Low AMH Level

Hopeful_mom

AC93639 this is a very hard process, and it is easier to open up online about this for sure!!  And honestly even if my "friends" as I have very few left knew what i was going through, there not really interested or understand.  Stemming, what does that means.  A year ago having a conversation with someone else going through the process was nice, as you didn't have to overly explain something and they cared.  

AF should be here today!  Have cramps but no sign...figures when I want it to come its not here...

JamieH2000

@hopeful_mom- I'm in a similar situation, just waiting for AF any min here now! Then I will have my baseline and go on birth control to start syncing cycles. I hope it comes soon for you!!

So I didn't hear from my clinic and finally emailed them. The donor is willing and excited to donate again! They are waiting on the medical directors final approval and then my RE will also review her cycle. So one step down and now just praying she had good results her first cycle so it's an easy decision for us to use her! Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, I think they are working!

hopefuljj

@Hopeful_mom OMG!! so exciting that you have a tentative schedule for FET!!!!!! I've been crazy busy at work and then cramming in craft projects for my sisters impending shower when I get home in the evenings I'm going to have to catch up here!!!

@JamieH2000 I hope you hear soon!!!  Oh th suspense!!!! 

Hopeful_mom

@JamieH2000 great update that's so exciting!! I feel like this is a big step I'm so thrilled for u!  Hoping everything continues to align!! 

@hopefuljj hey!!! Yes u to have a lot to catch up on, get to it glad ur busy with some fun things too!! When r u expecting AF?

hopefuljj

@JamieH2000 yay!!!!! I'm so excited your first pick is excited and ready to go to donate for you!! That is just the best news!  
When do you expect to find out the results of her first cycle??

@Hopeful_mom you must be really getting excirted now!  So proud of your little embabies pulling through like champions this cycle.  Do you plan to do any of the other pre-implantation tests? I've heard of the scratch one, is that maybe what you already had done? Or an endometrial receptivity test? For all I know these might be the same thing.   I'm waiting until I get at least 1 normal embaby before digging into that research. 

@AC93639 Welcome! Like these other lovely ladies said, sorry to see you here but glad you found such a lovely support system.   You are so young, I have so much hope that this journey will end with a snuggly baby in your arms soon!!   My first RE was a total depressing nightmare and I am soooo glad I found a new one who listens to me and is so suppportive and I feel really good about working with so I'm really glad you found a new RE too.  It really can make all the difference in the world.

AFM going in for blood and scan tomorrow to see if I start estrace.   Should be getting AF around July 1.  This baby shower I'm throwing for my sister has just gotten bigger than me.  I'll be taking estrogen 3 times a day and getting AF so I hope I don't end up an emotional wreck.  I've gotta reign in my inner Martha Stewart and tell her to chill.   Can't stop crafting!!!!

JamieH2000

@hopfuljj- You are such a tough cookie for throwing a shower right now. I know its your sister... but i really don't think I could handle that right now. unless she was maybe trying longer than me. I really hope by the shower you will be starting your cycle, as I always feel so much more hopeful when I am actully cycling.  I am hoping to hear from the clinic in the next few days about the donor cycle results. I will go in on Tuesday for a baseline (not really sure what they are looking for) since I just start BC to start syncing up my cycle with the donors. 

Hopeful_mom

JamieH2000 I think its so cool that you get to sync up together and you really do have a buddy!  Now through this process do you actually meet one another?  Excited you can get started and hoping the next results that come back are on point!!

@hopfuljj- I totally agree with Jamie you are such a rockstar to be doing all of this - I would love to see photos, PM me  Or spoiler box it, I love crafty things for sure!!  Not that I could handle doing it right now...thats the one positive thing being old right now, 75% of my friends have already traveled that road so at least I get a break on that...however i'm so anti social these days that I probably wont have many friends when the time comes anyway...is it crazy that i'm so ok with that!!  Excited for u to get the ball rolling AND I go for bw and US too in the am...so I probably should go to bed already  You're also correct about the tests, the saline sono (mock transfer) my clinic does prior to IVF cycle so at least that was all good.  The scratch technically doesn't go with my history for now so skipping that.  Thank g-d implantation isn't my problem so REALLY HOPING that stays true.  Its the immune testing my clinic does not do thats getting me nervous as I get closer...so I need to really figure that one out ASAP!!!  I'm waiting to hear back on the results from a test that was similar to a pap smear...I really need to find out the name to that one ugh!!!  

AFM:  Was getting nervous that AF didn't show on Friday as my boobs have been bothering me for a few days already but thrilled AF has shown her face and is already kicking my ass...so off to the RE in a few hrs to see if I get a calendar for FET woo hoo!!!  I'm also up writing an email to my RE about any outstanding tests I still need to do... Shes so against immune testing but not sure where to go then that it wont cost a fortune, its mainly for the nk cell test (natural killer cell).  Yes it sounds scary but they dont believe in it.  Some other ladies have had it but their RE's were all about it....so not sure what i'm gonna do 

AC93639

@hopeful_mom I totaly agree about that. I have told two of my friends about it and it just seems to fly over them. They have no idea what this whole process entails (not to mention how expensive and stressful it is). I decided to only talk about it if they ask. Glad your moving along with your FET! Good luck!!

@jamieH2000 Yay!! So happy that the donor is on board! I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

@hopefuljj Thank you. I'm really glad I found a support system. It really has helped a lot so far. Good for you in helping with the baby shower. Praying yours will be soon.

AFM- Day 7 on the progesterone. Cried about 3 times this weekend. Damn you hormones! Glad the DH was home to comfort me. We are currently trying to re-arrange our money situation so that I may take a part-time job (less stressful). I had to turn in my car and got very emotional. I'm usually not attached to material things which it took me and my DH by surprise. It's just a big step to the unknown of what our life will be like once I leave my full-time.

laurad75

@JamieH2000 Great news about your first choice donor!  

JamieH2000

@hopeful_mom- so glad AF showed up! Did you get your calendar today? If you makes you feel better, I have questioned my RE on if there are any other tests I should be doing and she always says no.. she is very well respected and up on the most recent research (she is the one on the beat infertility podcasts). Of course I still wonder and worry if I should be doing other testings BEFORE i even do a transfer, but I guess we just have to trust them. Never hurts to question or push a little though

AC93639- half way there to starting right?! This whole journey is emotional, but that sounds great that you can work part time and hopefully reduce stress. I would love to do that once we have a child, but I am not sure that is an option in my field right now (corporate finance)

@laurad75- thanks chica!

AFM, I have a good update!! My donor has been cleared by my doctor!! She got 6 blasts last cycle, which my RE said was "GREAT" and my donor program coordinator says is above average. I did say 6 was the minimum I wanted, but its hard not to wonder if thats really not quite so great, since my friend just got 14 blasts through her donor cycle! I'm hoping for her second cycle they will know how she responds and can get a few more. We are also hoping to meet her in person, since her profile said she was open to that. It will still be an anonymous donor cycle (we wouldn't have her contact info or anything), but I think it would be nice for us to meet her and also to thank her in person and let her see who she is donating too. They said from this point its about 2-3 months until transfer, so I am really hoping its more like 2 and we can have a transfer by end of August! Its odd because I am SO excited to get started, but also sad that this time is here and this is the end of our journey for a genetic child (at least for now). But I know once it works, the sadness will be gone!

hopefuljj

@JamieH2000 Thanks Jamie! My sister was for sure not trying longer than me, she started trying a couple months after me:(. She turns 39 in January so I'm really happy she was able to get pregnant without any fertility treatments! I can't believe the baby will be here and I will still be trying to get one good embryo. 

Good grief.

It's crazy.   Im so so happy for her but also so so soooo sad.  I'm just like leaving my body while I work through all of it and putting together cute things.  I got a little emotional making these "wishes for baby" cards on this adorable lightweight card stock.  I'm trying to reign in my inner Martha but I worked for her for 6.5 yrs so I can't stop going overboard!  I'm trying to make things extra special and personal like how I imagine my mom would have done if she was still alive, and that makes it even more emotional because then I think about if she were here she could at least help and be there for me and I could maybe not keep the smile on my face all the time.   The 23rd anniversary of her passing was two weeks ago and it was harder than usual because of all of this.   I'm just dreading everyone saying "oh and you're next!!" because I'm always scared I'll scream back,  "please don't say that because you have no idea if that is true!".  I have already had to hear it for the last 7 plus months of her pregnancy.  

Anyway, enough self pity!

YAY for your donor being cleared!!!! That is SO freaking exciting!  I think it would be so lovely if you could meet her!  My friend/co-worker did 3 donation cycles in her 20's and always talks about how she felt honored every time she was selected by a couple to donate.   I totally understand your saddness  around it not being s genetic child, but I  know that you are right and it won't matter AT ALL once it works.  It's going to be amazing! 

@AC93639

Being able to go part time is really amazing.  I think reducing stress is so important.  I have that as a goal one day in my life too!  And not only is the progesterone horrible on the emotions but this journey in general! Glad DH was able to comfort you:). I cried when I donated my car almost a year back(which was no longer driveable) because I had her for 15 yrs and the guy looked at me like I was crazy with the tow truck and In my head I was like, she's been with me longer than even my mother!   I was also on progesterone at the time.  So I'm pretty sure that's why I was comparing my car to a relationship with a human.  Haha!  

@Hopeful_mom I will def PM you some pics!!  

How did your scan go?!?!?  I can't believe the time is here! This is beyond exciting!! I wonder if they don't test for the nk cell test  cuz there is no treatment??? Or can you do something to fix it. I am not familiar with them.  My RE doesn't test for anti-ovarian antibodies for that reason and I'm certain I have them cuz I have antibodies attacking my thyroid and very diminished ovarian reserve.   I really feel like it's BS that we can't get certain tests because of $$.  It should be our right to know what is going on in our bodies:-/ 

AFM got scan and bloodwork to confirm ovulation and got so falsely excited because she wanted me to start stims tonight!!!  My handful of follicles are around 9 and since I'm not doing a transfer this cycle she said it didn't matter that I would get my period through it!  But then after I got to work and was waiting on confirmed instructions (post blood work coming back) she emailed and said because we had not abstained from unprotected sex this cycle (I mean....I had to get that BD in if I was waiting an entire cycle which was the plan juuuust in case) so I need to instead do Estrogen priming and come back on day 3 of my period:-/. What are the odds of me falling naturally pregnant after alllllll of this time!!    So I'll be priming until AF comes which I'm expecting Saturday or Sunday. Maybe Monday.  So I won't be getting started until midweek or if it goes like last time very end of next week.  Last cycle the follicles I had this early were   gone by the time I had AF and I wasn't showing anything on my left and only 2 I think on my right, so I continued to Estrogen prime for a few more days before getting started.  So we shall see.

JamieH2000

@hopefuljj- the shower sounds amazing and you are such a great sister for doing this, especially since your mom is gone. She better repay this favor when your time comes!! And it WILL! You have to have good karma after all of this! I wish you could have got started but hopefully the estrogen priming will make those follies happy and they will be good quality!! That is great your friend donated and had a good experience. I feel like if I meet her, I may just want to be friends! She is only a year younger than me, it's craZy! I would be ok staying in touch so the child could maybe meet her someday, kind of like a very distant aunt. But I don't think they let us exchange any info or anything. At least I will have met her once and can maybe answer more questions someday if my child has them.

Hopeful_mom

JamieH2000 its so hard to be on mobile but had to share my excitement for u woo hoo!!!  way to go, so exciting things are coming together as you so deserve!!

hopefuljj

@JamieH2000 my friend was just telling me how she fantasizes getting to meet the humans that came from her egg one day just to be like, hi! I am so happy I could help your parents bring you into this world!  

JamieH2000

@hopeful_mom- thanks!! Now we need your good news about the Pgs results to come in!

@hopefuljj- that is so interesting you know someone who did this! I don't want to make the legal contract a mess, but I have thought about trying to see if they would be willing to be contacted once the child is 18 or something. Seems like the donor we have picked is super open to meeting us, so maybe we could bring it up. I don't think I would feel threatened or anything and I just want whatever is best for the child so they don't feel like any puzzle pieces are missing 

AC93639

@JamieH2000 Yes, almost there. We are going to try to see if that works out for us. We will definately be downgrading our lifestyle but its worth it for now. I can always go back to full-time if we need it. You would be surprise how many remote jobs are out there for finance (I'm also in finance). The pay can be a bit on the low side, however, your saving communiting costs, work clothes, etc.

@hopefuljj I completely understand. I sometimes feel like I spend more time with my car than an actual human.   Hoping the estrogen priming goes smoothly and you can start soon! I should be getting my AF next week as well. We could be cycle buddies.

JamieH2000

AC93639-  o wow, that is interesting there are remote jobs in finance. I will have to look into that when the time comes. My ideal world would be working 3 days per week I think. My DH and I have also dreamed about living somewhere tropical, but didn't think we could find remote jobs in Finance and Engineering. Hopefully we will get thru this chapter, and can maybe follow another dream then. Can't wait to hear how your cycle goes!!

hopefuljj

@AC93639 oh yay!!! I hope we end up cycle buddies:)!

Hopeful_mom

 
TW - My update sux!

Hi ladies been a rough day for me!  PGS Results came back and they straight up suck!  2 out of the 3 embryos are abnormal and the 3rd had no DNA...meaning theres an error and need to retest it, IF I want to.  I have to dethaw the embryo and do the process and cost again.  AND have to hope the egg survives all of it.  You wanna talk about feeling so discouraged, today would be that day!  How do 3 "perfect looking" embabies come back bad.
Yes I know I have normies waiting, but do I, cause science is always right.  Have I been crying all day and a basket case, yup!  Does OH not want me to transfer and come back to myself, yep!  Can I argue with him, I dont know.  Right now I want to do nothing, I feel like this is never going to work.
I feel bad having these thoughts when we're all going through different struggles, to get to transfer etc.  Being all out of pocket and being able to put a price tag on your unhappiness to boot really sux!
If I was younger I would take a break but I'm not so what do you do.  Today I'm mad that I have to still be in this process.  I'm pissed even more with my MC today.  I had everything I wanted and lost it, how do you move past that.

marioana99

@Hopeful_mom I would take the PGS testing with a grain of salt. I requested it from my insurance and I was refused, based on the fact that is not scientifically proven. I thought they are crazy, what do you mean not scientifically proven when we are talking about genetic testing? I did some research and it seems is not always reliable, it has a lot of false results. So i gave up on it. If the embryo is ok it will grow, if not it will be a CP, or it will be detected during regular testing...

hopefuljj

Oh hopeful_mom words can not express how sorry I am.  It's so crazy and after having two perfect 5AA and one D6 BB all come back abnormal I really am not sure how confident I am in PGS.  I think I posted the article someone shared with me going over how many times the results differ after re-test and my RE pushed me SO hard to retest so I just don't know. 
You must be so frustrated:(. I'm very glad that you have some good embabies on ice but I understand this is still crushing:( I'm sending love and peace your way.  I'm so sorry lady.  I'm keeping the faith and positivity for you that success is right around the corner.  Xoxo

AC93639

@hopeful_mom I'm so sorry to hear that. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

JamieH2000

@hopeful_mom- been thinking of you lots! How are you doing? Feel free to message me if you want to chat

@hopefuljj- any updates on getting started?! Hope its soon!

@AC93639- Are you getting started soon also? I hope so

AC93639

I hope you ladies had a great 4th of July!

@JamieH2000 I hope so! Had my last progesterone pill on Monday. I have been gaining weight these past few days, so it should be any day now. How are you? Any news on meeting your donor?

sarajasonivf

Hi ladies happy 4th. I hope I don't upset anyone but was wondering if you ladies had any advice. I just finished an ivf cycle and am awaiting the news of our embryos. Meanwhile I had an amh test done after two years and was shocked how much it had decreased!! I was 3.02 and now am .94. Again I hope I don't offend anyone it's just my RE is not helpful and no friends or family are aware of our infertility issues.
I started browsing the web and noticed that many women are noticing low vitamin d levels as well as amh ?I also have low vitamin d. Has anyone seen improvement on their amh with vitamin d supplementation ? 
Any help or advice would be great. FYI I am 36 

hopefuljj

@JamieH2000 hi lady! 
I got started with stims on Monday!  It was a whirlwind of a weekend with my sisters. Baby shower and then a two day  wedding in NJ and an early morning dr apt for scan and blood in nyc  in-between,  followed by cleaning up all the crafts and mess at my place before going back to work today:)
I go in for a scan Friday so we will see what's happening then:)  any update on meeting the donor???


Hi SaraJasonIvf
welcome:) sorry you find yourself here though:(
im 36 too with AMH of .27.  I don't know what it was before now though.  The first RE I was seeing never tested me, always said my FSH was high and AFC count low and that we could assume low AMH as welll.  I hated that man even though he is somewhat of a legend in the IVF world.  My second RE I've been going to for the last 5 months I love.   She did the test on the same day as my consult and also discovered I have Hashimoto! Anyway, as for vitamins d,  I have read that low Vitamin D can give a false results for low amh!! So I recommend getting that vitamin d up!! I take it everyday even though mine isn't low but it's still not high or at the upper range so I'm doing what I can!  I started taking it after reading this https://natural-fertility-info.com/study-shows-correlation-between-low-amh-levels-and-vitamin-d.html
 

Hopeful_mom

marioana99 i wish i could take the testing with a grain of salt but it because of the testing that i've had to do so many damn cycles back to back.  I agree I think the body should know but apparently they say thats not always the case.  TW  I had a terrible MC with twins in Jan, I know one baby was normal for sure as it was tested after BUT the other was inconclusive so they ASSUME it was abnormal and why I suffered the MC.  Even thought the US earlier that days showed both babies strong and measuring ahead of schedule so its so hard.  I was doing the testing to rule out any issue.  And its because of my age that they say my time is really running out to get my normies so its now or never, just makes the process so hard for me!

AFM: I appreciate all of your words ladies its been a very rough week to say the least! I spent most of the days in tears and OH having a very hard time trying to understand why i'm so distraught and acting like I had a MC all over again...its been really hard.  I"m still undecided as to what i'm doing now.  I've still been taking meds for an FET but I can't say I'm going to go through with it.  The immunology testing has me on the ropes for sure, not sure i feel comfortable going through with it not knowing if there is any issue or not...why should i waste a normal embryo as they are so hard for me to make!!  Do I try one more round i'm just not sure.  I missed my RE phone call today so hopefully i will chat with her tomorrow and I can have a better idea of what to do.

hopefuljj you're stemming YAY!!!  thats fantastic can't wait to hear your next update!!  are you doing the same protocol?  Congrats on the shower you're a rockstar!  send me photos i still want to see your master pieces!

@JamieH2000 has your RE gotten back to you on your donor, has she been cleared all around now?  check ur inbox

JamieH2000

@AC93639- so excited for you! Do you know what doses you are doing this time? Remind me, you are doing IVF right?

@hopefuljj- I bet the shower was amazing. I hope your sister was sooo appreciative of all you did! That is alot for anyone, but especially someone going through IF! I am will be sending lots of good vibes for your monitoring tomorrow. Let us know how it goes!

@sarajasonivf- I have read that low vitamin D can lower AMH. I think AFC may be more important. I would guess that your AMH is somewhere between 1-3, which is pretty normal for being 36. Best of luck!

@hopeful_mom- I'm sorry its been such a hard week I think its just your whole journey catching up with you maybe. its been such a long and hard few months. I do get what you are saying about wanting to know everything is good before doing a transfer. But I also think alot of the immune stuff isn't super easy to fix. I think if you have high NK cells, you have to do really expensive IVIG treatments that aren't covered by insurance. Maybe not, but I do have a few friends here doing them. One lady her transfer didn't work when she was on them and then the next it did. The only thing she changed was being gluten free. Its just so hard to know what to do. Maybe a month off would do you some good? Maybe your OH and you could take a little trip somewhere? I know we all want to be preggo yesterday, but your mental health is important too. Thinking of you- and hope you can talk to your RE today!

JamieH2000

AFM- just talking to our lawyer today and hopefully getting the legal contract finished! Still waiting on confirmation if the donor is willing to meet and getting a detailed calendar. Hopefully soon! I will keep you ladies posted!

hopefuljj

Not much of an update over here, had my scan, follies are slow moving just like last time so gonna keep on the 225 follistim and the 75 menopur.  We will see what's what Monday at my next scan.  As of now looked like I have a few contenders and some small ones that she doesn't think will catch up.
On a separate note, in regards to autoimmune, I'm convinced I'm screwed on the autoimmune front since I know I have elevated antinuclear antibodies and that I have Hashimoto so lots of ThAB And TPo antibodies.   so I can only imagine what else I have going on.   I don't even know if I want to know because what could I do if I do!   My RE wouldn't test for antiovarian antibodies  which I suspect I have and is why I have DOR...because there isn't much you can do if you do have them.  Oh man...I might need to falll down a google K hole researching this stuff again...

@hopeful_mom I'll send some pics of the crafty stuff from the shower tomorrow! I keep forgetting to do it.    I'm so pissed I didn't take pictures of  the really cute "baby wishes" station:-/ 

Hopeful_mom

hopefuljj I"m sure someone took some pics - have ur sis just ask some friends!  I hope you're now relaxing a lil this cycle and taking some time for you  Glad to hear things are progressing this cycle!  Hoping you've got some golden eggs growing in there for you this cycle!  I've posted my novel below explaining my concern on the immunology stuff too and right now in the end I think i'm just going to have to take a leap of faith on this one.  The amount that it costs i might as well just do another ivf cycle!

JamieH2000 excited things r progressing hoping she'll want to meet!!  Getting a calendar certainly starts making this REAL!!!

sarajasonivf hi welcome and sorry you find yourself here!  At first when my RE did my AMH back in 2/16 it was .30 she said that the test isnt always accurate and there is another test that is $75 as insurance wont cover it and it gives you a more accurate result.  I hate that one done so we would really know what my issue was and it came back .30 so my clock is exploding.  Yes I have low vitamin D and I have been taking that with DHEA and coq10 to help the cause and we ran the test again in 3/17 and it was .40 woohoo  I was just glad it didn't decline more.  Yes you had a decrease BUT you're really close to 1 and thats what they use as a marker so i wouldnt try to fret to much about it.  AND you're 36 so hopefully you made some nice strong embabies!  How many to get you get?  Are you doing a fresh transfer?  good luck!!

AFM:  I know I've been driving you all nuts and myself on the what I should be doing.  This has been hard and I've been tormented on whether to do immunology testing and moving forward with my FET etc.  I did finally chat with my RE and went through various options.  Does she think I should transfer and feel fortunate to transfer - especially with my age, always love that reminder!  BUT she says yes.  However she also agreed that if I was planning to do another IVF cycle then now would be the time to do it as getting another normie after a pregnancy might be impossible.  I did have a lot of things to weigh out.  Including who would do my transfer.  According to my calendar its possible the transfer wouldve ended up on the day I have an event for work where I will be insane and on my feet running around all day.  I mentioned i'm a freelancer and work project to project.  So this project that got pushed back from last month to now is full steam ahead.   Which then changes my transfer day to over the weekend with a dr on call that I dont know...how am I suppose to feel comfortable with that.  SO I've stopped taking my estrace and will not do an FET next week as planned.  I've been waiting so long to do this and having just started a stressful job was just the icing on the cake that I just dont think its smart to do....have the worst headache all day   Man I rather be at my new kids concert right now!!  Work sux, IVF sux!  AND I think I will do another IVF cycle IF my body is up for it..will decide on that later too....I just never want to leave this place      I do thank you ladies for all the advice, as that's all i've been doing is over thinking everything this last week.  I know you think i'm bonkers, but something is just telling me not to do it.  I've pushed my body month after month and knowing whats in store for me this coming week I think I"m just asking too much of myself.  I was taking the estrace for I think almost 2 weeks already so I was still in it, talking with RE and this job really put me over the edge for sure.  I hate that I need the $$$ to even pay for the transfer but thats the facts on that!! It will be interesting to see now that I"ve been surpressed if doing an IVF cycle will have worse results...thats now going to be the next question!!

AC93639

@JamieH2000 Went to my RE this morning and told me to start. I will be doing the same dosage as @hopefuljj (225 follistim and 75 menopur). I'm doing time cycle (timed intercourse). Keeping my fingers cross for your meeting with the egg donor. 

@hopefuljj good luck on Monday! I won't see my RE until Friday. He knows I'm a slow responder and wants to give it a few days before making adjustments. 

hopefuljj

@Hopeful_mom
I think you are making the right decision.  You know your body more than anyone and during a stressful time like that, FET doesn't seem like it would be given the best shot possible!  And i totally hear you on wanting to consider another round of IVF before moving forward.  With my AMH at .27 and my autoimmune status which makes my 36 going on 37 much older than your average gal in the fertility world...i'm terrified this is my last shot to get any  good eggs considering my body is trying to attack parts of it and might attack an embryo too  I've gone gluten free (4 months now) and dairy free (only a little over a month) but i feel like i need to do one of those really crazy autoimmune diets too...uuugh.
anyway, i have SUCH a good feeling about your future with babies hopeful_mom.  I can't wait for you to be a momma!

 I'm PM'ing you pics of the shower now ;-)   i NEVER log in on the computer so this is a first for me! but this way i can send a dropbox link . 

@AC93639 good luck with your cycle lady!!! tonight will be 6 days of shots.  I'm trying to do lots of relaxing..so maybe the eggies can grow more?! I dunno.  I also did a lot of mindful IVF and listened to my Female Fertility App yesterday.   I'd do voodoo if i thought it would help! lol.   

@JamieH2000
I look for your updates everyday!! getting so excited over here!!!

Hopeful_mom

AC93639 thats very exciting that you're getting to do TI, most natural way I hope you have success that way!  How many follies are you currently showing?

hopefuljj  together we can do it right!! Really hoping you're body is responding well!  You are way stronger then I gluton free, i feel like i've been living on pizza  I know i should do better BUT at least I know I can make a normie and I was drinking my decaf coffee and all of that.  Its so hard and props to you for trying it all!  Can we try some voodoo I'm game  I should listen to something to help put my mind at ease.  
I"m sorry you have other issues that you are battling BUT you still have age on your side so you keep on powering through!!  How is your OH handling all this.  Looking forward to pics

JamieH2000

@hopefuljj- you are so sweet to check for my updates Glad to hear you have some follicles and I hope for good growth tomorrow!! I'm surprised you are only on 225 of follistim and 75 of menopur? Do they think you won't get any more really on higher doses? For me, my body really needed the max amount (450 of follistim and 150 of menopur) to get more than a few follicles to grow. I really hope this is your cycle! Can't wait to see your updates!

@AC93639 - WHen you is your next monitoring? How many follicles are they hoping to get? I know they don't want too many for a timed intercourse cycle. 

@hopeful_mom- I am glad you made a decision and hopefully you are feeling less stressed about that right now. limbo is the worst! I know we all want to keep moving forward, but this may be just what your body and mind needs right now, especially with work so busy. When do you expect AF since you stopped the meds? hopefully you won't be too suppressed if you wanted to do another cycle. How long is your project? hopefully you could finish it before another ER cycle. Thinking of you lots!

AFM- I have TWO good updates to share! My lawyer heard from the donor's lawyer and she is willing to exchange names and emails! I think this is perfect for us. Our main goal has just been to keep doors open for the future in case our (hopeful) children would feel the need to meet her someday way in the future. I will probably send her an email once I get it to say thank you and tell her a little bit about us just since we get so much info about her. I will also let her know that we will respect her privacy and not bother her, but should she wish to get updates, we would be happy to share as well. The second piece is good news is that we have our calendar and that is making this SO real!! First appt for me will be end of July, with potential transfer around 8/20. Hard to believe that is only 6 weeks away!! I feel like things are finally starting to come together and this is what we were supposed to do. Just starting to stress a little about how many eggs/embryos we will get, but trying to take it one step at a time and stay positive. My goal for the next few weeks is to majorly cut back on drinking, eat healthier (contemplating gluten free or lower carb at least) and work out more to try to lose a few pounds before transfer.

Kp214

@JamieH2000 love your update!  This is fantastic news!!!  So glad things are falling into place!  Yay!

AC93639

@hopeful_mom Thank you! Trying to stay positive and relax as much as possible. I started my shots on Saturday and will see the RE on Friday to find out how many follies I have. I was only on Menopur last time and manage to get 2 follies but not big enough to trigger. I'm hoping this time around we can manage to pass the trigger point.

You know what is right for your body and mind. I know this whole process is crazy and very unknown. You will know what is the best choice for you. Will keep you in my prayers.

@hopefuljj Thank you! Good luck today! Can't wait to hear your status. I dont know if its the meds but It's been really hard for me to stay awake this weekend. I slept almost all day Saturday and forced myself to stay awake on Sunday. Do you feel the same?

Yes, relaxing will do good but sign me up for that Vooddo. I need all the help I can get! FX for you!

@JamieH2000 I go in on Friday. He knows I'm a slow responder so he's not too worried about it right now. He will probably have to make adjustments. I will take as many follies I can get! We want one but will be ok if we get twins. The last few times we only got 2 big follies (not big enough to trigger).

That is awesome news!! Congrats on both! So excited that everything is falling into place for you.

I've been going off the wagon lately but decided to start walking after work again. Cutting out carbs and sugar worked for me. I lost 17 pounds in a month. I did 30 minutes of exercise each day (either walking or elliptical machine). I'm excited for you!

hopefuljj

JamieH2000 I'm over the moon for you and your latest update!!! This is getting so real!!!  I'm so glad you will have an open line of communication with the donor!

Quick update for me before I dive into work here
follicles are taking their sweet time.  7 follicles.

 Got 4 on left but one is still around 4 in size so not expecting much.  Others around 6.5 and 7 and one at 10.  And 3 on the right side around 6-6.5 in size. Maybe a 7, not sure.

@AC93639 - she mentioned changing the meds my last scan but said she wanted to look at bloodwork first and decided to keep me.  She said the medicine dose is plenty to get them to grow so it's just a matter of will they.   I feel like they grew so much better on this protocol last time!!  So I dunno!!! I guess I'll see if there is hope Thursday?!?!  Ugh...trying to remain calm. God luck with injections! I'll be looking forward to your Friday update!  Let's go follies!!!!! You can do it!!!

@Hopeful_mom I sent those pics to you when I posted my previous update, never sent a message on the bump before! Hope I did it right! Lol and sent it to the right person!

love to all you ladies!!

JamieH2000

@kp214- thank you! How are things going for you? Getting close I think?! I hope to join you on the other side soon!

@AC93639- I hope those follies grow all the way to maturity! I hear you about twins- after all this, I would be fine with that! Keep us posted on the progress and I hope the meds aren't making work too hard!

@hopefuljj- Its ok if they grow slow, as along as they all keep growing together! I really hope they up your meds, I feel like a little extra push may help! 

hopefuljj

@AC93639 oh and yes!! The meds make me exhausted for whatever reason!!