TTTC Checkin 11/12/18

funkykey

Hi All,

I hope everyone is hanging in there. Sending a big hug to @mirabelle33 & thinking of you this week.

Big congratulations to @Worldtravler0522 who has now joined our graduates list! FX that @Bababatty is on that list soon, too!

As always, please double-check your name and confirm your Dx & Rx.

QOTW: You have to sing karaoke, what song do you pick?

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

kristimh80: dx: unexplained Rx: Injectables + trigger + IUI

BWhitta: dx: PCOS, low AMH and endo Rx: letrozole
Worldtravler0522 dx: PCOS/Unexplained Rx: IVF

PAGING:

@aeb1116: dx: unexplained Rx: IUI
@allisona66: dx: waiting for testing
@amac2313: dx: unknown Rx: Clomid
@Asampson87: dx: unexplained + MFI  Rx: metformin + testing
@Bababatty: dx:Low Motility  Rx: IVF
@Bgreenfield10: dx: anovulatory PCOS, LPD Rx: Clomid + trigger
@Brooke4131: dx: Secondary unexplained Rx: in testing
@BenJay: Dx: PCOS/unexplained Rx. Metformin + supplements
@beec2421: dx: PCOS, hypothyroidism Rx: metformin, synthroid, clomid
@bbtobumpie - dx: irregular cycles, in testing. Rx: pending.
@ChristinaV2015: dx: blocked tubes, PCOS, endo + MFI  Rx: lap, OPKs + TI
@ChristenMA83 : dx: MFI Rx: IVF w/ISCI
@Charligirl28: dx: unexplained Rx: Clomid
@courtneyh2013: dx: MFI Rx: IUI + clomid
@drewsdarlin: dx: RPL, PCOS, Hashimotos, low vitamin D and Iron RX: ?
@echocharlietango: dx: Unexplained Rx: trying naturally
@emgem819 dx: PCOS, Rx: provera, femara + Bravelle
@emmasemm: dx: DOR & autoimmune Rx: IVF
@eranvo27: dx: anovulatory PCOS Rx: metformin
@floridanursegirl: dx: unexplained anovulation Rx:Metformin, IUI+Femara+trigger
@fluffybookworm: dx: Anovulation + insulin resistance Rx: Metformin + prometrium + testing
@funkykey dx: unexplained Rx: IVF
@hannahlce: dx: anovulatory PCOS Rx: metformin + letrozole
@Happyin14: dx: unexplained, RPL Rx: IVF
@inthewoods23 - dx:MFI. Rx: pending.
@jrm_14: dx: Adrenal/overian insufficiency, Borderline-low AMH, Low progesterone Rx: IUI w/ injectables.
@jmr1515: dx: Mild MFI/morph, fibroid  Rx: Surgery + TI
@kgabhart: dx: Unexplained/PCOS  Rx: letrozole + IUI
@Kate437: dx:anovulatory   Rx:Letrozole + trigger
@Knottie1467155066: dx: unknown Rx: letrozole + trigger + TI
@kls2016 - dx: in testing. Rx: pending.
@ladystout08: dx: unknown Rx: waiting for testing
@leafyarch: dx: MFI, no thyroid Rx: IVF
@linz36: dx: Low AFC, MFI  Rx: testing/IUI
@manhattanmama2: dx: unexplained Rx: IVF
@mirabelle33: dx: endometriosis/endometrioma, DOR, AMA, Rx: IVF
@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
@mackenzie07 dx: PCOS and Endo  Rx: metformin, letrozole, ovidrel
@MicahDahn: Dx: irregular cycles Rx: preparing for testing
@moloninge Dx:PCOS, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, fibroids. Rx:Metformin,Synthroid,IUI w/letrozole, ovidrel, and progesterone.
@mandasand: dx: low AMH  Rx:IVF (Lupron, Menopur + Follistim)
@Mythril: dx: PCOS (anovulatory) Rx:levothyroxine, metformin and femara + TI
@nurseerin2012: dx: unexplained Rx: letrozole + IUI
@oklahomak: dx: PCOS Rx: metformin/letrozole/estradiol/progesterone+ trigger
@rachlee2010: dx: DOR Rx: IUI
@rmarble23: dx: MFI Rx: IVF
@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
@SP128: in testing/unexplained
@serownarain: dx: in testing
@sarahven dx:anovulation and PCOS. Rx: femara
@sincethelastday - dx:irregular cycles, low morph. Rx: Femara.
@sailorariel - dx: fibroids. Rx: fibroid removal surgery.
@wishing-and-hoping: dx: unexplained rx: poss. IVF

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?

funkykey

So, some news from me: 

I took an HPT yesterday afternoon, and it was positive. Like, an immediate second line - I'd barely washed my hands, and I could see it. It's dark and clear as day.

I'm trying not to get ahead of myself, but I am so, so, so excited. Beta will be on Thursday. 

I can't even believe it. I know it might not stick, but even knowing that I can get pregnant is huge, at least for me. I'm elated. 

In a twist, DH is taking the news very hard. I'd say he is in a state of shock, and is suddenly very overwhelmed by the thought of having a child. I was like: "But honey, we've done IVF twice?"  *shrug*

I know everyone says this, but honest to God, I don't know what I'd have done without this board. It's been almost 3 years (to the day!) since we started TTC, and at many, many points, it felt unbearable and overwhelming. My journey to my (first ever!) BFP was long and hard, and it's been so nice to have a small community for support through my darkest, most awful moments.

QOTW: I always opt for Garth Brooks "Friends in Low Places". 

Also, I swear, I look at a list of icebreaker questions before picking a question - I don't just ask a question that I have on my mind already, hahaha.

inthewoods23

@funkykey congrats! And FX that it sticks! My DH for the most part does not show emotion so I'm very interested to see in the future how he reacts when it becomes official for us. Men are so funny sometimes aren't they?

AFM, AF showed up finally on Saturday, about a week later than my app originally predicted. I knew I would O later based on my emotional response and stress to hearing a 3rd family member being KU. Anyway, this meant I could finally call my RE and schedule the blood work and U/S! Can't wait to have a treatment plan in place soon.

QOTW: Blink 182's "All The Small Things". Anytime it comes on the radio I have to sing along and I did that song for karaoke once back in high school. Makes me feel like a little bit of a rockstar.

funkykey

@inthewoods23 - ha, exactly: Men! SMH.

FX for your treatment plan!

ChristenMA83

@funkykey congratulations!! I'm super excited for you and hope everything progresses perfectly.  LOL at your DH's response.
@inthewoods23 yay for getting a treatment plan!

AFM: we had our last follicle scan this morning and will trigger tonight.  Just glaring at my phone, willing it to ring with the official schedule.  Retrieval will be on Wednesday.  We're still tracking 13 total follicles (10 main at 17-19).  This cycle has been very different from the first - so I'm hoping that's a good thing and results in more blasts.  But honestly, the lower follicle count has me very nervous. We lost 16 out of 18 during the first round so starting with just 13 is scary. I'm just trying to stay positive until we get the final freeze count a week from today.

funkykey

@ChristenMA83 - Exciting! Keeping FX for you!

If it makes you feel better, I had fewer follicles my second round, and fewer eggs retrieved (11 instead of 13), but (it seems) my resulting embryos were actually better quality - and we had the exact same number make it to blast. So don't lose hope!

I did lots of stuff differently the second time around, but I honestly think the biggest difference is just that I was on a lower dosage when stimming - we "cooked" my eggs low and slow. I think I ended up stimming for 11 days instead of 8.

Anyway, good luck! Keeping FX for you!

inthewoods23

Quality over quantity! 
@ChristenMA83 FX for you!

sincethelastday

@funkykey - OMG, a big congratulations on the BFP!!! How incredibly exciting to finally, FINALLY see a positive HPT! Wishing you only the best that you receive good news on Thursday and that your beta continues to rise off the charts!  I also hope that YH starts to feel excited with you as well lol! 

@ChristenMA83 - good luck on Wednesday!! Hope that you have plenty of good follicles on retrieval day and great embies to transfer! The days up until retrieval must be tough waiting days I imagine? Hope they go by fast!! 

@inthewoods23 - yay for getting closer to a treatment plan!! How exciting it must be to finally get started on a plan! 

@mirabelle33 - been thinking of you! 

AFM: Nill. Zip. Nada. Just counting down these last few days before DH gets home (aiming for Saturday - he drove so dependent on weather). I’m just looking forward to him being home as it will be 5 weeks since he was home. I wasn’t taking any OPK this cycle, but had quite a lot of one sided cramping last week, which is usually a good sign I’ve O. One of the only consistent things with my cycle has been the number of days from O to when I get AF. So AF should be arriving late next week. A little bit miffed that my RE has still not renewed my prescription for Letrozole (I phoned the pharmacy again today asking if they had received the refill). All I need is my period arriving earlier than usual and not having the refill. I’ll be just a little miffed if I have to miss another cycle just because of that. But I digress...

QOTW: Hmmm, anything from “Grease” probably as I think the lyrics to most of those songs have been pretty much burnt into my brain lol. 

Bababatty

@funkykey AHHHHHHHH!!! OMG OMG OMG!!!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! I’d be jumping up and down and screaming if it wouldn’t terrify me neighbors. This is the best news I’ve gotten all day! I’m not even cautiously optimistic—I’m ecstatic!! I cannot wait for Thursday! Hoping for a REALLY REALLY good beta for you!! 

inthewoods23

Update!

Besides getting poked 4 times for the blood work (didn't drink anything in the morning so I was dehydrated), the appointment went well! The RN said everything looked good in the U/S. She counted the number of follicles in each ovary and did a lining measurement. She said they like to see 20 follicles between the 2 ovaries and counted 20 follicles in my right ovary alone! The left ovary has 13 follicles so she said my reserve is really good.

Does anyone recall what their lining measurements were for their CD2-4 U/S? I think I saw 6 and 7 some mm on the screen and I have no idea how normal that is.

Going forward, they'll call if there's anything concerning in the blood work, otherwise they said to call in 2 weeks to set up our "what's next" appointment. We also opted to pay to have a genetic screening done to see if we are carriers for any disorders, etc. We should have those results in about 2 weeks.

So, things are looking good so far.

funkykey

Thanks guys! 
@Bababatty - thanks so much! I'm a little nervous but this is the furthest I've made it, so trying to enjoy it! 

@ChristenMA83 - good luck today!!

sincethelastday

@ChristenMA83 - yes, good luck today!! Hope all goes well!

@inthewoods23 - I don’t remember ever getting a lining measurement, but if I did I don’t remember it. Sounds like you got some good results though with the follicle reading! Hope the next couple of weeks go by quickly before your “what’s next” appointment. 

ChristenMA83

Thanks all for the well wishes.  We got 10 eggs (one more than last time).  We will get the fertilization report tomorrow, but I'm hopeful.  I'm recovering well so far with very little discomfert.

PoeMasque

@funkykey OMG YES!!!! I have seriously been stalking you this whole time just waiting for this post!! This makes me SO happy!! When I told my husband his immediate reply was to frown and say “they told you NOT to test at home”. Then he grilled me on how I knew for sure the rest was right (talk about the opposite of what I expected!) I think men just process all of this stress so differently and it’s so interesting. Either way congrats lady!! 

AFM: I did an intro post, but we are unexplained IF and hoping for a second before I am 40 (which is less than 2 years away). We are currently doing letrozole with TI and AF started today, so first round was not successful. 

GTKY: killing me softly by Lauren hill. Love that song and I don’t disgrace it too much when I sing it

mirabelle33

Just stopping by quickly to say ...

@funkykey I am delighted and so excited for you! I had a feeling Fx for a great beta result today and I truly hope this is it for you 

@ChristenMA83 Thinking of you and so happy to hear you got 10 eggs! Sending best wishes for a great fert report today

sincethelastday

@funkykey - everything crossed for a really good beta reading today!!!!

Bababatty

@funkykey Good luck today!!

inthewoods23

@funkykey FX for a good beta today!

funkykey

@ChristenMA83 - great news! Hoping for a good fert report and that these next few days go smoothly!

@PoeMasque - hahaha - thank you so much!! I really appreciate it!

Also - welcome back? I mean, I guess - obviously, I'd rather if you'd conceived #2 no problem and didn't have to be here. I hope your stay is short and that you get KU-ed next month!

Thanks everyone else!

@mirabelle33 - I hope you're hanging in there ok!

AFM:

Beta came in - it's 11dp5dt and beta is 943, so a definite positive!

I go in for a second beta next week, and a u/s after that.

I'm hoping all goes well - if it does, I'll be set to graduate ~ Dec. 18.

inthewoods23

@funkykey woohoo! So happy for you! FX everything keeps going well!

sincethelastday

@funkykey - OMG!!! How very exciting!! I’m so hopeful this is your time! What a lovely pre-Christmas gift this would be for you and YH! Sending major good vibes your way for a very high second beta! 

Worldtravler0522

@funkykey yes yes yes!! So excited for you 😊 Can’t wait to see what your second beta looks like!  

Bababatty

@funkykey

 (Actual footage of me....if I was a male elf ;-) )

I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!

funkykey

Thanks so much guys!

I mean, I'm not out of the woods yet, but wow. When I had my AMH tested in the summer, it was 0.8, just after my 34th birthday. Three of our transfers failed - basically our whole first round. We've been trying to conceive for almost 3 years to the day. There were definitely days when I thought this would never happen for me - like, I would never even have an HCG surge outside of a trigger shot.

The IF road is very hard, long, and lonely. It's also brutally unfair. I hate how expensive the treatments are, how little insurance coverage there is, and even how hard it is to find a clinic. I hate how many clinics are sub-par and have fast-and-loose labs.

Obviously, my hope is, one day, for all of this to be a little more accessible. I feel very, very lucky, and I wish IF outcomes weren't so tied to luck - I wish it were a little more fair.

xoxo and big hugs to everyone! Hang in there!

suzycupcake

@funkykey I found you!!!! And also in spoiler

YASSSSssssss girl, my ER buddy, so happy for you!!!!! Thanks for all of your support during my ER cycle. Wishing you a H&H 9!

mirabelle33

@funkykey Wow! What an amazing first beta and such a well-deserved happy surprise for you and YH. Fx for an equally amazing second beta and smooth sailing from here on out!

ChristenMA83

@funkykey that's an AMAZING Beta!!! So happy for you!

AFM: We had 6 fertilized as of yesterday morning and 2 more they were watching because they were injected late.  Next update Saturday for day 3.  Even with just 6, we're still one ahead of IVF#1 fertilization, so I'm happy with that.  This is such a numbers game.

inthewoods23

@ChristenMA83 that's wonderful! FX the other 2 also fertilize!

AFM, blood work results have been coming in the last few days. Everything is within normal ranges except for total protein and globulin. They read a little high of normal but not by much. My AMH is around 4.2 and I'm not sure if that's normal or a little high. The standard range in my test results said normal is between 2 and 16 or so but a video I had watched said 7 was indicative of PCOS so I'm a little confused.

sincethelastday

@inthewoods23 - I believe that’s normal. My AMH level is 5.2 and I was told by my RE that was a normal level. I have heard that people with PCOS can have higher AMH levels, but don’t know much more than that. Do you have an actual appointment date yet with your RE? Hopefully they’ll review your test results, but if not, I say ask away to make sure you’re clear on all your result levels. 

funkykey

@ChristenMA83 - hooray!!

@mirabelle33 - thank you! 

@suzycupcake - thanks so much! I'm so touched that you found me! Keeping FX for you!!!!

@inthewoods23 @sincethelastday - some of the PCOS AMH levels are crazy - they're off the charts. One of my friends here has PCOS and she said looking at a u/s of her ovaries made her cry - they just looked like craters on the moon. It's pretty shocking that there's not more research about the condition - it sounds like it's quite draining to live with.

@inthewoods23 - glad you are getting all your results in, hoping you can move on soon!

inthewoods23

@sincethelastday not yet, they told me to call in 2 weeks to schedule the next appointment. I will be giving them a call right away on the Monday after Thanksgiving!

There was a graphic I also saw that had typical AMH levels for different ages and it said 5.3 for a 25 y/o and 3.5 for a 30 y/o. I turn 30 in April so I took it as a good sign to have a 4.2 reading but it is definitely something I will ask the RE about.

In reality I will probably ask them to explain what each test is done for and their functions. I've done a little bit of research but it will be good to hear it from them!

sincethelastday

@inthewoods23 - I feel like I know where you’re coming from exactly! I’ll do all this online reading about normal result numbers, etc, but then I want to hear it straight from the mouth of the RE. For them to confirm and solidify what’s what.