November IUIs

ZoeFer

My nurse told me `you cannot really do it wrong anyways` and that is how I relaxed myself GL !!

roxgibbons

Thanks @jilligan14- is your IUI tomorrow? Good luck!!

pamelated

@roxgibbons I've also done the trigger myself a few times. Always in my lower stomach. The injection itself doesn't really hurt bc the needle is so small. I would recommend sitting down for it. I find my stomach moves a lot more from breathing when I lay down, and that can make it a little tricky. I also tend to get soar afterwards and have had some swelling in the past (not with every trigger though - my doctor says that's normal). GL!

junicek

@roxgibbons I stood up to do mine and had no issues. I was surprised at the bruising last time. I did it last night and so far just a little redness. Good luck.

cmm012

Thank you @Drove2u.  I am starting to wonder if I should be nervous about side effects from the trigger shot?  It's pregnyl if anyone has used it.  I am accustomed to giving myself shots already, so I'm not worried about that. Good luck @Roxgibbons

Thank you to all.

wifeinraleigh28

My DH just gave me my first ever follistim injection about 2 hours ago. It was a breeze! I know I'm in for it with injections for this cycle since that's all we're doing (no orals). Our fridge is loaded up with 3 different medications! Oh the joys of fertility treatments...

Drove2u

@cmm012 don't be nervous. It'll be fine!!!
@roxgibbons yeah you don't even feel it. And I had no issues after. It sounds scary but once you do it you will see it's no big deal.

Day 4 of letrazole here. I forget that I'm on it. So much better than clomid.

junicek

I cannot believe I'm typing this but another IUI is not successful as my husband again could not provide a sample. We had the same issue in September. This time around we were prepared with special condoms, sperm friendly lube and my husband was feeling hopeful. There is nothing worse than having to drive to meet the tech and telling her I have nothing to give her. I feel horrible for my husband too, I know he is devastated. He feels useless and knows how much he disappointed me. I think I give up on trying to have a baby. There must be some reason all of this is happening

Drove2u

@junicek so sorry to hear this. What happened? Maybe he needs more time--and can start earlier?

pamelated

@junicek I had a somewhat similar issue with my DH. He might just be feeling all the pressure, which definitely puts a damper on things. My DH ended up getting a prescription for Viagra. But he actually hasn't needed to use it since he got it. I think just knowing it was there helped calm him down and relieve the stress.

junicek

@drove2u I think it's so much pressure.  We were up in plenty of time, though it was 6AM, but I think knowing it HAD to be now was too much pressure.  We actually tried twice this morning.  The flag went up the pole, so to speak, but that was it.  He's so mad at himself but that doesn't help matters.  I do not think we will attempt IUI again.  As I said, I may just give up on the baby idea.  He suggested we do one cycle of IVF but that requires us to fly out of town and I'm just not sure how practical that might be.  He doesn't have any issues when we are in the moment and there isn't so much pressure, but that's the nature of this stupid infertility business.  I'm off today, had planned to take it easy, but now I have all day to cry, try to understand why it happens so easily for some people and wallow in my sadness.  DH went to work feeling horrible and angry so I'm worried about him, too.

agriffin92013

@junicek  I'm so sorry it didn't go as you had hoped.  Maybe try to make him a special dinner tonight to make him feel better

junicek

@agriffin92013 I appreciate your thoughts.  I considered a nice meal at home or out but I don't think either of us have an appetite and he just wants to be alone.

jilligan14

@junicek I'm so sorry to hear this and my heart goes out to you and your DH. I'm wondering if there's another approach that involves a little less pressure? Like collecting a sample at another time and then freezing it to use later? That way you could try a few times to collect the sample instead of "it has to happen right now" and this might help with some of the performance anxiety. It's just an idea. But for now it makes sense to find a way to connect with your DH so you both can recover from this traumatic experience. Sending you lots of hugs!

junicek

@jilligan14 I asked about collecting a sample and freezing it after our last failed attempt and we would have to fly to a larger centre for this to occur.  If we are going to do that, we will do IVF, but like I said, I have a feeling we are both done.  It is truly so much pressure and I am worried for my marriage if we continue.

wifeinraleigh28

My heart goes out to you @junicek.  I know I would be so devastated if I was in your situation.  Maybe taking a few months off and focusing on your marriage will do you good, and you never know if you and your DH will change your minds after a good break.  Hugs to you!!

Drove2u

@junicek maybe it will even happen naturally after your break. :-)

junicek

@wifeinraleigh28 and @drove2u there is always hope.  I am sure we will not do IUI again, so we can either just try naturally or I can just say screw it and give up.  I will be 38 in March and I feel like I am running out of time.

tbyars07

Kinda bummed. Only 1 mature follicle this time around. Good sized and I know it only takes 1 but darn. It didn't work last time with 2 so not feeling very hopeful.

RE went ahead and triggered. We are set for an IUI Friday morning! Last time DH's sample had to be frozen and the numbers after the freeze were not ideal. This time DH's sample will be fresh so maybe that'll do the trick!

Ready for this TWW to officially start - and be over.

junicek

@tbyars07 there could always be a hidden follicle...in any case I wish you good luck and hope it takes.

wifeinraleigh28

Good luck @tbyars07!!!

jilligan14

@junicek - I'm sorry. I didn't realize you would have to travel to get certain procedures done. I'm just so sorry you and your DH have to go through all of this.

@tbyars07 - I only got one follicle as well. It is a bit frustrating but I'm just hoping it's the best egg ever! Good luck!!

cmm012

@junicek I want to reiterate how sorry I am that you have had this problem twice.  I'm wondering if there is a men's support group.  I know my hubbs wanted to freeze a sample just in case, and that helped his anxiety tremendously.  I hope that you are both able to take a break, communicate, and support each other during this difficult time.

junicek

@cmm012 and @jilligan14 thank you for your kind words. I don't know if there is a men's support group but since DH is again saying he is done with baby making, I'm not sure if it would be helpful. I think a break is definitely in order. I don't even want to think about babies. But my rational brain says to try and BD tonight even though it is probably too late. It would be 48 hours after trigger shot. Not even sure DH would want to be intimate

ZoeFer

I am very sorry @junicek what you and your husband have been through today. 

I hope you two could find a way that makes you both happy, peaceful and you could enjoy your holidays. Best of luck to you ! 

jilligan14

@junicek - I think there's still a small chance something could happen with good ol' fashioned sex. I mean, the egg lives up to 24 hours after ovulation and crazy miracles do happen. But of course you both have been through a lot and it may just add more stress to the situation. I'd say see how DH is when he gets home. It's gotta be hard to have that much pressure on you and then feel like you couldn't live up to it. There's no easy answer in all of this. My heart breaks for you if this is the end of your journey but you never know what the future holds (and how DH will feel down the road). You should treat yourself and DH to something special tonight.

junicek

@ZoeFer thank you.  I hauled all of my Christmas decorations out on Monday because I didn't want to do any heavy lifting after the IUI and now they are just a sad reminder of what I was hoping for.  Don't mind the pity party over here...

@jilligan14 I agree miracles do happen so if he's willing, I'm going for it.  I agree with the amount of pressure on him and why I would not schedule another IUI again.  I am frustrated that he seems unwilling to try IVF at this point because I would think it would take away most of the pressure on his end.  However, I'm trying to maintain a "no big decisions today or anytime soon" mantra because trying to push him in any direction won't work. Thank you for your support!

mtpbadger

@junicek I'm so sorry to hear and agree with others that a break might do you and DH good and you never know what may happen.

I'm officially out this month. Went for repeat beta and it only went up to 66.3 (from 50). My RE said at minimum it should have been in the 80s. So now to sit and wait to see if it will go down on its own or if its a possible ectopic. RE said it could take up to a few weeks so it looks like I will be taking a break for Dec. Scheduling a meeting with the RE to discuss either a change in meds/protocol should we decide to try another IUI or just move forward with IVF. Guess I will be able to enjoy a few drinks over Christmas.

Good luck to all those still in the TWW! FX for everyone!

roxgibbons

@junicek I am so sorry. Dealing with infertility can be so stressful and really hard on relationships.

I know for me last year when we  tried briefly, my husband would get performance anxiety and then the frustration would set in. At one point last year he put his foot down and said it was too much pressure and he was fine with no baby. I was beyond angry with him but I let it go and focused on myself. I even had my IUD put in. 4 months later he changed his mind and said he wanted to start trying again- As he explained to me there was so much pressure to perform and then pressure to get pregnant- he couldn't deal with the anxiety. Now that we are doing IUIs I still think he still feels pressure but he tries to not think about it.

It's so ironic that something so natural can cause so much anxiety but for those of us in this boat- we know how real the stress is.

Take care of yourself and be gentle with yourself right now- I'm sorry

 

junicek

@mtpohmer I'm sorry your beta did not go up.  What a terrible situation to be in...and to boot a possible ectopic pregnancy.  Why can't things be easier...I applaud you looking at the positives for having a few drinks over the holidays.  You deserve to make yourself happy.

@roxgibbons thank you for sharing your experience with me.  It is so difficult for them...I often say I wish he could just do the deed in a cup and leave it in the fridge for the future times I need it!  I do empathize with them of having to be "on" at a certain day and time.  I am certain I would not be successful if I was in the same boat (you must climax at 1:45PM!) I hope you and your DH have better luck than I did.

mtpbadger

@junicek thank you, I try and be optimistic about the little things but then everything seems to come out at once...my poor DH has had to deal with a few meltdowns.

I just laughed out loud on the bus home from work at your comment, picturing some mean looking person with a ruler standing over me saying "you must climax at this time!" While my DH hasn't had any issues, he said the "donation room" at the clinic was quite interesting with a comfy looking leather chair but with plastic/paper on it, the room was so tiny and there was a tv and some magazines. I made him take pics of it for me (is that weird/creepy?) Just of the room, not him in it! and I couldn't imagine anyone being successful in there! Oh, and he said it is right outside the nurses deak but has sound proof walls....I couldn't stop laughing at that for some reason.

junicek

@mtpohmer my DH was supposed to do his  work at home...so to speak.  I am sure it would be even worse if it was in a dr's office!  That does sound like an uncomfortable situation to be in...I guess we should be thankful for the plan to be in our own home...but it didn't help.  I was very sympathetic with him both times, but it sure doesn't make it easier for me.  I can't believe I went through all of the monitoring and the cost and have no chances.  I was hoping just to get a little cup full to bring down to the clinic...it's terrible to drive down empty-handed to let the tech know.  And sad to know how many strangers are aware of our letdown.

Drove2u

@mtpohmer I'm sorry to hear that. I just got over an ectopic if you need someone to talk to. I mean if that's what it is. Also is it possible it's hair slow growing?

cmm012

Hey all. I have my ultrasound and bloodwork tomorrow. It feels like the first day of school. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. I hope I will be able to sleep. Good luck with everyone else doing an iui soon.

junicek

@cmm012 good luck. I hope all is well and you can look forward to your IUI!

Drove2u

@cmm012 good luck!! Let us know how it goes today!

Finished my letrazole and now have to wait until Monday to see how my follies did and go for my hysterectopy. Hoping all is good and normal. I will seriously die if something shows up in my hysterectopy and I can't continue with this cycle.

Mando15

@Drove2u just finished my letrozole too. Starting my injectibles tonight. Little nervous, but definitely excited as I have yet to go in for an ultrasound and see a follicle over 10mm.
Hoping these do the trick. Going in Saturday morning to check progress. I'll keep you posted

FX that you have good follies on Monday!

@ErikaMG how have you been doing so far? Guessing you have an ultrasound coming up too?

wifeinraleigh28

@Drove2u keeping my fingers crossed that things look good and you can continue with this cycle!!

My CD7 ultrasound is Saturday morning so here's hoping my follistim helps me produce some good follies.  I can't even imagine how upset I will be if this expensive medicine doesn't do the trick and give me a good shot this cycle.  I'm guessing I already produce one normal follicle each cycle on my own, but this medicine is supposed to give me a boost (more than 1) so that I can have a better chance at getting KU.  Here's hoping!!

cmm012

My ultrasound went pretty well.  I have several follicles, but they are still very small.  The doc says we may be able to do the IUI on Wednesday.  I return Monday for another ultrasound.

Thank you @Drove2u and @junicek

I hope all Friday and Saturday ultrasounds are good!

kh87

Hello ladies! This is my first post and I'm sooooo excited to speak to others going through the same struggle! DH and I have been TTC since Aug '14. After a year of no pregnancy we began seeing a fertility specialist where I found out I have PCOS and was not ovulating. First round we tried Clomid but produced no follicles. This round we did Femera + Ovidrel injection and got two 19mm follicles on the left. Trigger shot given on the evening of 11/17 and today was our first IUI. I'm having so many contradictory feelings. I don't want to allow myself to get excited due to the disappointment that follows, however I am so excited! Dr. says everything went as well as it could have gone, so now we just wait. We all know how long two weeks takes when you are anxiously waiting! Good luck to everyone on your efforts this month!