The APRIL 2008 Infertility One Thread!!!

[mischievium]

The Infertility ONE Thread
A monthly thread to talk about all of our various journeys through the difficult, trying, and often heartbreaking world of infertility. This thread is a place to chat, vent, get support, cheer each other on, and hopefully occasionally laugh!



Trying to Conceive

airmide_m : TTC with MFI.

Aly22681 TTC #1 since January 2007, 3 MCs. After TTC 4 cycles with Clomid, 1 Femara/ IUI, now TTC with Injectibles (Follistim) and bding naturally while getting the ball rolling for IVF.

angel1895 : TTC#2 since February with PCOS (treated with metformin).

avocada TTC for 2 years. TTC with Vitex, Pre-Seed, Mucinex, and Progesterone cream.

barose : TTC since 1999 (with intermittent breaks), 1 30wk MC, PCOS (treated with diet/ lifestyle) and Hypothyroid.

baturay TTC#3, DC#1 and 2 conceived with Clomid.

biomama : TTC since January 2008 with MFI. TTC naturally while waiting for appt. with RE to discuss IUI.

BurtsGirl TTC since Aug 2007 with low progestrone. TTC using Femera/HCG Trigger/IUI with frozen donor sperm, as well as TCM and acupuncture.

CalebsMome TTC#2 for 18+ months with PCOS (treated with Metformin). After 3 cycles of TTC with 50 mg Clomid, now on 100 mg of Clomid.

coome TTC since September 2005 with unexplained infertility. After TTC with Clomid/IUI and Injectibles/IUI, now starting IVF process.

crazyrunningmama TTC #2 with MFI, DC#1 conceived with IVF/ICSI. Currently weaning, looking into acupuncture and trying to lose weight in preparation for another cycle of IVF/ICSI.

Criolla12 TTC #2 with tubal infertility and diminished ovarian reserve. TTC through IVF.

EastbayK TTC #2 since June 2007 with unexplained infertility and while treating cancer (DH). TTC with clomid/IUI.

frog TTC intermittently since June 2006 using frozen donor sperm and at-home IUI with a midwife. Moving on to testing this cycle, and IUI with injectibles and monitoring in June.

gemasita TTC since August 2006, ovarian infection in 4/2007 resulted in loss of one ovary and eventually both tubes. 1st IVF cycle 12/2007 (BFN), 2nd IVF cycle (FET) 2/2008 (BFN).

hope4light TTC since March 2006 with MFI and slightly low progesterone. Currently TTC with IVF with ICSI, cycle 1 round 1 canceled due to hyper stimulation, cycle 1 round 2 antegon cycle canceled as ovulation started due to high e2 levels. Round 3 to start after re-evaluating treatment protocol.

ItyBty TTC since September 2005 with unexplained infertility, now post- surgery to remove uterine septum and adhesions, on round 2 of Injectibles/ IUI.

jeannineb TTC#2 with currently unexplained secondary infertility, appointment with RE in April.

Julia'sMom TTC#2 since January 2007 with PCOS. Starting clomid w/metformin & trigger shot.

KittyPaws TTC 2.5+ years with PCOS and bicornuate uterus. Scheduled for laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and ovarian drilling mid-April.

kJad29 TTC since July 2006 with possible MFI, currently TTC naturally.

kristenok18 TTC#2 since 2004, 1 MC in 2007, Non-traditional PCOS (treated with Metformin) and MFI. Femara/HCG and IUI cycle canceled due to non-response. Next cycle moving on to femara and injectables with an IUI. Recommended IVF, but that's not an option.

kristinc TTC since Fall 2006, diagnosed with MFI (CBAVD). TTC with IVF/ICSI after TESA, gearing up for cycle #1.

laralee16 TTC#2 since November 2006 with PCOS (in remission). DC#1 conceived with Clomid/ trigger shot after 4 years of trying and 1 MC. Now TTC using soy.

LiamsMommy31905 TTC#2 since July 2007, 1 MC, with diagnosed LPD. DC#1 conceived with Prometrium to correct LPD. Currently TTC with Clomid/ progesterone supplementation/ IUI.

mermay1677 : TTC since January 2005, Tried Clomid, now TTC with Femara.

mischievium : TTC since February 2007 with MFI (antisperm antibodies) and currently being evaluated for non-classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. TTC naturally while waiting for initial appointment with RE May 15th.

momoftworedheads TTC #4 since Nov 2005, 4 MC. Currently TTC with acupuncture, mayan massage and meditation. Seeing midwife and RE.

NishaG : TTC#3 with PCOS (treated with Actose), DC#2 conceived with Femara and Pre-Seed. Ectopic pregnancy 16 years ago resulted in the loss of one tube and ovary. Currently TTC with Actos/Clomid/Naltrexone and PreSeed.

Needle in the Hay TTC #2 for 5+ years, recently diagnosed with hypothyroid.

ourdomicile : TTC since October 2006, 2 MC in 2006, one blocked tube and possible MFI (improving). TTC with acupuncture and naturopath, starting IUI March 2008.

Perdita_In_Ontario TTC#2 since December 2007, started TTC#1 in 1999, MFI (CBAVD) diagnosed in 2002, DC#1 concieved via IVF/ICSI in October 2004. After unsuccesful IVF/ICSI attempt Dec/January 2008, 2nd round of IVF/ICSI planned for March/ April.

poetgirl : TTC since October 2006 with low progesterone, possible LPD and hypothalamus dysfunction. Removed polyp 3/08. Using 100 mg Clomid+IUI+progesterone supps w/ weekly acup. and chinese herbs starting April.

Seedlings TTC#3 since September 2006 with anovulation, low progesterone, and slight hypothyroid. After 2 cycles of Clomid (with no ovulation), now on 3rd cycle of Injectibles/ IUI.

songbird45 : TTC with PCOS since January 2007 - 2 failed Clomid cycles and no longer a candidate for Clomid. On Metformin and waiting to talk to the RE about options.

soulshine TTC since June 2005, full-term unexplained stillbirth (2005) and MC (2006), with unexplained secondary infertility. After TTC with Clomid, then Clomid/ IUI, and one canceled IVF cycle, 2nd IVF cycle (ER/ET) planned for April. Also using western herbs & supplements, tcm herbs, & fertility acupuncture.

Stealthee : TTC #1 since September 2007 with MFI (less than 1% motility, normal count) and AMA. First IVF/ICSI consult is on 4 April.

WeasleyMum TTC since October 2006, 3 MCs, seeking specialist help for recurrent MC.



Taking a Break or On Hold with Trying to Conceive

trying for #1 Waiting to TTC#2 with donor sperm (DH post vasectomy).

Graduates (May everyone who passes through this thread find their way to this section)

GreenFlower : TTC#2 since Spring 2007--> MARCH 2008

LoveMyJonah TTC #2 with Endometriosis since 11/2007. 1 MC 1/2008. Laproscopy scheduled for 4/23, HCG shot 3/29 to increase chances of getting pregnant prior to laproscopy.

Stacymom : TTC since March 2006, 1 MC (2007), recently diagnosed PCOS (treated with Metformin), TTC with Clomid --> MARCH 2008


May 2008 Threadkeeper: EastbayK!!!


PLEASE let the threadkeeper know if there is anything you would like to add/ delete/ change from your synopsis above (including silly things like not liking the color your username is in) either by bolding the information you want changed/ updated in your post or by sending the threadkeeper a PM. And PLEASE check to make sure that the correct chart is linked to the chart icon in front of your username.

[mischievium]

Happy April Fools, everybody!!! And welcome to the April thread!

For reference here is a link to the March Thread!

[Stealthee]

Hi, would you please add me to this thread? We're dealing with MFI (less than 1% motility, normal count) and AMA (I'm 39), TTC #1 since September 2007. We've got our first IVF/ICSI consult on 4 April.

We got the results of the SA just a couple of weeks ago. Although one SA isn't definitive, the doctors thought it was bad enough and I'm old enough that we should proceed a.s.a.p. with IVF/ICSI. Where I live, they won't generally do IVF for women over 40, so the clock is ticking rather loudly. Besides my age, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with me, although I wasn't impressed with the testing I received. For example, once they got the results of the SA, they stopped monitoring my ovulation and said there was no reason to do a HSG.

The last couple of weeks have been very hard. I'm glad this thread is here, though I can't really say that I'm glad to be here, KWIM. May we all graduate very soon!

[angel1895]

yep... its time I come out of lurkdom...

I'm Crystal... we've been ttc since 2/06... I found out in september 07 that I have pcos.. and I'm currently on metformin (but I've not been taking it...cause we're moving.. and my medicine is... well, somewhere)

my obgyn moved... so I'm looking for another one... which is a pain in itself! I have only once taken clomid... but I couldnt get back for another appt... so I may take it again.

I havent o'ed in who knows when... so... I may be here awhile

more later... sorry.

eta.. my chart link is in my sig... but I still need to update it... sorry

[kristenok18]

Hope everyone is well! I haven't been participating much, sorry.

We did another round of femara this cycle, this time at 5mg. I had two nice follies at my u/s on Friday, so I gave myself a trigger Sat and we had an iui scheduled for yesterday. April Fool's showed up early for us, though. There was a mix-up in communication...dh went to the lab at urology instead of to my obgyn office, and instead of being sent for a wash, his sample got sent in for analysis. I go from feeling slightly relieved that I don't have to worry about the what if's of the iui not-working (isn't that sad?), to feeling completely despondent that we missed one of my strongest cycles since starting treatment 2 years ago. My dr wanted me to come in today for another shot at iui, but I think it'll be money wasted. I had a strong surge early Sat. morning, and triggered Sat. night. I'm sure by this morning my egg is well past it's sell-by date! Oh well. At least we get a new SA out of this, since it's been at least a year since dh's last one!

[Aly22681]

Ugh...Well I had my first RE appointment today, and It WAS NOT GOOD!!

Basically he sat down with me and discussed my options, we have 3 (according to him)

1) Injectibles and IUI (My insurance wont pay for it, we kind of got away with my insurance paying for everything but the actual IUI the last 2 months so we only had to pay $225 but the way this new DR bills things the ins. KNOWS that we are doing IUI ahead of time, I will have to pay for it all, which is $2500 per month. But that includes all my meds, and u/s and everything)

2) Laproscopic (sp?) Surgery (to check my tubes): I will lose a whole cycle, and with DH possibly deploying some time between this summer-early next year, that just is not logical.

3) IVF: $14, 000

I really don't know WHAT I was expecting him to say. Dh and I are very financially stable but will have to take out a personal loan to pay for IVF and I'm just not sure we are in a place to do that right now. I could go back to work to help pay for it(right now I stay at home so I can go to the MILLION of Dr's appts while TTC). I don't know what to do!! I just feel so lost! Its even harder for us bc its unexplained infertility, I mean if there was a PROBLEM that was known that would be easier to spend 14,000 to have a baby. But the idea that maybe, just maybe, I could end up pg on my own FOR FREE, makes me doubt whether I am doing this for the right reasons (like perhaps I am just impatient and don't want to wait anymore) AHHHH!!!

[laralee16]

Aly22681 - That sucks Are you going to a 2nd doctor?

[poetgirl]

Thanks for the new thread Mischievium! It's been great to have this general meeting place for discussion.

Aly, HUGS. Does your RE have a limit of 3 clomid/iui cycles, because you can do that a little longer. I think what you got is kind of standard (what I got too, basically--and I hear you, it's OOP for us too and ouch! on those inject.).
I hope you're + this cycle and this becomes irrelevant, but if it doesn't perhaps you could stick with your IUI for another month?

Kristin, I'm so sorry for this series of hurdles. Begone cyst!

Mischievium, I guess we can change my descrip. to TTC since October 2006 with low progesterone, possible LPD and hypothalamus dysfunction. Removed polyp 3/08. Using 100 mg Clomid+IUI+progesterone supps w/ weekly acup. and chinese herbs starting April.

[EastbayK]

Aly- what crappy news! Any chance you can just continue IUI's with your current dr? It sucks to have to sit out a cycle, but if it resolves the IF one and for all, you might be relieved that you did it.

As for me, DH took his radioactive pill yesterday so he's been sequestered in a bedroom for 24 hours. Only another 24 to go before I can touch him. By then end of the week when I can actually hug and kiss him again... : It's hard to deal with him feeling like crap and having nausea and not even being able to be in the same room with him.

I hope we all get good news this month!

K

[hope4light]

Ugh... Only 1 more week to go before I can call the RE and get everything started again... I hope... AF should come next Monday. That's a hard one, because I want her to come so that I can get IVF 1 round 2 started, but there is still that hope that maybe, just maybe, that by some grace of god, that I were to be pg this month... I know it won't happen, but you can't help but hope!!

I O'd a little over a week ago, and made sure that dh and I dtd... but with our severe MFI, I don't know why I waste my time... feeling a little down right now, I think this last week is just going to drag on and on... and I don't know yet what my RE is going to do after my last canceled cycle... new meds, diff doses of the other meds I took... etc....

Ugh.... and of course, the world around me is full of beautiful little babies...

[ItyBty]

I had my IUI today. I can't decide is its a good omen or a bad one that today is April Fools though.

Aly - that stinks that you are looking at a lot of money. I know my clinic has been VERY understanding of my being self-pay, without insurance covering anything. They offer a small discount if I pay at each ultrasound visit, which makes it slghyl less painfull to pay in small chunks instead of big ones. They also looked out for me and got me freebies for meds whenever possible. I've found that ordering my meds online from Freedom Fertility was the cheapest way to go in getting them too. (I pay $219 for a 300iu Gonal-F pen, instead of $450 at CVS or $350 at Walgreens - every little bit helps)That said, I figure we've spend about $15,000 out of pocket for the last 3 months of injections and IUI's, and we can't afford to just keep going. If this month doesn't work, we're taking some time off to regroup and pay down the credit cards. Then we'll explore IVF I guess, I'm really not sure though.

[mischievium]

Changes made to here.

Welcome to Stealthee and angel1895!

Originally Posted by kristenok18

Hope everyone is well! I haven't been participating much, sorry.

We did another round of femara this cycle, this time at 5mg. I had two nice follies at my u/s on Friday, so I gave myself a trigger Sat and we had an iui scheduled for yesterday. April Fool's showed up early for us, though. There was a mix-up in communication...dh went to the lab at urology instead of to my obgyn office, and instead of being sent for a wash, his sample got sent in for analysis. I go from feeling slightly relieved that I don't have to worry about the what if's of the iui not-working (isn't that sad?), to feeling completely despondent that we missed one of my strongest cycles since starting treatment 2 years ago. My dr wanted me to come in today for another shot at iui, but I think it'll be money wasted. I had a strong surge early Sat. morning, and triggered Sat. night. I'm sure by this morning my egg is well past it's sell-by date! Oh well. At least we get a new SA out of this, since it's been at least a year since dh's last one!

Kristen-- no worries, everyone is welcome to come and go as the wish and are able. I'm so sorry about the mix up! That's one of the difficult things about dealing with TTC and infertility-- the timing has to be so precise that one little mix up means another month's wait.

Originally Posted by Aly22681

Ugh...Well I had my first RE appointment today, and It WAS NOT GOOD!!

Basically he sat down with me and discussed my options, we have 3 (according to him)

1) Injectibles and IUI (My insurance wont pay for it, we kind of got away with my insurance paying for everything but the actual IUI the last 2 months so we only had to pay $225 but the way this new DR bills things the ins. KNOWS that we are doing IUI ahead of time, I will have to pay for it all, which is $2500 per month. But that includes all my meds, and u/s and everything)

2) Laproscopic (sp?) Surgery (to check my tubes): I will lose a whole cycle, and with DH possibly deploying some time between this summer-early next year, that just is not logical.

3) IVF: $14, 000

I really don't know WHAT I was expecting him to say. Dh and I are very financially stable but will have to take out a personal loan to pay for IVF and I'm just not sure we are in a place to do that right now. I could go back to work to help pay for it(right now I stay at home so I can go to the MILLION of Dr's appts while TTC). I don't know what to do!! I just feel so lost! Its even harder for us bc its unexplained infertility, I mean if there was a PROBLEM that was known that would be easier to spend 14,000 to have a baby. But the idea that maybe, just maybe, I could end up pg on my own FOR FREE, makes me doubt whether I am doing this for the right reasons (like perhaps I am just impatient and don't want to wait anymore) AHHHH!!!

Aly, I'm sorry you had a tough appointment . Remind me-- did you already have an HSG? And did it show a problem with your tubes? Why are they considering a surgery to look at your tubes?

Originally Posted by EastbayK

As for me, DH took his radioactive pill yesterday so he's been sequestered in a bedroom for 24 hours. Only another 24 to go before I can touch him. By then end of the week when I can actually hug and kiss him again... : It's hard to deal with him feeling like crap and having nausea and not even being able to be in the same room with him.

K, I'm keeping your husband in my thoughts-- that's got to be so hard, to have him be so sick and to be unable to physically comfort him .

Originally Posted by hope4light

Ugh... Only 1 more week to go before I can call the RE and get everything started again... I hope... AF should come next Monday. That's a hard one, because I want her to come so that I can get IVF 1 round 2 started, but there is still that hope that maybe, just maybe, that by some grace of god, that I were to be pg this month... I know it won't happen, but you can't help but hope!!

I O'd a little over a week ago, and made sure that dh and I dtd... but with our severe MFI, I don't know why I waste my time... feeling a little down right now, I think this last week is just going to drag on and on... and I don't know yet what my RE is going to do after my last canceled cycle... new meds, diff doses of the other meds I took... etc....

Ugh.... and of course, the world around me is full of beautiful little babies...

I hear you, hope. I feel like my DH and I are on an unofficial break from TTC until we get an RE and a plan-- I mean, we can still try to do things the ol' fashioned way, but there's not much chance of it happening. Consider my fingers crossed for your upcoming cycle!

Originally Posted by ItyBty

I had my IUI today. I can't decide is its a good omen or a bad one that today is April Fools though.

: I vote good omen! :

[kristenok18]

Aly, I'm sorry to hear that your dr. is going that route and not finding a way to work with tricare. We're military, too, but my dr's office is great about coding. Certain njectables are covered by tricare, I've seen the page myself telling me it's covered, so I'm not sure why he's telling you they're not? Are you seeing a military or civilian dr? I wish they could find a dx for you, too. At least you'd know which way to direct your energy!

hope4light- waiting, especially when you're hoping against hope, is painfully hard.

itybty- : Sending lots of sticky bean vibes your way~!

eastbayK-

mischevium- have you found a new re yet and just waiting for an appt, or are you still looking?

[Aly22681]

mischievium: I did have an HSG, so I have no idea why he wants to look at them again. The theory he gave me is this. Your tubes are constantly moving around and as you near O your tubes are supposed to go back down to the ovaries so it can catch the eggs, he thinks that PERHAPS, my tubes are not going back into place so its not catching my egg, so they never even meet the sperm. THIS IS A TOTAL GUESS THOUGH!! He has no freaking clue. He just said this MIGHT BE THE CASE, and looking at them might help, but it also might not.


kristenok18: See the way tricare works is that if you are doing ANY ART they stop covering ANYTHING. At my old dr's office, they coded everything as just plain "infertility" so the ins paid for all the med, u/s, appts, everything and the day of the IUI, I pay the dr office and it never even gets billed to my ins. Well the way this new dr codes things, he codes everything as "IUI prep" (By the way this is not the technical way they code them, I'm explaining it the simple way, bc its the only way I understand HAHAHA) So my ins knows AHEAD of time that my injections are for an IUI, as well as all the u/s and other crap. I asked and they wont code it any other way. So that is why I am getting stuck with paying 2500 for an IUI cycle, but we can get IVF through the military for about $4000, so I think we are moving towards that.

[kristenok18]

Originally Posted by Aly22681

mischievium: I asked and they wont code it any other way. So that is why I am getting stuck with paying 2500 for an IUI cycle, but we can get IVF through the military for about $4000, so I think we are moving towards that.

That really stinks. I'm sorry they're being jerks about coding. ARGH!!!! Can I ask how you are able to do IVF with military? I was told be the tricare rep that absolutely no way would I be able to do that.

[kristinc]

uote:
Originally Posted by Perdita_in_Ontario
Hey Kristin - I have a few more days until I start suppression (the 6th) - stims toward the end of the month.

Sorry about the cycle - and lots of luck with the TESA - he's going to need lots and lots of sympathy, and have ice packs on hand!

Let us know how it goes - I'll be thinking of you... many crossed fingers and

Perdita- Great news...they got 4 vials of epididymal & testicular sperm today!! Woo Hoo!!! and i think you and i are on nearly the same cycle. I started suppression on friday. I am 21 days of BCPs and then 5 days of nothing and then follistim, ganirelex & menopur. Is that the same protocl as you?? of course all assuming that my cyst is better in 3 weeks.

[Criolla12]

Can I join?

Hi ladies,

Long-time lurker, third-time poster. My name is Rita. On April Fool's day I was informed by my RE that either endo / post-partum infection from my (only) DC has not only wrecked both tubes, but also killed some of the follicles on my ovaries, leaving my both tubally infertile and with diminished ovarian reserve.

As he is a busy doctor, I never have time to really process the news emotionally, I just throw out questions in his office (I always have more later, though!) and we work out a strategy. Unfortunately, even though Ontario pays for IVF for bilateral blockage, I have 90% blockage, which means it's all out of pocket.

I know I should be thankful that we even have this option, and my RE recommends only doing 1 IVF (& hopefully 1 FET) before he can try to convince the province that they should cover any subsequent tries.

But now the shock has worn off and I'm devastated. We had already passed the infertility mark several months ago, but I kept thinking possibly everything was still just an easily fixed mistake. We were going to do IUIs/injects.

I am so thankful for my one son, but I am also filled with anxiety that he will be my only, and that I will never let him out of my sight in case I lose everything.

DH has been my rock, and assured me last night that whether through IVF or adoption, we will have another child. It just seems so overwhelming right now.

Thanks for listening! I look forward to all of us finding peace at the end of these trials.

[crazyrunningmama]

Welcome Rita! What a shock that must have been for you! And it is really hard when you feel rushed in the doc's office, I know I always have more ?'s later. I tend to write them down for next time. I have one dd and I feel the same way, hoping so hard to have another one.


The nurse at the clinic phoned me today to assure me they DID mail the lab rec's, so I will get them in time to do the day 3 bw. AF is due any minute now. Anyone remember off hand if there are other specific days of my cycle I am going to have to go in for bw? AND we have an appointment with the doc at the clinic on May 5 and a nurse visit. Not the full med training but an update of what has changed since my last cycle. Excited that things are moving forward but also kind of freaking out. And PMS'ing. And feeling huge. Aaaaaahhhhh!

[Criolla12]

Thanks for the welcome, crazyrunningmama. Good luck on your CD3 bloodwork. Where are you in treatment? They might test you on CD 21 - 23 too?

[Julia'sMom]

Criolla12, Welcome! What hard news to hear

Aly: Hopefully all that is for naught. I thought this was a great cycle for you, hopefully resulting in you bfp. :

ItyBity: I think April Fool's Day is a great day!

Kristen: Thanks for the info in the March thread. I don't know why I'm so negative this cycle. Probably because I'm scared to get my hopes too high.

Anyway, I'm in the 2ww with only 9 more days to go! I'll get the pregnancy blood test (results the same day) the day before we pack to move. I've already told my dh that if it's positive, don't count on me lifting anything. I guess I should go look into movers now...might be a good idea anyhow.