April IVF

ttc_ivf · April 2017

Hi everyone. Sorry I've been MIA for a few days. Looks like I got a lot to catch up on. The side effects of my medications have been kicking my butt. Bloating, tiredness, headache and very emotional. Anyone else getting these?

Ash_SE · April 2017

I did PGS so I'm leaning toward on transferring 1 PGS normal especially since I have an issue with implantation so I don't want to "waste" 2 normals if our protocol for transfer doesn't work the 1st time. But then I think maybe 2 would increase chances. @kiwisun4385

fivetimesnoluck · April 2017

So excited for y'all, @KLake42! Good luck!

@Nim, good luck with your transfer!

@kiwisun4385 - I hope to transfer two (I'm 38, closing in on 39 in May).

@Dragonfly6191 - I am new to this too, so I don't have any advice. I think it's odd though that they checked lining before your cycle was even done - but what do I know!? Hopefully it's nothing to worry about!

Ash_SE · April 2017

@i-wanna-b-the-girl-w-most-cake that stinks about your OH but I totally feel your pain. We have the same issue but Remember he does care .

mandasd · April 2017

@fivetimesnoluck I may have already asked you this but are you doing a fresh DE cycle or frozen?

Yay to to my friend @nim for a success transfer today!

brooklyngirl18 · April 2017

@kiwisun4385 yay exciting! did you do pgs/pgd testing? I think Dr's usually recommend 1 for tested embryos especially at your age.
@mjpbarretto I've had headaches and super emotional also, I'm about midway through stims.

No updates for me. I have another ultrasound tomorrow so I should have some news then. So far I've done 4 nights of stims.

KLake42 · April 2017

@kiwisun4385 We will transfer up to 2 embryos, but at our age, about 60% will be genetically defective, so it's a safe gamble. My wife just turned 38.

Although I am scared of a twins pregnancy. So many of them require NICU stays, and that frightens me. I would delighted (though I'm sure overwhelmed) with two healthy babies, but I'm worried about the pregnancy.

But also, I'll be 40 in a couple weeks, so that means higher risks all around. I'm also petite (short) but a touch more belly fat than I'd like, and the belly fat can further restrict the room they have in the body. I just don't know if I can carry two buns until they're fully cooked! I'll do my best if it happens, though.

For that reason, we won't go with more than 2, even if the doctor might be okay transferring 3. I think she's leaning more towards recommending two, though.

Ash_SE · April 2017

PGS results came back this morning. 5 normals out of 8. So I've been hitting 62% a lot (8 out 13 eggs made blasts lol). At less than a month from 34, I'm happy with these results. I had 5 in my mind would be excellent results for me.

However the the upsetting part is they show what the abnormal ones are and 1 was Downs and 1 was Trisomy 14 (both could implant and be born but have lifelong health issues especially Trisomy 14) and the 3rd had multiple issues . It's sad to read that part.

I also know the sex because the doc semt the full report. I have 3 normal girls and 2 normal boys. So weird knowing this!!!

aftwr going through all of this I'm so glad we did PGS.

brooklyngirl18 · April 2017

@Ash_SE congrats on 5 healthy embryos! that is really sad to hear about the unhealthy ones though, so so hard.

artemis618 · April 2017

@Ash_SE 5 normals is GREAT! That is sad about the aneuploid ones, but that's why the screening and you've got FIVE euploid chances!

I actually just got off of the phone with my RE and got a day 3 report this time because we were considering a day 3 xfer after my first cycle's disastrous result. So many hard choices along the way - we are gambling/waiting on a transfer since the whole point of our going with IVF was to test to try to reduce the risk of another *TW* loss... But at 39.5, I will probably have more aneuploid ones that euploid, sadly.

So day 3 we have (I didn't take notes as I work in a cube farm and had to sneak off for privacy): 2-8 cell grade 1, 1-6-cell grade 1, 4-5 cell (grade 2?), and 1-4 cell that doesn't look so hot. Waiting blows. *Really* hoping we get something to test!

@KLake42 Valid concerns, but you never know about twins - my brother and I were a good week late! (My mom's 5'3" though she was 24 when she had us)

sm05-2 · April 2017

Hi all,

I introduced myself in a separate thread and thought I would intro here, too. I'm scheduled to start my period tomorrow (never thought I'd be so anxious for my period to start!) and the morning after I'll be getting an ultrasound and bloodwork done to make sure I'm good to start stimming.

I have a big ol' box of meds that I got shipped from my pharmacy, but this particular pharmacy doesn't have videos or written instructions. (A nurse previously showed me how to do everything, but that was a week ago, and this is my first time doing IVF.)

If all goes according to plan, I'll be starting Gonal-F 300 and Menopur 150 in a couple of evenings. I think I saw someone recommend a video site somewhere, but does anyone else have any recommendations? I can google it, but I just wondered if anyone found a particular site especially helpful versus others. Good luck to all!

KLake42 · April 2017

@sm05-2 I've always just searched for videos on youtube, and on youtube, Freedom Pharmacy has a good handful that have been helpful.

sm05-2 · April 2017

Thanks @KLake42 that's helpful. (By the way, I'm also 39 and turning 40 in April!)

i-wanna-b-the-girl-w-most-cake · April 2017

UPDATE - So I started injections Fri night, tonight will be night 5 and they are going relatively well so far! I had an u/s and blood-work yesterday morning - so far so good; no change in protocol yet. I have another appt in the morning - just routine u/s blood-work again.

I appreciate everyone's good vibes with my SO and I's situation. We have been communicating better and he has been wonderful in administering the shots. They are all drawn up and ready to go by the time I get home from work which I appreciate. I could do them myself but having him do it makes the whole process seem a little more like a team effort rather just a me effort.

Side Effects: Sunday I was acutely aware of my ovaries which was unsettling and uncomfortable at best. Nothing Tylenol couldn't resolve. Since then it's been smooth sailing. I had a little bit of nausea this morning - ate something and felt better. Oh and I'm loading up on the fiber, that's for sure!

Haven't been on the thread in a couple days so I can't wait to catch up on everyone's progress!

fivetimesnoluck · April 2017

@mandasand I am receiving frozen eggs (they are literally being transported from bank to lab, as I type this!!), but they will be thawed for fertilization and then we will have the transfer five days later - so although we are starting with frozen, I guess it's technically a fresh transfer.

fivetimesnoluck · April 2017

Congrats, @Ash_SE - excited for you to have a good number and feel confident in the results. I can understand how it was difficult to learn the fate of the others.

@sm05-2 - welcome to the group! I recall that the manufacturers had videos showing how to inject - so for Menopur, I would refresh my memory by using theirs. If it's not already been provided to you in written form, you may need to confirm/note your specific dosage, as the videos don't provide that info since it's case by case. Good luck!

i-wanna-b-the-girl-w-most-cake · April 2017

@KLake42 - we are planning to transfer 2. I'm trying not to get ahead of myself so IF we have 2 healthy embabies to transfer, we will double down and go for 2. I think twins would be great!
You must be so excited about your test results! I have been wondering if I should ask about PGS myself, but I think we'll just go without it this round. There are so many things/variables in this process, I just can't worry about each one. I'd drive myself even crazier than I already am

@sm05-2 - here's the website I was given: freedommedteach.com/

Good luck!

I think i spoke too soon about side affects. lol. now that I'm back at work today, I'm noticing that I am a bit foggy. Definitely not thinking as clearly....

And i'm HUNGRY. I can eat and eat and eat and apparently my brain doesn't register that i'm full....So there's that.

Hopeful_mom · April 2017

@KLake42 thats a great update! I'm sure you're full of emotions! I was super anxious before ER and cried after. OH thought i was crying from pain, men

@nim thats a fantastic update, I think you've got some champions on your hands! Best of luck on your transfer hoping ur beans r getting all comfy cosy in there!

kiwisun4385 originally i did a 3dt of 3 which got me twins but that was probably due to my age and typically one sticks is what they were thinking. This next time because i MC twins they will likely only want to xfer one even though I rather do 2 especially if I had enough embabies to do so. Youve got some great quality for sure! Did you do any testing?

@Momifbysea brooklyngirl18 nice you're having such an easy go of it! Glad you have so many follies in the same range hoping they keep it up, slow and steady definitely wins the race.

artemis618 are u thinking of doing a 5dt or still going to test? I know all the options truly are so difficult each time.

fivetimesnoluck thanks so much, i hope so! How many are u planning on xfer? I hear a lot of folks on here are on baby aspirin did your RE say why? I'll have to look into that.

@Ash_SE yay congrats on five!! thats really awesome! And your results are scary indeed and shows why they say to do PGS for some. Are you going to decide which gender to xfer. Its nice you have a mix. great results so happy for u!

mjpbarretto reading your update i'm exhausted as well and i never know if its from the shots or just old age

I've been more emotional but I just think that me and this process...but it could be the meds too. Hang in there!

AFM: Going in for monitoring tomorrow BUT whats crazy is got a call from the genetic lab today and apparently they sent my samples out to be tested instead of batching them altogether which was suppose to be after this cycle and i believe is going to cost me more now...I'm just so confused. Of course im now anxious to hear the results

I just don't get how there was a miscommunication on this. Nothing ever goes easy. Has that happened to anyone before??

Ash_SE · April 2017

@Hopeful_mom that is unacceptable. I'd refuse to pay and make them credit your account. What lab is it? My RE has a Biopsy fee no matter how many you have but then they use Goodstart Genetics and its $150 per embryo for PGS . So at least for that lab it doesn't cost more to not batch.

wanderlust14 · April 2017

@i-wanna-b-the-girl-w-most-cake I am also SO hungry ALL the time...I need to get healthy snacks so I don't gain 100 lbs

@kiwisun4385 We have decided on transferring two even though I am only 29

Update: We had egg retrieval on Sunday, 20 eggs retrieved, 14/20 were mature, 12/14 fertilized. We shall see who makes it till Friday. I've been feeling bloated, pain when I go to the bathroom, extra tired, and extra hungry. And these PIO shots are rough afterward!

mandasd · April 2017

@fivetimesnoluck thanks! I really wanted to try doing a fresh donor cycle but I have no matches with my agency so may need to do frozen. How many eggs did you get? DEB has egg lots from 5-8 and I worry that's not enough if I want to have two kids! I could buy another lot from same donor but it will be an additional $13,500!

daisy222-2 · April 2017

Hello! I am stopping in from April IUI. I was here earlier in the month but got cancelled/converted to IUI. Sounds like there have been a lot of retrievals here with great #s!

We are starting up again in May with an "agonist" protocol (a word I did not know existed until this week). Hopefully it will help follicles grow at the same rate.

I have a question about embryo testing and cost, since some of you guys are in the thick of it right now and so very knowledgeable! Assuming we ever actually have an ER, we are not scheduled to do any screening (either CCS or PGS). On our end, this is mainly b/c of cost (we are OOP) but also my RE says its not necessary b/c I am under 35 (although I will be 35 in the fall).

But I am starting to freak out about not doing any testing! Seems like such a potentially high rate of failure/issues if we don't transfer a tested embryo, based on peoples testing results. It is very annoying to me that our clinic has an associated lab that we would HAVE to use for the CCS testing, and it would be $6500 for up to 8. I've heard mention around here of a few hundred $ per embryo, or a few thousand for up to 8 or so. I don't understand if our lab is several times more expensive for literally the same thing, or if I am missing something. Is anyone having to pay this much for CCS (which essentially just looks for aneuploidy - wrong # of chromosomes - right?) Do people then pay extra to add the PGS testing onto the CCS, or does your testing cover both? Thanks for any help you can offer. I don't know if my question makes sense....

i-wanna-b-the-girl-w-most-cake · April 2017

wanderlust14 Those are great #s! Congrats

i-wanna-b-the-girl-w-most-cake · April 2017

Hope everyone is having a great evening! I came across this site which offers a free online predictor test of the likelihood that the IVF treatment will be successful. And it's free. Thought it was kinda cool...
*Cumulative Live Birth Rates and Mutiple embryo transfer/Risk of Multiple Births*
https://www.sartcorsonline.com/Predictor/Patient

artemis618 · April 2017

@hopefulmom You're so sweet to always respond to everyone individually! I admit I get a little overwhelmed by all of the activity, and being on mobile doesn't help me keep track so much. The whole reason we did IVF was to test, so since that's the goal (if we only had 2-3 left like last time would have just put them back day 4). We will test whatever we have left that's hopefully suitable for freezing. I hate the gamble, but today's day 3 report was about as good as we could have hoped for - just hope we don't lose *too* many in the next two days! Thanks for asking. Can't say I'm unhappy about stopping the suppositories

.

Are you sure that it is supposed to cost you more if they send them separately? I optimistically re-paid up my $3850 to PGS test up to 8 (can be from different cycles), but they just biopsy and send off as they go. If so, like @Ash_SE said, that's not okay if they do end up charging you more.

@mandasand Holy moly $13500?! I guess I didn't realize how much that could be as I'm not quite there yet, but I have often wondered about the sufficiency of the lots (I only have 9 frozen - but mine are from when I was 35, so maybe not too much better than now) - but donor eggs are generally from young women, are they not? So I would expect a better hit rate based on donor age.

@daisy222-2 Maybe this IUI will work

. Wow, $6500 to test 8 is higher than the $5125 the guy who froze my eggs charges. Our *TW* loss (emotional trauma, but also practically it cost us four months) is really what motivated us to do IVF primarily so we could test (though I will be 40 this year). One of my girlfriends screened because she would not terminate if the NIPT or amnio later yielded a trisomy (we honestly hadn't thought that much about it). But that is annoying. Since we didn't get anything to test last round, if we do this cycle we'll effectively pay the full amount for however few we get, as if we do an additional cycle we'll likely give another shop/lab a try.

mandasd · April 2017

@artemis618 I know it's a lot! All in I'm looking at $16-17k. However, my two IVF cycles only cost me $1k and I spent about $2k three years ago when I was at a private clinic before I went to the military clinic. So I can't complain! My parents offered to pay for donor cycle, which I'm not sure I'll accept but I'm very blessed!

cashewchicken · April 2017

@mjpbarretto- I hope the side effects go away soon. I haven't experienced any side effect yet, but I guess as the follicles grow I will experience more bloating like I did last time.

Cycle buds, have you had your u/s appointment yet? I just finished my fourth day of injects and will go in tomorrow morning for u/s and blood work. I'm excited and nervous. For this cycle we started with bcp and lupron so I'm hoping that my follicles are about the same size and nothing growing too fast (that was the problem the previous cycle).

cashewchicken · April 2017

@daisy222-2- PGS is a term used for chromosomal screening, of which ccs is one of. Some places use the terms interchangeably.

My clinic charges $6300 for 6 embryos. I think the price depends on how much the clinic charges for embryologist fee and which company the clinic uses for testing.

fivetimesnoluck · April 2017

@mandasand I am using My Egg Bank and they sell lots of six eggs, with the option of purchasing additional eggs individually. (One lot = $11,000 - just the eggs)

There are so few folks on TB discussing third party ART, so I found a group on BabyCenter that has a lot more discussion threads on the topic and I posed the question to them - how many embryos came from your lot and how big was your lot to start? I was definitely comforted by the replies - lots of successes from lots the same size as mine. Some have had two children from one lot - not including twins!

I was ready to get a move on and also understood it would likely cost less, so I never even considered a known donor - felt as though frozen was the best match for where we are in the process. It's been over four years since my first MC, and we are weary. Happy to answer any more questions about my process!

@hopeful_mom I am hoping that I can transfer 2. We are fine with the prospect of twins. I will be 39 in May and we really just want to have the best chances.

Baby aspirin is recommended for people who have suspected blood flow issues. It serves as a blood thinner and since I have had multiple losses, it is part of my protocol. If your doctor hasn't brought it up, it is likely a nonissue for you.

KLake42 · April 2017

@fivetimesnoluck I am really comforted by everything I've heard about donor eggs. It's definitely an option for us if we have trouble with what we're doing now.

brooklyngirl18 · April 2017

@Hopeful_mom that's crap if they make you pay twice! I hope they sort it out and you get great results.
@wanderlust14 congrats on your retrieval, those are great numbers.
@daisy222-2 I can't find the financial breakdown sheet right now but I'll try to look at home later. for us I think there's a flat fee around 5k and then an amount per embryo but now that I think about it, that doesn't make much sense. I need to look more into that.
@cashewchicken I started lupron March 31 and gonal and menopur on april 7. I had appointments april 5, april 7, april 10, today, and again Friday. I feel like I live at the RE.

My appointment today went well, but my dr is still worried about ohss. I have about 35 follicles around 10mm. He said depending on my estrogen today, he might lower my dosage. I'm currently 150 gonal, 1 menopur, and 10 lupron. I go back Friday and am looking at a tuesday/wednesday retrieval most likely.

KLake42 · April 2017

Also, we got through the retrieval just fine. My wife was so funny-- she's a chatterbox anyway, and when she woke up, she was just talking a mile a minute. Asking everyone where they live, and commenting on what she likes about their neighborhoods, and then telling the nurses how nice they all are.

We got 10 eggs! I know they won't all be mature, but now we wait for the fertilization report. Here's what I'm hoping-- 8 mature, 6 fertilize, 4 make it a few days, and 2 make it to blast, for a five day transfer of 2, and then 1 baby. That would be awesome. And I have to stop worrying about it-- it's out of our hands at the moment.

I just started methylprednisolon yesterday, a 4 day program of steroids, and I start progesterone tonight. I'm hoping the sleepy effect of the progesterone will help balance the insomnia caused by the steroid. But I'm not looking forward to the giant butt needle tonight.

Momifbysea · April 2017

Hey there, sorry I've been away a couple of days, lots to catch up on. I received some tough news about both my grandmother (who at 97 with Alzheimer's) has pretty much stopped eating so it's close, and my Aunt who just had hospice cone in yesterday. This makes the stims seem easy comparatively, tough week.

This morning was my first ultrasound and bloodwork after starting stims. The nurse saw a little activity in my right ovary but my left was "quiet" as she put it. She said they like to see activity in both sides but not to get too worried yet because I've only been doing meds for two days and some people take longer to respond. They will see if my estrogen level is rising per my bloodwork and call me by 1pm with decision on what dr wants to do. Scared this cycle will be cancelled. Come on body, work for me! I'm feeling old. Have any of you had this happen where one ovary was slow to show activity? Do the number of follicles keep increasing as you go throughout your stims process or do you have what you're going to have for that cycle by this point? Thanks in advance!

cashewchicken · April 2017

@Hopeful_mom- I'm sorry. Hoping you won't be charged again this cycle. And hoping you have some normal embryos! Exciting!

cashewchicken · April 2017

Just had my u/s this morning. 9-10 follicles in each ovary, about 10mm in size and one leading follicle about 11.5mm which is good. Waiting for the blood test result to see if I stick with the current dose (150 iu follistim day and night, 10 u of lupron, 5 u of HCG) or if I reduce the dose.

Aera11 · April 2017

@fivetimesnoluck you talking about egg donors/third party gives me so much comfort. I feel like I'm out for this IVF & I want to sit down with my RE and discuss options. DH & I are open to doing one more IVF but we know it'll most likely be similar results. I just don't produce a lot of eggs and the quality doesn't seem to be great, so donor eggs are definitely an option. Are there additional fees on top of the 11k for the lot of 6? I'm just trying to prepare us for more medical costs.

brooklyngirl18 · April 2017

@klake42 woohoo!! I've been thinking of you and your wife and wondering how it's going.
@momifbysea I'm so sorry about your grandma, that's so sad. As far as follicles go, my number has changed at each appointment and my first appointment was after 3 nights of stims so don't get discouraged! A lot has happened in the past few days for me and I'm a few days ahead of you.

HottLemonade2886 · April 2017

@KLake42 I've been lurking on this board since I will probably be starting my 2nd IVF cycle later this month. I just wanted to mention if you did end up needing donor eggs you might want to look into embryo adoption unless you have a preference on the sperm. It might be a cheaper option. Fingers crossed you dont need either option and your 10 eggs create some great blasts but I just wanted to share.

KLake42 · April 2017

@Momifbysea You pretty much have the follicles that you have, but some of them are too small to see when you start out, so the total count can increase some as they grow.

We had an antral count of 9, and each time we went in, we saw 9 or 10, and we got 10. I'm sure not all 10 are mature, though, since at least two of the follicles were way smaller than the others.

But when I had my two cancelled cycles, one cycle had an okay number throughout (7 or 8), but then my estrogen dropped, signalling poor quality. The second cycle, I never had more than 4, and only 2 grew.

Your estrogen is almost a better indicator than follicle size. If the few follicles you have are pumping out estrogen, and then that estrogen rises after a couple days, that's a good sign of quality eggs.

edited to add, because I also wanted to say, I'm so sorry you're going through some big stuff with your family. I know it makes it impossible to even think about stress management, but just try to take a little time each day to breathe, and maybe before bed, take time to think about three good things about the day. That helps me through some rough stuff.

Momifbysea · April 2017

@KLake42 thank you, your experience is really helpful to hear. Also, per your advice on the over 35 board, we iced with the Menopur and wow did that make a huge difference with the burn/pain. Don't know what I'd do without this group!

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