July IUI - Page 4

[KellyTTC#1]

Becky: I wish I had some advice for you. I'm new to IUIs and meds so I'm not much help. I would call your doctor to discuss. I really hope it isn't a cyst.

aprilmom: I'm glad to read that the prozac is doing the trick. I'm not looking forward to my moodiness coming on.

I'm having my IUI tomorrow... I got the call after my bloodwork was done to say that the LH surge has started. The follicles were bigger today (18 and 19 mm and the lining was 8). So I'm assuming they are continuing to grow today.

I hope everyone is doing well.

[laura-belle]

Thanks all for the s. I'm taking the next couple of months off from meds and procedures to let my body get back to normal. I'm pretty sure I still have cysts from this cycle and my weight swings over the month have been getting worse (> 10 lbs water weight). We have a consult for IVF in mid-August and we'll go from there.

Becky: I don't know much, but it definitely sounds like it could be a cyst. I don't know as they can do much about it other than wait though but it might be good to know for the next cycle if you need one.

Kelly: Good luck with your IUI!

aprilmom: Thinking good thoughts for you. I'm glad the Prozac seems to be helping.

[KellyTTC#1]

My IUI went well today. I'm hopeful!

How many dpiui/dpo is everyone/what is everyone's test date?

I'm testing Aug 1st.

[ladylaura]

Blah. CD 12 and no dominant follicles. Going back in on Wednesday, so we're giving it a few more days, but my nurse has already mentioned my doctor wanting me to possibly do Clomid next cycle.

Initially there was nothing wrong with me - I always had 30 days cycles from May 2007 until I did IVF in April 2009 - but I have a feeling this is secondary infertility. I didn't O until CD 24 or 25 last cycle and if I were going to O at my normal time (around 16-18, or what used to be my normal time, I guess), I would have something to show for it right now...

Also, my lining is so thin that the tech did a double take and asked if it were a baseline u/s, because it looked more like a CD2 lining.

BLAH! Why can't my body work normally when it finally has a situation where real live awesome sperm are waiting to visit? Very dumb.

[Hilarigh]

Becky – I don’t have any advice/suggestions for you. I hope it’s not a cyst. If you call your RE can you get him on the phone or do you have to talk to the nurse? Hopefully your doctor can give you some answers tomorrow. Can an u/s confirm O and see if there are any cysts?

April – I’m glad the Prozac is helping to keep you from obsessing during the TWW. I have some left over Xanax from my lap and I was wondering if taking them to help relax me would be a good idea. I may ask my doc what he thinks about it. Hang in there, the 27th will be here before you know it.

Laurabelle – I hope this break is just what your body needs to be recharged and ready for your IVF cycle. Good luck. Maybe you and your DH can get away for a camping trip, if you guys camp, or a wine tasting weekend, if you like the vino. I think a mini holiday with lots of TLC and pampering is in order.

Kelly – Yay for IUI! I’m waiting to get started so please forgive the 20 questions but… What CD were you when you had your insemination? Did they tell you about your follicle size or give you any info on DH’s swimmers? What are you doing to keep busy until Aug. 1?

Ladylaura – what meds were you taking for this cycle or were you going med free? I bet those real live awesome sperm can’t wait to meet your little eggie.

AFM – DH and I went to Virginia for the weekend. On the drive down our doc called to let us know the insurance approved our application for meds so we can get rolling on our treatment. After I got off the phone with the RE the pharmacy called to let us know that they received authorization from our insurance and she wanted to give me the cost breakdown for each of the meds…I guess she wanted to prep me. She said she thought we had to reach some deductible first bc the first medication was very expensive and the others dropped down after that. I know I should just be glad the insurance is helping and not complain but our meds are coming out to just over $3,000. I thought DH was going to drive off the road when I told him how much our meds are.

I had my last BCP pill Friday morning and thought AF was here today but it just seems to be spotting. It seems really thin and brownish red and then other times red red, sorry TMI, and I am a little crampy so I don’t know if it’s AF or not. I think I’ll call today spotting and see what happens tomorrow. I don’t remember what my periods were like when I was on the pill in college so I don’t know if this is AF or just the pre-party.

Should just go in and have blood drawn first thing tomorrow morning anyway and schedule my CD2 u/s with my RE so he can tell me if it’s CD2 or not? GRRRH What do you guys think? How big of a deal is it if I’m off a day at the beginning? Even if I did get my period today it was definitely spotting for most of the day and more than a spot this evening so tomorrow morning would still be w/in the first 24 hours. I feel so stupid for obsessing this much over whether or not I’m having my period. I feel like this doesn’t bode well for the stressing/obsessing for this first IUI cycle.:

[ladylaura]

Originally Posted by Hilarigh

Ladylaura – what meds were you taking for this cycle or were you going med free? I bet those real live awesome sperm can’t wait to meet your little eggie.

We were trying to go med-free for a few cycles, but it doesn't look like it's going to work out.

In theory, when the issue is MALE factor, you'd think the female could handle it alone! Mainly what I'm worried about is they'll give me too high of a dosage and I'll produce a million eggs and the cycle will get cancelled... kind of like the IVF situation I had where I was overstimmed and produced crappy quality eggs...

[Furrow]

LadyLaura -- I wonder if all the IVF meds knocked you off your regular cycle. I wouldn't be surprised. How frustrating to not know what's going on after years of regularity!

If you're having lining issues, be wary of clomid. It thinned me out really bad. If they want me back on meds next cycle, I might ask about femara/letrazole. It works the same as clomid except that it gives your lining a boost rather than thinning it.

I hope your Wednesday check is much better.

[aprilmom]

Originally Posted by Furrow

LadyLaura -- I wonder if all the IVF meds knocked you off your regular cycle. I wouldn't be surprised. How frustrating to not know what's going on after years of regularity!

If you're having lining issues, be wary of clomid. It thinned me out really bad. If they want me back on meds next cycle, I might ask about femara/letrazole. It works the same as clomid except that it gives your lining a boost rather than thinning it.

I hope your Wednesday check is much better.

I have done both Clomid and Femara - and I would go with Femara hands down if given the choice. Clomid stays in your system for about 6 weeks too - so each time you do a new cycle you are adding to it. It takes about 2 days for your body to process the femara and get back to 'feeling' normal.

[Hilarigh]

Ladylaura - I agree with the other ladies about Femara. I liked it much better than the clomid. No side effects, it was great.

I went in for blood work this morning and had my ultra sound this afternoon. Everything looks good so the RE said we could get started with the injections. He taught DH how to administer the Menopur and Bravelle injections and I had my first injection this afternoon. Keeping fingers crossed that this is a successful cycle.

[ladylaura]

Yikes! Hearing about the thinning lining makes me nervous - my doctor has definitely been talking about Clomid, not Femara. My lining on CD 12 was 3 - very thin - and thinner than last cycle on CD 12 (it was a 6).

I don't like questioning my doctor's judgment... hopefully she addresses the lining issues. Does Clomid ALWAYS cause that problem or is it hit or miss?

Bleh. I hate attempting to anticipate the curveballs...

[KellyTTC#1]

Originally Posted by Hilarigh

Kelly – Yay for IUI! I’m waiting to get started so please forgive the 20 questions but… What CD were you when you had your insemination? Did they tell you about your follicle size or give you any info on DH’s swimmers? What are you doing to keep busy until Aug. 1?

Hilarigh: I'm by no means an expert as this is my second IUI (& I hope I never become an expert )...

I was inseminated on day 12 (for both IUI 1 & 2). My cycles are usually around 27 days so not sure if clomid (50 mg: day 3-7) made me a day or so early or if it's just mother nature.

Follicle monitoring started on day 10 and I also went on day 11. I was told a mature follicle is 20 mm and lining should be 8-9 mm.

We got the info on the swimmers before the IUI: 65 million IUI #1 and same for #2. No ultrasound on day of IUI so I don't know what the status was and no blood work either.

I'm glad that your insurance approvals have all come through.

I'm not during anything out of the ordinary during the 2WW. Business as usual really. Life is busy enough. We're building a new house so I have lots of things to do.

[Furrow]

hilarigh -- hooray for getting started! I hope this is your month.

ladylaura -- Clomid doesn't have a huge effect on everyone -- at least not for the first few cycles -- but since you're already having lining problems, it's certainly not going to help. I have heard of people taking clomid with estradiol (estrogen) to prevent thinning. I would definitely ask your doctor what she thought about your lining problems before I started the clomid.

Kelly Congrats on a good IUI! Fingers crossed for you.

AFM I'm probably on 8 dpo, but it could be anywhere from 7-10. I've had a totally screwed up cycle this month, with a fever around ovulation time and multiple patches of ewcm so that FF keeps changing my ov date. I finally stopped recording them so that it would leave it alone! My IUI was probably a total bust. Next month I am going to do opks like crazy and I'm going to push for a trigger shot. I had a huge temp dip this morning and I'm cramping like AF is about to start, but that could be pg symptoms, too. But probably not. Crazy.

[aprilmom]

Originally Posted by KellyTTC#1

Hilarigh: I'm by no means an expert as this is my second IUI (& I hope I never become an expert )...
.

:

Originally Posted by Furrow

hilarigh



AFM I'm probably on 8 dpo, but it could be anywhere from 7-10. I've had a totally screwed up cycle this month, with a fever around ovulation time and multiple patches of ewcm so that FF keeps changing my ov date. I finally stopped recording them so that it would leave it alone! My IUI was probably a total bust. Next month I am going to do opks like crazy and I'm going to push for a trigger shot. I had a huge temp dip this morning and I'm cramping like AF is about to start, but that could be pg symptoms, too. But probably not. Crazy.

I am 8 DPIUI - and today is the first day testing crossed my mind. I have been doing good not thinking about it till now... I know there is no point and that I am not supposed to test till the 27th - it is just hard to wait that long!

[Furrow]

Originally Posted by aprilmom

I am 8 DPIUI - and today is the first day testing crossed my mind. I have been doing good not thinking about it till now... I know there is no point and that I am not supposed to test till the 27th - it is just hard to wait that long!

I hadn't even thought about the fact that I am 10 dpiui! I would so be tempted to test tomorrow if I didn't know that my iui was useless. As it is, I'm telling myself to wait until at least Saturday (what I think is 12 dpo). Yeah, Monday would be better, but I don't think I can wait either.

[ladylaura]

Originally Posted by Furrow

ladylaura -- Clomid doesn't have a huge effect on everyone -- at least not for the first few cycles -- but since you're already having lining problems, it's certainly not going to help. I have heard of people taking clomid with estradiol (estrogen) to prevent thinning. I would definitely ask your doctor what she thought about your lining problems before I started the clomid.

Hmm. No one actually mentioned it to me as a problem, just that it looked more like a day 2 lining. I noted that last month at CD 12 it was 6 and this month it was 3, so it is thinner than last time. Hopefully it's not considered an actual problem until it persists from month to month... I will definitely ask about it tomorrow, though. Ugh.

The nurse told me yesterday that since I'm planning a vacation for Aug. 10-13 (or maybe the following week, I'm waiting to hear what my results are tomorrow...), they can manipulate my next cycle around my vacation. WEIRD. Is this something to be wary of, or is it totally normal? I feel a bit creeped out by it for some reason.

[Furrow]

Originally Posted by ladylaura

The nurse told me yesterday that since I'm planning a vacation for Aug. 10-13 (or maybe the following week, I'm waiting to hear what my results are tomorrow...), they can manipulate my next cycle around my vacation. WEIRD. Is this something to be wary of, or is it totally normal? I feel a bit creeped out by it for some reason.

I wonder how they plan to do that. I've not gotten that high tech yet, but there is a thread in the infertility board about doing just that. The woman's husband is a pilot and is only home a few weeks per month. http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1110551

I am thinking of extending my progesterone beyond day 28 so that I might be mid cycle in the middle of the week next month instead of on the weekend.

Good luck tomorrow. Um, I mean today!

[ladylaura]

Originally Posted by Furrow

I wonder how they plan to do that. I've not gotten that high tech yet, but there is a thread in the infertility board about doing just that. The woman's husband is a pilot and is only home a few weeks per month. http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1110551

I am thinking of extending my progesterone beyond day 28 so that I might be mid cycle in the middle of the week next month instead of on the weekend.

Good luck tomorrow. Um, I mean today!

Thanks for the good luck vibes... unfortunately, there's still nothing to be seen in terms of follicles. Lining is up from 3 to 7 (today is CD 15) but estrogen is still low.

The plan is to have me back in on Saturday for one more u/s and b/w and decide where to go from there. There has been mention of using Provera and Clomid, but I'm not sure yet how it'll be used and what they'll be achieving... Since I'm planning this vacation and it's not yet finalized, i actually gave the doctor two weeks to choose from (8/10 and 8/17) and she said that it'd be better for me to be gone the week of 8/10 because if we do have to go to Provera and Clomid, they wouldn't need me until after then. I have no idea what that means at all, and I have no idea how they'd be using these meds! Does that mean that we'll get in an IUI before I go on vacation, or that we'll start monitoring and do the IUI after vacation?

Another thing that is weird is that she mentioned us "missing" ovulation last cycle (I went in on CD 16, nothing; went back one week later, saw a 15mm follicle but my LH surge had already begun. We'd have done the IUI the next day except my follicle was too small). I don't see what happened as "missing" ovulation per se, but.... if we see follicular growth, is there something we can do before ovulation that would, I don't know, improve the ovulation? I just don't see why she'd say we missed it last time - the u/s definitely happened before I ovulated.

This is so weird! Does anyone have any insight/guesses/ideas? I really like to try to understand how it all works as much as possible. If you think you can make some sense out of all of this, I would love to hear it. I listened to the voicemail 3 times and I still feel confused.

[Hilarigh]

It sounds like they're planning on using the provera to induce AF and then do clomid after that. You take provera for 7 days, I think, and then it takes another 7 - 10 days for AF to roll in after that. Maybe that's why they say they won't need you that week in Aug bc they'll start you when you get back.

If that's the case, you probably won't be doing the IUI before you go on vacay. I guess if the u/s shows eggletts growing then they won't want to bring on AF to begin the next cycle though so maybe you still will IUI before vacay.

My RE said a mature egg is 20mm so maybe because you surged before your egg could mature to a larger size that's why she said you missed ovulation. I don't know what they can do to keep you from ovulating to keep your egg growing if you're not doing injectables. My doc said there is a certain level of some hormone, I don't remember which one, that triggers ovulation...maybe LH...anyway when your levels get there you bust out an egg. Since I'm stimming with injectables and growing a few eggs to maturity my LH level will rise and I might ovulate early before we can get one or two eggs to 18 - 20mm so he has me taking a medication to keep me from ovulating once my levels reach their threshold. Once we've gotten the eggs to the right size, I get a trigger shot to force ovulation. I don't know if they do that when you're taking clomid though.

I hope I've helped answer some of your ?s and by no means am I an expert. That's just what it sounds like to me.

Good luck

[Hilarigh]

I had more blood work this morning. My Estradiol level went from <20 on Monday to 76 today. The u/s showed my little eggletts growing. For now, it looks like lefty's got more going on than righty but we'll see who the big winner is in another week or so.

DH is getting better at administering my injections. He looked like a mad scientist last night mixing my meds. He was really stressing about it too. He'd take a step back look at his supplies, sigh and then go back to it. He had to throw out one syringe bc he touched something he wasn't supposed to. I'm glad he's doing the injections. He doesn't really get to do much, aside from provide his ingredients, so this gives him a chance to participate in the dramz.

The meds make me super tired...either that or it's waking up at 6 am to get to the hospital for blood work. Whatever it is, I crashed this afternoon for about 2 hours this afternoon. I hope I sleep OK tonight.

[ladylaura]

Originally Posted by Hilarigh

My RE said a mature egg is 20mm so maybe because you surged before your egg could mature to a larger size that's why she said you missed ovulation.

That's one possible explanation, but she said it in relation to the timing of our next appointment, making me think that somehow we did something wrong last cycle in terms of when we did the last ultrasound...

Sometimes I really just wish I had the brain of an RE...