IF Testing and Treatment Week of 7/6

bumblebee0210

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: Do you have a book you're looking forward to reading this summer by the pool/beach/patio? 

bumblebee0210

@optimistgardener. So excited for you to finally get the show on the road!



Diagnosis (if you've been):  RPL, DOR

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  WTO (Stims)

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):  ER #4-- EPP

How are things going?:  OK?? I keep thinking I am getting better at riding the roller coaster of IVF/TTC in general, and then things still throw me for a loop. I was disappointed my AFC this cycle was only 7, but then at my day 4 U/S there were 10 in there (all <10), and by day 6 there were still 10, with 3 now measurable (11, 11, and 12.5) and the rest pretty close. AND my E2 was 402 on Stim Day 6, which is the highest it's ever been excluding my first cycle when I had a massive lead follicle that was screwing things up (also the only cycle in which I have gotten a viable embryo, so...). My E2 never doubles and this time it went from 142 to 402 in two days! I am trying not to project forward too much but it's nice to feel like things are actually working at the moment. 

Any questions?:  Not really. 

GTKY: Do you have a book you're looking forward to reading this summer by the pool/beach/patio? Lots, but particularly looking forward to "The People We Meet on Vacation" and "Malibu Rising" which seem like extremely juicy summer-tastic books. 

kiwi2628

Diagnosis (if you've been):  unexplained 

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO!!! 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):  FET! I’m so excited! 

How are things going?:  good. Baseline Bw and U/s tomorrow (day 3)

Any questions?:  

GTKY: Do you have a book you're looking forward to reading this summer by the pool/beach/patio? Nope 

optimistgardener

@bumblebee0210 Yay! awesome news about your recruitment rates and responsive E2 levels! Fx this means you found your protocol, and also that your ovaries had a nice holiday and are ready to put in some work.

@kiwi2628 heck yeah!

Diagnosis (if you've been):  AMA, DOR, 1 ovary (other likely stuff: endometriosis, surgical scarring)

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):   stim cycle

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):  Day 1 of stims for 🤞 ER.

How are things going?:  Baseline appointment yesterday! Doc found 7 antral follicles, the largest of which was 7.9mm (I am so glad I kept my nuvaring in for an extra day, as I think I hit things just right). She says the difference between the 10afc count the other clinic did two weeks ago and my present count could be just a cyclical change as they continuously recruit and die away, and it could also be a matter of clinical practice (meaning every clinic develops its own "culture" of how it counts). I'm going to opt to understand this for now as: who knows! Maybe there's some other little itty bitties in there who might recruit as I start bathing them in hormones this week.

I took a run this morning and sort of reveled in it, knowing I probably only have a couple more mornings where that will feel like something I want to do before I start feeling all bloated and gross.

Any questions?:  As they do, the doc started out by measuring my uterus and lining before turning to the thing I actually wanted to know about, which was the state of my ovary. She was very chipper about how thin my lining was (a sign, she said, that I didn't have any out-of-control follicles pumping out hormones). She even went so far as to guess that my estradiol levels were probably around 20 on the basis of my lining's appearance. When I got a call later in the day with my bloodwork, though, my E2 level was 40. Googling of course immediately tells me that higher E2 levels are a sign of DOR, so no surprise there, but what have your "good" starting E2 numbers been like?

Also, this is probably a better Q for my docs, but honestly I've already asked them and their answer was kinda meh. So, this is less like a clearcut question and more just out-loud musings. In my first injectable meds IUI in February, I started out with an afc of 5 or maybe 7, and within just 6 or 7 days of stimming on 150iu of menopur alone, I had 2 large mature follicles btwn 17-20mm, 2 possibly mature follicles at 16mm, and "several" smaller follicles in the low teens that probably could have been babied into maturation if I'd been on an ivf protocol and used cetrotide. now that I'm on 225iu of menopur AND 225 of gonal-f, I feel like... what is all that extra drug gonna even do in there? I can't imagine the follicles growing any faster than they did (nor do I want them to), so will the extra (hopefully) recruit more follicles? I feel like I might turn up for my Friday check-in and have them be like, wow, all your follicles are all blown out and huge already. When I asked the folks at the clinic about dosage (a while back), they seemed unwilling to budge on the course they'd chosen for me, but their answer about why they chose it was kind of a generic thing about how because I have DOR they want to maximize the number of follicles they can recruit and  because of my age and medical history I am more likely to be a poor responder. I guess what bugs me about this answer is that, when my ducks are all lined up right and I don't have a lead follicle sucking up all the juice, I actually am on record as responding quickly to more minimal stimulation. Anyway, this is all obviously kind of water under the bridge as it's too late now that I'm already pumping myself full of the stuff, but... I guess we'll see!

GTKY: Do you have a book you're looking forward to reading this summer by the pool/beach/patio? If only... (long, wistful sigh). All the books on my reading list this summer are in preparation for the classes I'll be teaching for the first time this fall. I will be teaching 3 courses and 2 of them are in fields for which I have little training! So I am procuring "training" by reading like a maniac between now and September. Even on my runs and on car rides I have been listening to audio books on the same topics. It's pretty much the firehose method.

Edits for word choice and formatting because I can't help myself.

gingermama29

@bumblebee0210 yay! Glad things are progressing well so far! 

@kiwi2628 yay for FET this cycle!!

@optimistgardener yay for starting stims this cycle! FX for you!!

Diagnosis (if you've been):  PCOS

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  TWW

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

How are things going?: I’m bummed that things didn’t work out this cycle and feeling a bit foolish for how optimistic I was that we’d be successful on the first try. I guess the plan is to call my OB when my period comes tomorrow and see if we’re doing the same thing next cycle. 

Any questions?: nope 

GTKY: Do you have a book you're looking forward to reading this summer by the pool/beach/patio? 

I’m finally getting around to finishing the His Dark Materials series. I’m on book 3 (Amber Spyglass) and excited to finish it. I want to reread the Outlander series before the new book comes out in November but that’s a pretty tall order. 

optimistgardener

@gingermama29 I can completely relate to that sense of disappointment on having a new treatment not work out. No need to feel foolish about it though! Better optimistic than bitter and jaded.

acleverusername

@mokay19 & @bows22: good luck with your respective hysteroscopies this week!

@bumblebee0210 I’ve been eager for an update for you and I’m SO excited at the recruitment and your E2 levels! All my fingers and toes are crossed that this is the protocol that hits it out of the park for you!

@kiwi2628 yay for getting started!

@optimistgardener hooray! The time has finally come!!! Weee! Are you stimming only at night (for now??) or are you doing Menopur in the AM? Also, that’s one hell of a question. My 2 cents is that the 7.8mm follicle is already starting to produce estrogen which is why yours is a bit higher than - say - 20-30 (my “good” numbers; but I’ve also had E2 come back at 40 and I think even 60 once… I might have had a cyst then). As for “what’s the extra meds gonna do for me”, don’t forget that you were on nuvaring which is supposed to quiet down your ovaries so hopefully that keeps the biggies from getting all blown out by first u/s. As far as using more meds, it’s to recruit the “‘more than just 2-3” like you were doing in your IUI cycles. Dr. Aimee just answered a similar question on her show recently (I was listening to it yesterday as I was folding laundry). She said something like “less is more when you have less [follicles] but more is more when you have more follicles.” Not exactly scientific but kinda makes sense, no? Anyway, it’s in the episode linked in spoiler if you care to listen, and it’s once she starts asking the questions asked on IGTV (so not written in.) Normally I’d link you to the minute but couldn’t find it upon cursory review: 

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CQCLvmSqb-s/?utm_medium=copy_link

@gingermama29 I’m sorry that your first medicated cycle didn’t work. It’s really hard not to be hopeful; you kinda have to when it comes to this stuff. But the disappointment is for sure crushing. Let us know what your OB says.  

Diagnosis (if you've been): Hashimoto’s, AMA, sperm-driven fertilization issues.

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): 2nd attempt at IVF ER #1

How are things going?: Things are okay. I’m happy to have my AIP diet to focus on while I’m waiting for my OPK to turn. But I am also eager to get started with the stims. There have been lots of PG announcements on Facebook lately and they’ve been hitting me harder than before because it’s all from ppl my age. (Also… I don’t get announcing on FB that your PG.) So clearly my issues are not age-related; something else ain’t working. Anyways, I’ve basically stopped visiting Facebook unless it’s to go to IF groups I’m in. And also, it’s hard to see returning members to TTGP who are here for baby #3 or 4. Just a 🔪. Anyone else feel that way? Aren’t I a bundle of sunshine today? Anyway, I think I found a cycle buddy since I’m missing buddying up with @optimistgardener @bumblebee0210 and @keikilove;  I co-lead the Modern Fertility TTC35+ channel, and my co-lead is on track to start stims basically the same day. 

Any questions?:  Nah. 

GTKY: Do you have a book you're looking forward to reading this summer by the pool/beach/patio? I’ve been reflecting on why I haven’t been reading much, and I’ve arrived at the answer: I spend too much time reading about fertility so I just don’t have any space for books these days. I really need to change that though. Maybe I’ll see about getting Book 2 in His Dark Materials Trilogy from the library. (Thanks for the reminder @gingermama29!)

optimistgardener

@acleverusername I almost posted something here last week about a similar topic. A friend (actually the occasional sperm donor) invited me to a party recently and was like, "you have to come. This other friend of mine is going to be there and she has this gorgeous brand new baby who is just the cutest thing and you have to meet her." I made some excuse not to turn up but it was just a straight-up dagger in the gut, the idea of meeting this woman so that I would have to coo over her cute baby. I think he must have assumed, oh, she is trying to get pregnant, obviously she loves babies and this is an opportunity for her to hang out with one. I'm sure he has no idea I would have found the idea painful, but ugh. Separately, I had another friend come through overnight who has two kids, 8ish and 4ish. They're good kids but I spent a half-hour alone with them while their mom took a bit of a personal time out (she'd been in the car with them for 8 hours), and after the half hour was up I was like, "uh, am I making a huge mistake? kids are freaking exhausting!"

Thanks for TEW link. I'll listen while I make dinner.

bumblebee0210

@optimistgardener. Yay!! Hoping everything is smooth sailing from here. It's so hard not to get wrapped up in over-analyzing the information you get at each check-up [see below], but you really do never know until the retrieval (or even day 5 for those of us with quality issues. or the FET. Or until you have a well-adjusted healthy 18-year old. or never.)

@gingermama29. Sorry man-- the TTC roller coaster gets a lot more intense when there are actual medical interventions involved. It's good to try to the the long view-- it will likely work out eventually, but not right this cycle. 

@acleverusername. Yes yes yes-- especially with primary infertility (though it gets you with secondary too), anyone with a baby can basically go F themselves sometimes. It's totally normal, and it's important to remember that even though it feels interminable, this period of infertile lady trying everything will end, and you will not always feel like bitter hag party of 1. So it's ok to just exist in it for now. 

AFM: I don't know wtf is going on with this cycle. No bw results yet so I don't know if my spectacular e2 rise was a fluke or a pattern, but u/s was a real good news/bad news situation. Good news-- lots of growth, all of the ones that were measurable or almost measurable grew a lot and now I have 5 over 10, 3 of which are 15-16. That likely means they will trigger me *before* day 12, which my doctor thinks might help on the quality front (it also probably means I'll have to rearrange my classes again but that's another story). In bad news, there are only 5 measurable. The nurse said that there were not any others that were close, but I saw her measure a few that didn't make it onto the chart, and usually they only measure them if they can't tell if they are over 10 or not, so like how could they not be close?? I don't like this nurse she is the one who is the most tight-lipped, but I also know, as I said above, not to try to read the tea leaves!! 

optimistgardener

@bumblebee0210 you are wise (as usual) about the dangers of overanalysis. Of course, asking an academic not to over-analyze is basically a non-starter! I've already been on pubmed this morning, reading up on stuff, cursing my youthful self for not taking more (any) biology classes in college, so I could actually understand more of what i'm reading, haha. I think your cohort of growing follicles sounds really promising! I am sure it is disappointing not to have a bunch of smaller possibles bringing up the rear on this cycle, but hopefully you'll wind up with a solid crop and good E2 numbers, and that ain't nothing! I can't remember if it was you or @acleverusername who posted some woman's cycle numbers on various protocols, and on the protocol she had the best response with, there was a really unambiguous divide between growing/mature follicles vs the smalls, whereas other cycles had shown a more ambiguous progression of sizes between mature/immature.

@acleverusername i forgot to answer your Q about my dosing schedule. I'm menopur in the morning, gonal-f at night. Last night was my first night using the gonal-f pen, and while it has a certain charm in the same fashion as those multi-color click pens that were so popular in the 80s, I am probably the only person in the world who actually prefers the menopur with its weird glass vials and the multiple-stage mixing process. I try to think of it as a meditative thing, like making a fine cup of pour-over coffee or nice oolong, using a gooseneck kettle and all the trappings!

laura-kay

Don’t you just love it when people say that it is God’s will for us to get pregnant, be fruitful and multiply - and that we WILL get pregnant…that it is just a question of when not if??  Especially when they imply that it will happen if you have enough faith…

Seriously….can there be any more insensitivity than that?  I’m a Christian and that is one of the most hurtful things for people to say. Apparently, I must not be good enough or faithful enough considering my situation (that’s not what I think, but it is what their comments imply). 

inthewoods23

@bumblebee0210 how many measurable did you have at this point in your previous cycles? FX more catch up and your BW brings good news.

@kiwi2628 hope everything looks great at your baseline today!

@optimistgardener I recall my RE liked to see EW lower than 60 for IVF cycles (but 65 or 70 for IUI cycles for whatever reason). I always had an abnormally high E2 at all my baselines so even though I was above her limit we still moved forward since that seemed to just be my normal. When we did my baseline for my canceled FET March 2020 after being GF and DF for about a month and a half my E2 at baseline was only 20. An E2 of 40 sounds good to me.

@gingermama29 it's never in the cards for us is it? I was hoping for an Iceland baby back in September 2017 on our honeymoon. If only I knew what I was in store for and hoping for (anything at this point! Lol). I should re-read His Dark Materials. I did back when I was young and only got part way through Amber Spyglass. I think I lost interest being so confused on the storyline at that point.

@acleverusername I had 1 announcement this weekend too. It was the cousin I knew about. I kept getting annoyed that FB would notify me when my BIL commented AND when my aunt shared my cousin's post. Plus more than once scrolling through my feed it would pop up again. Just go away dammit!! It does suck to see returning members, but I'm actually happy to see most here because quite a few are fellow IFers. Only a few have bothered me, mostly because they've never experienced our kind of struggles!

@bows22 & @mokay19 GL with your surgeries this week!

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained, low morph, possibly a jerk immune system

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): I start all the antihistamines tomorrow

How are things going?: Eh, my TWW temps have dropped since my O temp bump and it has me a little worried but maybe it's just the temperature of our bedroom screwing things up. Feeling a little stressed about getting ready for vacation next week. First we were leaving Sunday, then it was Saturday (cue panic because that was going to be my brownie baking and laundry day). Just found out later yesterday that it's back to a Sunday start (phew). Half of my panic was that I'd only be 7dpo when we left meaning I'd HAVE to test and somehow hide it from DH's family at the same time. 😬 Now I can test Sunday morning at 8dpo and not have to worry about it for a few days before I need to be sneaky. At least I won't have to deal with AF until Saturday when we come back so vacation isn't totally ruined with AF 

Any questions?: Nope

GTKY: Do you have a book you're looking forward to reading this summer by the pool/beach/patio? Also nope lol. I am not reading "is your body baby-friendly" while in a confined spaced with DH's family. I think I've read most of what I wanted to at this point. I think in a chapter or 2 are the personal stories/testimonials that don't matter to me.

Edit - wanted to bold things

inthewoods23

@laura-kay yeah I don't like that kind of stuff. Like it's your fault you're in this position.

kiwi2628

@bumblebee0210 I’m glad your u/s so far look good!

@optimistgardener I have no answers for your questions but I’m glad you’re feeling good!

@gingermama29 i think it’s really normal to be hopeful, overly so, that first time. Try not to be too hard on yourself. It’s such a rollercoaster. 

@acle@acleverusername I’m sorry you are feeling down about it all. Really hoping for this ER for you!



ASM- had baseline today. I’m a bit perplexed- my flow this period was really light. When I went I for my baseline BW and u/s my RE mentioned that my lining was already a bit thick. I also had a 13 mm follicle and an 11 mm. Now I am on day 4 technically but…is this gonna derail my FET?

bumblebee0210

E2 was 521... womp womp. Certainly not doubled from 402. @inthewoods23 to answer your question, I looked back and this actually looks pretty similar to my first 2 cycles which went fine (they also had like E2 grew in fits and spurts). So best guess is like.. not a miracle but maybe another bite at the same apple, which I will take. 

bows22

@optimistgardener I was so excited to see your update that this cycle is a go! As far as your questions, I clearly have no clue but just wanted to say I understand being uncertain that the medical team is actually taking into account everything in your specific situation. But hopefully it will be fine!

@gingermama29 i had high hopes for you this cycle too just based on your last medicated cycle so it was definitely reasonable to have your hopes up. I’m sorry it wasn’t successful! I also hope you had an amazing time in Italy. 

@acleverusername it does sting to see people come back for number 3+ Especially if they don’t have issues/really have to “try.” And also I do feel more triggered seeing people get pregnant whose situations are similar to mine so I can understand why seeing the announcements of people your age can hurt. It just all sucks and isn’t fair. 

@inthewoods23 thank you! I’m glad your vacation got pushed back to the original day. I hate last minute changes of plans like that. 

@kiwi2628 do you know what your lining looked like at baseline for your previous transfer cycle(s)? According to my RE some people just have thicker lining than what is “normal” 

Diagnosis (if you've been):  unexplained,AMA,endometrial polyps/thickening

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): on BCP

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):  I had my hysteroscopy today! All went well and I’m home now binging Netflix. I didn’t get to talk to the doctor but according to DH I had multiple polyps but they all look normal/benign. 

How are things going?:  I have my post-op appointment on July 19 where I will get the pathology results. I could come off of the birth control today but I have to have a withdrawal bleed + a cycle with a period before I can do a treatment cycle so I’m going to stay on it for 2 more weeks so that I don’t have my “second bleed” until after I get back from vaca and then it will be time to get the party started! 

Any questions?: Nope

GTKY: Do you have a book you're looking forward to reading this summer by the pool/beach/patio? My beach reading is straight trash. I’m thinking Holly Madison’s book about her time in the playboy mansion 😂

inthewoods23

@kiwi2628 I would think none of that matters but maybe it depends if it's a natural or medicated FET

@bumblebee0210 that's reassuring that things seem to be moving along similarly to your previous cycles

@bows22 I shouldn't expect anything less with DH's family honestly 😂 we are always the last to know on things or out of the loop. I believe the owners of the place had offered the extra day but with this remodel they're doing maybe they realized they would need the extra day to finish 🤷‍♀️ yay for the hysteroscopy being over! Glad everything went great!

bumblebee0210

@bows22 OMG I read that book and it is *great* trash, I inhaled it. But I also watched the GND in college. I found them oddly fascinating. 

gingermama29

@acleverusername I feel you so much on the facebook announcements and the pain of being lapped by returning TTGPers. Hugs friend. IF is so ridiculously unfair. And yessss read those books again!! They are so good! I ended up restarting the series because I went more than a year between finishing book 2 and starting 3 and couldn’t remember everything that had happened.

@bumblebee0210 TW* loss 

I just hoped that because I got KU in December after my first medicated cycle (despite it ending in a loss), that it would be successful again this time. Sorry your E2 didn’t double. 

@inthewoods23 sigh yeah, just not in the cards apparently. Definitely get back into those books!! Glad timing works out in terms of testing. Hopefully the temps are just being affected by your room temperature. Crossing fingers that AF stays far away.

@kiwi2628 hopefully those numbers won’t mess with your FET!

@bows22 we so did! It was a blast and the food was amazing!! Glad all went well with your hysteroscopy today! Yay for almost being done with BC!

laura-kay

@bows22 So glad it went well!

@gingermama29 I totally get that.  Despite all the doctor said about percentage chances to get pregnant (or not to get pregnant), we kept thinking that since we responded well - we were so likely to be successful!  Keep your hope throughout everything! 

@inthewoods23 That’s totally understandable!  I remember having to take injections while family was over during Christmas - with our meds all hidden in the fridge.  Awkward!

@bumblebee0210 That’s tough when you don’t know how the cycle is going.  It does sound like some good news, so that is great to hear!

@acleverusername I stopped looking at Facebook for most things as well.  Even infertility groups there can be tough at times.  I’m glad we have support groups like this!

@kiwi2628 @optimistgardener Good luck!  Sending best wishes your way!

daisy0322

Sorry I’ve been MIA I was on vacation and just wanted to take a mental break. Currently sitting in the fertility doctors office now though I’ll update after. 😁

@bumblebee0210 Pooh I want to read the people you meet on vacation book too! Great news about E2 

@kiwi2628  so close to FET! I’m so happy your excited, I’ll be thinking of you 💕

@optimistgardener FX for stims this cycle 😁

@gingermama29 I’m so sorry about this cycle. I know how disappointed you must be.

@Laura-Kay - RE- just have faith. Yes it makes me so mad my freaking ovaries are dying as we speak it’s not about faith. I’m a practicing Catholic and people saying that make us all look dumb. 

@Inthewoods23 I hope you get to enjoy vacation and relax! I dont blame you not wanting to bring that book with the in-laws 

@Bows22 girl I want to read that book so bad lol I used to love that show. Did you watch it? 

optimistgardener

@daisy0322 i hope your appointment goes well and you are able to get your questions answered and put together a plan you're comfortable with!

acleverusername

@inthewoods23 Hopefully your plans to leave on Sunday will stay put, so that you can get that laundry and baking done. Are for not bringing the "is your body baby-friendly book" with you, how about a book sleeve?! Lol. Of course then you'll get the question of "what are you reading" for which you'll have to have a good story. I recommend something extremely embarrassing so that no further q's are asked. For inspiration: https://www.fastprint.co.uk/blog/101-most-ridiculous-book-titles-ever-published.html And also, you/@bows22 nailed it: it's not that returning members bother me, it's the ones who are returning for 3rd or 4th that haven't experienced any difficulties. Anyways... 

@bows22 hooray about the successful surgery! Hopefully all checks out at the Jul 19 appointment. I hope you're used to BCP by now and that 2 more weeks won't cause you to be b*tchy for that much longer. Enjoy the vacay!

@bumblebee0210 dude, I'm sorry that your E2 has slowed the eff down and that your follicles are starting to get out of sync. Here I was being a cheerleader for your ovaries. A cheerleader I will remain though. Also, educated me: what's GND? 

@laura-kay 100% re: faith and fertility. I honestly struggled to reconcile the two until recently (watched the Fighting for Fertility documentary on PBS's Nova), where a minister who'd undergone IVF said "God invented science too" which really stuck with me. You're right about fertility groups too... it can be hard in those as well, especially the non-moderated ones (TempDrop, Proov) where there are so many triggers. I do enjoy the R e d d i t IF sub too and they have VERY strict rules that must be followed. 

@daisy0322 you enjoy that mental break and don't worry about checking in. We'll see you back here soon enough. But I am looking forward to hearing how your fertility appointment goes! *fingers crossed*

daisy0322

Diagnosis (if you've been):  POI

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):  Sitting in the lab now for testing 

How are things going?:  pretty good - I’m extremely nervous about getting this blood work done there was 5 pages of orders. But at the least I’m getting started on HRT soon to do a cycle or 2 and then probably on to femara (sp?) they are also checking a lot of autoimmune issue. 

Any questions?:  
ummm I’m kind of overwhelmed but like in a good way because he presented so. Any new ideas. I’m sure I’ll have questions once I get labs back. 

GTKY: Do you have a book you're looking forward to reading this summer by the pool/beach/patio?  Ummm I just finished Home Sweet Rome but I think next I may read the handmaids tale sequel next. 

optimistgardener

@daisy0322 the first time i had to do a blood panel for fertility issues, the phlebotomist glanced for half a sec at my long list of orders and was like, trying for a baby, eh? Even though I'm not squeamish mostly, I hate getting my own blood drawn, so I was just like, ok, close my eyes and pretend I'm 1000 miles away while this guy takes like 14 vials of my blood. Mostly the phlebotomists are awesome at their job, though, so hopefully you'll hardly feel a thing. Do let us know what you learn and how you feel about all the ideas the fertility specialist is presenting to you!

@acleverusername I'm lol'ing at the idea of sending @inthewoods23 to her in-laws with a fake book cover.

daisy0322

@optimistgardener oh goodness- I had 15 and it was the most anyone in the office had ever seen. I hate getting my blood drawn though they had me lay down in case I fainted lol but I’m relived they’re getting to the bottom of this. And the doctor flipped out when I said that no one has ever tested for anything autoimmune and I have had joint pain for years. He said he’s not doubting the POI but my problem could be something else entirely 

optimistgardener

@daisy0322 so interesting about the possibility of an autoimmune issue! I'm so glad you're getting new eyes on your situation.

acleverusername

@daisy0322 sounds like a lot of blood, but hopefully it'll be all worth it! For now, this doctor sounds much better than any of the other fertility specialists you've seen before!

optimistgardener

big weird internet hugs to all the IF folks who had to deal with today's one-off on the board. I tried to answer it politely, but then i read @inthewoods23 and was just like, oh, yeah, that's why I feel like total sh** right now. Thanks for speaking plainly.

inthewoods23

@optimistgardener you and I were both on the same wavelength being IFers 😊 I'm pretty sure the majority on the board right now are either IF or have losses under their belt. Or even just 6+ months for that matter! No one here has ever complained about taking 3 months (unless perhaps it's been said in TFAS, wouldn't know).

Sure, venting out loud could be fine but that just doesn't work with our community being so small and tight knit. Also we're smart enough here to know that getting KU isn't a simple "let me go to the store and pick that up" kind of thing. The whole "I thought I'd be pregnant by now" is so insensitive to EVERYBODY.

Much love to everybody ❤️❤️❤️

acleverusername

Thanks for handling it so well ladies; you showed her much more grace than I would have had I logged in earlier in the day. Hats off to you.

bows22

@bumblebee0210 well you just solidified my decision to read it hahaha. I hope you don’t have too much trouble rearranging your classes to fit in with your cycle! 

@laura-kay I’m sorry you are dealing with insensitive comments like that. Sounds like something very easy for people with no problems conceiving to say. 

@daisy0322 glad you are on your way to getting answers! I did watch girls next door, but how old were you when you watched it?? I know you’re a lot younger than me haha 

daisy0322

@bows22 haha i was in like 8th grade and high school 😅 my parents didn’t monitor what I watched at all sooooooo. It ended around when I graduated 

daisy0322

Lab results

FSH- 89
LH - 46
Estro- 7
Progest- 0.25
Prolac- 7
TSH- 2

still waiting on autoimmune report and AMH but these are the labs I expected to see jacked up for sure. Looks like he will probably call later on to start HRT and I’m hoping femara. Last time I got my FSH done it was 112 a few years ago for reference. 

optimistgardener

Hey @daisy0322. Thanks for sharing! Did you also get an antral follicle count (did the doc do an ultrasound)?

daisy0322

@optimistgardener no we didn’t do it yesterday but we talked about it. He would like to wait until I do a few simulated cycles because my body may decide that it wants to join in a bit more. 

bumblebee0210

@daisy0322 I'm glad you're getting the full workup-- it seems like a lot, but it's always better to feel like you haven't left any stones unturned. 

AFM: Another day another ultrasound. Not too much growth on the follies from yesterday (though they looked kind of squished so I'm not sure its that accurate), but E2 jumped up (stats in spoiler-- sorry I have been forgetting to do this!)

7 or 8 measurable follicles, biggest was 20, smallest was around 12.  E2 jumped up to 999 though which is great news. I'll put the whole progression in in case anyone is curious: Baseline: 97 (after E2 priming), S4: 142, S6: 402, S8: 521, S9: 634, S10: 999. 

I think they will probably trigger me tonight-- the nurse said they might wait one more day, but after last cycle my doctor suggested she might try to err on the early side for me this time to see if that gets better results. We'll see-- I'm trying to just let them do their jobs and not overthink it...

kiki047

I've just been lurking this week because I'm on vacation but popping in to wish @bumblebee0210 good luck with your impending ER. 
And @optimistgardener congrats on starting stims! As irrational as this may sound, I'm having a bit of FOMO watching from the sidelines so I'm sending all my best follicle recruitment vibes your way!! 
@bows22 omg friend, I completely lost track of time and didn't even realize you had already had your procedure! Glad it sounds like everything went well, FX the pathology report is clean and these next few months fly by. Smart thinking to use the BCP to your advantage; if you have to be on it anyway might as well make the most out of your summer while you can! 


AFM, sorry for the informal check-in. Not much to update here in limbo. Our wedding anniversary was this week (sounds like a bunch of us got married around the same time! Happy belated anniversary to @keikilove too, what did YH end up planning for you?) so we had a little mini getaway in Niagara Falls, our first time not being at home since October 2019. Felt alllmost normal, except for the minor panic attack I had every time someone came near me. The touristy areas were a little too crowded for my liking but I planned meals very carefully off the beaten track and we golfed everyday which is inherently socially distanced so it was everything we wanted/needed.

AF finally showed around CD37 so I decided to take my letrozole after all and feeling good so far.

*TW* MC and PG mentioned

After months and months of pelvic rest because of my FET in Sept, SCH complications and subsequent loss in November, I bled for 6 weeks, then we rolled into another FET in Feb, MC in March, and another ER and fresh transfer in April/May... so there wasn't a whole lot of HIO happening. Honestly, I know it's rare - especially in IF circles - to still enjoy sex so I'm pretty grateful that we're finally finding our groove again. I'm determined not to let the pressure of TI get in either of our heads, I'm not temping or tracking anything other than CM and mittelschmerz. I told MH that the letrozole was like an alternative to BCP to regulate my cycle to make sure I'd be ready for any impending treatment cycles we have coming up eventually, which isn't entirely untrue. I didn't ovulate for months after my first ER. If anything, this just makes me feel less benched, even if I know it hasn't worked any of the other 8 times we've used it. With PCOS I need the ovulation support so this is just as much for my mental health as it is for my fertility. 

optimistgardener

thanks @kiki047! I'm trying really hard not to let my worry brain take the wheel re: what's happening in there right now. I'm glad you're doing some proactive stuff this cycle (and actually enjoying it!) even though you feel semi-benched. honestly who the heck knows about anything, but if you can find a little joy along the way good on ya.

@bumblebee0210 nice stats! my fingers are still firmly x'ed for you. Looks like a couple more littles joined the party? How are you feeling? (I ask both sympathetically and also selfishly.) Like, do you have any sensation of bloat or tenderness in the belly?

keikilove

I’ve also just been lurking this week. It’s been a chaotic time at work and I will spare you the details.😉 I’m sorry that I have to post & run (I hate to do that!) but I’m going to have to do tags later today, as we are traveling and checking out of the hotel now in Mexico.  

My loose check-in is that we made the latest egg retrieval into a vacation. I had an ultrasound on Monday that went almost exactly like @bumblebee0210’s: 3 follies that looked great & almost ready and then 3 that were much smaller at 13mm. It was disappointing. Dr debated letting me go one more day to grow the smaller ones but she didn’t want to lose the bigger ones. So she had me do one more dose of meds right then, and triggered that night. We spent the next day at Disneyland (90% of people not wearing masks, super nuts!!!) Yesterday was retrieval and all I know right now is that we retrieved 5 eggs. The good news is that MH’s sperm report indicates that he is finally getting back to normal: 

His sample was 29mil sperm, 64% motility, and morph was “ok, just fine”. 

So he is feeling great about that! I’m trying to stay relaxed and not think about any next steps in this IF life until we see how these embryos are at the end of Day 3 or Day 5.🤞🏽

@kiki047 Your anniversary sounds wonderful! (Minus the crowds) AFM, MH had a dinner planned for us at the most sought-after restaurant in our area, but he had to cancel since we were traveling for the ER. Besides the break at Disneyland I’ve been working like a maniac (it’s deadline time in my work world). After my ER I had to rush back to the hotel to do 2 online work presentations, and then we crashed in the bed, so we still haven’t celebrated. He said we have a reservation tonight for some amazing seafood restaurant in San Diego, so that will be really nice. We head home tomorrow. 

ETA: @bows22 I just have to say that I’m SO HAPPY that your procedure went well and is already over!! That time came & went faster than expected (I hope for you too!). FX the report comes back all clear & you can move straight ahead to IUIs.🤞🏽

kiwi2628

@bumblebee0210 great numbers today! Congrats! 

AFM- ultrasound today. Two follicles- 12 and 13 but frankly ai3 doesn’t matter for me so much as my uterus and on CD 6 my lining is already 7.4! Getting it nice and ready for my embryo. Based on current growth I go back on Saturday and today me RE thoughts I might trigger Sat or Sun for an ET 7 days later!