April/May IVF

wifeinraleigh28

@caseyw8784 Thank you!  I know if anyone understands the frustrations of delays it is you!  I guess we should just take advantage of this time and enjoy ourselves with as much wine as possible!

I'm definitely a little nervous for the AMH result.  In October it was 4.5 and last week it was 5.75.  I know your AMH doesn't go up with time, lol.  Really hoping the 5.75 wasn't a misread!  I guess that's why the trial does their own testing

ultratomato

Good luck @wifeinraleigh28  and thanks everyone else for your feedback im glad I'm not alone.

chickyclg

@KirstenCas I took Estrace 3xs a day if I remember correctly.  I ended up getting weaned off of it several weeks later.

cmm012

@wifeinraleigh28 It looks like we will be cycle buddies again.  I'm doe to start meds in late April after my next AF. I won't have to do more labs though. ER should be in May as well.

wifeinraleigh28

@cmm012 I'm glad we will be cycle buddies again!  Let's hope it goes better for us this time

Knottie1456036854

Finally heard back from the clinic about what the heck we're going to do with my wacky LH surge/period timing situation and newly diagnosed ovarian cyst.  The cyst was only 16mm, so it's not like it's huge or anything.  They are going to have me come in for another US next Tuesday (CD12) to see what is up.  If things look like I am progressing like a normal human being (and the cyst is not bigger), I will start Estrace that day.  If not......we will have a discussion.

Honestly, half the time I'm ready to just wave the white flag and quit.  We do have a beautiful 6AA female that we can use.  I'm just trying to spare my kid the crappiness of dealing with breast cancer.  I suppose anyone can develop breast cancer, but these are pretty crappy odds I'm passing on here.  At least we would know to save $$ for HER IVF someday, so she gets the chance to not pass things along.  Frustrating ethical dilemma here.

msdiaz10

Hello everyone, 
has abyine already done the ER? I'm due to do it this coming Tuesday. I have been in stimms since Saturday..not sure how Thw process works but I'm excited. I have blocked tubes and have done three cycles of iui prior to knowing I had blocked tubes
good luck and looking forward to hearing from someone ))

chickyclg

msdiaz10 said:

Hello everyone, 
has abyine already done the ER? I'm due to do it this coming Tuesday. I have been in stimms since Saturday..not sure how Thw process works but I'm excited. I have blocked tubes and have done three cycles of iui prior to knowing I had blocked tubes
good luck and looking forward to hearing from someone ))

@msdiaz10 I had mine a couple of years ago.  I also have a complete tubal blockage and a partial blockage in the other.  We attempted IUI against our REs recommendation since we were paying to do a Clomid test anyway. We ended up with 2 cancelled before our IUI.  Turns out I can produce some nice follicles on the completely blocked side.

wifeinraleigh28

@Knottie1456036854 - Here's hoping everything looks good at your next u/s and you can move forward.  I'm not sure what I would do in your situation.  You're right, anyone can develop breast cancer (or anything else for that matter).  I hope you're able to come to a decision you feel comfortable with (or that your body will behave and you won't have to make that decision )

@msdiaz10 - GL with your upcoming ER!!  A lot of us are still waiting to start stims so you're one of the early ones of the group.  I'll be thinking of you on Tuesday!  Keep us posted!!

mtpbadger

Hello everyone! I'm trying to play catch up from being out of town but it looks like everyone is moving forward! To those that are still in limbo or have gotten delayed - hang in there!

Just got an email from my nurse and she said I can just stay on the BCPs (I was supposed to stop tomorrow after just 10 days per my obgyn) through 04/01, go in on 04/02 for the pre-IVF workup and start stims on 04/05! I probably won't be able to go to a wedding in Chicago at the end of April now, and while I'm slightly bummed, am totally ok and wasn't really expecting to go with everything up in the air as it has been. As in haven't even looked at flights or hotels yet so nothing lost! OMG, things just got really real (again). If my protocol stays the same as it originally was, I should be doing ET around 04/23ish!!

erica0901

Hey everyone! We had our nurse consult today and got our tentative schedule as well as the med protocol. As soon as I get AF (should be around 4/5) I will be on BCPs for around 2 weeks. Then I will stimm with Metopur and Gonal F and as the follicles mature I will then add in Centroid. When ready, I will trigger with Lupron and Novarel. If everything stays on track then ER will probably be the first week of May. I also get to add in an antibiotic, a steriod, estrace and crinone gel at different points between/after the retrieval and transfer. DH joked that we will be a walking pharmacy!!!

We will have PGS screening (chromosomal screening only) on day 5. They will do the biopsies at our clinic and then send the samples to testing (I think) and we will have the results the next day for a planned fresh transfer on day 6. 

Today was so very overwhelming, but we learned all about the medications and how to mix them and administer them. Now I just want to get AF so we can get the show on the road!!!

caseyw8784

@erica0901 great news!! must be so exciting that everything is so much more "official"! It sounds like you have the same med regimen that I will be doing - Gonal-F/Menopur and Cetrotide (I'm assuming it's the same as Centroid?). Though, I think I will only be triggering with Novarel or Ovidrel alone, not along with Lupron. I'm curious if there is a reason why you are triggering with both? FX that everything stays on track!!  

erica0901

Thanks @caseyw8784 ! Where are you in your cycle? The nurse explained why I am triggering with both, I think the Lupron may prevent OHSS possibly...Don't quote me on it cause we spent over 2 hours there and there was just so much information! GL to you as well

caseyw8784

We haven't started the cycle yet...we need to wait for the PGD test set-up is built and then we will start that next cycle. We just had some delays so we probably won't start stims until end of May now. One thing I've been slightly worried about is OHSS...I don't have PCOS but my Day 3 AFC tends to be around 40+ and I've read that sometimes/often correlates to how many follicles you end up with...

erica0901

@caseyw8784 Yeah my AMH is around 8 and at my baseline appointments they RE usually see's around 30 follicles so I know that OHSS is a real risk for me.

Drove2u

Erica looks like we will be on same schedule again!! AF is due on 4/5 also and going for nurse consult tomorrow to learn about the meds. 

wifeinraleigh28

@erica0901 That's so exciting that you've gotten your schedule!  I'm thinking mine might be pretty similar to yours.  It'll be really exciting once we all start getting closer to our retrievals and transfers...

ultratomato

Just ordered all my medication and it will be here next week. It's like Christmas! Other then prenatals do you ladies take any other vitamins?

chickyclg

erica0901 said:

Thanks @caseyw8784 ! Where are you in your cycle? The nurse explained why I am triggering with both, I think the Lupron may prevent OHSS possibly...Don't quote me on it cause we spent over 2 hours there and there was just so much information! GL to you as well

Lupron doesn't prevent OHSS, it just doesn't "feed" it like hcg triggers do.  If that helps at all.  Last time my original protocol was to trigger with Ovidrel, since I stemmed more than expected, and I had a last minute change to Lupron. 

erica0901

@chickyclg Thanks for the clarification!!

caseyw8784

@chickyclg It does help, thanks!  

Tulips29

Hi everyone! I was away for work this past week but am back in the swing of things now. I'll try to go back and catch up on everyone's updates. Is anyone up to their ER yet?

AFM - I had my baseline appointment this morning and will receiving my stimm protocol later today. I start stimming tonight or tomorrow probably. I also realized that my ER will be close to DH's best friend's wedding and am now worried that I may have to miss it. Trying to not think too much about it until we're closer to the ER date. His friend doesn't know what we're going through, so it will be that much harder to have an excuse for not attending. DH is also away this weekend, so I'm nervous to do all those injections myself. 

dragonfaerie

Good morning ladies. I posted in the March/April group, but also wanted to post here. I took this week off of reading and posting. I had a big meltdown on Sunday night because I hadn't been letting myself really think about things, trying to be positive so no one else worried about me. Well... that only works so long. I completely lost it. My DH is awesome and helped me talk through all of my worries so I could bleed it all out. I'm doing much better now, but I probably won't get caught up on all the posts since I've missed about three pages. So I hope that you are all doing well, and I'm still thinking and praying for you. Happy Easter!!

wifeinraleigh28

@Tulips29 - Excited for you to start stims!!  You may be the first of our group.  Please keep us posted on how things go.  I'm also nervous about when/if I might have to give my injections myself.  For our IUIs, DH did all my injections.  Please let us know how it goes!

@dragonfaerie - Welcome back, we missed you!  I'm glad you had a chance to let your emotions out.  You're right, holding it in only works for so long.  It can feel really cathartic to let it out, and your DH sounds wonderful.  I'm glad you have him to cry to when you need it!  And you have us as well, though I know it isn't the same through a computer screen.  

dragonfaerie

Thank you @wifeinraleigh28 I do appreciate having this forum to go to as well.

mtpbadger

@dragonfaerie - Welcome back! I'm behind in catching up on posts as well after about a week out of town. Glad you are feeling better, I agree, sometimes we just need a good cry and then everything just seems a little bit better. My DH doesn't really understand that concept but is always supportive and glad you had your to lean on and help you through those moments!

@tulips29 - Yay for starting stims soon! Keep us updated! Good luck, you got this!

@ultratomato - I usually just take prenatals but have to take extra vitamin C currently after my Lasik for another week. I just take the Target Brand Prenatals which my RE said there was no issue with - anyone take any specific brand?

I'll be triggering with Lupron. If I recall (it's been a few months since I had my original meeting with RE and Nurse to go over everything) she said that the difference is the way it actually triggers - one tells your brain to signal your hormones and Lupron is shorter acting (I think) so like someone said, less chance of OHSS. She said usually those that may be high responders/PCOS will go with Lupron.

AFM - officially got my new protocol and my RE wants me to bleed before moving forward since my last cycle was the beginning of Feb. So I'll go off BCPs next week and back on 7 days later for 2 more weeks. Looks like my first day of stims will be 04/20. I was a little bummed but know it will be here before you know it.

cmm012

Hey All,
I'm still waiting for labs, but it looks like I will start stims on May 6th.  I'm really excited now that I have a date even though it's over a month away.  Try to stay encouraged everyone.

calfherder

@dragonfaerie  Welcome back! I'm glad you are with us

@tulips29 Yay for starting stims!! I can't wait to read about your progress!

For the injections: My husband did mine at first, but when he was at work I had to do them myself. After the first one by myself, it was so easy that from then on I did them all myself. I had more control over how fast I put the needle in, and how tight I pinched the skin. 

I got my bcp's yesterday (won't start them for another week or so). I noticed that they are estradiol. So I guess I'll go read all the posts about the difference between prepping with that vs regular BCPs. But I'm excited that it's something different this time! I also got a little insight to my protocol. Last time was a long Lupron, which was the reason most of my eggs were immature (over suppressed). This time I'll only be doing Lupron at the very end. Everything that is different from last time is making me feel so much better.

Tulips29

Just got my protocol from the nurse. I start stimming tonight with gonal f & menopur and then continue both morning  & evening until Monday. Monday I go back for u/s and b/w. They also sent me today's u/s results. I have 10 follicles on the right less than 11 mm in size and nothing on the left. My left ovary is always hiding and during IUIs didn't even respond to medication. I worry that this will be an issue, even though the nurse kept saying no. Anyone have the save issue they can comment on from experience? Can I produce enough and quality eggs just from one ovary? Maybe it's a silly question. Also, are stomach injections easier/less painful than thigh?

caseyw8784

@calfherder I'm so terrified of needles that I want my husband to do them! But twice a week he works 24 hour shifts so I know that I'll have suck it up and do them myself! He's a paramedic/firefighter so he's experienced with how to do it...if he doesn't want to, I'll just ask my BFF to show me, since she has Type 1 diabetes, she's also a pro at injections!  

@mtpbadger Thanks for also explaining how Lupron vs other HCG can help/aid with OHSS. I know I shouldn't have but Dr. Google has made me kind of terrified about over stimming, based on the horror stories I've read!  

@dragonfaerie Welcome back! I also agree that sometimes we just need a good cry, ESPECIALLY when it's about something as emotionally and physically charged as IVF! I've had a couple mini ones, and one HUGE one last weekend when I realized that my biological mother lied about getting tested (to see if she is a Fragile X carrier since we're doing PGD and they need her DNA to built the test set-up...)...DH was very helpful by having ice cream, wine, and chick flicks on the coffee table when I got home, since he was half out the door on the way to a night shift at work...lol!  
 

wifeinraleigh28

@Tulips29 - For my IUIs I did all my injections (follistim) in my stomach and didn't even feel the needle.    We were given the option to do stomach or thigh but were told stomach is often preferable.  Good luck with your stims!  I'm sure it doesn't matter if you only produce follicles in one ovary.  All it takes is one ovary

My latest update is that I'm still waiting for my period to do CD3 testing.  I'm worried that the Aygestin I took for 3 days last weekend could be delaying it.  Just to recap, I started taking the Aygestin (which is essentially progesterone but in a dosage that acts as birth control) as part of my original protocol thinking I wouldn't qualify for the Megaset Trial.  Now that I have a good chance of qualifying, my RE told me to stop taking it, wait for my period, and then do CD3 testing.  It's been 5 days now since I last took Aygestin, and I was expecting my period by now.  Anyone have any experience with this?

ultratomato

@Tulips29 I also had all injections in my stomach which was fine some black and blues but worth it. Good luck. I'm nervous when my DH will need to do my progesterone shots in my butt

ultratomato

Welcome back @dragonfaerie and good luck 

Tulips29

I just did my first set of injections. Wasn't bad at all, but now I feel a bit on pinching where I injected. I chose to do the stomach, which felt a lot better than when I used to do the thigh. Plus, the needles this time are a lot smaller. For my iuis I feel like the needles were twice as big! Phew.

I also asked me RE about POI injections this morning as they weren't prescribed to me. He laughed that I was even asking why I didn't get them. He said he prefers to give vaginal progesterone because the injections are messy and painful. Said if I want, he can give them to me, but he already prescribed me vaginal ones. I'll deal with the messy inserts instead of big painful needles . Maybe you ladies can ask your RE's about this as well so you don't have to suffer through those POI injections? 

chickyclg

@Tulips29 I way preferred the nasty suppositories over the literal PITA injects!  The last time I went through everything my REs protocol was suppositories for IUI & IVF, POI for FET.  I guess I'll find out if that's the same thing we will be looking at this time.

Tulips29

@chickyclg I thought everyone gets POI for IVF but my RE said that's not necessarily true. He said the suppositories give the same result and don't require injections which is why he prescribed them to me. He said I can chose to do the POI if I wanted to so I said no thanks. I guess it's all the same then? 

ultratomato

@chickyclg I was told I need to do POI for the first 2 weeks with ivf and then maybe I can switch over to the suppositories. RE said that it's because I have PCOS and other stuff didn't really listen but if it's what they want me to do then I will do it. Not ready for the needle in the butt though 

calfherder

I was prescribed both, but I have no idea if I'll be using both, or one then the other.

calfherder

The butt needles look so big and scary 

wifeinraleigh28

I'm also not looking forward to having injections in my butt!  I didn't even know that the suppositories were an option with IVF, I guess just from my experience on these boards connecting with others going through IVF previously.  It seemed they were all doing PIO.  I would much rather have the suppositories!  I did them for both my IUIs and while they were a pain to have to do right before bed, they weren't that bad.  But I guess we all just have to do whatever our doctors tell us to do and leave it at that!

@Tulips29 I'm glad the injections weren't so bad!