October/November IVF

JamieH2000

Hi All! Just thought I would start a board for anyone doing IVF in October/November since we don't have one yet.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone and supporting each other through this journey. IF is the hardest thing I have ever gone through and I have found this to be a great community for support and knowledge sharing, so please join and introduce yourself!

A little bit about me... This will be my second IVF after my first IVF was cancelled in August due to poor response. Before that cycle they weren't sure I had DOR since my AMH is only borderline at 1.55, but I think the IVF response pretty much confirmed it. It was a hard time, but now I will be on a new protocol (Schoyer Micro Lupron Protocol) that is for low responders and I have hope that it will work and at least get me to ER. I am waiting for a positive OPK (probably in a week or so), and then I will start estrogen patches and ganirelax during my luteal phase and get AF again. I will likely start stimming around 10/24ish and also doing micro Lupron with the stims and adding in HGH too. Pretty much throwing the kitchen sink at this attempt so really hoping it works and I get to ER and transfer in early November.

I really hope this the cycle that works for all of us!

mandasd

@JamieH2000 I'm on the Sept/Oct thread too but my stims don't start until 10/20 with estimate retrieval of 11/3. I'll join here too. I'm also doing a micro lupron protocol. It's my first IVF cycle. I did one IUI just for fun since we knew it wasn't likely to get me pregnant...I'm in the military IVF program so they like to try IUI while waiting on the IVF list. I didn't have a very long wait so only tried the one IUI. I'm very fortunate I didn't have to wait long!!

JamieH2000

mandasand - we may end up being cycle buddies AND with a similar protocol! Are you doing estrogen priming before stims or just starting with your natural cycle? So glad you didn't have to wait long to get going... so much waiting in IF and its the worst!

 I am also on the Sept/Oct board and will definitely continue to cheer everyone on, just figured that most of the ladies will (hopefully!) get their BFP by the time we are at ER, so wanted to start a new board too.

Kp214

I will probably be starting another cycle in the next week or so. I don't know yet what the protocol is. 

mandasd

@JamieH2000 I'm not doing estrogen priming. I'm also not doing a natural cycle, I'll have to go on bcp until my baseline on 10/18. RE said he wants me to do minimal bcp but since their calendar is full, the soonest I can transfer is Nov 3 so they backed up 2 weeks and that is when I start stims. If I stay regular with my cycle, that means I'll be on bcp for a week. Not ideal. Bcp really messes me up. I'm not thrilled by this but I'm at the mercy of the Navy clinic and so I can't complain - if I go to a private clinic I would pay $30k. With military, I'm paying $3950. So I'll take the bcp for a week and hope for the best!!

sleepyrn

I'm in Sept/Oct but may end up with a Nov ER so I'll join here as well.  This is my second full IVF.  I had a failed fresh and frozen transfer and am out of embryos.  Waiting on Aunt Flo to show up, then I have a uterine scratch coming my way and will start stims.  Then my embryos will go for PGS so I'll be doing a FET.  I'll have estrogen patches, PIO, medrol, claritin and lovenox during that time.  Which is different from my previous protocols.   Thankfully my husbands insurance covers everything but the PGS so we are lucky.  I'm trying to get as much done as possible this year before I have to pay deductibles again.  Good luck to everyone. 

derrian

@JamieH2000 Thanks, we have a board I'm also on Sep/Oct but my retrieval is 11/1. SO I have been waiting to see this board get made

We are starting our 3rd Fresh cycle. It is my last one within my warranty program at my IVF clinic. So here's to hoping it all works out 

My whole schedule is funky this time around. My Doctor wanted to try a different protocol that was a longer stim cycle so we can try to get more eggs. 

We have been low in the egg count 
Cycle #1: 5 retrieved - 3 fertilized - 2 transfered
Cycle #2: 7 retrieved- 7 fertilized - 2 transfered
Cycle #2 FET - 1 egg wich didn't make it through the defrost

A few of you I see are doing a similar protocol? The Lupron before stims? Glad to see. I had no idea what it did differently but the Doctor wants to try absolutely everything we can this time around

Here is my calendar (that I know of right now)

Estrace 9/11 - 9/24
Birth Control 9/25 - 10/9

Lupron 10/5 - 10/14

Endo Scratching & Baseline US 10/12

GA 10/15

Estradiol Valerate 10/15 & 10/18

Normal stims - 10/22 - ??

Retrieval 11/1

JamieH2000

@kp214- Keep us posted once you get your protocol! You may be the first of the group starting stims I think I recognize you from some other threads- I really hope this is your round!

mandasand - that is a bummer about the BC. BC totally messed up my cycle last time too, but I definitely get how you have to go with how the Navy does it with timing. That is great that it "only" costs $4k . Hopefully it won't make too much of a difference and at least they know to do only minimal BC.

sleepyrn - So sorry on the failed FET. I can only imagine how hard that is. It looks like you good results with 6 out of the 7 eggs making it to blast. That is a great ratio! Does your RE have any ideas why the previous transfers did take? That is awesome you have insurance! I am fortunate to have insurance too. I definitely want to get as much in this year as possible, since our out of pocket max of $6k has already been hit When do you start stims and what stimming protocol are you on?

JamieH2000

derrian - sorry I missed you in my last post. we must have been typing at the same time. I think we may end up being cycle buddies, as my ER will be around  11/1 too! That is quite a protocol with lots of prep. It seems we have a few ladies with lower reserve/non standard protocols (myself included), so it will be great to get to go through it all together. I really hope this is your cycle! You are strong to keep on going- though I know the option of stopping is probably much harder.

sleepyrn

@JamieH2000 I will be on gonal and menopur for stimming.  She wasn't completely sure why it didn't take. My numbers were good for estrogen/progesterone, my lining was at 10.1, so maybe PGS for the embryos was the only thing we didn't do right?   I'm hoping this go around my left ovary doesn't go hide behind my uterus so we can get more eggs.  Last time that ovary had 13 eggs that they couldn't retrieve because it hid.  Ugh!  Also, I'm losing some weight.  I'm working with a nutritionist and have been averaging 3-4lbs a week (I am overweight but not morbidly obese or anything).  Hopefully the combo of weight loss, PGS, and uterine scratching will be everything we need for success! 

JamieH2000

sleepyrn - that sounds like a great plan. I really hope your left ovary cooperates and that will double your eggs! Congrats on the weight loss! I feel like all the meds and stress of this process really makes me gain weight, so that is amazing you can lose that much per week! Hope AF gets here so you can get started!

jodes727

I am active on the Sept/Oct board, but I'd love to join this one too.  I had my ER on 7/27 and had 43 eggs and by day 6 I had 3 embryos and severe ohss.  After pgs testing we have two healthy embryos (a girl and a boy) and we will transfer one on 11/3.  I had my final consult with my RE yesterday and we are all set.  I am really anxious and excited to be finally getting to the FET.

derrian

@jodes727
Geezes! 43. That is just nuts. Hopefully you came out of that all feeling better. I can't imagine.

I hear that the retrieval is worse the more eggs that come out. I believe it to a point I did only 3 the first time and it was a breeze. The next time was 7 and I was not a happy camper after lol

JamieH2000

@jodes727 - Welcome! Definitely join us too! That is awesome you have 2 healthy embryos and know the sex! How will you pick which one to transfer?

When I get home, I'll try to create a google spreadsheet so we can update it and track everyone's timing since these groups can grow quickly!

Kp214

@JamieH2000 I recognize you also. I'm from the August/September thread. I'm glad you started this thread. AF arrived, so I'm not sure what my protocol will be at the moment. Hopefully, tomorrow I will get a protocol. 

@derrian I have DOR also. 7 eggs retrieved sounds great to me!  Sounds like it was a pretty good protocol. 

@sleepyrn I think I remember you from the August/September group. I hope we have better luck this cycle. 

@jodes727 wow! My ovaries hurt just thinking about that many eggs!  I hope you are able to get some rest and take it easy for the next few days. 

I'm sorry if I missed anyone. I look forward to getting to know you all. I'm hoping to bank some embryos this cycle and send them for PGS testing. FX'd for a November FET. 

jodes727

@JamieH2000 we said that we'd pick the embryo that had the highest rating (we have B+B and BB). The higher one happens to be the girl. So we will transfer her on 11/3  

JamieH2000

@jodes727- that is so exciting! I would be happy with any baby at this point, but I would love to have a girl first since I have all nephews right now!

Ladies I tried making us a google spreadsheet. Here is the link. It worked for me if I copied and pasted it into a browser. I put in all the info I know, so please make updates as you get dates!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hzT7mM2_VQpQeFLbwmCpR7KrnUE520S_tvLO9XAtIs0/edit?usp=sharing

Does anyone know how to do a screenshot of the data? I have a special program at work for that, but can't figure it out on my home computer.

Natsuki

Hello everyone!

I am happy to be joining you and wish you all the best of luck.  I look forward to getting to know you all as we go through this process.

I received my calendar on Monday:

10/9 - Last birth control pill
10/12 - Baseline ultrasound
10/14 - Stim meds started, Gonal-F and Menopur (Cetrotide to be added later and an Ovidrel trigger shot)
10/19 - Ultrasound
10/21 - Ultrasound
10/24 - Ultrasound
10/25-10/28 - Hopefully the retrieval

If things go well I will also be on Endometrin, Prometrium, Prednisone, and Azithromycin after

Thank you for reading and good luck!

sleepyrn

@JamieH2000 maybe if I mention her @wifeinraleigh28 will pop in here and tell us the secret to screen shotting the spreadsheets. 

Natsuki

@JamieH2000 and @sleepyrn
If you have a PC, you can hit the 'Print Screen' button on your key board. Nothing will visually happen but you can open up a program like Paint and hit the 'Paste' button to put the image into your Paint screen. From there you can crop it as desired and save it. 

wifeinraleigh28

Haha! I'm happy to help with the screenshot issue. I'm on a mac though... I just go to 'print' within the google spreadsheet, and it opens a PDF on my computer. Then I hit command + shift + 4 and it allows me to select only the part of the screen I want to capture and saves it automatically to my desktop! When the data starts to get really long, I sometimes view the PDF in full screen so that everyone fits in one capture.

JamieH2000

Thanks ladies! I will try those suggestions when I get back on my home computer next!!

@natsuki-welcome to the group! Feel free to add yourself to the spreadsheet or I can do it later when I am on my computer. Is this your first round of IVF? If so, I hope this is your first and last!

Natsuki

Thank you @JamieH2000

Yes, it's our first round of IVF. We had three failed IUIs at this time last year. It took us a whole year to scramble for IVF money and I feel like all our eggs are in one basket (so to speak) because we cashed out our retirement to do this. 

APM_SLP

Hey all.  

Well, I hate that I'm back here on another board, but here I am!! Just started meds for my "trial cycle." I'm on estradiol and will start PIO when my lining is ready.  Then, instead of my second FET will be doing the endometrium biopsy for the  ERA (endometrial receptivity array)Test.  Based on what the info gives us, I'll most likely have FET #2 in November.  

I hope Oct/Nov are good months for my TTC journey. Baby dust to all!

Kp214

@JamieH2000 I will be doing estrogen priming also!  We may be on the same schedule. Once I learn exact dates, we will see. Wasn't there someone else with the same protocol around that time?

spring512

Hi! I'm happy to have this kind of support! I'm kind of scared to start my first cycle of IVF- scared of all of it.
Anyway I think our plan will take us to transfer in Nov. 

Here's where I am- Finished bc 9/26, meds came in the mail today and starting tomorrow night. 
Ultrasound on 10/3 or 4. 
?timeline for egg retrival from there, but I'm assuming shortly after first ultrasound. 
PGS testing before we transfer the embryo. 

A little more about me- iui 5/2016, cancelled 2nd iui for too many follicles. Moved to IVF. PGS because two prior miscarriages. 

JamieH2000

APM_SLP - I recognize you from the aug/sept board. Sorry you are back with us, but its nice to see a familiar "face". I have read about the ERA test and find it very interesting! Can't wait to hear how it goes and hopefully it will provide some answers. Keep us posted! I really hope that this is your cycle!

derrian's protocol may be a version of estrogen priming too. It seems like once REs change it up from the standard protocols, everyone has their own variation of estrogen priming or micro lupron protocols. Let us know when you get your dates! Mine is dependent on my postivie OPKm which should be in the next 5 days sometimes.

Natsuki - so exciting you are finally able to get started after the waiting! I really hope this is your cycle!!

spring512 - welcome to the group! Looks like you may the first of us for retrevial! feel free to add your dates to our spreadsheet. So sorry about your losses, i really hope the IVF with PGS will prevent that for you!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hzT7mM2_VQpQeFLbwmCpR7KrnUE520S_tvLO9XAtIs0/edit?usp=sharing

derrian

@JamieH2000

I think you are right. I have now seen a few people post about it and it sounds right. Just ordered my Lupron. Shots start next week ;(

shauna43

Hi everyone...im joining in here too. Some of you are familar faces from the aug/sept  board hoping this next cycle is the winning cycle for us all. 

AFM- waiting for AF after this miscarriage.  this will be my 3rd ER and 3rd transfer. I am planning on doing another ER because my insurance covers unlimited ivf. I have 3 frozen alreadtly. 2 passed pgs and 1 is inconclusive. This time around we are skipping pgs. Im trying to transfer a fresh and frozen embie if possible. Want to see if somehow the pgs us hurting my embies. I beleive my prob is a autoimmune disease so i need lovenox ..which i cant take. Going to add prednisone this time around. I started acupunture yesterday to try to get AF going. I think most likely ill be a nov cycle. But really want to start now lol good luck everyone!

JamieH2000

I think I figured out how to load the screenshot, so hopefully this looks ok. Most of our timing is still not final, but we can update once we get all get dates. Its officially October and I am excited to try this again. Hopefully all our BFPs are less than 60 days away! 

shauna43- You have had quite the journey and I am so sorry for your losses. I really really hope that this is your cycle and everything goes well. I hope AF gets here soon so you can get started!

Colleen0516

Hi ladies.... I will be joining you soon. I had surgery for an ectopic pregnancy in September, went through a recovery cycle and should be starting my next round of ivf in October. It is round number 4 for me so I'm PRAYING that this round works! 
I go to my doctor on Monday for another post op follow up-so hopefully I will know more then! 

jodes727

@Colleen0516 glad that you are recovering well (I was on the Aug/sep board too). Your strength and positive attitude is inspiring!  

rmarble23

Hi! i will be here for the wait, I have my second FET 10/6!  I see a lot of familiar faces in here, glad to see you but sorry you are still here.

JamieH2000

@colleen0516- I have been thinking of you and hoping you were recovering well. Your strength is amazing and while I was you had moved on to PAIF, it will be great having you in our group!

@rmarble23- good luck on the FET this week! I think you are first up so hoping you start us off with a BFP!

shauna43

@JamieH2000 thank for your kind words ans support. And glad @wifeinraleigh28 could help with the list.  Sorry your first cycle got cancelled and that youve been diagnosed with DOR. I hope this next protocol will be the winning one and you get some good eggs to work with. Ive been struggling with IF for 10 years but pretty much knew something was wrong my whole life. Im glad we can support each other thru this nightmare. 


AfM- spoke to my RE today because AF came and i was freaking out. She said to start bc today and that she will get my calender together. She roughly thinks ER willve week of halloween and transfer first week of nov. Fx i want to start this ASAP lol 


I hope everyone else is doing good and keeping positive! 

JamieH2000

@shauna43- glad you can get started! I think we will be cycle buddies! Are you trying a new protocol this time?

@colleen0516- are you meeting with your RE today? I hope it goes well and they can come up with the best plan for you!

shauna43

@JamieH2000 hey there! I hope we are cycle buddies.  I cant wait to get my official schedule 
 Do you have your schedule? Im on same protocol i was on last time. Follistim menopur and lupron. I ussually stim for 12 days. This time ill be on predisone.  I hope that helps. 

Hoping your protocol works!!!!!! I think ive never heard of it. Are u on bc now?

JamieH2000

@shauna43- i find it very exciting in a weird way to get the calendar! So much waiting in this process and it's easier to be "doing" something, in my opinion. I'm not on brith control actually, which I believe suppressed me so much that it was the main reason I couldn't get a good response on my last cycle. I do have a calendar but it's all based on my own natural cycle. Once I get a positive Opk, hopefully in the next few days, I will get my progesterone checked in 5 days I think and then I start estrogren patches and ganirelax. Then I get AF again and start stims. So the timing will be depend on when I get the positive OPK and AF, which should be in about two weeks. Let us know when you get your calendar!

i had a down day, as my best friend told me today she is pregnant with her second (first month of trying both times). She did it in a super sensitive kind way, and I am so happy for her but so sad for myself. For me, the best way of coping with IF is just trying to not think about it and pretend it's not happening most of the time. That is very hard to do with pregnant friends. Like 75 percent of my good friends and family have had a baby in the last year, so I'm used to it, but this one hit me hard since I had hoped maybe timing would work out for us together. Especially if this next cycle fails, it's going to be very hard. Trying to stay positive for this cycle, but I had one of those what if it never happens moments of despair today. Sorry for the complaining, I just know you ladies are some of the only ones that understand 

shauna43

@JamieH2000 so sorry you had a bad day. We all can relate. Last year on my 1st ivf. My coworker who stated she never wanted kids told me 2 weeks after my fail. Yea her kid is now 3 monthd old. And ive had 2 fails since then. I get it. Your next jamie! ((((Hugs))) i hope tomarrow is better for you! Im excited for you!!! 


Afm- i got my schedule soon after i wrote u back. I stop bc 16th. Start stims 21st. Then ER is week of halloween. Yay!!!

JamieH2000

@shauna43- appreciate the support! It's just hard situation and I know everyone on here has been through this so it's great to have others that understand. That is great you get to start in 2.5 weeks! I really think third time will be the charm for you!  Are you planning a fresh transfer or doing PGS/FEt?

Colleen0516

Oh ladies, i feel your pain- too many circumstances like that in my past 2 years. 

I went to the doctor today-- everything looks good! Started my estrogen patches... and I'm ordering my meds tomm. Waiting for AF to show up... when it does, i start! So a week at most (ish)!! 
Anxious, excited and overwhelmed- all at once!