every now and then. And my post-ovulatory temps are pretty low too...usually between 97.6 and 98.0 (some people's get into the mid 98's or close to 99 even).

    Also, make sure you're using a Basal Body Thermometer. It'll give you the most accurate read. Mine to a good 60 to 90 seconds to get my temp too.

    Hmm...the lack CM could be part of the reason you're having trouble conceiving! Have you ever asked what the deal is with being so dry? Having that stretchy clear CM is a huge key factor in fertilization! Without it, the sperm can't survive. Just a thought.

    Praying you'll find another good doctor since the other one moved, and looking forward to another update :) Keep your head up!!

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  4. Just catching up on your blog...I'm so behind. Thanks for the update. I'm praying that your miracle happens soon!

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  5. I'm sure all of your hard work will pay off girl and I know God has a special plan for you and hopefully your babe in the oven! :) Keep trying your best and it sounds like you are trying different methods and giving it your best shot so that's great. I'm back in UT now so we need to get together soon, I'll call/text you soon. Hope you have a happy love day tomorrow!

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