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| Blank and then line. Story of my life. |
On to Femara round #2.
I will say that one positive to this cycle was that in addition to being on Femara, I asked Dr. Colbert to put me on progesterone after ovulation to lengthen my luteal phase. It worked! I was experiencing only 10 days luteal phases (should be at least 12), but I surpassed 14 this cycle with the progesterone. Based on a blood draw I had done, Dr. Colbert thought my progesterone levels were fine, but I had this nagging feeling I could not shake that I needed to be on the progesterone. Most embryos implant between 7-10 days post ovulation, but they can implant as late as 12 days post ovulation. If I was ever to have a late implanting embryo, at least I know my luteal phase would not cause an early miscarriage.
A friend of mine recently had success supplementing her fertility treatments with chiropractic care, so I made an appointment with her chiropractor for Friday. I honestly don't know how I feel about this option or if I believe it will help, but my friend's story was so compelling I had to give it a try. She was at the point of IVF and it appears seeing the chiropractor made all the difference because she got pregnant (without IVF) that cycle! It can't hurt, right?
I am praying that God will continue to direct our steps as we move forward. It is getting tougher and tougher to remain hopeful that I will ever conceive. Over a decade ago, I claimed Proverbs 3:5-6 as my life verse and I am leaning into it hard right now:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
Desperate for divine direction because "my own understanding" feels something like a spaghetti map leading nowhere fast. Direct my paths, LORD! Make them straight.
xo
Oh Jillian, I'm so sorry. Seeing that blank test is always such a punch in the gut and it usually gets worse and more painful as time progresses.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are looking for positives out of this cycle and I think it's really good that you pushed for progesterone, because a longer luteal phase definitely won't hurt anything. Hopefully the chiropractor can help and this next cycle will be it. Will you be doing just Femera again?
Thank you so much for your empathetic words. Means a lot to me! We are still deciding if we are going to do an IUI in addition to the Femara. Praying it over.
DeleteI am nearing the end to my Clomid cycle right now and will be using Femera next month as needed. So I hear ya babe. Trying to stay optimistic and trusting God, but my heart is so anxious. I have Psalm 16:7-8 as my phone background and it makes such a difference when I'm down and weak. Praying for you!!!!
ReplyDelete"I will not be shaken." <3 I hear you on the anxiety! In it together. Thank you for your prayers!
DeleteMy heart aches for/with you dear friend. Praying something changes. Blessing and peace
ReplyDeleteThank you for your prayers and for walking with me!
DeleteSigh. Hope is a lovely thing but sometimes it's as elusive as a shadow or dandelion fluff... I'm sorry love.
ReplyDeleteFor real.
DeletePraying for you! I have hope. <3 And I know I have posted like eleventy times before, but acupuncture... It really works!! I think chiro does too though. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have been considering it! The closest clinic is an hour away and we're having a terrible winter (bad road conditions), but if we're still trying be spring it is on my list!
DeleteTry the acupuncture!!! I second the fact that it works.
ReplyDeleteKaren
See my comment above! ;-)
DeleteI was coming on to suggest acupuncture as well! I did it doing IVF and it worked on the first cycle. I normally hate needles but it was not bad at all, actually became quite relaxing! Fingers crossed next month is it!!
ReplyDeleteHa! Just replied on the topic above. Love hearing success stories!!
DeleteSo sorry to hear this. Continuing to hold you in Light.
ReplyDeleteEm, NYC.
Hi Jill,
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that you have done and continue to do lots of research. I'm just throwing this out there in case you haven't come across it yet. And please forgive me if you have already tried or ruled the following out.
I'm wondering if your RE has you on a low dose of aspirin? The baby aspirin type. This can help improve blood flow to the uterus. It's often recommended as part of the protocol in IVF (for almost everyone doing IVF). May be worth a try for this next cycle (you can ask your RE about it).
Something else that a IVF clinic would most likely start you on is CoQ10. This helps to improve egg quality. With your FSH level, it could help. Again, something that you can buy over-the-counter and can run it by your RE first.
Lastly, some with endometriosis have been successful adding a claritin or even prednisone while TTC. The idea behind this is that some believe that endometriosis is connected to autoimmune. The allergy steroid seems to "calm" the system and allow for pregnancy for some. I know a person who did 3 rounds of IVF with endometriosis, the first 2 cycles were without a steroid and the very last one with a steroid...and that was her first ever pregnancy (and carried to term!).
I mention the above 3 as they are all things that are often tried in IVF that can also be done with a RE. Again, not trying to be one of those annoying people throwing a "do this" at you. Just in case you haven't heard of or tried the above, I wanted to leave a comment. Wishing you all the best!