May 2018 - IVF

mayflower513 · May 2018

@retro_belle24 probably because it’s just a number to most people!

as far as bloating I’ve had it on and off. I’m not really bloated right now, just crampy, but I cramp around O every month anyway with 1 egg, nevermind 12+!

leilee101 · May 2018

@retro_belle24 glad Sat's appt went well! My RE gives me the E2 level everytime - that's so annoying you guys have to ask. I started feeling kinda bloated yesterday, which was day 9 of stims (I'm a slow grower tho, with 21 follies just coming up on measurable). With 11 follies starting to be measurable, you'll probably start feeling it any day now. I've never been more excited to be bloated lmao because that means that things are happening, oh the weird things IF makes you feel

sunny_side · May 2018

@retro_belle24 Its like pulling teeth. I agree with you that knowing your E2 or having any info at all is comforting. I always ask for my follicle growth paperwork and then I come home and compare my growth day over day or compare to previous cycles. Its crazy/ control freak-esque, but having something to review makes me happy and feel more connected to the process.

As far as bloating goes, its varied month to month from my experience but 3 days before ER is when it is noticeable. I think the bloating is worse AFTER ER and the nurse told me it's because the follicles fill back up with liquid about 24hrs after ER. This "new" bloating slowly goes down but 100% gone until your next period.

@mi@mich_elle did everything get sorted out with the meds?
@suziev3 hope you had a great appointment this morning and they let you know about ER date.

Praying for @emerald99 and @madasm0530 today!

mayflower513 · May 2018

@mich_elle @suziev3 @emerald99 @madasm0530

waiting for updates ladies! Lol. I need you guys to distract me from my waiting!!

retro_belle24 · May 2018

@sunny_side I like your idea of using the data to track. I agree in that having data can be comforting because at least you can see the change in numbers.

mich_elle · May 2018

@sunny_side The only meds I've ordered through the mail have been PNV-never something so important as this. I don't know why my local Walgreen's can't just fill it!! There is a May 2018 IVF spreadsheet that's in my siggy but you can't see it if you're mobile. Thanks for checking on me

Update is below.

@suziev3 Thanks for your encouragement!

@mayflower513 Thank you for your support! Same! I have to email my nurse back *each* time to ask for my lining, follies count/size. Umm, don't you know me by now...the squeaky wheel, the one always crying!?!

@tinjp78 Aww that's really sweet-thank you for cheering us on! I needed that!

@madasm0530 How did it go today???

@retro_belle24 Isn't this place amazing??? I've learned *so* much just from my short stay here! This forum has been an invaluable resource of information and support and, honestly, I'd be lost without it. Thank you ladies!!

AFM, had my 4th scan today and, needless to say, it wasn't great. Shocking, I know ::eye roll::
First of all, Fed Ex did not arrive by 8am as promised. Again, shocking. I had to leave my house with my mostly empty Follistim cartridges on ice to bring with me to my appointment so that they could combine them for me to take this morning's dose. When Fed Ex finally showed, close to 9am, DH questioned why the package wasn't delivered on time and the guy shrugged and said he didn't know it had to be delivered by 8. It was printed right on the address label...smh.

Second of all, 2 nurses had a hard time finding my vein to take my labs

That's right, got stuck in 3 places, needle dug around looking for a vein, then finally *in*my*hand*! OUCH!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/fd/8jpc1fmszicm.png

Third of all, the scan. I'm not talking to my ovaries right now. They refuse to cooperate and they are dead to me at the moment. Giving them the silent treatment. Humph. Lefty is an asshole who likes to hide up by my liver, apparently. She only saw 2 that were under 10mm. Righty was kind of a jerk today too, playing hide-n-seek. Only saw 2 there-same *exact* size as Saturday. What gives??? NO growth over the weekend?

Le sigh. Ladies, I'm not sure that I'm going to cross the finish line. Today is day 11 of stims. I've had a problem with every aspect of this process and I'm just so over it. 54 shots in to the process and I'm not sure how I'm going to make it through the other side. Waiting for lab results to know next steps. No clue when I'll trigger, no clue if I'll *actually* be doing IVF or will be forced to covert to IUI, no clue...GL and thanks for your words of encouragement. xoxo

prudence9-2 · May 2018

Oh no @mich_elle I’m so sorry to hear about it. Did they tell you anything about cancellation? Hope you will be able to complete this cycle!

when is your next appt?

leilee101 · May 2018

@mich_elle ugh girl I'm so sorry that literally every aspect of today went wrong! Are you E2 levels still rising? and FWIW, when I started panicking about slow growers, my RE said they have people stim for up to 14 days (and I imagine that other clinics would let you go for longer) so don't count yourself out yet!

mayflower513 · May 2018

@mich_elle on no. I’m so sorry for al the stress and lack of ease you’ve been having. Hopefully your estrogen gives an idea of what’s going on. Let us know what they say when they call! Chin up lady.

sunny_side · May 2018

@mich_elle Did your lab results come back, okay? Did they tell you how big the ones on your right are? I agree with @leilee101 that stim time varies so much, person to person and even from cycle to cycle.

AFM, Triggering tonight with Ovidrell @ 10pm and ER Wed 8am
Right: 19.8, 19.6,15.5
Left: 13.6,17.1
They told me they didn't expect more than 1 or 2 eggs mature follicles on this new protocol so the thought of 2/3 maybe even 4 makes me hopeful. This is my 4th IVF cycle since January so maybe i'm just ready for a break! lol

mayflower513 · May 2018

@sunny_side yay for trigger! did they say that before now or do they think that out if your 5 follicles you’ll only get 1 or 2 to produce mature eggs?

sunny_side · May 2018

@mayflower513 thank you! Luckily, they were pretty upfront about expectations from day1. I was bummed at first and asked them to do my normal protocol because I think more of anything is better. In feb, I had 12 large follicles and they retrieved 10mature eggs but only 1 PGS tested normal. The thought was they wanted this new protocol to focus on quality vs quantity in my case. You are right, in the end I may still only get 1 or 2...which is okay. I’ve had a cycle with great size follicles, perfect E2 but resulted in zero eggs retrieved so I’m happy with anything i get! Thanks for listening and Good Luck tomorrow!!

mayflower513 · May 2018

@sunny_side I think I said it wrong - I was just curious if they were saying that even with the 5 good sized follicles you have! I totally agree quality is what matters - what good is 12 eggs if they’re not “normal”! My fingers are crossed for you!!

suziev3 · May 2018

@retro_belle24 I'd say for me about 4 or 5 days before retrieval. I have a lot of follicles though, so my ovaries are jam packed. Currently, it's tolerable. I just feel a little heavy and I have to switch positions if I am sitting or stand up. On Wednesday I will probably be uncomfortable walking.
@sunny_side Thanks. ER will be Thursday. Dr wants some of the smaller ones to catch up. My largest was 18 today. I'm feeling a little nervous because my E2 shot up in the 3000's and they lowered my meds again. I know with this protocol OHSS is more common so I'm anxious about trigger tomorrow. Quality vs quantity for sure.
@mich_elle Ouch! And sorry you had a rough day. My nurse had to fish around for my vein today too. I have tiny veins and you may already know this, but drink water before your blood draws to plump up your veins. I stimmed for 17 days last cycle, BTW. This process can be maddening. FX for your next appointment!
@mayflower513 Good luck tomorrow. Keep us posted!

leilee101 · May 2018

@suziev3 holy crap I can’t believe you’ve stimmed for 17 days! I’m going on 11 and so over it, I can’t even imagine another week of this.

Had another appt this am: 21 follies, largest at 14 and the rest trailing just behind. Relieved to see so many still growing (and all around the same size) but assuming this means ER won’t be this week as I had thought. Lining is at 8mm which is the thickest it’s ever been for me. I’ve already taken Friday off of work, so worst case scenario is I get myself a day off

E2 levels will come later today and give them a better idea of timelines. So impossible to plan during any of this!

mayflower513 · May 2018

@leilee101 you could have your ER this week - I’m going to guess trigger Thursday for a Saturday retrieval

AFM - very smooth ER. 15 eggs retrieved, I won’t know how many are mature or fertilize until tomorrow. Cross your fingers for me!

emerald99 · May 2018

Just getting caught up, so bear with me

@retro_belle24 I didn't get super bloated feeling until a couple days before trigger - I noticed it especially when I wore tight jeans, and chose to wear loose clothes from then on out. After trigger, it got a lot more noticeable.
@sunny_side good to know that it's normal for bloating to stay after ER - I'm definitely experiencing that now!!
For those who asked about estradiol, we use an online messaging system, and they always include the estradiol level. OMG just read that your ER is tomorrow - FX for great result!!
@mayflower513 great news!! So glad it went well.
@suziev3 thanks for the warnings about constipation lol - I decided to mostly eat bran cereal yesterday, and that helped - sorry if this is TMI, but really appreciate the warning earlier!

AFM, Thanks all for the GL wishes! You guys were right, the procedure was mostly NBD. And! 18 eggs retrieved, and just got the call from the lab - 17 mature, 15 fertilized.

That was better than I expected, but what do I know? We're unexplained, so we don't know why we haven't gotten KU yet. Next update is Saturday, when I hear how many made it to day 5....and then we do PGS testing...so many hurdles!! Transfer will likely be 1st or 2nd week of July - feels like forever away! DH and I realized we need to go on a vacation before then, while it's still relatively easy to do so. We're thinking road trip before/after family wedding

Thanks so much ladies, and GL to everyone doing transfers and ERs this week! sorry if I missed anyone!

leilee101 · May 2018

@emerald99 and @mayflower513 .. YAY so glad to hear the ERs went well for both of you ladies! Those retrieval #s are great .. we're off to a fantastic start this week

madasm0530 · May 2018

transfer yesterday! we talked to the embryologist and we have 4 total embies that made it to blast - transferred on yesterday and 3 to freeze. their are 5 more that they're letting go to day 6 (today) and the embryologist thought that we'd add at least 1-2 more to the frozens -- 5 frozen! i am over the moon excited!

transfer went great - the worst part was filling my bladder since my ovaries are huge! i swear i look 3 months pregnant already.

also, the valium hit me like a ton of bricks. i was stumbling and slurring my words and passed out for 4 hours when I got home. yikes!

my clinic has a strict no HPT policy. ugh. My H was on board because he thinks we should wait until the beta - we'll see if I follow the rules.

...on to the TWW.

How's everyone else doing?

ETA - @mayflower513 just saw your post. great numbers!!

retro_belle24 · May 2018

@madasm0530 Super glad to read about your great transfer! I hope you have lots of fun little activities to keep your TWW busy and flying by.

@mayflower513 Great numbers! I'll be fx all day and I can't wait to read your update tomorrow.

@emerald99 wonderful news and great numbers! Having events and trips sprinkled throughout the IVF process is a great strategy. I think it helps people not get sucked into thinking IVF 100% of the time. DH and I have a long Memorial weekend getaway planned in Maine and that's giving me something to look forward to and a break from IVF.

AFM, based on today's appt I have 8 actively growing follicles and a few small ones that may not start to grow. Estrogen is 2148. I have to go in again tomorrow AM and the doctor will probably tell me what day ER is. At first, the doctor was saying that my ER would be this Friday but then I got a call from my nurse to come back tomorrow for bw and us and new ER date.

A little vent - all of this driving to morning appts is getting a little annoying. I live about 87 miles from my RE office so it's a process to wake up early enough to be there between 7-8, arrive to work late, and stay in the office to make up the hours I loss but I know it's worth. I just got to keep telling myself, it's worth all the driving and gas.

sarah_fox · May 2018

I've been so terrible and haven't kept up on everything here. I had a couple of week-long work trips in April (with a lovely bout of Stomach flu in between them) and then I was so far behind that I kept procrastinating catching up, which just made me further behind. I should be able to try to keep up better now that I'm not travelling for a while.

@mayflower513 I'm so excited for you! Hopefully they call you nice and early tomorrow with really great numbers!

@mich_elle I'm sorry things haven't been going smoothly for you. That's a lot of added, unnecessary stress. You seem to be handling it all like a rock star

I'm hoping it all works out in the end for you.

@madasm0530 How can a clinic have a "policy" on no HPTs? Do they have someone track your credit card to make sure you don't purchase any? :P That's the sort of thing that would make me take one early, just to be defiant. lol Hopefully you know what will work best for you and just do it regardless. Waiting might be the best option, but it seems weird for them to decide that for you. They'll never know, right

Everyone else, Hi! I'm pretty sure everyone else who's been active lately joined the board after I dropped off the face of the earth. GL to all of you. I'll be better about keeping up now.

AFM, today is CD1. I go for bw and u/s tomorrow and find out exactly when I start meds, but it sounds like that will be Thursday. I'm using the fact that so many of you are managing to try to convince myself that having to stick a needle in my stomach in two days is no big deal...it's only like 40% working.

madasm0530 · May 2018

@sarah_fox they obviously wouldn’t know but when they said that it was like music to my Hs ears. He always prefers that I wait. The beta is next Wednesday so I should be able to hold out, we’ll see.

I got the final #s from the embryologist today - 7 frozen total. That is way more than we expected!

suziev3 · May 2018

@madasm0530 Wow! Those are great results. Congrats. If you can hold out on the hpt you are a stronger woman than I am!
@sarah_fox Those shots will become much easier after the first few. You can totally do it!
@retro_belle24 I feel you! I am late to work everyday and I usually end up missing a meeting. Then I have to rush home to do my shots on time.
@leilee101 I know! 17 days was torture. I only did 11 this time, but its a totally different protocol. And yeah there is no planning for any of this as it changes daily!
@emerald99 @mayflower513 Yay! Glad everything went well for you both.

As for me I am about to give myself a trigger shot. Never done it before but I guess if I have made it through all these others I can handle that big'ol needle too. I had a huge scare this AM that there was a chance I would be canceled because of high e2 levels. So I cried all through acupuncture and was nervous all day but finally got the go ahead. I think we may have stimmed one day too long but I guess you never really know. Retrieval on Thurs AM.

leilee101 · May 2018

@suziev3 glad you got the go ahead for ER! How did the trigger shot go? I've already told my nurse friend that she's gonna have to come over to do that for me - that needle is huge!

Happy ER Day, @sunny_side !!

@mich_elle hope today's appointment went better than last, thinking of you

@sarah_fox hi:) Hope you get the go ahead to start today. I've been on the "one needle at a time" mantra and it has really helped.. If I can do it, you can definitely do it ( I am a super wuss).

@retro_belle24 That is such a long drive holy crap! Thanking my lucky stars I live in a city with my clinic nearby. It will def be worth it in the end.. but for now .. rant away girl

@madasm0530 congrats on 7 frozen!! What a great result you must be so relieved. Good luck in the TWW, I always cave and HPT but wish I hadn't last time. **TW** I had a chemical with my last IUI so I was like woo I'm preg and then beta came back with a super low number, so long story short - I should have just listened to my RE in the first place **TW**

Question: What size was everyone's lead follicle upon trigger? I think the average is 18mm. They had me come in again today and my lead went from 14 to 15.5. At this rate I feel like I won't trigger until Friday night, which at the end of of the day is like whatever what's another night or two after almost 2 years.. but my tummy is starting to get really sore and I am cranky lol.

retro_belle24 · May 2018

@suziev3 How did the trigger shot go? Fx for you tomorrow!

@leilee101 Absolutely and on the plus side, I get to listen to my favorite morning radio shows on the drive in. Got to keep looking at the silver lining.

@madasm0530 that is wonderful news on the 7 frozen

AFM, I went in this morning for another bw and us. The doctor on site was a little nervous about me only having 6-8 large follicles. It's my first cycle so he doesn't know if that's just how my body responds and wanted to check with my doctor before saying yes or no to an ER. The two options were 1). Do the trigger shot, have the eggs release on their own and try another cycle with a different protocol. 2). Continue on with the trigger shot and ER and see what we have. After conferring with my doctor, we're doing option #2. I guess my doctor said that considering my young age, it might not hurt to go ahead and try. I do my trigger shot sometime tonight and the ER is this Friday.

Honestly, I'm pretty nervous about not having so many follicles and I wish the doctors and nurses that have been working with me during the cycle were more honest and up front about their concerns. Today was the first day I heard about any concerns and it wasn't from my doctor but another doctor on site. I get that they might not want to make patients worry more than they already are but I would've appreciated more honesty. So, I'm going through with the ER and I'm just hoping and praying it all works out. I'm very lucky to have good health insurance so I know it's not the end of the world if I have to do another cycle but hopefully not.

mayflower513 · May 2018

I can’t go all the way back so I’m going to partially post now and post the rest later.

@leilee101 my leads on day of trigger were 21 and I had a 19 and some 18’s. You might not trigger til Friday - but that’s still super soon!!

@retro_belle24 how big are your 6-8? I don’t think that’s a bad number!!

retro_belle24 · May 2018

@mayflower513 I don't remember the exact numbers but I heard the doctor stating ranges from 15-18 which is very reassuring.

mayflower513 · May 2018

@retro_belle24 that’s good sizes! FX they’re all great quality and you get a few blasts out of them!

AFM, 10 out of the 15 retrieved fertilized normally. I have to call back tomorrow between 2-4 for another update. This is stressful!

retro_belle24 · May 2018

@mayflower513 Those are great numbers! I completely understand, this is pretty stressful. All of the hurry up and waiting. I'm glad I have work to distract me but even then, I find myself thinking about IVF.

AFM, new update - Nurse just called me and I take my trigger shot at 9:30 tonight and ER is Friday 8:30 am. I asked for more specifics on the follicles. It turns out that I have 5 large follicles (3 on left, 2 on the right) and they're measuring 19-20 mm. I also have 3 medium size follicles (1 on right, 2 on left), measuring around 15 mm that may have an egg in them or grow large by ER but that's to be determined. My estrogen level is 2,539 which according to the nurse is at a good level.

mayflower513 · May 2018

@retro_belle24 I was told that anything at 14mm on day of trigger would probably mature enough to make an egg. My estrogen was 2,600 on day of trigger and I had more eggs so maybe you have some more hiding!

mich_elle · May 2018

@prudence9-2 Thanks! Update below.

@leilee101 Thank you

! Yes, estrogen is a risin! I appreciate your words of encouragement!! That follies count is amazing too btw! You may not be out of the running for this week yet, so hang in there!

@mayflower513 Thanks. Those E2 levels do help give clues which is helpful. (((hugs))) And, squee!!! 10/15!!! GL with tomorrow's update

@sunny_side My update from today is below, latest info. How was your ER today???

@suziev3 GL on your upcoming ER!! Thanks for the tip and yeah, I drink so much water before hand too! Wow, 17 days...that gave me hope! Thanks for your support

@emerald99 Congrats on a successful ER! GL on Saturday's update

@madasm0530 Aww yay for transfer day! What a success! Congrats

Wednesday=Beta Day! WOW...7 snow embabies!!! I'm a lil jelly but over the moon for you!

@retro_belle24 grow follies grow! GL to you! I know what you mean about the am appointments. I hope they appreciate the shit we have to go through to make them all happen! Yay for trigger

@sarah_fox There you are! Thanks for your encouragement! It's been a shit show. GL at your upcoming appt!

AMF, 5th scan was this morning and was great! Got a vein on the first try, ute lining is holding steady at 9, ovaries: righty cooperated (mostly) and has 3 follies: 20mm, 19mm, 15mm; lefty is still being a jerk and hiding midline directly behind my uterus but has 2 follies: 20mm, 19mm so...I can't believe I'm actually saying this but...I'm going to TRIGGER tonight at 9pm! I can't believe it! With an AFC of only 6, then having found out that they will convert to IUI if under 3, I really thought I'd be out but...here we are! I'm thrilled

I'll go in tmrw for just labs to ensure that my trigger worked, then report Friday 8am for my retrieval! Thank you for all your support ladies..what a trip it's been.

prudence9-2 · May 2018

@mich_elle that’s great!!! Good luck with the trigger tonite!! So happy this wasn’t converted to IUI!!!

are you planning a day 3 or 5 transfer? Or will you try to get to day 5 and do PGS?

mich_elle · May 2018

Aaahhh I'm all smiles over here

Thank you...that needle though?!? I can do this, I can do this, I can do this...
Yes, I'm so happy that it wasn't converted too! The plan is to transfer anything that looks good day 3, * they get more than 5, then transfer 3-4 and push the rest to day 5 for PGS. FX!

mayflower513 · May 2018

Amazing @mich_elle!! So much luck your way!!

mich_elle · May 2018

Quick question to those of you who've done this before: how did you feel the day after retrieval? I've got my niece's communion the next morning (3 hr roundtrip drive in car, 1 1/2 long mass, 2 hr+ lunch after). Just trying to see if I'd be up to going or not. TIA!

madasm0530 · May 2018

@mich_elle I was okay the day following the retrieval it was 2-3 days after that I started getting (and still am) uncomfortable. Personally, I'd pass on that day it sounds like alot when you may just want to be relaxing!

GL with everything!

mayflower513 · May 2018

@mich_elle I am very crampy today still. I would personally not recommend going.

sunny_side · May 2018

I was so happy to read everyone’s updates and hear that @mich_elle , @retro_belle24 and @suziev3 and on track for ER this week and @leilee101 is FX for Friday!

Welcome @sarafox7! You will do great.

@mayflower513 Congats on your 10fertilized!

AFM, 4 of my 5 were retrieved! Huge relief! Tomorrow we will find out how many fertilized. We are doing a freeze all PGS so praying they are strong!

mich_elle · May 2018

Aww congrats sunny_side! That's great! FX for good news to continue!

I'm hoping for the same results too

mayflower513 · May 2018

Congrats @sunny_side!!

May 2018 - IVF

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