I am such a terrible blogger. I give blogging a bad name. My last blog post was on Sept 23rd, so its been almost a month since I posted anything.
My first and foremost reason is that I procrastinate - a lot! "I'll do it tomorrow" is my favorite excuse. As we all know, tomorrow never comes :) Secondly, not much has been happening to really blog about.
Since we hit the year mark, we went to the OB-Gyn to get started on some tests. My dear hubby got his swimmers checked, and they seem alright (the count is low, but not lower than the prescribed minimum). I had my HSG done two days ago, and the doctor said the tubes looked open. I have to say, I was freaking out about the HSG, but it was not bad after all. And I was so excited to see my uterus and fallopian tubes! After all, how many fertile women have that privilege?
What I am unsure about, is what happens next. The doctor said her office would get in touch with me. I am not very happy with my current doctor. When she came in to do the HSG, I tried asking her about what next. She looked confused, as if she didn't know the details about our case, and gave a vague answer.
I assume we'll just have to wait for a referral to a fertility specialist. How does it all work? I am so lost, because so far the tests were something to look forward to. Now its back to the waiting and wondering what next.
I feel slightly relieved after the tests. But that also means we don't have a specific problem to tackle, and it will be like groping in the dark for a solution to a problem that is not defined. I guess I'll just have to be patient and wait to talk to a specialist.
I wanted to add, even though I don't write any new posts, I religiously read all the new posts that come up on my blog roll (and have been trying to comment as well). I know a number of people are currently in the middle of their IVF cycles. Lots of luck to them, and to everyone else who are at some stage of trying to make that wonderful dream a reality.
Hey Keya - your post could have been something I would have written 2 years ago - it's so frustrating when there seem to be no answers. Hope you get a FS referral soon and it's someone you feel comfortable talking to! My first wasn't interested in explaining the problem and just wanted me to shut up and do what I was told. Safe to say I didn't stay there!
ReplyDeleteIn a way it's good news to find nothing wrong but at the same time unexplained infertility is very frustrating. I'm surprised that your Dr didn't tell you what's next, and I can't give you any advice about that because I'm guessing you're in the US, and I'm in Australia where we do things differently! :-)
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I did find reassuring at the time (when we hit the one year mark) was this: The specialist we went to see told us that if you've been TTC for one year you still have a 50% chance of conceiving naturally in the subsequent 12 months. So although you're considered technically infertile after a year, at this point you still have a very good chance of it happening naturally. This didn't happen for us unfortunately, but for you it might.
Good luck!
I've been "in the trenches" over 3 years, but I am one of the few on ICLW that haven't moved on to a lot of procedures (mainly because of financial issues). I'm glad to hear the HSG went well. I was so nervous during mine, but thankfully my husband was there with me even if he was more anxious than I was. We also have unexplaned infertility, and it's really tough to tackle (at least in our case). In fact I'm currently wondering if I don't have endo, but I don't know if or when I will go to the doctor to figure it out. I think your doctor will probably start with a round of clomid. That's actually something I have done. Feel free to stop by my little corner of the ICLW!
ReplyDelete`ICLW #78
I am a victim of "unexplained infertility" as well. It's a catch-22, because well, at least there is not something seriously wrong with me or hubs. But, not knowing WHY it isn't happening is maddening!
ReplyDeleteCan you call an RE yourself? I called a specialist on my own without a referral, and there was no issue. I think as long as you've been trying for a year they will see you.
Good luck! And Happy ICLW!
I'd definitely start researching a fertility specialist. I'm all about learning as much as possible because it usually gives me a plan of attack which makes me feel better.
ReplyDeleteI echo the sentiment to start looking for a new doc. You need to feel comfortable with him/her and that you are a priority and not an afterthought!
ReplyDeleteSending you lots of good vibes! Now, get back to bloggin'! ;)
~Elaine, ICLW
Glad to hear that your initial testing went well. I do hope that the next steps will get you to your goal quickly!
ReplyDeleteICLW
http://daega99-arewethereyet.blogspot.com/
If there's one thing to learn about infertility is that the waiting never seems to end. If you get a referral to an RE there may be other tests to go through depending on your history. I haven't read many of your past posts yet, so I apologize if I'm telling you something you already know. Hang in there and take things one step at a time. Best of luck to you on your journey.
ReplyDeleteHappy ICLW!
Thanks for visiting my blog...
ReplyDeleteIts been 6 years since we went through the initial testing and found our RE, but I remember clearly the jumble of emotions and confusion I felt in those early days of finding an RE and determining "where do we go from here?".
I'll echo other posters and say I think your next step should be to do some research and find an RE. Even if you need a referral from your general gyno for insurance purposes, you can find one on your own and then have your gyno write one for you. Take your time to interview a few REs and find one that you feel comfortable with. Taking time up front to find the right RE for you will definitely be worth it.
I freaked out about my HSG, too. Then it ended up not being nearly as bad as I thought it would be.
ReplyDeleteDEFINITELY change doctors if you're not comfortable with your current one!! When I moved from ob/gyn to RE it was a very simple and easy transition... I hope the same for you!
Good luck!!
ICLW
Happy icwl. Good luck on this journey. I hope your dream comes true.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the other ladies about looking for another doctor. A second opinion can't hurt. I wish you all the best and hope you get a BFP very soon!
ReplyDelete~ICLW
Good luck with getting the referral. I hope you find a doc that is supportive and helps you more than you can expect
ReplyDeletei feel the same way as you do about all of our fellow bloggers. its amazing to see all of these other women who have strength to endure things i haven't yet. we are all here for eachother, yes, holding hands, comforting and supporting. very well said. hugs!
ReplyDeletekathleen (ICLW #31)
I agree with the other ladies in that you should start looking for a good RE. Depending on your insurance and the RE's office, you may not even need a referral. That was the case with us, and I am SO glad that I moved forward, since the RE is who was able to figure out what is going on with us. GL!
ReplyDeleteHave you done any Clomid? After I had my HSG done, (after 3 years of infertility and surprise we were preggo) I specifically asked and she said if not within about 3 months we'd start drug therapy. If there's nothing really wrong that you can see and you've had all the cycle day hormone tests done I'd try the drugs, and if that goes nowhere or you've tried them I'd say try an FS.
ReplyDeleteBtw, didn't know you had a blog, thanks for posting on mine hun! Glad to get in touch with anyone who wants to pour their heart out about our crappy sitch. ;)
P.S. @ Elizabeth: Do you have cystitis pains at all? I havent had any signs of endo, but since my mc I have been having a lot of sharp pains to the area and from what I've heard it's probably cystitis.. and I guess it *can* be caused by endo and that freaks me out. Just curious as to what your thoughts are!
ReplyDeleteI understand what you are saying about blogging. I joined ICLW in October so I could get better at following and posting! Good luck to you.
ReplyDeleteAfter I had my HSG my doctor scheduled an appointment to talk about our options.
The waiting sucks and it is one of the worst parts of IF. Unexplained IF can screw with your head. You find yourself jealous of people who have much worse wrong with them because they get to DO something and you just keep hoping and waiting. I hope your wait isn't too long! ICLW
ReplyDeleteThe doctor that I saw told me that after we get the HSG and SA that we would talk Clomid or other medications if both of those tests came back fine. So that may be ahead for you if you haven't started yet. Good luck to you! ICLW #107
ReplyDeleteHere from ICLW and wanted to give you a hug and wish you luck on this often confusing, saddening, and frustrating journey. The IF blogosphere is great for that- we can all find such support in one another who understand what it's like to even be on a journey like this in the first place. This sentence jumped out at me: "I am not very happy with my current doctor." Speaking from personal experience, if you're not happy, it's time to find someone else and pronto. This is about what's good for you, and if you're doc isn't clued in, you need to find someone who will be. Hopefully all it takes is a good referral to a good RE.
ReplyDeleteAs for not posting... meh, it happens :) Life gets busy but we're always here for you. Feel free to swing by my blog and check it out if you'd like another IF blog to read :)
Sending you lots of luck and love in your quest for parenthood!
~Keiko, Hannah Wept, Sarah Laughed (ICLW #142).
I hope you find the answers your looking for. My primary care doctor referred me to our 1st RE. Then thanks to experience I found our current RE a thousand miles away.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the waiting that really sucks, I hope it happens soon for you *hugs*
ReplyDeletehttp://www.digital-damita.net
I am visiting your blog for the first time. It must be very hard to be in the land of unknown infertility. You should be referred to an RE I would assume by your regular doctor. The RE will likely order more tests, such as bloodwork and perhaps a more detailed SA for your husband depending on the type of SA he had originally. Once tests are completed he or she will hopefully suggest a course of action. There is so much waiting involved in infertility. I hope your wait is short and that you get some answers soon!
ReplyDeleteSo nice that you keep up with others blogs and procedures even while you are in a holding pattern yourself. I hope you have your BFP soon!
ReplyDeleteIn echo of the previous advice given by the numerous wonderful ladies ahead of me - I think it's time to move on from an OBGYN to a Reproductive Endocrinologist.
ReplyDeleteWhile the testing will be a bit more agressive, you are certainly much more likely to get some answers. And at the very least you'll be with a doctor who can provide you with proper treatments.
Best wishes to you.
Thank-you for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, congrats on your normal HSG results. That's wonderful news.
Now, as to what to do next? I would go to these sites and find the best fertility clinic in your area:
http://www.sart.org/
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/art/FertilityClinicReport.aspx
Then I would find out if you can self-refer, and book yourself an appointment. Then talk to your ObGyn and make sure that s/he can send a copy of your patient files to your new clinic. Don't waste any more time if you can help it.
In the meantime, order Mel's book (she even has a section on surviving Baby Showers):
http://www.amazon.com/Navigating-Land-Understanding-Infertility-Exploring/dp/1580052622
I transitioned from bench-work in academia to a desk-job in industry about two years ago, and I am so much happier.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to email me at doctordandle@gmail.com if you want to chat about science, infertility, life, etc.