HSG this cycle = FAIL!

Well, I called on the 1st day of my period, like I was instructed. The nurse says, "When did you start your period? Well, I'm sorry to tell you this but both of the staff that do this proceedure will be out of the office on vacation during the time that you need to come in. It really doesn't happen very often. Please call back next cycle." And that's it, that's all...So, my lucky streak of appointments, and being seen in a timely manner has come to and end. Boo.

I'd be lying if I wasn't hoping to capitalize on the fact that an HSG is supposed to increase your fertility for several months after the proceedure. Oh well. Here's to hoping that it's not necessary and I get pg this next cycle. Of course, that would also mean hoping that my TSH levels have already reduced in this short period of time. I can say, that I can tell a difference already. I felt a difference the first morning on this increased dose. ::repeats:: I think I can, I think I can...

On another note, I'm running a half marathon on Saturday!!! I'm completely unprepared. Last week, I had a terrible time getting my workouts in, and this week of course, I'm not supposed to push it too much. I guess this wouldn't be the 1st half marathon I've had to wing (oops...). So, I'm leaving for Niagara-on-the-Lake tomorrow, where I'll meet up with my parents and BIL and SIL, and we're bringing the dogs! Should be a great time, and I'll be able to enjoy some post-race wine tasting...Yay!

My Appointment With the RE

Well, the RE was much more amazing than the nurse I talked to on the phone. The great thing about the Cleveland Clinic (and I'm sure most hospitals are on a similar system) is everything's all right there in the system.

The RE was able to look at G's chart from the IU, my OB/GYN info, and BW all at once on the comp. AND he DID look at everything. He basically took a ton of info, I answered his questions...theyTSH came up almost immediately, and he instantly said, "I can help you with that." As you can imagine, this put me right at ease. My biggest worry was that he was going to make me see someone else for this.

After getting all my info, he said, "Well, your prognosis is really good." I said even w/G's SA info? He's like "yes...I'm looking at that right now. I've yet to see anyone w/a 14 on morphology and you can donate sperm at 5." This reassured me b/c he sees healthy males all the time, not just men w/issues like the IU.

I didn't even have to talk to him about the BW, he said, "Looks like we caught you during your surge." AWESOME...last thing I needed was another Dr. to tell me I was premenopausal. He did say he wasn't worried about my FSH. But, when I get BW to see if my thyroid is under control in 2 mo. he would like to double check the FSH numbers and get my BW on CD3 (yay!). Two months from now, but it's a start.

He of course wrote me a Rx for the sythroid and....said, "I would like to see you at the low end of normal, like 1-2 range." Which is great b/c this means he really is looking at my TSH from a TTC POV. (as he should) He said, I expect I'll see you in here really soon, when you get an HPT+, we'll do an u/s and I'll kick you back to the OB, because you should be a low risk pg. Good to know.

He also said that I'm welcome to wait a few months, or until the year mark to get an HSG. But, since it's associated w/increased fertility, I'm welcome to do it anytime. Gave me the slip and told me what time in my cycle to schedule it if I "was in a hurry." All and all, it was sweet to be able to make some decisions and have some tools at my disposal. I can go into any of the CC BW labs w/o paper work b/c it's in the system, and the HSG is at my discretion.

He did say if things don't work out, and I reach a year, we can move forward w/some more scrutinizing tests. He's one of those that is "fine" w/charting. But, doesn't think it's necessary. He's not even a fan of OPKs because he thinks it's an added expense that you don't need if you're have sex regularly enough. So, I guess that works for me!

I Love you Doc. But I don't have to like you right now!

On Friday, I received the results of my BW. First thing Doc said was my TSH was high. I certainly wasn't shocked. But, I was a little angry at the fact that I had suspected my dose (synthroid) needed to be changed, and 1. hadn't pushed testing hard enough w/my OB/GYN and 2. my previous GP hadn't been concerned enough w/my symptoms to ask me to come in a few weeks for a follow-up test. My GP obviously got results that he felt didn't warrent an increase in dosage...but, when I requested these values, I was told by the receptionist that I could only get them the next time I was in the office!!! WTF!?! Well, the Dr. has left the practice and I do not intend w/signing on w/anyone other than an actual endocrinologist-as suggested by my OB/GYN on the phone (who said he would be happy to recommend one). 1 point OB.

Here's the kicker...the OB proceeded to tell me that I had some other funky numbers come up w/my LH. He said they were at pre-menopausal levels (high). Eh, hem...Dr.? How about before you go into questioning me about my periods you confirm on what CD you asked me to have this BW??? He asked me to go in Monday, and said that he wasn't concerned w/the cycle day (I guess because he wasn't testing for the estrogens and progesterone hormones). I went in on CD13...that evening I got my 1st OPK+ of the cycle!!! Of course my LH was high, I was signally ovulation! Pre-menopausal. Are you kidding me? -10 points OB.

Granted he told me right off the bat that I was welcome to see the RE from the start. He claimed he was more than happy to start seeing me as he was able to deal w/mild fertility issues...but, that was as far as he'd be able to take me. I didn't realize that he was that serious. I forget that Drs really only know about their specialties!!! Lesson learned. Regardless of pg issues, I will only be seeing an endocrinologist to manage my thyroid. Luckily, this RE that my Dr. has recommended is also an endocrinologist...So, he will be able to manage my thyroid, confirm my results (I cannot wait for re-test on appropriate CDs) and potentially help me get pg if we find I need help. If the RE doesn't believe his services are necessary, and kicks me back to my OB...I will start seeing the other Endo. Either way, I should benefit. Hopefully.....

Batter

The oven is pre-heated! My first cycle w/o charting is actually going quite well. No GTE this month, but I still got EWCM! I am taking the EPO, so perhaps that is the culprit after all. Like clockwork, I got an OPK+ two days after my first FCM, and looks like I'll be O'ing sometime today! I'm pretty lucky that my cycles were consistent enough over 6 cycles, to learn to gague my fertile time so I have a descent idea of where I am in my cycle. It looks like the 4 OPKs I had left over from last cycle were enough to get the job done. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to order some more for next cycle or not, I think I'll wait and see how this cycle turns out and see what the Dr. has to say about my BW.

Speaking of BW. G got some done yesterday, as well. He also had his IU apt. and the Urologist doesn't seem too concerned w/the morphology #. Since his count is so good, and his motility is damn near 100%, he felt had enough information to suggest getting moving w/me. That's why I got BW yesterday. When I relayed this info to my Dr. he was ready to go, and ordered the BW for that evening. As soon as we get that back, we move forward w/the HSG. G isn't out of the woods yet though. He still needs to do an U/S, and an additional SA w/DNA analysis. The latter takes about 3 weeks, and G has yet to schedule it. The U/S is scheduled for 6/10/09. So, it looks like G will be back for a f/u apt. w/the IU in about 4 weeks.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping that we would still get pg on our own before that apt. comes.

To Chart or Not to Chart?

There's a lot of chart pushing on GP. It's almost like, if you don't chart, no one will take your TTC efforts seriously. Obviously, this is not the case w/many of the ladies on the board. But, there are so many woman that seem to think charting is NECCESSARY.

I personally do not think it is neccessary. Certainly, many woman get pregnant without it. Getting pregnant is all about having sex and getting lucky (So, I guess that would be, getting lucky then getting lucky again, lol.). There are two major strategies: Have sex often throughout your cycle, or timing intercourse during your fertile time. Both will get you pregnant.

I DO think charting is helpful for most. My ovulation date tends to fall into the old stand by of CD14. So, I probably would have been just fine aiming there. For others who have long or irregular cycles, it can be a god send. For these woman TTC can be exhausting. For other's they claim charting helps them save money. For me...that's not the case. I like to test at 8DPO (I know, I know). Since, I don't know exactly when that is now. I'm just waiting until CD28...since my cycles is rarely even 27 days.

The catch...charting has helped me pick out some clues as to when I'm going to ovulate and helped train me to recognize FCM. So, in the end I think it's good for everyone to chart at least a few cycles. But, you don't NEED to. Also, I think that it's perfectly fine to give yourself a few cycles the old fashioned way, or do as I did and chart to learn about your cycles then use that knowledge w/o charting.

Personally, I still make a mental note of my CM. I also keep track of where I am in my cycle. Of course, lots of sex! Can't really do much more than that, even if I am charting.