When ought I test?

[ldmmd2]

AF has been very unpredictable the last couple months. It was consistently 29-30 days for a year prior to the mc I had in June. Since then, it's been all over the place. In September I joined this site when I had an evap line that looked like a faint pos about 5 days before AF was due. I had several subsequent BFNs the following 2 weeks before AF finally came. The next cycle started a good 5-6 days earlier than expected and lasted 7 days (typically it lasts only 5). Because it came early, I didn't even consider taking any tests. Then, only 8 days after AF ended I spotted for about 10 hours. The flow was barely there and then vanished like it never happened. This was Tuesday. I've not experienced this since I was a teenager, so I don't know what to think of it. I've heard some women spot when they ovulate, but my cm was not noticeable and I've not experienced this before. (cm is typically egg yolk-like during O) I've wondered if it was implantation bleeding, but the timing seems considerably off. I do not own a digital thermometer, but I'm feeling feverish and nipples seem sensitive and a bit darker in color. I've wondered if my early period was implantation bleeding and the one day of barely spotting a week later was just remnants of that. Or if the one day spotting was implantation bleeding and somehow I ovulated during AF. Or if my cycle is just totally messed up because I'm stressed over school. I wasn't charting anything because my husband experienced performance anxiety when I was watching it super closely and excitedly wanted to on certain days and was disappointed if he wasn't in the mood. So he asked that we just let nature take its course.

So, if anyone else was experiencing what I am, what would they think/do? I don't have an obgyn and was thinking perhaps it is a good time to start looking and finding a professional opinion. But I'm sure when I call they will want to know if I'm pg or not. I don't know if I ought to go take a hpt or if it's an absurd time. I haven't any clue where in my cycle I am right now!

[cpgal]

I am so sorry for your lost. I have been there and hope it never happens to you again.

I would say that you need to get a doctor and get a full work-up done. Definitely a day 3 and your thyroid checked out. I would also say an ultrasound to try and rule out any follicle issues. I started crazy bleeding cycles four years back during a very stressful period with my work - since it was a high stress six months I figured that was causing it. I let it go thinking it would work itself out. I was so wrong. It took a while and a bunch of tests but they found if my TSH levels weren't kept at a low level my prolactin raised and I would have break through bleeding.

I am glad now that they diagnosed the hypothyroidism because what I also didn't know was that it causes miscarriages if untreated. My Ob/gyn (former) was probably part of the problem. It wasn't until I went to an RE (and it was RE number two - the first was shady grove and honestly I think that they just wanted us to start the assembly line process they have going on and they didn't fix me either).

My husband also experiences anxiety about all the temping and timing stuff. I temp now discreetly and use opk as well (I recommend them as well). I generally give him a 7 to 10 day window and we will try and BD every other day during that period. If there are performance issues one day you have the others as back up. We also try and make it more of a game and spice it up so he doesn't feel it is as much of a chore.

Go and seek a specialist. It is very possible that your hormones are off and can be corrected. Before trying again you need to have your body in the right place so that you can give your next pregnancy all the right stuff.

[BC-Maura]

Hi there: As cpgal said, the first thing you need to do is get a handle on where you are in your cycling. If I were you, I'd go get a thermometer and begin recording your temp first thing in the morning, before you get out of bed. Write down your temps and see what range they are in. At the same time, I'd make an appointment with an OB/GYN to get some bloodwork done: full thyroid panel, estrogen, protesterone, prolactin, and FSH.

Depending on what your progesterone says, you will know whether you are in your luteal phase or follicular phase. You could also ask for them to run a beta HcG and they might or might not, depending on the practice you go to.

I understand your dh wanting to let nature take its course. But sometimes nature needs a little help! If you (as a couple) have obstacles to getting and staying pg, you need to know that so that you can try to resolve the issue and boost your chances of success.

The fact that you had a m/c in June does not mean that you will have another one. It's true that most m/cs are chromosomal flukes and do not recur. That said, some m/cs are evidence of a fertility issue that needs correcting (as was the situation with me).

Even if you don't want to go the doctor route right now, I would at least get the thermometer and start temping. You don't need to talk to your dh about it if it's going to stress him out. You can talk to us! We can try to help you interpret the results.

Whatever you decide to do, GOOD LUCK and let us know things are going and if we can help in any way.

Best to you+++++++++++
Maura

[ldmmd2]

cpgal,

I read what you said and have taken it to heart. In fact, I decided to look up about hypothyroidism. I have a friend who said she has that and hated the medication she was prescribed. But after I read up on it, I suspect that may be my problem. I have several symptoms. I have pale, dry skin, have dealt with depression, chronic fatigue, weight issues and low body temperature. I don't seem to have intolerance for cold, however. But I went and bought a thermometer and although I've not started my period yet to begin bbt charting, I've checked it a bit to try to get into the habit. When I was sick my temperature was nearing 99 and when I felt better it was 97. Actually, I've known I have a low body temperature for a long time but never thought there was anything wrong with me because of it.

I appreciate both of your responses. I've been asking friends about their doctors and have a lead on an ob/gyn I want to talk to. I also made an appointment with a GP, but she can't see me until nearly Christmas. I hope she is willing to check my thyroid, or send me to get the blood work. I'm getting a little excited that my serial miscarriages may be caused by something that could potentially be fixed by medication.

Although I have a friend who has dealt with hypothyroidism, she has not experienced any miscarriages. She didn't like her medication and discontinued it and still got pregnant. Is there anything you can share with me on what I may have to look forward to if this is indeed the problem? The ladies here seem so helpful and nice. I greatly appreciate it and want to thank you for your genuine concern for others who are experiencing troubles.

[cpgal]

I have several friends all in the same boat with hypothyroidism. One was off the chart for how bad she was - the doctor actually asked her how she was functioning. The first dose she got did nothing for her making her believe that she really didn't have an issue. I told her to wait, they did bloodwork and up'd her dosage. It was three weeks later she came up to me and was like oh my God - I just woke up and felt better today. Then she was a believer.

A second friend said that the only thing that she noticed different was that her skin looked good (and it does).

I am on my second dosage - the first made me feel better after 3 weeks. I started sleeping better, feeling happier and more positive. Then two months later I started bleeding in the second half of my cycle and not sleeping and feeling down again. I asked for a retest and they up'd it. Now it has been 5 weeks and I feel much better.

My sister was actually jealous about the diagnosis thinking I would lose weight (I am not overweight by any stretch) - but that has not been the case. In fact it might make it slighly easier to lose weight with diet and exercise but that is it. It is not a cure all but if you are out of sync and it is corrected you are now on the level playing field.

The biggest pain in the butt about it -- is the taking of the medication. It has to be an hour BEFORE you eat or two hours AFTER you eat. Basically on an empty tummy. Taking it at night can keep people up. And that is it.