~ Fall IVF Cyclers ~ - Page 7

[gemasita]

Hi ladies,

I got my cyst checked this morning. It had shrunk quite a bit. It's not quite half the size it was on Friday but almost. The nurse both here and at Shady Grove seem to think the doctor will probably not cancel my cycle but may just recheck the cyst in a few more days. But I'm still waiting to hear for sure.

Brandy - welcome! Not sure about that catheter thing. But I have had a saline u/s and to me, it was no big deal.

Daisy - I don't even TRY to guess in the 2WW. But just three more days for you so that's good news! You'lll make it!

Seedlings - I just take a prenatal, and now, the extra folic acid for the MTHFR. I took Fish Oil last cycle but keep forgetting to take that this cycle. But I need to remember to. And yes, therapy and my talks with DH ARE helping. I just have a lot of feelings to work through.

[Julia'sMom]

Daisy - I had a lot of cramping with a successful ivf. And I've also had no cramping with a successful ivf. So, it can go either way. Hopefully towards success for you. : Try and stay sane...you're almost there.

5terre - They didn't significantly change my protocol. Lupron was a bit shorter and they really upped my stims (about double) for the next cycle. I was checked more frequently because they were worried about OHSS at that level, but it worked out fine.

[gemasita]

So the doctor wants me to get the cyst rechecked on Saturday but I think he was impressed that it went down that much and is pretty sure I'll be able to start stims Saturday night.

[DaisyMae08]

Thanks Julia's Mom. I'm feeling a little calmer today and haven't had any more cramping.

Gemesita, that's wonderful news! Fingers and toes crossed that you'll get the go ahead!

[crazyrunningmama]

Originally Posted by DaisyMae08

CRM, I know that you are right. Sometimes it's hard to think so logically right when you're in the middle of this whole thing.
Just three more days until my beta.

Almost impossible, in fact. And don't I know it. :

Originally Posted by gemasita

So the doctor wants me to get the cyst rechecked on Saturday but I think he was impressed that it went down that much and is pretty sure I'll be able to start stims Saturday night.

That's great! Keep on taking care of yourself!

[gemasita]

Oh, I forgot to tell you guys that DH surprised me by showing up to the appt this morning. He said he wanted to hear the update and also he wanted to be there in case the update wasn't so good. He is...awesome. He's also got the shots down to an art now...I CAN'T feel them going in! I have to look to see if he has done it! I guess that's one benefit to being on our THIRD cycle (probably the only benefit!).

[Seedlings]

DaisyMae ~ Goodluck tomorrow at your beta

Gemasita ~ You dh sounds so very wonderful. It is so important to have someone be there supporting you and showering you with kindness.

Brandyshea ~ Hi and hope we can offer you lots of support, comfort and anything you need while going thru this ivf journey. I am not sure about your test but I had an hsg done (again) and it was no problem for me. I just took 2 tylenol and used a panty liner to absorb any saline that leaked out.

How is everyone doing? Still in bcp world here and just trying to maintain peace and calm in myself. I am looking forward to the weekend

[gemasita]

Got my cyst checked this morning. It's a little bit smaller but still there. I think it's measuring 30mm now. Still too big to start stims, I think. The doctor at the clinic that is monitoring me said maybe another week (!) but I'll have to wait and see what Shady Grove says. I am not sure what they will do. I've been on Lupron for 2 weeks now....

So, not really great news.

[crazyrunningmama]

Originally Posted by gemasita

Got my cyst checked this morning. It's a little bit smaller but still there. I think it's measuring 30mm now. Still too big to start stims, I think. The doctor at the clinic that is monitoring me said maybe another week (!) but I'll have to wait and see what Shady Grove says. I am not sure what they will do. I've been on Lupron for 2 weeks now....

So, not really great news.

[5terre]

Checking in on Daisy. Really hoping you have good news today!

Gema That's frustrating. I need to research this whole cyst thing, I don't know anything about it and with my luck I'm sure to end up with one sooner or later.

Seedlings Hope you are enjoying the weekend.

Met with the RE for the canceled cycle follow-up. My antral follicle count really was 5 (very poor prognosis, but it could have just been a bad month, he is not giving up yet). My hormones on a natural cycle were the same with stims, so sad, I didn't respond at all. They had me trigger so I will ovulate/get AF so I can move on from this cycle. So in about two weeks I'm going on OCPs and doing antagonist protocol with Ganarelix, hoping we will have a better chance at making it to retrieval. This is all just too much to take emotionally and physically, I really feel for you all who have been doing the ART thing a whole lot longer than I have. I really hope you all get your BFPs soon. Ladies, I'm taking one for the team this month, so the rest of you better deliver.

[gemasita]

5terre - I think most of us can sympathize. Every step of this process is so stressful. We all just wait for more info, make hard decisions, wait for more test results, wait for more info, etc! I think the RE's plan sounds good though. And it's nice to hear that he is optimistic about this next plan.

Me - still waiting to hear from my clinic with tonight's instructions. I finally called the answering service. I'm assuming they will tell me to continue the Lupron since my cyst is still there but I need to know for sure. I am starting to wonder if they won't just cancel me. That would be pretty devastating. Maybe they will wait another week and see what they cyst does.

[gemasita]

Ok, the nurse just called. She said that the doctor said it was fine to start stims tonight. I am so surprised. I guess I should be relieved and excited but I am a bundle of nerves worrying about how things will go with this cyst. The nurse said my estrogen was low - 40.5 - so that was a big part of the decision. I guess I am just worried that if my ovary doesn't stimulate well, we'll have wasted all that expensive Follistim! Wish me luck!

[Seedlings]

Daisymae ~ I am thinking about you today.

Gemasita ~ When I had cysts the re wanted e2 below 100 and I think I was well over 100. I had 3 not so lovely buggers. 40 for an e2 sounds good to me. Goodluck! Will they be doing u/s and bloodwork through out your stims? If so be sure to ask about the cysts and e2 levels.

5terre ~

ktcl~ how are the stims going and how are you feeling?

No update here. I spent a rainy cold afternoon exploring a flea market. It was very enjoyable. Some of it was indoors and some outdoors so I am glad I had my umbrella! Is it crazy that I love the food at the flea market? I ate 2 egg rolls, a turtle bar, an eclair and some candy. It was so good

[poetgirl]

Daisy? Hope you are doing alright.

5Terre, I am sorry about the low AFC. I hope you have much better luck with the Ganirelex protocol. It was much better for me.

Jamie, Wishing every good thing you for this go around. Sorry it's been a tough start.

Hi Seedlings

[DaisyMae08]

It was negative. And then I got my period last night. I'm not okay - this is really awful. I had so much hope after getting pg last time (even though it turned out to be chemical) and now I just feel despair. We have our follow up appointment on Wednesday afternoon which I'm looking forward to. I'd like to get started again right away, so I'm hoping I'll be able to start bcps in the next few days.

Anybody have success stories of going through several IVFs and then having it magically work?

[poetgirl]

Daisy, I'm so terribly sorry. It's just awful facing a failed ivf. I'm sad for you. I'm glad you're ready to try again. Are you going to do a FET or fresh cycle? Did they learn anything new about you in this cycle that they would want to change for the next try? I don't know if you do acup. alongside your stimming, but it really helped me manage the emotional toll and was probably beneficial overall. If it helps, I do see many women get preg. on their 3rd attempt. My first cycle was a disaster. Keep believing in yourself as much as you can. You responded really well to the meds. I'm wishing the very best for you.

[Seedlings]

Daisymae I only have a sec I am so very sorry. I'll post more tonight keeping you in my prayers.

[gemasita]

Daisy - I am so sorry. Nothing compares to a failed cycle. I try not to get hopeful during a cycle but of course, a little hope creeps in and then I am devastated when it doesn't work. Someone posted about mulitple cycles on one of the other boards I'm on and it was a relief to see people who were successful on try #3 or #4. I am on #3 so I was really looking for some optimistic stories at the time.

Me - I go tomorrow to get b/w and u/s. I'll be on day 3 of stims. If no follicles are developing, I guess they will cancel me but my doctor (just back from vacation) is going to call me tomorrow since I have been so worried. She said that medically, the size of the cyst, the fact that it was shrinking and also draining, and my estrogen levels made it perfectly fine to start over the weekend. Still, I am very worried about how this cycle will go. Now I'm back to worrying about what I will do if it get canceled. I guess I will try to find work.

I need to remember...one day at a time. Being in an IVF cycle is so intense and stressful.

I'm so tired and headache-y.

[DaisyMae08]

Thanks ladies. It does help to know that there are others who understand what I'm going through.

I won't know whether they have any insight into how the cycle went or if they want to change anything until we meet with the doctor on Wednesday. We'd like to do another fresh cycle right away, so I'm assuming I'll be starting BCPs again this week. The sooner the better as far as I'm concerned. At least then I'll feel like I'm moving on and doing something.

I do see an acupuncturist. Some cycles I've gone religiously, others I've gone on and off. It does help in terms of relaxation. I suppose for that reason alone it's worth it, but sometimes I get stressed just about taking the time out of my day to go to acupuncture. Pathetic, I know.

Gemasita, I hope the doctor is able to put your mind at ease. There is just no easy way to get through and IVF cycle. I find that I'm constantly worried about something. I hope you're able to find some way to relax. Good luck with the u/s tomorrow!!!

[crazyrunningmama]

Originally Posted by DaisyMae08

Anybody have success stories of going through several IVFs and then having it magically work?

's to you DaisyMae, that is so hard. For my dd, it took 1 fresh cycle + 1 FET, with this pregnancy it took 1 fresh IVF cycle + 3 FET's in a row + another fresh cycle. Take good care of yourself.

Originally Posted by gemasita

I need to remember...one day at a time. Being in an IVF cycle is so intense and stressful.

Yes, it is insanely stressful. Keep on taking good care of yourself.

Originally Posted by DaisyMae08

I do see an acupuncturist. Some cycles I've gone religiously, others I've gone on and off. It does help in terms of relaxation. I suppose for that reason alone it's worth it, but sometimes I get stressed just about taking the time out of my day to go to acupuncture. Pathetic, I know.

No, not pathetic. I felt the same way, squeezing it in just wasn't worth it sometimes, plus the money being spent stressed me out. I think it did make a difference this last time to have acupuncture before and after transfer, but that particular day with that particular practioner just went really well.