January IVF - Page 4

[joyakshi]

Hi Snowbell,
It is true that it's a big deal. I am trying to stay calm about it without being in denial of my anxiety too much. My feeling is, if we get fertilized eggs and an emryo(s), that's more success than we've had so far, and I will be excited to know we can accomplish that much. After that, I'm really NOT prepared. I have no idea what to expect from the 2WW. I think we have to get there first. I know there are things that can happen during a cycle that can stop it at any time, so I think one day at a time is the rule here for me. There is enough to do everyday to keep occupied by shots, it seems anyway!
I'm trying to stay relaxed and open. Fear and anxiety are the opposite of the life force energy and we don't want to block any of that, do we
Let's keep in touch in the process. I am going to go have DH who is snowed in with me today give me my first Lupron shot now. I think it's a good sign that he ended up at home today for my first shot
What's your IVF schedule?
-Joya

Originally Posted by snowbell

Hi Joyakshi! This is my first IVF cycle. I was really excited about it but recently I got depressed and scared about it. The possibility of getting a BFN is sooo scary. Today I went to an injection class and met a few women who got BFPs from my current Dr., so now I am feeling more hopeful. I am going to try to remain that way!

Kristina, how are you feeling?

How's everyone else doing?

[joyakshi]

another thing I'm hopeful for is enough good embryos to freeze. a frozen cycle is a good way to have hope if #1 doesn't work, and it's easier and less expensive.

I've also just had 2 months off from TTC after many failed IUI's - natural and medicated. I feel so good right now from it. I think that's been a key to my mental health at the moment. wine and hot tubs!!!

We have sort of unexplained IF - I have an endometrioma/chocolate cyst on my left ovary and had polyps removed from inside my uterus in July. But everything else looks good. My FSH went up from 6 last April to 10 in Oct. so that is also a signal. DH looks very good.

I'm 38. DH 36. TTC since Sept. 2007. 1 pregnancy loss 5/05.

Originally Posted by snowbell

Hi Joyakshi! This is my first IVF cycle. I was really excited about it but recently I got depressed and scared about it. The possibility of getting a BFN is sooo scary. Today I went to an injection class and met a few women who got BFPs from my current Dr., so now I am feeling more hopeful. I am going to try to remain that way!

Kristina, how are you feeling?

How's everyone else doing?

[stel]

hi all

My partner and I have been ttc since Oct 2007. We recently had our first IVF (4 follicles, 2 eggs retrieved, both fertilized but only one made it to transfer = negative.) I was on bcp for only two weeks and then gonal-f (no lupron.) My clinic had me rest only the rest of the day of ER and normal activity on day of transfer (except no gym.) Why do all these clinics do it differently? Isn't there a best practice by now? We are planning to begin another IVF in January. I'm happy to "meet" you all! -Stel

[joyakshi]

Stel,
Sorry to hear you had a disappointing experience. It is confusing when things are done differently at different places. Have you discussed the outcome and options for the next IVF with the clinic? Sounds like you didn't respond terribly well to the meds with just 2 eggs. I am a first-timer, but I understand they like you to get a LOT of eggs.
I hope you can work out a more suitable protocol for your next cycle. or get a second opinion.
Keep us posted.

[christophersmom]

We were able to transfer 2 grade 4 advanced blastocysts on Wednesday, now just in the waiting period. We froze 7. Much better than last time where we had 3 and they were grade 2 and 3 and only 6-8 cell embryos.

[joyakshi]

that sounds awesome and promising! Congrats so far! That is an accomplishment - one I'm hoping for myself in a few weeks!

[jazcat]

Dang, I've been gone a long time.

KristinaMarie ~ Did you get another test done? Keep us updated! I'm crossing my fingers for you.

Joyakshi ~ Looks like we are on the exact same schedule! Right now I have my "possible retrieval day" as 1/11. Of course the exact date will depend on our bodies, but at least we can drug up together! Are you on the antagonist protocol?

snowbell ~ I'm a week ahead of you.

Stel ~ Welcome. I'm sorry about your last IVF Hopefully now they know a better cocktail for you. Good question about why clinics do things differently. My IVF case manager said she came from the east coast and she said there's a few things different between east coast and west coast. She also said she is a firm believer in Progesterone In Oil, versus suppositories. You'd think they'd have studies on everything by now.


Well, here's my drama for the day. So last week the pharmacy called to tell me that they had the prescription for my Progesterone In Oil and would I like it sent? Yes. So then I forgot about it, until today, when I found the package on our front BALCONY. Yes, the Fed Ex guy, not finding anyone home, thought it would be a good idea to toss the package up about 15-20 feet so it would land on our tiny balcony. Mind you this is a balcony for plants, not humans...very small and we never even open those doors due our 3 year old. They left no notice on the front door. So I opened the curtains today to check out the weather and saw a box there. I was like "WTF???". So it's been out in the cold, the hot, the rain, the sun for 5 days. The tracking says they left it at the front door...big lie. We've filed a claim. I'll probably talk with them tomorrow. All I have to say is it is a very good thing I won't need that PIO for another few weeks!

[snowbell]

joyakshi, how are the lupron shots going? i start mine on Dec. 30th. my ER/ET will be the week of Jan. 19th. a week behind you and jazcat. you two can be my IVF experts!

hi stel! i am sorry your last IVF didn't work. i will be rooting for you in January! on day of ET my dr. told me to do bedrest and then rest lightly for the next two days. she says older doctors say you should have 2-3 days of bedrest and younger doctors think you don't need bedrest. my doctor told me her "bedrest belief" falls in the middle.

wow christophersmom! that's great news!!! was anything done differently during this protocol? i wish you much luck!! :

jazcat, of all the things we think about going wrong that is NEVER one of them! i can't believe that happened. i'm so glad you have enough time to get more sent to you. my doctor also says PIO is better than the suppositories. i am still totally freaked out by PIO shots though! i was just at the injection class and those needles are HUGE!!! i am trying to get my pharmacy to order the progesterone in ethyl oleate (i think that's what it's called) because the injection nurse (who went through IVF herself) says it it not as painful.

kristinamarie, i'm thinking about you and hoping to hear good news from you today.

[KristinaMarie]

Still no news yet, DH thinks that the clinic might be closed because of the winter storm. the of course say they are closed for lunch, so I will wait till 1pm and call them, if not we will have to wait one more day. Thanks for all the positive wishes!!

[BellyBean]

Kristina, I was wondering if you were able to get your labs today with "Arctic Blast 2008" shutting down the entire city. Keep us posted!

[KristinaMarie]

Well the lab finally called back and drumroll please........619, so everything is great, so far so good. I go for my first u/s Jan 5th. I wish everyone luck!!!

[jazcat]

Yay Krissy!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Wishing you a happy and healthy 9 months

[snowbell]

Originally Posted by KristinaMarie

Well the lab finally called back and drumroll please........619, so everything is great, so far so good. I go for my first u/s Jan 5th. I wish everyone luck!!!

YAY!!! That is wonderful news!!! I forget how many you transferred...is there a possibility of multiples?

[KristinaMarie]

There is a chance since we transfered 2. We will find out Jan 5th. I can't wait for some other symptoms...I am sure I will regret that comment.

[jazcat]

Keep us updated Krissy! What is your EDD? Can't wait to see if 1 or 2!

[joyakshi]

KristinaMarie- Major congrats! Keep us posted on symptoms b/c we will all be going through the 2ww shortly. I had a pregnancy loss 3.5 years ago and the whole time I was pg I smelled vanilla. When I got my HcG trigger shot on my last IUI, I smelled vanilla for a few days and then it went away, and the IUI was unsuccessful. So for me, I worry when I don't smell vanilla that there's no HcG in my system, but I want to believe I may not smell vanilla and can still be pregnant - when the time comes.

Jazzcat - I'm not sure what protocol I'm on. I am on BCP's from 12/3 until 12/25 (only 2 more days!!) I am doing Lupron from 12/19 until after I start stims. I start stims on 12/31 if I am suppressed properly. We'll find out about suppression on Sunday the 28th. And like you, I'm scheduled for retrieval on the full moon on the 11th!!! Have you started Lupron yet?

Snowbell - Lupron is going okay. BCP's make me tired, but otherwise no symptoms and no night sweats YET! We'll see how I'm doing next week! Have you done IVF before?

Originally Posted by KristinaMarie

There is a chance since we transfered 2. We will find out Jan 5th. I can't wait for some other symptoms...I am sure I will regret that comment.

[joyakshi]

how is the 2ww going christophersmom? are you tracking symptoms? when do you get tested? continued good wishes!

Originally Posted by christophersmom

We were able to transfer 2 grade 4 advanced blastocysts on Wednesday, now just in the waiting period. We froze 7. Much better than last time where we had 3 and they were grade 2 and 3 and only 6-8 cell embryos.

[jazcat]

Originally Posted by joyakshi

Jazzcat - I'm not sure what protocol I'm on. I am on BCP's from 12/3 until 12/25 (only 2 more days!!) I am doing Lupron from 12/19 until after I start stims. I start stims on 12/31 if I am suppressed properly. We'll find out about suppression on Sunday the 28th. And like you, I'm scheduled for retrieval on the full moon on the 11th!!! Have you started Lupron yet?

I'm not on Lupron at all....must be a different protocol than you. I start Follistim and Menopur on the 31st. Full moon is good karma, right?

The pharmacy is sending a replacement PIO. They tried to assure me that the bottles I have would be fine, but I went a little ballistic on them and they agreed to send two more bottles. Hey, it clearly says DO NOT REFRIGERATE and it was in the outdoor fridge 5 days in a row! Besides, I don't need another thing to wonder and worry about. I hope they can recover their costs from Fed Ex. So glad they're not making it my headache to deal with....they could have. Excellent customer service I'd say.

[pinkfriend]

Hi everyone... I usually just stalk this thread.. just wanted to say congrats to Kristina! Glad to hear that your HCG numbers are going in the right direction!

Cheers!

[yoginimama127]

happy to have found you all

hi ladies....I'm so happy to have found you all...ive been on babycenter for awhile but there is only one other lady going through IVF right now. My name is Tara and I'm 27...DH and I got married in June 08...then we had a 13 week m/c in July 08...(I was 9 weeks preg when we got married) We have been TTC ever since the m/c...ofcourse with everyone saying "you'll get preg right away"...didnt happen...I have good insurance for the first time in my life b/c Im a school teacher so I went to the doc after a trusted friend urged me to just "get everything checked out." It was a really big deal for me to do that b/c I'm usuallly anti-docs, as good or bad as a quality of mine that that is, I am just that way. But I suppressed by stubborness and made an appt. It has opened up a whole new world for me. I really like my Doc and the nurses and thus far, have had a really good experience...(except with some of the billing ladies, but thats another story)
So we went through all the tests in November and found out its a male infertility factor. My husband has enough sperm but most of them dont move or are funny shaped. Luckilly, and very serendipitously, I had gotten my period 3 days early (very uncommon for me) the morning of our consult. Doc said he could start me on bcp the next day, (in preperation for an IVF cycle) that was 11/29. I started Lupron shots 12/12....and Bravelle and Menopur shots (they are combined in one) on 12/20.
How crazy is the box of drugs they send you?...its like...now...go shoot yourself up and come in every couple days for us to check your cookin eggs, and then we'll retrieve them and make your baby. The whole process has been reallly sureel for me. Most of my friends and family are quite shocked that I "chose" this route...but I feel like I didnt choose it, it chose me, for whatever reason, only time will tell, but the universe most certainly did make this decision.

Our retrieval is scheduled for New Years Eve and out transfer is Jan 5. All of this would give me a HEDD of 9/23/09. My doc will only put 2 embies back, esp because they will (hopefully) be five day blastocysts.
I am feeling really positive about it so far, I'm feeling good on the stims...even though I was worried how my moods would be, they've actually been surprisingly stable, esp for Xmas time with all the families!
I feel so excited and fortunate to have "found" a group of women to share this experience and oh-so-important journey with. I look forward to hearing your stories as well....
Thank you for reading.
Bless,

Tara