Implantation bleeding vs period and Vitex TTC Girl

[sgharrison]

I started Vitex July 31 and took it consistently for 11 ½ weeks until I O last week (I did not stop during the 1st full month). When I O I took it one day on and one day off for a few days. I guess I’ve been off of it for at least 5 days now. I have never had a problem with O and my periods have always been 30-33 days. I noticed that Vitex did shorten my cycle 31 days (month 1 was only on it ½ month) and 27 days month 2. I dropped it in the middle of month 3 (October) and I’m only on CD 21. I am spotting. What is the likelihood this is being caused by Vitex vs implantation bleeding? I have felt pregnant but no BFP yet.
possible MC? I have stuck to the diet my BMI is down to 18.8. Could this be a result of a fertilized egg not implanting?
BTW the spotting is brown.

[atomic sagebrush]

I have seen lots of midcycle spotting with vitex and I suspect you would have had it even if you hadn't stopped it. The reason for this is that vitex can interfere with the production of estrogen - why does estrogen matter in the 2WW you may ask? Well, it's because about halfway thru the LP your corpus luteum starts to break down and your body is supposed to release a surge of estrogen at that point that maintains the lining a bit longer to enable a pregnancy to stick. So if you're taking vitex a long time or continuously, esp. if you're eating a limited diet (which you are) you may not be making enough estrogen for this "secondary estrogen surge" to occur and spotting happens.

That having been said, yes, it is possible that you are having implantation spotting. It is unlikely that it's a chemical pregnancy as usually with chemicals, you will have everything proceeding as normal until AF arrives.

Re your BMI - it is IMPERATIVE that you stop losing weight NOW. Anything below BMI21, it is time to put on the brakes and stop losing, and at BMI 18.5 that is the absolute lowest I ever want anyone to go. Do not lose any more weight.

[sgharrison]

Thanks so much! No BFP yet, but do have UTI. Still being in the 2WW I'm not sure if the UTI has caused my symptoms or the BFP is to blame.
About weight...This diet has been so hard. What do you suggest I do to maintain? I am a grazer but I shouldn't eat more often right? Still stick to 2 or 3 meals daily and skipping breakfast? What should I add? Any suggestions if I don't get BFP this or next month? I think I'll go insane if I cant get back to my old eating habits

[atomic sagebrush]

Do you think the spotting could be from UTI?? I only had one once and that was my only symptom was blood in the urine. (sorry TMI)

3 meals minimum from here on and add in a 4th if you can't eat enough at the meals. EVen 4 meals a day is still drastically different from grazing all day long every day.

I need more details about what you're eating and what specifically you're finding difficult (aside from the grazing) Many times I find when someone is struggling they are not eating enough and with a couple quick changes they are much more satisfied and not losing weight.

[sgharrison]

I usually eat the same foods week after week. Here is my sample menu.
Lunch- bagel w cream cheese
Dinner- Pasta with a tomato sauce or light alfredo sauce green beans or corn

Lunch- Cesar Salad
Dinner-sandwich with swiss or mozzarella cheese (just bread and cheese no extra toppings) (I may add a few crackers or pretzels)

Lunch-Vegie burger or Vegie chicken (on a tortilla) (I may add a few crackers or pretzels)
Dinner-sweet potato with no topping and don’t eat the skin

Lunch- Side salad and add one boiled egg. Add low fat ranch dressing
Dinner- baked potato (tiny amount of butter only and I do not eat the skin) green beans

With dinner and sometimes lunch, I’ll have some candy. I love tootsie rolls and sometimes have chocolate, smarties, skittles.
4 out of 7 days I’ll add a third meal because I’m hungry
Sometimes my 3rd meal is air popped popcorn, graham crackers or animal crackers.
I usually drink water, I had to drop diet drinks and crystal Light I found that the artificial sweetener actually made me hungrier. I have a diet coke occasionally.
During my two months on Vitex, I found that I had felt more hungry and some days had symptoms of low blood sugar. Since I dropped it, this has not been a problem.
BTW with my boys I ate cereal every morning and sometimes even at night! I also ate fast food several times a week. I ate meat (usually chicken) twice a day. I have always been on the average to lower average weight range for my height. I figured with TTC girl all of these factors need to change to give me a better chance!

[skillet04]

I would say totally not eating enough

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[atomic sagebrush]

Yep not enough food - is there any nutrient total?? You realize you need to be eating 40-50 g protein and 30-60 g fat and the calories and nutrients in the low carb vegetables don't count - so you need to eat MORE to make up for those since they're free.