IF Testing and Treatment Week of 11/18-11/25/19

keikilove

@ellieemc26 Glad to hear the IUI went well for you! FX for a great outcome in the next couple of weeks!

@pom9207 @nytino24 @emeraldduchess I also just asked my RE whether there’s any way to test my egg quality without doing IVF. She said No, it’s only done in conjunction with egg retrieval/IVF. ☹️

@kpearse99 There’s a specific blood test to measure your AMH, which is supposed to indicate approximately how many eggs you have left, as @ellieemc26 said. It doesn’t tell you quality of the eggs. There’s also a school of thought that says knowing your AMH alone isn’t as useful without knowing your FSH. This helps create the picture of how many eggs you’re producing each cycle & how many you have left overall. (I think I got that right, maybe not exactly!) 

https://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/dor/amh-levels/

keikilove

@kiki047 Thinking of you today! Hoping all goes great with your appointment, please let us know what you thought about the procedure.  

bows22

@keikilove thanks for posting that link. The ranges that were posted with my results were not helpful, but that link really was! I’m hovering around the cutoff on both, which could be worse I guess. I think it’s amazing that you have found such a perfect RE that is just as invested in your journey as you are. 

@NYTino24 I’m sorry that your insurance has such crappy guidelines. That’s so frustrating 

NYTino24

@pom9207 *TW I have had 3 miscarriages, including a BO and CP. We don’t have an explanation for any of them and since the sperm seems to be okay, that points to the eggs. */TW* I’ll be 37 in March.

emeraldduchess

@keikilove it sucks that they can't test egg quality without IVF. I have a gut feeling that is the issue with me (my 38th birthday is a month from tomorrow). 
AFM, I had some brown spotting last night and this morning, so I am 99.9% sure the IUI failed. I'll confirm that with a frer tomorrow and betas on Monday.
I rage-cried in the shower, then somehow managed to get my butt out the door to work. I am so unbelievably angry right now. I might buy a pinata after school just so I can beat the ever-loving crap out of something. 

keikilove

@emeraldduchess F$%@!!!!! I am so sorry for the spotting & that you feel sure it means the IUI didn’t work. This whole process is such a freaking ordeal to go through. Kudos to you for somehow getting yourself out the door under the circumstances! I know we were all praying for a mass exodus out of TTGP. I guess we can go with your idea until that time comes. Hugs to you!!!

meri-mac

@emeraldduchess No! That sucks. I'm so sorry. Let us know about the FRER. All the creepy internet vibes

mvt2003

Ugh I'm so sorry @emeraldduchess. So many internet hugs. 

inthewoods23

Ugh, so sorry @emeraldduchess. I really hate when I see failed cycles 😢 a pinata sounds like an excellent idea. Hugs!

ellieemc26

Sorry @emeraldduchess sending good thoughts your way.  

bows22

Ugh @emeraldduchess I’m so sorry. I hope that the spotting is somehow just a fluke. 

kiki047

Oh @emeraldduchess that royally sucks. I hope it isn't what you think and will be sending all the positive vibes to you for your test tomorrow. 

@keikilove you're the sweetest for thinking of me. TLDR: After some initial mishaps, the actual biopsy and mock transfer was fine. Uncomfortable, a huge pinch and some bad cramping afterwards *but it was quick. And the good news is I didn't pee on my RE   Believe me, I came close. 

*Edited to fix typo 

The long version of it is in a spoiler:

The entire ordeal was so absurd it was almost funny, except that I had to go in with a full bladder and was quite literally prancing around the waiting room because I was going to burst so MH was under strict instructions not to make me laugh. It turns out it was a new tech who didn't really know the procedures, and since they had to switch the room over from cycle monitoring to do whatever they had to do for the mock transfer, it took even longer. I complained that I was going to make a mess on the floor so they let me go to the bathroom to let out "a little", which felt good at the time but didn't really help.

From the time I got there I waited 25 mins to actually get in the room, and then she did the initial U/S but there was a power blip in the middle of it and the machine froze so she couldn't finish. She did exclaim "OH WOW that's a full bladder!" *here let me push on it and wipe cold lube around you to make you more uncomfortable*.

While the machine was rebooting she let me go back to the bathroom and let it trickle for 5 seconds... uhh... word to the wise, practice peeing and then stopping yourself and getting up and trying to go about your normal activities. I was dyyying. At that point it had been about 45 mins since I got there, and all the water I drank was continuing to build up in my bladder lol. She finished her thing, then we had to wait for my RE to come out of his other appt. Waited probably 15 mins, at which point he came in and said "oh the biopsy always takes precedence, next time just knock and I'll come right out." Me: OMG you mean I just about almost pee'd my pants 3 times for nothing?

And since the girl was new she didn't have anything set up, no speculum, etc. By the time they got everything set up and he walked her through every step, getting her to turn the screen towards me so he could explain what he was doing, etc, the procedure was quick, - painful - but he was in and out. I may have rearranged the bones in MH's hand, but it was basically like a pap or IUI except with more pinching from the biopsy. The full bladder was definitely the worst part. HOW am I supposed to do that for my FET? Yikes!

mvt2003

@kiki047 So glad it's over for you today, must admit that I'm feeling anxiety for my own future, you may need to talk me off a cliff soon!  

inthewoods23

@kiki047 oh good now I know what to expect for my biopsy! 😆 So word to the wise, your bladder shouldn't be over full like "I'm gonna piss my pants any second" full. But I can understand how that would still happen when you waited forever!

My clinic, as far as I can tell, is really good about new RNs. I've often had an extra RN in the room to guide to new RN so they get the screenshots the RE wants. And I've never seen them have issues with not having the tools out and ready, but maybe that's why I end up in the waiting room a little longer than expected.

keikilove

@kiki047 Omg, that pee situation sounds like the worst! How in the world were you able to let out just a little bit, not all of it, after holding so long?! Hahaha, I don’t think I could’ve done it! (I’ve been in that overly full bladder situation with my IUIs & I always wish I’d laid on the table longer afterward but I have to make a beeline for the bathroom or risk flooding the exam room.😬)

Glad to hear the procedure itself wasn’t that bad! Thanks so much for sharing so the rest of us can have some mental preparation for our own biopsies. 

kpearse99

@kiki047 OMG that story!!!!! It's impossible to let a little out and then stop yourself from finishing! I don't know how you did that...twice!! I'm glad it's all done now!

@emeraldduchess uuuuuuugggggghhhhhh NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I'm so sorry. Failed cycles suck so much. I'm proud of you for pulling yourself together and getting into work, when I know exactly what you really felt like doing instead. So many hugs, friend!!

Thanks to everyone with the AMH info. I think I may have actually had this done, I'll double check with my RE, but I think I remember him saying I have more eggs than a typical 35 year old, so he was really happy with that. 

meri-mac

@kiki047 Oh I'm so sorry. I hope all future check ups are painless and speedy. It sounds absolutely awful, but it is done When will you know the results?

kiki047

@mvt2003 I worked myself up way more than necessary over the prospect of pain. It wasn't that bad, definitely less uncomfortable than my HyCoSy, and other than the waiting in between it was literally over in under a minute.
@inthewoods23I was told 1L of water and don't pee 2hrs before but that's definitely overkill for me. How did it work for the FET? Same idea?
@keikilove @kpearse99  I don't actually know how I did it because I didn't believe I could do it. But somehow it worked! 
@meri-mac Thank you! Will hopefully have AMH results back next week, didn't ask how long these results take. My RE personally does all the monitoring before my ER and I'll see him daily starting Monday so I can always ask then. He basically said that unless there's something really bad, I shouldn't expect to hear back.

inthewoods23

@kiki047 yep, full bladder needed for the FET. I had an overfull bladder for the mock transfer but they didn't ask me to partially empty. I had literally just come from lunch and drank lots of soda in preparation.

I probably wasn't quite full for the real FET with that being in the morning when I don't drink much. I really don't know how much it matters. The full bladder, to my understanding, is to keep everything from moving a bunch or maybe they get better access? Don't quite remember.

bluetickgal

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

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Letrozole (5mg), TI, and Progesterone after O.

How are things going?: Pretty good...I’m getting a little impatient about O! I’m still around my normal O time, but getting antsy! I think it might be today or tomorrow, but my OPK yesterday was very negative! I still hate OPK’s...if I get a positive one soon, I may not hate them quite as much.

Any questions?: None right now.

GTKY: What’s the biggest splurge you’ve ever spent money on? Was it worth it? Hmm...I’d say my vehicle. We went with a large SUV to be a “family” vehicle...two years later and it’s still just the two of us, but it’s totally worth it! We love having the extra space, and it should last us for several more years when our family hopefully has expanded! 

@emeraldduchess I’m so sorry for the spotting...I really hope it’s not the beginning of AF!! Yes to the piñata suggestion though...we all need a piñata party!! 

@NYTino24 I’m so sorry your temps threw you for a loop this cycle!! Everything crossed that this third IUI is it for you! That’s annoying about insurance needing 2 bad SA results...I second the suggestion to skip abstaining! 

@nitnat007 yay for starting stims! I hope your check up goes well today! That’s funny about YH being so excited...that’s nice you don’t have to do it alone, but I’d be a bit concerned with how excited he is to stick you! Haha. 

@mvt2003 I’m glad your TWW is going well so far! I hope that continues! 

@misshelen86 I’m glad your RE appt went well, even if it was a bit overwhelming with all the info! I hope you feel good about whichever route you go with whether it is IUI or straight to IVF following repeat SA and possible surgery! Sending hugs & positive vibes your way! 

@ellieemc26 glad your IUI went well! Fingers crossed for you!! 

@kpearse99 glad you are feeling better! Hope your monitoring appt goes well tomorrow and you can schedule the IUI soon! 

@meri-mac your weekend sounds wonderful, glad you were able to relax!! Everything crossed for you!! 

@kiki047 so glad the biopsy and mock transfer went well...but my goodness, I don’t know how you handled all the waiting with having to go so bad! Kudos to you!! 

@shoogapoff I’d say nice & quiet is a good way for your ute to be right now! Fingers crossed this IUI is it for you!! 

@keikilove so sorry for all the unknown/uncertainty right now!! Sending you hugs & positive vibes! Your RI sounds amazing, so I hope you have a plan soon that you feel good about! 

@inthewoods23 you are so strong!! Still sending hugs! 💜 I’m glad you are doing well, despite the tough week! 
@pom9207 so sorry for the failed IUI, but I’m glad you like your new RE! Fingers crossed this is your cycle! 

@bows22 sorry for the confusion with positive OPK’s...see above for my dislike of them! Hope you got more clear results yesterday and it won’t affect 7DPO testing! Is that just for progesterone? My old OB always did CD21 testing to confirm O, and it was never actually 7DPO for me since I ovulate later...but it was always high enough to confirm! 

keikilove

@bluetickgal Thanks for the positive vibes!😉🌞 Sorry you’re having to wait on O—so much of TTC is brutal waiting! Hope you get that positive OPK very soon! I’ve been meaning to ask all of you who do medication with timed intercourse: how does it work? Do you have to go in for monitoring throughout FW? 

AFM, AF finally showed up yesterday. It’s a relief to get the show on the road. But because of the delay I think I’m going to O the day or two after I head out on another work trip. I don’t want to do my uterine biopsy with a strange doctor in a different city while away for work so I think it has to wait until next cycle. Not sure if we should still HIO before my work trip & hope that my RE/RI have new ideas for medication in case that approach is somehow successful. Will talk to both doctors within the week to make the plan...

kpearse99

@bluetickgal I know what you mean about the love/hate relationship with OPKs haha I hate them often because I always feel like it's never going to get positive and then when it gets positive I'm like "Oh, yay!"

pom9207

bluetickgal and @kpearse99 same here! I have semi-irregular cycles, and I buy OPKs in bulk haha.

kpearse99

What would you do...

we are told DH needs to holdout from “releasing” for 2-4 days before the IUI. Assuming all goes well tomorrow my IUI will likely be Sunday morning. Would you rather HIO tonight (-3) and only have a 2 day hold or skip tonight and have a 3 day hold?  We HIO yesterday morning. Just curious if it would be better to have a longer hold than get an extra day in of BDing

keikilove

@kpearse99 You know my answer lol. I’d go for it tonight & hold out on Friday & Saturday in prep for Sunday. But I only say this because I think YH had really good numbers before? If he has lower numbers then I’d skip tonight too. Good luck!

kpearse99

@keikilove he had a count of 40mil the first time and then dropped to 20 mil the second time... both with a two day hold...

keikilove

@kpearse99 Yep, then I’d go for it!

bluetickgal

@keikilove yes, so much waiting!! I don’t do any monitoring during my cycle. I did 2 Clomid cycles & 7 Letrozole cycles with my OB with only CD21 BW to confirm O. Since switching to the RE, he continued my Letrozole dose and said he felt like monitoring wasn’t necessary. He could do it if I wanted, but I don’t think he usually does with TI. *TW - I think if we hadn’t already gotten pregnant twice (even though we lost them) with the same protocol after so many cycles, he may have insisted on monitoring. - End TW* Sorry AF arrived, but I’m glad you can move forward with the next cycle now! I don’t blame you for not wanting to see a strange doctor for your biopsy! Fingers crossed that HIO before your trip works!! 

@kpearse99 haha, mine is mostly just a hate relationship right now! I feel like I maybe missed my surge, or this is going to be an an-o cycle! I had some major cramping yesterday and today, so I’m hoping for a temp spike tomorrow! Hmm...I have no experience with that, but I’d probably HIO tonight and go for the 2-day hold...sounds like it resulted in good numbers before!

misshelen86

@kpearse99 I don’t think there’s much difference between 2 or 3 days but longer isn’t always better. MH did better on his sa’s that were 2 day compared to his 3 day one. Any longer than 4-5 days and sperm start to die. So I vote for anywhere between 48-72 hrs. 

bows22

@kiki047 I’m glad that the procedure was quick even if it was a little painful. You are a rockstar for making it through that pee ordeal. Although they totally would have deserved it if you made a mess on the floor (in my opinion haha)

@bluetickgal yes, the 7 DPO was for progesterone. They ended up using my bloodwork from wed for that I guess. Even though they told me that was going to be a repeat of my LH bloodwork from Friday. Every person I talked to seemed confused about what was happening. The person that called me today was like “your cycle was ovulatory!!!!!!!!” And I didn’t say anything at first because I thought she would have more to say but then I realized she was expecting a reaction. So I was like “um great, one good thing after all of the bad news?” And she was just like “...Yes. So we will see you on Tuesday?” Oops 😂. Anyway, sorry that turned into a novel! Hopefully you get that dark OPK soon and we will be in the TWW together for a few days before I go back to WTO! 

NYTino24

@bluetickgal that’s surprising. Most REs will monitor when any meds are given.
@kiki047 Glad you’re moving on, but frustrated at the timing for you. Hope it all works out!
@emeraldduchess Hoping the stars align for you. I’m just a day or two ahead of you and feeling all the same things. 

AFM, I woke up yesterday 20 minutes before I had to leave, and only because a loud truck woke me. My phone was dead and didn’t charge, so my alarm didn’t go off. I kept trying to call the RE because it was only 8 minutes after my phone appointment time and got the VM for the answering service several times before realizing it was really for Friday (now today)! I called my insurance to ask about needing two abnormal SA for IVF and that was not confirmed. Now I’m not sure why my RE office said that and need clarification. I had a very long, but productive night at conferences and didn’t get home until like 8:30 PM. IVF consult went well this morning. She said I knew and understood more than most people and she used highlighters, so that confirmed that she’s my spirit animal! Haha... waiting to hear how BW is before starting the Letrozole tonight, but I already have an 11 mm follicle on the left on CD3, which is nuts to me. If this IUI fails and my cycle stays the length it has been, we will start IVF protocol right before and during my break from work, which would make things way easier. We just need to make sure things don’t get messed up with insurance because that cycle will carry over into the new year.

meri-mac

@NYTino24 Oof! Hectic morning. Thank goodness for that truck! I'm glad you found your spirit animal and that the meeting was productive. Everything is crossed for this IUI!

bluetickgal

@bows22 gotcha...well that stinks it wasn’t clear up front (to anyone), but yay for ovulating! I don’t think that was really a concern for you though, was it? I guess they just want to cover everything. No apology necessary for the novel...I feel like most of my posts end up that way! Hopefully I’ll be joining the TWW soon...but hopefully you won’t be heading back over to WTO! 

@NYTino24 yes, I thought it was kind of strange too...but he told me we didn’t need to be monitored at both our initial appt and at the SHG. He basically says monitoring with TI is a waste of money, we just HIO EOD to cover our bases. I’ve wondered if there should be monitoring to make sure follies are developing well and not getting too big though. I will probably request some monitoring if we go another couple of cycles without any luck. So glad your IVF consult went well!! I have everything crossed that this last IUI will be a success for you though! 

kpearse99

@NYTino24 My head is spinning from all of that information - goodness that is a crazy morning!! I'm so happy you have a solid plan in place for both this cycle and next one (if needed).

AFM - I had my monitoring appointment this morning. My ovaries like to switch sides every cycle, it seems, as the first one my right ovary had the follies, last cycle it was my left and now we are back on the right! I had 3 mature follies at 17mm, 19mm and 24mm!! So I'm super excited about that. My RE said that letrozole, for most people, typically only helps produce one mature follie so I seem to really respond well to this drug. At least my body can do that right  My lining was at 8.3 or 8.4 which I am super happy about because that's the thickest it's been of these 4 monitored cycles - last IUI it was only at 7.4 so I'm super pleased! They want the lining to be at a 7 at least. I'm waiting for the bloodwork results to confirm my LH number but I should be triggering tonight and the IUI Sunday morning. I. Am. Ready.

ETA - I just told MH about the lining and how I'm so happy that it's the thickest one of all these cycles and he commented laughing and with a "I love a thick lining"  And then added "hahaha, so creepy!" He's my soulmate! hahaha 

meri-mac

@kpearse99 EEEEE! YAY! This is exciting! So happy you are doing so well! Fx!!

bluetickgal

@kpearse99 yay for responding so well!! Fingers crossed so dang hard that this IUI is it for you! 

mvt2003

@kpearse99 FX!!!!!!!!!! Also, you and YH are too cute!!!! 

@NYTino24 FX for you too, I'm hoping that the new year doesn't mess things up for you!!!!!

ellieemc26

@NYTino24 glad you had a good appointment with your RE about IVF.  Hope you can get the insurance stuff straightened out!

@kpearse99 that’s great news!  FX you get to trigger tonight and do IUI Sunday!

bows22

@bluetickgal correct, not a concern. But it did make me pause and be thankful that it isn’t a concern for me on top of the other stuff we may be dealing with. So I guess some good came out of it!

@kpearse99 yay I’m so happy you got perfect news today! So excited for you!!

inthewoods23

@NYTino24 happy to hear the consult went well! Hope the IUI works so you don't have to move to IVF but if you do FX the timing is during your break. You deserve with all the crap being thrown at you lately!

@kpearse99 I love when our husbands say these goofy things. Like what a sexy thing to say 😆