February 2018 IVF

Elle131 · February 2018

Hey ladies, I’ve just been diagnosed with the flu... I’m wondering if my cycle will be canceled. Waiting on my Doc to get back to me...

heddamae · February 2018

Hello Ladies....wondering if I may join in. I feel a little like I may need a translator, though. lol
I am new to all of this and the accompanying lingo. I am in my first cycle of IVF, although not really for infertility. As I am in a same-sex relationship, we are lacking a key component to start our family. We are feeling a little bit of pressure after realizing that they will not do egg retrieval after the age of 46 and I turn 46 in June. So, we are hoping this works before that. Anyway, I thought it would be nice to be able to discuss everything with others who understand.

mcgeeva · February 2018

Welcome heddamae!

mrsa2017 · February 2018

@heddamae welcome to the February train.

@shaelan Gaaaaah, ER is tomorrow.. How do you feel?

AFM.. Hubs and I just landed in Florida and we have one more leg of our trip on Thursday before we get to our clinic. We did our first "hurry up whiles Noone is looking" injection

.... What a thrill! Still calm as a cucumber on day 5. Can't wait for Friday! Who gets excited for more needles? We do!

Ilky · February 2018

@roisis thank you! No changes to the protocol. My doctor thinks this is the best protocol but I’m not sure. I just had two days of stims but I already feel bloated and the skin around my tummy is very tender this time. Fingers crossed and best wishes to all of us!

heddamae · February 2018

@mcgeeva and @mrsa2017 Thank you for the welcome!

I am on Day 3 of stims. Next appointment is Friday. I am fortunate to work in the same building as the fertility clinic, so it makes follow-ups much easier.

@mrsa2017 How far away are you from your clinic? It sounds like you have quite the trek.

roisis · February 2018

@shaelan Congrats on trigger - hope you're enjoying your injection free day

Best of luck with ER tomorrow
@ChristenMA83 I think from reading stories that the side effects differ from each person. I don't really think I've had any yet; I've been a little grumpy and a little tired but that could just as easily be from the anxiety of it all rather than the drugs. Actually I feel quite chirpy this morning! (I'll not question it - just go with the good mood when they're here!). Although I do remember from last time that as you approach ER the tiredness really increases and stays for a few days afterwards - it makes sense since this is when there's so many eggs just begging to get out.
@greenhillgirl I definitely think seeing a counsellor is a huge advantage going through this. Like the side-effects - I don't believe there is a 'one-size-fist-all' expectation with the emotions we can expect. There are so many stages to this, and depending on the results at different stages you can feel highs and lows - it's often called a rollercoaster and it's the best description. One thing that does seem common though is that people get on a bit of a high once they start the injections. I was waaaaay more stressed last week when I wasn't sure if I could start or not - waiting to start is probably one of the hardest things - so don't worry if you're fretting now, that's pretty typical. Then once you get going there's a huge sense of 'Woo-Hoooooo - this is happening!!!' and you are being monitored and you're in control of the injections, so it can feel like you're making progress. Often there is the opposite feeling after ER, when the eggs are out and you're waiting for reports. Then there's just lots of waiting and anxiety. Many people state the TWW is the hardest part. But as I say - each person is different. I guess the important thing is to recognise your own feelings and deal with them day by day.

@heddamae Welcome!! We're a mixture of newbies and veterans here - so ask any questions you like

Also feel free to update your progress on our spreadsheet (link in my siggy)
@Elle131 Oh such bad timing

Hope the doc gives you good news

AFM, as I say - I'm crazy chirpy/happy this morning - no idea why! But it's all good. I'm in for scan and bloods this morning and then into my counsellor (she is gonna see a mega change in me compared to last week when I waiting to here if I could start or not!!). Oh - and for Science(!) I weighed myself this morning and I'm up 1lb after a week of stims. I expected more, particularly since I reward almost every shot with chocolate. GL everyone

roisis · February 2018

Me again

- I've been to the clinic and I have 15 follies on the right and 10 on the left that are a good size. Still need some growing so I'm to go back in on Friday but they say I look set for trigger on Saturday and ER on Monday. Take care everyone

Orlaa · February 2018

Welcome to the group @Ilky and @heddamae and best of luck with your cycle.

@artemis618 I'm sorry you're disappointed with the results, I hope you'll be lucky all the same.

@shaelan good luck today.

AFM I finally finished BC on Monday so now I'm just waiting for AF to show up.
I had an ultrasound yesterday and everything looks ok, I was told my ovaries were nicely deflated after BC

I did get a bit of a surprise though. My clinic sent an email with all the details for ER and ET. Apparently I have to do an ENEMA the day before ER. Whaaaaaat?!
I've never done one before so now I've something to dread more than the injections

I'm sure it'll be fine but I'd never actually heard of this being done for IVF.
Since we're going to stay in a hotel the night before the ER I thought we could turn it into a romantic night out, especially since the clinic is very near where we went for our first date. So much for that idea!

roisis · February 2018

@orlaa Ew!! I've never heard of that with IVF either (my initial thought was 'They know that's not where the baby comes from - riiight??') I had a quick search and other people have had to do it so I guess it's a thing for certain clinics. Maybe it helps prevent nausea or something?? I'm sure they have their reasons, but yes - I'm sure that would put a damper on your romantic evening! Great news on getting the go-ahead to start though. Just that pesky AF to wait on now

kristimh80 · February 2018

@Orlaa I wish mine would have given me an enema!! lol The days past ER were the worst in that department! Maybe they give it you so there's no fluid or anything around so they get a really clear view of everything on the monitor. I know have an ultrasound before, my bladder wasn't completely empty and fluid showed on the screen.

sparkle0404 · February 2018

Hey ladies just been lurking. I started out on the on the January board thought I would be be done by now but it didn't happened. This is my first IVF W/ ICIS. I just triggered last night. RE is set for tomorrow morning @7. Im so nervous but ready.

Good luck to all of your ladies.

kristimh80 · February 2018

@sparkle0404 Best of luck for tomorrow!! Funny I started on the Jan board too and popped over here then they moved my ER up a day. You're going to do great! Just think of it as a good sleep

roisis · February 2018

@sparkle0404 GL tomorrow! I know it's nerve-wrecking but you've done all the hard work now - so just lie back and let the docs do their thing

Like yourself and @kristimh80 I also started in January board but my dates also got pushed out - in the end I only started stims on the very last day of January! I understand the nerves, try to relax in any way you can and be kind to yourself over the next few days

ChristenMA83 · February 2018

@greenhillgirl I think meeting with a therapist is a great idea. For me, I threw myself into research during the waiting phase so I felt like I was taking some sort of action...that may be backfiring now though because I know too much and stress a little that every possible thing will go wrong. So it's a slippery slope

@Elle131 Oh no! Hope you get to feeling better soon.

@heddamae Welcome to the boards! Good luck to you on timely success

@mrsa2017 I thought I was the only weird one that looks forward to my nightly injections. I set my alarm to remind me each night but haven't needed to rely on it once. Glad you're still feeling good on day 5.

@roisis Glad you're feeling chirpy I think if anything I've actually been in a better mood lately, but it may just be the thrill of finally getting this going. I think your response to greenhillgirl is exactly how I'm feeling now. Yay for pretty much maintaining weight through this process! Looks like a good report from the checkup today.

@Orlaa "Nicely Deflated" oh the compliments we get from our doctors. Ha! Have you watched One More Shot on Netflix? It's a documentary on IVF and I recall her having to do an enema and I had the same reaction -- What!?!?!

@sparkle0404 welcome to February! Good Luck tomorrow!

AFM: Tonight will be day 5 of stims. Still no noticlible side effects. Had a blood draw yesterday - results were good so they're keeping my meds the same. Tomorrow morning I'm in for more bloodwork and an ultrasound. Anxious to see how my little ovaries are progressing.

greenhillgirl · February 2018

I hope everyone is having a good day. Thanks @roisis and @ChristenMA83 for sharing your thoughts on emotions. I'm just trying to distract myself as much as possible. I mentioned before I have depression, so seeing a therapist is regular for me. She doesn't have a lot of experience with infertility or IVF but its always nice to have that time with her.

I'm struggling with some side effects from going off of the birth control pill suddenly today and its making me feel discouraged. I'm very sensitive physically and emotionally to hormones- that's why I saw specialists before even deciding to do IVF as I talked about at the beginning of this board. When I went on the regular birth control pill 2 weeks ago I had some hot flashes and insomnia but I was getting over the flu. Btw @Elle131 I'm so sorry you have the flu! I had norovirus and the flu within 30 days before starting this process- I hope you don't have to cancel your cycle and get well soon. So today I'm at work and started feeling dizzy, kind of out of it, nauseous, and have a headache. I realized that its because I stopped taking the pill Monday night and now my body is like WTF. I'm worried because I know i'm the rare person with this and I had terrible Femara side effects during IUI- really brutal pain, etc.

I guess I feel like if I'm feeling this way now I won't be able to make it through injections. They say redheads feel pain more deeply and I know I need more anesthesia, so maybe that's partly why? Haha. Ugh, I hope I can make it through to even start STIMS! I must be a huge baby.

mcgeeva · February 2018

heddamae that is the best deal ever?!!! With all those early apts you would be right there

Although it's probably before you start work. I have no complaints since my clinic is 5 minutes from my house thank god.

Orlaa · February 2018

@sparkle0404 Welcome and best of luck!

@roisis I figured maybe it makes it easier for them to get a good view of the ovaries if everything is "emptied out" but I don't get why only some clinics require it. Still just gross!

@kristimh80 I came across a really old post on the bump where someone said the same thing. She had OHSS and apparently the combination of that plus constipation was really painful so she wished she'd done an enema beforehand. So at least I can tell myself it's for the best

@ChristenMA83 The same doctor also said I had a "beautifully shaped uterus"

So flattering! I'm always looking for documentaries about this stuff so I'll check that out. Although there isn't as much stuff on the netflix here in Italy

@greenhillgirl Sorry to hear you're having such a hard time. I hope you feel better as your body gets used to being off BC. Is your RE able to give any advice regarding the side effects of the medication?

txjewel · February 2018

Hi ladies,
Wondering if I can join you. I'm starting stims (BCP) late Feb but will have ER in March. I didn't see a group for March IVF yet.
I am starting my second IVF cycle and anxious to get going. I look forward to getting to know you all!
ETA - I just saw the March group but would love to follow both if possible!

heddamae · February 2018

@greenhillgirl I am also a redhead and I have been able to manage the injections just fine. I seem to be fine with shots as long as I don't watch it happen. I am fortunate my partner has done all of my shots for me. It also makes her feel like she is part of the process. Injections are an odd thing to bond over, but it has made it feel like we are in this together.

@mcgeeva It is certainly advantageous working in the same building as the clinic. I also have an amazing boss who knows what is going on, so they are very flexible with my time. As a matter of fact, we added fertility coverage to our insurance this year because of me. One of the perks of working in HR, I guess.

@Orlaa Congrats on your beautifully shaped uterus. lol....the nurse told me this week that I have "good looking ovaries".

AFM, I haven't really seemed to have any side effects, except for the fact that I am EXTREMELY tired. I'm not sure if that is because of late working hours, the injections (they mentioned it could be a side effect), or the lack of caffeine from giving up coffee. Most likely a combination of them all. Otherwise, just a little swelling.

mcgeeva · February 2018

heddamae that is one amazing company! I have asked the two companies I was at about fertility coverage and my first compared it to gastric bypass or a boob job. Did not go over well with me. And of course...no coverage shocking.

Elle131 · February 2018

@roisis @ChristenMA83 @greenhillgirl
Good news... I don’t have to stop this cycle... I start stims on Friday...

heddamae · February 2018

@mcgeeva we have amazing insurance. we actually cover gastric bypass as well. i had that surgery 2 years ago and lost over 200 pounds. no doubt this company has saved my life.

roisis · February 2018

@Elle131 Yay! Great news - delighted yo'll get going with us

@heddamae Wow - that is so cool your company responds to you like that. I'm lucky that my boss is very accommodating with appointments - but he just say 'Oh yes - Fine!!' - I think he's terrified I'm going to try to tell him about it! I was really tired from the stims last time too, not so much this time - but I'm being much gentler to myself this time around. Take as much rest as you can.
txjewel You're very welcome here! Many of us were in both the Jan and Feb group too - these protocols don't always fit nicely into the one calendar month! Let us know how you're getting on with your preparations xx
ChristenMA83 Sounds like everything is progressing nicely

@greenhillgirl Don't knock yourself out of the game yet

BCP can have a really strong effect on mood - but that may not be the case for you with the IVF drugs, unfortunately there's no way to really know until you start. I understand feeling discouraged and maybe a bit scared of starting - it's important to remember that no matter how chirpy and enthusiastic and excited we may sound here - I for one am willing to state that I'm pretty much terrified of this whole procedure - and I know I'm not on my own in that one!! I'm fair haired but the red hair runs strong in my family (typically Irish!) and I have a very low threshold for pain - my beautician makes fun of me when I go for any waxing. I was terrified of the injections, but in the end - they are really not that sore. The thought of them is much worse than the doing of them. If your SO can do them and you're happier with that - go for it that way (but make sure he is definitely available to give you all of them). I didn't think of that in the beginning so got used to giving them to myself and I'm happier that way. You're not a big baby!! This is a very big undertaking and it is important to be kind to yourself throughout the whole process. It is important to also bear in mind, that you can stop this at any point if it is too much for you. I know most people don't like to consider this option, but your depression is a big factor and first and foremost you have to take care of yourself. I'm not saying to give up or not go ahead with it!! I'm just saying - remember that you come first

In the meantime - try not to stress too much about what your response might be and just take each day at a time

mcgeeva · February 2018

Ladies...how is the mock transfer? Wishing I got this out of the way months ago when I should have.

shae44 · February 2018

Wow lots going on
welcome to everyone
@mcgeeva mock transfer is pretty easy. It is just a little uncomfortable like a pap smear
@Elle131 glad that you can get started!
@greenhillgirl Just take it one day at a time. It is awful what hormones can do to us.
Good luck with the stims for everyone!

AFM. I had my retrieval yesterday and I wasn’t feeling so well after. I feel much better today. They retrieved 15 eggs. I am just waiting to hear about fertilization today.

mcgeeva · February 2018

shaelan that's a great amount of eggs!! Good luck

heddamae · February 2018

what is mock transfer?

roisis · February 2018

@shaelan 15 eggs - Yay!!! Congrats on getting through it

Best of luck with the fert report xx
@mcgeeva I've never had a mock transfer, I'm actually not 100% sure why they're done??

greenhillgirl · February 2018

Hi, thanks for the positive feedback. @roisis thanks for the pep talk! I really really appreciate it. I saw the doctor this morning and am going to start injections tomorrow night. @Elle131 I'm glad to hear it! It sounds like we will be cycle buddies starting out.

My husband can't do my injections because he works from 3pm to 12pm M-F but tomorrow night I'll be ready to try them myself. I'm still feeling a little funny from the BC so I got some granola bars and coconut water this morning which helped. One day at a time, like you all said.

I thought they did a mock transfer so they make sure to see how your body is shaped and that things will go smoothly when its time and they have those delicate embryos. I won't be having one and I know during IUI they said my cervix is tilted and a bit hard to access. I assume they note that for the transfer in the future. But this is a guess!

mcgeeva · February 2018

roisis I tried to get out of it or push back to the day of my actual transfer but got a big ol NO!

@greenhillgirl your right to make sure all is working in case there are any issues they need to address before

kristimh80 · February 2018

@mcgeeva Mock transfer is easy! Worst part is having to have a full bladder!

@roisis Mock transfer is so the doctor can measure out and know where to perfectly place your embryo at transfer time. Some have tilted uterus's, etc so a 1 size doesn't fit all when it comes to transferring.

mcgeeva · February 2018

Thanks! I am so impatient I want to start my Stims already and get this show on the road. The 22nd seems so far away..

kristimh80 · February 2018

@mcgeeva Awe I get it! I thought I was going to start stims at my baseline, then was told to stay on BC for a few days longer then days after that start stims. It felt it was never going to happen! But once it did...it all went by super fast!

mcgeeva · February 2018

kristimh80 oh really?? I hope that doesn't happen... I am trying to hard to plan around all these dates it's driving me bonkers!

ChristenMA83 · February 2018

@Orlaa here netflix has Vegas Baby and One More Shot documentaries on IVF...then there's How to Buy a Baby on You Tube with is really entertaining and spot on.

@txjewel welcome!

@heddamae that is awesome that they added IF coverage!

@mcgeeva I think I would have attacked them over the boob job comment. So unprofessional and lacking compasion.

@elle131 Yay! So glad you get to continue.

@greenhillgirl I felt more side effects from the BCP, and quickly, than I am from the injections. I have never done well with BCP and I'm usually able to tolerate things pretty well. I've found icing before the injection makes a big difference. If I ice first I don't feel anything.

@Shaelan congrats on the 15 eggs. Look forward to hearing about the progress.

@mcgeeva they did my mock transfer when they did my SIS. It was no big deal.

AFM: My appointment this morning went well. 14 leaders at 10-11. Doc said he likes to see 10-15 at this size right now so he's pleased with my progress. Bloodwork results will come in this afternoon, but he expects to lower my injection dosage tonight or Saturday.

Edited to add: They called back with my bloodwork. I reduce Gonal-F to 150 tonight and start my antagonist tomorrow.

bubblyducks24 · February 2018

@mcgeeva The 22nd is gonna come sooner than you think!!! Trust me!

roisis · February 2018

Thanks for the explanation for mock transfers - I didn't have one last time or this time but I've seen them mentioned so I did wonder! My clinic has the results of my hysteroscopy from 2 years back so I guess they know what the terrain is like in there

@mcgeeva I understand being anxious to get going - waiting to start is harder than actually doing it! Don't worry - your start date will come and then as others have said - it will fly

@ChristenMA83 Wondeful to hear all is progressing as planned

I'm heading in to my clinic again this morning to check I can trigger tomorrow. FX.
GL everyone xxxxxx

roisis · February 2018

Apparently I've got quite a few 'Good to Go' follies so there's a chance I might have ER on Sunday instead of waiting til Monday. The doc has to check my bloods and will let me know this afternoon. I know it doesn't really matter - I just hate waiting on important phone-calls.

ChristenMA83 · February 2018

@roisis I feel you on waiting for those phone calls. It never fails my clinic calls while I'm in a meeting and I just have to watch it go to voicemail.

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