Pills, Pills, Pills

This is an actual picture of my pill case and current supplements

As I have mentioned in previous posts, our last IVF cycle produced less than stellar quality eggs.  Unfortunately, just as you produce less eggs as you get older, the quality of the eggs produced also starts to decline.  (See "Good Eggs an Bad Eggs" page)  Instead of just letting this happen I decided to do what I could to fight back.

My doctor had indicated that for our next IVF cycle I should take 75/mg per day of DHEA for at least 90 days prior to the egg retrieval.  There are several studies out there regarding DHEA and its positive impact on fertility.  http://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/dhea.html.  Since this seems pretty tried and true it is on the list.

In addition to DHEA I am also taking a crap ton (that's a real measurement) of other supplements: Melatonin, Myo-Inositol, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, N-Acetyl Cysteine, Pycnogenol, Royal Jelly, L-Argenine, PQQ and Fertiligreens.

Co Q-10 and Omega 3 I was already taking - I just upped the dosages.  I also changed from a general multi-vitamin to a prenatal vitamin with DHA.

Biotin (for my nails and hair), Cranberry (because I get bladder infections), Pro-biotics (started taking post salmonella poisoning last year), Zyrtec (I have allergies) and Fiber (just because its good for you) have nothing to do with fertility per se.  I did have to up the fiber to help offset the effects of the increase in iron - the ladies will understand this more than the guys ;)

Because many of these can upset your stomach I take my pills with food.  Often meaning getting to break out the old lady pill container in the middle of a restaurant and gobble down around 20 pills with my meal.  I have caught some stares.  Mark says that the next time someone stares at me I should say that I have cancer.  I know it's not very nice but I bet they will be more careful about rudely staring at people after that.

I am also trying to exercise, drink plenty of water, get 8 hours a night of sleep, eat well, eat "fat" vs. non-fat dairy, reduce my alcohol and caffeine intake, reduce stress, and have acupuncture treatments (See "More Pins and Needles" page)

At the very least, I will be a very healthy person when this is all said and done.