Trying to Get Pregnant

IF Testing & Treatment Week of 10/23

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Re: IF Testing & Treatment Week of 10/23

  • @rallykat so many hugs. I am so, so sorry
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  • @rallykat14 - My heart is totally broken for you. I am so sorry you are sitting here, facing this. I wish I had the words to make everything better for you. <3<3<3 

    @JuneRoseRuby , @LadyMillil , @rallykat14 , @beachbunnyxo123  - Thanks for all the advice, guys. I haven't really started reading it, but I will today. We will see what changes I need to make. Unfortunately in this tiny town, we don't have any Whole foods or anything like that, so my options are Walmart or Amazon. /Shrug. I will see what I can find on Amazon. I have a hunch we are lucky since we already follow a lot of what you guys say the book recommends. We only use glass, we actually don't eat any canned or highly-processed food (we eat mostly meat and veggies). I didn't think about cleaning products. We use meyers... but I don't think that's on the "clean" list? I dunno. We will see. How long do they say you should make changes in advance? We are doing IVF in January, so I probably can't afford to introduce slowly. 
    TTC #1 since September 2014
    Diagnoses: RPL, Endometriosis, MFI (count, morph, DNI, DNAS, multiple bilateral subclinical varicoceles), low progesterone
    Check out my Infertility blog 
    Check out my Infertility Instagram

    Loss History (TW):
    BFP: 3 May 2015, loss confirmed 4 June 2015
    BFP: 15 August 2015, loss confirmed 23 August 2015
    BFP: 16 November 2015, loss confirmed 22 November 2015
    BFP: 18 July 2016, loss confirmed same day
    BFP: 04 March 2018, loss confirmed 23 March 2018
    BFP: 12 June 2018, TWINS; D&C 06 July 2018
    TTC History (TW):
    3 losses in 2015
    Met with OBGYN in January 2016
    Me: all clear, H: OAT
    November 2016: HSG = All Clear!
    January 2017: H tested again,  High DNA fragmentation and stainability
    February 2017: Clomid + TI + Progesterone = BFN
    March 2017: Clomid + HCG + IUI + Progesterone = SA/wash: zero count on attempt #1, <1,000 on attempt #2= BFN
    Varicocele Embolization- 5 May 17
    December 2017 SA: Zero improvement after embolization
    January IVF- 25 retrieved, 11 mature, 8 fertilized, 3 frozen day fives (3AA, 3AA, 3AA), 1 frozen day 6 (5BB), 1 frozen day 7 (3CC)
    Three PGS normal (3AA, 3AA, 5BB), one inconclusive (3AA)
    FET #1: 27 February 2018, 3AA & 5BB, one stuck! BFP 04 March 2018.... Loss confirmed 23 March 2018
    May 2018: SHG/SIS = all clear "beautiful uterus"
    FET #2: 04 June 2018, 3AA PGS normal embryo, 3AA PGS hatching inconclusive embryo. 
    BFP: 12 June 2018, EDD 20 February 2019
    Ultrasound, 25 June 2018: There are two
    Lost Baby A 02 July 2018
    Baby B not growing, D&C 06 July 2018
    Laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, chromotubation: 23 July 2018: blocked right tube, heavily inflamed, covered in endo. Removed right tube. Removed more endo from uterus, tubes, ovaries. Endo remains on bladder and bowel. 
    Next Up:
    TTC Naturally, possibly IUIs for remainder of 2018. 
    ER#2 ~Jan 2019
            

  • @rallykat14 I am so sorry.  Hugs  <3
  • @rallykat14 I'm so so sorry. Can't find any words that I think will help, but know I'm thinking of you like so many of the IF gang.
    Me 43 DH 45
    Married 12/2016
    TTC #1 since 04/2015
    AMA, DOR (AMH 0.65, AFC 2-4) and autoimmune issues (RA, APS), low TSH, adenomyosis
    7 retrievals, 3 transfers
    Jun19 FET BFP, due date 7th March 2020, DD born Feb20
    Sep17 IVF1 - 1ER, 1F, 1ET, BFN
    Nov17 IVF2 - 1ER, 0F
    Jan18 IVF3 - 3ER, 1F, 1ET, BFN
    Feb18 - second opinion and additional testing
    Apr18 IVF4 - cancelled (E2 too high)
    May/Jun18 IVF4 - 4ER, 0M, 1F, 1 frozen day 3 (not best quality)
    Jun/Jul18 IVF5 - 5 ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen day 3 (not best quality)
    Jul/Aug18 IVF6 - 4ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen day 3 (good quality)
    Aug/Sep18 IVF7 - cancelled (cyst)
    Sep/Oct18 IVF7 - 3ER, 3M, 2F, 2 frozen Day 3 (excellent quality)
    Oct18 IVF8 - Cancelled (cyst and too low TSH)
    Oct18-Jan19 bringing TSH under control
    Feb19 ERA and hysteroscopy
    Mar19 Investigation for fibroid and adenomyosis
    Apr19 adenomyosis confirmed, polyps removed
    Jun19 FET after 2 months Lupron, autoimmune protocol, transferred two day 3 frozen embryos
    Sep17 - Pergoveris 10-17 Sep, Orgalutran 15-18 Sep, Ovitrelle 18 Sep, ER 20 Sep for 2 follies, 1 mature egg, fertilized, ET 1x 2d 4-cell embryo 22/09, 05/10 BFN
    Nov17 IVF2 - Pergoveris 2-14 Nov, Orgalutran 5-14 Nov, Ovitrelle 15 Nov, ER 17 Nov for 3 follies, 1 mature egg, did not fertilize
    Jan18 IVF3 - Pergoveris 30 Dec - 8 Jan, Orgalutran 5-8 Jan, Ovitrelle 9 Jan, ER 11 Jan 3 eggs, 2 mature, 1 fertilized, ET 1x 4d 12-cell embryo 15/01, 24/01 BFN
    May/Jun18 IVF4 - Rekovelle 25-29 May, Menogon 30May - 2Jun, Zomacton 25 27 29 31 May and 2Jun, Cetrotide 30May - 3Jun, Gonasi 3Jun, ER 5Jun 4 eggs, none mature, two matured overnight, 1 fertilized with ICSI, Frozen day 3 but not good quality
    Jun/Jul18 IVF5 - Rekovelle 21-24 June, Menogon 25Jun-3Jul, Puregon 4-5Jul, Zomacton 21 23 25 27 29 Jun, Cetrotide 25Jun-5Jul, Gonasi 6Jul, ER 8Jul 5 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized with ICSI, 2 frozen day 3 but not good quality
    Jul/Aug18 IVF6 - Rekovelle 26-29 Jul, Menogon 30Jul-7Aug, Buserelin 26Jul-7Aug, Zomacton 26 28 30 Jul 1 3 Aug, Gonasi 7Aug, ER 9Aug 4 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized (normal IVF), 2 frozen day 3 good quality
    Sep/Oct18 IVF7 - Menogon 19-30Sep, Buserelin 19-30Sep, Zomacton 19 21 23 25 27 Sep, Ovitrelle 1 Oct, ER 3 eggs, 3 mature, 2 fertilized with ICSI, 2 frozen day 3 excellent quality 

    Fav Quote: The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return

  • @rallykat14 my love tit is a huge huge hug.
  • @rallykat14 Damn it I am so sorry.
    Me: 38 DH:39
    TTC #2 - August 2016
    MFI
    IUI #1-3 BFN 

    Heart Mom - DS 3/15/13
    BFP 4/21/18 MMC 6/11/18
  • @rallykat14 I'm so, so sorry

    TTC#1 10/2016
    TTC/IF:included medicated cycles, IUIs and 2 rounds of IVF with 1 embryo each. 
    BFP finally in 12/2018

    TTC#2 06/2021
    planning FET


    "Some days are diamonds, some days are rocks,
    some doors are open, some roads are blocked" 

  • @rallykat14 I am so, so sorry that you're going through this. 
    Me: 31 Husby: 36
    Married May 2014
    TTC # 2  Since December 2021
    Baby girl W born 2/2021
    Our journey so far...
    (tw loss & infertility)
    Diagnosis: Poor Egg Quality 
    Working with an RE since March 2016
    2 failed TI cycles
    3 failed IUI cycles

    IVF Feb - April 2017
    23 eggs collected, 20 mature, 14 fertilized with ICSI, 4 day 3 blasts, 3 day 5 blasts, 1 PGS normal
    Transferred 1 PGS normal embryo 4.12.17
    BFP 4.21.17
    MMC due to small gestational sac 6.8.17

    Our adoption journey:
    12.25.18 Agency picked and apps submitted!
    5.1.19 Adoption on hold so we can buy a house! 
    1.1.20 Homestudy process started
    3.14.20 First social worker visit
    5.25.20 Homestudy Approved & Submitted to Agency

    6.1.20 Surprise! Positive pregnancy test!
    Healthy baby girl born 2/10/2021


  • @rallykat14 so sorry friend.  hugs to you. Be kind to yourself. 

    @KristoKekerooni well you're in luck, because Amazon bought whole foods this year so you can buy their products online https://www.amazon.com/365-Everyday-Value-Fragrance-Shower/dp/B074MHL5RZ/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1508877024&sr=8-2&keywords=365+shampoo
    32 years old (both H and I)
    Dating 7/2008
    Married 7/2014
    H Type I Diabetic
    TTC 1/2016
    12/2016 mental break from TTC-NTNP
    1/10/2017 initial appt with RE (all BW results WNL)
    1/17/2017 SA DX Virtual Azoo (3 sperm 0%morph 0%motility)
    1/18/2017 STP tubes clear
    2/1/2017 initial appt with Urologist
    2/15/2017 DX H Robertsonian Translocation
    H is on clomid and Theralogix Supplements
    6/26/17 repeat SA: 47 sperm 0% morph 13% motility
    7/26/17 IVF Consult, repeat SA (4 sperm)
    8/21/17 Starting IVF cycle with Donor Sperm backup
    9/1/17 ER ICSI PGS: only 2 donor embryos made it to freeze
    9/13/17 Started cycle for IUI with donor and clomid
    9/27/17 IUI canceled for overstim
    October Plan IUI with donor and low dose clomid

  • @margorita30 you should talk to @BusinessWife She dealt with azoo and is super knowledgable about dealing with it
  • @purplg8r I didn't have side effects until I was on the highest dose of letrozole. The worst was hot flashes and a little grumpiness. 
    Me: 31 Husby: 36
    Married May 2014
    TTC # 2  Since December 2021
    Baby girl W born 2/2021
    Our journey so far...
    (tw loss & infertility)
    Diagnosis: Poor Egg Quality 
    Working with an RE since March 2016
    2 failed TI cycles
    3 failed IUI cycles

    IVF Feb - April 2017
    23 eggs collected, 20 mature, 14 fertilized with ICSI, 4 day 3 blasts, 3 day 5 blasts, 1 PGS normal
    Transferred 1 PGS normal embryo 4.12.17
    BFP 4.21.17
    MMC due to small gestational sac 6.8.17

    Our adoption journey:
    12.25.18 Agency picked and apps submitted!
    5.1.19 Adoption on hold so we can buy a house! 
    1.1.20 Homestudy process started
    3.14.20 First social worker visit
    5.25.20 Homestudy Approved & Submitted to Agency

    6.1.20 Surprise! Positive pregnancy test!
    Healthy baby girl born 2/10/2021


  • @emmasemm Eat some of that delicious food for me!!
    Me: 38 DH:39
    TTC #2 - August 2016
    MFI
    IUI #1-3 BFN 

    Heart Mom - DS 3/15/13
    BFP 4/21/18 MMC 6/11/18
  • @purplg8r this is my first month on Letrozole and so far no side effects!
    @emmasemm that is such a sweet first kiss story!! Have an amazing time in China!!
    TTC History
    Me: 35 DH: 34
    Married 07/2012
    DD born 07/2014
    DD2 born 10/2018
    DS born 10/2022

    IF history:
    TTC #2 since January 2016
    June-Aug 2017: 3 IUIs w/Clomid = BFN
    Sept 2017: Dx w/Endometriosis
    Oct 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
    Nov 2017: IUI w/Letrozole = BFN
    Dec 2017: pre-IVF testing
    Jan-Feb 2018: IVF--17 eggs retrieved, 13 fertilized, 9 frozen and 1 transferred on 2/10 = BFP on 2/19!!! EDD 10/29/2018
    FET Oct 2021: BFP on 10/31! MC at 5 weeks
    FET Feb 2022: BFP on 2/15! EDD 10/29/22


  • Okay, I considered making this into its own thread, but thought to run it by ya'll first, to even see if there was any info. 

    Infertility treatment and FMLA/Short term disability/vacation/unpaid leave
    What do you all do? What are our legal options? 
    I'm lost here. I have to travel for IVF. Travel as in, 2500 miles round trip (I didn't choose the closest clinic, but if I had, it still would have been a 5 hours trip for me, one way). It's not like I can pop in for ER and FET and only miss a day. I assume since ER isn't very set in stone will 48ish hours before, I will need 4-5 days, to give us wiggle room so we don't have to wait to buy our flights day-of. For FET, I assume I need 3 days off. Pair those with needed to take partial days for monitoring (the monitoring place is same hours as my job, so I have to take some time... and an hour here and there adds up fast!). 
    I really, really, really don't want to use my vacation. We have a crappy vacation policy anyway (I only get 10 days/year), and I will need that time for (FX) if IVF works for pregnancy appointments, etc. Plus, I still want periodic days off (is that too much to ask for?!)
    Anyway, Is it possible for me to use intermittent FMLA? Or short term disability? What all is normally required of you to take these (notes from docs, etc)?
    TTC #1 since September 2014
    Diagnoses: RPL, Endometriosis, MFI (count, morph, DNI, DNAS, multiple bilateral subclinical varicoceles), low progesterone
    Check out my Infertility blog 
    Check out my Infertility Instagram

    Loss History (TW):
    BFP: 3 May 2015, loss confirmed 4 June 2015
    BFP: 15 August 2015, loss confirmed 23 August 2015
    BFP: 16 November 2015, loss confirmed 22 November 2015
    BFP: 18 July 2016, loss confirmed same day
    BFP: 04 March 2018, loss confirmed 23 March 2018
    BFP: 12 June 2018, TWINS; D&C 06 July 2018
    TTC History (TW):
    3 losses in 2015
    Met with OBGYN in January 2016
    Me: all clear, H: OAT
    November 2016: HSG = All Clear!
    January 2017: H tested again,  High DNA fragmentation and stainability
    February 2017: Clomid + TI + Progesterone = BFN
    March 2017: Clomid + HCG + IUI + Progesterone = SA/wash: zero count on attempt #1, <1,000 on attempt #2= BFN
    Varicocele Embolization- 5 May 17
    December 2017 SA: Zero improvement after embolization
    January IVF- 25 retrieved, 11 mature, 8 fertilized, 3 frozen day fives (3AA, 3AA, 3AA), 1 frozen day 6 (5BB), 1 frozen day 7 (3CC)
    Three PGS normal (3AA, 3AA, 5BB), one inconclusive (3AA)
    FET #1: 27 February 2018, 3AA & 5BB, one stuck! BFP 04 March 2018.... Loss confirmed 23 March 2018
    May 2018: SHG/SIS = all clear "beautiful uterus"
    FET #2: 04 June 2018, 3AA PGS normal embryo, 3AA PGS hatching inconclusive embryo. 
    BFP: 12 June 2018, EDD 20 February 2019
    Ultrasound, 25 June 2018: There are two
    Lost Baby A 02 July 2018
    Baby B not growing, D&C 06 July 2018
    Laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, chromotubation: 23 July 2018: blocked right tube, heavily inflamed, covered in endo. Removed right tube. Removed more endo from uterus, tubes, ovaries. Endo remains on bladder and bowel. 
    Next Up:
    TTC Naturally, possibly IUIs for remainder of 2018. 
    ER#2 ~Jan 2019
            

  • @KristoKekerooni I haven't used FMLA before, but one of my coworkers had to use it when his wife had surgical complications and when his mother was very ill. I'm looking over the language about using FMLA and it specifically says "poor health" in reference to oneself. Apparently there was a legal case where they ruled you could not use FMLA for IVF. However, I also found several pages where doctors say that they will fill out the paperwork. Legally, your employer cannot ask you what the "illness" is, so if your doctor is willing to do the paperwork, especially since you will be in the category of missing several days, then I'm guessing that FMLA could be used.
    Me: 35 DH: 28
    TTC since June 2016

    Azoospermia diagnosis (zero count) Dec 2016

    AZFc chromosome microdeletion discovery March 2017
    Unsuccessful TESE for DH in August 2017
    October 2017 IVF with donor sperm
    29R, 24M, 16F, 2d5, 4d6 (6 embryos total)
    Only 3 could have PGS. 2/3 normal. 5 embies frozen
    12/15/17 FET #1 (1 embryo)--CP
    2/7/17 FET #2 (2 embryos)--BFN
    Chronic endometritis diagnosis May 2018
    ERA Sept 2018--borderline receptive--12 more hours of progesterone
    Abnormal SIS Oct 2018
    Repeat hysteroscopy Nov 1. Treated recurring endometritis.
    12/4/18 FET #3 (2 embryos)--BFN
    Our journey has come to an end.
    ~*~*~Nevertheless, she persisted~*~*~
  • @emmasemm - yum!! Where abouts in China are you? I love the food there. I can't even remember what all I ate but every meal was magical. I went on a school field trip years ago and would love to go back.

    @KristoKekerooni - It's really hard to say, unfortunately, without knowing what you do for work, how supportive your employer is overall, and what your justification is for using a clinic that is 2500 miles away. It sounds like you'd need to take a significant amount of time off so there's a start (you can't use FMLA for just a day or two, for example). You'd need a note from your doctor, certainly, and you'd need to justify why you're traveling for treatment.  

    Is there an HR department at your place of work? I would start there to see what is feasible and what they'd need from you. You may be able to do a partial leave of sorts.

    Businesses are not required to pay you for the time off you take for FMLA so you'll want to look into that short-term disability option if you have it. My employer doesn't offer short-term disability so when I took my FMLA I had to exhaust my banked PTO (which I managed to reserve 12 weeks worth so I was okay - but still sucks that I had to use what I consider a good part of my job compensation to get paid for what practically every country on the planet covers for its citizens but I digress).

    Hopefully other folks will have information for you - there are a lot of variations and combinations one can use to get FMLA so as long as your employer is generally supportive they ought to find a solution that will work for you.
  • @AlohaKumu & @wishiwaspreggo :smile:
    So, my immediate  HR rep is super supportive and awesome.. corporate... I dunno. My justification fro using this clinic is the closest one is already five hours, might as well go for a cheaper clinic if I have to travel already? Maybe if they would cover this under insurance I wouldn't have to go so far. :disappointed:
    To be honest, While I prefer to be paid for the time off, it's not a hard point for me. I just need the time off, even if I take it unpaid. We have a really great STD program, so I would love love love to use that, but /shrug. I just need to not be fired. I have a brand new boss and I am really nervous to bring this up to him at all. 
    TTC #1 since September 2014
    Diagnoses: RPL, Endometriosis, MFI (count, morph, DNI, DNAS, multiple bilateral subclinical varicoceles), low progesterone
    Check out my Infertility blog 
    Check out my Infertility Instagram

    Loss History (TW):
    BFP: 3 May 2015, loss confirmed 4 June 2015
    BFP: 15 August 2015, loss confirmed 23 August 2015
    BFP: 16 November 2015, loss confirmed 22 November 2015
    BFP: 18 July 2016, loss confirmed same day
    BFP: 04 March 2018, loss confirmed 23 March 2018
    BFP: 12 June 2018, TWINS; D&C 06 July 2018
    TTC History (TW):
    3 losses in 2015
    Met with OBGYN in January 2016
    Me: all clear, H: OAT
    November 2016: HSG = All Clear!
    January 2017: H tested again,  High DNA fragmentation and stainability
    February 2017: Clomid + TI + Progesterone = BFN
    March 2017: Clomid + HCG + IUI + Progesterone = SA/wash: zero count on attempt #1, <1,000 on attempt #2= BFN
    Varicocele Embolization- 5 May 17
    December 2017 SA: Zero improvement after embolization
    January IVF- 25 retrieved, 11 mature, 8 fertilized, 3 frozen day fives (3AA, 3AA, 3AA), 1 frozen day 6 (5BB), 1 frozen day 7 (3CC)
    Three PGS normal (3AA, 3AA, 5BB), one inconclusive (3AA)
    FET #1: 27 February 2018, 3AA & 5BB, one stuck! BFP 04 March 2018.... Loss confirmed 23 March 2018
    May 2018: SHG/SIS = all clear "beautiful uterus"
    FET #2: 04 June 2018, 3AA PGS normal embryo, 3AA PGS hatching inconclusive embryo. 
    BFP: 12 June 2018, EDD 20 February 2019
    Ultrasound, 25 June 2018: There are two
    Lost Baby A 02 July 2018
    Baby B not growing, D&C 06 July 2018
    Laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, chromotubation: 23 July 2018: blocked right tube, heavily inflamed, covered in endo. Removed right tube. Removed more endo from uterus, tubes, ovaries. Endo remains on bladder and bowel. 
    Next Up:
    TTC Naturally, possibly IUIs for remainder of 2018. 
    ER#2 ~Jan 2019
            

  • @AlohaKumu I will be thinking of you and wishing all the luck in December! For us, DH had a surgery when he was two and the details are a bit fuzzy because medical lingo isn't his Mom forte. She said he had one underdeveloped testicle and a healthy one that wasn't attached or something like that. She said he had surgery to attach the healthy one and that his doc said he should be fine. But she also swears he had two testicles and he most certainly does not. My Dr said she hadn't heard of a re-attached testicle and that she thinks maybe he had the scrotum re-attched to better house one testicle so it doesn't get twisted or contorted when they removed the other. I'm sure all that has something to do with this but its definitley a mystery. They would likely be able to extract sperm if that's the case but I'm just not sure were up for IVF :(
  • @KristoKekerooni - if you're not worried about pay (and are just concerned about keeping your job) I'd definitely discuss it with your boss and HR. You may be able to work something out where you're just not logging hours for the days you're out (my organization has an "absent without pay" earn code for time sheets - it's used in cases where employees are new and don't have PTO accrued yet or just don't want to use PTO if they're saving it for another purpose) so then you wouldn't have to file FMLA at all. But if you feel like your boss won't take you seriously without medical justification, work with your sympathetic HR rep first and he/she can draft something to present to your boss, be it FMLA or an alternative work plan so you can take care of your IF needs without disrupting your job too much.

    And I hear ya on the insurance coverage :\ I'd be on an IVF schedule now if I didn't have to wait 3 months for my health savings account to be replenished. I guess I should be grateful to have a sum of money at all dedicated for IF when others have nothing. Our healthcare system sucks balls overall.
  • @emmasemm enjoy vacation!  And I love your first kiss story!!

    @tamalahoops ok maybe I won't get any!
  • @Avrilmai - good vegetarian sources of protein: beans and legumes (black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas including hummus, lentils), tofu, edamame, nuts, and nut butters. Hard boiled eggs make good protein snacks. If you like fish, canned tuna and precooked cold shrimp are great sources of protein. You can find good recipes that incorporate these things into easy-to-make snacks.
  • @Avrilmai I’m nervous and excited all at the same time. Anticipation is a b*tch! Thank you! I’ll definitely be taking notes! 
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