IF Testing and Treatment w/o 7/25

elle-0409 · July 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: In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read?

bearmomma1 · July 2022

Diagnosis (if you've been): DOR, LPD, unexplained

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

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): letrozole for the first time.

How are things going?: going well! Feeling very optimistic. We had perfect timing with 2-3 follicles and an over 9mm lining. We gave it everything we had so if this cycle doesn’t work, we’ll try IUI again now that we know my body likes letrozole.

Any questions?: nope

GTKY: In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read? Depends on the day of the week. During the weekdays is mostly watch tv and/or read. Weekends we like to watch movies and play card games.

kiki047 · July 2022

Diagnosis (if you've been): PCOS, RPL/RIF, some MFI, and The Fibroid

Status (TI/ICI/IUI/IVF/FET/benched): WFFET #8 on Saturday July 30th

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Mini-stim FET with Puregon, HCG trigger, PIO, prednisone, metformin, baby aspirin, intralipids, PRP, Nivestym (Neupogen), medrol, doxycycline, HCG wash, embryo glue. Plus my usual vitamin/supplement regimen (AM is L-arginine, NAC, Vit C, Vit E, Vit B12, Ovasitol; lunch probiotics, Omega3, NAC, methylfolate, zinc, Vit D; dinner/evening L-arginine, Omega3, Ovasitol, melatonin)

How are things going?: They're going. I did my PRP and triggered on Saturday morning and based on my extremely crampy ovaries last night things are definitely moving along. Lead follicle was around 21mm, with 2 more in the 15-16mm range and we HIO Friday and last night for good measure. Went this morning for my first of 2 intralipid sessions, go again Thursday for another PRP and lipids, FET is Saturday. Still haven't decided if we're transferring one or two yet. On the one hand, it gives us two chances. On the other hand, am I 'wasting' an extra embryo if we can't even get one to implant? Sigh.

Any questions?: Not unless you want to weigh in on my double transfer dilemma.

GTKY: In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read? Ooh, if it's a week/work night then we like to unwind by watching a tv show or a movie, but on weekends I do like to get together with family. That often involves playing a game. DH is currently obsessed with something called, Popdarts, has anyone else ever heard of them? I paid a stupid amount of money to get him a set of what is essentially suction cup darts, and it turns out it's actually kind of fun but I'm terrible at it lol.

elle-0409 · July 2022

@bearmomma1 It's sounds like things are going great for you this cycle! Fingers crossed!

Also, I LOVE card games! Which ones do you play?

@kiki047 I don't have any advice on how many to transfer, but I am rooting so hard for you!

I haven't heard of Popdarts before, but I'll look it up. Sounds interesting!

Diagnosis (if you've been): Old, LPD, RPL, MTHFR, ANA Positive

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

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): I'm waiting to ovulate (I think it will be tomorrow) so that I can call the doctor's office and schedule some bloodwork. They're going to check my B6 and B12 vitamins as well as do a full thyroid panel and a progesterone test.

How are things going?: They're going! I spoke to a nurse on the phone the other day to schedule bloodwork and she went over my protocol once I get cleared from the rheumatologist. The nurse said that I would start 200mg of progesterone after ovulation and I was like, "I'm gonna stop you right there. I need at least 400. 200 won't work. I don't want to waste your time or my time. I know my body, give me the drugs." She said that she would make a note, but Lord help me. I have some progesterone in my medicine cabinet and if this place doesn't prescribe me enough I will just fix the amount with my own supply.

Image: https://media.giphy.com/media/3VMZDyn8uOU0g/giphy.gif

Any questions?: I've seen quite a few women using prednisone while TTC or while PG. Is this just for specific cases or is it beneficial to anyone? I'll bring it up with my doctor.

GTKY: In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read? I read a little bit every night before going to bed, but I LOVE playing games! Unfortunately, we don't live near family and don't have any real friends where we live so we don't play that much. However, I did get a Nintendo Switch so I can play Mario Kart with my mom and sister. So fun!

kiki047 · July 2022

@bearmomma1 so glad to hear you're responding better to the letrozole - FX this does the trick for you!! You're overdue for a miracle

@elle-0409 we're seeing more and more use of prednisone for women with suspected underlying auto-immune conditions to help calm the immune system, however I would caution its use outside of medicated cycles because it can disrupt or delay natural ovulation. // re: Popdarts, it's fun for all ages, it's like a mix between darts and bocce. There's a 'target' dart and you have to get your darts to land as close to the target as possible. They're just these rubber double-ended suction cup things so they're gentle and you can play them basically anywhere that there's a surface that they'll stick to. We were throwing them at our back door because it has a glass window but it works really well on a kitchen table or island. *TW* Our 3.5 y/o nephew just had fun throwing them, even he understood that he had to try to get it close to the target. DH and BIL mostly used him to retrieve the darts and bring them back to them lol.

elle-0409 · July 2022

@kiki047 Oh my gosh, that sounds like such fun! That might be a good family gift.

bearmomma1 · July 2022

@kiki047 I don't have any advice of your single or double transfer, but I guess I'm confused on you triggering before FET. Is this it usually works with a transfer? Your HIO after ovulation gives you a chance, and then you transfer Saturday with a 5/6 day embryo? So let's say your HIO efforts produce a fertilized egg, and then you transfer 1 or 2 embryos, you could technically have 3 implanted eggies? If this is all correct (and I apologize if I'm completely off base here), then would you be OK with that? I guess that's something to consider. But then with this already being your 8th transfer, maybe you would want all the chances you could get? also, that popdarts game sounds super fun! My H and I play a lot of darts at home and this looks like a new fun version of it. Do you have the one you just throw it around the house or the board version? ( I looked it up online)

@elle-0409 we usually always play Gin Rummy. I had a way my grandma always played and H has a way he always played with his grandpa, so we're not sure which is right. We just kindof have our own house rules.

kiki047 · July 2022

@elle-0409 yes, would make a great family gift!
@bearmomma1 that's a really good point about this being a modified natural cycle as well, which we've never done before. There are essentially two main ways you can prepare for a FET - by doing a "natural" cycle where you time it with your own ovulation (which is sometimes assisted by medications to do so, like letrozole, stims, and/or a trigger shot, hence "modified" natural), or a full medicated cycle where you would be taking estradiol to build your lining from about CD2/3 which would prevent you from ovulating at all, and you time the transfer based on when you start progesterone. I've only ever done the latter. Granted we've been TTC "naturally" since 2017 and have never once gotten pregnant without IVF so I'm not really expecting much but our RE was very much on the same page as us in thinking we could hedge our bets that way and also HIO to give us an extra shot at it. Maybe it's naive not to be concerned about the prospect of multiples because we can't even get one to stick, but with this possibly being one of our last transfers before moving on to surrogacy, maybe it's worth the risk.

bearmomma1 · July 2022

@kiki047 wow, thank you for that explanation! I never knew of the modified natural cycle. I guess I agree with it being worth the risk. Might as well give it all you’ve got, though I don't think there are any wrong choice here.

abjm0325 · July 2022

@bearmomma1 Fingers crossed that your optimism is well-placed this cycle!

@kiki047 Sending you all the good vibes as you make your transfer decision. Trust yourself, friend. Popdarts look like so much fun. Definitely keeping that in mind for future gifts!

@elle-0409 We love playing games too! Board games and video games. Our new favorite that we recently acquired is called For Science! It is a geeky, fast-paced, cooperative game. What are some of your favorites?

abjm0325 · July 2022

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

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

What are you doing this cycle? (Testing? Treatment?): Second cycle of clomid, just gearing up to start HIO in a few days.

How are things going?: My new job is way more stressful than I thought it would be. I think it will settle down in a few weeks when I feel a little more comfortable with the planning aspect, but right now it is pretty overwhelming. Hoping the stress doesn't negatively impact O or our chances this cycle. Gotta love when added stress makes you stress even more.

Any questions?: Realistically, I'm not sure we can HIO more than 3 times in fertile week. I just can't get my H on board for more than that. I obviously know that one time is technically enough any given month, but are our chances significantly damaged without the ability to marathon HIO? I do have the luxury of a fairly consistent O each month, so at least a couple times are usually on peak days.

GTKY: In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read? I love to play a game! If I'm tired though, I enjoy watching something not stressful. I usually read 20 minutes or so before bed.

optimistgardener · July 2022

hey guys sorry i've been slow to participate this week. family in town.

@bearmomma1 i'm so glad that this cycle is looking promising and that you've got a plan for what to try next. that's a great position to be in.

@kiki047 i'm a firm advocate for whatever decision you make re: the 1 vs. 2 embryo transfer. i think if i personally were in your situation, i'd opt for one, but that probably speaks to an inner conservative streak i have when it comes to decision-making more than any real logic.

@elle-0409 i hope your medical team pays attention to you and what you know about your body and how it works. re: prednisone i defer entirely to Kiki's answer, but will comment as an aside that prednisone can be a really miserable drug for some and so if you don't have to be on it, it's best not to be.

@abjm0325 re: timing, i speak as someone who has only ever been able to do one insemination a month (back when i did things that way), and if i recall from my readings in an IUI-type context, the success rates are different for 1x before O vs. 2x before O, but it's not a huge difference, like maybe an 14% chance per cycle vs. an 18% chance per cycle or something for an "average" fertile woman. as for you and your situation, you're getting excellent timing in if you can manage 2x in the 3 days leading up to and including O. it does not make any real difference if you then HIO for the 5 remaining days that week or zero of the other days that week.

Diagnosis (if you've been): old and grouchy

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

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

still bleeding, just inserted birth control and now waiting for the start of my final stimulation cycle in september.

How are things going?:
i'm a little worried that i'm going to be on BC for longer than is ideal. it's just the way my cycle and the clinic's calendar overlap and nothing much to do about it. other than that, i feel ok. i'm trying to make the most of this last cycle by being a little more careful about my alcohol than i was last cycle and also by adding back into my supplements regimen the melatonin. i'd dropped it out for the last couple of cycles because it makes me a little groggy in the mornings, but i'd sort of forgotten that apart from CoQ10 and vit D, it's the other thing that i have in my cabinet that seems to have solid-ish data behind it. also upping my CoQ10 game from the standard stuff to ubiquinol. that sh** is expensive. and also, i don't really believe in any of it particularly. but as this is my last rodeo, may as well.

Any questions?: nah.

GTKY: In the evening, would you rather play a game, visit a relative, watch a movie, or read?

I am the worst kind of boring homebody. I do enjoy going out to visit people or playing a game with others if someone forces me to do so, but I really enjoy sitting at home and reading or maybe watching a tv show. that's my default relaxation mode.

anniemarie887 · July 2022

nothing really to add right now, just wanted to lurk and say @kiki047 i'm crossing every finger and toe, and hoping with all the fiber in my body for you.

IF Testing and Treatment w/o 7/25

Re: IF Testing and Treatment w/o 7/25

Choose Another Board

Search Boards