The Over 40 Crowd

[french connection]

Hi Jo! Good luck to you too. It's a pain this age thing isn't it? Mine's a toyboy too - I think they're the best! As for the baby aspirin - my ace doc says it's to stop blood clots forming and to assist in preparation of the endometrium for implantation. BUT it should only be taken AFTER the transfer - not before retrieval (he was adamant about this!) Took it last time too but to no avail, but hoping for better outcome this time. I thought that in the UK IVF was covered? I left the country 23 years ago so have no idea how it works over there! The whole medical system is very different here. we are treted by a gyny in his private practice (he also heads up the IVF centre in this area) and he's a gem. The cut off age here is 43 for insurance coverage which we missed out on by a hair's bredth(due cock ups by previous gyny ), and they cover up to 4 attempts. Our man is treating us for free (he's passionate!) and does all he can to limit the financial impact as it is horrendous - I just hope that this time it works so we don't have the agonising decision to make about another try. How is your stimulation going? This time my doc changed the treatment slightly and the result was better (more eggs and embyos). I guess you are on mega doses too like I was - I found it very tiring as was relieved when retrieval day came around Now the 2ww and it's driving me nuts! Plus my folks arrive Sat and they aren't in the know - will have to spill the beans! Oops! (They'll probably think we are out of our minds, but they should be used to it by now! ) If I can give you any tips let me know. I have read a thing here on a French site that after transfer some centres do a single decapeptyl 0.1mg injection at day 6 but mine hasn't mentioned this, and it seems nebulous as to the advantages. Not sure if the products have the same names as here?
Anyhow - let's keep one another posted, eh? Bisous

[AMck]

hi ladies

welcome french connection, good to see you post. Fingers crossed for you with this cycle.

Bev, hope all goes well in Kiev. Will be watching for your news when you get back.

Lara, hope you get a scan soon. good luck x

Robyn sorry to see your news. So disappointing. Take care.

Tammy, how are you? Hope the time is flying by to a BFP!

Here's our list

New 40+ Mommies:
Alette (own eggs). Son Nov 05
Jude - twins (DE) 05
Joy - twins (DE) 05
CarolineP - Daughter Nov 05
Squew - twins 05
Ladies in waiting:
Debbieed - own eggs, BFP August 05. EDD - April 06?
BigJ (Jules) - BFP 9/12/05 - EDD 15/08/06 praying hard
DPerry (Donna). DE. BFP July 05
Lara - BFP, history of m/c, hoping all OK
On 2ww
Tammy- ET Wed 22nd March test date 3rd April
On meds:
Anna - 5 follies , 3rd scan 31st March
Randa - started bc pills 22nd March for April stim
Robyn - ?
Preparing:
Bev- Off to Kiev 30th March for tmt DE
Jo - 2nd IVF cycle esd 28 March
Amfy - FET March/April
Debra - Will start a medicated FET after April AF
Alette - 3 frozen embies, apptmt 18th April
Lisa - FET May 2nd
Jen - Taking time out then, next IVF in May...
Kat - deciding next step

BIG HUGS to Gail. Hope you are OK sweetie x

I need some advice/reassurrance/straight answers please..... I had my 2nd scan today and my 5 follies haven't grown at all. Is this normal? Shouldn't they have grown a bit? I am on the highest dose of menopure the dr will allow. I have a 3rd scan on Fri before they decide whether to proceed. This is my 7th attempt at getting to EC. Don't know what I will do if they cancel this one too...help Anyone got an experience to share?
Thanks

Hi to all lovely ladies on this thread, PMA all round
keep smiling
bye for now
Anna x

[lara]

Anna,

That's happened to me before and I know to lots of others too. There are things they can do - some people seem to take menopur AND gonal F, one jab in the morning and one in the evening. Doctors don't always take the proactive route and suggest absolutely everything you can throw at it, so you'd have to ask about it. Also, I think now is the time to really reall chill and relax and gets tons of sleep and take good vitamins and omega 3s. When my follies didn't grow it was when I was burnt out and stressed and they said it really makes a difference, whereas having loads of rest after transfer doesn't, according to the allopathic world anyway - the altnernative health world think otherwise.
- Also, I know lots of people find the follies suddenly grow at the last minute, and you can postpone EC for a few days and carry on with the meds. Do ask about all these options because for you it's been so difficult getting this far.

Love to all
Lara x

[robyn]

Hi Anna
You didn't mention the measurments of the follies. To my understanding a follie above 14 mm usually has a mature egg. Even if one or two follies grow you will have a good chance. At my cycles after stimming they went to EC when one of the follies reached about 21mm. Difficult decisions I wish you the best!
Robyn

[erjumper]

Thanks so much to everyone who's been asking about me and offering support. Been to therapist....with hubby....lots of talking. Feel alot better but still cautious that i'm being snowed. What if he's just saying what I want to hear? He seems sincere but i'm scared. Welcome French Connection, best of luck with your 2ww..Tammy, how's yours? As for follicles arresting in growth...mine have done that a few times and then had another growth spurt all on their own without additional intervention. Not sure why but maybe they were just resting for the next spurt. My RE considers anything 16 to 20 mature so they're very close already.
Lisa

[gailbunny]

HI Ladies

THankyou for all your support. Have been busy last few days getting DS ready for new school and registering for part time work. Something to fill up some of the long hours and stop me from becoming depressed.

We did officialially test and it had the same outcome no surprises there. We see gyny on 9th May so we will know a little more on how we atand then. We have been discussing DE but really dont like the new rules here on disclosure at 18 of history. We are considering the options of going abroad.

Bev good luck in Kiev and hope all goes stonkingly well. Would like to know more details on DE in Kiev. Have got some info on Barcelona.

Welcome to our French Connection, likewise I agree toyboys are good mine certainly is. Hope 2ww doesnt drive you too mad!!! Hope all goes well for you and a BFP is yours soon.

Anna put you feet up and may those follies grow!!! Mine were quite slow growing.

Robyn how are you doing Hugs to you.

Tammy not too long now to a BFP!!!!

Lisa hugs to you. Glad things are looking up for you. I guess you will be cautious for a while, I know I would be. But you must look after yourself and do what is right for you.

Lara hope all if going great and scan shows a nice bundle of joy.

Jo hope is all is going well.

If anyone has any info on DE sucess abroad etc I would appreciate some guidence.

Gail

[french connection]

Hi Anna (and you other lovely girls on the thread),

first of all thanks for the warm welcome it's great to chat in my own language for a change!

Anna - don't know how things go over there, but what day of cycle do they usually retrieve? Here it is normally day 28, but on my first cycle I had the same problem as you - small fofos not really growing - and my doc decided to push things to the max! My retrieval first time round was on day 36! And I had 3 good eggs. This cycle things a bit better (maybe due to the slight change in treatment) but we also went hell for leather on the dosage and retrieval was on day 32 with 8 fofos and 7 good eggs . Better result than anyone (even doc) had hoped for.

So.......talk it over with your doc and see what can be done. I am sure that with a bit of rest and chill out things will progress nicely. Good luck with it and stay positive!

Tammy - we test on same day - fingers crossed babe, for us both!!

Lisa - hang in there - just remember men don't deal with things the same way we do, and often grumpiness is a disguise for insecurity and unhappiness. Hope it all works out - am sure it will.

All the best to all of you. Wish I was going to Kiev (would take my mind off things!!)
Bisous and calins (hugs!) Jules xx

[teachertam]

Ladies:

Thanks for all of your support. I'm cramping now, so I don't know if that means AF is on its way or not . After the last IVF, I did not start AF until day 32 and today is only day 24. I hope this means AF is not coming.

Diane: I'm so sorry to hear about your negative. I don't know how you would get your embies, but I'm sure there is a way to do it.

Jules: Welcome to the site. Yes, we will both be testing on Monday.
Good luck to you! Regarding egg retrieval in the states, I had my egg retreival on day 12 and embryo transfer on day 17. I will test on day 29.
I was on the short protocol. I did 225 Gonal-f in the morning and 225 Gonal-f at night for 6 days, then I did 225 Gonal-f in the morning with 225 Menopur at night for 3 days. I also added in Cetrotide for the last 3 days.

Gail: Glad to see that you are considering other options. I don't know alot about the DE programs in the states except that they are expensive. I do know that you do not have to wait like in the UK.

Lisa: So glad to hear that you are doing better. You really worried me the other night! Take care of yourself.

Bev: How are things in Kiev? Hope everything is going well for you.

Lara: I'm so glad to hear that you are doing well and have a scan scheduled for next week. My fingers are crossed for you!

Jo: Glad to hear that you have started your IVF cycle. I sure wish my clinic would give me free meds and free service. We will end up paying around US $10,500 for this cycle. The insurance system in the states really sucks. My insurance co. only covered diagnostic testing, no treatment and no drugs.

Hello to Robyn, Kat, Randa, Smita, Jules and anyone else I missed.

Take care all,
Tammy

[Jo1962]

Hi everyone!

Re follies:

according to my info, follicles have reached maturity when they are 18mm or more in size. Generally large follicles yield better quality eggs, but not all follicles that are seen on the ultrasound have a retrievable egg. If the follies get too big (not sure what size too big is) they may just 'fizzle' before EC.

Re cost of treatment: on another forum I visit some ladies who are on meds from organon are getting them cheaper direct from the drugs companies. I'm pretty sure you can't buy direct from Serono in the UK. I often wonder just how much our clinic are adding on to our drugs bill - which is massive!

As for insurance: my BUPA insurance only covers basic tests, not the treatment itself - and then only if my husband is on the same insurance policy - which he's not. Grrrrr

I've put Jules on our list:

New 40+ Mommies:
Alette (own eggs). Son Nov 05
Jude - twins (DE) 05
Joy - twins (DE) 05
CarolineP - Daughter Nov 05
Squew - twins 05

Ladies in waiting:
Debbieed - own eggs, BFP August 05. EDD - April 06?
BigJ (Jules) - BFP 9/12/05 - EDD 15/08/06 praying hard
DPerry (Donna). DE. BFP July 05
Lara - BFP, history of m/c, hoping all OK

On 2ww:
Tammy- ET Wed 22nd March test date 3rd April
Jules - blood test 3 April
Gail - BFN, hugs to you

On meds:
Anna - 5 follies , 2nd scan 29th March
Randa - started bc pills 22nd March for April stim
Robyn - 2nd IVF cycle est start date 28th March
Jo - IVF #2 started stimming 27 March.

Preparing:
Bev- Off to Kiev 30th March for tmt DE
Amfy - FET March/April
Debra - Will start a medicated FET after April AF
Alette - 3 frozen embies, apptmt 18th April
Lisa - FET May 2nd
Jen - Taking time out then, next IVF in May...
Kat - deciding next step

[Jo1962]

Hello eggy peeps

What do you make of this BBC News Report?

Acupuncture 'boosts IVF success'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1933901.stm

Has anyone any experience of acupuncture? I had it once from my physio, some years ago, to help with back pain, and it did help - it seems to be well documented now that it does help with pain. But with fertility? Any views??

[Kat]

Hi all

Sorry haven't been posting but have been feeling unsociable. I have been thinking of you all though.

Jo - re acupuncture - I really believe it helped me get pg (although obviously donor eggs had something to do with it and obviously pg was very short lived). My acupuncturist did things he said would help my lining & help implantation. If nothing else, it destressed me and that has to have helped. Infact am going back to him next week as I miss going and am certainly in need of destressing at the moment....

Anna - I had slow growing follies and they did put on spurts when they left them a bit longer. On a different subject - have you ever seen the counsellor at QMH?

Hi to everyone else and welcome to Jules

Love
Kat xx

[AMck]

Hi ladies, hope everyone Ok today

Kat, thanks for your message. Hope you are Ok and your acupuncture session goes well. I haven't seen the cousellor at QM, although they have offered counselling to me a couple of times. Probably due to the fact that I either shout at the drs or cry!! Have you been to the new building yet?It's a bit of a rabbit warren. I think you need a prize if you can find ACU and get back out without getting lost

Lara, Jo, Lisa and Robyn, thanks for your advice about follies. I am trying to stay positive. Off for scan tomorrow morning. Hopefully all will be OK. If it is, trigger shot will be Sat and then EC on Monday. Fingers crossed!

Gail ,good to see you post. Hope you are OK. I have read/heard about egg donor tmt in Barcelona, Kiev and Cyprus. The clinics have no waiting lists. The cost of tmt varies from country to country usually around £7000
I haven't got any further than emailing them and asking for their costs and protocols. I got a quick response from all of them. Good luck.

Jules, thanks for message. EC on a short cycle here is usually around day 16. After 11 days of stimming and a trigger shot 36 hours before EC takes place. You had a good result with eggs. Good luck , hoping for a BFP for you next week.

Tammy, hang in there. PMA to you.

New 40+ Mommies:
Alette (own eggs). Son Nov 05
Jude - twins (DE) 05
Joy - twins (DE) 05
CarolineP - Daughter Nov 05
Squew - twins 05
Ladies in waiting:
Debbieed - own eggs, BFP August 05. EDD - April 06?
BigJ (Jules) - BFP 9/12/05 - EDD 15/08/06 praying hard
DPerry (Donna). DE. BFP July 05
Lara - BFP, history of m/c, hoping all OK
On 2ww
Tammy- ET Wed 22nd March test date 3rd April
Jules - blood test 3rd April
On meds:
Anna - 5 follies , 3rd scan 31st March
Randa - started bc pills 22nd March for April stim
Robyn - ?
Preparing:
Bev- Off to Kiev 30th March for tmt DE
Jo - 2nd IVF cycle esd 28 March
Amfy - FET March/April
Debra - Will start a medicated FET after April AF
Alette - 3 frozen embies, apptmt 18th April
Lisa - FET May 2nd
Jen - Taking time out then, next IVF in May...
Kat - deciding next step

Keep smiling
Bye for now
Anna x

[erjumper]

Tammy,
I had alot of cramping each time I got pregnant....4 in all now. Was convinced every time that I was getting AF but it seems my uterus and endo are sensitive to implantation. Or so they say is the reason for it. I guess those little guys in there with their picks and shovels causes a bit of spasm. Probably your case as well! I have everything crossed for you.
On the acupuncture, I couldn't find any ahrd cold facts about it's success but my RE believes in it and I did it on my 4th IVF. The theoretical reasons for it's benefits are to do with relaxation and increased blood flow to pelvic organs. I found I couldn't lie still for the sessions. I was lying there counting the minutes until it was over just because I can never sit still that long. Others usually go to sleep or are deeply relaxed...leave it to me.
We had the most beautiful warm and sunny day today which I needed desparately to lift my spirits. Went for a long run this am, planted some flowers, mulched, yada yada out in the sun for a few hours and got some much needed housecleaning done. Been too depressed lately to do it but the house is officially clean now.
Hubby fired up the grill and cooked up some filets I got at the grocery.
Of course on my way home I pass someone's dog lying dead in the road in a big puddle of blood. I swear there is a conspiracy for me not to smile lately. I took care of a man yesterday with a non-surviveable bleed in his brain and after spending the day with him and his family watching him pass I was able to come home and while feeling for him and his family was able to go on with my day. After seeing that dog i've cried multiple times and keeps picturing his sad little limp body over and over. I'm wondering why it is that I hurt so deeply for this dog and not for the man I cared for? In my own defense...it used to hurt that bad....but it's necessary to adapt or fail to succeed in my career which of course would be impossible for me to perform effectively if I were to stand there and cry like a blubbering idiot. Oh geez, and i'm not even on hormones!
Thanks for putting up with all my doom and gloom. I'm feeling it is passing now and i'll be typing in a more optimistic and uplifting manner shortly.
Lisa

[randa2006]

Hi Everyone,
No time to really enjoy a good catch-up. But two things I want to put out there:
1) my user name has changed from randarandolph to randa2006.
2) I gave out wrong info about Brooke Shields. She did not go 10 rounds as I had heard, only 7. And now she is pregnant with her 2nd child, naturally.
That's it. More time later.
Baby dust and follie dust to everyone.
Randa

[lara]

Please Lisa don't rush to feel you've got to be cheerful quickly - be honest about how you feel, for how long you need to feel it. You can't rush these things. You wouldn't rush someone else so don't rush yourself back into jollity if you're not ready. Have a good old moan, it at least means you're sharing it around a bit! I think seeing that dog is very poignant because the poor innocent creature obviously suddenly and unexpectedly died alone in the street - whereas your old man had his family around him and was being cared for and loved to the end.

Anna, can't wait to hear how the scan went today, everything's crossed!

Gail, hope you're considering DE - it's a difficult one I know.

Tammy, hang on in there.

Robyn, are you ok?

Kat, great to hear from you again, you'd gone a little quiet which concerned me a little, but you're very brave, and you're also kind to take trouble with others while you're going through such a rough patch. I hope things turn a corner for you soon.

Randa, good to know you're still kicking around, how's the cycle going...

Hi to everyone else, sending you all best wishes.

My scan's booked for Thursday next. Yagh!! I'm going in blindfold and DP can look at the screen - I can't look! I honestly feel sick at the thought.

Did anyone see that BBC Tony Marchant drama last night - appalling script and completely unrealistic events - about a fertility doctor in an IVF clinic - doing all sorts of things in the UK that would just never ever happen - the HFEA wouldn't allow it - they'd take away his licence before you could say assisted hatching! Comments, please.

Lotsa,

Lara