IF Treatment and Testing Week of 10/14-10/20/19

emeraldduchess

@kpearse99 I take progesterone suppositories 2x/day after O. My RE's opinion is that it can't hurt, especially since I've had two unexplained early losses and a wonky luteal phase (I would start spotting as early as 9dpo which isn't ideal). What she told me is that progesterone won't prevent a loss if the pregnancy wasn't viable to begin with, but it could help me stay pregnant. Since I started on the progesterone, I don't spot for days before AF arrives, so it could be that my losses are down to low progesterone (or nonviable embryos, but we'll never know since there was never any tissue to analyze). 

kpearse99

@emeraldduchess thank you for that! I know that the progesterone won’t prevent a loss of its not going to be viable anyway, that makes totally sense... but what if the reason I can’t keep the embryos is because of my low progesterone... then being on progesterone would help... right? Does that make sense? My brain is all over the place so I’m not sure if my words are making sense lol

bluetickgal

@kpearse99 I’m so sorry friend!! Sending hugs!! 💜 My RE is also of the mind that progesterone supplementing can’t hurt, but it can only help. This will be my first cycle with it, but I’m hopeful that it will make a difference for me. I hope you feel comfortable with whatever you decide to do. 

NYTino24

Pelvic pain last night and today. Going to the RE for an exam / US to rule out infection or anything worse. IUI was 9/8 days ago. 

emeraldduchess

@kpearse99 you're making sense. apparently low progesterone is more common than I thought.  

@NYTino24 oh no!  Do you have a fever too? That's scary, I hope they can do something about the pain. 

@mvt2003 ugh, I am so sorry about the reaction to your HSG. Hopefully your DH can get his SA done in time. I remember it was a pain scheduling that for DH too. 

@inthewoods23 so many hugs to you, friend. I'm sorry you're struggling and that your body is being a jerk about LH. 

@jennifer_louise I'm having a time staying positive, too and am trying to distract myself. I bought my first crochet hook and well...I have half a blanket done after just two days. Don't feel bad about skipping an even, those can be hell.

@misshelen86 having IVF brought up so soon is definitely a lot to process. I know you'll choose what's best for you and your H. 

NYTino24

@emeraldduchess I had a fever of 103 on the second IUI day. US showed lots of blood clots above my uterus and some “old” blood and free fluid in my uterus. She said I seemed to be in more pain near my bladder, but it’s too early (8dpo) to say anything about pregnancy or ectopic. They are rushing my CBC with diff and urinalysis. She didn’t think it was an infection from IUI. Lining was 9mm. I did have a 23-25 mm corpus luteum cyst on the left, which is weird because I didn’t have anything remotely close to that on my left before triggering... she said the clots may be from all of the ruptured follicles. I’m confused, a little relieved that I made the right decision to call and go in, and worried about what might be next. 

kpearse99

@NYTino24 geez!! I'm so glad you went in to see what is going on. I hope you get some answers later today and that it's bad news.

kpearse99

@misshelen86 Are you able to email your Re's office to ask additional questions that have come up? If so, I would ask that question about what a normal estrogen range is for CD3 and maybe even what a higher level could indicate? I think you're making a good choice by waiting on starting the letrozole until you have all of your results in.

@ruby696 thank you for encouragement to push for the supplements, I am feeling the same way about it only being able to help.

I'll be doing so much research today on low progesterone and the effects of it and what else causes implantation issues.  I know it could also be chromosomal but I have this gut feeling it's implantation issues... most likely due to low progesterone.  I have such short and light periods too and from what I've already read low progesterone also effects O issues. I just want AF to fully arrive so I can make my baseline appointment and ask all of these questions to my RE. My heart hurts so much.

feather_heather

@kpearse99 - Ughhh so sorry to hear this 

ruby696

@kpearse99

emeraldduchess

@NYTino24 I am glad you are going in to have them check what's going on. I hope you get some answers and some relief. 💚

@kpearse99 so many hugs. It sucks so much when you suspect your body isn't doing what it's supposed to do. 💙

misshelen86

@NYTino24 I hope you get some answers and it’s nothing serious 

@kpearse99 No, My Dr said if I have follow-up questions I can book a conference call but I would be charged for it. So I might as well just wait until the next appointment. I have a list of questions already started, but that’s a good idea to ask what a higher number could indicate (adding that now!). She did say she thought it could be making my FSH/LH appear lower than they actually are. I think if your gut tells you that your issue is with implantation, you are probably correct. You know your body best! Have you looked into coagulation or immunologic disorders? 

jennifer_louise

Yikes @NYTino24, keep us posted!! Hope you get it all figured out. 

@inthewoods23 how frustrating (but still good I guess) when all tests come back normal. The curse of being unexplained. I really hope you get some answers, or that it works out for you ASAP! 

@emeraldduchess did you post pics in the craft thread yet? (I'm behind...). I have also been knitting a ton. One more pair of mittens for Christmas presents down!!

I feel like we haven't heard from @shoogapoff or @BusinessWife lately. Are you ladies around still? (Or did you hopefully maybe graduate without me knowing?? 😬 ❤️) 

meri-mac

Diagnosis (if you've been): Unexplained sub-fertility

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

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

How are things going?: Good. Phase 2, as I have dubbed it, begins next week. My mind was actually occupied with other things this weekend since it was Thanksgiving in my part of the world.

Any questions?: None today

GTKY: What jewelry, if any, do you wear? I wear my wedding ring and occasionally the Wonder Woman necklace DH bought me. I am afraid of losing/breaking it so I don't wear it very often. Not a huge jewelry person. I prefer scarves.

kpearse99

@misshelen86 WOW I can't believe you can't just email in a few questions, that seems crazy to me. But maybe my RE is the different one, in letting his patients do that?  I have not looked into those disorders, but I will do that now!

NYTino24

Small update: called hematologist and she said it sounds like OHSS. Still no call from RE yet.

meri-mac

@NYTino24 Hope the TWW goes by quickly. Fx for you!

@kpearse99 So sorry, hun. Take some time for yourself. I wish I could answer your initial question, but it looks like the other ladies got your back All the love for you.

@emeraldduchess That is such a sweet idea, your necklace. Fx for this month!  

@mvt2003 Sorry for the crappy reaction to the HSG. Glad it is over now. I would call your OB and ask her opinion via timing of the SA. Hope everything gets done on time for you.

@inthewoods23 At least the bloodwork is normal. How are you feeling this week? Has your doc said anything about LH, etc.?

@jennifer_louise No guilt required! You have to take care of you. If missing the event was what you needed then good on you Excited for the IUI!

@misshelen86 The wait sucks especially if you can't ask questions. Are there other health professionals in your RE's office? I can have questions answered by the nursing team if my RE isn't available. I know considering IVF can be overwhelming. Don't forget to lean on us if you have questions or need to vent!

emeraldduchess

@misshelen86 that's absurd that you'd be charged for follow-up questions. My RE lets us message her on the patient portal or I can call and speak to the nurses. I'd ask around to see if charging is the norm for where you live. That sounds fishy to me. 

kpearse99

@emeraldduchess I thought the same thing about it being fishy... so weird - @misshelen86 does your RE have nurses you can at least call?

kpearse99

@NYTino24 ugh - keep us posted! I'm thinking of ya!

jennifer_louise

@misshelen86 to echo what everybody else said, yeah that's a bit nuts that you're charged for follow-up questions. My RE encourages emails or calls to the nurse. Do you have a nurse's line or email? 

shoogapoff

@jennifer_louise You're so sweet to check in! I took this month off of TB, (and TTC, actually) after our second cancelled IUI. But CD 1 should be coming up (maybe even today), so I'm planning to start participating again! I've been lurking like a total creeper, and rooting for you all!

jennifer_louise

@shoogapoff I remember now. Was it canceled because of a Clomid/lining thing? I'm sorry for the bench . Do you have a different plan for this cycle?
My RE said they will cancel the IUI if I have more than 3 follies, and I'm terrified of being canceled! Trying not to think about it....

@meri-mac Happy belated Tgiving, friend from the North! I used to live by Canada (in ND) so I got to celebrate Thanksgiving twice. Not so much anymore. I too am more of a scarf person myself! They're so much more comfy than jewelry, IMHO. 

shoogapoff

@jennifer_louise It was cancelled the first time for the lining issue. This time I had a cyst on my CD3 scan, so I didn't even make it to taking meds. FX the cyst is gone this cycle! It is nerve-racking every time you go in for a check, because everything has to be just right for them to move forward. How soon will you know what your follies look like?

misshelen86

@kpearse99 @meri-mac @emeraldduchess @jennifer_louise
For urgent questions I can call the nurses line, but we are encouraged to wait until the appointment. Unfortunately this is the only office anywhere near me (which is why there are such long waits for everything). This is what they say on the website:

Please be considerate and review all information you have received carefully, and reserve your questions for your booked appointments.

Calls to the clinic can be quite time consuming and delay work adding to longer wait times.

If you feel you have an urgent question you can leave a message and we will endeavor to return your call as promptly as possible during regular office hours.

Charges may apply.

nitnat007

@NYTino24  Fx for you! Hopefully time passes quickly. 

@kpearse99 Oh that is so hard. My heart goes out to you friend. I hope that you are able to get a follow up quickly and get some answers. Sending hugs   

@emeraldduchess  Remember that a rocky chart doesn't always mean no success. Although it is tough not to focus on it. 

@mvt2003 Oh no! That is awful. Very unlucky. But glad to hear that you were able to sleep it off and felt better for the rest of the weekend. FX that timing works for the SA and you get results back quickly. 

@inthewoods23  Keep testing and try and put a call in to the clinic. Maybe your body is just staging a protest and needs a minute? FX that you see that LH line soon. 

@jennifer_louise  Good luck! Hope that you are all on schedule for the IUI next week. 

@misshelen86  Too bad you have such a long wait before you get answers to your questions. I was under the impression that anything under 75 pg/mol was normal as well. I would be curious as to why she felt that. Hearing IVF is your option is tough. But you are not alone. Hopefully IUI is a first step though. 

@meri-mac Glad that you had the distraction of Thanksgiving this weekend. Stage 2 will be a breeze!

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

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Nov 1st I start Superfact and then Nov 14th IVF round #2

How are things going?: After the chaos that was the end of last week, we seem to be under control now. Donor sperm has arrived, AF arrived on schedule, we just wait for pap results, pay over the fortune and hope for the best. 
There was one aspect that I have been struggling with that maybe some of you can help with. TW in spoiler

A friend of mine is having a baby shower this weekend. I have barely spoken to her since she announced, although I am over the moon for them both. It just came as a shock and at a rough time for me. I am just not sure that I can emotionally handle going to a baby shower and I am not sure how to handle it? Do I go and just suck it up? Or do I send her a message and just let her know that although I am happy for them, I have to protect my own heart right now and will have to pass?

Any questions?:

GTKY: What jewelry, if any, do you wear? My ring from MH, bangle/bracelet that my dad got from Madagascar and I have been wearing since I was 18. Pearl earrings that I got from MH for a birthday a couple years ago. Simple for me. 

kpearse99

@nitnat007 thanks, girl. I'm counting today as CD 1 so I go in on Thursday for my baseline appointment with the RE and I'll use that time to asking my 1,000 questions. I think that you need to do what's best for you and your own heart and mental state, right now and that it's completely okay to send her a message explaining that. She should fully understand, and if she doesn't, then she's not really a great friend (sorry if that is too blunt) and then it validates you not going even more.

inthewoods23

@nitnat007 if I were you I definitely would have no shame sending her a message that something came up and you can no longer make it. Send a gift later if you want.

Maybe the shower for my sister was easier knowing it was a baby blood related to me. I know I would have a hard time with a friend's because then I get into the thoughts of "wish that was me". But that also seems kind of backward since I see my adorable niece now and might not see a friend's as often.

emeraldduchess

@nitnat007 I agree with @inthewoods23. Don't force yourself to go if you don't think it's a good thing for you right now. 

mokay19

Lurking

@kpearse99 I know that I’m late but I wanted to jump on board with I'm so sorry with what you’re going through and I agree that your Doctor seems to be a little conservative. There’s no concrete studies to show adding progesterone will sustain an unviable pregnancy, but if your body isn’t producing enough naturally then it will help. Also, there’s a lot out there saying that it doesn’t hurt. 

Just a little extra tidbit, my RE likes progesterone above 25 during the original tracking of hCG and progesterone. Furthermore, I use LabCorp and the cost of testing just hCG vs hCG and progesterone is only $10. 

kpearse99

@mokay19 thank you very much, my friend. I'll certainly be pushing for it! Like you all said, it can't hurt... it can only help my progesterone levels.

NYTino24

@nitnat007 Yay for things falling into place. I totally get it because the showers aren’t just the belly and the stuff. People do ask personal questions and talk about their kids a lot. I know it’s really hard - I live in a very populated area of NJ and everyone I know plus tons of random strangers are all up in my face with being KU. However, I will play devil’s advocate and say I would go if I wanted that friend to attend my shower later on and to maintain the relationship. If your friendship isn’t close or you think she will understand if you decline, then okay. You can also do a last minute stomach bug and say you don’t want to pass it to her while she’s KU. Then you don’t have to worry about talking about your situation. 
@misshelen86 Any other RE choices? It sucks between the wait and not being able to email someone!
@meri-Mac Do you have an estimated transfer date? So exciting to be entering phase 2!

Another update: got a voicemail that BW and urinalysis were okay, but waiting on the culture. They want me to come in on Thursday (10 dpo) for BW / US. Here are some other things I remember hearing this morning: Probable CL (corpus luteum?), free fluid in the culdesac, hemmoragic cyst

emeraldduchess

@jennifer_louise I haven't posted a picture yet, but I will! 

@shoogapoff

I was just wondering where you were the other day!

jennifer_louise

@shoogapoff well then I'll keep everything crossed for you so we can be IUI buddies! Hope the cyst is gone so you can start the meds! 
I will find out on Thursday at my ultrasound. I assume they will check my lining as well. If all looks well, they will schedule the IUI and tell me when to do the trigger.

@misshelen86 interesting. It seems like maybe they could join the 21st century and use email for non-urgent questions? 

keikilove

I’m kind of just checking in here. I’m in limbo but am rejoining this board.  

This pregnancy is not viable. My hCG numbers continued to go up but at a slower rate than expected. I hoped I was in the 20% that has a successful PG with slow-rising hCG but this week’s BW shows that betas have dropped. My body doesn’t seem to know & isn’t doing anything different. I stopped the progesterone but my temp is staying at 99. Dr called & said let it happen naturally. No telling when that will be. With my other CPs they happened before this time.  

I had a really interesting phone convo w the doc about possible next steps & I will share that info in more detail. Getting ready for another work trip now, will come back & add more specifics later, as well as tag and engage with everyone else too. 

kpearse99

@keikilove ugh, damn, friend. I am so so sorry. I hope your work trip goes well... it might be good to get a way for a little? even if it is for work... sending you love and hugs

keikilove

@kpearse99 Thanks so much, friend.❤️ I know you know this frustration. 

meri-mac

@nitnat007 I am on board with the other ladies. If don't want to/feel like you can go then don't. Your mental health is more important than the shower.

@NYTino24 November 5th is the nurse's estimation. Phase 2 is baseline BW and U/S then all the drugs. Looking forward to being even crazier than I am now.

@keikilove That bites, hun. Be kind to yourself and splurge on something you want. All the love

misshelen86

@nitnat007 So exciting you will be heading into your IVF cycle so soon! I think if the shower is going to cause you grief, you should give yourself permission to say no. 

@keikilove So very sorry to hear this, friend. Sending you hugs today 

kiki047

*lurking*
@keikilove oh friend, I'm so sorry, I came looking for an update and I'm sorry it isn't better news. Do you still have that appt with the specialist in Chicago?