New Plans, New Questions

fivetimesnoluck

Since I started my cycle yesterday, I got the call from our RE today with our plans.
I will be taking a shot of Menopur on CD 9 and CD 10, then go in for an U/S on CD 11 to examine my follicle(s). If it looks the way he wants, he will prescribe a "trigger shot" of Hcg (Ovidrel is a common brand name for this) and he will give us the green light to DTD. Has anyone else had experience with these drugs here? Is there anything I should expect side effects-wise?

Also, I am curious what your opinions are... I plan to ask their office directly, but would appreciate your feedback... I have an appointment to complete my tattoo on April 7. This will be the same day as the U/S, but later in the afternoon. It's CD 11 and would be after the Menopur shots, but before the trigger shot of Hcg. I typically ovulate on CD 13 or 14. Should I postpone my tattoo? If we get KU this cycle, then that would mean I can't finish it until after delivery. (Which I am totally willing to do - don't get me wrong, my fertility treatments come first - without question.) But I can't find anything that indicates being tattooed before ovulation would affect the outcomes... Part of me feels like I should err on the side of caution, but the other side feels like postponing it might be unnecessary. Thank you in advance!

iceandsnowflakes29

I had zero side effects from the trigger shot. If you are HPT addict you might want to test OUT your trigger, it can give you positives. 

I don't know the answers to your questions about the tattoo. 

Good luck

BrightenMySky

I would guess that your RE will say the tattoo is fine, but if you asked maybe a more holistic provider (thinking about my acupuncturist), they would probably say avoid, although maybe not even.  So you're left in the same boat (although curious to hear if the RE has a different answer).  

I have not done the Menopur, but have done other stims (Clomid) + Ovidrel trigger.  The Ovidrel did not hurt that much at all (I did mine in my belly, per my RE's instructions).  The day after the trigger, though, my ovulation cramps were pretty intense and I felt a bit bloated.  One cycle I squeezed myself into a suit that was a little tight and I was not a happy camper...so I recommend dresses or elastic waistbands .  As @iceandsnowflakes29 said, be aware that the trigger shot will give you a positive pregnancy test if it's still in your system, and the time it takes to be totally gone can vary.  

fivetimesnoluck

Thank you both, @iceandsnowflakes29 and @BrightenMySky! I was just reading about the trigger shot being able to turn a test. That's actually good news, because it gives me a great reason to not test early.

I think that's a great idea to ask a holistic practitioner, and I happen to be seeing my acupuncturist on Thursday - so that will work well. He is tattooed and he and his wife have 15 month old twins from IVF. So, I think he could give me an informed opinion.

I am leaning towards postponing. Then I don't have to question it.

fivetimesnoluck

Acupuncturist confirmed that I should skip the appointment. The more I thought about it (and he agreed), I felt that the trauma to my body and the way it releases endorphins, cortisol, etc. is too much of an unknown.

I am not willing to risk it affecting our efforts in any way.

The drugs just arrived via FedEx. Sh*t's getting real!

mylittleversailles

I don't have answers for you, but it makes me so happy to see you able to move forward with this new plan.

MWoodside

I am hopeful for you. I am glad you decided to wait on finishing the tattoo (even though it's stunning and I can't wait to see the end result) for all the reasons you mentioned.