IF Testing/Treatment w/o 12/7

gingermama29

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's your favorite Christmas cookies to eat and/or bake?

laura-kay

Well - right now I’m just very frustrated.  We have our first IUI this morning and they forgot to reschedule us (from Tuesday to Monday as the doctor ordered, despite us calling the 24/7 doctor line for confirmation twice) and the time they told us for IUI was wrong - an hour wrong before the labs even opened. The lab is too far from home to go back and return, so at 6:15 in the morning (for totally non-morning people), we are heading to McDonalds and then waiting in the parking lot. 

Fun times.  

gingermama29

@laura-kay ugh that's so frustrating! Good luck with your IUI today!

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

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

How are things going?: I finally O'd this weekend!! I'm feeling pretty good about things though it felt strange to do EOD instead of every day surrounding O but we stick to doctor's orders. My follow up is supposed to be a week from today but I think I'm going to call and push it a few days since I'll only be 8 or 9 DPO at that point and it would be too early to know anything.

Any questions?: I don't think so.

GTKY: What's your favorite Christmas cookies to eat and/or bake? 
I always enjoy rolling out and making the sugar cookie cut outs but gingerbreads have become a recent favorite for eating. My friend gave me a really delicious recipe and they quickly became a favorite.

krash_

@laura-kay ugh totally unnecessary stress! Enjoy your breakfast and FX for your IUI today!
@gingermama29 yay for O!!!! We had to abstain until the trigger and it was so weird to not HIO at all in FW until we were told

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?: I have zero symptoms so I am the opposite of symptom spotting and basically feel out. I'll test on Wednesday and supposed to have my beta Thursday. 

Any questions?: so progesterone...if you aren't KU but taking progesterone will AF not show until you stop the progesterone? If so, how long does it take after you stop the progesterone for AF to come. Also does progesterone lower your sex drive? I'm usually pretty down to HIO even after FW but this TWW I have had no interest. Last night MH gave me the heads up that he wanted some, which I guess I appreciated because we have to HIO before I put in my suppository for the night but I was just not into it. I should probably call the RE and ask them these things!

GTKY: What's your favorite Christmas cookies to eat and/or bake? My favorite are chocolate crinkle cookies or snow capped mountains as I called them as a kid. 

misshelen86

@laura-kay GL with your IUI!! Hope everything goes well!

@gingermama29 Yay for O!! FX so hard for you! Sounds like a good idea to push the appointment by a few days. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): MFI

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

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): FET! Lining appointment is Friday Dec 11. As long as my lining looks good, we can go ahead with FET this month.  

How are things going?: I’m in a better place this week. I’ve been meditating every day and trying to limit stress as much as possible. I’m excited that we are getting so close to (hopefully) being able to transfer. It’s been a long journey and now there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

Any questions?: no

GTKY: What's your favorite Christmas cookies to eat and/or bake? Gingerbread or shortbread. I wasn’t really planning to do baking this year, but now thinking about cookies I might change my mind and just do a few things. 

gingermama29

@krash_ I'm sorry you're feeling out this cycle already. I hope you're not though!! Chocolate crinkle cookies sound amazing!

@misshelen86 crossing absolutely everything for good news at your lining appointment on Friday and being able to go forward with your FET!! When would your FET be this month?

keikilove

Hey friends! There was lots of good stuff going on with everyone last week! I’m sorry I just couldn’t keep up; I barely even had a chance to lurk, so finally caught up last night/catching up now. These comments below are in response to last week’s IF thread. 

@kiki047 Hooray that you are able to use this month for a mock cycle! FX that your lining responds well to your bag o’ tricks. I just love your RE.❤️ Re: your question about low-dose naltrexone: Yes, it’s popular in my FB group for Reproductive Immunology. I haven’t tried LDN but I can’t remember why. I think because some of the things @emmasemm mentioned, but especially that doctors aren’t sure when to wean off in PG. They seem unsure of its use. Also re: intralipids: I’ve done it several times. The treatment didn’t work for me, but now I believe it’s because my issues are at the DNA level and bigger than that treatment can solve. I encourage anyone to try intralipids because it is cheap, no side effects*, and it’s the go-to treatment (along with prednisone) when facing implantation or immune issues. Feel free to PM me with any questions. *The only side effect I’ve heard of is if you have an egg or soy allergy, then intralipids is not for you. 

@cleverusername Congrats on a great IUI! So so glad to hear about YH’s phenomenal sperm turnaround!😄 It’s amazing the things we all learn about each other here. (Ahem, “prime the pump”!) Also, really great info you shared. Re: your questions about Selenium & Vit.E: I take selenium but in the form of several Brazil nuts per day. I force MH to eat them too, great for sperm health. Just 1-3 nuts per day is the max dose. For Vit. E, the standard dose I’ve consistently heard is 400 (mg? IU?) per day in addition to whatever is in your prenatal. I haven’t heard of either of these causing hair to fall out. Mine was coming out in clumps in the shower too when I started all my immune meds. I stopped taking Metformin and the problem went away, thank goodness. Hope you’re able to figure it out! Hair loss is no fun. 

@gingermama29 Hooray that you finally ovulated! Your plan sounds smart to push that follow-up appointment back a few days. 

@chindimples04 I thought your mention of prolactin & details were warranted last week. I am wondering if your issue may not actually be IF (sorry, that sounds so rude to say given how hard it is to start participating here!). More explanation in spoiler. 

*TW: Mention of BF

Honestly, I’d think your BF situation is likely the reason you haven’t conceived yet. I grew up around tons of women who breastfed for more than a year with each baby. Almost no one ever got PG while still breastfeeding; this is why their kids were usually 2+ years apart—“nursing is nature’s birth control”. If I were you I’d push hard for the prolactin test or order it myself through another service. It’s a basic question of “Can you even conceive right now or is your prolactin too high due to BF”? Obviously, BF doesn’t keep everyone from being able to conceive, but more women don’t get PG while BF than those that do. 

@runningoncookies Thinking of you after the IUI TWW. Hope all is well! 

@misshelen86 FX that your lining is right where it should be on the 11th! Let’s not even entertain the thought of the cycle getting cancelled. It sounds like you’re doing everything right to get it to where it needs to be. Sending you hugs & hoping you can feel calm & confident this week.💗

@krash_ Agreed, progesterone suppositories are nasty. I skip betas when I get a negative at home, but the nurse & doctor have consistently told me to do the betas anyway in case of late implantation.🙄 And if AF shows I definitely don’t do betas. Also, if not KU, I still get AF even while on progesterone. It seems to delay it by a few days though.  

@laura-kay Just saying “Welcome!” And I hope you don’t have to be part of the IF thread for long. Hope the IUI went well today! 

Just for funsies, I wanted to answer the question from last week about favorite holiday scent: I was given a scented candle that smellEd exactly like a freshly cut Christmas tree. When it burned all the way down after a few Christmases, I went on a hunt for the same scent (of course the candle itself was a one-time promo that couldn’t be replaced.) It took several seasons, but I finally found the scent again last year and bought a few of the candles. Will light one today!❤️🎄🕯🌟 

keikilove

Diagnosis (if you've been): HLA/DQ Alpha match (leading to RPL, Implantation Dysfunction, elevated Natural Killer cells and activity), blood-clotting disorders, AMA, DOR

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): Just had my 3rd egg retrieval overall last Friday; it was the second egg retrieval in my DuoStim cycle.

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Now that ER is over, I'm doing NOTHING and it feels weird! We will do a FET in early- to mid-January. (Well, I'm taking BCP until FET but please see my question below about that.)

How are things going?: Fine. I have had zero discomfort or pain after this second ER, which is a relief. I am waiting for the doctor-in-training to call me with the Day 3 report on our embryos. Yesterday we had 3 that were still developing well out of 5 retrieved on Friday. I was disappointed that we only got 5 total: my eggs developed dyssynchronously again so the Dr. had to time it the best way she could to get the most eggs. After only 8 days of stims I had follicles at 20, 19, 18, 18, 16, 15, 14, and 13. The bigger ones probably over-matured by the time we collected them a few days later, but she wanted to give the rest a chance to catch up.// Also, I wanted to say Thank You to all of you who were rooting for me just before Thanksgiving and the 2 embryos from the first DuoStim retrieval that we were trying to grow to Day 6. Sadly, both of them had arrested development and didn't make it to Day 6.  I got depressed and went to sleep after the news, thinking about the thousands of dollars and all the time and energy wasted, just to be left with no embryos. Then I eventually realized how lucky we were that we had another retrieval coming up and that I shouldn't wallow in self-pity when we still had another shot at success. Thanksgiving was right after this, and then we traveled for the second round of DuoStim, and that was insanely busy, so I had no time to update here. So now, after all this, the plan is almost certainly to freeze any embryos that make it to today, Day 3, and thaw & transfer them [untested] in January.

Any questions?: I am hesitantly taking BCP right now until transfer in January. I'd rather use this month to try naturally. Will I have any eggs to work with coming up even though we just retrieved them? Will I not ovulate at all in December, since I just had a very brief & light period last week before retrieval? I have tried researching this as it relates to DuoStim but can find nothing online.

GTKY: What's your favorite Christmas cookies to eat and/or bake? We make sugar cookies into lots of different shapes and decorate with sprinkles and frosting, to be served at the annual Christmas party.  Not sure how this might look different this year (thanks Covid).

chindimples04

I went very MIA last week. Details in the dailies but *TW death* DHs grandpa died after contracting COVID and it’s been very rocky navigating the after death arrangements. That was taking most of my brain space last week.

@laura-kay I hope you enjoyed your breakfast and your IUI goes off without any further hitches.
@gingermama29 Yayy for ovulation! And congrats following the drs orders. I’m sure that was difficult to stick to.
@krash_ I’m sorry you are feeling stressed about the lack of symptoms. Hoping for great things this week for you.
@misshelen86 I’m glad you have found meditation helpful. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that your lining is perfect and you can move forward with your FET! 
@keikilove I honestly have no ideas at this point. I messaged my CNM after the bloodwork came back, asking for CD21 (7dpo) bw and she basically said I have no idea what that would tell you. She did say she would be willing to put in a referral to the fertility drs (honestly no idea what their title is outside of fertility dr 🤣). I may take her up on that offer just so I can continue with bw and hopefully getting some answers. **TW about my specific situation:

From the research I have done, if BFing was causing an issue, it would likely manifest itself in lack of ovulation and high TSH levels, neither of which I have. I am in a specific FB group of other women in my same situation and many have been able to get PG without stopping BFing. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): testing

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): did CD3 be, looking into a referral to a fertility dr (that’s what the CNMs called it, so I don’t know the fancy term for it yet 🙈)

How are things going?: Kind of at a standstill until I can get the referral. Need to check with DH if he’s ready for/okay with this next step.

Any questions?: Not right now.

GTKY: What's your favorite Christmas cookies to eat and/or bake? I like frosted sugar cookies with sprinkles. Boring but classic.

ruby696

*lurking*

@keikilove My RE wouldn't test my embryos because I only got three and she didn't want to risk losing them. So I don't think untested is a bad thing when you only have a few embryos. Also, and sorry if you've done this and I'm way behind, but have you considered doing a fresh transfer? I did a fresh transfer at day 2, which is super early, but my RE felt it would give the embryos their best chance. It might be something to consider. Again, I apologize if you've already discussed it with your RE, but I wanted to throw it out there in case you hadn't.

keikilove

@ruby696 Thank you for your thoughtful input. It’s always so encouraging to be reminded that others have also had few embryos, like me, and have gone on to have success. I love it when you chime in
My transfer in September was fresh. It ultimately didn’t work—but I hadn’t had LIT treatment back then. With the next egg retrieval in November (new doctor) we tried to grow them to test, to eliminate other reasons for losses. But later I read that the slow-developing Day 4 and Day 5s have a better chance of success with an immediate fresh transfer instead of trying to grow to Day 6. So this last time I did ask if we could do a fresh transfer, but she said No. I think it’s because I stimmed twice in one month & she wants to let my body get back to “normal” before attempting a transfer. Too many stimulating hormones in my body to have had a successful fresh transfer. 🤷‍♀️ 

laura-kay

Diagnosis (if you've been): Unexplained infertility  

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Just finished my first IUI

How are things going?: I’m glad the first cycle is over and really hope that it worked!  I guess we will see in 2 weeks.  Seems like that is so far from now!  

If I don’t have AF by December 23rd, I’m supposed to go in for a pregnancy test.  If I get it before then (or if a test is negative), then I’ll need to either set up my baseline appointment immediately or skip it until the next month.  (The doctor said that there isn’t a need for us to wait a month in between treatments if this doesn’t work.  Earlier he said there needed to be a month in between.  I’m not sure what changed).   It will be tough around Christmas to start.  I’m hoping we won’t have to - and that we will have a wonderful Christmas gift!

I’ve started to get more concerned lately about COVID than I was earlier now that we are closer to (hopefully) having kids.  Before when it was just me, I wanted to be careful but wasn’t overly worried if it happened to hit me.  Now I keep thinking about potential cycles being canceled if I got COVID - or worse, any complications if I got pregnant and contracted it.  I’m still mulling things over with this.

Any questions?:  My dr didn’t prescribe me progesterone supplements.  Is that unusual?  I read online that most people have progesterone after the IUI.

GTKY: What's your favorite Christmas cookies to eat and/or bake?  I love a lot of them.  Peanut butter blossoms though are one of my favorites.

laura-kay

@chindimples04 I’m so sorry to hear that about your DHs grandfather!

@misshelen86 Thinking of you as it gets closer to the 11th!  F/X!

optimisticoctopus

@gingermama29 so glad that you’re in the TWW! Hopefully the TI worked perfectly!

@krash_ GL testing tomorrow! When I stop progesterone, AF usually comes 2-3 days later. The past 2 cycles I have had a full (or nearly full) day of spotting 2 days after stopping, then AF arrives full force overnight. Hopefully you get to keep taking it and don’t have to stop and get AF though! Also, I always just feel gross and never want to HIO once I start taking it.

@misshelen86 I hope your lining is PERFECT on Friday and you get to schedule that FET!

@keikilove did you hear back about how your embryos are doing?? Sending all the good vibes and happy thoughts your way!

@chindimples04 when my OB/GYN referred me to the “fertility doctors” it was to my RE’s office. I hope YH is on board and you’re able to get the referral quickly.

@laura-kay my RE doesn’t typically prescribe progesterone either...my last OB had prescribed some to me based on my history, thinking it may help with implantation. And my RE is great and let’s me take it because it makes me feel better. So I don’t think it’s totally out of the question that they may not suggest that you take it! I think that if your progesterone is typically fine after O they may not even worry about it until you get KU.

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Clomid (150mg ugh), ovidrel, IUI #3

How are things going?: I’m struggling a little bit but trying to be more positive each day. I just was so hopeful with the last IUI that I’m finding it hard to get that hope back. Working on it though! I had my baseline us/bw today, and I don’t have any cysts this cycle which makes me happy. My RE is also increasing my Clomid dose to see if that helps the cycle move along any faster. This will be my last Clomid cycle either way, and he wants to see me for a “next steps” appointment so we can talk about more aggressive treatments. Maybe this IUI will be successful and I won’t need to do anything new, but who knows. So the Clomid starts tonight and I already apologized to DH for the monster I inevitably am going to become this week haha.

Any questions?: NATM

GTKY: What's your favorite Christmas cookies to eat and/or bake? I love all of them honestly!! Snickerdoodles or macaroons are probably my favorite to eat, but I make tons of cookies with my mom every year. My dad and I make these sugar cookies that look like candy canes every year that are pretty fun. We dye half of the dough red and then twist them together and make different shapes. 

keikilove

@chindimples04 I see. Your CNM should be referring you to a Reproductive Endocrinologist (RE)—the formal name for ‘fertility doctor’.🙂 I hope YH is willing to go forward and that you’ll be able to get the testing you want. 

@runningoncookies I may have missed one of your updates last week & have my timing wrong. It sounds like you’re starting another IUI cycle right now. FX that this last Clomid cycle is the one that does the magic for you! And thank you for asking about my embryo update.😊 It’s below. 

Update: The doctor called to say that all 3 embryos made it to Day 3, thank goodness. Two were frozen and one is being grown to Day 5 to see if we can test it. Risky, again, but at least two are frozen.🤞🏽 

ETA: Spelling & spacing issues. 

optimisticoctopus

@keikilove yep an all new cycle over here! I was super bummed about the bfn hpt last week, and ended up only updating in the dailies. But trying to pick myself back up and dust myself off for this cycle. I’m thrilled for you that all 3 embryos made it to day 3! FX that the one makes it to day 5 and you’ll have 3 good embryos waiting for you!

keikilove

@runningoncookies I’m sorry to hear about last week’s disappointment. You’re right to dust yourself off and keep going—what else can you do? Hoping for you that this is really it! Thank you for the positive vibes.💗

@kiki047 Just saw this in my Reproductive Immunology group and thought of you regarding your question about Low-Dose Naltrexone. Sharing publicly in case it helps anyone else as well. 

inthewoods23

*lurker*
Hope you ladies don't mind if I pop in from time to time to respond to the happenings of this thread I gotta cheer my fellow IF ladies on!

Yes I would absolutely dance this ridiculously for you all 

@gingermama29 I'm so glad the letrozole did it's thing and helped you O earlier!

@krash_ in my experience, with my failed IUIs started spotting right away (so beta day) or the day after beta. That might be different depending on how much suppository you're on. I was only doing 1 suppository at night that was 200mg. Presumably if you're doing morning and night it may keep AF at bay a little longer. And for reference, when I was on the PIO AM/PM and suppositories AM/PM from my failed FET I didn't get AF for 7 days but did spot for a few days before getting the full flow. I'm not sure about the sex drive aspect. DH and I are FW window and that's it people usually. I think on occasion I have a day or 2 of feeling really frisky in the TWW.

@misshelen86 oh my gosh this has been a long time coming! Hope everything goes well at your lining check on Friday.

@keikilove happy to hear you don't have any discomfort from your last ER and that embryos are making it to day 3!

@chindimples04 GL with your referral. I would manage your expectations as I know some of us that have been on this board were 100% denied being seen by an RE until they had been trying for a full 12 months. And perhaps even not allowed any kind of testing until then either? I'm not sure about that as I talked to my OB around month 10 since I happened to have my pap at that time. He allowed the basic stuff of checking my progesterone to confirm ovulation and then the HSG to check if my tubes were blocked. Based on DH's SA we were referred to a urologist first and only from there did they refer us to an RE. With covid and everything, who knows if clinics are willing to see new patients any earlier than the recommended length of time for trying naturally. And since, by clinical definition, you do not have infertility, they may tell you to come back in 6 months regardless of the covid circumstances.

@laura-kay FX for a successful IUI! Circling back to one of your questions from last week, my first medicated IUI had 2 monitoring appointments to check follicle growth. My IUI date was basically the same as my regular ovulation date. Subsequent IUIs I only had 1 monitoring appointment since I appeared to be close to ovulating sooner. My first IUI actually took place 2 days after Christmas. I even had a monitoring appointment Christmas Eve morning! IUIs are a lot simpler in terms of logistics and (at least with my clinic) the sperm wash probably wasn't done in the embryology lab which does close down for a few weeks at the end of the year. IVF and FET related cycles are probably more impacted. But I know every clinic is a little different in how they run. And regarding the suppositories - I think that's at the discretion of the RE. I was prescribed suppositories even though my progesterone was never an issue so some may just prescribe it for all patients regardless since it can't hurt.

@runningoncookies I hope you get better results with the increase in clomid. What would a more aggressive treatment include? IUI with injectables or IVF?

acleverusername

@krash_ for progesterone, I usually take my last dose on Day 13, but don't get AF until Day 18 (So, my LP is 17 days long.) But I've heard from others on this thread that they get their AF right after stopping progesterone. So, it depends on how quickly your body metabolizes it. 

optimisticoctopus

@inthewoods23 at my baseline u/s my RE insinuated that we would try injectables next and keep going with the IUI’s. My appointment is in a couple weeks so we will see what he says “officially” then! 

acleverusername

**Removed for TOU violation**

laura-kay

@runningoncookies Good luck with the baseline u/s! 

@inthewoods23 Of this doesn’t work, my next baseline u/s may be on Christmas Eve. I’m hoping we don’t have to do that but we are trying to be realistic about all possible outcomes.

I wrote to my doctor’s office about the progesterone and they said they would prescribe it if we got pregnant.  

@keikilove Great news about day 3 for the embryos!

@acleverusername Thanks for the link!  Checking it out now

krash_

@misshelen86 everything crossed for your lining tomorrow! I'll be watching for your update!
@keikilove being on BC sucks but it's nice to just relax and enjoy you holidays and start refreshed in January! 
@chindimples04 GL getting in with the RE. If you can't get the referral at a bare minimum you could switch to an OB. A CNM probably won't be able to request as much testing. The next steps if you bloodwork is normal would be a SA and HSG. 
@laura-kay GL with your IUI! Re: progesterone, my progesterone isn't low but my RE prescribes progesterone to everyone on medicated cycles because he sees better results with it. It's great they will prescribe it if you get pregnant but if this isn't your cycle I would ask about them adding it after the IUI next cycle. 
@inthewoods23 I'm on 50mg am/pm which doesn't seem like much. I haven't taken it yet today because I'm fairly certain my beta will be negative so hopefully AF doesn't take too long. 
@acleverusername I admire your hard work trying to find all this information about trials! FX you don't need it!

Long winded update in spolier **tw mild mention of secondary IF**
Context: I was considering taking next cycle off with Christmas coming up

If you don't follow the TWW, BFNs for me. I went in this morning for a beta, just in case they were false negatives 🙄. Waiting for that to come back and AF to start. I asked the nurse if the Dr usually does a consult before the next cycle and she said I could try to get on his schedule for a consult but it likely wouldn't happen before my next treatment cycle so she offered to go through my chart with me. It was kind of a frustrating conversation. She first said typically women ovulate from every other side each cycle, unless you have more blood flow to one side making it dominant. I ovulated on my right last cycle so it's likely I might ovulate on the left next cycle in which case I might not want to lose that data with monitoring. To which she replied "well not necessarily." But you just said...and it felt like she was arguing with me. I know she can't guarantee I will ovulate on the left but you just said women typically alternate sides. I just don't think I want to miss a cycle on my definitely open side. Plus if I do ovulate on the right again I need that data because if I continue to ovulate on the right he will recommend a repeat HSG. 

My other concern was timing the monitoring around Christmas and us visiting my dad in WI. She said they will be closed Christmas day and they never do monitoring on the weekends so everyone will be in the same boat at the clinic. So we could need to do the trigger and TI at my dad's house but if my u/s before Christmas isn't ready for trigger they would just have me stay on the letrozole until after Christmas and come in for the second u/s on Monday.  I also inquired TI vs IUI and she said that because MH's SA was "mostly normal" & we have proven fertility together, an IUI wouldn't increase our chance of conceiving just eliminate one variable. 

My Q: does your RE typically do a consult or appointment after a failed cycle? I know medicated cycles aren't as much of an investment, of time or money, so it's not that necessary but I was expecting a quick meeting. She did say he reviews all the cycles and makes or changes his recommendations. 

inthewoods23

@runningoncookies GL with the injectables if you go that route!

@krash_ wow 50mg am/pm seems low for what most prescribe, but I suppose they do that if you don't have a progesterone issue. Funny how progesterone is handled in so many different ways depending on the doctor. I think I've seen some here on 200mg 3x a day! I would definitely push for another HSG just to be sure it's not blocked. Fluid will take the path of least resistance so if your one side is much more open than the other, I can see how it would appear blocked because it has an easier time going through your left side. Plus, do they even try to direct the fluid towards each side to be sure? As for your Q - I didn't have any consults between IUIs/cycles as I could just move into the next one once AF arrived. We did have a "what's next" appointment after 3 IUIs to discuss moving to IVF. You could try requesting some time to speak with your doc when they call with your beta results. Or do you have an online portal where you can ask questions just to be sure you're on the same page as your doc?

acleverusername

I'm finally getting around to doing a proper update for the week. But first, the tags: 

@gingermama29 I've already said it in the Dailies but I'm really happy you O'ed relatively early (you know, relative to your natural cycles). Pushing the consult with the doc makes sense, unless he was planning on doing 7DPO progesterone testing/check-up? 

@krash_ since your week has evolved, I'll just address the latest update. The nurse is right, it's possible that you have a dominant side. For me, it's definitely my right side. Before starting treatments, most of the ultrasounds I had had showed a dominant follicle on the right. Plus, when I did my ER in 2019, I had 11 follicle on my right and only 4 on my left. So, unfortunately, it's a science experiment and unless you monitor cycle after cycle, you won't know (unless you get O pains?) Regarding f/u with your RE after a failed cycle, it's fully within your rights to request one. For us, at our first fertility clinic, we had to pay $212 a pop each time we wanted to speak to the RE, so we just let the nurse give us instructions if they changed from cycle to cycle. With the new clinic, I can send a message to the RE via the portal and she's reply. But once again, having a face-to-face with her is $150. Finally, what kind of clinic are you at that they don't do monitoring on weekends?! That is bizarre. Christmas, I get... my clinic told me a while back that the latest IVF cycle start pre-Christmas is Dec 3, b/c the embryology lab is closed for Christmas. They resume ops on the 26th. I expect that the clnic itself will be open and the RE even said that another doctor covered Tnxgiving so she'll be on during Christmas. Also, normally, your clinic should be open for monitoring appointments during the weekend because especially for ppl doing IVF stims, your body doesn't just "take a pause" during the weekend. RE: IUI, I would have to agree with the nurse. All the research I've done shows that IUI is only beneficial if there's a male factor (not too bad; TMC has to be above 10M). If I recall, morphology was the only thing "off" for YH, but it that he still had normal shaped sperm.  

@misshelen86 oooh! I'm so excited for you! Keeping my fingers crossed, sending all of my prayers that lining check is OK tomorrow. Will eagerly await your update. Good for you re: daily meditation. It sounds like you're doing everything you can to line up a successful transfer cycle. At the end of the day, our own actions is the only thing we have control over; everything else is in God's hands. 

@keikilove so happy to see an update from you this week. It sounds like your life has been a real whirlwind for the past several weeks. I'm sorry your 2 pre-thanksgiving emryos didn't make it, but so happy that you have 2 in the freezer. I'm looking forward to your update on the last embryos they were trying to grow to day 5 FX. I can relate to the feeling of weirdness when there's nothing to do by wait fertility wise. You've spent so much time leading up to the DuoStim cycle researching, traveling, getting treatment, etc. and now your mind doesn't have anything to occupy itself with. I hope this feeling gets better and that you can even sneak in a natural cycle before a transfer in Jan! And speaking of the transfer, I really really really really really hope that those LIT treatments did the trick. Did you get more testing done re: its effectiveness? 

@chindimples04 I am so sorry about the family's loss. What a tragic thing to experience so close to holidays. I thing getting a referral to an RE is the right course of action. Until then, you can keep trying naturally as it sounds like your initial results are all good. 

@laura-kay I really hope that this cycle is it for you and you don't have to worry about figuring out baseline ultrasounds around Christmas. There really is no need to take a break between treatments; not sure why your RE told you something else initially. As for timing, yes, sadly for the past 4 months, MH and I have been unable to commit to any plans before it's always "this might be around the time we have a monitoring appointment or do an IUI so I can't confirm". That's the reality of fertility treatments; they take precedence over everything else. In terms of progesterone, what was your 7DPO progesterone test like? Mine was low hence why my doctors has me taking progesterone in luteal phase. If yours is fine, then it likely isn't necessary but it certainly doesn't hurt (except for giving you lots of PG-like symptoms like sore boobs / and discharge). Regarding COVID, I'm 100% with you. One more thing to worry about during a potential pregnancy until a vaccine is widely distributed. 

@runningoncookies good luck with Clomid. The higher dose _should_ help you react more quickly. Hopefully this will be the last cycle you need. Thank God YH is so loving during your Clomonster days. In terms of next steps, if it comes to that, something you may want to bring up is a combo IUI cycle (so Clomid/Letrazole and an injectable). There is far less of a chance of overstimulation / cycle cancellation with this type of treatment. NOTE: I have never had an RE "offer" this treatment to me at the outset. Even when I purchased the IUI course from FertilityIQ, it was not mentioned as a potential "in-between" step. I only found out about it via The Egg Whisperer and asked my doctor about it. So, I get the feeling that it's not part of the typical "next steps." Of course, I know you trust your RE so go with what he suggests, but I wanted to mention the combo cycle as it's unlikely to come up on its own. 

@inthewoods23 it's always nice when you pop by and offer your advice. I've been meaning to ask if you plan to return here, or just stick to the dailies for now. Are you continuing to try naturally or have you given more thought to doing a FET? 

acleverusername

Diagnosis (if you've been): hypoandrogenic PCOS, MFI? (based on last week's IUI results, I don't think we have an IUI issue anymore, even though morphology was only at 2%) 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW (the longest ever)

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Combo IUI cycle + did some immunological testing; all clear. 

How are things going?: well, other than experiencing the longest TWW ever, I'm doing great. Haha. MH asked me this morning "do we know yet if we're KU'ed?" and I said "no; it's only 7DPO and the just the beginning of a potential implantation window." I think we're both hopeful for this cycles / anxious for my beta next Thursday. To keep myself busy, I'm investigating the research study that I've mentioned last week and above.

I also ended up joining Reddit's IF community though I don't think I'll be a frequent contributor there. Their rules are also somewhat different so keeping 2 sets of community rules in my head is a recipe for disaster. But I do find Reddit pretty informative in general and that's usually where I go whenever I need to crowdsource something. 

@keikilove thanks for answering my question re: Selenium and Vitamin E. This week I cut back on the Vit E dose to 400IU and also stopped Selenium until my order of 50mcg arrives (I figured that between a 200mcg supplement, plus 50mcg that's already in my PVN, and the selenium in food I eat, I was probably hitting the upper limit for the recommended max of 400mcg.) I have an appointment with my PCP next week to discuss the hair falling out; maybe it's something else altogether. 

Oh, last week I got all my NYC-specialist-ordered immunological tests done, and they just came back this morning (well, I got a copy of them through LabCorp); as far as I can tell, I don't have any autoimmunity issues. 

Any questions?: Not this week!

GTKY: What's your favorite Christmas cookies to eat and/or bake? I eat chocolate, not cookies. LOL. Seriously though, Christmas baking was never a thing we did in my family growing up, so it's not something I do. I don't have a super sweet tooth; plus cookies make me gain weight, so it's easy enough to stay away. 

krash_

@inthewoods23 when I had my HSG they did have me lean on my right side for a bit to encourage the contrast to go through that tube. I wonder if I do a repeat if I can just do the whole scan leaning to my right to try to encourage or unblock the right side. No portal, everything seems to be done through the nurses. This one guy has like 7 offices that he oversees patients so a lot falls on the nurses. 

@acleverusername they aren't open for monitoring u/s on the weekends. They still do inseminations so I would assume they would do IVF on the weekends. I think for medicated cycles they can control ovulation enough with lowering estrogen that they would rather just have you wait until Monday. Yes, MH morph was 10% so that was the only slight MFI that they noted. 

 

optimisticoctopus

@krash_ Ugh so annoying that your RE doesn’t do monitoring on the weekends!! Mine is only open on Saturday mornings, but it’s been really nice to know that that’s available for me. And my RE hasn’t had me do a consult after either failed IUI cycle, but he did tell me that he’s not happy with the length of my Clomid cycles and wants to see me for a next steps appointment now (on the 3rd IUI). From talking with the nurses, it seems like I could’ve asked for a follow up consult at any point, but that he would likely want to try 3 cycles on Clomid before doing anything else. We did change the dosage each time based on my slow response so I know he definitely looked t the result from each cycle.

@acleverusername that is SUPER good information to have! I will definitely bring that up with my RE when I meet with him. That seems like a really logical stepping stone between protocols. I’m glad that it looks like your autoimmune results came back normal. I’m keeping my FX for you that this is your cycle!! I hope the TWW starts to move a little faster for you haha!

gingermama29

@keikilove I'm so happy to hear all of your embryos made it to day 3!! Sending positive vibes for them to keep developing!!

@chindimples04 so sorry for your loss. Sending hugs 💕

@runningoncookies I hope the increased dosage of Clomid isn't too rough on you. That sugar candy cane cookies sound so cute!

@krash_ ooh that's a hard decision about taking a cycle off. I can regiment understand your thinking though. 

@acleverusername no, my OB wasn't planning that check up. The appointment was to either confirm a pregnancy or plan out my next cycle. I was able to move it to Thursday if next week though which will have new at 12DPO. Hopefully we'll both get good news on Thursday!! Glad you don't have any autoimmunity issues. 

laura-kay

...

laura-kay

@acleverusername I don’t think they actually took my progesterone on cycle day 7.  I had some bloodwork beforehand though - so maybe that is where they got the levels?

misshelen86

@keikilove So happy to hear your news that all 3 embryos made it to day 3 and 2 are now frozen! So excited for your FET next month! I’m hoping with all the changes you’ve made in the last months, this will be the one that sticks! Sending you hugs 

@chindimples04 So sorry to hear about your loss. That sounds really stressful! I agree with @inthewoods23 about managing your expectations with a referral to an RE, since it’s usually required to wait out the year before being seen. I was referred after 11 months and was seen 2 months later. Beforehand, my H did an SA and I did bloodwork and an U/S. There’s no reason to think you won’t get KU in the next few months.. I’ll be keeping FX for you!

@laura-kay Hoping you have good news soon! Will you test early? I didn’t have progesterone with my IUI. 

@runningoncookies It’s so hard to get that hope back when you’ve been hurt. I hope this cycle is a success and you won’t have to think about next steps. One day at a time! The sugar cookies are such a cute idea!

@inthewoods23 Thanks for the kind words You’ve been missed here.. pop in anytime!

@krash_ Sorry about the BFN. My RE said that is a myth that you alternate sounds you ovulate from.. it’s just random. That sounds like a frustrating conversation. It’s so hard to plan anything around treatment cycles. I was reading about how some clinics prefer TI over IUI unless you have known male factor or issues with CM, since you lose some sperm during the wash and ejaculated sperm live longer than washed sperm. Also, a repeat HSG sounds like a great idea. I was told I had a blocked tube on my first HSG but the repeat was fine! GL with whatever you decide to do this cycle!

@acleverusername Thanks so much!! So true that we only have control over so much and I keep reminding myself of that. Do you plan on testing before beta? I’m so hopeful for you! Glad to hear your immunological tests came back normal. 

AFM, I had my lining check today and... 

We are scheduled for embryo transfer Dec 17th!!

I can’t believe it. This has been a long time coming.. we first registered for IVF exactly 1 year ago! My lining today was between 7.8-8.2 so it looks like all the extra supplements, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, etc did make a bit of a difference! Last month was between 7.3-7.8. My manager was able to help me move some shifts around so I will be off all next week. Which means I’ve been working like crazy this week, but it will be worth it to be able to relax next week! I’m so excited and a little nervous, but feeling hopeful!

I also just want to let you ladies know how much I appreciate you. You have been so amazing and supportive.. not sure how I would have gotten through these last few crazy months without you I’m thinking of you all as we head into the holiday season.. I know this is a really hard time of year for a lot of us. I found this quote and found it so fitting.. “I think the only way to get through it, is be selfish and do what is right for you and yours.” It’s okay to not feel like celebrating and to do whatever you need to do to protect your heart. Sending you all hugs!

krash_

@misshelen86 I'm so happy to hear about your lining! FX for you! 

acleverusername

@misshelen86 this is the best news of the week! Yahoo!!!!!!!! Plus, you've got another week of lining growth! So so so so excited for you. 

(AFM, I'm going to try not to test until the Beta. FWIW, I don't feel pregnant. The SS isn't too bad either and I REALLY don't think itchy armpits are an early sign of pregnancy. 🤣)

gingermama29

@misshelen86 omg I'm so happy for you!! Sending you all the positive thoughts and vibes for your transfer next week!!! ❤️

optimisticoctopus

@misshelen86 YAY!!! I’m so so happy that your lining looked good! I hope everything goes perfectly next week!

keikilove

@misshelen86 WooooHOOOOOO!!!! So happy that your body cooperated with all your efforts!🎊❤️ Your FET is so soon, how exciting! 

acleverusername

Welp, speaking of lining, I requested a copy of the ultrasound reports from my clinic for our IUI round, and I learned that my lining on our Day 9 check was 3.91mm. 😭😭😭 Why didn't they tell me?! Should I even bother being hopeful for this cycle?

keikilove

@acleverusername Well that SUCKS! Sorry they didn’t tell you. Keep the faith for this cycle, and ask them if they have any more info to share with you, such as the lining measurement on day of IUI. 

misshelen86

@acleverusername oh no! I’m sorry you’re just finding this out now. Is it possible it was a typo? I agree with @keikilove to touch base with the clinic and find out what the measurement was on IUI day. Please don’t lose hope.. people can and do get KU with a thin lining.

acleverusername

@keikilove @misshelen86 I emailed the clinic asking _some_ of the questions. They actually didn't do an ultrasound on the day of the IUI. Ultrasound report shared in spoiler. I don't think it's a typo. I know that ppl can still get pregnant even with thin lining, but I think 3.91mm is way too thin. Also, from Healthline: 

Your doctor will likely give you the go-ahead to do the shot when your follicles reach between 15 and 20 millimeters in size and when your endometrium (uterine lining) is at least 7 to 8 millimeters thick. But individual specifications vary among physicians.