Healthy Habits w/o 6/14

Re: Healthy Habits w/o 6/14

• optimistgardener member

  June 2021 edited June 2021

  I guess I'll kick this one off this week! Thanks for the amazing and inspiring doggo-gif, @fantasyflyte
  

  
  

  What habits, goals, or resolutions are you focusing on this week?

  yo, I really need to learn how to start drinking more water. i went on a medium-ish run this morning and like, came back in the door, cooled down, got in the shower, got dressed, did the dishes, fielded a long phone call from a relative that lives overseas, ate breakfast, and then finally realized i was thirsty as f••k! and this is actually how all my days go. I need to learn how to carry a water bottle around with me or something. anyone got any tricks for how to become more hydrated? the timing on this is semi-urgent as I need to get my good habits in order before i (🤞) start my IVF cycle in July.
  

  
  

  How's everything going? Any recent wins?

  I may not be able to figure out how to drink water but I've been killing it on the regular exercise front. I've been benched since late April after the doctors found a cyst. Knowing that when I did in earnest start with my egg retrieval in July I'd have to stop jogging, I decided to make the most of my time on the bench and have been out running 4-5 times a week, and even upping my mileage on my once-per-week long run. I did a 6-miler last week, which is the longest I've ever run! (of course, it appears to have absolutely zero impact on my weight, but whatever, I feel good and that's what counts.)
  

  
  

  What has you motivated or struggling this week?

  we finally got a little rain around here the last few days (I live out west and we're in a deep deep drought). so I've been loving going out to run in the cool damp weather.
  

  History

  I am doing this on my own. Left ovary and fallopian tube removed due to cyst/necrosis just after birth. Right ovary and tube still purport to function.

  Began TTC in Aug '18 @ age 35

  5 or 6 (or 7?!) cycles using frozen donor sperm, ICI. All BFN

  Mar-Jun '19 IUIs, all BFN
  

  Began process of referral for RE in spring of '19, blood tests confirm low AMH (.54) but all else is good.

  May '19 HSG shows open tube, but ultrasound suggests fibroids
  

  MRI in June '19 confirms two large fibroids, one growing through wall of uterus

  In June '19 I move from California to Oregon, disrupting my insurance, referrals, etc. 5 months spent piecing it all back together.
  

  Nov. '19 attempted myomectomy (vaginal approach) failed. 2nd surgery using laparoscopic method in Jan '20 is successful.
  

  April '20 --> June '20, natural IUIs, all BFN.

  July? saline ultrasound and bubble test demonstrate open tube
  

  July '20 clomid cycle cancelled for thin lining

  Aug-Oct, 3 femara cycles, all BFN

  RE referral. While waiting to set up an appointment Nov-Jan,I continue with natural cycles and ICI, using a known donor, BFN...
  

  Jan '21 more bloodwork, AMH is worse (.30), FSH high albeit not catastrophic at 13.2. hysteroscopy all good. "looks cozy!" says the RE.
  

  Feb '21, injectables (menopur, novarel), iui, BFN (doc said the frozen donor sperm sample had the "best numbers she'd ever seen!")
  

  Mar '21, injectables, iui cancelled due to lack of follicles, converted to at home-insem. BFN
  

  May '21, first IVF round cancelled due to cyst.

  July '21 IVF: standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 7; 6 days of stims. 8 eggs retrieved, 7 mature, 5 fertilize, 4 made it to blast. 3 are 4AB, 1 is 4BB. PGT-A results all abnormal.
  Oct '21 somewhat improved AMH (.51) and significantly improved FSH (8.9). Maybe it's all the pills I swallow.
  Dec -21, standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 5; 11 days of stims. retrieval yields 5, 4M, 2 reach day-6 blast (4AB & 4BB). 1 low-level mosaic (chr. 3 deletion), 1 complex abnormal.
  Feb '22 FET (low-level mosaic): CP.
  May '22 egg retrieval, lupron flare protocol. HGH priming for 1 month before stims; md lupron 20/20u daily; menopur 225, follistim 225, 10k trigger after 8 days of stims; AFC 10; 13 retrieved; 10 mature; 8 fertilized. All frozen at 2PN for later thaw, grow, and biopsy.
  July '22 egg retrieval same protocol: 9 days of stims; AFC 8; 10 retrieved, 8 mature, 4 fertilized and frozen.
  Sept '22 ER same protocol: AFC 10; 12 retrieved, 11 mature, 11 fertilized.
  From the 3 retrievals, 7 survived to day 5-6 blastocyst, from which I have 2 normal embryos!
  Jan 20, Fully medicated FET, baby aspirin, dexamethasone, acupuncture, and as much woo as I can stand (which isn't very much). BFN.
  July 23, Natural FET + baby aspirin. BFN.
  

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• inthewoods23 member

  June 2021

  @optimistgardener you are correct. The trick is just to have a water bottle on you at all times. It might help to either make filling a bottle the first thing you do in the morning or even the night before and put it on your nightstand. The other big help for me was making it flavored water. I can't stand water on its own. Adding Mio makes it so much easier to chug water on a regular basis.
  
  

  What habits, goals, or resolutions are you focusing on this week? less sugar and soda

  
  How's everything going? Any recent wins? it's going alright. I'm pretty decent about the soda. Sweets are my enemy. I'm surprised I haven't started scooping leftover frosting out of the container after I made the cake for my cat's birthday
  
  What has you motivated or struggling this week? how do I enjoy life without dessert??? I don't know where the line is for an acceptable amount of dessert or treats I could have a day. I'm struggling with what I should really cut out and what I should only have on occasion. I still love having apple cider or hot chocolate during the day but when I read the nutrition information 1 packet is like 46% the daily value of sugar!!
  

  *TW* History

  TTC #1 since 7.2017
  Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
  
  IUI #1-3 | all BFN
  IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
  FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
  RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
  FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
  2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
  Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
  TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20
  
  Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
  Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
  Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
  Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
  BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22  | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy
  DS born 7.19.22 after induction
  
  
  TTC #2 begins 6.2023
  Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
  Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
  Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
  Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
  Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
  Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
  Repeat labs in 8 weeks
  Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
  TTC ended due to filing divorce
  
  **New relationship starting May 2024**
  
  Surprise BFP!! | 9.7.25 | EDD 5.11.26
  

  Report1 Reply
• optimistgardener member

  June 2021

  thanks @inthewoods23. I do just need to start carrying a water bottle with me. i guess because i'm at home all day long so i feel silly carrying my bottle with me into the next room when the sink is just over in the kitchen. but obviously not close enough! i totally understand the struggle on the sugar front. i know this probably will not feel useful at all, but for me, sugar is a thing where the more i have, the more i want. it almost feels addictive. Even having a little bit of refined sugar in my life i feel like i wake up a monster inside me that yells "FEED ME" whenever i walk by the candy aisle or see a donut shop. and that monster is insatiable! but if i just don't eat sugar, then after a week or so i don't think about it. although admittedly, the occasional donut is one of the great joys of life. so I dunno.
  

  
  

  History

  I am doing this on my own. Left ovary and fallopian tube removed due to cyst/necrosis just after birth. Right ovary and tube still purport to function.

  Began TTC in Aug '18 @ age 35

  5 or 6 (or 7?!) cycles using frozen donor sperm, ICI. All BFN

  Mar-Jun '19 IUIs, all BFN
  

  Began process of referral for RE in spring of '19, blood tests confirm low AMH (.54) but all else is good.

  May '19 HSG shows open tube, but ultrasound suggests fibroids
  

  MRI in June '19 confirms two large fibroids, one growing through wall of uterus

  In June '19 I move from California to Oregon, disrupting my insurance, referrals, etc. 5 months spent piecing it all back together.
  

  Nov. '19 attempted myomectomy (vaginal approach) failed. 2nd surgery using laparoscopic method in Jan '20 is successful.
  

  April '20 --> June '20, natural IUIs, all BFN.

  July? saline ultrasound and bubble test demonstrate open tube
  

  July '20 clomid cycle cancelled for thin lining

  Aug-Oct, 3 femara cycles, all BFN

  RE referral. While waiting to set up an appointment Nov-Jan,I continue with natural cycles and ICI, using a known donor, BFN...
  

  Jan '21 more bloodwork, AMH is worse (.30), FSH high albeit not catastrophic at 13.2. hysteroscopy all good. "looks cozy!" says the RE.
  

  Feb '21, injectables (menopur, novarel), iui, BFN (doc said the frozen donor sperm sample had the "best numbers she'd ever seen!")
  

  Mar '21, injectables, iui cancelled due to lack of follicles, converted to at home-insem. BFN
  

  May '21, first IVF round cancelled due to cyst.

  July '21 IVF: standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 7; 6 days of stims. 8 eggs retrieved, 7 mature, 5 fertilize, 4 made it to blast. 3 are 4AB, 1 is 4BB. PGT-A results all abnormal.
  Oct '21 somewhat improved AMH (.51) and significantly improved FSH (8.9). Maybe it's all the pills I swallow.
  Dec -21, standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 5; 11 days of stims. retrieval yields 5, 4M, 2 reach day-6 blast (4AB & 4BB). 1 low-level mosaic (chr. 3 deletion), 1 complex abnormal.
  Feb '22 FET (low-level mosaic): CP.
  May '22 egg retrieval, lupron flare protocol. HGH priming for 1 month before stims; md lupron 20/20u daily; menopur 225, follistim 225, 10k trigger after 8 days of stims; AFC 10; 13 retrieved; 10 mature; 8 fertilized. All frozen at 2PN for later thaw, grow, and biopsy.
  July '22 egg retrieval same protocol: 9 days of stims; AFC 8; 10 retrieved, 8 mature, 4 fertilized and frozen.
  Sept '22 ER same protocol: AFC 10; 12 retrieved, 11 mature, 11 fertilized.
  From the 3 retrievals, 7 survived to day 5-6 blastocyst, from which I have 2 normal embryos!
  Jan 20, Fully medicated FET, baby aspirin, dexamethasone, acupuncture, and as much woo as I can stand (which isn't very much). BFN.
  July 23, Natural FET + baby aspirin. BFN.
  

  Report1 Reply
• rachelredhead member

  June 2021

  What habits, goals, or resolutions are you focusing on this week? Logging food in Cronometer, eating an anti-inflammatory diet as much as possible 

  
  How's everything going? Any recent wins? Going pretty well! I really like seeing all the vitamins in Cronometer. I have an eating disorder in my past so focusing on caloric intake is not healthy for me. But focusing on making sure I get all my vitamins, fiber in each day feels helpful and encouraging. I’m also trying to close my rings (Apple Watch) every day in June. So far so good! 
  
  What has you motivated or struggling this week? We’re making more plans now that vaccination rates are increasing and cases are going down in my area. It’s motivating to think about getting healthy and getting pregnant (hopefully) in a world where Covid is something we can control. 
  

  
  

  @inthewoods23 I can’t handle hard-and-fast rules when it comes to foods. But maybe knowing you love your cider and hot chocolate, maybe you could find some lower sugar substitutes during the week (apple scented teas?) and save the good stuff for weekends. 

  Report0 Reply
• inthewoods23 member

  June 2021

  @optimistgardener yeah if I don't have chocolate or sugar much it's not hard at all not to eat it. I get on these kicks you know? But omg donuts
  
  @rachelredhead what foods are you incorporating for anti-inflammatory? You make a good point about the lower sugar substitutes. I know the apple cider has a sugar free version so I should buy that instead of the regular version.
  

  *TW* History

  TTC #1 since 7.2017
  Dx: low morph (1%), ANA positive, low decidualization score, high TSH and testosterone, histone antibodies
  
  IUI #1-3 | all BFN
  IVF #1 | 6.11.19 | 24R, 17M, 15F, 6B, PGT-A tested - 5 normal, 3 girls & 2 boys
  FET #1 | 9.10.19 | BFN "I know you, but we've never met. I'm with you, but I don't know your name"
  RPL, Receptiva, & ERA testing | all normal/negative, recommended going on gluten and dairy free diet for next FET
  FET #2 | 3.31.20 | Opted to cancelled due to pandemic, continued diet and tried naturally over the summer
  2nd Opinion with another RE | 8.20.20 | Not immune to measles (received 1 dose); SA results similar to 2 years ago; decided to move forward with FET #2 redo at start of next cycle
  Surprise natural BFP! | 9.22.20 | MC 10.23.20 at 8 weeks
  TTCAL naturally | starting 11.22.20
  
  Initial consultation with Reproductive Immunologist | 9.14.21
  Decidualization score biopsy | 10.1.21 | abnormal - low score of 1; endometrial scratch recommended and progesterone supplementation
  Saline sono | 10.15.21 | normal
  Bloodwork | 10.21.21 | high TSH, high testosterone, positive for anti-nuclear antibodies and histone antibodies, high protein S, multiple genetic mutations
  BFP! | 11.3.21 | EDD 7.14.22  | biopsy provided same effect as endometrial scratch; added supplemental progesterone and estrogen, prednisone, levothyroxine, and MTX Support to maintain pregnancy
  DS born 7.19.22 after induction
  
  
  TTC #2 begins 6.2023
  Consultation with RI | 6.6.23
  Saline sono, endometritis biopsy, skin & eye check | all normal
  Labs | high TSH, Factor XIII mutation, high %CD56
  Follow up | 8.8.23 | prescribed metformin, prednisone, plaquenil, and levothyroxine
  Repeat labs after 3 weeks on meds
  Follow up | 11.9.23 | Green light!, increase in prednisone, added lovenox
  Repeat labs in 8 weeks
  Follow up | 1.16.24 | Green light continues
  TTC ended due to filing divorce
  
  **New relationship starting May 2024**
  
  Surprise BFP!! | 9.7.25 | EDD 5.11.26
  

  Report1 Reply
• pajamstagrams member

  June 2021 edited June 2021

  @optimistgardener I've found my water consumption greatly increases when I have a water bottle, or another large cup with a straw. I drink waaaay more with a straw 🤷‍♀️
  
  @rachelredhead also curious as to your antiinflammatory diet! I've done a few different ones in my day 🤓
  
  @inthewoods23 I guess like you said, you kind of need to figure out if you're an "abstainer" or a "moderator" when it comes to desserts. For me, I'm an abstainer when it comes to alcohol- it's harder for me to limit to one drink than it is to just not have one at all (I'm definitely getting better, especially as I get older and realize how much it affects me) But when it comes to chocolate, I'm actually a pretty good moderator- one square and I'm satisfied, I rarely binge on a whole bar. So, if I'm trying to cut back, it's better and waaaay easier for me to go completely alcohol free for the week, but I can still have a small amount of chocolate here and there. 
  
  
  What habits, goals, or resolutions are you focusing on this week? Continuing my strength program

  
  

  How's everything going? Any recent wins? Going as good as it can be for having taken 6 ish weeks off. Slowly getting my strength back, and I'm sore AF.

  
  

  What has you motivated or struggling this week? Not that the number on the scale matters a whole lot to me (I'd rather be strong and look good than weight less), but I have been losing weight and can tell that I've lost some around the belly, which is great! So that's got me happy that things are working and my eating/exercise is balanced appropriately.

  Report1 Reply
• optimistgardener member

  June 2021

  @pajamstagrams oooooh a straw! actually this makes all the sense in the world. I'm gonna go buy me one of those fancy metal straws now, just to have extra hydrating incentive.
  

  History

  I am doing this on my own. Left ovary and fallopian tube removed due to cyst/necrosis just after birth. Right ovary and tube still purport to function.

  Began TTC in Aug '18 @ age 35

  5 or 6 (or 7?!) cycles using frozen donor sperm, ICI. All BFN

  Mar-Jun '19 IUIs, all BFN
  

  Began process of referral for RE in spring of '19, blood tests confirm low AMH (.54) but all else is good.

  May '19 HSG shows open tube, but ultrasound suggests fibroids
  

  MRI in June '19 confirms two large fibroids, one growing through wall of uterus

  In June '19 I move from California to Oregon, disrupting my insurance, referrals, etc. 5 months spent piecing it all back together.
  

  Nov. '19 attempted myomectomy (vaginal approach) failed. 2nd surgery using laparoscopic method in Jan '20 is successful.
  

  April '20 --> June '20, natural IUIs, all BFN.

  July? saline ultrasound and bubble test demonstrate open tube
  

  July '20 clomid cycle cancelled for thin lining

  Aug-Oct, 3 femara cycles, all BFN

  RE referral. While waiting to set up an appointment Nov-Jan,I continue with natural cycles and ICI, using a known donor, BFN...
  

  Jan '21 more bloodwork, AMH is worse (.30), FSH high albeit not catastrophic at 13.2. hysteroscopy all good. "looks cozy!" says the RE.
  

  Feb '21, injectables (menopur, novarel), iui, BFN (doc said the frozen donor sperm sample had the "best numbers she'd ever seen!")
  

  Mar '21, injectables, iui cancelled due to lack of follicles, converted to at home-insem. BFN
  

  May '21, first IVF round cancelled due to cyst.

  July '21 IVF: standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 7; 6 days of stims. 8 eggs retrieved, 7 mature, 5 fertilize, 4 made it to blast. 3 are 4AB, 1 is 4BB. PGT-A results all abnormal.
  Oct '21 somewhat improved AMH (.51) and significantly improved FSH (8.9). Maybe it's all the pills I swallow.
  Dec -21, standard antagonist. 225menupur/225gonal-f/cetrotide/5000u trigger, AFC 5; 11 days of stims. retrieval yields 5, 4M, 2 reach day-6 blast (4AB & 4BB). 1 low-level mosaic (chr. 3 deletion), 1 complex abnormal.
  Feb '22 FET (low-level mosaic): CP.
  May '22 egg retrieval, lupron flare protocol. HGH priming for 1 month before stims; md lupron 20/20u daily; menopur 225, follistim 225, 10k trigger after 8 days of stims; AFC 10; 13 retrieved; 10 mature; 8 fertilized. All frozen at 2PN for later thaw, grow, and biopsy.
  July '22 egg retrieval same protocol: 9 days of stims; AFC 8; 10 retrieved, 8 mature, 4 fertilized and frozen.
  Sept '22 ER same protocol: AFC 10; 12 retrieved, 11 mature, 11 fertilized.
  From the 3 retrievals, 7 survived to day 5-6 blastocyst, from which I have 2 normal embryos!
  Jan 20, Fully medicated FET, baby aspirin, dexamethasone, acupuncture, and as much woo as I can stand (which isn't very much). BFN.
  July 23, Natural FET + baby aspirin. BFN.
  

  Report2 Reply
• rachelredhead member

  June 2021

  @pajamstagrams @inthewoods23 I’m really just following a Mediterranean based diet, lots of lean protein, some dairy, legumes, veggies, lots of berries. I’m avoiding processed grains so no bread but I make chickpea pasta and other high protein substitutes. 

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