TTC after 35 Weekly Check In (Week of 4.3)

laurad75

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment):  

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?):  

Rants/Raves: 

Questions for the group: 

Spring is here!  What are you looking forward to in the warmer months: 

vlagrl29

This is our 2nd cycle TTCAL and I'm in TWW at 14DPO

This cycle was my first taking the progesterone suppositories.  Tested this morning and it was negative so if AF isn't here when she should be by Thurs I'm going to test again.

R/R - I have a consultation with a different OB group tomorrow morning.  I've been wanting a 2nd opinion on all this and at some point if I ever do become pregnant I may consider them for a future OB.

Has anyone taken progesterone suppositories and has it delayed your period.  If so did you just stop taking them and your period came shortly after wards.  I'm getting anxious of these things jacking up my very typical cycles.

I'm looking forward to everything blooming and planting some flowers.  Hoping our milkweed comes back that we planted last year for the monarchs.  I'm also looking forward to the hummingbirds coming back.

katekate628

@vlagrl29 hope you like the new OB! 

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment):  WTO I guess? 

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): CD 51, yes 51...

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?):  BBT, OPKs, prenatal & vitamin D. My PCP just prescribed me 50k iu of vitamin D, 1 capsule per day for 2 weeks, then 1 a week for the next 10 weeks.

Meet with RE for first appt Thursday. Curious as to what the first appointment will entail. 

Rants/Raves: AF, she never shows up when you want/need her to. 

Questions for the group: What were some of the questions you wish you would have known to ask your RE on your first appointment?


Spring is here!  What are you looking forward to in the warmer months:
Flip flops!!! My favorite! Baseball games (Go Reds!) longer days/lighter later! 

SP128

@vlagrl29 Hope AF isn't delayed because of the suppositories.

@katekate628 I love flip flops.  I love not wearing socks.  I literally only where socks and real shoes a couple months out of the year.  

status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment):    TWW and tested this month

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): 8 dpo

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?):  tested - labs look ok (from my untrained opinion), waiting for re to look at them and clear tubes per hsg.  Waiting to hear about DH's SA when we go for our follow up/treatment planning next Wednesday.  BBT, prenatals, did some pineapple, brazil nuts and preseed.  

Rants/Raves: Eh.  Just kind of over this TTC naturally.  Really don't feel like it's going to happen.  

Questions for the group: Let's say RE recommends IVF at my appointment next Wednesday, I should be CD 2 at that time.  How long does it take to actually get to the transfer point?  Are we talking next month or months down the road?  I'm sure like everything TTC it all depends on the person : )

Spring is here!  What are you looking forward to in the warmer months: I am so looking forward to all my spring bulbs blooming.  This is the second spring at our house and I planted over a 100 tulips.  Crocuses are also a fave.  They are so adorable. 

vlagrl29

@katekate628 and @SP128 - I have zero RE experience but I wish you both luck.  If my Prog does in fact delay my period I probably won't take it again because that causes too much stress for me.  I will then just find a natural Prog cream and take that instead.  Judge away  

Labluver2

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment):  WTO

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): CD11

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?): BBT, prenatals a bunch of vitamins, OPK, preseed

Rants/Raves: Insurance not covering any fertility treatment

Questions for the group: 

Spring is here!  What are you looking forward to in the warmer months: being able to wear flip flops!!! I hate wearing shoes!!!

liljoy-2

@SP128 Hi there. You can't start IVF the first cycle you see a RE, because there are lots of blood and sperm tests that need to me performed first, so likely if everything ok you can start the next month, with a baseline US on CD2. If everything looks good, you start the injections and egg retrieval that cycle, and if you want/can/have embryos, can implant right after (fresh transfer). Alternatively, you can do a FET (frozen embryo transfer), usually 2 cycles after the IVF egg retrieval cycle. There are advantages to doing FET.

SP128

@liljoy  Thanks for answering : )  Care to share the advantages of FET?  Do they do PGS testing on fresh or frozen?

liljoy-2

@SP128 Sure, the advantages are: 1) your body gets a chance to recover after all the hormones for stimulation, the lining is better, etc. 2) you can PGS test and implant normals; 3) statistics show higher success rates with FET; 4) you avoid OHSS which can happen if you have many eggs/high estrogen + hcg pregnancy hormone

SP128

@liljoy  Thanks again.  Super helpful!

artemis618

@katekate628 That is a lot of vitamin D!  I'm guessing they tested and you're deficient?  I started taking 5k/day, mostly because like most people I work inside but I've also historically hidden from the sun when I'm outside

@SP128 I love the idea of all your tulips!  Like liljoy said, the RE may have to run additional tests/exams to get information to determine what to recommend for you, but hopefully you'll be good to start next cycle if that's what you want.  We had our *TW* loss in October, but didn't get an appointment with the RE (or even realize I had any IVF coverage) until November, so I didn't do my CD3 testing till December.  I began testosterone priming/OCP at the end of December, started stims about 3 weeks into January, and had my first ER on 2/2 (unfortunately I didn't have anything to freeze - banking was the plan, but I'm more open to a xfer this round since my insurance only covers 2 cycles).  Hope your appointment goes well!


Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment):  In the midst of IVF #2

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable):  CD10 (anticipate ER Friday or Saturday)

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?):  Many shots...and many supplements.  Also some acupuncture.

Rants/Raves:  Maybe not a rant, but I am disappointed that our lab doesn't offer PICSI.  We don't have male factor, but DH really likes the idea of some sort of sperm "obstacle course" (he did even before we had only 3/7 fertilize with ICSI).  Also not really a rant, just sad that April is here and our EDD for our firet pregnancy is fewer than two weeks away.  And all we have to show for it is a disastrous IVF cycle.

Questions for the group:  None right now!

Spring is here!  What are you looking forward to in the warmer months:  I'm pretty lucky that we can wear flip flops year round (though DH HATES them).  I'm looking forward to all the outdoor concerts around town, and experiencing a new season (as much as LA has them) in the new house.

katekate628

@Artemis0685 blood work showed deficiency so she's trying to get it back up there then switch to a maintenance dose. I work inside as well and steer clear of the sun with sunscreen, hats & umbrellas! My DH also dislikes flip flops, I just don't know how you can not love them!

Momifbysea

@SP128 the thought of your flowers makes me smile.

@katekate628 We made a list of all our questions for a couple of different appointments. I thought I saved them on my phone but they're in a notebook at home, sorry! I'll look for them. The first appointment was more about him laying out options, anywhere from TTC naturally with the confidence gained from our test results to IVF, where we are at 7 months after our initial consult appointment.

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment):  IVF - supposed to start stims Monday, baseline U/S and bloodwork tomorrow

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): CD 24

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?):  took my last of 23 days of BCP last night (woohoo!) so now just on aspirin, prenatal and vitamin D until it gets real Monday morning with my needle phobia...heehee

Rants/Raves: The wait to really start IVF seems so long! Tired of stressing about it and just want to get through it already!

Questions for the group: Not at the moment.

Spring is here!  What are you looking forward to in the warmer months: walks with my family after dinner around the neighborhood to decompress! We did our first short one last night but I froze. Fresh air was still way worth it though and good for mental health!

vlagrl29

Yea for no more bcp @Momifbysea
I am currently waiting to talk to new OB.

Momifbysea

Wishing you a great info session and peace of mind @vlagrl29!

vlagrl29

Well the appt went really well and I like this doctor so I'll be switching.  I'm going to stop taking the Prog tonight as I think it's delaying my period.  He told me it will come if I stop taking it.  He also said he would not prescribe P during the TWW but when I am pregnant I would start it asap if levels were low and take until 12 weeks pregnant.  He said everything is normal with all of our tests.  The fact that I have a living child and was able to get pregnant in December - he's positive it will happen again soon for us.  I've realized my anxiety has been high since the loss and I've held onto blaming myself for multiple reasons- I just need to let go, trust in my body, relax and live my life.  I'm no longer going to track my cycles - no need to now since I won't be taking any Prog.  I seriously just need to de stress.  Progesterone is actually used as a birth control - he did say if my level was at a 5 or 6 then maybe we would do something about it but it's on the middle of the normal range spectrum.

Momifbysea

@vlagrl29 what great news! I'm happy for you finding someone good to see who will be on top of it and optimistic!

SP128

@artemis618  **TW**                  I planted the tulips this last fall to brighten up the springtime.  I had a loss in Oct and my EDD was mid May.  My thought was to remember my angel by having the tulips bloom around that time.  When I planted them, I also thought I would be preg with someone new by the time they bloomed..... Nevertheless, I'm still excited to see what they look like once they bloom : )

@katekate628  The nurse from the RE called and advised me to take 4000 units of Vitamin D.  I will be on the Vitamin D bandwagon with you.  Doesn't compare to your 50k units!!! They are going to do a redraw to check my levels in 8 weeks.  

artemis618

@SP128 *TW* That's a lovely idea with all the tulips as a memorial . Our EDD was DH's birthday (4/17 - and his mom and I have the same birthday, oddly), so easy to remember.  My therapist suggested planting something in memory, so we'll probably plant a small tree if DH gets the yard in order by then! (Or plant it in a pot and move it later )

katekate628

Well, CD 51 came & went, I wa wondering how long this would go on & AF decided to show up this afternoon! I wonder if the ginormous dose of vitamin D I took last night could have had anything to do with it. Probably not, but adding it to the list of my questions. 


@SP128 I love tulips!  *TW* the day I had my loss, my husband got me a Pumpkin Pie Blizzard (they are my fav) so now, every year I get one in 11.3 and remember our angel. Kind of strange to say it out loud. The nice thing for you is, tulips don't have calories!  Yay for vitamin D!! I'm hoping this does the trick. I'd go to the tanning bed if it wasn't bad for you! 

katekate628

@vlagrl29 glad your appointment went well!!!

laurad75

@katekate628 GL with your appt. Let us know how it goes.

@sp128 I was going to write this really explanation of the IVF cycle but @liljoy did a much better job.  IVF is a super long process and it would likely be several cycles before a transfer.  Good luck with your appt!

@vlagrl29 I’m so glad you liked the new doctor and he was so encouraging. 

Status (WTO/TWW/Benched/in process of testing or treatment):  WTO

CD, CD/DPO (if applicable): CD 2

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment? Vitamins/supplements?):  First natural/ non-medicated cycle in a long time. We are just taking a little break and assuming I don't magically get KU this cycle will do another round of IVF stims next cycle.  We are meeting with our doctor to discuss a new plan next Tuesday. 

Rants/Raves:  It's been raining all week.  

Questions for the group: 

Spring is here!  What are you looking forward to in the warmer months: Not wearing a bulky coat and boots everywhere. I love flip flops.  I need a pedicure so bad!

vlagrl29

@laurad - enjoy your non medicated cycle.   Breaks are good and I'm looking forward to not tracking anymore.  Now that I won't be on the prog I don't need to.  I feel so relieved.  The cycle we got pregnant with our loss I did not track so I"m just going to stick with that.

Momifbysea

@laurad75 I hope you can relax on this non medicated cycle. I think breaks are really healthy! I'm with you on wanting to get rid of the coats!

My baseline us went really well today, lining looked good and I got the green light to start stims Monday morning, no matter what happens (or not) as far as my period starting. Also, a HUGE UNBELIEVABLE stress relief...I met with the financial person and the $7k of meds does NOT come out of our $15k fertility treatment bucket. I am just in shock. The IVF (without meds) is $14,555 and our balance available is $14,700! Hallelujah as we are on a student budget. Just dumbfounded here and this reinforces our decision even more to do this one round before we lose this plan in a couple months. So thankful right now, we could never do this otherwise.

SP128

@laurad75  A non-medicated cycle to reset things sounds like a good break.  Good luck with meeting with RE to discuss a new treatment plan.  I'm meeting mine next Wednesday.  I also booked an initial acupuncture appointment for this Sunday.  How do you like the acupuncture at the Domar center?  This is my first time doing acupuncture and am a little nervous.  

@Momifbysea  Congrats on the baseline us going well!!  So happy to hear that you are relieved of some stress on the finances.  It is unbelievable how much this stuff costs!

PoeMasque

@SP128 in addition to what @liljoy said, most REs will want you on some kind of suppression for at least 3 weeks prior to stims. (usually BCPs). My clinic actually does PGS testing for fresh transfers, so you don’t have to wait a cycle. Even with all the advantages to FET there are still risks when freezing/thawing embryos too. There are also added risks to doing the PGS testing and it’s not really a guarantee that the embryo will stick……basically you can talk yourself into or out of any of it and have research to back you up!

@artemis618 how did ER go?

@Momifbysea yay for starting stims and IVF coverage!! You are going to rock this!

laurad75

Thank you @SP128.  I agree that this little break is the right thing to do.  I am know just eager to figure out what is next.  

There is nothing to be nervous about for acupuncture.  It doesn't hurt.  For me, its like a mini therapy session followed by a nap.  They strategically place the acupuncture needles based on what they think you need, where you are in your cycle, where you are feeling tension, etc and then they leave you alone to chill out.  Your first appt will be mostly a chat for the acupuncturist to get to know you.  I really enjoy it and I believe it is beneficial to my overall health as well as my TTC efforts.   

Momifbysea

Thanks @poemasque. How are you hanging in?

So as I'm learning, there's one consideration after the other to make with all this. Today's decision is in between 2 different PGS plans. We are paying oop for our genetic testing. The plan my dr ordered for us (which is the default) is testing of up to 8 embryos over a period of 9 months for $1,950. A chunk of change. So I called this morning and our coordinator at the genetic place said there is also a kind of pay as you go plan. It's $750 per biopsied embryo tested but then there's a $250 and $350 for something else in addition. But when I asked her the cost for 4 embryos as an example she quoted me around $1800. Hmm. My point to the coordinator was that this is our one try at this, so being able to send multiple rounds of samples over 9 months is a moot point for me. Also, being 42, how many will I realistically have? So this choice is weighing on my mind. Sorry for the long post!

laurad75

@Momifbysea If we had the option I would do the pay as you go.  

Our PGS pay scale goes 1-2 embryos $2300, 3-4 $2600, 5-6 $3000, 7-8 $3300.  We have to pay $3300 up front and then if they test less than 7-8 we can be refunded or they bank that difference for a future round.  After 2 ER's we have only had 1 embryo make it to the PGS stage.  I hope you have better luck than me and have a dozen embryos to test but that might not be likely.  

katekate628

@laurad75 I'm sure it will be nice to have a break before you come up with a new treatment plan.

@Momifbysea it's amazing when things work out when you're stressed about making it work! FX for success!! 

Had first meeting with RE yesterday. I liked him, and the practice seems to be very well run! We had meeting to discuss medical history, then talked about what could be causing the delay. We discussed where we would start in the treatment plan. Based on my long cycles and weight gain over the last year (working on that) he suspected possible PCOS and annovulatory cycles. They did U/S on CD2 (yuck, lol) but I was so glad AF came before my appt. We were able to see the cysts in ovaries, but everything else looked good. So, I am going to start Clomid today and I go back next Friday for U/S to check size. If good, will use trigger. DH will do a SA, as well. Kind of nervous but glad to have a plan in place. 

vlagrl29

@katekate628- I'm glad your meeting went well and you have a plan!

AF came for me today and to my surprise I'm totally fine with it and I didn't cry.  I think my mind is finally starting to realize stress doesn't help the situation and in due time we will conceive naturally just like we did with DD - I have to remind myself this is only our 2nd month TTC since the loss.

katekate628

@vlagrl29 sorry about AF showing up, but glad you are feeling at peace with it. FX for a new cycle and the hope that comes with it!

vlagrl29

@katekate628- thanks!  I think it helps that I don't have to worry about taking anything this month and stress about if I'm doing it right.  In due time it will happen.  In the meantime I'm working more on my business, setting house and family vacation goals.  I really want a vacation sometime this summer!  Much needed.

artemis618

@PoeMasque Thanks so much for asking - my ER is actually not happening till tomorrow/Saturday AM, a little to my chagrin (lead follie was already 23 and E2 at 3220 - more than twice what it was 3 days before my last ER - as of Wednesday morning.  And I'm "only" looking at maybe 8 from 14 follies, so not sure if lupron protocols usually come with higher E2 since it's my first one.  Not that the last ER went so well...).  Trying to trust the professionals, but really concerned about everything being post mature.  Just have to cross my fingers and hope for the best at this point!

As a side note, I had a minor breakdown at my RE's office at Wednesday's appointment when the IVF nurse was giving me instructions for potentially a fresh transfer if it again doesn't look like we'll get anything to test (which again was the whole point of our going straight to IVF).  I had been doing pretty well taking it a day at a time, but it wasn't till then that the reality that this cycle could end up like the last one hit me.  I think I need to find a new therapist.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little jealous of all of your PGS pricing.  I didn't have anything to test last round, but they happily took my $3950 upfront - that's the price for 1-8 (can be in different cycles - it wasn't fun requesting that refund, but I figured I should at least get my money back at that point). A piece rate seems so much more fair, especially at this age.  For this round I don't know if it makes sense for us to set a threshold - honestly, if this round goes anything like the last one, we'll probably check out another shop/lab, so it could potentially be $3950 to test just one.  DH is inclined to do it even for just one, potentially in the interest of time since our last (actually only) *TW* loss "cost" us four months and sadly we just don't have the time at this age (and of course the emotional trauma).  It's just painful to think about the pricing.

@laurad75 A break sounds wonderful.  I feel like I've had *something* to do most days since the end of December - testosterone priming or OCP or shots or OPKs - not to mention all the annoying activity and travel restrictions.  We may actually consider going "backwards" to IUIs if it appears our embryos just don't like IVF since we've never tried one.  It's frustrating that we managed to make one the second month we tried last year and held onto her for almost 12 weeks, but only had one morula at day 5/6last time...  Enjoy your break from this madness!

@Momifbysea  Glad the insurance coverage worked out and good luck with stims! Think positively- you never know with what you'll end up!

@vlagrl29 and @katekate628 Glad your appointments with the potential new docs went well - as I mentioned, we may be shopping soon ourselves, but all OOP this time...

SP128

gl this morning. @artemis618

Momifbysea

@vlagrl29 sorry to hear AF came but glad you're taking it in stride. In my book, you are SO young! It will work, just a matter of when.

By the way, love that meditation app you referred me too. I start stims tomorrow morning so have been exploring meditation. Not good at it BUT I chanted with the family to this traditional music last night led by monks and really found it relaxing. So I'm a beginner student, haha.

vlagrl29

@Momifbysea - well thanks I still feel young and healthier than before when I was pregnant with DD.  I too think it's just a matter of time.  I've been thinking I need to turn my thoughts around too.  I need to stop telling myself I'm infertile and old.  I think the thoughts you tell yourself can be powerful and if I have these negative thoughts in my head it may not help me mentally.  Now that I'm off the progesterone I'm feeling much better.  This is the path I want to take.

Glad you like the mediation app - one of my yoga friends on IG uses it.  I need to get back into it.  I've also heard of an app called Head Space but I've never used it.  Good luck on stims.

Labluver2

@vlagrl29 sorry about AF. I admire your outlook on things. I never realized how emotional and stressful this process is. People get pregnant all the time and it looks so easy. 

Tomorrow is our appt with the RE I'm nervous BC if they can't work with us financially then we will just have to try on our own. The other RE mentioned get a laparoscopy surgery done. I think if all goes well I'll try 3 IUI before the surgery we want to do 6 IUI cycles before calling it quits. Fx

Momifbysea

DH did a great job on our first injection this morning! I was trembling and sweaty afterward but held onto a wall and did not faint lol. We've got this. It was much easier than I had feared. Tonight we do the Menopur one so with anything new it will be nerve wracking but I feel more confident with this first one behind us. I actually slept on and off last night despite the nerves and I credit it to meditation and prayer.

vlagrl29

@Labluver2  my new OB has made me feel so much better about this. I really think it will happen on its own especially since we've had all testing done and everything looks good. It's not good for me to sit and dwell on things. Making new goals and enjoying my current life is important.  Good luck with your RE

vlagrl29

@Momifbysea - I'm glad the first injection went well!