May 2018 - IVF

suziev3

@mich_elle I know that ERA is not fun.  I did get my BFP last cycle after the scratch so maybe there is something to that.  Also we learned I needed 24 more hours, so it's was worth doing at least in my case. 

@mayflower513 The menopur is also not fun.  I am right there with you on that.  Yay for good blood work. 

Bloating tip... a nurse told me last cycle to try not to eat any carbs during or after the stims and I think it really helped me because I didn't get super bloated, and I didn't get OHSS and I have PCOS so...  I am trying to stick to a low carb and low sugar diet this next week and a half. I already cut the caffeine a while ago so there is really no fun these days. Ha! (This better be worth it.)   
Also these lupron headaches are happening everyday now

sunny_side

Oh so much to get caught up on! 
@madasm0530 congrats on your 25! Good luck on wed and the 5dt. 

@mayflower513 Great news that nurse said you are responding well! Yes. I do have one normal pgs embryo frozen from my feb cycle. I miss the Menopur and Lupron shots when compared to this Crazy Clomid. I’ve had insane sweating. TMI...I wake up in a puddle of sweat. 

Starting Gonal F in 2 days so I’m happy to be back on a familiar drug.

mayflower513

@suziev3 thank you.  Maybe it’s a coincidence but Sunday I had an English muffin for breakfast and was bloated all day and yesterday I wasn’t as bad until I had a cookie lol.  I guess it’s a good excuse to clean up the diet.

mich_elle

@retro_belle24 No I've never had an endo scratch before so I was googling like crazy to learn about it. I was over in like 15 seconds so definitely manageable. 

@suziev3 I didn't have an ERA so I won't know if I need P for more/less days. Just the SIS to confirm that no polyps grew back. 

AMF, I didn't mention it here but now I will. RANT: Yesterday afternoon my nurse called with my bw results and told me that I should increase my low dose HCG to 20 units/day. Umm, I've BEEN taking 20 units/day so...wth?! She started stumbling over her words and then said, "Oh, yeah I do see a small note here that 20 units/day has been your dosage soo, don't change anything then!" What? How was it not CLEARLY noted what medications I'm taking and at what doses? Then she said, "Dr. B. just wants to be sure that your taking the 225 units of Follistim TWICE a day as prescribed and not just once." Uh, yeah I'm taking it 2x/day. Why the hell would I change that or not follow my protocol??? Yes, I'm taking every single shot, all 5, exactly like I was told too and no, I'm not responding at all to the meds so, thanks for that. Maybe I'm just moody but I'm annoyed that 1. my nurse &/or RE didn't know what dosage my meds were currently at and told me to change it incorrectly & 2. they are doubting my capability to follow directions!  Argh!

prudence9-2

Lurking...

@mich_elle ahhh I agree. That is very frustrating. did you already have the baseline US? Or are you way pass that?

mayflower513

@mich_elle wow that would make me annoyed and concerned as well.  Did you have an ultrasound?  What was your estrogen at?  If you’re not responding at all I’m surprised they’re NOT changing anything. You go back tomorrow, right?

emerald99

Hi all, introducing myself.  I wanted to read the whole May thread before posting, and y'all have been busy since the beginning of April!  The April thread was way shorter, and it's only 1 week into May, LOL

Anyway, I'm 32 and DH is 35.  We're unexplained after 1 year so we're starting IVF for the first time.  I had the worst time dealing with the dr office and insurance to get things started, and AF was crazy late (but BFN over and over).  But the timing and my million phone calls finally worked so I got my meds and started stimming Friday night.

Doing menopur 75 1x/day, and did 3 nights of Gonal-F 225 1x/day, now 200 1x/day (1 day of that so far) and also started the Ganirelix 1x/day in the morning (first shot was last night though).  Next US is tomorrow.  DH is afraid of needles so I stick myself, but he's been helping me prep everything.  He's def not looking forward to administering the Ovidrel or later, the progesterone shots!

@madasm0530 @mayflower513 I completely agree with you ladies about the Ganirelix! The needle seemed duller than Menopur and Gonal-F, and the liquid was thick so it was very difficult to remove air bubbles - how do you ladies deal with that?  I also swelled up like a mosquito bite after Ganirelix - glad to hear that's not unusual.

First day 5/4 estradiol was 36, yesterday it was 456.  What does that mean? They didn't say good vs bad, just that it was there.  At first appointment 5/4 I had 24 follicles, and yesterday I had 6 that seem to be growing (10-13mm), one in the lead (14mm), and the rest have stayed tiny.  Still hoping, keeping my fingers crossed for a few good ones and a good result.  Does the Ganirelix slow the growth?  It prevents them from being released, right?  GL everyone!!

retro_belle24

@mich_elle Wow, I would be very frustrated too! There's nothing more annoying than dealing with people who aren't doing their job correctly. It's like, aren't you suppose to be professionals at this? Why would the medication doses be in tiny print for them? And I agree with @mayflower513 why didn't they recommend changing the dosages? 

AFM, I go in for my first bw/us tomorrow morning to see how everything is going so FX everything is moving along as it should. Anyone else feel a little tingly where they've been administrating the shots? Throughout the day and especially at night, after my evening shots, my lower stomach feels a little tingly. I don't know if it's my imagination or a real side effect. 

emerald99

retro_belle24  I haven't felt tingly, but they told me so many times to stay hydrated, and then my throat hurt for the first couple days of stimming.  I don't know if that was real or in my head, thinking I must not be drinking enough water and electrolytes??

mayflower513

Welcome @emerald99!  Yes I think the ganirelix slows growth.  I’ve had an issue with losing the medicine while trying to get the air bubbles out.  I find if I have the needle perfectly straight up I can get it out but that if its not the liquid comes out instead of the air.  Hopefully I can figure it out tomorrow!

@retro_belle24 no tingling but I def get red and it stings for a bit after.

mich_elle

@prudence9-2 I had my baseline done last Thursday 5/3 & this 1st scan yesterday 5/7 so 4 days of stims.

@mayflower513 Yes, I had an u/s yesterday. I asked her if she was going to count my follicles and measure each one. She said yes, if they were measurable. Yes, my 2nd monitoring appt is tomorrow.

I have no idea what to expect but, from my baseline 5/3 to my 1st monitoring appt 5/7: 

ute lining: from 2.7mm to 4.3mm

AFC: still at 6 but she didn't measure them bc they're still so tiny

estradiol: from 61.1 to 83.7 (this is a form of estrogen, right?!?)

LH: from 3.04 to 6.41

Welcome @emerald99! ::raises hand:: I started this thread! I couldn't wait another day to it so here we all are! I started stimming Friday too, had my 1st scan yesterday and 2nd one tomorrow. Hop onto the May 2018 IVF spreadsheet I made (link in my siggy) and add your info so we can see your updates quickly GL to you!

@retro_belle24 Right?!? I mean, I'm trying, I'm really trying to not overthink and obsess over this whole process (like I do with everything else in life...if you've got small stuff, I'll sweat it for you!). But, come on. I don't have time to just "wait & see" what happens! I'll be 43 at the end of August and

prudence9-2

@mich_elle did they tell you how many follicles there are? Or are they too small to count? I think that such a small estradiol increase from day 1 to 4 is expected as the follicles are still very small. When is your next appt?

mich_elle

@prudence9-2  6 follies. Next appt tomorrow.

prudence9-2

@mich_elle I will keep my fingers crossed for you that they will all keep growing!

emerald99

@mich_elle Just updated, thanks   There are so many different protocols out there!!

mandurz

sorry everyone I havent been very supportive of all those getting started and in the middle of their cycles. Monday I got the call that none of the 6 embryos survived and have been in a funk since. 

@mich_elle glad you have 6 follicles and hope they perk up and have more behind them.

@retro_belle24 I hope your appt goes well tomorrow. I havent had any tingles with the injections. One day it did hurt A LOT more than normal. That was about 5 days before my ER and I still have a bruise from it. I guess we hit a blood vessel or somthing cuz it was awful. 

@emerald99 I would say that a nice big jump like that is good. Having a few in the lead is ok. In my case it wasnt but dont compare my story to yours. You still have plenty of time for more follicles to catch up. Did they check your LH? are they talking about adding ganarelix to prevent premature ovulation?

mayflower513

@mich_elle let us know how the appt in the morning goes!  Hopefully things are progressing nicely.

@mandurz I’m sorry again.  I hope you get some answers and reassurance.

Good luck tomorrow @retro_belle24!

sunny_side

@mandurz - it hurt to read that and I’m so sorry. Are you thinking of trying again? I did back to back cycles Jan-Feb and on my second cycle I got my normal pgs embryo. Every month is different so there is lots of hope! 

 @mich_elle  Good luck at the appointment tomorrow. Hope they keep growing for you!

@emerald99  Welcome and Congrats! Your E2 jump sounds awesome! I agree with @mandurz that lead follicles are pretty common and fine. I’ve noticed in past cycles that some of the small stragglers can catch up before ER. You’ll become a pro at the shots. I’m terrified of needles and hate getting blood drawn but ive given myself all shots including the the IM Trigger shot. The key for me is playing music and a glass of wine before the trigger shot

mayflower513

Ugh.  Am I the only one that loses a few drops of the ganirelix trying to get the air out??

mayflower513

@mich_elle any updates yet??

I just got done and I have:  (the 8.8 is lining).

retro_belle24

@mich_elle GL today on your appt! 

@mandurz I'm so sorry about the bad news Do you know what your next steps will be?

@emerald99 Welcome! I've heard the same thing about staying hydrated esp while going through IVF. It's so hard to remind myself to keep drinking water but I'm trying. 

AFM, I had my appt this morning, bw and us. The doc counted 6 follicles on the right and 4-5 on the left. All are small but its okay because it's only the beginning. My medication will still be the same for now. My next appt is this Saturday for another bw and us and perhaps again next Monday. The shots are becoming a lot easier to do so that's a positive! 

emerald99

@mandurz thanks for the support!  Today was day 3 of Ganarelix even though I only started stimming Friday.  I wish you the best with whatever comes next for you.
@sunny_side You did the IM shot yourself??  You are a rockstar!  I may do that too, not sure if it's better to watch the video early to mentally prepare, or to try not to think about it.  DH will do what needs to be done, but I know he hates needles so might be better if I just do it.
@mayflower513 This happens to me too with the Ganarelix - there's a ton of air, but I can't get it out without shooting out a small stream of the liquid.  Hopefully that's not bad!

AFM, BW and US this morning.  Waiting on BW results, but US tech said things are looking good, growing...I'm hopeful they're quality.  I'm def scared from reading stories - I know that quantity isn't as important as quality, and who knows about the quality??

mayflower513

@emerald99 I asked the nurse and she said to fill it with a little more air then tap them to the top and it should help.

Do you know how many follicles you have and the sizes?  Quality is definitely the most important thing!!

emerald99

@mayflower513 I'll try that tomorrow morning, thanks!  6 follicles on the right, 8 on the left that were big enough to measure.  I don't have stats on the individual ones

Ughh my boss just invited me to an 8am meeting tomorrow.  I don't know if I'll need to go for BW/US tomorrow, but I might.  I haven't gotten to work before 8 after a dr appointment yet.  If I do need to go, I'll have to make sure I'm first in line!!  But boo unnecessary stress.

mayflower513

@emerald99 that’s great!

FX you don’t have to go for monitoring tomorrow!

madasm0530

hi gals! I’m going to catch up with everyone today but I hope everyone’s doing well! i had my retrieval this morning - 17 eggs!! I’m thrilled. We don’t get an update from here until transfer day, which will likely be Monday. 

mayflower513

Congrats @madasm0530!!  That’s amazing!  How do you feel?

emerald99

Congrats @madasm0530!

emerald99

Turns out I do have to go for monitoring tomorrow.  If we arrive super early to get in line first, I bet I can get to the office before 8.  I did warn my boss that the timing would be tight for me, and luckily someone else in the meeting should be able to answer most questions that come up if I can't make it.

mayflower513

@emerald99 any med changes?  

I’m going back up to 175 on the follistim and then going back Friday morning.

sunny_side

@retro_belle24 awesome news on your 10-11 follicles! Congrats on the shots getting easier as well. 
@madasm0530  big congrats on a successful ER!
@emerald99 you can do the shots too! If it were in nature, I’d shoot a little clip for YouTube but am way too concerned with the internet seeing my little bum cheek.

sunny_side

Mobile keeps cutting off my posts! 

@mayflower513 we may be on the same time table. My next is is Friday bright and early. I only started with 4-5 follicles (yes,total) so hopefully a few have been growing! 

emerald99

@mayflower513 moved the GonalF to 175, so I guess we're the same on that one

suziev3

Hi all, just catching up with past couple of days and I finally added myself to the spread sheet.  

@mandurz So sorry about this cycle.  It's so hard to go through all of this and not get the results. Do you still have 1 on ice from a previous cycle?  Will you proceed with that one or do another retrieval?  
@madasm0530 Congrats!  That seems like a great number.  Best of luck on your transfer.  Will you transfer more than one? 
@emerald99 I feel you on trying to get to work on time with all these appointments.  No one at my office knows what I am up to (I work with mostly men) and it's stressful trying to be there on time with all these appointments. I care much less about that this cycle than I did my first though.   I remind myself that I have major life changing things going on.  This meeting is not that critical!  
@mayflower513 Good stats!  I think we are off track now because your follicles are way ahead of mine. 
@sunny_side Good luck with your next appointment.  4 or 5 maybe all you need! 

I had my first ultrasound and bw yesterday.  Good synchronization but biggest was only an 8 and estrogen was in the 200s.  So they are bumping me up from 150 gonal-f to 225.  Menopur stays the same (2 vials) . Bummer is i have to order more meds $$$ and continue shots for a least 2 additional days so at least a 12 day stim.   Not completely unexpected for me to start off slow.  Next appointment is tomorrow AM so I am hopeful there will be some good progress. 

tinjp78

Hello ladies of May 2018 IVF. I'm tentatively jumping in from May IUI. I had bw early this week and showed that I already O'd. We had some BD leading to and during my OPKs peak so I'm in a TWW too. In case we don't get KU this month, I'll be starting my stims for IVF#2 which would probably be within this month. DH and I will have an IVF orientation by a counselor in our clinic next week (5/15). 

*tw* I'm 39 and DH is 37. I had a 7cm chocolate cyst removed through lap  Jan 2017, IVF #1 Aug 2017, we had 5 eggs retrieved then ICSI, but only 1 made it to be a 5-day cell so we froze that. I got my FET Nov 2017 but BFN *end tw*

mayflower513

@suziev3 I’m sure you’re ok, I’m actually worried because a couple of mine are already so big and idk how many of the less than 10’s will get where they need to by the time the leads are ready!  GL this morning - I’m sure that little bump in gonalF will help you!

@tinjp78 hi there!  I’m sorry you missed your O!  I was following your story in IUI - I didn’t realized you’d done an IVF before and then did IUIs, I’m curious about that backstory if it’s not too much to share!

eta: I added the air to the ganirelix before trying to get it out and it worked so much better!

leilee101

Sorry for being MIA! I was out of town for a wedding this weekend (yay injections in the bathroom) and super busy at work all week .. so much catching up to do!

@mandurz I'm so so sorry none of your embies made it. I would be a wreck. Take care of yourself. Are you going to jump into another cycle?
@madasm0530 Congrats on the high retrieval count.. That's amazing! They aren't even going to give you a fertilization report until Monday? How were you feeling after the ER? 
@mich_elle & @emerald99 - how did your appts go this morning? We all started stimming around the same time
@mayflower513 just caught up on your cycle and so glad to see you're responding so well! Do they have any idea when ER will be at this point? 
@sunny_side hoping this follies have grown by tomorrow! Quality > Quantity all day
@retro_belle24 I haven't had any side effects of the meds yet at all. I honestly wish I were lol so I know they're working. My follies are slow growing too
@tinjp78 welcome! Sorry you missed your O.. such a bummer. Hopefully that BD did it and you won't need to move back to IVF  
@suziev3 Did the little bump in gonal-f help you out this morning?

Started stims on Sat, so just did 5th shot of Gonal-F 175 last night. Adding the Menopur at some point, hopefully tonight? On Day 3 bw, my estrogen was only 33 - which seems soo low and has been stressing me out, but my dr said it's up from baseline of <15 which is a good thing. But then today my ultrasound showed 18 follies, all still "really small" -ultrasound tech. Don't know the exact size because they don't measure anything under 10. I'm waiting on estrogen results, but just so worried I'm not responding to the meds, hoping its a slow response and not no response. Hopefully my ovaries are just like a crockpot, slow and steady cookin! Anyone else run into this? 

mich_elle

@prudence9-2 Thank you Hey, have you joined your BMB yet?! So happy for you!

@emerald99 Great! And, I know! It's crazy how different each of our experiences can be! Wow, 14 follies-that's great How was your scan this morning?

@mandurz (((hugs))) I'm so sorry about your embryos. It hurts to read something like that and I know it can't be easy for you. And yet, you still give support...<3 Thanks for your words of encouragement!

@mayflower513 Thank you for checking up on me! I'll update below. I'm happy you solved the ganirelix loss! Your lining is plumping up nicely! And wow, you're responding well to your meds! Grow, follies, grow! GL at tomorrow's appt!

@sunny_side Thanks for your support! And, anyone who can give themselves those PIO shots are a hero in my book! GL on your scan tmrw!

@retro_belle24 Thanks for cheering me on! Great news for you with your follie count! GL with Saturday's appt! And, I agree, the shots are getting easier to do

@madasm0530 YAY for an awesome retrieval! Boy oh boy, you better have something lined up to keep yourself distracted if you have to wait until Monday for more news!

@suziev3 That's great that you're responding but boo to having to order more meds! Look, you've come this far so whatever it takes, right?!? GL at your next scan

@tinjp78 Aww sorry to hear about the missed O but you're welcome to join us! I'm sorry for your struggles but you know you're in a good place here. Best of luck!

@leilee101 How did those bathroom shots go?!? Thanks for checking on me and ::raises hand:: crock pot over here too, apparently!

AFM, I had my 2nd scan yesterday and am still so disappointed in my body! My nurse did the scan as my RE was out of the office and she was unable to visualize my left ovary. She *thinks* she *may* have gotten a pic of my right one that *may* have 1 follie growing. My left ovary likes to hang out behind my uterus so that's always fun. 25 minutes...25 long, awkward minutes with my legs spread and my hoo-ha 2 feet from her face while she dug around trying to find my damn ovaries! Ugh! She said that often times the bowels will block them (eww, great). I still had fluid in my ute from-and we're assuming here-Monday's repeat SIS. The good new is that my bw showed an increase in estrogen from 83.7 to 134 so I've got at least 1 follie responding! I'm pissed to only be learning NOW that they will not proceed with egg retrieval if I have less that 3 follies. I mean, my AFC was only 6 so I've know from the start that I'm not working with big numbers BUT, why the hell didn't anyone, namely my RE, mention that to me?!? Anyway, dosage is the same and I moved my next scan from Friday to Saturday. It will be at their main location and an RE will do the scan. I asked the nurse if doing an enema would help, she said that's not necessary. I asked if we could try doing a transabdominal u/s vs transvag and she said no bc it's not any easier to visualize the ovaries that way. I asked if they perform transabdominal ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration and she yes, that it was up to the RE's discretion & only IF I had more than 3 follies. So, I'm just hanging out in a world of suck right now. Thanks for your support ladies...if I didn't have a place to vent and cry and see your successes I really don't know what I'd do!

madasm0530

@emerald99 welcome! I am in the same boat as you reading stories - good and bad. The internet is a terrifying place - except for here, this place is great  

@retro_belle24 FX for an awesome appointment Saturday!

@mandurz I am so incredibly sorry - what crappy, crappy news! I was lurking on the IVF benched board and saw that you're demanding answers; so proud! we have to get in there and be our own advocates. Best of luck to you! Keep us updated!

@mayflower513 how's everything going?

@suziev3 we're only transferring 1!

@tinjp78 welcome to May IVF  

AFM, I'm feeling okay after the ER yesterday. I am hydrating like crazy because I have OHSS fears! The clinic is supposed to be calling me tomorrow around 2 to schedule our transfer, hopefully then I can get a feel of how everything's going, but no specific reports until transfer day. I am going to try and keep busy with work and landscaping projects this weekend to keep my mind off of everything! 

prudence9-2

Lurking....

@tinjp78 sorry to hear about your missed O

@mich_elle I’m so sorry to hear about that. But you did start with 6. So I hope she just didn’t find them. As it’s seems like she’s not even sure what ovary she saw! 

i totally agree with you. It’s very frustrating that they didn’t tell you prior so you’re at least prepared. Also, I wonder if they expected higher numbers and maybe this protocol wasn’t the right one for you? 

Im still hoping this cycle will work out for you! Crossing my fingers for a better appt on sat. Don’t give up.