I really screwed up and I think this IVF cycle is doomed

Carol77B

I just left a message with my nurse because I just realized that I started my Gonal-F and Menopur a day later than I was supposed to, which left me longer on the micro-dose Lupron without the stimming drugs than I was supposed to be. the only good thing about realizing it today is that this morning was my "day 4" testing, (which is really my "day 3") so they will be able to tell from my bloodwork what is going on- the good news is that it looked like things were doing okay with the follicles, but I'm really worried I screwed this up and it is going to be another failed IVF. I am having a hard time keeping a positive attitude about my chances this time, and I know that is bad.

My pessimistic feeling about this cycle started with the lower-than-expected follicles at my baseline, then there was the business with getting the wrong dosage on my meds chart, which I luckily caught, but now I find out I didn't start on the right day. I can't figure out how I screwed that up. Another ominious sign from this morning's testing, which is actually a tiny bit funny, is that it took the nurse two tries to get my vein and when she finally did draw the blood, she knocked my blood vial into the sharps bin, but pretended that she hadn't, so I left so she could figure out how she would fish it out. I didn't tell anyone, because I know that she was trying so hard it was all getting messed up, so I felt bad for her.

I'm just going to be so anxious until my nurse calls back. I really hope this is fixable, but even if it just means that my schedule will slip out a day, that will also screw stuff up for my life because there is something scheduled for the day after what is currently 5 days after my projected ER that I really, really, really need to go to.  Ugh. I am feeling so stressed right now.

Anyone make a similar mistake with their meds before? Any advice?

KLAlax

I am so sorry about all of this, hopefully the one day difference doesnt mess things up too much!  good luck

RunCC37

I'm sorry you're feeling this way about your cycle. I hope it all works out!! 

I can sort of relate to the part about signs. I crashed my car bumper on the day of my baseline for IVF #3... grrrrr, sign #1. Then later that night, my DH drove into a snow bank and ripped his car bumper!! Sign #2. The whole rest of the cycle, I've been waiting for the third thing to happen (because good and bad things come in three's). I just pray that the third bad thing isn't related to our cycle!! 

Spring78

I am on my first IVF attempt and have not yet started my stimming meds, so I cannot say I have ever messed them up... But I can say that there is a little bit of wiggle room in all of these protocols. Every doctor does it differently, with their own combinations of meds and their own schedules. This would not be possible if things had to be so tightly controlled that one day here or there meant do or die for any IVF attempt. I know that is the case with oral meds first hand -- some prefer to start Letrozole on Day 3, some on day 5. My doctor went back and forth. Some protocols prescribe taking it for 5 days, some protocols call for one big dose. I strongly suspect it is the case here and you have not done any great harm to your chances. You have already taken the first step by alerting your doctor to the error. My advice would be don't worry yourself too much about it until/if the doctor expresses concern. Good luck!

hmz819

I hope when they call everything is just fine and you can continue. If ER is pushed back and you can't make the day 5 transfer could you do a freeze all and a FET later or could you request a day 3 transfer?

jlr96

I wouldn't think one day would totally ruin your cycle.  Hopefully you hear back from your nurse soon to put your mind at ease!

missmarypoppins

For the beginning of this cycle they called me to start stimming On a Friday and I asked if I could start on Sunday instead because I was carefully trying to plan retrieval around work. The nurse said it was completely fine and I just continued normal Lupron for two extra days. I think especially if you're suppressed on lupron there's wiggle room.

LizBlue

Definitely what missmarypoppins just said.  You can hang out on lupron for awhile before you start stimming.  Sounds like you made one of the better mistakes to make!  Good luck!

kz's_girlygirl

I don't think it will be an issue at all.  My clinic has people come in for "CD3" monitoring between cd2 and cd 4, so try not to freak out too much!  If you started your stims on CD4 instead of CD3, I think you will be fine.  I hope your b/w comes back to confirm and everything goes smoothly. 

FWIW, I try to make sure there are no super important can't miss things around projected ER/ET dates.  Just one extra day or stimming (or one less day for that matter) can change ER/ET dates.  Our lives truly do revolve around a cycle.  If I were in your shoes, I would try and find out if that event can be rescheduled to put your mind at ease in the case of a cycle date change. 

Carol77B

Thank you ladies! You helped me feel better until I got the phone call, which I just did!

My nurse didn't get my message, she was calling with my blood test results and dosage instructions and didn't notice anything wrong. When I explained to her what had happened she said my numbers and results were all very good and that it wouldn't make much of a difference because I would take the drugs until everything was ready (yes, they are all very scientific with their explanations to me, but I was so relieved I didn't press about what being "ready" would entail.)

Thank goodness. Now I just need to try and get a better attitude about this cycle. I'm thinking about scheduling a massage.

I'm still hopeful that I won't be having ET on 3/19, but I will worry about that later. @hmz819 my clinic wouldn't let me choose a 3-day transfer if they thought I should have a 5-day, but you're right, that I could do a freeze if I had to, but since that is more meds and money, I may have to go forward and miss the thing on the 19th.

STL34

Carol77B said:

Thank you ladies! You helped me feel better until I got the phone call, which I just did!

My nurse didn't get my message, she was calling with my blood test results and dosage instructions and didn't notice anything wrong. When I explained to her what had happened she said my numbers and results were all very good and that it wouldn't make much of a difference because I would take the drugs until everything was ready (yes, they are all very scientific with their explanations to me, but I was so relieved I didn't press about what being "ready" would entail.)

Thank goodness. Now I just need to try and get a better attitude about this cycle. I'm thinking about scheduling a massage.

I'm still hopeful that I won't be having ET on 3/19, but I will worry about that later. @hmz819 my clinic wouldn't let me choose a 3-day transfer if they thought I should have a 5-day, but you're right, that I could do a freeze if I had to, but since that is more meds and money, I may have to go forward and miss the thing on the 19th.

The projected trigger, retrieval and transfer times are all just that projections.  These are scheduled based on how you actually respond and there is no telling if that one day of not doing stims would have made a difference at all.  Once your estrogen is at the right level and your follicles are the right size, they will schedule your trigger timing and ER.  It is all about those follicles!!  Good luck!

PrivateOne

All the pp are giving you good advice. Unfortunately you can not exactly determine when your ER will be because it is all based on how you respond to those stims.  And even though this is your 2nd IVF you could have a different response than the first time around.  I know it is so frustrating, but try and relax and let it happen as it does.  The stress you put yourself though isn't good.  I know easier said than done, right? Definitely go for the massage

Wishing you all the best for a great cycle and a successful outcome! 

pblge

So glad it worked out okay! You must have FREAKED.