@funkykey I was feeling great on Saturday. That was first day of my period and I didn't start 225iu Gonal and Menopur until that night. Woke up Sunday morning and the bloat pain was real. Maybe a combo of endo and stims? I'll wait another day as that's when it goes away usually.
The jury is out on this being better than Clomid. I feel the same. I never had hot flashes and the dreams I had last night were intense.
Me:35 DH:37 Married 09/2013
*TW* TTC #2 since June 2016 *END TW*
Endometriosis
March 2017- IUI#1- Clomid - BFN April 2017 - IUI #2 - Clomid, Ovidrel - BFN May 2017 - IUI #3 - Clomid- cancelled cycle
Had my baseline today, they will call me this afternoon with results. Just my luck, my nurse is out (hopefully in vacation) so I will have to go over the schedule with the nurse that will call me this afternoon, hopefully she will know what I am talking about. I feel weird this cycle, all previous cycles I was looking forward to the shots and being curios what is going to happen. Not this one, I almost forget that I am in a cycle, luckily I have medisafe to remind me...
DOR (FSH 13, AMH 0.48, AFC 6-9) IVF #1 -2016 March, antagonist, 5 eggs, 2 fertilized, 3DT - 8 cell and 6 cell no frag, chemical pregnancy IVF #2 - 2016 June, micro dose lupron, 3 eggs, 1 fertilized, 3DT 6 cell, BFN IVF #3 - 2016 November, estrogen priming + antagonist, 9 follicles, 3 eggs, none fertilized IVF #4 - 2017 March, testosterone priming + micro dose lupron, 2 eggs, none fertilized IVF #5 - 2017 May, A/ACP protocol, 4 follicles out of 7 seemed to get to required size, ovulated before retrieval, converted into IUI - BFN IVF #6 - 2017 July, A/ACP protocol, 3 follicles one stopped growing, LH rising, converted to IUI - BFN IVF #7 - 2017 September, antagonist, 5 follicles, 6 eggs, 3 immature, 3 injected, 1 fertilized, stopped growing day 3
marioana99 My last cycle I was pretty relaxed about it... I think its normal. Its hard to stay in a heightened state for so many cycles. helloworld9 wow.. already 10 days in stimming... that's great!
Hi Ladies, I'm joining in for the first time in a long time. Been lurking. I didn't want to start a whole thread just to intro, so here's a quick background on me. I'm 37. Been TTC since Summer 2014 when we got married. *TW* Finally got pregnant naturally Fall 2015. Unfortunately, PPROMed Feb 2016. I was really devastated by that. Started trying again summer 2016, finally started meeting with an RE and did some IUIs winter 2016/2017. End *TW* Moved on to IVF, and have done one retrieval where we got 15, 10 fertilized and ended up with 3 day 5/6 blasts. We are also doing PGD for BRCA-1. So, we haven't tested those 3 bc we're waiting for the next round of embies. I'm thankful to have the 3, but of course I was hoping for more. Today is day 1 of my next retrieval cycle. Tomorrow I have baseline and if cleared, start Clomid and Omnitrope (HGH). Doc thinks this will help the eggs grow faster and bigger so I can be on the Folistim less days. Also doing Menopur and then ganirelix as antagonist.
I think this will be our last shot at retrieval, as it's almost all OOP and my parents are helping out. With the testing and everything else, it's just insane how expensive it all is and it feels like such a lottery ticket. But my focus for the next few weeks is to be to remain positive and hopeful. I'm on summer break so trying to just be as zen as possible. Thought it might be nice to have somewhere to connect with people also going through this. Just catching up on all of the posts in this thread. Fx for all.
@funkykey my first round of stims really wasn't that bad. I felt a little spacey toward the end and kind of like hyper focused on what I was doing whereas I'm usually a little ADHD. Maybe ganirelex has some of the properties of adderall? But I thought I'd get like crazy and it was more just annoying with all the injections.
@allycheer00 and @baker+RNI do have endo as well. Well, I think I do. I was supposed to have a lap, ended up getting pregnant, and then this time around they just suggested to do IVF instead. My only real symptom of endo is extreme pain for 1 hour during or right after my period. Like wailing, sometimes puking from the pain. But it's been hard to get doctors to take me seriously. I sort of think it might have impacted my loss but doctors say no. I'm pretty sure it's been the reason why I have trouble getting pregnant. I don't know what to believe. I'm just hopeful that if I do get pregnant again, it will be ok. I've also tried cutting out sugar, dairy and gluten to see if will help with the pain. I had two good months, but last month was awful, so who knows?
This post has gotten long, so will end it here.
TTC #1
me- 37, DH- 38
Married 6.28.14, started TTC right away BFP Nov 2015, PPROM Feb 2016 ER #1 May 2017, 15 retrieved, 10 fertilized, 3 day 5. ER#2 July 2017, 22 retrieved, 13 fertilized, 6 day 5/6 9 embryos tested for pgs and pgd. FET #1 9.29.17- 1 embryo-BFN FET#2 12.19.17- I embryo-BFP 1/1/18! Happy New Year to me! EDD 9/6/18 Baby boy born 9.11.18- the love of my life!
@Dwmmwd - welcome! I just started ganirelex yesterday - would LOVE if it has some of the properties of adderall - this whole IF journey has been so stressful, I've been acting a little dizzy. Would be nice if at least one of the medications helped out with that!
So, a question for you all... my ganirelex needles are noticeably thicker than the other needles, like for my menopur. I read in the instructions that I can inject them into my thighs instead, which may be less painful than the abdomen, but my abdomen is just so easy to pinch a roll on, and my thighs less so.
Anyone else finding the ganirelex needles thicker? Any tips?
@funkykey It does sound like we are on a similar timeline! I had an U/S and blood work today (stims day 5). Twinges as well continue for me, but nothing that's stopping me in my tracks. Hoping ER for both of us is as painless as possible! H has overcome a lot, and I think it's part of what makes him such a great person. I hope your U/S and labs come back with good news I'm on a lower dose of menopur and gonal-f because my AFC at baseline was 20 and 26, since our issue is MFI. Still getting twinges, but nothing taking my breath away. I'm not on ganirelix, but my kit comes with a larger bore needle for drawing up and a smaller bore needle for injecting. Please don't take this as condescension, but are you sure you're injecting with the right needle? Mine for injecting cetrorelix is a 27G, the same bore as menopur, but longer, at 3/4".
AFM- Added cetrorelix today to the daily mix of pokes. That one made me itch at the injection site. I think I'll try pushing it slower tomorrow and see if that helps. Waiting on my e2, LH, and progesterone results today. U/S showed one follicle at 11.5mm, hence the cetrorelix.
My sister gave me two pairs of lularoe leggings today that will be perfect for stretching with me over the next few weeks haha! Why had I not bought these before? They're amazing!
ETA: @Dwmmwd welcome! That sounds like the first day or two of my periods off BCP. It feels hard to pee sometimes, and it feels like my bowels are being displaced by an angry ogre of a uterus. And the bloat is unreal. My body during my period feels too tight for my belly. I was expecting the bloat from stims to be comparable but I've been pleasantly surprised with mostly painless bloating. Good luck with your cycle this time around!
ME: 33 / DH: 37 MFI, NTNP x 10yrs 6/2017: started IVF + ICSI cycle #1, antagonist protocol (menopur/gonal-f/ovidrel) 7/17/2017: ER, 16 eggs retrieved, 15 mature and ICSI'd, 7 fertilized. 7/22/2017: 1 fresh day 5 embryo transfer, rest of embryos arrested at day 4 morula stage 7/31/2017: BFN August: DH started clomid November 2017: Started metformin for egg quality March 2018: Planning to do IVF + ICSI, antagonist with HGH, freeze at 2pn stage for 2018 FET
Dwmmwd Nice to see another Omnitrope user on here! I will be using it in my upcoming cycle (hopefully I will get an idea about timeline tomorrow). I will be picking your brain to see how you feel about it!
Welcome @Dwmmwd. I haven't had an ER yet - just waiting for testing with next AF - already have my protocol tho unless testing reveals a reason to tweak it, busy watching my injection videos on the portal as we speak! Lol so I'm sorry to you and @funkykey I don't have any injection or protocol experience to share (yet) but I am so grateful to be surrounded by such experienced warriors here. You've come to the right place!
Hi all! I am new to the forum and jumping in. I should be starting my first ivf with pgs this month if everything goes fine at baseline. I had an U/S along with an hysteroscopy a week and a half ago , and my RE found a cyst. So I am not that confident that everything is going to go smoothly on thursday. I am hopefully starting stims at the end of this week if the cyst disappear. Today is my last day of BCP. I am doing antagonist and double trigger.
I just turned 38, good amh and fsh. DH all good. We have been ttc 18+ cycles... not even a glimpse of a bfp. We did two clomid iui before moving to IVF.
Welcome to everyone who just jumped in ( @p2007 welcome and good luck thursday! @Dwmmwd OOP totally stinks. My DH and I are 100% out of pocket and are about to go into our third retrieval cycle)
AFM, went in for the 'weekly hcG check' post **TW** last month's CP **End TW** and my level is -3 so we are a GO to start priming this month if we choose. I think we will go right back into it... checking for LH surge then once surge is measured, beginning patches and cetrotide 10 days later... and early August will be our stimming time... Enjoying the last little bit of freedom in diet and exercise (and wine) a few days this week and then hunkering down for healthy egg production.
To everyone chugging along this month - keep up the good work ladies!
@funkykey I wonder if your pharmacy could supply you with smaller needles? Or it's possible that the ganirelix is just a thicker solution and needs a larger gauge needle. Can't hurt (or can it? ) to ask for a smaller needle!
@p2007 Welcome! Thinking shrinking thoughts for your cyst and FX you can get started on stims this week!
@cmiller73 Enjoy your little break! Glad to hear you can get started again when you're ready!
ME: 33 / DH: 37 MFI, NTNP x 10yrs 6/2017: started IVF + ICSI cycle #1, antagonist protocol (menopur/gonal-f/ovidrel) 7/17/2017: ER, 16 eggs retrieved, 15 mature and ICSI'd, 7 fertilized. 7/22/2017: 1 fresh day 5 embryo transfer, rest of embryos arrested at day 4 morula stage 7/31/2017: BFN August: DH started clomid November 2017: Started metformin for egg quality March 2018: Planning to do IVF + ICSI, antagonist with HGH, freeze at 2pn stage for 2018 FET
@cmiller73 I think we may be in about the same place... I'm going tomorrow for what I hope is my final hcg (tw from mc) and check to see if I've ovulated (I think that's happening now ish) then getting ready to estrogen prime too!
@funkykey - Haha thanks! It's totally from programming 101. But I'm not a programmer, in fact, I really suck at it. I really hope your IVF is it! I just had an ultrasound and bloodwork done this morning. They told me I might need to stim for a total of 11-12 days!! I'm so bummed because I just want to get this over with, you know? We decided to do PGS so it will be a freeze all. Are you fresh or frozen transfer? I just realized that we have eerily similar signatures lol. Except we didn't do IUI because nothing was covered under insurance, so we put all our dollars into one basket. Realllllly hope this is it.
@dragonette505 - I know, time flies. But I'm getting more and more anxious as my ultrasounds are showing bigger follicles. It's so hard to get rid of the nervousness of IF treatment.
@Dwmmwd - I agree so much about the lottery aspect. We are spending so much out of pocket it's crazy. I hope you get a lot from your next retrieval!
@p2007 - Hello! I hope your IVF gives you a baby and you start asap!
My TTC journey:
Me and DH: 30-35 Unexplained infertility TTC #1 since 2015 11/2015 - BFP! 12/2015 - MC IVF #1 July 2017 freeze all (20 eggs, 15 mature, 10 fert, 6 blasts, 4 PGS normal) FET #1 TBD Surprise BFP 9/2017 while waiting for FET... hoping for the best!
I think the Ganirelix needs the large needle so it can get into your intramuscular tissue. Mine came with the needle attached. I iced before and it still hurt unfortunately.
TTC 4 years. 7 failed IUI's with either Clomid, Femara and/or Trigger Shots. Started IVF journey in February 2017. Polyps removed in May. 1st IVF Transfer September 26th. BFP. Expected due date 6/14/18. Baby boy born 5/25/18 at 6 lb 9 oz. My bundle of joy.
@dragonette505. GL with your labs today! Be sure to let us know how it goes! <3
@helloworld9 We are also planning for a *freeze all with pgs, and skipped iui (want really an option for us) I feel so far behind you guys tho... I am waiting for AF around the same time as DHs procedure, HOPEFULLY GOOD NEWS!!! - then testing, and August retrieval. Time just feels like it's dragging now the closer we get! Lol
@cmiller73 GL getting ready for stimming! I will likely start stimms mid-August, too. First cycle!!! How do you like to "hunker down" prior?
BusinessWife Everything does seem to take so long to get to actual stimming, but once youre in a few days with your shots, its all go go go.
Holls214 That needle is awful. My husband always says he feels major resistance trying to poke me with it. I ice my entire injection area for about 5-10 mins before shots
OH! AFM... Had my first real monitoring appointment with my new doc... I really like the set up at the clinic so far. I was hoping she would be able to tell if I had ovulated yet but she couldn't tell just by looking. Honestly I know I haven't because of temps and because I'm still having a bit of ewcf. Yesterday I was thinking I would O or possibly today so hoping my ovaries do their thing so I can move on. She will contact me later when my BW is back to see if it tells more (also to see if my beta is 0, hopefully!)
@helloworld9 - the plan is to do a fresh, but it depends on how I'm doing, if my uterus etc. look ok.
@Holls214 - I think the Ganirelix needs the large needle so it can get into your intramuscular tissue. Mine came with the needle attached. I iced before and it still hurt unfortunately.
I thought it was a subcutaneous injection, not an intramuscular? Regardless, I've been doing it in the abdomen - I might switch to the thigh tomorrow, just to give my poor abdomen a break!
AFM: went for an ultrasound and more bloodwork this morning, and turns out I've been responding better to the medications than they anticipated... which of course, instead of making me happy, makes me worry that my dosage was too high and my egg quality will be affected. Ugh.
In any event, more bloodwork tomorrow and they're talking about triggering me tomorrow too, which might mean a Friday retrieval. I think there were about 13 big follicles, but there were a lot of small ones too, so we'll see...
@funkykey you may be right... I might be thinking of the trigger shot. So many shots I forget... yay for 13!! Hopefully some of the smaller ones can grow in the next couple days.
TTC 4 years. 7 failed IUI's with either Clomid, Femara and/or Trigger Shots. Started IVF journey in February 2017. Polyps removed in May. 1st IVF Transfer September 26th. BFP. Expected due date 6/14/18. Baby boy born 5/25/18 at 6 lb 9 oz. My bundle of joy.
@dwmmwd Hope this round at least doubles your blast count! I'm positive endo is the reason I'm having trouble this time. It's frustrating because I described what was happening during my periods to my ob/gyn and she couldn't figure it out. All this could've been avoided.
@Funkykey FX that all off those follicles produce quality material! It's so hard not to worry about every little thing.
AFM, I had my first E2 today at 3.5 days of stims. My doc said it was low at 50 so they're upping my Gonal-F. That makes me nervous because I'm already at such high doses. Is estrogen related to the amount of follicles? I have no idea what it means. Newbie needs to ask more questions.
To all the other new-comers to this board, welcome and happy egg hunting!
Me:35 DH:37 Married 09/2013
*TW* TTC #2 since June 2016 *END TW*
Endometriosis
March 2017- IUI#1- Clomid - BFN April 2017 - IUI #2 - Clomid, Ovidrel - BFN May 2017 - IUI #3 - Clomid- cancelled cycle
Do they really expect people to do infra muscular injections themselves? That just seems mean! It takes a bit of force to do those. I have the jeebees just thinking about it. Glad I only had the subcutaneous injections.
We we got some disappointing news Sat. From 13 fertilized eggs we only had 1 good Day 3, 3 others were fair and 4 were poor. The rest were too bad to even grade. It was mainly a problem of fragmentation, for most the cell # was good and the cell sizes were equal. My RE is pretty conservative so we froze everything, the idea that they may do better in me than trying to take them to blast with so few & generally low quality. I wallowed most of the weekend but then realized we have 4 day 3 embryos that aren't bad & that's pretty good!
We're scheduling a meeting with the Dr once my hubby is back in town but I think since it was my first cycle & the Dr didn't know how I would respond I might have been over stimulated. I had 22 eggs retrieved with only 15 mature, I do not have PCOS. I'm thinking that if I was over stimmed that could have at least partially caused the quality issues? It could be that chemo did scramble my eggs, but the research I've seen points to chemo affecting fertility by depleting egg reserves more than causing lasting damage to the eggs. Not sure we'd be in for another round since we're all oop and pretty open to adoption (but that costs even more!). I have to see what our RE says but I'm thinking if there's a possibility for better quality if I'm not over stimmed it might be worth it.
Yeah the intramuscular shots- not fun at all. My hubby and I panicked before injecting it. Sorry to hear it wasn't the news you were looking for about the embryos. Are you starting an FET for them or you waiting to decide?
TTC 4 years. 7 failed IUI's with either Clomid, Femara and/or Trigger Shots. Started IVF journey in February 2017. Polyps removed in May. 1st IVF Transfer September 26th. BFP. Expected due date 6/14/18. Baby boy born 5/25/18 at 6 lb 9 oz. My bundle of joy.
@allycheer00 - It's so hard not to worry about every little thing. Um, yep. Sometimes I feel like I'm losing my mind. We're unexplained, so every treatment/procedure we have these really great numbers, and every single time it's failed - in spite of gorgeous follicles and beautiful estrogen counts and great SAs... It's hard not to think that the same thing is going to happen this time - it's hard to stay hopeful!
But I keep telling myself: "It only takes one, it just takes one good egg."
The E2 indicates egg quality/the presence of eggs. Some women will have lots of follicles, but there aren't eggs in them - so there can be a discrepancy between what you think you'll get on the ultrasound and what you actually end up with.
My E2 on Sunday was at about 1600pg/mL, which they thought was high for day 5 of stimming. So that could have meant either a lot of really small eggs starting to develop in their follies, OR a couple of really big follies and eggs. Of course, I have the latter.
@bionerdsteph - What were your dosages? I can't remember. I've heard stories about women having success with the second round of IVF if they do the hormones "low and slow" as they say .
I'm really trying not to freak out about my own seeming overstimulation. I've been preparing for this for months, and we're all OOP - if I was overstimulated, I am going to be so pissed! Sometimes it seems like this is more an art than a science, when they actually get in to the dosages and responses.
I'm sorry for your disappointing news. Here's hoping that a couple of those day 3s are the ones! Also, I smiled a little when I saw your result - those kind of numbers are exactly how women end up with twins! At the clinic they're like: "these two aren't great quality - let's just transfer and see what happens!"
funkykey Try not to worry (I know easier said than done!) lots of people respond better than expected and have perfectly healthy embies! allycheer00 I think basically your eggs need estrogen to grow but its like a feedback loop where your body makes more estrogen because when stimming you are growing multiple eggs together. They definitely can dose you higher safely. Do you know how many follies you have right now? bionerdsteph I'd have to know your doses (and how many days you stimmed) to comment better, but its totally possible to be on a standard dose of meds and have fragmentation. The number you retrieved is not super high. I have DOR and have gotten 24 eggs on a standard cycle. I would honestly say its possible chemo did have an effect. You could request a mini IVF, but they will tell you its really something the recommend to women who are otherwise healthy but might have an issue impeding natural conception (like blocked tubes). Again, I don't know what doses they had you on so its hard to know.
I don't remember all the dose changes for my meds I did Lupron suppression at 10IU for 11 days before starting stims. Starting doses for Stims were 150 Menopur and 225 Folistim. Had an ultrasound at day 3 and my Folistim dose started dropping quickly and kept dropping almost every day, I dropped the second vial of Menopur about half way through. I stimmed for 9 days and by the last few days I was on 75 Menopur OR 125 Folistim. They almost had my trigger after 8 days of Stims. It seemed like they were trying to slow it down and even it out? I was thinking overstim because that's associated with lots of immature follicles and since a third of mine were immature it seems like a possibility. The RE said I responded pretty strongly. I was also on an aromatase inhibitor to make sure my estrogen didn't get too high & that dosage started climbing half way through as my E2 levels rose In spit of the AI. My progesterone also started to climb a bit too high.
How how long has it taken for other people's bloat to go away? It's taking forever for my bloat/swelling to go down. It'll be a week since retrieval tomorrow & today is the first day I haven't had an achy feeling. It's been slowly getting better but I still can't button my fat pants even, I haven't gained weight.
@bionerdsteph Sorry that you didn't get what you were hoping for but you did get something so it wasn't a total bust. I'm with you, this might be my only cycle so I hope it produces something.
@funkykey My good friend did IVF last year. She had 19 eggs and ended up with one normal girl. She now has a 9mo so that is a very true statement you made.
@dragonette505 My clinic doesn't do u/s until day 8 of FSH so I won't know for another 4 more days. Maybe I'll be one of those slow responders and stim for more than 10 days. Gosh, I hope not.
Me:35 DH:37 Married 09/2013
*TW* TTC #2 since June 2016 *END TW*
Endometriosis
March 2017- IUI#1- Clomid - BFN April 2017 - IUI #2 - Clomid, Ovidrel - BFN May 2017 - IUI #3 - Clomid- cancelled cycle
@BusinessWife - I know the feeling. I knew in my heart I wanted to do IVF since May, and was glad to get the ball rolling when my period started in June! Then I had 20 days of birth control pills which I felt like it took forever. It will fly before you know it.
@p2007 - Yeah, it will take longer, which is a bummer. But I've read some stuff that says FET is slightly more successful? I guess it depends on the clinic.
@funkykey - Good luck on the fresh! I think we're literally on the same timeline. I have bloodwork and u/s tomorrow AM. I also hope to trigger tomorrow too, and my largest follicle on Monday was 16.5mm. They want to see 20mm and I don't want to do anymore injections.
@bionerdsteph - At least you got embryos, so there is a chance!
Speaking of injections, has anyone poked a vein or blood vessel in the abs? I did last night and a spurt of blood came out, as well as appeared in the needle. I feel a bruise in the injection site. I knew the shot was going to be more painful than usual when I put it in, and it felt way worse. But I kept going anyway.
My TTC journey:
Me and DH: 30-35 Unexplained infertility TTC #1 since 2015 11/2015 - BFP! 12/2015 - MC IVF #1 July 2017 freeze all (20 eggs, 15 mature, 10 fert, 6 blasts, 4 PGS normal) FET #1 TBD Surprise BFP 9/2017 while waiting for FET... hoping for the best!
@allycheer00 and @baker+RN Thank you! Looking forward to having a plan and working towards a goal again
@dragonette505 YES! I think I start peeing on an OPK around the 16th or so based on the other cycles I went through.... let's see if I O normally.... I haven't O'd naturally in months due to stimming and then transferring!
@BusinessWife I generally just give myself strict rules like "be in bed by 10p to meditate" "get at least 8 hours of sleep each night" "say your affirmations and mean them"... diet wise, I eat brown rice, eggs, salmon, organic chicken or beef and fresh fruits and veggies daily. I work retail so... I get plenty of exercise daily just from walking and lifting and moving stuff around! (that and we have a small farm so gardening tasks tend to be pretty intense this time of year!) Managing my stress level is also something I have been working hard on, which isn't always easy with the work I do, but I have gotten MUCH better!
@p2007 Wine? Yes please. At least for this week... probably drop all caffeine and alcohol by next week just to get back into the swing of it...
Cleaning out my bedside table tonight, I found a string of condoms from before H and I were married. At the time we'd both been tested for everything, so I kept them just for contraceptive purposes.
I threw those suckers out so fast and it felt so good. H even snickered when I was like: "remember these?!"
I'd almost recommend buying condoms for the sole purpose of throwing them out, like: "Don't need these any more."... you know, in case you're having a bad day.
@funkykey I think I have some of those in my bedside table... I think I should threw out!
@helloworld9 Yes, That's what I have heard too, FET is slightly more successful. However, I sometime wish that I didn't have to wait so long.
@bionerdsteph From what I have read not only the length of stims but also a change in protocol can make a difference in egg quality. Having said that, I would focus on the positive news that you have some frosties!
Hi all, I intro'd on this thread and then just lurked, so trying to get back in and be more active. Since we haven't started our IVF cycle yet, it's been really helpful to read all of your experiences!
Dwmmwd Welcome! I'm so sorry for your loss. And welcome @P2007! Good luck to both of you this cycle! May the needle pokes be easy, and the follicles fruitful.
@cmiller73 Enjoy those last few days of "freedom!"
@Dragonette505 I'm so glad to hear that you like this new doctor/clinic. I think that can really make a big difference.
@funkykey What's the news from the doctor today? Triggering? I really hope that the fast growth did not have a terrible impact on egg quality. FX!
@bionerdsteph I'm so sorry you didn't get the response that you were hoping for. That is so frustrating and disheartening. Hugs to you! But you're right that you do at least have the four that aren't bad, which is a good place to be. I hope your conversation with your doctor goes well; let us know what the decision is.
AFM our IVF training class is next Thursday. I'm still waiting to hear on our application for state funding assistance (which is a nice NYS perk, although it may only be at select clinics). Still hoping to start stimming next cycle (so...next weekend?), if it doesn't come before the training and financing is settled!
@p2007 - chuck 'em! It'll feel so good! Like, the ONLY upside of IF is that you don't need to worry about contraception. (Obviously, I do not recommend chucking the condoms if you're into, like, swinging. But H and I are pretty anti-social, so no worries there.)
So this morning's E2 was at 2570 pg/mL, and while yesterday's u/s showed 15 follies (that was the official count when I looked at the paperwork), today's showed 11 - maybe she didn't get all? The ones they measured are ranging between 10mm and 21mm, so I trigger tonight for a Friday retrieval.
The good news: for months - all through all my clomid cycles - only my right ovary was producing follicles; this cycle, my left has finally awoken and is punching far above its weight! It's produced my six largest follicles, and maybe some more too.
The bad news: after looking at the u/s today, my RE decided it best that we do a freeze all transfer, because they've discovered a polyp in my uterus. So after the retrieval, I'll need to wait and then have another procedure next cycle to remove the polyp, then I'll need to heal, and then we can think about doing a transfer.
Ugh.
As you can imagine, a big roller coaster ride today. This all sucks so much.
@bionerdsteph - can't believe you could even think about sex once stims started! I'm not in the mood at all, even though I definitely will remind H he needs to ejaculate today. Maybe you just have lots of unbridled animal magnetism at your house? Here, I'm hobbling around like a wounded animal.
Sometimes when I'm doing the dishes, my H will come up behind me and kind of grab my hips and rub up against me. He forgot about stims last night and did it, and I was like: "Ow!" He felt so bad!
Re: Anyone doing IVF in July/August?
@funkykey I was feeling great on Saturday. That was first day of my period and I didn't start 225iu Gonal and Menopur until that night. Woke up Sunday morning and the bloat pain was real. Maybe a combo of endo and stims? I'll wait another day as that's when it goes away usually.
The jury is out on this being better than Clomid. I feel the same. I never had hot flashes and the dreams I had last night were intense.
Me:35 DH:37
Married 09/2013
*TW* TTC #2 since June 2016 *END TW*
Endometriosis
March 2017- IUI#1- Clomid - BFN
April 2017 - IUI #2 - Clomid, Ovidrel - BFN
May 2017 - IUI #3 - Clomid- cancelled cycle
July 2017- IVF #1-Microdose Lupron protocol, Gonal-F, Menopur, HCG trigger- 12 mature eggs, 9 fertilized, 4 frozen- 2 PGS normal!!
August 2017- FET #1
IVF #1 -2016 March, antagonist, 5 eggs, 2 fertilized, 3DT - 8 cell and 6 cell no frag, chemical pregnancy
IVF #2 - 2016 June, micro dose lupron, 3 eggs, 1 fertilized, 3DT 6 cell, BFN
IVF #3 - 2016 November, estrogen priming + antagonist, 9 follicles, 3 eggs, none fertilized
IVF #4 - 2017 March, testosterone priming + micro dose lupron, 2 eggs, none fertilized
IVF #5 - 2017 May, A/ACP protocol, 4 follicles out of 7 seemed to get to required size, ovulated before retrieval, converted into IUI - BFN
IVF #6 - 2017 July, A/ACP protocol, 3 follicles one stopped growing, LH rising, converted to IUI - BFN
IVF #7 - 2017 September, antagonist, 5 follicles, 6 eggs, 3 immature, 3 injected, 1 fertilized, stopped growing day 3
helloworld9 wow.. already 10 days in stimming... that's great!
I'm joining in for the first time in a long time. Been lurking. I didn't want to start a whole thread just to intro, so here's a quick background on me. I'm 37. Been TTC since Summer 2014 when we got married.
*TW*
Finally got pregnant naturally Fall 2015. Unfortunately, PPROMed Feb 2016. I was really devastated by that. Started trying again summer 2016, finally started meeting with an RE and did some IUIs winter 2016/2017.
End *TW*
Moved on to IVF, and have done one retrieval where we got 15, 10 fertilized and ended up with 3 day 5/6 blasts. We are also doing PGD for BRCA-1. So, we haven't tested those 3 bc we're waiting for the next round of embies. I'm thankful to have the 3, but of course I was hoping for more.
Today is day 1 of my next retrieval cycle. Tomorrow I have baseline and if cleared, start Clomid and Omnitrope (HGH). Doc thinks this will help the eggs grow faster and bigger so I can be on the Folistim less days. Also doing Menopur and then ganirelix as antagonist.
I think this will be our last shot at retrieval, as it's almost all OOP and my parents are helping out. With the testing and everything else, it's just insane how expensive it all is and it feels like such a lottery ticket. But my focus for the next few weeks is to be to remain positive and hopeful. I'm on summer break so trying to just be as zen as possible. Thought it might be nice to have somewhere to connect with people also going through this. Just catching up on all of the posts in this thread. Fx for all.
@funkykey my first round of stims really wasn't that bad. I felt a little spacey toward the end and kind of like hyper focused on what I was doing whereas I'm usually a little ADHD. Maybe ganirelex has some of the properties of adderall? But I thought I'd get like crazy and it was more just annoying with all the injections.
@allycheer00 and @baker+RNI do have endo as well. Well, I think I do. I was supposed to have a lap, ended up getting pregnant, and then this time around they just suggested to do IVF instead. My only real symptom of endo is extreme pain for 1 hour during or right after my period. Like wailing, sometimes puking from the pain. But it's been hard to get doctors to take me seriously. I sort of think it might have impacted my loss but doctors say no. I'm pretty sure it's been the reason why I have trouble getting pregnant. I don't know what to believe. I'm just hopeful that if I do get pregnant again, it will be ok. I've also tried cutting out sugar, dairy and gluten to see if will help with the pain. I had two good months, but last month was awful, so who knows?
This post has gotten long, so will end it here.
BFP Nov 2015, PPROM Feb 2016
ER #1 May 2017, 15 retrieved, 10 fertilized, 3 day 5.
ER#2 July 2017, 22 retrieved, 13 fertilized, 6 day 5/6
9 embryos tested for pgs and pgd.
FET #1 9.29.17- 1 embryo-BFN
FET#2 12.19.17- I embryo-BFP 1/1/18! Happy New Year to me! EDD 9/6/18
Baby boy born 9.11.18- the love of my life!
So, a question for you all... my ganirelex needles are noticeably thicker than the other needles, like for my menopur. I read in the instructions that I can inject them into my thighs instead, which may be less painful than the abdomen, but my abdomen is just so easy to pinch a roll on, and my thighs less so.
Anyone else finding the ganirelex needles thicker? Any tips?
AFM- Added cetrorelix today to the daily mix of pokes. That one made me itch at the injection site. I think I'll try pushing it slower tomorrow and see if that helps. Waiting on my e2, LH, and progesterone results today. U/S showed one follicle at 11.5mm, hence the cetrorelix.
My sister gave me two pairs of lularoe leggings today that will be perfect for stretching with me over the next few weeks haha! Why had I not bought these before? They're amazing!
ETA: @Dwmmwd welcome! That sounds like the first day or two of my periods off BCP. It feels hard to pee sometimes, and it feels like my bowels are being displaced by an angry ogre of a uterus. And the bloat is unreal. My body during my period feels too tight for my belly. I was expecting the bloat from stims to be comparable but I've been pleasantly surprised with mostly painless bloating. Good luck with your cycle this time around!
MFI, NTNP x 10yrs
6/2017: started IVF + ICSI cycle #1, antagonist protocol (menopur/gonal-f/ovidrel)
7/17/2017: ER, 16 eggs retrieved, 15 mature and ICSI'd, 7 fertilized.
7/22/2017: 1 fresh day 5 embryo transfer, rest of embryos arrested at day 4 morula stage
7/31/2017: BFN
August: DH started clomid
November 2017: Started metformin for egg quality
March 2018: Planning to do IVF + ICSI, antagonist with HGH, freeze at 2pn stage for 2018 FET
I just turned 38, good amh and fsh. DH all good. We have been ttc 18+ cycles... not even a glimpse of a bfp. We did two clomid iui before moving to IVF.
AFM, went in for the 'weekly hcG check' post **TW** last month's CP **End TW** and my level is -3 so we are a GO to start priming this month if we choose. I think we will go right back into it... checking for LH surge then once surge is measured, beginning patches and cetrotide 10 days later... and early August will be our stimming time... Enjoying the last little bit of freedom in diet and exercise (and wine) a few days this week and then hunkering down for healthy egg production.
To everyone chugging along this month - keep up the good work ladies!
@p2007 Welcome! Thinking shrinking thoughts for your cyst and FX you can get started on stims this week!
@cmiller73 Enjoy your little break! Glad to hear you can get started again when you're ready!
MFI, NTNP x 10yrs
6/2017: started IVF + ICSI cycle #1, antagonist protocol (menopur/gonal-f/ovidrel)
7/17/2017: ER, 16 eggs retrieved, 15 mature and ICSI'd, 7 fertilized.
7/22/2017: 1 fresh day 5 embryo transfer, rest of embryos arrested at day 4 morula stage
7/31/2017: BFN
August: DH started clomid
November 2017: Started metformin for egg quality
March 2018: Planning to do IVF + ICSI, antagonist with HGH, freeze at 2pn stage for 2018 FET
Unexplained infertility
TTC #1 since 2015
11/2015 - BFP! 12/2015 - MC
IVF #1 July 2017 freeze all (20 eggs, 15 mature, 10 fert, 6 blasts, 4 PGS normal)
FET #1 TBD Surprise BFP 9/2017 while waiting for FET... hoping for the best!
@helloworld9 We are also planning for a *freeze all with pgs, and skipped iui (want really an option for us) I feel so far behind you guys tho... I am waiting for AF around the same time as DHs procedure, HOPEFULLY GOOD NEWS!!! - then testing, and August retrieval. Time just feels like it's dragging now the closer we get! Lol
@cmiller73 GL getting ready for stimming! I will likely start stimms mid-August, too. First cycle!!! How do you like to "hunker down" prior?
Holls214 That needle is awful. My husband always says he feels major resistance trying to poke me with it. I ice my entire injection area for about 5-10 mins before shots
@helloworld9 It feels like everything takes out forever right? Hopefully time will fly. PGS does make things longer though.
@Holls214 - I think the Ganirelix needs the large needle so it can get into your intramuscular tissue. Mine came with the needle attached. I iced before and it still hurt unfortunately.
I thought it was a subcutaneous injection, not an intramuscular? Regardless, I've been doing it in the abdomen - I might switch to the thigh tomorrow, just to give my poor abdomen a break!
AFM: went for an ultrasound and more bloodwork this morning, and turns out I've been responding better to the medications than they anticipated... which of course, instead of making me happy, makes me worry that my dosage was too high and my egg quality will be affected. Ugh.
In any event, more bloodwork tomorrow and they're talking about triggering me tomorrow too, which might mean a Friday retrieval. I think there were about 13 big follicles, but there were a lot of small ones too, so we'll see...
Wow! There's lots of activity on this board!
@dwmmwd Hope this round at least doubles your blast count! I'm positive endo is the reason I'm having trouble this time. It's frustrating because I described what was happening during my periods to my ob/gyn and she couldn't figure it out. All this could've been avoided.
@cmiller73 Enjoy this little time off!
@Funkykey FX that all off those follicles produce quality material! It's so hard not to worry about every little thing.
AFM, I had my first E2 today at 3.5 days of stims. My doc said it was low at 50 so they're upping my Gonal-F. That makes me nervous because I'm already at such high doses. Is estrogen related to the amount of follicles? I have no idea what it means. Newbie needs to ask more questions.
To all the other new-comers to this board, welcome and happy egg hunting!
Me:35 DH:37
Married 09/2013
*TW* TTC #2 since June 2016 *END TW*
Endometriosis
March 2017- IUI#1- Clomid - BFN
April 2017 - IUI #2 - Clomid, Ovidrel - BFN
May 2017 - IUI #3 - Clomid- cancelled cycle
July 2017- IVF #1-Microdose Lupron protocol, Gonal-F, Menopur, HCG trigger- 12 mature eggs, 9 fertilized, 4 frozen- 2 PGS normal!!
August 2017- FET #1
We we got some disappointing news Sat. From 13 fertilized eggs we only had 1 good Day 3, 3 others were fair and 4 were poor. The rest were too bad to even grade. It was mainly a problem of fragmentation, for most the cell # was good and the cell sizes were equal. My RE is pretty conservative so we froze everything, the idea that they may do better in me than trying to take them to blast with so few & generally low quality. I wallowed most of the weekend but then realized we have 4 day 3 embryos that aren't bad & that's pretty good!
We're scheduling a meeting with the Dr once my hubby is back in town but I think since it was my first cycle & the Dr didn't know how I would respond I might have been over stimulated. I had 22 eggs retrieved with only 15 mature, I do not have PCOS. I'm thinking that if I was over stimmed that could have at least partially caused the quality issues? It could be that chemo did scramble my eggs, but the research I've seen points to chemo affecting fertility by depleting egg reserves more than causing lasting damage to the eggs. Not sure we'd be in for another round since we're all oop and pretty open to adoption (but that costs even more!). I have to see what our RE says but I'm thinking if there's a possibility for better quality if I'm not over stimmed it might be worth it.
But I keep telling myself: "It only takes one, it just takes one good egg."
The E2 indicates egg quality/the presence of eggs. Some women will have lots of follicles, but there aren't eggs in them - so there can be a discrepancy between what you think you'll get on the ultrasound and what you actually end up with.
My E2 on Sunday was at about 1600pg/mL, which they thought was high for day 5 of stimming. So that could have meant either a lot of really small eggs starting to develop in their follies, OR a couple of really big follies and eggs. Of course, I have the latter.
@bionerdsteph - What were your dosages? I can't remember. I've heard stories about women having success with the second round of IVF if they do the hormones "low and slow" as they say
I'm really trying not to freak out about my own seeming overstimulation. I've been preparing for this for months, and we're all OOP - if I was overstimulated, I am going to be so pissed! Sometimes it seems like this is more an art than a science, when they actually get in to the dosages and responses.
I'm sorry for your disappointing news. Here's hoping that a couple of those day 3s are the ones! Also, I smiled a little when I saw your result - those kind of numbers are exactly how women end up with twins! At the clinic they're like: "these two aren't great quality - let's just transfer and see what happens!"
allycheer00 I think basically your eggs need estrogen to grow but its like a feedback loop where your body makes more estrogen because when stimming you are growing multiple eggs together. They definitely can dose you higher safely. Do you know how many follies you have right now?
bionerdsteph I'd have to know your doses (and how many days you stimmed) to comment better, but its totally possible to be on a standard dose of meds and have fragmentation. The number you retrieved is not super high. I have DOR and have gotten 24 eggs on a standard cycle. I would honestly say its possible chemo did have an effect. You could request a mini IVF, but they will tell you its really something the recommend to women who are otherwise healthy but might have an issue impeding natural conception (like blocked tubes). Again, I don't know what doses they had you on so its hard to know.
How how long has it taken for other people's bloat to go away? It's taking forever for my bloat/swelling to go down. It'll be a week since retrieval tomorrow & today is the first day I haven't had an achy feeling. It's been slowly getting better but I still can't button my fat pants even, I haven't gained weight.
@bionerdsteph Sorry that you didn't get what you were hoping for but you did get something so it wasn't a total bust. I'm with you, this might be my only cycle so I hope it produces something.
@funkykey My good friend did IVF last year. She had 19 eggs and ended up with one normal girl. She now has a 9mo so that is a very true statement you made.
@dragonette505 My clinic doesn't do u/s until day 8 of FSH so I won't know for another 4 more days. Maybe I'll be one of those slow responders and stim for more than 10 days. Gosh, I hope not.
Me:35 DH:37
Married 09/2013
*TW* TTC #2 since June 2016 *END TW*
Endometriosis
March 2017- IUI#1- Clomid - BFN
April 2017 - IUI #2 - Clomid, Ovidrel - BFN
May 2017 - IUI #3 - Clomid- cancelled cycle
July 2017- IVF #1-Microdose Lupron protocol, Gonal-F, Menopur, HCG trigger- 12 mature eggs, 9 fertilized, 4 frozen- 2 PGS normal!!
August 2017- FET #1
Unexplained infertility
TTC #1 since 2015
11/2015 - BFP! 12/2015 - MC
IVF #1 July 2017 freeze all (20 eggs, 15 mature, 10 fert, 6 blasts, 4 PGS normal)
FET #1 TBD Surprise BFP 9/2017 while waiting for FET... hoping for the best!
@dragonette505 YES! I think I start peeing on an OPK around the 16th or so based on the other cycles I went through.... let's see if I O normally.... I haven't O'd naturally in months due to stimming and then transferring!
@BusinessWife I generally just give myself strict rules like "be in bed by 10p to meditate" "get at least 8 hours of sleep each night" "say your affirmations and mean them"... diet wise, I eat brown rice, eggs, salmon, organic chicken or beef and fresh fruits and veggies daily. I work retail so... I get plenty of exercise daily just from walking and lifting and moving stuff around! (that and we have a small farm so gardening tasks tend to be pretty intense this time of year!) Managing my stress level is also something I have been working hard on, which isn't always easy with the work I do, but I have gotten MUCH better!
@p2007 Wine? Yes please. At least for this week... probably drop all caffeine and alcohol by next week just to get back into the swing of it...
Cleaning out my bedside table tonight, I found a string of condoms from before H and I were married. At the time we'd both been tested for everything, so I kept them just for contraceptive purposes.
I threw those suckers out so fast and it felt so good. H even snickered when I was like: "remember these?!"
I'd almost recommend buying condoms for the sole purpose of throwing them out, like: "Don't need these any more."... you know, in case you're having a bad day.
Me:35 DH:37
Married 09/2013
*TW* TTC #2 since June 2016 *END TW*
Endometriosis
March 2017- IUI#1- Clomid - BFN
April 2017 - IUI #2 - Clomid, Ovidrel - BFN
May 2017 - IUI #3 - Clomid- cancelled cycle
July 2017- IVF #1-Microdose Lupron protocol, Gonal-F, Menopur, HCG trigger- 12 mature eggs, 9 fertilized, 4 frozen- 2 PGS normal!!
August 2017- FET #1
@helloworld9 Yes, That's what I have heard too, FET is slightly more successful. However, I sometime wish that I didn't have to wait so long.
@bionerdsteph From what I have read not only the length of stims but also a change in protocol can make a difference in egg quality. Having said that, I would focus on the positive news that you have some frosties!
Dwmmwd Welcome! I'm so sorry for your loss. And welcome @P2007! Good luck to both of you this cycle! May the needle pokes be easy, and the follicles fruitful.
@cmiller73 Enjoy those last few days of "freedom!"
@Dragonette505 I'm so glad to hear that you like this new doctor/clinic. I think that can really make a big difference.
@funkykey What's the news from the doctor today? Triggering? I really hope that the fast growth did not have a terrible impact on egg quality. FX!
@bionerdsteph I'm so sorry you didn't get the response that you were hoping for. That is so frustrating and disheartening. Hugs to you! But you're right that you do at least have the four that aren't bad, which is a good place to be. I hope your conversation with your doctor goes well; let us know what the decision is.
AFM our IVF training class is next Thursday. I'm still waiting to hear on our application for state funding assistance (which is a nice NYS perk, although it may only be at select clinics). Still hoping to start stimming next cycle (so...next weekend?), if it doesn't come before the training and financing is settled!
Me:35 DH:37
Married 09/2013
*TW* TTC #2 since June 2016 *END TW*
Endometriosis
March 2017- IUI#1- Clomid - BFN
April 2017 - IUI #2 - Clomid, Ovidrel - BFN
May 2017 - IUI #3 - Clomid- cancelled cycle
July 2017- IVF #1-Microdose Lupron protocol, Gonal-F, Menopur, HCG trigger- 12 mature eggs, 9 fertilized, 4 frozen- 2 PGS normal!!
August 2017- FET #1
@Irisheyes81 - I love seeing you here.
@Bababatty & @allycheer00 - thank you for the pages.
So this morning's E2 was at 2570 pg/mL, and while yesterday's u/s showed 15 follies (that was the official count when I looked at the paperwork), today's showed 11 - maybe she didn't get all? The ones they measured are ranging between 10mm and 21mm, so I trigger tonight for a Friday retrieval.
The good news: for months - all through all my clomid cycles - only my right ovary was producing follicles; this cycle, my left has finally awoken and is punching far above its weight! It's produced my six largest follicles, and maybe some more too.
The bad news: after looking at the u/s today, my RE decided it best that we do a freeze all transfer, because they've discovered a polyp in my uterus. So after the retrieval, I'll need to wait and then have another procedure next cycle to remove the polyp, then I'll need to heal, and then we can think about doing a transfer.
Ugh.
As you can imagine, a big roller coaster ride today. This all sucks so much.
Sometimes when I'm doing the dishes, my H will come up behind me and kind of grab my hips and rub up against me. He forgot about stims last night and did it, and I was like: "Ow!" He felt so bad!