IVF in May - Page 3

[chiromama]

WTG Jenn!!

[Alisa]

Jenn: Fourteen! That's great! That's how many they took from me last time and it worked for us .

Congrats on being done with the retrieval. I think I am definitely living vicariously through you; I got butterflies of excitement when I read your
post

[Mom2Ellis]

Wow! 14! That's AWESOME!!! Best wishes to you.

For me, out of 15 follicles, they only got 4 eggs.
3 mature, 1 immature.
Of the 3 mature ones, they all fertilized but only 2 made it to the 3rd day.
Of the 2 they put back, one stuck.

: for you!

[Leslie in Chicago]

14 eggs! talk about a baker's dozen I'm so happy for you!! No wonder you felt like a parade float. Can't wait to hear the details of fertilization...

We have yet to decide if we're going to freeze. Jenn, will you? We're thinking the numbers of embies will certainly help determine; if there aren't enough, then it isn't an issue. But between the thaw rates and implantation, it's hard to know if it's worth the gamble (and money--it's really expensive). Would love to hear what you all are thinking/planning.

Just had my first u/s and bloodwork today, 4th day of stim. They saw 6 small follies in each ovary and a thin endometrium. As they said, it's way to early, there shouldn't be a whole lot going on yet anyway. We could easily have done this first test on the 5th or even 6th day. I go back on Thursday again.

[CorbinsMama]

Fourteen?! Wow, Jenn! That's awesome!!!!! I can't wait to hear how Friday goes!

I had bloodwork and u/s this morning. I have follicles growing (he didn't tell me how many), but they are a little small right now. So I am to stay on the same meds (150 u. Gonal-F in the a.m. and 150 u. Menopur + 5 u. Lupron in the p.m.) and go back for another u/s and bloodwork on Thursday morning.

[chiromama]

I got 14 during my stim, and 13 fertilized.... by day 5 there were 8 left. 2 went in and 6 frozen. It's not that pricey... (well compared to the rest of IVF) I think it was 7-800 for cryopreservation and 300 a year to store them. Totally worth it, so I don't have to go through it all again in a few years... even if we only get one that thaws, it's still cheaper than doing a complete cycle again!

[Leslie in Chicago]

thanks, Korin, about the freezing details. You've got a bargain there!

Here's what Midwest Fertility Center wants, same prices for any number of embies:

$500 for blastocyst culture
$500 for the actual freezing
$250 for 1st year of storage

$500 for each year of storage after the 1st
$330 each time embryos are thawed

Yep, compared to the full cost of IVF, this is cheap. I wonder if the prices go up or down based on region or urban/rural.

[chiromama]

Yeah it does seem more expensive there... but still cheaper than the cost of a full IVF. And less shots!

[Leslie in Chicago]

: the nurse called a little while ago with my blood results from yesterday. she said my estradiol was low: 65. That was on day 4 of stims. Then she said that she had to warn me that they might have to cancel the cycle if my numbers don't go up. She said "you're not doing well." This is the same lady who thought two shots at the same time was no big deal, because the right vials hadn't been ordered. I'm a mess. I'm actually doing the very best that I can right now and I'm devastated that the whole thing might be called off.

they increased my Repronex to 3 vials (225 IU) and dropped the Lupron down to .025 (in half again).

[CorbinsMama]

Leslie, I am so, so sorry, I can't even begin to tell you. So sorry.

Day 4 is early on, though, and if they are upping your Repronex maybe that will straighten things out. Maybe you're just not getting enough of what you need.

Take care, Sweetie.

PS: I'm not one to rock the boat, but I would be complaining about that insensitive nurse.

[Alisa]

Leslie, I am sending you lots of and hormone-rising vibes. It is still really early; there is definitely time everything to get on track.

I'll be thinking of you. When's the next time they take your blood?

[chiromama]

Leslie.. I'm sorry this isn't going as smoothly as you'd hoped. I agree with PP...they uped your meds, hopefully that will also get things going.

[Mom2Ellis]

Leslie~ Hang in there. It's not over! Don't let this get you down. There are several days for the drugs to do what they are supposed to.

[Leslie in Chicago]

I love you guys. thanks so much

My next test is tomorrow, day 7. There is some threshhold for estradiol at 7 days, I think around 300. I called my acupuncturist to see if she could squeeze me in today. I also called a nurse I know who works at a different place and she was great -- she said exactly what you guys said! There is plenty of time, the increased meds should help, just hang in there.

I'm with you Megan. When this is over, I'm gonna talk to somebody about this nurse. And vote with my feet. If this cycle is cancelled or doesn't work and we decide to do this again, I'm definitely going to another doc.

Any good news out there? I hope so!! Megan, I hope your u/s and labs go well today. And Jenn, how are you feeling after the retrieval? to all.

[CorbinsMama]

Leslie, it sounds like you're feeling a little better today. I was talking to one of my best friends who went through the same thing. She was on stims for a month before they got her meds right so that she was producing good follicles and had a good estrogen level.

My u/s and b/w went well this morning. My estrogen is 495. He said my follicles are small still, but are almost to the size that he wants. Right now they range from 1 to 1-1/2 cm, and I have 9 on one side and 10 on the other. (See my parade float comment from above! I feel even bigger now!)

So, for tonight and tomorrow I drop my Gonal-F down to 75 (from 150) while keeping everything else the same. Then I have another u/s and b/w on Saturday morning at 7:45. I guess we will see then where we go from here!

[juju's mom]

Leslie, so sorry about that mean nurse. I would be asking for a new nurse or at least complaining about her. I am never one to complain, but I did complain about an ultrasound tech once. I did feel better. I hope your levels rise soon and they don't cancel the cycle. Hugs to you hon.


I do have great news I need to share. Out of 14 follicles, I have seven available ones. My transfer is tomorrow at 10 am. I have to be there at 9 to start filling my bladder and get my valium. I will let you all know of course.

The transfer was easy but I feel bloated, constipated, and gassy, which are all normal.

Good Luck everybody!

Jenn

[CorbinsMama]

That's fantastic, Jenn! I'll be thinking of you tomorrow morning.

[Leslie in Chicago]

Such GREAT news, Jenn!! I'll be thinking about you, too. Isn't the Valium a nice touch?

oops Megan -- I thought Jenn was the parade float before, but it was you. I'm no expert, but those numbers sound really good -- 19 follies!

I am feeling the mettleschmertz and my jeans are giving way to a big ol' bulge. I'll find out for sure tomorrow, but my guess is I've got a bunch of something growing. I got in for acupuncture today, hope that helps. :

[chiromama]

IMO the valium is a brilliant addition. Nothing like feeling extra happy when youve been stuck shooting up for weeks!

Funny how natural conception is all about not doing drugs, not drinking etc.. and we're all high on valium

[CorbinsMama]

Originally Posted by Leslie in Chicago

oops Megan -- I thought Jenn was the parade float before, but it was you.

That's okay, Leslie! I'm sure we will all be parade floats soon!

Originally Posted by Leslie in Chicago

I am feeling the mettleschmertz and my jeans are giving way to a big ol' bulge. I'll find out for sure tomorrow, but my guess is I've got a bunch of something growing. I got in for acupuncture today, hope that helps. :

That sounds very promising!! Great!