IF Treatment and Testing- Week of 5/14

beachbunnyxo123

This is a place for those of us who have already started TTC, but have started infertility testing and/or treatments. You can express your thoughts, feelings, and frustrations on infertility. TTC can be a long journey naturally, then add in the difficulties associated with infertility, and it becomes a whole new ball game. The road to infertility can be lonely, frustrating, and complicated, so let's make this a place where we can vent, ask questions, and support one another. Feel free to resurrect this thread at any point in the week if you have something to say. Treat this as an ongoing conversation. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):

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

How are things going?: 

Any questions?:

GTKY: What is your favorite vacation spot?

beachbunnyxo123

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained, poor responder 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): 
WFFET 
What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): 
Mock transfer and biopsy hopefully this week, supposed to start BCPs tomorrow

How are things going?: 
last week was super crazy and chaotic at work! So I got the PGS results back and we have 3 normal embryos (4AA, 4BA, 6BB)! Yay!! I am so excited and thrilled triple the amount of last IVF cycle. 

Any questions?: nope

GTKY: We went to st Lucia for our honeymoon and it was absolutely beautiful I would love to go back. We’ve also been to Jamaica and Grenada in the Caribbean but st Lucia was my favorite! 

rallykat14

Diagnosis (if you've been): 
Endometriosis and low Amh 
Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): waiting

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): 
Just waiting on the donor
How are things going?: 
I was told today is the donors baseline check.   So obviously I'm frantically checking my patient portal every hour for a more defined date of ER for  her.  Started LDN so hopefully I can be ready for FET in june assuming we get some embryos   

Any questions?:

GTKY: What is your favorite vacation spot?

Everytime I go to California I love it more.   Every area,  I would gladly live there. 

@beachbunnyxo123 that is awesome!! great results! 

nitnat007

@beachbunnyxo123 That is fantastic news. 

@rallykat14 Everything crossed for positive news popping onto the portal for you soon. GL

Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA, low morph

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Waiting on the MRI results now. I am going to call in tomorrow and see if they have arrived yet and if there is any way I can get in there sooner to hear them. 

How are things going?: Not too bad. MH completely shocked me over the weekend by informing me that he has decided to switch from smoking (20-30 a day) to vaping. I almost fell over. We have discussed this a few times and I have expressed my wishes on the subject, but having had a father that smoked my entire childhood and struggled with quitting, I get that the nagging and pressure only make things worse. So I have completely backed off and let him come to this on his own and I am overjoyed. Especially given where we are now. 
Yes, there is still nicotine involved, but nowhere near the amount in regular cigarettes. Fingers crossed that this is a step to him quitting entirely. For now, I take it as a win! 

Any questions?:

GTKY: What is your favorite vacation spot? When we were sailing a few years ago we stopped at a completely deserted island that was gorgeous. But likely never to get back there. Otherwise Costa Rica. My parents are there full time and it is always beautiful. 

rallykat14

@nitnat007 that's great.  My husband was a smoker and it was battle for the both of us, but when he decided to quit it was really a game changer. 

emmasemm

Diagnosis (if you've been): DOR AMA and autoimmune rubbish

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WFAF/TTA

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):  Waiting. And pumping my body full of drugs that make me fat and sleepy and fuzzy headed. Aka estrogen priming.

How are things going?: Meh. I never had any problem with stimming and the progesterone and estrogen after transfer just gave made me symptom spot. But whoa the priming is kicking my ass. It had better be kicking my ovaries too. Because I’ll be pissed if I’m fighting through the days for no gain at the end.

Any questions?: Any ideas for counteracting the extreme lethargy?

GTKY: What is your favorite vacation spot?
With our friends in Palo Alto. Nights out in San Francisco, days at the beach, mini excursions along the coastal road, horses galore, fab weather, no Zika... and good friends to share it all with

@nitnat007 wow! I’m surprised as you mentioned it several times before your DH deployed last year that you didn’t think he was up for stopping cigarettes. And Fx you can get that MRI result ASAP.

@rallykat14 oooooh i hope your Donor has a good baseline and you’re back on the road again!

@beachbunnyxo123 are you supposed to start BCP before the mock transfer and biopsy? That sounds a bit weird... surely that would interfere with the biopsy? Starting it directly after I can understand.

Avrilmai

@beachbunnyxo123 I'm so excited for you!! I know you have the mock transfer, any idea yet of when your FET will take place?
@nitnat007 hope you get those results soon. Sometimes the waiting and letting the mind wander is much worse than the actual test result. and congrats to your DH for dropping the cigarettes.
@rallykat14 that is so exciting. I hope you get more details very soon!
@emmasemm sorry to hear the priming is so rough on you. I hope you find some relief soon.

Diagnosis (if you've been):  Unexplained, AMA 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): benched (but I'm still hanging out here)

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): on birth control for this active cyst. 

How are things going?: they're going. I'm not temping now so that is a weird change. I'm trying to make some of the egg-health change since I have some time.

Any questions?: for those of you that have had FF VIP, did you keep it when you started active tx w/your RE? My VIP expires early next month and I'm trying to decide if it is worth renewing. At best we have one more IUI. 

GTKY: What is your favorite vacation spot? I love the beach. Any beach really, but Aruba was awesome and I often longingly think of Maui

emmasemm

@avrilmai yes I’ve kept my FF VIP going as I also still track all my IVF cycles (including temps as I’m crazy). I mean I didn’t start off planning to do multiple IVF rounds, but now it means I can select the charts for cycles I did IVF and just compare those ones even. And because in between treatment cycles I still dream about being a SS 

beachbunnyxo123

@rallykat14 yay I’m glad she’s finally getting started!!! Keep us posted! 

@nitnat007 I feel like you’ve been waiting a while for the results! Hopefully you get them soon.

@emmasemm yes we will start the BCPs before the biopsy but I didn’t specify it’s an endometrial biopsy to check for endometritis before transfer it’s not an ERA. The mock transfer is just to make sure that my cervix is still dilated from my surgery in February for my transfer. 

@Avrilmai my nurse said my transfer will likely be 6/19 or 6/20. So about a month away. Honestly, I’d say cancel the VIP. I use the regular one to track AF but the RE does everything so there was no need for me to still temp especially since meds make temps wonky. That’s just my two cents though

jrm_14

@rallykat14 Any word on ER date yet or how baseline  scan went? 

@nitnat007 I seriously hope you get your results sooner than later. Once, I went around my RE to the hospital’s medical records to get my results. RE was not very happy 

@beachbunnyxo123 Holy beautiful 3 embryos. Congratulations!

@emmasemm No advice on extreme fatigue other than being kind to yourself & adjusting accordingly. It sounds like you did a great job of that this weekend by backing out of the garden project. 

@Avrilmai If you don’t mind educating me- do BCPs help shrink the cyst or are they so you can stay on a certain cycle while it self-detonates?  

jrm_14

Diagnosis (if you've been): Ripple effect from dysfunctional autoimmunity; MFI stuff; LPD

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): IUI#3 was this past Saturday. 

How are things going?: Meh, I’m not super hopeful. Last month, I agreed with my husband to do 1-2 more IUIs.  I told him this cycle I was done with IUIs & he keeps saying, “The next IUI....”. So, you’re expecting this one to fail & now you’re not listening to me being done. 
This cycle has been a cluster eff. I ended up with one follicle, which I’m livid about. I want to blame it on the REs nurse for miscommunications in meds. However, it is what it is & there is nothing that can be now. 

Any questions?: Not right now. 

GTKY: What is your favorite vacation spot?  Belgium or Scotland. Both were amazing for different reasons. Also, closely, is the Dominican Republic. I went once on vacation & once for our honeymoon. I’d go back there any day!  

purplg8r

@beachbunnyxo123 yay for 3 embryos!! I hope your mock transfer & biopsy go well!

@rallykat14 have you heard anything?

@nitnat007 I’m so glad your H came to that decision!

@emmasemm ugh!  I’m sorry you’re having side effects. How long do you do the estrogen priming for?

@Avrilmai I didn’t renew my VIP. I just keep track of the meds, when I had my IUI, AF, and when I exercise or have a headache. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA, mild PCOS 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW (well technically today is O day)

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):  IUI #3 today

How are things going?:  ok. Brought H with me this time. Maybe he’s good luck. I’m not expecting it to work though and not testing until 14dpo

Any questions?:

GTKY: What is your favorite vacation spot? Oh this is hard to pick.  I’ll say any Disney spot. Otherwise I always like to go to new places!

Avrilmai

@jrm_14 the goal is for the BCP to help shrink the cyst so that it doesn't detonate. (I've had that happen a few months ago and it was the most extreme pain I've ever felt, so avoiding that would be great) Sorry that the IUI cycle wasn't what you had hoped. If you don't move forward with another IUI is the plan to move straight to IVF?

@purplg8r I'm glad this cycle wasn't a total loss. i know it was questionable for a while. FX that this is it for you. 

darkstar42

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained, AMA

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): IUI #4 (clomid + ovidrel trigger), but only on cd 5 right now.

How are things going?: Pretty good. No awful clomid side effects so far. This weekend was a bit tough, with the holiday, but I survived. Looking forward to therapy and acupuncture this week. I need both! My semester is winding down and we're in finals week now, and I can't wait to be done! Woohoo!

Any questions?: For those who have taken clomid, did your side effects show up as soon as you started taking it, or was there a delay? Just trying to get a handle on what to expect...

GTKY: What is your favorite vacation spot? Internationally, southern Spain (especially Seville) is one of my favorite places, as is Scotland. In the U.S. I love to go camping in the woods.

darkstar42

@beachbunnyxo123 What wonderful news! So happy for you and your three embies.

@rallykat14 Fx for good news on your portal soon!

@nitnat007 I hope you can get the MRI results soon! What great news about YH, as well! Good for him for making that choice.

@emmasemm I love Palo Alto! Such a pretty area. I grew up relatively near there. I hope the priming ends up being worth it! Sorry you’re feeling so wiped out though.

@Avrilmai I’m sorry you’re benched right now, but it’s great that you’re focusing on egg health. Let us know what changes you make! I’m always looking for new ideas.

@jrm_14 I’m sorry this IUI didn’t go well. Have you talked to YH about the language he’s using around this? I know I tend to talk about the next round of treatment as a way of both not getting my hopes up too high and maintaining the feeling that I have a plan. Perhaps that is what he’s doing, but if he realizes that it’s hurtful to you I’m sure he can figure out how to reframe things!

@purplg8r FX that this IUI works for you, but I hear you on keeping expectations low. That’s me with this latest IUI as well.

jrm_14

@darkstar42 did you use letrozole before?  On 50mg clomid, I had a headache the second or third day that was kind of nagging until the last dose. I found if I took it at night as I went to bed, the headaches were better, as were the mood changes. 
This most recent time, on 100mg, I took it at might & was still raging moody from about the second pill through the last day. 
Hopefully you sidestep the side effects!
eta: No, I have not talked to him about the language. I had not even thought about it.  Sometimes things seem so simple when others point them out ❤️


@Avrilmai Thanks for the explaination!!  If this is our last IUI & is not successful, I will push for a hysteroscopy/laposcropy to better assess the partial septum & check for endo. Then, the plan would be IVF. 

rallykat14

@purplg8r and @jrm_14 nothing yet. Ugh. 

@purplg8r good luck on your wait...crossing my fingers for you.

@Avrilmai I have always just kept my basic.  When I started IVF I depended on my notebook more than the app. I stopped doing temps as well and it was kind of liberating.  

@darkstar42 gosh clomid was so long ago.  I think by my second round the side effects started earlier, but not the first cycle.  I really only experienced hot flashes, a lot of thirst,  some minor headaches and that was about it. 

50Wife

@beachbunnyxo123 That is the best news ever!!!!!!! I am SO SO SO excited for you!!
@rallykat14 I hope you hear something soon!!!! I'm anxious for you...I can't imagine the wait after each appt.
@nitnat007 That's great that he decided to take a step back and switch from regular cigarettes on his own.  Huge step and I'm glad he did it! Hopefully he keeps it up and eventually the vaping will decrease as well.
I hope you can get your MRI results asap! Gah the hurry up and wait we all deal with is so frustrating!
@emmasemm Ugh I'm so sorry the meds are kicking your ass! I really hope that means they're working though! Unfortunately, I don't have anything to help with the straight exhaustion you're feeling.  I'm just hoping for your sake that your body gets used to it sooner rather than later and they don't drag you down that much.
@Avrilmai I'm glad you're still hanging out here! Remind me - you have to call them on CD1 for a scan to check things out?  I hope that cyst is long gone and you guys can hop of that bench asap!
@jrm_14 I'm sorry you only had one follie, especially when you were hoping for more. I hope that one was all you need and you can put all of this IUI crap behind you!  After one or two, it's hard to keep your spirits up and be positive. I'm rooting for you!
@purplg8r I 'm SO glad you called and did another scan so that you were able to go through with the IUI! Good luck!!
@darkstar42 Good luck this cycle!  My first cycle on clomid was fine - I remember thinking wow, no side effects!! By round two I hated everything my husband did. I think I've said it on here before, but that second cycle, I'd walk away from him multiple times a day mumbling and cursing under my breath.  If he coughed, "omg shut the fuck up"  If he sniffed, "Jesus christ take medicine"  If he even really talked to me, "OMG I'm going to punch you in the fucking face"
I held it together though - he never knew how much I hated him until the meds wore off and I told him. We had a good laugh about it all, but God I hated everything about him! hahaha Very short fuse that second cycle!


Diagnosis (if you've been): MFI - low count

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): ERA #3

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):  Following my natural cycle. They confirmed that I ovulated over the weekend so I started my prometrium this morning. I'll do 2 capsules twice a day and then go in Monday for my biopsy.

How are things going?: Kind of just going through the motions. Totally expecting this to come back as non-receptive as well.  Kind of hoping for the best but expecting (and almost planning on) the worst.

Any questions?: Nope!

GTKY: What is your favorite vacation spot? I loved Aruba! We went for our honeymoon and it was amazing!  We also really liked Jamaica - I think I loved our hotel too. We had jerk lobster on the beach...I mean...can you beat that?!

nitnat007

@rallykat14 It really is a big deal, and it means so much that he has made the choice himself. Fingers crossed he sticks with it now. He has already started to notice food tasting a little different. 
@emmasemm Hope that things smooth out for you soon. Sorry it has been such a  struggle. 
@Avrilmai The waiting feels like the hardest part. I stopped temping too. It makes for a nice change not having too much to analyse every day. 
@jrm_14 I wish that I could go around my doc to get the results, but our system is annoying. They make you wait for everything and they are so backed up too. Oh friend, I am so sorry that this cycle has been such frustration for you, and that YH isn't hearing you. I don't think that they quite get much we carry every failed attempt at anything. My fingers are crossed for this cycle for you though, and I hope that you don't need to do anymore anything. *hugs*
@purplg8r Hope that YH is your four leaf clover and that this is your cycle! 
@darkstar42 Sending all the positive vibes your way and hope that there are no side effects to come. 
@50Wife Here's hoping that your natural cycle will be a pleasant surprise for you. FX
i have never had jerk lobster, sounds delicious!

Edited to add: My MRI results are at the doctors office, but they will not release them to me. I will have to wait for my scheduled appointment on Friday with no possibility of bumping that to sooner. Ugh...

rallykat14

Got my update.  Donor is good to move forward and currently planning 5/30.  I told DH to clear the pipes as much as possible in the next 10 days, this process is so romantic. 

KristoKekerooni

https://www.newsweek.com/what-causes-pcos-scientists-may-have-finally-found-answer-926960 

ETA: Here is the link to the actual article's abstract. I am working on getting full acces, but work doesn't have access to Nature, since we focus on Chemistry, not biology. 
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-018-0035-5

emmasemm

@kristokekerooni thanks for the link
I have access through my university accreditation- if anyone wants the full article please feel free to pm me

50Wife

Used my oral prometrium vaginally for the first time today and it didn't "just fall out" like the pharmacist said it would.
It's the little things that I consider a win these days. I also don't know what he thinks my vag is that shit is just gonna come falling out if I stick it up there  

purplg8r

@50Wife I understand expecting the worst. But I really hope that you’ll be surprised. And lobster on the beach sounds amazing. 

@nitnat007 ugh. So annoying!

@rallykat14 I’m so excited for you!!

jrm_14

@nitnat007 Uggggh, that’s so frustrating to wait &  wait more. Hoping Friday comes soon for you, friend ❤️

@50wife While the orange color does come cascading out after a while, you should probably tell your pharmacist he underestimated the power of a vagina. 


@rallykat14 Ahhhh!  It seems like you waited & waited, not knowing if/when she would cycle again and boom!  ER date. All the best wishes. 

rallykat14

@50Wife this  process gives shoving things up my vagina a whole new meaning.  Glad it didn't fall out. Lol

I'm really trying to not get excited.   Last cycle I was so optimistic that donor eggs were going to solve all my problems and when they didn't it was a blow worse than getting none of my own eggs after retrieval.  Still lots of waiting....

Edit because drinking is bad

suzycupcake

@darkstar42 Mine (cysts and pain) were delayed until after IUI (this is not every woman's experience), but the strong emotions came while taking the Clomid (probably 2-3 days into it) but then subsided after 2-3 days after the 5 days was over. 

50Wife

@rallykat14 are they changing anything this cycle to give you guys a better chance or was it really just shit luck last time? I really really reeeeeeally hope this is it for you guys!

rallykat14

@50Wife nope. Just doing it again. And they aren't charging us for it which makes me have an ounce of hope that nothing was wrong with us or donor.. but maybe something happened in the lab. I'm just grateful that our donor would cycle again for us. She was the favorite on both of our lists and to go back through donors to find another one wasn't motivating.  

50Wife

@rallykat14 Oh wow, no price tag is huge!!!! That is great that she's doing it again for you guys, stimming and an ER is no easy task so that's great that she was willing.
Keep us updated

Avrilmai

@darkstar42 when I took clomid i had a minor headache on like day 3 and it was gone by the time i finished the meds. I also developed a cyst that then ruptured, but that was much later. 

@50Wife the pharmacist really said that? I thought a basic knowledge of science/biology was a pre-req for pharmacy school. 

@rallykat14 hoping this cycle goes much, much better. having a timeline is forward progress.

50Wife

@Avrilmai those were his exact words. "You'll just put it in at night at go to the bathroom in the morning and it'll just fall out"
Since he has a vagina and all...I'm sure he knows these things. 

KristoKekerooni

Men, amirite, @50Wife .... my husband said the SAME thing when I told him about the vaginal suppositories... and he's been in me, so wouldn't you think he'd know??

beachbunnyxo123

HALP. I have to use estrace vaginally and I’ve always taken it orally. Since were on the topic of shoving things up our hoohas, what are your tips?? I still have two weeks but I need to mentally prepare. 

wabash15

Lurking** I hope this is ok ladies
   @beachbunnyxo123 wear a liner... be prepared for blue CM. Just put it on your finger tip and pop it up there and it will dissolve

With IF i have had to shove a LOT of meds up my hoo-ha. none have ever fallen out. I have had some fun colored CM or leaking of the compounded progesterone suppositories... 

I'm rooting for all of you!!

suzycupcake

@emmasemm If you're still there, you're about 5 hours from me. If you start driving now, you will be here by dinnertime

@nitnat007 That's great news he is switching to vaping! Yes, there is still nicotine involved, but that has been shown to be anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective. Remember that there are 3 chemicals (nicotine, propylene glycol, and vegetable glycerin--all in our foods and products) involved vs the over 8K there are in cigarettes! 

@beachbunnyxo123 I'm excited for you, go embies go! Also, I didn't experience any leakage with estrace, only progesterone. I second what wabash said about wearing a panty liner but you might not need it. 

@rallykat14 5/30 is my birthday and all I want for my birthday is for you to get a take home baby! I mean that

Ladies, I'm rolling re; the hoo ha things falling out talk  

darkstar42

@jrm_14 I did use letrozole before, and had minimal side effects the first time on it, and no side effects for the next two cycles. I’m on 100mg of clomid, and other than a minor headache the first day, I’ve been fine! Fx it stays this way, but today is the last day of drugs. Hope you and YH have had a chance to have a good conversation about everything!

@rallykat14 Thanks! This is my first round with clomid, so I have no basis for comparison. It’s always helpful to hear others’ experiences! I’m so glad your donor is cycling again, and so soon! The fact that they aren’t charging you for this cycle definitely makes me wonder if the lab messed something up.

@50Wife Interesting that the second cycle was worse than the first with clomid! Were the cycles back to back? I wonder if there was some lingering effect of the first round of drugs when you started the second. I have my fingers crossed so hard that you finally get good news this cycle!

@nitnat007 Still no side effects and only one more dose to go! Fx it’s actually working… What a bummer that you have to keep on waiting for the MRI results. I’ll be refreshing the thread all day Friday waiting to hear what they found!

@suzycupcake I am definitely a little worried about the possibility of cysts! Regardless of the outcome of this IUI we’re taking a break the next cycle, partly to give my body at least a month off of meds.

@Avrilmai Thanks! So far my side effects are the same as yours – a mild headache early on that’s already gone. Today is my last dose, so I’m hoping I’ve made it through this round relatively painlessly.

purplg8r

@beachbunnyxo123 I’d use a pantyliner too. I had blue leakage.  I will say that I have to pay more attention using the estrace than progesterone because my pills are teeeny and there’s been a couple of times that I’ve “lost” it when inserting and had to go looking for it

50Wife

@beachbunnyxo123 I bought applicators from amazon for my meds this time around since they're pills (good lookin out @jrm_14!!)
Estrace is muuuuuuch smaller than the prometrium so I'm not sure an applicator would work for that pill. 
When it came to this med, the ivf coordinator basically told me to stick it in as far as possible and just lay down for a few minutes to give it a chance to start absorbing. Not sure how necessary that would be but those are the tips she gave me 

suzycupcake

@darkstar42 If you do get them, it will be okay, and they will dissolve. The thing I find helpful is to take it easy, not jumping around, etc., eating good food, hydrating well, and pelvic rest in general. Taking a break in between cycles I think is a great idea. That's one thing I wish I would have done more of when I was doing iui. I'm glad you've felt okay on clomid, that's great. Hang in there and grow follies grow!

50Wife

@darkstar42 yes my cycles were back to back! I think they were lingering effects from cycle one that just made their way to cycle two. Hopefully you're not as bad and love your husband through the meds! I mean I did...he was just annoying AF lol