Progesterone Check

Today, I had my blood drawn for a progesterone check. I hope that my numbers are high, indicating that I ovulated with the assistance of Clomid.

I've continued my gluten-free diet and am noticing a difference in how I feel. My hands no longer hurt in the morning, but they are still a bit weak. I must have accidentally eaten gluten a couple of days ago, because yesterday my rash got worse again...and I spent a lot of time in the bathroom. Regardless of what my blood tests show, I will remain gluten-free. I've heard and read time and time again that people with celiac disease do not always have dermatitis herpatiformus, but nearly everyone with dermatitis herpatiformus have celiac. That, coupled with the difference I've noticed in myself in just the past week, is enough to convince me that gluten is the enemy.

I've been dealing with a wide range of emotions lately. I'm very, very sad to be giving up gluten. I knew that I was a carb-loving girl, but I had no idea just how much I relied on gluten-products to keep me happy. There are alternatives, but none that I've found so far are as good as the 'real' thing. I'll learn to like what I'm eating, though, if it is for the greater good of my overall health. Thankfully, the internet is a great source of information and resources!

Going Gluten-Free

Today, I had an appointment with MD. I talked to him about my joint problems, my rash, and my infertility and miscarraige. One of my husband's coworker's kids were just diagnosed with Celiac Disease, and my symptoms sound very similar to theirs. My doctor said that my rash is a combination of eczema (which I knew I had) and Dermatitus Herpetiformus. The DH is related to Celiac Disease, or at the very least, a gluten intolerance.

So, as I await my test results, I am going on a gluten-free diet. If I have CD, it is a possiblity that eliminating gluten from my diet will be a cure-all for my problems...including infertility.

I'm sad about cutting out some of the foods that I enjoy so much, but if it makes me feel better and allows me to get and stay pregnant, I'm all for it.

A Song for Our Angel Baby

I have a mix CD in my car at the moment that I switch over to when there is nothing good on the radio.  There are several Josh Groban songs on it.  One is my inspirational song.  This, however, is my song (of late) for our angel baby.  This was the best recording of it that I could find.

Sabotage!

Disclaimer: This post will contain TMI.  You have been warned!

It will be a miracle if I become pregnant this cycle.  I feel like Fate is trying to intervene so that I don't get knocked up!

First, I have a horrible rash of some sort all over my legs.  It spread to my throat and arms.  It isn't attractive and it hurts and itches at the same time.  Then, I discovered that I have a yeast infection.  It is on it's way out, but that, coupled with Clomid, dries everything out.  I ordered some Pre-Seed to help with the issue, but it has yet to arrive.  (It says it shipped on the 12th...from Missouri.  It should have been here by the 14th.  Grrr).  So, I sought the advice of women in a similar situation as me.  They recommended that I drink green tea like crazy.  I happened to have some in the cabinet, so I immediately starting drinking it yesterday afternoon.  I think that I had 6 glasses from 3 pm until about 10 pm.  That was a mistake!  I was so ramped up on all of the caffeine that I didn't sleep at all last night.  I told my husband that I'd like to BD this morning before he left for work (he works 24 hour shifts), but we were both completely exhausted from not sleeping.  I must have kept him up with my tossing and turning.  Add in that our daughter came to bed with us some time this morning, and it feels almost hopeless.  I took my temp this morning after a couple of hours of sleep, and it was way out of the range of normal for me.  I'm not even going to count it.  :(

On the positive side, I'm hoping to get a positive OPK today.  I've never had a positive before, so it gives me hope that things are shaping up in my body.  I've taken two in the past two days and there is a definite difference in the darkness of the second line.  (An OPK looks like a pregnancy test.  You will get two lines almost always, but the test line must be as dark or darker than the control to be considered a positive for ovulation).  Even if we don't get pregnant this month, maybe that means we can next month.

Test Results In

I've been anxiously awaiting the results of my hormone panel.  I became impatient today, and called the office.  The secretary connected me with the lady in the lab.  She told me that she didn't know how to interpret the results, so the doctor would have to take a look at them.  I was a bit frustrated that she hadn't given the results to my doctor before this.  I want to know!

Anyway, a couple of hours later, she called back and told me that my doctor had said that everything was okay. I'm torn on the results.  On one hand, I'm glad that my results were (I assume) normal.  Perhaps that means it won't be much longer before we get to have a successful pregnancy.  On the other hand, I was a bit hopeful that something would show up as being abnormal, and that whatever was wrong could be 'fixed'.

So, we proceed on.  Today is CD 10, so hopefully ovulation will be in the next 3-4 days!

Hormones

In case you were wondering (as I was) what hormones I was tested for and why, this is what I found:

Hormone to Test	Time to Test	Normal Values	What Value Means
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)	Day 3	3-20 mIU/ml	FSH is often used as a gauge of ovarian reserve. In general, under 6 is excellent, 6-9 is good, 9-10 fair, 10-13 diminished reserve, 13+ very hard to stimulate. In PCOS testing, the LH:FSH ratio may be used in the diagnosis. The ratio is usually close to 1:1, but if the LH is higher, it is one possible indication of PCOS.

Estradiol (E2)

Day 3

25-75 pg/ml

Levels on the lower end tend to be better for stimulating. Abnormally high levels on day 3 may indicate existence of a functional cyst or diminished ovarian reserve.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Day 3

< 7 mIU/ml

A normal LH level is similar to FSH. An LH that is higher than FSH is one indication of PCOS.

Second Opinion

Today was my second opinion appointment.  Leading up to the appointment, I felt guilty...almost like I was going to 'cheat' on my doctor.  I thought my last appointment went very well, so I considered cancelling this appointment.  As I sat in the exam room waiting for the doctor, I told myself not to expect anything.  I thought he'd probably verify what my other doctor had said and send me on my way.  I was pleasantly surprised.

He asked me to go over my IF history, even though it was clear that he had gone over my chart.  He made a few notes that made me feel as though some things were missing from the chart.  He told me that since I've had two pregnancies, he didn't suspect I had an issue with my anatomy nor did he think the issue was with my husband.  I told him that I got my period on my own the last two cycles, but that the cycles were 38 and 37 days.  He told me that the general rule is that if a cycle is longer than 35 days, there is an ovulation issue.  (Which we already knew, but it verifies it yet again).  He said that Clomid was a good drug and that he would have me continue using it for the next 3 months, but wanted me to take 100 mg, rather than the 50 mg the other doctor Rx'ed.  If I am not pregnant by then, we will take a different approach.  He also had labs drawn to check my hormone levels (FSH, LH, and Estrodiol).  Luckily, my appointment was perfectly scheduled and I am on CD 3--the day that these hormones are checked.  He will have me return to check my Progesterone level after ovulation.  My other doctor only checked my Prolactin level, despite my request to do further testing.  My new doctor seemed confident that we will get to the bottom of my infertility and will end up with a healthy baby...hopefully sooner than later.

I am very pleased that I kept my appointment and will be officially changing doctors.  I felt like he is on a mission to get this resolved as much as we are.

AF is Here!

This morning, I took a pregnancy test (negative) and then immediately took my first dosage of Provera.  The next time I went to the bathroom, AF had arrived.  Talk about ask and ye shall recieve.  LOL.  My cycle this time was 37 days, which is on the longer side, but not too unmanageable.  My last cycle was 38 days.  Both were unmedicated and on a break from charting.  I will begin charting again in the morning and Clomid on CD 5.  I hope that since my body has at least partially been working on it's own, I will be able to get pregnant soon and be able to have a healthy baby.

Side note: I have an appointment today to talk to a doctor about/possibly be tested for RA.