Subject: Nancy G's sucess story!(very Long)
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2000 11:42:44 -0700

Summary: We were successful with the first round of
clomid (50mg days 3-7). we had been trying for #2
since September of 1999.

Brief Background: I am 36 (37 in June) DH is 39. DD
was born Feb 21, 1998. Had been on the pill 10 yrs.
Had been off b/c pills for 10 mos. We tried ONCE for
dd, and it worked. In hindsight, I contribute our
first time success 100% to me being on the pill for
so long. I am one of those women who has a
sleepy/comatose pituitary. Being on the pill for so
long had my pituitary on "auto-pilot" which in my
case was a good thing. I know this is NOT the case
for everyone.

We started trying in Sept. of 99, I began charting
and temping in Nov. In January had a consult with my
ob/gyn to discuss why I wasn't becoming pregnant. I
was considering goin back on the pill to give myself
a mental/emotional break, and to possibly "reset" my
system. The result of the discussion with the dr.
was that he would run 3 baseline tests. A FSH level
(ovarian reserve, must be done on day 3 of cycle).,
a post-coital test on day 14, and a 21-day
progesterone level. He stated that from those 3
tests 90% of our/my questions would be answered.

The results of the FSH came back within normal
range. I think it was 6. Had the post-coital on day
14, and my CM was absolutely textbook perfect. DH's
sperm count however didn't look so good. Dr. only
saw ONE sperm. DH and I then became concerned. I
promptly banned him from the hot tub (DUH!!!!),
switched from briefs to boxers. and started him on a
regimen of a good daily mulit0-vit. that contained
maganese and selenium. Supplemented with Zinc 50 mg,
and Vit. C 1000 mg. He was EXTREMELY cooperative
with the whole thing!

That first cycle my progesterone was 5.6. Dr.
offered me the choice of trying another month by
ourselves or going on Clomid. I decided to go ahead
with the clomid, but then got nervous and scared and
decided to seek a 2nd opinion from another trusted
gyn (retired ob). after that consult he recommend a
SA for DH before proceeding with the clomid to avoid
"wasting any clomid cycles" in case there was some
male factor involvement. DH subsequently had a SA
done, and it came back within normal limits, but
that was AFTER a month of no hot tub, boxers, and
faithfully taking vitamins.

The second cycle my progesterone level was 1.2.
However, I believe this level was pre-ovulatory.
According to fertility friend I didn't O that cycle
until day 27!, I believe it was right, because my
luteal phase was 12 days long. That cycle turned
out to be 39 days long!. I had to take progesterone
to get that cycle started, so I could start the
clomid. AAHHHGGGG!. It's always hurry up and wait in
this fertility game.

This last cycle (the 3rd) started clomid 50 mgs day
3-8. Didn't really have too bad of side effects. a
mild headache, and some hotflashes. This months
progesterone was 9.6. We BD the evening of day 16.
(had a faint + OPK earlier that afternoon)
According to Fertility friend I O'd on day 17/18?.
After all the wackiness of the two previous cycles I
wasn't sure anymore about WHEN I O'd. There had
been previous months when it seemed EVERYTHING was
perfect, and BD at the right time with no success.
After learning my 7dpo progesterone level was 9.6 I
was depressed and down and figured this cycle was a
bust. Both the dr. and I were discussing the game
plan for the next cycle. Which was 100mg of clomid,
and an U/S to monitor ovaries/follicles.

In the meantime during the 7 mos while all the
waiting was going on, I would READ EVERYTHING I
could get my hands on about clomid/low
progesterone/PCOS/Luteal Phase defects etc. to try
and decipher why my progesterone levels were so
pitiful. I found the INCIID articles to be most
helpful, particularly the article "Clomid Use and
Abuse" by Berger. I strongly recommend that one
should scour that website, and learn everything they
can from it. I never did buy the book TCOYF. A
cardinal sin, I know. I should've.

Hindsight for this cycle: during days 7dpo thru
about 12dpo, my bbs were miserable off and on. I
would get the tiniest bit queasy but would eat a
bite of something and it would go away. I also had
some light brown discharge during that time, gave
all the credit to the clomid and progesterone. (The
progesterone gave me one whopping AF I figured it
must be leftovers). I had been temping and using
fertility friend. My temps seemed up, but once again
giving credit to clomid. About 10dpo (day 27) my
temp dropped to 98.3, and I figured it was SURE sign
AF was on her way. But the next day it went back up
to 98.9. I wasn't sure WHAT was going on!!!.

I used the ovulation calendar from www.babydata.com
to help time my BD and possible Ovulation day.

On day 31 of my cycle (which was Saturday, testing
day of course!) when no AF arrived I thought, "Well,
I'll just test to confirm I'm NOT pregnant, so if
need be I can start the progesterone sooner than day
35 this time!" I used EPT, and within a minute
began to see a faint, faint, line. it was still
early in the a.m. I thought to myself "I am
hallucinating this line into existence, boy am I
PATHETIC", then I thought "these bathroom lights are
too bright, they must be creating some sort of weir
glare!", then I thought, "there must be something
WRONG with this test!" I finally took the test to
DH and asked him "what do you see?, do you see to
vertical parallel lines, one fainter than the
other?" and he said "I definitely see two vertical
lines, one lighter than the other." after reading
the instructions again, we decided that yes, It was
POSTIVE. I was in shock and disbelief.

I called my MD on Sunday and said I had tested
positive, and was a little concerned about my low
progesterone level. I thought i was being worried
and obsessive over nothing. He immediately wanted
to put me on progesterone supplements. (of course it
is Sunday and the pharmacy that has them is
CLOSED!!!) I mentioned I had some progesterone left
over from last cycle, and he ok'd me taking one, He
said "they really couldn't hurt you". So I of
course wanting to be extra sure took two (I in NO
WAY advocate self prescribing meds, one should
always exercise caution when taking prescription
medication)

During my journey of secondary infertility there are
some things I found INVALUABLE.

1. Know your bloodwork levels and how they compare
to the norm. and possible reasons /diagnosis if they
are abnormal

2. Find a good support system/group. This website
and it's various DB's were my support groups. I
NEVER would have made it this far without my sanity
had it not been for this place and it's resources.

3. Arm yourself with AS MUCH INFORMATION about
yourself and your "condition" as you possibly can.
I realize there are many sub groups within the
infertility diagnosis. If you have PCOS learn
EVERYTHING you can about it, and how it does, and
doesn't apply to your particular history and
situation. This will enable you to discuss your
diagnosis, treatment, and result/desired outcome
intelligently with your physician. If you get an md
who doesn't respect your knowledge or is threatened
by it, time to get a new doc. One who respects you
as a TEAM player, and in that context treats you
like and equal/colleague.

A technique I found very helpful when I didn't
understand something was just to ask "help me
understand how clomid will increase my progesterone
level?". vs. "how will going on clomid effect my
progesterone level!?". He was always happy to
explain, and give me a better understanding of
things.

Just remember, this infertility experience is a VERY
difficult thing to go through. So give yourself
permission to feel angry, depressed, hopeless, and
"left-out" once in a while. It takes a lot of
energy to always stay positive, hopeful, and
optimistic. Allow yourself to rest by expressing
those "negative" (for lack of a better word)
emotions. I remember sharing with people (who were
ignorant about infertility,bless their hearts)
about trying for our second, and being unsuccessful,
and they would say "relax and it will happen". I
remember thinking to myself "Relaxing isn't going
to increase my progesterone level, or give me a
stronger ovulation you idiot!! all the while SAYING,
you're right, a nice long vacation to someplace
tropical probably couldn't hurt!"

EVERYONE OF YOU IS DESERVING of the little angel you
are trying, hoping, and praying for. So don't ever
buy into the theory that you are paying for the sins
of your youth. It my sincerest hope and wish that
there was never a need for this type of place, and
everyone would conceive easily, happily, and always
successful. But reality as it is.. What a wonderful
place this website is..

Thanks MommaKath and Elizabeth
What a haven you have created.!!!!!