A few weeks ago I wrote a post about the possibility of going off birth control in an effort to put in our 'one year of trying' so we'd line up with when we'd like to do an FET likely in early 2015.
There is big news on that front- our insurance requires no referral, or registering for infertility services. Our previous insurance required both a referral to an RE and we had to register as infertile with a specific branch of the company. At which time they asked and recorded all that we'd tried and we were cleared to see an RE. This is not the case with our new insurance. So, I am able to stay on birth control right up until we are ready to jump back in.
I am so glad it is working our this way for us. I was really worried about what my body would do without birth control. I'm not convinced met.formin would make me cycle regularly and I cannot imagine taking progesterone every couple of months with two one year olds at home- that stuff makes me SO TIRED!
So, now we don't really have to plan ahead. When we're ready, we make the appointment, and its GO TIME! If we keep with our current plan, that will be in about a year- crazy- and really exciting!
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Metformin... the saga continues.
So, I had an appointment with my OB the other day for just the usual annual exam. We got to talking about birth control, future pregnancies and the likelihood of us getting pregnant with out medical intervention. Then came PCOS and metformin.
The back story is my PCP prescribed met.formin a few months ago and I've been horrible about taking it. When the fiasco happened with her a few weeks ago, I decided to not start taking it again and talk with my OB about it. I figured it was a bit more of his area of expertise than hers.
So we talked at length about PCOS, metformin and birth control. Since I am not really insulin resistant, and am on birth control he said it really wasn't necessary for me to be taking it. He agreed that it could potentially help me lose a little weight, but he said it likely wouldn't be anymore than I'd lose if I just watched my diet.
He was insistent that if/when I go off birth control I will need it again. It will help my body stay hormonally balanced, or at least closer. Going off birth control... that is a post for another day-- maybe tomorrow!
So for the time being, I am back off met.formin. And my stomach thanks me!
The back story is my PCP prescribed met.formin a few months ago and I've been horrible about taking it. When the fiasco happened with her a few weeks ago, I decided to not start taking it again and talk with my OB about it. I figured it was a bit more of his area of expertise than hers.
So we talked at length about PCOS, metformin and birth control. Since I am not really insulin resistant, and am on birth control he said it really wasn't necessary for me to be taking it. He agreed that it could potentially help me lose a little weight, but he said it likely wouldn't be anymore than I'd lose if I just watched my diet.
He was insistent that if/when I go off birth control I will need it again. It will help my body stay hormonally balanced, or at least closer. Going off birth control... that is a post for another day-- maybe tomorrow!
So for the time being, I am back off met.formin. And my stomach thanks me!
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Diapers, baby food, toys, OH MY!
Hey guys! Today's post is pretty much my shameless plug for Amazon Mom. Just to get this out of the way from start, if you DO sign up using my link I will get some amazon credits which I will use for the MILLIONS of diapers and wipes we go through around here! BUT you will also win-- For a limited time new Amazon Mom members can save $25 on eligible diapers in addition to 20% off diapers, wipes and other family essentials! So, SIGN UP... and use my link... I dare you!
I really, really cannot tell you how many times Amazon Mom has saved my butt when it comes to buying diapers. It is dang near impossible to buy a box of diapers, while pushing a double stroller and buying ANYTHING else. So I order my diapers.. ALWAYS. It is just so much easier, and they come right to my front door just a couple of days later. THE.BEST.
Monday, November 4, 2013
A day in my life with (almost) 15 month old twins!
6am-7am: The first cry or Dadadadadada is heard and depending on time and how awake I am, I either get the baby (or both) and bring him/them back to our bed for a little snuggling or we head out to the living room to play.
8:30am: Breakfast. Lately my children are VERY picky. It hasn't always been this way, and hopefully it will not always be this way, but for now, they usually have fruit and either toast, a pancake or a waffle.
9:00-10:00am: Diaper changes and lots of playing. We are usually in and out of the playroom a million times, scooting around on push/ride-on toys and generally acting like the circus show we are. On days that it isn't raining this is the time I load up the stroller and go for a 30-45 minute walk.
10:00am: The boys have a sippy cup and milk mixed with a small amount of formula and go to bed for somewhere between 1 and 2 hours.
12:00pm: More playtime and diaper changes.
1:30pm: Lunch. Again, we are picky. Sometimes they like grilled cheese, quesadillas, flat bread, ham and cheese. They always like chunks of fruit or a pouch or pureed fruit or vegetable.
2:00-3:00pm More wild playtime, errands and diaper changes
3:00pm: Another nap- I think I may die when they no longer take two. they again have a sippy cup of milk and sleep for 1-2 hours.
5:00pm: We play, play, play and wait for daddy to get home. Change diapers and have a snack if they seem hungry.
6:00-7:00pm: Dinner. We are trying our best to start eating more as a family, but is dang hard when you run a short order kitchen trying to get your kids to eat SOMETHING. ANYTHING!
7:30-8:30pm: We play, change diapers, give vitamins and reflux meds, clean up snotty noses, drink some milk, change into jammies, sometimes have a bath, and otherwise get ready for bedtime.
8:30pm: The boys hop into their cribs, find their lollies and sleep soundly (hopefully all night!) and mama lets our a huge sigh of relief that we've made it through another wonderful day!
8:30am: Breakfast. Lately my children are VERY picky. It hasn't always been this way, and hopefully it will not always be this way, but for now, they usually have fruit and either toast, a pancake or a waffle.
9:00-10:00am: Diaper changes and lots of playing. We are usually in and out of the playroom a million times, scooting around on push/ride-on toys and generally acting like the circus show we are. On days that it isn't raining this is the time I load up the stroller and go for a 30-45 minute walk.
10:00am: The boys have a sippy cup and milk mixed with a small amount of formula and go to bed for somewhere between 1 and 2 hours.
12:00pm: More playtime and diaper changes.
1:30pm: Lunch. Again, we are picky. Sometimes they like grilled cheese, quesadillas, flat bread, ham and cheese. They always like chunks of fruit or a pouch or pureed fruit or vegetable.
2:00-3:00pm More wild playtime, errands and diaper changes
3:00pm: Another nap- I think I may die when they no longer take two. they again have a sippy cup of milk and sleep for 1-2 hours.
5:00pm: We play, play, play and wait for daddy to get home. Change diapers and have a snack if they seem hungry.
6:00-7:00pm: Dinner. We are trying our best to start eating more as a family, but is dang hard when you run a short order kitchen trying to get your kids to eat SOMETHING. ANYTHING!
7:30-8:30pm: We play, change diapers, give vitamins and reflux meds, clean up snotty noses, drink some milk, change into jammies, sometimes have a bath, and otherwise get ready for bedtime.
8:30pm: The boys hop into their cribs, find their lollies and sleep soundly (hopefully all night!) and mama lets our a huge sigh of relief that we've made it through another wonderful day!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
The day I lost all trust in my PCP
There is a possibility I could have seen this coming, and maybe you will be thinking the same thing in the coming posts (the metfor.min debate!) but the day came... the day I lost all trust in my primary care physician.
A few weeks ago I went in to have my thyroid tested. I've had some trouble keeping it in range ever since the boys were born, or really, since they were conceived. I've gone in somewhere between monthly and once every three months to have it tested and to have my medication changed either slightly up or down dependent on my TSH level. No biggy. Well, no biggy until this last appointment.
I went in, had my blood drawn, and chatted with her a bit about how I was feeling. I expressed to her that I was somewhat tired, but I wasn't sure if that had to do with swinging hypo, or if it was because I had two teething babies at home. We talked a bit more and she sent me on my way saying they'd call once my results had been read and at that time they would refill my prescription with any changes. A few days passed and the medical assistant called me. She let me know my results had come back a little high (4.54) and that they would like to change my dose. I said ok, with the understanding that I was obviously being UNDERTREATED and then she said 'we'll be LOWERING your dose to 75mcg (from 100mcg)'. I quickly said that didn't seem right and she responded with, 'that is how the thyroid works, it can be confusing.' I expressed my concern again and asked that she have my PCP look over it again and then call me back. I was sure she'd call back quickly with an apology and a different dose that was higher than my previous instead of TWO steps lower.
She did call back. It was about an hour later, and when she called she let me know that my PCP was adamant this was her plan of care and would like me to be on 75mcg instead of the 100mcg I was currently taking. At this point I made sure I'd heard correctly during the first conversation that my level was 4.54 and went to work on the computer to make sure I wasn't the one who was all wet. It was clear within seconds that I was correct.
I texted hubs asking what the heck I was supposed to do, even though I knew I needed to call the practice and ask for another doctor to read my chart, or promptly change practices all together and be rechecked. So, because I knew it would take some time to get in with a new doctor, I called the practice and spoke with the receptionist. I made it clear there was a problem, explained my issue and she told me 'its uncomfortable to have other doctors checking over another's charts.' While I can appreciate this, I told her I didn't much care how uncomfortable it made my doctor, because I was FAR more uncomfortable with the fact that I was being prescribed the exact opposite of what I should have been. A short time later the other PA in the practice called and assured me that I was most surely correct, and without totally throwing her peer under the bus she told me that she was really unsure how this mistake could have been made.... twice. She then sent in the proper dose to the pharmacy and we hung up.
We haven't really loved our primary care physician or the clinic, ever, but we ended up with them a few years ago when we needed one to refer us to the fertility clinic. I was able to get in with them quickest, so that who we chose. Until now, we've never had a real problem, but now, now it is time to take a little initiative and change providers. I hate this part. I really, really hate finding a new doctor!
A few weeks ago I went in to have my thyroid tested. I've had some trouble keeping it in range ever since the boys were born, or really, since they were conceived. I've gone in somewhere between monthly and once every three months to have it tested and to have my medication changed either slightly up or down dependent on my TSH level. No biggy. Well, no biggy until this last appointment.
I went in, had my blood drawn, and chatted with her a bit about how I was feeling. I expressed to her that I was somewhat tired, but I wasn't sure if that had to do with swinging hypo, or if it was because I had two teething babies at home. We talked a bit more and she sent me on my way saying they'd call once my results had been read and at that time they would refill my prescription with any changes. A few days passed and the medical assistant called me. She let me know my results had come back a little high (4.54) and that they would like to change my dose. I said ok, with the understanding that I was obviously being UNDERTREATED and then she said 'we'll be LOWERING your dose to 75mcg (from 100mcg)'. I quickly said that didn't seem right and she responded with, 'that is how the thyroid works, it can be confusing.' I expressed my concern again and asked that she have my PCP look over it again and then call me back. I was sure she'd call back quickly with an apology and a different dose that was higher than my previous instead of TWO steps lower.
She did call back. It was about an hour later, and when she called she let me know that my PCP was adamant this was her plan of care and would like me to be on 75mcg instead of the 100mcg I was currently taking. At this point I made sure I'd heard correctly during the first conversation that my level was 4.54 and went to work on the computer to make sure I wasn't the one who was all wet. It was clear within seconds that I was correct.
I texted hubs asking what the heck I was supposed to do, even though I knew I needed to call the practice and ask for another doctor to read my chart, or promptly change practices all together and be rechecked. So, because I knew it would take some time to get in with a new doctor, I called the practice and spoke with the receptionist. I made it clear there was a problem, explained my issue and she told me 'its uncomfortable to have other doctors checking over another's charts.' While I can appreciate this, I told her I didn't much care how uncomfortable it made my doctor, because I was FAR more uncomfortable with the fact that I was being prescribed the exact opposite of what I should have been. A short time later the other PA in the practice called and assured me that I was most surely correct, and without totally throwing her peer under the bus she told me that she was really unsure how this mistake could have been made.... twice. She then sent in the proper dose to the pharmacy and we hung up.
We haven't really loved our primary care physician or the clinic, ever, but we ended up with them a few years ago when we needed one to refer us to the fertility clinic. I was able to get in with them quickest, so that who we chose. Until now, we've never had a real problem, but now, now it is time to take a little initiative and change providers. I hate this part. I really, really hate finding a new doctor!
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Tricks my kids do.... part one
Recently the boys were playing in the living room while I finished cleaning up our breakfast dishes. I was just one room over and listened as they giggled at each other and banged on the sliding glass door wishing it was warm enough and dry enough to go outside. After not too long, A was no longer joyfully squealing, but kind of whimpering/whining. When I came around the corner I was surprised (to say the least) to see only half of my child.
Directly in front of our slider (who's idea was that... perfect way to lose ALL of our heat!) we have a heating/cooling vent. A had removed the cover and went ahead and jumped in. I was amused/ and slightly worried he might be stuck at first, but once I got him out more panic set it.
What if that duct work didn't hold his little body and he fell into the crawlspace. HOLY CRAP that freaked me out, Especially because we just bought the boys a bookshelf for their closet that sits directly on top of the crawlspace access... it would not have been a quick save of my baby!
Stay tuned for more 'tricks' ... and just for fair warning it is almost always A who is preforming tricks around here. If he makes it to this second birthday without an urgent trip to the doctor I will be AMAZED!
Directly in front of our slider (who's idea was that... perfect way to lose ALL of our heat!) we have a heating/cooling vent. A had removed the cover and went ahead and jumped in. I was amused/ and slightly worried he might be stuck at first, but once I got him out more panic set it.
What if that duct work didn't hold his little body and he fell into the crawlspace. HOLY CRAP that freaked me out, Especially because we just bought the boys a bookshelf for their closet that sits directly on top of the crawlspace access... it would not have been a quick save of my baby!
Stay tuned for more 'tricks' ... and just for fair warning it is almost always A who is preforming tricks around here. If he makes it to this second birthday without an urgent trip to the doctor I will be AMAZED!
Friday, November 1, 2013
Thirty Days of W &W
I am going to do my very best to get a post up every day of November-- yeah I know, we'll see how that one goes! I'm not promising depth every single day of the month, just SOMETHING... anything! I'm ready to jump back into blogging a bit more, I miss it! Plus there are about 500 million things going on in my mind and they need OUT!
Thing you might read about this month.....
Thing you might read about this month.....
- spending my second Halloween in a row at my OB/GYN's office.
- metformin- the saga continues.
- a long story about my PCP and the day she lost my trust.
- finding a new PCP... lord, help me.
- 'tricks' my children do.
- my kids' obsession with carbs... it will get better, right?
- new health insurance is not my favorite.
- baby #3-- I'm not pregnant.
- socks... are like Christmas decorations for the stir-ups.
- weight.
- realizing you can't do it all and being ok with it.
- what I'm thankful for... you might be surprised!
- twin tricks that make our life easier.
- H & A's first REAL cold & snot bubbles.
- a day in our life with 15m old twins.
- many days of... what was I doing in years gone by on this day in November!
- new favorite snacks.
- maybe a recipe post or two.
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