JANUARY FET BUDDIES

BecauseLove

Bharvey10 Dec 14th Birthday! I am also a Dec birthday FX that all comes in the right timeline for a Jan transfer! 

Sweetdrms182 Welcome! I am excited for your little eggy and your FET! FX that this is the 1! 

2MomsHoping Welcome! Congrats on the new house!! So exciting! 

@Worldtravler0522 I am glad you have gotten some results that will help provide some direction for the next step but I am sorry you are having to deal with any of this! 

mtpbadger Welcome! Hey come hang out with us...even if you push back further we are happy to enjoy your company along the way!

amanning2011 My FET is filled with meds. I start lupron, and then add in dexy, villvell (Estrogen Patches) starting at 1 and ending at 4 every other day, Medirol, endrometriem 3 times a day inserted. I start meds on (already on BCP) on 12/8 and a transfer on 1/9.

 

Worldtravler0522

Thanks @BecauseLove.  I'm hoping the rest of my tests are all normal and I just have this one thing to deal with.  

Bharvey10

@BecauseLove that's crazy we have the same birthday!

omarismyhomeboy

Hey ladies! I am hoping to join, although it may be a bit premature. I am taking December off, mostly because my lab will be closed, and I am hoping for a mid-Jan transfer. It will be FET #2. 

mtpbadger

@omarismyhomeboy welcome! I'm in the same boat as you - forced break this month due to the lab being closed. I'm trying to make the most of it and really take a mental break from everything but it's so dang hard some days!

omarismyhomeboy

Hey nice to see you over here, fellow ERA-biopsier (did you get results?)

mtpbadger

No! I called this morning and she was in with patients and her assistant said they would email her. I called back about 15 minutes ago and she had already left for the day! I left my nurse a not so happy voicemail so we will see if I hear anything back today. I will just keep calling. How can you tell a person that you received the test results and then not tell them!? It's torture!

omarismyhomeboy

That is ridiculous @mtpbadger! Well, let us know in the ERA thread when you here. Sending good vibes!

BecauseLove

mtpbadger so frustrating! I hope a nurse calls you back today!

mtpbadger

My nurse called back and I have a scheduled telephone meeting with my RE at 11.30am tomorrow.

Worldtravler0522

@mtpbadger hoping for good news for you tomorrow!!  For the record I would have set something on fire had the nurse not called back.  I am more patient than I used to be but I still don't handle those situations well haha.  

LeFemmeViolette

@mtpbadger
Glad you've got something scheduled. Still frustrating it isn't for today, but at least it's tomorrow in the morning. Hoping for a good plan of action for you tomorrow- regardless of the appointment! : )

Worldtravler0522

So we had our appointment and as I suspected I have more than just my MTHFR issue.  My karyotyping test showed that I have a pericentric chromosome which basically means I have a higher likely hood of producing chromosomally abnormal embryos.  So we either keep transferring and hope for the best that the embryo is normal and didn't get my jacked up DNA which will result in miscarriage or we get the embryos tested.  

I have been feverishly Googling trying to find information about my exact issue and coming up empty handed.  I left a message for a genetic counselor to make an appointment but their message said they won't return calls for 24 hours.  So now I have to wait on them too.... I'm just so frustrated.  This shouldn't have to be this hard.  

Regardless I am benched now for months while we get this all figured out.  I am beyond frustrated and angry about this entire situation.  I feel like giving up and just moving forward with my life without children regardless of how badly I want them.

cakeforbreakfast

So no go for me  
My IVF cycle was cancelled for poor response to stims. We will try a different protocol but baseline count, coupled with my current performance on high stims aren't boding well for us. I was really excited, and kinda naïve I guess...... I just didn't think a cancellation was gonna happen to me. 

mtpbadger

@Worldtravler0522 I'm bummed to hear that there was another issue found. You're right, it shouldn't be this hard. You have every right to feel mad, pissed off, sad, etc but know we are all here if you need any support. Part of me sometimes thinks this whole thing would be easier if I had a diagnosis where there was no possible way for me to biologically carry a child. At least then I could start greiving and coming to terms with it. Hang in there and big hugs to you. 

@cakeforbreakfast big hugs to you. I think we are all naive and think IVF will work for us and I think it helps us keep the hope sometimes. I've seen some ladies respond really well to different protocols when the more aggressive ones didn't work so hopefully if you move forward you have a better response!

AFM I'm thinking I won't be transferring in Jan. My ERA came back as receptive but it still doesn't really answer any questions. My RE is perplexed as to why my lining doesn't get thick and will be consulting with a medical endocrinologist at NIH where she did her fellowship to see if they have any ideas. I'll be getting more testing done to include the recurrent loss panel and immune panel. I just have a gut feeling that there is more going on. @worldtravler0522 who knows, I might be joining you on adding to my issues once I have the karotyping completed. This all just sucks. 

Worldtravler0522

@mtpbadger while I appreciate having the extra info part of me hates it. Like you though I wish there was a black and white answer instead of this gray business.  The panel took about two to three weeks to come back so you should have answers by the end of the year.  Hoping you get better news than I did. 

2MomsHoping

@Worldtravler0522 my heart breaks for you and having to wait for answers is torture on top of all the anxiety and disappointment.  The only advice I can give is be kind to yourself, talk to you spouse, and listen to your heart.  There are no right answers for these decisions...only time and your gut to guide you.  I hope the GC can give you some answers to help you get out of limbo.  <hugs> 

APM_SLP

Hi all!

I am back!  For those who don't know me I'll do a quick intro, although I guess most of my story is in my siggy!  We did our ER back in August along with a fresh transfer that ended in a CP. We PGS tested our embryos and frozen transfer #1 ended in a BFN.  We took a break to do an ERA test which ultimately gave us no new info, as the results came back receptive.  We have 3 embies left in the freezer- 2 good looking embryos and one embryo with a not so great grade.

I just got the go ahead to start meds for FET 2, so we are looking at an early January transfer. We'll be transferring two 4ab embies.   Just started 10 days of BC and then will start estrace and PIO along with progesterone suppositories.  I'll also be on Lovenox injections this time, which is new for me.  

Trying to stay positive throughout this whole thing, and I feel like I'm doing a decent job. But some days I just break down and cry.  Praying that 2017 is our year.  I don't want to be here, but since I have no choice, I'm happy to share the journey with you gals!  Baby dust to us all. 

LeFemmeViolette

@Worldtravler0522 and @cakeforbreakfast I'm so sorry things didn't work out for January. That's just not fair. @Worldtraveler0522 As agonizing a wait as it is, I hope the tests ultimately come back with helpful information and give you a plan to move forward. And @cakeforbreakfast there are other protocols out there. Maybe high stims just isn't the right one?

Creepy internet hugs to you both.

lilmissslp

Welcome @APM_SLP. Nice to see a familiar face!

APM_SLP

@lilmissslp so happy to see you here!  Cheers to 2017!

My RE called me tonight and said he wants to change me to a natural cycle.  I'll be on Letrazone starting on day CD3 because I don't ovulate very regularly.  I'm a little nervous about the change, but he seemed confident.  I'm also doing another saline ultrasound (probably next week) because it's been 6 months since my last one.  I'm so nervous I'll have another polyp!  Praying it's not the case.  I hate to be delayed any further. 

BecauseLove

Hey Ladies,
What vitamins are you taking as you prep for FET (or during FET)?

I had been taking a vitamin cocktail (a big long list of vitamins) during and before the IVF...but have dropped to just taking double the vit d, vit b, vit c, double the follic acid, and vit e since we have been prepping for the FET (and I kinda had some time off between). 

I start up FET meds today (had already been on BCP for prepping for the FET). 

APM_SLP I hope that a nature cycle brings you good news. Nice to not have to pay for the heavy duty meds!

cakeforbreakfast I am so sorry about this cycle being cancelled. Best wishes to you in 2017!

Worldtravler0522 I sorry you are facing a new hurdle (damn this TTC business is crazy making)! I hope 2017 brings great things your way! 

mtpbadger Have you heard anything more? 

LeFemmeViolette How ya doing? 

mtpbadger

Sorry for not updating! I got knocked on my ass yesterday with a cold/flu and am starting to feel a bit human again but have completely lost my voice! 

My RE called again yesterday and has a new plan after talking to some other doctors. She wants me to stop bromocriptine for high prolactin (and my medical endocrinologist was in agreement) as there is some thought that my old endocrinologist put me on it too quickly and my prolactin was never really high to begin with. She will be putting me on a steroid (one that's primarily used for women diagnosed with something I can't remember ooops but a symptom of the disorder is thin lining, even though that specific disorder has been ruled out for me), we will be moving forward with a FET ASAP to take advantage of the biopsy as some studies have shown increased lining after a scratch/biopsy and we will be transferring two embryos. 

Just waiting for my nurse to email me the protocol and instructions. Hopefully there will be no phone calls needed since I can't speak!!

LeFemmeViolette

@becauselove I'm doing ok. It's been a stressful week as the only other person at my company with my job title is leaving and today was her last day. The work is already starting to pile up.

Next weekend I'm going to a baby shower for a friend of mine. I know I can handle it, but it's still a little hard to swallow. I'll also probably be meeting up with another friend of mine who is newly-pregnant. Back in June she told me since she was single and 35 she'd like to get a move on with having a kid. I was all for it (and still am). But the fact that her second IUI worked and now she's pregnant before me is a little baffling.

I am so so happy for both of them, but it's just a little bittersweet.

My baseline will be on Monday, so I'm very excited to finally get started with FET prep.

kjplaza

Hello! I've been on a few boards in the past but here is a bit about me-

When was your retrieval? January 2016

When is your FET date? Had FET#1 may 2016 BFP miscarriage of identical twins 8.5 weeks and recently FET#2 November inital beta was + but levels started dropping right away. FET#3 will start as soon as AF comes hopefully ~3 weeks our protocols have been both 4 and 6 weeks long so hopefully transfer end of January. 

What was the single best thing that happened in 2016? Being pregnant for 2 months was pretty great but also lead to one of the worst times of the year.

What was an unexpected joy in 2016?
Traveling to the Philippines for a friends wedding for 2 weeks and my parents moved closer -4 hour drive away so we get to see them every couple months.

What was biggest thing you learned in 2016? To trust in Gods plans for me and to stop trying to control the outcomes. I will likely never master this but always a work in progress. 


What was the best way you used your time in 2016?
 I love to go on roller coasters and theme parks so after our first miscarriage we got 3 day passes to Disneyland and spent a day at six flags cause if I'm not pregnant I will go on all the rides I can until I'm pregnant again!

although DH and I have been ttc for 2.5 yrs and spent a full year doing IVF and I fully expected for 2016 to be my year to at least be pregnant if not already have my baby I must believe 2017 will bring all our dreams to life. Cheers to all our Miracle babies in 2017!

LeFemmeViolette

Also, here is our updated spreadsheet:

mtpbadger

@APM_SLP that's interesting about the natural start. Did your RE tell you the reasoning for the change? I know I have heard that some women have better reactions with the natural cycle as their bodies don't respond well to the synthetic medications. FX this is what works for you!!

@lefemmeviolette I'm sorry you're having a stressful week! It's always a little stab to the heart when I find out someone else got pregnant so easily with fertility treatments, almost like "Well why couldn't that have been me?!"

@kjplaza I love that you enjoyed the roller coasters! I too believe 2017 will be a good year for us - it just HAS to be!

AFM - Got a voicemail from my nurse with my schedule (eeek!) Of course I couldn't answer the call or call her back since I can't talk! Was not expecting to start a new cycle this month so kind of thrown off! Will go for my baseline 12/16 and potentially start meds that night, mid-lining check on 12/29, and tentative transfer date of 01/03! I'm glad that I most likely wont' be on injections while I'm home over Christmas and can still enjoy in some cocktails. No one in my family besides my parents know what's going on so I'm glad I won't have to be sneaky with injections or anything. Also glad that I'll be able to fill any prescriptions before my deductible resets on Jan 1.

LeFemmeViolette

Yay @mtpbadger leading the charge w/ the first transfer of the year!

amanning2011

I spoke with my doctor's office and how they do a natural cycle mirrors an IUI. Femara and Gonal-F to get my body to make follicles then triggering ovulation and the transfer a week after that. My doctor is hoping to have my body make most of the hormones I need for a successful pregnancy. I wonder why they handle it so differently.

@Worldtravler0522 I hope she shows for you at a reasonable time too, lol. The last time we had to wait for my cycle to start over I went through 2 rounds of meds to make it start and it still didn't start for another month after that. I don't seem to have 'full' periods lately, my lining is staying thick even after I've had what looks like a period so that's the biggest concern for me right now.

JESSABER0414

Is anyone doing a protocol WITHOUT steroids ?  Medrol or prednisone? I'm allergic so we are skipping it for fear of anaphylaxis. My RE checked out the literature and felt good about proceeding because some do not use and there is not a difference but, I wanted to hear from you ladies. Thanks!

mtpbadger

@Jessabear0414 I didn't use them for my first FET cycle or any of my IUIs. The only reason my RE has added them is b/c she's grasping for straws at what could be my issue and since there's no harm in me taking them, it's worth a shot. Otherwise I don't think I would be on them

LeFemmeViolette

Had my baseline u/s and estrogen blood draw today. Everything looks good so operation January FET is a go!

Also, spent this weekend working on a Harry Potter-themed gender reveal for a friend of mine. The actual "reveal" part will be a cauldron bubbling over with blue goo (for a boy, obvs). But this is another component:

rainbowwishes5

-When was your retrieval?

In about 10 days.

-When is your FET date?
mid January 

-What was the single best thing that happened in 2016?

nothing. It was sh** and full of death.

-What was an unexpected joy in 2016?

see above

-What was biggest thing you learned in 2016?
mid you think life is hard now- it can always get so much worse so quickly. Also- people really don't care about your "downs" in life. Only share your joy because no one will be around for the rest of it. 

-What was the best way you used your time in 2016?
learning about IF and making money

LeFemmeViolette

Welcome, @rainbowwishes5 !

I'm sorry 2016 has been a crap year for you. It hasn't been super great for me either. Hoping 2017 is much, much better.

I've added your info to our handy spreadsheet, which will help us all keep track of everyone's progress. Right now it's looking like we have about 16 January FETs!!

rainbowwishes5

Thank you @LeFemmeViolette !!

mtpbadger

@rainbowwishes5 I'm sorry about the sh*tty year and hopefully 2017 will be a better one for you. Good luck with your retrieval!

Holy shmoly. Just got my protocol and it is a little more intense than what I was expecting and different, yet again, from my previous ones. I'll be on del estrogen injections every three days; estrace vaginally twice/day; and hydrocortisone steroids twice daily starting all 12/16 (previously I was only on steroids starting the day of transfer) and then the lovely PIO shots in about 2 weeks. So much for not doing injections while I'm home over the holidays, at least it will only be twice - yay for an injection on Christmas day!

Gotta do med inventory tonight to see what I already have and what I can just get a refill of instead of having a whole new prescription called in. Might as well get all stocked up before my deductible resets and IVF coverage is no longer covered!

lilmissslp

How cute @LeFemmeViolette. You are much stronger than I am. There is no way I could emotionally do that.

I'm starting to get my period so I called to get my protocol. Since I had the MTX shot, we wont start until my next cycle in January; however, I wanted to go ahead and order my meds (I'm so type A!). I'll be doing estrace orally, estrogen patches, baby aspirin,and this time PIO. We have always done progesterone pills. PIO terrifies me! I would love any tips. 

LeFemmeViolette

@lilmissslp yeah, PIO isn't the greatest thing ever, but it's not that bad. My RE offered numbing patches to place on the injection site beforehand, but after a few nights I decided I didn't need them.

One thing I guess we should have known, but were kinda surprised when it happened is that because it is oil, that means whoever is giving the injection will def have to push the plunger down a bit harder than you'd expect. And make sure to get it in your love handles and not muscle- otherwise you'll be quite sore.

It's a little clumsy at first, but you'll get it. : )

APM_SLP

@lilmissslp pio has been my easiest shot to date.  I barely feel it.  At first I made sure I massaged the area and walked around a lot after.  After a while I literally stopped doing anything extra and I was 100% fine.  Don't over think it.  

lilmissslp

Thanks @LeFemmeViolette, numbing patches are a great idea!

@APM_SLP, that makes me feel a million times better! I hope i'm the same way. My MTX shot was IM and didn't hurt at all so hopefully PIO will be similar.