Fall IVF Support Thread - Page 6

[ratgrl]

blue, Kelly is an IVF success story. She and I got pregnant the same month this spring.

We're doing a FET, so no follies to concern myself with here. Started progesterone on Sunday. With our fresh cycle we started progesterone the day after retrieval.

My bloodwork came back today with my progesterone a little low, so I've had to add Crinone (yuck) to my daily regimen. Transfer tomorrow morning.

[blueyezz4]

ratgrl - thinking about you this morning!!!! Sending you sticky vibes!!!

[Keria]

Ratgrl crossing my figers for you.

Sylvies I think it's time to celebrate with jumpers and dancing veggies

I have not told anyone about our fertility issues, especially now I don't want anyone to think it's DHs fault, I did tell a few people a couple of years ago that we were TTC but they have been smart enough not to ask about it.

As for supplements, I discontinued all my TTC supplements when we realized we were going to need ART, except folic acid but I take that anyways because I'm a sympotmatic carrier of sickle cell anemia.

And in todays news we got the results of DHs 3rd SA and they are even worst than before WTF, on the fresh sample they found ONE sperm, seriously ONE, after they spinned them concentrated them and whatever else they do they found 60 sperms, 28 of those are normal, we only need one right..

[KellyTTC#1]

Originally Posted by blueyezz4

Kelly - Looks like you are 32 wks pregnant w/ twins.... Is that right? Do you know what you are having? Are you an IVF sucess story??? Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well!!!

Just what ratgrl said, we did our IVF cycles at the same in the winter/spring. We're expecting twin girls (di/di twins) and 32 weeks along now. We had 8 eggs retrieved and 7 fertilized. We transferred two eggies on day 3 and froze 3.

I am so pleased to say this was an IVF success and I'm OK with telling people that we did IVF/fertility treatments... you get a lot of questions when people find out you're expecting twins.

However, during the process we didn't tell a whole lot of people but enough people knew what was going on (DH didn't feel the same way about things are was comfortable telling most people what was going on with us, I was more reserved). I have to say I was scared to death about IVF (less about the procedures themselves but more about the fact I felt this was our last chance at success). I wanted to be cautiously optimistic about the process otherwise I wasn't sure how I would manage an unsuccessful cycle (our first IVF attempt but 4 failed IUIs). I didn't find a lot of other people could related to these feelings. I know it's really personal who you want to tell but thought I would share my thoughts.

Tear: I agree with what you said... you don't realize until you discuss it with more people that many others have been in the same situation and that IF is a common thing. I know 2 other couples who are doing IVF and found that out when we told them that we were doing IVF.

Blueyezz4: I started taking progesterone the day after my retrieval as well.

Ratgrl: good luck tomorrow. I'm not exactly sure when the follies are thawed but I hope they are doing well and everything goes as planned.

[ratgrl]

Transfer went fine. They did have to thaw two vials instead of one. One of the embryos in the first vial "degenerated" (this must be doctor speak for "melted into goo instead of an embryo"). Two were implanted, the third was left in culture. If it makes it to day 5 they'll freeze it as a blast. The quality of the implanted embryos is good, so I'm feeling as good as I can.

Now the waiting.

Kelly - they thaw the embies just minutes before the transfer from my understanding.

[slylives]

Originally Posted by ratgrl

Transfer went fine. They did have to thaw two vials instead of one. One of the embryos in the first vial "degenerated" (this must be doctor speak for "melted into goo instead of an embryo"). Two were implanted, the third was left in culture. If it makes it to day 5 they'll freeze it as a blast. The quality of the implanted embryos is good, so I'm feeling as good as I can.

Now the waiting.

Kelly - they thaw the embies just minutes before the transfer from my understanding.

Good luck and take it easy over the next few days.

[blueyezz4]

ratgrl - Great news!!!! Are you on bedrest for a little while or no? I know different drs do different things. Keep us posted!! We will be excited to hear when you test!! Are you going to POS early? I have a good feeling!

Kelly - Congrats that is awesome!! I'm not sure what the di/di twins is? Does that mean they aren't identical and from separate eggs?

???? - Here is a question for some of you that have already gone through this... my DH is not good with medical stuff and passes out easily so i'm a little worried about him giving me the progesterone shots!!! Any have this problem in the past and have a success story? Or suggestions? I can just see it now... i will have this big needle sticking out of my butt while laying on the couch and my husband will be passed out on the floor while the dog is licking his face!!!! Good Times!!!! LOL

[Tear78]

lol....blueyezz you just made me almost pee my pants! I wish I had advice, but we'll be going through that for the first time, too. As for herbs: I'm alternating between "Ginseng Longam" ? and "Free and Easy Formula." I don't know what's in them to be honest, but my acupuncturist is located AT my RE's office. I'm so super lucky to have a place that integrates both eastern and western medicine, and I told my RE that we're taking those herbs and they're on board with it. I'm also taking levothyroxine to keep my thyroid under 2.5, baby aspirin to prevent any possible clotting issues with implantation, fish oil to help flush out any possible killer cells, and prenatals. oof. It's a lot. I'll start estradiol and lupron in a week and a half.

ratgrl, congrats! Rest up and think sticky thoughts--we all are doing that for you too. How many embryos did you have frozen? I had thought it was only one for some reason. Sounds like you got two good ones put in, right? Stick little ones!!!

Kelly, you're right! I just told my pregnant colleague so that she knows to be sensitive around me, and she said that she tried for a long time for her first, and she suspected something like that was going on with me. I guess I'm not really good at hiding it anymore: probably because I'm sick of hiding it.

Keria, sorry about the SA results. But you're right, all it takes is ONE, and with IVF that one will end up where it needs to be.

songtothemoon, did you have your retrieval this week? How did it go? UPDATE!!!

I'm logging on for a brief check, but we're in Boston visiting friends and online time will be scarce. My major news is that my sister Carlyle is in labor eek! Thinking of you sis!!!

[songtothemoon]

blueyezz--yes, I'm wondering how my DH will manage w/ the PIO shots, too...I think I'm going to have him practice on an orange or lemon first to get used to shoving the needle in with appropriate force...

ratgrl--good luck!!!! sticky vibes to you

Positive vibes to all other IVFers!

tear--thanks for asking about me...

AFM--bad news--why I haven't been on the last few days...IVF was cancelled due to a spike in my progesterone. ER should've been Friday. I found out Wed. afternoon 10 minutes before having to teach songwriting to a class of teens w/autism--talk about NO TIME to process.

I went in Wed. a.m. and had 14 follicles total, 12 looking REALLY good. Had blood drawn. Ultrasound tech and nurse thought I'd trigger that night, ER Friday. Didn't hear back from RE until just after 4 pm. RE said that I had a spike in LH and plateau in Estrogen on Friday, then the Prog. spike (5) on Wed. The two spikes/hormonal glitches combined made him concerned egg quality; also prematurely elevated prog. would adversely affect implantation.

I was initially doing IUI and converted to IVF, due to # of follicles and DH and I not wanting to risk another m/c. My gut feeling is that the glitches happened because there was no down regulation/suppression.

So, meeting w/RE on Monday for new marching orders. Prob. BCPs and/or Lupron...I will update when I know more.
All in all, it was awful gearing up big time for IVF, then getting the plug pulled, then not being able to process/cry/vent while teaching music and theater for 3+ hours.

Also--question to seasoned IVF-ers/stims users--I stopped stims on Tuesday evening. By Friday I had horrible cramps that felt like they were in my ovaries, pelvis, intestines, gas, etc. Really bad. Can this happen post-Follistim/Menopur?
My body felt like it was wigging out!
I just want to be prepared for the next cycle.

OK-that was long!
Thanks for reading and thanks for your support.

[blueyezz4]

songtothemoon - I'm so sorry to hear about your cancelled IVF. That sucks!! So now how long do you have to wait to start again? I have never done an IVF before, but I have done many IUI w/ injectables and i know they say that usually you feel the effect of OHSS after you are done taking the drugs, so it kinda sounds like you are having some of those symptoms. From what I have read, a lot of people try to up their protein in take and also drink Gatorade, that is suppose to help too. If it gets too bad I'd call your Dr. Take care!!!!

That's a good idea about the orange or lemon, but I think the thing that will get my DH is the part where you have to pull back some on the syringe and make sure there isn't any blood before injecting. If there is blood, that is probably what will make him faint. We will see!

[blueyezz4]

Tear - That is awesome that your practice is okay with herbs. I know my practice offers acupuncture, but had advised me to stay away from herbs, so I figured I'd try and listen even though I believe herbs are helpful. Wow, that is crazy... we both are on thyroid meds. I'm on a really low dose of L-Thyroxine 25mcg, fish oil, Prenatals, Vit. B complex, & Vit D. What CD are you suppose to start your Lupron? I'm actually going to be starting next Sat the 16th CD 21, but I think that I start the estradiol a couple weeks after that.

Congrats to your sister Carlyle !!!

Keria - Keep that positive attitude... your right... you only need one good one and especially if you are doing IVF they can pick that one good one out of all of them!!!!

Ratgrl - How are you doing?? Just checking in on you!!

[ratgrl]

Argh, I had a long post with personals and when I hit submit the board ate it. I'll do my best to recap.

song - I was not as far along as you in the cycle but I've had that rug pulled out from under me and it was devastating. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I would expect the cramping is a result of all those follicles trying to make an exit and/or bursting. I experienced some of the cramping you're discussing after my retrieval when they left some of the smaller follies.

Husbands/SOs giving PIO: My husband wanted me to tell you all that they should make a game out of it by injecting you in the shape of happy faces. This was how he entertained himself the first time. A bit more seriously, I included him by giving him a responsibility - he had to get the PIO and warm it before we did the injection. It gave him a role in the whole thing. Also, your worst enemy is their hesitation. "Dart-like motion" can't possibly be stressed enough. My husband is much more courageous this time and it's to my benefit. I'm still walking funny, but nowhere near as bad as last time.

Tear - we had 8 multicellular embryos frozen and 1 blast. They were leaving my fourth thawed embryo in culture to see if it would make it to blast where they would re-freeze it. No word yet.

My doctor only requires 24 hours of sedentary life after transfer, however I was achy and uncomfortable last time and feel the same this time, so I did that +3. It was the right amount of time for me.

AFM - I am exhausted, and achy/crampy and bleh and I just wanted next Sunday to get here. My progesterone levels have risen to where they need to be with the addition of the Crinone so that's great. Not so much that I have to use Crinone again but whatever. There's no dignity left here.

I'm so sorry I missed people - I really did have a log post with personals

[blueyezz4]

ratgrl - I totally can feel your pain... i've had that happen to me where you type a long response and then the next thing you know it is gone!! It is like a kick in the stomach!! Is Sunday your test day?? Fingers crossed for you!! Sending you lots of sticky vibes!!! Are you going to test early?

[Tear78]

ratgrl, thanks for the progesterone shot tips! Man, I'm really not looking forward to it. I remember that from when I first gave myself shots: the worst part was when I hesitated, and it didn't really go in, so I had to try again. ugh! Thinking of you and sending positive thoughts for Sunday!

blueyezz, I'm taking low dose of thyroid meds too, because my thryoid was above 2.5 which is normal for "normal" people, but not for fertility purposes. Now it's nice and low, but getting used to the AM pills with no food was a bummer. I'm starting lupron on CD21 (but in my book it's really CD22, but whatever, it's only one day). So that would be October 19th They're having me taking estradiol at the same time, but both for only five days. Then I stop and wait for my period. Then I'll go in for my baseline and go from there. How exciting that we're starting soon!

songtothemoon oh how frustrating and disappointing! I'm so sorry hon. I hate that infertility hits you with bad news at unplanned times, and then you have to go pretend nothing is wrong. Do you have any news after your appointment yesterday? Also, it sounds like you probably ovulated all those follicles your own, even though you stopped the stims, and you were feeling the pain from that. Is that possible? Did your RE advise you not to have sex during that time? Hope you're doing ok!

afm - very very very much wanting to be in California with my family right now, but I'm so happy everybody was healthy! I'm mostly trying to just find a routine and a low-stress way to get through each week of teaching, so that my system is chilled out and ready to make a baby. It's nice to be having a short week this week! Hope everybody is doing ok, and please update as you can.

[blueyezz4]

???? - so I just got all my meds!!! Not sure if I should be or !!! I think i'm just excited to get this ball finally rolling!!! It really isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. My only question is that I thought for sure more of them were going to have to be refrigerated, but it seems that only my Follistim needs to be in there right now. I put a call into my IVF nurse about a couple of questions so we will see what she says, but I figured I'd post on here too. I'm surprised that the Gonal F (Chor Gonadotropin MDV), and the Menopur don't need to be refrigerated right away. Is this common?? Also, I don't even see Menopur on my Long Lupron schedule...when do you take Menopur?? Like I said, I have a call into the nurse with these questions, but she may not get back to me until tomorrow, which is fine. Maybe someone else can help!!!!!

Tear - Holy big baby batman!!!! 11lbs.... your poor sister!! Was it a C-Section? Sorry you aren't there with them and I'm glad to hear everyone is healthy!!!

That is awesome that we will only be like a few days apart!! I love having a cycle buddy!! Are you on the short Lupron protocol, is that right? I have to start the Lupron this sat and then i stay on it until before the retrieval but my dose gets lower as i go. I also don't start Estrace until about the 3rd wk of Lupron and then keep on it until I get my BFP (power of positive thinking there!!!)!!!


How's everyone else doing???? Fill us in even if it is just a short blurb about yourself!!!!

[ratgrl]

I have a very strict no-pee-stick rule in my house. For a couple of reasons. First, it makes me neurotic... I want to use them every day. Second, they're wicked expensive. Third, I have metabolic syndrome, which can mask HcG in the urine so even if my beta is positive I can still get a - HPT. It's not worth the angst. When I was confirmed pregnant this spring through 4 betas I had one HPT left and just to see, I used it. Negative. Not worth it at all.

My beta is on Sunday, yes. I had more blood drawn this morning and my estrogen and progesterone are where they need to be so no adjustment of meds for me. Just the waiting game.

blue, the only meds I've refrigerated are Follistim and Lupron. Everything else stays out and warm.

[blueyezz4]

ratgrl - Thanks for the info! My Lupron says on the box to keep it below 77 degrees F* so the nurse said to leave it out. Our house won't be 77* or even close at this time of the year! I'm kind of a thermostat Nazi b/c I hate having to turn it on too early in the year. Right now 68 will probably be the highest it will go for awhle. Growing up we would just wear layers. Good luck to you on Sunday! I'm impressed with your will power!! You go girl! I would probably be the same way if I had the met. syndrome too. Fingers crossed for you!!!

songtothemoon - how are you? Just checking in on you!!

How's everyone else? Fill us all in!!!!! Hope everyone is well!!

AFM - Well, I got all my above questions answered so that is good. Now I just thought about how on Sat evening we are going to some friends to watch the big football game (GO BUCKS ) and it says to take the Lupron shot between 6-8pm so I wonder if that means if I take it at 6pm the first night then every night has to be at 6pm or just as long as it is in that 2 hr time frame you are okay... that's what I'd think. Anyone know?? Hope you all have a great weekend!!

[lesliesara63]

Originally Posted by blueyezz4

ratgrl - Thanks for the info! My Lupron says on the box to keep it below 77 degrees F* so the nurse said to leave it out. Our house won't be 77* or even close at this time of the year! I'm kind of a thermostat Nazi b/c I hate having to turn it on too early in the year. Right now 68 will probably be the highest it will go for awhle. Growing up we would just wear layers. Good luck to you on Sunday! I'm impressed with your will power!! You go girl! I would probably be the same way if I had the met. syndrome too. Fingers crossed for you!!!

songtothemoon - how are you? Just checking in on you!!

How's everyone else? Fill us all in!!!!! Hope everyone is well!!

AFM - Well, I got all my above questions answered so that is good. Now I just thought about how on Sat evening we are going to some friends to watch the big football game (GO BUCKS ) and it says to take the Lupron shot between 6-8pm so I wonder if that means if I take it at 6pm the first night then every night has to be at 6pm or just as long as it is in that 2 hr time frame you are okay... that's what I'd think. Anyone know?? Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Well not doing IVF but I'm doing Lupron at 6AM. My instructions were just to take it at the same time everyday.

[ratgrl]

take the Lupron shot between 6-8pm so I wonder if that means if I take it at 6pm the first night then every night has to be at 6pm or just as long as it is in that 2 hr time frame you are okay... that's what I'd think. Anyone know?? Hope you all have a great weekend!!

My docs have always told me within an hour of when you dose. So for instance if you inject at 6pm, you'd want to go between 5-7PM as your longer term window. I always shot for 7pm so I'd have an hour either direction.

[Tear78]

ratgrl, that's what I've been told about injections, too. And I was told to keep my lupron out of the fridge. All I have in the fridge is my Gonal-F pen. But the REAL reason I logged on is to say GOOD LUCK TODAY!!!! Oh, and I freaking HATE poas. It makes me neurotic. So I'm there with ya. I'll be taking HCG shots after my IVF anyway, so POAS won't tell me anything.

leslie I miss you!

blueyezz, how was your first shot? How exciting, you started! Sorry it took me a couple days to get back in here and try to answer your questions. I take menopur and gonal-F in combination. The theory is that the menopur helps at the beginning to stimulate more follicle growth, and in my experience it did. My gonal-F comes in a pre-filled syringe with settings for measured doses. I'm told it needs to stay in the fridge for it to last a long time. The menopur does not need to be refrigerated, but I get it in powder form and have to mix it daily.

I start lupron/estrace on Tuesday, and I take them for five days. Then I wait for my period and have my baseline appointment. If all looks good, I start the lupron and estrace again, and also start the gonal-F and menopur on about day 3. I am SO hoping to be pregnant NOW so we don't have to do all that.

And my sister, yes, she's my hero: 11lb 2oz natural delivery at home. She took some ibuprofen after Maggie was delivered to help with the pain from the stitches. Her first baby was 10lb 7oz, also natural delivery. We were all thrilled it was so quick this time, since with Nell it was 40 hours.

afm - this week is parent/teacher conference week, so I'm going to be a little overwhelmed. I guess I need to think about my shot schedule, since on Thursday I'll be at school until at least 8:30. Ugh... But after this week, things calm down a lot. Just report cards to think about, which are time consuming, but I can pace myself. I can't believe we're gearing up for IVF, I'm so excited!

How's everybody else doing? Please check in! Court, it's mid-October, any news?