1st IVF in August - Any possible cycle buddies?

[ceiba]

Oh, kbat, I'm so sorry to hear this! I agree with Aliann about asking to continue your stims for another few days. Also, can't they adjust the dosages of the stim drugs as you go along to make sure you are getting enough follicles? And why can't they use the 1 that you've got? Sure, the odds are slimmer with only 1 egg but really, it only takes 1 good egg to make a baby and it would be a shame not to try. Anyway, I will be hoping and praying for you today too. Stay strong!!

[kbat]

Thanks for everyone's best wishes--especially the words of encouragemnet from Aliann & Ceiba. I am really glad that I posted because there have been several questions I am going to ask about that I haven't thought about. This is a new clinic for me and I've never gotten to the point where I didn't have enough for them to work w/. I do appreciate all the prayers and thanks for bringing up some issues--even if I don't go to IVF, I am hoping that my situation helps others who are in my situation to know what questions to ask, etc.

Best wishes to everyone who are going through this!!!

[kbat]

update-- I was actually waiting for the nurse to call back and one of the doctors from the clinic called back. Basically, she said that w/ such a poor response they don't like to put people through the whole procedure because at the end of the day, they may not have any eggs to collect. I have one at 17.5 right now and one at 15 and one at 14. They are looking for at least 3 follicles on each egge. Additionally, I was told that the fact that I did not take the bcp this time around does speed up the process by a little bit, which probably makes sense b/c you aren't using anything to control it. The two smaller ones are on the left and the bigger, more mature one is on my right side. Even if I switch to IUI, there is only a small chance because I have endometriosis and the left side has no tube there. She did say at least if I do IUI the bigger more mature one is on the right side. I'll let every know what happens.

One of the good things about these message boards is all the great support and the fact that we can learn from each other's experiences. Sometimes you find out answers that you may not otherwise find out.

Thanks again.

[RMSM]

kbat, my heart goes out to you, as it does to each and every one of us going through this very trying experience. We're all at different places in our lives, looking for the same thing, and looking for every bit of strength to get through it. I also have endo and knew since I was 22 that getting pregnant would be tough, so this came as no surprise to me when I finally started trying at 31. The fertility institute I go to here in NY recommends a supplement called Bioendurance (made by Biosynergy) that you can buy online only and is supposed to improve the quality of your eggs and ultimately your chances of conceiving. I produced a lot more eggs while on it this round and so did all of my friends. It's harmless and not expensive at all. It may be worth looking into. Other than that, ask A LOT of questions and push them to come up with an answer for you. Don't give up. I"ll be thinking of you....

[kbat]

I will have to look into the bioendurance product. no one has ever mentioned it to me.

Looks like I am going to have to have the IUI. I will probably go through w/ it because it's better than nothing, but I think my chances are slim w/ it.

My next thing is to check w/ the financial office to see if they change it to an IUI if it drops my limit of IVF (I get 6 total--this would have been my 4th).

Sometimes I want to get on w/ my life, but then there's the part of me who says keep trying--epecially due to my age--or I will regret it.

So, I will keep plugging away.

I only wish the best for everyone on this site...
Kara

[ceiba]

kbat, I'm sorry to hear about the IUI. Although you may get lucky this time, what with all the drugs in your system to help things along. I will be hoping and praying for you. And in any case you are VERY lucky to have 6 IVFs covered by your insurance. If I had that I would definitely keep going and max it out!!

I learned this morning (day 3 post ER) that we still have 7 embryos growing, so our RE has decided to push us back to a day 5 transfer on Saturday. I was sooo happy to hear that we have so many embryos left, since hopefully we'll have a few to freeze after transfer. I would be so glad to skip all the meds next time around and do a FET if this try doesn't work. Although the shots haven't been nearly as bad as I feared, I am feeling very bloated and sore in the belly and I'm not enjoying that part. But anyway, the best part is that now we know that my DH's sperm is good and can make healthy embryos. I am hoping against hope that this works, although I'm almost afraid to be too happy about our luck so far because I might jinx myself. Now I know what everyone was talking about with the emotional rollercoaster!

[kbat]

Ceiba--
I am so happy to hear that things are going well w/ your embryos!!! That's great. I will be thinking of you on Sat. and keeping my fingers crossed that everything will work out....

I am pretty lucky that we have good insurance. Although my husband lives/works in RI, the insurance is out of Massachussetts b/c they merged w/ a company in Mass. Massachussetts laws are really good about insurance mandated stuff... In the beginning we got approved for 3 off the bat to be finished by a certain date. That was done and this time around we only got approved for one to be completed by 8/31/07. Then we have to try to get approved for some more. I actually have a call in to see if they won't count this as and IVF cycle and to see if they will count it as an IUI, so that I can have up to 3 more--or even if they don't approve anymore after this, I can still use this one.

Yes, you are right, this whole thing is an emotional rollercoaster. But hopefully, in the end we will get the results we want and it will be worth the rollercoaster ride.

Good luck on Sat. Will say a prayer for you.
Kara

[meggs1012]

hey girls! Kbat-im thinkin of you!!!! Just know that we are all here for you and you can vent WHENEVER you feel like it! I am on day 4 of Lupron and I dont mind it at all, strangely enough i kinda look forward to it every night....

I dont know about the big needles girls??!?!? Im a little anxious about that and the egg retrieval-if you guys can fill me in a little on those 2 areas that would be great! I figure it cant be too terribly bad or all of us wouldnt do this and for some continue doing it....we're strong women, i know we can handle this! : )

Love ya'll! Baby Dust!!!

Meggs

[kbat]

meggs1012--

thanks for the good thoughts. I usually find that once I vent, it does make me feel better. And even though I have been through 3 other cycles, this is the first time I didn't make it to an egg retreivel, so it's nice to be able to vent!!

Good luck w/ all the stim meds. I am glad so far that you don't mind taking the shots. Last cycle (not this current one) I had to take some med w/ a really big needle. I did find that it hurt a little more, but I just did what I had to do, so I know you will too.

I will tell you that I got to the egg retreival 2 times out of four. I found the hardest part was not being able to have something in the morning to help me get jump started. When I had it done, the actual procedure wasn't too bad. My clinic at the time did them fairly early in the morning (had to be there for 7 or 7:30 am). They will usually give you a list of things needed to do or not to do for the procedure--ie don't eat/drink after midnight, no jewerly, take nail polish off at least one finger. I didn't even bring my purse (although my dh had to bring in an ID), etc. Wear something easy to get on and off. You will be put under, so you really don't remember anything. they bring you out and wake up, they gave me a drink (ie juice or ginger ale--that sort of thing) and crackers. You get to rest afterwards for a little while, so they aren't just wisking you out. You just take it easy the rest of the day--no cooking, no driving, etc. I laid on the couch and vegged the rest of the day.

Good luck to you!!

[Aliann09]

Hi girls all is well here starting to get a little antsy about the whole test thing I just wish it was over and I knew for sure. Kbat sorry to hear things are not going as planned I just keep trying to tell myself that everything happens for a reason. You are so lucky that you insurance pays for this stuff mine has no coverage for anything hence another reason this might be a 1 time shot for me. Keep your head up and think positive I know it's hard some days but you still have a chance at getting prego this way and stranger things have happened. Meggs try not to get worked up over the big injections I know I did and it was no worry. I have a friend who is a nurse and she came by and showed my sister some small tricks and I don't even believe that the needle is all the way in. I get mine in the hip have who ever is doing the shot use your hip bone as a land mark then tell them to make a V with thier hand and thumb the space between that area will be in your muscle range have them sort of pinch up the area not with the fingers with the whole had get a hold of the muscle and then DART the needle in the more they hesitate you will feel they need to just DART it in the skin also if you have a small stool or maybe the frame of your bed put you foot on that by lifting that foot off the ground slightly it pushes that muscle out and makes it easier to get to. Hope this helps it sure is working for me.
Ali

[kbat]

feel like a yo-yo now. I was psyching myself out to do iui and now it looks like i will be doing ivf after all. Now the only dilemma is that if it goes on monday, my husband can't make it (after being told it was going to be an iui, who knew?), so don't know if we can arrange for frozen sperm on short notice.

[srlegaspi]

This will be my 2nd IVF but I am also starting my process next month! I am very nervous. Wish me luck!

Good luck to you!

[kbat]

Shantell---
wishing and hoping all the best for you> I will be thinking of you and hoping that everything turns out wonderfully!!!

[RMSM]

Hi!
Has anyone read the book, Waiting for Daisy? I just finished it a couple of weeks ago and it's written by a woman who went through all measures to have her one and only child. It was interesting and inspirational, so if anyone's looking for an easy read while on bedrest or whatever, pick it up. If you've already read it, I'm curious to know what you think.

[Jill_n_Mark]

Hey Girls! Well, my retrieval is Monday morning and I am so excited. My estrogen is so high and follies growing so fast that RE has reduced my stimming meds. I am now only taking 1 vial of Repronex and still on 10 units of Lupron. I have about 5-7 follies size 15, 5-7 that are size 14 and many more that ar 11-13. I look like I'm about 5 months pregnant.. RE said they need to be 17-21 to be mature and with 4 nights left, he feels confident that we will have alot with retrieval.

Kbat - I am sorry to hear about your situation. While it's great that you now have the chance at IVF, I can only imagine what you are going thru wondering if your husband or RE will be able to work something out.

Meggs - I am not fond of the shots....I must be a big baby I cannot wait to be finished with the stimming meds b/c they burn really bad. I don't know if it's b/c they are thicker than the Lupron or what...now the PIO shots....I am really afraid of. Those needles are longer and thicker, but I am willing to do anything at this point. DH and I want a baby so bad!!!

Aliann09 - I know the 2WW has got to be nerve-racking. I don't really want to POAS b/c I got a false postive with my last IUI....but, I am sure I will give in and do it. Have you thought about it any? I've read that the HCG shot is usually out of your system 7 days after you take it. Not sure if that's true or not.

Well, I will update you all later on as I know more and Good Luck to everyone!

*****Sending Lots of Baby Dust Our Way******
Jill