First IVF in August,

[myhb]

Malinka - The ER was painless. Whatever drug they gave me (I forgot the name) knocked me out once I was in the retrieval room. The next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room. I didn't feel a thing. The nurses told me there might be some cramping but I didn't have any cramping afterwards.

The progesterone shots hurt initially because they are inter-muscular rather than sub-cutaneous. I was using 1 1/2 inch needles because that is what was originally prescribed. When I told the nurses about how much they hurt, they switched me over to 1 inch needles and what a difference that made for me. I am not as sore as I was with the 1 1/2 inch needles.

Thanks for the well wishes. Good luck tomorrow. Don't worry, everything will be fine.

- myhb

[samandaw1]

Myhb-

I know what you are talking about. I had 16 retireved and was so happy I was going to have plenty to choose from and freeze. MyDH is the one with fertility issues not me, so I just assumed the 16 would fertilize. I am also 34 so that should have been a benefit. Anyway, day if transfer I had only two. I was so sad and obssessing over that number. How silly of me since the two were strong and now I am ten weeks pregnant with one!! My point is, quality not quanity. Focus on the now and the fact that there are two good ebroys grabbing hold! I will be thinking of you OCt 2nd and can't wait to hear your BFP

[Malinka]

oh good, because I am starting to get scared by the minute:) But as long as I won't feel a thing during the ER, I guess I will be fine.



thanks for the tips, I will tell my nurses that I want 1 inch needles.
I asked my doctor if I can use progesterone vaginal cream, she said the rates with injections are higher then with cream. So I have no choice

[samandaw1]

Malinka,

I thought ER was the easiest part as you are out and the whole process is kinda exciting. It is also a shot free day so embrace it. I did the progesterone shots and they are not that bad. You have to rub the spot with a hot hot cloth after and that will prevent you from being sore. It is oil based and the massaging of the spot makes it break down.

I broke out in hves about 2 1/2 weeks into the shots and had to switch to the suppositories. (sp?) I actually like the shots better (and I am a whimp). The sup. are messy and I could barely stay awake they make you sooooo drowsy. I had to have my DH sometimes drive me to work due to the tiredness and the dizziness. You will get your routine!

Best of luck

Sam

[Rittie2000]

Hi everyone,

I have been on Metformin (Glucophage) from since the start of infertility treatment, through IVF and have been told to continue until Week 12 of pregnancy. The medication was prescribed to help maintain hormonal balance for PCOS (Polycystic Overies Syndrome) sufferers. My doctor explained that the med will regulate one's blood sugar which should then help maintain hormonal balance. For some reason, it has played a part is decreasing miscarriages in PCOS women so it is apparently vital that I continue with the medication. Hope this helps.

I also wanted to re-inforce what Sam said about egg quality being more important than quantity. I only had 7 eggs retrieved but 6 fertilised and now I am preggers with twinnies. So don't obsess over numbers girls. Focus on being positive and praying for that 1-2 super beanies to cling on to mummies tummy and grow grow grow PS I was 37 turning 38 at ER so please do not dishearten because of age. My clinic said anyone under 40 is not considered 'old'.

PS I was sick as a dog after my accupuncture session on Friday, then was only sick once on Sat and had been sick free Sunday and so far today (I am sooooo grateful as it was sooooo hard). So I ask, is this co-incidence or is accupuncture really working for me??

Hope all's well.

Lots of love
Rittie

[Lola]

Hello everyone, here is our update again. Please let me know if you find something I should change. I had to move the ones that have not updated their info for a while all the way down to the bottom. Newbie Rose, Herbie and Jemina, please let us know how you are doing! We have not heard from Yogi for a while too. I hope all is well!

Sam (Denver, Colorado) Aug 13 BFP!! 9/6 - u/s - expecting one little miracle
Rittie 2000 (Wimbledon, London) Aug 18 BFP!! 2 heartbeats seen on 9/6!!
Myhb (New England) Oct 2 - Pregnancy testing
Malinka (Philadelphia)- Sept 25 ER
Yogi Sept 11 Started Lupron
Lola (California) Sept 29- Starting Stims shots
Alicia (Yuma, Arizona) Aug 28 – BFN, next IVF – starting soon - around Oct 1!
Suzhan (California) Aug 21 – BFN, next IVF starting soon - around Oct 1!
Wannababy ( New Jersey) Sept 1 - BFN, next IVF in Oct/Nov
Mia (Las Vegas, NE) Sept 8 BFN, 1st FET – the last week of October
Champa (California, Bay Area) 9/19 Miscarriage @ 5w4d, next IVF TBD



Newbie_Rose 9/11 – Pregnancy testing
Herbie 6269 (Southern Maryland) - Sept 1 - Started Stims
Jemima (Jakarta) – Sep/15 Starting Stims


Malinka -- Good to hear that they decided to go ahead with the ER! This is great!

Rittie and Alicia --- I agree that I would start worry a bit at 40. Anything under 40 is Ok. But again, it is also very individual... Rittie, thanks for your input and advice for everyone.

Myhb --- good luck to you on Oct 2, we will be all waiting for the results to add proudly another BFP to our update...
Alicia and Suzhan --- we are starting again, I am so happy!

Mia - my IVF is around 10K for the clinic and 2K for the meds. I had to order second round of meds after the first cancellation though, so I had to pay extra 2K. My clinic wants 6K up front and I have spent 4K on meds already... I hope everything goes well for you with your FET. I am sure your frozen beanies cannot wait to come to their cozy warm home and stay there for 9 months...
Sam -- I hope today's update will give you an idea where we are...

Love Lola

[suzhan]

Thanks so much for the update Lola ~ you do such a great job!

I see from your update that you're starting stims - so you must have gotten the clearance - congrat's! Once again, I'm sending loads of follie/egg dust your way so stim, stim, stim!

Myhb - Best of luck to you on those embies settling in - I'm sending you my prayers for a BFP on the 2nd!

Malinka - Good luck today on your ER - I'm sure you'll do great!

Rittie - Thanks for the PMA on age - I started this road at age 37 too and thought I was still in the 'decent chance' range, but when my RE said my eggs were acting like 40, I must admit it doused my spirits. It's great to see ladies like you do so well, maybe I still have a shot at this.

Overall, I had a rough weekend...We went to breakfast on Sunday after church and we were surrounded by families with strollers and suddenly it all just became too much. DH was awesome, as always, and tried to comfort me, but sometimes I know he's sad too and doesn't know what else to say. Even thought I'm 38, I feel 40 lurking out there like it's around the corner and will be here before I know it. I'm feeling better today and still waiting for AF #2 to arrive - I'm now 3 days late

Thanks again for the update, Lola. You're so awesome to keep our stat's! Also, btw, I think Newbie Rose posted on the general forum board - sadly, I think it was a -ive.

[hopeful-in-LV]

Hi ladies! I was reading this other m/b on IVF diet. Some of the posts seem to contradict others, but it is interesting read and can't hurt to investigate some of their ideas. I hear a lot about a high protein diet helping to produce good quality eggs.

http://www3.fertilethoughts.com/forums/ ... p?t=123317

[Shapooh]

Rittie - Thanks sooo much for the info on Glucophage. I was starting to think my RE had lost his mind. I feel much better now. Do you know if your having girls or boys?

Lola - Thanks for making me feel not so old. I am really excited that we are close in schedule again. Its so nice to have someone to go through the 2 week hell with you.

Suzhan - Sorry about your weekend. Since I started IVF it seems either there is more women pregnant and with their babies or I just notice it more now. Either way I stuggle with it too.

Mia - Thanks for the interesting diet information. If I don't change my diet soon, I'm going to have to buy bigger clothes soon.


myhb - Congrats on your sticky embies! You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Malinka - Good luck with your ER. I understand its scary when you don't know what to expect, but after my ER I woke up and didn't feel anything but tired.

Champa - How are you doing? I hope things are better for you.

Wannababy - Just wanted you to know I've been thinking about you.

Love you all,
Alicia
_____________
Me 36 DH 35
1st IVF w/ICSI in Aug 2006 - BFN
2nd IVF - Oct 2006

[wannababy1229]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to drop in and say hello. I'll be here more often in a couple weeks. Hope everyone is doing well. Good luck myhb! Take care!

[myhb]

Hi Ladies - Thanks for the well wishes and words of encouragement. You are all so great! You definitely made me feel better about everything. I haven't given up hope but sometimes it can get so discouraging.

Malinka - I hope the ER went well for you.

Lola - Cool deal that you are starting your stims this week - how exciting!

Suzhan - I am glad to see that you are feeling better. I know what you mean about feeling like 40 is right around the corner however don't let that discourage you. I know that it is easier said than done (especially when the younger ladies are getting BFPs) but as Rittie proves, ladies our age can get pregnant. Just keep thinking 'I am not old, I am in the prime of my life' .

Rittie - I am glad to see that you are feeling better as well. Now that you are feeling better, does this mean you'll be going to Italy soon? I hope so because this is a wonderful time of year to go.

Sam - I will definitely focus on the quality of the embies we transferred. How are you feeling? I hope you are feeling well.

Alicia - Oct 1 is not that far away, less than one week!

Mia, Champa and Wannababy - I hope things are well with you.

Have a good evening.

- myhb

[Champa]

Dear friends,
Thanks for all ur support I was able to get through this rough time.

I am doing fine. Though last few days have been tough. I had to go through procedures as my HCG numbers started to increase again. Dr. finally confirmed that it was an ectopic pregnancy. The positive part of all this is, that if it was at right place it could have survived.

Lola, when u get a chance, please update ur chart with ectopic pregnancy for me.

Good luck to all of u.

[yogi]

today i had my blood test and i have started the stim shuts on saturday but the nurse called and said that my estrigen level is low and it is like -b
so i am worried has enybody had this problem and then it was ok do you think that the level will go up.
thank you

[suzhan]

Hopeful - this was a great link on diet and egg quality, thanks for passing it along. Some on that link were also discussing the info on l-arginine. Interestingly, when I googled 'l-arginine oocyte quality', it gave a link to a 2002 study that showed taking l-arginine during IVF could actually reduce success. Most of the research on l-arginine was done on natural cycles and it showed some positive impact, but this study was actually done on 34 IVF patients and those who took l-arginine were worse off.....they suspect it's due to the number of lead follicles developed in IVF vs. normal cycles? Anyway, despite some of the positive info, I think I may quit it once I start the lupron. I've been taking it so far since my bfn. I also never knew so much about the high protein part, so that was very interesting as well.

Champa - good to hear from you, although was so sorry to hear about the ectopic. As you say, the good news is that the embryo was good, it just picked the wrong spot to implant. My prayers are with you, this must be a challenging time and I'm so sorry this happened.

Myhb & Alicia - thanks so much for the encouraging words, I'm trying to lift my head back up.....

Take care everyone!

- Suzhan

[jemima]

Hi lovely ladies....

Champa, my thoughts and prayer for you

Sorry, I don't post this time. The rental is far away n also some things happened bring my PMA down. Im good now. I hope you are all okay.

Ec for me tomorrow. 14 hours to go. Last scan DR found 5 follies between 18-20. The rest 10 under 17.

I hope you are all okay. God bless u in everything u do. I have to go. Must take dinner, fasting on 12 am

Bye...

Luv, Jemma