IF Treatment and Testing Week of 10/21/19

b_1029

@kpearse99 yes she wanted to bring me back down since I had 4 last time. I was surprised to see 3 this time, 2 on my right again. Apparently the 7.5 kicked it in the butt and now it’s an over achiever hah. 

Thank you friend, I missed you too ❤️ Same goes for you @emeraldduchess !

jennifer_louise

@kiki047 we'll thanks, friend. What I read from your post is that my LP is a totally unknown quantity this cycle. Not sure if that will make me more BSC or less. Probably more, because it's hard to imagine anything making me less...
🤣

@b_1029 we missed youuuuuu! Welcome back, friend. 💜 So sorry about your mental state. We're all here for you! Team @b_1029!!! 

misshelen86

@meri-mac So excited for you as you begin your IVF journey! Hope everything goes well with the baseline testing.

@inthewoods23 Sorry you’re stuck in limbo.. hope your ovaries do something soon! Enjoy the mini vacation! You sure deserve it!

@shoogapoff So sorry for the cancelled cycles and side effects! That all sounds incredibly frustrating. 

@b_1029 Welcome back, friend! You were missed! Sorry you aren’t in the best mental shape right now. We are here for you! FX one of these next 2 IUI’s will be a success! I find it helpful to try to stay in the present and not spend so much time worrying about what the future holds. Easier said than done, I know. 

mvt2003

@b_1029 Welcome back!!!! I've missed you!!!!!!!!!! FX for this IUI for you!!!

misshelen86

AF just showed up  HSG is booked for Nov 1st. Relieved that I could get an appointment so soon. Did you guys drive yourself? They told me they recommend having someone to drive you in case you feel unwell after.. I hate to ask DH to take anymore time off work, but it is a pretty long drive. 

mvt2003

@misshelen86 I'm so so sorry. So many internet hugs. 

I drove myself to and from my HSG, and was totally fine. @inthewoods23 and @emeraldduchess told me to take Tylenol an hour before, and I agree to definitely do that. I was completely fine until it wore off. I had a not-so-fun fairly rare reaction to it of severe cramping that evening but it was many hours later, and it was after my pain meds wore off. I went back to work that day and worked a full day with no issues. 

feather_heather

@misshelen86 - Sorry girl... I didn't drive myself for the HSG, but only because we did it the same day we got back from vacation - cruise ship docked and we drove straight to the hospital. I totally could have driven myself though! I had zero pain afterwards. 

meri-mac

@misshelen86 So sorry, hun. All the love and support DH was able to drive me to mine as his work schedule is very flexible, but I would have been able to drive myself. That being said, it is all about what is most comfortable for you especially if it is a long drive.

kpearse99

@misshelen86 sorry about AF - but glad you were able to get an HSG booked so soon! I drove myself, they never mentioned anything about having someone take me.  I did take Tylenol before, their recommendation, and I think I took it again a few hours later too. I didn't feel anything really during it or after, it honestly just felt like an annual check-up.

inthewoods23

@misshelen86 there's no reason to need someone to drive you. I've only needed to be driven home because I was put under for a procedure or because they gave me a Valium. And yes, take some ibuprofen or Tylenol beforehand to ease the cramping!

@b_1029 glad to see you back here! Missed you! ❤️ We're here for ya (and so is the mental health thread) 🙂 hope you get better results from this IUI!

emeraldduchess

@misshelen86 I am so sorry. So many hugs to you. My H drove me to my hycosy because I get really anxious driving into the city, but he also wanted to go. I felt a little crampy afterward, but I probably would have been able to drive home. I took an ibuprofen an hour before the scan and by the time it wore off, I was feeling fine. 

NYTino24

@jennifer_louise When I was on the oral, it did lengthen the LP a little bit, but AF still showed. The suppositories help keep AF away, but my level was already down to 7.5 so I expect AF within a day or so. 
@b_1029 Fingers crosses that your IUI works!

emeraldduchess

@jennifer_louise I have a wonky LP without progesterone. With it, AF doesn't start until a day or two after I stop taking it. 

Just took my first dose of letrozole. FX for this cycle. I really need some unicorn magic. 🦄 🌈

bluetickgal

Sorry ladies, I’m late to the party yet again this week! 

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS & Unexplained RPL

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Letrozole 5mg & started progesterone

How are things going?: Pretty good! Just excited to be in the TWW for the first time in what has felt like forever. I had some major confusion with O date and ended up starting progesterone late (5 or 6 DPO instead of 3DPO). 🤦🏼‍♀️ I’m going to add OPK’s back in next cycle to help avoid the confusion. 

Any questions?: None right now.

GTKY: What current fashion trend do you just not understand? I’m pretty sure I agree with every single one that has been mentioned (although I didn’t know the duck lips thing existed until now)! Mine would probably be cold shoulder tops though...I don’t get it, to me it looks like part of your shirt is missing. Please don’t hate me if you wear them, I know they are super popular! 

@NYTino24 I hope you have an awesome time on your Disney trip! So sorry You are moving on to another cycle! Sending hugs and positive vibes!  Hope you figure out a plan that works best for you for this next cycle though!! 

@emeraldduchess so sorry for the tough weekend, but I’m glad you were able to make the most of it! Sending you all the magic unicorn vibes!! Everything crossed that timing works out perfectly and this is your cycle!!

@jennifer_louise yay for your IUI, I have everything crossed timing was spot on! Hoping this is it for you!!

@feather_heather yay for starting meds! I’m sure you’ll get used to all the different injections and how they are supposed to be done! Good luck though!

@kpearse99 so glad you are feeling better this week! Have a fabulous time on vacation and enjoy your time away with YH! Yay for the start of FW coinciding with it!

@nitnat007 ugh, we recently finished painting our entire house, so I feel ya! Hope you are done soon! It’s such a great feeling once it’s complete! Yay for the gift from your MIL, that was very sweet!!

@mvt2003 so sorry for the SA results! I hope you feel comfortable with whatever plan you are given, whether it’s straight to IVF or not!

@kiki047 welcome back, so glad you had an awesome time on your honeymoon! So sorry you were welcomed back by AF though! Fingers crossed this 3rd IUI is a success!!

@misshelen86 so sorry AF showed, but I’m glad you got your HSG scheduled! I haven’t told my boss about what is going on, but after several appts. I just told him I had some medical stuff going on and I could explain if he needed me to. He said that wasn’t necessary unless I wanted to...which I really don’t right now.

@meri-mac yay for finishing BC! I hope your appt. went well today!

@inthewoods23 I hope you have an awesome mini-vacation!! No advice on how to wake up your ovaries, but I hope they get their act together while you are away!

@shoogapoff so sorry you are in this waiting period...hope AF shows soon so you can move on to the next cycle!! Everything crossed that this IUI is it for you!

@b_1029 welcome back, you were definitely missed!! So sorry for all the emotions, sending hugs! 💜 Good luck with your IUI tomorrow, fingers crossed this is it for you!

*Edited to fix spacing.*

NYTino24

@emeraldduchess I have all of the things crossed for you and hope side effects are minimal.
@bluetickgal Glad you’ve officially made it to the TWW. I agree that duck lips are so dumb!
@misshelen86 Sorry for CD1. Wishing that the HSG helps you cross things off your list and puts you a step closer to a THB.

CD1 / cycle 11 here we go. 

emeraldduchess

Good luck today, @b_1029!

kpearse99

@bluetickgal I’m so happy for you that you’re finally in the TWW, it has been forever for you! That’s how I felt last cycle too... just happy to have an actual shot, ya know?! 

meri-mac

@bluetickgal Appointment is tomorrow, but thanks for the well wishes!! So glad you are in the TWW.

feather_heather

Ladies that have done IVF, did you continue to work out thru the whole process? My RE says to take it easy during the TWW, but I'm reading online that you should take it easy during the whole cycle (something about keeping blood flow focused on the ovaries and not the body part you're working out). I only do pilates once or twice a week. Is this okay during stims, as long as I'm feeling good? 

inthewoods23

@feather_heather my RE didn't say anything about working out during my ER cycle, but I also don't work out regularly. If anything I'd probably go with less intensity as there can be discomfort as all the follicles grow. Post ER I know I had a 10lb weight lifting restriction for about 2 weeks. I just had to ask about lifting my cat since she's about 11lbs lol. They said pick her up at my descretion.

I always say do whatever feels right to you. People get KU all the time who work out intensely every single day so why should we need to sit on our butts?

nitnat007

@inthewoods23 FX that AF comes soon for you and you can move forward. I know we never 'want' her to show up, but getting back not knowing what your body is doing is so frustrating. 

@feather_heather I workout regularly and was told to take it easy while stimming. Their concern was the risk of ovarian torsion. They swell up so much during the process and risking one of them twisting is just not worth it. I kept it to walks, no intense movement and lifting nothing over 10lbs. Frustrating yes, but worth it. 

@shoogapoff Hoping that AF shows up soon for you or the testing gives you some answers. Sorry you can't catch a break. 

@NYTino24 Love that! thanks for sharing. 

@b_1029 Oh we missed you! Crying is nothing to feel bad about. Sending you all the positive vibes today for your iui. Sending hugs 

@misshelen86 So sorry. My HSG was fine. I walked to the clinic and back to work myself and would have driven with no issues if needed. I took a couple Advil beforehand, minor cramping after, but not a big deal. 

@bluetickgal I keep stepping back and admiring what we have done so far and am very happy. But far from finished. Glad to hear all the confusion got sorted out and you are officially in the TWW. Good Luck!

emeraldduchess

@bluetickgal yay for being in the TWW!! I had some confusion with O last cycle too. Silly ovaries. 

Finally was able to talk to one of the nurses at my RE's office. I can't really talk on the phone during the school day so it's been a game of phone tag. I requested monitoring my LH via blood test because my OPKs aren't always clear. Last cycle I never got a blazing positive and I'll be damned if I'm going to let this cycle get screwed up!

shoogapoff

Sorry I was MIA yesterday. I had a work training and couldn't check my phone. Thanks for all the well- wishes and commiserating. I finally started yesterday!! CD3 scan is tomorrow. FX for no issues. I'm picking up my letrozole today. 

@NYTino24 No plans to unblock my tube. Its not in a spot that is problematic, and they'll just make sure I have a good follie on my right side when we finally move forward. 

@jennifer_louise I took last month off completely, so I didn't track at all. 

@b_1029 Good to hear from you! Good luck!!

emeraldduchess

@shoogapoff can I ask what they check for on a CD3 scan? My RE has yet to mention one but I know a lot of people have had them done. Good luck! 

bluetickgal

@kpearse99 yes, the feeling that there is actually a chance this cycle is wonderful! I don’t expect it to happen, but at least there is a shot! 

@meri-mac sorry, I read that as you were finishing BC and having your appt. on the same day...that’s not what you said though! Haha. Hope all goes well tomorrow! 

@nitnat007 progress is good!! Glad you are liking it all so far! Are you doing the whole house? We did every single room on random weekends and it took so long! But now it’s done and we love it! 

@emeraldduchess I remember you saying you started/stopped/started progesterone last cycle! Yes to the silly ovaries! I am usually pretty confident about O, not sure why the first cycle it truly matters I had a totally wonky chart! Glad they will be monitoring your LH this cycle so you don’t have to bother with OPK’s! I stopped using them before because they were always slightly positive and I think I have a short surge, but I’m willing to give it another try. 

*Edited to fix spacing...I don’t know what the heck I’m doing to get the extra lines! It looks normal until I post!*

shoogapoff

@emeraldduchess They are looking for cysts, primarily, and making sure my uterus and ovaries are normal. They also draw labs. Last time, I had a cyst that was excreting estrogen, so they wouldn't proceed with iui. I'm not sure what else to be worried about, though. 

mvt2003

I scheduled MH in to see the urologist of my RE practice, first available was in 2 weeks And that's just the consult! Preliminary research tells me we'll need 2 abnormal SAs on file and they normally test 2-3 months apart to allow for any changes to take effect. So I guess I'm clear to register for all of my upcoming 5ks. 

I'm doing another turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning, then I'm also doing a Jingle All The Way 5k in December, and I do a New Year's Day "First Run." Hopefully that will distract me through this holiday season. 

emeraldduchess

@bluetickgal they told me to use opks too, but I am glad I have the option of bloodwork.  Not that I like being poked, but I need to take some of the pressure off with the less than clear readings on my opks. 

@mvt2003 glad you could get an appointment so quickly! That must be a relief that it's not a long wait. I hope the holiday races give you the distraction you are looking for. 💙

mvt2003

@emeraldduchess Glad they're going to give you the BW option!!! The Jingle All The Way 5k is at a popular winery in the area, so I'm pretty excited about that. It was at a brewery last year, so I'm happy I'll have a keto-friendly post race adult beverage option! 

NYTino24

@emeraldduchess I know my CD3 is usually just bloodwork but I think I might have a scan on Friday will be to see if the blood clots and fluid are gone. BW is usually estriadol, FSH, and progesterone levels. They also check lining and count follicles, which seems crazy as most of us are still bleeding then... BUT most women start their Clomid / Letrozole on CD3 or 4. I started the Clomid on CD6 and I had a mature follicle by CD10 after not even taking all of the prescribed doses. Trigger was CD11 and O on CD12. (Years ago I ovulated around CD19-24 most of the time and before meds it was at the earliest CD15 and usually 18-19). It seems weird when you haven’t done or aren’t doing a medicated cycle and then all of a sudden it makes sense when you are. 

emeraldduchess

@shoogapoff @NYTino24 thanks for clarifying the CD3 ultrasound for me. I thought it was strange that it was never ordered for me, but since my hycosy included a scan of my ovaries, maybe it wasn't necessary.  
I was weirdly excited starting the letrozole last night. As much as I wish we didn't have to do all this, I felt good knowing it might get me a step closer to our THB(or TBHs since the RE said this could increase the chance of twins...).

ramzlau

Hey, since we are waiting for a consultation with our RE, I am going to join you ladies here if you don't mind. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): Chronic endometritis (with some elevated prolactin and hyperthyroidism)

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): Benched until we see RE

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Consultation, possibly endo biopsy and ABX, and assuming we will start the vitamin protocol of D3, CoQ10, baby aspirin, folate, and zinc for H. Hoping to avoid synthroid if possible. 

How are things going?: Taking a deep breath being back in the IF world, but hoping this doesn't mean back to square 1. I will feel better once we talk with who I call wonder woman (our RE)

Any questions?:
When you do a semen sample (for example for an IUI), what benefit does washing it have? Does it have higher success rates due to the washing (in my mind this would be like the survival of the fittest?)? 

GTKY: What current fashion trend do you just not understand?
The throw back to 80s styles. They were so unflattering the first time we wore them, why do it again?! 

bows22

Hi everyone! I hope you don’t mind if I join you. I’ve been lurking for awhile because I care about you guys so much ❤️❤️and I didn’t want to ask questions in other threads that you’ve already answered here. I had my RE appt this week and we are going to get started with some testing so I thought I’d jump in. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): Not yet

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Testing for me will be next cycle. DH has his SA next week. 

How are things going?: Our appointment was really good. I liked the PA I saw and the only thing that she said that annoyed me was that I can stop doing BBT tracking since it’s “so unreliable” 🙄. This is the testing that they do in case anyone thinks something is missing?

-CD 3 bloodwork and pelvic ultrasound 

-SHG sometime between CD 10-14

-Bloodwork the day after a positive OPK to make sure the ones I’m using are reading my body correctly

-7 DPO bloodwork 

Between a work trip and the restrictions on sex around the SHG, there’s a great chance I would end up effectively benched this cycle unless the SHG is on one specific day, so I called the scheduler yesterday and asked if I could schedule it in advance since I know when my next cycle should start based on my LP. She said they don’t usually do that but since it sounds like I am tracking pretty well, she would make an exception for me, as long as I called on CD1 to confirm. Hooray! Now hopefully my body cooperates. 

Any questions?: During my last cycle I had what felt like really bad ovulation pain in the TWW and again after AF this cycle. I talked to my OB’s office about it and they said the IF testing would look for anything that could be causing that, do you know if that would be the pelvic ultrasound or the SHG? Or both? 

GTKY: What current fashion trend do you just not understand? Those shirts that are kind of bunched up into a ball in the front? Who looks good in those? Definitely not me. 

bows22

@NYTino24 I’m so sorry for AF. I cannot wait to hear about your Disney trip!

@emeraldduchess Hi!! I’ve missed you since you stopped doing the dailies! I’m taking a break from them too currently. I hope you guys can find a way to make the timing work this cycle for the IUI. 

@jennifer_louise I wonder what would happen if you told your RE that you think the timing was off and it shouldn’t count toward your 3? But I hope you are wrong! And I hope the prometrium is going easy on you 

@feather_heather I hope you feel less overwhelmed after you got your meds and such organized. I’m so excited for you!

@kpearse99 I hope you’re having an amazing time on your trip! Keep us posted on what your RE says about monitoring on IUI day. 

@nitnat2007 that’s so nice of your MIL. I know what you mean about not wanting to regret it later, but hopefully it will be fine. 

@mvt2003 ugh why can’t the process just go faster? I hope you get some good news at the urology appointment that helps to move things along. I’m assuming you will go too?

@kiki047 I’m so glad you had an amazing honeymoon. I laughed at your PSA, but I’m sorry for AF. I hope you get to try on your own between the IUI and IVF. 

@misshelen86 I’m going to have to miss some work for my testing so I think I’m just going to tell my boss. I don’t even know if he will notice but in case he does I don’t want him to think I’m sneaking around. I hope your counseling appt helped you❤️

@meri-mac yes!! Glad things are getting started. I’m excited for you! 

@inthewoods23 have a wonderful time!! Safe travels!

@shoogapoff wtf to your body? But so happy to hear AF arrived. I know this has been so frustrating and I don’t blame you for feeling that way. 

@b_1029 so very happy to see you back here ❤️❤️I love that your right side is making up for lost time!

@bluetickgal Hi!! I’m sorry I abandoned you in the dailies. But I’m so happy to see you are in the TWW now!

@ramzlau I hope you get to see your RE soon. Do you have anything scheduled yet?

Whew, I think I got everyone! I hope you are all having a great week!

NYTino24

@ramzlau The was removes dead or deformed sperm.
@bows22 You are welcome to join, although you know we wish you didn’t have to. The US will check your uterus and ovaries. Keep temping! It helped me realize I was going to ovulate super early on meds because of a big temp drop that I normally have before O.

emeraldduchess

@bows22 hi, friend! I'm so sorry that you find yourself here. I've missed you too. I had to stop with the dailies since it was just too hard to keep up with those plus IF and TTCAL once school started again. 
The first RE appointment and the testing process can be really overwhelming, so lots of hugs to you. 💚 The nurse at my RE's office said something similar about bbt. She didn't say to stop it all together, but she warned me not to put too much stock into it, especially post-O. 

jennifer_louise

Hi @bows22, sorry you find yourself here . I'm glad your first appt went well. Did your doc mention an HSG? Mine had me do both an SHG and HSG since SHG doesn't usually check tubes.
Unfortunately, neither my OB or RE was interested in me continuing to chart... Despite the fact that I feel like I have learned a lot about my cycle with it! Oh well... 

bluetickgal

@mvt2003 glad you were able to get an appt. with the urologist fairly quickly. That stinks you may not be able to really start treatment for a few months, but I love your positivity and goal to distract yourself with races! 

@emeraldduchess ah, that’s good you can do both to get added assurance! Haha, no being poked is no fun...but hopefully removing some of the stress will help! 

@ramzlau I hope you can get in to see your RE quickly and you can get a plan in place! Hopefully you aren’t back to square 1 and can just switch some things up! 

@bows22 Hi friend!! I have definitely missed you in the dailies...I’m happy your data is about to reset! ☺️ I’m glad your RE appt went well and you have a plan in place for testing! I’d say if you feel better charting and want to continue, I’d go for it! I took off a cycle from temping a few months ago to be more relaxed, and it actually kind of stressed me out not knowing what was going on for sure! Fingers crossed timing works out perfectly for your SHG and to still be able to try next cycle! Better yet, I hope you get KU this cycle before even starting testing!! 

mokay19

Lurking

@bows22 sorry you find yourself going to the RE. I would think that the ultrasound and SHG would give the doctor an idea if there is anything abnormal that could be causing that pain (ex: a cyst)

My RE doesn’t schedule HSG’s right away like yours because she can usually get an idea during the SHG. During the ultrasound, you could see the water flow through my tubes and out the other side. Also, *TW* I had a history of losses so it was evident that the egg was going through the tube, just not sticking around *end TW*

good luck!

kpearse99

@ramzlau I’m so sorry you’re back here, but I think it’s good you called your RE. They know you and everything you went through before.  When they do a sperm wash it removes all of the seamen and leaves just the sperm... the good ones that have a chance!

@bows22 oh, my friend... I hate that you have found yourself needing to be here, I did not want this for you 💔 on an upside, we get to be here together and go through this together, as you are never alone in this group.