TTTC Checking 06/27/2018

GoldenKeys

Hey Everybody,

It's checkin time, congratulations to all BFP's and hugs to anybody who needs one.  

How is everybody doing?

QOTW: What's your zodiac sign?

2018 BFP Hall of Fame
lablover78 dx: PCOS, Compound Heterozygous MTHFR Rx: IVF
Tops-2: dx: anovulatory PCOS Rx: Metformin, Letrozole & TI
halfanewt: possible PCOS, MTHFR gene, slight MFI Rx: IVF
seethosestars: dx: DOR Rx: IVF + FET #1
Kim41313: dx: unexplained Rx: IVF
soehlerk: dx: Unexplained Rx: Femara + IUI
Mlight28: dx Unexplained Rx: Clomid
SoonToBeMommaHowe: dx: Unexplained  Rx: naturally until IVF
honeybeebub: dx:septate uterus, MTHFR  Rx:  septum resection surgery, baby aspirin & progesterone
be08ryan:  dx: PCOS and AO Rx: Clomid
kiwielopingbride: Dx: Unexplained Rx: IUI
thothscribe81: dx: unexplained Rx: IVF

PAGING:

@BWhitta: dx: PCOS, low AMH and endo Rx: letrozole
@Bababatty: dx:Low Motility  Rx: IVF
@ChristinaV2015: dx: blocked tubes, PCOS, endo + MFI  Rx: lap, OPKs + TI
@ChristenMA83 : dx: MFI Rx: IVF w/ISCI
@emgem819 dx: PCOS, Rx: provera, femara + Bravelle
@hoffmanr7: dx: unexplained Rx:  IVF
@jmr1515: dx: Mild MFI/morph, fibroid  Rx: Surgery + TI
@mackenzie07 dx: PCOS and Endo  Rx: metformin, letrozole, ovidrel
@mandasand: dx: low AMH  Rx:IVF (Lupron, Menopur + Follistim)
@MrsM00re87: dx: DOR PCOS, low morph Rx: Femara + TI
@Mythril: dx: PCOS (anovulatory) Rx:levothyroxine, metformin and femara + TI
@rachlee2010: dx: DOR Rx: IUI
@Samanthaarielxo dx: anovulation Rx: still in testing
@sarah0985: dx: PCOS, possible blocked tubes Rx: Lap
@SM746830: dx: PCOS, blocked tubes Rx: Surgery, Clomid
@starlitfae dx: MFI & balanced translocation, thyroid  Rx: ivf with pgd testing
@funkykey dx: unexplained Rx: IVF
@Worldtravler0522 dx: PCOS/Unexplained Rx: IVF
@notamyrtle: dx: unexplained Rx: IUI + injects
@Kate437: dx:anovulatory   Rx:Letrozole + trigger
@SP128: in testing/unexplained
@eranvo27: dx: anovulatory PCOS Rx: metformin
@brittlefebvre: in testing
@Charligirl28: dx: unexplained Rx: Clomid
@kristimh80: dx: unexplained Rx: Injectables + trigger + IUI
@Brooke4131: dx: Secondary unexplained Rx: in testing
@fluffybookworm: dx: Anovulation + insulin resistance Rx: Metformin + prometrium + testing
@Asampson87: dx: unexplained + MFI  Rx: metformin + testing
@hannahlce: dx: anovulatory PCOS Rx: metformin + letrozole
@emmasemm: dx: DOR & autoimmune Rx: IVF
@floridanursegirl: dx: unexplained anovulation Rx:Metformin, IUI+Femara+trigger
@aeb1116: dx: unexplained Rx: IUI
@Happyin14: dx: unexplained, RPL Rx: IVF
@amac2313: dx: unknown Rx: Clomid
@nurseerin2012: dx: unexplained Rx: letrozole + IUI
@Knottie1467155066: dx: unknown Rx: letrozole + trigger + TI
@BenJay: Dx: PCOS/unexplained Rx. Metformin + supplements
@MicahDahn: Dx: irregular cycles Rx: preparing for testing
@moloninge Dx:PCOS, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, fibroids. Rx:Metformin,Synthroid,IUI w/letrozole, ovidrel, and progesterone.
@beec2421: dx: PCOS, hypothyroidism Rx: metformin, synthroid, clomid
@wishing-and-hoping: dx: unexplained rx: poss. IVF
@echocharlietango: dx: Unexplained Rx: trying naturally
@kgabhart: dx: Unexplained/PCOS  Rx: letrozole + IUI
@linz36: dx: Low AFC, MFI  Rx: testing/IUI
@jrm_14: dx: Adrenal/overian insufficiency, Borderline-low AMH, Low progesterone Rx: IUI w/ injectables.
@Bgreenfield10: dx: anovulatory PCOS, LPD Rx: Clomid + trigger
@serownarain: dx: in testing
@allisona66: dx: waiting for testing
@manhattanmama2: dx: unexplained Rx: IVF
@mirabelle33 dx: DOR, possible endo Rx: TBD
@meganttc3: dx: PCOS, unexplained Rx: waiting to test
@mrsjcrane: dx: unexplained Rx: femara + trigger + TI + 2nd HCG booster
@mighty-mouse: dx:pcos & HA Rx: provera/letrozole + trigger
@ladystout08: dx: unknown Rx: waiting for testing
@leafyarch: dx: MFI, no thyroid Rx: IVF
@oklahomak: dx: PCOS Rx: metformin/letrozole/estradiol/progesterone+ trigger
@drewsdarlin: dx: RPL, PCOS, Hashimotos, low vitamin D and Iron RX: ?
@ChristenMA83: dx: MFI Rx: IVF w/ISCI


NEWCOMERS:To be added to the Weekly Checkin, please answer the following:

1.  How long have you been TTC?
2.  What is your diagnosis?
3.  What is your current Rx plan?
New to the board? Read our "New Visitors" post here!

drewsdarlin

How is everybody doing? not doing good. AF showed up yesterday. 

QOTW: What's your zodiac sign? Capricorn Might of spelled it wrong. Can't remember this morning of how to spell it. LOL!

kristimh80

Doing ok here...in the midst of my FET cycle...so on the Estrace / estrogen fun times right now.
QOTW: What's your zodiac sign? Pisces here

wishing-and-hoping

@drewsdarlin sorry to hear that.  i know you were kind of expecting it but it sucks no matter what.

afm, I'm a capricorn too!  I have my baseline appointment tomorrow and potentially start stimming too... eek!  we are all in!

drewsdarlin

wishing-and-hoping said:

@drewsdarlin sorry to hear that.  i know you were kind of expecting it but it sucks no matter what.

afm, I'm a capricorn too!  I have my baseline appointment tomorrow and potentially start stimming too... eek!  we are all in!

Thank you. When is your birthday? Mine is December 30th. Good luck tomorrow.

wishing-and-hoping

@drewsdarlin freaky! - I am december 30 too!  

drewsdarlin

wishing-and-hoping said:

@drewsdarlin freaky! - I am december 30 too!  

Cool. But different years since I am older then you according to your age under your posts. 

ChristenMA83

@drewdarlin sorry about AF.
@wishing-and-hoping good luck with stims.  It's a whirlwind from here to retrieval.

AFM: I'm a Capricorn (Jan 9).  We preparing for an FET on July 17th, so just on estrace for now.  And waiting bloodwork results.  Our environmental panel came back all clear for arsenic, carbon monoxide, lead and mercury (so that's good).  Waiting on the NK results hopefully by the end of the week.  No more appointments until next Friday.

emmasemm

@kristimh80 @christenma83 good luck with the FET prep. My body does not like being on estrogen.

@wishing-and-Hoping good luck for baseline! So pleased your DH is on board.

AFM well we are officially still in our cycle, cycle day 9, stim day 7. Close to being cancelled as so far it seems we only have one follicle growing. But it’s still under 10mm so we are keeping going and then will likely make a decision on Friday after next US and BW.
DH is also recovering from hernia surgery which isn’t making this cycle any easier. He’s a typical male patient... 

I am a Virgo and tick almost all things you read about us! DH is a Virgo too which means we understand each other but also sometimes causes a little friction! 

Worldtravler0522

Got the call and I officially ovulated on my own (woot)! So we’re off to the specialist in Chicago to get the hysteroscopy done tomorrow morning. 

QTW- Virgo/Libra based on what the timeframe is for the zodiac. 

funkykey

@drewsdarlin - I'm sorry about AF.

@kristimh80 - keeping FX for you this round!!

@wishing-and-hoping - stimming time is so exciting! I'm looking forward to your updates, and hoping you get lots of mature eggs!

Whoa, so many capricorns!

@ChristenMA83 - keeping FX for this FET too. July 17th will be here before you know it!

@emmasemm - holy, your IVF cycles are so intense, with all the risk of cancellation and all the testing. I was really hoping you'd get that "bumper crop" of follies this round, so the only one seems low... Hoping you get that golden egg soon.

@Worldtravler0522 - selfishly, I am glad you are back, if only because I've missed having you around! Part of me, obviously, is sad that you're still here (and wishes that you were already hanging out with a baby instead). But then part of me is excited about your new treatments! I'm stoked you ovulated!! And I'm keeping FX that your hysteroscopy goes well!

My hysteroscopy was fine; I wasn't put under. It was pretty cool to see where my fallopian tubes meet my uterus, although it was a bit uncomfortable. They didn't give me anything. 

AFM: Not much new for me. Just waiting on AF, once it comes I'll do some more testing.

Worldtravler0522

@funkykey thanks for encouragement! I’m feeling pretty optimistic given the success I’ve had on the increased metformin.  I’ve lost about 20 lbs since April and got my period on my own for the first time in almost 2 years. How are you doing? I was so hoping you would have graduated by the time I popped back on. My secret hope was I didn’t know anyone when I came back.   

drewsdarlin

Thanks

kristimh80

@funkykey Thank you!! It's really good seeing you around again! I hope all is going well for you this summer  

mighty-mouse

Hi All
Been waiting to see my RE after failing to respond to the last cycle. Plan is to carry on with the same treatment and focus on gaining more weight and no running. Felt like I was being blamed for it not working, which everyone denied but don't really see how I could take it any other way. 
Did an Amh test yesterday and should be starting the next cycle of letrozole tomorrow. 
Sending hugs to everyone who needs it, it's really helpful to know u guys are here

mirabelle33

Wow! Lots of activity on the board yesterday. I hope this will lead to some graduations very soon

@drewsdarlin I'm sorry AF showed up

@kristimh80 It's exciting that you're starting to prep for your FET. I have all my fx for you this time!

@wishing-and-hoping Happy to hear DH got on board and that it's full steam ahead. Yay! GL with your baseline today and especially the stims. Sending good vibes for lots of follies!

@ChristenMA83 Glad to hear your environmental panel came back all clear. Phew! I hope you will have the same with the other results you're waiting for. It's crazy to say, but July 17th is just around the corner!!

@emmasemm This has been such a crazy ride for you so far. I really admire how you just keep marching forward despite everything. I hope you will have good news tomorrow that some new follies have popped up and the cycle can continue. Sending good thoughts for your DH to make a speedy recovery from surgery!

@Worldtravler0522 Nice to meet you and GL with your hysteroscopy tomorrow! I have never had one, but sounds like others have give you some good advice. Also yay for ovulating on your own!! Seems like things are moving in the right direction.

@funkykey sending extra during the waiting period.

@mighty-mouse I'm so sorry that you felt like everyone was blaming you for the cancelled cycle even though they denied it. I think many of us have found ways to blame ourselves for this or that along the way, so you're not alone in that. Try to put the past behind you and focus on making the changes now that will help you feel like you're doing everything within your power to set you up for success in the future. That's all you can really do. GL with the AMH results and sending you a hug back!

AFM, the doctors at our clinic supposedly had their meeting on Tuesday so I sent lots of good vibes their direction just in case lol. Other than that, just waiting for our appointments in July and hopefully trying on our own after this cycle was a bust due to another yeast infection during FW. Just waiting for AF now ...

QOTW: What's your zodiac sign? @kristimh80 another fellow Pisces here I have all the classic characteristics of the sign, but I'm also on the cusp of Aries and I think that's where my fire comes from when I need it!

drewsdarlin

thank you 

kristimh80

@mirabelle33 Thank you! Best of luck to you as well!! Funny, I'm on the cusp of Aquarius, which I call my "social side" lol 

emmasemm

@worldtravler0522 woohoo for ovulating! And major well done on the weight loss. The weight I’ve put on in the last year is crazy with all these cycles. 

@funkykey yep intense is definitely a good way to describe my cycles! Good that your Hysteroscopy was clear. I also loved watching it. I actually love allnormal TVUSs. I’ve got so many pictures of my uterus and ovaries by now I’m thinking I should make a collage and frame them!

@mighty-mouse please don’t feel any blame and I’m giving some serious side eye to any medical practitioner who even hints at it! I look around so often and see ladies of all shapes and sizes and BMIs getting KU so easily, for most people having too much or not enough weight from the optimal range does not stop them getting KU. It’s just one factor for those of us who are having difficulties. 

@mirabelle33 sorry this cycle was a bust for you. I don’t know how you can wait knowing they have already talked about what to do for you!!! Have you looked at potential triggers for the yeast infections? I used to get a lot and after going gluten and dairy free when we discovered my intolerances the yeast infections also stopped.

AFM well we’re not out yet. We had more monitoring today. One on the right has woken up, definitely two on the left, a third is maybe a follicle but maybe a cyst. However we’re keeping stimming and checking again on Monday. With 7 or 8 injections every day we are running out of unused spots by now!!! 

mirabelle33

@emmasemm great news that you are still in it!! I have a good feeling about this cycle for you and will keep my fx that it's your best one yet. Sorry that you are running out of unused injections sites

Ironically, I used to get chronic yeast infections when I was on bcp to the point where my OBGYN even tested me for HIV (she apologized and said they just had to rule it out). She swore it wasn't related to the bcp, but once I stopped taking them, I didn't have any yeast infections until these two in the last few months. The first one I thought was because the previous cycle was a bit longer than expected and I started wearing pantiliners in anticipation a few days before AF actually arrived. AF is usually 4-5 days + 2-3 more days of spotting, so I thought I was just irritated and itchy from wearing a pantiliner/pad for over a week! Now that I've had a second one, I'm not so sure. Maybe I just didn't totally knock the first one out. Anyway, when I meet with the genetic oncologist, I plan to ask her to be my new OBGYN and will ask her about it then or make another appointment to discuss it. It's definitely not pleasant and I don't want to keep sitting out rounds because of it! It's funny you mention going dairy and gluten free because I've been trying to eat less dairy and gluten recently, but haven't given up either entirely! I think I can give up dairy fairly easily, but gluten will be very hard for me. I suppose I will try anything at this point though!

Bababatty

@drewsdarlin I'm so sorry to hear about AF. It never gets easier! 

@kristimh80 Sorry you're struggling with the FET meds! Good luck with your FET cycle! Hopefully the result will make it all worth it.

@wishing-and-hoping How is your first week of stims going? I always find it really exciting to start an IVF cycle--maybe it's because you have something you have to do every day so it feels like you're actually making progress? FX you have great results!

@ChristenMA83 I'm glad to hear your environmental panel came back clear. Are the NK results from your hysteroscopy, or is that a blood test? Asking because I'm not sure if we've done any tests related to that yet and I might bring it up with my RE.

@emmasemm Ah so frustrating, again! I am so happy to hear that you get to continue the cycle so far. 7 to 8 shots per day?? Eeek! That's a lot! What are they all?

@Worldtravler0522 *HUGS* It's so great to have you back!! I've really missed having you around. Obviously, I am very sorry that you have to be back here, but I hope your break helped you recover a bit. It sounds like you're ready to get back into it, and it's fantastic to hear the good news that you ovulated on your own. AMAZING! That is a major victory in and of itself, and I really hope a precursor to good things to come. Also, I really need your self-control for the weight loss. 20lbs is a huge feat! I've decided to spend the summer getting in shape, but so far it's hard. 

@funkykey What's the next round of testing for you? So, did you say your clinic's REs meet weekly to discuss cases? That makes me feel slightly better. I've been stressing out because i don't know how often my clinic meets and I don't want to miss more cycles than are necessary. I'm sure they meet fairly frequently; I'll have to ask for peace of mind. 

@mighty-mouse I'm so sorry to hear that it seemed like everyone was blaming you. That's not helpful at all. If in fact an RE believes a cause to be related to something that might be able to be controlled, there are ways to discuss that without making you feel like you've been doing everything wrong. Also, I'm with @emmasemm on the people of all shapes and sizes getting KU left and right. Blaming a patient for her weight seems like a cop-out. This whole process is hard enough without blame being thrown around. *hugs*

@mirabelle33 Seriously, the waiting is the WORST. I hope that you RE returns to you with good news from the meeting! Definitely anxious to hear what they say. I also went through a period of multiple yeast infections--one during our IVF cycle in February, which was annoying because I couldn't treat it and just had to suffer. They are very annoying and definitely worth bringing up if you're concerned about their frequency. At the very least, maybe your doc can give you some relief.

*TW* Loss mentioned
Last week was hard, and I'm sorry I didn't check in. On Thursday, my RE couldn't see the sac-like thing he saw on Monday, and he continued to be worried about ectopic, so he sent me to a radiologist at the hospital to rule it out. (At this point we were well past any thought of this being viable). Of course there, the radiologist saw a lovely little sac, but my HCG dropped by 1/2 that day (amazing how it couldn't bother to rise that much, but had no problem dropping quickly) and on Friday I started bleeding. Even though we knew from the second beta this was going to be a loss, I guess we officially lost it at 6 weeks. The whole situation was doubly hard because DH was across the country for the entire week while this was going down. He came home Friday night, and we spent the weekend in a fit of depression. I tried to console myself with binge watching "Outlander," which did help a bit.

My HCG is still dropping, so I continue bloodwork. Then a pre-op appointment with our RE in a week, so we can do the hysteroscopy at the end of July. We also met with the genetic counselor and got everything squared away to PGS test our remaining embryos (minus the one that's at our old clinic) when the lab re-opens mid-July. In the meantime, I'm trying to double down on diet and exercise, I started acupuncture (because why not? if the only thing I get out of it is less stress and anxiety, it will all be worth it), and I'm taking a relaxing trip to our lake house for the 4th. AND we're taking in a foster kitten for a few weeks, so that will at least be adorable.    

QOTW I'm a Taurus--it looks like I'm the only one?

kristimh80

@Bababatty Oh no! My heart hurts for you!! So sorry for everything you've been going thru lately!!  Always here if you need anything! Let us know how everything goes with your genetic counseling. FX your remaining embryos are normal and there is nothing to worry about on that end Your foster kitten sounds so sweet!! Maybe the little one will be a good distraction and help the healing process while you undergo all your testing this month. Will be thinking of you!  

mirabelle33

@Bababatty I'm so sorry you had such a difficult time last week and that you had to go through all of that alone. I'm glad YH was able to join you on Friday night and that you had the whole weekend together. Sounds like you have a solid game plan going forward and I hope the testing will bring you good news and peace of mind with the PGS results. For what it's worth, I love acupuncture and it has been worth it alone for the relaxation and calm it brings me. I hope you will feel the same about it! Kittens are adorable and full of energy, so this one should keep you plenty busy and fill you with joy at the same time

Thank you for your kind words. At first I was all casual about the wait and like oh well there is nothing we can do so let's have a fun summer! But now that it's July 1st and we're facing at least two months before we can do anything, it's starting to weigh on me. Oh man I cannot even imagine not being able to treat a yeast infection! I waited a couple days this time because it kind of came and went and I wasn't sure it really was one, but it got to the point where I had to treat it immediately and was so relieved afterward. I will definitely be bringing it up with the new doc as soon as I can.

drewsdarlin

Bababatty said:

@drewsdarlin I'm so sorry to hear about AF. It never gets easier! 

@kristimh80 Sorry you're struggling with the FET meds! Good luck with your FET cycle! Hopefully the result will make it all worth it.

@wishing-and-hoping How is your first week of stims going? I always find it really exciting to start an IVF cycle--maybe it's because you have something you have to do every day so it feels like you're actually making progress? FX you have great results!

@ChristenMA83 I'm glad to hear your environmental panel came back clear. Are the NK results from your hysteroscopy, or is that a blood test? Asking because I'm not sure if we've done any tests related to that yet and I might bring it up with my RE.

@emmasemm Ah so frustrating, again! I am so happy to hear that you get to continue the cycle so far. 7 to 8 shots per day?? Eeek! That's a lot! What are they all?

@Worldtravler0522 *HUGS* It's so great to have you back!! I've really missed having you around. Obviously, I am very sorry that you have to be back here, but I hope your break helped you recover a bit. It sounds like you're ready to get back into it, and it's fantastic to hear the good news that you ovulated on your own. AMAZING! That is a major victory in and of itself, and I really hope a precursor to good things to come. Also, I really need your self-control for the weight loss. 20lbs is a huge feat! I've decided to spend the summer getting in shape, but so far it's hard. 

@funkykey What's the next round of testing for you? So, did you say your clinic's REs meet weekly to discuss cases? That makes me feel slightly better. I've been stressing out because i don't know how often my clinic meets and I don't want to miss more cycles than are necessary. I'm sure they meet fairly frequently; I'll have to ask for peace of mind. 

@mighty-mouse I'm so sorry to hear that it seemed like everyone was blaming you. That's not helpful at all. If in fact an RE believes a cause to be related to something that might be able to be controlled, there are ways to discuss that without making you feel like you've been doing everything wrong. Also, I'm with @emmasemm on the people of all shapes and sizes getting KU left and right. Blaming a patient for her weight seems like a cop-out. This whole process is hard enough without blame being thrown around. *hugs*

@mirabelle33 Seriously, the waiting is the WORST. I hope that you RE returns to you with good news from the meeting! Definitely anxious to hear what they say. I also went through a period of multiple yeast infections--one during our IVF cycle in February, which was annoying because I couldn't treat it and just had to suffer. They are very annoying and definitely worth bringing up if you're concerned about their frequency. At the very least, maybe your doc can give you some relief.

*TW* Loss mentioned
Last week was hard, and I'm sorry I didn't check in. On Thursday, my RE couldn't see the sac-like thing he saw on Monday, and he continued to be worried about ectopic, so he sent me to a radiologist at the hospital to rule it out. (At this point we were well past any thought of this being viable). Of course there, the radiologist saw a lovely little sac, but my HCG dropped by 1/2 that day (amazing how it couldn't bother to rise that much, but had no problem dropping quickly) and on Friday I started bleeding. Even though we knew from the second beta this was going to be a loss, I guess we officially lost it at 6 weeks. The whole situation was doubly hard because DH was across the country for the entire week while this was going down. He came home Friday night, and we spent the weekend in a fit of depression. I tried to console myself with binge watching "Outlander," which did help a bit.

My HCG is still dropping, so I continue bloodwork. Then a pre-op appointment with our RE in a week, so we can do the hysteroscopy at the end of July. We also met with the genetic counselor and got everything squared away to PGS test our remaining embryos (minus the one that's at our old clinic) when the lab re-opens mid-July. In the meantime, I'm trying to double down on diet and exercise, I started acupuncture (because why not? if the only thing I get out of it is less stress and anxiety, it will all be worth it), and I'm taking a relaxing trip to our lake house for the 4th. AND we're taking in a foster kitten for a few weeks, so that will at least be adorable.    

QOTW I'm a Taurus--it looks like I'm the only one?

So sorry

mighty-mouse

@Bababatty I'm so sorry it ended this way and your DH was away for the week. I hope you have lots of support around you at the moment.
Good luck @kristimh80, @wishing-and-hoping and @emmasemm I hope you get a good response from the drugs and the side effects aren't too awful this cycle.
Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts

ChristenMA83

@bababatty the NK is blood work to test Natural Killer cells.  My understanding is it checks if my body's immune system is overactive and may attack the embryo/fetus.  Our RE is just running it as a precaution since we only have one left to transfer, he's trying to turn over every possible issue ahead of time so we can treat for it.  He said we'll treat with prednisone if the NK panel comes back as an issue....I'm surprised we haven't gotten this result back yet.

So sorry you're going through this loss.  Hopefully the doctors can find a path forward soon that ends in a positive result.

Worldtravler0522

@Bababatty it’s a cruel joke how quickly HCG can drop so quickly. So sorry you’re going through this.  Sending you lots of positive thoughts and prayers for as much peace as you can get right now.  Also, thank you for the warm welcome back. In the last 4 years I’ve lost over 60 pounds.  I am proud and it hasn’t been easy but it’s worth it. 

funkykey

@Worldtravler0522 - Wow! 20lbs since April? And 60lbs these past 4 years? All while dealing with all of these MCs? Amazing!! Congratulations - that is a huge accomplishment!!

@mighty-mouse - how was your AMH? I have to have mine re-tested in about a week, and I'm pretty nervous about it - I'm curious to see how it's changed over these past 2 years.

@emmasemm - sorry for any confusion - I had a hysteroscopy almost a year ago, and the result wasn't clear. I actually needed to have a surgery after, because they found a little polyp that I'd developed after the clomid cycles. I just meant that it wasn't really painful or uncomfortable.

How is your cycle coming? How did the check again today go?

@Bababatty -    I'm so sorry. I was a little worried when you didn't check in - I was half-hoping it was because you were celebrating. This is all such BS, I'm so sorry. 

Pretty sure at my clinic they meet almost daily to discuss the cases. 

QOTW: I didn't mention earlier, but it was actually my birthday earlier this week. I'm a Cancer. This year's birthday was really hard for me - I think just with all the IF business. And like half of my IRL friends forgot because they're so busy chasing after their little children. DH did his best, and was very good to me, but I cried a lot. Especially because I got the first pre-AF spotting on my actual birthday.

AFM: Last week, waiting on AF, I had all these weird symptoms. Like unusual cramps. I often get cramps maybe 2-3 days before AF, but not like 7 days before AF. So (of course!) I let myself believe for like half a second that maybe, just maybe, I was miraculously KU-ed. And then, topping that off, my sleep was abnormal, I was unusually restless, I had unusual CM. So I thought: "maybe, just maybe." 

But it's a no. Again. Ladies, I am getting pretty tired of this!

mirabelle33

@funkykey my heart goes out to you right now. Celebrating another birthday when dealing with IF is always hard and I know you didn't need that pre-AF spotting on top of it. I'm so sorry that you felt abandoned by some of your friends but happy to hear that your hubby was there for you. Sending belated birthday wishes that this year will turn out to be very, very good to you

emmasemm

@mirabelle33 there are so many possible triggers to things like yeast infections. If diet is affecting it, then just reducing won’t typically really help - you may as well go all or nothing. 
If you don’t mind me asking are you someone who typically tends to need to put weight on or watch that it doesn’t increase? If the latter, then going gluten free sees most people lose weight in the first few months as all the tempting pastries and cakes and sandwiches and pies are out of bounds. 

@bababatty I’m doing different versions of fsh and fsh/lh combos, plus cetrotide plus HGH plus iron plus vitamin D (because taking tablets didn’t show any difference over six months!).
Last week sounds like it was damn tough. I can imagine with your DH being away it was extra tough.
I fully support getting a kitten though! If you use Instagram you should follow “elgatoivf” which is told from the perspective of an “emotional support cat” to a couple where the girl has DOR. They’ve taken him to Mexico and everything for IVF treatment. I’m sure your RE would be surprise don’t if you turn up to your appointments with a kitten in future!
DH won’t let me get one at the moment... 

@christenma83 re the NK testing. My understanding is that many people have them in their blood stream, the issue comes if you have them in your lining... might be worth checking. Though to be on prednisone at the low doses for a short time for next transfer as a prophylactic is also what some REs do anyhow after multiple losses as i think the testing of the lining is pretty expensive.

@worldtravler0522 I know where your 60 pounds have gone - I’ve got them!!! Though I guess you don’t want them back?! Seriously that is a freaking awesome achievement. You should be so proud, especially as we know you’ve lost all that whilst going through so much.

@funkykey happy belated birthday, though I’m also with you on the feelings of another year passing. This year will be the big 4-0 for me. DHs birthday is a week after mine so we normally do a joint party the first Saturday after his birthday. We will still do that this year, but he is also trying to plan something special for my actual birthday too. I don’t know if I will be able to handle two weekends of being super sociable and happy... let’s see. A lot will depend how these next cycles go.

And talking of cycles, so I got up a 4 o’clock this morning, flew to London, did my scan and bloodwork. Follicles measured nicely all four around 1mm bigger than yesterday. So that’s good news that they’re growing. I also had a great chat with the RE who was on scan duty today. We debated about optimal follicle size and he said if I desperately wanted to trigger early he would do it, but actually he agreed with me that I might be a rare AMA who needs their follicles bigger rather than smaller to yield mature eggs.
Now we wait for bloodwork to come back and see if my estrogen is still rising well enough to suggest three eggs (one follicle is only just 10mm, the others 16-17mm).
Small chance we trigger tonight, but more likely I have to fly back again tomorrow for another scan.

mirabelle33

@emmasemm in the past I have been someone that needs to put on weight, but I think those days have gone for good (i.e. my 20s)! I'm within a healthy BMI, but I could definitely stand to lose a few pounds and to just be more fit overall. With that said, I'm also not a dessert person and rarely eat treats or sweets these days. The trouble with giving up gluten for me is more with bread and pasta, which is my comfort food. I recently have been eating more whole wheat and grains rather than white, processed flour. I realize at some point I should probably go all in and if I have reason to suspect it will help with the yeast infections, I will definitely give it a go!

Also, I'm dying over that Instagram account! We have an orange cat, but she's not a long-hair like El Gato. I usually like to keep Instagram ttc-free, but this is a must-follow. Thanks for suggesting it to @Bababatty !

Great news about your follies growing and I'm so glad you got to see your RE in person. GL with all the flying back and forth and fx crossed this is your best cycle yet!

emmasemm

@mirabelle33 gluten free is not beneficial for everyone and I think everyone should do what is best for them.
Though when you find an awesome gluten free bakery it is like heaven on earth!
And I’m so pleased you love El Gato! I think it’s an awesome way to share the journey. And he is such a photogenic diva!!! 

ETA I have to IG accounts - one for normal life and one for TTC. It’s so easy to switch between them once you’ve set it up

funkykey

@emmasemm - elgatoivf made me laugh, too. Thanks!

emmasemm

@funkykey @mirabelle33 if you love cats then if you’re not already you *must* also follow “realstumpycat”

And if anyone else needs some inspiration about overcoming adversity and half an hour of awwwwing then take a look. That cat is a freaking rockstar!

Worldtravler0522

Thanks guys!  It's been so tough staying motivated and I have for sure gained and lost some of this weight a few times over the last 4 years.  It's funny because a switch almost flipped in me after my last miscarriage that my weight and what I eat are the only thing I can actually control about my body so it lit a fire in me.  I'm hopeful I can keep it up!  If I actually get a baby out of this weight loss too, then even better.  

emmasemm

Well I did fly back today for more monitoring and now I’m staying a hotel and going back in on a Friday. I really really hope we can trigger Friday night for Sunday ER. Today is CD17 and night 16 of stims. It feels like a damn marathon! All follicle growing spells and wizardry helpful at this stage!

funkykey

@emmasemm - holy, that is a lot of stimming at once. Sending you my best fertility spell, lol. 

mirabelle33

@emmasemm ditto what @funkykey said! I've got all my fingers and toes crossed

emmasemm

@mirabelle33 @funkykey thanks for casting those spells - they seem to have worked!

We finally have two follicles at 21mm so we trigger tonight for Sunday ER! Hallelujah! Sunday will be CD19 and it will be after 15 nights of stims!