Well....now you know my struggles. I have been diagnosed with "infertility". Such an ugly word and a word I never thought I would ever have to breath outloud. Sort of like the word cancer...you never think it will happen to you. I look forward to coming back to this first post with a smile on my face, a tear in my eye and a baby in my arms.
So really...what is going on? Hsien and I decided to start trying for a family in September of 2009. I felt young, vibrant and ready for this. I honestly thought it would only take maybe 3 months max to get knocked up. I read every article online on tips and advice on the quickest ways to get pregnant....bought ovulation sticks....timed my ovulation...planned sex with my husband....the whole nine yards. Emotionally and mentally draining but making the best of it all.
In March 2010, my period was 4 days late and I had really really bad cramping. Worst cramps I have ever experiened. I thought maybe, just maybe they were implantation cramps and that I was finally pregnant! Period didn't come and I was estatic! Finally the pain got to be too much and I called Kaiser and got an appt that day with my Ob/Gyn that I had never met before. He was kind, considerate and thorough. He told me I was probably miscarrying. Great. Wonderful. The next day on Wednesday March 17, 2010, I miscarried at home. It wasn't as scary as I had imagined a miscarriage would be. Just bad cramping, blood and physically and emotionally exhausted after. I actually miscarried....again, never thought this was something that I would ever have to go through.
The next month after being frustrated with the Ob/Gyn that I saw who never returned calls or e-mails back to me to explain what the heck was going on...I found a new doctor and thank God I did! I had an initial phone interview with Dr. Sylvia Teran in April and I explained my worries and fears. She instructed me to sign my husband and I up for the Infertility Class first in May which I did. Waiting a whole month was torture but I am slowly realizing that a lot of this stuff is basically a waiting game.
May 10th, Hsien and I went to the class along with about 10 other scared and worried couples. We learned about ovulation (which I am a pro at knowing now....I know it all! hehe), different types of treatments and costs. Thank God we have insurance....thank you God! There is no way we could afford to do any of this without good 'ol Kaiser insurance.
June, Hsien and I had our first face to face consultation with Dr. Teran. I couldn't wait for this day! She was very kind and informative. She asked us TONS of personal and weird questions and made notes in our file. Hsien took it all in stride and I was really glad he was there. Through all the tears I shed, he is always there for me. Dr. Teran asked Hsien to do his semen analysis and gave him two sterile cups. She also asked me to call Kaiser radiology the day I get my next period so that they could schedule an HSG for me. If you don't know what an HSG is, google it and you will find lots of information. Unfortunately I tried to cut and paste a link into my blog and wasn't able to. I am still learning this whole "blogging" stuff.
About a week later, Hsien did his semen analysis. What an exciting morning that was because we had to have the semen specimen to Kaiser FREMONT in less then an hour. We don't exactly live real close to Fremont but we made it with a few minutes to spare. It was sort of like a ready...set...go kind of morning LOL! He did his thing, I grabbed my purse and out the door we went with a semen analysis sitting warm between his legs. Dropped it off, paid the $10 co-pay and off to work we went that Friday morning. Luckily his semen analysis came back really positive. Good results and he was not the issue. I was happy but also sad....that was the day I found out that all of this was because of me. It's hard not to blame yourself.
So I got my period and called Kaiser radiology. They had me come in on Monday July 19th for my HSG. I was able to work the morning at work and take the rest of the day off. My Mom met me at home about noon and drove me to the hospital. She sat and waited in the waiting room while I had the HSG. What a weird and crazy experience. You undress completely with a skimpy robe to cover yourself and they have you lay on this really big x-ray type machine. Basically the doctor goes into your vagina with a long needle like thing, through your cervix and inserts dye. This dye will tell the doctor if my fallopian tubes are open. The procedure is painful and very crampy. I almost passed out on the table. You are able to watch the dye on the monitor which is very cool. My tubes are open and clear which was good news. The doctor also told me I had a small uterus which I guess is good for me to know. I am sure it has nothing to do with not getting pregnant but it was a good tidbit of information for me to learn. After the procedure, I changed back into my clothes and had to wear a pad for a few days. Believe me...this stuff leaking out was yucky and smelly. I met my Mom back in the waiting room where I had to sit for a few moments. I didn't feel well and felt lightheaded. We got some iced tea in the hospital cafeteria which helped me a lot. Then Mom took me to Starbucks where we got to talk and chat and drink tea. It helped to sit and be outside and within a few hours I was feeling okay and took a nap. I felt yucky for 2 days later but happy to have the procedure done and behind me. According to my online research, the chances of getting pregnant after an HSG was very high...so I was feeling really hopeful that this would be our month.
Dr. Teran called me a few days later about my procedure and was happy to report that I had open tubes and that everything went well. She next wanted me to do a blood test on Day 3 of my next period. I was HOPING so badly that I wouldn't get my period again...or at least not for another 10 months or so but it came and I was crushed to pieces.
My period came on a Friday but luckily Kaiser's lab is open on Sunday mornings so I was able to have my Day 3 blood work done. I was feeling hopeful and excited but also hoping that some news would comeout of this blood test. I wanted answers....and well...I got them!
The next morning I got my blood test results e-mailed to me:
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): 13.3
Estradiol: 89
Prolactin: 6
What do these results mean? I had no idea but luckily my online support group helped me plus a phone call from Dr. Teran clarified what was going on. I have high FSH which is not good in trying to conceive.
The bad news is, if I don't get my FSH level below 10, I will not be able to get pregnant. The good news is, there are ways even natural ways to get the levels lowered possibly. It really depends on how my body reacts to different treatments but I am feeling hopeful.
This is where acupuncture comes into my life. With the help of acupuncture there is a possibility that my FSH level could be lowered. My friend referred me to her acupuncturist who had helped her get pregnant after 3 months and she is 39 years old. I talked to Hsien and told him that I think this is our best option right now and that I want to avoid pills, hormones and shots until I know we have no other options. He agreed and I was relieved....totally relieved! So much research online directed me to trying acupuncture.
I called Dr. Lee's office yesterday and was able to get an appointment that day. Only problem is the office is all the way over in Mountain View plus their fees are a lot more then I expected: $100 a session. I went anyways and met with Dr. Lee who is a really nice guy. He definitely knew what he was doing and that his success rate of helping women with infertility is 70%! He informed me that most of his patients are over 40 trying to get pregnant so my chances are very good. He also understood about FSH levels which surprised me. That made me feel better...finally someone who gets it and understands. He didn't seem too concerned that acupuncture couldn't help me and asked me to come back every week. He also gave me some exercises to do twice a day to help with getting blood circulated to my ovaries. He informed me to eat an egg a day, avoid cold drinks and to chew my food slowly and carefully. I could do all this! The acupuncture session was really nice...I fell asleep the entire 40 minutes and woke up refreshed and hopeful. Unfortunately the only down fall is that his rates are so high especially for infertility. Usual treatment is $70 but I would have to pay $100. I just didn't think I could pay that every week. I paid the fee and made an appt for next Monday and also bought some fertility tea to try which cost an arm and a leg. Yikes! But I bought it...desperate ya know. Hoping anything will help me right now!
So this is where I am right now.........
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