Community› The Bump Message Boards› TTC after 35
TTC after 35
New Discussion

Back from first RE appt

StrunellaStrunella member
in TTC after 35

Well, the appt went well.  The RE said there was a little question of "what to do" with me, given my history of getting pg in the first month of trying with  the only obvious issue right now being age.  So, we'll start with the basic testing after AF this weekend, get DH his SA and plan for 2 rounds of IUI.

RE said she didn't think clomid was worth trying in women over 35.  Anyone else hear this?  She wants to go with the follistim and ovidrel.  DH asked if I'd be ok with the injections, and I believe I will.  What really bothers me is the constant bloodwork.  I do NOT do well with bloodwork because I have invisible veins and end up getting stabbed 100 times, and then often (today included), they have to call for assistance.  Stab, stab, stab!  By now, I am in a SWEAT and can't wait to get out of there.  I totally ran out of there when it was over, and DH said, "Don't we have to pay?" but I left him at the desk because I had to get outside for air. 

Could be a problem for this process that requires bloodwork every second!  Oy vey.

 

 
Lilypie Third Birthday tickers
 
 
Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
Report Reply to Post

Re: Back from first RE appt

  • kb75kb75
    Glad to hear it went well. I hear you about the veins! GL with everything!
    Report Reply
  • taratrutaratru member
    Well, a plan is good!  But major boos on the bloodwork for you.
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Yes,I'm smiling...I'm a marathoner!
    Bloggy McBloggerson
    CO Nestie Award Winner-Prettiest Brain-Back to Back!
    2011 Bests
    5K-22:49 10K-47:38 Half Mary-1:51:50
    2012 Race Report
    1/1-New Year's 5K-22:11
    2/11-Sweetheart Classic 4-mile-29:49
    3/24-Coulee Chase 5K-21:40
    5/6-Colorado Marathon-4:08:30
    5/28-Bolder Boulder 10K
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • MAH123MAH123
    I have heard that Clomid is not as effective in women over 35, but I'm also not a fan of clomid. Follistim isn't bad as far as the injections go (I hate lupron and progesterone more). Good luck, it sounds like a great plan!
    1 ectopic 3 m/c's prior to 5/05 Un-freaking-explained IF 5/05 IVF, BFN 9/05 FET 3d5e, BFP = Beautiful Baby Girl (lucky pg #5) 8/08 Fet 3d5e, cp 12/08 IVF with PGD, transfer 3, BFN 5/09 FET transfer 4, BFN Hail Mary IUI with Follistim 9/11 BFP; 9/22 confirmed tubal/MTX 4/10 FET 3d5e, BFP!!!! m/c 5/26/10 1 year break and yet another m/c 5/11 FET #5 initial beat 121, second beta 7 Lap and removal of L tube and very mild endo 7/11 Suprise BFP 12/11 & m/c @ 8 wks. After 11 losses and one beautiful miracle our journey is over, we are thankful and at peace.
    Report Reply
  • FrannySFrannyS

    Glad you had a good visit!  I have "rolling" veins which can sometimes be an issue too. 

    Neither RE I've seen suggested Clomid and I'm over 35.  I don't have PCOS and ovulate monthly right on schedule so they didn't see the benefit.

     

    <a href="http://s352.photobucket.com/albums/r349/MsCozyCorner/Summer 2008/?action=view
    Report Reply
  • L2theC42L2theC42

    Glad you have a plan!
    My mom has this problem with veins too ~  When you find someone who can get it for you easier than others ~ ALWAYS go to them!

    Report Reply
  • mimi525mimi525
    lol @ Oy vey  Glad to hear it went well. At first it took me awhile to get used to the injections (I was so nervous, I was sick to my stomach) and always had DH do it...but then I began to do it myself..You will do it! Sorry your veins give you such a problem..aww When I go for bloodwork I always look away and it helps. I hope it gets better for you.  Good luck!!
    Report Reply
  • QE2QE2 member

    Glad to hear your appt went well but sorry to hear about the stabbing. I have the same issue but not so bad. New blood suckers can't find my veins and grind the needle around in my arm trying to find it. They then have to switch to the other arm, then different vein in same arm. I end up with bruises all over my arms. I have one good spot on my left arm and I make sure to let them know where their target is!

    I have heard that Clomid is not that effective for women over 35. Looking back, I wish I didn't waste 5 months on Clomid. Plus, for me, Clomid is the Devil with its side effects, while I had minimal effects from Follistim.

    Good luck, Strunella! Are you going to the GTG in 2 weeks??

    TTC since 3/08 DOR, High FSH, Hypothyroid, Uterine Polyps, blocked tube, MFI, 5 rounds of clomid, 5 IVF attempts, 2 hysteroscopies, 2 natural conceptions=2 losses (Methotrexate, D&C) Successful DE cycle twins born 10/7/11 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Dani2010Dani2010
    Hi there - I had Clomid a few times (until I reached 35), but you really never know until you try it. For some women over 35 it works, and for me it was covered on the insurance to do the IUIs so we tried it. If you go forward, just note that you may have to wait a month in between each clomid cycle and a month before starting IVF, so depending on how patient you are (at this point, I dont think any of us are) hopefully this will help make your decisions a little easier. I did Follistem 3X with success on the 3rd attempt. I didnt think the shots were bad (1 am, 1 pm) because I "iced" my belly for 30 minutes prior. Good Luck to you!! I am praying for you.
    Report Reply
  • NowDNAtooNowDNAtoo
    I'm glad to hear you have a plan of action.  I haven't heard about clomid not being successful with women over 35.  I actually was on it with all 3 IUIs, plus the follistim and ovidrel.  2 of those 3 IUIs have ended up in a pg, so I guess it works for me.  Oh, btw, I was 37 when we did the first IUI and 39 with the second two.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker TTC #1 Cycle #18 m/c Jan. 9, 2007, chemical pg May 4, 2007, methotrexate shot Oct. 5, 2007--m/c Oct. 9, 2007, IUI Nov. 17, 2007 It worked! beta 11/30 & 12/6 TTC #2 Cycle #5 IUI July 20, 2009 -BFN 8-3-09 Cycle #6 IUI August 17, 2009-BFP! 8-31-09, beta 9-1-09, 9-8-09, saw the H/B 9-22-09 EDD 5-10-10
    Report Reply
  • StrunellaStrunella member

    Oh, no QE2...sounds like we have similar tricky veins.  I wish I had a "good spot" to direct them to as well.  I also get the back and forth between the two arms and end up a bruised mess.  Lovely.

    Yes, I am going to the GTG.  Are you?  Hope to see you there!

     
    Lilypie Third Birthday tickers
     
     
    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
    Report Reply
  • QE2QE2 member
    Yes, I'm going. I had so much fun at the last one. See you there!
    TTC since 3/08 DOR, High FSH, Hypothyroid, Uterine Polyps, blocked tube, MFI, 5 rounds of clomid, 5 IVF attempts, 2 hysteroscopies, 2 natural conceptions=2 losses (Methotrexate, D&C) Successful DE cycle twins born 10/7/11 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • MrsKarioMrsKario

    Sorry about the veins.   But it does sound like the apt went well and the plan sounds good.

    Make sure you drink a ton of water before all of your blood draws.  It does help a little.

    Report Reply
  • ToshaGirlToshaGirl member

    Great that you have a plan!

    My RE has never said a word about women +35 and clomid.

    Report Reply
  • GymDogFranGymDogFran
    Glad you had a good visit!  My RE said that Clomid tends to make the 'shells' of eggs thicker, which isn't good for 'older' ladies who already have that problem.
    Report Reply
  • hollymichaelhollymichael

    imageGymDogFran:
    Glad you had a good visit!  My RE said that Clomid tends to make the 'shells' of eggs thicker, which isn't good for 'older' ladies who already have that problem.

    This is very interesting . . . off to google now.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • hollymichaelhollymichael

    Glad that the appointment went well.  Sorry about the difficult veins.

    My dr. didn't mention that about clomid, but I had heard it in the past.  I responded well to it, but I have heard that you will get better quality eggs with injectables. 

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • LizzyB11LizzyB11
    I am so glad that you had a good appointment! My OB did start me on clomid one month, and then my RE switched me over to femara due to it not staying in your bloodstream as long, etc. Nothing was ever mentioned about my age playing a factor. I hope that you don't have to get tons of blood draws done! ouch!
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • StrunellaStrunella member
    Lizzy...love your DH's shirt.  I'm an IU alum!
     
    Lilypie Third Birthday tickers
     
     
    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
    Report Reply
  • CharBartCharBart

    Sorry about the bloodwork thing, that does stink! But go with what Mrs K says and drink lots of water to get yourself hydrated.  The injections are way different thanthe bw...but I hate nedles so as lng as I don't se it I am slightly ok :)

    I have never hard of the no clomid fter 35...I responded well to clomid and I am 39 :) My RE was actually against me doing injectables for IUI because he was afraid I might stim too well and the cycle would be cancelled.  The other thing with the inectablesis that the can be quite expensive...I compare Follistim to liquid gold.  My insurance only covered up to $3500 of the follistim so hopefully you will have better coverage than me :)

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"