June IUI

greenhillgirl

Starting a thread for June IUIs here. 

Please share a little bit about yourself, including:

IUI number:
Date of planned IUI: 
Any other background/details of your journey:

For a break from all the fertility talk, if you could take a trip right now where would you go and why?


I'll start.

IUI number: This is my first:
Date of planned IUI: Not sure yet- guessing 6/6 or 6/7?
Other details: I just went in for monitoring today and start the letrazole tomorrow or Sunday. I'm also doing acupuncture for the first time. Cautious but hopeful.

I have always wanted to go to Italy. We were going to go last fall but ended up buying an apartment instead, so who knows when we will go. I imagine starting in Venice, staying near the water in little historic hotels and seeing sights, art, walking around, eating gelato and savory meats, and carafes of red wine.  Then I would love to hit up Florence as well as explore the Amalfi Coast. One day!

ramzlau

Hi @greenhillgirl! This is my first IUI too, so many new things to learn. Mine is actually on 5/31 so I am on both the May IUI and the June IUI board because things are wrapping up on May. 

IUI number: 1
Date of planned IUI: 5/31
Any other background/details of your journey: We aren't medicating for the first half of this cycle, I was on antibiotics to clear up endometritis. Went in for my 10 day follie check today and have a beaut on my right ovary of 15mm. Will trigger Monday and then IUI on Wednesday. 

For a break from all the fertility talk, if you could take a trip right now where would you go and why? Hawaii! I want a beach to be lazy on, and some beautiful waterfalls to play in. 

Labluver2

IUI number: 2
Date of planned IUI: not sure exact date yet prob the end of next week
Any other background/details of your journey: Did femara last IUI this time medicated cycle femera with Gonal-f injections hoping to get more than 2 follies this time. 

For a break from all the fertility talk, if you could take a trip right now where would you go and why? If I could afford it figi we are taking a trip to mass next month to just get away for a few days.

greenhillgirl

Best of luck @ramzlau and @Labluver2 and thanks for sharing.  Hawaii & Fiji both sound amazing. I'll take both, please.

I just got a call from the RE instead of instructions I got told my insurance is denying the IUI cylce coverage because the RE didn't submit the newest SA results that took us from severe MFI to much better (x25 count). We faxed it to our office and a different branch does the authorization. Now I'm waiting to hear if they have it or I need to resend. And I'm at work and its at home. Oh boy! 

rel_1987

IUI number: 3
Date of planned IUI: I'm guessing 6/2 if all goes as planned (yeah right lol)
Any other details: Went for my baseline scan on 5/25. Lining was good and thin at 4.5 mm and my ovaries looked good. Taking Femara 7.5mg days 5-9. I'll go for my day 12 scan on 6/1. Had to take May off due to a cyst on my right ovary.

For a break from Fertility talk if I could take a trip anywhere right now it would have to be Puerto Rico. I have always wanted to travel there since I seen it on a travel channel when I was younger. Looks like a beautiful place to go.

tosh24

Hi! I intro'd a few weeks ago but didn't join the May IUI thread since by the time I realized there was one, I was already in the TWW. 

IUI number: 3
Date of planned IUI: Around June 5th-ish
Any other background/details of your journey: I've been TTC for about 5 years but hubby and I didn't want to do treatments again since they stressed us out so much last time. *TW* I ended up getting pregnant in September on my own after 4.5 years, but unfortunately miscarried at 9w1d in November. The miscarriage is what ended up giving us a swift kick in the butt and pushed us into treatments again *End TW*. I am on letrezole + Ovidrel - my RE does not want to put me on injectables since I respond really well to letrezole and have had 5-6 mature follicles at each of my last IUIs, which were almost cancelled. I am currently looking into IVF if this IUI doesn't work but don't know that we'll be able to afford it. DH and I have only given ourselves 2 - 3 more cycles before we call it quits and move on with life. Hopefully I end up pregnant with a sticky baby before then.

Oh, too many places to mention!!! We are actually taking a family trip to Italy next summer for a few weeks and I'm really excited about it. Hawaii is another place I'd love to visit. 

mockingjay1

IUI number: 3
Date of planned IUI: Not sure, likely mid June (waiting for AF to show up)
Any other background/details of your journey: I am having an HSG this cycle (I had an SHG before starting treatment). I want to make sure we're not wasting our time with another IUI (or maybe 2) before proceeding with IVF.

For a break from all the fertility talk, if you could take a trip right now where would you go and why? I'd love to go back to England, but I think right now it would be nice to go to Colorado or Yellowstone and just enjoy nature. I've also always wanted to go to stargazing in Utah. 

greenhillgirl

Thanks for sharing! @rel_1987 good luck with your day 12 scan and let us know how it goes. I'm about a week behind you and struggling a bit with the Femara 5mg. Lots of side effects. @tosh24 im sorry to hear about your struggles. Good luck with this try! Is IVF not an option for you? Just curious. @dmo1371good luck with the HSG. They are not the most fun but it goes quick. Happy Memorial Day everyone!

mockingjay1

Thanks @greenhillgirl, and I'm sorry you're having side effects from the femara. Do you take it at night? Did you also have an SHG? For those who have had both is the HSG a lot worse? Part of me wants to say screw getting it and just do a 3rd IUI (because the test will cost more than the IUI itself) and if it's not successful move on to IVF. The other part of me thinks I should just suck it up and do it on the off chance I do have a blocked tube and the pressure from the dye is enough to unblock it. You guys would get it done right?

eta later: I did some research and discovered some tubal issues can interfere with an embryo implanting so it sounds like I better just do it. I am so scared of the pain most people have mentioned.

rel_1987

@greenhillgirl I will definitely keep you all updated. I had awful constipation last night (sorry for tmi)  Idk if its from the femara or metformin. Feel a lot better today!!!

Labluver2

@dmo1371 the HSG wasn't that bad. It was more uncomfortable than painful and it was pretty quick. I was so nervous as in don't have a high tolerance for Pain. 

kristimh80

@dmo1371 I agree, the HSG wasn't bad. Its similar to an IUI with the small catheter, just they put dye and go thru your tubes. I got a little lightheaded after, kinda like the 1st day of AF, but it went away quickly. 

@greenhillgirl Sorry about your femara side effects! Are you taking them at night? I did and only side effect I had was hot flashes. 

greenhillgirl

@dmo1371 I'm sorry for the trouble you're having and having to get the HSG. I am glad to hear others didn't find it bad. Mine was painful to be honest, but I tend to be sensitive. My RE requires it within a year to do IUI or IVF, so it sounds really important that you get it done if you are able. 

@rel_1987 That sucks about the constipation. That's one I haven't had! 

@kristimh80 Thanks. Yes, I am taking it at night but still having some issues. I put an arrow next tot he ones I've been experiencing intermittently haha! Luckily I have meetings at work where I can just sit and do nothing and pretend to be okay today. My arms, neck, and back especially hurt and Tylenol is only helping a little.

--> hot flashes,

warmth in your face or chest,

hair loss,

--> joint/bone/muscle pain,

--> tiredness,

--> unusual sweating or night sweats,

--> nausea,

--> diarrhea,

--> dizziness,

--> trouble sleeping,

--> drowsiness,

weight gain,

--> weakness,

--> flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),

--> headache,

constipation,

--> numbness/tingling/weakness/stiffness in your hand or fingers, or pain in your hand that spreads to your arm, wrist, forearm, or shoulder

I am scheduled for my next appointment on 6/5 and possibly a trigger shot then, depending. We got the updated SA to the doctor and are waiting on insurance approval before I can get the trigger shot to have on hand. I hope they approve it soon and I'm not taking this drug for nothing! 

Labluver2

Had cycle day 10 ultrasound and blood work kinda disappointed that I only had 2 follies again tho they were good and mature. Trigger hopefully tonight IUI Thursday. I keep telling myself better than having none and it only takes one. Trying to keep positive 

kristimh80

@greenhillgirl Oh wow! I did notice once feeling I had night sweats and a little joint achy-ness, but nothing too crazy. You're so lucky insurance will help out, they will only pay for femara because its not technically a fertility drug. Of course, my dr took me off it and meds last time were $700+ then plus all dr visits. IUI's luckily aren't too pricey if insurance doesn't help. Good luck!!

kristimh80

@Labluver2  Best of luck to you!!! In my googling...you don't know how many women swear they had a bfn with multiple follies and got pregnant with only 1 or 2, so you are good, don't stress too much over it

MrsM00re87

IUI number: # 1 
Date of planned IUI: still waiting on AF, cd 29 today, so I'm due for AF tomorrow. But doesn't seem like it wants to come. Gonna take a hpt of no AF by Friday. If it does start tomorrow I expect my iui to be June 10th or 11th (if I stim for 8-10 days, like I did the last time I did IVF).
Any other background/details of your journey: I have done 6 clomid cycles, 4 femara cycles, 1 IVF, all a bust no chemical pregnancies, no miscarriages... diagnosed originally with PCOS - they focused a lot of energy on me only to discover my hubby has a variocele causing some MFI. Now after I've lost 25lbs, and done all repeat tests - no PCOS for me. Trying iui, at least once before doing another IVF cycle. The doctor says that even with MFI issues it's still worth it to try iui. So here we are! 4 years of infertility struggle, and I'm bitter... and tired of it all, but still hopeful that I'll have my take home baby. Even to flip a hpt positive, will be a dream come true... and least we are moving in the right direction. That's my story. 

Actually I have a trip planned to Germany in August, flight is booked and going for 10 days and I'm going to Calgary, Alberta Canada at the end of June... just before my beta will be scheduled prolly. I will be coming back from that 4 day trip and having my beta drawn hopefully if all goes to plan. 

mockingjay1

@Labluver2 - 2 mature follies is awesome! I know that's what you were getting with the femara, so I get being a little disappointed. FX this is your cycle!

AFM: I scheduled my HSG and I'm praying it isn't too bad. I'm also having CD 3 u/s and lab work done tomorrow (per my request). I know a lot of offices do this automatically, but mine doesn't. I want to make sure I ovulated and don't have any cysts. 

tosh24

@greenhillgirl thank you IVF is an option but the cost of it may prohibit us from going that route. I found out that my insurance will cover IVF but only at clinics associated with hospitals which means I would have to change clinics. I have a referral into one of the covered clinics but it's a 2 month wait just to get in and then who knows how long to actually move on to IVF. All my testing has been recent so I'd hope they wouldn't require re-testing but who knows.

Sorry about your femara side effects - hope they don't last too much longer!

Bababatty

Hi all!  CD 5 here.  I had my baseline today and confirmed with my RE that will do an IUI this cycle, so here I am.

IUI number: 6
Date of planned IUI: Around 6/9
Any other background/details of your journey: This is our 25th cycle trying, and our last IUI before moving on to IVF.  DH has low motility/morphology.  The motility has been greatly improved by 6+ months of clomid.  Our first three IUIs last fall were pre-clomid, and were essentially a waste of time because his count was so low.  My insurance covers IUI so I'm really hoping 6th time is the charm!  I'll be taking 2.5mg letrozole, and probably triggering with ovidrel if I don't O unexpectedly--as happened last cycle!

For a break from all the fertility talk, if you could take a trip right now where would you go and why?  We're actually going to Norway this summer, which I'm really looking forward to doing.  I've wanted to go for ages.  Really looking forward to touring the country and seeing the ancestral home.  

GG620

Hello everyone! It is nice to see some other first timers here as well. Fingers crossed for all of us

IUI number: First one
Date of planned IUI: Thinking likely second week of June 
Any other background/details of your journey: This is our first intervention. When AF decides to show (feeling crampy so should be soon), I will begin Clomid on Day 3 of my new cycle. Then 12 day scan, trigger and IUI. 

For a break from all the fertility talk, if you could take a trip right now where would you go and why?   

GREECE! I have always wanted to go and could use some more sun and delicious greek food

Funnygirl34

Hi ladies! I'm so glad to be back after a cycle off due to stupid cysts.

IUI number: 4 (I've also done several medicated TI cycles)
Date of planned IUI: June 14 or 15
Any other background/details of your journey: Our dr will most likely only approve 1-2 more cycles since we are not going to pursue IVF.  Feeling very nervous and scared this won't work.

For a break from all the fertility talk, if you could take a trip right now where would you go and why?  Italy. In a heart beat.  My husband and I are planning a big Europe trip for our 10 year anniversary (in 2 years) and I CAN NOT wait!

J1006

Waiting for AF to arrive, but I'm pretty sure I'm out from last round. 

IUI number: 3

Date of planned IUI: around June 14/15

Any other background/details of your journey:
DH have been trying for over four years. Really hoped this last cycle would be the one. Everything looked perfect. We have a dx of male infertility and are using a donor. We have two more rounds of IUI before we have to have the IVF discussion. 


For a break from all the fertility talk, if you could take a trip right now where would you go and why? Hawaii for sure. It's on our bucket lists. I could go for a beach and a drink right about now. 

greenhillgirl

Thanks for joining in @Bababatty @GG620 @Funnygirl34 and @J1006 ! It sounds like we have a couple of pros with multiple cycles under your belts and one newbie like me. I hope everyone is having a good day. Norway, Greece, and Hawaii all sound awesome. And Italy of course!

I'm having a rough day. Had a nosebleed that wouldn't stop this morning at work from the Femara and my neck is really tender and sore, both the skin to the touch and the muscle. It's my last day of the Femara! (Last night but feeling it today). The insurance went ahead and denied our IUI cycle, saying it is not medically necessary, despite only looking at the first SA with severe MFI and not the improved SA #2 with mild MFI. The RE authorization department woman is amazing and helping walk through me- she is responsive and caring. She is resubmitting and asking them to look at second SA but says since our motility is still on the low side they may deny. I should know by the afternoon.

If they deny, we have agreed we will go ahead and convert to timed intercourse cycle so that they pay for all the meds and monitoring. I'd rather just save the money for when we get me on his insurance and have 75% IVF coverage and have to pay the remaining 25% than pay for full IUI stuff if they won't cover any.

So disappointed. Trying to hold my s@!# together at work.

It's sunny here- take care ladies! 

mockingjay1

I'm so sorry @greenhillgirl. For the femara side effects and that insurance may not cover IUI. I can't imagine how frustrating that is. Everything crossed that you get good news this afternoon about your coverage! When do you go on DH's insurance? 

rel_1987

Good afternoon ladies hope all is well Had my 12 day scan, it coulld of been better but could of been worse. My lining was good at 8.3 mm which I'm pleased with. Now my ovaries on the other hand were a disappointment. I had a few small ones on my right with a dominant one of 16mm and nothing on my left. My RE wants me to trigger Sat night with iui on Mon late morning. Not quite sure how I feel. Was hoping for better results...

tosh24

Went for my day 10 u/s and b/w today. Really bummed about the results. My first two IUI cycles I had 5 mature follicles and 6 mature follicles, respectively (my protocol was 8 pills of 2.5 mg letrezole all taken on CD 3). I am on the same protocol this cycle and I have ONE measly follicle on my left, and nothing on my right. WTF!?!?!?! I ovulate on my own anyway (dx is unexplained) so I feel like the letrezole did nothing this time. And they had me trigger tonight because my LH level was starting to surge (LH = 19)....I've never triggered on CD 10 before. The one follicle I do have is bigger than any of my other previous follicles have been at trigger (a juicy 24 mm one this time....biggest one previously has been 20 mm) so I'm hoping that counts for something. E2 level was 500 and something (too late at night...my brain is shutting down). Lining was 10.5 mm.

B2B IUIs this cycle with my first one being tomorrow and the second one on Saturday. We are actually out of town on Saturday (triggering this early caught me off guard) so DH and I are trying to decide if it's worth it for each of us to make the 1.5 hour trip to the clinic separately (him in the morning for his sample and me at noon for the IUI) or if we should just do one IUI and then TI on Saturday. 

I have my IVF counselling appointment next week since that seems to be the next step. Still don't think we can afford it (and currently fighting the insurance company to see if they will cover it) but might as well take the necessary steps just in case. 

Good luck this week @rel_1987 - I see we're in a little bit of a similar situation

MrsM00re87

So my iui has been postponed... ugh! DH requires some repeat blood work. And I'm still waiting on AF, gonna test like planned tomorrow morning. 
Good luck to all everyone else! Keeping my fingers crossed and wishing you all the best. 

rel_1987

@tosh24 fx for you and I hope that quality over quantity is the rule of thumb for us this month and we both (everyone) get our bfp!!!

rel_1987

If you ladies don't mind me asking how many hours do your RE have you trigger before iui?

mockingjay1

@tosh24 - I'm sorry you only have 1 follie. I can't believe you had 5-6 with just femara before. You only need one! FX for you! 

@rel_1987 - My RE triggers me 24 hours before IUI.

J1006

@rel_1987 I trigger 36 hours before my IUIs. 

Labluver2

@rel_1987 I trigger 36 hours before

tosh24

Thanks @dmo1371....yeah, my RE said it's rare to get that kind of response with just femara so I'm thankful that I seem to be a good responder. I guess I just had a wonky cycle this time. Who knows. Can I ask you a question about your HSG? Was it you or your RE who suggested it? I'm interested in having one done but I don't know if my RE will look at me like I have 6 heads. I had an SHG in February that came back clear (and and SHG about 7 years ago that also showed everything was OK), but I feel like I want some more confirmation. My RE said he thinks my issues may be one of two things - poor egg quality or some mechanical reason why sperm and egg aren't meeting, so I thought the HSG might be a good thing to do before going down the IVF path.

@rel_1987 My clinic does b2b IUIs so I trigger between 5pm and 10 pm the night before the first IUI and then have an IUI the next day as well (both are at 12 pm).
 

mockingjay1

@tosh24 - My RE gave me the option of an HSG before we started treatment (and wouldn't do treatment without an SHG so that was done). He was ok not doing the HSG right away, and I had read horror stories so I was scared and declined figuring I'd do it after a couple cycles if needed. I asked about the HSG last week after my 2nd unsuccessful IUI (maybe he would have recommended it after another failed cycle I'm not sure). I know a lot of REs do it before doing any treatment because it doesn't make a lot of sense to go through all this without knowing the tubes are clear first. I'd hate to do 3-4 IUIs and then find out I had a blocked tube which could have made one of them successful (and then have to decide whether to do more IUIs or IVF). I read that there are tubal issues that can affect implantation (including from IVF) so it's recommended to do an HSG before IVF if it wasn't done before. I'm sure your RE would be more than willing to do one. Mine is Monday and if all is well I'll do my 3rd IUI this cycle. 

rel_1987

Thanks ladies!!! I have triggered at 29 hrs and 24 so I think I'm gonna try 36 hrs this time. My RE just says to trigger between 18-36 hrs before iui. Fx 36 hrs works this time

greenhillgirl

Good luck to everyone who is triggering and doing IUI right now. My insurance did opt to cover this IUI cycle so that is great news! @dmo1371 I can drop my insurance and get on his anytime or add his as secondary in January. But I like my doctors that don't take his and they cover 100% of IUI and no IVF where his covers 75% of both. So I would prefer to stay on mine for IUI right now. 

Most annoying thing ever! I was off work yesterday for my 10 year college reunion 2 days of events and had to wait for my trigger shot rx to come from FedEx. It was supposed to come by 8pm. I waited til 3 and then got a message saying resident wasn't home and they couldn't deliver. The FedEx person doesn't feel like selecting our apartment on the buzzer system and just leaves a slip. We went to a reception by bus train and shuttle at my college north of NYC and then had to leave before dinner that I paid for started to take a $35 cab to the middle of nowhere to the FedEx place to get the shot and go home and refrigerate it. I missed the class and showing my husband the campus and the dinner BBQ but at least we have today. I want to file a complaint with FedEx but haven't had time. Jerks!!!!

Does anyone know why the doctor can't just order and do the shot?

mockingjay1

@greenhillgirl - ah gotcha re insurance. FX you won't need to make the switch! I'm so sorry the fedex guy was lazy. I would mad and leave a complaint too. Enjoy the reunion! I know my insurance only covers ovidrel (and I assume all injectables) if they are through one certain pharmacy out of Florida that uses fedex to overnight meds when I need them. Otherwise I think there is only one main pharmacy in my city that has it. Maybe it's similar with your insurance/city? I know my friend who did IVF multiple times without insurance used the same pharmacy out of Florida as well so maybe there aren't a ton of pharmacies that have these specialized meds? 

J1006

My trigger has to be sent to my house as well. I use pregnyl and doesn't need to be refrigerated which is nice. Last cycle, both DH and I were working so we couldn't be home to sign. I order from Avella and they let me waive the signature but if something happens to it I have to pay for it again. 

rel_1987

I'm able to purchase my shot which is Pregnyl from my RE office which is very convenient

greenhillgirl

@dmo1371 @J1006 @rel_1987 that's nice you can get it at the pharmacy. Mine does the mail order with my insurance and you can't waive the signature because it's a controlled substance in NY and you have to show you're over 21 to get it also. Oh well, at least it's done now

I got up at 5:45 this morning for my monitoring and hope my follicles are big enough to do trigger. That would make one thing nice and easy. How is everyone else's monitoring going?