We are about to start a new quarter...time for a new IVF thread!!

I will start with a recap of who's here and where they are in their cycles:

Suzi: Waiting for IVF #6, starts in May
Sarah: :bfp: 4/4, awaiting beta numbers!
Kimberly: completing testing/paperwork for DE IVF
Brenda: Stimming (with a GREAT lining!! :yippee: ) and approaching retrieval
Amanda: giving clomid a try
Angela: waiting for IF coverage in CT!! :lol:
Ana: :bfp: beta on 3/29 :yippee:
Pam: Due in October :yippee:

Here we go ladies...good luck to everyone!!! :aok:

I'm here!! Supporting and encouraging you all as we all try to have some babies! We are off to a good start with Ana and Sarah! Hopefully a lot more to come....


If IVF coverage for CT does not pass this year, we will most likely finance another IVF towards the end of the year or hopefully a miracle will happen. We will be up to our ears in debt but oh well... having a baby is the major priority right now. I just gotta keep on selling houses. hahah

I wonder if they would do another IUI for me?? Maybe using the repronex and timing it better as they know now about my egg quality and how I respond. I think I remember someone from UB who had an unsuccessful IVF then did and IUI and got PG. So maybe it is possible. Any thoughts ladies or am I just getting desperate?

Sorry, Angela...what is your dx again? I can scrounge up some info if you remind me of your history. :nod:

I'm back! We had a couple dozen eggs.... but 7 that were mature and normal with perfect spindles... (they have a special microscope that can see the inside of the egg)... They'll only try to fertilize those 7... so we'll find out tomorrow how it went :)

I'm sore... on pain meds... tired... blah...

I'm here to :rahrah: you gals on!

I'm here too!
Brenda, 7 is a lucky number! Take it easy!

Fingers crossed for the fert report Brenda!

Amanda

I have PCOS, Suzi. Maybe a small male factor. His counts and motility have fluctuated from one cycle to the next.

Great News Brenda! Rest up!

Yep, I'm here. :rolleyes: Sad to still be here, but glad to have cycle buddies like you ladies. :bighug:

Thanks Suzi for the update. That really helps.

Brenda~Awesome news Brenda. I wish you all the best on the Fertilization results. :thumbsup:
(they have a special microscope that can see the inside of the egg)...
I wish I had gone to NEMC earlier in my IF struggles. It's too late now. :blue: Oh well.

I'm almost there. . the last "test" I need to do is to have a sonohysteragram (sp?) It's scheduled for this Tuesday. I told the Dr. that I would need some sort of "pain killing" assistance for my HSG, because the prior two times were rough. He said he could do a sono instead of an HSG and that would be less painful. O.K. we'll have to see about that. :crazy:

Kimberly

Kim, are you going to NEMC now? Or did you decide to stay where you were? Good luck on Tuesday. I hope it's not a painful test.

I had a few sonohisterograms (I can't remember how to spell it either). It wasn't as intense as the hsg (though mine was not a bad experience other than when the woman putting in the speculum pinched me with her lengthy fingernails :rolleyes: ). For the sonowhateveritis, the most painful part was the insertion of the speculum (for me). The doc put in a thin tubelike thing to insert a small amount of saline & then did a transvaginal u/s. I think I took maybe 600-800 mg of Advil or similar painkiller. The doc didn't shoot the saline through my tubes or anything beyond my uterus. I'm not sure if things might be done any differently for you.

Kimberly, same here...I've had a few sonohysterograms and none have "hurt." My RE advises to take 2 motrin an hour or two before and that helps with the cramping. Good luck!!

Kimberly - I have also had a hysterosonogram. My HSG was AWFUL but the sonogram one wasn't painful at all. I had a little cramping afterwards (nothing terrible) and I "leaked" fluid all day which was weird and a little annoying.

Amanda

hi gals :)

We transferred TWO very nice embryos today. We ended up with 5 that fertilized.... then when they checked them today 3 of them had started to arrest because of fragmentation. So we made the decision to transfer the two good ones today!
They did look really good... both 4 cell (day 2) with less than 5% fragmentation.

So I guess now we just wait! *sigh*

Brenda, you know I'm praying my heart out!! :pray:

Brenda - Fingers crossed!

Amanda

Kim, are you going to NEMC now? Or did you decide to stay where you were? Good luck on Tuesday. I hope it's not a painful test.

Ana~In Jan. or Feb. I had seen Dr. Keefe at NEMC (for a second opinion) under the recommendation of Brenda. He was great, but he basically said the same stuff as my prior Dr. What did I expect really? :dunno: I come in to see him after having 7 failed IVFs and expected him to say something different or help me out. If I had gone to see him say, after my 2 or 3rd IVF, I think he may have been more willing to take me on as a patient. What Dr. Keefe was able to do was to make me feel O.K. about trying to donor egg option. So, I went back to my current Dr. and told him that I wanted to start the DE process.

Brenda~:crossfing :yippee:

OMG. Thank you ladies for those tips on my upcoming sono procedure. I was thinking about it on my drive into work today and getting all anxious. I threw up during my first HSG and for my second, the Dr. couldn't even get started without me yelling out in pain. She wound up giving me some sort of local anesthesia. . lidocane? (sp?) But it was a big hassle because she wasn't set up for it so it took a while with me laying there on the table before she could even begin the HSG. So, I'm going to load up on some Motrin and cross my fingers. :crossfing

Kimberly

Kimberly - I think you'll be fine. As I said, my HSG was one of the more painful experiences in my life but I didn't have a problem with the hysterosonogram at all.

Amanda

I lost the baby.... :(

:hug99:

Ana - I'm so sorry.

Amanda

I'm really sorry for your loss. I've been thinking about you a lot today :hug99:

Ana, I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Ana~I am so very, very sorry. :sadhug: :tear:

Kimberly

I am new at this. I have never posted on one of these but I read alot of them. I am particularly interested in BrenS's case...I have been reading everything since last August about you and we have alot in common. I have PCOS. dh and I did IVF & ICSI in feb and got really good embies(7 Blasts) and transfered one b/c I hyperstimulated and b/c my lining was very very thin(but I wanted to do it anyway). My lining was around 6.5 and 7 on the day of transfer(even though my estrogen was above 5000...that is what is so odd...it is like my lining and estrogen levels arent in tact!). It did work to our disbelief but then I miscarried a week later resulting in a chemical pregnancy.
We also discovered I have 2 mutations in my DNA that cause my blood to clot more than ususal so I was on heparin also(we didnt start the heparin until 2 days after the transfer when we found this out.)
Okay- sorry for rambling- here is my point. We are about to begin an FET and I am scared to death. We are skipping the patches and pills of estrace(estrodial...whatever) and doing the injections. BUt I am scared that my lining wont get thick.

BrenS-How did your lining get thick for this last IVF cycle?I just read that it was 10+?!

Am I confusing everyone? Sorry if I am. I am just trying to get this all out and I cant type worth a crap!!!!

I hope you all dont mind newbies coming in- I just have never read someone with a case sort of like mine.

I would appreciate any input you may have.

here is our fet protocol:
I dont have a period usually and my lining was so thin this last cycle that even if they gave me provera to start nothing would come out. and they cant give me BC pills b/c of my blood clotting factors. SO beginning April 19 we will start our lupron suppression for 10 days. (only 5 units I think) and then begin estradiol injections3x a week after that along with heparin injections 2x daily. plus one baby aspirin and 3 metformin and 1 folgard and 1 PNvitamin.
our projected transfer is around the 1st of June.

okay- I will shut up now-
e

Welcome egb77! :welcome: We're happy to have you here. This is a wonderful place for support with lots of knowledgeable women. However, I'm not one of them. :biggrin: Really, what I mean to say is that I can't answer your particular questions at this point. But Welcome anyway. :bighug: And best of luck to you.


I have a question regarding my sono today. :sad: I'm on CD12. From all accounts, it doesn't look as if I have ovulated at this point, but I'm just wondering, would you know if the sono would have any effect on trying to concieve? I would assume that having a sono after an embryo has implanted would be detriemental, but do you think there would be any issues if one has already ovulated but the embryo just hasn't reached the uterus yet? Just things I'm thinking about today to cause myself even more anixiety. :crazy:

Kimberly

HI EG!

I'll be honest... :lol: I did do something different this time... and I attribute my nice thick lining to that because it's the only thing I did differently. I have an herbalist friend who made up a tea.. a mixture of herbs that's meant to help thicken the uterus and strengthen it as well... I drank 3 cups a day from about 5 days before i started stimming... and stopped the day of retreival.

http://www.dreamsweet.com/

The tea is call "Fertilitea"...

Now I had trouble with the loose tea not straining right with a reguar teaball...
so I bought this little tea steaper/strainer that i found online and I use it now
for all of my teas. http://www.adagio.com/

It's the one on the front. Basically you just pour boiling water into it, put in a couple teaspoons of the tea... let steap for 10 minutes... then set the thing over a cup and it strains right into the cup. :)


That's REALLY the only thing I did differently this time.

Kimberly, I'm assuming the sono was the same one I had where they put fluid in there and look at the uterus?

If so..... that fluid also pushes thru the tubes like a HSG. They could tell my tubes were clear because the fluid was dumping into the cul-de-sacs. So if you DID ovulate and the egg was sitting in the tubes... chances are it was flushed :(

Do you ovulate early?

Do you ovulate early?

I've never ovulated this early! :scratch: I typically ovulate on CD14 or CD15. It's just that I've also been charting and my temperature went up this morning. :confused: I have been restless, thinking about my upcoming trip and a few other things going on in my life. :crazy: Perhaps that accounts for the temperature rise. I'm using OPKs and typically start at CD11 (which was yesterday) and haven't seen a surge. :dunno: I don't know what's going on with my body. :tearhair: Just another darn thing to make me crazy today. :silly:

Kimberly

:welcome: E!!!! We are always glad to have new people join in and don't worry, you weren't rambling a bit and I bet we all know exactly what you are talking about! Most of us have been here a while and know a thing or two (or ten!) about IVF. I'd venture to say that someone around here can answer just about any question you may have so don't hesitate to ask!

We are HAPPY to have you here and are praying for a SHORT stay!! :nod:

thanks everyone for being so nice. I think I will try the tea. Why not?! also- I am doing acupuncture once a week for a couple more weeks and then will probably start 2x a week once I start the estodial shots.

Bren- I was wondering where you are as far as this cylcle and also how many ivf's. iui's have you done? I should probably go back and read to understand a little more about everyone.

emily

emily... I'm currently 5 days past 2 day transfer... or 7DPO.

God.. I don't want to depress you with how many rounds I've done, but it's
awful.

I did 6 rounds of clomid.... didn't respond
3 IUI's
7 IVF's so far.
IVF #2 we had a chemical pregnancy
IVF #3 we did retreival and no transfer because I had excess bleeding
They froze all of the embryos.
IVF #4 was gonna be a frozen embryo cycle, but my lining never got over 4mm
so it was cancelled
IVF #5 was also a FET, but it was cancelled because my lining was too thin (5mm)
IVF #6.. I had changed doctors, and we tried again with my frozen embryos... but my lining again wouldn't budge over 6mm.

IVF #7... we did a fresh antagon cycle and surprisingly my lining was nice and thick and 11mm at transfer :)

Bren- another question for you-cause I am a little confused still? I forget all of the terms...so what days did you transfer the embies? You are not depressing me so dont worry:) I have a wonderful prayer group here with LOTS of infertility stories. I do wonder...have you always used antagon instead of lupron for suppresion? My doc prefers lupron obviously but I didnt know if maybe antagon is better for some people. I have been trying to research it. I will say a prayer for you.
So- are the docs surprised that your lining is plush now? It seems like a miracle. did you ever do accupunture? I think I am going to order the tea. why not?!
okay- too many questions. My accupunturist will love the fact that I am looking into herbal tea! she is all about herbs.
oh- one more question- when you did your fet's did you use the estodial pills/patches or injections?

okay- enough-

e

In past transfers.. we did day 3, but this time we did day 2. We started off with 7 good normal eggs... and went to 5 fertilized. then 3 were too fragmented and were arresting.... and the last 2 were perfect. So they went ahead and transferred the two.

I did Lupron for the first 2 IVFs.... and all of my embryos were very fragmented. They switched me to antagon, and that seems to create better quality eggs for me.
I like it because it's less shots... less migraines... less waiting.

I DID acupuncture for 2 IVF's... #2, & #3... and it really didn't help except to relax me a little bit. A bottle of wine does the same thing.. haha..

The doc couldn't believe it when they saw the ultrasound after 4 days on stims... my lining was up to 10.2... in fact... he had the ultrasound tech look at the lining again towards the end of the ultrasound just to double check. :lol: I told them about the tea and they said to keep doing whatever it was I was doing.

when I did my FET's.... I did estrace pills vaginally AND orally. I also did the maximum number of patches allowed at the same time. at one point I had 4 patches on at once. Side effects were horrible!

Bren-
you poor thing- my eggs were really good even with the lupron so "if it isn't broken don't fix it? huh?!" Our docs just seem to have defferent views on a few things I am assuming. For instance my doc will only freeze on day one or at Blast stage(day5or6). we have blasts that we will be transferring (hopefully transferring!!)at the beginning of june. I am hoping the tea will help my lining. does it have caffiene? dumb question- I am sure it is just all natural stuff. anyway- about how many cups will one order make? I am trying to figure out how much to order.
oh- one more thing- what stim drugs did you take(inject)? I took gonal-f.

e

Kimberly - Sorry that you're stressed and your cycle is a bit weird. Hopefully the temp rise was just stress!
Brenda - Fingers crossed!
E - Welcome! I also had a chemical pregnancy in March (after an FET). I did an antagon protocol for my original IVF but that was only b/c it's a shorter protocol than lupron and we had time constraints.

I seem to (finally) be in a 2ww. I left for Chicago on Sunday but now FF is giving me an O for Sunday so if that's real, I may have a chance. I'm not super optimistic b/c Oing on CD 33 isn't a good sign. So much for clomid! I was O'ing around now on my own... My DH wants me to get a 2nd opinion from an RE that he knows. We can't really do any "invasive" forms of IF treatment right (due to my job!) but maybe I should be on glucophage again...

Amanda

Well, I never wound up having my sono. I sort of wished I had just gotten it over with. So, I go in for my appointment yesterday. . .get undressed and everything and wait for the Dr. I said, "Let me just ask, if I've possibly ovulated, would this affect anything?" He said that my chances were low that this would have an affect since it's just saline, but that he would prefer I wasn't trying this month anyway. So, when he asked if I had intercourse and I said yes, he says, "Then let's not do it. I would feel absolutely horrible if you wound up getting pregnant and having another ectopic because of the fluid pushing it around." So that was that. I left and got a pedicure instead. :banana:

So the wierdest thing about it all is that I ovulated much earlier than usual. If I hadn't been both charting and using the OPK, I would have never known. I'm so glad that DH and I found some time for :sex: But what would cause me to ovulate so early? :confused: I hope this is not a sign of menopause. I ovulated late for my last cycle and I was on the Clomid for the Clomid Challenge. Go figure. :dunno:

This is a perfect time for me to go on vacation--because I'm driving myself crazy. I'm going to hop on that cruise ship on Friday and just forget about babymaking and drinking wheatgrass and eating nuts and lentils and just go and have a good time.

Kimberly

Amanda~I'm glad you're finally in your 2 week wait. Why can't this whole ovulation thing just be simple? :scratch:

Thanks Kimberly! Glad that you have a great vacation to distract you from the IF stress!

Amanda

Bren-
you poor thing- my eggs were really good even with the lupron so "if it isn't broken don't fix it? huh?!" Our docs just seem to have defferent views on a few things I am assuming. For instance my doc will only freeze on day one or at Blast stage(day5or6). we have blasts that we will be transferring (hopefully transferring!!)at the beginning of june. I am hoping the tea will help my lining. does it have caffiene? dumb question- I am sure it is just all natural stuff. anyway- about how many cups will one order make? I am trying to figure out how much to order.
oh- one more thing- what stim drugs did you take(inject)? I took gonal-f.

e



oh girl... you name the stim... I've been on it. :lol: Repronex, Follistim, Gonal-F. I'm sure there are more that i'm missing. :lol:

As for the tea, I do 2 teaspoons per 8 ounce cup... and a bag lasted about 3 weeks for me :)

Brenda, when are you testing?

I should prolly call and ask, huh? :lol:

wednesday

Brenda - How are you holding up?

Amanda

I'm doing ok...

Tuesday and wednesday I had weird feelings in the uterus like a butterfly flapping around... was on and off for a couple days. Nothing today..

Just really tired and have a sinus headache today.

My husband is coming home tomorrow and I can't wait!!

Good luck Brenda! I'm thinking of you.

I'm leaving on vacation. . .like in about 5 hrs. :eek: . :yippee: Will get back in touch with you all soon.

I wish all you ladies all the best!

Kimberly

Have a great trip Kimberly!
Brenda - I'm crossing all crossables and praying for you!

Amanda

Kimberly, have a great time!
Brenda, I'm praying that this is it!

Ana - How are you holding up? I'm thinking of you.

FF had given me an O but now my temp is back to baseline so I suspect it was just my trip to Chicago that made my temp go up. Tom has made me an appt with a new RE on May 2nd. We were both dissatisfied by our experience during my FET cycle so we'd at least like another opinion. Unfortunately, with me moving to Baltimore in mid-June, I'm not sure there's alot we can do right now but I might see if I should give glucophage another shot. I have refills for the clomid but I don't think I'll ever use that drug again! It obviously doesn't work for me.

Amanda

Amanda, have you thought about Femara (sp?)? I asked here about it about 2 months ago and no one knew anything. I did research and found several people who have tried it and it seems to get MUCH better reviews from women taking it. None of the nasty s/e you get with Clomid, POSSIBLY better efficacy...may be worth a shot???

Brenda, hope you are doing well - you are in my prayers daily! You gonna wait for Wed or test at home?

Amanda-
I have had a few friends latrisol(sp?). I think that is the same thing as femara. One has a healthy baby boy and one is on it right now. I can get more info if you want.
Supposedly the side effects don't last as long as clomid. It is actually a drug used with patients with breast cancer I believe- something about hormone therapy. Which is the base of all of these problems. So do you ovulate and you just can pin-point it or do you sometimes ovulate and sometimes not?

e

oops- I can't type worth a crap- I meant to say- I have some friends "on" latrisol...and "do you O and just 'CAN'T' pinpoint it?"

sorry

I wonder if latrisol is the same as femara. It's tamoxifen which is a drug used in breast cancer. It's definitely something I want to bring up when we see the new RE next month! Thank you for mentioning it!!!

Amanda

Amanda, yes Femara and Letrozole are the same. It has been used by REs for some time now maybe your center will use it? One of the geratest benefits is that unlike Clomid, s/e are over almost as soon as you quit using it (whereas with Clomid they can hang on for several months). Additionally, the s/e reported are MUCH less severe than Clomid and don't include the mood swings experienced with Clomid.

Brenda-

I just got my tea in the mail and it smells aweful. Is it that bad?

e

hi,

I don't think it's bad tasting at all. If you dont' like the taste... you can add honey or sugar to it.... or even mix with some mint tea that will alter the taste. I didn't mind the taste.. was cinnamon like to me. Of course I just GULPED 6 ounces 3-4 times a day.. :laugh:

Blood had been taken..... now just waiting. *sigh*

199


*faint*

OMG! I'm so happy for you!

:jawdrop: :jawdrop: OMG!!!! :jawdrop: :jawdrop:

Congratulations...MOMMY!!!!!!

Oh yeah...can I say - it's about freaking time??!! :lol2:

OMG I am seriously crying for you!!! :bawl: I am so happy for you and Glenn!!!! I've waited over 2 years to hear this news!! Congratulations Bren!!! :hug1:

and isn't 199 rather HIGH?!? :scratch: TWINS?!?!? :jump: :jump:

Yes, it is high but beta numbers are NOT very indicatve of number...that said, twins sure is possible! My beta was 168 10dp3dt and I had twins!

This link has general beta number info: http://www.advancedfertility.com/earlypre.htm

Still shaking. :lol:

Thanks all.

According to Suzi's post in my blog.. 146 is normal for twins... and I've seen anywhere from 150 to 226. Still. :faint: LOL

Oh.. and my due date... CHRISTMAS.

better get your shopping done early, like August :lol:

Congratulations, Brenda!!! :yippee:

Jennifer

Delurking to say...

Congrats Bren!!!! :woo: I hope you have a happy and healthy 9 months!!!!!!

better get your shopping done early, like August :lol:


:lol:

Oh if there's more than 1.. there will be NO shopping this year... and I want diapers for Christmas, Birthdays.. and every holiday for the next 2 years. :lol:

Coming out of th shadows to say CONGRATS Brenda :) What a wonderful success story!!! :)

OMG Brenda!
CONGRATS!!!!

Amanda

:lol:

and I want diapers for Christmas, Birthdays.. and every holiday for the next 2 years. :lol:

NO YOU DON'T!!! That baby (or babies) will get enough attention!!!! You deserve to get prizes that have NOTHING to do with baby - TRUST ME!! :lol:

Congrats Brenda! Happy and Healthy 9 months.

OMG! Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you!

My beta at 16days past 5 day transfer waws 265. Singleton baby. No twins. My beta at around the same point last year was over 500...still singleton.

hmm.. 16dp5dt would be 21dpo, right? I'm at 12dp2dt... or 14DPO.

God this is so confusing. :lol:

Wait...I made an error. My beta was 16 days after my retrieval, not my transfer.
So...16 days past retrieval
11 days past transfer

So, I think that it was the equivalent of 16 dpo.

Geez...I'm confused, too. Where's Suzi?

Wait...I made an error. My beta was 16 days after my retrieval, not my transfer.
So...16 days past retrieval
11 days past transfer

So, I think that it was the equivalent of 16 dpo.

Geez...I'm confused, too. Where's Suzi?


:lol: I was wondering why they waited so long to Beta you... :lol:
actually I thought.. "why didn't they just let her start showing first?"

:lol:

:lol:

Brenda----I am just now chiming in- I am so excited for you!!!!! Keep us updated. I am confused on all this number stuff....but am trying to catch on.

oh- and I still haven't started drinking the tea- but after hearing this i think I will bathe in it! ha!

e

When's your next beta, Brenda???

Amanda

Tomorrow :)

Good luck!
Amanda

405!!!!


fuck. :lol:

Yay, Brenda! :woo: How's DH holding up? :lol:

He's in shock.

I told my mother last night... and her first words were..

"how did that happen?"

so I handed the phone to glenn, at which point he swore
we weren't even in the same room when it happened.

:lol:


He said.. "and as far as your father is concerned.. it was an immaculate conception"

Too funny Brenda!

Awesome beta! Woohoo!!!

So...what's next? Do you have another beta or go for an u/s?

No more betas.... ultrasound on May 2nd at 2:30.

HOORAY Brenda! Great news!!!

Amanda

That's wonderful Brenda! I'm so happy for you!

405!!!!


fuck. :lol:

I say it's twins. :lol:

I say it's twins. :lol:

:nod:

Brenda congratualtions!! :aok: (http://www.onceuponalife.com/forums/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=1&forumid=131#)

I've been lurking here for a week or so having just started a cycle - my first after 3 unsucessful IUIs. I wondered if you ladies would mind me tagging along for this cycle? I'm doing the BCP now, have a sonohystogram on Monday and expect to start Lupron on 4/26.

Judy

Judy, we are GLAD to have you with us!!! WELCOME! Most of us have quite a bit of experience with IVF so if you have any questions, ask away - I'm use SOMEONE can answer!! Hope your stay here is a short one!!

:welcome:

Brenda ~ I'll be thinking about you on Monday!

Judy ~ Welcome to the group! Good luck with your IVF! :rahrah:

Welcome Judy!
Clomid was a big bust for me. No O. I'll start provera on Monday. I'm going to see the new RE on May 2nd.

Amanda

Awesome news Brenda!

Thanks all :) I'm still in shock, really. yesterday was spent either sleeping or trying to not throw up. If I didn't have this funky taste in my mouth, I think I'd be ok.

Go Brenda! Go Brenda!!!!

I am so happy for you... and the twins! :lol:

Terrific news Brenda! :jump: I can hardly wait until May 2nd! :)

One more week until your sono!

Amanda

I love coming back to this great news!!!! :yippee:

What incredibly, happy, thrilling, and awesome news this is!!! :banana: :bighug:

Kimberly

Thanks for the welcome everyone.

Brenda I hope the funky taste drops off!!

I notice a few of you are from MA, as am I - what clinic are you going to? I'm at BRSC. Dr Summers. I have a good friend IRL also there with Gladstein starting her cycle in a few weeks.

I had my sonohystagram yesterday - not as bad as I thought it would be, word is I have a pretty uterus :blush1: - lets just hope the embies think the same and want to stick around :thumbsup: I expect to start lupron tonight.

I am usually a very positive person - annoyingly so at times :tongue2: but I am finding myself waking up in the middle of the night afraid this isn't going to work and getting panicked. ugh.

Hang in there Judy...it's a roller coaster ride! :lol:

brenda- congrats!!!

judy- hang in there- the process is not nearly as bad as it seems(unless you hyperstim...which I did and it sucked!) but still- not too bad. Do they know what is wrong with you? I am about to do an FET after our last IVF didn't work. My friend gave me "Fertility for Dummies" which I feel I could write by now :) Anyway- I wish I would have had it before I did IVF. You should get it. It is an easy read...and walks you through EVERYTHING!

good luck!

e

Hello Ladies-



I new to this message board. We are currently in our test cycle. I have run into a roadblock concerning the thickening of my endometrium lining. I was taking 6 mg estradiol for a week, after a blood test, my RE upped my dosage to 8 mg. Had my second blood test this past Monday, along with my first ultrasound. My endo. was only 6 mm in depth (2mm shy of the optimal 8mm). I was given an 8mg injection of estradiol that morning and told to continue with the estradiol pills at 4 mg a day followed by a second estradiol shot three days later (tomorrow). I go in on Friday for my second ultrasound to measure my endo. I’m a little concerned. Has anyone else had problems developing a sufficient endo?



Thank you in advance for any advise you can give.



Kim in Cali.

I just read Brenda’s post about herbal tea. I just ordered it! I’m also thinking about going to see an herbalist… since I live in the Berkeley (California) area it should be easy to locate one. Open to recommendations though, if anyone knows of a good herbalist in the San Francisco Bay Area.



I’ll also let everyone know how my sonogram goes on Friday. Hopefully I thicken up by then!



Kim in Cali.

Kim-

I have the same lining problem. I am a little confused as to where you are treatment wise or are they just watching you and you havent done anything yet? I am about to do an FET with frozen embies and about to start estrogen injections. I pray that this works.During my last IVF my lining was about 6. I would love to know more about your situation and if you have anything else wrong or if that is the whole deal(I have PCOS and don't have a period and also a blood clotting disorder thing)

I also ordered the tea- my acupuncturist told me not to drink it until she looks at it b/c it might interfere with her treatments or something?! we will see- it smells aweful but I am willing to try ANYTHING!

emily

WELCOME Kim!! You came to the right place - Brenda was in your shoes (a few times over!) and she just got her BFP!! I look forward to getting to kow you and I hope your stay here is short and sweet!! :nod:

Welcome Kim!

Amanda

I'm all buckled in :thumbsup:

Emily - we are diagnosed with MF - so far all my tests look ok knock on wood but I hear that the first IVF cycle is also used for diagnostic use as well. It'd of course be fabulous if the first one worked, I'm just trying to temper my optomism with caution :awink:

Lupron is going fine - I have a bit of a headache but it might actually be alergies unrelated to the shots.

So ladies I have a question about bedrest - not prescribed by my clinic/Dr but I have heard it helps with sucess rates of implantation...anyone been put on BR after transfer?

Oh and another thing I heard on another board - fresh pinapple has an enzyme that helps implantation? Gonna ask my accu about that one!

Hope everyone is doing well!!!

Welcome Kim - wow I'm not the newbie anymore :awink:

Judy, we are also MF only (well, until I had my tubes removed from an ectopic, that is!). Our first cycle worked for our first baby but we've done 4 more for a second baby that have all been unsuccessful (not trying to scare you off! :lol: ).

Bedrest...ah, bedrest. Some swear by it, others think it's a crock. My center doesn't believe in it and their success rate is higher than any in the region - gotta think they're doing something right! :lol: We do retrieval and I stay slightly inverted for 20 minutes following. After transfer they ask you to relax for the rest of the day and the next day resume all normal activity, limiting any lifting to 20 pounds or less. I know several women who adhere to strict bedrest only to end up with BFN and others who resume normal activity immediately and get a BFP. Kinda like embryo quality - it seems like it SHOULD mean something but in reality, doesn't mean SQUAT!! :dunno:

Pineapple is a new one on me...never heard that! Can't imagine it does any harm. Does your RE use baby aspirin in her/his protocol? If not, that's probably the first thing I'd do.

It's GREAT to have some new gals around - so glad to have you here! :nod:

Wow--lots of activity around here. :yippee: Great news for Brenda and it's so nice to have some newcomers to the thread. :welcome: But as I always say, "I hope your stay is short and sweet."


I notice a few of you are from MA, as am I - what clinic are you going to? I'm at BRSC. Dr Summers. I have a good friend IRL also there with Gladstein starting her cycle in a few weeks.

I had my sonohystagram yesterday - not as bad as I thought it would be, word is I have a pretty uterus :blush1: - lets just hope the embies think the same and want to stick around :thumbsup: I expect to start lupron tonight.

I am usually a very positive person - annoyingly so at times :tongue2: but I am finding myself waking up in the middle of the night afraid this isn't going to work and getting panicked. ugh.

Judy~I had been going to Boston IVF. Well, I guess you could say that I still am really. After my 7th IVF, they basically told me, "No more" :blue:. I'm still with them because I'm now going the donor egg route, but for all my IVFs, but I really wish I had been at NEMC where Brenda and Ana were. I actually have a sono coming up on May 5th (one of the requirements to prepare for donor egg) and I've been so nervous. It was great to hear that it wasn't as bad as you thought it would be. And I think being positive is a good thing! :thumbsup: Also, I did also hear that thing about pineapple. I've had myself on a "fertility" diet for almost a year and pineapple is included. It's my daily afternoon snack. Of course, I can't totally vouch for the fact that it helps with implantation. . .it hasn't helped me yet, but I can sure the heck keep trying. It's not like pineapple is bad for you.

I’m also thinking about going to see an herbalist… since I live in the Berkeley (California) area it should be easy to locate one. Open to recommendations though, if anyone knows of a good herbalist in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I’ll also let everyone know how my sonogram goes on Friday. Hopefully I thicken up by then!

Kim~Isn't that like locating a cowboy in Texas? :lol: My brother lives in Berkeley and I can only imagine that if you're looking for an herbalist, more than anywhere else in the U.S., Berkeley (or even in San Francisco's ChinaTown) would be the place to go. I got my nose pierced last summer in Telegraph and I'm 40. It was just the hippest, coolest, place and I guess I got drawn in! :biggrin:

Updates from me: I let everything go when I went on my cruise. I was traveling with family and friends and just wanted to have a good time. Forget all the fertility diet stuff. I ate whatever I wanted, in quantity no less as you can imagine. I was post ovulation when I went and even had wine with dinner a few times because at this point in my journey, I feel like that's the least of my problems. This always happens when I get back from a vacation, but I got a little depressed. . .withdrawal symptoms if you will. I went from the hot and sunny Carribean to cold and rainy Boston. Then, on Monday AF arrives. :furious: I don't know what happened to me but all of a sudden I got really negative and started to wonder what the hell the use is of having faith and being positive when I've been doing this for so long and trying so damn hard. I was crying a lot. I called my acupuncturist and told her that I wasn't sure that I would continue treatment because I was spending a lot of money and I just wasn't sure it was going to work for me. She called me back and was really nice and said that I should do what feels best and that the last thing she wants is for acupunture treatments to stress me out, but that she is confident that I'll continue to show improvements if I do want to continue--either with the herbs or acupuncture or both. So basically, I decided to continue with the herbs and instead of going to acu once a week, I'd go twice a cycle. Once before ovulation and once after ovulation. As it is, she is charging me a very reduced price and having DH come with me for treatments for free! Basically, I do trust her and know that she finds this almost as frustrating as I do. I do feel like she's on my side and well do anything she can to make this work. Mind you, I know I still have the DE procedure lurking in the background. I just keep hoping that I will concieve on my own beforehand. But the most interesting thing is the dream I had last night. I dreamt that I was about 4 months pregnant. It was so clear and vivid. I was on a bus (don't ask me why). Like a Greyhound or something and I woke up and realized that I was pregnant. I could look at myself in the dream and I was looking at my tummy and I was so completely thrilled and satisfied thinking that I was finally pregnant. The only thing was, I was telling people on the bus that I was just finding out that I was pregnant and that I must have either woken up out of a long sleep or somehow lost my memory for the last 3 months. :dunno: Totally weird, but that was the sign I needed to get back up and tell myself that I need to stay positive and to keep my eyes on the prize.

Kimberly

Kimberly- good for you. hang in there. Infertility is so hard on you and when you are doing all of these treatments you(we) get so wrapped up in it that we forget to live sometimes. It is like you don't wish this on your worst enemy but you do sometimes wish others could understand and feel what you are going through. And on top of it all you are pumped full of hormones and half the time you dont even feel like yourself. All I can say (and I have to repeat this over and over to myself) keep your head up...literally!!! If one day is bad tomorrow the next will be a better one.

Judy- I may be an idiot but what is MF? As far as bed rest my dr is for it. I rested 3 days(well- really 2 b/c on the 3rd day I was in the hospital with hyperstimulation)and suzi suggested baby aspirin which I totally agree with. it helps the meds get through your blood b/c it is a MILD blood thinner.
As far as IVF and the 1st time being diagnostic or whatever...keep your head up- I have a few friends who got pregnant on the first try and with more than one.

oh and Kimberly- what is the fertility diet. I need it.

e

Judy - I didn't do bedrest. I took it easy the day of the transfer and that was it. I got PG on my 1st IVF cycle but then had a chemical pregnancy when we did a FET for #2. I never took aspirin.
Kimberly - Glad the cruise was good. Sorry you're feeling down. This is such a process!

Amanda

Kimberly- good for you. hang in there. Infertility is so hard on you and when you are doing all of these treatments you(we) get so wrapped up in it that we forget to live sometimes. It is like you don't wish this on your worst enemy but you do sometimes wish others could understand and feel what you are going through. And on top of it all you are pumped full of hormones and half the time you dont even feel like yourself. All I can say (and I have to repeat this over and over to myself) keep your head up...literally!!! If one day is bad tomorrow the next will be a better one.

oh and Kimberly- what is the fertility diet. I need it.

e

Thanks for your pep talk. :) As far as diet goes, there are several books on the market and actually some are very different from others. I.e. While same say stay away from milk, other books may encourage it. I've read several books and articles, and kind of put together my own diet. . .doing what I thought I was capable of doing as far as food is concerned. I can certainly reccommend books, but in brief:

A shot of wheatgrass daily
Green powder (Chorella, barley, kelp, etc) daily with water
4 grams of L'arginine
Royal Jelly
B6 & B12
Flax Seed Oil
Co Q10
Prenatals
Buy organic vegetables and meat w/o hormones
No dairy
Some soy, but not a lot
Organic Yams several times pre-O
No sugars, sweeteners
Nuts such as pumpkins and sunflower seeds (organic)
Pineapple (daily)
Herbs from my accupunturists
Increase in Lentils, Salmon (wild), cruciferous vegetables
No alcohol

There's more, but I should mention that as much as I try, I'm not always perfect. I do go out to eat every once in a while and I'm fully aware that these restaurants are not buying organic. I do have some sugar because I crave things like Swedish Fish and will indulge when I'm at the movies, plus I won't refuse a piece of chocolate cake when I'm celebrating someone's birthday. So, I try as best as I can, but I also want to live and enjoy my life at the same time. Like I said, I went crazy during the cruise and ate, and ate and ate, and ate, and ate.

Kimberly

I don't think there is any way I can do that. I am not very disciplined! and I am a chocoholic! but thanks for sharing! I am trying to eat better....:)

e

Wow Kimberly! You're a very disciplined person!!!
I have an appt with the new RE on Monday. Other than that, I'm still wallowing in self-pity...

Amanda

Seriously Kimberly... I don't think I can give up the sweets. :lol:

Welcome Kim!!!

I did bedrest for every other cycle except for this past one.. for this one
I rested for the rest of the day on transfer, then went on about my
life. Actually I was sick of being in bed and couldn't take it anymore. :lol:



I had a scare tonight. Started bleeding mid afternoon.. bright red. So I called Dr. Lahwani and she told me go to the ER. So I spent most of the evening there. They put in an IV, ran some blood tests, gave me a pelvic exam and took some swabs.

They couldn't find where the bleeding was coming from, but it had stopped and turned to brown by then. HCG came back high, and i tested rH+ so good news there. They did a pelvic u/s and didn't see anything... so they did a transvag...
and there were two sacs. They were in the right place.. up in the top part of the uterus and nowhere near the cervix.

Basically I have to stay off my feet and go back to my regular appointment on
Monday... where I'll get another U/S.

Here's the picture of the ultrasound

http://www.cest-bon.com/wedding/us1.jpg

Two! Yay! Congratulations!
I hope things go more smoothly from now on.

Kim :hug99:

Brenda! Two! Can I say from personal experience that twins are great! :nod: And it is better that nowadays Mom knows before they hand them to her in the hospital! Bit of a shock for my Mom. :lol:

Yay Brenda! I'm so happy for you!

Congrats x2 Brenda :) Hope that was the last of any "issues" for 9 months for you and the babieS :)

HOORAY for twins! Glad everything's ok.

Amanda

Brenda sorry about the scare but so happy to hear there are two in there! How exciting!! Your head must be spinning!!!

Brenda congrats on your 2!!! :)

Thank you! We saw two heartbeats this afternoon! Was amazing!!!

Thank you! We saw two heartbeats this afternoon! Was amazing!!!

Wow! Just incredible. :bighug:

Kimberly

HOORAY for 2 heartbeats.

The good news is that I had a GREAT appt today! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this new doctor! And for many of the same reasons that I had problems with my old place. He totally believes in individualizing care. You're not just on some protocol. He makes ALL the decisions about your cycle. And he had several question marks about some of the things that were done to me in the past (the same ones I had, too). He's willing to work around my schedule, too. His office staff is nice and friendly. It's also a bit closer to work than the old place.
Here's the plan: I'm starting femara on CD 3 (Wednesday night). I take femara CD 3-7. Monday I go in for a sono. If I'm not making adequate follicles, we'll add injections. Then I'll do a trigger shot and an IUI.
I'm actually feeling positive about this!

Amanda

Brenda, I'm so happy for you! Two babies! So, can I have one? :lol:

Amanda, I'm glad you like your new doctor. I hope everything works out for you this cycle!

Absolutely... :lol:

Thanks! You're the best! :lol:

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this new doctor! And for many of the same reasons that I had problems with my old place. He totally believes in individualizing care. You're not just on some protocol. He makes ALL the decisions about your cycle. And he had several question marks about some of the things that were done to me in the past (the same ones I had, too). He's willing to work around my schedule, too. His office staff is nice and friendly. It's also a bit closer to work than the old place.
Amanda

That's great Amanda. :clap: That is so important. I know there's no turning back for me now. . :mad: but I still wish that I had tried harder to find a Dr. that I really liked and trusted.

Thanks Kimberly! We went out-of-network so this may cost more but it's totally worth it for some peace of mind.
Brenda - How are you holding up?

Amanda

Hi - I'm new this this thread. Is anyone going thru an FET this month?

I am going through my protocol right now. I was on Lupron 5U for 2 weeks and then Tuesday I started my estrodial shots plus 2.5 U Lupron(plus 2 shots of heparin a day) I have pcos, a blood clotting disorder and For some reason I have a thing lining. We are hoping my lining will thicken this time. I also do acupunture.

e

Hoping4 - Welcome. We did an FET in February. Good luck!
E - Fingers crossed!

Amanda

Amanda, That's wonderful that you found a new doc who's willing to take you into consideration. That's exactly why I changed to NEMC.

I'm doing ok. Tired ALL THE TIME. Haven't been sick much, mostly at night I get a little nausious. Peeing all freakin' night too. :lol:

Thanks Brenda! Glad you're doing ok.

A quick question. I may have to pay for my injectibles meds. Where's the best place to buy them?

Amanda

egb77 - I'm doing acupuncture too. Started about a month ago. How long have you been going? Do you notice any difference?

shwanda - thanks! How did your FET go?

What is different (besides not doing stim) with the FET? Our RE said we could do the transfer whenever we wanted. Don't they have to do ultrasounds to check lining first?
I'm not quite sure what to expect with this. We only have 2 embryos and I'm hoping we don't lose them during thaw.

hoping4-
hmmm...Our fet is actually around 6 wks long. Basically you are just taking estrogen, doing estorgen patches or doing estorgen shots in place of the gonadotropins. this si to thicken your lining. I dont have cycles so maybe if I did it would be different, but the have to supress you some how (with lupron) or something so they have control.

I have done AP about 7 times so far- i am about to double up these next few weeks and we will so. physically I cant tell a difference. When will you start your fet?

When did you do your last ivf?

amanda- I get my meds from Schrafts pharmacey. the are a phone order pharmacey- not sure where from but they are fast!

e

sorry girls my typing sucks!

Hoping4 - Our FET protocol was estrogen injections twice a week. The checked blood levels twice a week. After 4 injections I had a sono to check lining. Then I added daily progesterone injections. The transfer was 4 days later. Our embryos did not do well during the thaw process. We started with six 8-celled and one 4-celled embryo and ended with two 2-celled embryos.

E - Thanks for the info.

Amanda

Amanda, I get mine from Village Pharmacy. They are really great there and I think cheaper than a lot of other fertility pharmacies. I don't know that for sure though because my meds are covered. If you need numbers for them, I can PM you.

A quick question. I may have to pay for my injectibles meds. Where's the best place to buy them?

Amanda
The best place to get fertility meds in the US is Freedom Drug (the money has been coming out of my pocket for a long time...I ought to know!). If you want to go out of country (same drugs, same manufacturers) you can get even cheaper prices from www.IVFmeds.com (http://www.ivfmeds.com/). If you want even cheaper you can go on Fertilitext.org (http://www.fertilitext.org/ubbcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=At+The+Pharmacy+-+General+Issues&number=3&DaysPrune=1000&LastLogin=) and buy drugs for about 1/3 the cost at the pharmacy. This is a place where people sell their extra drugs - all of it brand new. I have bought them there before - and will be buying the drugs for my upcoming IVF soon. I haven't had any trouble at all - and saved myself a WHOPPING $2,000!!! :aok:

Thanks ladies! I knew I'd get good answers here. It turns out that our local pharmacy specializes in IVF meds for excellent prices!

Amanda

egb77 -
My last IVF (which was #1) was on March 2. We had our followup w/ RE on March 17 and he said we could do the FET next cycle in April. I wasn't up for it though and decided to take a little break and wanted to have enough time too in between to get going w/ the acupuncture.

I started the AP w/ 3 times a week (first day was March 24). As of 2 weeks ago am going twice a week. I really like it (except for the needle in the ear....that hurts going in!). I could tell a difference after the first time (was very energized), but seem to be mellowing out now (which is good for me).

So looks like we'll actually be starting up again to do the FET. Should be calling the RE's office sometime next week.

I'll be back on the estridol pills and progesterone shots as well as something new anaprox (sp).

Amanda -
Thanks for the info...have a little more to go by now on what to expect. The two embryos we have left are 8 cell. Guess we'll find out soon enough if they survive thaw.

E - That's great! I hope you embryos do well!!!

I should be getting my meds by this afternoon!

Amanda

Hi all, just wanted to update, my supression check was friday and we got the go ahead to start stims so we did last night :thumbsup: I am now officially a bundle of nerves, excited/scared/happy/anxious :crazy: I next go for bloods only on Tuesday am then get new instructions from there.

Any idea about how long between starting Stims and ER? I'm trying to concoct a plan for work...I'm guessing 8-12 days?

Judy, stims are TYPICALLY 10-12 days. That said I have stimmed for 18 days before so it's hard telling. It will be much easier to tell when you have a follie check and E2 on day 6. Good luck!! :aok:

Hi ladies. :wavey:

Just an update: I've finished all my required tests and now all my paperwork is on it's way to the donor coordinator within the IVF clinic. They will call me, (which I hate, 'cause I'm impatient) but I hope to hear from them within the next two weeks. My sono was a breeze! :yippee: With Suzi's suggestion, I did load up on the ibupropen. Thanks for the great tip. :thumbsup:

I have a friend who was having trouble concieving and we had "cried" together about it on several occasions. I lost touch with her because she moved. Since I hadn't spoken to her in a while, I thought I'd call her and tell her about my decision to use a donor egg thinking that maybe that would be a good option for her. So I'm on the phone, chit chatting away, going into my story about why I made the decision I did and so on. She stops me short all of a sudden and says, "Kim, I'm pregnant and I used a donor egg." :jawdrop: It was quite humorous because then she started giving me all these names of people I should talk to and which agencies are the best and so on. We basically finished up the conversation by me telling her that I guess I'd be calling her for advice! :) The end result is that I felt even more satisfied with my decision to go this route. :nod:

Kimberly

Oh Kim!!! Don't you LOVE it when the decisions you struggle with are confirmed??! It sounds to me like it was NO accident that you felt the need to reconnect with your friend! How exciting!!! :yippee:

We are hanging in there. I was in Denver over last weekend and ended up sick with strep AGAIN. I had to see a doc in Denver and now I'm on levaquin. The doctor I saw told me (as I have been told before) that I am probably going to continue to get strep until I have my tonsils removed. Freaking beautiful. I had only been off antibiotics for five weeks before I picked up strep again... Chris and I are going to have to discuss me having my tonsils out before we do another IVF cycle. I talked to the IVF coordinator at my center and she said I can still participate in this IVF cycle if I choose to (for July retrieval). I hate the thought of waiting - the older Julia gets the more I question having a second child. Julia is SO easy now and a baby is such HARD WORK...but in my mind, a sibling for Julia is the best thing for her (I am *kinda* an only and it is not something I want to pass on to Julia). *sigh* I wish IVF weren't a part of my life...

(humph...I guess I am feeling a little sorry for myself today, huh?) :dunno:

you're entitled. :bighug:

Kim - I'm so happy for you!!!
Suzi - Sorry to hear you're having a rough time.

My appt wasn't great. My estrogen levels were still low. I had the same old "polycystic" response. Lots of small follicles but nothing big (there was one follicle which was almost 8mm). I started the injections tonight. Wednesday I get bloodwork and Friday bloodwork and sono.

Amanda

PS I know I'm not doing IVF this cycle but I don't know anyone else who understands injectibles so I hope you don't mind me hanging out here!

I know I'm not doing IVF this cycle but I don't know anyone else who understands injectibles so I hope you don't mind me hanging out here!

Ummm...OF COURSE you can be here just the same as any of us!! :nod:

Sorry for the poor response, I know how that feels. Hang in there...it may just get better yet! :pray:

Oh Kim!!! Don't you LOVE it when the decisions you struggle with are confirmed??! It sounds to me like it was NO accident that you felt the need to reconnect with your friend! How exciting!!! :yippee:

Suzi~You know what? You're absolutely right! :nod: And it was interesting because my friend was telling me how important it was to her that I called because she knew she would have to tell me (when I called her she had only found out she was pregnant about 2 weeks prior) and she didn't know how she was going to do it. She said that she was so happy that we would be on this journey together and that she'll never forget the first time we "talked" and I confided in her and she in me. (She found out within her first 6 months of marriage that she was going into ovarian failure and adoption was not an option for her husband). I remember her being completely heartbroken, and unlike myself, she is one of those women who grew up imagining herself with lots of children.

I'm so sorry that you're having such a rough time right now. :sadhug: That just stinks! Are you more suseptible to strep than other people? I remember when I was little, my mom told me I was a strep throat carrier. . .which basically meant that I would never actually get it really badly, but half of my classroom would be out of school because I would give it to everyone. :blush1: Like Brenda said, you're entitled to feel sorry for yourself.

PS I know I'm not doing IVF this cycle but I don't know anyone else who understands injectibles so I hope you don't mind me hanging out here! What are you talking about??? Even if you came here for one cycle, you would always deserve to "hang out" here. In other words, once you're in, there's no turning back. :awink: :lol:

Kimberly

Thanks Suzi!
I took my injection tonight. I'm using menopur which is apparently new (and therefore extra-expensive which stinks since my insurance will no longer cover my meds). It's FSH and LH but it's more highly purified than the others so it's supposed to have fewer reactions. I only took Gonal F in the past (which is just FSH) so we'll see how this goes. I'm taking 2 vials per night for tonight and tomorrow night and then re-check estradiol on Wednesday (today it was less than 20). I'm worried that I'm having a PCOS response. What's happened in the past is that I "recruit" alot of follicles instead of having any get big. The last time this happend, my cycle was cancelled since I ended up with 20 follicles (great for IVF but terrible for IUI). UGH. I'm feeling a bit frustrated with my body for not making this easier! I hate that we have to do this again and that it's costing so much.

Amanda

What a great connection to your friend Kim!!!

Amanda - hope today has a good number for you.

Suzi - I am sorry about the strep! That stinks. Are you feeling better?


Ok ladies, I have more questions now. Primarily is it possible to stim too quickly? I did my last BCP 5/1, started Stims (Follistim) on Friday 5/6 on Tuesday 5/10 - E2 was 438 - nurse said I was responding very well but they wanted me back again today for u/s and more bloods since the level was so high.

Today.. 5 days after starting Stims, I have 10 measurable follies 10 - 15 - mostly around 11/12.

Is this too fast? I've heard that if you stim to quickly you can have poor egg quality or they might cancell your cycle.

What size do they usually trigger at?
ugh..I should probably just wait for the nurse to call but I think I have to obsess first

Judy, you are responding well but not out of the ballpark for what I know others do. You may back off a bit on your stims like PCOS women do and coast a bit to trigger, maybe not. They are looking to get the biggest cohort group of follicles to between 18-21 so you still have a few days left and all I ever stim is 10 days, so you are right on target for about that! Sounds good to me!! :aok:

And I am feeling 100% now...let's just see what happens when I quit taking the antibiotics... :rolleyes: Thanks for asking! :biggrin:

Judy - Let us know what they say! Suzi knows more about this than anyone I know.
Suzi - I hope you stay strep-free.

I'm waiting for my E2 levels to come back. They'll probably cut me back to one vial per day.

Amanda

JUDY-I stimmed for more than 10 days b/c my lining was thin and they wanted to see if it would thicken. It didn't, but I have pcos so I am probably not the same as you...I had about 35 eggs the day of retrieval! that is ALOT so I was lucky. Never heard of stimming too fast though. and I ended up with 6 blasts!

Also- I know Brenda told us about the FERTILITEA but who else was it that wanted it? I have a whole bag that I CANNOT drink b/c of the AWEFUL smell! BRENDA you are amazing me by drinking that. Every time I smell it I GAG! so if you want mine I will be glad to send it to you:)!!!

Brenda- while I am on this lining subject, We are doing our FET protocol right now. I was on lupron for 2wks and then began estradil shots last week. I went to the doc MOnday for my first US after being on the estradiol for 1 week(2 days of shots)..it was 6.9..... Is this good for the first week? During my IVF last time it was that on the day of transfer so I am thinking that this is good for an FET? It was a triple layer so I know that is good.
What do you think?What was your on your first check during your fet's?

e

My E2 is still only 30. I'm never had this problem before. Still on 2 amps per night of menopur.
E - They only checked my lining once during my FET protocol and that was after 2 weeks of injections.

Amanda

E: I just was at a meeting with my RE last night who happened to say they shoot for a lining at least 8-9 mm for transfer with FET. He also mentioned that with FET they do estradiol for anywhere from 2-6 weeks prior to an FET to get the lining they are looking for. Given where you are, I'd say that you are right on target! :aok:

Amanda...wow! I had a rotten cycle before and had to drop. Crazy thing is my next cycle was back to normal and we never had any explanation as to why the freak cycle. :dunno:

Suzi - This just sucks. Especially since we're paying out-of-pocket this cycle. I'm day 10 today but I've only been on 2 nights of injections since we tried the femara 1st. I'm sure the femara is delaying things a bit and I really just started the injections. Normally, I'd do 5 days of injections before checking levels (if we had started injections on day 3). Hopefully, things will look better on Friday.

Amanda

Isn't nice having Suzi around for all this great information?? :nod: :awink:

I know Brenda told us about the FERTILITEA but who else was it that wanted it? I have a whole bag that I CANNOT drink b/c of the AWEFUL smell! BRENDA you are amazing me by drinking that. Every time I smell it I GAG! so if you want mine I will be glad to send it to you.

egb77~Mmmm. Would you by any chance know what's in it? My acupuncturist has been giving me an herbal concoction and I totally trust her knowledge in these herbs. However, the Fertilitea interests me (trust me, I've gotten used to these teas) and so depending on the ingredients, I just may be interested in purchasing. . . .afterall, look at what happened to Brenda! :awink:

It started out being just a rotten day and then got a bit better. :crazy: I was walking to this place I like to pick up lunch that is only 5 mintues away from where I work and can you believe I ran into two women who I know quite well who passed by me who were pregnant. Our company is about 900 people and one woman, I talk to on the phone all the time but I guess I just don't see her in the hallways too much. The other woman is a woman who I know even better and we've had several IF discussions because she had trouble concieving her first and was on Clomid and had several IUI's before getting pregnant. Anyway, when I saw the first woman, I just waved and said Hi instead of doing what may have been more appropriate and congratulated her. I was obsessing about it with my head in my hands and then I run into the second woman (my closer friend). She was with other people, but she waved at me as if to say, "Oh God, I didn't mean to run into you and I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was pregnant." Anyway, I just wanted to cry. :banghead: I spent the next hour of work trying to figure out if and when I could leave. . .would I have to fake an illness or should I just take off saying that I have an emergency? As soon as I was ready to break out of there, I got a call from the IVF clinic saying that they have all my tests and I just need to make a followup appointment with my Dr. and also call the Social Worker to set up an appointment. I felt better after that, realizing that things with this donor stuff is moving along more quickly than I thought it would. :thumbsup:

And the saga continues.

Kimberly

Kimberly- isn't that the worst?! I swear I think I am going to take out an ad in the paper that says "If you would like to get pregnant please just become my friend and I can almost GUARANTEE a pregnancy!!!!" Just hang in there!

also, the tea is from a website that brenda told me about on this thread...you could probably go back and find it...maybe 3 or 4? anyway the ingredients are:
wild yam
licorice
sassafrass
vitex
dong quai(this is what smells so bad!)
ginger
cinnamon
dandelioon
orange peel

My AP gave me pills to take instead...12 a day! yuck! but anything is better than this smell! anyway-if you want it I will be glad to mail it to you. just give me your email address and I will email you and get your info.

Suzi- thanks for the words of wisdon...b/c I have this whole thin lining thing my doc has me on a special protocol that lets me have an US every week instead of every 2. anyway- I hope you are right about 6.9 being good this first time. I go back Monday at 7:30 and will let yall know what it is.

I need a re-cap of where everyone is at this point....I still get confused......

and whoever out there is having to pay out of pocket...I feel your pain. we have been since day 1. The total makes me sick. But hopefully it will all be worth it!!! I think we may should move to a state where it is mandatory for insurance to pay!(I live in the SOUTH!)

e

I need a re-cap of where everyone is at this point....I still get confused......

Ask and ye shall receive...

Suzi: Waiting for IVF #6, POSSIBLY starts in May (depending on tonsil surgery)
Sarah: taking a break
Kimberly: just completed testing/paperwork for DE IVF
Brenda: :bfp: X 2 :yippee:
Amanda: currently on stims (new RE and protocol)
Angela: waiting for IF coverage in CT!! :lol:
Pam: Due in October :yippee:
Judy (bloom): currently on stims
E: FET preparation
Hoping4: FET preparation
Kim Cali: in a test cycle at last update (4/27)

thanks suzi!

Suzi - You're a goddess! I hope the stuff with your tonsils gets resolved.
Kimberly - Sorry about the bad day. I seem to have a pregnancy-inducing effect on those around me, too.
E - Fingers crossed!

I hate these off days. I almost wish I had to get blood drawn every day so I'd know what's going on.

Amanda

Amanda I totally agree about blood drawn every day - I'm glad I am not alone! I'm sorry about the response - could it be that this new med stims much slower? I hope you get numbers you are happy with on Friday! I'm new to all of this but do they usually check levels as early as you had them done?

e- good luck with the lining - hope Monday brings you good news!!

Kim - sorry about running into the women. It is really tough I'm glad your day took a more positive turn and the donor stuff is moving along quickly!

Suzi - thanks for the recap! It helps to see it all in one place! And thanks for the info on the E2 levels - you made me a lot less freaked about the whole thing!

The nurse called and confirmed what I saw on the u/s with the tech - 10 measurable follies and a bunch of smaller ones and an E2 of 651. They dropped my Follistim dosage and added Repronex to my med mix which has LH too and I believe is supposed to group the follies size wise more/ have more of them develop at the same rate. I go back tomorrow for another b/w/u/s visit but the nurse indicated we are probably looking at Monday/Tuesday for ER - man this is going quick! My head is spinning. I have a huge welt from the Repronex injection. I guess I have been pretty lucky with the other shots (read: have enough fat in my belly) that I haven't had much bruising or anything.

oh well all for a good cause!

Judy - I think this process makes us all crazy. Sounds like things are moving along!

I go in for bloodwork in the am and sono in the pm tomorrow.

Amanda

I'm on the brink of a nervous breakdown. :crazy: I seriously think I'm going to cry!!! :bawl: What the heck is going on today!!??

I have a co-worker (who's office is on the right of me) who is expecting and the wife of a co-worker (who's office is to the left of me) who is expecting. I'm very happy for them. They are due at around the same time. I know they meant no harm, but they stood right by my office this morning showing one another their ultrasound pictures and discussing them. It's a great topic I understand and I'd be thrilled doing the same. . .if I had an ultrasound to show!!! Ladies, I'm usually much stronger. I just couldn't take it. Without my even realizing this was happening, tears started to come out of my eyes. I gently shut my door, composed myself and continued to work. My sister happens to work at the same company. She came and knocked on my door wondering why it was closed. I explained why and she rolled her eyes and laughed. This is exactely why I don't tell my family anything about this anymore because every time I ever hint that this is a sad time for me, I get commments like, "Wait in line. Everybody is sad about something." "Or other people's problems are much worse than yours." In other words, according to my sisters at least, my feelings aren't legitimate. I let it go and then about 2 hours later decided to run out and get lunch. The same place I went to the other day, that's 5 minutes away. Now, I'm not exaggerating her but I fricken' ran into 6, yes 6 employees who work at my company who are pregnant. Maybe it's because of the warmer weather that I'm noticing how many women are pregnant, but 6? Six???? I can't believe that. They weren't walking together either. I feel very angry. Like someone up above or in the universe (or wherever) is taunting me purposely. I can't take it anymore. I don't usually fall apart this easily either. But to run into 6 pregnant woman on any day is a substantial amount, but then squeeze it into a 5 minute, 1/4 mile walk of all women working for the same company. . .you couldn't even plan that type of coincidence. I need to figure out how I can get myself out of here today. I'm seriously on the brink. :furious:

Oh Kimberly, I am so sorry! I know it hurts and if someone ever again tells me how I should stop doing IVF and just be happy I have Julia I will claw their eyeballs out myself. When your life is missing a baby, it is missing a baby...period. And people who don't have that problem will NEVER understand the pain it causes. There was a study done recently (in the last two years) that measured cortisol in the blood (as an indicator of stress level) and the stress of women undergoing IVF is similar to the stress of people who have full-blown AIDS. So no wonder you had to close your door and shut out those women - it was THOUGHTLESS of them to stand practically in front of you gushing about their u/s. And as for your sister, I wish she were more understanding of your pain, I bet she'd certainly want your shoudler to cry on if it were her IF problems. And we don't tell our family about our IVFs either - for precisely the same reason.

But that's why we all have each other - to be the shoulders to cry on that our friends and family cannot provide. To be the cheering section you need without having to explain the process from the very beginning EVERY time. To understand what everything is - both physically AND emotionally. To understand how we all are feeling without really having to say the words. That's why we are here. :hug99:

:blue: Oh Kim. :hug99:

Suzi~i'm so glad you posted. :bughug: I'm home right now. But that's what I needed to hear. I just wanted someone to tell me that I wasn't being a big baby. :kiss: I called my husband at work and I was crying on the phone and when he didn't really respond or console me (to my liking), I got even more upset! Part of the time, he had trouble understanding me because I couldn't put it all into words and I was crying. I felt silly crying as I was trying to spit out that I saw pregnant ladies. It's like, if I said I saw someone die, my behavior would have been more realistic and my crying hysterically would have been more legitimate. But here I am, between sobs saying that I saw 6 pregnant women and I think to myself, it almost didn't make sense. . .that I'm bawling hysterically. What happened to me today? :tearhair: I think I must have separated myself from the event and almost saw myself outside of myself. I couldn't even focus on my emotions because I was also focused on the fact that I was sitting her falling apart. Honestly, I think my husband understood, but he just didn't know how to respond today(I know it's hard for him because he manages a wine store and customers were all around him). Basically, even if he could console me, it was uncomfortable for him to do this while at work. . .a Friday no less. (Lots of people buying wine for the weekend).

I really got caught up with the coincidence of it all. It felt to me like being struck by lightening twice in a day. It just doesn't happen that much. There are not that many people that you can run into in a five minute walk and so that means that for every person (or group of people) I passed, one of them was pregnant. The other uncanny part is that I usually feel the need to grab lunch at around 12:30ish. I got completely bogged down and left my office at 1:30. . .relatively late. On my crazy drive home (I cried through the traffic) I realized that it was Friday the 13th. The thing is, I don't consider myself superstitious and a full moon would have made more sense. I'm still scratching my head at the fact that this happened. . .and for the most part, I'm still feeling completely silly about it and out of my mind. :silly:

Kimberly

Bev~Thank you too. :bighug: I'm on the brink of crying again. Honestly, I can't even seem to move from this computer right now. I just want to float up to a heavenly place without a care in the world. . .or maybe just go on a another vacation. :shrug:

I actually have a "support" friend who is going through the same thing and she's in China for 3 weeks for work. I guess I just don't know who to turn to today. I can't think of anyone to call. Thank you so much for being here. :bighug:

Oh Kimberly! I'm so sorry you had such a bad day. It's amazing how thoughtless people can be. While we have told a few people in our families, I end up regretting it. My mom need pergonal to get PG with my brother but then she had 3 other children without fertility drugs. She's tried to tell me that the reason I still have IF problems is b/c we did IVF instead of IUI so it didn't magically restore my cycles to normal. Then, she keeps telling me that SHE KNOWS I'll have as many children as I want. Funny that she knows that when no one else is so certain! It has really made it impossible to discuss with her which is unfortunate b/c she's usually a good support. It frustrating that even those who are usually such good supports, can be terrible when it comes to IF. I hope you have a better weekend!

My news for the day is a bit better. My E2 was 103 and I have one follicle on the left measuring 12mm and one on the right measuring 9mm. A few others are around 8mm.

Amanda

It's like, if I said I saw someone die, my behavior would have been more realistic and my crying hysterically would have been more legitimate. But here I am, between sobs saying that I saw 6 pregnant women and I think to myself, it almost didn't make sense. . .that I'm bawling hysterically.

I think your crying is totally legitimate. When you're seeing those pregnant ladies, and it's not you after so much time and effort and emotion, it is like seeing your dreams die. (In my humble opinion.) I hope this rough period is over soon. I couldn't get the posts to work after you called your friend that got pregnant using donor eggs, and I think that you were going to share your story with her and instead she shared hers with you, is the superstition you should be focussing on. :hug99:

JUDY-I stimmed for more than 10 days b/c my lining was thin and they wanted to see if it would thicken. It didn't, but I have pcos so I am probably not the same as you...I had about 35 eggs the day of retrieval! that is ALOT so I was lucky. Never heard of stimming too fast though. and I ended up with 6 blasts!

Also- I know Brenda told us about the FERTILITEA but who else was it that wanted it? I have a whole bag that I CANNOT drink b/c of the AWEFUL smell! BRENDA you are amazing me by drinking that. Every time I smell it I GAG! so if you want mine I will be glad to send it to you:)!!!

Brenda- while I am on this lining subject, We are doing our FET protocol right now. I was on lupron for 2wks and then began estradil shots last week. I went to the doc MOnday for my first US after being on the estradiol for 1 week(2 days of shots)..it was 6.9..... Is this good for the first week? During my IVF last time it was that on the day of transfer so I am thinking that this is good for an FET? It was a triple layer so I know that is good.
What do you think?What was your on your first check during your fet's?

e

They like to see it over 8mm for transfer. In my experience, it thickens early and usually stops.

brenda-

uh oh you are scaring me now! I have another US on monday so I will see if there is any improvement. Thx for responding.

e

E - Good luck with the sono on Monday.

Amanda

Hello. I am new to this forum but have a few questions. My husband and I are trying to conceive. My cycle completely stopped so my doctor put me on Provera for ten days and I started (kinda) what I mean by kinda is that it was really dark and very light flow. On the third day of my period, I started on Letrozole for five days. It is now day 12 of my cycle and I have just now stopped bleeding. The whole time is was dark and slow. My question is if this is normal or when will I ovulate? They told me that I am supposed to on day fourteen but I am concerned about my period lasting so long. I am so confused!!!! Any suggestions or advice is greatly appreciated.

Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth and :welcome: ! We are always happy to have new people here and Ihope your stay is short and sweet!

As for the Femara, it is supposed to help induce ovulation around day 14...are you temping or using an OPK to help pinpoint/identify ovulation? I think using an OPK would be the easiest thing at this point - starting ASAP.

Ovulation induction is not my best area of expertise - perhaps some of the other gals will have other suggestions for you as well! Good luck!

Elizabeth - I just took femara this cycle. It didn't do much for me so we adding injections to the cycle. I think the femara is supposed to cause ovulation anywhere from day 12 to day 18. Does your doctor know that you were bleeding so long with this cycle?

Amanda

My doctor does not know that I am bleeding so long with this cycle. I have a wonderful doctor but the nurses don't seem to think that anything is serious when I call them. I am six hours away from that doctor (we just moved) I am moving to Indonesia in June so I don't have time to mess around.

I am using a OPK. I bought the best kind (Clear Blue Easy). Thanks for the help.

Elizabeth

Good luck Elizabeth!

Amanda

Hello everyone - welcome Elizabeth!

Kimberly I am so sorry you are going through this. It is hard and you have every, every right to be upset and no one has the right to minimize your feelings - family, DH - anyone. It just sucks and I'm sorry. I wish I had something wonderful to say to make you feel better but I don't sadly..I'm just sorry.

Amanda - glad to hear that things are looking up! :crossfing

As for me...23 follies as of yesterday's u/s shocked me!Firday it was 13 suposedly. Though 5 or 6 are probably too small but at anyrate we triggered last night and ER is at 8 am tomorrow morning so positive thoughts are most welcome! Then I suppose the wait for the fertilization report Wed. I anticipate that will be a long couple of days! I've been warned by the nurse for being at risk for OHSS (?) so am taking it easy, planning to spend a lot of time off my feet and getting lots of fluids in the hopes it passes me by.

Judy, best of luck to you!! :crossfing I will be waiting anxiously for the fert report!! Are you sure that it's on Wednesday rather than Tuesday?? I've never heard of them being any other day than the day following retrieval?? :dunno:

Judy - GOOD LUCK! Hope everything goes great!

Amanda

Thanks guys! Yeah Suzi, I thought that was a bit odd too, but being a first timer figured ok. I thought they would give me updates as we went along and it was the number & quality on the day of ET that mattered. Yesterday the nurse told me she would be in touch Wed. I was bummed it was so long. Maybe I should ask tomorrow just to clarify. If I can remember!!

judy-

as far as hyperstiming- I did- but I had tons of follies and they retrieved 32 eggs! (my retrieval was over an hour when the norm is only like 30 min!) anyway- I did- but not too bad. I looked like I was 7 mos. pregnant! no lie! ANd you are so so full feeling. ONe bit of advice...if you suspect that you are- drink only gatorade...no straight water- sounds wierd I know but what happens is after your ER the little sacs that the eggs were in fill with water. This causes your ovaries to stay the size of CANTELOPES! for a while. Then what happens when you hyper stim is your vessels become more permeable and fluid from them including proteins release into your body causing you to obtain fluid in your belly. this is why you need something more than water to drink- any water will make you more bloated. Anyway- during all of this the reason it is a risk is that your blood begins to thicken and it puts you at a higher risk for clotting. I know this is confusing- hopefully you won't hyper stim but if you do I will be here for info. My best friend actually had her stomach drained 4 times during it.

on a lighter note- I will be thinking happy thoughts and hopefully you will get lots of eggs! howais your lining? are you doing ICSI? good luck!

e

Fingers crossed Judy!!!

Amanda

:crossfing Let us know!

Hi Ladies! I'm new here and hope you don't mind me joining? I just completed et on 5/10 and am in the 2ww. I think this could cause a gal to go nuts!!!:silly: I don't really know anyone that has gone through this so was looking for other gals that know how I'm feeling. Am s'posed to have Beta on 5/22 (only 6 days left) but feels like the longest 6 days of my life!! :crazy: This is our 1st icsi--had 7 eggs-5 fert, got 3 embies and transferred all 3. Did day 3 tx w/o assisted hatching. Anyone else did anything similar?!?! Would like to just visit.
Good luck to all you gals!!! Hoping for BFP's for all!!!:biggrin: :supergrin :crossfing :crossfing :crossfing

Bridgette

:welcome: Bridgette!! Your cycle is just about my EXACT cycle/results when I got PG with my daughter! I had 9 follicles, 7 eggs, 5 fertilized, and we got 3 embies and transferred all 3! I wish you the best of luck and I'm glad you're here!

Welcome Bridgette! :crossfing that the rest of the TWW goes as quick as possible!!

e-Thanks so much for all the info! I've been searching on line and it seems to be hard to find - wow 32 eggs? wow! I'm hoping I don't go that route but it is very very helpful to know you are here if I do! I tend to bloat anyway with the meds (from my IUI cycles) so I'm just wondering if I will notice..sounds like it will be tough to miss if it happens. I think my lining was about 8.

Thanks for the positive thoughts Amanda and Suzi!

I've woken up from my couch coma :sleepy: The ER went well, they wound up getting 19 eggs though I suspect many are too small to fertilize. The embriologist did decide to do ICSI so they added a steroid and an antibiotic to my mix - apparently they only do this with ICSI :scratch: Anyway, I started those and we will get the fertilization report Wed - I did ask about tomorrow and was told no they call you on Wed when they give you the ET time - interesting. I was out shortly after arriving on the table in the ER room so the anethesiologist did a good job! We had a bit of a stressful period because they asked DH to provide a second sample. The nurse assured us it is not uncommon, I guess they don't routinely assume ICSI for MF they wait until day of ER to decide..slightly nervewracking but I just hope they have what they need to make us some good healthy embies and we get good fertilization now :crossfing
Thanks again for all the info and the positive thoughts!!

~~
Judy

Bridgette - Fingers crossed!
Judy - Hoping for great fertilization report!!!!

My E2 level was 494 today which is perfect. I have one 17mm follicle on the left and one 13.5mm follicle on the right. I took 2 more amps of meds today and will trigger late tomorrow night. IUI is scheduled for Thurs at 3pm. Obviously, we're also getting busy here to help things along...

Amanda

YOU GO GIRL!!! :sex: :lol:

Excellent news Amanda!!! :crossfing for you guys!! I'll be thinking about you on Thursday!!

Judy - Can't wait to hear your report tomorrow!

Trigger tonight!

Amanda

Amanda, good luck! :crossfing

Thanks Suzi!
I'm already making myself crazy and I haven't even had the IUI yet. Not a good sign...

Amanda

Thanks for the encouragement Suzi!! Only 4 more days to go....and the days feel like weeks!! My poor dh is going nuts with me. I'm pretty sure he thinks an alien has invaded my body! LOL:lol2: The good thing is that since we've been home, it has been pretty hectic trying to catch up on everything so time is going by a little quicker these last couple of days.

Judy-was just wondering how your fert report was. How are you feeling? Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!:crossfing

Good luck Amanda!!:crossfing :crossfing

Does anyone know if you can do a hpt after ivf and if so when?
I know the hcg shot stays in your system but I don't know for how long and if the results are accurate if you do one?!!? I don't know if I will do one, but I must admit the thought is tempting! :devildanc
Good luck to all you ladies-keeping my fingers crossed for everyone!!

That's the problem with the HCG injection. It's hard to know. If you test too early, you can get a false positive. That having been said, we did an HPT with my IVF cycle. I tested once 9 days after my retrieval and got a negative (which I wanted to prove that the HCG was out of my system). Then I got a +++ 12 days after the retrieval. I may do something similar with this IUI cycle.

Amanda

The hCG trigger CAN remain in your system for UP TO 14 days. Having said that, I have not known anyone to get a :bfp: about 8-9 days after trigger so I'd say say you are in the clear for an accurate HPT.

I was talking to my RE the other night and he said that he believes nearly EVERYONE tests at home and knows before they get their blood drawn. :dunno:

Suzi - I agree. I think we're all crazy enough to test at home!

Amanda

swankeb - I did the same thing Amanda did with testing to get a negative from the trigger

Amanda - you and I will both get knocked up tomorrow!! :thumbsup:

I had what felt like the longest day ever! :dead: waiting and more waiting. The PC's were down at the clinic so I didn't get my report until 4:30. By then I had convinced myself something was horribly wrong and no one wanted to call me. I honestly had myself so wound up. Not good..I know! :blush: But FINALLY the nurse called and reported we have 12 fertilized embies!! no idea on quality yet - she said because it is so changable, we won't get any of that information until tomorrow at transfer when they will pick the best 2 for us. whew - what a relief! So please positive thoughts!! We go in about 9 and ET will be at 10. The nurse explained they would give me a valium to relax my uterus - I told her I could use it now after that day :awink: good thing she laughed.

GREAT news Judy! Fingers crossed for the transfer.

Amanda

IUI went well. 66 million motile sperm! I wish they had done a sono to confirm ovulation. I'm starting on progesterone intravaginal capsule tomorrow night.

Amanda

Amanda...sounds good!! :crossfing

Hello Ladies!!!
Judy, that was a great fert report. You must be very excited!!! I am keeping my fingers crossed for you--lots of sticky vibes your way!!!!!:crossfing

Amanda-hoping the best for you too. Will be thinking lots of positive thoughts.

Ok everyone...I caved and did hpt yesterday and then did another one this afternoon. First one was definitely ++ but the second one came up + before the result line was complete and the lines are very very dark. I used EPT. This is 9 dpt3dt. Any thoughts, anyone?!?! I am so excited but so afraid to get excited. I was thinking that the hcg should be out of my system and if it was still it wouldn't be such a positive +...right????...:confused: :confused: Only 3 more days so you would think I wouldn't be driving myself nuts like this. Thank god my dh is as patient as he is with me right now LOL:crazy:
You ladies are all in my thoughts every day. Have my fingers crossed for everyone!!!

swankeb - Very exciting - am I counting right and thinking it is at least 12 days after HCG trigger? If so I really would think you have a BFP there..:crossfing especially if the line is coming up really quick wouldn't that mean that the level is high which you would not expect to be from the shot..right? Anyone else agree?:crossfing for you!!!

Amanda - great numbers!! I'm very happy for you!! :crossfing

I'm sneaking on real quick, I'm not on bed rest but trying to take it easy and have pretty much been lazing around except for the ride home and the trip to accu today. We transfered 2 embies both 8 cell A one a G and one an F. The Dr seemed very pleased with those so I am feeling very optomistic!!!

That sounds like a +++! CONGRATS!!!
Judy - Great news!!!

Amanda

Judy-That sounds wonderful!!! Now is definitely the time to pamper yourself. Keep thinking positive thoughts. That's what dh & I did. We talk just like we're pregnant now. My fingers are crossed and you are definitely in my prayers tonight.
I am actually 14 days past hcg shot today so I was thinking that if the line is dark that must be good. The hcg should be out of my system and the line on the hpt is darker than yesterdays. I think I will probably test again in the morning (just so I can drive myself crazy!!! LOL:silly: ). By morning it will be 15 days and hopefullly I will still have a :bfp: +++:crossfing :crossfing
Everyone is in my prayers tonight. Will be keeping very positive baby thoughts for everyone.
Good night

Swankeb, absolutely NOT from trigger at this point...CONGRATULATIONS!!! :pteddy: :bteddy:

Judy, sticky vibes for you!!! ~#~#~#~#~#~

:morning: Mornin' Ladies!!
Update-this a.m. when I got up did the hpt and :bfp: ++++++!!!!! Today is 15 days past trigger so this has to be from pg!!!:biggrin: I can't wait until Sunday!!

Thanks Suzi!! You have all been wonderful!! Don't know what I would have done if I hadn't found this site!!! I would probably be nuts with noone to vent to!!!

Judy, how are you feeling this a.m. Preggo?!?!:biggrin: Sticky vibes your way!!

swankeb - Congratulations!!! So exciting!!! Can't wait to hear your beta numbers!!! :woo:

I'm feeling pretty good - not feeling pregnant yet lol, just trying to stay relaxed, had a small amount of cramping.

Swankeb - CONGRATS again!
Judy - Crossing everything.

So I totally freaked this am. My temps didn't go up so I lost it. We called my RE's office (from Texas!) and they laughed at me. The doctor told me to throw out my thermometer and forget it. They said they've never had someone temp during a medicated cycle. I'm trying to relax!!!

Amanda

Judy-I had a small amount of cramping also after tx. I just laid around for a few days and pretty much did nothing.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you and Amanda.
I think this is going to be the longest 2 days of my life!!!LOL I want to know my beta numbers too!!!
Lots and Lots of sticky vibes and baby dust!!!

So I totally freaked this am. My temps didn't go up so I lost it. We called my RE's office (from Texas!) and they laughed at me. The doctor told me to throw out my thermometer and forget it. They said they've never had someone temp during a medicated cycle. I'm trying to relax!!!

:lol2: FUNNY GIRL!! IUI/IVF is enough to drive a woman mad but TEMPING while doing IUI/IVF???? INSANITY!!!! :crazy:

:bighug: to you - let the technology do it's thing! :pray: for you!

Amanda :bighug: I'll confess, I tossed 3 different thermometers over 6 IUI cycles because they "weren't working" :blush: I'm sure they were fine the meds just whacked out my temps - clomid and injectables

Suzi - Is there an update on the tonsils? Should I be checking a journal and not being lazy? :blush:

swankeb - 2 days!!! you can keep POAS!!! :thumbsup:

Thank you, thank you, thank you! That's exactly what I needed to hear! I guess my desire to be "normal" makes me do things that "normal" women do when TTCing.

Amanda

Judy, I am one week off antibiotics (knock on wood) and the longest I have gone between strep infections (being REALLY sick) this year so far is 3-1/2 weeks. My strategy as far as the surgery is this: I am proceeding as if we are doing an IVF cycle and going for retrieval in July. If I can go until the first week of July when I will start stims without getting sick from a strep infection, I will take that as KARMA that I should go ahead with the IVF cycle! If I get another strep infection between now and 4th of July, I will drop out of the cycle and have my stinking tonsils out.

And as for IVF news....AF showed up tonight so we are OFFICIALLY STARTING OUR IVF CYCLE!!! I will call the IVF coordinator Monday and start BCP next Friday. I will start Lupron somewhere around 28 June so I will be on BCP for a while - :thumbsdow I am not used to that....oh well.

Also (I forgot to post it over here), I was approved for blood testing for recurrent PGY loss and I went yesterday to do the blood draw. The gal said "I hope you are well-hydrated" as she came at me with about TEN VIALS!!! Luckily I drink tons of water and have the world's best vein in my right arm. Took only about a minute to fill all ten vials - the lab gal was astounded! :lol: So I am KINDA hoping they find something there - that will maybe explain why I keep getting PG but they end up chemical. The testing consists of about TWENTY different tests, maybe something will come up and we can fix it. I am getting antsy about this cycle because it may very well be our last, regardless of the outcome. :blue:

Oops...the test results should be back in about 2-3 weeks...another L-O-N-G wait!!

Suzi - I'm so excited for you!!!! That's great that you're getting started. I'm glad they're doing extra testing on you. I hope there's something treatable! I hate not having answers.

I'm doing much better today!

Amanda

Suzi that is great news - getting started whoo hooo!!!! and the extra testing while a long wait hopefully it will be beneficial - 20 tests man!! This one will be your cycle!!!

It's official!!! I don't have my IVF calendar in front of me but I should start taking BCP this Saturday. I am scheduled for my down reg u/s on July 8, I should start stims July 9 and I should go to retrieval on July 21st. Beta should be August 2. If it's positive, I should have my first u/s on August 18, two days before Chris's birthday.

:crossfing :crossfing :crossfing :crossfing :crossfing :crossfing :crossfing :crossfing
:pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray: :pray:

Oh my gosh Suzi!!!! That's fabulous!!!!

Amanda

wonderful news!!! :crossfing

Suzi~Awesome news! :yippee: Back in the groove. :banana:

Kimberly

Happy Birthday Kim!!! :party3: :bday: :party3:

Hi Ladies!!!
Sorry it's been so long but had 5 different graduations over the past weekend. It has worn me out!!!!!:crazy:
Great News!!!! Got my :bfp: on Sun!!! Beta at 182 on Sun and 492 today.!!!
Suzi, thats wonderful news!!! Hope they can find out something. Keeping my fingers crossed and keeping you in my prayers!!!
Judy, how are you feeling? When is your beta????
Amanda, you too?
Here's postitive thoughts and sticky vibes that we all end up pg!!!!!:crossfing :awink: :pray: :pray: :grouphugg
Bridgette

Almost forgot!!!
I go in for u/s on June 13. Can't wait!!!!! Will keep you all posted!!!
Good luck everyone!!!

Bridgette, that's GREAT!!!! Fabulous numbers, too!!

:pteddy: CONGRATS!!! :bteddy:

I talked to the IVF coord at my center and have my calendar. They have changed their protocol a little and I am VERY EXCITED about it! I took a new protocol to them last Feb - an estrogen priming protocol - and my RE said he'd do it if that's what I wanted. Well, Chris and I decided to stick with what has worked in the past for us and do the standard long stim protocol. Anyway, my center has quit using FSH/LH product altogether (Repronex, Pergonal) and instead of doing 225 FSH (Follistim) in the morning and 225 FSH/LH (Repronex) in the evening, they are doing 225 Follistim in the morning AND evening and I will do 75IU LH recombinant product (not sure of the name yet) in the evenings. This protocol is about half-way between the estrogen priming protocol and the standard LP that I've always done...we are SO excited!! part of the problem for me is that it's POSSIBLE that I get such a poor response in part due to the LH in the Repronex (not to mention that's where I got those NASTY HIVES from last time!). At my age, I produce extra LH (testosterone) and then it binds up the receptors, blocking the full potential for follicular development/growth! This new protocol SHOULD negate that effect and I am psyched to get started. Is it July yet?? :lol2:

Bridgette~CONGRATULATIONS! It's great to see some good news around here. I wish you all the best for the next 9 months. :bighug:

Suzi~I'm so excited for you that you're beginning this journey again.

I've been away from the threads for a while as I've been having some problems with depression. :blue: It started about 2 weeks ago and I'm having a rough time breaking the cycle. It just seems like whenever I start feeling a tad bit better, I get beaten down. :banghead:

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a bit rough as it has been for the last 5 years. It doesn't help that we're having a Noreaster and it's been pouring rain and it's 40 degrees. I think every birthday I've said to myself, "If I'm not pregnant by this time next year, I think I'm just going to die." And well, every year I'm not pregnant. So this years birthday was filled with lots of angst. I worked today and was almost through the day when a co-worker runs down the hallway trying to get my attention. She flagged me down and said she just wanted to wish me a happy birthday and then she added without a beat, "And I wanted to let you know I'm going to have a baby!!" I congratulated her and left the scene seriously feeling like I was going to puke. Why today?? Why did she have to tell me today. (She knows we've been trying for years but has no knowledge the struggle so I know she really meant no harm). The point is, this is just my fate!!! It's like I got salt rubbed into an already very bad wound. I left work early again I've been crying all night. I just feel like I'm just being beaten down over and over again. I can't shake this sadness. :bawl:

Kimberly

Sorry to butt in here but I have to say this -

Kimberly, you work with some of the most insensitive women on the planet! I'm so so sorry! :(

I agree with Brooke! :dunno: I'm so sorry that you are sad, I wish I could fix it for you but I know I'm not small enough! :awink: (I don't mean to make light...but....well...I think you know how I mean it) Please hang in there...

So to keep your eyes on the prize, where are you in your DE cycle? What's going on?

Sorry to barge in on everyone, but I have the same thin lining issues at egb77 and Brenda and I need to talk to egb77.

ebg77 -- do you still have the fertilitea? I have ordered it last month and I like it just fine. The website says they are sold out right now and I am about to run out. If you still have some can you email me at kamadus@hotmail.com?

I don't know yet if it is helping me, because I'm not cycling right now, but I want to keep taking it until I do cycle next month. In my IVF last month I had a lining of 6 and a BFN. I always suspected I would have a lining issue because my periods are regular but very very scanty -- hardly any blood at all.

Brenda, if you have some left over and would like to sell it to me (congratulations by the way! your story inspires me!) please email me as well.

Thanks (sorry again to everyone for the intrusion),
Kam

just emailed you. I have about 3/4 of a bag left.

Bridgette!!!! Congrats. Those are GREAT numbers!!!

Suzi... YAY for getting started again! That sounds like a very cool protocol change,
and most of the time that's all it takes! July can't come fast enough!

Kimberly... I'm SO sorry. I just know that you'll be ok though. You're beautiful and strong and your time is coming SOON. :bighug:



As for me... am popping out quite a bit this week. My husband actually noticed today that my tummy is sticking out (more than usual :lol: ), and I'm having those
crampy muscle stretchy type feelings. Babies are apparently growing! I've had a bit of nausea lately... more so than before, but it's not too bad. I mean, I'm still
eating. :lol: I have lost about 8 pounds though. Hope the doc isn't too upset
with me on the 2nd.

Love to all

Kam-

I just emailed you- let me know if you want it!

a little update on us - We ARE doing an FET next Wed(JUNE 1). I am excited and scared at the same time. My lining is around 7.6, but my doc feels okay about it. I will keep everyone updated- Please keep me in your prayers. We are going to try to transfer 2 so we will see how the little guys make it. (we have 5 frozen but are only thawing 3 if we can help it)
I am so scared!

okay- congrats and good luck to everyone!

e

Bridgette!!! Congratulations - that is wonderful news - you must just be on cloud 9!!!

Kim, I have to agree that you work with the most insensitive women - ever. I'm so sorry that you just keep getting figuratively batted around.

Brenda how exciting to be popping out a bit! I hope the nausea doesn't get too bad.

e - fingers crossed for you!!




I'm really in a funk this morning could be partly that it is raining so much here and dreary and I wonder if I should be building an ark - I am just having a hard time with this wait and 'not really feeling any different' except having AF like cramping. I'm frankly afraid of it not being sucessful I regrest doing all the IUI cycles because I think they have made me cynical. I woke up at 1:30 am an took my temp which was typical post O temps for me. I know, I know an 1:30 am temp is just not a reliable sample and I haven't been temping and the drugs will make it not accurate anyway and I know I just told Amanda to step away from the thermometer!! I just couldn't help it So then of course I couldn't get back to sleep so I went to the couch and watched tube and sulked. This morning I was complaining to DH who asked "what do you want, to be puking?" and I could only answer "yes" It's only 5 more days until beta its just tough right now. I considered POAS but I think a BFN will just set me over the edge right now and its probably too early to see a BFP

I think a big part of why this wait is so hard is that the rest of the cycle there are mini tollgates so to speak, ultrasounds and bloodwork, ER, Fertilization Report, ET then this long wait.....

ugh sorry for the downer post

Hang in there Judy...and that thermometer has about as much to do with you being PG as checking your mailbox for mail. The drugs mask any usefulness of temp in a medicated cycle!! :bullhorn: STEP AWAY FROM THE THERMOMETER!!! :lol:

Just a few more days...they will pass quickly with the holiday weekend. :bighug:

Bridgette - CONGRATS!
Kimberly - I'm so sorry you had a rotten birthday. I can't believe anyone could be so insensitive.
Kam - WELCOME!
Brenda - That's great!
E - Fingers crossed!
Judy - Even I didn't temp during my IVF cycle!!! I know that it's hard to just wait it out. Fingers crossed!
Suzi - I'm hoping you have a great cycle!

I'm getting a progesterone level tomorrow. Then my beta's next Thursday. I'm still struggling thru this wait!

Amanda

Hello, Suzi,

You cannot image my emotion when I found your messages. I always thought I am the only among my friends who have to go through IVFs.

I have a question. I had a failed IVF in march, but now I have been spotting for two weeks. Does anyone in the forum have this problem? I was out of blue for about 8 weeks, now I can feel myself sinking in again. Your answer is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Hope

WELCOME, HOPE!! :welcome: I am glad you are here and I hope that my posts have helped you! We are a close group of gals here - ALWAYS ready to welcome a newcomer! - and we all offer the greatest support to each other, it's absolutely AMAZING!!

As to your question: I would assume that spotting for you is abnormal? Did AF show up after your failed IVF or is this your first AF? Are your unmedicated cycles normal (as in no spotting)? After 5 cycles I have found (at least in me) that sometimes your body just needs a little down-time to recover after a cycle. Before long you get right back to whatever has been normal for you in the past. That has been my experience anyway...anyone else??

Hang in there Hope...we would LOVE to help support you through your down time - all the hugs and prayers you could ever want are waiting right here for you! :hug99:

Suzi,

Thanks very much for your kind words and I am glad to read your messages. This is my first unmedicated cycle and very unusual for me. I am going to see the doctor tomorrow just to be sure.

We had such a high hope for our first IVF because everything looked great, but it did not work, sadly! We had some embryos frozen, and we are thinking to transfer them when my body is ready, but now I have this issue.....

Your courage (6th time) is so inspiring, thank you!

You're in my prayers too!

Hope

Hope - Welcome and good luck!

My progesterone level is 34. My estradiol was in the 900's. Both are apparently normal. My pregnancy test is next Thursday.

Amanda

I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times but how many days after the HCG shot is an HPT reliable???

Amanda

hCG trigger CAn last up to 15 days. Never personally seen it last longer than 7-8 days. Why do you ask....HMMMMM???? :lol:

Suzi - I took an HPT on Saturday to see if the trigger was out of my system yet. I expected to get an - and then I figured any + would be a real + (Saturday was 11 days after the HCG and 9 DPIUI). Instead I got a +. I didn't know what to think since it could still be the trigger OR it could be real. But I've gotten + on Sunday and today, too. I don't want to get my hopes up b/c I know it MIGHT still be the HCG shot BUT I'm thinking it could be true (and I definitely feel pregnant but I am on progesterone suppositories).

Amanda

I tested on 7dp trigger and got a faint faint positive... the next day it was blank. Not even a shadow... then at 8dp2dt, whammo... +++ :lol:

I think Congrats are in order!!!

Thanks Brenda! I'm definitely cautiously optimistic.

Amanda

I have to agree with Brenda...sounds like a congrats to me (cautiously optimistic, of course!! :lol: )

Thanks Suzi. You're my guru so if you think it's real...

Amanda

Hi! I have been "lurking around" for a couple of months, following everyone's posts. We have done 2 IVF's prior to this year, both successful (kids are now 2 & 4.) We started trying again in February, had a cancelled cycle & then a failed IVF last month. We are getting ready to start another cycle next month & am just waiting for AF so I can start Lupron (I am starting on day 1 of cycle, & stims on day 3. I was oversuppressed with Lupron in February. I did no Lupron in April, but took Antigon instead. This time we are trying just a little Lupron.) It sounds kind of funny that this year has made our other 2 IVF's look "easy."

Anyway, I have found it really helpful to follow your postings. This whole thing is such an emotional roller coaster. I am quickly reaching the point where I just don't want to explain all the details to friends anymore. My IVF "history" is just getting way too long this year! It is nice to know that I am not the only one who is doing all this crazy stuff!

After my failed IVF, I was almost relieved to quit the progesterone & start feeling like a normal person. I've had a whole month with no doctor appointments, no shots, no extra hormones. I have felt soooo much better than I have for the past 3 months. I am not looking forward to starting up again, but am getting anxious to get going again. This whole process is enough to make a person go crazy.

Thanks so much for all of your stories & inspiration!

Carla

Hey Carla! Welcome! My successful IVF cycle (2 years ago) was an antagon cycle, too. Sorry that you have to go thru this again. I hope the lupron cycle works better for you!

Amanda

Amanda - those HPT's sound like true BFP's to me!!! Are you POAS every day now? :awink:

Welcome Carla and Hope!!

Today is Beta day for me but sadly I POAS this am and BFN :thumbsdow I'm not holding out much hope for the call. I'm really wracked too since everything looked so good. I know this was my first IVF but I am so beaten down following 5 IUI cycles that I'm not sure what to do now, I can't keep doing this to myself. I'm sure I'll be fine in a few days but now it just aches. Of course I could get a different picture from bloods but I figure if everything was ok, I'd have enough HCG for that second line...

Carla, WELCOME!! :welcome: You and I have very similar stories - we had our daughter with IVF #1 and have had 4 failed cycles (ectopic, dropped cycle, chemical and BFN) last year trying for #2. We are just now starting #6 (retrieval in July) and PRAYING this one works 'cause it may well be our last. I hope your stay here is short and that we are celebrating your success at the end of this cycle! GOOD LUCK - and GLAD you're here!!

Amanda, I am so excited for you!! Is your RE doing a beta?

Judy, I am so sorry that you got a BFN at home. Hang in there - HPTs are NOT the end-all be-all in high-tech and I've seen it happen that the HPT is BFN and the beta is positive. I am praying for you!! :pray: :hug99:

Judy - I hope you got a good result!
Suzi - Thanks! My blood test is Thursday.

Amanda

Hi guys...I'm very sad to report that the beta was negative too...I'm just wallowing in self-pity now (and working on pickling my liver) but hope that by tomorrow I'll be in better shape and ready to think about the next steps.

I really really appreciate all the support I found in this thread this cycle. You guys rock.

I really really appreciate all the support I found in this thread this cycle. You guys rock.
That's us!! :dude: :lol2:

Judy, I am sorry for your BFN. :bighug: We all know how it feels and we'll be here ready for the next steps, whatever they may be! :bighug:

PS....have a few for me, will ya?? :lol:

Judy - I'm so sorry.

Amanda

Wow! So many new ladies to get to know. I'm going to have to read back to catch up a bit. I think I'm out of the woods. . .feeling emotionally better that is. Boy o' boy did I get flat knocked down with depression. :disbelief
I had such a hard time getting up, going to work, doing anything! I didn't even have the energy to get online. I felt like I was just getting beaten down over and over again.

By the way, my friend who announced her pregnancy to me on my birthday called me the next morning and asked if we could meet for a few minutes. She came to my office and apologized. She said that she noticed that I was distracted when she made her announcement to me and that's when she realized that maybe she should have found a better way to tell me. She told me how much she cared about me and so on. It was definitely a nice gesture, and it did make me feel a bit better although I still felt like a cloud was hanging over my head. Actually, there were tons of clouds over all our heads as anyone from MA can attest to!

Suzi had asked me a few times about how my donor egg stuff was going and I was so buried in my sadness, that I couldn't even see that spark of light. Thank you so much for reminding me Suzi. :bighug: Last Friday I had a follow-up with my Dr. who basically gave me the results of all the testing I had just completed. Of course, everything was perfect. :rolleyes: He has an assistant who sat with us initially, and he was so nice to have made sure to tell us how sorry he was about everything and that he can't imagine how difficult this journey must be. Sometimes, it just takes a Dr. to treat me like a human being instead of a number, for me to feel better. An hour later, we had an appointment with the social worker and she basically spoke to us about some of the issues we would be dealing with and asked if we had any questions. She was also nice because she asked about our IF history and when I laid it out to her she was like, "Wow, you've been through it all." Like I said, somehow that makes me feel better.

Because DE IVFs are still relatively new, they don't have tons of studies, but what we were told was that studies so far showed that children who have the knowledge that they are DE children, are extremely well adjusted. Studies show that these children often feel very special because they know how much their mommy and daddy wanted them. Sometime after hearing that, the sun began to shine above me again. :sunny: :awink:

During the weekend, we had a chance to look at some of the donor websites we may be working with. They give you a special temporary ID and password to log on. It's a bit tough because there are way more Caucasion donors than other ethnicities, but I did narrow down one. She is a Cuban woman like me, and she has very similair features. According to her profile, she also has many similair personality traits. We were awaiting our financial information/approval :crossfing, hopefully tomorrow, and if and when that goes through, I'm going to call the agency and try to set up something with this one woman. So yes, I'm very psyched.

We had been trying on our own during this waiting stage, but DH with his sensible self, felt that this was making me too stressed out and that I should spend these days enjoying life, eating what I want, not taking my temperature every morning, etc. Of course, when I went to the bathroom this morning, I witnessed the most beautiful cervival mucus I had even seen in the last 5 years of this craziness. . .so, I basically jumped back in bed and DH was fine with it. :banana:

On the Today show this morning they were interviewing these two women who wrote a book about Infertility. It sounded really interesting. I'll be back with that information.

Amanda~:crossfing

Judy~I'm so sorry.

I need to catch up with the rest.

Kimberly

Kimberly, I am SO glad that you are climbing out of the funk, it's nice to see your smiling face! :nod: I LOVE to hear about your progress and hope that you find the perfect donor for you quickly! :bighug:

Kimberly - You continue to amaze me! I'm so glad to hear that you're feeling a little better. It's great that the dr and social worker were supportive and caring. A little niceness goes a long way.

Blood test today. I know it'll be positive but after the chemical pregnancy I'm hoping for a good number.

Amanda

:crossfing for nice high numbers today Amanda!

Kim - glad you are feeling better, the sun sure does help! Hope all goes smoothly with the finance stuff!

So I have a question for you ladies...I think I could do an FET in July (we froze 9 day 3 embies but I have no idea what would thaw or what quality or anything) Based on what the nurse told me for an FET there is no supression etc and the duration is about 1 month. I am assuming that if I want to do another fresh cycle, I would start supressing in July and cycle in August. For my age, my clinic stats are about 45-55% for fresh per transfer and about 35% for FET. I am also assuming that if the FET was not sucessful, I'd be able to start supression in August and do a fresh in Sept. I have to talk to the doc of course about all this and he may be able to provide more info and validate that my date calculations are on target but...any thoughts? Would you do fresh or frozen? Things to consider?

hmm...I'm trying hard if you haven't noticed to focus on the next steps, its just hard because they seem so far away and I didn't anticipate how much of a blow a failed cycle was going to be. Its like the rug was ripped out from under me and I am on my butt but I'm working on getting up.

Hang in there Judy. :bighug: I know it's not the same for everyone but it's my experience that it never hurts more than the first BFN...maybe it'll be that way for you, too.

Sounds to me like your "plans" are all do-able. You can cycle through pretty quick if you are up to it (although I'd caution against cycling too fast as it REALLY wears your body down - I can attest to that). I think the FET is *probably* the way I'd go - it's not quite as rigorous on your body and you DO have those frozen embryos...no sense in cryo when you can just go ahead and use the embryos. JMHO.

:hug99: It'll take some time and focusing on your next steps is all a part of the recovery. Unfortunately, I think many of us IVFers live from IVF to IVF, even me - already with a toddler. One of the components of IF, I suppose...always looking forward to and hopeful about the next opportunity for conception. And we'll be here for you through all of it. :nod: :hug99:

OOPS - AMANDA!!!! I am praying for nice high numbers for you today!! Let us know as soon as you can!! :jump: :yippee:

Hi ladies, I wanted to supply you with the link about this book I was telling you about. I will probably get it for myself.

http://www.afewgoodeggs.com/

Amanda~I'm thinking of you today. :yippee:

Judy~I'm not familiar with FET, but as always, it looks like Suzi was able to help. I can however, fully empathize with you on fact that this just plain stinks and it IS really hard. I think it's been rough for me with every failed cycle. It would be about 3 days of sadness and then like you, I'd get off my butt and tell myself to stay positive and I'd start preparing for my next IVF. Planning and "prepping" for my next cycle always improved my mood.

Kimberly

Judy - As usual, I agree with Suzi. I did an FET in February and it wasn't a big deal at all (especially compared to IVF).

So my HCG today was 254. I'm in shock. I'm only 14 DPO/DPIUI. Thanks for the good wishes!

Amanda

Kim I'm glad you're feeling better! :)

Amanda Congratulations! :)

:pteddy: HOORAY, AMANDA!!! :bteddy:

BTW....are you prepared for possible twins?? :lol:

Thanks Beverly!
Suzi - My husband and I are sitting here discussing the possibility of twins. YIKES!

Amanda

I'll just say this....(in a smallish study sample) average hCG for twins at 14 dpo is 143. :biggrin:

We saw that study. I also checked Brenda's HCG numbers which were 199 at this stage. I'd say we're in trouble. (But it's all good!)

Amanda

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Carla

Congrats Amanda!!!

Amanda - that is WONDERFUL news! :rahrah: And such high numbers!!! Congratualations!!! :pteddy: :bteddy:

Amanda~How incredibly exciting! :bighug: :yippee: :jump: :rahrah: :banana:

Congratulations Amanda!

Thank you!!! I have a repeat beta tomorrow and again on Friday. Sono is Friday 6/17.

Amanda

Well I had a bit of a setback today :banghead: Let me just preface this by saying that if I was still in that same depressive funk, I fear I would've just seriously lost it. :tantrum:

We got a call from the DE financial consultant to tell us that we were NOT being approved for the DE cycle. The message was left on my work answering machine and when I recieved it, the adrenaline started pouring through my veins, I started to get sick to my stomach and was prepared to pick up and leave work without letting anyone know. She had said something to the effect of because I've already had over 6 IVF cycles, they usually don't approve something like this. But, I took a deep breath and called the woman back. I said something like, "Why wasn't I told this in the beginning? When DE was suggested to me, why wasn't I told that it would have to be fully out of pocket?"

I know ladies, that I am lucky to live in a state where a certain amount of IVFs are covered. For that reason, I know I am somewhat spoiled. It's just that DH and I had tucked away our tax return + some, assuming the amount I would have to pay would include some coverage. We saved about $8,000. Basically without coverage, it would be about $18,000. On top of this. . .:complain: I'm about to scream. . . .my DH's fathers widowed wife wrote DH a letter the other day asking him to help her out financially pay off a $12,000 load she had co-signed with DH's now deceased father. First of all, How dare she? DH's father didn't leave DH any money but left this woman money. . .not a lot, because he was by no means rich. But when DH asked the wife where the money went, which should have been about $19,000, she told him she needed that to repair the roof on her house!!! I had already been somewhat upset at the nerve of her (she has 2 grown financially secure children of her own, a brother who is a bachelor and a sister who is married to a guy with money) and she has the nerve to ask DH to help her??? I could continue on and tell you about the sob letter she wrote, but I know I'm already going off on a tangent. In reality, I told my husband that I support him in whatever he decides and he happens to be the most kindest and honorable person I know, so I think he will send her money.

I'm sorry. That was a total vent. Anyway, the financial woman told me that I could appeal the decision with a letter from myself and a letter from my Dr. She gave me a glimmer of hope when she said that about 95% of the people who appeal, get approved. Basically, they bank on people not appealing. The financial person told me when I write my letter, I just need to pour my heart out. So, that's what I have to do. :nod: It shouldn't be too difficult for me to pour my heart out. . .that's for sure!

Kim

Oh Kim...:bighug:you sound amazingly grounded for such a crappy day. I'm sorry about the letter and FIL's widow - that would absolutely rip me but kudos to you for supporting DH in his choice.

Definitely appeal the letter! I have no doubt you can write an amazing letter just from the few posts I have seen of yours.

I'm thinking about you and hoping that this all works out.

Hang in there...if I know ANYONE who could write a compelling story for the insurance company, it'd be you. :nod: :awink:

Hang in there... :bighug:

And by the way...that was really crummy of the insurance lady to leave a message like that on your phone. Sounds to me like they could use some classes in empathy! :nod:

Kim you've got to be kidding. Just one more straw, eh? Make sure you do appeal and I agree with Suzi, if anyone can write a compelling letter it will be you. Good luck. :)

I'm sorry Kim. That's ridiculous! I know that when you write your appeal, you'll be approved!

Amanda

Congrats Amanda!! Great News!!!

I have a bit of good news too today!!!

The infertility bill that I have been waiting for to be passed was voted in today overwhelmingly. So now CT employers have to mandate coverage for infertility. This includes 2 IVF cycles with no more than 2 embryos transferred and women must be under 40 years of age. I am so happy. The governor just has to sign it and I think she will. Please keep your fingers crossed she does. So it would take effect October 1st, but because insurance coverage our done once a year, usually at my work they redo policies the first of the year. So believe it when I say I will be at my RE's office the minute I hear we are covered. I just hope 2 cycles will be enough...

Kim~~~ Appeal your little heart out! You can do it!

Angela, that is AWESOME!!! You better call for that appointment EARLY - I bet there are lots of other women who'll be calling as well!! GOOD LUCK!!! :aok:

Geez Kim, I'm sorry to hear about another wrench getting thrown into the process (like you need anymore). I agreee with the others...go for the APPEAL. It sounds like they intentionally deny people when DE would really be the way to go.

Angela ~ That's awesome news! Go CT!!!

Angela - That's great news!!!

Amanda

HCG = 585 today.

Amanda

Nice strong double - that's GREAT!! I think a CONGRATULATIONS is in order here!!! :pteddy: :bteddy:

Suzi~ Thanks for the advice, I didn't even think of that. I will be calling Monday morning!

Wow Amanda! Nice numbers! I can't wait to find out if you have more than one in there!

Thanks Suzi and Angela!

Amanda

Kim -- Good luck with your appeal. The financial stuff just doubles the stress of this process.

Amanda -- How exciting! I bet your excited for your US.

Angela -- That is wonderful news! We had to pay for our first 2 IVF's. When my husband got a new job last fall working for a company that is based out of Boston, I held my breath until we got the insurance info. When I found out that IVF was covered, we decided that we had to try to have one more. After paying out of pocket, $500-700 in copays feels like we're getting it for free!

Life just has some funny twists! I have been waiting all week for AF so that we can start stims. I finally went in for blood work on Friday & when we got the results the nurse told me the MD wanted me to start on BC to try to regulate my cycle & get things started. I ran into the office to pick some up before they closed. When I got home, guess what had started while I was at the doctors'? I had to go in for an ultrasound on Saturday & should be starting stims on Monday. I have to go in for more blood work & US on Monday to recheck a leftover follicle from our last IVF, but things look good otherwise.

The ironic part about this is that since we're starting a week later than planned, my bed rest will be during the worst possible week this summer. My husband is going to be out of town, quite a few of my friends will be out of town, my back-up "shot giver" may be moving, & my son has swimming lessons. We don't have any family close to help out, so it's going to be a little crazy trying to work out all the details. However, I'm trying not to be too stressed about this until we are sure that it's going to happen. None of my 4 IVF's have timed out like I thought they would, so maybe it won't be as bad as it looks!

Carla - I hope the timing works out better than expected!

Amanda

I had a little scare today. I started having severe pain on the right while at work. I called my RE's office and they had me come in for a sono. It turns out that the HCG from the pregnancy is causing all my little follicles to grow. My ovaries are HUGE and filled with HUGE cysts! I'm basically hyperstimulating. I'm supposed to be on modified activity and drink lots of Gatorade. It's too early to even see yolk sacs but we did see something in the uterus. My lining is GREAT! Everything else looked fine.

Amanda

Amanda, I'm glad all checked out! PHEW!! :aok:

Carla, hope your timing works out okay... Don't stress too much over bed rest after an IVF - not many REs suggest that any more since it doesn't seem to offer real benefit. And the shots...they are a piece of cake to give yourself - REALLY!! :lol:

The infertility bill that I have been waiting for to be passed was voted in today overwhelmingly. So now CT employers have to mandate coverage for infertility.

Angela~:clap: That is such great news!! I sure hope that other States follow right behind.

Carla~It sounds like trying to actually having a "plan" is futile. Isn't life just like that sometimes? :nod: It sounds like you're staying positive. :thumbsup:

Amanda~OMG. Geez. Drink Gatorade until it's coming out of your ears and get some bedrest! Is it usual for something like this to happen during pregnancy? Take good care of yourself.


Thank you all so much for your vote of confidence with my appeal letter. :hug99: I thought I might try to write something this past weekend but then changed my mind after seeing the weather. It was gorgeous finally! I know that writing this appeal will no doubt bring out the emotions and I guess I just simply wanted to enjoy the weekend. I also wanted to wait for the actual denial letter before I started fleshing my letter out. Well I got the denial in the mail yesterday and will write my letter when I get home tonight. I also already called my Dr. and asked him to submit a letter. I was told he could have that submitted by the end of this week. I want to have more confidence that I will ultimately get coverage for this however, I've been feeling somewhat unlucky lately. . .in a better mood, but still feeling unlucky. :thumbsdow :blue:

Kimberly

And to second what Suzi said, I did all my injections myself.
Thanks Kimberly! I've become a Gatorade addict. I don't know if this is common but it definitely can happen. I guess HCG can continue to stimulate the ovaries. I think it's great that you enjoyed your weekend outdoors! Hope the appeal goes well.

Amanda

Amanda - sorry to hear about the hyperstiming but glad everything is looking good! The nurse told me I was at risk for some too and suggested in addition to rest and gatorade V8 (not sure why but my dad thought for the potassium) and extra protein. I found these great bars Powerbars - Tripple Threat - chocolate peanutbutter carmel crunch or something that were just fabulous!

Kim - the sunshine was much deserved this weekend for us IMHO! :nod: Good call on just enjoying. Good luck writing tonight. Do something nice for yourself when you are done!

Carla, I did some of my shots in public ladies rooms ;) I'm sure you can do it! I hope everything works out timewise for you!

Angela - congrats on the legislation!!

Suzi - whats going on with you?

As for me the RE consult is tomorrow to discuss next steps, I'm still sort of leaning towards fresh but am open. I started BCP just in case, figured I can stop them if they are not needed.

Thanks for the advice, Judy. My RE wanted me to eat lots of eggs (I assume for the protein).
Good luck with your appt tomorrow.

Amanda

Thought you might be interested in the following info on a chat tomorrow night at resolve.org. I really like the book that I read by Dr. Domar...

RESOLVE's June Chat Series: The Mind/Body Guide to Enhance Fertility

Please join RESOLVE's Chat on "The Mind/Body Guide to Enhancing
Fertility," Wednesday, June 8th, scheduled for 8pm ET / 5pm PT. To join the
Chat or view past Chat transcripts please click on the "Chat" link at
http://www.resolve.org/ (http://www.resolve.org/).

###

The Mind/Body Guide to Enhancing Fertility, sponsored by Boston IVF
Wednesday, June 8th, 8pm ET / 5pm PT
RESOLVE's expert host, Alice Domar, PhD, answers questions pertaining
to how the mind/body connection can enhance fertility? Take this
opportunity to learn what techniques can be implemented to enhance fertility.
Find out what resources are available to help you achieve a mind/body
connection.

Dr. Domar is currently the Director of the Mind/Body Center for Women's
Health at Boston IVF, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth
Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She is the author of Healing Mind,
Healthy Woman, the national best-seller Self-Nurture, Conquering Infertility,
and the co-author of Six Steps to Increased Fertility.


To learn more about RESOLVE and our available resources, please visit
http://www.resolve.org/ (http://www.resolve.org/). The Chat software requires Java, which is
available for download at no cost. If you need assistance joining our
online chats please email us at info@resolve.org (http://us.f305.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=info@resolve.org&YY=86580&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b).

I talked to my IVF coordinator today and my recurrent pregnancy loss test results are back. Of the twenty tests they did, two results are abnormal....Annexin V IGG and Annexin V IGM. The IGG is slightly elevated and the IGM is very high. I have to wait until Monday to talk to my RE but I am CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC about these results!

I know it sounds strange for me to be excited that I had abnormal results but here's the thing: from what I was able to find on the internet about this, women with Antiphospholipid Syndrome have about a 75% rate of m/c. So when the embryo is transferred back into the uterus and it implants into the uterine wall and starts producing phospholipids (which is normal), my body reacts to the phospholipids by attacking them, thereby destroying the implanted PGY causing m/c. The treatment for Antiphospholipid Syndrome is two simple shots of Heparin every day!!! How freaking EASY is that?????!!

I AM SO (CAUTIOUSLY) EXCITED!!! :jump:

:yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee: :yippee:

GREAT news Suzi!!!! I'm so happy to hear that you're finally getting some answers!!! And I love the title of your post!!!!

Amanda

Suzi that is wonderful news!!!!:crossfing !! I totally understand what you mean about being excited for something 'abnormal' and wow 2 shots a day! After IVF? ha piece of cake!!!

Pam that looks interesting..got to go look at the transcript!

Amanda - hope you are resting up and feeling better!

I had a great consult with the RE. Basically, he said "you had beautiful stimulation, a good retreival, great fertilization and a nice lining." And in cycles like that, they don't know what went wrong but there are plenty of picture perfect cycles that are not sucessful hence the statistical probability of pregnancy even with IVF. I asked about further testing and he said with IVF you have simply a uterus and embryos. Ideally, for a cycle they have a (I forget the term but tri something) lining between 7-10mm which I had. So as far as we know, my lining was good. However there can be microscopic reasons for an implantation failure and there is a way to test for that. I would complete a natural cycle and monitor ovulation then come in 8-10 days afterwards for an endometrial biopsy which would give microscopic detail and hopefully if it showed something we could treat it. Then if that was normal, we could look at the embryos. Check the chromosomes. I assume PGD here but again as far as we know the embryos look good, some even great. Doesn't mean of course that chromosomally they are ok but... At any rate he pretty much left it up to me for next steps though he did say, he sees a lot of cycles that just 'fall on the wrong side of the statistics' and he would not recommend testing until at least a 2nd cycle but if I wanted it he would order it. However, testing on the lining, would probably be done in July or...I could cycle again in July so I talked with DH and we decided to get back on the horse! His nurse is going to call me tomorrow with a new treatment plan and calendar :thumbsdow I absolutely hope this isn't the wrong choice and in some ways it goes against my natural tendencies to check everything out first and research research research but from a practical standpoint, I might be pregnant in August or just beginning a cycle....so it seemed the right decision for now. :crossfing

Judy - I'm glad you had a good appt! Good luck!

Amanda

Suzi - That's great news. I know what you mean about it being a relief when you find something wrong because then you can do to fix it!

Judy - I had a failed IVF in April & my doctor told me much the same as yours did. Everything looked good, but for some reason it didn't work. We are doing a cycle this month & if it fails we will do some testing.

Amanda -- How soon is your ultrasound?

For you ladies that gave yourselves shots, did any of you do IM shots yourself? I give myself the sub-Q shots, but cannot envision being able to do the IM shots. I 've heard of women that do it, which I think is pretty amazing. I think that I'll just go down my list of RN friends from church until I can find someone who's available while my husband is gone. My doctor keeps patients on IM progesterone until 8 weeks of pregnancy, so I'm sure this won't be the only time that I need someone else to give me shots!

I know that a lot of doctors don't do the bed rest thing anymore, but I did it with my first 2 IVF's, which worked, so of course I'll do it again. My last RE was pretty strict about it. I remember the nurse telling me that I needed to be lying flat except for sitting up a little to eat & that I should try to do my bedrest in a spot where I was only a couple steps from the bathroom so I wouldn't be up for very long. I have since changed RE's (my new one is much closer to my house,) & my new one is less strict about it.

I started shots on Monday & go in for an ultrasound tomorrow. Have any of you ladies done IVF cycles with just a month in between? Do you know if you stimulate quicker the second time, if there is a residual effect from the last stim? When I had an ultrasound before we started this cycle, the doctor said that I had a few follicles that might develop this cycle. I would be thrilled if I had fewer days of stims. My other IVF's have been 10-12 days. I'd be very happy if I was on the 9-10 side instead!

For you ladies that gave yourselves shots, did any of you do IM shots yourself?

Yes, I did IM PIOs. They are more difficult and you MUST make sure the oil is body temp first. It's not difficult though!

Have any of you ladies done IVF cycles with just a month in between? Do you know if you stimulate quicker the second time, if there is a residual effect from the last stim?

Yes and no. I did four back to back cycles last year and never stimmed a day faster. As a matter of fact, even though there are no studies to support it, I know several women wo have done back to back cycles like and most find that each cycle yields a lesser response. Not a BIG difference, but less notwithstanding.

Carla - I did my own PIO shots, too. I got some EMLA cream (it's a topical numbing medicine) and put it on about 30 minutes before the shot. I couldn't even feel the needle going in!
My ultrasound is next Friday.

Amanda

So question when we are talking back to back cycles...Is that what I am doing? LOL. I had IVF in May got BFN will be on BCP for June and will stim & have transfer in July?

So question when we are talking back to back cycles...Is that what I am doing? LOL. I had IVF in May got BFN will be on BCP for June and will stim & have transfer in July?

Yes.

Well, my (potentially) good news may bave been a little premature. I did some investigating on annexin V IgG and IgM and the test results COULD be affected by antibiotics. I had the blood drawn for the test on May 19th and I had just finished antibiotics (BIG ones) on May 13th. Guess I will just have to hold my excitement until Monday when I talk to the RE. :mope: I already called and left a message that I'd found this and I'd want to talk about it when he calls me. OY!!

I hope you've found your answer.

Amanda

Suzi~I know I've said something like this before, but I wish you could have come and been my spokesperson for all my appointments. :hug99: You are so proactive and knowledgable about everything. I hope it goes well for you.
That is exciting news, especially to know that there is possibly a way you can do something about it that's fairly simple. .

And on that note ladies, I just want to mention how important it is to be proactive and keep up to date with everything. In retrospect, I realize that there was so much I could have more control over and I just let the Drs make my decisions even when I didn't necessarily agree. It's just that I never had a strong enough argument, and enough information to disagree. Arm yourself with information! :nod:

Judy~Relavent to what I just mentioned above, I often was concerned about implantation issues (especially when I had an embryo put into my uterus and it found it's way into one of my tubes but kept growing) but I never pushed it because I was diverted to believe there were other reasons for that. My point is that it's great that they can/will do a biopsy to check if needed. Additionally, I wanted PGD, but by the time I asked for it, I was 40, and the consensus was that it wasn't worth it because it was evident from my cycles that I just didn't have viable eggs. :dunno: But I think it sounds like your Dr. is taking good care of you so I wish you all the best. :thumbsup:

Carla~I didn't give myself the shots. I tried it once and just kept poking and then pulling the needle out without actually injecting. I finally pulled it off because I had no choice, but I had a hard time and envied everyone who could do it. Depending on the time of the shot and my work schedule, I would drive to my husband's job, or he would drive to my job. We were "shooting up" in the car and in bathrooms. I really sort of felt like a drug addict. I had always been afraid of needles and because of these circumstances, I had to get used to it. But don't think for a minute that I don't have to take a deep breath, close my eyes, and turn my head when someone else is giving me a shot. Yes, I've done IVFs with just a month in between.


Well, I finished my appeal letter. I toyed back and forth with how I was going to write it. My first draft basically explained all my cycles, how I did, why I thought I would get pregnant, etc. But then I realized that they have all those records. So, I went about it in a more emotional way which I ultimately thought was best. I've sent it already and still think to myself that I should've said this or that. But isn't that always the case? Anyway, I'll paste it into my next post (if you feel like reading my drama) :crazy:

Kimberly

Dear appeals coordinator,

I am so incredibly appreciative that infertility procedures are covered in Massachusetts as I have greatly benefited from this mandate. Like most women however, I would have never wished to be in this position.

Between 2000 and 2005, my husband and I have been pregnant 3 times. I was 36 years old when our difficult journey began. It started with our first pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage within the first 4 months of our marriage, and continued with 2 ectopic pregnancies, one at the age of 38 via IVF and one at the age of 40 via natural conception.

Prior to turning 40, my husband and I had every reason in the world to believe that we would eventually get pregnant. All tests proved that my husband and I were in good reproductive health. Additionally, I had charted off and on for several months at a time to determine and confirm that I ovulate every month on cycle day 13 or 14 and have 28 day cycles. Due to circumstances
beyond our control, we have been under the care of 3 different doctors in the last 5 years. With each doctor, we were given nothing but positive feedback on our chances of conceiving. We were told over and over again that it was simply a matter of time and a game of numbers.

I still wonder how I got from there to here. With every failed cycle, natural or high-tech, I would think that I could not possibly deal with another blow. Somehow after a few days of sadness however, I would find myself not only ready, but eager to try again, so sure that this next time would finally mark the end to our journey.

This journey has no doubt also been a spiritual journey. If I am to look for the silver lining in this situation, my spiritual journey would be that. In my attempt to find ways to treat my infertility through natural medicine, I incorporated acupuncture, herbal medicines, meditation, yoga, and dietary restrictions and additions into my everyday life. I have always been a health and fitness fanatic, but it was always for the point of looking good, not feeling good. I found it difficult to stay emotionally healthy unless I kept up with my daily meditations and healthy living. If anything, I am absolutely grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to grow spiritually.

Each episode of sadness forced me to look deep into my emotions and re-evaluate my motives. It was during one of those episodes that I realized using a donor egg was the answer. My husband and I are so very ready to start this next journey in our lives.

Please understand that I am acutely aware that adoption is available for couples in our situation. I know this first hand because my husband is adopted. While I hear about the joy that adoption will bring, I also know that I will continue to feel emptiness until I can get pregnant. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been pregnant before. I got a taste of what it was like to feel the joy of pregnancy and it was taken away. I hope and pray that I will be able to experience it again. Because my husband is adopted, he has no known relatives or blood relations. Our relationship has grown incredibly strong during our struggles and there is nothing I want more as his wife, than to be able to give him an offspring that he can definitely call his relative.

I am in optimum health both physically and emotionally. Through our trails and tribulations, my husband and I are bonded in way we could have never imagined. I dream everyday about the child that we hoped for with all 3 of my pregnancies. I have been doing everything in my power to conceive a child. I know that I can not be guaranteed a 100% chance of pregnancy, but I feel very confident of my chances via a donor egg IVF.

I sincerely ask you to please reconsider your decision to deny us coverage for this procedure.


Thank you for your time,

:bawl: Can I overturn the decision FOR them?? :lol: I don't mean to make light of this but wow...how can they NOT oveturn the decision? GREAT letter.

BTW, the letter made me think of something I keep meaning to ask you. Have you ever done SCSA on DH's sperm to make sure the DNA the sperm is carrying is not the problem? The test is (only) $350, here is the website: http://www.scsadiagnostics.com/ Just thought it might be worth looking into if you haven't already.

Suzi~I know I've said something like this before, but I wish you could have come and been my spokesperson for all my appointments. :hug99: You are so proactive and knowledgable about everything. I hope it goes well for you.

Kimberly, thanks for your vote of confidence! I am passionate about informed medical choices and it starts with taking the initiative to educate oneself. No matter where that education comes from, whether it be books or articles or research or from an informed individual, it is imperative to have it to make good solid decisions for optimal health. :aok:

And it means a LOT to me that women like yourself who are medically savvy appreciate my knowledge and concern. If I can present a possibility or new way of looking at things from the perspective of having walked in those shoes, then I can feel good about my daily contributions to the world. :hug99:

Have you ever done SCSA on DH's sperm to make sure the DNA the sperm is carrying is not the problem? The test is (only) $350, here is the website: http://www.scsadiagnostics.com/ Just thought it might be worth looking into if you haven't already.

This is exactely what I mean! Of course I don't believe SCSA has been done. I was constantly pushing for for more testing before the next IVF. I always kept thinking to myself why were we just going to do another IVF with the same protocol again without other tests being done? I would do some research, come armed to my next appointment with suggestions, and each time, I was talked down and I let it happen because after being talked down, I never had a strong enough rebuff. Coincidently enough, I was talking to my friend (whose husband bascially died of hepititis 3 years ago) and while I was selfishing complaining about my issues with doctors, she remarked that she felt the same way. . .that she wished that she did more, that she wished she was more informed, and that she was so overwrought when her husband was dying, that she just relied on the Drs without taking the time to seek out more information. Like any woman in her situation, she only wishes that she was more proactive in the whole process.

Keep it up Suzi, you are a great inspiration for us all. You have a young child at home and even with that, you've kept up with all the information that's out there. Bookstores and libraries are wonderful, but thank goodness for the internet huh? I don't wish to deal with any other medical maladies in the near future, but if I do, this experience will be a lesson to me about how to take better control of my own medical care.

I'm going to definitely check out that website. Thank you so much. And I'm glad you liked my letter. I hope it works. :crossfing

Kimberly

Great letter Kim! I hope it works. :crossfing

Awesome letter Kimberly! You've got my vote :nod: I really can't believe they wouldn't do PGD when you had your IVFs. Just doesn't make sense to me. With our most recent IVF we asked for it (honestly I would not have gone forward otherwise). Our embryologist totally admitted that the embies she would have told the doc to transfer would have been ones with serious problems that looked good under the microscope but not at all with PGD. We had fewer than average normal embies this last time but that was totally based on the PGD results. Can ya' tell I'm pro PGD.

Yea, the SCSA makes more sense given the cost at this point...but I really think that when they approve you they should really offer PGD. :crossfing that they decide in your favor!

What a beautiful letter Kimberly! You have my vote, too.

Amanda

Awesome letter Kimberly! You've got my vote :nod: I really can't believe they wouldn't do PGD when you had your IVFs. Just doesn't make sense to me. With our most recent IVF we asked for it (honestly I would not have gone forward otherwise). Our embryologist totally admitted that the embies she would have told the doc to transfer would have been ones with serious problems that looked good under the microscope but not at all with PGD. We had fewer than average normal embies this last time but that was totally based on the PGD results. Can ya' tell I'm pro PGD.

Yea, the SCSA makes more sense given the cost at this point...but I really think that when they approve you they should really offer PGD. :crossfing that they decide in your favor!

Thanks Pam. And I totally remember you doing the PGD and getting that result and wondering why I didn't push more for it. :scratch:

Kimberly

This is exactely what I mean! Of course I don't believe SCSA has been done. I was constantly pushing for for more testing before the next IVF. I always kept thinking to myself why were we just going to do another IVF with the same protocol again without other tests being done? I would do some research, come armed to my next appointment with suggestions, and each time, I was talked down and I let it happen because after being talked down, I never had a strong enough rebuff.

The best part of doing SCSA testing is that YOU can initiate it yourself!! Your RE has to be involved but only minimally - YOU are the driving factor for this test! My RE is convinced that there are many more problems related to the DNA that sperm carries than modern technology acknowledges. I'd think it would be a good avenue to check before you sink $$ into a DE cycle - no sense throwing money into a DE cycle when the sperm DNA might be your trouble!

Hi there. I'm new to this so I don't really know what the protocol is but I read your appeals letter. Wow! I have tears in my eyes! You touched on every emotional aspect of dealing with fertility and conception issues, the hopes and the heartbreaks. :hug99:Any one who could deny you after reading that needs to have their head examined! Good Luck with your appeal!

WELCOME, Andrea! We are all glad you're here! Hope your stay in this thread is short and sweet... :nod:

WELCOME Andrea!

Amanda

Thank you! I am so glad I found this site! I told DH and MOM about it and they were happy that I found a group that is going through the same or similar issues. It's been a long five year wait to get to this point, but I'm finally glad that we know exactly what we need to do now and that there are people like you ladies that are willing to share your experiences to make the road a little less bumpy! :ura1:

Kimberly - wonderful letter!! Honestly. I think you did a wonderful job.

Suzi - you are so knowledgeble!!

Welcome Andrea.

Kim~ What a well written letter. You are great with words. Good luck!

Welcome Andrea! Like Suzi said I hope you stay is short and sweet and that you will be PG soon.

Suzi~ I am dying to know, What is a crack brownie Queen?

Me, I am still waiting for the governor to sign that IF bill. What the heck she is waiting for I do not know? Also, we are debating whether to do an IUI this month while we wait. There are so many pros and cons to doing this that we are not sure what we want to do. Part of me is yes, let's see what happens and another part says no, don't waste our time with it just to get disappointed again. oh well we will see. I am just glad I have a 2 week vacation coming up starting June 27. Yeah! Finally something to look forward too.

Welcome Andrea! Like Suzi said I hope you stay is short and sweet and that you will be PG soon.

Thanks! I'll keep my :crossfing that the IF Bill gets passed for you, and that your also PG soon! Hope your holidays go great!

I'm also in complete confusion on the crack brownies....MMMMM Chocolate.

Suzi~ I am dying to know, What is a crack brownie Queen?

These are CRACK BROWNIES (http://www.onceuponalife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18082&page=1&pp=20)! :lol:

Geez! I can't go anywhere around here to escape these brownies! :lol:

Geez! I can't go anywhere around here to escape these brownies! :lol:

:rotflmao: That's why they are CRACK BROWNIES!!! :lol2:

:bolt:

Thanks everyone for the compliments on the letter. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed. :crossfing I'm sure unfortunately, that I'll be waiting at least another 2-3 weeks before I hear anything. :rolleyes: In the meantime, I'm going to have to whip up some of those Crack Brownies to get me through this. :lol: :banana:


Andrea~Welcome! I'm glad you found us. This is an awesome place for support. :bighug:

Kimberly

Andrea - I hope that IF bill gets signed quickly.
Kimberly - Hoping you get an answer soon!

Amanda

Got Great news today! 80% of some of the drugs that Genesis uses for IVF are covered by our group health care! Jumping up and Down :rahrah: with joy right now doing the victory dance! It's not all but at least it's takes the bite out of the total! :supergrin

That's great news!!!

Amanda

Wow 13 pages of brownie love? Ok I'm going to have to try them now...just have to think of a good excuse!

Hola everyone!! Hope you are all doing well. I am feeling pretty positive about our next cycle but more realistic at the same time if that makes sense. I left a message for the RE yesterday about initiating an Immune Panel on me, I figured whats one more needle :blush1: I'm hoping it will set my mind more at ease either by turning something up that can hopefully be addressed or by reassuring me I don't have to think about it. I should hear back today. I start lupron on 6/18 so that is really soon!! :silly: loopy lupron here I come!

Judy, I am just 11 days behind you - I start Lupron 6/29! I'm glad you are feeling positive about your cycle - that's all you can do, really. In a sick, twisted sort of way, it's like when you charted/did temps/OPKs...every month is a disappointment when AF shows but then you also get excited again because you have another cycle to try. How strangely psychotic! :silly: :lol:

As for the brownies...a good reason is IT'S WEDNESDAY!!! :lol2:

I'm excited for Judy and Suzi to start their cycles!!!

Amanda

I'm excited for Judy and Suzi to start their cycles!!!

Amanda

ME TOO!!! :yippee:

I am hanging in there - still no more news about the Annexin V IgG and IgM test results. My RE is consulting with the pathologist at the lab about the Levaquin I took affecting the results of these two tests. Typically if the results are marginally abnormal that can be the case but my results were VERY HIGH and so far, they don't think the Levaquin could've caused them to be that high. But since Heparin therapy is not without risk, they are considering a second test to check for consistency (however, my results were high enough that my RE is leaning towards Heparin therapy regardless).

My RE wants to meet with me tomorrow at 11am to discuss the Heparin therapy and unfortunately, Chris will not be able to make it (I hate to exclude him as he never misses anything). We are going to sit down and write a list of questions tonight so I can make sure to get answers for him. I also got a babysitter for Julia so I can pay 110% attention since it will just be me meeting with my RE. Oh yeah...did I mention that I am the very first person they've ever gotten a positive result on this test? Figures... :lol:

Suzi - I think it's great that you have a meeting with your RE to discuss the results. Heparin does have risks but lots of people take it. Wouldn't it be nice if that were the answer to all the problems you've had???

Amanda

Wouldn't it be nice if that were the answer to all the problems you've had???

YOU AIN'T KIDDIN'!!!! :lol: I'm not worried about the Heparin therapy - Chris is the worry wart. He is concerned about the possibility of a car accident or c/s or scraping my finger and bleeding to death...I don't KNOW!!?? :dunno: :lol:

It sure does seem like this is the source of the problems... This condition (also known as Hughes Syndrome) is loosely associated with Lupus, thyroid problems, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, m/c both early and late, strokes, heart attacks, deep vein thrombosis, kidney problems... Of that list, all things highlighted are in my immediate family - two sisters and mom and dad. Geez, can you say predisposed?? :doh:

Suzi - The nice thing about heparin is that it leaves your system fairly quickly when you stop taking it. That should reassure Chris! I really think you may have found your answer. That's great!

Amanda

YOU AIN'T KIDDIN'!!!! :lol: I'm not worried about the Heparin therapy - Chris is the worry wart. He is concerned about the possibility of a car accident or c/s or scraping my finger and bleeding to death...I don't KNOW!!?? :dunno: :lol:


Heparin leaves your system quickly AND it's easy to reverse. My father is on coumadin, a blood thinner you take in pill form, to keep from getting clots around his artificial heart valve and his pacemaker leads. The problem is that coumadin builds up in your system and is semi-hard to regulate and referse. If he gets a cut, it can take alot of effort and time to get the bleeding to stop. Whenever he has to have surgery (like his pacemaker replacement and even his colonoscopy last fall), he has to be off the coumadin for 5 days and on Heparin therapy - either shots or IV - during that time.

Doctors deal with Heparin all the time. It't not like it's a new drug. People walk around on it and other blood thinners for their entire life. You just do what you have to do.

Sorry to jump in here. :)

I'm not the least bit worried about it - I know a few women who've had to use it. Chris is just a little skittish about it - maybe I can calm him using your dad's story - thanks Brooke!

In fact, we'll stop heparin only a few hours before surgery in patients who need it. And I'm talking about MAJOR surgery!

Amanda

In fact, we'll stop heparin only a few hours before surgery in patients who need it. And I'm talking about MAJOR surgery!

Amanda

And coming from a doctor...SURELY this has got to calm his fears! :aok: Thanks!

From my journal:

Okay...so the test was like this... On the Annexin V IgG the value should fall below 16 and my value was 25. Not anyhting to alert the news about but Dr. T said he'd treat his daughter with Heparin if she were me. Second test result...Annexin V IgM result should fall below 16 as well. My value was >150. YES...GREATER THAN ONE HUNDRED FIFTY. He said that he is waiting for a call back from the head Hematologist at the lab in CA and he expects they will want to run the test again since the value is OUTRAGEOUSLY high. Dr. T also said that if I were his daughter, he would do Heparin therapy regardless of the outcome of a second test. He said the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk - although I would have to be monitored by a perinatologist and have blood levels checked once a week throughout a PGY and 6-weeks PP.

So we are waiting to hear from the Hematologist in CA. He will tell us if the test can be affected by levaquin 7 days prior to the blood draw and if so, how many days post levaquin the blood can be drawn for an accurate result. Then we will retest when I am clear of levaquin the required amount of time. I will do Heparin therapy this PGY and I will start the day after retrieval.

HOORAY for a plan! I would totally take the heparin, too. As I said, I hope this is the answer you've needed all along!!!!

Amanda

Phew...me too! :aok: Are you getting excited about your u/s Amanda?? I AM!!!!! :yippee:

I am nervous and excited and impatient! I'll let y'all know the news tomorrow. U/s appt is at 8:30!

Amanda

I'm SOOOO glad it's in the morning!! I was afraid I was going to have to wait all day for the news!! BEST OF LUCK!!! :pray: :crossfing I'll be thinking of you! Let us know as soon as you can (as I'm sure I'll be stalking this thread tomorrow...)!! :lol:

I just wanted to let you ladies know how much respect I have for all of you. I've been reading your posts for a few days now and got the courage to join. My husband and I went through our 1st IVF almost two weeks ago and now I'm waiting for my blood test on Monday to see if it worked.

I'm just wondering if any of you experienced any symptoms after your transfers? I want to take a test this weekend but am terrified of it being negative. Anyhow, thanks for listening and I look forward to getting to know all of you.

Andrea, I am glad you are here!! I sure wish we could've been there to help support you through your first cycle...it can be so scary when you are going it alone.

Hold out if you can - that is the best thing. The beta will detect far lower hCG than a home test will...and I've known several women (myself included) who wrached themselves with misery and BFN only to have a BFP beta. IVF is WICKED!! :lol:

:welcome: We are glad to have you with us - no matter what happens Monday!

Thanks Suzi!
Welcome Andrea and good luck!



I had my sono today....






Tom came with me....








And we saw.....



















TWO SACS!!!!

BUT, it's more complicated than all that.

Sac B is measuring exactly 6 weeks. We saw a heartbeat which measured about 105. We thought that was a bit slow but they said that anything over 100 is good for 6 weeks.
Sac A is only measuring 5w4d. We did NOT see a heartbeat. It is certainly possible that sac A was from a delayed ovulation/implantation. We may see a heartbeat next week. But we might not. We're honestly ok either way. Obviously, I hate to lose an embryo but I'd also be very happy with one healthy baby.
We're very pleased and a little freaked out.

Amanda! Congratulations on your twins! :)

A gal on my molar board went for her first u/s around 7 weeks and there were two sacs. They told her they would lose one of the baby's for sure as it was measuring quite a bit smaller than the other. They told her this several times at the beginning. Well guess what! That baby girl was bigger than her brother when she was born! So much for the doctors predicitions. All you can do is hope and pray! :crossfing for your wee one.

Thanks Beverly! They're not worried yet as they weren't even sure they'd see any heartbeat at this point. But they're also being cautious which I prefer. One healthy baby would be just fine! Two healthy babies would be great, too!

Amanda

Amanda, that's TERIFFIC!!! Three days and no heartbeat at this point is not a biggie (but you know that)...hang in there, I'll be sending prayers your way!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Thanks Suzi! They didn't even think I'd ovulate 2 eggs b/c the 2nd follicle was barely 15mm when I took the trigger shot so I'm not surprised that the sacs are measuring off a bit.

Amanda

Thanks for the welcome ladies! I can't wait for this weekend to be over. Monday will be an exciting day for us...think positive thoughts. I can't wait to hear good news like Amanda was blessed with.

Awesome news Amanda! :)

Congratulations, Amanda! :yippee:

I am so excited for you. :)
When we had our 6 week u/s, our baby's heartrate was 98. I was worried that it was too low, but our RE said it was normal because the heart had just started beating. Obviously, my baby is fine and her heartrate is now always between 140-160.

Congratulations!
Jennifer

Andrea: all is crossed for you!! :crossfing Peek in here if you need additional support over the weekend to stay away from those :devil: HPTs!!

Andrea - Fingers crossed for you!!!
Pam - Thanks!
Jennifer - Thanks for telling me that! Now I feel better.

Amanda

AMANDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TWINS?????????????

Don't worry about the size differences and absent heartbeat just yet. I've seen that
alot on the twins board.

OMG I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG Amanda!!! :biggrin: That is wonderful news!! hoping and praying Sac A is growing just a bit later!!

Andrea - welcome! The testing thing is hard..I caved, POAS and it was bfn turned out to be a negative beta as well but at least I was able to have a cry with DH before we both left for work...I'm honestly not sure what I will do next time. Probably debate it right up until beta :awink:

Started lupron last night - all my positive thinking apparently went out the window, I woke at 3 am debating myself, are we doing cycle 2 too early? Should we have waited one more month? Is this going to work for us? etc. I realized that through all the IUI's I had gotten through the BFN's telling myself if this didn't work we had IVF as a next step. When the IVF didn't work, and they had given us 45-50% odds, I felt just hopeless for a few days...Cognitively I know odds etc, they don't always work, etc ect but I have some doubt now as to if we will be parents this way and I hate not being as positive as I can be....I'm hoping this processes pretty quick and I can get excited for this cycle!

Congrats Amanda! That is exciting!

Andrea -- Hope Monday is a wonderful day for you! We've done 3 IVF's & I only did a home pregnancy test for one of them. I guess that I'm kind of a chicken though, because I was pretty sure I was pregnant when I took it. (I was.)

Well, all of my stressing about timing with this cycle was for no reason. We ended up cancelling the IVF this week & just doing IUI, which we have a VERY small chance of working. We had a few follicles that were growing quite a bit faster than the others & there was some concerns that they were just left over follicles from my failed cycle, with no eggs. The doctor gave me the choice whether I wanted to go through with the IVF or cancel. I just didn't have a good feeling about continuing. In fact, I'd had a really bad feeling about things before I went in for my US that morning.

I'm feeling pretty frustrated. This is our 3rd shot at IVF this year, with one failed cycle & 2 cancelled. I'm going to do birth control before we try again to get my ovaries "cleared out" to try again. We are going out of town in August, so we will have to wait until September to try again. I just can't believe how this whole thing has turned into a part-time job for me!

Of course there is always that hope that the IUI will work, but I'm not expecting it to. We did several before we started IVF & they didn't work for us. On top of that, I'm still feeling pretty tired & bloated from all the drugs, (& all the chocolate that I'm using to help myself feel better,) which is making me really moody & cranky today.

Sorry I am so negative sounding today. I think I need another day (or 2) to mope & feel sorry for myself before I can move on. It is so nice to have this board to be able to vent a little with people who understand what I'm going through!

Best of luck to you Andrea, you are in my prayers! Let us know as soon as you can! :pray:

Well, I didn't take a HPT (thanks to Suzi's advice) and today I went in for my blood test. I will know before 4pm. What a day it will be. However, I did have a little spotting this morning before I went. (go figure, the day I go it...) We will just have to wait and see. Thanks so much for the support from all of you and if this cycle doesn't work I'm so happy to know I can lean on all of you as well as learn from all of you.

Thanks everyone!
Judy - Fingers crossed for your cycle!
Carla - I'm sorry. I'm hoping for a miracle!
Andrea - I hope you get your BFP today!!!

Amanda

Andrea, was hoping you'd heard but not yet... I am still praying for you!! :pray:

Well....FINALLY got a call from the Dr today and we are PREGNANT!! I was so excited that I almost peed my pants.:ura1: I didn't even get a number from them but all she said was that everything looked great and we have an ultrasound on

July 6th to see if we have more than one. I am just so thankful to God and

everyone who supported us through this process. We are very fortunate and

blessed that we got a +++++++++ on our first IVF. Now we keep praying that

the numbers contine to go up. I will keep you all posted. :awink:

Andrea I'm lurking too hoping for your BFP news!

*ETA OMG congrats!! we must have been posting at the same time! I'm so happy for you!!

Carla - everything crossed for you!!

Amanda - thanks I have to find your journal at (BOLU :awink: )
Suzi - whats going on for you?

Andrea: :pteddy: Congratulations!!! :bteddy:
I am SO excited for you - more prayers your way for doubling numbers and a great u/s!!

Me...well, I was at my center today for a re-test on the Annexin V IgG and IgM. The hematologist said that antibiotics CAN affect the results for up to 90 days afterwards. I am left wondering if that is just like hCG can take UP TO 15 days to leave your system but it's almost always gone by 6-7 days. Anyway, my RE said that the quantitative result of this test is not specific, it is in ranges and mine was >150. Could've been 151, could've been 1000, we don't know. However, it doesn't really matter...by the time you get to this highest bracket, I am a severe risk for thrombolytic problems and they will treat me with Heparin regardless. As for the retest, my RE wants it just to see if POSSIBLY my levels have come down in the past 5-6 weeks since I quit taking antibiotics. If so, then we know the abnormal result MAY LIKELY have been caused by the antibiotic. If it remains in that upper-most range, I may well have another test after I have been off antibiotics for the full 90 days to see what's what. Of course, BFP will probably table that course of testing until I have the baby and get my body back to normal.

Soooo, that's where we stand. I start Lupron on the 29th and it is sneaking up on me (guess I better get my drugs, huh?). I am excited to FINALLY be getting on with another cycle - I must be nuts. :silly: Of course, praying that thisantiphospholipid thing is the answer and we are but several heparin shots away from being PG... :crossfing

Congratulations Amanada! Good luck Suzi! :)

CONGRATS Andrea!!!!
Suzi - I can't believe the lupron starts so soon!!!!

Amanda

Andrea~Congratulations! :clap:

Suzi~Wow! You're on your way. :yippee: I do hope that this IS the answer. :crossfing And so after it works for you, why don't you come my way and help me out? Should I just go ahead and send you my medical records now? :lol: :awink:

Amanda~It's great that you're in good spirits. I know that whatever happens, everything will work out perfectly fine for you. :bighug:

Judy~Being positive at one moment and having it thrown out the window the next happens to the best of us! :rolleyes: Seriously, don't get too down on yourself. This really is part of the whole process and unfortunately, it can make one a bit crazy. :crazy: I think you just have to do your best to stay positive. It's impossible (for most of us at least) to know what the future will bring, so you can only try to make the best decisions and hope for a good outcome. I know it's not always easy. :justahug:

Carla~I can't even count how many times I've posted in a negative mood. :silly: Like everyone always reminds me, it's O.K. to feel the way you feel and of course, take as much time as you need. I go through periods of pure sadness and then others where I'm so confident and happy, that nothing can stop me. . .and usually, there's no rhymn or reason to my mood. :confused: Or could I be bipolar? I'm just kidding. . .I think! :eek: :crazy: Anyway, I do believe that giving yourself a break with the drugs is often a good thing. I doesn't hurt to give your mind and body a break. I went back to back on many of my cycles. The times that I didn't, it was usually due to some sort of conflict that I had no control over. The funny thing is that when I did have a "forced" break, it wound up being the best thing for me. Easier said than done, but try to stay positive, afterall, why couldn't an IUI work for you? Stranger things have happened. :awink:

I'm just waiting, waiting, waiting, and crossing my fingers that my appeal works! The appeals person assigned to my case called me and sounded very nice. I had to contact all my various Drs to get all my past 5 years of records sent. . . .a hassle of course, but I'm crossing my fingers that this will have been all worth it in the end. :thumbsup:

Kimberly

Kimberly - I'm hoping and praying that this appeal goes through!

Amanda

PS We saw TWO heartbeats today!

Amanda, that is FABULOUS news!! :yippee:

Well, I called the doctor today and my numbers last Thursday when I took my first blood test was 67 and then on Monday they did it again and it was 333. I'm not experienced with what these numbers mean I just know that it was supposed to double every two days. Just wondering if any of you know if this number means I'm pregnant with one and not two? I haven't been told I need to come in again until our u/s on july 6. I did have a small amount of brown spotting again this morning. Makes me nervous b/c I don't know if that's a bad sign or not. I just continue to pray for a healty pregnancy.

Suzi- Thanks for all of your prayers and I am definitely returning the favor for you! Good luck!

Amanda- Great news on the heartbeats! Twins is so exciting!!

Andrea, your hCG numbers should double every 48 hours or so at this point. As for telling if there are one or two, initial hCG on a healthy singleton PGY is normally around 95 at 15 days past hCG. That said, individual hCG numbers are REALLY not indicative of ANYTHING in and of themselves, rather they are used to compare against themselves a certain number of days later. The only thing that is truly indicative of a songleton or twin PGY is the u/s itself! :crossfing for the u/s on the 6th!! :nod:

Thanks for the info. I think b/c it's my 1st pregnancy I want to learn as much as I can. You are a great person and I thank you for being here for me. :blush1:

Aw thanks! :blush: Here's a link (http://www.ivfer.com/hcg.htm)for you that you can look at your hCG numbers doubling and you can also see where your hCG numbers fall into "the range." Like I said before, individual hCG numbers by themselves don't mean much when the range of normal is SO GIGANTIC (500 to 10,000 being normal for 22 days post retrieval). Anyway, you can see where you fit into "the range," just don't freak yourself out about it! :lol:

Andrea - The fact that the number is increasing is GREAT news! My doctor says that the 1st number is the most indicative of one vs. two. That having been said, there's TONS of overlap between singletons and twins. My 1st HCG with this pregnancy was 254 and I'm having twins. Before my sono we spent alot of time obsessing and it doesn't help at all!
CONGRATS again!

Amanda

Kimberly -- Hope everything works out with your appeal.

Andrea -- Congratulations!!!!! That is so exciting. I bet that you are counting the days until your ultrasound.

Amanda -- How wonderful! You are truely doubly blessed.

As far as our IUI, I guess I should be a little more optomistic. If my RE thought it had no chance of working, he wouldn't have suggested doing it. I think that I'd rather assume that it isn't going to work & be pleasantly surprised than have my hopes crushed again. Kimberly, I agree with what you said about a forced break. I am already looking forward to 2 months without doctors appointments, shots, blood draws, unpredicable schedules & all the other fun stuff that goes along with IVF.

It makes me happy to see so much good news on the board. It is encouraging to be reminded that this whole process works & has many happy returns!

Carla

Carla - There is nothing worse than getting your hopes up and then being disappointed. Crossing my fingers for you!

Amanda

Carla- Keeping you in my thoughts and hope everything works out for you.

Amanda- Thanks for the info. Just wondering, how do you tell how far along you are? My retrievel was on June 3rd. (does that help?)

Suzi-Thanks for the link. It's always interesting to learn more about this amazing process.

Andrea, don't mean to butt in here but if retreival was June 3, your EDD is Feb 24, 2006. :yippee:

A baby in February would be great!! We don't have any Feb birthdays in either of our families. I went to see my doctor today and had them do another HCG test to ease my mind. With the spotting I just want to make sure my levels are moving in the right direction. They said since there was no concern on thier part they will call me tomorrow with results.

I'm pretty good at calculating due dates but Suzi (as usual) is faster!!! Hope the HCG levels are going up!

Amanda

Hi All,
Can I join In ? I think we are going to do a FET in August and I would so appreciate any advice/support you would be willing to give.

A little bit of my ttc history, we started trying in May of 2001. By November we still were not pg so I went to the Dr. We charted, did the basic tests, couldn't find anything. In July of 2002 I had a laproscopy and they found mild/moderate endometriosis. I was treated with 3 rounds of lupron starting in August. I finally got my cycle back in Dec and by this time I had elected to see an RE and in Jan and Feb we did 2 IUI' s with clomid. I had responded really well but they didn't work. So we decided to go for IVF, which happened in June and nine months later, A healthy baby girl:)= Grace.
So now we are ready to try again, and I am absolutely terrified to be on this emotional roller-coaster again. I go from being really confident that this FET will, to being scared about how depressed I will be if it doesn't. Financially we would not be able to do IVF again right away, but my dr thinks that there is a reasonable chance that we could get pg on our own. I find it hard to believe, because we tried for a year, and 2 IUI's with no luck. However my stress level has decreased IMMENSELY since then, who knows????????? Endo is so strange, some people have it and get pg with no trouble, it is just hard to believe that after going thru hell and highwater to get pg the first time around , it seem lcrazy for me to think it will just happen now.
Sorry for my rambling, again any advice for FET's would be hugely appreciated we have 4 eggs left, all I can do is pray we get lucky twice.

Welcome!
We did a FET in February. Our cycle didn't really go as planned so I don't want to scare you since I know lots of other success stories. In terms of how the cycle was structured. I took estrogen injections twice a week for 2.5 weeks. They monitored estrogen levels twice a week and adjusted the dose accordingly. Then I had a sono (which was fine) and they added progesterone injections daily. A few days later, I had a transfer. We had a problem with how our embryos thawed and I ended up with a chemical pregnancy. The good news is that I'm now pregnant after an IUI cycle!
Good luck!!!

Amanda

Congratualtions Amanda!!!!!!!!!!! That is wonderful, yeah for success stories!!!!!!!!
I am very anxious about the the "thaw" so to speak, our lab does something called assisted hatching. I know this doesn't have anything to do with the egg quality, but The dr's said it has improved the success rate. Does any one know more about it??????

Our lab did assisted hatching on all frozen transfer (and I think on all ICSI as well). The way they explained it to us was that they "crack" the shell of the egg. I don't really understand it better than that. It didn't have anything to do with our thaw problems though. We naively thought our embryos would thaw perfectly so it came as a shock when they didn't (it never occurred to me that there would be a problem).

Amanda

It is called Assisted Zonal Hatching - AZH. AZH is done as pretty standard protocol whenever you are 35 or older or on any embryos that have been frozen. The outer shell is much like a chicken egg and can be quite tough. If the dividing cells cannot break out of the tough shell, they cannot implant. Assisted Zonal Hatching is where the embryologist scratches the side of the embryo with acid to wear away part of the tough outer shell. This crreates a weak spot so that it is easier for the cells to break out of the shell and implant in the uterine wall.

BTW, :welcome: Sarah! We are happy to have you join in with us and hope that your stay is short! Any questions, ask away!! Best of luck with the FET!!! :crossfing

Thanks for the info Suzi, good luck to you with your IVF. It is such a nerve wracking experience.If anyone has any FET success stories I would love to hear it, although I am well aware the success rate isn't real high.

I wouldn't say it's that bad...I know several people who've done FET and been successful. Quite honestly, I think the thaw just MAY be the biggest hurdle - I know more people who've had no embryos survive the thaw than had failures on FETs. :dunno:

I think Suzi's right. Off the top of my hand, this woman Catia (from UB and now BOLU) had to freeze all of her embryos during her fresh cycle due to hyperstim. She got pregnant on her 1st FET cycle. My dentist (IRL!) had a successful fresh IVF cycle, only froze one embryo, and got pregnant again from her FET.

Amanda

Amanda!!! TWINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :faint: :lol: Congrats again, you so deserve this. There's a board for twin mom's.... it's www.twinstuff.com Very cool place. I've learned ALOT more from the boards there than my doc has told me.


Hi all... I'm still lurking. Just don't feel "right" about posting all that much. I've been sick for the last couple of weeks with allergies and I think sinus infection. Sucks that I get to stay up all night hacking away and can take nothing for it except robitussin.

Good news is I'm officially in the 2nd tri. God I certainly never thought I'd get here, that's for sure. I haven't had much morning sickness to speak of.. just nausea every now and then that seems to have gone away. Still getting up 12 times a night to pee tho. :lol:

Thanks Brenda! Sorry you aren't feeling better. HOORAY for 2nd tri!!! Way to go!

Amanda

Amanda...how nice to SEE you!!! :yippee:

I got the result back from the second Annexin V IgG and IgM and the numbers were 16 and 20 respectively (down from 26 and >150). That puts both numbers into the nearly normal range (normal being 15). I am not overly surprised - but I sure am glad I did the research legwork to find out about APS and what can skew the test results. Seems that the antibiotics I took were the culprit afterall.

I am not sure how we will proceed...I haven't talked to my RE yet. I am not set on doing heparin therapy but if my RE suggests we do it anyway, I don't know that I wouldn't just do it. Then again... :lol:

Anyway, I ordered my drugs this morning and they will arrive tomorrow. I start shots on Wedneday :eek: ...can't believe it's finally here!!

Oh yeah...and to this

Hi all... I'm still lurking. Just don't feel "right" about posting all that much. I've been sick for the last couple of weeks with allergies and I think sinus infection. Sucks that I get to stay up all night hacking away and can take nothing for it except robitussin.

:bs: You belong here as much as any of us do! I kow what you are talking about (felt that way when I got PG with Julia) but you very clearly belong here! :nod:

Hate that you are not feeling well...I got a killer cold/sinus/upper respiratory infection when I was PG and you can take Benadryl safely during PGY. My OB even encouraged me to take it just for one night so that I could get some solid rest because not getting enough sleep is NOT good for baby/ies! Aside from that, if you go into preterm labor, the first thing they do is give you a benadryl and send you home. Benadryl will stop early labor (well, labor that's not serious, anyway). HTH!!

Good luck Suzi!

Congrats Andrea on your twins! :yippee: Nice picture by the way!

Sarah~:welcome: I don't have any experience with FET, but I sure do have a lot of experience with IVFs! :nod: I wish you much success on your upcoming FET.

Amanda~Love your picture! :)

BrenS~Congratulations on being in your second trimester. How exciting. :yippee:

Well I hate to be a downer, but here I go. . :rolleyes:

Sunday was wonderful. My husband and I celebrated our 5th year anniversary by spending the day at the beach and then going out to a wonderful restaurant for dinner. I couldn't have wished for a better day. Yesterday however. . .Mmmmm, how should I say this? Well, it just sucked! Since I had to go through 3 different clinics to get all my medical records sent, and there have been some delays, I've had to submit for an extension on the appeal. I swear that buying our house was easier! I took care of submitting my extension on Friday. Yesterday, I got a call from my appeals analyst, who has been wonderful. She let me know that she received my signed extension document and then also told me that she received the letter that my Dr. sent towards the appeal. I was also sent a copy of that letter and when I saw it, I was so disappointed that it was so pithy. . .it seemed brief and rushed. (Can I just add that my Dr. is moving his practice to NH, so come September, I'll be transferred to another Dr.) :furious: Well, my analyst told me that his letter needed more detail and that I should call my Dr. and request he submit another, more detailed letter. She told me that his letter was not that helpful and he needs to state more clearly that the reason that I delayed using a donor egg and had 7 IVFs with my own eggs was because there was no definitive reason as to why I wasn't getting pregnant. I'm just so p'sd off right now. I really need my Drs help but whatever. . .I'm just another number. So I have sent my Dr. a letter requesting him to write another letter for me and, with a friend's suggestion (and she's a judge so she should know), I actually composed the letter myself. I used some of the basic wording in his orginal letter and just added more detail. My friend said that he clearly doesn't have time for me and that this would make it easier for him to re-submit. In the letter to my Dr, I let him know that I basically wrote my letter as a "suggestion" to him and said he should edit as he feels necessary. I spoke to his administrative assitant and she said that of course it would be up to him to decide if he wants to re-submit any letters towards my appeal and that he won't be back in the office until July 5th. I wish she just said something like, "Sure, I'll have him re-submit." It's just one thing after the other! Where are my angels???

So, as I'm sitting the kitchen last night telling my husband about all this, my cell phone rings. It's my best friends husband. He asked me if this was my cellphone saying that he just re-dialed this number because it was stored in his phone system. The last time I called my friend was with my cell phone. Then he tells me that he needs to speak to my husband and asked me to give him my home phone number to call back. He called back and my husband picked up. I thought it was maybe a wine question or something since my husband is the primo wine authority. :heart: My friends husband must have asked where I was because my husband said something like, well she's sitting right here and then he went into the other room. I thought, "Mmmmm, my birthday just passed, it's not Christmas, so what could be the big secret?" I then heard my husband say, "Oh really. . .well just be straightup about it." As my husband handed me the phone back, I said, "Polly is pregnant isn't she?" My husband's face was red as he nodded yes. Then she got on the phone and apologized about the awkward exchange and said, I just want to let you know I'm pregnant. I said congratulations, I figured that, I'm very happy for you. . .etc. She said that she knew how hard this was for me but that I had asked her to be honest with me when she got pregnant. That was true. This will be her first child. This was her first try. I knew she was trying, but selfishly, I was hoping to be pregnant before her because I knew how painful it would be for me if I wasn't. When Polly calls, we usually talk for at least an hour. This time it was brief. . .small talk about the weather, 4th of July, and other forgettable nonsense. I remember talking in my high pitched cheery voice. When I got off the phone, I fell apart. I looked at my husband and told him I was leaving. I picked up my bag and just drove. I just had to get away. I drove to a park and just sat in my car. I came back home after about a 1/2 hour and tried to make good use of my sadness by writing the letter to my Dr. (which I sent this morning) and also sending an email to my friend Polly. I basically told her how happy I was for her but that it would take me some time and I'll get back in touch with her again soon. Just let me throw in the fact that as I was venting to my husband about the appeals mess, I was also sitting there with the calendar trying to figure out which weekend we were going to visit them. They live in Vermont and we had planned to all go camping with our dogs. Guess what? That trip is out of the question for me right now. I think she knows that so she won't push it.

Well that was my day. Thanks for letting me vent. I just want to wake up and have all of this be over with.

Kimberly

:blue: Oh Kim, when it rains it pours. I'm so sorry all this is happening to you. :hug99:

:hug99: Kim, I'm so sorry.

Kimberly - I'm so sorry!

Amanda

Kimberly :sadhug:

Kim, Thank you for the welcome and I am sorry to hear what you are going thru. I had nine friends get pg pretty much instantly when we were trying. It was hard and I had to distant myself from some of them. Not because I was not happy for them, but I didn't think it was fair for my or my DH's well being to have to have to put on a happy face and talk about pregnancy and baby plans when I didn't know if it was going to happen for me. I don't think this is selfish either, you may not be able to be there for them and it is difficult for them to understand what you are going thru. Friendships will survive you need to take the best care of yourself, right now.

Okay....talked to my RE today and we will forge ahead with the heparin therapy. We agree the the possible benefits outweight the potential risk - especially when it's $10K out of our pocket. Lupron starts tomorrow morning... :crazy: Let the headaches BEGIN!!! :lol:

Good luck Suzi! :)

Just because I am :silly: I figured out that each cycle (for me) has about 100 shots. Well....one shot down, 99 to go! :aok: :yippee:

100 shots in the medicine cabinet
100 shots in the cabinet
Take one down
Shoot it in your butt
99 shots in the medicine cabinet!

Have fun Suzi! The countdown is on! :)

100 shots in the medicine cabinet
100 shots in the cabinet
Take one down
Shoot it in your butt
99 shots in the medicine cabinet!

Have fun Suzi! The countdown is on! :)

:rotflmao: :lol2:

:rotflmao: That is cute! Suzi - I'm probably a few needles ahead of you - I started :crazy: lupron on 6/18 so I am 10 needles ahead?

I've been lurking mostly, work has been crazy busy.

Kim - I am sorry about Polly well sorry for how it makes you feel. I hope the Dr takes your 'suggestion' on the appeal letter.

Had my supression check yesterday. All was looking good :thumbsup: its on to stims on Saturday for me this time is a slightly changed protocal 125 follistim and 75 repronex. I'm not looking forward to the repro as I remember it stinging but ah, I'll have a good whine and forget about it. Of course I am sitting here with my day planner trying to figure out what days I should plan off of work..DH has to go for some bloodwork the nurse said some new regulation checking on viruses? She wasn't specific and of course it was a voicemail. Anyone know anything about that? We were screened for HIV, CF and stuff last year before doing the IUI's. hmm might have to call and get details

Hope everyone is doing well!!!

Judy, it could be that your testing from last year was too long ago and needs to be re-done - most centers make you have those every year.

:yippee: for the stims!! Hope the repronex doesn't bother you - I am not doing it this time.... :banana: I am SO PSYCHED about that!!!

Hang on Judy...HERE WE GO!!!!

Go Suzi! I think I would do the heparin, too. What meds are you using this time?
Judy - Fingers crossed! Sorry about the repronex.

Amanda

Amanda, we are doing all FSH (Follistim) and Luveris. Luveris is a new recombinant LH drug and since its approval last December or so, you can use all FSH drugs and drop the FSH/LH (Repronex/Pergonal) drug. Repronex/Pergonal used to be the only way to get LH since it was not recombinant but now that Luveris is available....GOODBYE REPRONEX...NO MORE HIVES!!! :banana: :yippee:

Beverly -- I loved the song!!!!

Judy -- A new regulation just went into affect in May that you have to have a current HIV test (within the last 6 months) to be able to store frozen embryos at the regular storage facilities. Otherwise, you have to have them stored somewhere special (meaning expensive & not covered by insurance.)

Tomorrow is my pregnancy test from my IUI. I'm not optomistic, but will be very relieved to be done with treatments for the summer. We will have a 2 month break before we can try IVF again & I am really looking forward to 2 months without this stress!

Suzi - Interesting. I used menopur this last cycle. It's LH/FSH combo but highly purified so you don't get hives. When I ran out, my clinic gave me some "leftover" repronex and I got hives.
Carla - Fingers crossed!

Amanda

:welcome: and Congratulations Andrea (Love the name by the way!)

Congratulations to You to Amanda. Twins! Thats so awesome!:ura1:

Suzi and Bloom Fingers crossed on your cycles!:crossfing

Kim-I'm sorry to hear things aren't going well for you right now. I know how you feel about friends getting PG, I've felt it several times in the last five years. DH used to get mad that I would cry when I heard that others were PG. It's not that I wasn't happy for them it was that it wasn't me. I once told a very good friend when she told me she was Pregnant that it wasn't that I wasn't happy for her it was that I envied her, she's now on pregnancy #2. I still feel that way! I'm still praying for your appeal and hoping that theres an opening in the clouds for you !:hug99:

Well its been two weeks since my computer died and life got busy! Its been ridiculous here! I called to book doctor appointments for DH and I only to find out that the GP that was supposed to give us our referals for Genesis so we can start the process of getting PG, is on paternal leave and wont be coming back! Not only that but the referals are not in our file! The only doctor available is new and wont be taking patients until July and the earliest we could get in would be the 14th! I really hope she will just give our referals and that we wont have to start this process over again! I dont think I can take another year of waiting for the Doc to get everything in order again! I was hoping to start our first cycle in November if this throws a monkey into the plan, well lets just say I'm going to strangle the monkey!
Well gotta go!
Take care ladies, you really are godsends!
Andrea

Oh Andrea, what a pain about the Dr...I hope you can get the referral and just move on! November hopefully will give you enough time to get everything all set.


Amanda & Suzi thanks about the repronex. How do I get stuck with the crap drug? :crazy: Oh well. I don't get hives persay just a lump where the injection was..I don't think it will be too bad!

Carla, thanks for the explanation, it was about a year ago that we had our testing. Fingers crossed for you for tomorrow :crossfing

I am just laying low in the heat and with a very special head cold. Summer colds just are not fair. You can't even curl up with hot tea. Ugh. Thankfully this is day 3 of it so I expect to be on the mend!!

Andrea - I'm sorry that the dr stuff got all screwed up.
Judy - Hope you feel better!

Amanda

Can anyone recommend a safe, reliable, and reasonable place to purchase IVF med's we have used Schraft's in the past, but I thought it might be worthwhile to see if there was a less expensive option. Any advice appreciated:).

Freedom drug is about the cheapest place to get them www.freedomdrug.com (http://www.freedomdrug.com/) . Another place is www.IVFmeds.com (http://www.IVFmeds.com), a UK company and sometimes you can get FSH and FSH/LH product cheaper from them. If you want drugs REALLY cheap, you can go to Fertilitext.org (http://www.fertilitext.org/ubbcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=At+The+Pharmacy+-+General+Issues&number=3). It is a discussion board where people sell their unused drugs - they are unopened and within expiration, stored and shipped properly, paid for COD so you are not scammed. I have bought there a few times myself. Typically, you can get drugs there about 1/3 to 1/2 price. Hope that helps!

Hi Ladies. :wavey:

Sarah~Thank you for reminding me that I shouldn't feel selfish about this. I am currently working very hard to get up the "gumption?" to call my friend back. I think I may try to call her again the following weekend. I'm feeling much better. As we can all attest to, it's not that we're unhappy for our friends' pregnancies, it's just that we're unhappy for ourselves. I know that's the hump I have to get over and I'm working my way over it. :) By the way, I used to live in Vermont. I went to high school in Bristol and some college at Lyndon State. I love Vermont and DH and I have talked constantly about moving there. Isn't this the case with all us, but this baby making hassle I'm undergoing is making me resistant to moving until well...we have a family to move with. I have to stay in MA for now, where there is coverage.

Suzi~OMG Suzi, I hope this works. :crossfing Do you think it's not too late for you to have a career in Reproductive medicine? You would be so awesome! :clap:

Judy~Good luck on your cycle!

Carla~Any news? :crossfing

Beverly~You're hilarious

Amanda~It sounds like things are going well. :thumbsup: I just have to mention, remember my cousin who I said lives in Yonkers? Well she sent me flowers to my office yesterday to help make my day brighter. (I had told her about all my drama). I thought that was so sweet.

Andrea~Exactely like you said, it not that you're not happy for your friends, you're just sad for yourself. At this point in our struggles, DH also feels the sadness so he just let's me throw my tantrum. :tantrum: I can empathize with you on dealing with all the Dr. craziness. When will it end I say? I hope that things get rectified soon.

I wish you ladies all a wonderful 4th of July weekend. :grouphugg:

Kimberly

You know Kimberly, if/when I go back to work, the thought has crossed my mind more than once that I want to go back to school to get an MSW or possibly even PsyD. Of course, I'd want to use it in the area of IF...don't think that'd ever happen here in Wichita. Now if we lived in Chicago or Boston...somewhere where IF services are covered by insurance and there are MANY more people doing IVF. Ahhh, such a dream... :nod: I could probably go back to school in nursing and work at my center as a nurse...I'm sure they'd hire me over anyone else in that case. And they pay a freaking gold mine I'll just tell you that one of the nurses at my center is a LAWYER and she first came into contact with my center as a patient. She had two babies via IVF and now she works there as a nurse instead of working as a lawyer. Yeah, I'd say they pay well...

Anyway, we are on day 3 of shots and no headaches so far. Just having a little problem of remembering my shots. Chris has yet to give me a shot because he hasn't remembered. Oh well...it's a good thing I don't mind. Actually, shots never hurt when I do it myself. When Chris does the shots, every once in a while I get one that makes me flinch because it hurts.

Hope everyone has a great 4th - we aren't doing anything special. We'll take Julia to see some fireworks somewhere - I hate to think of her being up so late though. Oh well, one night won't kill her!

Kimberly, I am glad that you are getting out of your funk - I understand that. I have been surrounded by PG women over the last year. Of the 17 mommies in our IRL PG, 14 of them have had second babies - all in the last 15 months. As each mommy announced their good news, it took a few weeks (or longer) to be able to speak with her again. And not that I wasn't happy for her...I WAS!! I was just SO SAD over all the trauma I've been through and that I STILL wasn't PG. Hopefully soon it will change for all of us.

Suzi- Good luck with everything. I have been praying for you.:pray:

Kimberly- I know exactly what you are going through. My husband and I were trying to conceive for over 3 years and I watched many friends have their first and sometimes second child while we were having no luck. I can honestly say it a few of my friendships are not as close as they were when we were all w/out children. It's just hard to see them have it so easy. I know that they all prayed hard for my husband and I through this whole process but if I had to hear "it's not fair that two people who want kids as bad as you two are having such issues" I was going to scream.:silly: We will now take it day by day and hope that we are blessed with a healthy child of our own.

We have our first u/s on Wednesday. It's hard to believe it's been almost two weeks since our BFP! We're excited to see what the good Lord has blessed us with. :scan:

Andrea- GREAT NAME!! and thanks for the welcome.

You know Kimberly, if/when I go back to work, the thought has crossed my mind more than once that I want to go back to school to get an MSW or possibly even PsyD. Of course, I'd want to use it in the area of IF...don't think that'd ever happen here in Wichita. Now if we lived in Chicago or Boston...somewhere where IF services are covered by insurance and there are MANY more people doing IVF. Ahhh, such a dream... :nod: I could probably go back to school in nursing and work at my center as a nurse...I'm sure they'd hire me over anyone else in that case. And they pay a freaking gold mine I'll just tell you that one of the nurses at my center is a LAWYER and she first came into contact with my center as a patient. She had two babies via IVF and now she works there as a nurse instead of working as a lawyer. Yeah, I'd say they pay well...


The hope for of us is that infertility coverage will be a mandate in all the States. (And over the world of course) but Suzi, you're almost there having been trained as a nurse. You have the passion, you have the personal experience, and you have a way of making these confusing medical terms accessable to women who are so scared, sad, and confused about what is happening to them. . .I mean, in everyday terms. And you're running a support group to boot! I can't tell you the amount of times I sat in my Drs office thinking that I wish you were there speaking for me. Can I just say, I love my husband dearly, but he was always just as confused and unassertive as me with every Drs appointment. My Dr. is male and had two kids of his own! You, in your experience, could be Doctor and friend to a patient. I guess I'm talking from my experience of having (with the exception of one Dr. who's clinic failed) no one who really treated me as an individual with my own needs and particular circumstances. Listen, I worked in television and perhaps I can explain HDTV and Satellite to people who don't understand, but your knowledge (and experience!) Suzi, is truly heartfelt and that is rare. :bighug: Should I just send you the pamphlet on how much Dr. Randine charges for her retreats and appointments? :awink:

Andrea~I wish you everything positive on your first U/S.

I wrote my friend Polly another letter. It was theraputic.

Kimberly

OMG Kim is so right Suzi! You are so good at this! If you don't become a Doctor or nurse in reproductive therapy you are missing your calling! Even as a consultant you would be so awesome! I have learned more about the procedures and drugs than the doctors have told us from you, because of your candid explanation of the drugs I went out on my own and found out what is covered by my group health, and now I know what I can expect so that I can be expecting! Which is more than I knew 1 month ago! You really ROCK!
Oh gotta go duty calls!

Suzi - Glad the shots are going ok. I think everyone's right that you would be a HUGE asset to the health care field!
Kimberly - I'm happy to hear that you're feeling a bit better. That's so nice that your cousin sent flowers!
Andrea - Fingers crossed for your u/s.

Amanda

Suzi, I have to echo what everyone else has said, your comprehension of the process and proceedures coupled with your ability to deliver the 'real world' translation in a compassionate way...really you are so suited for work in the IF field. I found this round of lupron..I only got headached when I was stressed out and then BAM. Could have of course been my imagination but I am very sensitive to it because I hardly ever get headaches on my own.

Kim, I am glad you are getting over the hump with Polly so to speak. Its hard, we all know what you are going through.

Andrea - how exciting and u/s is coming up!!


:wavey: to all!

As for me...:sick: I woke up this morning coughed and realized I had developed bronchits. I immediately called the RE as today is stim start day. The nurse called me back and said a Z-pac would probably be prescibed and even if I couln't start until Tuesday, it would not impact the cycle. whew. I was also able to reach my on-call PCP who wanted me to meet her at the hospital tomorrow...until I coughed on the phone...then she agreed to call something in and I am to call her if I am not feeling better by tomorrow am. So so far I am still on track.

Hope everyone has a happy 4th of July weekend!!

Happy 4th of July ladies. Hope it is a safe and happy one for all.

Ok you guys are making me nervous about the repronex. RE is adding that to my next cycle.

I didn't have any problems with repronex. I took it IM -- maybe that decreases the side affects.

Well, I finally heard from my RE's office late Thursday afternoon & my pregnancy test was negative. Oddly enough, I feel very relieved. Of course, I would have been thrilled if it had been positive, but knew that wasn't very likely. We are taking a couple of months off (we have a family vacation planned in the middle of August) & will start again in September. I am really looking forward to having a couple of months to regroup & just enjoy where I am at in life right now.

Good luck to all of you! I probably won't post much on the board the rest of the summer, I might just try to forget about IVF for 2 months! Hopefully, many of you will be pregnant by then or moving closer to it.

Carla

Wow...I am overwhelmed at the positive response to my (possible) career ramblings! Y'all are good for my ego - can I take you home?? :lol: I'm glad that I have been able to help people, that is my goal. We all know how scary/frustrating/confusing/maddening IVF can be...if I can help alleviate ANY of the roller-coaster IVF emotions, I am happy. :nod:

Judy: OY!! Sorry you are under the weather - hope you are back tip top soon!

Angela: Don't sweat the Repronex too much. I've used it in all 5 cycles and only on the last two did I get hives. I believe it's because my body was so worn down last year that EVERYTHING was getting to me. I did it IM also, so that doesn't make a difference. It's most likely that you won't have the TERRIBLE hives I did - I've only heard of that a very few times.

Carla, sorry to hear your results :bighug: We'll be here when you come back!! Enjoy your break! :wavey:

Carla - I'm sorry about the negative. Have a great break!
Angela - Suzi's right. You'll do fine with the repronex.
Judy - FEEL BETTER!

Amanda

Carla, I am sorry. Enjoy your summer, a break sounds wonderful!

Suzi - seriously, you have a talent. I'm not just smooching http://baby.ourlittleuniverse.com/images/smilies/kiss.gif (http://baby.ourlittleuniverse.com/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=1&forumid=112#)

Amanda - how have you been feeling?

Angela - I second the 'don't worry too much' message on the repronex, now I have 2 shots of it under my belt, it isn't that bad. Honestly, it stings a little when it goes in and you get a redish welt in the area of the shot but it doesn't hurt - just looks odd...not like I was ever planning on a bikini anyhow http://baby.ourlittleuniverse.com/images/smilies/lol.gif (http://baby.ourlittleuniverse.com/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=1&forumid=112#)
I'm feeling better, we are just relaxing a lot this weekend which is nice, giving me time to recover from the hacking and sleep lots :thumbsup:

Nothing much to report here...BCPs are done (thank GOD!) and now I wait for AF. It always takes longer to show when I'm on Lupron - I actually take my last BCP the night before (I take them in the morning) so it gives me a little more time for Af to show before my down reg u/s. The first two cycles I did, AF hadn't shown up by my down reg u/s and I didn't get the go ahead for stims right away. Stims are just FIVE short days!!

Judy - Hope the shots are going ok.
Suzi - WOW! It's really starting!!!

I'm doing ok. Lots of stress between moving and starting a new job. I'm still 3 lbs below my starting weight and I still don't have an ob in Baltimore but I'm working on both issues!

Amanda

Judy~Oh, that just stinks about the bronchitis. Nothing like a summer illness huh? :thumbsdow It's great that you were able to delay stimming without any major reprecussions. I can't tell you the number of times I suffered through illnesses feeling like I shouldn't take any cold meds. :rolleyes:

Ang~I used repronex several times and I was completely fine with it. I'm sure things will go smoothly.

Suzi~The countdown is on! :yippee:

Amanda~Exsqueeze me? Moving? How the heck did I miss that? I can only imagine how hectic things must be.

Although I was a little pouty about having nothing to do for the 4th, DH and I actually had a nice time. . .doing nothing celebratory that is. He had to work on the 4th and originally also on the 2nd, so I never made any major plans. He wound up taking Saturday off and we were able to get a lot of stuff done around the house, see a couple of movies, and have some couple time. I wrote Polly another letter basically agonizing about the fact that I do want to be a part of this for her and for her to please understand how much my negativity is SO not about her. She was so nice to respond by basically saying that she has no doubt in the world that our friendship would suffer and that we would just both need to take it day by day. As of this point on, the jealousy is gone and I need to focus on myself and my upcoming donor cycle. I just have to take it day by day as I wait for an answer to my appeal. :crossfing

Kimberly

Kimberly - I'm glad the weekend worked out better than expected. And I'm glad things with Polly are getting better. Fingers crossed for your appeal.
I just started a two-year fellowship at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore (I just finished my residency in urology and now I'm doing extra training in pediatric urology) while my husband is staying in NY to keep his practice (he's a urologist in private practice who is finally starting to build an excellent practice). So not only did I just move while pregnant with twins AND with a 16 month old, but I'm a single mom during the week. Thankfully, our nanny moved with me or this wouldn't be do-able at all. Needless to say, my stress levels are thru the roof!

Amanda

Okay ladies, it's July and we have a new high-tech thread - come join me HERE (http://www.onceuponalife.com/forums/showthread.php?p=533476#post533476)!!