May FET Buddies

Tulips29

@dragonfaerie what's the trigger shot for? I don't have one but now you're making me curious. I actually don't have any shots for my FET, but I know different protocols were discussed before. Is this the same trigger you take for the ER?

dragonfaerie

@Tulips29 My understanding is that it preps my body to accept the embaby when they transfer. It is the same medication, but a different dose as my ER. Lucky you avoiding shots this time!

Tulips29

Hmm, interesting @dragonfaerie. I wonder how each doctor decides on what protocol to prescribe. I'm one of the few I found on these boards who don't have PIO, for example. But my doc said he doesn't like to prescribe PIO and the suppositories do the same job. The ones I got this time around are so different than the ones I had for my IUI's...these are sooo much less messy and have a handy dandy insertion applicator. I didn't even know there are different types! 

dragonfaerie

@Tulips29 Even within the same office REs prescribe different meds, it's so strange! For my IUIs I had the suppository Endometrin, but for the IVF I get the PIO. I guess now I'll get to decide which I prefer! I had an applicator for the Endometrin and it still was a mess!

jenn6782

Hi ladies, I'm glad to see everyone's positive progress.  Warning, this is about to be a very long post with lots of venting.  Sorry I've been MIA lately; just been in a funk.  A part of me is very positive about the whole experience as my RE constantly says that everything looks "great" and "perfect" for me, but a large of me can't help but be negative that I'll be that unlucky one where everything is "textbook" all the way through until the very end.  I know I should be just maintain positive, but I just can't help it.

I received my box of medications for the FET.  Got a vial of estrodial, 4 vials of PIO (which I'm totally dreading, I'll tell you why later in the post), baby aspirin, methylprednisolone, and I have to go fill a prescription for valium.  I'm currently on bcp and I'm due to stop that on Thursday, which is when I'll also have an appointment and get my official calendar with the tentative transfer date of May 26.

Ok, so about the PIO.  I had 3 doses of 1ml PIO when I did my mock cycle, and aside for a sore bum the next day, I didn't have any problems... or so I thought.  About a week to a week and a half AFTER stopping the PIO, I got this welt on one side of my bum and it itched and looked much like a mosquito bite so that's what I thought it was.  I put some anti itch cream on it daily and thought nothing of it until 3 days later the welt is still there and the itching was even more intense, and to top that, now a new welt developed, then another 2 days later the other side had a couple of spots with similar welts!  My goodness, and when they itch they ITCH and each welt takes almost a week to go away!  I called my RE concerned, and he said that it's a side effect for some people who do the PIO, and apparently it's common to not get these allergy like symptoms until a week or so AFTER stopping the PIO.  This brings me to the dreading part.  4 vials.. I'm dreading the miserable itching that will ensue.  Obviously all will be worth it if I get a BFP, but it's still absolutely miserable.

I guess if I can sum it up, the best way to describe how I feel is that I'm completely exhausted, emotionally out of control, and scared to death about negative outcomes.

dragonfaerie

@jenn6782 I'm sorry you are feeling so out of it. I know how you feel. I've responded so well to all the meds so far and had great luck, I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. But whenever I feel that way I just close my eyes and say "Everything is going to be beautiful." You can't predict the future, but try to focus on the good! It stinks that you had such bad reactions to the PIO. Can you take Benadryl during/after for a few days? 
I know that it gets exhausting being poked and prodded constantly. Can you go out for a night, just live it up a little to take your mind off everything? Since you still have a couple days of BCPs, I say go all out! Hugs for you!

2legbaby

@Susykat77 I am glad that you arrived safely in Prague, I think it is awesome that they have a therapy dog at the airport- who knew? Sometimes I think I cry too much, other times I think I need to cry more often to let things out-you have been dealt bad news one time after another....you have one precious, perfect embie- I am so hopeful for you that this is your last trip to Prague!!!!

,as for the fluid in my uterus- they just act vaguely concerned but never really explained what could cause it....arrrgghhhh! at this point I am not surprised though

@Lisa_U123 hoping that cyst resolves quickly!!

@stef7384 welcome- I am a vet and my husband is a faint risk, but I have him help with the PIO, he preps the site, tells me where to poke (so I don't stick in same spot) then I put the needle in, he checks flash and injects and removes (although often pulls out at a weird angle that smarts a bit and sometimes bleeds a small river lol)

@sumo2519 and @jenn6782 what is with the allergic reactions???so sorry you ladies are dealing with this on top of everything else...@jenn6782 are they going to have you take something for the itching/allergic component if you **hopefully**have to stay on PIO for weeks?

I feel you with the fear of negative outcomes...I woke up suddenly at 2am after having a dream about receiving an email (our current nurse's preferred communication) saying "I'm so sorry guys..." in reference to us not having any normal embryos....in real life we are still waiting for PGS results and I have to be realistic as @susykat77 has experienced, even with donor eggs PGS can still be abnormal....hate the waiting, hate being guarded in my optimism, but my heart can't take getting crushed any more. I am hopeful (always!) but realistic  

Sumo2519

@jenn6782 My friend also had reactions to PIO and the doctor changed her from the shot to suppositories.  (She is due end of June.) Maybe your doc will consider changing you up. 

I'm only on the patches right now.  Was on lupron the first 14 days of my cycle.  Will know tomorrow, when I'll be taking the rest of my drugs.  THE RASHES ARE BACK!!! So far, it's just on my arms...they better not spread.  This is totally stress related. I'm so scared that I'll have a negative outcome tomorrow and have to cancel this FET cycle, especially when I'm just a week away.  I was devastated when my first ER cycle was canceled and I know that's where these rashes are coming from.  

dragonfaerie

@Sumo2519 I'm sorry that darn rash came back! Argh! Praying it goes away and you have a green light to move ahead!

WishingforLuck

Hey ladies! Hope everyone is well.

@Sumo2519 hope everything went well today! And hopefully the rash doesn't spread.

@Jenn6782 I agree with @dragonfaerie suggestion to go out and live it up for one night. Try to find something fun or relaxing that you haven't done in a while.

AFM- my lining is about 12, my RE wants me to trigger tonight and start PIO on Friday. My transfer date is next Tuesday. I'm so excited!! I'm still contemplating doing acupuncture. What are your thoughts on acupuncture? 

dragonfaerie

@WishingforLuck That's so great! I have my next appointment tomorrow to get confirmed for transfer on the 11th. I liked acupuncture in general, it can be relaxing and I do think it can help with a lot of things. But I get sore if I lay on my back for too long, so it wasn't as comfortable as I could have hoped. And the expense was too much for me to really feel good about. But I don't think it can hurt, and lots of people really like having it the day of transfer. 

thucks

I am so amazed by you all that will be POAS. The RE called today to check in and she uploaded some information onto our portal for the DH to sign and she also gave me some more instructions. Part of it was the date of my beta. I transfer on the 18th but beta wont be until the 31st cause of the holiday I'm assuming. The wonderful DH is sooo optimistic that this is going to work that he has us going to Ohio for that weekend to announce the big news and he wants me to get big sister shirts for the twins. He has time off so will be leaving town before me and the girls. That means I'm going to have to POAS and alone. I have never POAS and never planned on it. Just the thought of reading that line has my anxiety running. 
I'm only on Estrace and I feel like I'm having more freak out/worry/stressed crap going on right now than when I was doing ER meds. I dunno whats with it today. 

susykat77

@WishingforLuck I love acupuncture. I am having it done twice a week and the morning of transfer day.

@thucks  I don't remember your history but that would be way too much pressure for me with the shirts and travel plans to announce a potential pregnancy. I will be POAS alone too. That part does totally suck.

@dragonfaerie Good luck with your appointment tomorrow!! I am glad to hear the abdominal pain has gone away.

@2legbaby When will your PGS results be in?!?

@jenn6782 Sorry about the welts on the bum. Us IVF gals go through so much!

@Tulips29 I don't have a trigger shot either... it seemed strange to me but I guess I start the progesterone 5 days before the transfer and that is signal enough to my body??

Tulips29

@susykat77 yes, my doctor told me I have to be on Progesterone for at least 5 days before the transfer can happen, so you're right. 

I went back to the nurse and asked about the whole dizziness thing. She said Prometrium is notorious for causing dizziness, so I guess it's not Medrol. She said maybe the combination of both at the same time is what did it for me, so spacing them out may help. Today it happened in the morning when I took them together, but it wasn't as bad as the other days and went away quickly. 

@Sumo2519 did the rashes go away? Hope so!

@wishingforluck yay for a confirmed transfer date! We'll be in the 2ww together  

WishingforLuck

@dragonfaerie GL tomorrow. FX for the 11th. What is the price range of acupuncture? Do you look for a local acupuncturist or one specifically for fertility?

@thucks FX for you!

@susykat77 since I'm going into this acupuncture thing late in this cycle, any suggestions as far as picking an acupuncturist?

@tulips29 yay for tww buddy! Sorry about the dizziness, glad this morning wasn't so bad.

I've been trying to prep myself for the PIO injections, like watching youtube videos on how to attempt to make it painless and etc. 
Anyone plan on buying any specific foods or snacks besides brazil nuts and pineapple core?

2legbaby

@susykat77  I called Monday, was told they would look into it Tuesday, called Tuesday was told they would look into it Wednesday and I specifically requested an ETA from the lab Wednesday if the results weren't in....I heard NOTHING today. I am calling and requesting to speak directly to the RE or office manager, our third party repro person is nice, but she is disorganized and hasn't followed up on anything....I was in tears today because I have the day off and really wanted the news good or bad, to be able to deal with it without being at work sooooooo frustrated! 
How are you doing? Are there things in Prague to see to keep you busy?

@wishingforluck I go to acupuncture weekly, like @dragonfaerie I find it relaxing, but there are actual studies that show higher implantation rates for women who have acupuncture the day of transfer (it increases blood flow to the uterus). My acupuncturist plans to treat the day before transfer, and just before and just after transfer

Good luck at your appointment tomorrow @dragonfaerie ! Transfer is so soon!!!

@Tulips29 sorry you are experiencing the dizziness, glad it is better today...is prometrium the same as the estrace?

@sumo2519 wish I could make recommendations to decrease the stress if that is what is causing the rashes, but I have been a wreck today....my IBS is in high gear ....stupid stress

Tulips29

@2legbaby no, prometrium and estrace are two different pills. I take prometrium and estrace 3 times a day and medrol once a day. The worst is when this dizziness happens while I'm at work. I just feel like in drunk and can't move around much without a feeling like I'm going to fall. But it kinda reassured me that the nurse said it's a very common side effect that lots of women experience.

jenn6782

@dragonfaerie @2legbaby I was just instructed to use benadryl cream to stop the itch; they didn't mention anything about taking it though.  I have an appointment tomorrow so I'll ask.  It seems that their take is that if I can "handle" it then just use the cream.

@sumo2519  I'm sorry to hear that your friend had bad reactions to PIO as well.  I will ask my RE tomorrow about the possibility of suppositories instead.

Thank you ladies for all your support and putting up with my whining.  It's nice to be able to talk to ladies who understand the process.  I'll try my best to remain positive... 21 days until my tentative transfer day!

WishingforLuck

@2legbaby should I look for a regular acupuncturist or are there like specific ones (that specialize in infertility)?

Sumo2519

Woo Hoo! Everything is as it should be: lining is "gorgeous" and E2 levels are good, so my transfer is scheduled for Monday! This good news should put my rashes to rest, they started to fade in the afternoon and I hope they don't flare up again tonight.  

I started PIO today and while the shot going in was painless, my buttock is starting to get sore - 3 hours later. I will start Doxy and Medrol on Saturday for 4 days.  

WishingforLuck

@Sumo2519 yay! tww buddy! Next week can't come fast enough! 

2legbaby

Awesome @Sumo2519 ! That's got to be the best stress relief ever! 

@WishingforLuck I would find someone who is practiced in fertility a acupuncture, ask your RE if they have anyone to recommend! 

Tulips29

@Sumo2519 that's great news! Monday will be here before you know it so just enjoy your stress free weekend  

dragonfaerie

@WishingforLuck I just went to an acupuncturist that was in my network, but my insurance is really only a discount program for things like acupuncture, so it was costing me $40 a visit. It doesn't seem like much, but I just couldn't stomach it. I asked my RE if he recommended acupuncture and he said that if it was his wife, he wouldn't bother because there are conflicting studies about whether it helps or not and it's an extra cost.

My appointment went great today! Lining is 12.15 and I had my first trigger shot. I'll get official confirmation in a few hours when my nurse calls, but looks like we're on for the 11th!

WishingforLuck

@2legbaby thanks I will reach out to the RE and find out

@dragonfaerie We must have similar insurances because mine offers a discount program too. I will reach out to my RE and find out what she thinks about it. Thanks for the info. Your lining is good! There's a few of us transferring next week woo hoo! When you say first trigger shot you mean hcg? Do you take it more than once?

dragonfaerie

@WishingforLuck I use Aetna. No IF coverage at all after diagnosis Yes, I think I take the hcg a total of three times, maybe four. Every other day until transfer... I think. I can't remember. Hehe. It's a small amount SQ, but the one this morning was in my tush. I'm feeling a bit dizzy today, can't tell if it's excitement, the little bit of caffeine I had, or the meds! Probably all three!

WishingforLuck

Really wow that is absolutely absurd. I really don't understand why infertility is not covered by all insurances it should be mandatory. I have GHI they cover 75% which isn't bad. But some meds I can only get them 3x if not I pay out of pocket. Oh wow 3 times that's a lot. My RE told me to take it last night, never mentioned the repeat. Did you do it on your own or DH? My DH kind of chickened out on me last night, so I had to drive to my mom's so she could do it for me. I think the dizziness might be from all three lol.  

dragonfaerie

Yeah, there are some states that mandate IF coverage, but Colorado sadly, is not one of them. All of our tests were covered until we confirmed IF, but there is no treatment coverage unless it's a biological reason (endometriosis, blocked tubes, etc.) My nurse did the IM shot this morning, I can do my own SQ, but DH takes care of any at-home IM shots for me. He's really good and relaxed about it, so that's good. Sorry  you had to drive to get your shot done last night.

2legbaby

TWO PGS normal embryos (we didn't ask for sexes)!!! So relieved  

good luck tomorrow @Tulips29 !

anyone who hasn't seen it and needs a smile- check out the post on the fur babies  

susykat77

@wishingforluck When looking for an acupuncturist, ask if they are familiar with the protocol for IVF patients. (I have no idea what the protocol is called or what specific points they are but my acupuncturist here in Prague specifically had a section on her website dedicated to it).

@2legbaby SO frustrating!! I had to wait a week longer than I thought for my results. I think it is a good idea to speak to someone else and get some answers or at least a timeline. Hang in there. Big hugs. Prague is amazing. I loved living here last year so I am going to my favorite spots, reading in parks and sleeping in! I am here for another 2 weeks. I think the jet lag has finally gone away. Thank-goodness!!

@Sumo2519 Exciting that everything is moving along! Is the Doxy for endo?

AFM - The RE decided that we could use a fresh donor as well - they had 2 coming in this week that were part of the embryo donation program (donated egg and donated sperm embryos's that they keep on hand) so they were able to use the eggs from one of the donors and my DH's sperm. Her retrieval was this morning and I will find out how many fertilized tomorrow. I start my progesterone tonight and transfer in 5 days - Tuesday May 10th. We will transfer the one frozen PGS normal embryo and one untested fresh embryo. That means 2 different genetic mothers if I end up with twins... kinda weird, right? I guess it doesn't weird me out enough not to do it... 

dragonfaerie

@susykat77 I'm so glad you are adjusting to Prague again and that your RE is so aggressive on your behalf! FX and praying for you! We'll be in the TWW together!

kjplaza

Hi guys popping back in again. so much happens so fast in this group i cant keep up! i;ve been on estrace now since the 1st. taking 2 mg 3x/day and i;m surprised by having no side effects but so glad. i go back in for bw/us on the 9th and then again on the 13th. I believe if things stay on trace ill be starting PIO on the 14th but i also was given suppositories and estrogen patches so i'm not sure when those will come into play. My clinic never gave me a scheduled beta date but i assume if the transfer stays on the 19th it will be the 31 (given that its following a holiday weekend) i don't think my clinic is open that weekend but i could be wrong. 

WishingforLuck

@dragonfaerie oh wow that is crazy!So happy the your DH is relaxed about the IM shots, mine was literally trembling. lol Thank God my mom wasn't too far away.

@2legbaby congrats! that is awesome

@susykat77 thanks for the info! FX for you!

@kjplaza I didn't have any side effects with estrace either. yay for the 19th. It will be here in no time! 

dragonfaerie

@WishingforLuck Poor hubbies! I told DH he isn't allowed to travel for a while because I need him to do the IM shot. Fortunately, if for some reason he was out of town, my clinic is on the way to work and I could stop by and ask them to do it.
@kjplaza Welcome back! I'm glad you aren't having any side effects *knock on wood*. 

Ugh, I had my first PIO shot this morning. Did anyone else's leak out a bit after? 
BTW - I did get confirmed for May 11th transfer!

Tulips29

@dragonfaerie congrats on having a confirmed date! You're just a few days away!  

thucks

@kjplaza My Transfer is the 18th and BETA is the 31st. I only started out with 2x a day on the Estrace and will increase to 3x a day on the 10th. My bw/us is the 9th too. 
@Tulips29 Did you have transfer today? 

Tulips29

@thucks yes I did! I guess I forgot to post on this thread. Here's my little embaby  

WishingforLuck

@dragonfaerie haha no travel allowed. At least your clinic is close by. Did the PIO hurt? BTW my transfer will be on the 11th as well! 

@Tulips29 congrats on being PUPO!

AFM- My transfer got switched to the 11th. I've made an appointment at an acupuncturist for before and after transfer. I got my leave paperwork filled out so no work for me, until after my beta. My first PIO will be in an hr or so. I'm pretty excited.

2legbaby

Beautiful embie @Tulips29! Congrats on your transfer!!

So not looking forward to the PIO @dragonfaerie  lol! But means getting closer to transfer so yeah for May 11th for you!!!

@Susykat77 glad that they are helping maximize your chances for a BFP-great news! 

AFM- my next ultrasound is Monday to see if that fluid is still there FX it has gone!!

LynnNJ

For this cycle, I responded immediately to follistim. I didn't respond last time when when they had me on estradiol. I have my FET scheduled for this Thursday the 12th.

I was given a choice between the endometrin  (3x a day) and pio. Since it has to start in the morning,  I choose the endometrin with the option of switching later. I know my dh is not good with mornings and I leave much earlier then him in the am.  Although I heard many people prefer the shots, I figured if I don't have to (at least for now) I'll avoid it.

Hopefully everything will go as planned with the transfer this time.