IF Testing and Treatment Week of 10/28-11/3/19

kpearse99

@feather_heather WOW!!!!!!!! That is fantastic news!!!!

@shoogapoff 42 mil is an amazing number!!! FX for you, love!!!

kpearse99

@inthewoods23 I love that you post that GIF when it's needed!!! It's my favorite And I've been telling that to my own since the IUI   

beckylookatherbump

@feather_heather that’s so many! So awesome. Congrats girl.

inthewoods23

@kpearse99 I have my select few gifs that I love reposting because they are just perfect to our situations 😁

Other favorite is Dwight

meri-mac

@feather_heather Wow! I don't know if it is true, but that seems like overachieving to me  Woot for Tuesday!

@shoogapoff So exciting, hun! All good vibes!!

@kiki047 Sometimes a gal just has to rely on herself I am feeling good about the process. They upped my Gonal-F as predicted and ER is going to be next week provided my right ovary responds. I will find out on Sunday. The nurse on the phone predicted either Wednesday or Thursday and I am so eager to get this party started. My RE also said IVF can be diagnostic because they get to take a closer look at both sperm and egg and how they interact. If it doesn't go as planned, it may at least provide some answers. But I have no reason to believe it won't all be fine

Edited for tags

mvt2003

@feather_heather So excited for you!!!!!!!! Hope you're feeling well (and happy!) today friend!!!!!!! 

misshelen86

HSG done.

My right tube was open and the left is possibly blocked. She said it could have been a spasm but she used 4 syringe of contrast and it just accumulated. I’m pretty upset 😢 

kpearse99

@misshelen86 so now what? Did she say what the next steps are?

emeraldduchess

Lots of good news in the thread today! Makes me so happy!

Got my bloodwork back, still no surge. DH and I are headed into the city tomorrow, I guess. I'm on CD13 today, so it just hit me that IUI will probably be next week...

misshelen86

@kpearse99 I’ll be following up with my regular RE in a few weeks to discuss whether we repeat it or do a laparoscopy or something else. 

kiki047

@feather_heather ahhh such great news!! Grow little embies, grow!!
@shoogapoff yay! MH has some count issues so I'm always beyond amazed at other people's #s. That sounds great, FX for you!! 
@meri-mac yay your retrieval is coming up so soon! My RE said the same thing about IVF - depending on how many eggs we get he wants to do about 1/2 or 1/3 ICSI and the rest "regular" IVF to see how the sperm interacts with my eggs. I'm fine with that, but it does make me nervous that we won't get "enough" because I'd still like to have enough for subsequent transfers if the first one doesn't go as planned. It's hard not to think about it that way, I'm a planner, I always have a fallback plan. 
@misshelen86 oh no hun, I'm so sorry. I hope it isn't what it seems and that there's an easy answer/fix. *hugs* Be kind to yourself this weekend  

shoogapoff

@misshelen86 I'm so sorry! The same thing happened to me. It's hard to get that news, even if it's not 100% certain. Did the HSG hurt? Mine was pretty uncomfortable, and I assumed it was because the dye couldn't get through the left side. Hugs, love. 

@meri-mac FX for great news on Sunday. I'm glad you and your RE seem to be on the same page. 

shoogapoff

@kiki047 Thanks! I  know others have issues on the man's end, and I grateful that's not our case. I do feel badly that it's 100% on me why we're having trouble. (I'm not saying that for pity. Just acknowledging our reality). When I saw his number today, I went from being relieved it was good to feeling guilty that this would be so easy for him if he'd married someone else. Aaargh! Why is IF such a mind eff?!

misshelen86

@shoogapoff Thanks. It was pretty crampy and uncomfortable. What were the next steps for you, if it’s ok to ask? Also FX for you, great numbers! 

shoogapoff

@misshelen86 Because it looked like my blockage was proximal (close to the uterus instead of the ovary), they didn't do anything. My dr offered to repeat the HSG, but didn't push it. I've always had follies on both sides, so even if the ones on the left couldn't get through, it wasn't a wasted cycle, if that makes sense. 

NYTino24

@feather_heather Woohoo! Awesome news 

@shoogapoff Yay!!!

Lots of maturing follicles (like 6 or 7 at 12+ with like 4 at 13 and one at 17 with a good lining of 7+ considering it’s only CD10. Seems like Letrozole had a slow and steady approach that helped a lot compared to Clomid. Appointment Sunday for check and probably trigger at night with IUI Mon / Tue and leave for Disney Wednesday. Fingers crossed!

I’ll be back to catch up on the later middle part of this thread... so much good stuff going on!

mvt2003

I told my first person about our IF diagnosis today. My work bestie knew I was trying, but hadn't asked for any details. She showed me a pregnancy announcement today and asked me not to do it that way when it's my turn, and I took the opening to tell her there won't be any announcement for a while. She was encouraging, and it felt good to tell another person. Plus she's cool, so there won't be any drama from telling her. 

b_1029

I'm literally the worst. catching up now...

@meri-mac I'm glad to hear your injections are going relatively well!  Also that's pretty awesome about the dog! What great updates on your ultrasounds, hope the BW comes back quickly!

@nitnat007 thank you for your kind words as always I've never heard about nasal spray, but I'm so excited for you that you're getting started with everything! 5 times a day though...yuckkk. I hate nasal spray with a passion lol. 

@kpearse99 I had some fluid leak out after mine and was like WTF NOOOO! Hopefully the essentials made it, lol. Also, I spotted a little after this IUI but didn't after the first one. It sounds like we're twins this cycle so obviously that's a sign!

@pom9207 welcome and I'm so sorry you find yourself here Hopefully your OPK gets darker / positive soon! Sending good vibes! It sounds like you've been through a lot to get here. 

@jennifer_louise you're the best. I'm so sorry you're feeling so weighed down. I think it's perfectly normal especially at this point in the journey when it becomes "real". I'm also avoiding my friends, especially the KU/TTC ones and it makes me feel like sh*t. I hope you're able to do something fun with a "safe" friend and enjoy yourself some - you deserve it! 

@ramzlau I think I missed you during my bump break at the beginning of the month, but I'm sorry you find yourself back here. I'm happy to hear your RE appointment went well, and I hope your testing goes well also! 

@misshelen86 I'm happy you have some stuff going on over the next few weeks to keep you busy! It'll be here before you know it! I hope that if you decide to tell family/friends that it goes well
I just got to your update from earlier today - ugh friend, I am so sorry. Hopefully your right side just does all the work in the meantime while you wait for a plan.

@NYTino24 wooo look at you follie queen, haha! Are they worried there are that many / will all of them mature (even after 4 rounds of monitoring I don't really know how it all works)? Hope everything goes well with your next appt, trigger, and IUI! 

@beckylookatherbump I'm sorry, that's so frustrating. Hope you are able to get an earlier appointment! 

@shoogapoff hooray for good news all around this week! I'm glad your IUI went well, great numbers for YH! 

@emeraldduchess I'm so glad your boss was supportive!! Ah, that's awesome! Super annoying about the long drive just for a blood draw, ahhh the things we do. Any way you can it make a fun trip to the city with YH or something over the weekend?

@bluetickgal omg same on letting the thread getting away from you - I seem to do it every week. Sorry for the BFN, how many DPO are you? I know you post in the dailies, sorry, I never lurk there anymore  

@keikilove aww thank you so much for your kind words and positivity as always I hope we all get to move to July together. Wow, your new protocol is super fascinating. So hopeful for you! I would be biting my nails FOR SURE.

@feather_heather 11 - that's awesome! great news! Congrats on awesome results. Hope they continue to grow, grow, grow!

@kiki047 yay, always love "seeing" you I'm sad that the IUIs didn't work out for you, but I'm excited for you to get started on your IVF protocol. Your poor H - mine is the same!

emeraldduchess

@misshelen86 I just read your HSG update. I'm so sorry, friend. 💚 Hopefully it can be fixed easily. Lots of hugs to you!

@mvt2003 I'm glad you told your friend and that she was supportive. Sometimes it's a huge load off your mind when you can share what you're facing, even if it's only with one or two people. 💙

kiki047

@shoogapoff MH says the same thing to me all the time. He went through a major depression right before we got married because he felt like he was 'trapping' me without a guarantee he'd ever be able to produce a baby. He picked a bunch of fights with me so I'd have an 'out' in case I changed my mind and wanted to pick someone more fertile. The mind is a mysterious, complicated thing. I'm sorry you have those feelings about yourself. This is nobody's fault, you are a team and you're both doing everything you can to make a baby! YH is so lucky to have you  
@NYTino24 yay sounds like a great update! So many follies! 
@b_1029 I'm not going anywhere anytime soon, forever lurking. 

ramzlau

@kpearse99 whoa that is interesting that he won't put you on progesterone. It may not help to get you pregnant, but it sure keeps you pregnant. Low progesterone is common in AMA, which is why my OBGYN had me do a progesterone check at 14DPO. Has your RE ever checked your progesterone levels during your LP? Two REs and two OBGYNs have all separately said there is no harm in doing progesterone during TWW just in case. Hate to be the negative one, but I would get a second opinion, even just from your OBGYN. 

@kiki047 I don't remember there being any specific questions around AMH test results. There are a lot of differing opinions on whether AMH is reliable at all as to predicting fertility. It basically is just a snapshot of where you are today, but can't predict the future (something about it acting like a cliff and the best predictor of the cliff is genetics vs current levels). 

@shoogapoff yay for IUI! Fx for you! 

@feather_heather Woohoo! 11 fertilized! Go embryos go! Tuesday will be here before you know it! 

AFM: HSS went well today! They said uterus is beautiful! For anyone wondering HSS is way easier than HSG. Fewer steps, quicker, and just requires transvaginal ultrasound instead of X-ray imaging. No balloon needed for HSS either. 

ramzlau

And posting a second, because apparently I missed the next page. 

@misshelen86 That is hard to hear, but I hope it helps with next steps and sheds light into what has been the problem. 

@mvt2003 Having a supportive friend makes all the difference! Glad you have someone that has your back at work! 

pom9207

@feather_heather wohoo! grow embryos grow!

@shoogapoff yay for IUI done & great post wash number!

@misshelen86 so sorry about the HSG. Sending you hugs.
I have done a HyCoSy. The doctor mentioned that my left tube looks better than my right tube. And I always ovulate on my right side 

@NYTino24 Glad that letrozole works so well for you!

@mvt2003 Kudos to you for sharing with a work friend! I hope I can tell someone in real life about my struggles, too... It's so hard to be open about IF!

edit: I can't type...

pom9207

OPK still shows negative. Today is  already CD16 
I really hope I can get IUI #1 this cycle

bluetickgal

@misshelen86 so sorry for the potential blocked tube! Hope they discover it isn’t or that it’s at least an easy fix if so!
@emeraldduchess yay for your IUI next week! That’s so exciting! 

@shoogapoff sending you so many hugs!! 💜 I’ve felt very similar and have apologized to DH multiple times...the problem is all on my end (PCOS & RPL)! DH says that we are a team, so it is our problem...and I know he’s right, but it’s still tough sometimes! You and YH are a team and you will get through this together! 

@NYTino24 yay for lots of follies! That’s wonderful your timing should work out perfectly for your Disney trip! 

@mvt2003 I’m glad you were able to share with a coworker/friend and that she was so supportive!

@b_1029 thanks lady! Unfortunately it’s 16DPO, so I’m stopping the progesterone and WFAF now. On to the next cycle! Are you doing betas or testing on your own? It’s so easy to let this thread get away from you, it moves so fast!

@ramzlau glad your HSS went well! I had an SHG, which sounds similar! 

@pom9207 hope you get a positive OPK soon and can move forward with the IUI! 

*Edited to fix spacing...I’m about to give up on this, I don’t know what my problem is!*

keikilove

@bluetickgal I don’t think there’s anything you’re doing wrong. When I mobile bump there are always unpredictable issues with spacing etc. idk why TB can’t fix these ongoing problems. Probably because they’re just slightly annoying first-world problems hahaha. 

@ramzlau So glad you had a great appointment with your RE! She sounds super thorough and like she’s covered all your bases. Awesome! 

@kiki047 So glad to see you back here and YESSSS! for moving to IVF! That is soooo exciting, so happy for you & DH! Re: your AMH question: Just go in prepared to not care too much about the number. If you get a result in the normal range for your age it will be reassuring. But if you get a number that is low for your age just blow it off. You’re moving to IVF so it doesn’t even matter anyway. (The first RE I saw scared me by delivering my very low AMH number to me without a warning. But I’ve still managed to have initially great results with IUI so I throw that AMH number and DOR label out the window.) 

@nitnat007 Sorry the nasal spray has those icky side effects but  hooray 😄 for starting the whole process—this has been such an exciting week in the IF thread!

@feather_heather Congrats on that amazing fertilized egg count! Prayers up that everything continues to go just as perfectly all the way through🙏🏽❤️

@shoogapoff Congrats on that amazing washed sperm count! We are IUI beta buddies.😊 

@meri-mac & @emeraldduchess Looking forward to next week for both of you!🤞🏽

@mvt2003 Just wanted to say congrats on your decorations and getting 3rd place!🏅Your efforts were awesome.

@misshelen86 I’m so sorry about the blocked tube. I hope the next few weeks help it resolve so you can move on. 

@NYTino24 Congrats on those great follie sizes & what sounds perfect IUI timing. Just wanted to add to your comment on fluid in the uterus: I just had the same thing happened during my U/S. The tech said it’s very common to have fluid in the uterus, especially with a retroverted/tilted uterus. (Do you have that? I do.) Her theory is that the body makes the fluid to help the back of the uterus sit more comfortably/feel more comfortable since it tilts backwards. Nothing to worry about. 

@pom9207 Sorry for the negative OPKs. Really hoping that changes soon so you can go forward soon with the IUI! 

keikilove

@kiki047 Thanks for thinking of me! I did just have the appointment with the Reproductive Immunologist. It was 4 hours of efficient awesomeness! Sharing details in case anyone finds new ideas to pursue w their own RE or wants the RI’s info. The appointment was very thorough, excellent. 

First I had a 1-hour ultrasound: abdominal U/S followed by a lengthy internal U/S. The tech checked blood flow (mine came back good, so relieved!), found a varicose vein in my uterus (?!), and saw TWO collapsed follicles, one on each side. This made sense since my RE had said during the IUI “you also have something happening on the left”, plus I felt left-sided ovulation pain on the flight to the RI. This was a FULL 24 HOURS after I’d felt ovulation pain on the right side, so I’m now a firm believer in HIO on O day +1!   @kpearse99 Of course I was thinking of you! Twinsies!

After the U/S I had blood drawn for all kinds of tests, especially for RPL, immune factors, and blood-clotting disorders=23 vials of blood! (The most I’ve ever had was 11 or 14 in the past!)!

Then a different U/S tech took me back for a thyroid check. I have multiple nodules that I must have checked out by an endocrinologist here at home. Gulp. 

Next, another nurse took a detailed history of my losses, treatments, etc. Oh, she also did a breast exam. Eeeeww.😆 @kpearse99 I thought of you again because she said light jogging would be ok during this TWW-just no sprinting or anything too strenuous. I think I’m still too scared to try anything more than walking and light hand weights though. 

Finally I met with the doctor, plus another male doctor that is learning Reproductive Immunology from her, plus a university intern. The doctor reviewed all the supplements & medicine I’m on & agreed with almost everything that my RE & myself have me taking. But she said to stop the Vitex & DHEA once the TWW starts because their androgens can interfere with estrogen balance. She also added more methylfolate since I have an MTHFR mutation & can’t process folic acid. She said I need to do low-carb diet—even more than just the Mediterranean diet I’ve been on. Apparently she does this for all her patients across the board but does not say to do Keto specifically. She wants all patients to limit carbs & all sugars since it leads to inflammation. She also said I should start the estradiol & progesterone 2 days after O instead of waiting. If I get a BFP we will double my dose of Lovenox to keep the natural killer cells & cytokines down and increase blood flow. She said she believes my issue is definitely autoimmune since I have a history of Lyme disease, but that these autoimmune issues can be triggered in people for multiple reasons. The nurse said she believes the rise in IF is due to all the pollutants in our food, the air, etc... I will know more about the treatment plan once all my bloodwork results are in within a couple of weeks.  

I saw Dr. Kwak-Kim in Chicago. She takes almost all insurance & bills it as Immunology, so those whose insurance doesn’t cover IF can still get these appointments covered. After the initial appointment everything else can be done via labs and phone/portal consults. Other options for RIs are Alan E Beer Center in California and Braverman/Vidali in NY. Feel free to message me if you’d like any more info. 

ramzlau

@keikilove Wow that sounds thorough! Love that they are onboard with your RE treatment with a few tweaks. I also have nodules on my thyroid, had a sonogram of them, and they were small and haven’t grown, but probably the cause of my elevated TSH. So don’t stress about them too much. 21 vials?! Wow! Drink all the water! Fx for everything! 

emeraldduchess

@keikilove I am so glad you had a good experience with the RI! 

kpearse99

Holy moly a lot happened last night on this thread!

@ramzlau I trust my RE a whole lot. He said I could do progesterone if I wanted to, but that in his experience it doesn’t help, it would only prolong a MC if one was going to happen. He said he would also put me on it If hCG showed I was pregnant but progesterone was low. He said that progesterone fluctuates so much during the day that it’s difficult to get an accurate reading during the LP because you wouldn’t know if you were at the high end or low end, which I read up on and he is correct about that. Anyway, we’ll see how this IUI cycle ends up and I’ll ask to go on it next cycle If need be. 

@mvt2003 I am so happy you told someone!! It must have felt like such a weight bad been lifted, I know that’s how it felt for me. I’m proud of you for letting someone in, you don’t have to go through this alone. ♥️♥️ 

@NYTino24 awesome update!! Sounds like the timing will be perfect and then you get to go play in Disney!! 

@b_1029 I love that we are IUI cycle buddies with how we felt after! I’ll take that as a sign, indeed! 

@keikilove wow! What an extensive work up!! I’m so glad you thought of me during your breast exam 😂😂 I am still bitter with MH that he wouldn’t give me the +1!!! It sounds like you ovulated two eggies too!!! We are totally twins this cycle!! I have a gooooood feeling for you, friend!!! 

emeraldduchess

Well, DH and I got lost in the hospital but finally made it for my blood draw. And we get to do it again tomorrow. Yaaayyy...we feel like such morons. 🤣

shoogapoff

@keikilove Yay for being beta buddies! 

@kiki047 Thank you so much for saying that. I know MH loves me and doesn't regret marrying me, even if it's meant TTC has been harder. But it helps to hear how you feel about YH and have that confirmation that there isn't any resentment there. 

@emeraldduchess Oh no! Sorry you got lost! That's so stressful! At least you'll know where to go tomorrow, but it stinks you have to make that drive again!

NYTino24

@kieikilove I’ve probably had at least 25 ultrasounds and have never been told I have a tilted uterus, so I don’t think so... I know my twin had one (she had a partial hysterectomy due to too much endo damage). 
@b_1029 I think they think there is too much of a gap between the lead follicle and the others for them to be substantial, but that’s what the US and BW are for tomorrow. They didn’t tell us to abstain or anything, so I’m guessing it’s not an issue, and there is a lower risk of multiples on Letrozole than Clomid. Taking the meds earlier this cycle (CD3-7) vs last cycle (CD6-10) made the difference in having more mature follicles this time I think. If they are worried, I won’t trigger and they will cancel... which I don’t anticipate. I’ll keep you posted. FYI for others who are curious, Letrozole seems to have a higher success rate.
@emeraldduchess I think most hospitals are like mazes. I think the ones by me started off fairly simple and then had random additions that complicated things.

emeraldduchess

@shoogapoff the drive wasn't bad at all, we made it into the city in less than an hour without traffic. That makes me feel a lot better about going in tomorrow.  Hopefully I will O this week so we won't have to go into the city for the IUI. Plus I am a little weirded out about a total stranger performing the actual procedure. 

@NYTino24 comparing the hospitals to a maze is an understatement! The majority of the hospitals in the city are connected by bridges, so at one point we weren't even sure which one we were in. I'm grateful that we are so close to some of the best hospitals in the country, though. 

pom9207

I tested around 5pm today and got a positive OPK. Went to my OB’s office right after, where she did a pelvic ultrasound for me.

This time I finally have a dominant follicle on the left side, but my OB said the size is only 14mm*16mm, which is too small to be considered a good follicle. (But why? She didn’t explain to me...) so no IUI this cycle.

My OB doesn’t seem to be comfortable about handling IF case like mine. Guess I will move ahead with an initial consultation with an RE this month or next month, depending on availability.

emeraldduchess

@pom9207 I am so sorry about the cancelled IUI. That really sucks, especially since your OB didn't even give you an explanation about the follicles. 
I hope you are able to get an appointment with an RE quickly! I personally went straight to an RE without talking to my OBGYN after a certain point (I am also over 35). You deserve the best care possible and if your OB doesn't seem comfortable treating IF, you'll be much better off with a specialist. 

emeraldduchess

I got my bloodwork back for my LH levels and it looks like they stalled/dropped. 😞 Not sure what that means, but now I have to go in for an ultrasound to check for follicles, and more bloodwork. They're checking my LH, estrogen and progesterone. I just hope this isn't indicating a bigger issue that'll be difficult to fix. 

b_1029

@emeraldduchess ugh I’m sorry, that’s so frustrating. ❤️❤️

kpearse99

@emeraldduchess I’m sorry you got those results. I’m hoping so hard it doesn’t mean anything significant ♥️ When do you go back? 

emeraldduchess

@b_1029 thank you.  My mind immediately goes to a bad place and imagines the worst, so I am trying really hard not to fall down a google rabbit hole. I'm just SO sick of this stupid rollercoaster (as I know we all are). Can I just throw some pixie dust and we can all be out of here with our THBs??