IVF Single Mom By Choice

Hopeful_mom · May 2017

@LoveDontCostAThing I know that feeling for sure just think you're getting closer to the next hurdle which bring you closer to movement

This next US shall be super exciting for you! Is DH going with you? I remember you mentioning about your job its not easy and suck you need IVF BUT thats a pretty great raise if they cover it in full

Makes total sense to stick it out, I wouldve done the same if I had the same opportunity. My insurance covers some meds thanks goodness, I was surprised my first round cost about 3k this year has been less but thats at least the one thing that is not as bad. I will never agree with our health care system and its just getting worse. Its very unfortunate! I was originally doing the same as you and wanted to donate the rest of my meds...who knew i would still be needing them

Like you I thought of the same thing...to get more and donate as well!! I didn't realize you were on the east coast, where in NJ...you can also PM me.

Prudence9 it'll be very hard if I go in and I only have 3 growing...ugh this process is so hard and I'm just getting so tired!

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@LoveDontCostAThing I've never heard of using Lupron to help with implantation. I probably have 4-5 shots left in my Lupron bottle. But I think my nurse wants me to toss it since it's over a month since I opened it. (Even though it was in the fridge the entire time!).

I bet you're nervous for the ultrasound! How's the rush? Hopefully all gone by now!

@Hopeful_mom yeah, I hope you'll find more than three at the ultrasound tomorrow!!! FX!!!! Are you doing the same protocol as the last IVF?

littledarlins · May 2017

All these things going on at once!!

@LoveDontCostAThing so excited to hear about your US Wednesday!

@Prudence9 we are all hoping they have some helpful information come out of your tests.

and @hopefulmom best of luck with your U/S also!

I had what I guess is my baseline today, U/S and bloodwork and all looking good to start clomid etc, which I did tonight. I have 9 follicles in there which is so exciting and a huge relief because the numbers can dwindle really quickly! I am praying for 2 Happy embryos in the freezer so I can move on to the next phase.
keeping good thoughts and good juju for all of us!

Hopeful_mom · May 2017

littledarlins wow that is a great baseline truly, good for you!! Hope you get those strong ones growing for you!! Whats ur protocol for this cucle, clomid and menupar? and yes lots of juju for all of us!!!

@Prudence9 technically i'm doing the antagonist protocol, It was suppose to be the EPP BUT I didn't have the patch on prior to AF starting at all so no Estrogen priming this round...hoping things will still go smoothly...
I use to have my medication of the lupron in the fridge too but i think they say once its opened you shouldn't use it after 30 days.

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@littledarlins that's great!! FX they all grow together!!

@Hopeful_mom yeah. I was hoping I could use the Lupron until the authorization from the insurance comes. The nurse from my clinic spoke to them today and she said I should get authorization within 4 business days. But that might be too late for me to get it by Monday when I'm suppose to start the injections. So we'll see. We might need to push everything anyway

Hopeful_mom · May 2017

Prudence9 Sucks you have to wait for all this back and forth, insurance really does blow!! In the beginning of the year I literally was on hold over an hour and a half just to get a person, its crazy. You're still about a week out so hopefully things will turn around and everything will come in on time!

AFM: The highlight of my day was my monitoring this am where she saw some measurable follies today yay!! Just praying they all keep growing together!! She saw 2 on the right and 4 on the left all ranging from 8 - 10.5...so really hoping they can all stay in the game!!

LoveDontCostAThing · May 2017

@hopeful_mom -great! there is no reason to think they won't keep growing since they did last cycle! I love how it is so much easier for us to be positive for each other, but not with ourselves...lol. I didn't donate all the meds out of paranoia, but I donated the gonal that will expire next month and progesterone in oil that I am allergic too. Tomorrow I will donate the crinone that I am also allergic to! DH has come to every appointment so far, but tomorrow he has to work (at my parents, actually) so he told me it was up to me. I told him to go to my parents because he is working on their patio and it has been so busy...he needs to get over there. I live in South Jersey not far from Philly. Do you live in NJ?

@Prudence9 -the rash is gone! I believe it was the crinone I am allergic to. After stopping it for a few days it slowly started clearing up. I am on the suppositories, which I have taken before with no reaction. It's weird--I guess I am allergic to some forms of progesterone. My skin overall is itchier than usual, which can be normal. No more rash though! I am nervous for tomorrow's ultrasound. I will keep everyone posted.

@littledarlins -great baseline! When will you transfer?

prudence9-2 · May 2017

Ahh. So in my online account I already see the blood tests results. And everything seems to be in range!!!! Ahh. I emailed the nurse asking if there is anything else we can check. Also that gene MTHFR that I wasn't checked for... maybe I have that?

yeah I know it's almost a week away. But with the weekend in between I might not be able to get it on time for Monday. Unless they approve by Friday and then I can ship on Friday.

Glad to hear you have some follicles and that they are all growing together! FX you will have more normals!!

littledarlins · May 2017

@Hopeful_mom that is so exciting! So satisfying to see something show up. My protocol is the min IVF so a few days of clomid, then 4 follisitm injections , on alternating days, then trigger stuff, not sure what that is this time.

@LoveDontCostAThing total fingers crossed for your US! please do keep us posted. I am not sure when I transfer because in this protocol, embryos are frozen until my uterus gets back to normal after taking Clomid, which apparently thins the lining of the uterus. I am praying to the cosmos that I get a couple happy embryos and then I get to transfer in July. Waiting waiting waiting!

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@LoveDontCostAThing good luck at the ultrasound!!! Glad the rush is gone!

prudence9-2 · May 2017

Super annoyed by my dr response to the normal blood tests results I got.

I asked about MTHFR and also if there is another thyroid test I can take or anything else. Her response:

"Everything was normal. MTHFR does not cause miscarriages. More likely than not, it’s a genetic defect that is not related to ploidy"

Very easy to blame it on the embryo's genes. I just feel if I do another transfer and lucky enough to get pregnant again that it will just end the same way.

prudence9-2 · May 2017

On the bright side, the stupid insurance approved the Lupron. So I just spoke to freedom and the meds will be shipped today!

so I should be on schedule to start everything on Monday.

littledarlins · May 2017

@Prudence9 no! you cannot think that way! it will not end the same way. You are directing things. You must believe it will work. Think of your thoughts as instructions. Cells respond to this.

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@littledarlins yeah. I'm trying to stay positive. But I feel I shouldnt try again until we know we tested everything we can.

A friend told me today that a friend of hers, after many miscarriages and IVFs had a biopsy in her uterine lining. And they found out that she had an infection caused by E. coli. She had no symptoms.

I just did some research and bacteria in the uterine lining can indeed cause a miscarriage. So I'm going to ask my dr about it. I'm pretty sure she's gonna dismiss it though....

@LoveDontCostAThing how was the ultrasound today?

Hopeful_mom · May 2017

Prudence9I completely understand and experience the same frustration!! Let me know what you find so i can annoy my dr with the same tests to run

I kept sharing my experience with to prepare you that many times it just happens. I'd love to look into a crystal ball especially now as i dont have many embryos to waste. Will i need a surrogate? Can i not carry my own baby. Its unfortunate there is still so much unknown!! I got home super late from work and was stressed beyond all day, so not good. The worst is that I took my meds super late, 2hrs, nothing i could do. When I left my house this am i wondered if I should take the meds with me, now i'm mad at myself for not listening!!
Is ur gut telling you there has to be something wrong with u? I know we want the answers and not be part of the the ppl the MC their first pregnancy club. It kills me all the time, I do understand!! Glad your insurance came through and you'll be ready to go!! Lets see what this US is going to show tomorrow.....
@LoveDontCostAThing its so late i was looking forward to seeing your update! Hope ur lil nugget was waving, wiggling some toes for u!! Oh and was looking at houses in NJ a while back you north or south? Well at least we know one day we can have a play date

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@Hopeful_mom exactly! if I can't carry on my own, I don't want to waste more time & another embryo....

I emailed the nurse today asking her to ask the doctor if the genetic defect that she said was the probable cause, whether it is with me or with the embryo? I also asked about the uterine infection... she emailed me back saying the dr is away today and that I should ask her next week when I'm scheduled to talk to her. But I'm scheduled to talk to her on Wed... and I'm suppose to start injections on Monday... so I'm thinking to not start injections until I talk to the her. If there is more tests we can take, I am willing to postpone the start by few days.... I just don't want to inject lupron for 4 weeks and then start PIO if it is all gonna end with another m/c...

It's just so frustrating!

Did you already have your ultrasound today? how did it go?

LoveDontCostAThing · May 2017

Hi,
Sorry I didn't update yesterday. I had a long day and was so tired when I got home, I went right to lay down. The ultrasound was definitely the coolest one yet. First, the baby was asleep, but then it started bouncing around, and it flipped over! I saw its legs moving around! So weird, so cool, and so amazing. Since I can't feel it yet, it was surreal watching--like, is this really in me? I can't feel you! I do have a small hemorrhage in my uterus. They were going to lift the restrictions (no sex, no dog walking, no vacuuming!) and it was going to be my last ultrasound there because they can't keep me past 12 weeks, but they said since next week is 12 weeks they would like me to come back to check the hemorrhage. My restrictions are not lifted! The nurse assured me that it is nothing to worry about, and that it is small. I haven't googled it because I know that will lead me down a bad path. I go back on Tuesday, so I'll try to hold off on the google front.

@Prudence9 -I think that it's important to get tests, but if your dr. seems to think you should move forward, and if you trust your dr., then maybe try again

I totally get being terrified of the same thing happening, but it's good if they haven't found anything wrong with you. Maybe it was the embryo? Now you got my OCD going with that e coli thing!!! When I had all my blood work done a few weeks ago the only things I tested positive for were a UTI and e coli. The dr. said it wasn't a big deal and didn't seem to care. She (TMI) said it can simply be from having a bowel movement and peeing and wiping in the same area...ew, I know. ANYWAY, this isn't the same type of e coli that your friend had, is it????

@hopeful_mom -I live in South Jersey, but not as south as the shore. I live near Cherry Hill. Where do you live? Did you have another ultrasound today? Looking forward to hearing how it went. Don't worry too much about taking the meds a little late. You are doing the best you can, and you have been at this back to back--plus working. Give yourself a break

Hopeful_mom · May 2017

@Prudence9 -I have to day that @LoveDontCostAThing really did say it well!! At some point we do have to have faith in our RE and trust them. Trust me I know its not easy where my RE probably 6 months ago before my BFP said I'm free to go get a 2nd opinion if I don't think they're doing there best. OR maybe it was more that I was losing faith in them...funny that at this moment I can't remember what it was that I said that even made her say that. Definitely had to be one of my emails loaded with questions. Did you ask the nurse if you could skip the injections for a few days with it out making a difference. I'm just not familiar with the FET and how it goes.
Its very hard I had another friend of a friend tell me about a girl my age doing IVF and experienced 2nd MC with normal embryos, so obviously that freaks me out altogether. Going to talk to her next week hopefully and see what she can share. Its all so scary!!

@LoveDontCostAThing loved reading ur update!! I knew it would be a great US, seeing those wiggling toes. I just didn't expect that it really does finally look like a lil baby, they'll all just get better from here, so excited for you!! Glad your RE is keeping an eye on you, why not, and u get another US nice!!! And step away from google - it will be ok!!! Right now I'm still in New York, how far is cherry hill to manhattan?

AFM: Had my US this morning and happy to say the 6 have stuck around and still growing and another lil one popped up on the left at 5.5. I'm a lil concerned with one of the right ones I don't think grew from 2 days ago...so I'm hoping the tech just measured it wrong and its ok. Biggest is at 14 so I still have some time to go as long as they continue to grow together and this 14 stays at bay. Seems there always seems to be an over achiever on the left that starts to get ahead of the game. Pray they all keep on growing together. I'm a freelancer and work project to project so I'm working on something short so its jam packed stress all at once, which is fine as I did get my BFP during a very stressful time, however the needing time off for ER will be tricky. Its hard as you can't really call out sick or take a personal day UGH another joy of IF

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@LoveDontCostAThing loved reading your update!!! So exciting!!!

As for the E. coli. I wouldn't worry. With my friend's friend it was local to the uterine lining. They haven't detected anything in any other test. Only after biopsy they found out about it. Not sure how she got it...

and i I know I just need to trust the RE but I was hoping so much that they'd find something treatable...

@hopeful_mom glad to hear everything looks good and that they are all growing together. When is your next ultrasound?

AFM... yesterday I got the box of goodies from Freedom. I got the Lupron but they sent me only 1 box of patches instead of 4. Back in March, when I was still pregnant, I had to pay OOP for the last box because they didn't allow the quantity I needed.

So aparently these are the new rules. Only 1 box per 28 days. Problem is need about 4 boxes for these 28 days... since when the insurance know better than my doctor? Pisses me off. I emailed the nurse in my clinic asking for her help. But my guess is that I'll have to pay $144 per box. Yeah I know, that's nothing compared to al the other expenses. Haha.

As for not starting the injections on Monday, it only means I will be on BCP a little longer and that we will push everything by few days. I still haven't decided 100% what I'm going to do.

prudence9-2 · May 2017

So a crazy thing just happened. So that Vivelle patch cost $30 with insurance or $144 without. Or $97 for a generic.

Now, to start FET I need 4 boxes. Then, if I get pregnant I'll need patches until week 8 or 9.

Last I time I paid $30 per box for about 5-6 boxes and the last box I paid full price.

This time the insuranc only allows 1 box. So now, the nurse in my clinic ordered it thru the 340B plan (Google it, until today I have never heard of it). Anyway, 4 boxes are $22.3!!!!!

Im so shocked at all these prices differences. So crazy! Not sure if this is vivelle or generic. But thru Freedom even generic was $97 per box!!! And now I get 4 for $22.3!!!

Hopeful_mom · May 2017

Prudence9 So where did the meds come from? She found a better place then freedom to get or its a different brand altogether? Glad the nurse was helping the cause! The price of everything is astronomical period! I went to acupuncture today, want to try it through this cycle again and see if it can help. Thats another cost to add, which I easily have spent 5k on that.

However one of the places I go to is a DR as well and just looked through my blood work from the MC. Now my RE said everything is good however she disagreed. She think the MTHFR being positive could have caused it and I should be on medication for it through the first trimester...so that makes me upset. She also mentioned that my prolactin was above 25 and should take meds for that as well. Its interesting how everyone looks at everything differently. She also said I should be taking baby aspirin so I guess I will need to add that to my list. I really should start another thread asking others that MC if their REs said the same thing. Now I'm more nervous then before, actually glad I'm in the middle of stemming and not prepping for an FET!!

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@hopeful_mom it's a government program. Google it: "340B". I just can't believe how for $22.3 I get 4 boxes!!! That is sooop crazy!

my RE doesn't want to test for MTHFR. She said that doesn't cause m/c. Which I feel like I read it does.

Im def going to wait for Wed to talk to her. Not sure if it's gonna make me feel any better or not. I would feel so much better if there was some med I could take to help my baby make it thru the first trimester.

prudence9-2 · May 2017

Here's the link:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/340B_Drug_Pricing_Program

prudence9-2 · May 2017

Just picked up the patches! They sold me 4 boxes of the brand name for $22.3!!! Which is less than what I paid for one box with insurance!!

Hopeful_mom · May 2017

Prudence9 thats awesome!!!! What did you think of what my acupuncturist had to say about my blood work?

AFM: Had my follow up US this morning and I have to say I truly just wanted to skip it and sleep!! Anyhoo I was concerned that my 14 on the left looked a lot bigger today and just got the call that it has indeed..19.5. Which means another night of stemming and then I have to go back for US ugh!!! On mothers day no less, what a cruel joke!!! Seriously its unreal!! I have 5 right now that are ranging from 14-19 so hopefully those will make it, 2 on the left are 9 and 10 so I have to really hope that tonight those 2 are greedy and soak up most of the meds and grow for mama. Not one good rest all week, I will be super cranky this week for sure!! Looks like ER is going to be tues or wed is my guess.

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@Hopeful_mom I dont understand how your RE can change her mind. Why is the MTHFR all of a sudden *could have been* the cause? And can she talk to my RE and get me tested for that? haha

This is just so confusing! Did you ask why before she said it was not the cause and now she changed her mind?

Glad most of your follicles around the same size. Hopefully the smaller one will grow in the next few days!

Hopeful_mom · May 2017

Prudence9 I haven't spoken to my RE about it yet, my acupucturist who is a Dr as well is the one that reviewed my blood work and said it. I"m annoyed that the test for the MTHFR isn't part of the regular screening when they do the genetic testing! Just want to get a handle on everything and I have so much work to do that I want to get it out of the way so I can concentrate on my blood questions stat!!! UGH I hat that we have to keep researching everything!!

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@Hopeful_mom ahh! totally misread it! so it was your acupuncturist!

That is very interesting. The first time I heard about MTHFR was from my acupuncturist as well! She was the one telling me I should get tested for it.

When my RE gave me the blood tests and I didn't see it on it I decided not to say anything because I thought maybe one of the things she was testing was what was wrong with me... when everything came back normal I emailed the nurse in my clinic about testing for MTHFR and it was then that my RE responded that it doesn't cause miscarriages!

Hopeful_mom · May 2017

Prudence9 there are mixed reviews on the MTHFR, my RE agrees with your as she didn't think it was an issue BUT if there are meds that I should be taking for it that can help then I'm open to it. I'm terrified to go through a MC as we both are! Have you heard of NK cell? She said I should get that test done...its called a natural killer cell, the name sounds scary alone!!

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@Hopeful_mom very interesting that both our REs think it is not the cause but both our acupuncturists think it might be... and yes, I did hear about the NK cell...

im starting to think maybe I should start Lupron injections tomorrow. I doubt I could convince my RE to do more tests. So frustrating.

did you have the ultrasound already? Hope they are all growing together!

Hopeful_mom · May 2017

Prudence9 its all frustrating!! I;m just more concerned if I should be taking some meds now for it is that question. There are other ladies on here pregnant with it and fine, I dont think they are taking meds.

AFM: Its trigger time for me and ER on Tuesday. I'm a bit nervous as I only have the 5 that are measuring from 16 - 20.5 My 3 bigger ones are on the left. I have another 3 on the left but they are smaller 10 and 11. And they're not giving me any more meds for them so that I don't loose my bigger ones. Just makes it concerning as my odds become less. Lets hope all 5 are super strong!!

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@hopeful_mom yeah, I just don't know anymore. Could it be that our m/c was one of those "unexplained" ones? From what I'm reading, women with unexplained miscarriages have good chances of getting pregnant and carry to full term. So I think we have to start thinking that what happened to us was just a fluke.

Good luck with the trigger today! And good luck on Tuesday! At what time is it?

Hopeful_mom · May 2017

Prudence9 I agree and I've been telling you that for weeks but as you can see its just hard to be at peace with it! I'm going to email my RE tonight i've been working all weekend and wanted to try and get it out of the way so I can focus on what i want to say!!

8:15 and OH is feeling so sick - I feel like I just can't win between the both of us! I was 1/2 a sleep when my nurse called I dont even know the dr doing yet.

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@hopeful_mom yeah, I know... You've been telling me that all along.

Should I just start with the Lupron injections tomorrow as my schedule? Or should I wait to talk to the RE on Wed... I'm starting to think there maybe no point in waiting to talk to her....

8:15 is a good time! You'll be done with it early and have the entire day to rest... are you taking a sick day?

Hopeful_mom · May 2017

Prudence9 Are there other tests that you want her to do that she hasn't? You're already on the patches right? We have to be positive that your body will be ready to go...worse comes to worse you can always stop taking the meds if you feel that strongly about it. As for work I'm taking more of a personal day...will try to get everything done that i need tomorrow ad it'll be a late day for me. I did get a lot done this weekend so hopefully I won't be overly stressed! Nervous now about OH and his sample...luckily I have a frozen as a back up if need. I'm concerned at my estrogen level from the other day was only at 684 and I didn't get the update today...hoping its higher and I do have mature ones ready to go on tuesday!!

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@hopeful_mom no, I'm not on patches. I am suppose to start patches in 1.5 weeks after they see me. But I decided, I will start the injections tomorrow. And worse case will stop after I talk to her.

As for tests, I kinda wish if she checked if I have an infection in the uterine lining that kills embryos. (Just like the friend of a friend that had E. coli with no symptoms).

Im still on BCP and I think I'm suppose to stop next Sat.

FX for nature embryos on Tues! And for a good sperm sample! What does he have? A cold?

Hopeful_mom · May 2017

Prudence9 what test is in the uterine lining one called?? I need to look into that one too. As for OH maybe its the flu - not sure...

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@hopeful_mom my friend's friend had a biopsy. So I think that most doctors won't want to test for that before there is more than one m/c. Google for: uterine lining infection. (She had E. coli but it could be another infection).

Hopefully he'd feel better by Tuesday! But good thing you have a frozen sample too!

prudence9-2 · May 2017

@Hopeful_mom good luck tomorrow!

LoveDontCostAThing · May 2017

Hi ladies,
what is MTHFR? I've heard of it on this site, but don't remember...I think it's an abnormal gene?? I might be totally wrong, but wanted to clarify. I definitely think that it's interesting that both acupuncturists think it could be an issue. I think it's worth looking into--especially if there is a medication that you can take to "fix" it. It's always something, huh?
AFM, I had an ultrasound today. I typed the wrong thing last time...I have a hematoma, not hemorrhage, in my uterus. They said last week is was 15mm and today 14mm. They said it's fine because it's so small. The ultrasound technician said that 98% of pregnant women get them! Interesting. Baby wasn't moving much today, but we got somewhat clear pictures of his (I'll call it "he" because we think it's a boy) face! So that was cool! My mom really wanted to come, so she came with me today

Heartbeat was 151. Of course, I said, "but last week it was 173!" They said anything over 120 is good and that it goes down some. Plus, he wasn't as active today, but we could see the heart beating away! So many things to trigger worry, but they say all is good! I "graduated" from the fertility dr. I have to go back just for blood the next couple of weeks so that they can wean me off of the progesterone.
@Hopeful_mom-thinking about you and your retrieval. You are probably resting, which you need to do! I hope you didn't wake up with any suspicious injuries like last time. I can't believe that was a month ago. Through all of our worry, time does fly! You asked earlier how far I am from Manhattan. It's about 2 hours. Hope you got some good eggs that all fertilize tomorrow!

**On an unrelated note, did you hear about the terrible bus crash that has been all over the news??? That was from my school where I teach!!!!

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