IF Testing and Treatment w/o 6/18

suzycupcake · June 2018

This is a place for those of us who have already started TTC, but have started infertility testing and/or treatments. You can express your thoughts, feelings, and frustrations on infertility. TTC can be a long journey naturally, then add in the difficulties associated with infertility, and it becomes a whole new ball game. The road to infertility can be lonely, frustrating, and complicated, so let's make this a place where we can vent, ask questions, and support one another. Feel free to resurrect this thread at any point in the week if you have something to say. Treat this as an ongoing conversation.

Diagnosis (if you've been):

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):

How are things going?:

Any questions?:

GTKY: What do you like and dislike about your fertility doctor?

rallykat14 · June 2018

Diagnosis (if you've been): endometriosis and low amh

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): starting process for FET. Baseline appointment today.

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):

How are things going?: let's get this show on the road!!!

Any questions?:

GTKY: What do you like and dislike about your fertility doctor?

That they are 2+ hours away. Ugh. It could be worse but it's really hard for appointments to miss so much work

emmasemm · June 2018

Diagnosis (if you've been): DOR AMA Autoimmune stuff

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WFAF

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Baseline and depending on results hopefully IVF#5

How are things going?: Hoping AF shows up on time tomorrow.
And I feel like a beached whale. The cumulative effects of the meds from priming since April and one round with OHSS are really taking their toll on my body. I am so bloated.
We had a lovely weekend for my graduation, though now stuck on the motorway as the road ahead has been closed due to an accident. I guess we will need another 4-5 hours to get home...

Any questions?: Nope

GTKY: What do you like and dislike about your fertility doctor?
My RE is very willing to discuss and explain, open to my ideas etc. However I have to fly to another country to see him. And whilst the head of nursing who normally deals with me is very good, the rest of the team are maybe not quite as sharp...

@rallykat14 ohhhh I have all fingers crossed for a good baseline today!

beachbunnyxo123 · June 2018

@rallykat14 yay finally!!!!! Let us know how it goes! So excited for you!

@emmasemm hoping AF shows tomorrow so you can get started!! How many banking cycles were you planning on doing?

Diagnosis (if you've been): unexplained/poor responder

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): FET cycle

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?):
go in for monitoring tomorrow and then FET on Wednesday!!!

How are things going?:
I started my PIO and Benadryl on Friday. Finally adjusting to not feeling so damn sleepy all the time. Really looking forward to Wednesday!

Any questions?: nope

GTKY: What do you like and dislike about your fertility doctor?
He’s takes his time and reaches out often. He also lets me do things I ask even if he didn’t initially recommend it if he feels it is appropriate

jrm_14 · June 2018

Diagnosis (if you've been): Autoimmune-related, endometriosis, tubal cyst & fibroids removed with partial uterine septum.

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): Still on BCPs

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): I have a post-op on Thursday. I am unsure how long I will be waiting to move forward.

How are things going?: Now that everything is cleaned up & cleared out, the RE said we should do another round of IUIs. I’m grateful he’s honest and hopeful this will help. On the other hand, I had accepted IVF was the next step & was looking forward to the increased chances it brings and out of being in moving-forward limbo. I will be very grateful if another set of IUIs is successful though cannot imagine going through another 2-3 & then IVF.

Any questions?:

GTKY: I’m glad he is honest & upfront. He is willing to discuss (&initiates conversations) about difficult topics. The most major complaint I have is the office staff being slower than molasses to respond. I also wish I saw him at every appointment, like I did my previous RE

jrm_14 · June 2018

@rallykat14 I’m assuming you got full flow over the weekend? Let us know how your BL goes today!!

@beachbunnyxo123 How long will you be on the benedryl? Wednesday is almost here!!!!

@emmasemm Be kind to yourself ❤️ What are you doing to take care of yourself while you’re feeling so awful? Glad you had a lovey weekend. FX for a super uneventful next retrieval cycle.

nitnat007 · June 2018

@rallykat14 Everything crossed for you. GL today.
@emmasemm Hope that you aren't stuck on the road for too much longer and get home safely. Were you able to get off the road or still in the car? Come on AF!
@beachbunnyxo123 Oh I hope that the time passes quickly for you. So close!
@jrm_14 I relaly hope that you aren't benched for long and that you can get back to trying soon. Would you do another 2-3 IUI's before moving to IVF? Or Or could you switch over if the first one didn't work?

Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA, low morph, testing

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Waiting for HSG . On our own until Jul when we meet with the RE.

How are things going?: Doing ok. AF arriving late last week threw me for a loop, but we are moving forward. Wish that I could get the HSG done this cycle, but it doesn't look like that is going to be possible since they only do them on one day of the week. So that may take a couple cycles to get the timing right.
Sorry I was MIA last week, but I was lurking and love titting.

Any questions?:

GTKY: What do you like and dislike about your fertility doctor? Have not met him yet, so the jury is still out!

purplg8r · June 2018

@rallykat14 yay for getting the show on the road!!

@emmasemm ugh! I’m sorry you’re feeling so bloated! Hopefully the roads open soon so you can get home and get comfy.

@beachbunnyxo123 2 days!! I’m so excited for you!!

@nitnat007 ugh! That’s so annoying that they only do the hsg on one day! Hopefully the scheduling works in your favor.

Diagnosis (if you've been): AMA, mild pcos

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA):

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): starting stims tomorrow

How are things going?: good—ready to get going and have the ER done!

Any questions?:

GTKY: What do you like and dislike about your fertility doctor? What I like and dislike is the same. Anytime I meet anyone here with IF, they’ve been to my dr and were successful. So that positive. But then it makes it less personal. (Well, there’s two locations. The one I mainly go to is smaller and they know me but the other one is larger so I feel like just one in the crowd)

rallykat14 · June 2018

Starting meds tonight! I could transfer as early as next Friday but I'm guessing more like July 2. Now to throw everything but the kitchen sink at this cycle

madspunk · June 2018

@rallykat14 Yes! So glad you get to start meds tonight. I know you've been waiting so long for this FET, and now it's right around the corner!

@emmasemm I'm sorry you're feeling the bloat. Will you be taking a break from meds at all between ERs or FETs?

@beachbunnyxo123 I'm really looking forward to FET for you too!

@jrm_14 I really hope this surgery did the trick and you just need one IUI. IUIs can be so exhausting. I found just thinking about taking it one cycle at a time was the best for me. If you do an IUI and it feels like too much, you can always change your mind and do IVF the next cycle.

@nitnat007 That really sucks they only do the HSGs one day a week. I hope the timing works out for you next cycle.

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): IVF!

How are things going?: We're really doing this! I've been stimming for several days now and I'm expecting the ER next week. Thanks everyone for all your well wishes after my last BFN. I'm excited and nervous for IVF, but mostly just glad to be getting this done. I've been feeling some twinges in my ovaries, and I'm hoping the next week goes by quickly.

Any questions?:

GTKY: What do you like and dislike about your fertility doctor? The clinic is organized and easy to work with. I wish I got to see the fertility doctor more since I mostly only see the nurses.

purplg8r · June 2018

@madspunk how have the injections been going?

rallykat14 · June 2018

@madspunk omg I am soooo happy for this. I know how hard of a road it has been to get here and omg yay!!!!!! I assume you'll do frozen since they prefer that? Omg omg I am so excited for you!!! PM if you need anything. Although it's been so long since I've been to the office I actually had to set my navigation yesterday lol.

@beachbunnyxo123 Transfer week is HERE! Happy happy dance!

@emmasemm I never experienced your kind of bloat, take it easy and I hope it become tolerable fast!

@purplg8r stims today? Good luck! Are you doing them yourself or having someone else give them to you?

@jrm_14 do you have to do 2-3 more or could you just do one and go to IVF?

beachbunnyxo123 · June 2018

@jrm_14 that’s such a tough decision to make. Of course it would be great to have success off a less invasive treatment but waiting and not being successful is hard to experience. Hope the surgery helped though and that it all works out for you!!!

@purplg8r GL today!!!! How are you feeling about starting stims? Let us know how it goes!

@madspunk yay!!! How’s it been going? How are your follies looking?

@rallykat14 I apologize that I forget but are you doing a natural or medicated FET? Seems like it’s coming so quick although I’m sure it didn’t feel that way!!!

edit-format messed up

rallykat14 · June 2018

@beachbunnyxo123 so many meds

beachbunnyxo123 · June 2018

@rallykat14 oh yeah that’s right I remember you posting which ones. I hope that they all
do the trick! Are you taking estrace? I know my doctor wanted me on it for atleast 12 days before starting PIO. Your suppressing ovulation right?

Avrilmai · June 2018

@rallykat14 yes! so exciting. you have waited long enough!
@madspunk ER next week! keeping FX for you. hope you find something to fill the time and make it go by quickly
@purplg8r sending good vibes your way. hope the stimming goes as planned.
@nitnat007 can you get a referral to have the HSG done at a hospital? I know some ladies have done them with their OB, some with the RE and others at a hospital.
@jrm_14 I would consider the pros/cons of more IUI vs. moving to IVF. Like others have asked does the RE recommend 2-3 IUIs or can you consider 1 and then moving to IVF? I do get the point about having mentally prepared for IVF.
@beachbunnyxo123 I'm so excited for you to have your transfer this week. Just sending all the good vibes and thinking of you.
@emmasemm hope you're feeling better today.

Avrilmai · June 2018

Diagnosis (if you've been): Unexplained

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): TWW

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): had IUI #3 now we wait

How are things going?: as can be expected in the TWW. Just doing my best to focus on other things and balance my hope. I've kind of given up on IUI, but don't want to be completely negative.

Any questions?: suggestions for dealing with the initial stress that comes with moving to IVF? I've been reading up on it and read my RE's office IVF handbook (a lot of the info was stuff I've already learned from you ladies). So much of IF is learning to manage expectations.

madspunk · June 2018

@purplg8r The injections are going okay. The Menopur is the worst since it burns but it really only bothers me for a second while injecting. The Cetrotide isn’t bad. Did you start your injections? How are you doing?

@rallykat14 thanks so much. It really has been a long road and it feels good to finally be here. I could be making embabies next week! I’m definitely doing a frozen transfer, not fresh, but might need to wait awhile for that because of life stuff. This is going to be an exciting couple weeks for me and you!

@beachbunnyxo123 Things are going well so far. I have a lot of small follies but they were all still below 10 yesterday. Just working on growing. I’m fortunate to be a good responder at least in regards to quantity.

@AvrilMai do you test at home or are you going in for a beta? FX this is lucky #3. For dealing with IVF stress, I think getting organized upfront is helpful. Order medications as soon as you can, organize them so they’re easy to grab and use, and get any pre-approvals done ASAP. Also making any IVF-related decisions (like to PGS or not to PGS) as soon as you can. That way when you’re doing IVF, everything is in order and you can just focus on your appointments and taking medications.

Avrilmai · June 2018

@madspunk no betas, I test at home and call the office with the results (either way). I'm not testing out the trigger because that just messes with my mind. Thanks for the feedback!

purplg8r · June 2018

@rallykat14 I’m doing them all myself!

@beachbunnyxo123 I’m feeling okay about them. Glad to have the first one under my belt!

@Avrilmai a lot of the ladies told me to just take it one day at a time. I’d get overwhelmed and then think of that and it helped.

@madspunk ok. I’m glad to know Centrotide isn’t bad. I haven’t heard much about it.

I did my first menopur injection today. I sliced my finger open right before I gave it and it hurt so I didn’t notice any pain or burning from the injection lol. (I’d also read a couple of tips to let the menopur sit for a few minutes before giving it and I inadvertently did that while dealing with my finger. I’m gonna wait on purpose tomorrow too to see if it helps)

rallykat14 · June 2018

@purplg8r you are my hero! I couldn't do it if my life depended on it

@beachbunnyxo123 estrace twice a day started yesterday ughhhhh

beachbunnyxo123 · June 2018

Just got the call, estrogen levels are good and progesterone is at a 22 so we’re all good for transfer tomorrow!

madspunk · June 2018

@purplg8r I guess the finger slice worked in your favor, though I hope it doesn't happen again!

@beachbunnyxo123 Awesome!!! GL tomorrow!

Avrilmai · June 2018

@beachbunnyxo123 yay!!! I’ll be thinking of you!

purplg8r · June 2018

@rallykat14 H works until 2am so I have to do them myself. Dreading when I have do PIO!

@madspunk I’m super paranoid now!

@beachbunnyxo123 I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow!

nitnat007 · June 2018

@beachbunnyxo123 Thinking of you tomorrow. Positive vibes!!

Swiftlet · June 2018

@beachbunnyxo123 let us know how it goes tomorrow!

lulu1180 · June 2018

GL today @beachbunnyxo123!!!!

rallykat14 · June 2018

@beachbunnyxo123 Thinking about you all day !!!! Good luck!

emmasemm · June 2018

@beachbunnyxo123 keeping everything crossed for a smooth transfer (and a nice open cervix!)

nitnat007 · June 2018

@purplg8r Thanks. you are a rock star! Doing all your injections yourself.
@madspunk FX everything goes quickly and smoothly. Rooting for you and your ER next week!
@Avrilmai Yes, apparently the hospital is the only place we can get them done here. OB referred me and I don't get in to see the RE until the 10th. Will see what next cycle brings. Hope that the next two weeks flies by for you and that there is positive news at the end. Come on lucky #3!

Avrilmai · June 2018

@beachbunnyxo123 sending all the good vibes you way!!

purplg8r · June 2018

@beachbunnyxo123 thinking of you!!

suzycupcake · June 2018

@beachbunnyxo123 Thinking of you, I hope the transfer went well today and that you are doing something you enjoy. How many of the 5 did you end up transferring? I haven't checked fet posts in awhile. I hope there's a couple snuggling nicely into the super thick lining this cycle

beachbunnyxo123 · June 2018

You guys... I’m officially PASP! Everything went great for the transfer. Catheter went right in no bleeding or spotting. Praying our embaby is getting comfy and cozy in my lining as we speak!!

Our perfect little 4AA

emmasemm · June 2018

Oooooh! And hatching @beachbunnyxo123
Congratulations! And I’m so pleased your cervix cooperated!!!

madspunk · June 2018

Yay @beachbunnyxo123! FX for you!

telda715 · June 2018

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS, pelvic adhesions around one ovary (due to multiple abdominal surgeries from Crohn's Disease), possible heart shaped uterus, possible polyp, tilted uterus

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): WTO

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): We finally had our follow-up appointment with the RE. We were given a few options, and have decided to take the least invasive route for a couple of months. I think mostly to give me time to process and really think about the alternative options. I just stopped talking BC, after being put on it to complete an HSG test and the saline sonogram. I also just started Metformin (500mg/day) today. Once my cycle comes, they are going to start me on Femara. I've also started tracking LH daily, to watch for spikes to monitor hormones. The RE doesn't want to wait longer than 2 months for this option, before taking it a step further (injectables or hysteroscopy or redoing other tests to get more conclusive results, so they are showing different things.)

How are things going?: I am overwhelmed. There are so many "if's" and "maybe's" because the tests are not all in agreement (heart shaped uterus, possible polyp). I am thankful we have options still, but it is hard to not feel defeated with so many obstacles.

Any questions?: I am considering started a TTC journal. I've tried using a couple apps, but they don't track the things I want to track easily. I am thinking it might be a good place to release/unload, as well as, encourage positive thinking. Has anyone done this before? Or do you rely on forums like this, and other ways to track the basic info (cycles, CM, meds, etc...)

GTKY: What do you like and dislike about your fertility doctor? He is highly referred. Every doctor I have (which is a few because of my Crohn's Disease), has asked and been very happy to hear I am going to this guy. I also love that they make my husband and I feel like we are in control. They gave us options, we were able to ask a million questions, and they completely left the ball in our court with where to start. When so much feels out of our hands, it is refreshing to be in charge of our path.

emmasemm · June 2018

@jrm_14 I hope your follow up goes smoothly today.
As for the more IUI or IVF... in the end you need to do what you’re comfortable with. I don’t remember if you have any coverage at all for either?
I can imagine after the surgery you’re kind of hoping that was all that was stopping the IUIs being successful, in which case trying one and it working would be the proof of the pudding... but like you say, if one doesn’t work then how many more will keep being suggested...
Also I guess they will make you wait a few months after the surgery before doing an IUI. But they might let you stim for IVF and do a freeze all already. So then you can heal and get embryos in parallel.
You do still have age on your side. If you were 38+ I would probably expect your RE to move faster to IVF.

@nitnat007 Do they do HSGs anytime before O? That’s what mine does. So then you should have at least one if not two days to plan if they only run them once a week. However I heard some only do it day 10-14 which is really narrow! That’s when having a regular 28 day cycle would be a curse!

@purplg8r I’m just one day behind you starting stims. That’s you me and @madspunk all very close together! Are you both planning freeze alls?

@rallykat14 I also never expected to deal with this kind of bloat by cycle 4 having had three cycles without anything. But bodies are weird and each cycle is certainly different.

@avrilmai First of all I think you are far better prepared for IVF than the average new patient from being in this community and also having done the IUIs. So if it’s not the technical side of things, but more the emotional I think it’s really about understanding at the beginning this will be one hell of a rollercoaster. Every day or so will be another up and down, and the intensity of how fast those ups and downs come can be tough. Having appointments every 1-2 days always wondering if the news will be good or not. From trigger to ER, and then what the reddit sub calls the “hunger games” from ER to either transfer or freeze. That period is what i find the most tough. There is literally nothing you can do yourself. You can’t only wait for the calls. So planning to be in places where you can fall apart if you need to and giving yourself treats and things to look forward too as well as not many other pressures from ER to freeze/transfer is what I would advise.
You may find you need to let off steam here or with family/friends or you may not want to talk to anyone.

@telda715 welcome but sorry you’re here. Like I mentioned above, there is no right or wrong, just what you feel ok with. However I would advise before starting with injectibles (or any other ART) to get the answer on the “is it a heart shaped uterus or a polyp question” as otherwise you might be doing something which could never work, or if it doesn’t work you’ll not know if it was due to that or not. And don’t be afraid to take a second opinion if needed.

AFM well we did get home Monday night in the end, but it was one lonnnnnnnng journey.
Good news is my baseline yesterday was unbelievably good and so we started stims last night!
My uterus has gone totally wild it seems, so lucky we’re freezing any embryos for a few rounds. We’ll deal with that later.
My right ovary was like a frozen screen from last month. I strongly suspect the three small 4-5mm follicles we see there are the same ones each time which just never grow.
My left ovary caused great drama. It took three OBs to discuss if it was my ovary or not, or was it a myoma, but then if it was a myoma where was my ovary... we guess it is my ovary but with no measurable follicles. Which actually my RE was super happy with as that means the priming worked really well. Now we just have to hope it wakes up again...
I was very early on CD2 (only counting it as that due to the time difference to the RE) so bloodwork caused a lot of drama too. The lab called to check it was really my sample, that I was really CD2 (or at least that AF had arrived) and then later to check again. My progesterone was undetectable (another thing we will worry about when we come to transfer), my E2 was 19 which was great. My LH was right in the gray zone between LP and FP - and then my FSH was less than 4!!! I have never on any day seen my FSH below 14 before!
So we started Rekovelle and HGH last night. First monitoring is on Monday. By which time I will be a nervous wreck wondering if my ovaries woke up or not.
So #5 is officially under way!

madspunk · June 2018

@telda715 I also started my treatment with the least invasive option to let myself have time to process my diagnosis and the need for treatment. You can give yourself the time you need. I'm not familiar with a lot of the IF issues you have and what normal treatment is for them. If you're uncertain of what way to go, I agree with @emmasemm that a second opinion never hurts. Sometimes I wish I started a journal, but I never did. I really turned to this forum once I started to go through treatment, and I'm glad I did! The women here are the best.

@emmasemm I'm planning a freeze all. Do you have a certain number of ERs in mind, or maybe a number of frozen embryos, before you start looking to do the FET? I'm having a gap in between too, so maybe we'll end up being on the same schedule.

emmasemm · June 2018

@madspunk we have signed up for three ERs with this RE. If we think it will be worth it and if the RE and clinic perform on their side then we might do up to another three. 6-10 ERs is not uncommon for DOR patients to be honest if they are to be successful with their own eggs...
If this RE/clinic is not meeting expectations then we might consider going somewhere else for up to three more rounds.
But we will see what comes out of these 3 rounds first. Step by step.

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