Ok, been working on these tags all week! Finally got them done:
@optimistgardener My first thought about your MET tidbit was, “I learned something new today!” I also laughed at you saying that there aren’t any more scientific studies for you to read on the topic. Oh, how I can relate! 🤓 Good luck with the bloodwork tomorrow. FX that your body is responding beautifully to the new stuff. And FX that the interview scheduling lines up perfectly around your procedure. That is no fun to have to worry about—sounds very stressful.
@kiki047 I hope you’re getting to take it easy and let that little one settle in snugly. As for your questions: 1) You remembered correctly that I’ve done hcg washes. I don’t know whether they show up in the system. It probably depends on how much your doctor used. My local RE uses just 500 based on her research, but I’ve seen some people say their RE used 10,000. Since the body absorbs estrogen and progesterone that we insert, it seems reasonable to think that the hcg is also absorbed and then could be picked up on a test. But I’m not sure.
2) I am also on Lovenox. It used to really sting and bruise. At that time I was icing before and after, pulling the skin taught, and dreading the burn. Now I have no pain, no stinging, and no bruising after changing up my approach. My trick is to not ice at all before or after. I do pinch the skin, only using the skin below and on either side of my belly button. (Avoid the meridian: there seem to be way more nerves down the center of the body, which makes sense.) The lower down I go the less it hurts. I tried the love handles a couple times but it hurt like hell so I went back to my lower stomach. Oh, and you probably already know this, but inject very very very slowly. That makes all the difference in burning and bruising. Good luck with finding the best approach for you! // For your Vegas vacation: completely understand your lack of enthusiasm about being indoors with the big C in Sin City. If you have the time, consider driving a little west of Vegas to Red Rock Canyon, or two hours north of Vegas to the town of St. George in Utah. The red rock trails there are absolutely breathtaking. There’s an amazing natural spa and wellness resort there called Red Mountain that is excellent if you have the time. Another 2.5 hours in the other direction is Lake Havasu in Arizona. Or you could just enjoy the artificial lake and fun that is Lake Las Vegas. Those are all my ideas for outdoor fun while you’re there.
@acleverusername Love your creativity with the gif this week!😄 But—question to all of you: has anyone here ever taken control of Wanda during an appointment?🧐 I’ve never heard of such a thing but now inquiring minds want to know. // You know I’m the worst about checking the inbox.😬 Will send a reply this weekend, promise! BTW, here is a bit more info on the endometrial biopsy/decidualization biopsy you were asking ITW about: https://rfums-bigtree.s3.amazonaws.com/files/resources/decscore-test-description.pdf
@shortstack930 Sorry about that reaction. Maybe getting all the adhesive off with alcohol pads in between changes will help a bit? Good luck at the lining check next week! It will be so perfect if it lines up with your 7 days off.🤞🏽
@tessiesmom26 Welcome. You’ve gotten lots of good advice. Just wanted to clarify some of the testing timing you mentioned: the most important testing takes place on CD 2 or CD 3, where you get your egg reserve tested (AMH) and have your antral follicle count done on ultrasound. The other very important testing is called CD 21 testing, but it really needs to happen 7 days after you ovulate. Since your cycles have been wonky lately, you’re really going to want to pinpoint ovulation to make sure you get the right day for your Cycle Day 21 testing (which could be on CD 20, CD 24–just whatever day is actually 7 days past ovulation).
@caseys02 Welcome to you as well. Sorry any of us has to be here. When you say FET or straight IVF, it sounds like you’re referring to IVF being the egg retrieval, fertilization, and then going right into a fresh transfer a few days later. Is this correct? Since you’re doing timed intercourse now, you might want to consider doing an IUI or several as the interim treatment before moving in to IVF. However, you mentioned being “old” and YH having crappy sperm, so maybe you already decided that IUI isn’t the best option for you?
@walkawaynee LOVE everything you said about your second opinion doc! What a breath of fresh air. It sounds like he’s got a plan for you to start a protocol that is typical for “older” patients and those with DOR. Did he tell you when to start Omni? Many REs have you start with stims, but many others believe you should start 4 to 6 or even 8 weeks before the retrieval, as it works on the tiniest of the pre-antral follicles, which are still “sleeping” during a current stim cycle. Dr. Gleicher at CHR has studied this and promotes the advanced priming theory. https://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/blog/update-on-human-growth-hormone-hgh-use-in-female-fertility
@fantasyflyte So sorry you’re still waiting on that pre-auth to get processed! I really hope your insurance gets it together and comes through for you in the clincher. And if not, FX that timed intercourse works with the support fo the letrozole. Curiosity question: what kind of internship are you hoping to get? (Sorry if I missed this in the last few weeks.)
@keikilove and @kiki047 sorry for horning in here on the vacation discussion but i just had to say that i, too, love the st. george area in southwest Utah. I've never been to vegas but i would definitely jump on any opportunity that comes my way for a visit to the red rock region. it's some of the most magical landscape i've ever encountered.
Re: my bloodwork yesterday it all worked out ok in the end but the journey was a little stressful. I opted to do my bloodwork locally rather than drive 3 hours to the clinic. I had paperwork orders with STAT written all over it and the person who took my blood yesterday morning was adamant that it would be turned around in just a few hours at most. Anyway come 4:30pm yesterday the fertility nurse coordinator was on the phone with me like, "we've heard nothing" and of course i'd heard nothing either and no word in my mychart portal. so she calls the lab and the lab is like, "oh, we put that sample on a truck to go to x city about 6 hours away." so the nurse calls me back and tells me this and then says "the lab tells us we'll be lucky if we get the results before monday." and i flatout start cursing. the nurse sounds shocked and says "i'm sorry what did you say?" and i'm like "oh sorry i just started cursing." and she laughs and says "that was my response too," and then tells me to hold my course on dosage and we'll just cross fingers that i'm responding in a normal fashion to my shots and make adjustments when the results do come in. But happily woke up this morning to the result in my mychart portal and it is (barely) within the range they want to see (they want 250 minimum and i'm at 252. 300 is more like what they're hoping for but at least i'm ballpark), so, phew.
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.
@keikilove thanks for checking on me 🙂 tax season is in full swing and I didn’t get a chance to check in this week, but not much to report either. I have my CD12 monitoring appointment today (at 6:45 AM which seems absurd haha) so I’ll do a proper check in tomorrow! Hope all is well with you too❤️
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.
@bows22@keikilove sorry for the late reply. Yes I mean fresh transfer. We were given a 5% chance of getting pregnant with IUI because of Zach's sperm so I don't want to deal with that as an option.
Me: 38 BF: 35 TTC Journey
TTC since 1/2020 AMA and poor sperm motility/count/morp 5% chance of IUI success 10/26/2021 - MC#1
@caseys02 every situation is different so there may be something I’m missing, but I don’t think it makes sense to pay for a retrieval and then continue to try on your own without transferring, unless you have a reason to think your eggs won’t be as good in a couple of months. So if it were me I’d either keep trying on your own or go all in with IVF.
@caseys02 sorry to be a little thick here but I guess i'm still not sure i understand your question. are you trying to decide between doing a fresh embryo transfer vs. freezing everything and then doing a frozen transfer later/in a couple of months?
If so, here are my thoughts:
To some extent this is going to depend on the outcome of your egg retrieval. so, if you've got diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) like me, there may be a possibility that by the time you do the retrieval and then fertilization and the embryos are allowed to grow for 5-6 days, there may only be 1-2 that make it. if that's the case and unless there is a compelling reason otherwise (i'll get there in a minute) many REs will encourage you to do a fresh transfer with those puppies because there is a general sense that they will have their best shot in your uterus. Freezing is an inherently risky process, even if freeze/thaw rates are typically excellent. By contrast if you get lucky and have lots of day 5-6 survivors (blastocysts or blasts), the RE may also encourage you to do a fresh transfer just because what the heck, why not. There are still plenty of others to freeze.
Now, why would people want to do a freeze all (or in the case of the latter, a freeze "most") cycle? the short answer is (a) if you want to do a genetic test on your embryos or (b) if you have uterine lining issues, or (c) if you think the stats on frozen transfers are better. let me break those down a bit: a) if you're older or have other reasons to worry about chromosomal inheritance stuff, you may decide that you want to do PGT-A testing. The testing takes a several weeks and requires that you freeze your embryos for a later frozen transfer. PGT-A will weed out all the genetically abnormal embryos and save you the trauma/wasted time of transferring those that are unlikely to stick. for many women in their later 30s, this means that if, say, 3-5 of your embryos make it to day 5, only 1 or 2 of them will be "normal." if you only get 1 or 2 blasts and you opt to test them, there's a high likelihood that none will come back normal, which can be hella disappointing. But if you do get 1 or 2 normals back, you can then transfer these with a higher degree of confidence that, assuming there are no other confounding factors (lining receptivity issues), they'll stick. PGT-A testing costs more money, though, and most insurance does not cover it even if you're lucky enough to have infertility coverage. b) you may want to do a frozen transfer because your RE has identified receptivity or lining issues and wants to put you through a more controlled preparatory treatment to try to do things like knock back endometriosis or build up a nice thick uterine lining to up the chances of a transfer's success. c) some REs and some of the literature out there will tell you that frozen transfers have a higher chance of success than a fresh transfer. the logic here is that your system is going to be a bit stressed out by all the hormones you've just pumped into it for the retrieval, and may not be perfectly situated for the transfer. my RE is very suspicious of this logic, though, and his in-clinic data apparently supports a fresh transfer as equivalent to a frozen one. my general sense is that there are so many confounding factors (fresh transfers are genetically untested, some women may have an easier or more difficult time building a receptive lining, freezing has risks, etc.) that it is hard to compare between them.
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.
@optimistgardener Wow, very thorough and informative! We should save this so that the next time someone asks about these issues you can just repost this stellar response.
thanks @keikilove! we've all spent so much time thinking about this stuff that collectively we could probably write an excellent guidebook.
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.
Me: 41; MH: 40 | Met 02/2009 | Started Dating 08/2017 | Married 02/02/2020 Mar 2024 | consult to get established with a new reproductive immunologist (Alan Beer Center) Apr/May 2024 | required testing & waiting for a protocol May 2024 | protocol given / decided to go back to my old reproductive immunologist, Dr. Jubiz Jun / Jul 2024 | more testing, incl. SIS, ultrasound, and endometrial biopsy Jul 2024 | Dx chronic endometritis; 14 days of 100mg of doxy given Sep 2024 | Repeat endometrial biopsy; still + for chronic endometritis. 2 more antibiotics + an antiviral Oct 2024 | Hysteroscopy turned polypectomy; endometriosis consult w/ specialist who confirmed high likelihood of endo based on symptoms and ultrasound; lots of blood tests ordered Mar 2025 | Endo excision surgery. Stage 3 endo found! Recoveing Apr 2025 | Planning transfer w/ RE & green light protocol w/ RI; target transfer July or August 2025 May 2025 | Surprise BFP! EDD 1/11/2026
TTC #1
Me: 36, MH: 34 | Met 02/2009 | Started Dating 08/2017 | Married 02/02/2020 TTC #1 02/2020 - 07/2022 2009 | Dx PCOS; likely a misdiagnosis 07/14/20 | Dx Hashimoto's Thyroditis 07/21/20 | 1st RE appointment 07/2120 - 08/20/20 | so much testing; no signs of PCOS 08/20/20 | Dx Unexplained; AMA 09/08/20 | IUI #1 Clomid + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN 09/30/20 | Urology consult; more testing required 10/2020 | Clomid + OPK + TI + Prometrium | BFN 10/26/2020 | Starting 2nd IUI cycle, with Letrazole and with a new RE / different clinic 11/03/2020 | New Dx "poor egg quality"; IUI cancelled in favor of Trigger + TI + Prometrium | BFN 11/26/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Menopur) + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN 12/20/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Gonal-F) + Trigger | IUI Cancelled due to thin lining; TI only | BFN 01/14/2021 | Combo IUI (Letrazole + Menopur) + Trigger | BFN 02/06/2021 | Switched to a new RE (TEW) ; trying naturally until we complete additional testing 03/14/2021 | Hybrid Double IUI, with Zymot (Letrazole, Gonal-F) + Trigger + Endometrin | Ovulated 4 mature eggs but still a BFN ☹️ 04/07/2021 | Natural cycle while we regroup | BFN 04/09/2021 | Employer announces fertility benefits starting 05/01/2021! | Search for a new doctor who accepts insurance 05/10/2021 | New RE consult & plan for IVF 05/13/2021 | Mid-luteal IVF cycle #1 interrupted; had to get cancer genetic screening done to make sure I didn't have the same SDHA gene mutation as MH. 06/10/2021 | Aygestin priming IVF cycle #1; opted to Cx after 9 days of stims since only 5-6/12 follicles responded 07/26/2021 | Attempt #2 at IVF cycle #1 (mid-luteal start): 8 retrieved, 8 MII, 6 fert (1 PN3), 3 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 3AA, 3AA, 6AB; 3 euploid 08/09/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC | Shockingly, a BFP! EDD: 5/25/202 | CP at 4w4d 09/23/2021 | IVF cycle #2 (mid-luteal start): 14 retrieved, 13 MII, 11 fert, 5 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 2 x 3AA, 2 x 3AB, 3BB; 2 euploid 11/12/2021 | IVF cycle #3 (mid-luteal start): cancelled due to ovaries being on vacation 12/20/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + Pregmune Immunology Testing; BFN 01/22/2022 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + understanding uncovered immunological issues; BFN 02/18/2022 | Mock transfer cycle! ERA, ReceptivaDx, EMMA/ALICE; start Prednisone to address NK activity 03/16/2022 | Final, "Hail Mary" super-ovulation + TI cycle before FET; BFP! EDD: 12/21/2022 | MMC 05/08/2022 05/20/2022 | D&C; recovering... 06/21/2022 | Trying naturally until October 2022 07/21/2022 | BFP! EDD 04/02/2023; 👦🏼 born on 4/5/2023
Re: IF Testing & Treatment w/o 1.17
@optimistgardener My first thought about your MET tidbit was, “I learned something new today!” I also laughed at you saying that there aren’t any more scientific studies for you to read on the topic. Oh, how I can relate! 🤓 Good luck with the bloodwork tomorrow. FX that your body is responding beautifully to the new stuff. And FX that the interview scheduling lines up perfectly around your procedure. That is no fun to have to worry about—sounds very stressful.
@kiki047 I hope you’re getting to take it easy and let that little one settle in snugly. As for your questions: 1) You remembered correctly that I’ve done hcg washes. I don’t know whether they show up in the system. It probably depends on how much your doctor used. My local RE uses just 500 based on her research, but I’ve seen some people say their RE used 10,000. Since the body absorbs estrogen and progesterone that we insert, it seems reasonable to think that the hcg is also absorbed and then could be picked up on a test. But I’m not sure.
@acleverusername Love your creativity with the gif this week!😄 But—question to all of you: has anyone here ever taken control of Wanda during an appointment?🧐 I’ve never heard of such a thing but now inquiring minds want to know. // You know I’m the worst about checking the inbox.😬 Will send a reply this weekend, promise! BTW, here is a bit more info on the endometrial biopsy/decidualization biopsy you were asking ITW about: https://rfums-bigtree.s3.amazonaws.com/files/resources/decscore-test-description.pdf
@bows22 How goes it with you?
@shortstack930 Sorry about that reaction. Maybe getting all the adhesive off with alcohol pads in between changes will help a bit? Good luck at the lining check next week! It will be so perfect if it lines up with your 7 days off.🤞🏽
@walkawaynee LOVE everything you said about your second opinion doc! What a breath of fresh air. It sounds like he’s got a plan for you to start a protocol that is typical for “older” patients and those with DOR. Did he tell you when to start Omni? Many REs have you start with stims, but many others believe you should start 4 to 6 or even 8 weeks before the retrieval, as it works on the tiniest of the pre-antral follicles, which are still “sleeping” during a current stim cycle. Dr. Gleicher at CHR has studied this and promotes the advanced priming theory. https://www.centerforhumanreprod.com/blog/update-on-human-growth-hormone-hgh-use-in-female-fertility
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.
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.
TTC Journey
AMA and poor sperm motility/count/morp
5% chance of IUI success
10/26/2021 - MC#1
Zoey Catherine
She fought DIPG (brain cancer) for 2 years
#LETTHELIGHTSHINE
http://zoeyslight.org/
https://www.instagram.com/casey_steinv2.0/
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.
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.
TTC History
TTC#2
Mar 2024 | consult to get established with a new reproductive immunologist (Alan Beer Center)
Apr/May 2024 | required testing & waiting for a protocol
May 2024 | protocol given / decided to go back to my old reproductive immunologist, Dr. Jubiz
Jun / Jul 2024 | more testing, incl. SIS, ultrasound, and endometrial biopsy
Jul 2024 | Dx chronic endometritis; 14 days of 100mg of doxy given
Sep 2024 | Repeat endometrial biopsy; still + for chronic endometritis. 2 more antibiotics + an antiviral
Oct 2024 | Hysteroscopy turned polypectomy; endometriosis consult w/ specialist who confirmed high likelihood of endo based on symptoms and ultrasound; lots of blood tests ordered
Mar 2025 | Endo excision surgery. Stage 3 endo found! Recoveing
Apr 2025 | Planning transfer w/ RE & green light protocol w/ RI; target transfer July or August 2025
May 2025 | Surprise BFP! EDD 1/11/2026
TTC #1
TTC #1 02/2020 - 07/2022
2009 | Dx PCOS; likely a misdiagnosis
07/14/20 | Dx Hashimoto's Thyroditis
07/21/20 | 1st RE appointment
07/2120 - 08/20/20 | so much testing; no signs of PCOS
08/20/20 | Dx Unexplained; AMA
09/08/20 | IUI #1 Clomid + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
09/30/20 | Urology consult; more testing required
10/2020 | Clomid + OPK + TI + Prometrium | BFN
10/26/2020 | Starting 2nd IUI cycle, with Letrazole and with a new RE / different clinic
11/03/2020 | New Dx "poor egg quality"; IUI cancelled in favor of Trigger + TI + Prometrium | BFN
11/26/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Menopur) + Trigger + Prometrium | BFN
12/20/2020 | Combo IUI (Clomid + Gonal-F) + Trigger | IUI Cancelled due to thin lining; TI only | BFN
01/14/2021 | Combo IUI (Letrazole + Menopur) + Trigger | BFN
02/06/2021 | Switched to a new RE (TEW) ; trying naturally until we complete additional testing
03/14/2021 | Hybrid Double IUI, with Zymot (Letrazole, Gonal-F) + Trigger + Endometrin | Ovulated 4 mature eggs but still a BFN ☹️
04/07/2021 | Natural cycle while we regroup | BFN
04/09/2021 | Employer announces fertility benefits starting 05/01/2021! | Search for a new doctor who accepts insurance
05/10/2021 | New RE consult & plan for IVF
05/13/2021 | Mid-luteal IVF cycle #1 interrupted; had to get cancer genetic screening done to make sure I didn't have the same SDHA gene mutation as MH.
06/10/2021 | Aygestin priming IVF cycle #1; opted to Cx after 9 days of stims since only 5-6/12 follicles responded
07/26/2021 | Attempt #2 at IVF cycle #1 (mid-luteal start): 8 retrieved, 8 MII, 6 fert (1 PN3), 3 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 3AA, 3AA, 6AB; 3 euploid
08/09/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC | Shockingly, a BFP! EDD: 5/25/202 | CP at 4w4d
09/23/2021 | IVF cycle #2 (mid-luteal start): 14 retrieved, 13 MII, 11 fert, 5 Day 5 & 6 blasts: 2 x 3AA, 2 x 3AB, 3BB; 2 euploid
11/12/2021 | IVF cycle #3 (mid-luteal start): cancelled due to ovaries being on vacation
12/20/2021 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + Pregmune Immunology Testing; BFN
01/22/2022 | Rest cycle / unmedicated TTC + understanding uncovered immunological issues; BFN
02/18/2022 | Mock transfer cycle! ERA, ReceptivaDx, EMMA/ALICE; start Prednisone to address NK activity
03/16/2022 | Final, "Hail Mary" super-ovulation + TI cycle before FET; BFP! EDD: 12/21/2022 | MMC 05/08/2022
05/20/2022 | D&C; recovering...
06/21/2022 | Trying naturally until October 2022
07/21/2022 | BFP! EDD 04/02/2023; 👦🏼 born on 4/5/2023