IF Testing & Treatment w/o 11/25

emeraldduchess · November 2019

They gave me the all clear to start letrozole, but I am pretty sure that they didn't refill my prescription. I am going to be SO PISSED if I can't do this medicated cycle after all.

kpearse99 · November 2019

@emeraldduchess nooooo!!! Can you call them back real quick or are they closed already? (I'm sure you tried that!) Do they have an "on call" number, like most doctors do? Does your prescription from your last fill have any refills on it?

emeraldduchess · November 2019

@kpearse99 crisis averted. I had an authorized refill already from last time. Thank goodness I didn't throw away the bottle! I was able to call it in to my pharmacy and I can pick it up later tonight.

kpearse99 · November 2019

@emeraldduchess phew!! That’s what I was hoping you’d be able to do!

inthewoods23 · November 2019

@emeraldduchess thank goodness for refills!

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/lr/6tmmolewfhm9.gif

Also I just love the ridiculousness that is this top Moira has on 😆

emeraldduchess · November 2019

@inthewoods23 that top is hypnotic.

kpearse99 · November 2019

I started the progesterone today... hopefully all goes well!!

I didn’t get much instruction on how to do it, other than it’s like a tampon... do you insert that long applicator all the way in? And then “inject” the gel? That’s what I did but just wanted to make sure!

feather_heather · November 2019

@kpearse99 - That's what I did!

inthewoods23 · November 2019

@kpearse99 yep, shove it in as far as you can. 😆

nitnat007 · November 2019

@mvt2003 The holiday sads are real. I am feeling them too. Hope that the surprise went over well. So glad that you talked to your boss and that things went well. I have not been that brave as yet.

@kpearse99 Everything crossed for you friend! Sending you unicorn luck. And that is what I did with progesterone as well. Liners are your friend! Although I am sure you know that already lol.

@emeraldduchess Ugh, sorry that they did not get back to you soon enough. Here's hoping that you are that special snowflake though and that the iui works!

@misshelen86 That is so tough. I know exactly where your thought process went with that I do not blame you. It is only natural given what we go through. I truly hope that you are well on your way to your bmb way before that announcement comes along.

@pom9207 Oh boy, those are good follies! Hopefully you have a good leading one when the time comes, and not multiples.

@bows22 My aunt made stuffing one year, she put raisins in it. Who does that?? That was not allowed to happen again. We keep it traditional now.

@NYTino24 Trying to do anything regarding our weight through this is so hard. Especially when you are feeling uncomfortable and like your body isn't your own. Can you take anything for the heartburn? Hope you feel better soon.

@bluetickgal We aren't sure if we will do a fresh yet. We are progressing as if we will, but the numbers and quality will make that determination at the time. Last cycle it was recommended given the quality. This time we are hoping for better everything!
Yay! So glad you are positive about this cycle. Everything crossed for you!

AFM checkup again this morning. Follies are still growing nicely. We have one making a break for it, but the rest are seeming to be sticking together and growing at the same rate. 17 on the left and 10 on the right, which is way more than what I had last cycle. Waiting for the call, but I assume another day or possibly two of stims before trigger. Hopefully not past that as DH has a flight booked for work on Monday for work. Nothing like cutting it close. Eeek!

kpearse99 · November 2019

@nitnat007 I have these thin liners, because I HATE pads (even "light" ones) but I doubled up on the liners because they are skinny. I'm hoping that's sufficient enough!

@feather_heather and @inthewoods23 phew! Glad I did it right hahah I looked at the applicator and was like "this seems really long....but here we go?!"

nitnat007 · November 2019

@kpearse99 I hate them too! I use the Carefree liners, and have found them to be the least annoying so far. At this stage, they are a necessary evil. I use them when I know I am having an internal ultrasound too. Things get to 'goopy' so that saves the undies.

pom9207 · November 2019

@nitnat007 So many follicles growing! Yay 😀

pom9207 · November 2019

My prolactin level is still elevated, at 41.9
The doctor asked me if I am on any medications, so I assumed that he will prescribe me some drugs to help lower it down.

good news is that my AMH level increased from 2.7 to 3.5 after 9 months of eating 3 meals a day (yeah I used to skip breakfast and lunch) and moderate exercise every day. Woohoo!

NYTino24 · November 2019

@nitnat007 Great news! Hope you get lots of eggs. I don’t think it’s actually heart burn, but some other side effects from the medicine.

@kpearse99 Hope it works. I don’t use an applicator or gel - it’s actually an oral pill used as a suppository.

@emeraldduchess Keep us updated. I like the Letrozole better than the Clomid! Haven’t had much of a difference on either really though.

NYTino24 · November 2019

I’m pissed right now for a few reasons, but no IVF next cycle for sure - RE office didn’t tell me I have to do 3 IUI with at least one IUI using injectables so this cycle doesn’t count (unless of course it works). This puts us back at least a month for IVF AND I just had other requirements thrown at us that I didn’t know about. On the phone it was even more stringent than what she put in writing after. We need to find away to throw his analysis (last time he had low morph for abstaining too long). I’m just angry that it sounds like being unexplained and not having blocked tubes and being old, but not too old, just leaves you screwed. I know our practice has one of the highest success rates in the country because they do ICSI (seems a must for them). I need more time to sit with the financial coordinator because she made it seem like if we don’t have the two abnormal SA after the third / fourth IUI fail, they will cover a lot except for fertilization (which seems to be $2500 from what she’s saying.) Read below if interested.

nitnat007 · November 2019

@NYTino24 Oh what a piss off! I would be flaming right now too! They absolutely should have told you all of this beforehand, so that you knew what you were dealing with. I can never understand why we get told bits of a story, pieces at a time, instead of just being given the full whack of facts up front. Gggrrr
I get where they are coming from, wanting you to have the best shot with insurance etc. But all that would still have been the case a few months back too.
So frustrating. Hopefully this round works and all this frustration is for nada!

NYTino24 · November 2019

@nitnat007 I can tell they feel bad because I got an email, two calls, and they already ordered meds for next cycle plus sent me consents and education (I have to complete online classes). It kind of makes me happy that they tried to fix it fast, but I’m annoyed that I have to be on top of it like this when I thought they had it covered. I guess that’s adulting and dealing with insurance, but it pisses me off that I’m so pessimistic about IUI working for me. I feel like the RPL should also factor in here because I’m feeling like it’s my body doing all of the failing and there is nothing I can do but throw more meds at because they require it. My lining, follicle size, and his sperm seem fine. I just want to scream.

inthewoods23 · November 2019

@NYTino24 wtf?? You'd have to wait A YEAR to resubmit for IVF approval? Like here, jump through even more hoops to conceive a child. Great thanks... Ugh I hope you can get this all resolved with insurance!

pom9207 · November 2019

@NYTino24 I am so sorry. I would be so angry too. The RE office should have checked with the insurance earlier!
I feel like the entire insurance process is adding another layer of stress to this already stressful IF treatment journey.

bows22 · November 2019

Diagnosis (if you've been): endometrial polyp

Status (WTO/TWW/TTA): Technically TWW but AF is imminent

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?) HSG should be next week.

How are things going?: My follow up appointment with the RE was yesterday. I have so many thoughts about it so I’ll try to stick to the highlights.

I have more questions than answers. I asked her all of my questions but we just couldn’t seem to get on the same page. Everything (other than the polyp) is “fine” in her mind but I think she might mean “fine because we can still do an IUI” but that’s not the same thing to me.

Another part that I’m struggling with is that once the polyp is removed, she said we should only try for max 3 months on our own and then go to a IUI with clomid cycle. I believe this is because the polyp could come back. I don’t want to make this longer than it already is but I am really struggling to reconcile that in my mind.

Finally at the end of the appointment she asked if I had any more questions and I said that I wanted to clarify when we will have to TTA around my surgery. She explained that it would just be for the “surgery cycle” and then said we could still try up until my surgery cycle, but that there is an increased risk of miscarriage. It just really took me off guard and was she not going to mention that if I hadn’t asked? My immediate thought was that it wasn’t a huge deal since she hadn’t mentioned it so I said that it would be really hard for me to not try and she said that was fine, but the more I thought about it after, I need more information on the increased risk. If we do decide to TTA until surgery that could mean until March and that is a huge deal to me as I will be almost 37 by then. But I obviously don’t want to have a MC either. I sent her a message yesterday but I’m not overly optimistic it is going to clear up my confusion.

So that’s where I’m at I guess. I really wanted to have clarity and enough information to be comfortable with the plan by Thanksgiving but it looks like that is not happening. I’m having a lot of feelings about that too but this is long enough already.

Thank you all so much for being here for me. I honestly don’t know what I would do without you guys ❤️

GTKY: Mashed potatoes and gravy, for sure. They always taste better on thanksgiving. I’m definitely going to use those to eat my feelings tomorrow!

emeraldduchess · November 2019

@nitnat007 that's a great number!

@NYTino24 wow, my head is spinning. I am so, so sorry that they threw all those requirements at you. I agree that RPL should be taken into consideration. So many hugs, friend. I can only imagine how frustrated you must be right now. 💚

AFM, we have to have a follow-up appointment with the RE before insurance will approve a second IUI. So we're doing medication and monitoring this time around, then if it's a bust, a second IUI. Insurance wants a treatment plan before signing off. Started letrozole last night, then I start going in for bloodwork again on Tuesday. Let's hope my ovaries and hormones cooperate and I O before CD20-something.

kpearse99 · November 2019

@NYTino24 what I’m the actual hell??!! You have every right to be pissed. How could they not tell you all of that when you first started all of this?? I am so sorry you have another hurdle in your way. ♥️

@bows22 I’m guessing the RE didn’t get back to your email yet? I hate that you and your RE aren’t on the same page and that she doesn’t seem to want to budge at all. My RE told us we could try on own a few more cycles before we tried the IUIs but that he didn’t recommend any longer than trying for 3 months because the quality of the eggs would only be this great for so much longer (you know, because we are all so old 🙄😫). Maybe that has something to do with her telling you that? But again, don’t make that statement without reasoning behind it.

NYTino24 · November 2019

@bows22 Waiting sucks, and so does the unknown. You can have a MC any time you get KU, so that’s something to think about... but it will also make you have to wait longer for a cycle to return if it doesn’t end up successful either. Will the RE give you stats? Would basing your decision off them and studies help? I hope it becomes more clear what to do. It isn’t easy.

bluetickgal · November 2019

@nitnat007 thanks lady!! Those sound like great numbers for your follies!! I hope everything works out for you to do a fresh transfer! I’m rooting so hard for you!

@pom9207 hope you can take some meds to help the prolactin, but that’s great your AMH levels have increased with diet changes!

@NYTino24 ugh, I’m so sorry for the headache you are dealing with!! That’s so frustrating they weren’t up front with you about all of that before! I hope this next IUI is a success and you don’t even have to think about next steps for IVF!

@bows22 oh friend, I’m so sorry you left the appt with even more questions/worries! I hope you get some clarity on the increased MC risk for trying before surgery! Sending hugs your way, and eat all the mashed potatoes you want tomorrow!

@emeraldduchess so glad it worked out for you to get the medicine in time! Fingers crossed this is your cycle!!

NYTino24 · November 2019

Who has used injectables with IUI? Not sure which of the four we might use - Menopur, Gonal-F, Follistim, or Bravelle.

hanshotfirst77 · November 2019

*lurking*

@NYTino24 I did injectables w/IUI right before moving to IVF. I used a combo of Letrozole and Gonal F. I didn't find it much different than any of my other medicated IUI cycles. Except for the needles. But they are very thin, you barely feel them.
*TW* Pregnancy/loss

That cycle was successful however ended in MC.

nitnat007 · November 2019

@NYTino24 10000% agree that RPL should be taken into consideration. I have no clue why they don't. I feel in general that the policies around IF are pretty archaic and are not created by those that have actually gone through the process. If only women were in charge........

@bows22 I am so sorry friend. That is a lot of confusion and frustration that you are left with. And potentially a long wait too. I sincerely hope that your RE responds to you and is able to give you some clarity. *hugs*

@emeraldduchess Yay! Sending good vibes to your ovaries, hope they get with the program!

AFM check up this morning and we are not quite there yet. Likely one more day, but back tomorrow for another scan to see. If we trigger tomorrow, then retrieval on Sunday.

emeraldduchess · November 2019

@nitnat007 sending all the positive vibes that your ER is right around the corner!

kiki047 · November 2019

*lurking*

Thinking about all of you this week! Sorry I've been MIA, work is absolutely bonkers and with spending close to an hour at the clinic every morning for monitoring (don't get me started on the disorganization there) on top of that my days have just gotten away from me. Thinking about all of you, lots going on this week. Happy American Thanksgiving to those celebrating today!!

@nitnat007 FX your ER is so soon!
@bows22 oh goodness friend, that's a lot to take in all at once. I hope you have more answers soon.
@NYTino24 wtf to your clinic for maybe not mentioning this before?! Ugh I'm glad for you that they seem to be busting their asses to get things moving for you ASAP but whyyy is this only just coming up now. The more I see and hear about clinics around the world, the more I think taking some goddamn business classes should be mandatory because people in the medical field may be smart when it comes to science and stuff but holy crap they don't know how to run a proper business with decent customer service.
@kpearse99 keeping everything crossed for you, friend! I hope the progesterone is your magic ticket this time.

AFM, I was supposed to start stims on Monday but my LH levels were still really high so they waited for them to go down, finally started my gonal-F yesterday and will add in menopur at some point. The injections really aren't that bad. No major side effects yet other than AF overstaying her welcome and some associated cramping/discomfort from that. It's not as heavy as I was expecting though. AFC as of yesterday was 21 - 14 follicles on the right and 7 on the left.

Question for my fellow IVFers, did they tell you your follicle count and measurements every day? Is it asking too much for me to expect that they'll give me a daily update? Some clinics just give you a copy of the sheet but mine gives us nottthing. We didn't even get copies of the giant booklet of forms we had to sign to start this whole process.

inthewoods23 · November 2019

@kiki047 I think mine just gave the count. They have a screen I can watch of the US so I do have some idea of the sizes and there was also a screen at the end that listed each follicle and the average measurement but that's not something they provided me to take home. So I sorta sneak a peek at it as I get dressed.

nitnat007 · November 2019

@kiki047 So glad that you have gotten started! Our wait can get close to an hour as well. There is one nurse that takes blood and then two that will handle u/s. So depending on how many people are cycling at the time, it can take a while.
I find every nurse is different in what information they will give, Some will do a full follicle count so that I have a rough idea of numbers, some will just measure up to ten of the most dominant follicles. Have never been given a print out, however the information is always left on the screen when they leave, so I tend to snap a shot on my phone. They always turn the screen towards me though so I can see exactly what is going on and talk me through as much as possible.

shoogapoff · November 2019

@NYTino24 I've done gonal-f with letrozole for 2 IUI cycles now. The first time, I did 3 75 unit injections, but didn't have a good enough response, so this time we upped it dramatically. I did 150, 150, 100 initially, then to make sure I had the growth they wanted, did 2 more 75 unit doses before trigger. It wasn't bad at all. The worst part for me is the cost of the med!

shoogapoff · November 2019

I'm sorry I've been MIA this week as well. Work has been crazy, and my mental health has been a challenge. We did IUI yesterday. After a crazy increase in meds this cycle, I only had 2 potential follicles (about 6 more were trying, but not big enough). Thankfully they were both on the right side, which is the side I need them to be on. And MH's count was crazily good:

93 million post-wash! There's no denying this is my fault....

Tomorrow is my birthday, which is bittersweet, as I imagine it is for a lot of us. 36....sigh....

I'm going to try to catch up on tags today as I can. I've been lurking this week and thinking about everyone. Wishing all who celebrate a Happy American Thanksgiving!

misshelen86 · November 2019

@emeraldduchess Glad you are able to do the medicated cycle!

@pom9207 Hope you are still able to go through with the IUI!

@NYTino24 Hope this is the cycle you get KU and this can be a distant memory for you

I’m so sorry you have to keep jumping through all these hoops, how frustrating!!

@mvt2003 Glad things went well with telling your boss!

@bluetickgal So happy that you are doing well! So hopeful for you!

@nitnat007 Yay so many follies! FX you are able to do the retrieval Sunday!

@bows22 So sorry that you are left feeling confused and like you don’t have a clear plan. I can totally relate to that. I hope your f/u email can answer some of your questions. Whatever you decide will be right for you and YH

@kiki047 Glad you’ve been able to start and are seeing lots of follies!!

@shoogapoff Yay for a great count! Hoping so hard this IUI was a success! Hope you are able to enjoy your birthday tomorrow!

AFM, I got my ultrasound results

The lesion on my left ovary is still there, but thankfully hasn’t grown. So I have a follow-up in 6 months to make sure it hasn’t started growing. They think it is likely a dermoid but I guess I’ll know more when I go for my lap in a few months.

shoogapoff · November 2019

@misshelen86 Glad the lesion hasn't grown, but sorry it's still there. Waiting is so hard!

NYTino24 · November 2019

@misshelen86 Glad it hasn’t grown, but wishing it will just go away!!!
@shoogapoff Thanks, good info and hoping that they find the right combo for you. I’m annoyed because we are getting good sized follicles and pretty early - up to 6 days earlier than I was on my own - so I don’t know what insurance thinks adding more meds is going to do. Last cycle I had a 25mm follicle and ovulated on CD14. It’s so frustrating to have to go by rigid, subjective protocol instead of having it individualized on a case-by-case basis with people who understand IF treatments and tests.

shoogapoff · November 2019

@emeraldduchess Insurance sucks! Why do they get to dictate our care?! Fx that TI works for you, and that you don't even need a second IUI.

@nitnat007 Fx for ER to be sooooon!!!

@feather_heather I'm glad you're reaching out for help. This process is so much harder than I realized and I've definitely needed mental health breaks/ support. I hope you can get in with someone soon.

@bluetickgal I'm not sure if i'm doing the right thing, but I've stopped temping/tracking now that I'm on meds as well. I found that OPKs weren't accurate and progesterone messed with my temp.

pom9207 · November 2019

@shoogapoff omg YH has such great post wash number! I am feeling hopeful for you!

@misshelen86 if it is dermoid, will they remove it during the laparoscopy?

AFM, follicle check today on CD12. I also got my estrogen, progesterone and LH drawn.
I have 2 mature sized follicle on each side, and the 11-13mm follicles remained at 11-13mm compared to the last US. So the doctor said we should be good to go with an IUI this cycle. They will let me know about the bloodwork result later today, and I will likely come back to do a final follicle check on Saturday and trigger the same day.

edit: words

misshelen86 · November 2019

@pom9207 Yay hoping you’ll be able to trigger Saturday! Keeping everything crossed for you. My RE said if it is a dermoid she would leave it since it’s pretty small and she doesn’t want to risk damaging my ovary.

IF Testing & Treatment w/o 11/25

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