Feb/March IVF/FET

vssbrm · January 2016

@stranzm welcome! That's awesome that your previous round worked on the first try! Good luck this go around!

@AandDM2014 he is not an asshole at all, which makes it even harder. He wanted to tell me first out of respect for our situation. They are both incredibly wonderful people. They are one of those couples that have a completely charmed life and that is all you can possibly wish for them, which again makes it even harder. I am super jealous you are in the sunshine! I could use some of that right now. Though it looks like we might be getting some sun here in Michigan today. Fx.

@ stephaniewalstrom that is horrible. I would have asked her to leave my home immediately. I am so sorry you had to go through that, as though we don't deal with enough crap, people like that have to make it worse in a very negative way.

@_Amanda_ that's great that your test results came back negative for anything! And awesome your insurance covered it. Ours of course does not, do it will be another $700. What's another $700 at this point, right? My dh also has low results for his SA, the worst being his morphology.

Hope everyone has a great Sunday. Today is DH birthday and I feel like I'm going to ruin it with my crappy mood. I am trying to get the last of my tears out before he wakes up.

susykat77 · January 2016

@vssbrm We did a similar test to the Counsyl and it was interesting! It showed that I am a carrier for Cystic Fibrosis but DH was not so they said it was nothing to worry about. I have not heard about the Start study – I would have a hard time not knowing which group I fell in as well as only being able to transfer one. I get the same feeling from acupuncture. I LOVE it. Totally sucky about your cousin!! UGH! Did you go to the dinner? It was very nice of them to call you first so that you can have your feelings about it not in front of the whole family. The waiting game is killing me too. I have so many friends that are pregnant and it is hard for me not to feel bitter. Do you have something fun planned for DH’s birthday – sometimes a fun distraction gets me out of my funk. Big(creepy internet) hugs.

@oxinfree That makes sense about your blog. I didn’t think that far in advance when I started the blog. Although I use to post the link on my Facebook when I wrote a new post and I stopped doing that so I get a lot less readers. I hate having to step around what I am trying to say on the blog. I sure don’t here!! Thankgoodness!! Are you happy your internship is over or are going to be looking for something else? I kept checking in on Friday to see if you posted anything about your results from the test… I guess you’ll hear next week?

@mtpbadger Is the snow storm over? Do you still think you’ll miss the appointment tomorrow? @It’sPB&Jtime Welocme!! Exciting that your FET is soon!!

@kadair123 I do hate being in that place of waiting for AF to show and still feeling hopeful. I guess I wish sometimes that I’ll be one of those crazy miracle stories that you hear about… I can’t help but hope. I think we’ll be on a similar cycle for FET as mine should be sometime in the first week of March.

@joyzie77 Exciting that you are starting your stims today!! I forget, are you going to do a fresh transfer or a freeze all and then a FET in March? I am sure that your meds are fine as long as they didn’t get hot. Did they know about the MTHFR before your last IVF? That could definitely be a cause for IVF not to work.

@kyrgyzshan Welcome!! Starting IVF was a hopeful time for me. I hope that your stay here is short. And yes, all the waiting is frustrating. You are working with an RE, right? Have they done any day 3 testing?

@ssandberg How exciting that you have for sure four on ice and maybe two more!!! We had one that was lagging behind that caught up so I have my fingers crossed that the other two catch up! I have not heard of the 0PN. Do you know what day next week you’ll get your results?

@MelD17011 Welcome!! That is amazing that you have 11!! Do you find out today your day 3 status? Or will you find out on day 5?

@_Amanda_ UGH!!! Seriously go away AF!! Bummer about DH’s SA. Hopefully you’ll hear from someone soon to explain the results. And hopefully DH issues with his swimmers is bypassed by going with IVF. I forget, are you going to do a fresh transfer?

@StephanieWalstrom Seriously, what a bitch! How dare that woman laugh at the situation. I hope you never have to deal with her insensitivity again. Big (creepy internet) hugs to you.

@AandD2014 Your weather sounds AMAZING!! Can you take the form home for DH to sign and then bring it back at the next appointment?

@stranzm Welcome! Congrats on your first IVF success. It must feel good going into your next round that is has worked before.

AFM – the Movie continues… Last night we went up into the mountains to a friends house for a get together they have every year called Uller Fest (to pray to the snow gods for more snow – silly I know with all the snow we’ve had…) Anyway, one of my pregnant friends was there (her due date is 2 weeks after mine was) and she walks up to me and lifts her shirt and says – want to feel my belly? I am sure there was a look of disgust on my face as I said no thank you and walked away. Seriously, WTF was she thinking?!?!!! Then, later, as I am playing with the kids that are at the party (both just over one year old), she looks at me and says are you sure you’re ready for this craziness? I said, well (insert friend name here) – what do you think? I was so PISSED OFF. Maybe I am overreacting but what an insensitive comment. I am sure that she is oblivious but I still can’t handle it. I really need to let her know how her comments have hurt me and that I need to take a step back from our friendship. How do you think I should talk to her? In person, on the phone, or via email? Hopefully the Broncos will win today and lift up my mood!!! I am probably committing social suicide by admitting that considering how many New Englanders are on this board.

StephanieWalstrom · January 2016

Thanks so much you guys! Nice to have a group of infertile women who truly get it! My husband would have been pissed if I were rude. She's an elitist millionaire who seemingly has never experienced any hardships. Sad that a doc of all people wouldn't catch on and know better. I was so hormonal at the time and hopefully made her feel horrible when I explained "we will only have a baby through IVF and that is a maybe and it costs $30,000 and we are teachers, not doctors". She certainly didn't offer up any financial help nor have they contacted us since. It was my worst "infertility insensitivity" experience of so very many. Sometimes they say dumb things and you know their heart is in the right place, not with her. Oh doctor Sara, someday life will pour down on you and I hope you are strongly humbled! Xoxoxoxo
Avoidance is key. Anyone else feel like others have an increased fertility just by your infertile presence? Or are we just noticing pregnancies more?

StephanieWalstrom · January 2016

@stranzm
Welcome! Congrats on success, round one! Was it a fresh or frozen the first time? PGS by chance? I just had my first PGS female 5dt 3 days ago so I'm curious! We had only one so I really hope I'm as fortunate as you! May you have the same success this time around!!!

oxinfree · January 2016

@susykat77 - ya, I didn't hear anything, and AF is rearing her ugly head, and I've been tiptoeing around the site as I'm uber sensitive right now. Good ole hormones. Hopefully get some answers tomorrow or in the next few days. Maybe he meant next Friday... they did say 7-10 business days and 10 business days lands on Jan 29. The only reason I feel impatient is because I want to plan our protocol and feel like we're actually moving forward. I'm not overly anxious about the results. Worst case I have cancerous cells

which of course would be horrible, but I guess I'm just not even broaching that as a possibility until proven otherwise. My mom had it, and it wasn't a huge deal, but obviously would be impeding implantation if that were the case. Best case, everything is sun-shiny and perfect. haha. Time will tell. I'm holding in alright, except DH's flight home keeps getting cancelled because of weather conditions etc. So he's out of Vancouver, and now stuck in Montreal. Was supposed to be on a 3pm flight home, but that now has been cancelled, so supposed to get on an early flight tomorrow. Gah. Never ending.... just want him home! Especially while I pms. I just want a hug and comfort. A bunch of friends on facebook are all due early jan through late feb. I dunno, weird boom, and 2 out of 5 have given birth and posting pics and announcements etc. I'm just not in a great emotional place today overall. Need to shake it off. Maybe I'll blast some Taylor Swift and try physically shaking it off. haha. hmmmmm....

now on to you and your insanely ignorant, rude, insensitive friend. WTF!!!! WTF WTF WTF!!!!?!?!?? I think an in person discussion would be ideal, however given the interactions you've mentioned, I think you'll end up walking away somehow feeling like the a$$h*!&. Which would be ridiculous. So if it were me, I'd be writing her an email. I'd try and start of with something like this:
"______,
Before I get started, I just want to let you know how much our friendship means to me, and how badly I would have liked to have had this conversation in person. Sometimes it can be hard for me to find the right words to express how I am feeling accurately without becoming overly emotional. I felt that in this particular situation, an email would be the best way for me to communicate my sentiments with you. I hope you can understand and respect this decision, and hope we can have an honest follow up conversation afterwards.

With that, I'll dive in.... "

Or something to that effect. I think I'd be really careful to make it less accusatory, and more about how you are feeling, and how you are reacting and how she can support you better, rather than what she's doing wrong and how to fix/change herself. I have had a lot of these conversations in the past, and found that the best response I got was when I took ownership of how I was reacting/feeling and explaining that although I know it might be hard for them to understand (and sometimes it feels irrational to them, so I acknowledge that too), that I really do care about our friendship, and am simply asking them to help me out as I navigate these difficult times. Then it comes off less as an attack, and more as a cry for help.

Anyways. Super pissed for you, and can't believe you were put in that situation. I really hope you find some resolution with it because you deserve more sensitivity and empathy from someone who knows your situation!
Big big big BIG massive creepy internet hugs to you!

oxinfree · January 2016

ps. @vssbrm - you're in my thoughts. Sorry about the announcement. You definitely had a feeling it was coming, but that doesn't make it any easier to swallow. I hope you stayed home and took some time for yourself. Hope you're doing alright.

MelD17011 · January 2016

@_Amanda_ I didn’t take anything other than the normal prenatal. I am on a thyroid med – although they said it’s not technically high, they want it to be as low as possible during this.

@susykat77 I won’t get a day 3 or 4 update – they said they like to ‘leave them alone’… so next I’ll hear is on Tuesday.

Joyzie77 · January 2016

@susykat77 ...Thanks. I think you are right. The meds were cool so I'm sure they are. Stims starting tonight. We will do PGS testing again this time do it will be a FET. I just learned about the MTHFR so hopefully this round will be the one. Little different protocol... Fingers crossed.

StephanieWalstrom · January 2016

@susykat77
Honestly, that doesn't sound like a friend. I would drop her like a ton of bricks. What an insensitive jerk. So sorry! Hang in there.

Joyzie77 · January 2016

@StephanieWalstrom ... I'm sorry that she was so insensitive. That's really awful. I hope you are able to put her out of your mind. She's not worth the time. It makes me so angry when people are insensitive like that. Grr.

Knottie1432834683 · January 2016

***MC Mentioned***

Hi Everyone, I've been lurking for awhile but thought I would finally post since I'm stuck inside with this snowstorm! Happy that everyone has their cycles coming up! I received my schedule on Friday and my FET is scheduled for March 4th. Happy to finally have a date especially because this week was the week from hell-- I had my D&C on November 15 and finally got AF last Tuesday. It was the worst pain ever - painkillers did not really even help and DH almost took me to ER because I thought I was hemorrhaging. Waited it out and things finally settled down but it was the mother of all AFs and I never want to go through that again. Not to mention I was raging at poor DH a few days before that with PMS. Poor guy. ;-) But now that that is all behind I'm eager to get going with the next cycle. Started my BC on Friday with baseline appt on 2/12. If that goes ok, I can start the estradol. Question - how do you get the signature blocks? I couldn't figure it out? For now, I"ll post my stats below. Happy Sunday everyone!

++++
Me 35, DH 36 (Unexplained Infertility)TTC for 3 years.
10 clomid cycles (TI & IUI with ovidrel triggers - all BFN).
#1 IVF May 2015- resulted in 15 5-day Blasts - SET (fresh) with BFP. Ectopic Preg @ 5w2d, treated with Methotrexate.
#2 FET, Sept. 2015, MC@8 wks with D&C in November.
13 remaining blasts sent for PGS testing. 1 did not survive the thaw. 6 came back normal from PGS.
#3 FET Scheduled 3/4/16

StephanieWalstrom · January 2016

@Knottie1442268460
How wonderful to have so many that were screened frozen! You'll almost certainly have success with those numbers! Good luck to you!!!!

2015dee · January 2016

Ladies....I am SO behind! I was out of town for my gpa's funeral....

@capps42613 - welcome to the group! I am so happy to hear that the procedure was a success. I'm sure you must feel very relieved.

@vssbrn - I did the Counsyl test too. Nothing came up on mine, but I was happy to have had it. I have not heard of the Star Study, but it sounds really interesting. And regarding your cousin...I am so sorry. It really hurts when people around us get pregnant so easily, and it's such a mountain to climb for us. I'm just waiting for the day my sister tells me she's expecting #2 (I've been trying long before she was pg with #1). It's just not fair!

@It'sPB&JTime - welcome!

@Knottie1442268460 - welcome! I am so sorry to hear about what a difficult journey it's been for you so far. 3rd times a charm I'm hoping!

@oxinfree - congrats on finishing the internship! Still no results I'm guessing?

@Kyrgyzstan - welcome! glad you're joining us!

@MelD17011 - 11 sounds awesome to me! FX'd for you! do you know what your protocol for FET will look like?

@AandDM2014 - hope the Lupron is treating you well!

AFM...just on my 5th night of prometrium. hoping AF arrives on schedule, but that rarely happens. grr. The prometrium makes me super sleepy and feel so yucky. can't wait to be done with it!

StephanieWalstrom · January 2016

@2015dee
Sorry for your loss and best wishes for a bfp soon!!!!

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@susykat77 I could take the form home, but then we'd have to pay to get it notarized. It's just easier to tell DH in advance what day and time I need him to come with me so he can plan for it. And about your friend, wow super insensitive! Do people really think it is okay to do that (unless she didn't know you had a miscarriage)?

** trigger warning** @StephanieWalstrom I'm not sure if there are more fertile myrtles because we aren't, but it sure seems that way! I know at least two people who were kinda iffy on having kids, and well after we found out we were infertile, they both got pregnant. Both are due this month! And I agree that avoidance is key. It doesn't matter what they think, we have to protect our hearts, not theirs.

@Knottie1432824683 Welcome. So sorry to hear about your MC. It seems to be a common thing among IVFers. Lame! Congrats on finally getting AF and your schedule though! Hopefully your appointment on the 12th will go well!

@2015dee I actually kinda feel like it isn't treating me that great this time. I've been a little more emotional than usual and my body has been feeling kinda blah - I feel like I could sleep 12 hours a day, and I've had heartburn 2 days. Ick. Hopefully your body will cooperate and AF will arrive soon!

AFM - I have a monitoring appointment this week, which is semi exciting. They may tell me I get to start estrogen and reduce Lupron. I might also be taking an overnight boat trip with my in-laws (they have a yacht). If DH can't go I'll probably let my MIL do my shot for me (she used to be a nurse). I hope everyone is excited to start another week!

Knottie1432834683 · January 2016

Hi everyone thanks for the warm welcome. We were happy that we had six normal embryos come back from the PGD. I am hoping third time's the charm as well!

I hear you about other women being pregnant. It's hard for me to be around women that are pregnant or have young kids so I mostly try to avoid them- but I also try to be understanding that they probably have no idea what we're going through and therefore their comments are more just out ignorance than maliciousness.

@AandDM2014 if your MIL is a nurse that is perfect she can definitely do the shots!

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@Knottie1432834683 I think you've nailed it. A lot of comments are really just ignorance. I've let all my friends and family know about our struggle, and I find that it mostly helps keep people from asking or saying hurtful things.

susykat77 · January 2016

Thanks ladies for the support. @oxinfree Well said!! I think I might use what you wrote to the T!! Sending you good vibes fr your results. I hope you hear soon!!

vssbrm · January 2016

Hi ladies! Thank you for the support over the weekend. It would have been much harder with out you all. We did go to dinner Saturday, with just 1 of my aunts. We ended up canceling birthday party plans yesterday and spent the day just the two of us. We went to the fancy mall ( LV, Saks 5th, Niemans, Tiffanys, etc style fancy) and dreamed about all the things we can't buy, but what we would have bought if we did not have IFV looming. It was fun.

I hope everyone has a great week.

Welcom @Knottie1432834683 !

Knottie1432834683 · January 2016

Hey everyone, I saw the chatter on the transfer of 1 embryo or 2 and wanted to get everyone's thoughts. I read in the group that if you transfer 2 they support each other? My doctor has been advising me strongly against transferring 2 from the very beginning repeating the mantra that transferring 2 does not increase your odds of a successful pregnancy, it only increases your odds of complications/premies, etc. I do not really understand the rationale though-- if I transfer 2, how can it not increase my odds that one will result in a successful pregnancy? And now going on my 3rd embryo transfer, I'm sort of at the point where I don't want to have to go through the whole thing again if it does't work out (emotionally/physically), so I really want to transfer 2 because I think it will increase my odds (even if the Dr. says it doesn't). I also can't really get DH on board because he just follows the doctors orders. What are everyone's thoughts?

++++++
Me 35, DH 36 (Unexplained Infertility, possible PCOS) TTC for 3 years.
10 clomid cycles (TI & IUI with ovidrel triggers - all BFN).
#1 IVF May 2015- resulted in 15 5-day Blasts - SET (fresh) with BFP. Ectopic Preg @ 5w2d, treated with Methotrexate.
#2 FET, Sept. 2015, MC@8 wks with D&C in November.
13 remaining blasts sent for PGS testing. 1 did not survive the thaw. 6 came back normal from PGS.
#3 FET Scheduled 3/4/16

alexiskiriluk · January 2016

@Knottie1432834683 my dr gave me at 60% success rate with a single PGS embryo. And with 2 PGS embryos he gave me an 80% chance to have a singleton and a 50%chance that it would be twins.

2015dee · January 2016

@AandDM2014 - ugh, I hope that you feel better soon. That sounds yucky. You're lucky that you're MIL is a nurse. My sis is a nurse but lives too far away to give me my shots. What day do you have monitoring? It is to check your lining? I get confused on that. I don't think my clinic using Lupron for FET, but I could be wrong.

@vssbrn - I hear you about not being able to buy fun stuff right now. I really want a new car, but I'm opting not to get one because of all the IVF expenses. I totally don't NEED a new car....it's only 3 years old. But I'm sure I could find lots of stuff I NEED at Neiman's!

@Knottie1432834683 This is my 1st IVF cycle, so I'm not sure on the rationale of 1 vs. 2 embryos. I do think the field is moving towards just doing single embryo transfers, but I imagine it might be different on a 3rd transfer. I think my doctor has a high rate of twins (I think about 50% of his IVF patients have twins), so I'm guessing that he's someone that recommends transferring two (we haven't had that discussion yet). Since this is my first transfer, IF my embryo quality is good, I will probably only transfer 1. If it's so-so, I will probably transfer 2. IDK. I would prefer ONE baby at a time, but would definitely prefer twins over nothing. That's a tough decision!

On my calendar, Saturday 1/30 says "LMP Start OCP." I'm thinking they're anticipating that I start my period on Saturday based on when I end the prometrium (tomorrow night is my last night). What if I don't get my period by Saturday? Do I still start the birth control?

oxinfree · January 2016

The rationale (which is really stupid) is that if 1 egg has a 60% chance of implanting, putting 2 eggs (each with a 60% chance), doesn't change your percentage per embryo. But putting 2 in at once in my opinion DOES increase your odds that that particular cycle will be successful, but have been warned numerous times, that if one does take when you put 2 in, the other will also. This is because had 1 not really had a chance had it been on its own, having a uterus already primed because of the other embryo that was more viable, it then has a chance to develop more readily. I'm probably not expressing that clearly, but that's the idea anyway...

kadair123 · January 2016

@susykat77 GL with your friend. I hope everything works out and you guys can be remain friends. We may have the same cycle in March but since I'm still waiting on AF to show up I won't really know when my FET will be yet. @oxinfree AF went knocking on your door first! lol
@vssbrm so glad you cancelled the party and had time to yourself. Mental health is soo important and we stress enough during this whole IF process it's good to have those little moments where you don't have to think about it and just relax and be happy! Good for you!!
Hi @MelD17011!! Nice to see you in this forum. We met in the Jan/Feb board! Glad everything went well with your retrieval. Can't wait to hear your progress to BFP!
Welcome @stranzm and @Knottie1442268460 and all the newcomers I may have missed. GL on your upcoming cycles!

mtpbadger · January 2016

Hey all! Hope everyone on the east coast survived the snow storm! My office is still closed and I'm starting to go a bit stir crazy! I was able to make it to my appointment yesterday, although the driving wasn't the best and DH had to drop me off and then just circle b/c of no street parking due to snow emergency plus unplowed roads. Everything looked good and I was able to start BCPs last night! Got my protocol from my nurse and I will be on BCPs for 18 days and go back on 02/12 for ultra sound and bloodwork before starting stims on 02/17. I'll be on Gonal F 187 and Menopur 150. In the meantime I have to schedule a saline sonogram and mock transfer and also a stims class. So I will probably have my ER the end of February with ET the first week of March (if nothing drastically changes over the next month). I'm excited to finally have a plan and get started but also nervous!

@Knottie1432824683 welcome and I'm sorry to hear about everything you have been going through! Hopefully March 4 comes quickly! This will be my first IVF and it sounds like we are on pretty similar schedules! My RE recommended only 1 embryo to transfer since this will be my first IVF and based on my age (I'll be 32 at the time). I'm ok with that but if we have to do additional cycles, I may push for two in the future.

@AandDM2014 the yacht sounds fun and that is nice your MIL can do your injection for you!

@vssbrm I'm glad you had a good weekend! I hear you on the shopping! Everytime DH brings up something he wants to buy, I always counter with "But that could cover meds, monitoring appts, etc.). He usually gives me an eye roll but then comes to his senses. He got a new car a few months ago and justified it by saying "well, when we get pregnant I will need a new one anyway!" Granted his was having a TON of issues but it made the cost a little easier to swallow.

I feel like I'm behind on all the posts since I didn't check much over the weekend and will try and catch up! Good luck to all those starting this week!!

capps42613 · January 2016

Thanks ALL for the warm welcome. Anxious for our consult tomorrow. When I called to make the appointment I had asked the RE if there was any bloodwork/testing I could do prior to my appt (since there was a 10 day wait). She asked when my last AF was and I told her I was actually on day 4. She said, "aww bummer, we usually like to see you on day 3 or 4 of your cycle to get a BL U/S". Figures they were about to close for the day too. We will see what they say tomorrow..."good things come to those who wait"....

@susykat77 Yes, I've had many tests run previously to R/O my involvement in our infertility. Since it was 1 year ago, I'm sure they will want to repeat them, especially since they did find a couple fibroids. Luckily they weren't found in any place that could obstruct pregnancy, but I've heard they can grow and/or shrink. Whatever they suggest, I'll comply, I just want to get things rolling already lol.

@_Amanda_ I live in south jersey, we got about 16" of snow, fortunately it will not screw up my initial visit

MelD17011 · January 2016

got my day 5 call.....
-6 'early blastocyst' - they will check these again today or tomorrow and to see if they make it to blastocyst to be biopsied

-2 'early compacting' - she really didn't say too much about these, but I guess they could keep growing

-1 is 7 cells, 2 are 6 cells - she didn't seem optimist these would make it.
Anyone else been at early blastocyst at Day 5??? not exactly sure what the means or the probability they will make it..... I'm upset none are ready to be biopsied today but hoping they keep growing for tomorrow.....

2015dee · January 2016

Hey @MelD17011 - I'm not sure on any of that stuff yet.....hopefully others will chime in. Six early blasts sounds pretty good to me though. Maybe those will be the ones they biopsy?

@capps42613 - best of luck with your appt. Let us know how it goes!

@mtpbadger - so glad you were still able to go to your appt! I get a little crazy with cabin fever too sometimes. At least things are starting up for you! I do my saline sono, mock transfer, and IVF class next Fri, but I think my BCP will last longer than yours.

Hope everyone else is doing well! @oxinfree - any results yet? @AandDM2014- have you had monitoring yet?

vssbrm · January 2016

@MelD17011 I am not sure what any of that means yet either... I am sure some of the other girls on here that have already been through the IVF will have an opinion! FX for you that you have more than enough healthy embryos for transfer!

@capps42613 that is a bummer that you missed the window. Maybe they will be able to squeeze you in in the morning.

AFM - I went in for my SHG this morning - I was a little anxious and arrived an hour early. My RE said I was a breeze and gave me an A+! At one point he apologized for hurting me, I was all like "I did not even feel anything, you are in?" Hopefully with my reserve numbers being "enviable" and insides being "beautiful" we have some sort of advantage for this all to work. I sat down with my nurse afterward and we went over scheduling, money, and all that... She submitted my meds to the pharmacy they recommend. I will go in for my baseline around February 22, when we will also go over all the meds. I should expect the ER some time at the end of the first week in March! This is getting real. I am excited. I needed the good news today.

Speaking of pharmacies, they did not give me all the meds they are prescribing and the dosage... so if I call around to pharmacies, are they able to assume what I will be taking? How have you guys shopped prices at pharmacies?

2015dee · January 2016

Hey @vssbrn - have they given you a calendar? My calendar has dosages on it. Like it says 75u Menopur (AM), 300u Follistim (pm). I have not started yet, and we will be on a very similar schedule!! I am going for my baseline on the 25th and starting stims on the 26th! And no, I did not shop around on pharmacies. My RE's office just sent my order over to MDR pharmacy and said they've had the best luck on prices with them. mDR pharmacy then contacted me and gave me a quote. I did compare the prices from MDR to Freedom Fertility (b/c FF advertises prices on their website), and MDR was cheaper. Is the pharmacy supposed to contact you? Maybe you can ask them for a run down on all of the amounts, etc.

MelD17011 · January 2016

thanks all - there are so many terms thrown around that I still have no clue what they all mean.

MelD17011 · January 2016

I did find this chart helpful in my researching today.... thought I'd share

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/ul/xwfh9omzcrd5.jpg

Knottie1432834683 · January 2016

Hi Everyone!

@melD17011 - All I can remember from my ER is that some are fast developers and some are slower developers. So one of my embies made it to blast on end of Day 4 which is unusual (they said it was developing fast so that might be a good sign) and then others didn't become blasts until Day 5 or Day 6. So sounds like you have 6 or so hopefully that will make it to the full bast stage by Day 5 or Day 6. FX for you!

@vssbrm - I definitely did call around for med prices, but only once I had the actual medicine and dosages. I actually went with a pharmacy out of Atlanta (not Freedom) for my original meds for the ER and then switched to Freedom since then. The reason was that while the Atlanta pharmacy was actually more expensive than the Freedom Fertility, Freedom ate up more of my insurance money. So I was spending more out of pocket money for meds but saving my insurance money for the actual ER procedure, which then saved me money in the long run. Hope that makes sense! But I called like 3 or 4 pharmacies and asked them for pricing information and also rebates and bulk pricing, etc. It's stressful and time consuming but I would definitely shop around. I think I saved about $600 by doing that. Another thing to consider: some pharmacies let you buy in lots. So typically, the doctor will overprescribe a bit so that you have the maximum medicine possible in case you don't respond and need to up your stim medicines. You may go through all that medicine, or you may not. So in talking to pharmacies, I learned that they often FedEx medicines overnight and again, if I didn't mind spending time to call them back and place another order, I could order more medicine as I needed it. So I ordered only 3/4s of what the doctor prescribed me and then as I was watching my stim cycle and it looked like I was running low on medicine, I would call in another order. The upside, I really only needed about 80% of what the doctor prescribed so I wasn't spending money on medicine that I wasn't using (and can't return!)

And for everyone starting IVF for the first time this month, trust me when I say: its ok to feel overwhelmed when the box of meds and syringes arrive. It can be overwhelming once you see the box and all the different parts and medicines and needles, but, I got great advice from a friend who had IVF before me: sit down, take a deep breath, and open the box slowly where you can look at each package and absorb all info and just repeat to yourself, "I can do this" or "I got this". It is not as daunting once you start the actual injections!

AFM: Not a great day. City is still shut down from snowstorm and my office is officially closed but my boss asked me to come into the office anyhow (with a few other colleagues). I was SOOO looking forward to another day of working from home in my yoga pants with my dogs at my feet and no makeup. Instead I had to get get ready and trudge downtown. UGH. And mentally, I'm just not focused on work --in my head having this cycle work out is all I care about right now. I have a saline sonogram scheduled for Thursday so hopefully that will go ok. Oh and I'm breaking out like a teenager on the BC. Sweet. Upside was that DH felt bad and has been super affectionate today - he massaged my feet when I got home and listened to me complain about work. Awesome right? He's so sweet.

++++++Loss mentioned
Me 35, DH 36 (Unexplained Infertility, possible PCOS) TTC for 3 years.
10 clomid cycles (TI & IUI with ovidrel triggers - all BFN).
#1 IVF May 2015- resulted in 15 5-day Blasts - SET (fresh) with BFP. Ectopic Preg @ 5w2d, treated with Methotrexate.
#2 FET, Sept. 2015, MC@8 wks with D&C in November.
13 remaining blasts sent for PGS testing. 1 did not survive the thaw. 6 came back normal from PGS.
#3 FET Scheduled 3/4/16

vssbrm · January 2016

@Knottie1432264442 thanks for the advice. I am going to call tomorrow and get the list of all the meds so that I can call around. Being they did not just give it to me makes me feel like they are pressuring me to go w this pharmacy. Ugh. Your DH sounds like a keeper! I love foot rubs!

And my favorite thing is working from home w my puppies!! They are the best coworkers!

_Amanda_ · January 2016

@AandDM2014 Me RE made mention during our initial consult that they have an “in office policy” that they only transfer one. Then, he explained that they take pride in their success rates of a single ET. Apparently (according to them), their success rates are higher than the national average. I haven’t spoken up yet. If our embryo grades are low, I may ask if they’ll transfer two. He did say that they may consider two if they are low grades.

@stranzm Yes! Welcome!!

@2015dee I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your gpa.

@knottie1432834683 My RE agrees. He says pg chances are not increased. And, he did emphasize they are working toward a pregnancy, but most importantly the healthiest pregnancy.

AFM - It's CD12 for me on birth control, and I've been bleeding for TWELVE days. No signs of it slowing down. I've also been experiencing a constant headache. I assumed all of this was as a result of the birth control, but I sent a message to my RN today at the IVF clinic, just to let her know. I really didn't know if I should be concerned. Well, she was concerned, and she talked to the doc. My RE wants me to come off of the birth control. :-O Which means.... our timeline has been moved UP a week!! I'm thrilled!!

Now, my only concern is my ultrasound. It will be the final deciding factor. If my ovaries are "calm" and ready to go, then they'll take me off the bcp. If not, I may have to stay on them. Crossing my fingers!!

Knottie1432834683 · January 2016

@_Amanda_ Awesome that you get to come off the BCP and that its been moved up a week. Hope all goes well with the US.

AandDM2014 · January 2016

@2015dee I have my monitoring appointment this Thursday morning at 7am. I think it is to check to make sure my ovaries look good and they do a blood draw to check estrogen and something else (I don't remember what) before I get to reduce Lupron and start baby asprin and estrogen pills. As for you, I'd ask your clinic what to do if you don't start a period.

@mtpbadger How exciting that you got your protocol!! Hopefully your body will respond well to the stims once you start them and you can do late Feb retrieval and early March transfer! And I am glad that my MIL can do it for me. The last time I did it the needle didn't want to go in the first time, so I had to stab again, and then I started bleeding

I never bleed when the DH does them for me.

@capps42613 What a bummer that you were on day 4 when you called! Hopefully something good will come from it!

@MelD17011 I am hoping that your embies all make it to blast stage! And hopefully they biopsy well!

@vssbrm Congrats on your HSG going super easy! When are you supposed to start stims?

@Knottie1432834683 How rude that your boss asked you to go in! Did s/he not know that you had planned to spend the day in your yoga pants and coming in would be an inconveniece?

How nice of your DH to treat you kindly. I know when my DH gives me some extra loving it makes this process just a tiny bit easier.

@_Amanda_ Huh. How interesting. Hopefully his words are backed up by results for you! And sorry to hear about bleeding for 12 days. That is just no fun!! But at least you get to move up your schedule by a week!

AFM - Again, not much going on. I finally made my two monitoring appointments with this weeks being a time the DH can come and sign our consent to thaw form. Yay! And I got confirmation of what days we're doing the boat trip. We're doing a short overnight to Catalina island (in So Cal) with my FIL, MIL, SIL, niece and nephew. DH isn't going to be able to make it

Darn his work schedule! Hope everyone's week is going good so far!

oxinfree · January 2016

Oh dear. I'm going to be playing catch up for a while here as work schedule is busy over the next few weeks.

@mtpbadger - exciting news that you've started BP. So excited for your protocol and that you have a plan in place. Stimms class eh? Interesting... We just had a nurse run over it with me when I stimmed in Canada last time. I wonder if it'll be different this time around. Anyways. So glad you're moving forward.

@capps42613 - Sorry to hear about the timing. That really is a bummer. If they do want more testing, they'll probably have you come back on your next cycle to do day 3 tests. Hope you get started quickly, but indeed, a lot of waiting in this process. How did your appointment go though?

@MelD17011 - the charts were definitely helpful for me to visualize, but regardless I still never understood what that actually meant for survival of the embryo, or odds of implantation, freezing etc etc. This process was so overwhelming the first time I put a lot of blind trust in my docs. Didn't have much of an option since we only had a small handful of them anyway. Any update on them being able to be biopsied?

@Knottie1432834683 - breaking out SUCKS. haha. I haven't been on BCP in years and years, I'm curious if they'll put me on it. If they do, I'll probably react as well. Glad to hear your DH is spoiling you though... as it should be

haha. Lame that your boss had you go in during the snowstorm messy madness. Not fun at all trudging around in that. I hear you on being or feeling distracted. My head is definitely on fertility. Hard to think of much else at the moment.

@vssbrm - glad to hear you're going to be calling around for good pricing. I feel so lame and lazy. The thought of doing that makes me just go UGH and then in a really whiny voice "but I don't waaaaant to...." Haha. So good for you! It'll be well worth it I'm sure!

@_Amanda_ - oh my goodness that's a long period. So glad they finally are going to have you come off (well hopefully). I don't know how I would have put up with it as long as you did, you're a trooper. Yay for things moving up though, I'm sure you're excited about that much!

@AandDM2014 - sounds like a fun little boat trip. Must be much nicer weather than the East Coast ahah. Sorry that your DH can't make it but that's great news about him being able to sign the consent forms in person. I feel like I remember that being a concern or stress for you, though I can't remember exactly... Anyways, yay for monitoring! Hope all goes well this week for you!

AFM - not much. Still waiting to hear biopsy results (clearly the man on the phone did NOT mean that Friday). Hopefully by THIS Friday I'll hear. I'm busy with work so that's definitely keeping me distracted enough, though I do really wish I could be moving forward faster as always. DH has his urologist aptm. tonight. Yay for that! (though I'm sure he's not celebrating in the least). Once I get my biopsy results I'm sure we'll be planning our protocol. In the meantime DH and I have just been discussing all the ifs/thens possible, trying to map out plans so that we have an idea which direction we want to go in before information overload kicks in

Happy Hump day all! The week is half over!!!

2015dee · January 2016

@MelD17011 - thanks for sharing that chart! I find it helpful too.

@Knottie1432834683 - EWW! Boo for having to go to work in all the yucky snow. I totally wish I had a job where I could work from home...no such luck though! Let us know how the saline sonogram goes. I'm having mine next week and terrified because the 2 HSGs that I've had were incredibly painful.

@oxinfree - Hurry up biopsy place!

@_Amanda_ - super long periods are awful. That reminds me of the time when I was in college and deciding to try that implant in your arm for birth control (Implanon?) and bled for NINE MONTHS. I kept telling the dr, and she said "it should stop soon" EVERY time. I finally took it out. So I feel your pain! But yay for moving ahead!! When is your ultrasound? And what the heck does "calm" ovaries mean? Just no follicle development?

@AandDM2014 - good luck tomorrow! I called the RE's office, and I am supposed to start bcp on Saturday regardless of it I start my period or not. Isn't PCOS fun? Catalina Island sounds lovely! I am such a water person....there is nothing more calming for me than being next to the ocean, which is funny because I live very far from any form of water. Oh well...that's what vacations are for!

Ok....so this is going to be a weird question. DH HATES the "little room" at the RE's office where he has to produce a sperm sample. He is having a repeat SA next week but they are letting him do it from the hotel and bring it into the office. (I called and asked for him because he's a big baby ). How does it work with IVF though? Like when does he have to provide a sample in relation to when the ER is? Last day of prometrium was last night. Awfully bloated, broken out, and sore boobs. Bad combo. I feel like I am gaining weight from all this before even starting stims.

oxinfree · January 2016

@2015dee - DH went to do his deposit while I was being prepped for ER if I'm remembering correctly. It was definitely within the hour for sure. There's likely more flexibility than that, but that's how ours worked in the past.

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