October 2019 IVF

ladyp0tter

I wanted to get this thread going for those of us anticipating retrievals in October. I have my consult with my RE this Friday the 13th after my first failed FET from August. In my first retrieval, I had 24R, 21M, 20F, 15d3, 7d6 which after PGS resulted in 6 abnormal, 1 indeterminate. We transferred on 8/23 the indeterminate and 1 abnormal (trisomy 11) after genetic counseling consult. BFN at 14dpt. Assuming at this point the indeterminate was abnormal as well.

My hope this round is to change up my protocol and see if the doctor will recommend fewer stimulation meds in hopes to entice better QUALITY eggs vs. QUANTITY since my high numbers still did not result in any viable embryos. My best "looking" embryo from my batch ended up being the most abnormal (with multiple trisomies). So looks aren't everything, unfortunately. My protocol this cycle was 225 (3 vials) GONAL F, 225 (3 vials) MENOPUR, Estradiol 3x a day. Stimmed for 12 days. Two-stage Trigger w/ Lupron (to avoid OHSS).

I will be asking about the likelihood of a 3dt as well as freeze and PGS test any remaining 5-6 day embryos in hopes to give me 2 chances at pregnancy from one more retrieval. It is highly unlikely at my age (44) that I will end up with more than 1-2 normal embryos at all regardless of the number I start with. I will also inquire about a potential ERA (to determine the progesterone needs). My AMH last check was 0.794 which isn't bad for my age.

Looking forward to connecting with others for October!!

ladyp0tter

Had my consult on Friday 9/13. All went as planned. He agreed to change up my dosage (lower to go for quality over quantity), add HGH and try to trigger with Ovidrel instead of Lupron. We are also going to shoot for a FRESH transfer along with freezing any remaining if possible.

I believe my new starting stims will be: no estrogen priming, 150 Gonal-F and 75 Menopur to start. Cetrotide will  be used as well as HGH. With God's grace, the Fresh transfer will work and result in a healthy baby, but otherwise, praying to have 1-2 normals after PGS from whatever gets frozen. If needing to go into an FET, we will do an ERA prior to the FET to ensure optimal timing. 

hithertorue

Hi @ladyp0tter, 

Hope you don't mind my jumping in. I have been hanging out over at the Trouble TTC board and saw you didn't have any others joining you yet. I am currently CD7 of my first IVF cycle. 

I am 34 and DH is 35. We have been married 4 years and trying for >2 years. We sought help after about 14 months of no luck. The results of the initial testing were some mild MFI (high viscosity and low forward motility) and a slightly low AMH/elevated FSH. I had the left fallopian slightly blocked during my initial sono as well but they were able to clear it with the saline during the procedure (not fun!!!)

After monitoring and DH being on supplements for a couple months, we did 5 rounds of medicated IUI with letrozole, puregon, ovidrel and crinone. DH's samples greatly improved/ and normalized. After 3 cycles we added supplementing DHEA and Ubiquinal (CoQ10) for egg quality/quantity (on top of the supplements I had already been taking through the naturopath: prenatal, omega 3, D, N-acetyl Cysteine) and noticed a good jump in AFC and follicle counts but still no luck so we were deciding between trying 1 more or making the jump to IVF. That also now leaves us in the somewhat "unexplained" category other than the slightly low AMH.

We live in Ontario so our health care covers 1 round of ER and associated transfers, at this point, that is all we plan to do. Our drug coverage is minimal so just the 1 round will be expensive enough for us.

Starting CD3 I have been on 300IU of Gonal F and 75IU Menopur. CD6 (yesterday) we added Cetrotide. I have been having a reaction (intense itching and red welt, which I hear is common) to the cetrotide so we might exchange it for a different one on CD9 if it continues.

Thus far I have 3 follicles >1.0 (1.2, 1.2, 1.4), AFC is 5 on the right and 8 on the left. They are potentially going to reduce the Gonal-F this evening. They are going to call today after my BW comes back. 

The plan after ER is to freeze and PGT-A testing. Will follow with a monitoring down cycle and refresh of my sonohystereogram. Then the following cycle to do a FET. Assuming all goes well.

For someone who used to be terrified by needles and never imagined I could possibly do one myself never mind 3x day, I'm doing well with it. Just still can't shake the anxiety from when we were making the decision last week. Usually once treatment starts I can rev myself up and feel energized but I just feel like this dread and anxiety. 

Looking forward to connecting with others going through the same steps right now. 

@ladyp0tter how are you doing? Are you well into your stims by now or just starting?

ladyp0tter

Welcome!! Your AFC sounds great! Hopefully, you will double your follies like I did toward the end. I will not likely end up with the same amount this time since we are reducing the meds by a lot so I can try for the fresh AND frozen/PGS tested emby's.

I am waiting to start my cycle right now as I was traveling for work (am out of town right now) so didn't want to start the stims in September. Looking at stimming the second week of October at this point. I'll know depending on when AF shows up!! We are trying to order the meds now and have them ready to go.

Looking forward to following your progress!! 

Aera11

*lurking from a different group on this board*

@hithertorue, do you ice before your shots/cetrotide & do you mix them all into one injection?  Regardless, if you don't ice...try it!  I've done 5 rounds of IVF and always iced, which I found help a ton since the cetrotide made me itchy too.  Good luck  

hithertorue

@ladyp0tter thanks for the welcome! Hope you can get going on your next cycle soon!

I'll keep updating til others join us. I know it'll be a big support to have others around who've either done IVF before or are going through it now. So thank you in advance! 

I'm not quite sure on timing for my ER....  especially now since I think they are still considering lowering my doses. Originally they had guessed between CD11 at the earliest and CD13 as average. I'm FX not CD13 because I have a big work event I'm really hoping to not miss.... lol of course, Murphy's law is waiting in the wings!! 

I get the feeling that I'm not quite responding how they're used to seeing as the clinic procedure is US/BW CD3,6,9 then daily but they've added extra appointments CD7 (today) and another tomorrow now and told me to bring the menopur and cetrotide with me instead of taking it in the morning before I go.

@Aera11 thanks for lurking with tips- love it! I haven't had to ice before the others. The cetrotide I think they might try switching out for the alternative option tomorrow instead of having me take it to see if I get less reaction. It actually didn't seem quite as itchy or welted today as it did yesterday! Will see what tomorrow brings!

ladythor31

hello everyone! I had started BC at the beginning of the year to get IVf going and then I got too scared and bailed. I am all in now! I start stim meds on 10/12 for only 5 days, and a tentative retrieval of 10/23. is 5 days of stims normal?

hithertorue

Hi @ladythor31 welcome! I will have to leave the answer up to any more experienced IVF'ers out there. I'm too rookie, I'm all questions and no answers! Do you know yet what drugs they will be using? The 12th will be here before you know it!!

My CD8 US/BW today showed 4 follicles still >1.0: 1.5, 1.4, 1.2, 1.1. E2 was 1130. They called me this afternoon to say I should reduce my Gonal-F from 300 down to 262.5. I gather this means the Dr thinks there are other follicles trying to develop (based on E2) and this should give them a better chance to come along.

ladythor31

thank you @hithertorue ! I know I will be on Follistim and Menopur. then Lupron and HCG. this is my first round and I really don't know anything either than what I have read online. the injection training wasn't too bad until she pulled out the needle for the progesterone in oil injection. My butt instantly started to hurt. I was on BC for 4 weeks, and now I am on Estrace starting today until 9/30, and then on 10/1 I start BC again until 10/8, and then stim meds on 10/12. definitely a little overwhelming right now, but I am trying to let my excitement out weigh the large amount of stress. 

ladythor31

It appears I know nothing. I am on stims 10 days, but only scheduled for 5 right now until they see where I am at, at that 5 days. :-)

ladythor31

what does everyone do to get through the IVF process to relax or treat yourself?

ladyp0tter

Hello @ladythor31 and Welcome! 5 days of stims seems a bit short from what I have heard but EVERYONE has different reactions to the meds, so it's hard to say. I ended up overstimming last time in my opinion and ended up 12 days. This time, the goal is less meds and hopefully at least 1-2 days earlier to ER. I am trying to avoid the over exposure to LH which can mess with egg quality apparently. 

As for relaxing, I just try to go about my normal days and not think about it until I have to stab myself with the needles! ha! I am still waiting to start my next cycle, so hopefully it will be able to start in another week and I will be good to go, but potentially have to wait until November depending on when AF decides to show her self!

ladythor31

@ladyp0tter thank you! I only received my first 5 days of stims calendar, but they did tell me yesterday I will be doing 10 days. and I was so excited to only have 5 days of needles. :-D 

overstimming is not good! I imagine it doesn't feel great either.

hopefully you don't have to wait until November to get going again. I am so impatient for my 10/23 ER that if I had to wait until November I would go crazy. 

hithertorue

@ladythor31 relaxation tricks for me.... finding a good balance between not over scheduling commitments and having just a few to look forward to. If I'm stressed I force myself to log out of social media and restrict my phone time for a few days. Forces me to find something else like a book or a TV show or meditating to refocus. Which is what I did for the last couple of days. I also find that acupuncture significantly helps my ability to manage my stress and any anxiety. Of course there's also treating yourself to some fun not normal things... a new pair of pants, an ice cream cone.... lol shop therapy within reason.

Update for me, we had to defer the IVF cycle. Switching to an IUI and triggering tonight. Estrogen was too low and only 5 follicles recruited on Day 10. Of course, today, Day 11, 3 more popped up but too late as one follicle was already 2.2 and another 1.9. So we are going to just try to salvage and maybe the IUI will be the trick. As it's our 6th I'm not crazy hopeful. FX! Good luck with your cycles this next month ladies. I'll be lurking to follow along! Appreciated your support this last week +! 😊

ladythor31

@hithertorue good luck on the IUI!! I am hoping this is the one for you. sending good vibes your way. :-D

I do definitely feel like I am at that point of needing a break from social media. way too much for me right now. and shop therapy sounds like a great idea!

I have been wanting to try acupuncture, but I am afraid of needles, and I am not sure I could relax knowing there are a lot of them sticking out of my body. 

ladyp0tter

Hi All, I have taken a break waiting for AF to arrive. I am going on a vacation today through next Tuesday so I am sure she will show her stupid face while I am gone which will push me into Nov!! My husband is about to order the meds (we've been researching cheaper options/locations) so I should be good to go for late Oct or early Nov. sigh.....the wait wait wait....

hithertorue

*lurking back over here*

@ladythor31 a lot of acupuncture clinics will let you come in and do your consult and even try just a needle or two while you talk to see how you feel about it. Many times as a free introduction and meet/greet! I find the process of needles in is pretty non-event but once in it's like a wave of relax. You could equate it to when you get in a hot bath. At first you can't tell if you're comfortable with the heat but then all of a sudden your body goes "ahhhhhh, ya this rocks!" 

@ladyp0tter hope you can find some enjoyment on your vacay. And as much as AF sucks, hopefully sooner than later so you can get on with the next steps! Hope you and YH find some good deals for the meds, that was by far the most annoying thing just feeling like constantly tapping the Visa! $1k every few days almost. 

Thinking of you ladies!

ladythor31

@ladyp0tter have fun on your vacation! as annoying as AF is, at least it's one step closer. I just received most of my meds via FedEx this morning, and I am picking up my 25 vials of Menopur from my RE clinic on Monday morning, when I have my baseline done.

@hithertorue I think I will definitely have to look into trying acupuncture then. and I am sure once I start the stim meds needles won't even bug me any more. I like your description of not being sure if you like the heat you're feeling, and then it's awesome. 

we are so close! and though the road has been stressful and emotional for me thus far, I know this could all be worth it. :-D

ladythor31

just picked up my menopur from my RE today at my baseline appointment. the lupron injection arrives tomorrow and then I will have everything. The stim meds are taking up half of my fridge. But I am glad to have everything, and be able to start my stims this Saturday. I warned my husband these new meds may make me really crazy, and to just be on high alert for the 10 days following. I have no idea what I am in for other than a lot of shots, and every other day RE appointments and labs. 

wishing us all the best of luck! :-D

hithertorue

*lurking again* @ladythor31 wishing you luck as you start stims this weekend! I hope you are symptom free. Personally I didn't notice really any mood or other effects. Some bloating and tenderness in the belly only which you can ask your nurse for tips to reduce both. Thinking of you and FX!!

ladythor31

@hithertorue that is good to hear. Hopefully I have the same luck symptom wise. I am very excited, nervous and stressed. :-D  

ladyp0tter

Hi All! I have been MIA for a bit because after my failed FET in August, I had to wait for my RE to be available for a meeting. We have our plan to move forward and were GOING to start this month, but we had a planned vacation and AF started while I was on vacation so I couldn't start baseline testing. PLUS...my DH was still debating where to buy our meds from. He finally decided and is ordering them today. That means I will be in a November Cycle for retrieval and fresh transfer and December for FET if fresh isn't successful (or not able to do).

ladythor31

@ladyp0tter that's a bummer about the delay, but this month is already going by so quickly, and November will be here before you know it. :-D

I start my stims in the morning, and I am very excited to get things going. hoping that I respond well and get some good quality eggs. Since I have unexplained infertility, I am hoping the cause is not bad eggs. we shall know soon.

Have a great weekend ladies!

ladythor31

Good morning! I had my mid stim lab and U/S this morning. 8 bigger follicles and 12 smaller ones. So things are going well thus far. staying on the same meds doses and adding cetritide over the weekend. retrieval will be Wednesday or Thursday next week. :-D

ladythor31

Happy Monday everyone! just had my last appointment this morning. 15 follicles and I do the trigger shots tonight. last blood draw tomorrow, and retrieval on Wednesday morning. yay!! :-D

aes324

Good luck tomorrow, @ladythor31

ladythor31

thank you @aes324 ! :-D   everything went well. 16 eggs were retrieved, 14 were mature and 13 fertilized. this Wednesday we see how many of our embabies made it to the blastocyst stage. then they will be sent out for pgs testing. crossing my fingers for good news!

ladythor31

figured it would be more helpful to provide insight on the pre retrieval process I had, and the aftermath, rather just embryo updates. 2 or 3 weeks before retrieval, I gave up caffeine. 2 weeks before, I gave up alcohol. the two weeks before I was drinking 70-80 ounces of water a day, and 2 days before retrieval I drank half a Gatorade each day. day of retrieval I drank a whole Gatorade, and ate salty food the rest of the day and the day after. only drank the 65 ounces of water I was allowed to for several days after. no one told me you couldn't take the antibiotics they give you and the new birth control they give you close to the same time, so I had a pretty back reaction the day after into the next morning. then a day or two after starting the birth control, I developed really bad rash acne on my face, neck, chest and back. looks like i have the measles right now. no sign of clearing either, so hopefully it's only another week I have to be on this. but, a week after retrieval, I feel totally fine. Friday last week I actually felt pretty good too. so I think I got lucky.

since I will be starting the progesterone shots soon, anyone take them before have any advice on how to avoid a ton of pain? or how to get through it in general?

Thank you! :-D

aes324

@ladythor31 I make a cup of hot water (run the keurig without a k-cup) and then soak the vial in that for a few minutes.  I don’t push the plunger fast like I did with stims, slow even pressure seems to work well.  It has not been nearly as bad as I expected.  Also I do mine in the morning so since I am moving around during the day it hasn’t gotten stiff or very sore.  Good luck!

ladythor31

@aes324 thank you for the tip! I will definitely try soaking it in hot water, and doing in the AM instead of at night. :-D

ladythor31

probably last update since it seems I am the only one posting. but we got the embryo testing results back today. out of the 8 tested, 3 were good for transfer and we have one untested. and I found out I need to get an additional surgery to have polyps removed before transfer. 

bobella22

Hi @ladythor31. You're not alone! Sorry you have to get polyps removed,but it's awesome to hear that you have 3 good embryos. I also had my egg retrieval, I believe on the same day as you. We only got 1 but I'm hoping and praying that's all we need. 

ladythor31

@bobella22 I had to have polyps removed last year as well. my RE thinks the stim meds may have made them grow. at least we found them now to give us the best chance possible. One embryo is all you need! When do you have your transfer?

bobella22

@ladythor31 I also had a polyp removal last year & had to recheck with saline sono. So annoying that its delaying your transfer but it will be worth it after its done. Does that mean your transfering in Dec?I have my transfer this month... just started estrogen yesterday and will know more when I go back next week. 

ladythor31

@bobella22 that's so exciting! definitely keep us updated. That means you must start the progesterone soon too, right? let me know how that goes. I have been dreading that part.  depending on when I can get the polyps removed, and if I have to take a month off or not, I may still be able to transfer this month. Otherwise in December. 

ladythor31

just found out this morning my hysteroscopy is scheduled for 11/26, which means our transfer is bumped out to December. pretty bummed, but I understand. crazy that we started this all back in August.