@hopeful_mom ah the good Dr. B. In the immune circles he has either a love or hate relationship. Yeah he doesn't take insurance and has a bit of a snake oil salesman reputation because he purposely charges fees not covered by insurance and takes a long time for tests and says other doctors can't interpret his testing panels. He is also very big on saying everyone has silent Endo and recommending a LAP. There is a FB group dedicated to immune issues . I can share if you want. Great group of women that see him and the other doctors I've mentioned.
Ill be honest Im not a fan. I'd go to Kwak Kim or my doctor in DC. My RE , this is her interest area, and orders the same testing panel as Dr B from the same lab. It took like 2 weeks to come back and only cost me the copay for her to interpret. She manages and prescribes the treatments and is covered by my insurance. He charges thousands for the testing and then thousands for management that isn't covered.
Do do you think if I shared the lab slip and tests you could get your GYN to order them?
cashewchicken. Tell me about it Haha yes I get compensated I think mostly because they feel bad for us since we have to deal with drunk people who have bad ideas
Well an update on my mental state. Def threw away the full bottle of prenatals and not the empty one. Went to take them this morning and it was empty. OH said yep there was a container in the trash last night but he figured I had a reason
@Hopeful_mom I transferred 2 non tested embryos. I have previously transferred a total of 5 PGS normal embryos over 3 cycles and all failed.
I am also in NY and I had a phone consultation with Dr. Braverman and his answer was the same I had heard before, an issue with the mitochondria, so I opted not to waste thousands of dollars exploring this further. I do know people that feel really strongly about using him though.
@Ash_SE you are definitely not the only one to do something like that! All of these meds seem to keep me off my game.
@Hopeful_mom are you going to wait and get the remaining 4 tested? Sorry to hear about the delay... I swear everything in IVF or IF doesn't go as planned. So frustrating. @cashewchicken thank you! And yay you are getting so close! I start the patches in a couple weeks then PIO a week before FET.
TTC 4 years. 7 failed IUI's with either Clomid, Femara and/or Trigger Shots. Started IVF journey in February 2017. Polyps removed in May. 1st IVF Transfer September 26th. BFP. Expected due date 6/14/18. Baby boy born 5/25/18 at 6 lb 9 oz. My bundle of joy.
So my E2 was down to 209 this morning down from 252 on Monday. My P4 was down from 3.8 to 3.6. However the doctor said this was fine but did call in a script for Vivelle Patch. I'll also add PIO starting tommorrow at transfer. Does this sound ok?
Ash_SE I wish my RE could make it that simple, I have kwak kim pulled up and will call her tomorrow. thanks!! its really just the NK cell test that i'm curious about! I appreciate the honesty on braverman! So they charge you 3k and basically will find at least something wrong with you so they can keep the money and not have to give any back to u is what i'm gathering! Silent Endo too great!! Maybe thats what my RE is missing ugh!!! This process isn't suppose to be this difficult!! You make the testing sound so simple I dont understand why it can't be just that!! Maybe I can request just the nk cell test?
slmurphy12 sorry for the confusion it was another knottie that had updated her name too angelbea is the one I meant to ask! Who did you go to to have your immunology testing done by. I remember you said 1500 and what was the turn around time. Could i just test the nk cell?
cscher2 glad i mentioned braverman, I have a consultation set up but i'm still undecided! Have you had an ERA done? Sorry for your struggles its such a hard process!!! You are very young and made normies yet too, so i'm surprised they would want you to move on to DE. I do here DE are magical so hopeful this is what you needed!!!
mathgal1025 hope you're feeling better as you start to get closer!
AFM: Of course i missed my RE calling its also because she called from a private number so it might've been nice for her to let me kno she was planning on calling!! add it to my list of annoyances in this process!!
History of TTC in spoiler box
TTC since 2014 Unexplained Infertility - but I am 40...Low AMH .30 7 - IUI (50mg-150mg Clomid) Feb - August 2016 all BFN IVF#1 August 2016 (Antagonist protocol 4/5 eggs) Cancelled cycle RE thought I would get at least 10. IVF#2 Sept 2016 (microdose luporn pro - disappearing follies, ONLY ONE, convert to IUI) BFN IVF#3 November 2016 (4 ER, 3 F, 3DT)-BFP with TWINS // MC both at almost 10wks IVF#4 March 2017 //EPP (10 ER (1 wonky so 9 ER) 7F, 3B (5AB, (2)5BB) PGS tested- ALL abnormal IVF#5 April 2017 // EPP (7 ER, 7F yes! 6B) 2/5 day 4/6 day - 2 PGS normal! yes!! IVF#6 May 2017 // Antagonist didn't have time for Estrogen Priming...(4 ER, 3 F, 3B) (5AB, (2) 5BB) 2 PGS normal, yes!! IVF#7 June 2017 // EPP praying this is it and then on to an FET!
Haha I'm mathgal1025. Just my old nest name! The Chicago lab ( run by Kwak Kim) will do the NK test and cytokines (TNF alpha) if you send them the blood . They will give you the lab slip. You just need blood drawn and you ship it overnight.Your primary or GYN can sign off on the slip. The results of those tests only take a few days.
Hopeful_Mom: I did the tests through my RE (from my results I can see that they sent them out to "FCLab" which is based in Downers Grove, IL). The NK cell test is included in the immune panel (mine came back negative for that), but they could probably break in down? Not sure. Turnaround time was less about a week, and still unsure on price as it is going through insurance. From what I can see on my "pending" claims in insurance portol, though, it looks like it might cost me less than $400 total. Interestingly, I recall that the clinic also gave me the option of doing the interlipids (which is the treatment for the NK cells) even if I didn't want do the testing. I didn't want to do the treatment if I didn't need it (plus, I wanted to know the results of the other immune and thrombo items), but it seems like the actual treatment can't hurt to do it, even if not needed.
Me: 41; DH: 45 Both married for the first time in our 40s; went straight to IVF after multiple fibroid surgeries (2/17) ER: #1: agonist/antagonist protocol: 19 eggs; 8 mature; 13 fertilized; 1 7-day blast (6BA = abnormal/non-viable) (4/17) ER: #2: same protocol but stimmed an extra 2 days: 16 eggs; 10 mature (5 more matured in lab); 13 fertilized; 2 6-day blasts (5AA & 6BA) & 2 7-day blasts (6BA & 5BB): only 1 Day 6 6BA tested normal! FET on 7/10/17 Beta on 7/21/17: Negative:( (8/17) ER #3: 9 eggs; 6 mature; 3 fertilized; 1 7-day blast (6BA = abnormal/non-viable) Developed severe complications (abdominal bleeding) following egg retrieval which required hospitalization, transfusion & emergency surgery. Done with IVF.
@cscher2 - Congrats on being PUPO! How do they check if an embryo gets stuck in the catheter? My clinic told me they put it in between 2 bubbles so that you can see it on ultrasound, but I'm afraid that it could move or get stuck or something! I didn't realize that they check somehow.
@cashewchicken - Interesting statistics, do you mind sending me the info for that article. My RE said the success rate with PGS normal is about 65%, but she didn't distinguish between different qualities.
@Ash_SE - Oh no!!! That stinks about your vitamins!
Me: 31 DH: 31
Married: June 2012
TTC: December 2015
DX: MFI
IVF #1: March 2017- 16R, 12F, 4 blasts, 2 PGS normal (3BB & 3CB)
IVF #2: May 2017- 19R, 17F, 6 blasts, 1 PGS normal (5CC)
Any idea obviously where to put the Vivelle patch? The doctor didn't say. I also inject in belly and have to rotate to avoid bruises. Can I put it over a bruise?
@Hopeful_mom I have done ERA testing twice now so we have the timing down but it wasn't much different from the previous timing. Only a few hours so it should have never made a difference.
@mtele both clinics that I have been to always take the catheter out and send it back to the embryologist to check. This is the second time it has happened to me but they say it is pretty rare. And many say it is good luck so fingers crossed!!! (My last was a chemical so it wanted to stick)
Thank you @cashewchicken! Haha, I know... Puppy Chow is such a weird name. My mom has made the "original" kind since I was a kid, which is Chex cereal with chocolate and pb melted over it and with powdered sugar. With that kind, I guess it kinda resembles dog food, which is what probably gave it that name haha. It's so good though! I love the idea of you spending $125 on something else for yourself... Now you're talkin! Glad your cycle has gotten underway!
@Hopeful_mom My Puppy Chow description is earlier in this post, haha. I feel for you, girl on all of your conflicted feelings and feeling lost. I have definitely been there. I hope you find peace of mind soon. Oh and I'm with ya on trying to keep names straight lol. Between the name changes and alternate usernames! Lol. It's like mental gymnastics!
@Ash_SE I am losing my mind as well! I am forgetting to do certain things... and doing things I don't remember doing... Like leaving a light on in a room... Leaving the dryer door open after taking out a load... I think I'm just so exhausted. I don't know if it's the PIO or what, but I am beat 24/7. I'm sorry to hear your levels keep dropping... Is that something that you expect? It seems you know how to handle it all. Why does that occur?
@mtele Each time I've had a transfer, the transfer rooms at my clinic are connected to the lab. The embryologist comes in from the lab and brings the embryo in a catheter and gives it to the RE. She places it in the correct spot in the uterus with US guidance and then the embryologist presses the "trigger"/plunger to release it while the RE has it in position. Then we wait a min while the embryologist heads quickly back into the lab to check the catheter (I assume under a microscope) to make sure the embryo didn't get stuck. She says "all clear" and then we know nothing got stuck and can move on. I always wonder what they do if it does get stuck, which is why I too asked @cscher2 haha. The RE on Monday was telling me that I can see the little white "bubble" on the US there, but that's not the actual embryo because it's microscopic and you can't see it. The bubble is where it is... I guess it's a little pocket that's created for it from the transfer to nestle in. She told me such a good long story of the process of what's happening with the embryo, but I was too nervous to retain much of it lol. I wish I'd have recorded it.
AFM, not much to report. I am super tired all the time. I think I'm sleeping a little better at night, but DH's snoring is off the charts lately and not helping. In some ways I'm thinking wow, tomorrow is already 3dpt... In others I'm thinking how was that ONLY 3 days ago?! It feels like an eternity has passed! My beta is a week from today... I am trying to stay positive, but I have to admit that the old negative feelings of "this never works... it's going to fail again," etc. have been trying to creep in. I'm trying to push them out. I partly blame the no working out for influencing my negative thoughts. I'm definitely a miserable person when I can't exercise. I walked two miles on the treadmill today, but that's not enough for me. I'm also starting to feel more bloated/pudgy around the middle (muffin top city). Not sure if that's the meds or just the lack of working my core getting the best of me, but my pants/shorts are starting to feel tight and that is also negatively affecting my mood. So today I wore a dress lol.
Nov. 2016: Hospitalized for small bowel obstruction
Mar. 2017: Diagnostic Laparoscopy = Twist found in intestine - part of small intestine, part of colon, and appendix removed, bowel resection - caused by Endometriosis
May 2017: 3.75 Lupron Depot
June 2017: FET postponed due to complex cysts in breasts
June 2017: Endometrial scratch
Jul. 2017: Baby aspirin, Estradiol, PIO, FET 4AA (lost 1 4AA in thaw) = CP
joneser1281 please dont let the exercise make u crazy!! just wear dresses the next few days and you'll be fine, can u just work your arms That belly is gonna get SUPER BLOATED lady like a basketball so just embrace it for now!! I'm surprised at how much a role your embryologist plays in the transfer, mine just carried them in the room and then checked it after...so interesting how it goes. Theres no reason this shouldn't work for you - remember you're PUPO!!! And you nailed it, total gymnastics with these names for sure...I think I got it, at least for tonight
@cashewchicken I have faith you're going to be able to do the PIO shot urself! Spend the extra money on u!! I can't believe theres a business for that, you could get a massage that should be relaxing and not a painful shot that lasts a min! Just give yourself some time to stretch prior
Ash_SE haha y'all r killin me!! OK so I can have the blood drawn here and then it gets sent out to her. I would love to know why my RE is being such a hard ass about this. I dont know as she has been with me through all the struggle and sees how difficult its been to get a normie doesn't she get how scared I am to lose it!!! I appreciate the info ladies, I'd love to see how i can get this down without spending so much money! angelbea thanks for taking a look for me! And the fact that you mention the treatment and the amount of time it takes really makes me not want to even think about this braverman guy. In reading through his tough he definitely drags out the process for no reason I dont care how busy he is. I guess the fact that I really dont want to leave my clinic and just need this one thing wouldn't make me the ideal candidate for him either ugh!!!!
cscher2 thats scared the crap out of me! I so agree with you how can a few hours make a difference seriously!!! Just doesn't make sense how its even possible!!!! how r u feeling?? It happens so easily for some its just amazing to me!!
History of TTC in spoiler box
TTC since 2014 Unexplained Infertility - but I am 40...Low AMH .30 7 - IUI (50mg-150mg Clomid) Feb - August 2016 all BFN IVF#1 August 2016 (Antagonist protocol 4/5 eggs) Cancelled cycle RE thought I would get at least 10. IVF#2 Sept 2016 (microdose luporn pro - disappearing follies, ONLY ONE, convert to IUI) BFN IVF#3 November 2016 (4 ER, 3 F, 3DT)-BFP with TWINS // MC both at almost 10wks IVF#4 March 2017 //EPP (10 ER (1 wonky so 9 ER) 7F, 3B (5AB, (2)5BB) PGS tested- ALL abnormal IVF#5 April 2017 // EPP (7 ER, 7F yes! 6B) 2/5 day 4/6 day - 2 PGS normal! yes!! IVF#6 May 2017 // Antagonist didn't have time for Estrogen Priming...(4 ER, 3 F, 3B) (5AB, (2) 5BB) 2 PGS normal, yes!! IVF#7 June 2017 // EPP praying this is it and then on to an FET!
@Ash_SE good luck today!! Just stay relaxed and enjoy a lazy few days.
@joneser1281 an issue with the mitochondria means that the egg doesn't have enough energy to keep progressing. This would account for why normal embryos aren't implanting and why I had the two chemicals after my fresh transfers. And because I had those two chemicals at my first clinic, I asked my doctor how he would be able to tell and he said he pulls the number on day 8 when we come in for other blood work. (BTW, I am right there with you, I can't believe it has only been 3 days, this is going so slow! And nothing of mine has fit for a while now due to all of the meds I am on. I actually had to buy new shorts because of this but I figure it's for a good cause.)
If it rains on transfer day is it good luck like Rain on your wedding day?? If course it's pouring in DC. So much so they have flood warnings. We made it though and now we wait. I'm so full of water!!!
@Hopeful_mom I know... It's just such a good stress reliever for me. I'm afraid to work my arms much either because I don't know what I should/should not be lifting lol. I'm a mess. I did some Pilates today. That worked my core a little bit, but I didn't do the moves full out and I took breaks. It's something for my mental sanity haha. Oh trust me, if I knew I was solidly PG and in a good place where I was probably out of the woods, I'd lay on the couch and let DH feed me grapes all day, with not a thought of exercise lol. But I know I'll never stop worrying until a baby is in my arms. And I don't really like grapes, unless they are liquid.
@cscher2 Thank you for the info. When I hear you girls talk about all of this stuff, all I'm doing is wondering if I could have the same issues and just not know it. Sigh! Nope, my issues are figured out and taken care of and this will work this time. Positive thinking! Lol.
@Ash_SE Good luck today girl! I've been thinking of you today! Sending you good vibes... I say rain must be good luck... I'm sure thinking about water/rain is not helping your full bladder haha. Let us know how everything went!
Nov. 2016: Hospitalized for small bowel obstruction
Mar. 2017: Diagnostic Laparoscopy = Twist found in intestine - part of small intestine, part of colon, and appendix removed, bowel resection - caused by Endometriosis
May 2017: 3.75 Lupron Depot
June 2017: FET postponed due to complex cysts in breasts
June 2017: Endometrial scratch
Jul. 2017: Baby aspirin, Estradiol, PIO, FET 4AA (lost 1 4AA in thaw) = CP
Ash_SE hopefully you're all set and ur bean is getting all cozy! sending you super sticky vibes!!
joneser1281 theres no reason it shouldn't work, you can relax and let your DH workout your arms instead, let him do the heavy lifting when i did pilates it killed me!! Theres no way I'd be doing that after a transfer but you've been doing it all along so your body is used it...my body used to be used to it
History of TTC in spoiler box
TTC since 2014 Unexplained Infertility - but I am 40...Low AMH .30 7 - IUI (50mg-150mg Clomid) Feb - August 2016 all BFN IVF#1 August 2016 (Antagonist protocol 4/5 eggs) Cancelled cycle RE thought I would get at least 10. IVF#2 Sept 2016 (microdose luporn pro - disappearing follies, ONLY ONE, convert to IUI) BFN IVF#3 November 2016 (4 ER, 3 F, 3DT)-BFP with TWINS // MC both at almost 10wks IVF#4 March 2017 //EPP (10 ER (1 wonky so 9 ER) 7F, 3B (5AB, (2)5BB) PGS tested- ALL abnormal IVF#5 April 2017 // EPP (7 ER, 7F yes! 6B) 2/5 day 4/6 day - 2 PGS normal! yes!! IVF#6 May 2017 // Antagonist didn't have time for Estrogen Priming...(4 ER, 3 F, 3B) (5AB, (2) 5BB) 2 PGS normal, yes!! IVF#7 June 2017 // EPP praying this is it and then on to an FET!
@joneser1281 you're nuts with you're working out haha I wish I had the motivation you did to work out. I've always been naturally on the slender side so it takes a lot to motivate me lol but with these meds I must say my self confidence is going down because of the weight gain. I've been dieting and gaining weight
How often do you guys have to go in for appts?? My RE did my baseline and I don't have to go back in for 8 days! I go back tomorrow so hoping my transfer date is set in stone!
I'm home! The rain made it so hard since I had to pee so bad. TMI , I was so gassy. That was way worse then having to pee. I started a Vivelle patch last night so that must have caused it. I never get gassy. I had to fart so bad I had to sneak out a little one while waiting and DH was flapping his arms around trying to disperse it. It was hilarious. I was mortified. Thankfully we were in the curtained area all alone but he said he would take the blame just in case. That's true love! Then the RE was running behind and I had to fart again so I told the nurse I couldn't hold it anymore so they let me go pee. They gave me a little cup and that was all that was allowed. I went to the bathroom but only to fart again. I started to pee a little just because but bad idea, it was just easier to hold it. But farting never felt so good. I'm so ashamed. Lol. I knew I would fart during transfer if I didn't let it go earlier. Of course, my H thinks it's the most funny thing in the world.
It was so weird and surreal. I had to change into the gown and DH got to be in the room with me for the transfer. The RE said the embryo was excellent and thawed beautifully. I know we do assisted hatching because we did PGS. I didn't get an embryo pic like I've seen others do though. Then they brought it in and they inserted it. You could see the white dot travel on the screen. So cool. Then they checked amd shouted back from the lab "all clear" and it was over. I told my RE "nice doing business with you" to try to break the awkward I'm laying here spread eagle with no pants setting haha.
Then I rested with just me and H in the room and looked at the pic they froze from the ultrasound of the blip going in. I got to keep that. Then the nurse did my PIO shot and I sat in the recovery area for about 20 mins and headed home.
H cut up my pineapple and I already ate today's serving and now it's nap time!
Thank you all so much for the support. I'm so excited to spend the month here with you all on this journey because it's an awesome group. Sucks any of us have to be here but glad to have everyone's support and to give support.
Lol @Hopeful_mom Pilates can be killer, which is why I took it pretty easy today. It can definitely be a great workout.
@slmurphy12 Oh I never used to workout! I had great genes as well... Always very thin... Never did any activity or workout in my life. Then I hit 30 and my metabolism took a nosedive haha. After about a year and a half of us not getting PG on our own, I just physically felt like shit. I was unhappy, depressed. I felt like none of my clothes fit anymore and were too tight. I still wasn't considered "fat," by other people's standards, but I was fat to myself. I was about 20lbs over where I liked to be. So I started working out. I did the treadmill version of the Couch to 5K program and started running and got into the Beachbody workouts. They say if you do something everyday for two weeks, it becomes a habit. That is definitely true! I started to lose weight, and as someone who was never the slightest bit athletic in all her life, I gained strength, endurance, and some muscle tone. I have stuck with it ever since. It has since become my main way of dealing with stress and anxiety, which I don't really realize until I can't workout (with IVF last summer, FET in fall, my surgery in March, and now with this FET). I don't mean to sound like a weirdo who can't live without working out, it's just the IVF stuff is especially taxing emotionally and mentally (esp during this TWW!) and I can't do my usual go-to stress reliever. I know there are other avenues, but this is the one that helps me the most.
As for FET monitoring appts, I had 3 before transfer. 1. The baseline appt, 2. then 8 days later they did an US and checked Estradiol and Progesterone. 3. Then 5 days later another US and checked Estradiol and Progesterone. Transfer was 6 days later. I think they basically just try to see you once a week, give or day a few days, depending when they can get you in the schedule. It sounds like your schedule is similar.
@Ash_SE I'm glad everything went well today. It sounds like you had quite the day haha. Just how much pineapple are you eating per day? Haha. FX your embie is sticky and settling in!
I have not been very productive today. It's a gloomy rainy day here too. I took my aunt to a doctor's appt, so that took most of my afternoon. I should be cleaning and/or getting things ready for our summer bbq on Saturday, but I just feel lazy and don't want to do anything. Since @Ash_SE started the oversharing lol, here's another TMI alert... I am having horrendous hemorrhoids! I'm not sure how or when they came about, but they were bothering me during the night and have been miserable today. I also feel like I have the start of a yeast infection. I've felt some discomfort since the transfer and was hoping it would just go away, but now I feel like it's getting worse. I don't know what to do because I don't want to take any medication, but I don't know if it's a good idea either to let it go untreated. I was just tested for an infection a couple of weeks ago at my gyno and didn't have one. They said it was just probably a side effect of the Estradiol. I hate to go again and have them think I'm crazy, but I am uncomfortable. Plus I don't know that I should let them be poking around in there when there's an embryo implanting (God willing!).
Nov. 2016: Hospitalized for small bowel obstruction
Mar. 2017: Diagnostic Laparoscopy = Twist found in intestine - part of small intestine, part of colon, and appendix removed, bowel resection - caused by Endometriosis
May 2017: 3.75 Lupron Depot
June 2017: FET postponed due to complex cysts in breasts
June 2017: Endometrial scratch
Jul. 2017: Baby aspirin, Estradiol, PIO, FET 4AA (lost 1 4AA in thaw) = CP
You ladies are so funny -- we all need to laugh a little bit more during this process, so thank you! I have to say, I've never really had so many physical "issues" (i.e., similar to what has been mentioned!) until IVF. Oh, what a sacrifice of our bodies we have made! Btw, if anyone is constipated from the drugs, I highly recommend Amy's Organics Lentil Vegetable soup -- does the trick every time and it's so tasty and good for you to boot!
I hear you on the exercise. I am by no means exercise-obsessed, but it just makes me feel so good/sleep so well that I am bummed that I will need to cut back on it for a bit. My stomach is a huge wreck from my Lovenox injections too, so my DH told me not to exercise my core, but this is my last week before my transfer, so I'm trying to fit it in. Funny story, but one of the clinic nurses was in my exercise class with me last night! She was so sweet - she gave me a big hug and said good luck, as she knows my transfer is on Monday.
slmurphy12: I had only 2 additional appointments after my baseline; one that was 10 days after the baseline and then another that was 4 days after the 2nd appointment and my FET is 1 week after the last appointment. I might have had more appointments if my 3rd appointment revealed a thin lining, but I am on track.
So I had my first PIO injection last night (1mL) and OUCH! I feel like I did 100 butt squats on one cheek this morning! I think I need to massage the area longer and walk around a bit more (I did it too close to bedtime). Also, any other side effects I should know about? I feel a little bloated and crampy today, so I wondered if those were also side effects. I go up to 2ml tonight:(
Me: 41; DH: 45 Both married for the first time in our 40s; went straight to IVF after multiple fibroid surgeries (2/17) ER: #1: agonist/antagonist protocol: 19 eggs; 8 mature; 13 fertilized; 1 7-day blast (6BA = abnormal/non-viable) (4/17) ER: #2: same protocol but stimmed an extra 2 days: 16 eggs; 10 mature (5 more matured in lab); 13 fertilized; 2 6-day blasts (5AA & 6BA) & 2 7-day blasts (6BA & 5BB): only 1 Day 6 6BA tested normal! FET on 7/10/17 Beta on 7/21/17: Negative:( (8/17) ER #3: 9 eggs; 6 mature; 3 fertilized; 1 7-day blast (6BA = abnormal/non-viable) Developed severe complications (abdominal bleeding) following egg retrieval which required hospitalization, transfusion & emergency surgery. Done with IVF.
@angelbea OMG the PIO hurts and yes it does make you feel bloated but this morning I woke up and I was fine no bloating and I think this is the first since I started this.
@Ash_SE I am so happy for you today. Mine is tomorrow and I'm excited as well then taking the next few days off to just rest and relax, have not taken off work this year so figured i deserved it.
@angelbea PIO is rough but I find if I ice then inject and then use a heating pad immediately after, it tends to not be as sore. I have to do mine in my thighs as I need to have control of any needles that get close to me (after IVF, you would think I would be fine with all of these needles!) and my nursing staff won't let us do it in the butt by ourselves so I still limp a little but it is so much better with the heating pad.
@joneser1281 I used to like working out, but not athlete by any means haha i am interested in the couch potato to 5K, i may have to try that. I think this process has left me kinda terrified to do anything to be honest lol. Are you gonna go back to your workouts after your TWW? Im curious as to what people are doing, my boss is letting me take a week off of work after the transfer because we lift heavy dead weight patients at work and it just made me nervous. I can def see why you work out as a stress relief. My DH is big on lifting and running lol he is like you and can't go a day without it. How are you feeling by the way?! My appt schedule sounds exactly identical to yours. I guess i just had so many appts before the retrieval i almost thought it was weird to not be there so much haha. My RE jokes and says she knows i just miss her lol
@angelbea okay good, sounds similar to joneser1281! I'm grateful i don't have to be there very much but nervous as to if everything is going okay! Oh boy i can't wait for the PIO injections lol I'm a nurse and am too chicken to give them to myself haha so i told the girls at work either they have to give it to me or DH does! lol
@joneser1281 I really am sorry for your hemroids. That is terrible! I bought a whole pineapple from Whole Foods yesterday and H cut it into 5 sections and I eat it over 5 days. The old wives tale is to eat it including the core. I'll try anything.
@angelbea good tip about that soup! I hear ya about the PIO . I had my first shot today and my whole hip/butt is sore. I'm currently sitting on a heating pad to see if that helps. I'm on Lovenox too and but my stomache is litterally 1 big nasty bruise. I took Lovenox while drumming and it wasn't this bad.
@roadtobaby good luck tommorrow!!! I love all these back to back transfers!
@cscher2 I don't know how you do it in your thigh. That's a big needle and I prefer not to see it coming.
@slmurphy12 my calendar is a little advanced due to Lovenox and Neupogen which require additional visits to the hematologist but RE visits only were I had baseline on day 3, ultrasound and bw on day 9, same on day 14, just bw on day 17, bw on day 20, bw on day 22, and transfer today on day 23. The BW on day 20 wasn't on the original calendar but was because my E2 dropped a bit on day 17.
@Hopeful_mom- I'm telling you, with 4 PGS normal embryos that you have, your odds are really, really good that you'll have at least one, maybe even 4 kids
@slmurphy12- Drunk people with bad ideas... I remember a story my colleague told me. He got drunk one day and he and his buddies thought removing the roof of his pickup truck was an awesome idea. Sort of like convertible, but pickup truck version. Luckily no one was injured while sawing off the roof. According to my colleague, that was the dumbest thing he's ever done.
@Ash_SE- Congrats on your PUPO status! Vivelle patch makes you farty? Oh no. I'm a bit jealous that you're never gassy. I am and it's especially worse when I'm nervous. Which means I definitely will be gassy come transfer time. Yikes. Your husband is so sweet! That is true love. lol.
This paper is a follow-up of a paper published by Capalbo, et al. back in 2014 that compared morphology of the blastocysts with euploidy (normal chromosome) and implantation rates.
While the 2014 paper didn't show any significant differences in implantation rates between excellent, good, average and poor quality PGS-normal embryos, the 2017 paper shows that better quality equals better implantation rates. You should check out both articles. Highlights the danger of judging an embryo solely by its quality.
Me: 41 DH: 46 Unexplained infertility/AMA, polycystic ovaries, insulin resistance FET#1(July 2017): eSET of first of 4 PGS-normal embryos, DS born 3/30/2018 FET#2(Oct/Nov 2019): eSET
@slmurphy12- I don't have that many appointments... Since starting my prep for FET with bcp, I've only been to 1 appointment, for sonohysterogram. I'm supposed to go in next week for a lining check, and the one after that is transfer time! So only 3 appointments.
@joneser1281- Oh hemorrhoids. I'm sorry. All these talks of exercising is making me feel guilty. My plan after ER was to get in shape, exercise more and 3 months would have been a good amount of time to get healthy. Well, it didn't happen. Yikes. Well, I still have 20 days 'till transfer so I guess I'll start walking.
Me: 41 DH: 46 Unexplained infertility/AMA, polycystic ovaries, insulin resistance FET#1(July 2017): eSET of first of 4 PGS-normal embryos, DS born 3/30/2018 FET#2(Oct/Nov 2019): eSET
@Hopeful_mom- I'm telling you, with 4 PGS normal embryos that you have, your odds are really, really good that you'll have at least one, maybe even 4 kids
@slmurphy12- Drunk people with bad ideas... I remember a story my colleague told me. He got drunk one day and he and his buddies thought removing the roof of his pickup truck was an awesome idea. Sort of like convertible, but pickup truck version. Luckily no one was injured while sawing off the roof. According to my colleague, that was the dumbest thing he's ever done.
@Ash_SE- Congrats on your PUPO status! Vivelle patch makes you farty? Oh no. I'm a bit jealous that you're never gassy. I am and it's especially worse when I'm nervous. Which means I definitely will be gassy come transfer time. Yikes. Your husband is so sweet! That is true love. lol.
This paper is a follow-up of a paper published by Capalbo, et al. back in 2014 that compared morphology of the blastocysts with euploidy (normal chromosome) and implantation rates.
While the 2014 paper didn't show any significant differences in implantation rates between excellent, good, average and poor quality PGS-normal embryos, the 2017 paper shows that better quality equals better implantation rates. You should check out both articles. Highlights the danger of judging an embryo solely by its quality.
Thanks for the links @cashewchicken I will have to read these two articles closely.
I have 3 more PGS normal embryos and the dr said I shouldn't care about grading when I choose which one to transfer... but maybe that's not the case?
TTC history in spoiler box:
Me: 42, single Hysteroscopy: 2013 IUI #1-2: 2013 BFN Surgery 10/2015: Planned to start trying again but had a surgery. (Not related to fertility) Surgery 5/2016: Planned to start trying again but had another surgery. (Not related to fertility) IUI #3-5 (with Clomid): summer 2016 BFN IVF #1: 11/2016. 30R; 21M; 20F; 8B (6 day5 & 2 day6); 4 normal after PGS Medicated FET #1: 1/31/2017 transferred 1 embryo 3AA. BFP. Embryo stopped growing at 6w 1d. MUA at 9w 3d. Medicated FET #2: June 2017 - cancelled... Hysteroscopy #2: June 2017 Medicated FET #2: 8/7/2017 transferred 1 embryo 5BB. BFP. Ended in CP. Medicated FET #3: 10/11/2017 transferred 1 embryo 3AA. BFN ERA: December 2017 - need an extra 12 hours of PIO Medicated FET #4: 1/24/2018 transferred 1 embryo 4AA. BFN Out of embryos. IVF #2: 03/2018.
cashewchicken: Super helpful articles -- thank you for sharing! I am feeling better now about my transfer on Monday. Thank you!
Prudence9: If I were you, I'd ask which grade your RE would transfer; I presume it would be the highest one. That has happened for a few people that I know, even when they had PGS normals. While it appears it might not make a difference, it might be the only differential that can be used. Interestingly, I had a 5AA that was abnormal, and I thought for sure that it would be normal. Go figure!
AFM, I'm feeling really calm right now. Work is kinda slow (which is good, as it has been super stressful all year) and I'm not overthinking things as much, as I truly think there is so little that I can do to influence this process. It truly is in God's hands now. I'm planning on enjoying my weekend, seeing some friends, having a glass of wine (or two!) and playing some golf outside with the hubby. I have a feeling the next 2 weeks will be strange ones, so I want to live my regular life for as long as I can. Things are about to change, I can feel it!
Thank you all for the PIO tips. Massaging the area hard afterwards and moving around with a hot pack (even did some squats) really helped. But wow, 2 mL took a lot longer to inject than 1 mL! My hubby is researching whether we can use a picc line to inject all the IVF meds;-) He is always coming up with medical inventions, so I told him to work on this idea quick!
Me: 41; DH: 45 Both married for the first time in our 40s; went straight to IVF after multiple fibroid surgeries (2/17) ER: #1: agonist/antagonist protocol: 19 eggs; 8 mature; 13 fertilized; 1 7-day blast (6BA = abnormal/non-viable) (4/17) ER: #2: same protocol but stimmed an extra 2 days: 16 eggs; 10 mature (5 more matured in lab); 13 fertilized; 2 6-day blasts (5AA & 6BA) & 2 7-day blasts (6BA & 5BB): only 1 Day 6 6BA tested normal! FET on 7/10/17 Beta on 7/21/17: Negative:( (8/17) ER #3: 9 eggs; 6 mature; 3 fertilized; 1 7-day blast (6BA = abnormal/non-viable) Developed severe complications (abdominal bleeding) following egg retrieval which required hospitalization, transfusion & emergency surgery. Done with IVF.
OMG has anyone that has transferred before feel like they are burning up? I'm so hot. My temp is 99.4. I assume it's due to the Progesterone but I'm dying. I'm freezing H out.
@Ash_SE maybe you should call your clinic and ask? AFM - trip was great! Perfect way to pass the time while I was on antibiotics waiting to start again!
@angelbea I had 2 of each gender. So first transfer they chose the best grade of the gender I wanted. But now, the last embryo of that gender happens to be the lowest of the remaining three. I did ask my dr about it and she said as long as it is pgs normal, grading doesn't matter. But maybe I should forward her this article...
TTC history in spoiler box:
Me: 42, single Hysteroscopy: 2013 IUI #1-2: 2013 BFN Surgery 10/2015: Planned to start trying again but had a surgery. (Not related to fertility) Surgery 5/2016: Planned to start trying again but had another surgery. (Not related to fertility) IUI #3-5 (with Clomid): summer 2016 BFN IVF #1: 11/2016. 30R; 21M; 20F; 8B (6 day5 & 2 day6); 4 normal after PGS Medicated FET #1: 1/31/2017 transferred 1 embryo 3AA. BFP. Embryo stopped growing at 6w 1d. MUA at 9w 3d. Medicated FET #2: June 2017 - cancelled... Hysteroscopy #2: June 2017 Medicated FET #2: 8/7/2017 transferred 1 embryo 5BB. BFP. Ended in CP. Medicated FET #3: 10/11/2017 transferred 1 embryo 3AA. BFN ERA: December 2017 - need an extra 12 hours of PIO Medicated FET #4: 1/24/2018 transferred 1 embryo 4AA. BFN Out of embryos. IVF #2: 03/2018.
Hey guys...AF isn't coming on its own so I just started another med to get it going (yes they had me test just in case, BFN), and I'm being bumped to August
@prudence9 I did. They said it's the Progesterone but if it get she over 100.6 to call them back on the emergency line. I feel a lot better now. I just turned the air down haha.
Re: July FET
Ill be honest Im not a fan. I'd go to Kwak Kim or my doctor in DC. My RE , this is her interest area, and orders the same testing panel as Dr B from the same lab. It took like 2 weeks to come back and only cost me the copay for her to interpret. She manages and prescribes the treatments and is covered by my insurance. He charges thousands for the testing and then thousands for management that isn't covered.
Do do you think if I shared the lab slip and tests you could get your GYN to order them?
I am also in NY and I had a phone consultation with Dr. Braverman and his answer was the same I had heard before, an issue with the mitochondria, so I opted not to waste thousands of dollars exploring this further. I do know people that feel really strongly about using him though.
@Ash_SE you are definitely not the only one to do something like that! All of these meds seem to keep me off my game.
@cashewchicken thank you! And yay you are getting so close! I start the patches in a couple weeks then PIO a week before FET.
slmurphy12 sorry for the confusion it was another knottie that had updated her name too
cscher2 glad i mentioned braverman, I have a consultation set up but i'm still undecided! Have you had an ERA done? Sorry for your struggles its such a hard process!!! You are very young and made normies yet too, so i'm surprised they would want you to move on to DE. I do here DE are magical so hopeful this is what you needed!!!
mathgal1025 hope you're feeling better as you start to get closer!
AFM: Of course i missed my RE calling
Unexplained Infertility - but I am 40...Low AMH .30
7 - IUI (50mg-150mg Clomid) Feb - August 2016 all BFN
IVF#1 August 2016 (Antagonist protocol 4/5 eggs) Cancelled cycle
IVF#2 Sept 2016 (microdose luporn pro - disappearing follies, ONLY ONE, convert to IUI) BFN
IVF#3 November 2016 (4 ER, 3 F, 3DT)-BFP
IVF#4 March 2017 //EPP (10 ER (1 wonky so 9 ER) 7F, 3B (5AB, (2)5BB) PGS tested- ALL abnormal
IVF#5 April 2017 // EPP (7 ER, 7F yes! 6B) 2/5 day 4/6 day - 2 PGS normal! yes!!
IVF#6 May 2017 // Antagonist didn't have time for Estrogen Priming...(4 ER, 3 F, 3B) (5AB, (2) 5BB) 2 PGS normal, yes!!
IVF#7 June 2017 // EPP praying this is it and then on to an FET!
Both married for the first time in our 40s; went straight to IVF after multiple fibroid surgeries
(2/17) ER: #1: agonist/antagonist protocol: 19 eggs; 8 mature; 13 fertilized; 1 7-day blast (6BA = abnormal/non-viable)
(4/17) ER: #2: same protocol but stimmed an extra 2 days: 16 eggs; 10 mature (5 more matured in lab); 13 fertilized; 2 6-day blasts (5AA & 6BA) & 2 7-day blasts (6BA & 5BB): only 1 Day 6 6BA tested normal!
FET on 7/10/17
Beta on 7/21/17: Negative:(
(8/17) ER #3: 9 eggs; 6 mature; 3 fertilized; 1 7-day blast (6BA = abnormal/non-viable)
Developed severe complications (abdominal bleeding) following egg retrieval which required hospitalization, transfusion & emergency surgery. Done with IVF.
@cashewchicken - Interesting statistics, do you mind sending me the info for that article. My RE said the success rate with PGS normal is about 65%, but she didn't distinguish between different qualities.
@Ash_SE - Oh no!!! That stinks about your vitamins!
Me: 31 DH: 31
Married: June 2012
TTC: December 2015
DX: MFI
IVF #1: March 2017- 16R, 12F, 4 blasts, 2 PGS normal (3BB & 3CB)
IVF #2: May 2017- 19R, 17F, 6 blasts, 1 PGS normal (5CC)
FET#1: July 2017- BFP!
@mtele both clinics that I have been to always take the catheter out and send it back to the embryologist to check. This is the second time it has happened to me but they say it is pretty rare. And many say it is good luck so fingers crossed!!! (My last was a chemical so it wanted to stick)
@slmurphy12 I'm sure you've seen it all being an ICU nurse! Hopefully your night wasn't too crazy yesterday. I'm glad you're feeling better.
Thank you @Holls214!
Thank you @cashewchicken! Haha, I know... Puppy Chow is such a weird name. My mom has made the "original" kind since I was a kid, which is Chex cereal with chocolate and pb melted over it and with powdered sugar. With that kind, I guess it kinda resembles dog food, which is what probably gave it that name haha. It's so good though! I love the idea of you spending $125 on something else for yourself... Now you're talkin! Glad your cycle has gotten underway!
@Hopeful_mom My Puppy Chow description is earlier in this post, haha. I feel for you, girl on all of your conflicted feelings and feeling lost. I have definitely been there. I hope you find peace of mind soon. Oh and I'm with ya on trying to keep names straight lol. Between the name changes and alternate usernames! Lol. It's like mental gymnastics!
@Ash_SE I am losing my mind as well! I am forgetting to do certain things... and doing things I don't remember doing... Like leaving a light on in a room... Leaving the dryer door open after taking out a load... I think I'm just so exhausted. I don't know if it's the PIO or what, but I am beat 24/7. I'm sorry to hear your levels keep dropping... Is that something that you expect? It seems you know how to handle it all. Why does that occur?
@mtele Each time I've had a transfer, the transfer rooms at my clinic are connected to the lab. The embryologist comes in from the lab and brings the embryo in a catheter and gives it to the RE. She places it in the correct spot in the uterus with US guidance and then the embryologist presses the "trigger"/plunger to release it while the RE has it in position. Then we wait a min while the embryologist heads quickly back into the lab to check the catheter (I assume under a microscope) to make sure the embryo didn't get stuck. She says "all clear" and then we know nothing got stuck and can move on. I always wonder what they do if it does get stuck, which is why I too asked @cscher2 haha. The RE on Monday was telling me that I can see the little white "bubble" on the US there, but that's not the actual embryo because it's microscopic and you can't see it. The bubble is where it is... I guess it's a little pocket that's created for it from the transfer to nestle in. She told me such a good long story of the process of what's happening with the embryo, but I was too nervous to retain much of it lol. I wish I'd have recorded it.
AFM, not much to report. I am super tired all the time. I think I'm sleeping a little better at night, but DH's snoring is off the charts lately and not helping. In some ways I'm thinking wow, tomorrow is already 3dpt... In others I'm thinking how was that ONLY 3 days ago?! It feels like an eternity has passed! My beta is a week from today... I am trying to stay positive, but I have to admit that the old negative feelings of "this never works... it's going to fail again," etc. have been trying to creep in. I'm trying to push them out. I partly blame the no working out for influencing my negative thoughts. I'm definitely a miserable person when I can't exercise. I walked two miles on the treadmill today, but that's not enough for me. I'm also starting to feel more bloated/pudgy around the middle (muffin top city). Not sure if that's the meds or just the lack of working my core getting the best of me, but my pants/shorts are starting to feel tight and that is also negatively affecting my mood. So today I wore a dress lol.
Me: 35 DH: 41, Married since 2009
TTC since June 2012
Aug. 2012: CP
2013 Several cycles of TI with Clomid = BFN
Feb. 2014: IUI = BFN
June 2014: IUI w/Clomid = BFN
Jul. 2014: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
Apr. 2016: Consult to begin IVF
May 2016 TI w/Follistim and Ovidrel = BFN
Jul. 2016: BCPs, baby aspirin, Vitamin D, COQ10, DHEA, Gonal F, Menopur, Cetrotide, Novarel, Leuprolide Acetate: 21 eggs retrieved, (10 w/ ICSI, 11 w/conv. IVF) 13 fertilized
Jul. 2016: Endometrin, Fresh Transfer 2AB = CP
7 frozen
Oct. 2016: BCPs, baby aspirin, Estradiol, PIO, FET 4AA = CP
6 frozen
Nov. 2016: Hospitalized for small bowel obstruction
Mar. 2017: Diagnostic Laparoscopy = Twist found in intestine - part of small intestine, part of colon, and appendix removed, bowel resection - caused by Endometriosis
May 2017: 3.75 Lupron Depot
June 2017: FET postponed due to complex cysts in breasts
June 2017: Endometrial scratch
Jul. 2017: Baby aspirin, Estradiol, PIO, FET 4AA (lost 1 4AA in thaw) = CP
4 frozen
Sept. 2017: ERA testing
Oct. 2017: Breast cysts biopsied
Dec. 2017: FET
@cashewchicken I have faith you're going to be able to do the PIO shot urself! Spend the extra money on u!! I can't believe theres a business for that, you could get a massage that should be relaxing and not a painful shot that lasts a min! Just give yourself some time to stretch prior
Ash_SE haha y'all r killin me!! OK so I can have the blood drawn here and then it gets sent out to her. I would love to know why my RE is being such a hard ass about this. I dont know as she has been with me through all the struggle and sees how difficult its been to get a normie doesn't she get how scared I am to lose it!!! I appreciate the info ladies, I'd love to see how i can get this down without spending so much money! angelbea thanks for taking a look for me! And the fact that you mention the treatment and the amount of time it takes really makes me not want to even think about this braverman guy. In reading through his tough he definitely drags out the process for no reason I dont care how busy he is. I guess the fact that I really dont want to leave my clinic and just need this one thing wouldn't make me the ideal candidate for him either ugh!!!!
cscher2 thats scared the crap out of me! I so agree with you how can a few hours make a difference seriously!!! Just doesn't make sense how its even possible!!!! how r u feeling?? It happens so easily for some its just amazing to me!!
Unexplained Infertility - but I am 40...Low AMH .30
7 - IUI (50mg-150mg Clomid) Feb - August 2016 all BFN
IVF#1 August 2016 (Antagonist protocol 4/5 eggs) Cancelled cycle
IVF#2 Sept 2016 (microdose luporn pro - disappearing follies, ONLY ONE, convert to IUI) BFN
IVF#3 November 2016 (4 ER, 3 F, 3DT)-BFP
IVF#4 March 2017 //EPP (10 ER (1 wonky so 9 ER) 7F, 3B (5AB, (2)5BB) PGS tested- ALL abnormal
IVF#5 April 2017 // EPP (7 ER, 7F yes! 6B) 2/5 day 4/6 day - 2 PGS normal! yes!!
IVF#6 May 2017 // Antagonist didn't have time for Estrogen Priming...(4 ER, 3 F, 3B) (5AB, (2) 5BB) 2 PGS normal, yes!!
IVF#7 June 2017 // EPP praying this is it and then on to an FET!
@joneser1281 an issue with the mitochondria means that the egg doesn't have enough energy to keep progressing. This would account for why normal embryos aren't implanting and why I had the two chemicals after my fresh transfers. And because I had those two chemicals at my first clinic, I asked my doctor how he would be able to tell and he said he pulls the number on day 8 when we come in for other blood work. (BTW, I am right there with you, I can't believe it has only been 3 days, this is going so slow! And nothing of mine has fit for a while now due to all of the meds I am on. I actually had to buy new shorts because of this but I figure it's for a good cause.)
@cscher2 Thank you for the info. When I hear you girls talk about all of this stuff, all I'm doing is wondering if I could have the same issues and just not know it. Sigh! Nope, my issues are figured out and taken care of and this will work this time. Positive thinking! Lol.
@Ash_SE Good luck today girl! I've been thinking of you today! Sending you good vibes... I say rain must be good luck...
Me: 35 DH: 41, Married since 2009
TTC since June 2012
Aug. 2012: CP
2013 Several cycles of TI with Clomid = BFN
Feb. 2014: IUI = BFN
June 2014: IUI w/Clomid = BFN
Jul. 2014: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
Apr. 2016: Consult to begin IVF
May 2016 TI w/Follistim and Ovidrel = BFN
Jul. 2016: BCPs, baby aspirin, Vitamin D, COQ10, DHEA, Gonal F, Menopur, Cetrotide, Novarel, Leuprolide Acetate: 21 eggs retrieved, (10 w/ ICSI, 11 w/conv. IVF) 13 fertilized
Jul. 2016: Endometrin, Fresh Transfer 2AB = CP
7 frozen
Oct. 2016: BCPs, baby aspirin, Estradiol, PIO, FET 4AA = CP
6 frozen
Nov. 2016: Hospitalized for small bowel obstruction
Mar. 2017: Diagnostic Laparoscopy = Twist found in intestine - part of small intestine, part of colon, and appendix removed, bowel resection - caused by Endometriosis
May 2017: 3.75 Lupron Depot
June 2017: FET postponed due to complex cysts in breasts
June 2017: Endometrial scratch
Jul. 2017: Baby aspirin, Estradiol, PIO, FET 4AA (lost 1 4AA in thaw) = CP
4 frozen
Sept. 2017: ERA testing
Oct. 2017: Breast cysts biopsied
Dec. 2017: FET
joneser1281 theres no reason it shouldn't work, you can relax and let your DH workout your arms instead, let him do the heavy lifting
Unexplained Infertility - but I am 40...Low AMH .30
7 - IUI (50mg-150mg Clomid) Feb - August 2016 all BFN
IVF#1 August 2016 (Antagonist protocol 4/5 eggs) Cancelled cycle
IVF#2 Sept 2016 (microdose luporn pro - disappearing follies, ONLY ONE, convert to IUI) BFN
IVF#3 November 2016 (4 ER, 3 F, 3DT)-BFP
IVF#4 March 2017 //EPP (10 ER (1 wonky so 9 ER) 7F, 3B (5AB, (2)5BB) PGS tested- ALL abnormal
IVF#5 April 2017 // EPP (7 ER, 7F yes! 6B) 2/5 day 4/6 day - 2 PGS normal! yes!!
IVF#6 May 2017 // Antagonist didn't have time for Estrogen Priming...(4 ER, 3 F, 3B) (5AB, (2) 5BB) 2 PGS normal, yes!!
IVF#7 June 2017 // EPP praying this is it and then on to an FET!
It was so weird and surreal. I had to change into the gown and DH got to be in the room with me for the transfer. The RE said the embryo was excellent and thawed beautifully. I know we do assisted hatching because we did PGS. I didn't get an embryo pic like I've seen others do though. Then they brought it in and they inserted it. You could see the white dot travel on the screen. So cool. Then they checked amd shouted back from the lab "all clear" and it was over. I told my RE "nice doing business with you" to try to break the awkward I'm laying here spread eagle with no pants setting haha.
Then I rested with just me and H in the room and looked at the pic they froze from the ultrasound of the blip going in. I got to keep that. Then the nurse did my PIO shot and I sat in the recovery area for about 20 mins and headed home.
H cut up my pineapple and I already ate today's serving and now it's nap time!
Thank you all so much for the support. I'm so excited to spend the month here with you all on this journey because it's an awesome group. Sucks any of us have to be here but glad to have everyone's support and to give support.
@slmurphy12 Oh I never used to workout! I had great genes as well... Always very thin... Never did any activity or workout in my life. Then I hit 30 and my metabolism took a nosedive haha. After about a year and a half of us not getting PG on our own, I just physically felt like shit. I was unhappy, depressed. I felt like none of my clothes fit anymore and were too tight. I still wasn't considered "fat," by other people's standards, but I was fat to myself. I was about 20lbs over where I liked to be. So I started working out. I did the treadmill version of the Couch to 5K program and started running and got into the Beachbody workouts. They say if you do something everyday for two weeks, it becomes a habit. That is definitely true! I started to lose weight, and as someone who was never the slightest bit athletic in all her life, I gained strength, endurance, and some muscle tone. I have stuck with it ever since. It has since become my main way of dealing with stress and anxiety, which I don't really realize until I can't workout (with IVF last summer, FET in fall, my surgery in March, and now with this FET). I don't mean to sound like a weirdo who can't live without working out, it's just the IVF stuff is especially taxing emotionally and mentally (esp during this TWW!) and I can't do my usual go-to stress reliever. I know there are other avenues, but this is the one that helps me the most.
As for FET monitoring appts, I had 3 before transfer. 1. The baseline appt, 2. then 8 days later they did an US and checked Estradiol and Progesterone. 3. Then 5 days later another US and checked Estradiol and Progesterone. Transfer was 6 days later. I think they basically just try to see you once a week, give or day a few days, depending when they can get you in the schedule. It sounds like your schedule is similar.
@Ash_SE I'm glad everything went well today. It sounds like you had quite the day haha. Just how much pineapple are you eating per day? Haha. FX your embie is sticky and settling in!
I have not been very productive today. It's a gloomy rainy day here too. I took my aunt to a doctor's appt, so that took most of my afternoon. I should be cleaning and/or getting things ready for our summer bbq on Saturday, but I just feel lazy and don't want to do anything. Since @Ash_SE started the oversharing lol, here's another TMI alert... I am having horrendous hemorrhoids! I'm not sure how or when they came about, but they were bothering me during the night and have been miserable today. I also feel like I have the start of a yeast infection. I've felt some discomfort since the transfer and was hoping it would just go away, but now I feel like it's getting worse. I don't know what to do because I don't want to take any medication, but I don't know if it's a good idea either to let it go untreated. I was just tested for an infection a couple of weeks ago at my gyno and didn't have one. They said it was just probably a side effect of the Estradiol. I hate to go again and have them think I'm crazy, but I am uncomfortable. Plus I don't know that I should let them be poking around in there when there's an embryo implanting (God willing!).
Me: 35 DH: 41, Married since 2009
TTC since June 2012
Aug. 2012: CP
2013 Several cycles of TI with Clomid = BFN
Feb. 2014: IUI = BFN
June 2014: IUI w/Clomid = BFN
Jul. 2014: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
Apr. 2016: Consult to begin IVF
May 2016 TI w/Follistim and Ovidrel = BFN
Jul. 2016: BCPs, baby aspirin, Vitamin D, COQ10, DHEA, Gonal F, Menopur, Cetrotide, Novarel, Leuprolide Acetate: 21 eggs retrieved, (10 w/ ICSI, 11 w/conv. IVF) 13 fertilized
Jul. 2016: Endometrin, Fresh Transfer 2AB = CP
7 frozen
Oct. 2016: BCPs, baby aspirin, Estradiol, PIO, FET 4AA = CP
6 frozen
Nov. 2016: Hospitalized for small bowel obstruction
Mar. 2017: Diagnostic Laparoscopy = Twist found in intestine - part of small intestine, part of colon, and appendix removed, bowel resection - caused by Endometriosis
May 2017: 3.75 Lupron Depot
June 2017: FET postponed due to complex cysts in breasts
June 2017: Endometrial scratch
Jul. 2017: Baby aspirin, Estradiol, PIO, FET 4AA (lost 1 4AA in thaw) = CP
4 frozen
Sept. 2017: ERA testing
Oct. 2017: Breast cysts biopsied
Dec. 2017: FET
I hear you on the exercise. I am by no means exercise-obsessed, but it just makes me feel so good/sleep so well that I am bummed that I will need to cut back on it for a bit. My stomach is a huge wreck from my Lovenox injections too, so my DH told me not to exercise my core, but this is my last week before my transfer, so I'm trying to fit it in. Funny story, but one of the clinic nurses was in my exercise class with me last night! She was so sweet - she gave me a big hug and said good luck, as she knows my transfer is on Monday.
slmurphy12: I had only 2 additional appointments after my baseline; one that was 10 days after the baseline and then another that was 4 days after the 2nd appointment and my FET is 1 week after the last appointment. I might have had more appointments if my 3rd appointment revealed a thin lining, but I am on track.
So I had my first PIO injection last night (1mL) and OUCH! I feel like I did 100 butt squats on one cheek this morning! I think I need to massage the area longer and walk around a bit more (I did it too close to bedtime). Also, any other side effects I should know about? I feel a little bloated and crampy today, so I wondered if those were also side effects. I go up to 2ml tonight:(
Both married for the first time in our 40s; went straight to IVF after multiple fibroid surgeries
(2/17) ER: #1: agonist/antagonist protocol: 19 eggs; 8 mature; 13 fertilized; 1 7-day blast (6BA = abnormal/non-viable)
(4/17) ER: #2: same protocol but stimmed an extra 2 days: 16 eggs; 10 mature (5 more matured in lab); 13 fertilized; 2 6-day blasts (5AA & 6BA) & 2 7-day blasts (6BA & 5BB): only 1 Day 6 6BA tested normal!
FET on 7/10/17
Beta on 7/21/17: Negative:(
(8/17) ER #3: 9 eggs; 6 mature; 3 fertilized; 1 7-day blast (6BA = abnormal/non-viable)
Developed severe complications (abdominal bleeding) following egg retrieval which required hospitalization, transfusion & emergency surgery. Done with IVF.
@Ash_SE I am so happy for you today. Mine is tomorrow and I'm excited as well then taking the next few days off to just rest and relax, have not taken off work this year so figured i deserved it.
My appt schedule sounds exactly identical to yours. I guess i just had so many appts before the retrieval i almost thought it was weird to not be there so much haha. My RE jokes and says she knows i just miss her lol
@angelbea okay good, sounds similar to joneser1281! I'm grateful i don't have to be there very much but nervous as to if everything is going okay! Oh boy i can't wait for the PIO injections lol I'm a nurse and am too chicken to give them to myself haha so i told the girls at work either they have to give it to me or DH does! lol
I really am sorry for your hemroids. That is terrible! I bought a whole pineapple from Whole Foods yesterday and H cut it into 5 sections and I eat it over 5 days. The old wives tale is to eat it including the core. I'll try anything.
@angelbea good tip about that soup! I hear ya about the PIO . I had my first shot today and my whole hip/butt is sore. I'm currently sitting on a heating pad to see if that helps. I'm on Lovenox too and but my stomache is litterally 1 big nasty bruise. I took Lovenox while drumming and it wasn't this bad.
@roadtobaby good luck tommorrow!!! I love all these back to back transfers!
@cscher2 I don't know how you do it in your thigh. That's a big needle and I prefer not to see it coming.
@slmurphy12 my calendar is a little advanced due to Lovenox and Neupogen which require additional visits to the hematologist but RE visits only were I had baseline on day 3, ultrasound and bw on day 9, same on day 14, just bw on day 17, bw on day 20, bw on day 22, and transfer today on day 23. The BW on day 20 wasn't on the original calendar but was because my E2 dropped a bit on day 17.
@slmurphy12- Drunk people with bad ideas... I remember a story my colleague told me. He got drunk one day and he and his buddies thought removing the roof of his pickup truck was an awesome idea. Sort of like convertible, but pickup truck version. Luckily no one was injured while sawing off the roof. According to my colleague, that was the dumbest thing he's ever done.
@Ash_SE- Congrats on your PUPO status! Vivelle patch makes you farty? Oh no. I'm a bit jealous that you're never gassy. I am and it's especially worse when I'm nervous. Which means I definitely will be gassy come transfer time. Yikes. Your husband is so sweet! That is true love. lol.
@mtele- Here's the link:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312143407_Morphologic_grading_of_euploid_blastocysts_influences_implantation_and_ongoing_pregnancy_rates
This paper is a follow-up of a paper published by Capalbo, et al. back in 2014 that compared morphology of the blastocysts with euploidy (normal chromosome) and implantation rates.
https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/humrep/deu033
While the 2014 paper didn't show any significant differences in implantation rates between excellent, good, average and poor quality PGS-normal embryos, the 2017 paper shows that better quality equals better implantation rates. You should check out both articles. Highlights the danger of judging an embryo solely by its quality.
Unexplained infertility/AMA, polycystic ovaries, insulin resistance
FET#1(July 2017): eSET of first of 4 PGS-normal embryos, DS born 3/30/2018
FET#2(Oct/Nov 2019): eSET
@joneser1281- Oh hemorrhoids. I'm sorry. All these talks of exercising is making me feel guilty. My plan after ER was to get in shape, exercise more and 3 months would have been a good amount of time to get healthy. Well, it didn't happen. Yikes. Well, I still have 20 days 'till transfer so I guess I'll start walking.
Unexplained infertility/AMA, polycystic ovaries, insulin resistance
FET#1(July 2017): eSET of first of 4 PGS-normal embryos, DS born 3/30/2018
FET#2(Oct/Nov 2019): eSET
I have 3 more PGS normal embryos and the dr said I shouldn't care about grading when I choose which one to transfer... but maybe that's not the case?
Hysteroscopy: 2013
IUI #1-2: 2013 BFN
Surgery 10/2015: Planned to start trying again but had a surgery. (Not related to fertility)
Surgery 5/2016: Planned to start trying again but had another surgery. (Not related to fertility)
IUI #3-5 (with Clomid): summer 2016 BFN
IVF #1: 11/2016. 30R; 21M; 20F; 8B (6 day5 & 2 day6); 4 normal after PGS
Medicated FET #1: 1/31/2017 transferred 1 embryo 3AA. BFP. Embryo stopped growing at 6w 1d. MUA at 9w 3d.
Medicated FET #2: June 2017 - cancelled...
Hysteroscopy #2: June 2017
Medicated FET #2: 8/7/2017 transferred 1 embryo 5BB. BFP. Ended in CP.
Medicated FET #3: 10/11/2017 transferred 1 embryo 3AA. BFN
ERA: December 2017 - need an extra 12 hours of PIO
Medicated FET #4: 1/24/2018 transferred 1 embryo 4AA. BFN
Out of embryos.
IVF #2: 03/2018.
@Prudence9 how was your trip?
Prudence9: If I were you, I'd ask which grade your RE would transfer; I presume it would be the highest one. That has happened for a few people that I know, even when they had PGS normals. While it appears it might not make a difference, it might be the only differential that can be used. Interestingly, I had a 5AA that was abnormal, and I thought for sure that it would be normal. Go figure!
AFM, I'm feeling really calm right now. Work is kinda slow (which is good, as it has been super stressful all year) and I'm not overthinking things as much, as I truly think there is so little that I can do to influence this process. It truly is in God's hands now. I'm planning on enjoying my weekend, seeing some friends, having a glass of wine (or two!) and playing some golf outside with the hubby. I have a feeling the next 2 weeks will be strange ones, so I want to live my regular life for as long as I can. Things are about to change, I can feel it!
Thank you all for the PIO tips. Massaging the area hard afterwards and moving around with a hot pack (even did some squats) really helped. But wow, 2 mL took a lot longer to inject than 1 mL! My hubby is researching whether we can use a picc line to inject all the IVF meds;-) He is always coming up with medical inventions, so I told him to work on this idea quick!
Both married for the first time in our 40s; went straight to IVF after multiple fibroid surgeries
(2/17) ER: #1: agonist/antagonist protocol: 19 eggs; 8 mature; 13 fertilized; 1 7-day blast (6BA = abnormal/non-viable)
(4/17) ER: #2: same protocol but stimmed an extra 2 days: 16 eggs; 10 mature (5 more matured in lab); 13 fertilized; 2 6-day blasts (5AA & 6BA) & 2 7-day blasts (6BA & 5BB): only 1 Day 6 6BA tested normal!
FET on 7/10/17
Beta on 7/21/17: Negative:(
(8/17) ER #3: 9 eggs; 6 mature; 3 fertilized; 1 7-day blast (6BA = abnormal/non-viable)
Developed severe complications (abdominal bleeding) following egg retrieval which required hospitalization, transfusion & emergency surgery. Done with IVF.
AFM - trip was great! Perfect way to pass the time while I was on antibiotics waiting to start again!
@angelbea I had 2 of each gender. So first transfer they chose the best grade of the gender I wanted. But now, the last embryo of that gender happens to be the lowest of the remaining three. I did ask my dr about it and she said as long as it is pgs normal, grading doesn't matter. But maybe I should forward her this article...
Hysteroscopy: 2013
IUI #1-2: 2013 BFN
Surgery 10/2015: Planned to start trying again but had a surgery. (Not related to fertility)
Surgery 5/2016: Planned to start trying again but had another surgery. (Not related to fertility)
IUI #3-5 (with Clomid): summer 2016 BFN
IVF #1: 11/2016. 30R; 21M; 20F; 8B (6 day5 & 2 day6); 4 normal after PGS
Medicated FET #1: 1/31/2017 transferred 1 embryo 3AA. BFP. Embryo stopped growing at 6w 1d. MUA at 9w 3d.
Medicated FET #2: June 2017 - cancelled...
Hysteroscopy #2: June 2017
Medicated FET #2: 8/7/2017 transferred 1 embryo 5BB. BFP. Ended in CP.
Medicated FET #3: 10/11/2017 transferred 1 embryo 3AA. BFN
ERA: December 2017 - need an extra 12 hours of PIO
Medicated FET #4: 1/24/2018 transferred 1 embryo 4AA. BFN
Out of embryos.
IVF #2: 03/2018.