JUNE 2008 IVF Cyclers!!!!! - Page 7

[crazyrunningmama]

Originally Posted by Seedlings

Oh I will completely back you up on this one. I wish someone had told me how constipated I would get after my er. Way tmi coming - I thought I was going to pass out on the potty it was sooooo aweful. Ladies keep up on the fiber and water believe us

Originally Posted by Perdita_in_Ontario

Yep - here too! Good times! (the 3L of Gatorade kinda sorta helped... but not enough!)

WTH? I thought it was just me and I was just sharing on the off chance that someone else would have the same issue. But no, it is one of those things that "they" don't think to tell you. Off to eat some prunes now...

Really, again... be warned first timers. Bad bad bad experience.

[kungfufugirl]

Oh yeah...the consitpation....ick....by the time I finally had a good bm I felt like I was giving birth!!!! (This is a very unsettling feeling when you are focused on keeping the enbryo in!!!!) definitely increase those fruits and veggies (and WATER!) while cycling......also...part of the discomofort is related to the doxycycline they have you take near/after transfer, so definitely have some activia yogurt or acidophilus milk or some sort of probiotic to replenish your gi tract and keep it healthy!!!!

Had my u/s yesterday.....best results EVER for a day 5 or 6 u/s!!! Had plenty of follies good sizes and the RE was really pleased...don't remember the numbers and I don't really care....I am just so happy they are good! (I usually have the RE threatening to cancel the cycle for understimming at this point.)

I really needed that boost of confindence....I had been having such anxiety over it all....now I am really looking forward to my appointment tomorrow!!!! (Another bw & us)

The only problem is I have been getting bad headaches in the afternoon/evening which I sometimes wonder is related to limiting caffeine....except that I've been on this same "dose" of caffeine since well before starting stims, and I only got these headaches after starting stims....and they are gradually getting worse....Hope I can make it through my last day of work tomorrow....my re says I can't take motrin for the pain...only tylenol...and if that doesn't work (which it doesn't) to call and he would order vicodin....while I have no problem with that they don't like the nurses on vicodin while at work. lol

Aly and Seed--how are the stims going now??? Any side effects like me with my h/a???? Any word on anticipated ER/ET dates yet??? Where is everyone else w/ their bcp's/lupron--any anticipated start dates for stims??

~jo
cd 6
follistim, menopur & antagon
doing acu, meditation & diet recs
next u/s & b/w Monday morning !
ER this weekend

[LisaG]

Jo - that's AWESOME news!!!! Yay for good follicles Bummer about the headaches. I think the reason they don't want you taking Motrin is because it's an NSAID and it does something to the prostaglandins which help mature the eggs as they're developing. I was talking about this with my acupuncturist last week and she mentioned that there's some study that found women who took NSAIDS didn't have as good egg quality. I guess there are prostaglandins in the fluid around the developing follicle that work some kind of magic. Hopefully you won't need the vicodin until you're done working

Lupron starts tomorrow

[Aly22681]

Originally Posted by kungfufugirl

Oh yeah...the consitpation....ick....by the time I finally had a good bm I felt like I was giving birth!!!! (This is a very unsettling feeling when you are focused on keeping the enbryo in!!!!) definitely increase those fruits and veggies (and WATER!) while cycling......also...part of the discomofort is related to the doxycycline they have you take near/after transfer, so definitely have some activia yogurt or acidophilus milk or some sort of probiotic to replenish your gi tract and keep it healthy!!!!

Had my u/s yesterday.....best results EVER for a day 5 or 6 u/s!!! Had plenty of follies good sizes and the RE was really pleased...don't remember the numbers and I don't really care....I am just so happy they are good! (I usually have the RE threatening to cancel the cycle for understimming at this point.)

I really needed that boost of confindence....I had been having such anxiety over it all....now I am really looking forward to my appointment tomorrow!!!! (Another bw & us)

The only problem is I have been getting bad headaches in the afternoon/evening which I sometimes wonder is related to limiting caffeine....except that I've been on this same "dose" of caffeine since well before starting stims, and I only got these headaches after starting stims....and they are gradually getting worse....Hope I can make it through my last day of work tomorrow....my re says I can't take motrin for the pain...only tylenol...and if that doesn't work (which it doesn't) to call and he would order vicodin....while I have no problem with that they don't like the nurses on vicodin while at work. lol

Aly and Seed--how are the stims going now??? Any side effects like me with my h/a???? Any word on anticipated ER/ET dates yet??? Where is everyone else w/ their bcp's/lupron--any anticipated start dates for stims??

~jo
cd 6
follistim, menopur & antagon
doing acu, meditation & diet recs
next u/s & b/w Monday morning !
ER this weekend

YAY for good eggs!!! I'll be having an u/s tomorrow at 7:30AM, so I'll be sure to update afterwards! I'm having no problem with the stims, only minor headaches but I think that is the Lupron. I guess my body is finally getting used to the repronex now because for the first few days it caused huge red welts on my stomach. I take it twice a day and over the last few days I have noticed that it is no longer giving me the welts. SO YAY!! I'm feeling a little bloated but besides that ALL IS GOOD over here!

[kungfufugirl]

Lisa--good luck with Lupron...have you done it before????

Aly--we will both have u/s updates tomorrow!!!! Good luck with yours and I will look for good news tomorrow! I hope to have a clearer idea of my ER date after tomorrow, too.

Ugh--if I am not complaining about one thing...its another....first, I am getting uncomfy early in my cycle and start worrying about how it will be the next week....and now....

Okay, so yesterday...(and pretty much every other day on stims) I have really been feeling my ovaries, and my u/s yesterday showed PLENTY of activity (re was really pleased--a FIRST for all of my cycles!) Anyway...I was definitely uncomfy yesterday, too....and today, I feel totally normal!!! Its sorta freaking me out....like I am so afraid my ovaries decided to take a vacation mid-cycle!!!!

Where are you ovaries????

~jo
day 5 of stims.....and waiting impatiently for next u/s....UGH!!!!

[crazyrunningmama]

Originally Posted by kungfufugirl

cycle and start worrying about how it will be the next week....and now....

Okay, so yesterday...(and pretty much every other day on stims) I have really been feeling my ovaries, and my u/s yesterday showed PLENTY of activity (re was really pleased--a FIRST for all of my cycles!) Anyway...I was definitely uncomfy yesterday, too....and today, I feel totally normal!!! Its sorta freaking me out....like I am so afraid my ovaries decided to take a vacation mid-cycle!!!!

Where are you ovaries????

~jo
day 5 of stims.....and waiting impatiently for next u/s....UGH!!!!

It seems likely that you are just used to it, the way you don't notice a smell after a while, what's the word for that? AND it sounds like you don't have to worry about OHSS (trying to help you count your blessings, is that annoying).

Well, I feel really stupid. I just really did the math for the first time and realized I should have taken the last two weeks of July off, not the first two weeks. Now that I've dropped that course and will be lounging around feeling bloated. I just stated BCP's on the 11th, so there's no way I'll be starting stims until at least the 10th of July. What to tell the boss, hmm.

Hope everyone is feeling good!

[kungfufugirl]

just tell him there was a mix up in your reservations, and this is the only time you could get in. Not a lie!

[LisaG]

Originally Posted by kungfufugirl

Lisa--good luck with Lupron...have you done it before????

Where are you ovaries????

I'm a Lupron virgin

Your ovaries are in your lower abdomen, one on either side. Your uterus is low and centrally located, just a smidge above your pubic bone (can vary depending on size, how many pregnancies you've had, etc.). Your fallopian tubes reach out to either side with your ovaries at the end. In the books they're up and to the side with the ovaries drooping off the ends. In real life, I'm sure it varies, but that gives you an idea.

[Julia'sMom]

kungfufugirl Yeah for good u/s results! I'm glad you're stimming just as the dr likes to see!

Aly - Yeah for no major side effects. I hope all continues smoothly.

crazyrunningmama I completely understand the scheduling issues! I was originally told this whole process would take 6 weeks. Now, doing the math I realize the it's possible I won't have the beta test done until August. Ugh, that seem like forever away.

Thanks for the advice about the constipation. Although, I'm also on metformin, which has side effects that are the opposite of constipation. Maybe put the two together and I"ll be regular.

So, I've heard some mention of diet rec's. My doctor didn't give me any. Any suggestions? I'm obviously cutting alcohol and strictly limiting caffeine, which isn't a problem. Besides trying to eat healthy, I had no other plans.

Today is my last shot-free day. Tomorrow I start with the lupron and I think I quite the b/c pills on wed. Not looking forward to that af, as it's been almost 2 months since the last one. I never had af after the cancelled clomid cycle.

[LisaG]

Lupron timing?

I have the choice of shooting up in the morning or the evening. Those of you veterans - did you have a preference? If so, why?

I'm leaning towards doing it at night because it will be one less thing to do in the morning and I won't be pressed for time. Not sure if that means I'll be more prone to hot flash at night or not?

[kungfufugirl]

When given a choice, I always choose late evening/night, b/c my schedule can be so hectic and irregular....and you are so right about the morning routine....I don't want to take the chance of forgetting it or taking it late, and at least I know I am always home and in bed at 10 pm, and so I have enlisted dh to prepare the shot and bring it to me at that time every night.....with a bit of ice cream as a treat for my sacrifice

Originally Posted by LisaG

I have the choice of shooting up in the morning or the evening. Those of you veterans - did you have a preference? If so, why?

I'm leaning towards doing it at night because it will be one less thing to do in the morning and I won't be pressed for time. Not sure if that means I'll be more prone to hot flash at night or not?

[Julia'sMom]

Originally Posted by kungfufugirl

When given a choice, I always choose late evening/night, b/c my schedule can be so hectic and irregular....and you are so right about the morning routine....I don't want to take the chance of forgetting it or taking it late, and at least I know I am always home and in bed at 10 pm, and so I have enlisted dh to prepare the shot and bring it to me at that time every night.....with a bit of ice cream as a treat for my sacrifice

Love the ice cream idea. My dh and I were just discussing this today. We were instructed to take Lupron at night. However, we switch to morning lupron when we begin taking the stims at night and they are supposed to be ~12 hours apart. So, while I'd prefer to take the shot at 10pm, I won't be available to taking the stimming at 10am, so we are planing between 6:30 and 7pm for the evening dose and between 6:30 and 7am for the morning dose. I suppose I could still have ice cream at that time as well.

So, more questions...are any of you dealing with PCOS? I see you have stim doses of around 300, yet I will be taking only 75. That seems so little...

Also, I do have the PIO, but I also have Crinone gel and am instructed to use both after the retrieval. Anyone done that before? I had the Crinone with clomid cycles and never had trouble with ooze when I took it in the morning. Hopefully the PIO shots aren't too bad.

[hope4light]

The Lupron's going pretty well. The last time I used Lupron I got these wicked headaches from it, which oddly they went away once I started the repronex. So far so good though, and I don't have the insane headaches. It tires me out a little bit, and I think that is is slowly starting to catch up with me now that I've taken 3 shots.... oh well, I'm OK with that!

I struggled with some consitpation as well, so lots of fiber definately helped me out...

Aly - I struggled really bad with HUGE red welts my first time around on Repronex... in case it helps (although I know you said it isn't as bad now) I always massaged the area for a little bit after taking the shot, and then within a few hours would put a heating pad on it for a bit.... that helped out a TON the second time around with Repronex... I still would get little red spots, but that was about it.

KFFG - I'm so glad that the follies are looking good so far!!!

LisaG - My RE actually wants me to take all my shots in the PM, that way when they do the u/s and b/w in the mornings they know they can switch me around with that days meds if necessary (which they tend to have to do with me!!).

Julia'sMom - they never told me to take them 12 hours apart, did they say why? (just being curious here)....

Well, I'm going to call the RE today and see if I can take my last BCP on Weds instead of Thurs and get in Sat morning for my baseline u/s so that we can still leave for vacation on Saturday... we'll see how that goes over...

I'm still thinking that the stims will start on the 26th for me - I can hardly wait!!!

[Aly22681]

Well I just got back from this mornings ultrasound (today is day 6 of stims) and it looks like I have 18 eggs growing really well so far. The Dr will call me later and let me know how my E2 looks and give me my new dosages of meds.The nurse thinks they will be lowering it a little. I'll post again as soon as I hear from them. I'm off to lay down then at 1:30 I have a MASSAGE!! I'm sooooo excited!

[LisaG]

Yay Aly!! Nice job with the ovaries

hope4light - glad to hear you're doing well this time around on the Lupron. I'm hoping that I follow in your footsteps.

I'll shoot up tonight - that seemed to be the overall consensus. I'm so excited! I feel so incredibly lucky that we have this opportunity.

[crazyrunningmama]

Originally Posted by Julia'sMom

So, I've heard some mention of diet rec's. My doctor didn't give me any. Any suggestions? I'm obviously cutting alcohol and strictly limiting caffeine, which isn't a problem. Besides trying to eat healthy, I had no other plans.

My accupuncturist says to cut out all coffee, even decaf. He said that caffeiene is bad, but also that the volatile oils in any form of coffee is bad for egg production. I am trying to eat a variety of fruit and veggies, hopefully hit all the vitamins, antioxidants etc.

[kungfufugirl]

My acu also said increase fish and chicken, decrease red meat.

It was my acu that also said to slowly eliminate coffee, but when I got down to getting rid of the last cup, I got terrible migraines, so he said to keep the cup--the pain has a more detrimental effect than the coffee. He was also always very adamant about reducing the intake slowly...NOT cold turkey.

Well, u/s today showed my lining at a luscious 14 and some good follies in there.....RE says I am "right where I should be", but gosh I wish I had more follies....I always hear these other women boasting such high numbers and I feel so inadequate! Most importantly, I would like to have some embryos left over to freeze, b/c we've never had that option available to us.

We have also narrowed down ER to either Sunday or Monday. That means my beta is 3 weeks away....ACK! I know I am jumping ahead of myself....but I just can't help it!

[Aly22681]

Well I was right they dropped my meds down to 150 iu of Gonal-F. They said my ovaries are responding REALLY well. My next Dr appt is also on Wed for another u/s and b/w. I am an IDIOT, I have been wondering all day what my E2 was and of course I forgot to ask her while I had her on the phone, so I'm going to call tomorrow and ask. Yah for both of us KFFG! They told me to expect a Sat or Sun ER

[kungfufugirl]

cool Ali!!!!

I'm right there with ya---and will be getting the wand again on Wednesday

Looks like we'll be on bedrest & waiting it out together!!!!!

~jo

[Seedlings]

Hi everyone!

Sorry I have been mia. Our computer has been on the fritz. My cycle happened so fast. I only stimed for 7 days, it seems like last time was much longer. I had my er today and will find out the fertilization tomorrow . Then my et is on Thursday. I am praying that my embies are growing and splitting perfectly. I really need some high quality embies this time. My age is working against me so I hope everything else falls into place for us.

Kungfugirl - Fantastic news about all of your follies. Sometimes on Follistim I would get unbearable headaches. So I feel your pain. Hope your feeling better.

Aly22681 - What a relief to hear that everything is working. You are doing excellent!

Lisag - How are you feeling after your shot? How great to hear that you vacation in Door County! We love it so much. I have a sister who lives there and my Uncle has a farm there so it means a lot to us to be there. Some day when I am rich and famous I will buy my house on Washington Island (ha ha). We laugh about the wine tasting where we think cherry wine is fabulous. Then when we get home were like ugh what were we thinking.

Julia'sMom - I do not have pcos, so I only know a little about it. Last I started at 225 of follistim then in a couple of days was dropped to 150. It was just to much, there were dominate follies and my e2 was high. So this cycle I have been on 150 and stimed for a shorter time. I am praying for higher quality eggs this time. Maybe with pcos it is better to start slower and increase the meds when they see you #'s. I am also not sure of doing both pio and crinone. I just sarted the pio shots today after my er. I do know the gel get there quicker but is not accurately measured on a blood test. Just not sure why both?


crazyrunningmama, hope4light - Glad to hear everything is going well.

If I can I'll post my fertilization report tomorrow! Good luck to us all