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Washington Babies
KRoseToes
member
January IF Check-in (SAIFW)
KRoseToes
member
(Sorry for wonky formatting.)
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!
Currently Trying to Get Pregnant!
KRoseToes (December 2008)
Diagnosis - Severe MFI, Late ovulation, Short LP
Current status - Saving money for IVF/ICIS.
tst1998 (June 2009)
Diagnosis ? Unexplained
Current status ? IUIs unsuccessful, IVF 1 = c/p, FET = m/c
babyaustin725 (TTC #2 - not preventing since Aug. 2007, actively trying since Jan. 2010)
Diagnosis - None. No testing performed to date.
Current status - Will try 6 cycles of Clomid after the appropriate dose is found. After that, will discuss testing and/or additional treatments.
Kglan (TTC #2)
Diagnosis ? One ovary, MFI
Current status ? One son thanks to IVF! IVF for child # 2 started in October/November.
suzie711 (TTC #2)
Diagnosis ? Unexplained - amenorrhea
Current status ? Will start IF treatments when first child is 2; currently in the not preventing stage and seeing naturopath.
N.CarolinaGirl (TTC #2 - October 2008)
Diagnosis - No ovulation despite LH surge, MFI
Current status ? Doctor suggested trying Metaformin
Theresab (TTC #2)
Diagnosis ? Unknown, but endometriosis may contribute
Current status ? First child conceived on 2nd IUI, with Femara and acupuncture; currently in the not preventing stage (m/c in August)
girlofsummer78 (September 2009)
Diagnosis ? Unexplained
Current status ? IUIs unsuccessful, first IVF unsuccessful
Angelinmind (September 2008)
Diagnosis ? Unexplained so far
Current status ? Variety of testing
HopingForMyFirstBaby (April 2010)
Diagnosis ? Severe MFI
Current status ? Saving money for IVF/ICIS and researching clinics
gakester8 (September 2011)
Diagnosis - PCOS
Current status - IF plan creating in late December
Success Stories!
amandaleigh1
Diagnosis ? Stage II endo, AMA
Current status ? Pregnant after IVF#1
jennyann28
Diagnosis ? Blocked tube, endometrial polyp, cyst, severe MFI, hypothyroidism
Current status ? Pregnant!
Purvalicious
Diagnosis - Polyp
Current Status ? Pregnant!
xxbblueangel
Diagnosis - PCO on the ovaries, LH secretion syndrome, Androgen issues, very small uterus
Current status ? Pregnant!
WatchPot
Diagnosis ? Blocked tube
Current Status ? Pregnant after several unsuccessful IUIs and one successful IVF!
MrandMrs07
Diagnosis ? Idiopathic infertility
Current status ? Pregnant after IUI #3
MrsH_08
Diagnosis - Late ovulation, short LP, don't produce enough follicles, low morphology
Current status ? Mommy to a boy thanks to successful IVF#2!
JDCSKF
Diagnosis - Homozygous MTHFR, two copies of C667T, hyperhomocysteinemia
Current status ?Mommy to 2 girls!
Mrs.Kiltlifter
Diagnosis - Severe MFI, non-obstructive azoospermia
Current Status - 8 IUI cycles and Mommy to boy/girl twins!
m&m823
Diagnosis - PCOS, Short LP
Current status ?Got pregnant after using Metformin, Now Mommy to 2 kids!!
Questions:
Lots of questions last month that weren't answered, so I've listed them again. Answer if you can!
1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step?
2) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related?
3) Any vents/confessions?
4) Did the HCG trigger shot make you really emotional at the end of the cycle that you used it/beginning of the next cycle? (gakester8)
5) Has anyone tried "FerilAid" or any other 'natural' supplements that are supposed to boost fertility? I saw this online today and was thinking about trying it and seeing if it seems to do any good. (suzie711)
6) Any one currently at NWCRS? How have things changed in the past couple years? I know there was the merger and some doctors leaving so I was interested in the current situation. (theresab)
4) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies?
Married: December 2005 ~ Started TTC: December 2008 ~ DH: 33, Me: 30
Diagnosis: severe MFI, late ovulation, short LP, DOR
Only option is IVF/ICIS. Waited several years before treatment because we're OOP.
IVF/ICIS #1 in June 2012 (Protocol: Long Lupron). Stims: 6/17/12, ER: 6/30/12 (6R, 5M, 4F), ET: 7/5/12 (1 4AA embryo transferred, 0 made it to freeze) ~ Beta#1: 7/14/12 - 55, Beta#2: 7/16/12 - 100, Beta#3: 7/18/12 - 199 ~ Limbo for weeks, finally confirmed pregnancy not viable: 8/13/12 ~ D&C: 8/17/12
Varicocele Surgery: October 2012 (long break to wait for results, no change)
Changed clinics: February 2013
IVF/ICIS Attempt #2 in April 2013 (Protocol: Antagonist). Stims: 4/12/13, Cycle Cancelled: 4/17/13 for poor follicle response and low E2 rise.
IVF/ICIS Attempt #3 in May 2013 (Protocol: LEAP) Cycle Cancelled: 5/20/13 at suppression check due to cyst
IVF/ICIS Attempt #4 in July 2013 (Protocol: LEAP). Stims: 7/20/13, ER: 8/1/13 (12R, 11M, 9F), ET: 8/6/13 (3 fair embryos transferred, 0 made it to freeze) ~ Beta#1: 8/15/13 - 86, Beta#2: 8/18/13 - 390.6, Ultrasound: 9/3/13 - TWO HEARTBEATS!
This discussion has been closed.
Re: January IF Check-in (SAIFW)
Questions:
Lots of questions last month that weren't answered, so I've listed them again. Answer if you can!
1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step?
Well, I made an appointment with the UW clinic and Dr. Lin for February. Even though we have our first appointment in February, I think we probably won't do IVF until the summer. I just want to meet with her now and have her look at our records and help us make a decision as to whether or not DH should have the varicocele surgery and if that would be helpful or not. Right now I feel like it would be a waste of time/energy/money, but I am want to hear her opinion.
2) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related?
No big plans. I feel like the last few months have been really busy and hectic. I want to just relax and get into a good routine. New Year's resolution is to menu-plan and cook more, so I need to start building those habits.
3) Any vents/confessions?
I have hit the 3 year mark of TTC. How f'd up is that? That is all.
4) Did the HCG trigger shot make you really emotional at the end of the cycle that you used it/beginning of the next cycle? (gakester8)
Never had an HCG shot, so can't help you. Hope someone else can!
5) Has anyone tried "FerilAid" or any other 'natural' supplements that are supposed to boost fertility? I saw this online today and was thinking about trying it and seeing if it seems to do any good. (suzie711)
I haven't tried any of that stuff before. I feel like most of that stuff is gimmicky, but who knows?
6) Any one currently at NWCRS? How have things changed in the past couple years? I know there was the merger and some doctors leaving so I was interested in the current situation. (theresab)
Am not at NWCRS.
4) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies?
Not now, thanks!
1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step? doing 1st IUI this cycle, with HCG trigger shot, FSH shot and clomid. I've only done clomid and HCG previously, so any advice is welcome!
2) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related? having a party - although, I'm slightly concerned about it affecting TTC...
3) Any vents/confessions? Sometimes this process just seems so overwhelming, especially since TTC prevents me from taking meds to help my physical pain, which is pretty bad. I usually able to look at the positive side of things, but struggle with this one and even feel guilty about feeling this way.
4/7) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies?
How many people do you share this IF process with? I feel fairly isolated as far as IF is concerned.
4) Did the HCG trigger shot make you really emotional at the end of the cycle that you used it/beginning of the next cycle? (gakester8)
I never noticed it and I had the HCG trigger with 5 cycles. Then again, I was so hopped up on lots of different hormones. :-) The only drug that really gave me s/e was Clomid.
6) Any one currently at NWCRS? How have things changed in the past couple years? I know there was the merger and some doctors leaving so I was interested in the current situation. (theresab)
I'm not now, but I know Opsahl definitely left. I'm pretty sure Kennedy is still there.
Photo by J Shelton Photography
Married 10/5/08 | 2 yrs of TTC, tests, procedures & a m/c | IVF #2 =James!
ya, clomid gives me crazy dreams and constant bad headaches every single one of the days I take it. I basically am useless during those days. (only 1 more day left for me to take it this cycle, thank god!
The HCG had me crying all the time and way overly emotional/sad about everything near the end of my cycle. So, I'm hoping it won't effect me as much this time
I think you'll find everyone is different. For me, I'm comfortable talking with my friends and family about my experiences. I think educating people is a good thing and will help (in the long run) increase funding/insurance coverage in the future. You may want to consider sharing with a couple of friends - I think it does help at times to vent to those that are closest to you. Another option is to become active on the infertility boards, and/or you could start a blog. I know some bloggers are able to build a really great community for themselves.
We also do local infertility GTGs every once in awhile. It's nice to chat with people who know what you're going through. You can try to organize one yourself or wait a couple of months when I'll probably try to plan another one. Right now I'm just not up for planning one.
Questions:
1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step?
2WW, trying without outside assistance. Really should get back to accupunture, but so hard to coordinate to get someone to watch E.
2) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related?
vacation
3) Any vents/confessions?
4) Did the HCG trigger shot make you really emotional at the end of the cycle that you used it/beginning of the next cycle? (gakester8)
I don't remember. gakester8 - have you talked to your doc about fermera, that worked better for me than clomid w/o the side effects.
5) Has anyone tried "FerilAid" or any other 'natural' supplements that are supposed to boost fertility? I saw this online today and was thinking about trying it and seeing if it seems to do any good. (suzie711)
nope
6) Any one currently at NWCRS? How have things changed in the past couple years? I know there was the merger and some doctors leaving so I was interested in the current situation. (theresab)
4) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies?
How many people do you share this IF process with? I feel fairly isolated as far as IF is concerned.
I talked to my best friend about it. Otherwise I lurked on the TTTC boards. I forget now which one because they kept spliting, I think it was infertility. It is hard, but please keep joining the checkin. FWIW, I got great help from accupunture, partially because I felt the practitioner got all the cycle nuances (and analizations), hormone craziness, and just generally was 1 person "in my corner" without being completely medical (like the RE office was).
1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step?
We are trying on our own until April. It's been a long emotional year of treatments, and both DH and I need a break. Right now I'm in the 2WW. I need to call the clinic to get on the schedule for our FET in March/April, but I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it.
2) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related?
Nothing this month. Just trying to get things back on schedule after our vacation over Christmas.
3) Any vents/confessions?
Not really. I'm having a hard time getting over this last loss. And then January was our one year anniversary of fertility treatments. I never imagined we would be at this for so long. One year ago I figured once we started treatments, we'd get pregnant eventually. Especially since we don't have a real diagnosis. But here we are, one year later, and still nothing. It's starting to creep into my mind that this might not happen for us, but I'm still hopeful. Just not as naively optimistic as I was back in the beginning.
4) Did the HCG trigger shot make you really emotional at the end of the cycle that you used it/beginning of the next cycle? (gakester8)
I didn't notice anything with the trigger. Although having been off all hormones for the last few months, I think I may have been more emotionally unstable than I realized. It's been really calm around here lately.
5) Has anyone tried "FerilAid" or any other 'natural' supplements that are supposed to boost fertility? I saw this online today and was thinking about trying it and seeing if it seems to do any good. (suzie711)
No. I am doing acupuncture, but that's more for my mental health than anything else.
6) Any one currently at NWCRS? How have things changed in the past couple years? I know there was the merger and some doctors leaving so I was interested in the current situation. (theresab)
I'm at UW, so can't help with that.
TTC #1 since 2009 with unexplained infertility
IUI#1-4 Jan.-Apr. 2011 = BFNs
IVF#1 Aug. 2011 = c/p, FET #1 Nov. 2011 = c/p, FET #2 April 2012 = BFP!
Beta #1 = 153, Beta #2 = 269, Beta #3 = 675
1st U/S = TWINS!! EDD 12/29/12
my blog: Journey to Somewhere
~~PAIFW/SAIFW~~
April IVF Spring Chicks
Now that you mention it, I don't think I've told my IF doc, but I did tell my regular ob/gyn before SRM. I guess I should bring it up with the new one!
1) Where are you at in the process/what is your next step? We have been not preventing since DS was born via IVF March 2010. I finally started having cycles since going off bcp 10/2007 in August. I'm on some natural estrogen/progesterone through my Naturopath and thinking about trying Acupuncture again ..we are going to go back to the RE in August if we aren't pg on our own by then.
2) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related? Nothing planned really.
3) Any vents/confessions? I am SO tired of people asking us when #2 is coming!!! Especially since a lot of people know we did IF treatments ..
4) Did the HCG trigger shot make you really emotional at the end of the cycle that you used it/beginning of the next cycle? (gakester8)
I don't remember since I only ever had 1 trigger shot ..
5) Has anyone tried "FerilAid" or any other 'natural' supplements that are supposed to boost fertility? I saw this online today and was thinking about trying it and seeing if it seems to do any good. (suzie711)
6) Any one currently at NWCRS? How have things changed in the past couple years? I know there was the merger and some doctors leaving so I was interested in the current situation. (theresab) n/a
4) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies?
2) What are you doing fun this month that is non-IF related? having a baby is pretty IF related.
3) Any vents/confessions? I am worried that I'll treat this baby differently than DS1. I have been shopping for art for the nursery and almost everything I have has "miracle" in it. What we ended up with is "Sometimes it's fun doing the impossible" which totaly hints to the IVF but I don't want this kid to just be the "IVF" baby and the #1 isn't.
4) Did the HCG trigger shot make you really emotional at the end of the cycle that you used it/beginning of the next cycle? (gakester8) Every IVF drug had a different reaction for me. Some of them left me raging mean and unbearable, some of them left me anxious and so paranoid I couldn't watch the news for fear my family was going to die. I don't remember specificly what HCG did to me but I do remember Clomid being much worse than Femara for me.
5) Has anyone tried "FerilAid" or any other 'natural' supplements that are supposed to boost fertility? I saw this online today and was thinking about trying it and seeing if it seems to do any good. (suzie711) We tried it but that was before DH had any SA or we had finished diagnosis. So it ended up that it wasn't going to work for us anyway, but I was of the "Try anything" camp. I still have a medice cabinet full of Green tea, pom tabs, Bromelean, you name it!
6) Any one currently at NWCRS? How have things changed in the past couple years? I know there was the merger and some doctors leaving so I was interested in the current situation. (theresab) I don't know anything about NWCRS. Where was your last IVF?
4) Any questions you'd like to ask the other ladies?
We were OOP for drugs, so I did a lot of work looking for the best pricing. First of all, mail order is the cheapest way to go. They can deliver in just a day or 2, or longer if you don't need to rush.
Here's the gist of what I found: Freedom Pharmacy has an agreement with Gonal-F, so they're the cheapest place to buy it. If you're using Follistim, check out Mandell's Pharmacy. I used Mandell's for Cetrotide and Menopur. We actually had insurance coverage for PIO, so I got that filled at Walmart (Walmart has the cheapest price on Clomid, so I had switched to Walmart's pharmacy a long time ago.).
Also, Freedom will provide free syringes, needles and Sharps containers. Let them know what you need.
Hope that helps!!
Photo by J Shelton Photography
Married 10/5/08 | 2 yrs of TTC, tests, procedures & a m/c | IVF #2 =James!
I'll make sure to add you to the list next month. If you're willing to share, I'd love to get a general idea of if the surgery improved his counts significantly! We're dealing with severe MFI and was told that surgery may help get us to the point of IUI, but would probably not help get us to the point where we could conceive naturally. And, of course, the surgery may not help at all. Right now I'm not sure if the surgery is worth it. We will be meeting with a new doctor in February to try to get an objective opinion on the matter. But I'd love to hear more about your experience in the meantime.
If you already have an RE you are planning on working with, this won't be helpful, but the UW has the cheapest IVF drugs you will find. The only catch is you have to be treated by one of their physicians. Med total for our IVF was about $700-800. The whole cycle, including all procedures, labs, meds and ICSI was $11K.
I love the doctors there too, but I know if you are already established with someone and have a good relationship, I know it's hard to make the switch. Good luck!
TTC #1 since 2009 with unexplained infertility
IUI#1-4 Jan.-Apr. 2011 = BFNs
IVF#1 Aug. 2011 = c/p, FET #1 Nov. 2011 = c/p, FET #2 April 2012 = BFP!
Beta #1 = 153, Beta #2 = 269, Beta #3 = 675
1st U/S = TWINS!! EDD 12/29/12
my blog: Journey to Somewhere
~~PAIFW/SAIFW~~
April IVF Spring Chicks
MrsH_08 -- thank you sooo much for the pointers! I really appreciate it. Assuming we use a similar cycle as I did before, I'll be on Lupron, Follistim and Menopur so your links are very helpful.
KRoseToes -- yes, I'll definitely share information once we learn the results of DH's SA. His MFI was pretty severe (but not to the point of azoospermia) so I don't think the surgery will do much. Fortunately, our insurance covered it so we didn't think it would hurt to try.
tst1998 -- oh wow, that is extremely affordable! I remember my meds last time -- at least what was billed to insurance -- was like $4000! You're right: it feels hard to switch providers, probably because we had such a good, successful IVF cycle the first time. I just want it to all work again and feel most comfortable working with our first RE who we loved.