IF Testing/Treatment w/o 11/30

kiki047

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: Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, what is your favourite Christmas scent (what reminds you of Christmas when you smell it) and why? 

kiki047

Can't believe I'm the first one here this morning - hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving and that you're starting the week off with full hearts and tummies as we officially kick off the Christmas season. 

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

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): Currently on BCP for 2wks 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): My darling of an RE has agreed to let me spend the awkward December cycle doing a mock transfer with a new protocol to see if we can figure out what will make my lining thicker. I've stocked up on all my supplements (adding Vit E and L-arginine) and booked weekly acupuncture through to the end of January. 

How are things going?: Ah we've had a rough go this month so I'm really looking forward to starting a new month and getting closer to putting 2020 behind us. 

Any questions?: Has anyone ever seen or looked into seeing an osteopath for fertility? A girl I knew growing up is now an Osteopath and specalizes in (in)fertility but her clinic is over 2 hours away and I think her protocol is weekly treatments for 6 weeks so I'm now considering looking for someone local. 

GTKY: Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, what is your favourite Christmas scent (what reminds you of Christmas when you smell it) and why? Apple Cinnamon. There's something so nostalgic about that combo - maybe because that's what most malls smell like around the holidays? I don't even know, but it's such a warm, comforting smell and I bust out my candles and scent warmers and plug-ins around November and even if the house isn't decorated yet, if I close my eyes then at least it smells like Christmas. 

kiki047

@acleverusername if it's not too late, to answer your Q last week about "priming the pump", if you don't have MFI or any specific instructions to abstain for a certain period of time, we would normally HIO 3-4 days before, then abstain for 1-2 days, and fool around the night before. Cont'd in spoiler for NSFW content  

If this is your first time doing it I would recommend "practicing" earlier in your cycle just in case he's not able to stop lol (I know someone whose BF looked it up on his own and thought he'd give it a try the night before their SA but he took it too far, was too embarrassed to tell her what he'd done, then failed his SA spectacularly. When his repeat SA came back great he had to come clean about what he'd done. She was so mad at him at the time but it's kind of amusing after the fact ).
The whole point is to get him juuuuust to the point before he ejaculates then stop. I think the technical term is semen retention. There haven't been many studies on it - most of them focus on length of abstinence period - but anecdotal stories indicate that it can be beneficial for sperm count and motility. 

gingermama29

@kiki047 no advice about an osteopath but it's it something you could do virtually? Any chance your friend does tele-visits or is that something you have to do in person?

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

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

How are things going?: Still waiting for O. OPKs have been very negative but I'm hoping since I finished Letrozole a week ago that it'll be here soon. We've started our TI officially.

Any questions?: I mentioned this in the dailies last week but DH hasn't done his SA yet. He was planning to go this past Saturday but the place we were sent to doesn't take samples on Saturdays - only M-F and they have to get it before noon which is a super pain because the lab is an hour away and will involve DH having to take a morning off work. So my question is since we're in the middle of TI this week, when should DH do his SA?

GTKY: Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, what is your favourite Christmas scent (what reminds you of Christmas when you smell it) and why? 
Cookies. One of my favorite memories growing up was being Christmas cookies with my family and all of us decorating then together. It's a tradition that I am continuing. So sugar cookies, snicker doodles, and gingerbread are definitely my 3 that get my brain (and stomach 🤣) on Christmas. 

chindimples04

@kiki047 have you tried acupuncture before? I have been thinking about trying it, but having a hard time reaching the local person via message/email (Im too nervous to call yet). 🤣 I haven’t personally used an osteopath, but I’ve heard really good things about it! I like gingers idea of asking for a tele-med appointment if possible.
@gingermama29 I really hope you see a positive OPK soon! I would wait 2-3 days after your last TI before doing an SA. But I also wouldn’t take my advice heavily, as I’m new to all of this.

Diagnosis (if you've been): testing

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): I go in for bloodwork at 12:30 today. I’m thinking I might request CD21 (7dpo, right) bloodwork for this cycle too, as I feel like that might reveal more.

How are things going?: I’m surprisingly okay with the arrival of AF over the weekend. I really thought I’d fall apart, but I didn’t.

Any questions?: Too many yet. I’m slowly learning from all you amazing women.

GTKY: Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, what is your favourite Christmas scent (what reminds you of Christmas when you smell it) and why? Gingerbread or Christmas tree. We do fake trees, but I miss the smell of a fresh pine tree. I also just really love the smell of cookies and gingerbread is my favorite to smell, even though I don’t enjoy eating them. 

kiki047

@gingermama29 I would agree that I'd wait until you're safely in your TWW to do the SA. You wouldn't get results back in time to have any meaningful answers before you O so you might as well wait until he can abstain for the recommended 2-5 days without interrupting your TI. As for the Osteopath, they're similar to a chiropractor with manual adjustments (but looking at the body as a whole in the way your various musculo-skeletal systems relate to each other) so it unfortunately isn't something that can be done virtually. 
@chindimples04 I have been doing acupuncture for a couple years now but very off and on. For my last FET I was only able to see her the day of my transfer and wasn't allowed to go back because I was sick (pink eye, which is a covid symptom though I had 2 negative tests 2 weeks apart). They've since changed their protocols so that if you have one-off symptoms, they'll still let you come in if you can produce a negative result in the last week so I feel a little better about not having that interruption in my care this time around. 

Edited to fix typo.

optimisticoctopus

@kiki047 GL with the new protocol! I don’t really know anything about osteopaths, so I don’t have any advice for you. But if you do decide to move forward with that, I hope you find it helpful!

@gingermama29 Ugh so frustrating about no Saturday appointments for YH! If I were you, I would wait until after O to do the SA. I wouldn’t want to “waste” anything!!

@chindimples04 GL with your bw...hopefully it comes back quickly and is informative!

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): IUI #2 was just over a week ago

How are things going?: pretty good! As anticipated, the first week of the TWW went so quickly and I was really able to keep myself distracted. Now I just have to make it until Thursday or Friday to test! We got all of our Christmas decorations up (minus the tree) and it all just makes me so happy to look at. DH and I have a pizza night planned for Saturday and here is how we phrased it: “we will either be happy with pizza, or sad with pizza and wine and Christmas”. LOL hoping for the former, not the latter 😂

Any questions?:

GTKY: Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, what is your favourite Christmas scent (what reminds you of Christmas when you smell it) and why? Fresh cut Christmas tree! We always had a real one growing up, and I got DH sold on a real one when we got married. That and I totally agree with apple/cinnamon...I have my apple cinnamon candle on right at this moment!

kiki047

@runningoncookies ohh good luck with the last stretch of the TWW. Hope your pizza night is happy and cheerful, for all the good reasons!!  

New question - has anyone heard of low-dose naltrexone for use in IF treatment? From what I know it's still pretty experimental, and the way it was described to me was that it's so effective that drug companies don't want to make it because it'll make their other fertility treatments obsolete. Of course I rolled my eyes at that part but the limited research I've done is pretty interesting, and even CNY has it listed on their website as one of their alternative treatment options. 

Paging the grads who might have heard of it too? @emmasemm? 

chindimples04

@runningoncookies I hope you are happy with pizza! ❤️ 🍕 

Some of my bloodwork has come back already. TSH was 1.29 uU/mL and progesterone was .3 ng/mL. They haven’t left any notes on those yet but according to Dr. Google, and the standard range they gave me, they both seem to be normal, which is good but also frustrating. I’m still waiting for FSH and maybe estradiol (I can’t remember if they ordered this or not). So, feeling stuck, basically.

misshelen86

@kiki047 Sounds like a great idea to do a mock transfer this month. I’m also going to be taking vitamin E and L-arginine this month. Sorry things have been rough for you. Hoping 2021 brings you the plot twist you need!

@gingermama29 I agree with the others, it might be better to wait for the SA until you’re done with the TI. It’s usually recommended to abstain for a few days first and you don’t want to waste any sperm right now. FX for you!

@chindimples04 Sorry about AF but glad to hear you didn’t fall apart. 7DPO progesterone sounds like a good idea to give you some more info. I’m sorry you’re feeling stuck. Remember that this is just the beginning of the testing, there is still more you can learn. Hopefully you get some answers soon!

@runningoncookies Glad your TWW is going quickly and you have been keeping busy with Christmas decorations. I like the idea of having a pizza night and being there for each other, no matter what the outcome. FX it’s a celebratory pizza though!

Diagnosis (if you've been): MFI

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): Waiting for FET

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Hopefully FET!! I have my lining check on Dec. 11th.. BUT if my lining is not up to snuff at that time, the cycle will have to be cancelled as the clinic will be closed the week of Christmas for cleaning. So I’m doing all the things to make sure it’s ready.. acupuncture, L-arginine, vitamin E, yoga, moderate exercise, pomegranate juice, green tea, limiting caffeine...  Here’s hoping!

How are things going?: Things have been a bit stressful and the uncertainty of not knowing if this is our transfer month is hard. I’m feeling so many different emotions. I go from being really excited and hopeful to then feeling afraid, lonely and sad. 

*TW pregnancy mentioned

I’m finding this Christmas to be a bit more difficult with both my sister and sister-in-law being pregnant. There’s so much excitement from everyone on both sides of our families and I’m feeling really left behind and scared that I may never get to experience that excitement.

Any questions?: not right now

GTKY: Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, what is your favourite Christmas scent (what reminds you of Christmas when you smell it) and why? Gingerbread!! Such a comforting smell and reminds me of my grandma. After that would be hot chocolate because it’s so yummy! 

emmasemm

TW mention of success

@kik0407 Yes I have definitely researched it - and if we had been unsuccessful with our FET then we would have been trying that the next time. Particularly because I have an underlying autoimmune condition and the main off label low dose usage is for autoimmune diseases. However neither by RE nor my rheumatologist were willing to use it in combination with steroids and there were more small studies and anecdotal evidence on low dose steroid use during FET than for LDN so we went with steroids as first option.
At the moment quite a few Drs are less willing to prescribe either steroids or LDN as both basically reduce the effectiveness of the immune system which could lead to a patient becoming more seriously ill with Covid if they caught it and could mean that neither would be a treatment option if they did catch COVID. Some countries have even placed limits on which Drs can prescribe those at the moment ( eg UK).
There is a risk with LDN that autoimmune symptoms can flare - but still the majority seem to have improvement in symptoms.
I was also warned we would need to stop the LDN already around 6 weeks as my RE was nervous about potential effect on the fetus in that important neural development stage from 6-12 weeks whereas there is no research to show any risk from low dose prednisolone use during that period (and its use is a lot more prevalent) and I actually stayed on it right until after birth (and am back on it again).
And both steroids and LDN are only “recommended” for transfer, not for retrieval. So overall best used in an FET cycle.
As a side note, we did combine Intralipids with the prednisolone - and whilst I have taken (and am taking currently) the prednisolone with only minor improvements felt, don’t know if it was the pregnancy hormones or the intralipids but I felt like superwoman the whole of 1st tri when I was having intralipids every 2 weeks... 

Hope this gives you some things to think about and talk about with your RE.

Any more questions just let me know!

laura-kay

Well, we had the first injection on Sunday and my second one yesterday.  I have been feeling bloated in the morning and am guessing that will be fairly common in the near future.  It’s kind of sore and uncomfortable.  We will see where it goes.

kiki047

@emmasemm to the rescue, as always. Thank you for the info. That's really enlightening. I didn't even think about the impact of Covid in all of this, that's a good point, though only compounds the frustration I'm sure we're all feeling when this looming outside force is so restrictive on our treatment options/timing. This isn't something I'd be looking at for my upcoming FET but it sounds intriguing, something I'll be asking my RE about down the @misshelen86 I have everything crossed for your FET this month!! I can completely understand how stressful Christmas will be with your sister AND SIL both being pregnant, and I hope you can find ways to cope and get through it however you need to. 
@laura-kay congrats on starting your injections. The bloat is unfortunately pretty normal, hope you have lots of stretchy pants! 

krash_

@kiki047 I have a former TTGP friend that uses an osteopath for regular visits and she mentioned that they sometimes specialize in acupuncture as well so you might be able to combine the two and I would assume it's another option for treatment that can't hurt, right?

@gingermama29 I would definitely wait until after FW for the SA. I made MH reschedule his because he scheduled it during FW 
@chindimples04 glad your bloodwork is coming back normal so far but I know how frustrating it can be to not have an "easy" solution right away. Did your dr order prolactin as well?
@runningoncookies I'm really hoping it's a happy pizza party on Friday! 
@misshelen86 FX your lining is up to snuff on the 11th! Is there any way to complete your treatments at a different clinic or your dr's office with the oversight of your RE so you don't have to lose a whole cycle for cleaning? That would be incredibly frustrating. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained, blocked tube (maybe?)

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

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

How are things going?: Good. I effing hate progesterone suppositories. I feel like I am constantly leaking from my vagina. I have to wear a panty liner which I hate and every time I open the mother freaking package the capsule goes flying. Also every time I open the fridge to get one I get distracted by leftover pie. I realize that this is a minor inconvenience and IF warriors like yourselves have gone through much more painful and uncomfortable things but I just needed to vent to people who might get it. 

Any questions?: I feel like a lot. Ok so, I had my trigger last Tuesday, I had major O pain all day and we HIO that night. Then I had a high OPK on Wednesday morning, might have missed my surge and had peak the night before. Then we had our TI on Thursday morning. FF is saying O was Wednesday and I agree with her but the RE counts the day 36-40 hours after the trigger as O day. So do you count that day as O? Also, do you scheudle your beta regardless of what your HPT says? They said I would come in for bloodwork on 12/10 but if you get BFN or AF do you still do that?

GTKY: Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, what is your favourite Christmas scent (what reminds you of Christmas when you smell it) and why? Fresh cut Christmas tree's. We have a real tree but I wish it smelt even stronger so I usually have BBW Fresh Balsam going too. 

Also @acleverusername our PTTI (post turkey timed intercourse) was really pre-turkey timed intercourse because we had to HIO at 5 am. Would not recommend. MH almost couldn't finish and we were arguing while HIO because he just wanted me to get on top of him but I wanted him to be on top, you know gravity, but he said he couldn't relax and finish that way in the morning 

kiki047

@krash_ I feel like I associate osteopaths with old people, and I don't know where that association came from because I don't think that's generally the case   I'm going to look into it some more though. Creeping on your response to @misshelen86, it seems to be a fairly universal standard (at least in Canada, anyway) that the embryology labs close over the Christmas break for their annual deep clean, so they don't schedule procedures around that time to ensure they won't interfere with timing/active cycles.
Re: suppositories - YUP, oh can I ever relate. It's so gross. I'd actually take the PIO injections over suppositories any day, I just hate that leaking feeling. 
Re: your beta test, my clinic makes me come in for my beta even if AF arrives, I guess to see if there's any tiny amount of HCG (indicating a CP). Tbh I didn't go after any of my IUIs because AF arrived right on schedule, and they gave me heck for it after.

acleverusername

@kiki047 I see an osteopath, and whilst she's not focused on fertility, she definitely has other fertility patients and is keenly aware of that we're currently trying. She's mentioned a couple of times that my left ovary was "stuck" and has done a lot of manipulations in my pelvic region. I'm still not KU'ed but I'm basically willing to try. Obviously research into benefits of osteopathy on fertility is very limited, but I did find this one paper that talked about it. N is 10 so, yeah, not exactly a gold standard when it comes to research. 

Will be back later for more tags and updates!

chindimples04

@laura-kay gl with the injections this cycle! 

@krash_ no personal experience with going in for betas but what I’ve seen from other people in a similar journey on TikTok, they don’t take an HPT until after betas, but if you O’d last Wednesday, that would make not taking a HPT really hard! I wouldn’t go in for betas if AF showed up, though. As for your question, no, they didn’t order a prolactin lab. I asked for it and they said no. *tw lc*

I’m guessing they said no since I still breastfeed once a day. 

misshelen86

Question: after mock transfer/ERA, did you have a horrible period?

*TW for TMI

It’s been so heavy with huge clots.. the pain this morning was about 7 or 8 out of 10 and I was throwing up. It’s eased up now with some Advil but I decided to call in to work in case it starts up again. My period was heavier & more painful than usual after my retrieval, but nothing like this!

kiki047

@misshelen86 that also sounds like how my period was too the first cycle following my ER. In theory, yes if you were doing your full protocol for the mock/ERA then your lining would have (hopefully) been nice and thick which could result in a much heavier period than normal. I'm so sorry, it's such an awful feeling. Hopefully you have a heating pad and can get some rest until it eases up.  

chindimples04

Well, FSH just came back very normal (6.2 IU/L, normal range is 3.5-12.5 for follicular phase). So, we are back to the drawing board. I’m not sure what they will allow me to get bloodwork for. It was a fight getting this, and with it coming back normal, I have a feeling they aren’t going to be as willing to do more. Only time shall tell.

misshelen86

@kiki047 Thanks so much friend. I was getting really worried because that amount of pain seemed excessive but it makes me feel a bit better to know you had a similar experience after ER. It’s weird though because this has been so much worse for me than my period after ER, even though my lining was much thicker with the ER. 

@krash_ No, unfortunately this is the only fertility clinic in the city and a dr’s office isn’t equipped or trained to do a transfer. So I’m just keeping everything crossed my lining will be ready! I hear you on the progesterone suppositories!! They are awful!! I hate the mess and the constant leaking. If you HIO Tuesday night, you still are in your window.. remember sperm can live for up to 5 days in fertile CM. And yes, you should still do the beta.. I’ve heard of people thinking they had AF but it was actually implantation bleeding. 

@chindimples04 There are other tests you can ask about.. definitely a 7 dpo progesterone and also an SA is a good start since it’s non-invasive. Also an ultrasound would be a good idea to check your AFC and check for any cysts or fibroids. Are you using OPKs and temping to confirm ovulation? 

chindimples04

@misshelen86 I missed your post earlier. Sorry. ❤️ There is a lot of excitement in my family as well, which has made this a really emotional journey. I pray your lining is ready so you don’t need to cancel anything for this cycle. And yes, I have been using OPKs and temping since June, all of which suggest ovulation. 

kiki047

@chindimples04 since you don't have a history of IF and there isn't anything out of the ordinary with your bloodwork, the next logical step would be a SA for YH before you keep pushing for more tests. In IF terms given your age, your history and the fact that you only started TFAS after stopping BC less than 6 months ago, none of those are risk factors to indicate you will have an issue getting pregnant again other than the fact that it's taking longer than the first time around. Are you working with an OB or an actual reproductive endocrinologist (RE)? Many OBs will overlook male factor infertility (MFI) but in reality 40-50% of IF cases are male factor so I'd look there next.

In the future, please be VERY mindful in this thread, of all places, when you're going to mention LC. There are many other places where it may be appropriate with a regular TW but in here it should be extremely pertinent to the discussion at hand so please keep that in mind. Most of the women in this thread have never been pregnant, or are continuing to try after loss(es), and are several years into their IF journeys.

That said, *TW* 

It actually pains me to talk about this so I say this more for your information than my own curiosity - 
What does your Dr say about you continuing to BF while TTC? Have you considered what your next steps will be? Keep in mind most fertility medications are not recommended for use while BFing, e.g. Clomid, and many clinics will require you stop 1-2 months before seeking treatment. 

laura-kay

I’m following along with everyone and rooting for you all, but there is so much I am still learning and trying to understand!  I want to respond to people but I feel like I am just trying to keep afloat right now lol. 

Bloating and tenderness is really happening a lot.  I am hoping it doesn’t get even more painful.  I’m starting to really not look forward to the injections.

I forgot to answer the questions earlier...

Diagnosis (if you've been): Unexplained infertility   

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO  

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Gonal F, Ovidril, IUI

How are things going?:  I’m feeling very bloated and uncomfortable.  I also am very tired and drained, both physically and emotionally.  My first monitoring ultrasound/ bloodwork visit is Thursday, so hopefully that will go well.

Any questions?: I know bloating is normal, but is a “heaviness” and tenderness also normal?

GTKY: Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, what is your favourite Christmas scent (what reminds you of Christmas when you smell it) and why?   Baking scents from many years of family baking together before Christmas!

IF Journey

2016 - actively trying to conceive
2017 - initiated testing
2018 - HSG with false diagnosis of blocked tubes; laparoscopy that overrode the HSG results showing that it wasn’t blocked, but did have some endometriosis; infertility diagnosis with unknown reasons
2018 - a break for continuing to try naturally
Early 2020 - Worked with an REI specialist to finalize testing and come up with treatment options
Late November 2020 - began first IUI + superovulation treatment

laura-kay

Accidental post

acleverusername

@kiki047 I'm really sorry that you had such a rough month. Glad that December is finally hear and we all have 2021 to look forward to! I'm super happy to hear your RE is letting you do a true "mock" cycle. Throw everything you got at that lining of yours so you can get that sticky 2021 baby! Also, thank you for the tip re: priming the pump. Our IUI is on Thu, so no chance to practice. We HIO'ed yesterday, and by Thu, it will be 3 days of abstinence. I think we'll hold off on "priming the pump" for this cycle. But if another cycle is needed, I've got those instructions handy! The funny with your friend and her H is hilarious! 

@gingermama29 definitely wait until you're in your TWW to do the SA. It really sucks that the clinic doesn't accept the semen samples on weekends; so difficult for us working folks! I really hope your OPKs start to turn soon; you're probably a slow responder like @runningoncookies so hang tight! It'll happen. If you need another cycle, I would definitely encourage monitoring which might require going to your RE. 

@chindimples04 Did they test your LH, AMH and E2 results? If not, you should request them. Here's an article on what all these hormones mean and why they need to be tested on Day 3. I also agree with others that next step should be having YH get an SA, although a 7DPO progesterone check + an antral follicle count (AFC) on CD Days 2-4 is a good idea. Your FSH and TSH are both looking good though! 

@runningoncookies only 2 more days until you can test! Hopefully you'll be happy with just pizza on Saturday night! FX. 

@misshelen86 ooh! FET month is here! In addition to supplements, have you already started estrogen? I hope Dec 11 is here before you know it and that you get good news vis-a-vis your lining! I am sorry this is proving to be a stressful Christmas for you; hopefully you'll have _something_ to add to the celebratory time! FX. 

@emmasemm super info! Thanks for popping by to share. 

@laura-kay what are your medications and dosages? When are you going in for a monitoring u/s? 

@krash_ I'm sorry you're having a rough go with the progesterone suppositories; it took me a while to get used to them. What's your dose? Oddly enough, I found the leaking really bad when I had to do 200mg AM AND 200mg PM (and the sore boobs were so awful for SS); last month I went down to 200mg in PM only and the "leaking" was definitely better. As for when / if to schedule your beta, I didn't bother last cycle even though we did TI; my clinic does a mandatory HCG / E2 test before starting a new medicated cycle, just to make sure I'm not pregnant before taking Clomid. Might be worthwhile checking what the procedure at your clinic is. Finally, I am sorry your PreTTI was so stressful. Hopefully it did the trick anyway! FX. 

acleverusername

Diagnosis (if you've been): hypoandrogenic PCOS; AMA (egg quality); mild MFI

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Clomid + Menopur + Ovidrel Trigger + IUI; also some additional testing for autoimmune diseases and anti-inflammatory markers as ordered by the specialist RE from NYC. 

How are things going?: Good(ish)! I went in for my Day 9 monitoring u/s yesterday (Monday), and I swear my follicles are like African Olympic Marathoners... no matter what you throw at them, they still manage to break records. Meanwhile @runningoncookies is suffering with slow response and double-dosing of Clomid! Anyway... luckily, because I went in on Day 9 this cycle, my 1 dominant follicle was "perfect" at 19.5mm. I had 5 other follicles but they were much smaller at 11mm or less. My lining was also good ~7.3mm (I may be making this up; I didn't really hear what the doctor said). All that to say, we're going forward with the IUI! I'm triggering tonight, and then IUI is scheduled for 2pm on Thu. MH is going to provide a fresh sperm sample, but in case it's not of sufficient quality, we also have a frozen sample to add to it. We talked about it tonight, and we both feel that these are the best “inputs” we've had of all our medicated / IUI cycles thus far. So, major 🤞🏻🙏🏻 happening over here.

The only reason I'm saying I'm doing "goodish" is because I had hoped for 3-4 follicles this time around, since I'd added low-dose injectables to the mix. Alas, this didn't happen. It seems that Clomid isn't really working as intended for me? (i.e. it's not tricking my brain to produce more FSH.) Anyway, you guys know where I go to get all of my fertility questions answered... Egg Whisperer. I basically join her live show every time I have a question and ask it there. She answered mine tonight saying that my Clomid and Menopur dosage should be 3x higher than it was this cycle (150mg instead of 50mg for Clomid and 225IU instead of 75IU for Menopur). I've also asked the same question to my RE via the clinic messaging app, but I haven't heard back from her yet. I'm obviously getting ahead of myself since we're still in the middle of current cycle, but this is how my brain works: I need to be thinking 1 step ahead. 

Any questions?: Has anyone here tried the combo/hybrid-IUI cycle to achieve superovulation? Does anyone know if estrace-priming is possible in an IUI cycle? These are all questions I'll ask my RE as well, but I figured it's worth a shot here as well. I might ask over in the Infertility community as well. Oh, another question for anyone paying out of pocket: what's the "going rate" for 1 vial of Menopur. I'm thinking of ordering my meds either from Canada or on ivfmeds.com since prices here are bonkers. 

GTKY: Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, what is your favourite Christmas scent (what reminds you of Christmas when you smell it) and why? First of all, I love that you spelled "favourite" the, ahem, 'right' way @kiki047! ❤️ 😉 I have to agree with others who've said 

ETA that I have other smaller follicles

laura-kay

@acleverusername 150iu daily.  My first monitoring visit is Thursday 

laura-kay

@acleverusername That’s an interesting concept for the combination IUI + superovulation.  I hadn’t heard of that form of treatment; it sounds like a good way to balance cost, side effects and efficacy.

chindimples04

@acleverusername I’m so happy to hear how well your u/a went and that you can continue to move forward with this cycle! 🤞🏼

@kiki047 I was VERY hesitant to even begin posting here in the first place because of my history and the journeys of the others on this thread. I felt that my TW was pertinent to the conversation as it gave further explanation to the situation. Perhaps my journey isn’t best posted here.

acleverusername

@laura-kay I’m doing the combo IUI (or hybrid IUI as Egg Whisperer calls it) is exactly for cost savings plus a lower chance of too many follicles which often happens with straight injectables. There’s oddly very little information about these types of cycles. Like I said, if I weren’t a fervent listener of TEH podcast I wouldn’t have known to ask for it. Then I knew the key words to search for. If you want to read more about others’ experience, google “combo IUI the bump” or “combo IUI babycenter.”

Good luck on Thursday! What CD will it be?

Also, I’m still really interested in learning more about you, YH, and your fertility journey this far. Don’t feel shy to into yourself in the weekly Newbie Intro thread.

@chindimples04 the last thing we want to do is make this place feel unwelcome to new joiners. In the thread intro, it says “place for those of us who have already started TTC, but have started infertility testing and/or treatments.” It is, however, hard for long-timers (and I don’t consider myself one since I’ve only been at this for 11 months) who are at very different stages of the journey to see TW LCs since many on here are trying for their first. I agree with you that your TW LC was pertinent to the convo, but I think I would just say that here, instead of using TWs it’s almost better to send a PM to a specific poster with additional info and just respond with YGPM. 

It too took me a while to learn the lay of the IF land and I think you WILL benefit from being here. For example, I know many here suggested the next step would be to have YH do an SA... would you have known to do that if you didn’t ask that question? Anyway, I don’t mean to lecture but I do want to make sure all feel welcome. 

chindimples04

@acleverusername I am clearly still learning the “rules”. I spent a lot of time lurking before posting, so I really thought I was doing things right. I will keep the YGPM in mind. I honestly am just figuring out what that means. 🙈 There was a lot they didn’t run that I was surprised about. They only ran TSH, PDG, and FSH, perhaps because I’m still early in the game.

 I am really sorry if anything I said or did was triggering. That wasn’t my intention at all.

@kiki047 to answer many of your other questions, I am not being seen by an OB or RE. I don’t have established care with an OB right now, just with the CNMs at my clinic. That may be part of my “issue” getting support for bloodwork. However, the CNMs consult with OBs when ordering and reading bw and they all agreed that after 6 cycles of TI, OPKS, BBT, tracking and charting, extra vitamins, and an extremely healthy diet, bw was the correct next step. Because of this, I’m not really sure where to ask about doing an SA. To answer your other question, I’ll just PM you.

acleverusername

@chindimples04 if you want to get tested for everything, but your CNM isn't willing to order the tests, you can look into Modern Fertility at home hormone test kit. It's about $160 and you'll get the whole she-bang. Full disclosure, even though I have no financially-beneficial association with the company, I've been a big supporter of theirs since Aug 2018, when I first stumbled across them. And I also lead their TTC35+ Slack channel and I'm on their customer advisory board. 

misshelen86

@chindimples04 I have no problem if you post here since you are starting some testing. Just keep in mind that you are still early in your journey and it can take a healthy couple 6-12 months to conceive. I hope you are not sending @kiki047 a pm with the question she asked in the spoiler since she was very clear that she was asking only to give you some things to think about. Responding to those questions through a pm could be very triggering. 

misshelen86

@acleverusername Yay for Thursday IUI!! Rooting for you so hard! Here in Canada, a 75 IU vial was about $200 for me but our insurance did cover a good portion. I can’t find the receipt for the 150 UI vial right now but I’m guessing is was about $400. 

@laura-kay GL with your monitoring appointment tomorrow! Let us know how it goes

optimisticoctopus

@misshelen86 FX for a nice thick lining on the 11th!!

@krash_ I’m totally with you on hating the suppositories! I didn’t mind them when I was just doing them at night, but now that I’m doing them in the morning too I feel gross all day. 

@chindimples04 I’m sorry that you’re feeling frustrated with your test results not giving you the answers/clarification you had hoped for.

@laura-kay good luck at your monitoring appointment tomorrow!!

@acleverusername I’m just constantly amazed at your quick follie responses lol!! Sorry you didn’t get as many as you hoped, but FX for a successful IUI tomorrow!!

acleverusername

@kiki047 Not related to implantation, but The Egg Whisperer mentioned naltraxone on yesterday's show, and basically said "don't ask me how it works." I'm sure @keikilove knows all about how to get a better response in IVF cycles, but this question / answer really gets into the weeds. Start at 23:40. 

laura-kay

@acleverusername I posted a brief intro a few weeks ago (I think it was the last day of the week though), but I’d be happy to share more.  Unfortunately there isn’t an intro thread this week!

krash_

@laura-kay I just created one! 

acleverusername

Hi!!!!!!! Update: IUI went GREAT! Dets in spoiler.

Omg! We fixed MHs sperm!!! His results today were phenomenal! TMC of 164M pre-wash, post-wash it was 54M perfectly motile sperm! The doctor said: “whatever you’re doing... don’t stop!” So, vitamins DO work! Though I’m sure that losing a bit of weight and a less stressful disposition is also very helpful. 

On TOP of that awesome result, we had 2 doctors doing the procedure... one is new and in training. Also the nurse - who is incredibly sweet - was there so it’s was “all hands on deck.” AND... the doctor let my husband plunge the syringe! It was so so so special. We are both feeling extremely grateful to have finally found a team that pulls for us in such way. Beta is schedule for 17th. I might try to hold off testing... I finish work for the holidays on the 16th, so the 17th will be my first day off. 

laura-kay

We had the first monitoring appointment.  My estradiol is 337 pg/mL.  I have two primary follicles plus some small ones under 10mm.  One was 12mm and the other was 13mm.  It seems big for just day 6, but I’m not a doctor, so I’m trying not to read into things.  It is so tempting to Google medicine and analyze every result.