IF Testing and Treatment w/o 6/20

mambo5-2 · June 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: What is your current TV guilty pleasure?

mambo5-2 · June 2022

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

Status (TI/ICI/IUI/IVF/FET/benched): IVF, FX for transfer this week!

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): IVF, retrieval was Friday

How are things going?: I'm super anxious I was really hoping more eggs would fertilize. I really hope all 4 are still growing strong. Grow little ones grow!

Any questions?: No

GTKY: What is your current TV guilty pleasure? I was watching The Summer I Turned Pretty before my Egg retrieval Friday. I need to finish it but I liked the book and the show is definitely different.

gingermama29 · June 2022

@mambo5-2 grow embies grow!! Keeping everything crossed for you!

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS

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

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): unsure. Either a natural cycle or an unmonitored cycle with just Letrozole?

How are things going?: period showed up last night so that sucks but it was right on schedule. I’m waiting to hear back from my RE but I’m planning to either do a natural cycle or just take Letrozole without a trigger/CD 10 monitoring because we’re leaving for vacation on Thursday and I wouldn’t be able to do ultrasounds in time. I’m not sure if they’ll be on board with an unmonitored Letrozole cycle but my worry is without it, I’ll have another marathon cycle because PCOS. So I’m waiting to see what my RE says and getting everything ready for our road trip to Colorado on Thursday in the meantime.

Any questions?: nah

GTKY: What is your current TV guilty pleasure? On a break between shows but Big Brother is definitely a TV guilty pleasure (and coming back soon). I’m a chronic rewatcher of shows, though I’ve leaned it may be an anxiety thing?

gingermama29 · June 2022

Already heard back from my RE! They are perfectly fine with an unmonitored medicated cycle so I’ll be doing Letrozole and OPKs this cycle.

mambo5-2 · June 2022

@gingermama29 Where in Colorado are you going?

emeraldduchess · June 2022

@mambo5-2 crossing everything for your transfer! I get your anxiety about the fertilization rate (I am in the low rate boat).

@gingermama29 that's good news from your RE! Sorry AF reared her ugly head but glad you have a plan for this cycle and a vacation to look forward to!

gingermama29 · June 2022

@mambo5-2 near Golden, CO. My oldest brother lives near Denver and he is getting married so my whole family is going out for a week in a rental house in the mountains!

anniemarie887 · June 2022

@mambo5-2 when will you get the next update? hang in there embryos!
@gingermama29 so glad your RE signed off on this cycle!

Diagnosis (if you've been): uncooperative uterus/RLP, tbd

Status (TI/ICI/IUI/IVF/FET/benched): benched - BUT AF showed up yesterday, which was day 35, and *TW MC* normal range post D&C *END TW*- but just weirdly comforting to know i'm not totally broken.

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): RE appt is thursday, feels like it's been a marathon to get here since March.

How are things going?: extremely overwhelmed with life. we leave for Europe Sunday. i have 400 work emails i have to handle, can i just hit delete on them all? jk. so far for the trip we have one lunch reservation and nothing else planned besides Adele on 7/1, this is not like me at all.

Any questions?: natm

GTKY: What is your current TV guilty pleasure? i got roped into watching RHOBH so i can keep up in convos with friends. i hate every minute of it tbh.

edit to add TW

mambo5-2 · June 2022

Sounds like I will hear either Tuesday night or Wednesday Morning.

kiki047 · June 2022

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS, RPL/RIF, MFI, and questionable status of subserosal fibroid

Status (TI/ICI/IUI/IVF/FET/benched): Technically benched on BCP

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): We leave for Vegas/LA on Sunday so we couldn't roll right into another FET cycle. I requested the BCP because my cycles are crazy irregular after all the hormones so I didn't want to take a chance on a wacky 57 day cycle derailing my next transfer.

How are things going?: Ehhh, AF finally showed up Friday night and the cramps are borderline unbearable. *TW* I suppose it's a good sign that my lining was nice and thick but really heavy periods like this are reminiscent of my MCs and it's so triggering *end TW* I also have an annoying tickle in my throat that's making me cough. I took a RAT and it was negative but I'm paranoid and will keep testing this week if it doesn't get better/I get any more symptoms.

Any questions?: I don't usually have bad periods, minimal cramps, fairly regular flow. What do you take for pain relief for cramps? I've been taking Advil and it's taking the edge off but my worst days are usually CD4-6 so I'm afraid if it's already this bad, it's going to get much worse. I'm sensitive to caffeine though so can't take Midol.

GTKY: What is your current TV guilty pleasure? Friends, past and present, if it's on I will watch it.

kiki047 · June 2022

@mambo5-2 hoping so hard for those little embies. What is your transfer protocol?
@gingermama29 glad they're letting you do the unmonitored cycle, I hope that eases your mind a little so you're not feeling like you have to 'waste' a cycle for the trip. Hopefully you'll be home before you really have to HIO and won't need to do it while staying in a house full of family?

Granted MH seems to get off on that so sometimes it helps, LOL. Our friend @keikilove still wins for most creative ways to HIO with family around though. So wait, is this a different wedding from the brother that's getting married in Italy?
@anniemarie887 we have such a complicated relationship with AF. We dread her showing up because it means we're not KU, but then there's something comforting about having a regular cycle, especially after MC or treatments... // I didn't realize you left for Europe SO soon! We're also feeling unprepared for our upcoming trips, but alas maybe there's something to be said about spontaneity and we should just go and have fun, right??

mambo5-2 · June 2022

@kiki047 just PIO and baby aspirin

anniemarie887 · June 2022

@kiki047 ugh i was one of those never really had cramps... i've got a stash of 600 ibuprofen and they are helping, so while i am no dr clearly, maybe take 3 instead of 2? i have been told by medical professionals doing that from time to time is not bad for you. and yes, the good news is Paris isn't going anywhere so if don't do "it all" we can go back, thankfully for London we've been enough I'm literally not sweating doing anything - albeit i will prob literally be sweating bc all of Europe is having a major heatwave and is largely without AC lol

gingermama29 · June 2022

@anniemarie887 oooh where in Europe are you going?? How fun! Hope everything goes well at the RE appt on Thursday.

@kiki047 sorry about AF and the terrible cramps. Yay for Vegas! That sounds like it’ll be fun! And I definitely would’ve done the same with BCP. Haha yes, this is a different brother getting married. I have 4 older brothers; 2 are already married and the other 2 are both getting married this year - one Colorado where he lives and the other in Italy where he lives. So lots of traveling happening here! We’re staying in a really big house in CO with our own rooms so HIO shouldn’t be too difficult to sneak away and do.

mambo5-2 · June 2022

Also my butt hurts so bad from PIO shots.

kiki047 · June 2022

@mambo5-2 ah yes, it's a very specific kind of pain that most people don't understand unless they've done IM shots in their butt lol. PIO, when done right, can be very manageable. Try heating the area for 5 mins before and after (I use one of those magic bean bags that you heat in the microwave but a heating pad also works), apply gentle pressure for a minute or two right after to make sure it doesn't bleed/the oil doesn't ooze out, then massage the area and do some gentle squats or lunges to activate the muscle to prevent that muscle soreness. The heating pad and the massage are probably the most important steps though. The heat helps disperse the oil so it doesn't just pool there.

Location matters too - this is a good visual guide. After 7 cycles of PIO, the longest stretch being 9 weeks straight, it is critical to know exactly where is safe. I keep it about 1" above the top of my butt crack, and a little further off to the side.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/wv/wf0wmcor0gxq.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/tc/epq47q5moo1d.jpg

@gingermama29 ah ok, I remember you saying you had a lot of brothers then I was getting confused about the weddings. Big year for your family!
@anniemarie887 ugghh yes, the heat. I hope you can find some lovely places to cool down.

mambo5-2 · June 2022

@kiki047 that's pretty much where we have been injecting. It really hasn't hurt until today just like sore.

anniemarie887 · June 2022

@gingermama29 Paris and London, and if you have to travel for a wedding both CO and Italy are great destinations!!!
Save Draft

rockstarmomma152 · June 2022

Yay for upcoming transfer and green light for unmonitored cycle!

Diagnosis (if you've been): old eggs.

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

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): clomid, menopur, ovidrel. I also did OPKs up until it was time to trigger because I was extra paranoid because I think they waited too long for the trigger last month.

How are things going?: IUI was Sunday. I felt more anxious and impatient leading into things this time - I think because I was waiting in a hotel/city I no longer live in instead of just doing my normal life. I have felt exhausted today - took a nap for about 3 hours.

I’ve moved down to be closer to my parents, and they seem to think this means they’ll get to know everything about what I’m doing and they want to always come over and “help” me with things without my asking. They put a timer on my garden hose last weekend while I was gone, and I had my dad come take it off today because I don’t want it. Why the fuck? It’s such a small thing, but I’m very annoyed by them today.

Im also pretty/very open about my process. The fact that Im doing it is up on my social media. I posted about attempt #8 this weekend. Mostly I love that choice, but there is a new friend who I barely know who texted me after seeing it, asking “how did the appointment go?” Most people understand not to ask about it unless I bring it up (and I have explained this to a few folks who are eager for info, including her). I know that this girl is just really clueless and doesn’t understand, but it GOT ON MY NERVES.

Any questions?: nope

GTKY: What is your current TV guilty pleasure? I like re-watching silly comedies (Pineapple Express, anything with Will Ferrell) or old TV shows - The Office. Im especially enjoying old episodes of Cheers, and Sam Malone. (This is likely how I got my old eggs diagnosis 😂)

bows22 · June 2022

Lurking as always

@kiki047 Aleve is the only thing that really works for me for bad cramps, especially if I start taking it before they get really bad and stay ahead of it. I hope AF goes easier on you ❤️

bearmomma1 · June 2022

@mambo5-2 fingers crossed for good fertilization rates! I hope your fresh transfer can go through. Sorry about your butt soreness.

@gingermama29 Horray for your docs letting you go for an un-monitored cycle! Maybe the "less-stress" of not having it monitored will do the trick. Enjoy your vacay!

@anniemarie887 I hope your RE appointment goes well! Glad it's finally here!

@kiki047 Hopefully the tickle in your throat went away and the Vid stays away. I think a regular cycle sounds peaceful. No stress or worrying, period shows up when it's supposed to. Great thinking.

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

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

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Will be switching it up and trying letrozole this cycle. my RE didn't like how clomid was affecting my lining so much, and I wasn't really responding to it anymore. Hoping this change will do the trick.

How are things going?: I don't even know. I've had 3 days of spotting and my RE thinks I'm just going to have a 'spotting period'. I'm fearing I'm going to have another full month of spotting. My last progesterone was 9 days ago, so I should've gotten a full period. She's going to count today as cycle day 3 and just have me start the letrozole. Maybe I never actually ovulated last cycle? I think I'll start OPK's sooner than usual in case of another CD 10 surge.

Any questions?: Anyone ever had a spotting period before? like what happens to the rest of the lining? will it just be hanging around for the next cycle?

GTKY: What is your current TV guilty pleasure? Kardashians is always a guilty pleasure.

anniemarie887 · June 2022

@bearmomma1 i'm glad your dr wants to look at a different option vs keeping doing the same!

can i just whine for a minute, i have a very sweet friend who literally just got married... and she's already upset and venting about not being pregnant. she is so sweet, and she literally is always like i don't know how you keep your sanity about life after everything so she's not like totally oblivious to the fact that we've been trying for 19 months with 3 losses, but i won't lie i am having a hard time mustering up the energy to be there for her... when it's been not even 2 months. am i an a**hole!?

mambo5-2 · June 2022

@anniemarie887 nope not the a**hole. You are allowed to distance yourself from conversations that are painful. Acknowledging and maintaining boundaries is very healthy. You can love and support your friend while also communicating that you are not in a place where you can support her TTC.

rockstarmomma152 · June 2022

@anniemarie887 - NTA. Your friend is incredibly insensitive to complain to you about TTC knowing your journey. You’re kind to give her the benefit of the doubt and a whole lot of grace, but she is out of line and astoundingly self-centered.

anniemarie887 · June 2022

thanks ladies. it's just like.... a lot. and i'm not saying she can't have her own little pity party, i just would prefer not to be the person receiving it. and i hate feeling like my life is some kind of grief olympics - so then i spiral that i'm becoming some callous human. ugh!!!!! i so miss the days when someone asked me how i was doing, and i could say great without feeling like i was a liar.

mambo5-2 · June 2022

@anniemarie887 you don't have to say great, you are allowed to tell the truth.

kiki047 · June 2022

@anniemarie887 you are most definitely NTA. Like Mambo said, you are completely justified in enforcing those boundaries and like you say, if this girl is as sweet as she sounds she probably just doesn't realize how hurtful that can be so you'd be doing both of you a favour by gently redirecting her. I've been in a similar situation and as badly as the other people made me feel about maintaining those boundaries, my mental health was so much better for it.

@bearmomma1 that's just it, a BCP cycle feels a little counterintuitive because I'm essentially benching myself but there is so much to be said about just having a normal, 28 day cycle that is predictable and has no pressure. That's the least I can ask for at this stage in the game. // Glad your Dr is switching things up for you - I hope the letrozole does the trick! FWIW studies are showing that Letrozole tends to be the superior ovulation induction drug because it has less side effects. I hope that is the case for you too and you don't have any lining issues with it. Have you thought about adding L-arginine to your supplement regime? You need 6g/day, which is a lot, but it's great for lining development and blood flow.

@rockstarmomma152 oohh the "how did it go?" or "how are things?" leading questions are SO triggering for me too, especially because I know exactly what they're getting at and most of the time I really don't know what to say. Like they're basically asking if I'm pregnant, because otherwise they get to hear about Wanda and a bunch of blood tests. What are they really expecting us to say in that case?

rockstarmomma152 · June 2022

@kiki047 - Yes, exactly. I didn’t get into answering her much - just said “won’t know for a couple weeks” because hello, how do you think this works?? But also I feel like she is putting it in her calendar to ask me again in a couple weeks. 😑😑😑 hey - Day 14dpo is the last day in the world anyone should ask me unsolicited questions about how it’s going. Just a little forethought and empathy should tell you this. And if not, I HAVE TOLD YOU NOT TO ASK ME QUESTIONS.

bearmomma1 · June 2022

@kiki047 I have not heard of L-arginine. I will ask about adding it to my regimen. Thanks!

@anniemarie887 your feelings are completely valid. I would personally start to back away from that friendship for a while and/or let her know, in so many kind words, to STFU. It's also possible she's trying to relate to your situation and trying to let you know you're not alone by complaining about hers. and you can definitely tell people you're "not ok". It's ok to be not ok. *Hugs*

abjm0325 · June 2022

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

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

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Adding clomid to the list

How are things going?: Sorry I've been so MIA! My summer schedule has proved far more challenging than I anticipated. I promise I'm lurking, but finding time to post and respond adequately has been difficult. I'm hoping after next week it will slow down a little. In TTC world, it's CD1 so womp, womp. On the positive side, I called my RE's office today to inquire about going ahead and starting clomid this cycle and got the green light. Actually when I called the nurse tried to just go ahead and set me up for clomid, a trigger shot, and IUI this cycle. I was slightly taken aback considering that the RE's last suggestion had been a completely natural cycle. I asked about just doing the clomid first and she was genuinely surprised. So I guess I'm weird. Going to try clomid for a cycle or two before moving on to IUI, I think, unless you all convince me otherwise.

Any questions?: I welcome any advice/considerations for starting clomid. I'm slated to do CD 3-7. Also, if anyone has any insight into whether I should just bite the bullet and do the trigger/IUI next cycle? Money is definitely a barrier for me, but obviously I am at the point in this journey that I also don't want to be wasting time.

GTKY: What is your current TV guilty pleasure? Great British Baking Show! I re-watch like once a year.

abjm0325 · June 2022

@mambo5-2 I hope your little ones keep growing! I’ll be anxious to hear your next report!

@gingermama29 I’m glad you don’t have to worry about the marathon cycle and hope that the letrozole works some magic. Enjoy your vacation!

@anniemarie887 Yay for being not broken! (We must celebrate all wins here, no matter how weird.) So jealous of your Europe trip! Also, coming back to say definitely NTA. Your friend can complain if she needs to, but she knows better than to use you as her sounding board. Totally insensitive.

@kiki047 I’m sorry for AF and her awful, triggering presence. I hope that throat tickle goes away and that you have a fabulous trip! I usually just take ibuprofen for cramps, but maybe you can get something extra strength to take the edge off?

@rockstarmomma152 Why do people feel like asking about procedures and appointments is appropriate?? Even if it went well or you had good news, surely people should realize that you might not be ready to share that right away. I’m glad the IUI is over and hope you get your energy back soon!

@bearmomma1 I hope the change to letrozole works for you! I don’t have any insight into the spotting question, but I’ll be interested to hear what others have to say about it.

bearmomma1 · June 2022

@abjm0325 you’re not weird. I think it’s totally normal to want to try with the least amount of intervention until you feel like you need to take the next step. We’ve gone back and forth between IUI and just medicated TI. Money is partly the issue as it costs us about $1200, but also my H’s sperm is fine so we feel like it’s not much of an extra help.

Womp Womp. My RE never wrote up a new protocol for me so by time the office called me this afternoon, they couldn’t call in my new meds. She said it’s fine to take letrozole cd 4-8 so we’ll see. *edited because I suck at counting

abjm0325 · June 2022

@bearmomma1 Ugh, I hate when time feels wasted because the doctor dropped the ball. Thanks for the confirmation on my current plan of action. TW (MC):

We seem to be able to get pregnant (just not maintain it) so I'm not convinced an IUI would help.

mambo5-2 · June 2022

@abjm0325 I've had good success with clomid in the past. Clomid rage is real though. Hot flashes are cray. It helped my progestogen be higher and had a good response.

mambo5-2 · June 2022

ITS TRANSFER DAY! 3 of my little beans are growing, one is ready today so we are transferring that one and hoping the other two can freeze tomorrow

bearmomma1 · June 2022

@mambo5-2 wow fingers crossed and thinking of you today!! stick little bean stick!

anniemarie887 · June 2022

@abjm0325 glad you got the green light to add in clomid! fingers crossed it's the change you need!
@bearmomma1 ugh that's so frustrating!
@mambo5-2 ahhhh good luck today!!

optimistgardener · June 2022

@mambo5-2 fingers crossed for a successful transfer!

mambo5-2 · June 2022

Transfer is done

bearmomma1 · June 2022

So, I woke up and took an OPK today, just like I did yesterday (which was neg), even though I'm only CD 5, since I'm determined to not miss an early surge....and it's positive... wtf body!?! This is so annoying. I'm waiting for a call back from my RE. I've gotten a surge before right before my period, so I'm not sure if this is what's happening and all my spotting over the weekend wasn't a 'spotting period' like we thought? Or since it's been so long since I O'd last time all the way back on CD10, that my body is like "meh it's time again."

rockstarmomma152 · June 2022

@mambo5-2 - hooray for the transfer!! Sending lots of sticky vibes your way!

I’m using my phone to respond and I’m not great at figuring out the format of these pages yet, so I can’t find the username of the person who asked about clomid/IUI. I can only compare it to an unmedicated IUI cycle.

My first two cycles were unmedicated IUIs, no results. I did Clomid and Menopur with IUI for the next 2-3 cycles, and then have added a trigger shot for the last 2-3 cycles. I haven’t noticed a difference really in using a trigger shot or not - I mainly chose to add it due to anxiety around timing, but I still have anxiety around timing so still take OPKs up until time for the trigger to be sure I don’t miss it.

I was very nervous about adding medications because I usually have mood responses if they’re possible side effects. But I haven’t noticed that much in the way of emotional side effects! The main side effects for me (and no way to tell if it’s Clomid or Menopur) have been fatigue, weight gain, bloating (and these have been pretty intense). I think some mood symptoms may be possible - but not in that I feel sad, but I do feel incredibly unmotivated to do anything - so I try to plan ahead to have easy healthy meals so I don’t opt for something quick and not so healthy. I do feel irritable this cycle, but it doesn’t feel unmanageable or even too uncomfortable, and my parents are just being extra annoying as I adjust to living closer to them now! 😂😂

TW:MC

as for results - I’ve gotten pregnant three out of 5 times on Clomid/Menopur/IUI cycles. Two have been chemical pregnancies, and one was a MMC w/ D&C at 10 weeks.

I do think that IUI can take out some of the chance factors out of the equation - timing and less obstacles for the sperm. I pay for them on my own, and it’s like $625 a pop for the IUI (this includes some fee for managing the frozen sperm, so that might not be a factor for you).

IF Testing and Treatment w/o 6/20

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