3 months of Meds!

So my prescription for Metformin is in the pharmacy, I got the call this evening, Ill collect tomorrow.

Am nervous.

I'm to start week 1 with 1 tablet, increase to 2 and then hopefully be able to stand 3 by the third week. Am staying positive and hoping that this staggered approach will work.

I was a little concerned

When the nurse asked me to contact them towards the end of the second month so that they could arrange the IVF procedure. She seemed confused when I explained I wasn't having IVF, at least not yet. I explained to her that the [good] Doctor thinks insulin is the problem, hence the metformin.

I could be pregnant,

Inside the next 3 months, pregnant, both a scary and exhilarating thought.

Wish me luck!

Metformin for me!

The good Doctor and I stopped playing phone tag this afternoon and actually got to talk to each other! Albeit it was difficult to hear him as I was driving and the car kit is just not great, but we had a conversation none the less.

Insulin is my problem.

So he says. I only got the jest, but he is putting me on metformin. I've been here before, 3 years ago in fact, a different Doctor, but the same meds. However, apparently this time it will work, he says, dosage and diet is the key, according to him. Am sceptical but willing to try.

A 3 month supply - enough for a baby?

Well I suppose we'll find out... its all I'm getting, initially anyways. Optimistically I could say that I will be giving everyone an extra special Christmas present, news of a baby, but perhaps that is getting my hopes up too much.

Time will tell...

Wish us luck!

Imagine from taiwanease.com

Getting pregnant, a money pit?!

I had another mini ' are we doing the right thing/ ready for this' attack again. It ended with my booking the blood tests, so you can deduce what I decided.

Shock of my life.

The doctor had said that I would require 1 blood test, I checked the cost when I booked and told the nurse when she started taking the body that it was only the fasting bloods I was having done, that everything else was up-to-date, the shock came when we went to pay. Instead of €40 she was charging me €160! I nearly died.

Apparently [annoyed]

It's routine [so I was told] for PAI -1 to be done at the same time, the expense little bugger. The receptionist wasn't much help when I asked what it was all about. And sure I thought to myself it will be worth it [it better be]. If this kid doesn't come out right I will want my money back!

Procrastinating: Still haven't booked the fasting blood tests.

I know, I know. My own fault again. It's me circa 2007; knowing exactly what needs to be done and sticking my head in the sand.

I think it's because I'm scared. I've a feeling I wont get the answer I am hoping for from these blood tests and I don't know where that will lead so I do nothing.

Not a way forward I know, but hey, its taken me 3 years to get this far...

Need a big push... must make appointment on Monday * bites nails * - think I need a Drill Sargent - any takers?

Insulin might not be the problem afterall.

At our first appoint with the IVF Clinic the Doctor explained that he was [almost] sure that my aggravated PCOS symptoms and infertility was down to an in balance in Insulin or Insulin Resistance. I'm booked in for fastening blood tests to confirm this.

However

As I was at my GP's during the week I decided to ask if I ever had this type of blood test before. I had. AND the results were normal.

I am devastated.

I will still go ahead and have the fasting blood tests at the Sims Clinic and see but I don't think my treatment is going to be as easy as diet, exercise and medication after all.

Staying positive...

Our First appointment with the IVF Clinic

I was a bag of nerves, good nerves, excited nerves; but a bag of nerves none the less.

We got there early,

About 30 minutes early but headed in regardless. It's nice there, clinical but nice. Plenty to do in the waiting room; tv, teas and coffee, computers, games etc. Don't ask me why but I was surprised to see the waiting room full of other couples. All stone faced, I smiled at some but they weren't very welcoming - is it that IVF apts are not PC... even when you're all there for the same reasons?

Our Doctor is lovely.

Such a nice man. He even phoned me this morning. He was not supposed to be the Doctor we were to meet and called to make sure we were happy to meet him - so we would have no surprises. [How Sweet].

A very long chat

Ensued in his office were we talked all about my medical history, my PCOS, PCOS in general and possible treatments and options that we would have and face. He was very thorough, spoke alot of since and for the first time in years I feel like someone is actually listening and interested in helping us. All in all a very positive consultation.

I rather painful procedure

When I told him that I haven't had a period since Oct 07 he grew a little concerned and thought it odd that no-one had ever thought to question or investigate this before. Which made sense when he said it. As a result I had an Endometrial [sp?] Biopsy. Not a pleasant experience at all.

I forgot to mention the Tumour

The one I've had for years in my right ovary. When he did the ultrasound he got quite a shock. And for the second time he asked why no-one had questioned/ investigated or removed it. Simply; before, no-one ever seemed concerned or interested in it.

My prognosis

You may be forgiven for thinking that my prognosis would be rather grey after all that but you would be wrong. The [very] good Doctor is quietly positive that insulin my be my fiend and the root to all my problems! He is of the educated [guess] opinion at the moment that once regulated and controlled through a combination of diet, exercise and medication I may very well be all to conceive naturally.

A blood test

Will confirm all this, and fingers crossed making babies might not be as 'test tubey' as we thought!

Your Health is Your Wealth!

I'm fine, better than fine, there is nothing wrong!

For those of you who read regularly you'll be aware that for 2 weeks my appointment with a plastic surgeon has hung over me like a guillotine.

Thankfully I don't have skin cancer.

After a thorough investigation by a charming Doctor he declared all my lumps and bumps totally normal and nothing to worry about. [ I'll be having some stern words with my GP I can tell you after that fright!]

Biopsies not even required!

I will be having a procedure called 'Mole Mapping' done in the near future so that they can more accurately keep an eye on everything and so that I will have a reference point for the future, but other than that I can relax - relief in me is palpable!

Next focus...

Tomorrow's appointment with the IVF Clinic, they've already called to confirm and I've checked the directions - very excited!!

Still no Appointment for the IVF Clinic

Frustrated!

I still haven't heard from the IVF Clinic! I expect they have our forms well over a week now... should I call? Would that be too persistent?

Could I ruin my chances?

Would pestering them mean we wouldn't get a spot... I'm sure they are used to coupled being anxious... but do we want to one of those?

I'll see what happens

Tomorrow and decide then whether or not to call. Fingers Crossed they call soon, I can't take it any more!!

What are the odds of getting pregnant?

Assuming

Everything is in order and you have no fertility issues or obstacles and you are both a man and a woman [that is, there is one of each of you.]

It's been calculated

That your chances of conceiving within the first 6 months are as follows;

Make Love 1 a week = 16.7%

Make Love 1-2 times a week = 32.1%

Make Love 2-3 times a week = 46.3%

Make Love 3-4 times a week = 51%

Make Love over 4 times a week = 83%

A Common Misconception

Is that abstinence will boost a man's fertility. This is not the case. Yes the number of sperm may increase but they become less mobile and less able to reach the egg.

Funnily enough the flip side

Isn't good either... several sessions a day is also counter-productive too! You need to find a happy medium!

Eating gives you an appetite

You want to have a baby and you realise that making love 4 times a week will seriously boost your chances but you work long hours and are very tired and often have little desire... first I would say; if you can't alter this [energy levels] to conceive a child how will this change once the child is born? [Food for thought, no?] And second as the saying goes: eating gives you an appetite, so making love will ....

Happy TTCing people!!

A sneak peak at Self Fertility Massage

Am a great believer in [trying] to have a rounded approach to treatment. I came across this on YouTube, I think I'll give it a go; if nothing else it looks very relaxing. Anyone else tried it?