May 2018 - IVF

mich_elle · April 2018

@cmarieb35 I know! I felt it was close too but, they are shipping overnight from MA to PA so I should receive it 5/3. The pharmacist explained that the Follistim & MDL will need to go in fridge. He mentioned that this current batch of Low Dose HCG expires 5/12 so I'll need to be sure that my order contains a batch with a further out expiration date. I think it has something to do with the ones that are compounds??? Not really sure.

@kristimh80 Hey girl! Thanks for chiming in! You know, it might be but I've scoured my notes from that phone call and I did not write down which ones, specifically, were compounded but I know for sure that some are. Thanks for the tip! And now, after reading your other comments, I wonder if I should ask about doing a trial transfer!!! I wonder if they only do that for FET and not for fresh? I don't see why that would matter though. Good to know!

@emmasemm YAY for protocol! I love have info and am anxious to get my calendar! Ick! I'm sorry about the stresses you've got on you right now. You are a trooper! FX that the jump in meds is exactly what you need!

@madasm0530 My RE never mentioned anything about a trial transfer so no, I don't think that's in the cards for me. I'll call CD1 to schedule day 3 b/w & u/s and will also have a repeat SIS at some point & begin BCP for a few days. Then around CD8 I'll start stims. And yes, get on that spreadsheet

mayflower513 · April 2018

Eek apparently they shipped them all! (The actual follistim is in the fridge). Oh and I didn’t take a pic of the lupron.

mayflower513 · April 2018

@emmasemm I'm sorry your having stress/issues with the meds. Does no one you need to talk to speak english?

mich_elle · April 2018

@cmarieb35 Holy crap!!! Maybe it's a good thing that I'm not getting everything until right before I start...I'd be giving some serious side eye to that huge box! Oh wow...shit just got real darling!!! How are you feeling?

mich_elle · April 2018

@emmasemm hey love...I just read your update re: getting your meds. holy crap! you are amazing! I think I would have just walked away and thrown in the towel. I wish you the very best of luck that the timing works out and that you can get everything you need...easily! GL! (((hugs)))

mayflower513 · April 2018

@mich_elle I’m ok... I wish I didn’t have these meds because now I’m ANTSY!! Lol. Let’s get this show on the road! I have been pretty crampy from the OCP but I think that’s calming down. I don’t do well with waiting... I want to know what’s going on in there! Hopefully nothing but a mind sure can wonder.

How are you doing?

emmasemm · April 2018

@madasm0530 No, neither of my clinics has requested a trial transfer. But none of my TVUSs or Saline sono or Hysteroscopy had any issues which would have indicated we would have a trouble. Also both do US guided transfers to check placement. If you have a tilted uterus, had trouble with a Pap smear or another procedure or have a long cervix for example it might be indicated.
I also had no issues with any of my transfers with how full my bladder was - again there is a wide range which is ok if you don’t have any issues and they have you in a good position.

@mich_elle you might want to check with the pharmacy on the HCG - I always had at least a month on all drugs, so maybe they had over ordered or had someone cancel and had some left over and are trying to get rid of it? Worth to check. You don’t want it to expire before you can use it in case you’re delayed a day or two!
Also some people make themselves a special corner or box where they put all their meds, with a special large chart or whiteboard for keeping track of what is due and what has been taken etc.
I just set all the alarms on my iPhone after the feedback from each monitoring appointment and then mark everything in my spreadsheet each evening (I love spreadsheets)

@cmarieb35 I have a cupboard in our winter garden where all my non refrigerated meds live, and then a special shelf in our fridge just for them, and chocolate ;-)
And no, there is nobody in most doctors or pharmacies here who speak English. At least not well enough to call a doctor in England and discuss medical topics with them. They can ask for a beer or a hotel room for the night, just the things you get taught in school.
I can speak German pretty well, but when the doctor or pharmacist has to do something (like check the drugs rules in German which can only be accessed with a medical licence) then me speaking German doesn’t help.

AFM Well we got our meds!!!
Those were some damn stressful few days. Really stressful.
But in the end DH totally charmed our local pharmacist who basically researched the shit out of everything, called favours at his old university to check drugs between countries, arranged for translation of the prescription, got the drugs ordered without us even paying for them and let us pick them up today before the bank transfer had cleared. We offered to pay an extra fee for all the extra hours he spent, but he said no...
***spoiler for mention of kids***

... because when we’re successful he just expects us to keep using his pharmacy for all the things kids need!
I nearly cried in the middle of the pharmacy.
One for his words, but also for a little restoration of my faith in humanity, that people go above and beyond to help when they can sense someone else is struggling.

So we have all the meds, now I’m just praying to the old gods and the new that AF holds off until Monday, so I can have my baseline Tuesday and then get this show on the road!

suziev3 · April 2018

Hello Everyone!

I did an FET back in Dec and was on these boards back then, but have been off the boards for a while *TW-I was successful with transferring my one normal embryo but sadly ended in MMC- End TW*.

Here is a re-intro...
I am 38 and have PCOS and have not ovulated on my own after coming off BC nearly 2 years ago. This will be my second IVF and we are changing the protocol this time to long Lupron. We did antagonist last cycle due to risk of OHSS and got lots of eggs but only 1 PGS normal. We are totally OOP so this is probably my last chance at getting pregnant (no pressure). I do feel extremely lucky that I was able to pull together the funds even do this at all. So I am throwing everything at this including supplements, diet, acupuncture, and even HGH.

I appreciate the support of this board and I hope I can lend support to you all as well.

mandurz · April 2018

Woo hoo for the ladies getting there meds! @emmasemm OMG I would totally have cried too, how sweet.
@suziev3 welcome and good luck hope this will be the one that works.

AFM had a follicle check yesterday and only about 3-4 on each side all less than 11mm, but that is what we expected right now. I get to start my every other day gonal f and menopur today. Nurse did not tell me what my estrogen level was but said it was "within normal range". Next check is Monday. I am definitely glad to be going but I have a feeling that I will be stimming longer than most again. I have to remind myself slow and steady is better than too fast as it can hurt the egg quality.

mayflower513 · April 2018

@mandurz 6-8 eggs is great, especially if they’re all good quality! What day are you again?

mayflower513 · April 2018

I figured out how to change my username guys! I was cmarieb35.

So, I think I had/am having an allergic reaction to CoQ10. My acupuncturist recommended I take it so I started it last wednesday or thursday, and friday 4 puncture marks from my surgery that were relatively fine, got red and inflamed and itchy and it has been that way until today when I also started having a small rash under my boobs. My google search showed allergic skin rash as a side effect and with the timing it just has to be that! I'm definitely stopping it and took a benadryl which has helped it a tiny bit - I'm hoping it starts going down today!! Has anyone else experienced or heard of anyone else who experienced this??

mandurz · April 2018

@mayflower513 wow that doesn't sound good. Hopefully that's all it was.
I am on CD 10, but I tend to stim longer than most so I am going between April and May ivf cuz it's a toss up on when I will actually get to the retrieval.

Had a follicle check today and those that were 10 and under are now around 12-13 so definitely some good growth. Some of the smaller ones are still pretty small but I think we will still get good numbers in the end. At this point last time there was more popping up but very little growth of the ones already there. So I am very hopeful that with new ones popping up and good growth that things are still heading in the right direction. I am waiting for the call to see what my hormones are at right now, but I imagine they will be great based on the ultrasound.

mayflower513 · April 2018

@mandurz that doesn’t sound bad for CD10! I’d think maybe be CD14 they’ll be there or close!

FX for good hormone levels - keep us posted!

mandurz · April 2018

@mayflower513 we are very happy with the growth for today. I am so excited and happy that things are moving right along. Last cycle it felt like I was in a stand still for days cuz we weren't getting d much growing in the every other day check. We kept having more pop up but nothing really making good progress. Even though it was really only 3-4 that made good growth, I know that the rest will perk right up along with them.

Estrogen jumped up (not sure what the jump was from since nurse didn't tell me a number Saturday) to 100. Still much lower than it has been on both previous cycles but a good jump for a 2 day gap. Dr wants me to add ganarelix tomorrow and start it daily til trigger. Nurse said earliest we would have ER is Sunday but will like be closer to Mon/Tues.

mayflower513 · April 2018

@mandurz what are you doing right now for meds?

mandurz · April 2018

@mayflower513 right now doing clomid 2xdaily, dexamethasone 1x daily, gonal f 150 and menopur 75 shots every other day (so tomorrow will do that). Now will add ganarelix tomorrow for an everyday shot. Outside of that have a few other things like metformin and CoQ10 for help with egg quality.

mayflower513 · April 2018

I’ll be doing menopur and ganarelix as well, but I believe daily, starting day 6 after doing just follistim. I’ve seen others do the menopur every other day as well, do you know why you do every other instead of every day?

mandurz · April 2018

@mayflower513 for me the gonal f and menopur is scheduled every other day because with my first round of IVF 3 yrs ago my ovaries all but exploded. The Dr was very agressive to stim and didn't realize that I am a slow starter but will boom out after about 6-7 days of stims. So this time he is much more cautious and slow to change the doses of anything.y last cycle we did similar protocol with a few changes because out of 13 eggs retrieved only one made it to blastocyst.

madasm0530 · April 2018

kristimh80 said:

@madasm0530 Yes, mine does trial transfers. It allows your doctor to be able to measure exactly where they need to place your embryo. It will also give you an idea of how full your bladder should be. At my trial, mine was way too full and awful so at actual transfer I wasn't as aggressively drinking water before lol

the SAME thing happened to me. my bladder was wayyy too full and I had to empty it three different times to get it to a more 'normal' fullness. thank goodness because I was incredibly uncomfortable!

retro_belle24 · April 2018

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't been very active. I've been waiting for my protocol and dates from my nurse and I just got them so I'd like to share with everyone. I'll be adding my info onto the spreadsheet as well.

I'll be on birth control starting tonight and will take my last pill on 5/1
Starting 5/5, I start 20 units of Microdose Lupron in the evening then twice a day (am and pm)
Starting 5/6, I will also take 300 units of gonal-f. and 2 vials of menopur every evening
On 5/9, I return to the RE office for ultrasound and blood levels then we go from there.

Anyone else has similar dates or protocol?

emmasemm · April 2018

@suziev3 welcome and hope the Lupron gives you more with good quality this time!

@mandurz glad to see you’re steadily making progress with the follie growing. If your estrogen is only at 100 then I would definitely say you’ll be some more days before you’re ready to trigger. But it’s not a race. I stimmed once for 8 days and once for 15! Both with the same protocol, both with same results, so there’s no telling.

@mayflower513 oh that confused me with your name change! I didn’t hear of CoQ10 itself causing any reactions, but it depends what else is in the tablets, each brand is a bit different. I used one brand for almost a year, then they hiked up the price so I switched and also noticed a rash (and it was the only thing I changed) so swapped back to my old one and had no problems again.
However for this IVF cycle I would say don’t stress. The follicles that you will have apparently started their recruitment a few months ago, so recommendation is to start it 3 months before. Maybe when you’re ready try a different brand.

@retro_belle24 great that you got your protocol.

AFM got all the meds, also got all the needles and syringes (that were missing originally), still waiting on blood thinner and steroid instructions - but tomorrow is CD1! So it’s baseline on Thursday and I’m praying to the old gods and the new that my FSH is not too high and I get the green light to start stims on Tuesday evening!

mayflower513 · April 2018

@emmasemm I can’t figure out if it was the coq10 or just vitamin E... its kind of odd that it’s really only on my wounds which isn’t where I, of course, put vitamin E which I also started Friday. But it’s still here and I haven’t done vitamin E since Friday or coq10 since Sunday am. I’m confused! I was more trying to be prepared if this cycle doesn’t work and I’m doing another in 3 months. But I guess I’ll figure that out later!

FX for the go ahead for stims Tuesday!

mayflower513 · April 2018

Has anyone had spotting the whole time on OCP? The nurse told me not to worry about it if I had spotting but I wasn’t expecting to have it the whole 1.5 weeks I’ve been on it. It worries me that when I go in things won’t look like they should.

mandurz · April 2018

@mayflower513 not spotting the whole time no, but I did have spotting about 3-4 days before stopping BCP.

Afm I had blood work and ultrasound done today. Biggest is at 19mm and 2 others not far behind, and tons at under 10. Estrogen went up to 350, so a nice jump in 2 days. Last time once it got over 100 it shot up every time they checked it so I imagine fri will have a nice big jump as well. I was worried about one being 4-5 mm bigger than the others behind it, nurse said we would let that one grow bigger (and risk it being over mature) to give the others time to catch up. I am ok with that assessment, risk one for the many. Especially with my history of having more eggs retrieved and not many embryos in the end.

So I may get er done right before may ends but I am thinking that we will likely be ready around the 30th or the 1st.

mayflower513 · April 2018

thank you @mandurz. That’s great - definitely makes sense to sacrifice the one to get more that aren’t ready yet.

edited for typos!

mich_elle · April 2018

@mayflower513 Sorry I've been quiet...my laptop is dying, I think and when I'm mobile, TB eats my threads! Argh! Anyway, I'm ok. I'm at the end of my TWW of this last natural cycle as AF is supposed to show Sat or Sun. I'm depressed that this was our last shot and really not feeling like I want to go through IVF. I'm so on the fence but DH is so optimistic and hopeful that I have to keep going, for him. I just booked a ticket for my mom to fly out here from AZ next month to help out with DS when I have like 1,000 appointments! She'll be here for 5 weeks, which is a blessing and a curse (I think 21 days is my max with here LOL!) How do you feel now after stopping the CoQ10?

@emmasemm Thanks for all of your tips! I'm sure they'll come in handy next month! YAY for finally getting all your meds...jeez! Did you have your baseline today??? I prayed to the old gods and the new too

@suziev3 Hi there & welcome! I'm sorry for your loss but wish you the best of luck on your journey towards motherhood! (((hugs)))

@mandurz Sending you good vibes while your stimming! I'm so happy to see your progress! So excited for your upcoming ER!!

@retro_belle24 Hiya! Yes, you & I sound like the timing will be very similar! So happy for you!

retro_belle24 · April 2018

@mich_elle that's awesome! I should be receiving my meds this Saturday and I'm nervous about the shots. I had my med teach session with my nurse this Monday but I feel like that was so far ago already. FX I don't mess up.

Is anyone taking prenatal pills during the IVF or was told by their Dr. to do so or not do so?

mayflower513 · April 2018

@mich_elle I hear you about being on the fence - I go back and forth all the time but I’m just letting it go and telling myself we want this. Hopefully when we get in the swing of things we get more excited. That’s amazing that your mom can come for so long - hopefully she is respectful and let’s you be a bit since you might be more on edge anyway!

I have an appt tomorrow morning for my rash... it’s not really getting better and I have some new bumps. I wish I could just do my ultrasound and bloodwork then!

@retro_belle24 I was suggested to take folic acid and vitamin D - so I take a prenatal since it has enough of both. I’m nervous about the shots too... I just watched videos! I’m sure they’ll be fine!! (I’ll keep telling myself that anyway

)

prudence9-2 · April 2018

Lurking...

@mich_elle sorry you’re feeling that way. IVF is scary. I think I’ve done so many IUIs because I really hoped it will work out without IVF.

But once you get started you’ll see that it is not as bad. And it also goes by real fast...

its great that your mom can come and help you! How old is DS?

And i still have my fingers crossed for you that the natural cycle worked!

tl_seekingfam · April 2018

I feel like I’ve been missing a lot! I’ll have to go back and really catch up here!

I got my protocol today and will be ordering some meds tomorrow. I’ll have to add that to the sheet.. I start stims in May but my actual transfer might be in beginning of June.. so do I need to join a different group?

I also got my new passport in the mail so once meds arrive, I’ll be good to start my cycle! I’m so excited! One step closer!

suziev3 · April 2018

@retro_belle24 My doctor definitely wants me on prenatals during IVF. The shots do get easier once you do it a couple of times, like a ritual. I was very nervous about it on my first IVF cycle and I looked at some youtube videos to refresh my memory while I was doing it. My protocol is different than yours but I start my stims around the 6th too, so we may be on a similar retrieval schedule.

@mich_elle Making the leap to IVF was so hard for me the first time too. It can be a roller coaster ride for sure but it sounds like you have great support. Everyone's experience is different of course, but for me it was actually easier than I expected physically. And I found out that I was tougher than I thought emotionally. Once I made the leap, I felt less depressed because I felt like I was taking control of the situation and being proactive about it.

mich_elle · April 2018

@retro_belle24 I know that there are a ton of YouTube videos on how to give yourself the injections. I think I've watched them all, LOL. Check out a few if you feel unsure and I'll bet it'll come back to you. As for the prenatals, I haven't heard one way or the other but I was basically benched this month so maybe they just didn't want to overburden me with info so early on?

@mayflower513 See, I knew that if I shared my feelings here, I'd get the support I didn't even know I needed. There is comfort in numbers, although I don't wish anyone to feel depressed about all of this like me, but it eases the sting a bit to know I'm not alone. I should be more like Elsa huh...Let It Go! Thanks, because now THAT song will be sung all day LOL! My mom is retired so she's got nothing but time on her hands. This should be interesting :::read=circus::: when she gets here! I insisted on booking her flight bc the last time she flew out here she arrived at Newark airport at 6am & we live 1 1/2 hrs away! Ummm, get an Uber mom LOL. She insisted on doing it together so we had to FaceTime on our phones while we searched Kayak on our computers. Here's the criteria I needed to stick to: departed/arrived at a *decent* hour coming & going, wasn't a redeye, was nonstop, an aisle seat on the right side of the plane (bad left knee/foot so needs to stretch it out), near the front of plane (larger seats w/ more leg room)! Holy crap...where's the Tylenol!?! Anyway, GL w/ your appointment today & FX that rash goes bye-bye soon!

hi @prudence9-2 (((hugs))) thanks for checking on me

I'll be grateful for any help she can provide! We were kind of relying on my cousin to help watch DS, who's 2.5 yo, while I/we go to these appointments but, she's a substitute teacher and teaches preschool 2 days a week. She was able to pick up a job from now until the end of the year so she's TOTALLY unavailable! Yikes! Anyway, AF is supposed to show tomorrow or Sunday. I have no HPT in the house so unless I want to go out in the rain today to get some, I'll just wait it out to see what happens. Which is the lesser of 2 evils: a -HPT or AF arrival? Right? Ugh. Enough about me...how are YOU!?! Ummm, you need to update that siggy darling!

@Knottie1467660167 YAY for the protocol! I'll start a June 2018 IVF thread (if no-one else does) in a few weeks and I'll add a fresh spreadsheet link too so that way you can add your info. GL!

@suziev3 awww thank you. I needed to hear that. (((hugs)))

retro_belle24 · April 2018

Thanks @mich_elle and @suziev3 for the youtube tip, I will definitely be checking that out. My medication pharmacy has provided me with a link to watch when it comes times to start the shots, so I'm sure I'll be watching that a few dozen times

That's awesome that will be starting around the same time!

@mayflower513 My nurse told me the same thing about vitamin D since my level was pretty low when I first starting seeing my RE. I've been taken two pills a day for it but I figure I switch over to the prenatal now since I'm getting close to the shots. The brand I take does include vitamin D and folic acid

My mom actually bought me like 4-5 bottles of the prenatal, I think she's getting a little too excited about the process and prospect of a future grandchild.

prudence9-2 · April 2018

@mich_elle FX you will need those HPT

yes, I know I need to update my siggy, it just that it still feels so unreal.

emmasemm · April 2018

Hey ladies. Well I’m out. My estrogen was far too high for day 2 and follow up scan this afternoon showed the follies had grown like weeds since yesterday morning. So we will discuss options with the RE on Tuesday to try to set us up for a better start to June.
Good luck all of you!

mayflower513 · April 2018

Oh no @emmasemm!! Did you know this was a possibility? I’m so sorry you’ll be delayed.

mayflower513 · April 2018

@mich_elle it's a little different for me because I had a tube issue. But even after I knew that I kept thinking maybe we just keep trying... but...*TW* we tried for 2 years and didn't get pregnant (AFTER having my EP) *end TW* so if it didn't happen after that, I clearly need to accept my tube isn't working. Then my surgeon said my tube "wasn't even that bad" after he took it out. Gee, thanks. Way to make me second guess this shit after it's too late. So I do totally get it. It's like maybe there's another way. And maybe this month worked for you! I'm surprised you haven't POAS... I am the worst and do it even when I know there's like no way I'm pregnant lol. GL with your mom! It's not even like you can drink to deal with her, lol. But it sounds like you at least preempted the early arrival so hopefully the rest won't be bad either.

@retro_belle24 excitement is good! Just don't let it pressure you

.

AFM... I had my appointment and the doctor isn't concerned with the rash (of course it looked a little better this morning). She thinks it's just my skin healing. She did say that if I DO need antibiotics (which she really doesn't think I will), that they'll just put me on one that's safe for pregnancy and it shouldn't hold anything up. I also asked her about the spotting and she said sometimes people spot for a couple months as they get used to it but that I obviously won't be on it that long so not to worry about it. She said they'll look at the lining Monday and if it's too thick they'll probably change the birth control but that she doubts it'll be a problem (nothing to base that on!) Ugh can it just be monday? I'm too much of a nervous wreck for all this waiting and seeing!

mandurz · April 2018

@emmasemm I am so sorry that you are being delayed. I hope you can get going soon after this speed bump. I had similar delay issue but instead of having too many follicles, there was one big one that wasn't producing estrogen so it was a cyst.

@mayflower513 right?! During ivf this waiting mess is for the birds. Glad they don't think the apottisp is anything wrong.

Afm had a check today and we have largest is 23mm then 2 18s and 2 13s and several on each side under 10mm. So I am really hoping for more to really perk up but am getting worried that they won't perk up enough before Dr says he feels like it's time.

mayflower513 · April 2018

I’m totally allergic to something. My rash is worse again this morning but not on my incisions anymore. Wtf.

ETA: for those taking ocp... I know you’re supposed to take it at around the same time every day. Is taking it 3 hours later one day a big deal?

also... we have a wedding next Saturday at 6:00 that my H will likely want to be at all night. I am really hoping to start stims Friday.. I’m assuming they have to be done at the same time every night. What do I do if I am at a wedding at that time?? Bring it with me and do it in the bathroom? Lol.

suziev3 · April 2018

@mayflower513 I don't think 3 hours would make a difference on OCP. As for the stims, my doctor does tell me that they need to be taken at the same time, give or take an hour. Personally, I would not want to try to do my stims at a wedding in the bathroom, though I am sure people have done them in weirder places. It might require bringing a cooler and depending on the stims mixing it and then you would have to hold onto the needle? If you could delay starting your stims until Sunday maybe that would work better. I'd call your doctor/nurse and ask them now while you are still on OCP. I found that once I start the stims my day becomes: stims, doctors appointments, work, stims, sleep and repeat.

@emmasemm Sorry about your delay. I am sure it's very disappointing. I hope your June cycle will go smoothly.

Want a personalized experience?

May 2018 - IVF

Re: May 2018 - IVF

Choose Another Board

Search Boards