LDN – Is it working?

So I totally shouldn’t be writing on my blog right now (because I have an exam tomorrow that I am still far from done studying for) but I wanted to share a little news.

In my last post I know I mentioned that starting this cycle, I increased my LDN dose to 3.0 mg.  Well, I definitely noticed some differences during this cycle and I am wondering if this is a random thing or if maybe the LDN is actually starting to do something.

First of all, I ovulated super early this month.  According to my CM and my chart, I ovulated on CD 13…however, I had some major ovulation type pain on CD11 and I am 99% sure this is when I ovulated.  Being that my period surprised me this morning by arriving what I thought was 2 days early, I have pretty much confirmed my original suspicion.  My luteal phase is like clockwork.  It is always 14 days long and if you count from the day I had the supposed ovulation pain, then once again, my luteal phase would be exactly 14 days long. 

Now ovulating early really isn’t a huge sign or anything, but it was definitely not a normal occurence for me so I just wanted to mention it.

Another thing I’ve noticed the past 2 months is that I am having WAY more breast tenderness after ovulation.  I used to never have ANY breast tenderness after I ovulated which I always thought was weird and maybe a sign of a hormone problem.  But now it is quite obvious and quite uncomfortable.  I know it sounds dumb to be happy about my bo.obs being sore, but this really does encourage me!  I hope this means that my hormones are acting more like they’re supposed to.

I also did not have even one hormonal freak out moment this month!  Hallelujah.  I made it through the whole survival week without feeling like I wanted to remove anyone’s head.  LOL! 

Lastly, I only had really 1 day of pre-menstrual spotting this month!  This is awesome!  I usually have 4 or more days of spotting and this month it was technically 2 days but I really only am counting 1 day since the first day of spotting it was one time and it was so super light a normal person would never even notice it unless you were really examining the toilet paper like us Creighton girls do.  So that is a big improvement.  I hope this change sticks!

So as happy as I am to be seeing some improvements I did still e-mail my NaPro doctor to see if there was any way I could try the HCG injections.  I figured it couldn’t hurt to ask.  However, I highly doubt he will do it.  It is just human nature to want to try every possible thing, ya know?

Oh, I did forget to mention there is one bad thing that is happening.  I am having an acne problem again.  I had this a long time ago when I first stopped taking the birth control pill.  I started having constant major breakouts on my upper back, shoulders, neck and chest (thankfully not my face).  It was TERRIBLE.  I suffered with it for probably a year and then started Metformin which seemed to clear it up.  I haven’t taken Metformin since March and it is only just now coming back (ugh).  I’m not exactly sure what this means, if anything, but I did let my NaPro doctor know about it.  I’m wondering if it is related to me being off the Metformin long enough for the symptom to recur or if it is somehow related to the LDN and Estrogen supplements. 

Ok, I have to get back to studying.  My exam tomorrow is over the reproductive system, female reproductive hormones/cycle, reproductive issues (including endometriosis, PCOS, infertility, etc.), STD’s (fun!), fetal development and maternal adaptation to pregnancy.  I’ve got the first half of the information down since I live reproductive issues (minus the STD section)!  But learning about the pregnancy stuff through experience will hopefully have to come for me later so I need to get going!! 

(now don’t get me wrong, I do not totally have my hopes up or anything from these few small baby steps, I just thought I’d try to be positive for a change!)

Happy Sunday everyone!

First Day Back to School – A Week Later

Yup, after a week of a strike, we finally had our first day of classes.  Our university professors are part of a union and their contract expired this summer.  Obviously the negotiations did not turn out so well.  But at least all of that is behind us now and we can get to it.

A few little tidbits and then I am off to bed… (it was really really hard to get up for school this morning, LOL!)

1)  I got my Vitamin D blood levels back and they were at the low end of normal (although below the new recommendations) so I started on Vitamin D supplements this week.

2)  My NaPro doctor also increased my LDN dosage to 3 mg per day instead of 1.5 mg.  I started this last week and haven’t noticed any adverse side effects.  Survival week is just around the corner though (I am P+3 today) so we will see how that goes!

3)  Sew, I am sorry I didn’t call back today.  I was in class when you called and have been swamped since.  I will definitely try and give you a call tomorrow!

4)  I started my pediatrics class today and I am so excited to start working with the kids!  I don’t start that assignment (clinical) at the hospital until October though.  But learning all this stuff makes me feel like I will be an even better (or at least more knowledgable) mom when I do finally become one!

Ok, sorry for my long absences!  With school back in full force, my posts definitely may continue to be spotty!  But please know I am always praying for all of my fellow bloggers, and friends of course, going through IF!

Hugs!

Extended Vacation Surprise

Yup, I was supposed to start classes back up today.  I got up, showered, made some coffee and turned on the news.  Turns out, the professors at my University are on STRIKE!  I had no idea this was even a possibility.  Apparently, they are not even really all that close to reaching an agreement.  So until further notice…no classes.  Crazy eh?

So as much as I just wanted to get school over with, I guess I am happy to have a few more days off.  It does mean we’ll more than likely go longer into December, but by then it will be pretty dang cold and dreary here.  So I guess it is better to have the days off now, than then!

I am feeling a little better I guess.  I just had my few days of sadness and now I am trying to move on.  My MIL assures me constantly that she, along with all her strong Catholic friends who are always praying for us,  just have a “feeling” God is going to bless me with a pregnancy when the time is right.

I don’t know that I believe it exactly, but I guess I’ll try and keep the hope somewhat alive.  It’s better than giving up all hope and being down in the dumps the next few years!

I mailed my $25 check to my NaPro doctor yesterday.  It is the fee for Dr. Hilgers to look over my chart/info.  I know it will take awhile, but I am glad it is going to be sent to him soon.  Might as well see what he has to think about my situation.  I figure if he can’t help me, no one can (well, except God Himself of course). 

So, that’s it.  I am headed to yoga again tonight.  At least it helps me to calm my mind while working out the stress in my body.

Weird Days

I’ve been feeling weird the past few days and I’m not sure why.  I just feel…unsettled, odd, lonely, etc, and I don’t know what, if anything, can be done about it.

I am starting classes again in two days…sigh.  I’m sure that’s not helping matters.  I spent the last week and a half relaxing and it was truly heavenly.  So why don’t I feel recharged and raring to go?  Who knows. 

I got a bill from PPVI hormone lab for $1600 for all the blood work I had done a few months ago.  Guess my insurance didn’t cover it after all…oh well.  That is the life of an infertile, right?  We get to pay out the wazoo for stuff that in the end, may make no difference at all.

And then I battle the feelings of not even wanting a child at all. (i.e. forget about adoption all together).  Do other people go through these types of phases or am I weird.  I have these periods of time where I just feel so “out of it” that I just don’t even know why I want to have a child to worry about on top of everything else.  Not that life is so bad, but it’s not really that great either…I think I’m just depressed.  Probably because I haven’t had much to do.  I think I actually thrive on the workload of school a little bit.  At least I am being a productive member of society.  But when I do mindless thing, albeit very relaxing things, I just feel blah.

Maybe that is just more proof positive that despite the amount of work a child entails, the reward/satisfaction far outweighs the “burden.”

Sorry this post is so disjointed and random.  I didn’t really even feel like posting since I really don’t have much of value to say.  But I thought maybe getting it out there would help me work through what I am feeling.  I’m not sure it worked. There is always tomorrow I guess!