High FSH and just turned 30

[KEL9611]

I was hoping there was somebody out there with an FSH level of 20 that had success working with a RE doctor.  I have just turned 30 and my husband and I have been trying for a few months.  I have regular periods - on the dot every 27 days but I went to my OB/GYN when I did not get a positive result on the OPK kits after trying for a few months.  My doctor started me on Clomid and tried the clomid challenge test.  My FSH level came back at a 20 on both days 3 and 10.  She has referred me to a fertility doctor who I see next week but after reading so many posts on the internet that pregnancy with an FSH level of 20 is nearly impossible I'm EXTREMELY depressed.  Can anybody give me some reasons to be optimistic?

[rainonme34]

I too have just come out of gaining back some hope from my RE telling me that my FSH levels are too high (im 34 almost 35 in sept my levels were 27... that IVF won't really work, AND my progesterone leves are low..and that Clomid might not even work, neither will IUI, or AI etc. etc.  I had to email her and ask her if she even had ANY HOPEFUL news to tell me...then I got the 'donor' speech. Not to mention that...she said the the HSG might not even do much other than...to let you know if your tubes are blocked but that because of my levels...there is nothing she can do...and that i probably fall under the premenopause category not so much the POF . So i'm just overwhelmed that I have such vague answers..or answers I wasn't hoping to hear.

Soon after the shock, I managed to get my hope back...and keep the faith going.. keep my prayers going.. etc. This past cycle I had some positive CM signs that in the last 4+ months (of actually charting) but TTC since we were married almost a year ago. My cycle was out of whack, and finally when I decided to get checked, had a list of results..my husband has 'good' results with a few that can use improving...then after the FSH level results...the RE said.. 'sorry nothing i can do for you'. i wasn't expecting those levels to be that high.. sorry.

Today...i start a new cycle :( i got my 'friend'. and the last 2 months has been the closest in being consistent. 40-41 days (longer than ever) from my previous cycles before i started charting.. were not as long. But I guess tha's a good sign.. some consistency so we can try again this month..and pray for good CM and OPK positives...and just good timing too.

I didn't think i'd find a website.or forum that would help me cope or find people that could relate, I am so wrong.  I know deep down there is hope, it's just finding ways to cope with the days in between of waiting...charting.. looking for signs.. and people telling me...'just relax, just let it happen'. The thing is if I  could find consistency...I would be able to relax....herbs to take...if they work or if they are true.. I wish someone could just TELL ME which way to go.. but I guess it really can't be that easy for women like us.

I have my 3day this thursday. I'm a little nervous about going through the motions again with those results...then i need decide to do the HSG....the RE said it may not do much ..and there are risks...I switch insurance companies next month ..and i may have to go through all those tests again.. and i'm just a bit..overwhelmed.  I found this site..today and read your stories...I am more hopeful..and know that it was god's plan for me to find this site..and find some HOPE i can read and not just pray for. -- thank you all again. I think I will try the wheatgrass....for starters... and take it day by day...and continue to pray and stay hopeful... not sure it'll lower my FSH levels before thursday..but i'll aim for it next month...IF NEEDED.

[BabyJazz2010]

Oh cool, I am in the process of moving to Raleigh.  FYI, my sister and I worked with Duke Fertility.   Well, I ended up not needing their services very much, but felt 200% better with one of their REs vs. the first RE in SC.  My current obgyn is in the UNC network of doctors and hospitals (Rex) and I have heard good things about them as well.  

[traync]

Thanks for the encouragement. I just turned 37...I am one of the late bloomers, I guess. Yes, I live in the Raleigh- Durham- Chapel Hill area, in my research I have found lots of options. I have decided to go in for my follow up with the current RE and see how things go. If he is still very negative about my outcome I will seek a second opinion.

[BabyJazz2010]

The donor egg speech should be banned from those initial results visits!  Doctors are so quick to throw it out there, even before looking into pausible causes of high FSH besides low ovarian reserve.  And you're right.  They are all so matter-of-fact about it.  But keep the faith!  I'm not sure if your age, but a 12.5 FSH sounds good to someone like me and block tubes can be unblocked!  Actully, you ate similar to my little sis.  Her FSH was 11 something and she had a blocked tube.  She's 30.  She had an HSG and now have the most beautiful set of girl/boy twins after her first IVF.  As for me, everything has been progressing perfectly.  I'm 21 weeks today and starting to feel my little boy move more and more each day.  By the way, are you in North Carolina?  I just moved from SC to NC.  I like that there are so many more choices of RE's in NC.  The RE that nearly crushed my dreams back in December was from the only fertility clinic in town.

[traync]

I love hearing stories like yours.

I am just coming out of this "shock" stage my RE put me in. I went to the Dr. to take some test, just thinking everything would be routine. Well when I went in for the results I was in shock. He told me that in March I had a FSH of 12.5, and one of my fallopian tubes is partially block. I got the donor egg speech and everything was so matter of fact. I almost started crying right in front of him. I felt like there was no hope. But though this site and amazing stories like yours I got my hope back. Thank God!
I go for a follow-up FSH test the end of this month so I am trying to get myself together and stay relaxed (which is the hardest thing in the world).

I wish you the best of luck with your pregnancy!

[BabyJazz2010]

I also started wheatgrass after my high FSH.  I was only taking it 3 or 3 times a week because I knew of only one place to get it in town.  I travel quite a bit and didn't worry about trying to find It when I was on the road.  I got pregnant so fast...within 2 weeks of my awful results and on my very first attempt.  I don't know if it helped but I do know I will get back on it after baby comes, after breastfeeding, and if I decide to go for no. 2....especially after reading 2010baby's post.  I am 15 weeks and 2 days, today.  I will have amnio done next week.  Let's pray next week and the remaining 6 months go as well as the first 3 months have!