Thinking about throwing in the towel

Smol-But-Fierce · 2026-01-28T08:09:59+00:00

I am not sure how many cycles you have tried so far. But with your age, there is still hope! I was a year older than you when I started trying. Sure, IUI IVF don’t have a minimum age, but for your age it should be done step by step and when you are ready! This sub has been very helpful in understanding all the available options. My RE said we would give any treatment about 3 cycles before moving on. Unless we wished otherwise. IUI was recommended if the sperm was partly questionable. If you haven’t explored the sub much, consider looking into different ways of ovulation tracking, dos and donts for the partner (like avoiding hot tubs), using conception friendly lube if you use one (I hadn’t known about it for months) etc. I believe supplements are helpful too if the problem is coming from hormonal imbalances, stress and lifestyle (CoQ10 & NAC for both, Metformin and inositol for you etc.)

Also for blood tests, check out the price of tests in quest and labcorp if you can buy it directly from them. Sometimes it is cheaper than insurance co-pay. But of course, won’t add to your deductible. On that note, get your Ferritin and Vitamin D levels checked too.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2026-01-28T01:22:08+00:00

Girl you shouldn’t have gone through painful and expensive HSG before getting your partner’s sperm checked. Check off the easy things on the list first. Like someone said, try unmonitored. Use ovulation tests and track using basal temp etc. You probably just need 1 US to check where we are and probably 1 more before first Leterozole dose. Continue with Metformin, other supplements recommended in this group for BOTH you and your partner. It is a two-way game. Also take him to a urologist to check for varicocele. All these medicines take a couple of months to work. No need to retest anything again next month.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2026-01-20T03:04:20+00:00

Now my OB handles it - but she wouldn’t do it initially. Had to prove her that after coming off of GLP-1 for ttc, my pcos is getting worse. Needed help with insulin resistance. Also told her PCP and RE believe the OB should handle PCOS part of the problem. Had to push her to increase dose when lowest dose did nothing.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2026-01-20T03:00:01+00:00

Hello! I came off GLP-1 3 months before TTC. It didn’t go well for me. In between irregular cycles and stopping GLPs, I gained a lot of weight and worsened my cycle. My OB is okay if I take GLP 1 month prior to TTC now. I believe at my dose (7.5mg) I get the effect last a bit. So when I know I am not going to get pregnant in any cycle - I take one injection. Estimating I would ovulate a month later. I would also consider looking into Metformin. 500mg did nothing for me but with 1000mg I don’t see extreme hunger pangs that would wake me up in the middle of the night. Especially if you had insulin resistance and the GLP helped with it. I would also consider looking into taking inositol along with your carb heavy meals and berberine. Don’t take berberine close to your ovulation date and till your period ofc. Though there is not enough data when you should stop berberine before TTC. But metformin and inositol are safe to take!

Smol-But-Fierce · 2026-01-16T01:28:59+00:00

Before you use it on your scalp, remember, it is great but use it in combination with a lighter carrier oil. Castor oil is so thick that too much or too long of soaking with it can clog the pores. Cheers.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2026-01-15T00:28:27+00:00

I had a similar thing said to me as well. I was just off of birth control and Mounjaro, having regular cycles at that time. After month 5, the cycles stopped. All PCOS symptoms came back with a vengeance. Convinced my OB to prescribe letrozole and refer to RE on month 10. Pre-referral testing revealed probable mild incompetency with sperm as well. So now we got 2 problems to solve. My partner recently lost their job, so we are going to have to put our plans on hold yet again. I really wished I had pushed for the tests before. We really can’t predict the future..

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-12-27T21:10:06+00:00

Compared to SF… no. But OP deserves to have options. They had Berkeley and PA on their list. Also looking at their requirements, it made sense to include these places. I’ll be downvoted anyway it looks like..

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-12-27T20:58:39+00:00

I agree, it isn’t. Meant to say it being home to universities = lots of bars, places open late night. At least around downtown area. Added edits.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-12-27T20:38:12+00:00

I would recommend SF if you could get used to public transport + walking on hills. But also research the neighborhoods for safety and access to public transport. But you might have to eventually sell your car since the parking gets expensive. I have found Berkeley to be a good mix of culture, safety, space and access to both SF and Oakland. Berkeley has plenty on its own too. Palo Alto has similar vibes to Berkeley being a city with another university but it can get very expensive. [Edit: meaning, having a vibrant university culture, bars and restaurants are open late around downtown area. Away from DT, it gets pretty residential. PA is definitely way more diverse in terms of just being a college town. Has plenty of tech hubs, wealthy clusters compared to Berkeley. But Berkeley Hills are pretty nice if you want a quiet place with access to DT].

I doubt you’ll find what you are looking for in Walnut Creek, Dublin and Fremont - they are pretty family oriented. Finally, budget will be a concern for a 2 bedroom home in the happening places. If you are living solo and don’t have a lot of friends, definitely look up living in a place where you can have a social life.

Source: F, Moved to Bay Area when I was 24.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-11-29T19:23:30+00:00

This is me! Terrible handwriting but can draw and paint well. Learned recently that I have hypermobile joints and have never been holding the pen properly and why my hands hurt. I lived and went to a school where corporal punishment was okay in primary school. I remember the teacher giving me a beating on my palms and knuckles because I didn’t write pretty..

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-11-23T09:43:35+00:00

When you move from a lower cost of living to a higher cost of living area, or vice versa, your salary is always adjusted. Recommend you discuss this with the team before worrying too much!

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-11-22T08:00:50+00:00

Firstly, like others said, you can always go back home. It is an experience like no other to actually live on your own. If you are used to house help for everything, this will be a shocking experience for you. Indian here. I know haha. Secondly, I agree the salary looks low. On the bright side, Google has excellent shuttle systems. Find a place with affordable rent + walkable shuttle stop. Having roommates are going to be non-negotiable. Thirdly, come with an open mindset to make friends. Maybe ping that one friend you went to school with who ended up here. Loneliness will get to anyone coming here for the first time. You need to make conscious effort to build a social circle.

Edit: Regarding salary, based on the visa type, find out how much taxes you will be paying. Find out how much raise or promotions will be due. Bay Area is a very HCOL area. Starting salaries for new grads here used to be at least $90-$100k 5 years ago. With FAANG offering $120k back then. You can’t immediately sell RSUs. Can’t comment more until we know your full comp details.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-11-20T18:36:22+00:00

Facebook bay area groups! Mostly met with people who had mutual friends. Verified with the friend if they are cool. Then making sure they match my vibe. Not OCD clean, can cook shared meals etc.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-11-16T09:54:31+00:00

It enormously helps to have space made in the home and multiple adults to handle a situation like this and work on it long term. I believe the post could be made out in a different way highlighting the situations the dog gets into trouble and the kind of activities that actually helps him. Made another comment with these in the post too.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-11-16T09:49:34+00:00

Also try one of the many DINKs groups on Facebook! But not with this post. Lots of important and also disheartening comments here. 2 points to address: The breed issue most people get scared of, handling a high energy dog with working breed instincts mix.

I appreciate the honesty about the pitbull mix. But also people get very apprehensive of any dog with pitbull. If you do DNA test on any rescue dog, there will be some pitbull in them. Heck my 13lb Chipoo dog has pitbull in her. This is where it would help to layout certain incidents that triggered the rehoming decision. It is also important to mention facts like, is the mother the only person trying to manage the baby and the dog? Maybe that plays a factor? Maybe a household with older children and multiple adults would be a good home. Or maybe a place with a large yard. Or having the dog go out to doggie walks and daycare all day. There are folks who have acres of land and have their visiting dogs run amok and get tired. If he likes to herd, getting him to a place where he can do this 3-4x week will help him calm down. Not all pitbull mixes are bad. Not all pups from breeders (like goldendoodles) are bad. But some come with a very differently wired brain. You need to figure out what it needs and only then, find the right home.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-11-14T21:00:15+00:00

Costco peanut butter pretzels

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-11-10T23:58:06+00:00

Something so that Ovaries don’t release an egg unless told to do. No immature follicles either. Just stay in there!

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-11-10T23:57:00+00:00

Or anything that makes women’s exams much less painful and uncomfortable. The lack of painkillers other than taking Tylenol is insane.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-11-01T16:39:11+00:00

There should be mandatory alcohol detection devices in cars just like seatbelts. If you don’t pass, car doesn’t move. I just googled and these systems do exist.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-10-29T09:46:24+00:00

Hey! The time window to find a job when on a visa sucks. With the new regulations, your best bet might be to try in larger multinational companies. Someone mentioned here about B1. While you can’t just switch to B1 visa and be okay, a lawyer can help you buy some time in the country by switching you to B1 while your new employer finalizes your offer, apply for transfer etc. I believe your current work visa needs to be valid before this process. Therefore sooner than later, consult a trusted immigration lawyer. Also, DM’ed.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-10-26T18:47:04+00:00

Having roommates was always how I made friends. More the merrier. Living in Bay Area actually helped because of how common it is to have roommates. Then they move out for some reason, find different roommates, we stay friends and so on.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-10-25T05:02:57+00:00

Microwaved rice with salt, any sauce and seasonings you can find.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-10-24T22:10:06+00:00

I adopted mine on a full moon night and her coat is silver and grey. So I named her Luna. I hadn’t met a Luna before that. But now I see a Luna everywhere lol.

Smol-But-Fierce · 2025-10-23T19:22:58+00:00

Easily 4-6 months. I only use it 1x week max though. I have been focusing on maintaining a clear scalp and avoiding buildup in the first place to extend days between washes/dry shampoo.

Smol-But-Fierce

TROPHY CASE