I apologize for my title.
I can't help it.
;-)
So about 7 weeks ago I wrote about my first few visits to the chiropractor for fertility related care. If you didn't get a chance to read that post, the summary is that I decided to try out this kind of care after a few different people in my life recommended it (some with personal success after infertility). I went in skeptically but open-minded enough to give it a try.
I've been going twice per week and I haven't noticed a difference in my quality of life in general, but the chiropractor has picked up on a few things like my hips being crooked and my neck being stiff on the left side. These are not issues that impacted my every day in terms of pain or discomfort, however they are "issues;" that is, they are abnormalities that shouldn't really be there, so addressing these issues could only be positive, right?
I started my visits at the beginning of my last cycle and as you know, that cycle did not end in pregnancy nor did I notice any changes in my cycle, physically or emotionally. This cycle, however, something very interesting happened! I ovulated early. Way early.
*The following may be TMI for some. If you don't want to know about my ovulation stop reading!*
Typically "on my own" (unmedicated) I ovulate anywhere from day 15-18.
I did one cycle on Femara before I saw the chiropractor and I ovulated on day 14.
Then I did one cycle on Femara and started seeing the chiropractor and I ovulated on day 13.
After 4-5 weeks of seeing the chiropractor I did another cycle on Femara and I ovulated on day 11! Day 11! That's the earliest I've ever ovulated in my history of charting, which is almost three years.
Normally a woman ovulating day 15-17 like I do wouldn't be an issue, but since I have diminished ovarian reserve, early ovulation is a really good thing because (as I understand it) the egg will be better quality. I am only going on intuition here, but I think it is the chiropractic care that allowed my body to ovulate so early.
My chiropractor was very encouraged by this, as am I! At my last appointment I had some scans re-done and the twisted-ness we saw when I started care has much improved. It is not perfect, but I'm making significant progress.
Last week we discovered another issue based on several indicators that my thyroid is not functioning up to par. I had a blood test done with my Reproductive Endocrinologist last summer which showed my levels in normal range, but my chiropractor still things it is functioning sub-par. Since I am past ovulation right now, he's not going to address is with me immediately, but if I'm not pregnant this cycle it will be the next thing we address, via chiropractic and a nutritional supplement (if I remember right it is something that contains iodine and seaweed? I could be wrong. I'll let you know).
So that's where we are right now. When I started care my chiropractor said to give him 6 months and we're about two months in. Four more to go... hopefully less.
xo
I can't help it.
;-)
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| source. |
I've been going twice per week and I haven't noticed a difference in my quality of life in general, but the chiropractor has picked up on a few things like my hips being crooked and my neck being stiff on the left side. These are not issues that impacted my every day in terms of pain or discomfort, however they are "issues;" that is, they are abnormalities that shouldn't really be there, so addressing these issues could only be positive, right?
I started my visits at the beginning of my last cycle and as you know, that cycle did not end in pregnancy nor did I notice any changes in my cycle, physically or emotionally. This cycle, however, something very interesting happened! I ovulated early. Way early.
*The following may be TMI for some. If you don't want to know about my ovulation stop reading!*
Typically "on my own" (unmedicated) I ovulate anywhere from day 15-18.
I did one cycle on Femara before I saw the chiropractor and I ovulated on day 14.
Then I did one cycle on Femara and started seeing the chiropractor and I ovulated on day 13.
After 4-5 weeks of seeing the chiropractor I did another cycle on Femara and I ovulated on day 11! Day 11! That's the earliest I've ever ovulated in my history of charting, which is almost three years.
Normally a woman ovulating day 15-17 like I do wouldn't be an issue, but since I have diminished ovarian reserve, early ovulation is a really good thing because (as I understand it) the egg will be better quality. I am only going on intuition here, but I think it is the chiropractic care that allowed my body to ovulate so early.
My chiropractor was very encouraged by this, as am I! At my last appointment I had some scans re-done and the twisted-ness we saw when I started care has much improved. It is not perfect, but I'm making significant progress.
Last week we discovered another issue based on several indicators that my thyroid is not functioning up to par. I had a blood test done with my Reproductive Endocrinologist last summer which showed my levels in normal range, but my chiropractor still things it is functioning sub-par. Since I am past ovulation right now, he's not going to address is with me immediately, but if I'm not pregnant this cycle it will be the next thing we address, via chiropractic and a nutritional supplement (if I remember right it is something that contains iodine and seaweed? I could be wrong. I'll let you know).
So that's where we are right now. When I started care my chiropractor said to give him 6 months and we're about two months in. Four more to go... hopefully less.
xo
Iodine helps improve thyroid function! Seaweed is a great natural and food-based source of iodine! Very happy to hear that you're getting results from your Chiro care! It's done wonders for me, and for everyone in my family (all chiropractors)!
ReplyDeleteGood to know! I must have remembered right then. Thanks!
Delete:)
ReplyDeleteYay for results and ovulating early! I usually ovulate between days 15-18 too and never thought it was "late". But then again, I don't have diminished ovarian reserve (at least not that I know of). Hopefully you continue to see results and you get that BFP soon! And by soon I mean in like 2 weeks or so? ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn! PLENTY of women ovulate around then and have no issues, so by itself it should concern you. I'm at the point where I need to look into what seem like "minor" things b/c there aren't really any "major" things that should be preventing pregnancy at this point. Hopefully this is something that works!
Delete*shoudn't
DeleteAwesome! I never knew that about ovulating early- that the egg could be better quality. Very interesting! Did he say much about what issues your 'abnormalities' could cause? I was told my hips were uneven too!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know it either until I started doing IUIs and the nurse told me earlier was better. Always learning on this journey!
DeleteNo he didn't say exactly what it would cause. He always emphasizes that he is not really concerned with cause and effect; he is concerned with optimizing my health. So we don't know exactly how the crookedness could be linked to infertility, but it is something that is not "healthy" so fixing it should allow my body to function better as a whole. To be honest that lack of medical explanation for things is my least favorite part of this chiropractor... I am a research girl and I want to know WHY, but I guess that is not how this works. A new experience!
So excited for the possibilities of this avenue for y'all! I love that there are so many options, and that y'all are willing to go down roads that seem... maybe a little more sketchy. I HOPE IT WOOOOORRRRKS!
ReplyDeleteThis is Michelle [srmmm07] btw
DeleteVery interesting! I, too, just found out that my thyroid levels are not ideal, so my RE put me on a medicine (Synthroid) to help it out. Apparently mine is Hypothyroidism - is that what yours is, too? The doctor said that it wasn't major problem, but that they just like to get it evened out for getting pregnant and thru pregnancy. Also, I'll be starting a Femera IUI cycle soon! Anyway, that's great that you ovulated early!! I know the feeling is great when you know your body is acting proactively like that! For me, green tea usually helps me ovulate a few days earlier - it's crazy! God bless you guys!!
ReplyDeleteYay! That's interesting.. I always ovulate day 12-13... before having a baby messed my cycle up.. ! :D
ReplyDeleteJill,
ReplyDeleteWhat was your TSH? Mine was borderline, and Dr. Colbert put me on synthroid because despite my TSH being within the "normal" reference range, many endocrinologists are pushing for the range to be lowered.
I agree with the previous comments. Mine was considered normal but they still put me on Synthroid because my doctor says that woman should be at 1.9 while trying to conceive.
ReplyDeleteI take supplements made from seaweed for my thyroid! They make me feel wonderful and balance out all my hormones. You can purchase the vitamins at a GNC, it has over 100 pills so should last half a year or so if you only take one a day.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely want your TSH below 2.5 at the BARE minimum when TTC. It's more ideal to have it in the 1.0-1.9 range.
ReplyDeleteHi Jillian,
ReplyDeleteThis case study may be helpful to you:
http://www.genea.com.au/health-professional/why-genea/case-studies/endometriosis
Congratulation, you are going in the right way to achieve the most sacred wish of your life as it is the physiotherapist who knows what to do with the muscles which can help ovulation and i am sure you are going to share your experience with others as well.
ReplyDelete