First IVF in August,

[Lola]

Wannababy --- I just checked my notes, I was keeping a diary of everything this time. On day 6 of my stims, I had 4 follies. Then on day 8 I had 15 follies. As you know, with microflare protocol, we start with 2 days of microdose Lupron stimulation and then other stim. drugs till ER. I was counting those first two days as well (as a day 1 and 2). So I don't know if you are counting the stims days including the days on Lupron microdose or not.
I hope your estrogen will be high enough today! Please hang in there! Love Lola

[wannababy1229]

Thanks Lola. I, too, have been keeping a journal throughout this whole experience. I thought that it would be helpful in terms of comparing cycles.

The nurse called and said that we are going to continue and "work around the cyst" which leads me to believe that this cyst is interfering big time with the egg production. I know that it has some effect, but I wasn't expecting this. I don't go back until Tuesday and hopefully I will be in better shape. I know this is premature, but I'm afraid of getting another BFN. It seems like this first part isn't going as well as we all hoped and I am concerned that it is going to carry over until the end. Ok, I'll stop whining now......

[suzhan]

Wannababy - I'm sorry you got some worrisome news this morning. I really do hope that by your appointment next Tuesday, your RE can give you a more positive outlook. And don't think you're whining - this process is one big 'hurry up to wait & worry'. We've all been there, we know what you're going through, and are here to root you on over the next few days. Like I said, I hope things look up on Tuesday - try to keep your spirits up if you can.

Lola - glad to hear things are not too boring for you during the bed rest - that always seemed to be the worst part for me. But you're almost through it, congrat's! How are you feeling? I'm sure it's nice to be back at home. I love the idea of a journal - I never tried that in my first tries but I think I will this go around. I recall they didn't give me the valium in my second ET, but they did with the first. I think it helped relaxed me, so thanks for the tip - I'm going to be sure to ask about it this time around.

I go in for my first us/bw on Monday - I'm waiting for AF to arrive any day now too - I took my last bcp on Thursday morning, so it should be here soon.

Take care everyone and have a nice weekend.

- Suzhan

[Lola]

NEW UPDATE!!
Sam (Denver, Colorado) Aug 13 - BFP!! - expecting one little miracle
Rittie 2000 (Wimbledon, London) Aug 18 - BFP!! - 2 heartbeats seen on 9/6!!
Yogi Oct 19 – BFP!!!
Lola (California) Nov 11 - Pregnancy test!

Mia (Las Vegas, NE) Nov 9 – FET
Wannababy ( New Jersey) Oct 20 - Started stims, estimated ER Nov 9
Suzhan (California) Oct 29 – started Lupron, starting stims on Nov 8

Champa (California, Bay Area) Sep 19 - Ectopic pregnancy, next IVF TBD

Malinka (Philadelphia) Oct 12 - BFN, next IVF TBD

Myhb (New England) Oct 16 – Miscarriage, next IVF TBD

Alicia (Yuma, Arizona) Oct 26 BFN, another possible IUI soon

Hello everyone,

Wannababy --- I am so glad that you are continuing, as I told you, I had a cyst this time too and it was not functional and did not cause any trouble. And don't worry about the result, sometimes things look good all the way and it doesn'y work out at the end, and sometimes when you least expect it, you get a positive! Good luck on Tuesday!!!!

Suzhan --- I slept again yesterday afternoon for 4 hours, and I sleep good at night as well. I never get this much sleep. So I hope by today the valium will be out of my system. I think the good part is that you get a lot of rest, so ask for it this time for sure! I have been sneezing a lot now, it's just that time of the year I guess. I am scared every time I sneeze that it will shake my embies. I am on progesteron suppositories and estrogen pills, so I am happy I don't have to do more shots. Those suppositories are messy though.
Good luck with your first ultrasound tomorrow!

Love Lola

[wannababy1229]

Hey ladies- you are truly the best! There is always someone who says the right things to make things all better! Things went very well during my 1st cycle and I got a BFN. Now that things aren't going as well, maybe I will get a BFP!

Lola--Thanks for updating our chart. You also do an awesome job! How long were on you PIO injections? I know you must be glad that you don't have to do them. I know I certainly would be! You test is right around the corner. Of course, I am pulling for you!!!!

Suzhan--I hope AF will visit soon! How are you feeling about starting again? Are you using the same protocol as last time?

[suzhan]

Happy Monday everyone!

Lola - Glad to hear you're doing well and nice update on the list! I wouldn't worry too much about the sneezing, I'm sure you're just fine. And, I'm so envious that you're avoiding the PIO - my RE always kept me on them throughout and they've been the worst ones for me. I also get the suppositories, but I found using them at night right before bed made it less messy - it seemed to mostly absorb by morning. You must be finished with bed rest - I bet it was nice to get that first shower! I truly am praying things go so well for you during the 2 ww and that those powerful embies are snuggling right in.

Wannababy - Hope you're doing well. Just one more day until your next tests. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your doctor gives you some positive news!

AF arrived for me Sat evening. Since doing the acupuncture/herbs over the last few months, my period has changed so much, it really amazing. I used to get terrible cramps right before and the first few days of AF. This time, I didn't even know I'd started and I've had absolutely no pain/cramps at all. I really do credit my acupuncturist, now I just hope it helps with the egg quality and implantation

The ultrasound went well today - RE said all looked great. Now, I'm just waiting for my E-2 level this afternoon to get the green light to start stims on Wednesday. And, yes, Wannababy, the protocol is slightly different since my E-2 was too high in my last cycle. So, I'm starting at 300 u of gonal-f, 3 amps of repronex for two days, then down to 150 u of gonal-f and 2 amps of repronex for the next 5 days. This is much less than last time. They're going to start monitoring my follicles/E-2 on day 5 of stims instead of day 7 of stims like last time, too, to make sure everything's okay. So, just a minor change, but they want to avoid my E-2 getting up there, I guess.

Mia - I read on the Nov '06 post that you made it through your PIO shot - great job! Hope you're doing well.

Alicia - I'm stilling thinking of you, when you're ready, drop us a line and let us know how you are doing.

Take care and best of luck to everyone this week!

- Suzhan

[wannababy1229]

Suzhan- I totally understand about acupuncture and AF. Ever since I have going, I barely get symptoms.

Does anyone know if the retrieval date is negotiable? I'm trying to calculate when my retrieval will be. If it is Saturday, that's not good as my DH (HS football coach)has a big state game on the same day. He has to be there. I know that if it is that day, then I know he will work around it and be with me, but it would be easier and less stressful for us both if it was on Friday or Sunday. Does anybody know if that day is set in stone?

Say prayers and cross fingers that tomorrow's bw and us goes well.

Take care!!

[Lola]

Wannababy ---- the date must be exact, I think you cannot negotiate that. I know they had to move me a day earlier and I had to be exactly on time. You may actually ovulate on your own and loose your follies. They have to take them at their best maturity, so the timing is everything!
Good luck with your US/BW tomorrow. I hope everything goes well and wish you lots of nice follies!

Suzhan --- thanks sweetie for your support. Good to hear that your US went well today and I hope your E2 level was OK as well. Way to go! So Wednesday is the start day!!!!

Love Lola

[suzhan]

Thanks for the good wishes, Lola. The E2 came back very low - so low they couldn't meaure it ("less than 10"). I'm not sure if that's bad or good, but the nurse said it was fine. They want it low to start. But, the 'bad news' was that my prolactin level was on the high-end of normal - 19.6 ng/ml. It should be lower than 24 ng/ml. But, in my 2nd cycle, it went over 30 and I had to go on a different medication. My RE says that elevated prolactin can interfere with IVF success. He thinks I'm reacting to the lupron somehow - it's causing my dopamine to go down which results in my prolactin going up. I have no idea what to do and the nurse who called me said RE doesn't think it's a problem and that I should proceed with stims on Wednesday. Why can't things ever just go smoothly....ugh! Oh well.

Wannababy - I agree with Lola - ER date isn't negotiable - it's important that it go at the right time - you want the eggies as mature as possible, but you don't want to go too far as to lose them. Lots of luck tomorrow - I hope things go really well for you!

xoxox,

- Suzhan

[suzhan]

I just called the nurse again about the prolactin. She pleaded with me not to worry that as long as I respond to the stims, that's all that matters. She said my level is really nothing to be worried about. I'm going to try and de-stress about this. Yes, I know, I'm neurotic - I can't help myself!

[wannababy1229]

Thanks for your responses. I don't think that I will have to worry about a retrieval date. I had my bw and us today and the RE decided to give it more time for the final time. He says that I am progressing slowly and if there is no significant change by Thursday, then the cycle will need to be cancelled. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I think I would prefer to have a cancellation rather than another BFN. Either way, It will be a disapointment. I am not giving up hope, but preparing myself for what may be.

Then I got to thinking. What if the doctor gave me the choice to continue. I don't know what I would decide. He's done this for years and knows the probable outcome. I also know that miracles happen everyday. What would you decide if you were in my shoes?

[Lola]

Wannababy --- sorry to hear about what you have to go through now. I had my first cycle cancelled as well, remember? I was very sad, but then I realized, that it is actually for better. It would probably be a BFN anyway and it would cost us even more money to continue. So sometimes it is better to wait and get a better result. I hope you won't get cancelled and I hope you won't have to decide either. My doctor decided for me and I was glad. He knows what's the best for me.

Suzhan --- please de-stress and if you need some help, let me know! You need to be relaxed for this and again, trust the clinic, they are better at this then us...

Good luck girls! Hope things will shape up for both of you by the end of the week!

Love Lola

[suzhan]

Lola - You're such a sweetie -thanks so much. I'm really trying to relax and, to be honest, before I got this news about the prolactin level I thought I was the most relaxed of all 3 cycles. But, for some reason, this has gotten me worked up. I woke up at 4:30 this morning and couldn't go back to sleep. I agree I need to let it go, but sometimes it's just hard.

But, enough said about that....I started stims today. Woo hoo The gonal-f always makes me feel a little 'funky' when I take it in the a.m. Luckily, that's just today and tomorrow. Starting Friday, I mix it into the repronex as an IM (bum) shot and do it at night. As much as I hate the 'bum shots', I prefer doing them at night, so I'm not going to complain!

Only a few days until beta testing for you, Lola! I'm really pulling for you and hoping this is the BFP you deserve! Do you get the result on the 11th or do you have to wait? I'm sending you loads of sticky baby dust in the meantime!

Wannababy - I'm so sorry the RE visit didn't bring you better news. I wish you the best on Thursday. I don't know if this is possible, but if there are at least a few follicles, could they convert to a IUI cycle instead? I've heard that is done. I know it's not IVF but at least there's some potential. I'm sure your RE will give you the best advice possible for your situation. Again, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and hope things go well.

Thanks so much for your support, guys, I don't know what I'd do without having you here to 'listen' and help.

All my best,

- Suzhan

[wannababy1229]

Lola--3 more days and you will get your BFP! Your 2ww has gone by quickly to me. Of course, it was probably slow as molasses for you! Take care!

Suzhan- Good luck stimming! One of your stims is a booty shot? I have never heard of that when doing stims. What's IUI?

Tomorrow is the big day. I have prepared myself for a cancellation. I saw my acupunturist today and she did a lot of points that she felt could possibly help. I will keep you posted. Wish me luck!

[Lola]

NEW UPDATE!!
Sam (Denver, Colorado) Aug 13 - BFP!! - expecting one little miracle
Rittie 2000 (Wimbledon, London) Aug 18 - BFP!! - 2 heartbeats seen on 9/6!!
Yogi Oct 19 – BFP!!!
Lola (California) Nov 11 - Pregnancy test!

Mia (Las Vegas, NE) Nov 9 – FET
Wannababy ( New Jersey) Oct 20 - Started stims
Suzhan (California) Nov 8 – Started stims

Champa (California, Bay Area) Sep 19 - Ectopic pregnancy, next IVF TBD

Malinka (Philadelphia) Oct 12 - BFN, next IVF TBD

Myhb (New England) Oct 16 – Miscarriage, next IVF TBD

Alicia (Yuma, Arizona) Oct 26 BFN, another possible IUI soon


Hello girls!! Here is a new update.

Mia ---- if you check here before your FET, wishing you the best of luck tomorrow and let us know how everything went!!!!

Wannababy ---- good luck with your visit tomorrow, I will be thinking of you as well!!!! You are right, these past couple of days have been going kinda slowly for me.

Suzhan ---- congrats on starting the stims, there you go!!!! And get some sleep! You need to be in a good shape for your follies!

Love to you all, Lola