---Trouble TTCAL : August edition---

Aera11 · August 2016

@nmd9168 omg, that is horrible! Insurance companies are the worst (no offense if any of you work for one). I can't believe it has taken them 4 months to figure out if they'll cover your D&C. So far I have been pretty lucky with our insurance, except my prenatal vitamins...they are $58/month. DH says I should buy them at Target and I may switch...

chloe97 · August 2016

@aera11 What prenatals are you taking that are $58/month! I was annoyed that mine were $15/ month when they aren't on sale. I could get mine through prescription and save $5 a month, but I can't have the iron.

Aera11 · August 2016

Last year they were free @chloe97, so I've been meaning to call our insurance to see why they aren't covered now. I don't think our policy changed through DH's work so I don't know. They are prescription from CVS, PNV-DHA Softgel is what the bottle says. I cried when I dropped a few and couldn't retrieve them. That's like $2/per vitamin, I know it's ridiculous. I am mildly anemic so I need the extra iron.

fivetimesnoluck · August 2016

@Aera11 I have taken the HCG (trigger) for the past four cycles. Let me know if you have any questions. I know there some others on medicated cycles. And as far as prenatals, not that you asked, but I buy Thorne prenatals and they're pretty high quality and they're only ~$30/month. I've been told by my OB that prescription prenatals aren't different enough from otc to warrant the price. Definitely take what you're most comfortable with. If you want the comfort of a scrip, do that. If you are just looking for high quality, there are definitely reputable brands that cost less than that.

@BornReady so glad you confirmed that there was no ovulation! I understand how easy it is to worry about all your hard work (and $$$) going to s@&! I have a full box of crinone that I paid full (cash) price for nearly a year ago. I had our last MC in Nov. after only taking one dose.

@SnobunnieMel I've typically had u/s on CD 11-13 when on low doses of clomid. That said, after the last round I was on for a day or two more than usual, he is having me come in on CD 3 to check for cysts. I go Monday.

@AandDM2014 all my appendages are crossed for you! Good luck this weekend!

chloe97 · August 2016

Prenatal vitamins prescribed by a physician are preventive medicine so your insurance should cover it unless they consider your prescriptions as part of your deductible. Most insurance plans wouldn't do that though so ours strange they aren't covering them. If you need special PNV they should definitely be covered!

AandDM2014 · August 2016

@Aera11 I did injectable for my IVF cycle. I had either Gonal-F or Follistim and Menopur, which according to Drugs.com are all that word you typed out. That is generally the next step after Clomid or Femara if you aren't moving to IVF. They can be super expensive though, which was why we decided to skip them with IUI and go to IVF (we are 100% OOP).

@fivetimesnoluck Thanks!

AFM - I've had some light spotting last night and tonight, and it has me a bit freaked. I've emailed my nurses, so they know, and I know there is nothing to do at this point so I'm just trying to keep calm. I've now very firmly in the "this cycle didn't work" mindset, which sucks. Damn infertility and loss for taking all my joy!

Aera11 · August 2016

@fivetimesnoluck I've had HCG shots, the past two cycles I received one on CD14. This upcoming cycle, it is looking like it may be pergonal which is a shot in the hip every day until you O. I'll know for sure next week when I see my RE but I am hoping that is the route we're going. I never thought I'd be excited for shots!

@chloe97 you're so right! I am calling our insurance Monday morning

*edited because it's late

Aera11 · August 2016

@AandDM2014 how many days did you have to do injectables for? Did you or DH administer them? I feel like IVF will be in our future if these don't work; DH SA checked out fine so the issue is definitely with me ovulating and my egg quality.

And FX your spotting was nothing! Hoping your beta in a few days will ease your mind. Fertility is horrible, there is no beating around that. I am sorry you're going through this too.

BrightenMySky · August 2016

@Aera11 I'm also doing menopur & follistim this cycle (my first IVF). I find the follistim pretty easy--it does not sting much going in or afterwards, and the pen has a sturdy feeling to it, so I find it not bad to inject myself. The menopur stings a bit more. It is less convenient because we have to mix it ourselves, and then the syringe feels more flimsy to me (not sure if that makes any sense!). DH has been doing my menopur shots...we have a routine where I'll ice a little and do my follistim, and then by the time he mixes the menopur, I'm ready for that one. So far I've done 6 days, I was told it would be 10-12. Not sure what the protocol would be in an IUI cycle, though.

BornReady · August 2016

@nmd9168 What!? I'm sorry that is happening regarding your D&C. Absurd. Blue Cross was fine paying for my crinone, but only if I got it from the online pharmacy and not the brick and mortar CVS. Their rules are so arbitrary seeming sometimes. How are you responding to the clomid? I think you mentioned you are working with your OB, but are they confirming you're actually ovulating with it?

@aera11 I've done Gonal-F and low dose HCG injectable for this IVF. Both are in that class of drug you mentioned. I had no problem with the injections. The needle is super thin and I didn't feel them really. I think the biggest hurdle for me was getting over sticking a needle in my stomach, but if you've triggered before I don't think it will be a big deal at all.

@AandDM2014 Sorry for the spotting, I'm hoping it's nothing for you.

@fivetimesnoluck Bummer about all that wasted crinone! I still have a bunch of meds in my fridge that I don't know what exactly to do with. Hopefully, I won't need them, but since they don't expire for a while I'm just hoarding hormones for now.

AandDM2014 · August 2016

@Aera11 I think I did a total of 13 days of injections, with most of those days having two and some having three. It wasn't bad at all, and DH did every single one of them. I actually tried to help with I think the third or fourth one and he was like "You don't need to do that, I got this down to a science". LOL! I never did any of this mixing, just wiping the tops of the bottles and my tummy. I think he was finally ready to embrace being more than just a sample giver, which was great! And thank you! My nurse emailed me back saying to just take it easy today, so I plan to.

@BornReady Thanks! Nurse isn't concerned, but I'm skipping the 4 hour round trip party today and taking it easy on the couch.

Less than 24 hours until I go in for my first (of hopefully a few) beta!

Aera11 · August 2016

@BrightenMySky & @BornReady thank you, thank you for your help! I am sure I will have more questions after I meet with my RE next week. I know there are a ton of different options/paths and I am just excited to try something new.

BrightenMySky · August 2016

@AandDM2014 glad you can take it easy today, sending you good thoughts!!

AandDM2014 · August 2016

@BrightenMySky Thanks! I had a nice day of Olympics watching!

SnobunnieMel · August 2016

I finally have results!!!!!! DH is a carrier for alpha 1 anti-trypsin but since ther doesn't match anything we are not worried. Cd1 should be Friday/Saturday so I have a follicle scan scheduled for Monday to start clomid and TI.

Shits getting real.
Never been more excited for AF

BornReady · August 2016

Great news @SnobunnieMel! Always feels good to move forward, can't wait to hear how it all goes!

SoonToBeMommaHowe · August 2016

Awesome news @SnobunnieMel!!

chloe97 · August 2016

That's great news @SnobunnieMel!!

How are you holding up @BornReady? The big day is Thursday?

BornReady · August 2016

@chloe97 Yup, we are a go for Thursday @ 11! I am excited and a nervous wreck all at once. Paranoid I'll mess up my meds somehow, or forget something important, embryo won't thaw etc. Otherwise, I'm just trying to be zen and positive.

In other news I had a fascinating therapy session today. I'm doing this particular type of therapy called Internal Family Systems. I'd heard about it through a co-worker and when looking for a new provider I found a woman who specialized in it and also worked with women's reproductive health issues so I thought I'd give it a shot. Totally, eye-opening experience that left me feeling so differently about myself and this experience. I'm so thankful to have found someone at this particular time to walk through all of this with. Hopefully, processing some of this grief and anxiety will open me up for something good to happen... you know like a baby!

@AandDM2014 How are you doing? Second beta come in?

roxgibbons · August 2016

@SnobunnieMel that's so great you got the results and are moving forward. In fact I think we will be cycle buddies this next round.
@BornReady that's great about the therapy session! What a positive experience and awesome source of support.

We had our IVF consult yesterday and it went well. The RE is in my same practice. He was very matter of fact but very kind at the same time, and provided us a lot of information. He went over all of our test results and he was very optimistic about our chances. He said for 38 even with my AMH at 1.13 he still thought that wasn't bad and everything else looked fine. He actually recommended we try a couple IUIs with injectables first before moving onto IVF as he said with our numbers we are a good candidate for that as a next step and our insurance covers the majority of the cost.

As for the IVF piece, the cost would be approx 28K for us with all the testing etc. Also, my clinic groups their patients together for IVF so we would not be starting the process till Dec/Jan and because of the PGS, the transfer would not be until April/May. That's a hell of a long time to wait!

For now DH and I decided to do a couple injectable IUI cycles and if we decide to go the IVF route we will look at other clinics in the area just to see if we could speed up the process. We both are hesitant about the IVF cost and DH reminded me at the end of the day if we are not successful he is happy as we are. It's a lot to think about, but for now we have a plan in place and that is always helpful.

BornReady · August 2016

@roxgibbons Glad your consult went well and you have a plan for the next few cycles. That is a long time for a potential IVF cycle. All of the waiting associated with this process has been the hardest part for me. Hopefully these injectable IUIs will do the trick and you won't have to worry about it! Love your DH's attitude about it all

AandDM2014 · August 2016

@BornReady Second beta came in at 967, but my progesterone dropped by 9, so I've increased my dosage. I feel like there were a few days where the medication just sat in my butt and didn't absorb, so I'm guessing that's what the problem was. We should find out on Sunday when I go in for another hormone check. I'm mostly feeling like "why would anything go right" because we've had no success for the last 2.5 years of trying, so why would it change now. It sucks. I hope your appointment tomorrow goes well!

@SnobunnieMel Yay! Finally some results! And you get to move forward with a cycle!

@roxgibbons Woah! That is a long time to wait! I never understood why clinics do that, as not everyone responds exactly the same. Some might need the meds for 10 days, some might need them for 20, and you can't predict. But hopefully it won't come to that for you, and IUI will work!

AFM - I will say this: the sheer agony of loss and ttcal doesn't go away once you get a positive beta, if only for the fact that we know that losses happen, and they happen to us, so they could happen again. I will find out on Sunday if I'm to go in for an ultrasound (meaning this cycle has worked, so far) or... I don't even know, that it didn't work properly.

SnobunnieMel · August 2016

@AandDM2014 good luck. Still thinking of you and all your beans.

Ps: I forgot you were doing injections for IVF for a second and that you were only doing suppositories and the "stuck in my butt" really confused me. I kept thinking no wonder it's not working. That's not where those go!

Aera11 · August 2016

Great news @SnobunnieMel!!

roxgibbons · August 2016

@BornReady and @AandDM2014 it is a long time to wait! I couldn't believe it. it's basically prepping for a 2018 baby and that's under the best case scenario (sigh). I'm trying hard to stay positive and just move on to the next step. Plus we know the drill for the IUIs so we pretty much know what to expect just a bit more monitoring with the injectables. The RE suggested to try at least 2 cycles with the injectables with a max of 4. I should be getting AF Saturday or Sunday, so the process will be starting soon.

@AandDM2014 Great number for your beta! My fingers are crossed for you!

@BornReady I'm thinking about you and wishing you the best for tomorrow!!

chloe97 · August 2016

@roxgibbons I'm glad you're feeling good about your IVF consult. I agree that is a long time to wait. Have you thought about consulting with another clinic who could maybe speed up the timeline a bit? I think my clinic does IVF in batches and I'm pretty sure that we would go to a different clinic if we progress to that point.

@BornReady Sending all the good thoughts your way for tomorrow! Let us know how it goes. I'm hope your able to stay calm and relaxed for the next 2 weeks til your beta!

@AandDM2014 Yay for great betas! PTSD after a loss is very very real! Sending you good vibes for sticky babe(s)!

AFM DHs semen analysis came back.
Volume- 2 ml
Concentration-136 mil
Total count 272 mil
Motility -77%
Normal forms 6%

This is good right? I was surprised his motility wasn't lower because the man loves his caffeine, alcohol, and weed. He's definitely cut back, but it still seemed like his motility was very good considering his habits.

BornReady · August 2016

@chloe97 That is a stellar semen analysis in my book at least as far as count and motility goes. Well done, Mr @chloe97! Morphology might be technically a little on the lower end of the normal range, but I'm going to guess that doesn't matter at all with such a high count. It also depends what measurement tool your clinic uses. From my research some places don't even put any weight in morphology.

One thing I've learned about semen analyses are that they can vary wildly from sample to sample. One of our samples had our RE shocked we ever conceived on our own and the other ones we've had done were borderline normal. With such a great one to start though, I think it's safe to assume all is good on his end.

AandDM2014 · August 2016

@SnobunnieMel LOL! Yeah, I don't ever use the suppositories anymore because they were awful the first time I used them, and I'd have to use them in combination with the shots anyway, so I might as well just do more shot!

@roxgibbons Thanks! I hope you can find another clinic that won't force you to wait so long. I don't even understand why you would do a December stim cycle with a March transfer. That is bonkers! I know that pgs and pgd don't take that long, so that can't be it.

@chloe97 Thanks! I'm glad your DHs results came back good, though I don't know what "Normal forms" is...

AFM - I'm doing my best to keep my mind occupied until Sunday. I actually just got back from the movies (Wednesday is $6 day at my local theater). I know that adults aren't supposed to like YA books/movies, but I have no shame in liking them. I went to see Nerve. I haven't read the book, but the movie looked interesting from a preview I saw, so I decided to watch it. It was good and if you enjoy that type of thing, I'd definitely recommend it. I hope everyone else is able to find some way to pass the time while waiting around!

chloe97 · August 2016

Thanks @BornReady- I was worried his sperm count was too high because everything I saw was over 15 mil was good. But that's not a thing??

roxgibbons · August 2016

@chloe97 That's a great SA! Our clinic told us anything over 4 for morphology was good.

Thanks all for the support. If we decide to do IVF then we will probably look at other clinics as the timeline is too long for us at ours and we would want to see if financially we could get a better deal for what is included (I know it sounds horrible to put it that way, but they really do make it an a la carte situation). Our clinic is one of the most expensive in the area but also has one of the highest rate of success. Anyway- for now we will just focus on the injectable IUIs and take advantage of what our insurance will actually cover.

fivetimesnoluck · August 2016

I laughed so hard at @SnobunnieMel's comment to @AandDM2014 because I thought the same thing!! Suppositories in the butt would do no good! HAHAHA! I needed that.

@SnobunnieMel Also really happy for you that DH's results came back so clean. I know you're ready to move forward.

@roxgibbons I think your plan sounds good. The cost is so intimidating. I have been trying to plan for what we would do if we need to move to IVF, and it is scary expensive. Hopefully the next round of IUIs will get you KU and it won't be an issue!

@chloe97 Your husband sounds like mine, except for the fact his SAs have been more reflective of those bad habits with low counts/motility. He, too has cut back significantly which I appreciate... but I can get frustrated on a bad day that he hasn't done more.

@AandDM2014 I totally understand the feeling of anxiety after multiple losses. It is absolutely real. As much as I want to get pregnant again, I am also terrified of it. All I will say is that I have tried to hold off excitement and be reserved about my feelings, and I have swept it all aside and allowed myself to be excited early.... it still felt the same when I had another loss, no matter what. So, if you can, try to allow yourself enjoyment for each day that you are pregnant. There is nothing wrong with hope. I am rooting for you!

AandDM2014 · August 2016

@fivetimesnoluck Thank you for the advice. I've been trying hard since yesterday to remember that "hope does not make bad things happen". I'm hoping that after Sunday's blood work to check my progesterone level again I'll be able to get a bit more excited.

BornReady · August 2016

I am finally HOME after a long day and PUPO (pregnant until proven otherwise)!

We had our FET around 11:45 after doing some waiting. The RE who did my egg retrieval did the transfer. I did not like him at the ER as I thought he was pretty negative, but he was awesome today. Our embryo was 4AA when it was frozen back in June and today thawed as a "perfect" 4AA. I totally cried during the transfer watching the little guy getting released and the nurse cried with me. It was really an amazing experience. After I did a post-transfer acupuncture session which is within the clinic office and off we went. Finally home and reading my book the rest of the day. Beta should be a week from Sunday or Monday.

Thanks for all of your support!

Here is the embryo of the day

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/so/ixfrg4jm0fpd.jpg

brooklyngirl18 · August 2016

@BornReady sounds perfect!! great job, now you just have to sit back and relax until next week. easier said than done, I'm sure! FX for you lady.

RiverSong15 · August 2016

What a beautiful embaby @BornReady! I'm so glad everything went well today!

SnobunnieMel · August 2016

Baby's first picture!!'

silentP · August 2016

I came over here based on what you said in the TWW, @bornready. Rooting for you and sounds like things went as well as they could! Looking forward to your updates.

chloe97 · August 2016

So excited for you @BornReady!

amberruka · August 2016

@BornReady hooray!!! How cute!!!

roxgibbons · August 2016

@BornReady I am so happy for you- what a beautiful picture! You made it this far now just a little longer. We are all rooting for you

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