When Life Gives You Lemons

Trying to make the most out of infertility, and life in general. This is my journey to conceive, after a miscarriage and D&C that left me with Asherman's Syndrome.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Failed IUI cycle

It didn't work this time. Oh well. Thems the breaks I suppose. I was foolish to think we'd get lucky on our first attempt.

I had been spotting for a few days, and went to the RE yesterday. Turns out my blood work was consistent with cycle day 3. So I'm on Clomid as of last night, then I'm also doing estrace day 8 - ovulation. I did the same thing last cycle (Clomid then estrogen) and my lining was at 6mm. The RE said it's the bare minimum, but they tried the IUI anyway. Bare minimum - is that like when you go to an amusement park and there's a sign that says you need to be at least 5 ft tall to go on the ride and if you are exactly 5 ft tall, you get to go on? It doesn't matter if you are an inch above 5 ft or 2 ft above the 5ft requirement. So if 6 mm is the bare minimum then I get to go on the ride so to speak. It didn't work last time but I'm trying again. I'm giving the Clomid one more chance before I ask to be switched to Femara, which I've read does not thin out your lining like Clomid does.

My concern is that I didn't even know AF had started this cycle. I was barely spotting, and my temps were still high and today (day 4) I'm spotting black blood which is exactly as gross as it sounds. I know other ladies with Asherman's Syndrome have said that their RE's are less concerned about the quality of the period...it's the mere fact that you get a period that matters, but I can't help but be disappointed that I didn't get any red blood at all. This is emotionally draining. I'm a wreck at work. I can't seem to focus on actually doing my job. I'm spacing out. I'm reading blogs all day (and happy to be doing so!!). I'm learning so much from others out there who can express themselves much more eloquently than I can.

Today is cd4. Started Clomid last night. I feel totally fine on it, which makes me worried that it's not working for me. I want to be nauseous (or is it nauseated). I want to be bloated. I want to feel like something works in my system. I'm also taking Chinese herbs that my acupuncturist prescribed for me. 30 pills/day - 15 to" tonify my middle qi" - which I didn't even know I had prior to this and 15 more to "harmonize my interior/exterior". That one makes more sense to me. I know i'm tone deaf so it's no urprise to me that my insides mach my unharmonized outsides. And I'm taking a multivitamin. And I'm drinking red raspberry tea, because they say that it promotes good uterine health and increases your uterine lining. So what would happen if a man drank this stuff?!? It's pretty tasty actually. On cd 8- ovulation, I will be taking Estrogen twice a day. And, I'm taking Dostinex to control the high prolactin levels. I've also heard that something called CQ10 is supposed to increase the lining measurement. I'm considering taking it, but not sure if it's safe to take with Clomid and estrogen and all these other meds. But at this point, I'll try anything. I'm a walking drugstore. If I stand on my head I will dispense medication for you.

A special thiank you to those of you who have given me comments and support. I'm so glad I decided to delurk and start blogging. This IF community is wonderful and supportive and although I don't know you guys personally, I feel so connected and overwhelmed by the genuine sense of caring. It really warms my heart. It sucks that any of us have to be down this road, but I couldn't think of better co-pilots for this journey.

14 Comments:

  • At 3:24 PM, Blogger Kris said…

    Well I hope this cycle is much more positive.

    I've experienced the black blood lately, too, and it is that gross. And unsettling.

    I wouldn't worry about not feeling any particular side effects. Everyone feels differently on certain drugs. I personally have almost no side effects with all the hormones I take now- even though I know a lot of other people do.

    Good luck.

     
  • At 5:53 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I am so sorry that your IUI did not work this time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

     
  • At 6:57 AM, Blogger soralis said…

    Welcome to blogland, wish you didn't have to be on the infertility side though.

    I am so sorry about your IUI.

    Take care

     
  • At 8:09 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Hi Ella, thanks for stopping by and welcom to the wonderful world of blogging! I wish you luck and strength!

     
  • At 10:01 AM, Blogger Thalia said…

    Ella,

    Good to meet you. I would be careful with the chinese meds as they can interfere with the hormones you are on. Coenzyme Q10 is safe for you to take, it's an antioxidant and won't interfere with hormone metabolism.

    Re how you feel, Clomid made me feel no different, and I produced lots of extra folllicles, so don't worry about that.

     
  • At 3:00 PM, Blogger noela said…

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

     
  • At 3:05 PM, Blogger noela said…

    Sorry I had to delete the above post -- it's annoying that blogger won't allow any edits, so here is a copy and paste of what I was trying to post, minus the typo!!

    I'm so sorry to hear that your IUI didn't work. I just read your previous posts, and am also sorry to hear you had a miscarriage last year. I also had a miscarriage, last Christmas.

    Good luck to you with the clomid and other meds you are on this cycle! I hope things start improving for you soon!

    Thalia is correct about a lot of herbs interfering with medications and other hormones. If I recall correctly, you may want to be careful with the RR as well, because that effects hormones too. It can help with building a lining, but it also can cause uterine contractions, so it's not something you want to be taking when you do get pg. If you are wanting to build a thicker lining, you should talk to you doctor about taking 81 mg of low dose Aspirin daily, or 400 to 800 IU of Natural Vitamin E to thin the blood slightly, and help increase blood flow to your reproductive organs.

    Take care,
    http://vanilladreams.typepad.com/

     
  • At 11:34 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Hi Ella!

    Welcome to Blogworld from another total newbie. I wish we were meeting under different circumstances, but it's really good to meet you. I'm sorry the IUI didn't work this time, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this next cycle turns out to be a better one!

    Zee

     
  • At 11:57 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I'm sorry that your IUI didn't work.

    I don't know much about Asherman's, but I too would be concerned about the spotting that was supposed to be your period and the black blood.

    I have only used Clomid for one cycle, and I had no real side effects from it, so I wouldn't worry about that too much. It did make my ovulation really, really painful, but other than that, I didn't feel different than my non-medicated cycle. I agree with Thalia--it may be better to lay off of the Chinese herbs while on the hormones. And I would be sure to tell your acu and your RE about everything you are taking.

    Good luck to you! I'm glad you have joined the blogging community. I'm sure you will find it as wonderfully supportive as I have.

     
  • At 8:18 PM, Blogger Liz said…

    Sorry the IUI didn't work and all you have been through. Welcome to blogland...IF can be a lonely and emotionally draining journey.

     
  • At 8:05 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Ella,
    Thank you so much for sharing your blog. I am so sorry the IUI didn't work. May I ask how many viable follies you had last cycle? I'm sending some thick lining vibes to you for this cycle. I also have a jade buddha from the Great Wall for you. He is saying a prayer for you and B :-)
    JT

     
  • At 2:56 PM, Blogger Ella said…

    Thanks for all of the advice. I'm laying off the Chinese herbs as per your suggestions. I think for now I'll stick (pun intended) with the acupuncture needles. And the CQ10 antioxidant. Thank you so much for all the support.

     
  • At 6:32 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Hi this is the first time oline and i decided to look up info on clomid. I'm sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I know how you feel. I have been though three. after my second I did carry full term and deliver. She is three now. My thrird pregnency was in March this year I made it seven weeks when I miscarried. My doctor put me on clomid. I have never been on anything before to get pregnant before. And it scares me. this next cycle will be my third try. I get so dissapointed when I test and its negative. Im sorry what your going though. I will keep you in my prayers.
    A.R.

     
  • At 2:04 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I am sorry to hear about your failed IUI cycle. I have been through four that have all failed, so I know how tough it can be. My DH and I are in the process of deciding if we want to move on to IVF or give the IUI thing one more try. Pleae don't give up. I have been at this for quite a while longer with breaks in between and what I have learned is that you can never give up. Do whatever it takes to keep your spirit up!

     

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