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509879 tn?1259338951

Inspiration for women with high FSH levels (and without)

Hi all,

I belong to another TTC Over 40 group, much like this one (confusing going back and forth--wish there were a way to combine both groups), and a woman there recently posted that she is 43 and just learned she has high FSH levels. She wanted to know if there's ANY hope that she could have her own bio child. I'm reposting my response here, which includes several reviews of Julia Indichova's book Inconceivable. I find the reviews inspiring and thought some of you might as well.

My Post:

I am 43 years old (and 4 months), I DO have elevated FSH levels, and I totally let the REs convince me that I had NO chance of conceiving. They said over and over again that my odds were only 1%, that I was not a candidate for IVF, and that I should use donor eggs. For a year and a half, I only half-heartedly tried to get pregnant, since I really didn't believe it could happen.

And then last month I got my BFP and I got it naturally! I unfortunately miscarried, but getting pg has changed EVERYTHING for me. I'm no longer eating refined sugars or flours, I'm eating way more veggies and less meat, and I'm trying to eat organic as much as possible. I'm taking a slew of supplements, and I've been to several acupuncturists in the search for one who will be open-minded and part of my "fertility team." I think I found her, btw. She's affiliated with Randine Lewis, author of The Infertility Cure, and I have my first appt with her on Tuesday. She's a bit pricey, but certainly cheaper than IVF, and I'm very excited about her!

You should also check out Julia Indichova's book Inconceivable: Winning the Fertility Game. She conceived naturally during a cycle where her FSH was in the high 30s, I think it was. Here are some reviews about her book (from Amazon.com):

I'm 10 weeks pregnant today (at age 42) and no one could be more surprised than I. I had a doctor tell me before I even started trying that it would barely be worth trying (with a Day 3 FSH of 17). I then started the process with a very negative and discouraged outlook. What Julia Indichova's book gave me was one very inspiring story of the benefits of sheer determination, and the ability to listen to myself and disregard the very negative outlook handed out by most of the physicians the minute one's statistics are not picture-perfect. The fact is, the medical profession knows less than it thinks about infertility (and a lot of other areas too), and while I appreciate Western medicine for the things it does well, I wish it would more often say what it doesn't know. The message of the book is to find your own way through this very stressful and confusing maze, and it helped me listen to myself and my instincts more than to the chorus of "very unlikely"s coming from the doctors. I recommend this book highly.

********
Reading this book literally took me from despair to inspired action on my own behalf. At 39 I got the devastating news that my fsh was too high and that my "only option" was donor eggs. It felt like a kind of death sentence, especially since I was told that none of the reproductive technologies could help me to conceive with my own eggs. Then I happened upon this book and it was like someone gave me my life back. The author's style is direct, engaging and to the point. She investigates several alternative healing paths but is not an unquestioning "true believer." She shares what worked for her but encourages people to find what works for them. I think the strength of the book is the author's ballsy determination to NOT take the western medical prognosis at face value. When I try to think of how this book affected me, I just come up with all the cliches - the sun came out, a breath of fresh air, etc, but that's what it was like. Another review on this site said her advice was not specific enough but that was not my experience. I urge anyone struggling with infertility to read this book for inspiration. Since reading the book, I have come across a website specifically for women trying to conceive with high fsh. I am in no way connected with this site but want to put in the address for anyone interested: network54.com/hide/forum/10586 This site has a bulletin board plus a "success board" listing the stories of 50 women who have gotten pregnant despite high fsh. About half using reproductive technologies (other than donor eggs) and about half just using alternative therapies! Indichova also has a website: fertileheart.com Good Luck!

********
The title of this book hit home and I had tried everything else, so I bought the book and followed the recommendations as best as I could. A few months after I started, I did an insemination, went to the doctor (who originally felt my chances of getting pregnant were slim to none) and found out I was already 8 weeks pregnant! (What I thought was my period the month before was apparently blood from the embryo attaching to my uterine lining.) My doctor, who still couldn't believe it, recalled all my bloodwork from the month to retest, called me in for a sonogram the next day and, lo and behold, found and embryo with a beating heart. This doctor (one of the most respected in the business) said he'd never seen anything happen like this. I'm 42, have had 5 miscarriages and, as I've said, had a pathetic prognosis. The doctor said he'd be talking about my situation in his lectures and writings and he'd be sure not to mention my name.

I recently received my amnio results and everything is normal!

I know how tough trying to have a baby can be when EVERYONE is telling you to pack it in, but believe me, if the advice in this book can work for someone like me, it can work for you too.

********
After being told I'd never have my own biological child, also because of high FSH levels, I went to Amazon.com (Jan 1999) and researched infertility. Thank God I read Julia's soothing book. It inspired me to follow her path. After Iyengar Yoga, Chinese Medicine, Visualization, reading most of the books in her wonderful bibliography, (and 2 unsuccessful rounds of FSH IUI), my openness to others about my struggle led to a holistic practitioner in San Diego (Dr. Carolyn Mein, D.C.) that balanced my hormones naturally and directly led to the birth of my now 15- month-old daughter (Aug 2000). Bless you, Julia! I didn't know where to begin and you were the calm voice in the storm affirming my inner voice. I am so grateful for everything this journey has taught me.

********
This book is a must read for any woman who is experiencing infertility, seeking medical treatment and feeling frustrated by the lack of personal control medical options offer. Ms. Indichova shares her unique and inspiring story, detailing her holistic approaches to achieving pregnancy. After reading INCONCEIVABLE I immediately felt empowered to take charge of my own fertility and seek holistic options that appealed to me. I am currently in my seventh week of pregnancy (achieved naturally!) and am feeling wonderful. I'm certain that reading this book contributed to my success and am convinced that other women can be similarly empowered.

********
I read this book at a particularly low point. The author inspired me to realize, as she had, that I needed to take much better care of my physical and spiritual self. I made many of the changes she discussed in her book. Only six weeks later, a miracle occurred. Medical folks were shocked that after many unsuccessful treatments, I got pregnant on my own, with no medical intervention, at age 44. I highly recommend that everyone in that "stuck" stage read this book. Honor your life and spirit, and have faith that you will find the right path.

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Hope that helps a little.

Breezy
7 Responses
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1102951 tn?1302372934
Thank you for this!!!!
Helpful - 0
958842 tn?1266512599
Thanks girlies for the encouragement;)  Sometimes RE's focus to much on "numbers" & "stats"
I've been pg 2x's this past year, one ended as a blighted oven @ 7 weeks, & one a missed mc @ 11, all genetic testing was 100% normal ( I & my old E have a "theory" why I lost the pg)
Anyway, I KNOW I can get pg, & carry a healthy baby, I have 3 kids & had my last one @  almost 33 (took a LONG break after;)
I wish you both a happy & fertile Nov. & Dec;)  Kets get some fall babies on this forum!
Helpful - 0
509879 tn?1259338951
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Miranda. I am learning to put less value on FSH levels as well. I let that single test (and the REs) convince me that I couldn't get pg a year and a half ago. At that time, I was "only" 41 (about to turn 42, actually). An entire year and a half later, I conceived naturally! Yes, I m/c'd shortly after, but what the heck? I GOT PREGNANT! So now I'm eating healthy, doing acupuncture, keeping my feet warm, etc. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Btw, I am scheduled to go to Julia Indichova's fertility workshop on the 6th of December. It should be interesting! And do you know that she has a new book out, called The Fertile Female: How the Power of Longing for a Child Can Save Your Life and Change the World. I'm going to pick it up soon.

Good luck to you as well, Miranda.

Breezy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I read Julie Indiechova's book last July and found it very comforting. There are reasons why FSH can be high: one ovary, amenorrhea, if you have twinning in your family, taking progesterone supplementation..

I am not concerned about FSH levels.  REs correlate it to egg quality yet I have not come across any research that proves this link.  FSH is used for IVF purposes.  It has no bearing on conceiving naturally.  There are women - some on this forum - who have conceived naturally with high FSH levels.

Good luck.
Helpful - 0
509879 tn?1259338951
Hi Ita.

I am SURE that I read in one of my fertility books that having only one ovary CAN cause FSH levels to go up. I think it was Randine Lewis' book The Infertility Cure. It was either hers or Making Babies by Sami David and Jill Blakeway. I'm pretty sure it was the Infertility Cure though, and even if it wasn't, her book has tons of great info.

And, you're right, you're FSH levels are not high at all! My highest ever was 46 (after doing clomid). Next highest was 26. And I actually GOT pregnant last month, naturally (although I m/c'd at 4 weeks). Generally speaking, REs don't believe it can happen, but it can and it DOES.

Good luck to you! :)

Breezy
Helpful - 0
958842 tn?1266512599
Thank you for your post;)  I did the CCCT 2 months ago, & I was pretty upset w/the results, for a few days.  My CD3 was 10 & my CD10 was 14, not HORRIBLE, but not great.  I'm 40, & I have only one ovary & tube, & I believe this is also why my level was a bit high too, but of course my RE says, no......that doesn't matter!  Ughhhhhhhhh

Anyway, best of luck to you;)
Helpful - 0
509879 tn?1259338951
P.S. Here are a couple of other responses from that site. I'm removing the names, but I can't imagine they'd mind sharing their success stories with y'all:

Well, I am not saying that I am the norm....as I am on my 3rd over-40 pregnancy....a healthy boy born in 2005, a baby girl we lost in the 2nd trimester who had trisomy 18 (blamed on old eggs of course) and am now due any day ...but I wanted to tell you that my highest FSH was 19 something in January 2008 after failing 6 injectable cycles. I tossed in the towel on the western medicine RE road and did 10mths of intense accu, herbs and therapy. I got a bfp Jan 30th 2009 despite being told my chances were around 1% (we also have a male factor btw).

My moral of the story is...as long as you ovulate and get AF there still is hope.

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I don't know anything about fsh levels, but I do know that I was starting to get signs of menopause, skipping periods, night sweats insomnia etc, and I am now 43 and 18 weeks pregnant. I've got a ways to go, but so far all is well. This is my 6th child. I agree, if you still have periods and ovulate there is hope!!

Also, my sister just turned 45 in September had a baby boy in June- and a very healthy one at that!!!

********
Well, I didn't believe the doctor either (even though the first few days were disheartening) and I am now due in July. I told him I don't take no for an answer  =)...



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