Back from RE Consultation

[charliefox]

Had our 1st appointment with our RE this morning and I just wanted to do a quick recap to see if anyone has any thoughts of experiences to share to help a girl out  

We did the basics, talked about our history, I showed her my charts etc, then she went over a testing plan and a simplified version of what our options would be given different test results.

Based on my chart and the u/s today, I O'd sometime early today (crazy!) but the RE asked me to schedule blood work for Friday, including progesterone. She seemed really weird about progesterone, saying that it has peaks and lows and so you never really know if you took the test at the peak or the low so it's difficult to use that information to determine if you really have low progesterone - and I had to push for her to add it to the list of tests. So should I call and ask about it? Should I just wait until Friday and then ask and possibly go back on Monday (which would be 7dpo)? 

Currently I'll be doing blood work for TSH, AMH, Prolactin, & Progesterone, and H will do a SA. Then next cycle I have to schedule a HSG (which I'm nervous about - anyone wanna share their experience?). Does that sound about right? 

TIA ladies!

[bonzo]

charliefox, it sounds like a lot of the blood tests will be the standard ones. My RE also isn't big on using progesterone testing at the beginning, because your levels will change so much during a cycle. Plus from what I understand, progesterone supplementation is used in lots of treatment plans. But of course ask your doctor if you want more info -- they should definitely be answering your questions at this stage!

As for the HSG, I had a really rough one. Some women don't have a bad experience, but I had really intense cramping throughout and after. I almost fainted when I tried to sit up from the table, and had to drink apple juice and eat saltines before I could go home. I'd say even if they don't tell you to take ibuprofen, you should take some before the procedure just in case. Hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ladies who doesn't have a bad experience!

[amberr]

So far, everything sounds par for the course. My RE only tested my progesterone twice. The first time was during my 1st month in testing just to get a general idea of what it was doing, the 2nd was after my first IUI to confirm trigger and all that worked. Then we started supplementing post IUI, just for good measure. It can vary Day to day and throughout the day so it's mostly used to confirm O.

I'd expect cd3 testing with the start of your next cycle too: estradiol, FSH.

My HSG was easy peasy. The worst part was the speculum insertion. It was like a pap but maybe "wider" (not sure that make sense). I'm not sure it happens everywhere, but they numbed my cervix with a lidocaine shot. I was worried about it but it wasn't bad (I've had blood drew that hurt worse). Fir be, the dye almost spilled too quickly but the RE got a good picture so didn't have to repeat. Mild cramping and light spotting. I'd recommend brining a pad. The supplied them but holy moly were they thick!! Not everywhere has them on hand though. I also too 800mg ibuprofen 1 hour prior, per recommendation I got here.

[skidevil87]

charliefox,I had my first HSG last summer- It was a little painful mostly just pressure, but I'm super adhered everywhere along with a tilted uterus, so I felt a lot of bowel pressure. I remember sitting on the table feeling like I was going to crap myself. The speculum is definitely bigger, but not terrible, and once they get the catheter placed, they take the speculum out. I'll have another next month. Ibuprofen or Naproxen will be your best friends-inhibit those prostaglandins!

[wisco]

Hey charliefox, I have no advice on the HSG (I had a lap done to clear out endo at the beginning of my treatment, so they just checked my tubes then), but the rest of the Doctor's protocol sounds standard! I have ridiculously low progesterone, and we knew that from monitoring it during a previous pregnancy, so she only measured in on CD 21 of my first cycle to see if I O'd, and then she does a draw if/when I go in for my first beta each time...but I'm always supplementing because of the low levels.

[ap21ril]

My RE didn't check progesterone level- he said similar comments as yours did and just has his patients supplement from 3-4 DPO until negative beta or 12 weeks. 

My HSG wasn't bad at all. I took 600mg ibuprofen before I went and other than a maybe 3 second cramp when he inserted the catheter, it was no more uncomfortable than a pap. I was pleasantly surprised.