IUI was a failure.. AF is here. Could two jobs be the cause?

[Azwoman]

So I was not having pregnancy symptoms after all,, the progesterone was causing some issues but my IUI on the 21st was a failure. AF is starting, I am cramping and miserable. I am single and struggling to pay for fertility stuff and I am working two jobs and I am wondering if this could be causing me problems. I work about 60 hours a week total. I cannot afford to quit the second job as it is helping me with bills and paying for fertility meds, IUI, etc. I am thinking of giving this a break and saving every penny I can and asking for some sick leave from my full time job for my next IUI.. I  have tons of sick leave and I believe I can get a note from my RE if this is causing my infertility..though I dont believe he has to state that specifically.  I have a new supervisor and she now knows I am TTC, adopt, whatever and it pisses me off I have hundreds of hours of sick leave I havent used. I am just so pissed. I have a government-ran investment account and I can get money from for necessary medical expenses but they want my RE to specifically do some stuff in order to be able to release the funds. My RE is going to have to submit a pre-authorization to my insurance company for IVF, letter of necessity,  etc and when it gets denied, I need to forward all of this to Nationwide and they may approve the release of funds so I can move on to IVF. Also, open enrollment is starting up and I have decided to use a brand new program callled Heath Spending Account- its like a Flexible Spending account, except you dont lose any money at the end of the year- you get to roll it over and it is all pre-tax right out of my paycheck. My employer will also contribute a small amount and I am thinking this is really going to help me. I will need to change insurances too. I am thinking of putting $300 a month into this account and see what I have by the end of next year-I know its alot of money to put in but with my second job I can do this. Fertility is absolutely covered under HSA. I just dont know what to do. What do you gals suggest.. did any of you have any luck conceiving working alot of hours and not getting enough sleep? Im told if the eggs are good, they will fertilize regardless but my FSH fluctuates, and I am over 35. Thank you.

[Azwoman]

Thank you for the responses. I am taking baby aspirin, prescription prenatals, fish oil, L-Argenine, and some other stuff so supplement wise, I am good to go. I am going to request time off from BOTH jobs for my next fertility treatment. And I will get a doctor's note if needed. I am single right now so me getting pregnant 'without trying' or thinking about it, well its kind of an oxymoron unless I do an oops with someone. But Ive had some failed natural cycles with a known donor so I definitely need treatment. SSBD.

[adgal]

I agree with Christine.  Stress and lack of rest can do all sorts of crazy things to our bodies.  How many stories do we hear of people conceiving when "they just stopped trying so hard" (personally, that always drove me crazy.  How do you put it out of your mind?).  But 2 jobs, long hours, probably not enough sleep as you try to do everything else life requires...yeah, I would probably do what I had to to reduce some of that.  

[trying43]

Did all ur hormone tests come out normal?(except fsh i read urs flictuates) I am also over 35.  My fsh was high and my amh and progesterone were low.  try to reduce stress ad much as possible.  Are you taking any supplements at all?  My re suggested while ttc to take a prenatal, folic acid, vitamin e, vitamin b complex,  fish oil.  Also cut out caffeine if possible.  Others have had success lowering fsh with wheatgrass, royal jelly, and dhea.  Also try drinking as much water as u can and eat organic fruits and vegetables.  Also try to eliminate nitrates from ur diet.(hot dogs, bacon, etc.)acupuncture can help also.  I hate dealing with insurance companies!!  I hope this helps.  Good luck.

[ChristineMP]

I think that anything you can do to reduce your stress and help yourself feel relaxed and healthy would help. It is so hard to quantify stress and the like so I can't really point to an objective, scientific study that says stress affects fertility...but honestly, it affects EVERYTHING else so why would fertility be immune?

You are right, your RE does NOT need to (and shouldn't) specify why you need to take time off. Under FMLA he just needs to say you need time off to address an issue with your health. End of story. Specifics NOT needed.

One issue you might run in to though...My employer specifically says in their leave policy that when on leave, you cannot work anywhere else. You may want to check the leave policy where you work for a similar provision.