Posts by goldenskipper13

Angela Wright, there is truly no reason to be afraid. Once you have finished nursing, it makes perfect sense to go ahead with a breast exam just to be safe, but if everything checks out and your prolactin levels are within the normal range, then you don't need to fuss over it any further. Furthermore, things like lethargy and weight gain can often be linked to thyroid issues; I would strongly suggest having your doctor check your TSH, T3, and T4 levels.

No, if that were actually the case, wouldn't those changes show up clearly on an ultrasound?

And was there even an examination performed on the breast area at all?

If we were looking at a pituitary issue, her prolactin levels would be elevated, which simply isn't the case here.

Well, look, I’ve never had much luck with manual expression, and heaven knows what would have happened if I had actually attempted using an electric pump 🤷 during my mammogram—it was like a literal flood. They took a biopsy, and based on those results, everything is perfectly fine.
Oh, and they did mention some sort of breast condition to me, where lactation acts as a symptom. Typically, though, that kind of discharge comes from just one breast rather than both simultaneously. I can't recall the specific medical term they used. Regardless, every doctor I've consulted has dismissed my situation as nothing to worry about.
My advice? Try not to mess with your breasts too much; specifically, don't go testing them to see how much milk you can produce.

If your lymph nodes remain swollen despite having normal blood work and no clear signs of an infection, then if I were in your shoes, I would head straight to a specialist to have those lymph nodes properly examined.

I personally dealt with milk leakage for over two and a half years after I finished breastfeeding. It only recently finally tapered off. Even though my prolactin levels were technically within the normal range, they were hovering right at the upper limit.

In my estimation, swollen lymph nodes aren't actually linked to lactation, especially since, from what I can gather, you aren't experiencing any other symptoms besides the discharge. You likely have some sort of underlying infection or something similar going on right now. You should probably get a complete blood count done to check your CRP and white blood cell levels—just to see if there is an actual infection present.

Maria Fisher46 said:One doesn't determine anemia BY LOOKING ONLY at ferritin levels; you have to look at hemoglobin and red blood cell counts.

True, though I was implying that the ferritin level is low as well... that was my point.
But we must consider that there are various types of anemia, so simply checking iron levels is absolutely insufficient if one wants to truly assess whether iron stores are replenished and if the anemia itself has been resolved.

Megan Adams53 said:I’m experiencing the exact same thing—my resting heart rate sits right around 84, but the second I move, even just to slice some vegetables, it spikes straight to 163... I feel perpetually exhausted and completely drained, and honestly, this has been dragging on for seven months now; I am losing my mind! I have conducted countless searches and consulted endless specialists, yet no one seems able to pinpoint the cause. I can only pray that it turns out to be low ferritin levels, because if it is, I might finally put an end to this misery.

I am in the exact same boat.
Every single one of my lab results comes back perfectly fine, ranging from my hormone levels to my thyroid function... you name it.
You absolutely must insist on checking your ferritin levels. So many women present with the precise symptoms you described even when their standard panels look normal, particularly when those ferritin values fall somewhere in that frustrating window between 10 and 50. Typically, doctors only start talking about anemia once the numbers drop below ten. In my own case, no physician ever thought to check my ferritin until an acupuncturist suggested I might be deficient; I had to demand the specific test myself, and sure enough, his intuition was correct and the bloodwork confirmed it.

Megan Adams53 said:Standard iron levels typically range from 8 to 30... my reading came back at 12.

And even then, I’m sitting right on the lower edge of what's considered acceptable.
Generally speaking, if you're dealing with low ferritin, iron supplementation becomes necessary.
In my own case, things are a bit skewed; while my iron counts look fine, my ferritin is running quite low, despite my hemoglobin and red blood cell counts remaining perfectly within the normal range. Furthermore, I struggle with a rapid heart rate—even when I am completely at rest, my pulse never dips below 84, and it frequently hovers somewhere between 90 and 100.
I have started supplementing with iron, so we shall see how it goes. I actually ended up having to receive an IV infusion as well.

Megan Adams53 said:I think you misunderstood my point; my iron levels came back at 12, but I haven't actually had my ferritin checked yet—thank goodness you mentioned that, because now I know I need to follow up on it. What kind of supplements are typically recommended if the iron levels fall within the standard range but the ferritin remains low?

What are the standard reference ranges for iron levels?
One cannot simply look at iron levels in a vacuum; essentially, a "normal" reading doesn't necessarily mean your actual iron reserves are sufficient.

If your ferritin level is sitting at 12, then you are looking at a deficiency, plain and simple. We aren't actually talking about having healthy, robust reserves until that number hits at least 50 or higher. Anything beneath that threshold should be considered low, regardless of whether your other markers—like iron, hemoglobin, or red blood cell counts—appear to be within the normal range.

Megan Adams53 said:Could you tell me if those deficiencies might be linked to symptoms like constant fatigue and a racing heart?

Those particular symptoms are textbook indicators of an iron deficiency; perhaps it would be prudent to have your doctor check your ferritin levels, UIBC, and TIBC?

A progesterone deficiency, on the other hand, would likely manifest as a shortened luteal phase—specifically, when the window following ovulation lasts fewer than ten days. Spotting prior to a period is another classic sign of low progesterone, along with potentially light menstrual flow, which occurs because the uterine lining fails to fully develop during the second half of the cycle.

For months on end, I was dealing with this absolute nightmare of a sleep disorder. It wasn't just a little trouble drifting off; it was an all-out struggle. My husband would be out like a light by 10:00 PM, while I’d be lying there wide awake, fighting a losing battle just to close my eyes. Then, almost every single night, I’d find myself jolted awake in the middle of the night, unable to drift back off for an hour or even longer. And if I happened to wake up around 5:00 AM? Forget about it. There was no way I could get back to sleep, no matter what I tried. I should clarify, though—I didn't have any underlying medical issues or stressors that anyone would typically point to as the culprit for insomnia.
I decided to test my Melatonin levels in the evening around 7:00 PM, and the reading came back at 10pg/ml. To put that in perspective, that is incredibly low—it's barely reaching what you'd expect for a daytime measurement, let alone an evening one.
Typically, you'd want to see morning values hovering between 10-40pg/ml, whereas by the evening, they really ought to be climbing into the 60 - 120 pg/ml range.
Once I started taking 3mg of Melatonin, things finally turned around, and I’ve been sleeping like a baby. Interestingly enough, when I eventually stopped the Melatonin, I found I could fall asleep perfectly fine without it too. I honestly feel so much better now.

I usually order mine from uklonjen link right here; you can just pick it up easily since it's available over the counter. They sell it in doses as small as 1mg..

velvettrucker52 said:This isn't a lounge thread.
I am asking you all to please move any updates regarding your procedures or general well-wishes over to the wannabe chat; this specific thread should be reserved strictly for direct questions and answers.
Any off-topic or casual chatter will be deleted and subject to a warning.

mistycrane89, you have a point there.
It seems to me that velvettrucker52 really needs to educate themselves on the basics—what MPO actually entails, attempting to step into the shoes of those currently navigating this journey, and so on.

What does it mean to a woman, or a couple, when they discuss the struggle of sourcing medications?
What does it mean when someone is told they need to undergo 19 egg retrievals "live" (well, hats off to 🙏 you)?
What does it mean when someone is told they lack experience regarding certain protocols?
What does it mean when someone is forced to abort a cycle due to hyperstimulation or other medical reasons?
What does it mean to have to wait yet again... waiting for medication supplies, lab availability, and everything else to align?
What does it all mean?
What does it truly signify?

And yet, our moderator wants to shove all of this into the same pot as the WB crowd, who (thank God) live relatively carefree lives. No, I am not trivializing the concerns of the WB group at the start, but MPO is an entirely different beast altogether. As someone already pointed out here, it is like comparing apples to oranges. Here is just a small glimpse of how much "off-topic" content exists on WB (topics totally unrelated to fertility)... so, is that chat really supposed to be merged with our discussions about medical procedures? My apologies, everyone, but I fail to see the logic.
On the WB chat, anything goes, from discussing recipes to talking about conception... so how on earth does discussing a medical protocol fit into that framework?


Discussing one's own medical procedures and hormonal profiles is not "chat"—yet that is precisely what the new moderator seems to dislike, based on this quote. There are many women here who realized they had an issue specifically because they learned from the experiences and shared information of other members. They realized their doctors might have told them they wouldn't even react to certain treatments if they hadn't been able to learn from us. We are all here learning from one another's experiences so we can better prepare for conversations with our physicians and such.
Even sharing Beta results—that is never an issue on any forum. Even in MPO clinics in Europe or elsewhere, it is standard for someone to post their Beta so their peers can offer congratulations. That is perfectly normal behavior, at least for anyone with even a modicum of understanding regarding MPO or anyone capable of empathizing with the reality of... the waiting, the anxiety, the physical toll of stimulations... things that go on for years. In those circumstances, a positive Beta feels like winning the lottery.

Regarding the MPO topic, I truly believe that focusing on the wannabe crowd is misguided.
First of all, you really ought to take a closer look at the wannabe section; those are women primarily discussing cooking, their various hobbies, or even fertility struggles.
I’ll post a question in the morning, only to find my feed cluttered with endless junk about recipes and such by the afternoon, making it nearly impossible to actually find the answer I’m looking for... which is precisely why I’ve stopped posting there altogether. Even the discussions regarding conception are becoming a thing of the past; MPO represents an entirely different stage of life.

If you observe more closely, you will see that most people aren't even messing around with MPO issues. Our specific concerns regarding MPO have absolutely nothing to do with the topics discussed over at WB.

To be perfectly honest, the topic of trying to conceive deserves its own dedicated sub-forum—something titled "Conception" or something similar. I believe this would be fair to the women who are actively battling infertility, particularly those who have been struggling for years. Every major American forum seems to have this kind of structure; I simply cannot fathom why a site like forum.us doesn't follow suit.

Look, pregnant women have their own dedicated space within the parenting section, so why shouldn't non-pregnant women (parents-to-be) have their own area as well?

Women who have been fighting infertility for years often find themselves unable to stomach the headlines in pregnancy threads, such as "photos of proud bellies" or "I finally got a plus"... just as an example. It isn't because they are being spoiled or because they are envious of pregnant women, but rather because infertility is painful. Someone who hasn't lived through that struggle simply cannot understand.

A long time ago, I started a thread titled Project: Conception. On that particular thread, the discussion remained strictly focused on the process of conceiving... whereas the wannabe chat is a completely different beast altogether.

If you possess any empathy, please find a solution for us weary fighters as well... we are truly in the thick of it.😬

Renate, welcome to the club... feel free to join us over here regarding questions about fertility issues.
A lot of people don't view that AMH level as an absolute end to one's reproductive years. Furthermore, the mere fact that you have experienced three miscarriages necessitates much deeper investigation. I see you are living in Germany; I am not sure exactly where you are located, but at age 38, I would suggest seeking out a specialized fertility clinic. Your standard OB-GYN often lacks the specific expertise required for these cases.
You are living proof that even with a low AMH, pregnancy is possible; most doctors don't necessarily link a low AMH directly to poor egg quality.

1. What did your other hormone levels look like between days 3 and 5 of your cycle (FSH, LH, E2, Progesterone, DHEA-S, SHBG, Testosterone, prolactin)?
2. What was your progesterone level seven days after ovulation?
3. Did your gynecologist count your antral follicles at the start of your cycle, and if so, what was the number?

All of these factors play a significant role in determining which type of stimulation protocol will be used.

Regarding those three miscarriages—you have every right to demand extensive testing following three losses, and any serious physician will agree and provide them.
1. Thrombophilia tests you can find information on that here
2. Immunological testing
3. Swabs—checking for Ureaplasma and other little monsters (though I assume you have already had this done)

If anything comes back positive for the first two points mentioned, there are therapies available that can be introduced either after ovulation/transfer (if you decide to pursue IVF) or once you see a positive test result. For the third point, antibiotics are prescribed depending on the findings, and the swab must be repeated.
Do not let anyone gaslight you or try to brush it off as "natural selection"... three miscarriages is not a coincidence!

Good luck 🙂

Chloe Richardson33 said:Do you happen to know how one might determine the pH level?

If I recall correctly, you can typically find those little testing strips at any local CVS or Walgreens to check the pH value...

Chloe Richardson33 said:She’s likely just being snarky regardless of any actual symptoms... personally, I’m bothered by the stinging sensation I experience, along with my partner who—despite having absolutely no issues like yeast infections or anything else—is also feeling it, so I am beginning to suspect this whole thing is tied to sperm and fluctuating pH levels... there really isn't any other logical explanation... unless there is? Perhaps an expert here could weigh in with a definitive answer so we can finally have some peace of mind.😍

It is quite common for women here in the States to start spiraling through all sorts of wild theories when things feel off.🙄
I’ve had instances where a routine checkup at my OB-GYN would reveal a yeast infection, even though, subjectively speaking, I wasn't feeling a single symptom.
As a sort of preventative measure, I decided to try a little DIY experiment by using a tampon with some plain yogurt. We shall see how that affects the stinging.

Chloe Richardson33 said:I feel the exact same way... goodness, does this mean I'm actually allergic to his semen?? 😢 With my ex, whom I was with for a very long time, we never even went that far,😍 so I honestly have no clue if I would have experienced this with him too.🤷 🤷🤷

I find that hard to believe; personally, I suspect it’s more likely a matter of bacteria disrupting the pH balance, which is what causes that stinging sensation.

For the past week, I've been trying a specific nightly routine involving garlic; I wrap some in sterile gauze, soak it in olive oil, and then during the day, I apply a tampon soaked in plain yogurt for a few hours.
To my relief, I didn't experience any stinging this time around..🙏
I'm heading to the doctor today to get a swab test just to confirm that everything is truly back to normal..

Chloe Robinson80 said:I would definitely feel that stinging sensation if I went to bed without washing up first, especially since we were trying to conceive; I actually ended up dealing with a yeast infection once because of that exact oversight... if I make sure to clean up immediately after sex, everything seems fine.

As for me, I feel that irritation the very second he finishes, which lingers for a few minutes, though perhaps not quite as intensely as she describes.

So, I’ve been noticing this increasingly frequent pattern where I experience an intense, stinging sensation immediately after my partner finishes inside me. I did some digging and stumbled upon mentions of potential sperm allergies, but honestly, that doesn't seem to align with my situation, given that I've actually conceived with him twice now.🤷
Furthermore, from what I’ve gathered through my reading, this stinging might actually be a result of pH imbalances. The pH level of semen is naturally higher than the vaginal pH, which can be particularly problematic if one is already prone to yeast infections or bacterial issues—which, evidently, is my case.🙄

Interestingly, I never encountered this irritation when I was using a pre-conception fertility gel. That specific gel is designed to facilitate sperm transport to the necessary areas for couples trying to conceive, and it maintains a pH of about 7.4. I tend to rely on it because my cervical mucus is often a bit sparse, or sometimes non-existent, around the time of ovulation.

Has anyone else dealt with something similar, and if so, what kind of treatment or management have you found effective?
Thanks 🙂

Laura Jackson56 said:Do these vitamins cause weight gain?

I wouldn't say so.
I am still taking them myself, and if anything, I actually managed to drop back down to my pre-pregnancy weight; I have only gained about five or six pounds, but honestly, I can easily attribute that to my chocolate habit & everything else.😠