IF Testing & Treatments w/o 5/30

ejoseph16 · May 2022

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

Diagnosis (if you've been):

Status (TI/ICI/IUI/IVF/FET/benched):

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

How are things going?:

Any questions?:

GTKY: If you could go anywhere in the world, cost free, where would you go?

mambo5-2 · May 2022

Diagnosis (if you've been): RPL, MFI and possible funky blood

Status (TI/ICI/IUI/IVF/FET/benched): IVF

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): BCP end tomorrow! Baseline appointment Friday, Stims start Friday or Saturday!

How are things going?: I'm super, super anxious. My IF is different so I'm like in this place where I'm like I'm going to do all these things to miscarry, again. I need to tell my brain to get it together.

Any questions?: I don't even know I feel like I have so many questions but don't know what they are. I'm anxious for my baseline appointment because I don't know what to expect.

GTKY: If you could go anywhere in the world, cost free, where would you go?

A European Tour. Go all the places see all the things. H and I always say we will do this in our 40's.

optimistgardener · May 2022

@mambo5-2 hey! that's so exciting that your cycle is coming right up! fingers crossed for a promising baseline and smooth sailing. i'm sorry that you're feeling a lot of anxiety about possible outcomes. make sure you keep talking to your RE and asking them to talk you through (even if they are repeating themselves) how they plan on reducing your risk of miscarriage and supporting your conception and healthy pregnancy.

AFM

Diagnosis (if you've been): cranky old ovary still doing her best

Status (TI/ICI/IUI/IVF/FET/benched): IVF

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): WFAF so I can go on BC again.

How are things going?: Man alive, I am so ready for my period to arrive because that usually is a pretty effective full-body reset for me. This post egg retrieval recovery has in some ways been pretty easy (I was back out and moving around pretty well the next day) but the constipation has been... horrific. My last two cycles I was better about preempting that but this time around I made no particular efforts in that regard and I've been paying the price. FYI @mambo5-2 take a tip from me and get ahead of this problem.

Any questions?: nope

GTKY: If you could go anywhere in the world, cost free, where would you go? oh man, i think we had a similar question a few months ago and i might have answered uzbekistan (in case you're wondering why, just run a google image search for bukhara), but i've been realizing that i have been neglecting travel in the western hemisphere. I'd love to spend some time in Mexico City.

kiki047 · May 2022

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS, RPL/RIF, I don't usually mention Miss Fibroid here but I will this time, also some MFI

Status (TI/ICI/IUI/IVF/FET/benched): FET # 7

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Elective double embryo transfer on a long microdose lupron suppression protocol w/kitchen sink immune treatment

How are things going?: FET-wise, good. I've been feeling pretty good on this anti-inflammatory diet, although I'm bored already. Doing my 2nd PRP infusion today. Can tell the progesterone is working, @optimistgardener are we starting a constipation club? Ooof.
But *TW* our favourite sweet little angel kitty earned her wings yesterday after a very rapid decline over the weekend. This is the little tabby in my DP. She would've been 15 this year, which I know is a good long life for a cat but her older sister is going strong, healthy as can be, so we feel very robbed of our baby girl who was more of a tiny furry human than a cat. To say we're devastated is an understatement. As a DINK couple, our pets are the closest thing we have to children and after almost 15 years with the little Monkey she was my baby and I'm really at a loss as to how to carry on without her. My ultra sensitive DH is absolutely crushed, and even went so far as to ask whether we should cancel the FET in case having a broken heart can influence the outcome. I reassured him that our guardian angel is looking out for us and she would have loved a human sibling, so we owe it to her to keep going. My stress level is through the roof though, so that's not inspiring much confidence. We'll be very mindful of trying to do little things that bring us joy over the next few weeks to heal our hearts.

Any questions?: NATM

GTKY: If you could go anywhere in the world, cost free, where would you go? The cost-free factor will greatly influence this answer, so I'd say somewhere luxurious that I might not otherwise splurge on, like Bali or Fiji, or else maybe New Zealand or Australia because I'd want to explore the entire island and do all the things.

mambo5-2 · May 2022

@kiki047 I am so sorry for the loss of your kitty, that is so hard.

bearmomma1 · May 2022

@kiki047 I'm so sorry for your loss

I know how devastating it is to lose a pet. I think grief can definitely affect our body in ways we don't understand, but I also know hope is sometimes the best way to heal a broken heart. I hope that you both can keep the hope alive in helping you grieve the loss of your sweet kitty and give your soul something to look forward to.

@mambo5-2 horray for last day of BC and baseline on Friday!! I hope your nerves can settle down a bit and turn into more of an excitement instead. But TTC after any type of loss is absolutely terrifying.

@optimistgardener hurry up AF!! I wasn't aware that constipation was a side affect of retrievals. I hope you get something moving along soon! Lots of coffee? smoke a cig? (i kid, i kid) lots of fiber pills?

Diagnosis (if you've been): DOR, luteal phase defect

Status (TI/ICI/IUI/IVF/FET/benched): TI

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Finished my double dose of clomid, friday is my first ultrasound appt to see if my body is reacting any better this time. come on ovaries!

How are things going?: We had such a busy busy busy weekend that I hadn't had time to count down the days. Excited but nervous about Friday and hoping we see some better activity.

Any questions?: natm

GTKY: If you could go anywhere in the world, cost free, where would you go? I want to stay on one of those hotels with the bungalows on the water. Somewhere warm, sunny, and luxurious

mambo5-2 · May 2022

@bearmomma1
I always see those bungalows and I want to go to one so bad! The amount of travel to them is insane though. Come on Ovaries!

optimistgardener · May 2022

@kiki047 i'm so sorry about the loss of your kitty, that's terrible. losing animal friends is so hard. *hug* // re: the FET prep, i'm crossing all the fingers and toes for you. glad that it's going well. I remember you mentioning Ms. Fibroid on one previous occasion--I take it she's camped out somewhere that the docs think is out of the way when it comes to implantation stuff?

@bearmomma1 i hope the double dose of clomid does the trick! also i hope you don't wind up having too many side effects from it. I didn't notice any particular issues (apart from an epic LP, which letrazole also does for me), but some women complain about mood swings. Also omg, I am nearly to the point of smoking a cigarette if it would help me. but AF is showing signs of being right around the corner (spotting, so either today or tomorrow), and usually that does the trick. Retrievals are hellish for constipation. For starters, there's the anesthetic and then whatever pain meds you get. That almost always slows things down. Then there's the general pain and swelling in the vicinity, which can discourage, shall we say, concerted efforts at evacuation. Then there's the hormones (this is especially the case for folks taking PIO on the way to a fresh transfer, which I'm not doing, but LOOK OUT to those for whom a fresh transfer in on the table). Then there's a tendency for women post-ovulation and also post transfer for the accumulation of free fluid in the abdomen. Most of that free fluid gets pulled from the gut.

acleverusername · May 2022

@kiki047 I am so sorry for the loss of your kitty. She is watching over you this week and always.

abjm0325 · May 2022

@mambo5-2 Yay for the end of BCP! TTCAL is so hard. I hope you can get a lot of support and reassurance from your RE as you navigate those feelings.

@optimistgardener I hope AF shows up promptly for you and that it is the kick your body needs to reset. Bukhara looks beautiful! I’ve been to Mexico City, but only briefly and would love to go again.

@kiki047 I’m so sorry for the loss of your sweet kitty. I’m sure she is watching over you all as you head into your FET. Sending you lots of hugs.

@bearmomma1 I hope your ultrasound appointment goes well! And that bungalow over the water sounds heavenly right now.

abjm0325 · May 2022

Diagnosis (if you've been): RPL, old, undetermined

Status (TI/ICI/IUI/IVF/FET/benched): TI, I guess? Are you usually benched after an HSG/SHG for any amount of time?

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): I have my SHG/HSG next Monday. I swear the nurse keeps inverting the letters when I talk to her so I am no longer clear which one I am having. Either way, going to go lie down and let people poke me while I pay them for the privilege.

How are things going?: Doing okay, I guess. Super disappointed last cycle didn’t pan out, but obviously not surprised. I’ll be glad to check this procedure off the list. Assuming physically everything looks okay, I think Clomid will be next on the docket. In non-TTC world, today is my last day at my current job. I am both relieved and sad.

Any questions?: Just the one up above about whether we will likely be benched this cycle or not.

GTKY: If you could go anywhere in the world, cost free, where would you go? Next on my bucket list is Iceland!

mambo5-2 · May 2022

@abjm0325 I was never benched after either procedure.

acleverusername · May 2022

@abjm0325 you won't be benched. In fact, if you're having an HSG, they say that you can be "more fertile" for 3 months after the fact as it completely clears out the tubes.

anniemarie887 · May 2022

I will try and get back for tags when I’m not on mobile. They make this crap too hard on a cell phone.

Diagnosis (if you've been): uncooperative uterus/RPL, TBD

Status (TI/ICI/IUI/IVF/FET/benched): benched

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): well I’m currently sitting at the OBGYN for my post op f/u, waiting on chromosomal results. and then nothing until RE on 6/23

How are things going?: bitter and jealous and a bit ragey. And very overwhelmed re work so that’s not helping. **TW PG announcement/LC**

I am in an online group with a friend who has a 7 month old, who posted yesterday she was pregnant with #2. She had told me a few mos ago they were going to start when the baby turned 1 and I immediately bitterly thought I bet she’ll lap me on pregnancies… and here we are. She also texted me at 8am to tell me, and she knows what we’re going through. And I was very polite. I just am not sitting well with these feelings. I don’t like them and I don’t want to give them that amount of control in my life.

Any questions?: natm

GTKY: If you could go anywhere in the world, cost free, where would you go? Oh, yea very similar from a few months ago. I think my answer remains, a month long tour of India. Maybe longer considering no budget!

mambo5-2 · May 2022

@anniemarie887
Hugs lady that is super hard.

bearmomma1 · May 2022

@anniemarie887 ugh I’m so sorry. Lots of hugs your way. Your feelings are valid. It’s hard to not have any control over them in this type of situation. I’ve been lapped a few times also and it’s the worst feeling.

kiki047 · May 2022

Thank you everyone for your kind condolences. I know it will get easier over time but right now we're still actively grieving and everything hurts.

@mambo5-2 TTCAL is hard enough, nevermind adding IVF to the mix. You're in good company here, keep us posted on how your baseline goes and ask all the questions if you think of them. Hugs! You can do this!
@bearmomma1

Let's goooo ovaries! Also, another yes to the bungalows on the water, that's what I picture when I think of Fiji.
@optimistgardener I always neglect the fibroid - yes, the big ol' wench is quite large now, I think the last measurement was over 8cm which is 3". It's subserosal though, so supposedly doesn't impact implantation, the one concern he had was that it could be diverting blood flow away from the uterus but have never had a doppler US to check. I know a few of the RIs specifically check for this but it certainly isn't standard practice elsewhere. The baby aspirin, fragmin, omega3 and acupuncture should help with that at least.
@abjm0325 I laughed out loud at "going to go lie down and let people poke me while I pay them for the privilege". Thank you for that. @acleverusername already gave you great advice but to add to that, were you advised to take anything beforehand for the discomfort? It's not painful but it can be very uncomfortable. My first SHG I cramped so hard I had a massive panic attack and felt like I was having a stroke, couldn't move or speak for almost a minute then just bawled for 20 mins straight after that. The 2nd and 3rd times were totally fine, just a bit of mild discomfort. I was advised to take an extra-strength tylenol AND an extra strength Advil about 30 mins-1hr prior, which took the edge off. I have no experience with an HSG.
@anniemarie887 "I don’t like them and I don’t want to give them that amount of control in my life." Nailed it. I'm so sorry friend, I'm all too familiar with that pain. Sending hugs.

ETA: Oops, forgot more of my update.

My RE wants me to do one more intralipid infusion prior to transfer, normally it's one a week prior and then again after positive beta but he said with my history I should do one more and I'm good with that. My schedule is crazy this week so I'm going to end up doing it the morning of my FET but I think that's still good. And hey, maybe it'll give me something to do while I'm just sitting there waiting for him since he's always hours late.

optimistgardener · June 2022

@kiki047 your Ms. Fibroid is a big girl! my two big fibroids were each about 5cm, but they were, as i understand it, subserosal and intramural. Really glad yours stays out of trouble.
@abjm0325 if it's an SHG (sonohysterogram, or saline-infused ultrasound), my experience was of it not being particularly painful but kind of surprising and weird-feeling. If it's an HSG (hysterosalpingogram, "dye test," done in conjunction with an x-ray), my experience of it was that it was pretty dang painful. On the other hand, the person who performed the HSG on me was like a random radiology lab tech who was not someone that normally navigated lady parts for a living, and he like, really really struggled to find his way into my cervix. And then the blowing up of the balloon thing to force ink into the fallopian tube was astonishingly painful but also i had two big fibroids at the time so who knows how that affected things. Regardless, i'd say take your pain meds in advance of the procedure (tylenol or whatever) and just breath deeply through it.

mambo5-2 · June 2022

Let me tell you the current BCP side effect of my side boobs HURT is not fun. Very tender side boobs make life hard.

acleverusername · June 2022

@mambo5-2 I feel for you. But... LAST DAY OF BCP!!!! WOOOOOO!

mambo5-2 · June 2022

@acleverusername it was yesterday! Praise!!! Baseline is Friday! What do we even look for at baseline? I know like follicles and they will run bloodwork again but like what are we actually looking for?

bearmomma1 · June 2022

I took my first OPK at 10 dpo as instructed and it’s super positive. Clomid has affected my OPK’s before, so we’re not sure what the deal is. I’m waiting at the dr now for an ultrasound.

optimistgardener · June 2022

@mambo5-2 they'll count your antral follicles, make sure none of them have escaped suppression (which could mess up a retrieval cycle), they'll check your e2 levels again to make sure things are nice and low, have a look at your endometrium at baseline (a good time to see if there's any deformations of the uterine cavity since the lining is basically nonexistent, or should be), etc. that's usually all my clinic does, but maybe others check in on other stuff. hurrah for finishing the bcps!

@bearmomma1 all the drugs that are supposed to help with ovulation make me ovulate 1-3 days early. sorry this is messing with you.

bearmomma1 · June 2022

@optimistgardener clomid has given me false surges before, even though I was nowhere close to ovulation. (Last cycle I didn’t O until CD 28!) But this is not a false alarm! I have an 18mm follicle! Waiting to hear back for further instructions on when to trigger.

anniemarie887 · June 2022

ok, phew, coming back to chat! copy and pasted in the right location now. ugh.

@mambo5-2 i'm sorry you are anxious, TTCAL brain sucks, there should be an off switch. i'm excited you are moving along in the process though!! friday is so soon!!
@optimistgardener constipation blows, colace is your friend IMO (assuming you can take colace?!). also, Mexico City is very high on my travel list. as is going to back to Antigua, Guatemala and visit Lake Atitlan. also appreciate you going over SHG/HSG difference, one of these i think is in my future w/the RE.
@kiki047 i'm so sorry about your kitty, giving you a giant virtual hug. it is just crushing when you love a pet like that and i can totally relate. it breaks my heart how sensitive YH is to it all as well, MH still has our dog who passed at 12 summer 2020 as his cell phone back ground.
@bearmomma1 fingers crossed for the most perfect ultrasound friday!! c'mon clomid!!
@abjm0325 also, man do i relate to "going to go lie down and let people poke me while I pay them for the privilege." for giggles i looked, we are $5895.46 in oop expenses so far this year, 10% coinsurance until we hit $10k lawd.

optimistgardener · June 2022

@anniemarie887 i had to laugh when i saw you posted this in the randoms thread. that's totally my brain right now, also. and thanks for the sympathy with my condition. it's the worst. i've brought in the heavy meds to try to deal with it and, while i'm not gonna say it hasn't brought some relief (so like, thank god it apparently isn't a medical emergency), i am still not operating normally. have put in a phone call to my primary care physician for suggestions, actually. ugh.

anniemarie887 · June 2022

@optimistgardener ugh sorry. i would assume the "p" foods would help an adult like a kid? prunes, pears, applesauce, and lots of hydration!! i was not a happy camper after my d&c in jan from constipation, and remembered better with this most recent one.

bbrahmbhatt · June 2022

*lurking*

@optimistgardener I was a surgeon in a past life, and constipation was super common after any kind of procedure. If you've tried hydration and things like Miralax or Metamucil, magnesium citrate works REALLY well. But it can get...explosive, so use with some caution. Milk of mag can also help, and is more gentle than the mag citrate. Glycerin suppositories can also help and should be available OTC in most places. I hope you get some relief soon!

mambo5-2 · June 2022

@optimistgardener I hope your poo gets moving soon.

optimistgardener · June 2022

@bbrahmbhatt lol thanks for the advice. i was actually just thinking i might move next to magnesium citrate! i plan on experimenting with this when expect to be home for a good little while. *sigh*

optimistgardener · June 2022

@anniemarie887 yeah, i have a friend who is about to do her first egg retrieval and considering my current circumstances I have been really encouraging her to be proactive about this. i should have known better myself, having done this in the past.

mambo5-2 · June 2022

Note to self, start the stool softeners immediately

optimistgardener · June 2022

@mambo5-2 i'd say hit the high fiber foods and the good hydration starting immediately upon beginning stims, and then consider some gentle stool softener action like, the day of retrieval but time it so you don't find yourself with the sh*ts when you're headed in to the retrieval, because that would suck. maybe take one once you've recovered a bit from anesthesia, and then another the next day and the next.

*furiously scribbles notes to self: follow your own advice, dummy*

optimistgardener · June 2022

You're all very welcome that I've turned this week's IF thread into an extended conversation about poop.

mambo5-2 · June 2022

I usually have problem pooping thank you IBS 🤣

bearmomma1 · June 2022

My RE called and said to definitely have TI tonight and tomorrow night. But since my surge had already started, it was up to me if I still wanted to trigger or let my body do it naturally. I decided since my body is this close to Oing, I want to let it do it by itself.

What would you guys do?

optimistgardener · June 2022

@bearmomma1 i think i would also opt for letting my body do its own ovulation process. since you have already started your own surge i don't know that there is much benefit in triggering. others may know more than me, however.

anniemarie887 · June 2022

@bearmomma1 I have no actual backed advice, but I’d probably let me body do it’s thing.

@kiki047 thinking about you today and crossing all of my fingers and toes for you!!!!

optimistgardener · June 2022

@kiki047 wait how did time fly so quickly? sending you all the most fervent wishes for a successful transfer!

bearmomma1 · June 2022

@kiki047 yessss I hope everything goes smoothly! my usually mantra won’t work here as your H’s swimmers have already done their part, but I hope your egg comes to blast!

mambo5-2 · June 2022

Thinking of you @kiki047

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