Pregnancy at 44 - with fibromyalgia and migraines

[Anonymous]

Anyone have any suggestions - I am recently med free after 15 years, and we have now have a notion that we would like to try now to get pregnant - the catch being that I am 44 and have fibromyalgia and migraines. We tried a few times over the years, but never gave it a full try, and mostly have been avoiding pregnancy.

What I am really looking for is an OB/GYN who could counsel me in a sympathetic way and then, if all systems are go, be there for me during the pregnancy.

We don't suspect any fertility issues, but if there are any, we likely would not to any fertility treatments.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Anonymous]

Well, at 44, you will likely have fertility issues. That said, as a 45 year old who's pregnant, my obs have been surprisingly supportive.

[Anonymous]

I have heard that the folks at Johns Hopkins are very good, at least with things like PCOS. I would expect to have fertility challenges, with the fibro, and not be surprised when they refer you for testing after 6 months of trying (after age 35 that's the window rather than a year, I learned).

There are many levels of fertility treatments (I also learned) that range from hormone supplementation at key points (usually related to successful ovulation) up through IVF; you can always decide to take some steps and stop before the invasive/surgical options.

[Anonymous]

thank you - btw - i have never had any gyn problems issues ever. i do agree fertility issues are likely at my age. i am mostly wanting the straight scoop so i will know when to move on from the notion.

[Anonymous]

My advice is to go straight to a reproductive endocrinologist / fertility specialist for information and advice. Some OBs can be kind and supportive, but they don't deal with fertility issues day in and day out. They're post-conception experts -- prenatal care and delivering babies.

Where are you located? Maybe ask for a referral for a good RE who's going to give you the information you want without pressuring you right into fertility drugs/IVF. (By the way, insurance usually covers diagnostic assessments of fertility etc., even if it doesn't cover IVF itself.)

Good luck!!!!

[Anonymous]

Congrats on becoming med-free - good for you!

I think if you decide you do want to go forward and try to conceive and you get the green light, health-wise, you should be open to the idea of at least consulting with an RE. Not all fertility treatments are as intense and invasive as you might think. Ovulation-induction with IUI is not the same as going through an IVF cycle.

And even if you know that you are not comfortable pursuing any type of treatment, I think having a consult with an RE and perhaps doing the initial workup to check your hormone levels & AFC will give you a much better sense of your chances of spontaneous conception. I would want to know what I'm dealing with, kwim? If you have some test results and you know what issues, if any, you have, then you can consider nutritional supplements, acupuncture, and other natural remedies, if you are not willing to use fertility drugs but still want to try something to improve your odds.

It's a good sign that you have not had any gyn. issues in the past and don't have any known fertility issues, but the simple fact is that your eggs are 44 years old, and that is a fertility issue in and of itself. Most 44-yr olds have only a small number of healthy eggs remaining. That number is not zero - most likely there are still "a few good eggs" left, but catching one can prove to be a challenge in your 40's, and if this is something you really want, I think you should go after it without wasting too much time. Find out if pregnancy is medically safe & possible for you, find out as much as you can about your fertility "status," then figure out what you are and aren't willing to do in order to get pregnant, and go from there.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

thank you - i agree with everything you say and that is what my appoach/plan is at this point.

however, i don't even know what RE stands for? where/who do i go to for it?

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PPs here. I will turn 43 on Saturday and just had my first IUI last week. A year ago, my OB did an FSH test that looked great, so I thought I still had some time. I'm single, and wanted to wait just a little longer to see if the right partner happened along. But that didn't happen, and a year later, when I broached the subject with her again of trying to get pregnant, she was shocked that I hadn't sprung into action the year before. (I wish the note she mailed me with the FSH results had been more explicit about the need to rush, but anyway...). The fact is, your egg quality really deteriorates quickly at our age. My initial consultation with the RE was sobering, to say the least. I have never had any gynocological problems either, and my sister conceived with no problem at the age of 36 or 37, so I'm hopeful -- and these factors probably contributed to my sense of complacency. (And in fact, I am feeling some symptoms now in the TWW, but trying not to get excited yet...)

But if I were you, I would see an RE stat to check your options. And as a PP said, the IUI is no more invasive than a pap smear -- no big deal -- and if the doc says it could help you, I'd go for it!

Good luck. And glad to see another 40+ TTC poster here. I am optimistic by nature and I really hope that helps sustain me through this process. I fear regret more than anything.

Keep up posted.

Btw -- I am seeing Dr. Sacks at Columbia Fertility. He's a straight shooter, I think, but supportive and non-judgmental.

[Anonymous]

RE is Reproductive Endocronologist, basically a fertility doctor. You'll find them at fertility clinics and there are plenty of threads here about people's experiences at various clinics. You probably should also look at Taking Charge of Your Fertility and start charting your cycles, because step one of your evaluation will likely be to see if you are still ovulating.

[Anonymous]

43 and 11 weeks pregnant. Lost one at 8 weeks in February. Met with Dr. Frankfurter last fall, and found him very reassuring even without ever getting the test results back because I got pregnant. I still ovulated and had a regular cycle. I took from him that meant I had a pretty good shot at getting pregnant on my own. He was right. It then becomes a question of catching a good egg.

Good Luck OP..

[Anonymous]

thank you all - you have been amazing source of info and relief from the confusion - i have our appointment with RE lined up!