IF Testing and Treatment week of 6/29

emeraldduchess

This is a place for those of us who have already started TTC, but have started infertility testing and/or treatments. You can express your thoughts, feelings, and frustrations on infertility. TTC can be a long journey naturally, then add in the difficulties associated with infertility, and it becomes a whole new ball game. The road to infertility can be lonely, frustrating, and complicated, so let's make this a place where we can vent, ask questions, and support one another. Feel free to resurrect this thread at any point in the week if you have something to say. Treat this as an ongoing conversation. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):

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

How are things going?: 

Any questions?:

GTKY: What languages can you speak? What languages would you like to learn?

emeraldduchess

Diagnosis (if you've been): Unexplained IF/RPL, AMA, ovaries like to go rogue.

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO, I guess? No AF yet but BFN this morning around 14dpo, so...yeah.

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Hopefully starting IVF! I paid the lab fees for PGS testing and they're going to resubmit us for approval. Hopefully it will be fast and we can start ASAP. It felt very weird giving them my credit card # for the payment. Like I was putting down a deposit on my future LOs. 

How are things going?: OK. I'm not nervous about starting meds, just ready to get the show on the road. I have a lot going on outside of TTC to distract me, i.e. my job search. I didn't get the job I interviewed for last week so I am a little disappointed, but the principal who interviewed me couldn't have been nicer about it. They want to keep my resume in case anything else opens up, so that's a good sign. It's only the end of June, so I have time to find something. Unfortunately so many school systems have to make cuts, so there are hundreds of teachers applying for each job. 

Any questions?: No, I don't think so. The nurses at my RE's office are supposed to call me between now and Wednesday about getting started. 

GTKY: What languages can you speak? What languages would you like to learn? First language is English, and I can speak conversational Spanish (35% fluent according to Duolingo). I would like to learn ASL, French, Dutch, and Japanese.

inthewoods23

@emeraldduchess bummer about the job interview! Getting close to IVF 

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained, low morph

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): trying on our own for a few months

How are things going?: pretty good. Not feeling bad at all about this past cycle not working. Don't need a due date right in the middle of chaos. Last cycle was just barely around that 3 month mark of DH being on his supplements to help out his sperm so maybe there wasn't quite the improvement we need. I'm more hopeful about finding success in the next 3-4 months. After that, we might consider going back to doing a FET.

Any questions?: nope

GTKY: What languages can you speak? What languages would you like to learn? English (obvs), a small amount of Spanish since I had 5 classes of that back in high school but I've forgotten most of it at this point. I'd love to learn German, ASL, and maybe some of the Scandanavian languages

legallykate

@emeraldduchess Sorry about the job, but sounds like they really liked you which has to be reaffirming as you continue to search! Yay for starting IVF, so exciting!

@inthewoods23 Glad you are feeling okay about last cycle and good about things going forward!


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

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Testing before starting IVF next cycle.

How are things going?: Not bad. I finally got my CD3 results back (they magically found them) and my AMH went up from .74 last cycle to 1.02 this cycle which seems somewhat significant and 1.02 actually seems on the low end of normal for my age but the nurse made it still seem really low so I am confused. I have been eating really well and taking a ton of vitamins from It Starts With the Egg so I'm almost thinking I can just improve my egg health enough to conceive naturally? But I figure doing an ER and hopefully having some embryos frozen still makes the most sense since I am not getting any younger.

Any questions?: Not really. Waiting to hear what the doc thinks I should do for my protocol (birth control versus Estradiol) and then I might have some.

GTKY: What languages can you speak? What languages would you like to learn? I can only speak English, I took Latin instead of Spanish in high school and seriously regret it. I would love to learn it someday. And my husband is Jewish so I am constantly on the fence about converting which would require learning some Hebrew. 

gingermama29

@emeraldduchess sorry that job didn't pan out. Sending you all the good vibes and positive thoughts as you continue your search. 

@inthewoods23 glad you're at peace about your last cycle and the timing. FX for success on your own in the next few months!

@legallykate glad you finally got your results back. When do you expect to hear from your doctor regarding BC vs Estradiol?

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): benched until August

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Taking BCP to balance hormones

How are things going?: Pretty good so far. I'm finishing my second pack of BC today and expecting AF Thursday. I'm trying to keep positive. Only one more month on the bench to go! I'm really looking forward to being done soon.

Any questions?: Nope

GTKY: What languages can you speak? What languages would you like to learn?

English, obviously. I took 6 years of French in school and remember quite a bit of it - I'd call myself conversational in French, but definitely not fluent by any means. I can read it and understand 90% of it and figure out the rest through context.

I can comfortably sing in French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Latin but I wouldn't say I could speak them; I took diction classes for those languages in college (I was a music major with a vocal concentration) so I'm comfortable with sung pronunciation of the words (which is different from spoken pronunciation) but definitely don't speak those languages.

I started to learn German at one point and would LOVE to actually learn it. I'd also like to learn Spanish as my brother's wife is from Spain and that's her first language. ASL would be really cool to learn too! 

inthewoods23

@legallykate I feel like AMH is such a toss up for what's considered a good or bad number. I remember when I was first trying to learn about it, one source said that in the child-bearing years, an AMH 1-4 was normal, meaning below 1 was bad, and above 4 meant PCOS. So I was all sorts of confused when mine came back at 4.5 or so and my RE had nothing to say about it. I sorta chalked it up to believing I was maybe just more fertile for my age. A year later of failed IF treatments, psh, who knows lol. Something's not right with my ute, that's for sure.

@gingermama29 now you can REALLY count down the days being on your last pack. The less pills you see the closer you are! Are you for sure done with BC after this or is there possibility they might have you continue?

gingermama29

@inthewoods23 my doctor said 3 months on BC and then DH and I will TTC on our own for 3-4 cycles. If we are unsuccessful, he'll put me back on it and we'll discuss possibly doing medicated cycles.

thegirlwhowaited_

@emeraldduchess That's awesome about getting started with IVF. Too bad you didn't get the job though. There will be something else for you!

@inthewoods23 I'm glad you're feeling good.

@gingermama29 I'm glad your bench time is almost over.

Diagnosis (if you've been): Unexplained, RE suspects Endometriosis

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):  IUI w/ Clomid, Ovidrel, and Progesterone suppositories. 

How are things going?:  Fine. I finally got my test results from CD 3 when my RE wanted to see my FSH again. 7.3 so I guess that's fine. I almost get annoyed when all my tests come back "fine". I hate not having some kind of answer as to why I can't get KU on my own. Otherwise I'm just trying to keep busy and not go buy a stick to pee on. I think if this cycle ends in a BFN we may take a few months off before we talk about IVF with my RE again.

Any questions?: nope.

GTKY: What languages can you speak? What languages would you like to learn? English and German (a little). I learned German in high school and college, but I've not had many chances to use it. I'd like to learn Italian or French, but I'm very intimidated by learning new languages. Especially if I don't have a reason to use it frequently.

kpearse99

@emeraldduchess I'm sorry about not getting the job, but like you said, it's still only the end of June. Openings for teaching positions in my area doesn't usually flood out until August,s o you have time and I know you'll find something! Also, I commend you for your attitude of being ready to just jump right into treatment and get the show on the road! You are determined and willing and strong!

@inthewoods23 it's so so so damn good reading about how you're feeling lately!! Will you guys get DH's count redone?

@legallykate I'm glad they finally found those results! AMH confuses me too - like @inthewoods23 said it's such a toss up and I feel like every RE is different. 

@gingermama29 Yes for only one more month being benched!! It's going to go so fast!!

@thegirlwhowaited_ I totally understand you feeling annoyed when all the test results come back normal or fine. I mean, it's great one one hand, but on the other hand you're still left wondering why the hell you can't get KU then!

Diagnosis (if you've been): Secondary Unexplained IF

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): FINALLY back in the WTO! After 50 days AF finally showed up, geeesh! Def. think last cycle was an an-O cycle.

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Like @inthewoods23 we are trying on our own for the summer...but, without full blown "trying"....because I just can't anymore right now. I'm done with OPKs and I'm done with tracking and I'm done with finding creative ways to get both of us in the mood for timed and planned sex.... I just want to enjoy my husband and spontaneity!

How are things going?: Good! Better than last week! I'm just mentally ready to just focus on so many other things than just TTC. At this point, I just want to enjoy life and make my own rainbows instead of just always waiting around for one to magically happen, ya know?

Any questions?: Anyone else uber excited for the release of Hamilton on Disney + on Friday?! @emeraldduchess
and @gingermama29 ?!!!!?  I'll be listening to the album all week in preparation for the big event!

GTKY: What languages can you speak? What languages would you like to learn? English. I took 5 years of Spanish between High School and College and while I was really good then, I barely remember anything now. Although, if I ever need to ask where the library is in Spanish I am all set!  

gingermama29

@kpearse99 yesssssssssssssss!!! I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to watch it twice 😂. Once without any singing along and then the second time so that I can! 

@thegirlwhowaited_ I'm sorry for the frustration with the test results. Having no real answers is so hard. 

inthewoods23

@kpearse99 It's funny how we remember very specific phrases. Me gusta la playa! There was some TV show that we would watch episodes of in Spanish in high school. I can't remember what the name was, but it was educational and each episode was a lesson on something. One was on directions so in the episode this lady is asking locals for directions to various places. The storyline was something about a guy who was terminally ill and he got separated from his wife during a war and so  this lady detective is traveling all around trying to find out what happened to her so that the guy could get closure.

I was just thinking this morning about whether we'd do a repeat SA. I don't think our insurance covers it though so it was like $200!

@thegirlwhowaited_ I get what you mean about everything coming back normal. The "unexplained" diagnosis sucks.

@gingermama29 FX you don't need to go back on BC!

kpearse99

@inthewoods23 we used to watch stuff like that in Spanish too lol it's so crazy which things stick with us for the rest of our lives lol $200 isn't terrible but still! Come on insurances!

@gingermama29 only twice?! hahaha 

gingermama29

@kpearse99 twice in the same day 😂

shoogapoff

@emeraldduchess Sorry about the job situation. FX for you! I'm excited to hear when you'll start IVF! Maybe we'll be doing things around the same time! 

@inthewoods23 I'm so hopeful for you! Hitting the 3 month mark with supplements is exciting. They're finally kicking in! FX you see the results of that effort! 

@legallykate I'm sorry your AMH is confusing. How old are you, again? 

@gingermama29 Yay for another French-speaker! 

@thegirlwhowaited_ I get that feeling too. I am a little worried I am going to find out that my tube is actually fine, and that the issue is my egg quality etc. and that I won't have success with IVF.  It's strange to want something to be wrong with you, right?! 

@kpearse99 I feel you on wanting the spontaneity. This cycle I didn't take any OPKs and didn't pressure MH to HIO since we're starting IVF next cycle. It felt good to just do stuff if we wanted to!


Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA, blocked tube

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Hysteroscopy and mock transfer went well. MH has his SA this Friday for the clinical trial. I am supposed to call on CD1 for baseline ultrasound and stims! CD1 should be sometime next week! 

How are things going?: I was super nervous that we would be cancelled due to COVID. I'm in Texas, and elective procedures are being cancelled all around the state. My clinic put out a statement that they are stopping IUIs right now, but continuing with IVF, so we should be good, especially since the clinical trial has to have all participants started by August. Fingers crossed! 

Any questions?: Not yet. I'm sure I will next week! 

GTKY: What languages can you speak? What languages would you like to learn? I speak French because I lived there for 2 years, and I learned a little Khmer when I lived in Cambodia. I would love to learn Spanish for my job (lots of Spanish speakers in Texas), and Hebrew just because it would be cool!

kpearse99

@shoogapoff woohoo!! Things are moving along so nicely for you and it's really becoming real now! That's awesome that you lived in France for 2 years, how amazing!!

bluetickgal

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

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Letrozole (7.5mg), IUI#3, and Progesterone

How are things going?: I’m actually feeling good this week...of course the short week helps with that! I’m excited for this cycle, hoping the increased meds will be a game changer! I’m really hoping this last IUI will do the trick...but I’m also trying not to put too much stress/worry/pressure into this cycle either! If this cycle is not a success but we see good results with the increased meds, I’ll go back to meds/TI only at the higher dose...if I respond “too well”, I’ll go back to the lower dose of 5mg since we won’t be monitoring after this cycle. We have also decided that if this cycle is not a success, we will reach out to an adoption agency to get things rolling on that (at the very least, get all the information we need to hopefully start the process by the end of the year). I know adoption isn’t really discussed much here, plus this is long-winded...so I’ll put it in a spoiler.

We have always been open to adoption (whether we could have kids biologically or not) and we feel like we are emotionally/mentally ready to move on to that, although maybe not financially just yet. I have always known that something was wrong with me (with the super irregular/non-existent periods) I just didn’t know the technical diagnosis of PCOS until we started TTC...so adoption is something I have thought about for a very long time, even before meeting DH! We discussed it early on while we were dating, and I was happy to discover that he was very much open to adoption as well! Of course we would love to see our DNA together in a child (and that may still happen)...but more than anything, we want to be parents! We’ve already done some research on adoption agencies near us, and we found one that we would like to contact (if this IUI is not a success) to see what their protocols are for continuing to try while starting the adoption process (we saw one agency that said you had to be done with all fertility treatments), costs and when things would need to be paid throughout the process, and any other information they can give us. It seems like this agency takes a very personal approach, which gives us comfort! We know the adoption process will bring a whole host of new stresses than what TTC has had, but we are hoping it will lead us to our take home baby (and hopefully a second in the future even if we end up having the first naturally)! 

Any questions?: None right now. 

GTKY: What languages can you speak? What languages would you like to learn? English of course, and I was also a Spanish minor but I’ve sadly lost most of it! I can understand it much better than I can speak it though! I would love to learn ASL as well! 

@emeraldduchess I’m sorry that job didn’t work out...but like you said, there is still time before the school year starts!! That seems promising that they want to keep your resume on file in case something else comes up! I hope AF comes soon and you can get the ball rolling with your IVF cycle!! 

@inthewoods23 I’m glad you can look on the bright side of last cycle not being a success! I’m loving your hopefulness for the next few months...I’m hoping with everything in me that your diet changes and YH’s added supplements will do the trick for you all! Fingers crossed so hard for success with the perfect due date coming soon! 

@legallykate I’m so glad they found your CD3 results and you didn’t have to repeat them, AGAIN! I hope you get some clarity and feel good about whatever your doc recommends as far as how to proceed!! 

@gingermama29 good job on keeping up that positivity...you are 2/3 of the way done, you’ve got this!! That is very cool that you can sing in so many different languages! 

@thegirlwhowaited_ unexplained can be so hard, because it makes no sense as to why things aren’t working! I hope you can hold out on testing, but that you get great results when you do! 

@kpearse99 I’m so glad AF showed, so you can move on from that last cycle! I think that sounds like a great plan to just try but not try through the Summer!! Enjoy this time with YH and totally let go of all the stress and planning!! I love your comment about making your own rainbows! 😍 We are so excited to see Hamilton on Friday!! Bahaha to the where is the library in Spanish! I’ll say estas listas? to DH to ask if he is ready to walk or something, but that’s about the extent of what I actually use! Haha. 

@shoogapoff so glad the hysteroscopy and mock transfer went well!! Fingers crossed for great results from the SA on Friday! That is wonderful news that your clinic is moving forward with IVF cycles, so you shouldn’t be delayed!! You are getting so close! 

kpearse99

@bluetickgal I find it very interesting that you minored in Spanish but don't really remember much! Not interesting in a bad way, I just find it very fascinating. Language is truly something you need to use on the daily or you lose it. It's crazy! You and YH are smart for getting a jump start on the next chapter of your dreams and reaching out to an adoption agency. I know coming to that decision is not an easy one, but I am thrilled for you guys and for how on board you BOTH are with this decision! That's key - to be on the same page! I'm hoping you see some great success with this higher dose, of course, though.

inthewoods23

@shoogapoff hope you can still get the show on the road with IVF! I'd hate to see it cancelled now!

@bluetickgal that's awesome that you found a good agency! FX for good results with the higher dose of letrozole!

legallykate

@gingermama29 Yay for being almost done with BC! That’s so cool you can speak/sing all those languages, I’m seriously jealous. The RE's nurse called back today and said I should give them a call on CD1 (rude! jk) and then I will start using OPKs and start on estrogen pills when I get a positive OPK. She said they were considering having me start OPKs today (which did not make sense to me since I am 4dpo) but since MH still has to go get his SA (on Monday) we would just do it the other way. I should really ask more questions, but I am always just absorbing/processing and then think of questions when I get off the phone. 

@thegirlwhowaited Glad your results were good but I can see that being frustrating in itself. I hope this is your cycle!

@kpearse99 So glad AF finally showed. I am super excited about Hamilton! We haven’t seen it yet and I am guessing this is the closest we will come anytime soon.

@shoogapoff So excited your clinical trial is getting going. I am in Texas too but my clinic says they can still do everything since they do it all in house and not at a hospital so FX for both of us that the surge here doesn’t screw us up. I am 36 so no spring chicken but also young to have such a diminished ovarian reserve.

@bluetickgal Glad you are having a good week! I hope the extra meds do the trick but also think it is awesome that you are talking about moving forward with adoption I would really love to adopt at some point too but H is not super keen on it

ramzlau

@emeraldduchess Sorry about the BFN and the job. Good luck with the search and hopefully everything lines up soon for you! 

@inthewoods23 $200 might be worth it just to know, but then again once you are KU there will be a million things you wish you could spend that $200 on. 

@gingermama29 2 down! I am really hoping this does the trick for getting the length of your cycles under control! And dang that is a lot of languages! I had no idea! 

@kpearse99 Oh no for the long cycle! Do you think it was another cyst? I love that you are going to take a mental break from it all and enjoy the summer and summer lovin’! And ditto with the Spanish. 

@shoogapoff FX nothing gets cancelled! 

@bluetickgal I hope the higher dose gets a good response and is just what you need. But like others have said it is really great that you and YH are on the same page about moving forward with adoption. There have been a few people that have gone from this thread onto adoption, so if you get to that bridge you may want to search the archives they might have some good resources/advice. 

AFM: Hi ladies, just dropping in to lurk and catch up here! 

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): Benched for another 4-8 weeks. 

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

How are things going?: We ended up firing our RE about a month ago. Someone from her office called to yell at me about missing an appointment I didn’t have and lectured me about not emailing the office to keep them appraised of our treatments even though we had phone calls and texts with the RE directly. We had many problems with this RE about wrong medication, miscommunication between her and her staff, and no test results being discussed. So we are on the hunt for a new RE while being benched. I hate that I feel we are back to square one with a new RE when I think we only have two medicated cycles left, but it is what it is. 

GTKY: What languages can you speak? What languages would you like to learn?

Native English, conversational Arabic, limited Spanish and ASL

I would like to improve my Arabic and maybe learn Italian. 

kpearse99

@ramzlau oh, I didn't even think about it being another cyst... but maybe? Maybe I tend to get a few a year    Who knows, I'm honestly so done trying to figure this sh*t out!! 
Holy crap about your RE situation. I'm glad you followed your gut and left them. That's insane the way they were treating you and how the communication was so horrible. I know it's not ideal to start over but it's what is going to be for the best.

bluetickgal

@kpearse99 yes, it is so crazy...but you definitely lose it if you don’t use it! I feel like I would maybe do better than I think if I was put in a situation to need to use it, but who knows! Thanks, friend!! 💜 It feels so good to know that we are on the same page...but yes, we are both hoping the increased dose will do the trick and it will be moo(t) right now! 

@inthewoods23 thanks so much, friend!!

@legallykate thanks, friend! I’m sorry YH isn’t necessarily on board with adoption...I’d say that would be hard to move forward unless you were both totally on board with it! You never know though, his opinion could change down the road! Hoping you have success so soon though!!
@ramzlau thanks lady!! I would love any advice/resources from people that have gone through the process, so that’s a great idea to check the archives! Unfortunately the Adoption board here is not active at all right now! Once we start the process, I’ll probably jump over there and see if anyone else is lurking and would like to participate. I’m so sorry you went through so much with your RE’s office, but good for you for moving on from them!! I hope you are able to find a new RE quickly and that 1 or 2 more medicated cycles is all it will take!! 

inthewoods23

@ramzlau I'm sorta temped to find an at home kit and see what that says, but who knows how reliable those are and I think most just really look at count and motility. Our issue is more likely the morphology. DH has been on a multivitamin plus CoQ10 and I know the multivitamin alone gave us much better numbers for IUI #3 so his count probably won't increase, but more will be more robust to make the journey. Now if only I could get him to eat a little healthier, cut out all the soda he drinks (Mountain Dew ), and get him to work out.

thegirlwhowaited_

@ramzlau I hope you find a good RE soon.

@shoogapoff I'm glad your treatment isn't canceled. I'm in TX too and I'm thinking even if this wasn't our last IUI before discussing IVF that we'd be benched again. My RE's office hasn't sent anything out about stopping treatment. They follow guidance from ASRM and they haven't announced a recommendation to stop treatments yet, but with cased on the rise I'm expecting it again. 

mvt2003

Diagnosis (if you've been): MFI

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Heading into another transfer cycle

How are things going?: Thank you all for the support last week, having a second transfer fail was incredibly difficult. I've had a lot of emotions to process, and as you all know, one of the hardest parts of IF is that the trauma just keeps getting compounded. MH changed over the money we had put aside for a Peloton to be our embryo PGS testing fund instead. We hope we don't need to retrieve again, but at this point I'd rather have the money put aside so it's one less thing to worry about. 

We just had our WTF call with our RE, and I feel positive coming out of it, we're starting back up again immediately. She's comfortable with us transferring two this time, which is what MH wanted to do. Mentally, he feels better putting two in now knowing we have 1 left after that. We discussed an ERA and additional testing, she will do that if this one fails. I'm starting monitoring on Sunday, and we're going to get this cycle going. It was helpful that she personally did the transfer this time, she said everything was perfect, including my lining. 

Any questions?: Any grads out there with experience transferring two embryos? I feel that since I have had two failed transfers at this point, the chance of both implanting are slim, but I guess it doesn't hurt to see if anyone else has done it? 

GTKY: What languages can you speak? What languages would you like to learn? I spent my formative years learning Latin, a dead language that is no longer spoken. I took 5 years of it in high school, and then another year of it in college. It has been very helpful though learning other languages. I also did 4 years of French classes, but I am no longer conversational in it. I did take a German class in college and holy hell did I dislike that language and my professor, so that was a big bust. (This is why I will literally never use my degree, fun fact. I have a degree in Classics, and most of the original scholarship was done in German.) 

mvt2003

Catching up on my tags! 

@emeraldduchess I'm so sorry this job didn’t work out, hopefully you find a good fit soon!! I’m so excited that you’re getting started!!! I do think clinics are prioritizing ERs whenever possible, so I’m keeping you in my thoughts!!!

 

@inthewoods23 I’m keeping everything crossed for you guys that diet and supplements can get the job done!!!!

 

@legallykate I’m glad your AMH has bounced back a bit! It really isn’t a static number, but it’s nice to see it improve! Do you know your protocol yet?

 

@gingermama29 SO excited that you’re almost done with BCP!  Being off the bench will be amazing!

 

@thegirlwhowaited_ I totally understand the frustration with getting “normal” test results! If your RE suspects endo, are they recommending a lap?

 

@kpearse99 We’ve had this convo numerous times, but I so agree with you I am ready to just enjoy my life and not worry about POAS. I’m glad you guys are just going to go with the flow this summer, I think it will be rejuvenating.

 

@shoogapoff SO excited for you to start stims and get this show on the road!!!! Keeping my FX for you for this cycle. Is your clinic freestanding or part of a hospital? I’ve found that here in MA my freestanding clinic picked things up again a bit quicker than some of the hospitals.

 

@bluetickgal Friend, I am keeping all the things crossed for you, and hoping so hard. I’m so happy you have a solid plan moving forward no matter what. And as we’ve talked about before, the end goal is a family, no matter how we get there.

 

@ramzlau I’m so sorry your clinic was not great, and I’m so happy you’re moving on. I do think sometimes a practice is just not a good fit for us, and it’s not a bad thing to advocate for yourself. I’m not sure where you’re located, but hopefully you have good options!!!

kpearse99

@mvt2003 I probably should know this by now but what's a ERA?

mvt2003

@kpearse99 It's an Endometrial Receptivity Analysis test - they do a mock transfer and instead of putting in an embryo they take a sample of your lining and biopsy it to see if you're "receptive" to a pregnancy at that time, and if you're not they adjust your progesterone. 

kpearse99

@mvt2003 ahhhh gotcha. I think it's a good plan to get that done IF this next transfer doesn't workout. I would be curious of that myself.

emeraldduchess

@mvt2003 hi friend! So good to see you back here.  I'm glad you had a good follow up with your RE and that they're good with transferring 2. I really hope you won't need to do a second ER, but I'm glad you're able to put the money aside for PGS. 

@inthewoods23 I'm so happy you're feeling good about everything and hopeful about the next few months. I was completely fine with my BFN on Monday too because I know it's another cycle closer to our rainbow (even though it feels like that's still a long way away). I think I remember the Spanish show you're talking about! "Destinos", maybe? We also watched "La Catrina" which was really funny (not written as a comedy, the acting was just really bad). 

@legallykate my AMH bounces around too. When I first had it done, it was just under 1, then a few cycles later it went up to around 1.4, then back in March it plummeted. But the RE's office hasn't said anything about it, so who knows. I agree with everyone, I think it's definitely a toss-up and different REs have different opinions. 

@gingermama29 woohoo for moving another cycle closer to being off the bench!! I love that you can sing in so many languages. 

@thegirlwhowaited_ OMG I hear you on the repeated "fine" test results. The "unexplained" diagnosis sucks. Something is obviously off, the doctors just can't figure it out. So damn frustrating. 

@kpearse99 LOVE what you said about making your own rainbows. That should be printed on a coffee mug or something. Postings for teaching jobs don't usually take off until mid-summer in this area, too. What's being posted now is usually already spoken for (many principals have someone in mind before they start interviews) and the posting/interviews are really a formality. Usually what is posted in late July/August is a true vacancy. 

@shoogapoff looks like we might be IVF buddies! I called the clinic this morning because it's CD1. They're double checking the protocol with my RE (patch or no patch), then calling in the meds. I drop off all the consent forms tomorrow morning! So glad that your clinic is continuing IVF and that you won't be benched!

@ramzlau ugh, I am so sorry for all the ridiculousness with your clinic. It stinks to have to start over, but hopefully you will find a wonderful RE who is a perfect match for you. 

@bluetickgal FX that the increased dose does the trick for you! Either way, that's wonderful that you've got a plan in place and are looking into different adoption agencies. However your rainbow comes to you, it will be amazing and your LO will be SO loved! 

legallykate

@ramzlau Sorry about your RE, I think you made the right call and hopefully it won’t be like square one since you can transfer all of your history over.

@mvt2003 I am glad the WTF call went well and you are getting right back to it again Sorry I am not the only one who took years and years of Latin lol. Looks like I will start monitoring with OPKs on CD1 and then start on oral estrogen (estrogen priming?) when I get a positive OPK. The nurse said they were doing a more aggressive approach because my egg retrieval score was below average

inthewoods23

@emeraldduchess YES OMG THAT'S THE SHOW!! I will say though, that TWW was such a roller coaster of SS that I think I'm on the test at 12dpo bandwagon.

@kpearse99 to add to @mvt2003's comment, their determination of whether you're pre or post receptive is whether or not your progesterone level is within the right range. Not to be confused with the Receptiva test I had at the beginning of the year - that's basically testing for inflammation in the lining aka, a really mild form of endo. Took me a while to not get them confused.

@mvt2003 yay happy to hear everything went well at the appointment! Is the PGS testing fund only if you have to go through a 2nd ER? Let's take April by storm!

mvt2003

@inthewoods23 Yep, we now have a couple of thousand dollars sitting in a separate account that we won't touch just in case we need to retrieve again, and I'm pretty sure insurance won't cover PGS (although I could probably make a case for it if we are still not KTFU after 4 transfers...) so let's all hope the next transfer works so I can buy my overpriced spin bike that I literally also have no room for  

@legallykate Interesting! I hadn't gone too deeply into researching the estrogen priming protocol, it makes total sense though!!! 

inthewoods23

@mvt2003 I don't think mine covered PGS either, oh well. Although that probably did make the FET failure so much harder to deal with. Hey if this one works, you'll just have to swap the usual rocker/glider chair in the nursery for the Peloton

shoogapoff

@emeraldduchess Yay! That's exciting!! FF says CD 1 for me should be next Tuesday. Of course I didn't track O this cycle because we were mostly NTNP this month, and now I wish I had so I could know when to expect to start! LOL. Gotta love Ron Swanson! 

@mvt2003 Thanks! Ours is freestanding, and technically not in a county that has mandated stopping elective procedures (though it's right on the edge of one that HAS mandated that), so I am hopeful we'll get to keep going. I'm glad your clinic is being supportive of moving forward in a way that feels right for you. FX so hard for you!!

@thegirlwhowaited_ Thanks! I hope you don't get cancelled too!

@ramzlau I am sorry your clinic was so terrible. We had some pretty awful experiences with our previous clinic, but the one we are at now for the clinical trial has been really good so far. 

@legallykate Thanks! FX for both of us that Texas doesn't mess with our fertility treatments! 

@bluetickgal Thank you so much! And thank you for sharing your thoughts about adoption. MH and I have always planned for adoption or foster care to be a part of our story, even before we knew we had IF. It is a long road, but if it is on your heart, I hope you get to make it a reality whenever the timing is right.

emeraldduchess

@inthewoods23 @mvt2003 I have never heard of insurance covering PGS. Mine certainly doesn't. I think that's something they should consider, especially under circumstances like RPL. 

inthewoods23

@emeraldduchess I'd have to look back at my claims and see if one is there. It was a 3rd party (as all are) so the bill went to them.

I know with the genetic testing we did in the early stages with the RE - the one to check if we (or really just I) were carriers for anything - there was some weird thing that either you could pay X price or you could attempt at running it through your insurance to see they would cover any of it (as it usually isn't). If it gets denied then you pay some other price. It was weird because the "your insurance denied covering this" was... cheaper somehow? I don't recall now. Apparently my insurance did cover ALL of it which was really nice. So bizarre what they will and will not cover. Maybe it counts as a pre-existing condition thing?

ramzlau

@mvt2003 I missed your update last week. Sorry for another failed transfer. You are amazingly strong for making it through all of this! Glad your WTF appointment went well and you are diving back in! I hope you get your Peloton! 

And ironically enough I got an email from our RE last night checking in about how I am doing post op. Seriously cant make this stuff up. She had no clue of anything that had transpired. Her office director called today in response to my reply to her email. They are going to give us a dedicated nurse to move forward so we don’t have all the communication issues. We will see how this goes! 

emeraldduchess

I just got off the phone with my RE's office and I am following the patch protocol. Has anyone done IVF this way before? I am really nervous because I have to test for an LH surge every day and I rarely get a blazing positive OPK. 

feather_heather

*lurking and placing response in spoiler*

@mvt2003:

We transferred two untested embryos during our third transfer and one implanted. 

thegirlwhowaited_

@mvt2003 because the pain while TTC#1 wasn't debilitating she wanted to try IUI's first. Since #1 I haven't had any pain during my cycles she again wanted to try IUI stating the surgery probably wouldn't increase the odds it would just give a definite diagnosis and treatment would be hormones like we've already done, but with more bench time on the pill between each cycle trying.