October 2018 IUI

crookshanks10

Is anyone else gearing up for an IUI in October? (: 

gennywithag

Hey guys! New on this thread! third iui is happening this month! hopefully in the next couple of days!

bobella22

Hey @crookshanks10 and @gennywithag! I will be doing my 3rd IUI this month as well. Just waiting for af to come now so I can restart clomid.  August IUI I had a cp and last month was canceled bc of polyp. Hopefully this month will be our month! 

crookshanks10

Yay! I have IUI friends! I have my 2nd IUI tomorrow morning! Only one follicle this time though, but hoping for the best! 

@gennywithag what protocol have you been doing?
@bobella22 are you doing Clomid+trigger? Sorry to hear about your CP and polyp

bobella22

@crookshanks10 1 good follicle is all you need. Have my fx for you. Yes clomid and trigger. You? 
@gennywithag good luck!
 Cant wait for us to all get BFPs!

crookshanks10

@bobella22 I did femara and trigger. I did do 3 months of Clomid with TI but no luck. Thankfully Femara treats me better than Clomid.

@gennywithag Did you get your IUI scheduled?

I had my IUI this morning! I had cramping during the procedure where my first one I didn’t have any. They are going to test my progesterone level next week just to make sure I’m ovulating but I think that should come out fine!

nitnat007

*lurking*
@crookshanks10 Rooting for you girl! Hoping this cycle works for you. Go treat yourself to something good and rest up. 

suzycupcake

*lurk* @crookshanks10 Yay, fx for you honey! If it makes you feel any better, the cycle we got our first bfp, there was only one follie.  

crookshanks10

@nitnat007 Thank you so much! 
@suzycupcake Thank you friend! I love hearing success stories, it’s encouraging and helps me stay positive! Hopefully I’ll have the same luck (:

melcab7

I am going on my 3rd IUI this month! As of September 30th, it has officially been one year since I had my last IUI. All thanks to the long process of moving to a fertility doctor and having cancelled cycles due to cysts or not responding to clomid  I'm currently on 150mg of clomid (which is what I was on with my OB and I would at least have 1 good follicle) and will do a trigger if my scans this week look good! It's been a trying 3 years and I'm feeling very hopeful this cycle. Thinking of all of you this month! 

crookshanks10

@melcab7 Best of luck!! I hope your u/s looks good this week. Keep us updated!!

suzycupcake

@melcab7 There is an alternative medication called Femara that ladies who don’t respond well to Clomid will respond to. There’s also injectable meds that can be really effective. I hope you get this worked out. I was benched from cysts when we did Clomid IUI cycles in the past so I do understand. Sorry you’re going through this. 

crookshanks10

@melcab7 Just to add, I did 3 rounds of Clomid and now I’ve done 2 rounds of Femara and the Femara has been MUCH easier in regards to side effects. Clomid I was having major mood swings and I don’t have that with Femara. It may be worth asking about! 

melcab7

@suzycupcake @crookshanks10 yes! When I was about to do my first cycle with my doctor we Stated that we would try Femara. Once my cyst got removed and we started a new cycle, for some reason they switched it back to a lower dose of clomid. I was thinking maybe they saw in my records that I actually responded to clomid with my ob? If this cycle doesn't show any improvement with the clomid, I might suggest trying Femara for our next cycle! Thank you for the suggestion 

cxsimo08

Joining in here- Hi ladies! I'm pretty late to the game but did my 7th IUI last Thursday.  It's been a total hell cycle and I'm basically out at this point but thought I would join and root you guys on.  

I'm still so confused about my cycle but need a few hours to process what my RE just said and research what the hell is going on and then I'll fill you guys in.  

crookshanks10

@cxsimo08 Sorry to hear about your horrible cycle 😬  We’ll be here for you when you’re ready!

ispi

Joining in. Iui should be end of this week, pending on follicle growth. We already did clomid with iui x4 cycles. This is our first with injectable meds. I only have one follicle that grew tho Which was a surprise, I have an AMH of 41 and have been having atleast 2 with oral meds. So I am already NOT optimistic.

cxsimo08

Hey @Knottiea90a98a9e9504e9b welcome to the board! When did you start your injectables and what day are you on now? Do you know how many antral follicles they saw at baseline?

@melcab7 I know injectables can be a bit intimidating (and expensive) at first but I actually am much more responsive to them then Clomid and feel so much more normal (less emotional extremes).  I think it's worth considering if you're getting frustrated and can financially do it.  Recommend if you buy them to buy in small doses (300 vs 900) and refrigerate - then they last a really long time.  I've had mine for years now and still could do about 30 IVFs with all I have stocked up on.  

cxsimo08

Thanks @crookshanks10 so here is my situation.  I just had my second CP in 3 months- both after IUI w/ Stims.   This last CP ended up being ectopic and scary but thankfully dissipated and I was cleared to start another cycle. 

Baseline everything looked normal.  Used the same dose I always do of Follistim. Follicles grew fast and my estrogen rose quickly.  I ended up at E2 1400, LH 14 and about 8 mature follicles around CD 12.  (Normally RE's would cancel but this is my 7th IUI with high follicle counts and have also done 2 IVF's with no embryos making it to blastocyst so she's fairly sure the problem is embryo quality and is more aggressive.). She didn't want to trigger with my E2 at 1400 for fear of OHSS and saw my LH was beginning to surge so she did the IUI on CD13 without trigger.  I had MAJOR concerns w/ no trigger of delayed ovulation and of course,  all weekend OPK's were negative so I called her and she had me come in today for blood and US.  Horrible results.  All my follicles still are there (and larger) between 17-28mm, my lining was more thin and my bloodworm shows my E2 is now dropped to 58, progesterone .2, LH 6 so basically she said it was a faulty cycle and I'm not going to ovulate and to wait 2 weeks for my AF.  What is a faulty cycle- I don't even get it!

I've never even heard of anything like this and can't find answers online.  How does estrogen go from 1400 to 58 from CD 13- 17? It just doesn't make sense.  It would add up W if I ovulated but progesterone is basically 0 so it shows I didn't ovulate.  I don't get it.  I may post on the broader board but will do more research first. This totally stinks. I wish I knew what was wrong with me. 

ispi

I’m so sorry to hear that. That sounds so stressful. @cxsimo08

ispi

I am not sure of how many antral, on my baseline there were “many”. There are a few smaller follicles around 7, the main is at 12. I am on day 6 of gonal at 75. He wants to do total of 8.

cxsimo08

Thanks @Knottiea90a98a9e9504e9b if I could only stop googling!! 

As for you - those 7's may still have a shot at growing. I've definitely had cycles where smaller guys caught up!  It's interesting that he's targeting where you will end up based on your total number of injections instead of the size of the follicle and your estrogen.  Usually you would like to see a couple at 16mm+ with an estrogen that matches the number of mature follicles as the target.  The only caveat is if one grows much faster than the others but 7 is not that much different then 12.  (My cycles have usually been between 8-10 days of injections.) As a side note, I know you really want more than one but I did I recently read a study that says your primary follicle (even when you have several) has a higher chance of being "the one" then the others - so try not to loose hope if you only have one and decide to continue! What day of your cycle did you start injections? I'll be thinking of you.  

ispi

@cxismo08 thanks! They were estimated 8 days, based on labs and ultrasound. I have been there every 2-3 days from starting the injections. I started on day 4. I do have PCOS, so they weren't too worried about what day I start. I need to stop googling too! haha

melcab7

@cxsimo08 thanks for the recommendation! I had my day 11 scan this morning after taking clomid 150mg days 5-9. I saw no progress. Biggest was probably a 6. Clomid just hasn't been doing it for me for some reason! I'll definitely ask my doctor about injectables and Femara! I'm trying to get at least 1-2 more IUI's in before considering IVF but my patience is running out. I just know there's something out there for me, just haven't found it yet!

crookshanks10

@melcab7 Hopefully you can try either Femara or injectables next cycle! Femara is super easy, I think injectables are more expensive and require more u/s. Not sure about your insurance coverage situation, but at least you know Clomid isn't right for you and can try something else! Keep us updated! 

cxsimo08

**Warning possible (albeit unlikely) results mentioned**

Ladies you are not going to believe this- I'm in total shock and don't know what to think.  So after my dramatic saga above with a progesterone of 0.2 and no sign of ovulation I counted this cycle completely out.   BUT my breasts have been sore and my nails are super strong and my nails are always so bad- the only two times they have been hard are during my CP's.  (My nails literally were strong until the day my HCG turned 0 and then immediately got crappy again).  So anyway, something told me to take a test even though I would be like 6 MAYBE 7DPO IF I even ovulated (which the RE said I did not).  Well - I definitely see a light line! Holy shit.  I mean I know this is not possible right? All science points to no.  1) you can't get a BFP when your progesterone is .2 and E2 is 58 right? 2) You can't get a BFP 6 DPO.  I took a FRER and it was negative so maybe my Wondfo's a fluke?  I am trying so hard not to get my hopes up because all logic points to crazy at this point.  WTAF!

cxsimo08

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melcab7

@cxsimo08 I wouldn't lose hope because I do see a faint line also! It is extremely early so personally I would keep checking it every other day now that you decided to test! With the progesterone where it was, I don't think it's entirely impossible so don't lose hope! I didn't have the best experiences with the wondfo's due to this exact situation but hopefully it's a better outcome for you! 

cxsimo08

@melcab7  thanks! did you get false positives? I had once before with Wondfo's but I think I read them too late and they weren't this dark so I was hoping that was the case here.  #tryingtojustify 

melcab7

@cxsimo08 yes I feel like the whole pack I got always had a faulty line so I just stopped using them but I totally get trying to justify! If you see a difference then there's definitely hope!   keep us posted 

cxsimo08

@melcab7 UGH that is so stressful- I'm sorry that happened to you thats the worst.  I'll try and resist the urge and test again in a day or two (no promises on the two!) 

suzycupcake

@cxsimo08 Quick thought. How does she know you didn't O when typically they cannot see that in lab work until 7 days past O or 7dpIUI? Your P levels should be very low until then from what I understand. Also, the only place allowed on TB for pictures of hpt is on the First Trimester board in the What does a positive pregnancy test look like? thread. Not sure if you knew that, but you might want to edit that part. 

Eta; In any case, it does seem strange for a Wondfo to show + but not a FRER, but FRER is on my shit list lately anyway. 

cxsimo08

Thanks @suzycupcake - I didn't realize.  After 3 years, 7 IUIs, 2 IVFs I'm not used to having any remote potential and am just so confused.  I don't want to go anywhere near the first trimester board lol but will keep pics to myself! Anyway- I did take another wondfo this AM and I can't see a line so I think @melcab7 is right and they are known for false hope   I'm sorry the FRER game isn't working out for you either.  These tests are hell! 

So the way I understand the progesterone thing, is she uses to confirm ovulation. She said Before ovulation your Estrogen is high and Progesterone is low, as soon as you ovulate they switch- Estrogen drops and Progesterone rises.   So when she tested me my estrogen went from 1426 on CD12 -> 58 on CD17 with progesterone of 0.2 she basically said my progesterone was so low that I didn't ovulate and I was at baseline.  She said the only way I would see having a 0.2 progesterone would make sense is if she gave me blood work the second I was ovulating but she checked my LH too and it was low.  My RE basically said I was at baseline and there was no hope this cycle and she has no idea what happened.  Where did you hear that about 7DPO?  That would be great news if that was the case.  Any information would help at this point!  

@Knottiea90a98a9e9504e9b When is your IUI scheduled? How are you feeling? Have any of those other guys grown?

@crookshanks10 How are you feeling. Are you on progesterone supplements or are you going in for a progesterone test? When is your beta?

@bobella22 Did you start yet?  

crookshanks10

@cxsimo08 I'm feeling pretty good! I go in for a progesterone level check tomorrow, my RE just wants to make sure I'm ovulating. I've always had confirmed ovulation so hopefully this time is no different, but you know how it is! I'm not on supplements at this time so we'll see! I actually don't have betas.. I'm assuming to save costs? Unfortunately the trigger shot stays in my system longer than others so I really have to wait for AF, boo. Sorry to hear you didn't see a line today. Hopefully you can get everything sorted out soon! 

ispi

@cxsimo08 that is exciting and nerve racking all at once. I hope it turns out as a positive for you! I had a follow up yesterday and they see two (12 & 15), and are doing two more days at 100 iu, with follow up tomorrow. There are sooo many appointments with injectibles, I am happy that my job is so flexible.

bobella22

So exciting ladies I have my fx for all of you. Waited over an hour today to see my RE today. Was like a zoo in there. There were so many women in waiting room, you would think they would wanna say hello and chat with others who are going through the same but no.... all buried in their phones, looking down, almost like embarassed to be there. Im so glad we have this group going bc its so nice to talk to others going through the same struggles. 
  Starting clomid today pending bloodwork. 

crookshanks10

@bobella22 I agree with the whole waiting room thing. I wish we could all just be “out” and open with each other. I’m to the point where I just want to tell people because it’s exhausting keeping the not drinking, multiple trips to the RE 2 hours away, hormonal messes a secret or having to cover up with lies. But I can’t believe you had to wait an hour! That’s crazy. I hope third time’s a charm for you! (:

suzycupcake

@cxsimo08 https://www.princetonivf.com/day-20-progesterone-luteal-phase/

This kind of explains it, but it's going off of a 28 day cycle being considered the norm, but regardless, P peaks a week after Ovulation. Measuring then is how they confirm Ovulation. If you didn't O until say cd15 or 16, then measuring at 17 or even 18 would not be an accurate reading with regards to O confirmation. 

cxsimo08

@crookshanks10 How did your P levels end up? Thats frustrating re trigger.  The good news is that you don't need to test and you can try to let it out of your mind until AF is due.  

@Knottiea90a98a9e9504e9b Thanks.  Oh that's exciting! its sounds like that 12 could be a contender with the extra day.  Let us know how It goes today.  

@bobella22 you are so right re waiting area.  Today I went in and it was PACKED but for some reason everyone  was talking! I have never seen it like that but I loved it! It's so crazy to think how many women are going through what we are.  

@suzycupcake thanks so much for sharing that! Your right- after you said that I researched and read in a few places as well 7 days is P peak.  If I ovulated the 4th 7 days would. be the 11th (yesterday) but I think this cycle is just totally fed.  My RE is bringing it in front of a panel to get a second opinion.  The crazy thing is today is CD21 and my ovulation test is high (not peak) so maybe I'm just ovulating late?  I still feel super pregnant and got the lightest of tweaked lines on a test but its only something someone with infertile eyesight could be (its our superpower).  I did do bloods for E2, LH and P so we'll see what they say- hopefully help provide some answers.  How are things going with you!? I'm so sorry about your October FET cycle. Do you know whats next or taking a break?

LauraJon2015

Hi ladies,
I had my 4th (probably last) IUI this month. We did a lower dose of femara/letrozole and gonal-F than last cycle... took an extra 3 days to get good sized follicles but I ended up with one on each ovary. Also we did 3 days abstinace with DH staying hydrated and takin his multi vitamin, and we got the best semen analysis to date. I’m trying not to get my hopes up too high.
Next week I meet with the doctor to make an IVF plan, in case this cycle doesn’t work out.
Wishing you all the best of luck!

suzycupcake

@cxsimo08 Thanks. I'm not really sure yet. Still trying to let it all sink in fully. It's good she is getting a second opinion. Can you go in today and have another P test done as well as a beta?