CD21 on Month 10 of TTC

This is so emotionally draining. AF is due to rear her ugly head in less than a week and I'm already starting to cramp up, so I know she's coming.

I'm due for my annual, which makes me realize that it was exactly one year ago that I started TTC because I went on prenatals right after my last annual exam. Depressing.

To make matters more complicated, I'm going to have AF on the day of my appt. and Im NOT cancelling bc I NEED to talk to her and it takes forever to get appts with this lady.

If she can't help me, I'm making an appt with an RE. I don't know why I fear this so much. Did anyone else get scared before seeing their RE? I think it's bc my sister said you have to be ready to just jump into whatever the RE recommends. I also fear there is something very wrong with me bc of my family history.

Needed to vent, sorry.

Hi Susan!

all I can offer you now are many hugs (the emote hug icon will not work for me now so please pretend there are many of them here!) I know all too well the sadness of AF coming! I hope she stays away and if she does come, your Dr. has good news and advice.

Much baby dust to you!

Lora

Thanks Lora!

I feel so weird about going to the OB/GYN right smack in the middle of my pd, but I can't wait another day. Every day is like a year these days. Thanks for your support though. I truly appreciate it.

The RE is NOT scary! The RE can help figure out what may be wrong with you. Find an RE that will be as aggresive as YOU want to be!
Remember, you are the boss, NOT the dr.

---

Posted by Bride626

I started cramping up earlier than usual and was convinced AF was coming. However, that was a few days before I found out I was pregnant!! So, don't lose hope. Best of luck to you!!

---

As much as I'd like to convince myself that this may be true, I really don't think so bc I don't even think I o'd this month (according to my OPK). I'm tired of getting my hopes up. Sorry, I guess I'm just PMSing.

Susan,
Yes KEEP your appt. with you OBGYN. I know how hard it is to get it to see them. Tell her it's been 1 yr. of TTC and you want to start running tests. My OBGYN told me yesterday that she would start my testing next cycle, starting on day 3 with blood work. As your OBGYN to start with that and work from there. Use this appointment to your advantage, and while you're there and can't have your annual exam, set up another appointment for that AND for additional tests if possible.

I do know, so many of us here do know, how hard it is. I'm sorry it's been so hard for you too.
Kathy

---

Posted by kelleherkm

Susan,
Yes KEEP your appt. with you OBGYN. I know how hard it is to get it to see them. Tell her it's been 1 yr. of TTC and you want to start running tests. My OBGYN told me yesterday that she would start my testing next cycle, starting on day 3 with blood work. As your OBGYN to start with that and work from there. Use this appointment to your advantage, and while you're there and can't have your annual exam, set up another appointment for that AND for additional tests if possible.

I do know, so many of us here do know, how hard it is. I'm sorry it's been so hard for you too.
Kathy

---

I will do this, Kathy. Thank you for your advice. It's very helpful. What types of tests should I expect the regular OB/GYN to perform? I don't know what the limitations of the regular OB/GYN are. Do they do vaginal ultrasounds and everything? I heard that OB/GYNs rarely refer patients to REs because they are kind of in competition. So when do I stop getting tests from my regular doctor and start with a specialist?

Well I know that my OBGYN doesn't draw the blood herself, so she will give me a referral to Quest labs and send me over there with the paper work which says how much blood to draw and what to test for. She told me that she would refer me to another doctor to have the HSG done. SHe went over such a huge list of tests she wanted to run on me that I don't remember them all right now.

But, I would think that your OBGYN would want to start with basic blood work to run tests on (my dr. said she would be checking my thyroid levels as one of the first things), so ask about that.

Most drs. make you wait 1 yr. of TTC before they will test. Since it's been 1 yr. for you she should be willing to start testing now. Explain to her all of this and any family history that might have something to do with it and I'm sure she will go from there.

Personally, I would rather start working with my OBGYN to try and find a solution, because I know and trust her. If it doens't happen this way, I will look into a RE.

Good luck with everything! I hope your appointment goes well!! I think it's important to be a little aggressive/assertive with the doctors and tell them what you want (ie: you want to start testing to see why you are not PG yet after a year)...but be nice at the same time.

Kathy

I would like to disagree, if you can go to an RE, than go to an RE. I loved and trusted my obgyn and went to him for a year where he did all kinds of tests and never diagnosed me.
It took me to almost the two year mark to move to an RE AND I did it very reluctantly because I liked my doctor so much.
I met with an RE for a few hours and got diagnosed with three things! Once he went over symptoms and such with me, it ALL made sense. For the last month I have been walking around with anger in heart. Anger at myself for waiting so long to go an RE and anger with my OB/GYN with not diagnosing some very obvious nad EASILY treated IF problems. Man! Had I just got to an RE at the one year instead of my obgyn for help I just MIGHT have already delivered a child.
No one likes the idea that they may need the expertise of an infertility specialist. However, seeing a doctor with advanced training in infertility can mean the difference between years of trying and a successful pregnancy! OBGYN's are trained in overall women's health and the delivery of children, RE's are SPECIALISTS who have years more training to help people discover, cope and treat whatever IF problem you may have.

This is just my opinion based on my experiences, please just take it as that.

limrs, my sister, who has many infertility issues, has given me the same advice. i will probably see what my obgyn has to say and make my follow ups with a RE if i am not satisfied with the obgyn's course of action. TY!

I was going to suggest asking Deb (lilmrs) actually! Since she is more experienced with this than I am. Since I'm just at the jumping off point of trying to figure out what's going on I'm going to go to my OBGYN...because my problem could be something as simple as hypothyroidism or low progesterone levels.

See your OBGYN and see what s/he says. Also, check with your insurance company and see what they cover (if you can go to a RE or if you need a rederral or anything else).

I wish you much much luck, let us know!

I know you're stressed about this, so remember, I'm here if you need to talk... I'd stick with your OB appointment, discuss it with her, and then make an appointment with an RE... as long as your insurance covers it, do everything you can to cover all your bases!!

My girlfriend TTC for 21 months and just continued going to her Obgyn and NOTHING. She started going to a RE and they diagnosed her w/ a thyroid problem that needed regulation, put her on clomid and she was PG 12 weeks later! Good luck to you and all the other girls TTC!!

Another advantage of going to an RE...reproductive clinic...is that....they..do the bloodwork, right there and you get the results a few hours later. You don't have to deal with Quest labs...and 'waiting' on results. Progesterone tests....might indicate .....the need for suppositories and they will have them delivered that same day.

RE's are not scary....they aren't aggressive either..... they just make you go through series of tests....and can do sonograms right then and there to help you know how things look etc.

In my opinion.....if your insurance covers the specialists....go to the specialists.....

It's kind of like this analogy.....if you are in the mood for italian food....go to an authentic italian restaurant...why, go to a 'diner' or some restaurant that may serve a few italian dishes...They probably won't taste nearly as good. Your craving may be met....but will you truly have the best meal?

great analogy! i'm going to go through with my original plan then. meet with my regular obgyn bc i already have the appt and need to go for my regular annual anyway, and then follow up with a RE. Thank you so much ladies. You are the best source of support I have these days.

I know this is draining for you but PLEASE remember that when it's your time, you will be blessed. It's SO hard to see everyone around us having an easy time and then look at ourselves and think there is something wrong with us.

I just caved and took an EPT. I was having such a bad PMS cramps, but some people say they have them even when they're pg, so I just POAS and got a BFN, not like I was expecting anything more. Whaa!

Aww many many for you!