First IVF in August,

gmd · Post by **gmd** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 11:39 pm

I am all new to the IVF thing too and scared to death. I go in tomorrow for blood work and will start the pill for a few weeks. Then the shots. I should be having retrieval the week of Sept. 11th. Good luck to everyone!!! Hopefully us newbies can help eachother out along the way!!!

G

Shapooh · Post by **Shapooh** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 11:58 pm

Sam - Thanks for the breakdown on how this all works. I am so excited for you and can't wait to hear the good news. I was wondering how painful was the egg retrieval?

Wannababy - I hope your AF comes soon, I have a strange feeling mine is coming Monday or Tuesday. Its crazy how I couldn't wait to get the IVF process started and now I feel like its going so fast.

Laura - Still waiting?

gmd - Welcome, glad to see another first timer!!!!

Alicia

Lola · Post by **Lola** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 1:18 am

Hello everyone, I started Lupron shots on Friday and my retrieval is scheduled somewhere between Aug 21 - 24th. I have no side effects so far and I don't even feel the needle. This is my 1st time as well. It is so exciting

. I have never had even a small surgery or anything.... Mine is a male factor too, so I hope for the best... I usually run every day, so I still keep on running

... my nurse told me to keep on doing everything that I am used to.... I guess it is going to change with the follistim shots that I start on the 11th.

Anyone on the same schedule?
I want to wish everybody good luck and let me know how you guys are doing..
Me 32, DH 42

wannababy1229 · Post by **wannababy1229** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 1:33 am

Sam--I not familar with how many is good, but your number sounds like it is great. Keep us posted!

GMD--Welcome GMD.

Lola-- While we won't be on the same schedule, we will be close. My ER will be approximately 8/16 and transfer approx. 8/19

Shapooh- I'm kinda hoping that we will start on the same date, but with your hunch of beginning Mon or Tues, you will be a bit ahead of me

samandaw1 · Post by **samandaw1** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 2:58 am

Alicia,

I know you asked if egg retrieval is painful, and I found it not at all. I was under and although the IV hurt the procedure is easy. I am not sure everyone is put out but even if you are not you are usually on some meds to make you not remember or take the pain away.

It is the one thing in this whole process where you do not feel a thing, which is great. On top of it, you have a shot free day before and after the retrieval.

I did have cramping but it was tolerable. A bit worse than PMS but managable.

I also found folistem not that difficult of a shot either. They only one I felt was hard and did not look forward to was the menupur. The menupur hurt me but it was only painful going in, it did not have lasting effects.

REMEMBER TO ICE@

Hope that helps. I think I am about 2-3 weeks ahead of you so the information is all fresh. I have talked to others that had all of this done a year or two ago and they all remember the "easiness of this" and none of the difficulties.

GOOD LUCK

Sam

hopeful-in-LV · Post by **hopeful-in-LV** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:44 pm

Hi everyone, I just joined yesterday. I'm so glad to have found this forum! It's going to be nice to come here during my cycle for advice and support.
I get my meds on wednesday and go in for a trial transfer on monday the 7th. My estimated transfer date is Aug. 29. I'm anxious and excited and nervous. I'm optimistic but keeping in mind that things might not work out. Trying to not get my hopes too high, just in case. I know statistically my chances aren't as good as a woman under 30. I just turned 37 on July 19th. I've been preping myself for several months now. Just trying to take good care of my body and health. Even taking a prenatal vitamins for the last couple of months. I made sure to schedule my cycle for a month where I had no other obligations and would be stress free. My doc says besides having blocked tubes everything looks good. I can hardly wait to get through August to find out what the results will be!

Wishing you all the best!!

Champa · Post by **Champa** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:29 pm

Hi,
This is my first time too. I'll be starting my shots in early august.
Did anyone had gone through Lupron Challenge test before starting the IVF treatment?
My Dr. didn't do it for me.
champa

Lola · Post by **Lola** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:44 pm

Hello everyone!

WannaBaby---- that's great we are so close. We have to keep in touch.

You are like a week ahead or so. I am so glad to talk to someone who's going through the same thing. Thanks for your response!

Mia---- you are like a week behind me, maybe just a couple days. My retrieval is scheduled somewhere between Aug 21st and Aug 24th.

Just keep on taking good care of yourself! I have been on prenatals for the past 3 months. I try to go to bed early and limit my caffeine intake. I usually only drink one coffee in the morning and one coke a day, but they caffeine is not good during the stimulation period. So I started drinking decaff. I try to exercise and relax every day. And I think your chances are still pretty good, being 37 is not a big deal for this!

Sam--- did you have any bloating, crampiness or so during the last phase of stimulation? They say the stomach gets little bigger as the follicles grow.

I will be starting the Follistim shots on the 11th.

Champa--- I have never heard of the test. I am already on Lupron and I have no side effects. The shots are so easy so far!

Good luck to everyone!

gmd · Post by **gmd** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:55 pm

I have a silly question. I just started the bc pill today because my doc's office wants to keep everyone on a schedule so they are getting me ready for Sept. I know what stimulation meds. are, that's right before the retrieval right??? But what does down regging mean?? Is that before the stims?? I'll have to go back and read up on my info. This is my first time with all of this so I'm really confused. Any tips will help. Thanks, G

samandaw1 · Post by **samandaw1** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:17 pm

I am still bloated since the egg retrieval but not as bad as I was before the retrieval. My boobs are huge and sore though. My nurses told me my stomach and boobs will go down a bit but will go back up due to fluid. So to answer your question, I look about three months pregant with eight months pregnant boobs. Lovely!!! Not feeling the most attractive, especially since I have ink on my butt marking the places were my DH can inject. I feel so unattractive that is actually becoming comical.

Good luck to everyone and welcome to all those who just joined. I do not know that down regging questions which makes me think I should since I think that is an important part of this whole thing. I swear, I feel like I am learning for the first time where babies come from

Champa · Post by **Champa** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:17 pm

Thanks gmd!!! I was scared that they are not doing it for me.

My retrieval is supposed to be on 23rd Aug. I've another question. Did anybody had Day 2 estradiol of over 100 when they started their IVF?

Mine is 116

and the Dr is doing my IVF in this cycle. Thus my 4.1 FSH doesn't mean anything...

Champa · Post by **Champa** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:20 pm

Hi Lola.. Sorry for mistaking u with gmd..
As u can see I am new to this message board and I thought the name below the message is the one who's posting..
My mistake.. Thanks for ur response.

Lola · Post by **Lola** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:47 pm

Sam--- Thank you so much for your answer, this will be a journey! At least the boobs get bigger too, I did not know that.

Well I know your transfer is on Wednesday, so I hope everything goes well for you! Good luck!!!!! How many embies are they going to trasnfer? We still don't know if we should do 2 or 3, I have heard there is a 5% chance of having triplets if we do 3. I don't know if I could go from having nothing to three....

GMD - the down regging is when you start taking lupron - the first injections - they suppress your ovaries to get your follicles all on the same level before they start stimulating them. (Like getting them on a start line... their finish line is the retrieval) That's why we are on birth control pills and the lupron shots to prevent another ovulation. Some women feel menopausal at this stage - hot flashes, headaches and so on, because our estrogen level is so low. Once the estradiol level drops under 30pg/ml, you are supressed enough to start the stimulation - the other injections, that stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple follicles for your IVF. I will still be on a much lower dose of lupron while injecting the stimulation drugs, to prevent hyperstimulation syndrom. When stimulating, an estradiol level of 1500 pg/ml on like a day 11 is showing a good stimulation and they can start the retrieval. So this whole thing is a real hormonal roller coaster

get your hubby ready for this!

Champa --- cool, you are actually really close to my retrieval, we may be doing it on the same day! I don't know what the day 2 estradiol level means, but if they had started your IVF meds, you are probably fine... I did not know what mine was, they just told me I am fine and I should go ahead and start!

Good luck ladies!!! Lola

Me 32 DH 42
1st time IVF in August
severe male factor

samandaw1 · Post by **samandaw1** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:25 am

Lola,

I do not think you need to decide how many embrios to transfer yet as I think it is a decision made upon implantation. Of course, it should be discussed if it comes down to that decision.

My doctor will lead me on Weds. I think it depends on the quality. I know age also has something to do with it. Because I am 34 (considered somewhat young) and I am not having fertility issues (male factor) they do not want to transfer more than two, and I trust that. If they are not good quality they may do three.

I have also heard but do not quote me on this, but transfering more does not always mean it gives you a better chance. Everything has to line up (stars, planets, fertilization, etc). IF they are good and your body is able to accept them then it should take.

Some people may have had different experiences but that is what I have been told.

Best of luck and wishing you lots of eggs.

Sam

wannababy1229 · Post by **wannababy1229** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:29 am

Welcome Hopeful and Champa! Our "family" keeps growing and growing......(hopefully in more ways than one....)

First IVF in August,

ER is a piece of cake

First IVF in August

Still bloated

Response

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