TTC 8/20/2018 Check In

ChristenMA83 · August 2018

Thought I would get us started early this week.

QOTW: With fall approaching, what are you looking forward to?

2018 BFP Hall of Fame

lablover78 dx: PCOS, Compound Heterozygous MTHFR Rx: IVF

Tops-2: dx: anovulatory PCOS Rx: Metformin, Letrozole & TI

halfanewt: possible PCOS, MTHFR gene, slight MFI Rx: IVF

seethosestars: dx: DOR Rx: IVF + FET #1

Kim41313: dx: unexplained Rx: IVF

soehlerk: dx: Unexplained Rx: Femara + IUI

Mlight28: dx Unexplained Rx: Clomid

SoonToBeMommaHowe: dx: Unexplained Rx: naturally until IVF

honeybeebub: dx:septate uterus, MTHFR Rx: septum resection surgery, baby aspirin & progesterone

be08ryan: dx: PCOS and AO Rx: Clomid

kiwielopingbride: Dx: Unexplained Rx: IUI

thothscribe81: dx: unexplained Rx: IVF

PAGING:

@BWhitta: dx: PCOS, low AMH and endo Rx: letrozole

@Bababatty: dx:Low Motility Rx: IVF

@ChristinaV2015: dx: blocked tubes, PCOS, endo + MFI Rx: lap, OPKs + TI

@ChristenMA83 : dx: MFI Rx: IVF w/ISCI

@emgem819 dx: PCOS, Rx: provera, femara + Bravelle

@hoffmanr7: dx: unexplained Rx: IVF

@jmr1515: dx: Mild MFI/morph, fibroid Rx: Surgery + TI

@mackenzie07 dx: PCOS and Endo Rx: metformin, letrozole, ovidrel

@mandasand: dx: low AMH Rx:IVF (Lupron, Menopur + Follistim)

@MrsM00re87: dx: DOR PCOS, low morph Rx: Femara + TI

@Mythril: dx: PCOS (anovulatory) Rx:levothyroxine, metformin and femara + TI

@rachlee2010: dx: DOR Rx: IUI

@Samanthaarielxo dx: anovulation Rx: still in testing

@sarah0985: dx: PCOS, possible blocked tubes Rx: Lap

@SM746830: dx: PCOS, blocked tubes Rx: Surgery, Clomid

@starlitfae dx: MFI & balanced translocation, thyroid Rx: ivf with pgd testing

@funkykey dx: unexplained Rx: IVF

@Worldtravler0522 dx: PCOS/Unexplained Rx: IVF

@notamyrtle: dx: unexplained Rx: IUI + injects

@Kate437: dx:anovulatory Rx:Letrozole + trigger

@SP128: in testing/unexplained

@eranvo27: dx: anovulatory PCOS Rx: metformin

@brittlefebvre: in testing

@Charligirl28: dx: unexplained Rx: Clomid

@kristimh80: dx: unexplained Rx: Injectables + trigger + IUI

@Brooke4131: dx: Secondary unexplained Rx: in testing

@fluffybookworm: dx: Anovulation + insulin resistance Rx: Metformin + prometrium + testing

@Asampson87: dx: unexplained + MFI Rx: metformin + testing

@hannahlce: dx: anovulatory PCOS Rx: metformin + letrozole

@emmasemm: dx: DOR & autoimmune Rx: IVF

@floridanursegirl: dx: unexplained anovulation Rx:Metformin, IUI+Femara+trigger

@aeb1116: dx: unexplained Rx: IUI

@Happyin14: dx: unexplained, RPL Rx: IVF

@amac2313: dx: unknown Rx: Clomid

@nurseerin2012: dx: unexplained Rx: letrozole + IUI

@Knottie1467155066: dx: unknown Rx: letrozole + trigger + TI

@BenJay: Dx: PCOS/unexplained Rx. Metformin + supplements

@MicahDahn: Dx: irregular cycles Rx: preparing for testing

@moloninge Dx:PCOS, hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, fibroids. Rx:Metformin,Synthroid,IUI w/letrozole, ovidrel, and progesterone.

@beec2421: dx: PCOS, hypothyroidism Rx: metformin, synthroid, clomid

@wishing-and-hoping: dx: unexplained rx: poss. IVF

@echocharlietango: dx: Unexplained Rx: trying naturally

@kgabhart: dx: Unexplained/PCOS Rx: letrozole + IUI

@linz36: dx: Low AFC, MFI Rx: testing/IUI

@jrm_14: dx: Adrenal/overian insufficiency, Borderline-low AMH, Low progesterone Rx: IUI w/ injectables.

@Bgreenfield10: dx: anovulatory PCOS, LPD Rx: Clomid + trigger

@serownarain: dx: in testing

@allisona66: dx: waiting for testing

@manhattanmama2: dx: unexplained Rx: IVF

@mirabelle33 dx: DOR, possible endo Rx: TBD

@meganttc3: dx: PCOS, unexplained Rx: waiting to test

@mrsjcrane: dx: unexplained Rx: femara + trigger + TI + 2nd HCG booster

@mighty-mouse: dx:pcos & HA Rx: provera/letrozole + trigger

@ladystout08: dx: unknown Rx: waiting for testing

@leafyarch: dx: MFI, no thyroid Rx: IVF

@oklahomak: dx: PCOS Rx: metformin/letrozole/estradiol/progesterone+ trigger

@drewsdarlin: dx: RPL, PCOS, Hashimotos, low vitamin D and Iron RX: ?

@rmarble23: dx: MFI Rx: IVF

NEWCOMERS:To be added to the Weekly Checkin, please answer the following:

1. How long have you been TTC?

2. What is your diagnosis?

3. What is your current Rx plan?

BWhitta · August 2018

Hi, friends, hope you're all doing well today!!!!!

***TW***

Still holding steady this morning with a pretty good BFP on a FRER. I did take a digital first (it was all I had) and it was negative. I'm 10-11dpo...really feeling today how much infertility has taken from me. I can't believe that I can be staring at a beautiful, solid, second line and be like, "meh." My hopes start to rise and I immediately have a million voices in my head telling me not to be stupid. One of my friends said "so when will you know for sure?" and I said "when I have a baby." My beta is scheduled for Friday and I've got 5 FRERs left. FX...

I am looking forward to Fall but it won't happen for us here in Florida for quite some time, haha. Looking forward to temps not getting up to 100!!!! My favorite thing about the cooler weather though is having all of our doors and windows open...lovvvvvvvvvvvve it!!!!!

Bababatty · August 2018

@BWhitta That’s great! I totally get you with the “meh” on the BFP; like you don’t want to get your hopes up. It’s amazing how multiple losses makes you go quickly from “ooo I thought I’d never see a BFP, I’m so excited!” To “well, that’s nice. I hope it sticks.” I’ve got all my fingers crossed for you! Really hoping all the surgery and changes your RE has made are the ticket.

@ChristenMA83 Thanks for getting us started!

AFM Our RE follow up appointment is Thursday. I have an ever-growing list of questions.

*TW* Do you all find yourselves yelling sarcastic “boo hoos” at the TV whenever a celebrity is on complaining about pregnancy or losing their body? DH did it the other week, and I did it at the gym (silently) while watching an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians (guilty cardio pleasure).

QOTW Camping and hiking! We’d do this in the summer, too; we just ran out of summer. Plus my hiking buddy has been out of the city all summer and I’m really looking forward to her return.

BWhitta · August 2018

@Bababatty I find myself doing that anytime anyone says anything negative about pregnancy or babies or mothering, haha. Glad your appt is just around the corner, I hope you get a lot of answers!!!!!!!

funkykey · August 2018

@BWhitta - if I were in your shoes, I'd be pretty skeptical too. Or "cautiously optimistic" with heavy emphasis on the "cautiously". But I'm optimistic for you - you basically have a totally different uterus now! So hoping this one sticks! FX!

@Bababatty - *TW* Do you all find yourselves yelling sarcastic “boo hoos” at the TV whenever a celebrity is on complaining about pregnancy or losing their body? DH did it the other week, and I did it at the gym (silently) while watching an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians (guilty cardio pleasure).

Um, check! Check, check, check! I was pretty tough before all this started - I'm a pretty tough person, just in general. But now? I have even less patience for anything that smacks of a victimhood complex. I'm like: There is actual injustice in the world, the consequences of your poor life choices is not the same as an injustice.

QOTW: There have been some forest fires close to where I live, so the air is really smokey. I'm hoping fall brings cooler weather, rain, and an end to these fires!

AFM: Ugh, just finishing up BCP and will start stimming next week. Stimming goes fast, but the wait to start stimming takes FOREVER.

BWhitta · August 2018

Thanks, @funkykey I am so skeptical, just trying to make it through the afternoon so I can go to bed early and try again tomorrow, haha. Blah. The waiting around is definitely the hardest part of all of this for me! Glad you’re almost through your waiting phase!!!!!

mirabelle33 · August 2018

@ChristenMA83 thanks for starting this week! How's the detox/diet going?

@Bababatty GL with your follow-up appointment! I hope you will have all your questions answered and feel good about moving forward.

To answer your question, yes definitely! Like others have said, it bothers me when anyone complains about pregnancy or motherhood in general. Last Wednesday was a bank holiday here and DH and I were invited by his aunt and uncle to a bbq about 2 hours from where we live. Their daughter is recently separated from her longtime partner (they never married) and they told us that her ex rarely wants to see their kids and when he does he just complains about how exhausting it is to watch them. I was sitting there fuming and thinking about how we are struggling just to have one child and this man is blessed with three beautiful children, yet he doesn't care to spend any time with them. Ugh!

@funkykey I agree about having less patience with (privileged) people and their complaints these days. I'm so over it.

Sorry to hear you're effected by the fires

I hope fall will bring some relief your way.

You're in the final stretch to start stims! I hope the wait goes by quicker than you think

@BWhitta I have everything crossed that this is the one for you!

QOTW: With fall approaching, what are you looking forward to? It is strange to stay this, but the main thing I'm looking forward to is IVF! Fall just isn't the same here - except for back to school, there aren't really any fall traditions. There are no football games and they don't celebrate Halloween. I do like cooler weather, fall colors, and sweater season, so I look forward to that I guess.

AFM, three weeks to go until our informational meeting! AF arrived on Sunday and as long as she doesn't do anything crazy between now and then (but I would not be surprised if she did!), it looks like we'll be starting stims in early October ...

ChristenMA83 · August 2018

@bwhitta Add me to the cautiously optimistic club for you. Hope today's test was stronger and everything continues to progress. And on the QOTW I didn't even consider fall outside my Midwest bubble.

@bababatty *TW* I am so with you on the pregnancy/child complaints. I don't know if I mentioned it on this board at the time, but when we went on our group family trip a couple weeks after the MC, I had to sit and listen to 3 moms and 1 dad drone on about the obstacles of parenthood while I sat in the corner with a bottle of wine, alone because DH joined the two other guys on a beer run. I just wanted to lecture them SO BAD, but I think I made it through it with grace and finally one of them kind-heartedly asked me about my dogs *eye roll*

@funkykey, glad you're close to the stim stage again, I do remember stims flying by.

@mirabelle33 only 3 weeks to the next appointment. Will be here in no time!

QOTW: I love fall. Favorite season by far. I'm looking forward to being outside more with my dogs in the cooler air, the leaves changing, campfires, roadtrips. Just everything.

AFM: detox is going well. I'm just shy of a 12 lb loss all together over 3 weeks and feeling great. I've even eaten out on a few occasions without completely derailing - If all else fails, grilled meat or omelets without cheese are a pretty safe bet.

Follow up yesterday, summary in spoiler b/c it might be a little long...

We had our follow up with the RE yesterday (they had a cancellation so moved us in from the 31st). We were with the doctor for 90 minutes and then another 30 with nurses and finance. I love love love the amount of time they are willing to dedicate to an appointment without making us feel rushed at all.

To summarize, he thinks that in addition to the morphology male factor, we have some underlying female issue. Even though my blood tests suggest good ovarian reserve and quality, and my stim cycle was perfectly textbook, he was surprised that we only ended up with 9 eggs and the fallout rate to blast was higher than he would have predicted...he only used the word unexplained once but it feels like we're heading into that bucket. DH asked about using a sperm donor and the doc said it's an option if we want to pursue it but he wouldn't recommend it at this point. With ICSI and the fact that sperm banks don't do DNA frag tests, and that there may be an egg factor, Doc doesn't think it improves our chances all that much...but he'll do it if we want to.

As for next steps...My arsenic levels and NK levels came back a little elevated when we tested them, so doc wants to do something about the potential toxins in my system and address potential inflammation issues. While he's happy with the diet changes he wants to do a little more. He also is making the assumption that if my arsenic levels are elevated, there's a good chance DH's are too. So he wants us to do a clinical grade detox, "not prescription, but not available to purchase without a license." This is something new they are trying out, but since we want to wait a bit before our next retrieval and the detox takes two months, we're good candidates. I forget what it's called, but I'll let you guys know when I get the info. So add a $1300 cellular detox to our bill. They're supposed to call me this week with more information and to collect payment and order. DH is a little skeptical, but I'm of the lets do everything possible mindset.

He's also recommending to add HGH to our stim cycle, which I expected. We'll do the detox and the HGH. We got the quote for the PGS testing, but we're on the fence about it due to costs. I know it could save us money and heartache in the long run, but we're going to sit on that decision for a few months.

So, I should be stimming the first week of November, with retrieval sometime Nov 14-16. And a potential FET on my mom's birthday Dec 17th (they have the entire year scheduled since they process patients in batches).

BWhitta · August 2018

@ChristenMA83 holy cow with that update! I’m glad your detox is going so well, and I am so interested in the cellular detox...why would there be arsenic in your system??? Is that common???

*TW*

I have got to stop POAS (yea right, right?) I got a really beautiful BFP yesterday afternoon and allowed myself to start getting excited. Hopes dashed this morning when my FMU was much lighter. I actually took another with my second pee on the insistence of my friend who swears FMU is bad, haha, and it was better, but still not as dark as yesterday afternoon’s. So I guess I’ll try again this afternoon and hope it’s still there...blah. I know I should just wait but I just can’t. AF is due tomorrow or Thursday, my beta is Friday. Sigh.

ChristenMA83 · August 2018

@bwhitta PUT DOWN THE STICKS!! Oh but Beta Friday is SOOO far away! Those darn tests, especially coming off a trigger, could drive someone mad!
As far as the arsenic, Ohio has some of the most polluted areas in the nation. Arsenic can come from car exhaust and a myriad of other things I don't remember. When he tested me for toxins, Arsenic was the only one that came up as a positive (at 6), which is still in the "normal range" but really why should anyone have arsenic, and it may have more impact on fertility so even normal is bad. My RE seems to be a bit of an environmental nut and really geeks out on these toxins. He said the 6 is still higher than he usually sees and since there's something odd going on with our results, he wants to try to get rid of this factor.

Bababatty · August 2018

@ChristenMA83 Picture me madly noting down all these things your RE has told you and/or tested for so I can ask my RE on Thursday. He’s probably going to beg me to step away from the Internet, lol. This is one of the reasons I love this group so much—all of our REs have different approaches and I feel like I get a lot of different ideas I can run by mine. I trust him implicitly, but it never hurts to be your own advocate. Especially at this stage!

@BWhitta Oh dear, I have to second the “Back away from the sticks!” Although at this point probably that’s just going to give you more stress. Friday IS so far away! It could be that the trigger hadn’t yet cleared but now it has so your HCG level is slightly lower? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ If it were me, I’d probably test once more and then I’d put the tests down. I’m still hoping and praying for good results this week!

@funkykey Hoorah for almost starting stims! Agreed that the wait drags on and the stims go so fast!

@mirabelle33 Only three weeks until your meeting! I love having these milestones because it helps the time past faster, I think. Those weeks should fly by. That seems so relatively close!

ChristenMA83 · August 2018

@bababatty at one point our RE said "I don't know why I'm the only one paying attention to these things but no one else seems to be testing this stuff"....so my RE might be crazy. He even acknowledges these aren't exactly conventional.

mirabelle33 · August 2018

@ChristenMA83 Thank you for sharing all that info from your follow-up! It's so interesting how many different approaches there are and it doesn't matter if your RE's is a bit unconventional if it's the thing that ends up working for you! Clearing out the arsenic and other toxins can only be good for you and YH and it sounds like you both will be in really good shape for a November cycle. 12lbs lost is great!!!

BWhitta · August 2018

@ChristenMA83 that made me LOL “I don’t know I’m the only one testing this stuff...”

my RE always says he can’t believe that other doctors don’t insist on the diet and no exercise rule.

@mirabelle33 I know I know I know, I think I’m definitely done with testing, at least in the morning! Don’t know why but they’re lighter, I’ve taken two more today (I know, I know) and they were both darker than yesterdays. I’m back to being cautiously optimistic...for now. Cannot believe it’s only Tuesday.

ChristenMA83 · August 2018

@bwhitta my last cycle I was comparing the day before the current day side by side and squinting to try and determine which super faint line was darker...then loosing track which day was which because they were the skinny cheapies without enough room to write on. I have Totally been where you are right now. Fingers crossed you keep your sanity.

Bababatty · August 2018

@ChristenMA83 That’s ok! My clinic does a lot of research and my RE already wants to pick their brains on some of the cutting edge stuff that might help me. And he’s already testing me for things that have a 1% chance of likelihood. So he’s already open to some randomness, I think. Plus, if he doesn’t appreciate our desperation, he certainly will after I’ve finished on Thursday. August is our 3-year TTC anniversary and our appointment is almost exactly one year since our first failed transfer. I’m basically willing to try anything.

ALSO 12lbs?!?! That is amazing!

funkykey · August 2018

@mirabelle33 - oh man, your wait for the informational meeting has been so long! Keeping FX that these next three weeks fly by!

@ChristenMA83 - sounds like your RE is thorough! I've never heard of a cellular detox!

@BWhitta - hey, only 2 more sleeps til beta! (by the time you read this.

)

@Bababatty - so close to follow-up! Will you get your biopsy results then?

Bababatty · August 2018

@funkykey I hope so! They’d said it could take 10-14 days and tomorrow is day 14. I pushed our genetic counselor last night for more info on timing, so we’ll see what she says. I have more than enough other questions to fill the appointment, but it would be really annoying if our RE doesn’t have all the info he needs to give us a plan going forward.

Bababatty · August 2018

Update: They just called with our PGS results: 2 normal and 1 abnormal. Because IF makes things completely backwards, we’re not entirely sure how to feel. Obviously we’re happy that we have 2 normies, but if they were all abnormal it would seem more likely that the other two we transferred were also abnormal and that could explain the losses. So I’m happy to have two normal embryos, but concerned that we’ll be no closer to having an answer—and frankly scared we’ll suffer another loss. Will find out more tomorrow!

drewsdarlin · August 2018

Love fall. Love wearing long sleeves, the cooler weather and beautiful colors and our anniversary is in october.

Just got education day set up for september 25th to talk about IVF stuff and things.

courtneyh2013 · August 2018

New here

Hi, my name is Courtney and I just turned 35. DH and I have been TTC for 2 years, but not preventing for 3 years. We finally decided to start fertility testing earlier this year and found out that everything for me was normal (after several tests and one of them being a horrible X-ray of my Fallopian tubes) and that his counts are all great except morphology - he’s at 2%. We have determined that it is from prolonged marijuana use, which he needs because he has severe stomach problems and will actually throw up and not be able to eat for days. He is going to cut back and quit, which he wants to do for many reasons in addition to TTC, but that will bring about it's own set of challenges for him.

Doctors have told us that IUI with me on chloride is an option for us - his counts are high and his motility is normal, so the only thing we are battling now is the low morphology. I am having a difficult time deciding what to do here - does anyone have any experience with this? Any other advice or feedback? I'm extremely discouraged/frustrated/disappointed/defeated at this point and have been feeling like I may never be a mom.

funkykey · August 2018

@Bababatty - ugh! I mean, great news, but also - I'd be thinking the exact same thing as you!

@drewsdarlin - what was your AMH? Do you think you'll try IVF with your own eggs?

@courtneyh2013 - Welcome! I'm sorry you find yourself here, but I hope you find support on these boards. How did you determine that the morphology issue was from marijuana use?

My RE recommended we try 3-4 IUIs before considering other treatment options. He said statistically, if you haven't had any success after 4 cycles, they don't tend to see success with cycle 5, 6, 7, etc. Of course, if you're 35, you might not want to wait through 4 IUI cycles, and might want to move to IVF sooner, particularly if you hope to have more than one child.

IF is a total rollercoaster - you're not alone in feeling discouraged, frustrated, disappointed or defeated. But odds are, you will become a mom. It is just going to be tough. Good luck!

courtneyh2013 · August 2018

@funkykey What's RE stand for? My fertility doctor said that low morphology is only caused by a handful of things - when he went through the list of what can cause that, we determined that it's either genetic (which we don't believe, since his mom and dad had 4 children) or marijuana use...he doesn't fall into the other categories of "could be's"

We are probably going to start IUI next month - I have to call on CD1 to get the appt to get clomid...I have no experience with this, so I'm not sure what to expect, but the things I read are scary.

Bababatty · August 2018

@funkykey Yeah, I’m a bit panicked that my RE is going to be like, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ let’s try again! I can’t in good faith do another transfer where we haven’t changed a thing since we don’t know for sure that the other embryos were the issue.

@courtneyh2013 In my response to your intro post I forgot to note that you’re 35, like me. In that case and since you do have some IUI coverage, I’d probably do a couple IUIs, but I’d also start saving for IVF and I’d want to move pretty quickly to that. (I say this knowing that i want to have 2 kids, but I don’t know how many you want.) I’ve heard some docs say morphology isn’t a big issue and some say it is—which just tells me the research isn’t there to back any claims up, so take that as you will.

Also, RE=reproductive endocrinologist (fertility doc). We throw around a lot of acronyms, lol.

ETA I had no problems with Clomid, but I know it definitely effects others hard. You will be closely monitored and most REs will cancel a cycle rather than risk high order multiples or OHSS, depending on how you respond. The good side is that the side effects are really just for a few days, for the most part. So don’t be too scared! :-) Plus you have us to complain to and we are always happy to listen!

drewsdarlin · August 2018

funkykey said:

@Bababatty - ugh! I mean, great news, but also - I'd be thinking the exact same thing as you!

@drewsdarlin - what was your AMH? Do you think you'll try IVF with your own eggs?

@courtneyh2013 - Welcome! I'm sorry you find yourself here, but I hope you find support on these boards. How did you determine that the morphology issue was from marijuana use?

My RE recommended we try 3-4 IUIs before considering other treatment options. He said statistically, if you haven't had any success after 4 cycles, they don't tend to see success with cycle 5, 6, 7, etc. Of course, if you're 35, you might not want to wait through 4 IUI cycles, and might want to move to IVF sooner, particularly if you hope to have more than one child.

IF is a total rollercoaster - you're not alone in feeling discouraged, frustrated, disappointed or defeated. But odds are, you will become a mom. It is just going to be tough. Good luck!

1.69 which the fertility doctor said is good for my age group and he feels encouraged by it. so yes we will try first with my own eggs. at least maybe two cycles of it if it doesn't work first time and then decide what to do from there.

funkykey · August 2018

@drewsdarlin - yeah, that is an awesome result for your age!! Hoping IVF works for you. When do you think you'll start stimming? Or do you not have any of those projections yet? Is your session like an IVF orientation and then you'll start with the next CD1?

funkykey · August 2018

@Bababatty - I know we are in slightly different boats, but I think about that all the time. Like, were the embryos I transferred normal or not? I know I'll never know, but ugh. If we get all abnormals this next cycle, I'll be devastated. But if they are all normal? I dunno. I'll start thinking very seriously about my uterus, and asking lots of questions. Like: is it possible that I have silent endometriosis?

Anyway, good luck tomorrow!

mirabelle33 · August 2018

@Bababatty GL today!!

@courtneyh2013 I'm sorry you're feeling that way, but you're not alone and I'm really glad you found us.

We did 4 cycles of Clomid late last year and all things considered it wasn't that bad. Try not to worry too much and stay away from google if you can. Every woman responds differently and I think for most women the symptoms are fairly mild. I had a couple of hot flashes and some extra bloating, but that was about it. After I stopped taking it, I realized I had been more emotional during those cycles, but it's hard to say if that was due to the Clomid alone or just general stress of IF. I agree with the others to move on quickly if it hasn't worked after 3 or 4 cycles.

Be gentle to yourself and have hope - it does work for a lot of women!

ChristenMA83 · August 2018

@courtneyh2013 Welcome to the group! Our situations sound similar. We started with testing back in 2012 and found DH had average count & motility but 1% morphology. We did two rounds of clomid and IUI's (clomid made me more emotional & crazy than any of the other fertility drugs I've done with IVF). We stopped after two rounds without success.
Fast forward to 2017 we went to a new fertility doctor, in addition to the regular analysis he also tested semen's DNA Fragmentation which is not collected in a regular analysis (I would highly recommend asking for this test). DH had an additional 29% damage from DNA Frag. New doc did not like our chances with IUI so we proceeded to IVF.
As far as insurance coverage goes, There is a Fertility Lifelines service that will help you understand your coverage free of charge. I filled out a couple forms, they contacted my insurance and helped translate all the fine print for me. For us we have a $15k max fertility coverage with no Med coverage (IUI or IVF) and there is a requirement of 6 medicated or IUI cycles before proceeding to IVF. HOWEVER, with a morphology of <4% they let us skip directly to IVF. Just a warning, if your insurance has a cap for fertility coverage you may want to consider how you use that money, several IUI's can add up.
Now it sounds like your DH may have better motility and counts than we're dealing with, and slightly better morphology. So IUI may be a much more viable option for you than it was for us.

drewsdarlin · August 2018

funkykey said:

@drewsdarlin - yeah, that is an awesome result for your age!! Hoping IVF works for you. When do you think you'll start stimming? Or do you not have any of those projections yet? Is your session like an IVF orientation and then you'll start with the next CD1?

It is education day they do there at place we are going to talk to you about the injections and meds and things and prices and stuff too I think. Not sure. But probably won't start till October or November since I am going on ladies retreat with church first in October.

Bababatty · August 2018

@funkykey I think they are really almost the same situations since we’ve both had failures of various kinds and to date no real reason other than maybe it’s the embryo or maybe it’s our bodies. Part of me is kicking myself for not doing the PGS testing with the fresh embryos so we’d know, but of course even a normal embryo is no guarantee. I yell at my uterus after every test and during every period when it’s cramping—like, “If you stopped murdering embryos, you wouldn’t be in this situation, so stop throwing a temper tantrum.”

I told DH I’m pretty sure my ute is a diva; I’m not asking for an Oscar-winning performance but I would like her to work with the material she’s been handed, lol.

ChristenMA83 · August 2018

Found out more info on my "Cellular Detox" This morning if anyone is interested. It's a combination of 7 supplements over two phases (one month each) my RE has grouped together. Details in the spoiler. I'm still a little skeptical but I'm sure it won't hurt, so why not try.

Bind: https://systemicformulas.com/products/bind/ (I think this is what we add in phase 2)

GCel: https://systemicformulas.com/products/gcel/

MORS: https://systemicformulas.com/products/mors/

ENRG: https://systemicformulas.com/products/enrg/

Vista1: https://systemicformulas.com/products/vistaone-pill/

Vista2: https://systemicformulas.com/products/vistatwo-pill/

And specific Methyl Folate brand the clinic recommends.

wishing-and-hoping · August 2018

hi everybody! i've been a little MIA lately, have been on vacation etc etc.

i started stims Monday and have my next checkup tomorrow morning (anxious for this because last time they converted me to TI at this appointment - so FX everything is cooking appropriately in there)

@Bababatty i personify my uterus too!!!! yours might be a diva but mine is an angry b*tch

maybe i should be nicer to her... but she hasn't done anything great for me yet

so i think it's a two way street

I am looking forward to my fall wardrobe for sure. And weirdly college football? DH is from Louisiana so college football = social gatherings and great food that we cook together.

funkykey · August 2018

@Bababatty - lol re: the diva.

I'm totally out-of-touch with my body. I'll read about women who say they feel like their bodies are "broken" with IF. I'll read about women who get KU-ed and say things like: "I love that my body can do this." or something. I would say I feel kind of, err, disassociated. Almost like a robot. I don't feel broken or magical or angry or anything towards/about my body. Just like: "OK, where, exactly, does the injection go?" Sometimes I wonder though if this will change, like if I'll always feel this way. Who knows.

Bababatty · August 2018

@wishing-and-hoping Sometimes I think “angry b*tch” is a good descriptor of mine, too! Welcome back! Let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow. FX you’re good to continue!

@funkykey I wouldn’t say I’m terribly in touch with my body, but my brain and my ute are definitely not friends right now, lol. I do feel like I know more about what my Lady bits are doing than before we started but otherwise I’m at a loss about the rest of my body, haha.

Update again: So we met with our RE and as I feared it was kind of ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. The hysteroscopy was clear, so we’re all sitting here like, WTF? He did run my case by some of the other docs in the clinic and they all agreed they would have taken the same steps vis-a-vis hysteroscopy and PGS. He wants to burn through our two normies (my word, not his), then we’ll move on to another IVF cycle and start doing some more “out there” things. Soooo as we do natural FETs (he sees no reason to do a programmed cycle) and I’m currently CD9, we’re going to do a FET this cycle—as in probably next week. I’m mostly meh about this, but I’m happy to be moving forward even if I’m dubious at best. He’s more optimistic than I am that we will be KU at some point, which is good to hear. But he wants us to focus at this point on getting to one child as opposed to panicking about getting to two. One is certainly better than none!

Also interesting, he is pondering if my CPs (other than this last one) have been ectopic. I didn’t get to ask him why because I was plowing through a list of questions on supplements and other tests, but I have to go in for monitoring tomorrow, so I’ll ask then.

mirabelle33 · August 2018

@wishing-and-hoping Welcome back and GL today!!!

@Bababatty Sorry your appointment didn't provide more concrete answers but at least you have a plan. I can't believe your RE actually used the phrase "burn through" regarding your two normies

I'm curious what he'll say about why he thinks your CP's might have been ectopic. Also, I used to panic about getting to two children, but I've completely let that go at this point. There are still ways to get there if we decide we want to later on, but taking the pressure off for now has been somewhat liberating. How are you feeling about it? Hope your monitoring goes well today!

ChristenMA83 · August 2018

@Bababatty sorry your appointment wasn't more enlightening. At least it's convenient you can still do an FET this cycle. That's odd on ectopic comment, I'm interested to hear his feedback.

@wishing-and-hoping welcome back. Hope your checkup goes well today.

Bababatty · August 2018

@mirabelle33 Lol oh no he never said “burn through,” that was all me.

I think he’s of the mindset that one of them might actually work.

@ChristenMA83 and @mirabelle33 So I asked about the ectopic comment this morning and he said there’s no evidence for or against the possibility since we’ll never know where the first two landed. It’s just in the realm of possibility, hypothetically speaking.

funkykey · August 2018

@Bababatty - next week? Holy! Exciting!!!
I'm really hoping that this one is it! I'm with your RE - I'm of the mindset that one of these is going to work!

funkykey · August 2018

OMG guys, just got a call. We're OOP so our medical expenses were high last year - we qualified to deduct medical expenses. Now I'm being audited on those expenses.

Sometimes, I really, really, really hate IF.

BWhitta · August 2018

***TW***

Hey, y’all, I had my beta today and it came back 174. They weren’t going to repeat the test since it is a pretty good number but I told them that with my losses I’d really prefer to repeat it on Monday. Then our first ultrasound will be Friday the 7th which just seems so far away I don’t know what I’ll do. I know how many of you would kill to be where I am today, but for me this is just the beginning of the battle. I’m so grateful to be where we are but there’s really just no joy in it for me, only dread and uncertainty. Every time I have to pee I start to panic that I’m going to see blood. Anyway, I am trying my best to stay positive and believe that all of the changes we’ve made are going to be what makes the difference...it’s been quite a day and I am so exhausted but I want to reply to all of you, so tomorrow! One thing I wanted to tell you though @Bababatty how you were talking about dates and anniversaries...we found out we were pregnant for the first time two years ago today. It’s insane how things line up, isn’t it? Especially when you’re going through IF and pay more attention to the calendar than at any other time in your life!

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