AUGUST/SEPTEMBER CYCLE BUDDIES!

[hellokitty]

Lala,

I am so sorry sweetie. We don't like to hear those words "delaying for yaddah, yaddah, yaddah." But it is good to know it will not affect the outcome. Try to keep busy as much as possible. You can read my whines for not being as far as you !!

[Lee]

Hi

Can I join your group? I am hoping for ER on the week beginning 10th September like lots of you guys. I have or I should say had high FSH levels generally around 13 -14 and only one ovary working at about 25%. We had one try at IVF at the beginning of the year with a BFN. I only produced one egg but we still went through the whole process. My consultant put me on DHEA and after 4 months I have normal FSH levels for the first time in over 3 years it is down to a healthy 4.4 and one ovary working completely normally!! I feel like we are in with a chance this time. Have started Synerel over a week ago but still waiting for AF to come she should have put in an appearance by yesterday, so itmay push my dates forward a bit.
Hope you teachers are all enjoying the holidays.
Please send some sunshine over to England all we have had all summer is rain ad rain and rain its not very warm either!!

Lee

[chriss]

Welcome Lee, it's a great place to be. The sun is out here, but it's WINDY!

Lala, I've been really forgetful too. I'm glad that it won't mess up your cycle. I know it's difficult to wait. I feel impatient all of the time, but I am trying to live more in the moment. I have resigned myself to the fact that everything takes time.

Julieboo, I'm a teacher too. (That rhymes) Yes, school could help keep the mind busy while waiting for one thing or another. Looks like EC will be on Tuesday. I'm a little sad that there are only three follicles. I am hoping that will be enough.

HI everyone else! Talk to you soon-chriss

[Julieboo]

Lee, welcome! Good luck!

Chriss, this Tuesday?! That's great. Best of luck to you. I will definitely keep you in my thoughts.

Things are good on this end. Just waiting for AF and cheering on my Cubbies.

Julie

[chriss]

Hi everyone, hope you are all well. I have a very big decision to make and I would love all of your input. After stims, I have three follies that look good and one little one that's hanging on. This is not a lot. My doc says her would prefer more, of course. He asked if I thought about switching to IUI. He reminded me that I did get pregnant once on IUI. (I miscarried at 71/2 weeks.) This is a big dilema for me. of course if all 3 eggs made it through all that they must, I'd be fine with staying with IVF. But in reality, Ive been told that many do not make it, that's why they want so many. I am not getting any younger here, (40). So what do I do???? He seems ok with doing either. What would give me the best chance for success? Anyone have any experience/advice with this? Thanks-chriss

[hellokitty]

Hi Ladies,

chriss - I'm sorry you have to face such a difficult choice. I too may have to face that as it seems now I'm might be a poor responder. I know that I read on the board that someone was given the option to convert their cycle from an IVF to an IUI after only 1 embie fertilized. If I am in the position for 2 or 3 embies fertilized ok, I will go for the IVF. If only 1, I'm thinking IUI. I'm saying that based upon the cost of IVF vs IUI. My insurance will cover my IUI in full but the IVF I will have to come out of pocket for somethings. Also, a big thing in your favor is that you did get pregnant before with IUI. I hope this helps a little...seems like I got to rambling a little....I can get wordy! Does your dr say that you have to make the decision now on the number of follies or after you find out how many fertilized? I think that would make the difference for me.

Lee - WELCOME! Sounds like we may be doing our retrieval at almost the same time....mine is scheduled in pencil for Sept. 12th.

Lala - How are you doing? I hope the weekend flew by for you!

Julieboo - the suppositories does sound better. I'm going to ask my RE about them. Sometimes, I really feel some residual pain from those needles. If the RE says nay to the suppositories, then I will demand that numbing prescription...and my tushie will appreciate it !!

KM0803 - Yeah for starting your stimming tomorrow! What's your protocol?

KathleenP - how are the stimms coming? I have PCOS too and it can be a battle. I hope you get a ton of follies !

As for me, still on the BCP. I got to say that I do not miss those things at all. I'm extremely moody and that is the only thing I can think of that has me out of whack. I start Lupron on 8/21 (I think...don't have my little calendar) and I guess then I will feel like I'm making progress.

Baby dust to everyone!!

[Julieboo]

Happy Monday, ladies!

Hellokitty, it's already Aug. 20, so does that mean you start Lupron tomorrow? Yay!

Chriss, I don't know what to tell you, never having been in that position before. I have to think it's a positive thing that you got pregnant doing IUI before. IUI is waaaaay easier than all this IVF bullhunky, so if your doctor thinks it's a good idea... Best of luck, whatever your decision!

How's everyone else doing? I'm still waiting for stupid AF (should come today or tomorrow). Maybe I got pregnant while on BCP. Wouldn't that be a laugh?

Julie

[KM0803]

Hi all-

I'm on day 1 of Stims. All my meds arrived in the mail on Friday and let me tell you...I was a bit overwhelmed. I was worried that I wouldn't remember how to mix, inject, what, when etc etc. But this morning I was able to get it all figured out and give myself the three injections without a problem. I'm taking Lupron, Follistim and Repronox. Next Monday I go in for my first ultrasound apt to find out how I'm responding. My ER is scheduled for next week sometime, my guess is around the 30th and then ET 3-5 days after that.

Good luck to everyone!
-Kelly

[Julieboo]

Hey, Kelly,

Congrats on starting the stims. Grow, follies, grow!

I received a very welcome visit from my dear Auntie Flo today, so I'm heading in for baseline and U/S on Wednesday. Then it's probably gonna be me and the U/S technician everyday from there to ER or cancellation (you PCOS gals know what I'm talkin' 'bout). I need to book all the early appointments so I can get to work on time. Blech. Who wants to be poked and prodded like that every morning at 7:00 AM?

Dust to all,
Julie

[Christin]

Hi everyone. I am part of the July/August thread, but I am more on yalls schedule. I started my BCP on August 1. Today was my last pill (thank God). I started my Lupron injections on August 16. I am expecting AF on the 22nd or 23rd. Any advice as to what to expect from there? I know my meds (Lupron, Follistim, Ovidril, Progestrone, and Menopur). Not sure the order of those though, after Lupron.

Originally the RE told me that they were expected ER around labor day, which is the 3rd of September. Hopefully I am on track for that still.

[hellokitty]

Hi Ladies,

Christin - Welcome! I know once I start my stimming meds, I start to look bloated around day six or seven (I'm on Bravelle and Menupor). Usually, I have bloodwork and u/s about every 2-3 days to check how the follies look. If all looks good, I take the HCG shot(no pain for me at all) and off to retreival within a few days. Still feeling very bloated and PIO injections begin. They suck BIG time. I'm going to ask my RE for suppositories instead but if no go, then there is a numbing prescription you can ask from your doc. My bottom was very sore. So, make sure to numb the area and rub the medicine in a lot (you may feel some stinging). I also read where some ladies heated after as well. I hope this helps. Everyone is a little different. So, I know the other ladies will be happy to chime in. I know they can do better explaining the timeline and effects !!

Julieboo - Yaahoo, glad to see the witch showed up for you! I'm a PCOS sister too so I know about those everyday visits. I have to get up very early too to do the testing and off to work feeling like a pin cushion. And yep, I start my Lupron tomorrow. I am verrrry excited and nervous at the same time. I pray it is our time!!

Kelly - Awesome...I'm glad your first shot of stims went A-OK! Sending you tons of baby dust to make those follies grow !!!

Everyone else - How's it going? What stage are you in. Maybe if we all ask nicely one of our very talented teachers can get a list going of who is on BCP, stimming, ER and ET...etc. I totally suck at that but just a thought !

As for me, I had another discussion with my boss about the possible time of my retreival. She said fine as long as it is not around the end of the month (I work in finance). I said...ummmm helloooo remember I said the time off is all determined by my body?? I can't schedule it around month end closing. She just said she would the need paperwork. Okay, so wasn't that the plan. I know it will not be the end of the month but I am taking some time off. If not doing all this stuff is not hard enough, bosses have to give you crap for trying to do the right thing and give them a heads up. From now on, I am only going to worry about having my short term disability paperwork in and sail straight out the door....sorry a little vent here !!

Okay back to PMA......baby dust to all!

[KM0803]

Hello all-

Hellokitty, I'm sorry that your boss is not very understanding, you should be able to take off whatever days you need for this I've been very lucky and have a very understanding boss who has told me to take off whatever the Dr's recommend. Hopefully all will end well.

Welcome Christin, I am only a couple of days in front of you with ER scheduled sometime the week of Aug. 27th (my guess is around the 30th). I am also on Follistim and have been taking it for 2 days. I don't have any problems with it and the Follistim Pen is very easy to use.

Juliboo- Congrats on getting AF!

As for me, I woke up today with a headcold (stuffy/ runny snose, sore throat- the whole bit). I called the nurse today to find out what I could take. She said I could take the cold medicine as long as it doesn't contain any alcohol. Hopefully this cold won't last long, I can blame my husband for catching it.

Good luck to all of you!
-Kelly

[Julieboo]

Kelly, I feel your cold pain. I'm just getting over one myself, though I suffered through it without taking anything ('cept a little Tylenol). It was like the second I stepped into school I got sick. The kids' germs had been festering in there all summer. Yuck.

Hellokitty, poop on your boss. How rude. I'm still debating how I'm going to approach my days off. My schedule is so frakked I probably won't know when my ER will be until like two days before. At least the substitute finding lady loves me, though I know she'll be asking me questions about my absence.

Christin, welcome! I think we'll probably be doing ER around the same time (fingers crossed).

Baby dust to all y'alls! Have a great Tuesday!
Julie

[Christin]

Kelly and Julieboo
I am very excited to have you two going through this at the same time as me!!

Kelly
I am getting nervous about the Follistim shots with the Pen. I have not discussed them with my dr. yet. Are these injected in the tummy as well? Is the needle any larger than the Lupron needle? Does the med hurt? I like to know this stuff going into it so that I can prepare myself mentally

So since I am no longer on the BCP, and the dr. is expecting aunt flow tomorrow, you think I will start Follistim this week? I asked for a calendar last week when I was at the dr office so that I will know my timeline, but they said they will have that for me next time. Assuming that is because they are waiting to see how my body responded to Lupron?

I have learned something today. I have learned that when I give myself my Lupron shots, it is a breeze. No pain, no anything (except for slight itching and tingles about 10 seconds after). When DH was doing the injections...it hurt. His motto is the quicker the shot, the better. Well not with this little girl. So I had to try to kindly tell him this morning that he has been released from his duty of injections for now. He still has to draw it up for me every morning at 5:30am!! I refuse to do all of this alone.. !

[KM0803]

Christin- Yes the follistim shots are injected in the tummy as well. The needle is really small so no worries there. I was nervous about forgetting how the pen worked, they showed me at the RE office but it was about 5 days before I started with the injections. No worries though, they are pretty pain-free and easy injections. The one I am having a hard time with is the Rupronex. I have to mix the water solution in with the powder and then inject the mixture. I'm having a hard time getting the water solution and then the mixture in the syringe and then when it injects in my tummy it hurts a little bit. I already have a small bruise from this mornings injection. Any one else have this problem?

If your clinic does things the same way mine does, you'll start the folistim shots the week after your period. So if you start AF tomorrow, you'll start with the stim drugs on Monday. AF is lingering on for me still, wish she'd go away for good

I'm glad you figured out that giving the injection slow is better than rushing it. I had my DH give me the very first injection but then have given them to myslef every day since. He travels a lot for work so I knew there'd be days where it would be soley up to me. I am a little bit worried about the HSG and projestrone injections though, I have seen those needles and they are quite LARGE! YIKES

Julieboo- what grade do you teach? My DH came home with a cold last week (the same one I have now) after working in a hospital.


Hopefully I'll get over this head cold soon! Good luck to everyone!

-Kelly