March Infertility Check-in (SAIFW)

KRoseToes · March 2011

If you're new, let us know the basics - when did you start TTC, what is your diagnosis/suspicion, where are you at in the process/next steps? Please let us know if you have upcoming treatments, so we can check in with you on a more regular basis during that time. Also read this check-in often the first week it is posted so we can answer everyone's questions. (It seems prolonged to have someone ask a question in this post and not have it answered until next month's check-in!) Finally, if you have suggestions about what else should be included in the check-in or changes, throw them out there!

KRoseToes (December 2008)
Diagnosis - Severe MFI, Late ovulation, Short LP
Current status - Saving money for IVF.

MrsH_08 (October 2008)
Diagnosis - Late ovulation, short LP, don't produce enough follicles, low morphology
Current status ? Pregnant after IVF!

JDCSKF (TTC #2 - September 2006)
Diagnosis - Homozygous MTHFR, two copies of C667T, hyperhomocysteinemia
Current status ? Pregnant, used Lovenex from 6-16 weeks!

Mrs.Kiltlifter (2008)
Diagnosis - Severe MFI, non-obstructive azoospermia
Current Status - 8 IUI cycles and Mommy to boy/girl twins!

Purvalicious (May 2009)
Diagnosis - Tests normal so far, possible polyp
Current Status ? Polypectomy in February (How was the surgery? What?s the next step?)

WatchPot (TTC #2 - 2008)
Diagnosis ? Blocked tube
Current Status ? Recent IUIs did not work, recently diagnosed with a blocked tube (How are you doing? Do you have a new plan?)

m&m823 (TTC #2)
Diagnosis - PCOS, Short LP
Current status ? Pregnant after Metformin!

xxbblueangel (March 2009)
Diagnosis - PCO on the ovaries, LH secretion syndrome, Androgen issues, very small uterus
Current status ? On a 3 month break to lose weight (Blue: We answered one of your questions from September in October. Let me know if you missed it and need the link to that post! How?s it going?)

N.CarolinaGirl (TTC #2 - October 2008)
Diagnosis - No ovulation despite LH surge, MFI
Current status ? Doctor suggested trying Metaformin (Anything new?).

tst1998 (June 2009)
Diagnosis ? Unexplained
Current status ? Completed second IUI (Want to tell us about your 2^nd IUI and the next steps?)

MrandMrs07 (October 2008)
Diagnosis ? Idiopathic infertility
Current status ? Currently going through first IUI (Where are you at in the IUI process? How are you doing?)

Angelinmind (September 2008)
Diagnosis ? Hydrosalpinx
Current status ? Variety of testing (So what?s the doctor saying about your test results so far?)

Theresab (Thinking about TTC #2)
Diagnosis ? Unknown, but endometriosis may contribute
Current status ? First child conceived on 2^nd IUI, with Femara and acupuncture; currently in the not preventing stage (Anything new?)

Questions:
1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step?

2) We missed a question that N.CarolinaGirl asked last month, please answer if you can: Have you tried Metaformin and how did it go?

3) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related?

4) Any vents/confessions?

5) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies?

KRoseToes · March 2011

Questions:
1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step? We are going to an adoption info session at a local agency next week. Still haven't decided if we'll do IVF or adoption first, but at least we'll get some more info to help us make an informed decision. So excited and nervous!

2) We missed a question that N.CarolinaGirl asked last month, please answer if you can: Have you tried Metaformin and how did it go? Sorry, no experience with Metaformin

3) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related? I'm excited to run the St. Paddy's Race in Seattle this year. Also, my birthday is at the end of the month, which is generally low-key, but nice to celebrate.

4) Any vents/confessions? My younger sister and her husband were having serious marriage problems and for the past year it seemed like they wouldn't make it. But now they've turned a corner, are extremely happy, and looking forward to the future. I am happy about that because I think my BIL is great and a good influence on my sister. But they will probably start TTC next year, and I don't know how I'll be able to keep it together if they have kids before I do.

5) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies? Not right now, thanks.

m&m823 · March 2011

Questions:
1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step? 6 weeks until my due date! I'm so nervous, but ready to be done!

2) We missed a question that N.CarolinaGirl asked last month, please answer if you can: Have you tried Metaformin and how did it go? Yep. That's how I got pregnant both times. I have PCOS (according to blood tests, though I don't have the typical signs of it at all other than the blood test and being anovulatory). Metformin kicked started ovulation for me. It sucks to take, but your body gets used to it after awhile and it's fine. I don't think it can hurt to take it at all, so give it a try. I'll respond to you on LJ also.

3) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related? n/a

4) Any vents/confessions? It's NBR, but I find myself bothered by some of our FFFC from this last week and I have to let it go, because it was FFFC right?

5) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies? Nope, just wishing you all good baby makin' luck!

tst1998 · March 2011

tst1998 (June 2009)
Diagnosis ? Unexplained
Current status ? Completed second IUI

Questions:
1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step?

IUI#2 was a BFN. We had to take this cycle off to finally do the HSG. Yes, I know that is usually done *before* IUI's, but since we are 100% OOP for everything (and damn, the HSG is expensive!) we decided the chances of something wrong was low, so we'd gamble with a few IUI's first and hope we got lucky. We didn't, but the HSG was normal, so I guess that's good. This cycle is unmedicated TI, and next cycle is IUI#3. After that we will regroup and decide injectables vs. IVF.

2) We missed a question that N.CarolinaGirl asked last month, please answer if you can: Have you tried Metaformin and how did it go?

Never tried it, but hear it has some lovely side effects. Smile

3) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related?

We are planning a trip to the Methow Valley for cross country skiing with some friends. I don't really cross country ski though, so it may just be me hanging out at the cabin cooking while everyone else skis. Which would actually make me very happy.

4) Any vents/confessions?

I'm afriad of IVF. The failed IUI's have been hard, but not devastating. I'm afraid if we did IVF and it didn't work... well, I'm just really afraid of doing IVF and having it not work. But I'm also afraid we'll just be wasting time with more IUI's if this next one doesn't work.

5) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies?

How would you/did you decide injectables vs. IVF if you got to that point? I'm looking at cost and my age and timing and the fact that I'm ovulating quite well on Clomid, so what benefit will we get from injectables vs the chance that it might work and we wouldn't have to go through IVF. I hope we don't get to that point, but I'm a planner. I like to know "what if" and I'm curious how other people decided.

tst1998 · March 2011

KRoseToes:

Questions:
1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step? We are going to an adoption info session at a local agency next week. Still haven't decided if we'll do IVF or adoption first, but at least we'll get some more info to help us make an informed decision. So excited and nervous!

I'd be really interested to hear about your experience. We are not at the point where we are discussing adoption yet, but I think part of that is just that we have no idea what that even entails.

MrsH_08 · March 2011

tst1998:
5) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies?

How would you/did you decide injectables vs. IVF if you got to that point? I'm looking at cost and my age and timing and the fact that I'm ovulating quite well on Clomid, so what benefit will we get from injectables vs the chance that it might work and we wouldn't have to go through IVF. I hope we don't get to that point, but I'm a planner. I like to know "what if" and I'm curious how other people decided.

We were at the point of injectable IUI vs IVF, after 3 failed IUI's. We wanted to know for certain that fertilization was happening. We wondered if sperm was ever meeting egg, or if maybe we had poor quality embryos that weren't sticking or growing, etc. Even though the Clomid Challenge showed I had good ovarian reserve, we were worried that the combo of my age (late 30's) and DH's low morphology might mean no fertilization or just no good embryos. With IVF, you have proof, either way. It was hard to decide between a shorter, cheaper injectable IUI cycle vs a 4-8 wk, pricey IVF cycle, but once we decided to move to IVF, we actually felt good about the decision. It also helped knowing that our RE had been suggesting IVF for a while (before the 3rd IUI).

For us, the money, time, and daily injections were the biggest IVF fears. Once we made the decision and started, it was easier to handle it day by day. You get a schedule, so you know what to expect for each day of the cycle.

MrsH_08 · March 2011

m&m823:
4) Any vents/confessions? It's NBR, but I find myself bothered by some of our FFFC from this last week and I have to let it go, because it was FFFC right?

I agree and I'm still bothered, as well. I don't think it was entirely FF, though.

JDCSKF · March 2011

I have been doing much better after last months confession. It helped to get my feelings out there, with people who understand. I've been busy working, and just found out I will get 2 months off, even though I only qualify for disability leave. I never went back to work with DD, so this will be something completely new for me and DH. I'm entering my third trimester and can't wait to have this baby!

angelinmind · March 2011

Angelinmind (September 2008)
Diagnosis ? Hydrosalpinx
Current status ? Variety of testing (So what?s the doctor saying about your test results so far?)

After my lap, it was discovered that I don't actually have a hydrosalpinx and that things are actually working the way they are supposed to.

Questions:
1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step? Waiting on SO to get his SA/Acrosome Reaction Test done 2) We missed a question that N.CarolinaGirl asked last month, please answer if you can: Have you tried Metaformin and how did it go? N/A 3) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related? Just playing with the puppy, maybe taking a short trip somewhere. And not really fun but i'm finally getting the braces to fix my bicuspid tooth 4) Any vents/confessions? I'm actually really glad that the problem isn't me. I know that's probably flameful, but it's such a huge weight off my shoulders. I'm also irritated that the drs diagnosed me with something without actually double checking.

5) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies? Nothing I can think of off the top of my head but I'm so happy to have you ladies to talk to.

Purvalicious · March 2011

Purvalicious (May 2009)
Diagnosis - Tests normal so far, possible polyp
Current Status ? Polypectomy in February (How was the surgery? What?s the next step?) I finally had the surgery on 2/24 and it went really well. I have to give a huge rave review for UWMC and URC after having such a good surgery experience. The one moment that sticks out as being the most unexpected and awesome was that right as they were putting me to sleep, the nurse anesthetist looked at me and said, "I'm going to hold your hand as you go to sleep." I tend to be a nervous nelly with anesthesia, so this was just the comfort I needed. Amazing attention to patient care there!! My doctor called a few days later to confirm that pathology showed the polyp to be benign, which is great. I had a regular period following the surgery and all of those annoying symptoms (like cramping all the time) are gone!

Questions:
1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step? We have a follow up with my RE on 3/14. I know we have to take this month off of trying to let my uterus heal completely, and we'll be in Hawaii when I'm ovulating next month (theoretically), so my guess is that we'll probably go on to IUI in May or June.

2) We missed a question that N.CarolinaGirl asked last month, please answer if you can: Have you tried Metaformin and how did it go? Haven't tried it.

3) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related? We're throwing a Mardi Gras party for my DH's birthday. It was supposed to be today but I can't kick this nasty cold I've been battling, so we're pushing it out a couple of weeks. Hopefully that will mean I feel well enough to do the crafty Mardi Gras projects I wanted to do!

4) Any vents/confessions? Not really. I feel kind of bad about my FFFC from a week ago, it just hit all my sore spots and I couldn't keep my mouth shut. I wish that IF hadn't made me so hyper-reactive and cynical...

5) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies? Not that I can think of now...but my brain is full of sickness and cold medicine, so I'm not thinking very clearly

tst1998 · March 2011

Purvalicious:

4) Any vents/confessions? Not really. I feel kind of bad about my FFFC from a week ago, it just hit all my sore spots and I couldn't keep my mouth shut. I wish that IF hadn't made me so hyper-reactive and cynical...

I had to go back and read the FFFC from last week (fun distraction from the work I'm supposed to be doing today) and wow. There seems to be a lot of underlying hostility. Then I went running, and mulled this all over which definitely kept me occupied for the 3 miles. Smile

I don't begrudge anyone who gets KU the old-fashioned way. Actually, I guess I do. I just looked up the meaning of begrudge and it means "to envy or resent the pleasure or good fortune of (someone)". That is exactly how I feel. I am insanely jealous of them. I don't know that I would say "hate" but I have a strong feeling of dislike towards those who take it for granted though. Those who don't realize how lucky they are that everything works the way it is supposed, and how very very lucky they are to still have hope every month. I lost hope a long time ago, and I think that is what I hate most of all.

I don't expect anyone to apologize for their ability to get pregnant, nor do I expect them to not be excited about that or keep the news to themselves. I know I'll be yelling from the rooftops the moment I get KTFU. I just don't need to hear how easy it was for you. The lack of compassion bugs me. Be happy, yes, but recognize your blessings and recognize that not everyone is as lucky.

Ok, vent done. Back to work.

HopingForMyFirstBaby · March 2011

HopingForMyFirstbaby (TTC since April 2010) *From Spokane*
Diagnosis ? Severe MFI, our only option is IVF with ICSI and QPCR Testing
Current status ? Saving money (OOP) and researching clinics

Questions:
1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step?

My DH and I met with our RE for the first time at the end of January, that's when we found out we were dealing with MFI. Since then our lives have been turned upside down, it seems like every day I'm researching different clinics (Spokane? Seattle? Portland?), different financing programs (Attain? ARC?) and basically thinking about how we can get KU.

2) We missed a question that N.CarolinaGirl asked last month, please answer if you can: Have you tried Metaformin and how did it go? Never heard of it, sorry. 3) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related? I know I'm supposed to enjoy going to baby showers but two cousins of mine and one friend all have theirs showers scheduled for this month. This will be the first time I've had to go to a shower since I found out we're battling IF. I wish I had something fun planned but I don't, maybe we need to change that

4) Any vents/confessions? I wish my insurance company covered IVF! 5) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies? I've asked this question on this board before but if ayone else wanted to give me their opinion that would be great. What clinic have you gone to and what have you liked or disliked about them? Any financing ideas? This is the first time I've checked in on this board, nice to meet you ladies, talk to you soon!

tst1998 · March 2011

HopingForMyFirstBaby:
5) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies? I've asked this question on this board before but if ayone else wanted to give me their opinion that would be great. What clinic have you gone to and what have you liked or disliked about them? Any financing ideas?

Welcome! The ladies here are a great resource. It's a nice small group, at all stages of the IF process so it feels more personal that the national boards.

I think all the clinics in the Seattle area are good, and you can't go wrong with any of them. You just have to find the right fit. I did my initial testing with SRM (the Seattle office) and am now undergoing treatment with URC (at the University of Washington).

SRM--what I liked: very nice facilities, very professional, private RE practice so you are always dealing with their fiancing/billing people rather than the University (as with URC). What I didn't like: you don't always see the same doctor since there are about 10 of them and they rotate who is on for procedures, the nurses do the IUI's, techs do some (not all) of the ultrasounds so you may not always see a doctor at your visits. This was a big deal for me, because i like to ask a lot of questions and hate having to go through the nurse.

URC--what I like: only two doctors so you see one of two people at all of your appointments; the RE's do all the monitoring ultrasounds and the IUI's; I really really like the doctor I'm seeing (Dr. Lin) who lets me email her and answers all my questions (the doctor I was seeing at SRM was good, I just didn't click with her); the UW pharmacy has very cheap fertility meds (which will be very important if we have to do IUI with injectables or IVF since we are 100% OOP for everything). What I don't like: the billing is a little confusing since you have to pay clinic fees, doctor fees, hospital fees, etc. but they have their own financial person who is great and keeps everything pretty simple. I really don't have anything bad to say about them. I've been very happy.

Financing--URC doesn't have any financing programs for IVF that I am aware of. If we end up going with that, we will use our home equity line of credit. Or get a 0% interest credit card, and pay it off over the next year. I know that's not the typical way to pay for big ticket items, but we did that for our wedding and it actually worked pretty well. We also have an HSA that we use to pay for everything pre-tax.

Good luck! Keep us posted what you decide to do.

MrsH_08 · March 2011

tst1998:
HopingForMyFirstBaby:
5) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies? I've asked this question on this board before but if ayone else wanted to give me their opinion that would be great. What clinic have you gone to and what have you liked or disliked about them? Any financing ideas?
SRM--what I liked: very nice facilities, very professional, private RE practice so you are always dealing with their fiancing/billing people rather than the University (as with URC). What I didn't like: you don't always see the same doctor since there are about 10 of them and they rotate who is on for procedures, the nurses do the IUI's, techs do some (not all) of the ultrasounds so you may not always see a doctor at your visits. This was a big deal for me, because i like to ask a lot of questions and hate having to go through the nurse.

Are you serious? Nurses do the IUI's and you don't always see your Dr for things like u/s? Maybe it's just me, but that would not make me feel comfortable. My 3 IUI's, 2 IVF's, and all 2 million ultrasounds, were done by an RE. I'm an NCRS girl and they are now merged with SRM (which doesn't make me happy... if it ain't broke, don't fix it). I loved the clinic as it was and, if we need to go back for IF help, I don't want to deal with changes like those above. I really like my OB, but one thing that took a lot of adjustment is that my OB doesn't do my u/s. Apparently, that's normal. But coming from NCRS, where I felt like I got first-class treatment, it took some adjusting.

The only other thing I can add to the original question is that we used ARC to finance our two IVF's. It was a blessing as we were also OOP, minus a tiny bit of help here and there with b/w, from insurance. If you have questions about using ARC, let me know.

MrandMrs07 · March 2011

Diagnosis ? Idiopathic infertility
Current status ? Currently going through first IUI (Where are you at in the IUI process? How are you doing?)

First IUI was a BFN, went in for IUI #2 today which reminded me to come on here and check in. I let my hopes get too high for IUI #1 and it was very hard when I realized it wasn't successful. My dad was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder the week before the end of my cycle so I felt a lot of pressure to have good news for everyone. That experience has made me much more jaded for this cycle, even though I knew logically that the chances of it working after just one cycle were slim.

1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step?

Trying to keep a balanced head about this cycle. I don't want to get my hopes too high but I can't be pessimistic for the next two weeks either. 2) We missed a question that N.CarolinaGirl asked last month, please answer if you can: Have you tried Metaformin and how did it go?

I have not tried Metformin. I'm only using Clomid.

3) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related?

Planning a baby shower for a friend at work and actually feeling happy/excited for her, haha!

4) Any vents/confessions?

I'm really feeling resentful toward women that get KU without thinking about it too hard or appreciating how fortunate they are. I don't want anyone to feel bad; it's just really not fair. I have a hard time even making eye contact with pregnant friends and family members right now, especially since everyone knows now what we are going through. Also, my MIL seems to not care at all but I have to let that go.

5) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies?

For those of you who used Clomid: how many mature follicles did you have? I'm taking Clomid to increase the chances of IUI being successful, but I ovulate on my own so I thought the goal was for me to O more than one mature egg to increase my odds. However, both cycles I had one huge egg and one or two small ones that were not ready. Now I'm not convinced that the Clomid is worth it at this dose but I do like having the ultrasounds so I know what's going on in there and then having the trigger and IUI knowing it's worth it. The RE I saw yesterday said having one big egg is a usual outcome with Clomid and said I could increase my dose but then I might get too many mature eggs and they'd have to cancel the cycle. Any ideas?

Also, I wanted to follow up on the discussion about SRM having RNs conduct the IUIs. I've felt really comfortable with the RNs I've had (one in Tacoma and one in Seattle because it was the weekend) but I do feel like I don't see or hear from my own RE very often. I saw her for my initial appointment and my HSG test and that's it! I haven't even had any contact with the RN that's supposedly assigned to me. If I had any concerns I wanted to discuss (maybe the Clomid?) I would call but I wish they did more to initiate contact with patients they're overseeing.

MrsH_08 · March 2011

MrandMrs07:
5) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies?

For those of you who used Clomid: how many mature follicles did you have? I'm taking Clomid to increase the chances of IUI being successful, but I ovulate on my own so I thought the goal was for me to O more than one mature egg to increase my odds. However, both cycles I had one huge egg and one or two small ones that were not ready. Now I'm not convinced that the Clomid is worth it at this dose but I do like having the ultrasounds so I know what's going on in there and then having the trigger and IUI knowing it's worth it. The RE I saw yesterday said having one big egg is a usual outcome with Clomid and said I could increase my dose but then I might get too many mature eggs and they'd have to cancel the cycle. Any ideas?

I'm really sorry about your BFN, and your father's diagnosis! Your experience with Clomid sounds familiar. I ovulate on my own, also, but took Clomid to increase the number of eggs. I also had very high hopes for my first IUI and took the BFN hard, and then felt down about the 2nd one. I totally relate! I had 1 large and 1-2 much smaller follicles for each of my first 2 IUI's. By the time of the 3rd one, the RE was suggesting we move to something else, like injectables or IVF. He said that one large follicle isn't really the ideal situation. We went ahead with the 3rd IUI because we had 2 good ones and 1-2 smaller, and thinking "just in case this is the one." We were hoping for more like 4 good follicles per IUI, though. If we need IF help again, we're thinking of starting with an injectable IUI with the hopes of a few more large follicles to increase our odds. You have to do what's comfortable for you, but I might consider a higher dose of Clomid, if you're open to it. As you know, you'll be monitored, so your risk of HOM should be small. They can cancel your cycle, if you respond too well, or convert it to IVF, at that point.

theresab · March 2011

MrsH_08:

MrandMrs07:

5) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies?

For those of you who used Clomid: how many mature follicles did you have? I'm taking Clomid to increase the chances of IUI being successful, but I ovulate on my own so I thought the goal was for me to O more than one mature egg to increase my odds. However, both cycles I had one huge egg and one or two small ones that were not ready. Now I'm not convinced that the Clomid is worth it at this dose but I do like having the ultrasounds so I know what's going on in there and then having the trigger and IUI knowing it's worth it. The RE I saw yesterday said having one big egg is a usual outcome with Clomid and said I could increase my dose but then I might get too many mature eggs and they'd have to cancel the cycle. Any ideas?

I'm really sorry about your BFN, and your father's diagnosis! Your experience with Clomid sounds familiar. I ovulate on my own, also, but took Clomid to increase the number of eggs. I also had very high hopes for my first IUI and took the BFN hard, and then felt down about the 2nd one. I totally relate! I had 1 large and 1-2 much smaller follicles for each of my first 2 IUI's. By the time of the 3rd one, the RE was suggesting we move to something else, like injectables or IVF. He said that one large follicle isn't really the ideal situation. We went ahead with the 3rd IUI because we had 2 good ones and 1-2 smaller, and thinking "just in case this is the one." We were hoping for more like 4 good follicles per IUI, though. If we need IF help again, we're thinking of starting with an injectable IUI with the hopes of a few more large follicles to increase our odds. You have to do what's comfortable for you, but I might consider a higher dose of Clomid, if you're open to it. As you know, you'll be monitored, so your risk of HOM should be small. They can cancel your cycle, if you respond too well, or convert it to IVF, at that point.

I don't remember how many mature follicles we had, but we did 1 uncuccessful clomid IUI, then switched to Fermera and that was the one that worked. (I also had added accupuncture) I did ovulate a day early (+ OPK) even from the estimate from the monitoring ultrasound, so I called and they moved my IUI up a day (got us in that morning). I got the + OPK the night I was supposed to trigger, which I did anyway. So my advice would be to keep doing OPK, even when monitored.

and that sucks with the nurses doing the IUIs - I hope NCRS doesn't switch to that. Everything we had was with the RE.

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