IF Testing & Treatment w/o 3.7

keikilove

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 ballgame. 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 the most embarrassing or hilarious thing you’ve experienced during TTC or IF treatment? 

gingermama29

Diagnosis (if you've been):  PCOS

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  WTO 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):  Letrozole, metformin, myo-inositol, baby aspirin, PNV, trigger (ovidrel) and TI

How are things going? Things are okay. Period arrived late Saturday evening. DH had his SA done a week ago and everything looked perfect. He had 65 million for concentration, 75% motility, and 7% morphology, so well above what they like to see for a baseline. So it’s good to know that everything is good on his end and it makes sense to continue adjusting my treatment. I’ll officially be doing this cycle with a trigger shot which I thankfully already have in my refrigerator. I’m glad we’re trying something different this cycle since the last 4 medicated ones haven’t worked. Starting Letrozole tomorrow since my period arrived late Saturday.

Any questions?: nada

GTKY: What’s the most embarrassing or hilarious thing you’ve experienced during TTC or IF treatment? I’m honestly coming up blank for something to contribute here. I’m sure there’s been something embarrassing but I can’t think of anything for the life of me right now. 

mambo5-2

Diagnosis (if you've been): RPL, MFI post vasectomy

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): waiting for insurance authorization

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

How are things going?: About to lose it on my insurance company, the usual

Any questions?: Nope 

GTKY: What’s the most embarrassing or hilarious thing you’ve experienced during TTC or IF treatment? I had an IUD that got all funky, turned sideways, couldn't get it out. All the drama. So I had a procedure where they dialated my cervix and there was water and all sorts of things. Well my cervix hyper reacts to dialating medication and it over dilated so water was pouring out and there were doctors and nurses and ultrasound machines going and I could hear the water pouring into the bucket. It took like 2 hours. And then.... My dad had to drive me home. 

abjm0325

@gingermama29 Glad your DH's SA came back with good results and that you have a plan already in place for this cycle. My period arrived yesterday evening so I was thinking I should start letrozole Tuesday evening, but your comment gives me pause. Should I wait until Wednesday since AF arrived later in the day yesterday? I tend to take all of my pills in the evening if that makes a difference. 

@mambo5-2 Sorry you're still having insurance trouble! I am laughing a little bit at your dad having to drive you home after that experience. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): Does old count? Also throw in a couple losses.

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Adding letrozole to the mix while I wait for the RE appointment in May.

How are things going?: It's CD 2, so meh. Having the flu last week did not make me hopeful for last cycle, so I guess I'm just glad to be moving on. Probably have two cycles to try letrozole before I see the RE in May. Obviously hoping the RE becomes unnecessary in that time, but it's nice to have steps laid out just in case. 

Any questions?: Anything I should watch out for with letrozole (as far as side effects or things to do/ not to do while taking it)? 

GTKY: What’s the most embarrassing or hilarious thing you’ve experienced during TTC or IF treatment? I can't think of anything too crazy, but I'll circle back around if something comes to me later. 

anniemarie887

Diagnosis (if you've been): uncooperative uterus aka TBD

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): ugh, i think TWW finally? had a small temp shift upward, so at least the "right" direction but still getting peaks on OPK. this cycle is a real mindf*ck

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): fertility appt next Monday

How are things going?: stressed out re work, like majorly. had been kicking my series 63 down the line (aka procrastinating) for almost 18 mos and my securities prinicipal has had enough of me, i have to take and PASS it saturday or i'm u5'ed. they keep pushing 65 out tho, i have a smidge over a year for that still.

Any questions?: natm

GTKY: What’s the most embarrassing or hilarious thing you’ve experienced during TTC or IF treatment? nothing so far.

@gingermama29 hoping that trigger shot does the trick!
@mambo5-2 is your insurance company giving you any kind of eta?
@abjm0325 hope you are feeling better!

acleverusername

@gingermama29 Hopefully the trigger shot is the missing ingredient! And lucky that you already have it and don't have to jump through hoops with Freedom. 
@mambo5-2 Argh. Insurance! *flips desk* I can't believe they're still giving you the run around! Also, your embarrassing story is... VERY embarrassing indeed. 
@abjm0325 good to hear that you've got something to do while you await your RE appointment. And +1 to hopefully not even needing it!
@anniemarie887 I... am struggling to understand what you wrote in "how are things going!" Is all of this work related? Remind me again what you do for work? 

Diagnosis (if you've been): Hashi's, AMA, Immunity issues, wandering sperm

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): not sure what to call it; it's the part where you start PIO shots 

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

How are things going?: As far as my mock cycle goes, I'm cautiously optimistic that we found the optimal protocol. I had my lining check yesterday (Sun) and my lining was a plush 9.1mm! This is 2nd best it's ever been (first best was when I did my double IUI with TEW last March). So, I start PIO tonight. My butt is all marked up with a sharpie so that DH knows where to stab me. And then my biospy is scheduled for next Sunday! And then, we're probably gonna roll right into a transfer. I'm also starting prednisone today to start to bring down my NK activity. It's getting real! Eeeek! 

Any questions?: One: I'm supposed to do my PIO shot today at 10pm. It's very precise for tonight, but then the rest of the week it's between 7-9pm. Is there a significance to why the first shot has such precise timing? I'm adjusting back to PST after spending a week in FL, and I'm not sure I can stay up until 10pm. 

GTKY: What’s the most embarrassing or hilarious thing you’ve experienced during TTC or IF treatment? It would have to be when I bought my menstrual cup. I initially bought it because I read that it helps keep the sperm "up there." Anyways, having never used a cup, I wanted to try it before I actually needed it. So, I used it at the time of my cycle when my cervix is really high up / there is no lubrication. I swear I spent like 10 min trying to get it out. I was convinced I might have to call DH and ask for help. Luckily, once I calmed myself down, took 2 breaths, and re-read the instructions, I was able to extract it. 

anniemarie887

lol yes all work related! @acleverusername totally fair! i def just went off in financial services jargon. i own an insurance and financial services agency, licensed under the biggest p&c insurer in the US. i have a securities license - investments like retirement accts, mutual funds, college savings - and i want to add additional states so i've got to get my series 63 which is the "uniform securities agent state law exam". and a u5 is not good, it terminates my agreement (just securities) and then i have to wait 30 days to reregister and try again.

so glad your mock cycle is going well!!

fantasyflyte

@gingermama29 given the chaos it took to get the trigger to you, I'm glad you already have it in hand for this cycle. Fingers crossed it's the winning touch for you this cycle!

@mambo5-2 insurance is the worst, I'm sorry you're still dealing with them. How long has it been since the preauth request was submitted?

@abjm0325 I've done 3 cycles with letrozole and I personally didn't have any noticeable side effects. It did pull my ovulation earlier, but not instantaneously, if that makes sense. Without letrozole I O on CD20 (on metformin). I O'd CD19(ish) the first letrozole cycle, CD17 the second, and CD14 the third. I was on 5mg CD3-7 all 3 times.

@anniemarie887 I don't know what that work stuff means but it sounds frustrating. I hope it gets better for you soon!

@acleverusername woo for a good mock cycle! Fingers crossed everything continues to be good and you can roll into the actual transfer quickly.

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

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW, in testing purgatory

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

How are things going?: I'mma lose my mind waiting right now. Might test tonight when I get home just because I feel the need to do something. Might wait for morning. Might do both. FF predicts tomorrow would be CD1. I haven't had really any of my normal symptoms that AF is on her way, so part of me is scary hopeful, but I've had cycles in the past where I didn't really have pre-AF symptoms so it may mean nothing. Of course I have long days with school/work all week leading into spring break. Unfortunately most of today's long day isn't busy except for trying to study for a test, so my brain is in overdrive lol.

Any questions?: nope

GTKY: What’s the most embarrassing or hilarious thing you’ve experienced during TTC or IF treatment? Not embarassing per se, but probably the most amusing to myself was figuring out how to inconspicuously smuggle pee cups and OPKs everywhere I was going my first couple letrozole cycles. Trying to pull a tiny plastic cup out of your bag and stick it in your pocket is an interesting maneuver.

mambo5-2

@fantasyflyte it was submitted 2/25 apparently. I'm wondering if that was a resubmission

anniemarie887

@fantasyflyte i continue to be in awe of your willpower. work stuff is not frustrating, i only have myself to blame for procrastinating, just stressful. i hate taking tests. and i'll have another big one to handle in the next year.

fantasyflyte

@mambo5-2 maybe. Insurance is dumb. My clinic said it can take up to 3 weeks (she said 15 business days, but that's effectively 3 weeks) for prior auth approvals. I think ours took about 2 weeks to be approved last month (UHC).

bumblebee0210

*lurking* 

@acleverusername my understanding is that the reason they de precise timing of the first PIO shot is so that it can mark the "beginning" of the luteal phase, and transfer can be exactly XX hours afterward. Given progesterone's natural fluctuations, I'm guessing the precision matters less after that. Exciting that it's getting close!

kiki047

@acleverusername to respond to your question - are you doing the EndomeTRIO test with all 3 Emma/Alice/ERA tests? I assume you're doing an ERA, in which case the whole point is to measure the Window of Implantation (WOI) which is typically 120 hours +/- 3 hours. Therefore PIO timing for the first shot matters, and the others should be +/- 1 hour (if you really want to move it forward because 10pm is too late, try moving it up by an hour each day). Some people need a whole extra day of PIO, sometimes it's only 12 hours, etc. 


AFM, I'm not going to do a full update (although this promises to be lengthy anyway, sorry in advance). My beta was negative this morning, as expected, so we're now at a complete standstill. The nurse on the phone was very sympathetic but said that he's currently booking his WTF follow-ups into JUNE (f*ck that shit) but to talk to his [extremely bitchy] receptionist and see what she can do for us, and if she can't get us in sooner then to call her back and she'll squeeze me in during cycle monitoring which isn't a full appointment but at least I'd get some face time with him. I'm very much NOT ok, and I think I'm more traumatized by the potential of being benched for months and months while we literally just wait until we have a chance to talk to him about what's next. I have a wedding coming up in mid May and I'm a bridesmaid, and we're going away end of June so that really only leaves April to do anything, and if we can't move forward with another transfer then I want to do another retrieval. We're down to only 3 euploid embryos and 2 mosaics, which I realize is still pretty good and I'm grateful to have that many, but considering it has taken us 3 retrievals and 6 transfers to get here with nothing to show for it, those remaining embryos feel entirely insufficient even to have one THB, nevermind another subsequent child down the road if we are thinking that far ahead. 

We had a very tearful discussion last night about surrogacy and while I don't think I'm there yet, I also recognize that we're in the fortunate position to even be able to consider it (financially, and because our clinic is very well known for its surrogacy program). I need to look into that more. But honestly I'm only 35, if we can continue to make good embryos I'd sooner keep going with more testing and more transfers because the wait for a surrogate can take years anyway and I can't just sit here and do nothing until then. 

I'm going to take a break from TB to wrap my head around what this all means and because I'm unfortunately not in any position to offer much support these days. I feel like a black hole that's sucking happiness and joy out of the air around me, and if I'm being completely honest, the people I normally turn to for support also have a lot going on themselves (a few who are KU, a few who are grieving themselves, and a few who are in such blissful, exciting times in their lives and I really don't want to bring them down with me). I know it's an excuse and I shouldn't make that decision for them but this is as much a defensive mechanism so I'm also not hurt by the people I turn to for safety and comfort. 

acleverusername

@bumblebee0210 Thanks for that wisdom! Makes sense to me. 

@fantasyflyte I've been following your "to test or not to test" saga in the dailies. I usually get so worked up about testing, that I can't sleep at night. So I end up testing the night before, and then again the morning of. But then again, I'm usually at least somewhat prepared for a negative, so basically don't listen to me.

acleverusername

@kiki047

(No words, girl. Take all the time. We'll be here for you whenever [if] you decide to rejoin.) 

abjm0325

@anniemarie887 Woah, that wounds like… a lot.

@acleverusername Doing something different always feels productive at least. Glad your mock cycle is going so well! I had a similar panic situation with a tampon as a teenager. So much fun.

@fantasyflyte Keeping everything crossed for you! Surely it has been long enough for the trigger to leave, right??

@kiki047 Sending you lots of hugs. I hope we see you here again one day in whatever capacity you feel ready for.

anniemarie887

@kiki047 there are no words that will make you truly feel better, take time (or tears, yelling, punch a pillow) for yourself. my only advice in tough times like this is remember on a plane when they said in the event of an emergency you have to put the oxygen mask on yourself before helping others? that's applicable here, too. so please take care of yourself. and a big, virtual, creepy internet hug to you.

mambo5-2

@kiki047 hugs lady 💕

keikilove

Hey friends💗 Unfortunately I’m also going to be sharing a long post that lacks joy right now. I will do tags as soon as I can after getting this finished. 

Diagnosis (if you've been): RPL/RIF, Elevated Natural Killer cells, blood-clotting disorders, AMA

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Heading into another IUI today. 

How are things going?: It’s been rough. I’ve been mostly absent here, haven’t been able to lurk much. I’ve been super bummed about what I’d hoped would be another mass exodus from here with @optimistgardener & @bows22 & @kiki047 and so many of us all doing IUIs and transfers around the same time last month. This IF treatment gambling game is so devastating sometimes. Just overall, life has been doing what life is known to do sometimes: let it suffice to say that when it rains, it pours. I want to be supportive here and not just talk about myself. So I will come back to do tags before the day is done. But honestly, with the life stuff right now, combined with the disappointments of IVF treatment lately, I may need to take a forced break and may not be able to engage as much as I used to. We will see if things start to lighten up soon… All that said, I am always thinking of you all here in our tight little group and hoping for the best for each of you special people.💕💕💕

After my transfer failed last month I really had to take some time away to process that we are truly just looking at doing a final round of DuoStim in order to hopefully get enough healthy embryos to transfer to a surrogate. I’d already shared this thinking here with you all, but to really sit with it for a couple of weeks was something else. (I’m not sure I will even know how to be a normal person without doing constant rounds of treatment!) Last month I’d had my best hormone levels ever and more eggs without any stimulation, but I used that time as a transfer cycle. This month I hoped my hormones would be equally as great and started stimming in prep for DuoStim. But when my CD3 bloodwork finally came back (one week later! Ugh) it was my worst cycle ever as far as hormones were concerned. At my first ultrasound after starting stims I only had 2 large follies and 4 tiny ones, so we called it off and my local RE recommended converting it to IUI. We have frozen sperm stored here locally but it’s not necessarily the healthiest since it was exposed to my husband’s medical treatment. So, this is another Hail Mary attempt that isn’t likely to pan out. But we are continuing to move forward while we do the surrogate search. 

The surrogacy route is not easy. We’ve been exploring it for the past 9 months or so, but just got serious about pursuing it in the U.S. in the past few months. The first person I finally reached out to and connected with seemed great, but then she ghosted me. Which apparently is totally a normal thing in this Intended Parents/Surrogate matchup challenge. Sucks! I’ve also been very concerned about friends I have in an international surrogacy group. I’m part of that group just to learn from others and see what the possibilities are, not because we had made any plans to do surrogacy internationally yet. **TW: Potentially triggering re: the war in Ukraine, seriously— please skip the spoiler if this war situation is too much for you right now. Also TW for mention of PG, babies, personal loss.

I’m already in a poor frame of mind due to a huge loss anniversary coming up for us. The first baby we lost, the little girl who made it halfway through the second trimester, would be turning 3 this month. Some people from that BMB lurk here or have returned to TTGP lately, and it’s been really triggering for me. I can’t believe we’ve been trying to figure out what the problem is for over 3 years. It just makes me so sad. And mad. And hopeless at times. And then my sadness pales in comparison to what is happening in Ukraine right now. 

Many couples around the world have pregnant surrogate moms in Ukraine. Some of those moms have given birth and the parents haven’t been able to get to their babies. Some of the carrying moms aren’t willing to risk the danger of trying to get to the border and get out. Others say their towns are surrounded by the opposition and they have no way to get out. They say that the Russian soldiers are robbing their homes of food and they are worried about starving to death. It is horrific to read about in our surrogacy group. 

Thankfully, there are also true miracles and acts of heroism taking place. The many IVF clinics and surrogacy agencies have begun to team up in one private group on social media to coordinate getting pregnant mothers out safely. Some are arranging the car rides to get newborns to their intended (biological) parents. One IVF clinic director got out safely, only to return to collect all the frozen embryos stored in nitrogen tanks at his clinic and transport them in the back of a vehicle safely out of Ukraine. When you see those stories in the news of families getting out of Ukraine with their newborns, they’re almost  guaranteed to be a family who had their baby through surrogacy. But they just don’t want to share those very personal details on national TV. Anyway, I’ve been overwhelmed with empathy for the intended mothers and fathers in my group, as well as all the people who have had babies through a surrogate over the years and are staying in touch with their surrogates to try to help them in any way they can. It’s very inspiring and terrifying all at the same time. 

Any questions?: @kiki047 Your update was heartbreaking.😢 I’m so sorry for everything you’ve gone through. But at the same time, I’m feeling hopeful for you if you are considering surrogacy.💗 I’ve heard that surrogacy in Canada is altruistic: surrogate mothers cannot be compensated for their kindness. Is this true where you live? Is there such a thing as surrogate-friendly insurance that will help bring the medical costs down for you and YH if you do end up going that route? I understand you may not be checking back in here so no need to respond if you’re not up for it right now (or anytime). 

GTKY: What’s the most embarrassing or hilarious thing you’ve experienced during TTC or IF treatment? Welp, I was trying to lighten the mood with this week’s IF meme as well as this question. It’s not going so well, I guess.😩😄 My most embarrassing was having to admit to my infamous “I used the wrong HUGE needle for my PIO injections…. For months!” But another moment was when I was preparing for my RE to come in to do a vaginal U/S and she walked in w her team before I was ready. I was literally standing in my t-shirt, no panties on😄, with my cheeks visibly hanging out, buns to the door, when she and her nurse and resident walked in. I heard the door and called “I’m not ready yet!” But they walked in anyway, with my RE saying, “Oh, come on. We’ve seen it all, let’s get going.” So embarrassing!

thankfullyamama

Diagnosis (if you've been): anovulatory PCOS

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):  waiting to start CD1 after this round of birth control to then HOPEFULLY be able to take clomid 

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): I’ve done all the testing my new fertility clinic requires to move foreword  with treatment and have a Telehealth appointment on Wednesday to make a plan as far as doing a medicated cycle again! 

Spoiler mention of living child/ other pregnancies 

How are things going?: optimistic and scared to be back here’ I was really holding onto a shred of hope that it would happen naturally for us after having our first post fertility medications 

TW talk of pregnancy/living children 

Literally my whole damn family/ friends/ anyone in the December 2020 groups from here that also needed fertility treatment is pregnant again naturally and although I am happy for everyone it’s bitter for me to have to be here again (although I’m obviously VERY grateful to have even had success) I am also a little impatient as we had decided we wanted to do another medicated cycle when our first was 12 months old but my provider retired and I had to go to a different clinic and due to Covid and their need for extensive testing (even though I already have a diagnosis) it’s been 5 whole months later (and 6 by the time we actually start) than I though I would be trying for #2 

Any questions?: anyone who was here back when I was super involved in 2019/early 2020 feel free to PM me with a life update!!! 

GTKY: What’s the most embarrassing or hilarious thing you’ve experienced during TTC or IF treatment? Definitely during my sonohystogram where the doctor said “you have a beautiful cervix” like Ahh ok thanks!?


ps I’ll be back here tomorrow to respond to everyone else I just wanted to post quick before I went to bed!

acleverusername

@keikilove I am sorry to hear that your last transfer was a bust. I figured that was the case when you didn’t come back. And I’m sorry that your body decided to throw a curve ball into your DuoStim plans. What you mention in your spolier is heartbreaking. I have so many feelings about that’s happening in Ukraine. It’s heartbreaking on so many levels and this is yet another angle that I’ve learned of. I hope that the children and their intended parents are all united soon. 

@tryingktogku welcome to our uber supportive corner of TB. I am sorry that you find yourself here. I hope you’ll find a supportive and knowledgeable group. Speaking for myself, I’m not sure how I’d have made it these past 2 years without the support of ladies I’ve met here. 

One thing I wanted to point out though is this community and especially this thread is different from Trouble TTC which I believe you mentioned you used to be very active in. One major difference is mention of LCs. It is ONLY appropriate to talk about LCs in the TFAS thread, and on a very rare occasion, when it’s extremely pertinent to the conversation, in daily and weekly threads. I would say that I’ve never seen anyone mention LCs in the IF thread and I’ve been a regular participant since July 2020. 

The other thing to keep in mind is… while IF is not about pain olympics and it truly despairs me to see others join our flock here, there are ppl here who have gone through SO MUCH to even try have 1 baby (I’m taking about 5 years of trying with multiple failed transfers, CPs, MCs, etc.), that a new member joining and grumbling about not being able to get pregnant naturally when others in her first BMB 2 years ago have been successful within a year… well, it’s just insensitive.

gingermama29

@mambo5-2 ughh insurance is the worst. I hope they get their sh*t together so you can get moving in your treatment.

@abjm0325 I’m only waiting until tomorrow because the nurse told me to. I generally consider the first day I see bleeding to be CD1, even if it’s not necessarily full flow but I guess since it wasn’t full flow until nearly night time, they’re considering Sunday to be my CD1. I’m also an evening pill taker for Letrozole and most of my metformin. Sorry you had the flu last week. Sounds awful!

@anniemarie887 good luck with your series 63. FX you not only pass but you kick *ss! 

@acleverusername glad you’ve seemingly found the optimal protocol. I love the ices off using a sharpie to mark where to inject. Also dying at your menstrual cup story. I can fully imagine that panic of struggling to extract it.

@fantasyflyte FX for good news and a BFP!

@kiki047 I’m so sorry friend. Sending you so many hugs right now.

@keikilove I’m so sorry your transfer failed and your hormone levels aren’t where you’d hoped. I’m constantly amazed and inspired by your strength and perseverance through this horrible journey. I hope surrogacy works out and you’re able to find someone perfect for you. That is so heartbreaking about the women in Ukraine. Really, that whole situation is horrible and breaks my heart that so many innocent people are suffering.

@tryingktogku hi and welcome back! I’m sorry you’re finding yourself back in this thread and hope you can get started on treatment ASAP. Secondary IF sucks so much and I’m sorry you’re dealing with it but I would agree with Clever and caution you not to mention LC in this thread.

keikilove

@gingermama29 Thanks so much for your kindness. I was bummed to see your name here when I opened the thread today. It’s great news that YH’s swimmers are so strong! Those are excellent numbers. Glad to hear that you’re feeling good about the changes that have been made to this upcoming cycle. Wishing you all the best with this next round.💗

@mambo5-2 Ugh, that dreaded insurance pre-auth stuff is for the birds. You’re not alone in feeling like you’re going to lose it waiting for an update. Hang in there. And WOW to your IUD story—that’s certainly an embarrassing one!😬

@abjm0325 Sorry to hear the flu got you last week. Hope you’re fully recovered now! I saw your comment to finger mama about whether you should delay starting Letrozole. It’s usually recommended to start on CD 2-4 because follicles are recruited for the cycle on days 1-4. The older a woman is, the closer to day 2 she may want to start letrozole to avoid one lead follicle from taking over the show early and stopping the others from getting a good start. You might have a headache on Letrozole. I think that’s the main side effect people mention. Good luck!

@anniemarie887 Sending you lots of good energy for the series 63. You can do it! MH gets super stressed out when it’s time for him to take all of those—I don’t envy your situation at all. But much better to just get it done rather than face the u5.😉 Hopefully focusing on that helps your TWW fly by. 

@acleverusername So glad to hear that your mock cycle is going so well! That lining sounds perfect. I laughed at you having sharpie marks on your booty for the first PIO shot—hope it wasn’t too painful! You got such a clear answer from @Kiki047 about the reason for the timing of that first shot tonight. I learned something new in her response so I’m glad you asked🙂 Were you able to stay up till 10 or did you have to move up all the shots by an hour? P.S. Try to take your prednisone before noon, or you will be staying up late.😉 And Lol to that menstrual cup story! Glad you got it out eventually, hahaha. 

@fantasyflyte Yay, so glad to hear that you’re feeling hopeful! You deserve to have some hope after how the last few months went! Best of luck with the testing!!! Your OPK story is great, so relatable. 

@kiki047 Hope the break gives you all the time and space you need to move forward with clarity and peace of mind. Been thinking of you all day and hoping you’re doing ok. Will keep sending you positive energy in your absence here.💗💗💗

@tryingktogku Welcome back. I definitely remember you, it seems like you were just a n TTGP recently. How time flies… Good luck with the appointment this Wednesday, hope it all goes well. 

fantasyflyte

editing to be safe, I realized my mopey self this morning wasn't really thinking through my post. Summary is I was super hopeful yesterday, unhopeful today, and it's hard.

optimistgardener

@kiki047 and @keikilove first of all i'm sending kiki and keikilove all the hugs and just general goddammits and throwing things around bitterly. I have not been through nearly as much (although i think we've been trying along a similar calendar) but this one lil session i've had with my CP has given me some very unwanted insight into the nightmare of RPL. I wish so badly you two didn't find yourself in this place.

@acleverusername how'd the PIO shot go? hope it was easy-peasy!

@fantasyflyte i'm so sorry about the optimism let-down. a thought in spoiler

how many days after your trigger shot was it? i dunno if this sounds like a better or worse possibility, but if you're at expected cd1 and showing a faint/not progressing second line, I'd suspect that as a possible CP because usually the trigger doesn't stick around that long. if nothing else, such a possibility would point to egg/sperm successful meet-up and might be a hopeful sign for future cycles.

@mambo5-2 i love your waterworks story! having dad drive you home at the end is just the icing on the cake, gawd.

@tryingktogku welcome. as Clever said, this is usually not the place for discussion of LC. the TTGP board does have an active TFAS thread, though, and you'll no doubt find good community there for the particular challenges and joys that that entails.

Diagnosis (if you've been): elderly ovary etc.

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): benched as f***

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

How are things going?: I've been a bit absent of late. Last week was job interview stuff (still waiting on the outcome from that) and this week it's just general end-of-term stuff but also being benched stuff and just general "what am i doing and am I just foolish to keep trying" type mental stuff. My WTF appointment isn't until the end of this month, but that's weirdly coming up way faster than I was expecting. I guess time flies when you're insanely busy.
Also re: our usual ongoing insurance complaints around here, I just got a bill from the hospital where I did my 1st beta draw last cycle. Even though I gave them my current insurance card and we spent like 20 minutes doing the preliminary paperwork there when I went in for my beta draw, for some reason their system pulled an old, 2-years-expired insurance # for me (which like, how did they even come up with that info???) and now they're billing me because "my insurance is expired." It's not a huge deal but it's just &$(#@#% annoying because it means I have to get on the phone and probably sit on hold for ages and fix their stupid problem just so I can convince them to pay for the confirmation of my heartbreak of a little CP. I do actually have approximately a thousand things I'd rather spend my morning doing.

Any questions?: naah

GTKY: What’s the most embarrassing or hilarious thing you’ve experienced during TTC or IF treatment?

I feel like this would have been an easier question to answer in my first year or 2 of TTC/IF, but now I have lost all sense of shame and nothing embarrasses me anymore. So anyway, thinking all the way back to those early days, it was both hilarious and embarrassing when the home visit midwife who did my first few IUIs strapped on her camping headlamp in preparation for the procedure. Like she was about to go spelunking or something. AND of course you all know my recent adventure with getting my cervix "cleaned" prior to my transfer. As with @mambo5-2 there was a lot of water splashing all over the place. When i stood up the RE was like "don't slip!" But probably my most embarrassing moments have been sympathetic embarrassment for my kind friend/donor during and immediately after his visit to the bathroom to "collect" a sample for me. There is nothing casual about facing your red-faced, sweaty friend as he emerges disheveled with a cup of hot jizz in hand. It's just not a thing friends normally do.

edited for spacing 🙄

anniemarie887

@keikilove big big creepy hug, and same "advice" that i posted for @kiki047 take care of yourself first, whatever that looks like. my heart hurts for both you. i only learned about the number of surrogates in ukraine at the end of last week, **tw adoption talk** my two younger sisters are adopted (internationally), so i personally have kept a pulse on the families trapped in that nightmare which is also crushing **end TW**

@fantasyflyte i saw the initial post this morning, and didn't have a chance to comment. big, big hug. please ignore me if i'm being intrusive - will you be doing a beta?

@optimistgardener omg in light of everything you have going on, your story re your donor has me like pee my pants laughing. that's a quality friend. 

fantasyflyte

@anniemarie887 I'm supposed to get blood drawn at the RE if I don't have my period by 16dpo, which would be Saturday. I should know for relatively sure before then though since AF is due today lol. Which is good because I won't be able to physically get to the clinic until Monday with a school trip this weekend.

mambo5-2

@optimistgardener *giggle giggle* hot jizz *giggle giggle* 

thankfullyamama

@acleverusername thanks for the input! I absolutely understand not just chatting about LC's in here! 



@gingermama29 @keikilove I am so sorry you are both still here but from lurking I see you've both still seemed to have made a lot of progress since we were last in this community together! 

acleverusername

@optimistgardener your “friend with sperm benefit” stories have always been a favorite of mine. That and that one time you mentioned that you’re now into the “tinder for sperm donors” phase of this journey. 

@keikilove @optimistgardener I did manage to stay up for the PIO shot and it went more smoothly than I’d expected. MH did a good job although neither of us knew what “massage” really means. Also re: Prednisone, I’ve become a massive lurker in the RI FB group so I’ve definitely learned about taking it early in the day.  

optimistgardener

@acleverusername i'm always happy to amuse! after all, they didn't get me pregnant, so the stories may as well serve some other purpose.

abjm0325

@keikilove I’m so sorry for how your transfer and latest round of duostim let you down and for the devastation you are experiencing right now. I’m relatively new to joining in this thread officially, but I have followed you and @kiki047 ‘s stories for many months now and my heart breaks for you both. Your ability to come back and be so sweet with your support of others is astounding and I know I am not alone in thinking that you have a wonderful spirit about you. Thank you for the information on the letrozole! I will definitely start it tonight since I am *ahem* on the older end of things.  

@tryingktogku The delay with switching providers definitely sounds frustrating. Hopefully everything is sorted out now for a smooth road going forward.

@optimistgardener I hope you hear on the job interview soon! There is a special type of hell that is dealing with the expensive, time-consuming aspects of a medical visit that you wish you never had in the first place.

good11

I'll take a note.

thankfullyamama

bear with me as i try and navigate this app again! I typed out a response to everyone and when i went to hit send my internet refreshed and i lost it all lol 

bearmomma1

@good11 please don't

fantasyflyte

@tryingktogku ugh that happened to me the other day too

acleverusername

Anyone... (@kiki047, @bumblebee0210, @shortstack930 @keikilove) do E2 levels matter in transfer cycles? Or just the lining thickness? My E2 came back at 206 which I think is pretty low. But my understanding is that E2 doesn't really matter. 

shortstack930

*lurking*

@acleverusername they’ve never checked my E2 levels before a transfer, just a lining check. Do they have you on estradiol? I think as long as the lining is good you shouldn’t have an issue. 

acleverusername

@shortstack930 yeah, my doc did an E2 check even though my lining was 9.1mm. 

shortstack930

@acleverusername that’s an excellent lining!!

acleverusername

@shortstack930