Word vomit ahead...

[murphybrown]

I've got a lot in my brain and I just want to get it out. My husband is tired of hearing me talk, haha. Just for some background, it took 9 months to conceive my son. The cycle I got pregnant, my naturopath doc prescribed a tincture of chaste tree berry (vitex) and some other stuff. 

So, we just concluded cycle 2 for ttc #2 and I've got some concerns.

#1 is that I just had a pretty major abdominal surgery back in January and I worry about my tubes being blocked from. I do wonder if it's going to be an issue and I'm not sure if I should ask for an HSG just to check. 

#2 My cycles are irregular and the length changes month to month. I'm not sure how much this should concern me as I can usually predict when it starts based on my positive opk and spotting.

#3 The spotting. I start spotting 5 days before my period starts. 

#4 I was anemic but I just got finished with my iron infusion, so that should help.

#5 I had a terrible appointment with an obgyn (I usually see midwives, but this office was close to work). She was not listening at all. Told me the spotting is normal and maybe she's right. She sent me for an ultrasound just to make sure there wasn't an issue that was causing the spotting. Much to my surprise, the ultrasound tech told me my left ovary looked polycystic. However, when the doc came back she assured me that wasn't the case and I just had several follicles. I've looked up the symptoms and think maybe I have a mild case? I mostly just don't trust this obgyn since she was so absent-minded during my appointment and my ultrasound tech seemed very sure of what she was seeing.

I'm going back to my midwives next week to get a second opinion and talk through all of these thoughts. I'm also strongly considering supplementing with vitex to help since perhaps that helped me conceive #1. I'll also start temping this cycle, too.

Thanks for reading if you did. I'm not sure why I'm posting, but it did help me organize my brain before this next appointment.

[chocolatelove]

I have PCOS, and it can be very tricky to diagnose. Many OB/GYNs are not skilled enough to diagnose it. However, there are other symptoms than just numerous cysts on the ovaries. I actually have lots of cysts, but they aren’t PCOS cysts, according to one of the top PCOS specialist in the country. I don’t know if that gives you more questions or helps. But definitely some big hugs and hope your appointment this week goes well!

[achi]

I'm sorry you're dealing with a shitty OBGYN. That is so frustrating and I can definitely empathize as my doctor doesn't listen to be me about fertility issues at all and pretty much writes me of as the "crazy lady who just wants to have another baby." The second loss finally spurred her on to send me to an OBGYN of my choice who, thus far, is awesome. Can you try to get in with a different OBGYN?

I feel like the length of spotting combined with the unpredictable cycles is unusual based on all my research and what my various practitioners have been telling me. I would push for more investigation there. Also, if you're concerned about the abdominal surgery I'd push for testing there too.

I'm currently being worked up for PCOS. Both adrenal driven and ovarian driven. I have predictable cycles, minimal spotting before my period (a day or two after), and I'm pretty sure I'm ovulating every month (I chart and use OPKs), but it took 7 cycles to conceive DS and 7 cycles to conceive loss #1. Plus I have some degree of insulin resistance. I've had a shit ton of bloodwork and have an ultrasound coming up to look super closely at my ovaries. I've had other ultrasounds in the past where I was told my ovaries were normal, so I'm curious to see if anything has changed.

I would definitely start temping. I think the more data you can provide, the better. Good luck!

[megstoo]

First off I would find a new OB. If you're not getting answers or they're not taking any concerns seriously it's time to find someone else.

There's A LOT that goes into PCOS and just looking at an ultrasound doesn't diagnosis it properly. There's blood tests also to determine your testosterone level and all of that plays into it not to mention if you're insulin resistant which you wouldn't know without proper tests. I have PCOS and will not rely on any OPK's but I also don't chart either. The only way to really know you're ovulating is for blood tests. I do have a lot of the other "classic" signs of PCOS but mine was properly diagnosed and I'm on metformin everyday because of it.

As for the HSG - I would absolutely request one and even see about your DH getting his SA done. A lot can change overtime for both of you. I just had my 3rd HSG a few weeks ago. My first 2 were clear but this own showed a blockage for literally no reason. If there is anything on your DH's SA that will really play into effect on the treatment that gets done. For me for example DH has bad morp and even though the success rates were crap for an IUI we still decided to do 3. When I think back I regret spending that money and should have gone to IVF sooner.

[Aloe Vera]

To answer your questions:

#1 is a possibility. My OB warned me about it. An HSG showed my right tube was indeed damaged from an appendectomy. It is still possible to get pregnant from this ovary/tube. I got an early ultrasound to confirm there was no ectopic pregnancy.

#2 what do you mean by irregular cycles? The length of mine change month to month. They can range from 29 to 33 days. This is considered regular by my OB. My LP is always 14/15 days.

#3 I would bring this up to your OB. My be a progesterone issue.

#5 I would go for another U/S. Techs aren't supposed to tell you anything.

Also, 9 months to conceive is totally normal. It can take up to a year for a healthy couple to conceive. You only have a 20-25% chance each month when all the stars align properly.
I agree with the above, get all the testing done for piece of mind (CD3 blood tests, U/S, HSG) and have your H do an SA as well. His GP should be able to order one.

[joenali]

Is your iron low due to heavy/long periods?

I have adenomyosis and have painful heavy periods and had an iron infusion back in December. I would also request an MRI to rule out adenomyosis.

[murphybrown]

Apr 16, 2019 16:03:44 GMT -5 Aloe Vera said:

To answer your questions:

#1 is a possibility. My OB warned me about it. An HSG showed my right tube was indeed damaged from an appendectomy. It is still possible to get pregnant from this ovary/tube. I got an early ultrasound to confirm there was no ectopic pregnancy.

#2 what do you mean by irregular cycles? The length of mine change month to month. They can range from 29 to 33 days. This is considered regular by my OB. My LP is always 14/15 days.

#3 I would bring this up to your OB. My be a progesterone issue.

#5 I would go for another U/S. Techs aren't supposed to tell you anything.

Also, 9 months to conceive is totally normal. It can take up to a year for a healthy couple to conceive. You only have a 20-25% chance each month when all the stars align properly.
I agree with the above, get all the testing done for piece of mind (CD3 blood tests, U/S, HSG) and have your H do an SA as well. His GP should be able to order one.

My cycle length varies month to month. The lowest is 21 days, the most is 36. I do get a positive opk each month so I can predict from when that occurs when my period will start (my LP is usually 12 days). 

I think I just need to find another OB. This one seemed to suck (due to lack of attention) and did not seem at all concerned with any of the things I was concerned about with no explanation as to why other than "that's all normal" ...which I tend to not agree with. 

[murphybrown]

Apr 16, 2019 19:01:30 GMT -5 joenali said:

Is your iron low due to heavy/long periods?

I have adenomyosis and have painful heavy periods and had an iron infusion back in December. I would also request an MRI to rule out adenomyosis.

No, my iron is low because I have crohn's disease and have issues absorbing. My periods are generally light. Thank you for your suggestion, though. Sorry you're dealing with that!

[murphybrown]

Thank you all for your insight. I was traveling for a few days, so sorry it has taken me some time to get back to this thread! I think I'll push to get an HSG ordered to put my mind at ease. The last surgery was actually my third abdominal surgery. I've had two before my son (but clearly those weren't enough to keep me from conceiving the first go round). It's been about three years since my husband's SA so maybe it's time to get that reevaluated. If my midwife thinks my situation is too complicated for their care, they will probably refer me elsewhere and maybe will have some suggestions for a better OB-GYN practice.

That last OB was just so so bad. At one point half way through my exam she asked me what birth control I was on and then was so shocked when I said none. Ma'am, I've been telling you I'm trying to get pregnant for the last 15 minutes. Pay attention!

Anyway, thanks for your help and guidance. I feel like with all the extra stuff going on with me, just winging it for a year may not be my best bet.