The Results

Here's the result

Took the ff. test day 3 of AF - still within the follicular phase:
 

FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) - stimulates the female ovaries to produce a mature egg for fertilization.  - MINE’s NORMAL

LH (Luteinizing Hormone) - useful in the investigation of menstrual irregularities and to aid in the diagnosis of pituitary disorders or diseases involving the ovaries or testes. – MINE’s NORMAL

Progesterone - a female hormone produced by the ovaries during release of a mature egg from an ovary (ovulation). Progesterone helps prepare the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to receive the egg if it becomes fertilized by a sperm. If the egg is not fertilized, progesterone levels drop and menstrual bleeding begins. – I FAIL BY 0.01.

 

CAUSES (LOW PROGESTERONE)

There are multiple explanations for why your progesterone levels may be low. A common cause of decreased progesterone levels is an overabundance of estrogen, which can mask the effects of progesterone. Other causes include chronic stress, poor diet, insufficient exercise, thyroid disorders, a tolerance to insulin production and certain medications. (Read more on this link.)

Prolactin – high levels of prolactin may cease menstrual period and ovulation thus causing infertility.  It is the main hormone for causing milk production.  Low levels show no significance.  – MINE’s NORMAL. 

And I now have the results. What's my next game plan?
There might be a huge amount of estrogen in my blood stream that causes low progesterone.  I'll include the estrogen with the TSH levels when I have it tested sometime this week.

Then I saw a forum on FEMALENETWORK - GTalk regarding the Traditional Chinese (herbal medicine) doctor from Binondo,  My husband and I are planning to see him anytime this week too.  I love when he is cooperating.  Gives me that big smile on my face!

Here is Dr. Tan's complete address:
2nd flr. 912 Fu Yong Mansio, Ongpin St. cor Teodora Alonzo, Binondo, Manila
Schedule: Mon-Sun (8am-5pm) 

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All about THE HORMONES 💫

A couple of years back I had my Prolactin, FSH, TSH, LH and Progesterone checked.  And the results were all normal.  (For more details on the hormone testing above-I've been following Infertility Philippines and the writer has a very wide explanation for it.)

Today is the 3rd day of AF and similar test were done except for TSH as it slipped through my mind since the lady at the counter is a bit slow. Nevermind, I can always have it checked anytime.  By the way I went to Hi Precision-Rockwell for my tests. And unlike normal blood testing wherein results will be available within the day.  Mine would be available by Friday (you can either pick up the results or check it online). 

Here's the cost for today's test:

Another good thing is that HP has a month long promo 10% discount on all blood testing and imaging services. Please check on this link on the list of their branches.

My husband had a complete blood testing and urinalysis only for P975 and we already saw the results online. He failed on Cholesterol and HDL. We'll see what's his cardiologist advice on the 22nd - his birthday!

Also, I inquired on their Immunological Testing, just in case I'll be needing one. Please see details below.

The immunological testing needs to be scheduled and the results will be in 1-2 weeks.

I hope I don't get to reach the immunological testing part.  I hope we'll be able to hit jackpot on the next cycle!

There's always hope.

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The inevitable

Okay and so the inevitable has happened...

AF came today and it's finally sinking in.  We failed after all.  Fear not.  There will always be a next cycle, the following cycle and so on.  We'll just have to keep on trying.

And so what's next?

The brown discharge from yesterday turned out to be day 1 of my AF.  So as per our RE's advice I should take femara on the 2nd day, twice a day for 10 days and we'll meet with her again on the 18th.

I'll have my Prolactin, TSH, FSH checked tomorrow.  I hope I'd see better results.

My husband is such an eager freak.  He said we'll try this cycle again with an IUI and if we fail then he said he is willing to do an IVF.

He said that we should always take chances.  And do everything we can to survive this.  Whenever he said that-my fears and anxieties just went away.  I find an inner solace.

I know one day I'll be receiving the gift more than money could ever buy.  I know one day God will grant me the missing red line.

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20 dpiui

I tested with an HPT Sunday morning.  Still the prominent single pink line is very much present... I wonder when will I see the two lines.

My BBs are still sore.  AF is still absent.  And I hate that I am gaining my worst enemy - my weight.

Today, is the last day for my duphaston  And what's odd? I saw a brown discharge on my undies.  I've been waiting all day for AF to arrive and it hasn't showed yet. The discharge is still present when I wipe.

Could it be implantation bleeding?

I'm so paranoid.  I always consult my BFF-Google. 

I've found this comment on this link

Going through the exact same thing myself! Whew, I'm glad I'm not alone!! I'm 12 DPO and have been spotting for two days, pink, then light brown, back to pink, then dark brown...(only when I wipe) I'm worn out! Implantation bleeding can happen typically from 6-12 DPO, but if you implanted on day 12, you may bleed for a couple days after that since sometimes it takes the blood awhile to travel on out! Also, if you implanted on day 12, it may take another day or so for the hormones to become detectable on HPT. Best of luck to you!!! hang in there :)

I've found another link

Hi Dr... After 18 days of IUI, i got brown discharge. I am worrying now, M I not pregnant? please advice...

Doc's advice:

Hi,
Welcome to ehealthforum,
The symptoms that you describe 18 days after IUI could suggest probable implantation if you have conceived or even decidual bleed (if IUI has been successful). If IUI is not successful, it could indicate onset of your menstrual period. Continue to follow the instructions and medications as prescribed by your treating gynecologist. Wait and watch for your periods. If you suspect chances of pregnancy, or if periods do not start within 10 days of expected period dates, or if you get abnormal periods, consider visiting your doctor/gynecologist at the earliest for thorough examination (to confirm pregnancy related changes/signs in body) and repeat blood/serum HCG level test (to confirm/rule out pregnancy accurately). Be in regular monitoring and follow-up with your treating doctor/gynecologist and report any new/abnormal symptoms immediately. Take adequate rest. Drink plenty of water. Maintain healthy diet. Look out for danger signs like increase in intensity of abdominal cramps, increasing back pain, fresh bleeding etc. Avoid lifting any heavy weights and avoid heavy work. Avoid standing for long durations and avoid climbing stairs. Avoid use of caffeinated and carbonated beverages.
Take care.

Something inside me is saying there is still hope.  Just hold on... Well,  I want to keep the hopes up. But, I want to face reality too. 

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Third Cycle

SEPTEMBER 2012 - Cycle 3

With 2 failed natural (semi-natural) attempts to get pregnant. Our RE recommended that we should do IUI.  My husband agreed as well.

Again clomid on the 2nd day of AF still 2x a day for 5 days. I was also prescribed with dexamethasone (according to the RE it will help the body properly absorb the medicines).  After a week we went back to her and she did FM.  I just don't feel disappointed when she told me that the follies are not growing.  She then put me on femara for 5 more days and continue the dexa.  The follies are so stubborn they didn't even grew when she checked it on our follow up.  She then injected puregon 150 iu and was instructed to inject the same dose the next day. We saw her again on the 15th, said that the follies did grew but not enough.  Again another shot of puregon only this time it's 125iu. Since my RE is out on the 17th we were asked to go to SLMC-Women's Care for the FM and again the follies grew but a mm short of the desired size for the trigger shot.  Follow up the next day, the follies are now at its peak and got the pregnyl shot. FINALLY!

Tomorrow is our big day.  My husband is so anxious and excited.  He really believes that this will turn out positive after all.

Baby dust...

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Continuing the journey

JULY 2012 - Cycle 2

My period starts on the 26th and immediately we went to see our RE. 
It's another cycle of clomid - 2x a day for 5 days. Since AF came later in  July the days lapses early August.

We were suppose to have IUI this cycle but we have a trip going to Cebu for 3 days.  So we decided to postpone the procedure until the next cycle.

Our RE already instructed us when to do BD.  So as obedient patients we obliged as instructed.  We went to our RE a day after we arrived.  She prescribed utrogestan (again intravaginally) for 15 days after it would be our follow up check up.  On our follow up check up I was instructed to take duphaston 2x a day continuously.  But will just stop if I have my period.  I'm no longer surprised as I got my period on the 31st.  So hello RE again,,,

....Mid-year escapade

this is where we went last August 7-9 and it was all worth it even if no baby produced on this trip.

 

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Let the battle begin

Not so long ago. I'm not taking my treatments seriously.  Sometimes I'd get hyped about it and there are times that I'm loosing the momentum.  For whatever reason.  Most reproductively challenged would understand me. It's a mixture of disappointment, hopelessness - all sorts of pessimism.  Or maybe I was just not ready yet. 

Now, things and time changed.  I think I've reached my peak and I need to do something about it.  Suffering from infertility is pretty painful, especially if you are very much willing to carry a child for 9 months and give all the love and support for him (her) after they were born.

Finally, I (We) are not going to just sit down on this.  We again began the treatment June of this year. And now this is for real. We are sticking on going to St. Lukes Global with the same RE we went to a couple of years ago. 

First Cycle  - JUNE 2012

Our RE had to induce menstruation as I forgot when was my LMP (but it isn't that long.  I just don't track AFs because I wanted to surprise myself with 2 lines on PT!) que sera sera.

I was placed on duphaston 2x a day for 7 days (according to my previous OB, the drug can make you bleed if not preggo or if you are it'll help the embryo stick to your womb.)

Then when I finally got my period.  The RE gave me clomid - 2x a day for 5 days.
Follow up check up for follicle monitoring. She finally saw a large/mature DF and was injected with Ovidrel to assure that the follicle would rupture (to articles I've read online the follies will rupture in 24 hrs. after the shot.)

She ordered us to do baby dance on the particular days.  For first time in ages, I've felt what ovulation pain is like.  So we obliged about the BD even if we have to woke up early to do the deed.

A day after I was instructed to use utrogestan (intravaginally) for 15 days. 2ww ends and negative.

I'm considering infertility treatments as an investment.  It's like a business as it's worth taking the risk.  It's like gambling - you'll never know if you gonna win or lose. The only difference is at the end it's not money that you'll be earning.  It's a birth of a new life.   

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