Re: Share Stories of Successful Fertility Treatments!
Im sorry for this being so long, but I just want to give you all the details!!
Who: My husband (31) and I (29)
How long TTC: 1 year - but have been trying to get a proper diagnosis for many years
Fertility Issues: Me: PCOS and Hypothyroidism
Background: I am from Canada, and because of the way the health system works, I had to see a GP to refer me to a specialist. I saw 4 different GP's, trying to get a proper diagnosis. Each one of them did a full blood workup, and told me that I was perfectly fine. Since I have had my period, they have been very irregular, I have excess facial/body hair, carry my weight in my stomach, gain weight in weird spurts (like 10 pounds in one month out of nowhere!). I knew something was wrong, but none of the GP's would give me a diagnosis. After getting married I moved to the states. Here you can see any doctor without a referral. But again, I went and saw a GP, because I wasnt actually trying to conceive at that point, but just wanted a check up. I explained my concerns to her, and again she did a full blood work up and thyroid ultrasound. According to her, everything came back normal - but she did send me my blood results in the mail. So I finally had in my hand my numbers. After a few months, I went off birth control, and we started trying to conceive. Of course, my irregular period came back, and month after month nothing was happening.
I started temping after 6 months of trying to conceive. From temping, I realized that I was only ovulating every other month, and the months that I did ovulate, it was too early in my cycle (cd 6, cd 8, etc) for the egg to be mature enough for fertilization. I also started using OPK's, but they never gave me proper results. They were either almost positive, or negative. After about 9 months of TTC, my husband and I moved to another town, which was a fairly small town compared to where we were before. At that time, I decided that I need to make an appt with a Reproductive Endocrinologist, because I knew something was wrong, even though no doctor would give me a diagnosis. I was a little discouraged, because we were now in a small town, and I really wanted a female doctor. I started doing my research just before Ramadaan (this past summer). To my shock, one of the best RE practices in our state had an office in our town, and 1 of the only 3 female RE's in all of our state practiced here. I called them and made an appt for right after Ramadaan. In the mean time, they sent me a whole package to get a detailed medical history. In August, I got my period twice within 3 weeks, and the last cycle before my appt, I had ovulated - which was confirmed by my temping - but it was on CD 6, so obviously it was useless.
I went to my first appt, it was CD 12 for me, and I hadnt ovulated yet (know this because of temping), but also, because it was the month I was not supposed to ovulate. At the appt, the doctor was very nice. We spent about 30 minutes going through my medical history, and my family history. In the office they had their own ultrasound and someone to do bloodwork. She had my blood drawn, about 12 vials!! Then she took me in to do an ultrasound of my ovaries. As soon as she saw my ovaries, she said "you definitely have polycystic ovaries". Then she also said (to my complete surprise) "you have an egg on your right ovary, you are going to ovulate any day now". I was really shocked, but happy at the same time. I was already taking prenatals, but she gave me another brand, and gave me a prescription for a year supply. She also gave me something called "pregnitude" (which she later called a MIRACLE). Pregnitude basically does the same thing that Metformin does, but without all the horrible side effects. Pregnitude is available over the counter at the pharmacy (you just have to ask for it) or you can order it on line from their website. It is a powder that you mix in water twice a day and drink it. It is flavourless and you wont even realize its in your water. It is also supposed to give you better quality eggs and a stronger ovulation.
When I got home, I told my husband that this was our last month to do this on our own, before we got medical intervention. And since I knew now that there was a good egg waiting, I really just wanted it to happen. With temping, I saw that I ovulated on CD 17. So the waiting game began. I read somewhere that eating pineapple with the core can help with implantation, so I started eating that everyday. At 8 days post ovulation, I took a test, and of course it was negative. I did get discouraged, but at the same time I knew that it was too early. I told myself that I was going to wait until I missed my period (if I did miss my period). At 9 days post ovulation, the RE's office called and said they wanted me to come in, because they had gotten some of my test results back and wanted to discuss it with me. I couldnt wait anymore and ended up testing at 12 days post ovulation. It came out positive! I couldnt believe it.
2 days later, I had my appt at the RE office. I was told at that time that I had Hypothyroidism. My TSH levels were 5.25, whereas a woman of childbearing age should only be at 2.5. My testosterone level was over 70 (I cant remember the units), and a "normal" woman should not be over 45-50, even lower is actually better. SO the RE confirmed for me that I did have PCOS and Hypothyroidism. I then told her that I had a positive pregnancy test over the weeekend. Right away, she opened my file and said "I gave you pregnitude last time you were here right? That really is a miracle drug!" Now, they monitor my TSH levels to make sure they are being lowered with Synthroid, and have been monitoring my pregnancy with bi-weekly ultrasounds. Alhamdulillah everything is going well so far.
]Extra Efforts: Lots and lots of prayers. I listened to (and still do) Surah Maryam and Surah Yusuf everyday. During the last ten nights of Ramadaan, I would do tahajud every night, and just beg Allah to have mercy on me and all the TTC girls on here. Whenever I would be doing something that did not really require me to use my brain (just sitting around, cooking, driving, etc.) I would recite "Ya Mujeeb" (The Answerer of Duas). I kept Allahs name on my mind and on my lips at all times.
My advice to anyone ttc: if you live in a place where you need a referral to an RE, even if the GP tells you that everything is normal, insist that you want to see an RE. Change GP's until you find one that will give you a referral. A GP is a jack of all trades, master of none (Im sorry to anyone here who is a GP - but you know this as well). An RE is trained in infertility, and knows what they EXACTLY what they are looking for. They know what all the levels in your blood work should be for child bearing. And do not despair, keep your faith in Allah. He will answer all your prayers in due time.
I still keep all the TTC girls in my prayers, and inshAllah we will have more good news from everyone soon.
Can anyone buy the pregnitude? K mean it aont harmfull to use right?
And congratz again :D may allah bless u with a healthy baby (ameen!!)
May u have healthy babies Ameen!
but i m hopeful these painful injections ll work for me.