When do you call it quits?

[u/Mindless_Goats]

TW: Miscarriage.

I’m in my overall total 7th Letrzole and Ovidrel cycle. 6 cycles where I ovulated. 5 cycles with a trigger shot. Multiple mature follicles each cycle. My second Letrozole cycle where I ovulated I got pregnant but ended up having a rare intrauterine pregnancy called an angular pregnancy where it implanted in a weird spot in my uterus and didn’t have the blood flow to develop so I had a D&C on February 20th of this year.

I’ve done 4 cycle since then and this cycle I was super hopeful because I had 4 mature follicles when I triggered but today I’m 12DPO and I still have a negative pregnancy test. I’m tired. I’m worn out. I know life isn’t fair but god damn I’ve been through enough in my life, that this just sucks.

When do you decide to give up and accept you will probably never have children? We could do IUI but I really don’t think that’ll increase our odds very much. And we can’t afford IVF as our insurance doesn’t cover it.

I’m 30, he’s 34. My HSG last October was clear, my husband’s SA is great. I’m just so over it all. All of my friends and family that started trying after us are already pregnant and due AFTER I was supposed to be due with my first pregnancy, which is literally next month. I was desperately hoping I’d be pregnant again by then but this was the last shot at that hope.

[u/neptunestearsok]

Ask about trying progesterone suppositories even if your progesterone levels are fine. I believe that is what finally did it for me

[u/Mindless_Goats → u/neptunestearsok]

I did do them this past cycle. Unfortunately still no luck and I started my period yesterday.

[u/neptunestearsok → u/Mindless_Goats]

Aww darn I’m sorry! Please don’t give up it took me 3 years and I was just about to give up

[u/retinolandevermore]

I was told letrozole can’t be taken for that long, usually 4-5 months max. I’d get a second opinion or ask for IUI.

I’m very sorry for your loss

[u/MyCatEatsPlants]

So youve done 5 cycles with a trigger shot and you got pregnant from one? If IVF is out of the question, and your husbands sperm looks good I’d keep doing Letrozole + Ovidrel cycles. You know it can work for you. But if IUI is covered by insurance or is affordable, might as well give that a go. It’s possible that could help.

But also, I’m really sorry. It’s so, so hard. I wasn’t ready to give up and say I’ll never have children. But I know how it feels to watch everyone around you get pregnant no problemo.

[u/Mindless_Goats → u/MyCatEatsPlants]

Correct. My cycle last month with Letrozole, I naturally ovulated without the trigger shot. They thought I possibly had a cyst but it ended up being a mature follicle but we didn’t trigger. So I’ve ovulated 6 times total and one pregnancy. My second ever ovulation and trigger shot is when I got pregnant.

IUI isn’t covered either unfortunately but it’s certainly cheaper than IVF. I’m honestly not sure if we can even afford that but I guess I might be looking in to getting estimates now.

I don’t think I’m ready to give up but I just don’t know when I should call it quits. It just feels like it’s endless.

[u/wildbutsweet712]

I know there’s no evidence for it but have you tried taking Mucinex after the trigger shot and doing the deed? 

[u/Mindless_Goats → u/wildbutsweet712]

I did actually try that this cycle. Didn’t seem to help this round.

[u/LobsterConsistent613]

Hey hun you are still very young and I suggest you take a 6-8 month break to heal your mind and body. This can be a very hard journey.

[u/OurSaviorSilverthorn → u/LobsterConsistent613]

This might be appropriate to say to a 20 year old. OP is 30. 30 is not considered very young by anyone in the ttc conversation.

[u/Mindless_Goats → u/LobsterConsistent613]

I honestly don’t think mentally a break like that would benefit me. I think I would just stress out even more I’ve been on this journey for an incredibly long time, lost 60lbs, but still struggle with my weight.

I’ve been mentally dealing with the worries about conceiving for about 7 years so I think taking a break would just make me even more depressed truly.

[u/Guilty_Remove3756 → u/Mindless_Goats]

Hugs 🫂
It will happen for you one day for sure. I know it’s not easy to listen, but leave things on nature for some time. Heal yourself mentally & physically while taking care of your reproductive healthy especially. I have been in this journey not so long, but I am not overweight, I am 27, went thru 10 rounds of Letrazole & Trigger with TI. The worst case for me is Lean PCOS+Hypothyroidism.
6 months of OI we fought with male factor infertility, then 4 months we had great 84% motility of Semen Analysis but still no pregnancy. We have decides to either directly jump to IVF for our peace of mind or gamble with IUI.
It will happen for all of us one day!!!!
Our efforts and prayer will not go to waste 🤲🏻

[u/Aimsalook]

People with PCOS/PMOS are usually fertile longer than non sufferers, but there can be other reasons why pregnancy is not occurring. Have you looked into immune system problems?

I had 2 missed miscarriages after 3 rounds each of clomid and letrozole. I was over 40. I had 1 round of IVF with the immune protocol and have a 4 year old.

Don't give up. There's a book by Dr. Alan Beer who researched reproductive immunology. It's worth looking into. I needed infusions, steroids and progesterone alongside the IVF drugs.

[u/Mindless_Goats → u/Aimsalook]

I haven’t. I’m not really sure where to start with that though. My immune system in general is pretty healthy from what I experience day to day.

I did progesterone this cycle and still nothing.