Had appt - IUI starts in 3 weeks but high FSH :\(

DaisyGirlx · Mar 27, 2009 8:41AM

Hi girls

Thank goodness for this forum, that's all I can say. I've been driving myself nuts and apart from talking to my lovely HB this place te only place I've wanted to talk about this.

We had our first official appointment at the fertility clinic yesterday and I was so excited that I was given Clomid straight away and we're going to start IUI from my next cycle. We had a few final test results to get, one of which was my latest FSH (day 3 blood) test. The last one had been 7, which was normal, so I hadn't really worried about it. The nurse told me that my latest one was 11 and that this would mean a slightly different approach to IVF if we got to that, but said it wasn't really anything to worry about. From the way she said it all though, I got the feeling it wasn't good and then stupidly I got home and Googled.

All last night and this morning I've been reading horror stories about higher levels indicating peri-menapuase and that some clinics won't treat you if your FSH is over 14. Since mine has gone from 7 to 11 in a year and a half I'm now terrified that my eggs are going to be bad quality, that IVF won't harvest enough good ones and after all this waiting for treatment that I won't be able to have a child of my own.

I've called the clinic this morning to have a chat with the nurse to get the official view on the result - she's calling back as soon as she's out of theatre. Just wondered if anyone knew anything about FSH levels or could give me any info.

Thanks girls

xxx

-moonbean- · Mar 25, 2009 6:45PM

aw hello dg you must be going through hell - google is not good I have diagnosed myslef with many severe illnesses on that!! LOL

Did the nurse ring you back? WHat did she say? Hopefully that was an unusual result or a mis if that can happen will they test again????

Oh I do hope it all works out for you after waiting so long mrs - thinkin gof you xxxxx

DaisyGirlx · Mar 26, 2009 4:07AM

Hi Moonbeam

Thanks for your reply - you are a love. Still feeling a bit shell shocked and down about the FSH result, though a lot better than yesterday. The nurse called back and said I mustn't worry. She said the FSH was only just outside the normal range and could have been a blip. Worrying thing is though that they won't give IVF on the NHS at that clinic if your FSH goes above 14 and after my IUI they'll test again before starting IVF, so I'm dreading that test already.

Have booked a first acupuncture for Monday. It seems there's some evidence that acupuncture can help lower FSH and I want to do it for relaxation and through IUI and IVF anyway, so at least I feel as if I'm doing something to help. The acupuncture man was fab too. He specialises in infertility and asked about my FSH. I said it was raised at 11 and he said 'oh, only just raised'. I'm going to like him, I can tell!!

So, I guess it's just wait, try not to worry and start IUI next month. I've had that creeping 'it's never going to work' feeling, but I'm sure we all have that. Main thing I've decided is that over the next few months I'm just going to try to de-stress and do all I can to give us the best chance possible.

Anyway hun, how are you?

xxx

OneNdouble · Mar 26, 2009 5:02AM

Firstly STEP AWAY from GOOGLE- its the devil!!!!

I'm sorry about ur results but as the nurse says it could be a blip and your next result could be back within range.

I've just been looking into accupunsture and the woman did mention that it was great for ttc, helping with hormone levels and destressing so hopefully will help u along the way.

And i say bollocks to "its never gonna work" this is the final step on your path to be a mummy- IT WILL WORK!!!!! pma, pma, pma.

Good luck.
xxxxxxxx

sweesha · Mar 26, 2009 6:57AM

Hi Daisy Girl, I agree, Google is an awful tool to have in our situations. If you're not searching for infertility, it's symptom spotting. Definitely avoid!

I hadn't heard acupuncture can help, so I'm tempted to look into it! Hang in there, you're on the right path, and you will get a lovely LO.
xx

-moonbean- · Mar 26, 2009 4:14PM

I'm fine mrs in 2ww and oh going for sa on monday so testing is on its way which feels like I am going some where!!!! LOL

If the nurse doesn't sound too worried theen I wouldn't worry either and if something like acupuncture can lower your FSH it is obviously a 'moveable result and could well have been a blip.

Also was thinking if you are going for IUI (is this where they get you to create eggs and extract them?? TBH I'm not that sure what it is... any way if they are giving you stuff to make you produce egg hormones etc surely this would give your wee body a kick and stop the FSH getting higher as your body would be like...ooohhh need to get preggers!!!! LOL then hopefully after the first your body woul dbe in baby mode and you can go on ot have some more!!!! Not that any of us are greedy on here LOL I want about 4 -5 kids!!!!!! I wanna be barefoot in my back garden growing my own veg and feeding a bunch of kids vats of porridge in the morning!!!! If only!!!

DaisyGirlx · Mar 26, 2009 8:04PM

Thank you girls and you're quite right Google is the devil and I won't be tempted to use it again in relation to ttc (yeah, right, until the next time!!)! It is dreadful, by the time I'd finished yesterday I was crying every 5 mintues and had convinced myself I was completely barren at the age of 36! I've now calmed down a bit and am being a bit more realistic. If my FSH stays slightly high it might make IUI and IVF a little harder but hey, as a friend of mine said today, it only takes one egg!

Lilac, thanks for the PMA boost, I really needed that! How are things with you? Last I remember things were starting to look up and sounding much more positive for you.

Warrenaj - I'll report back on the acupuncture next week. I've been thinking of doing it for a while and really hoping it helps.

Moonbeam - lots of luck with your 2WW and hb's SA - sounds as if it's full steam ahead, which is great. IUI is what used to be known as artificial insemination so no eggs taken out but swimmers put in at the right time and a little Clomid to help thing along too. Either way I love the thought of 4-5 kids and porridge in the garden and that will be what I'll focus on on the long journey to our BFP!

xxx

-moonbean- · Mar 27, 2009 3:35AM

aaahhh so thats what iui is I am constantly enlightened on here!!!!! Oh i hope the aacpntre wrks for you, did you ever watch that program on sky abot the woman who had one kid but had troubole with number 2 (bit like myself!! LOL) and had clomid and had either 5 or 6 kids!!!!!!! I'm waiting for one of those ones on this site with all the clomid flying around would be tpugh but greate craic too!!!! LOL XXXXX Heres hoping you get a few in one like a 2 for 1 offer!!! te he xx

juliazhumphries · Mar 27, 2009 5:30AM

Hey DG
Firstly am sorry for the worry you have been having. I would feel the same.Because of my age I have been reading about FSH and anti mullerian hormone. In fact neither are an indicator of egg quality as I understand it. The only true test is fertilitsation of the egg!
As far as I understand the FSH can be likened to the accelerator in a car the higher it is the harder your body is working to ovulate. As the consultant said it is only fractionally high.
Also I would issue caution in comparing single results and say there is a 'rise'. FSH levels vary considerably accross the cycle and even a little during the course of the day.
To compare the 7 and 11 you would have to be sure that the measurements were taken at the same time.

To really know whether they were increasing then you would have to look for a trend over a few measurements.

Not sure how old you are chick ? Rest easy your very nice consultant would have sent you straight to IVF if he thought there was a worry currently.

Its so nice to have faith in the consutlant ours is really knowlegable and we both really like him. He wrote a lovely letter after our last appointment and the end line was ' I really hope we achieve an ongoing pregnancy for this delightful couple' Kind regards etc. Love him too as he said if we had another MC he would 'throw the book at it' aka test everything and they normally only do that after three.

Take care
X

DaisyGirlx · Mar 27, 2009 6:16AM

JJ - you've made me cry (in a good way!). Thank you so much for your post. Since Tuesday I've been feeling so blue about the FSH and of course when Googling believing all the bad stuff and ignoring anything that might say it's fine. To read your reasoned, well informed, sensible post has given me such PMA and I know you're right on all counts, I suppose it just takes someone else to say it. I think with some news you just go off into the darkest place in your head where all your worst fears are and settle in, believing that it will never happen. Thank you.

I'm so, so pleased for you that your consultant sounds so great. It's just so reassuring to know you're in good hands and your doctor sounds like an absolute diamond. I so, so hope it happens for you. Do you know when you might be able to start your next cycle or is it still a bit of a waiting game?

Anyway, thanks again, this forum is just wonderful and I have to say I don't know what I'd do without you girls.

xxx

P.S. Moonbeam - 2 for 1, I *love* the sound of that!!!

DaisyGirlx · Mar 27, 2009 6:20AM

P.S. I'm 36, so no surprise if the accelerator is having to work a little harder I guess!

juliazhumphries · Mar 27, 2009 8:41AM

oooff well just waiting for AF ..... J jenko drums fingers. WIth the MMC and the PCOS I am not sure when that should be five weeks and counting. Then we start a 6 -7 week protocol for snow baby transfer. The only downside being that if the mini one doesn't survive the thaw all the drugs etc will have been in vain. Still I would rather 'go for it' as I don't like the idea of an embryo being in cold storage.
Try the accupuncture I have heard that can help and if it imporves your relaxation its a brucey bonus
Take care
XX

Had appt - IUI starts in 3 weeks but high FSH :\(

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