Feb/March IVF/FET

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@vssbrm you should be careful about success percentage numbers. I was at 70% for both my fresh and frozen transfer and neither worked. I was told every one of my embryos was "perfect" but 4 failed to implant.

So guys, I made a huge mistake today. I accepted an invitation to go to a kids museum with my mom and niece and nephews. I've seen so many little ones, and I haven't even left the parking lot yet. It hurts my heart to see so many cute kids.

oxinfree · January 2016

@AandDM2014 - I'm so sorry about your tough day. Did the little ones at least put a smile on your face, even if also a dagger in your heart? Hugs to you. Those kinds of situations are so hard to navigate as an infertile.

@susykat77 - ohhh the crazy haha. You wanna hear the crazy? I have an entire chest of baby things. My husband and I when we got married started collecting onesies or tshirts (for all different sizes/ages) from all the places we traveled or made memories. The chest is bursting its so full (granted its not that big). It might seem silly, but one day whether naturally or adopted, my child will wear those clothes. And if for whatever reason that never comes to be, well I refuse to accept that. Screw that. Whatever makes you happy!

@vssbrm - great to hear the RE update and AWESOME news about him acknowledging celiac. My RE fully believes allergies and immune issues are a factor. So frustrating that its not a widely accepted factor. I think you should trust your gut. Sometimes a fresh start is good enough for a boost in morale too. Good luck with the decision!

I had a small temp jump this a.m. so am wondering if I ovulated naturally yesterday/today. I guess my check up tomorrow will reveal. Granted, my body often does a fake out leading to O. I just realized that I could be getting started as early as the end of this month, but not sure if our test results will all be in by then. I finally booked our immune blood testing, so that's being done in a week. Yay! So silly that I'm excited about all these tests, but it means I'm closer and closer to my actual cycle. Huzzah!

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@oxinfree I wish this little ones could put a smile on my face, but it really just hurts too much. Even with the older kids (like 2-4 years old) I hurt a little, even though mine wouldn't be that old. If we had gotten pregnant when we first started trying we'd have an almost 1 year old. Seeing women with babies in chest carriers makes me so jealous! Hopefully your blood tests go well and give you some much deserved answers!!

@susykat77 I say just go the old fashioned way. It's much more fun than an IUI!!! The hubby and I actually went to a big expectant mothers convention that gave away a bunch of baby stuff in March of 2014, before we even started trying... Maybe we jinxed ourselves? But anyway, we too have a bunch of baby stuff in our "guest room" ("wish it was baby room"). We even have a stroller, swing and breast pump! Talk about too prepared! I'll sometimes buy clothes as well, but I've recently tried to avoid the baby section. It's getting more painful with every passing month that my womb is empty. Kudos to you for having the strength to go and look.

mtpbadger · January 2016

I am so frustrated with my body right now! Went for repeat blood work, hoping my HCG had leveled out after my last IUI cycle and nope, it hasn't cooperated. My RE doesn't want me back for two weeks but is hoping then it will FINALLY have gone back down to zero. She said normally she would be ok with anything less than 5 but with the way my levels have been hanging on and very slow, she doesn't want to risk anything. My last IUI cycle started the beginning of October so I am SO ready to move on and put this "cycle from hell" behind me! Guess I will now definitely won't start stimming until at least February.

@vssbrm, that is great you may have found a RE that you feel comfortable with! I think it makes all the difference in the world who you deal with on a regular basis with all this stuff. I requested to switch my nurse b/c she just wasn't a pleasant person and acted like I should have known everything from the get-go. My new nurse is AMAZING and I don't feel stupid asking any little thing and feel like she really wants me and DH to be successful.

@susykat77, not crazy at all! I constantly find myself browsing the baby section and although I really want to, haven't bought anything yet. Thankfully me and DH don't have a ton of storage in our current place so when I pick something up that's cute, I have that thought that there is no where to store it. I now just buy tons and tons of stuff for my nieces and nephews and live vicariously through them. It's definitely not that same though.

Joyzie77 · January 2016

@susykat77 ... It's not abnormal. I might have bought something myself in anticipation of that day happening sonetime.

I got the bloodwork back and it was normal. I think I'm using Gonal-F this time around. I'm glad I called around for pricing. I normally go to Walgreens but the RE's pharmacy was almost half the price of Walgreens. I go back for an ultrasound on the 21st. On birth control now.

2015dee · January 2016

*loss mentioned in this post....

@AandDM2014 & @oxinfree- thanks for the info regarding the dose. It does make sense to start higher and drop down if needed. I think I have blood work after 3 days of the follistim, so maybe it will change. This is just such a new world for me, and I feel nervous at every turn.

@AandDM2014 -I cannot begin to imagine my ovaries touching--ouch!!!!! How swollen was your tummy? I totally understand your pain at seeing little ones. I have the same thing. If I hadn't m/c'd, we would have a 4 year old, and the thought of that makes me so so sad. This is such a difficult and trying journey, especially when the light at the end of the tunnel seems so far away. Take good care of yourself.

@oxinfree - I totally get looking forward to the tests. Like you said, it's one step closer. I keep thinking of this process at milestones and looking forward to each next step (birth control starting, stims starting, retrieval, etc.). One step at a time!

@susykat77 - IMO, go the natural route (over the IUI), especially if DH does not have swimmer problems. I do not think you're crazy at all for going in the baby section in stores. We all cope with this differently. I used to do that. I did my first clomid cycle in August of 2012 (yikes...wow) and I was SO certain it was going to work since we spontaneously conceived (and mc) before. I had little shirts made for our two dogs to surprise my husband when I got the BFP. Three and a half years have come and gone.....I still have the dog shirts, but now I have a third dog. I stopped buying baby stuff (except for my nephew) because it's too painful in this place I'm in right now. Like I said, we all deal differently.

@vssbrn - I'm so so happy that your appt with the RE went well. Have you all made a decision yet? I think you should go with your intuition.

@mtpbadger - UGH that's super frustrating! I'm so sorry. I'm sure you're totally ready to get this all behind you!! My stims start late Feb, so maybe we will cycle together.

YOU ALL. I got the quote for my meds from MDR..... $4,400!!! YIKES. And that doesn't even include progesterone shots in the case we end up doing a fresh transfer. I checked prices on Freedom Fertility and they were higher there. They applied the "HeartRX Initiative" discount to the Menopur, and the "DesignRX discount" on the Follistim and Ganirelix. Has anyone else paid this much for meds?

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@2015dee I had my first monitoring appointment 5 days after I started stimming, and they had me reduce that evening. It is very likely you will reduce around 3-5 days after if you're responding well. As for my ovaries, it actually wasn't too bad until like 3 days before retrieval, which was 14 days after I started stimming. I don't feel like my tummy was too swollen. I've seen pics of some other people who actually looked like 3-4 months pregnant before their retrieval, but I didn't have that. I had gained some weight from the meds and having to change my exercise routine, but only about 5 pounds. Ah the light at the end of the tunnel... seems like my tunnel won't end sometimes. As for med cost, for my IVF (which just had endometrin, not PIO) I paid about $3300 using Gonal-f, Menopur and Cetrotide. I too had a med discount card. 50 mg of PIO at my pharmacy is only $135. For me that was 17 injections of 1.5 cc, and I still have most of one bottle left.

So I stopped my meds on Monday evening after getting the call about the negative beta. Today I finally got to call my dr to let him know I had started my period! Woo hoo! Too bad they were closed by the time I called. I should hear from them tomorrow about what I'm to do next. Hopefully we'll get started on doing another FET cycles!

2015dee · January 2016

I think this was maybe talked about earlier somewhere....is anyone doing one of those packages? DH and I are so stuck on what to do.

My RE's office has a program where you can pay a fix price and get 3 fresh and 3 frozen cycles. You have to do all the cycles within 12 months. 70% is refunded if you don't get pregnant (through 12 wks). The cost is $20,500 (that's just the physician fee) for the package. Meds and ICSI are separate. Our monitoring cost would also be separate, because we are doing monitoring in our hometown (6 hours away from our RE). A single IVF cycle is $8650 and the IVF/freeze-all with FET (which is what we are probably doing) is $10500 or something like that. Again, that figure does not include meds, ICSI, or our monitoring costs.

SO. With the package deal, worst case scenario is needing all 3 fresh and all 3 frozen. That would probably run around $45k with meds, monitoring, and ICSI...I think. Paying individually for each cycle would be more like $60k with meds, monitoring, ICSI, and all that. If it worked first time, we'd have spent an extra $10k or so on the package. Basically, I'm thinking the package deal only saves money if you do more than one fresh and one frozen. I believe?? I am so confused on what to do. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

2015dee · January 2016

@AandDM2014 - you're so helpful!! thanks for the info on the med costs. When do you think you'll get to start your FET process? When might transfer be? I'm hoping this is it for you (as I'm sure you are).

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@2015dee Wow those prices! It's a lot to try and wrap my head around comparing it to the options I was given (which is all I have to go off). You didn't say how much just an FET would cost, once you've done a full IVF cycle. It should be considerably less, though I don't know how it works with outside monitoring. I do all my stuff at the same clinic so every monitoring appointment was covered in my package. Do you need to do ICSI? Your signature doesn't show any problems with your DH. ICSI is generally reserved for those who have sperm problems (or when your doctor very strongly suggests you do it). The problem with deciding what to do at this point is that you have no experience with an IVF cycle so you don't know how your body is going to respond to the meds, if you're going to get 5 eggs or 20. IRL I only know two people who have to do IVF, and I'm one of them. I know that for me and the gal I know, one cycle has not been enough to get pregnant. For her, 3 cycles has not been enough to get past 12 weeks. It really does vary per individual.
As for my FET stuff, based on my last round I'm thinking I'll be ready for a transfer some time near the beginning of February, unless my doc wants me to do 3 weeks of bc then start FET meds. I won't know until tomorrow if I have to go in for blood work and an u/s (he doesn't always make me). Last time I only did 1 week of bc then about a week later started meds. I know that isn't standard and I'm not sure if he did it that way due to the timing of Christmas or if that is just how he does FETs.

oxinfree · January 2016

@AandDM2014 - ready to transfer early FEB!!?!? That'd be so exciting! (and I'm secretly... not so secretly, super jealous). What time is your doc appointment? Looking forward to hearing how it went today!

@2015dee -I've said it before, but I'm not a big fan of the packages. I think sometimes the docs will try and use more aggressive treatment to safeguard their results. I don't always think you end up getting the best protocol for you, your body and future baby, but that is entirely just my personal opinion. I feel like it can be very tempting, but haven't pursued those types of options or clinics for that reason. You also don't want to feel pressured to do all 3 within a year. Sometimes you need a break. I dunno... Ultimately, if you're happy with just making sure you get pregnant, I feel like its a valid option. Maybe someone else who's gone through that (or is currently) can share their thoughts.

@Joyzie77 - glad to hear bloodwork is normal and you're already on bc. ultrasound on 21st hey! coming up quick! How you been holding up after everything that has transpired?

@mtpbadger - totally relate to feeling frustrated with bodies not doing what we want them to. The wait can be tortorous. I might be starting stimming around the same time as you, and feel like its eons away. like watching paint dry.

AFM - I triggered O with ovidrel last night because my follicle was big enough and my body was taking its sweet time not doing it on its own... biopsy shg and trial transfer set for monday the 18th and immune bloodwork testing set for next friday (the 15th). moving forward, but at what feels like a snails pace. At least its the weekend!

susykat77 · January 2016

@vssbrm How exciting about your RE appointment. I believe that the Celiacs could play a huge factor and it is important that the RE acknowledged that. Yay for fun trips to visits friends in Colorado! (I live in Colorado)

@oxinfree It IS exciting to get everything lined up. I like having things to look forward to (even if they are not so fun tests) because it make the time go by faster - and I like to plan! Why are you triggering? Is it to avoid this cycle for you are for sure not pregnant for your biopsy? Or maybe the biopsy and blood-work are for specific days? Just curious. Either way, I am happy that things are moving forward even if it is S L O W L Y...

@AandDM2104 Sorry for your crummy day surrounded by kiddos. I feel your pain. How exciting that your FET is so soon!! I hope you are our first BFP of the bunch! Did you find out your time line today?

@mtpbadger I am so sorry about your cycle from hell, Being in limbo is no fun at all. I definitely get frustrated that my body won't do what it was made to do. Big (creepy internet) hugs.

@Joyzie77 Amazing that the cost of meds was so much less at the RE's pharmacy. Yay for saving money!

@2015dee Meds are SO expensive!! It is such a messed up business here in the US. In Prague, I pay around $400 for meds. I wish there was a way for you gals to order the meds from an international pharmacy. As far as the package deal, when we were consulting with an RE here, we wanted to do the package deal but I didn't qualify. You never know how many rounds it will take or how you will respond. I am not familiar with what having PCOS does exactly regarding fertility but for me having a low AMH was enough for me to want to do the package deal. How many follicles did you usually produce on your clomid cycles?

Thanks to all of you for sharing your crazy with me. I know I am not alone in what I a going through but there is no one IRL that I know that is going through IVF. It is so nice to have you ladies for support and distraction while we wait wait wait.

I went and saw my acupuncturist on Thursday and she encouraged me to go see her "voodoo" doctor. The "voodoo" doc had a cancelation yesterday so I saw him and he has me on 2 supplements for 2 weeks along with a crazy diet (not really any crazier than I did before except I can't have BACON or avacado!!

Boohoo!!! He does muscle testing to find issues in the body and test certain foods. According to him I have a virus and a fungus that are causing issues in my body (not necessarily fertility related). It is all so weird but really, why not try something else?!? What else am I going to do in the meantime while I wait... (FYI the voodoo doc is a Chiropractor but we did nothing related to my skeletal body during the visit... So weird)

oxinfree · January 2016

@susykat77 -I'm triggering because they want to know for sure that I ovulate and then do a biopsy at 10dpo. If I have a weak ovulation or don't ovulate, then can't do biopsy. Also, it meant going back in every 2 days and since the follicle was at a size big enough to ovulate, we just gave it a boost. Annoying, but a tiny little shot and all was fine. I continue to be excited to be moving along. So interesting your voodoo doc... what was the rationale behind no bacon or avocado? It's funny because I loooooove avocado, and its supposed to be so good for you, but it came up as a food sensitivity for me. devastating. true though.. because every time I eat it I feel crummy about 15-30min later.

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@oxinfree I got a call from the clinic this morning to set up an appointment for tomorrow

I go in at 7:30 am PST for bloodwork and u/s. I should hopefully get a call from my nurse before noon and find out what my doc wants me to do. When I spoke with him on the 4th it kinda sounded like he wanted me to go right into another FET cycle, which I thought to mean he wanted me to start lupron and estrogen within about a week of starting my period. I'll know tomorrow! And I totally get the secret (not secret) jealousy thing. I was supposed to do my last FET about 3 days after the other person I know IRL was doing hers, but then hers got moved up by like 6 days and mine got pushed back by like 6 days. I was way jealous of her (and hoping that my lining would be amazing at my next u/s and I could be moved up too. Ha!).

@susykat77 I'll find out my timeline tomorrow. It should have been today, but my clinic has been under constructions so they've had different hours and no one called me back yesterday to do an appointment today, which means tomorrow. Boo.

I had the weirdest thing happen to me. I've been binge watching a tv show (Star Trek Enterprise), and for the past few nights I've been having dreams that they did an episode all about one of them going through IVF. I'm sure that totally does not happen during the series, but my dreams have been so vivid it's like I'm watching the episode play out on my tv. Anyone else ever have weird IVF dreams?

Cmartin6706 · January 2016

A call from a nurse today and I'm bumped into this thread. My DW is set for IVF ER on Monday with (currently) "a good number of follicles but not more than 30"

We were planning a fresh transfer but her progesterone is too high currently. If her cycle comes on time as expected this month then we'll be able to squeeze in a ET before her business trip. We are itching to get this show on the road. We've already had 6 IUIs and an IVF without success.

Joyzie77 · January 2016

@2015dee ... I know that we have paid that much for the iui and 1st round of IVF. I think our quote for this round for ovidrel, cetrotide, Menopur, and Gonal f was 6k for all of it... I think there is a 400 dollar rebate. Now I'm thinking we are paying too much! I think the quote was for all of the medication. I used Walgreens specialty pharmacy the first time but are using conception pharmacy this time. I might call the others you have mentioned.

2015dee · January 2016

@AandDM2014 - RE is recommending ICSI right now and telling us to possibly plan for that. My DH had a SA about a year ago with low-ish motility (maybe around 35%), but his more recent one was normal. He is doing a repeat next month, so we will see where the levels are at then and decide. I know that those prices are definitely sticker shock to me! EEK. The outside monitoring definitely adds an extra layer of expense. We have a fertility clinic where I live. We did IUI there and several cycles of Clomid. However, their IVF success rates are not nearly as high and they don't do many cycles of it per year. Also (and this is a big part of it), the doctor at that clinic missed diagnosing my uterine septum, which was clearly evidence on the HSG he had. Needless to say, I don't trust them much. So we are going to a fertility clinic about 6 hours away in Dallas. They have much higher success rates, and I feel really confident in the doctor I am seeing. He removed my septum last year and quickly and easily diagnosed it. He is also an expert on PCOS and has even written a book about it. I really hope your appt went well this morning and that you get some info soon!! It's nice that your RE's office has such early morning monitoring appts.

@susykat77 - I think you asked me at some point and I forgot to answer...no, we aren't planning to do PGD or PGS. I know that my RE's office offers it, but he did not recommend it for us. How do you know if that is something you should have done? I did the Counsyl (?) genetic test, and it didn't show anything of concern. How do you like acupuncture? I was thinking about doing some of it during my IVF cycle.

@oxinfree - thanks for your feedback on the cycle package. It is a really hard decision for us. My RE doesn't even know we are considering it, so I feel somewhat comfortable knowing that he won't base my protocol on what plan we are doing. If it works the first cycle, we are out about $10,000, but I don't know that I would care if that meant I got a baby. I'm glad you got to trigger and have the next steps already scheduled. Just doing that helps me a lot! I may have missed this somewhere, but what is your diagnosis?

@Cmartin6706 - Welcome! I hope the timing works out for you all!

@joyzie77 - thanks for the feedback on medication costs. I was hoping they would be cheaper, but whatever at this point. The place we are getting our medications is MDR pharmacy in California.

oxinfree · January 2016

@2015dee - our diagnosis is technically unexplained, however we are dealing with male factor of very low morph (like 2%). We've done ICSI in the past though, so kind of eliminates that as a major factor according to the docs so they're trying to pinpoint what else is going on that has caused repeated IVF failure.
We're undergoing more testing currently, but they think maybe immune factors (I have a bazillion allergies including wheat/possible celiac) or some kind of implantation dysfunction (I spot for about a week before my period sometimes, so we're doing a biopsy to check the receptivity of my uterus/lining).
We're considering PGS/PGD but want to see the outcome of the above tests (and hubby seeing urologist for possible varicocele) and would love to avoid the out of pocket expense if possible.

I don't really know that you need ICSI with 35% morph, especially if its improved. Have you had any sperm fragmentation testing done, or has your doc discussed PICSI with you?
"The PICSI dish is a polystyrene culture dish with three microdots of hyaluronan attached to the bottom of its interior. The dish is sterile, and non-toxic to embryos and is used as an additional step in the selection of sperm for ICSI."

We're considering doing PICSI (without the fragmentation testing which is out of pocket, but yet PICSI itself is covered... explain that to me!) but again will depend on what else we find in the next few weeks.

also, I'd highly recommend acupuncture, but would recommend starting before your cycle to get used to it, and help prime you for everything! Be sure to find someone though that specializes in fertility/IVF treatment.

@AandDM2014 - hope today goes well. Look forward to an update! I haven't started my cycle but the night I did my ovidrel shot I had really vivid wacky dreams. My last two IVF cycles were no different. The meds always mess with me that way... totally normal (for me at least...). Too funny about star trek IVF though! Made me giggle.

AandDM2014 · January 2016

I went in for a day 3 blood draw and ultrasound this morning. Woo hoo. I just love having my skin poked with needles. Anyway, ultrasound looked good and I guess blood work was good as I'm to start birth control today. Unfortunately my nurses (there are like 5 doctors, each with at least 1 nurse) are not in today because of the construction stuff, so I got a call from one of the other doctors nurse, who I don't know. She's nice enough, but not my nurse. I'm to start birth control today and call back tomorrow to speak with one of my nurses. I should find out then what the plan is for me. I currently have just shy of 3 weeks worth of birth control, so hopefully I need to take less than that!

@2015dee I totally get not wanting to do IVF with your local clinic if you don't trust them. I think this is a huge deal and you need to feel confident in your doctor and his staff. And actually on the weekends I don't have much choice in appointment time, especially since they are under construction now. Normal hours on weekends are 7-9:30am and with construction it's reduced to 7-8am. It is nice because I get results before noon so I don't have to worry all day long!

@oxinfree I don't think I had too many crazy dreams from the meds, though I know they turned me into a crazy person. This last FET with the high dosage of estrogen like literally turned me into a crazy. I felt bad for my hubby, especially since, having PCOS, he isn't used to hormonal wife (of course, I'm not either!). I have a feeling the same thing is going to happen again since I'm going to ask about a more aggressive estrogen regimen.

AandDM2014 · January 2016

I spoke with my nurse this morning and she said my cycle calendar should look almost exactly like the one from last time, which means I'll be transferring in about 5 weeks. She said she'd try to get my final calendar emailed to me today, tomorrow at the latest. Yay!

2015dee · January 2016

@AandDM2014 - yay that's exciting. A baby conceived around Valentine's Day may be in your future (although I'm not a huge Vday person, it sounds kind of cute!)

@oxinfree- "unexplained" is annoying. I think "unexplained" also might make it more difficult for them to know how to treat you--kind of like a shot in the dark. I hope they can at least find some sort of answer for you all. I think that's so important to help explain things to yourself even. And no, we have not done any sperm fragmenting testing. I am going to discuss with him if ICSI is really needed once my husband has his next SA in a few weeks. I've heard that ICSI leads to a (slightly) higher rate of birth defect, so I'd like to avoid it if possible. I have never heard of PICSI before--I'm not sure if my RE's office offers it. Science is so amazing these days!

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@2015dee When I was reading about ICSI it seemed to me like the slightly higher rate of birth defect was due to the sperm. It would happen anyways, whether ICSI was done or not. I found this page helpful (https://haveababy.com/fertility-information/ivf-authority/the-needle-vs-the-dish-should-icsi-be-used-in-all-ivf) when doing my research. We ended up doing it, not because hubby had problems but because the doc wanted to make sure we had fertilized eggs. Half of our eggs were ICSI, the other half regular and we had 5 fertilize to day 5 from ICSI and 4 from regular. If we were to do IVF again we would not do ICSI as it is expensive (about $1400) and not much more successful for us than regular fertilization. As for a Valentine baby for us, we shall see. I still haven't gotten my calendar, and it all depends on how my body responds to the meds. Hopefully I'll respond better this time than last.

oxinfree · January 2016

@2015dee unexplained sucks... lets leave it at that. hopefully after these next few tests I will have some indication of whats going on... maybe not, in which case PGS it is!

ICSI didn't result in a baby for us, but hard to attribute it to one factor. As I said, my DH has morphology of like 2% so not much option really. But if he had better numbers I don't think we'd opt for it and agree with you avoiding it if possible. Here's hoping SA results are grrrrrrreat! (channeling tony the tiger there... haha)

@AandDM2014 - yay for getting your calendar. Transfer in 5 weeks hey! so exciting. I probably will start stimming around then since all our results won't come in until the end of the month so we'll miss the cycle after this one. Chances are we'll start stimming mid/end of Feb... not sure where that puts my ER and transfer at... if we do PGS it would be a freeze all... haven't made that decision, and likely won't until we're cycling.

hope everyone else is doing well... this thread has been quite quiet as we all wait around for our cycles to start... oh the waiting game.

twomommiestobe · January 2016

@2015dee we are using a clinic in Dallas as well!

2015dee · January 2016

@twomommiestobe oh really?!?! What clinic are you using (if you feel comfortable disclosing that)? Do you live in the DFW area, or are you doing outside monitoring as well? and this is such a random question, but how did you and your DW decide on which route you were going to take (i.e., her eggs and you carrying)? Would you flip it if you had another child later on?

@oxinfree - hoping your test results come in soon! We are starting stims on Feb 26, so maybe we will be stimming together. Thanks for the happy thoughts about the SA. I'm making him take vitamins. haha!

@AandDM2014 - thanks for the clarification on ICSI. I like the idea of doing 1/2 and 1/2. I wonder if that cuts the cost in half. HA. At my clinic, it is $1500 for ICSI. I'm holding onto hope for you this cycle.

Had my AMH re-tested on Friday...waiting for the results. I can't remember how long it took last time, but I remember it not being as quick as other tests. About a year and a half ago, my AMH was 14, so maybe it's gone down a little bit.

twomommiestobe · January 2016

@2015dee we are using Repromed. We are in the area.
We are only going to have one and then adopt later on. I really wanted to experience pregnancy, that is why we chose. We were going to do IUI but when we were told ivf would be a better route, we chose to use her eggs since it was about the same cost and it was a way we can both be involved. We aren't set on these plans, though. If for any reason I can't carry or we can't use her eggs, we will change plans. We just want a baby! Lol

2015dee · January 2016

@twomommiestobe that's fantastic! and I'm so glad that you are able to do that, in whatever way fits your family.

twomommiestobe · January 2016

@2015dee hi, I was wondering if you wanted to share what clinic you are with. I like the clinic but there have been a TON of last minute expenses they don't tell you about. We usually have a day to come up with the money. We have used all of our savings and got a loan, so we can't afford more surprises! Haha Just wondering if this was the norm?

2015dee · January 2016

@twomommiestobe - oh yikes! I am with Fertility Specialists of Texas. My experience has NOT been like that I all. I have been given very detailed information about what my financial responsibilities will be and when payments will be due. They are very helpful in that way. They also offer IVF "global" packages, which includes everything you need to pay for (monitoring, egg retrieval, transfer, etc.). Additional things, like anesthesia, are clearly communicated. I've been very happy with the treatment and communication I've gotten from their offices. They are several locations in the DFW area (Frisco and Irving I know for sure...maybe Plano too?).

Rachd110 · January 2016

***loss mentioned***

Hi ladies, I'm jumping on this thread. I quickly skimmed through the messages--there are already more than 100--I will come back and read them all when I have more time. I'm on my phone right now and easier to read all messages on a PC.

A little history on me: All tests for DH and I have come back normal. We are considered unexplained. We've now been trying for almost two years. We did two failed IUI's last fall. I had my first fresh IVF cycle in November. It resulted in a pregnancy, but embryo stopped developing around 6 weeks. My HCG levels continued to rise and decrease over the next three weeks leading my RE to think ectopic, but levels too low to see on US. So it was classified as a pregnancy of unknown location. I received two shots of methotrexate and finally as of last Wednesday my HCG level was at zero. It was a really horrible experience and having to deal with it during the holidays made it even more difficult.

So now I'm just waiting for AF to make her appearance then I go on BCP for a month, so hoping for my FET late February or early March. We have 9 Frozen embabies and are planning to transfer 2.

During my fresh cycle, I did acupuncture, limited exercise, ate pretty healthy, drank a green smoothie every morning, ate pineapple w/core after transfer and tried to stay away from Dr. Google. Over the last few weeks, I've developed really bad eating habits--it's going to be hard to start eating healthy again.

From things that I've read and from my own experiences, lots of fertility clinics have bad communication. They churn through so many patients and see the same things day in day out, they fail to realize how scary the process is for us. If I can give any advice, it's too speak up and ask questions. I wish everyone good luck on their upcoming IVF/FET. Sorry for the novel.

**edited due to hitting submit too soon**

susykat77 · January 2016

I am so behind on all the posts!! Ah! I'll try to catch up tomorrow morning.

@Rachd110 Welcome! I am so very sorry about your loss. I also experienced a loss recently. Emotionally the hardest thing I have ever gone through. Big (creepy internet) hugs to you. So happy that you have so many frosties left! Fx. I just went back on my healthy/strict eating plan. It's SO hard! Hang in there!!

twomommiestobe · January 2016

2015dee said:
@twomommiestobe - oh yikes! I am with Fertility Specialists of Texas. My experience has NOT been like that I all. I have been given very detailed information about what my financial responsibilities will be and when payments will be due. They are very helpful in that way. They also offer IVF "global" packages, which includes everything you need to pay for (monitoring, egg retrieval, transfer, etc.). Additional things, like anesthesia, are clearly communicated. I've been very happy with the treatment and communication I've gotten from their offices. They are several locations in the DFW area (Frisco and Irving I know for sure...maybe Plano too?).

We started out there! We had trouble with the scheduling. They messed up my testing and kept trying to reschedule the day of and day before. It is almost next to impossible to even get off work, so my boss was beyond upset when I'm trying to switch all the apps at the last minute. I had to find another clinic because I was scared to lose my job. My boss isn't really being that accommodating about all of this.

2015dee · January 2016

@twomommiestobe - I'm so sorry that scheduling was such a headache for you! I haven't had any problems (yet...fingers crossed). I would be mighty angry if I did though--their office is 6 hours away from me! You aren't allowed to take sick leave for IVF-related things? That seems wrong to me...

@Rachd110 - I'm so sorry about your recent loss. I know how devastating that can be. I hope you find the support that you need here! We will all be cheering you on! Do you mind sharing your green smoothie recipe? I am notorious for skipping breakfast, and I thought I might try drinking a green smoothie in the morning (to try and get some veggies in).

twomommiestobe · January 2016

@2015dee I'm a nanny so I don't really have sick leave. I took the job so I could bring my kid to work later and also the mom conceived the twins through if and said how accommodating she would be bc she "understood". Nope lol it's impossible to get off. She also informed me the day after we paid our money and officially started if she wants to put the kids in day care when I'm 6 months pregnant bc she wants me to have a 6 month maternity leave. I can't afford that! So I'm frantically looking for another job before I get noticeably pregnant and can't get hired. I wish I had known BEFORE we started so I could have found a job and been established long enough to get fmla.

2015dee · January 2016

@twomommiestobe - Arg! That sounds so frustrating. You took the job thinking it would be the best option, and it's turning out to be the opposite. What does she WANT you to have 6 mo maternity leave? Shouldn't that be your decision?

twomommiestobe · January 2016

2015dee said:
@twomommiestobe - Arg! That sounds so frustrating. You took the job thinking it would be the best option, and it's turning out to be the opposite. What does she WANT you to have 6 mo maternity leave? Shouldn't that be your decision?

Some doctors (they are both drs) forget what it's like to live on a budget or paycheck to paycheck. She was shocked I didn't think I could afford that. I told her we technically can't even afford 6 weeks after paying for ivf, but that I would take that bc I am sure I will have to. So, here I am in the middle of ivf scrambling for a new job-who needs this extra stress?

Rachd110 · January 2016

@2015dee I don't really follow any particular green smoothie recipe. I usually just throw in kale or spinach and whatever fruit I have. I like to keep frozen berries in the freezer for times I don't have fresh. The berries really mask the taste of the greens. In addition to berries, I've used pineapples, mangos, kiwi, oranges and bananas. Bananas give them a thicker consistency. You really can't go wrong with adding a variety of fruit. I've never had a bad mix. I have found that apples/pears don't really add any flavor to them. Oh and I add about one cup of cocunut water. You can use regular water if you don't like coconut.

AandDM2014 · January 2016

Sorry for being MIA the past few days. I got caught up in reading and didn't even turn my computer on! Is it irrational that I got a little upset that the main character got pregnant very very easily? I feel like it is, just a bit. Especially since I've read the book before so knew it was going to happen?

@oxinfree I still haven't received my actual calendar, even though my nurse said she would have it to me Monday or Tuesday. If she doesn't send it tomorrow I'll call her on Friday to find out what the deal is.

@2015dee It didn't cut our price down to only do half. Lame, I know. I wish it had as it was an unexpected expense, after we had already had an over $2000 unexpected expense when my water ultrasound showed a polyp that needed removing. So lame! Hopefully you get your AMH test results soon!

@Rachd110 I'm sorry to hear about your ectopic. My very first positive pregnancy turned out to be ectopic and I too had to do shots of methotrexate, though I had to do 4 of them. It sucks that you had to deal with that during Christmas.

@twomommiestobe I'm sorry to hear about your work situation. That is just awful, especially since she too dealt with IVF.

I hope everyones week is going well so far and that everyone is getting positive news from their doctors!

vssbrm · January 2016

Hi ladies! These past few days have been crazy chaotic! A quick update, we did decide to go with the new RE for IVF. It was a hard decision because we really do love our current Doctor, who is also cheaper; but the thing that sold me, like I mentioned before, is that this new guy recognizes the possibility of Celiacs being an issue and has a plan. We are not going to do the guarantee program, hopefully we get enough embabies that if the first time does not work we can do a frozen round - which will still be cheaper than the guarantee program. I am super anxious about the expenses, but if we end up with a baby then, I think it will be long forgotten!
So at this point we are waiting until Not this coming cycle but the next to start. While waiting we are doing a genetics blood test to see if we are carries and at high risk of anything being an issue, I will be researching pharmacies, we need to decide if we will be a part of a clinical study the clinic is doing , and hopefully just relaxing!

There is a lot of talk of ICSI on here, we will be doing it because of our MFI. I still plan on reading up on it to know all the aspects of it, but we do not have much of an option.

@Rachd110 I am so very sorry for your loss.

@twomommiestobe it reads like you have had a few bumps in the road so far, fx you find a new job quickly and everything else at you clinic goes as expected with the costs. My biggest concern has been those surprise costs.

I hope everyone is doing well. To everyone that has started the process or is close, good luck!!!

twomommiestobe · January 2016

@vssbrm I called as many pharmacies as I could and found conception pharmacy to be the cheapest. I tried every discount card and their prices were still lower. We applied for compassionate care and saved about $700 (it's income based). There are also some mail in rebates out there.

We just had to pay $1300 to have DWs endometrioma drained which we hadn't prepared for, but the $700 discount helps!!

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