Tampa area?

[Kristin1112]

Hi!
I'm new to these boards. DH and I will be doing our first IVF this September/October. EVERYTHING is new to us! Anyway, just wondering if anyone else is from around here. We are going to the Reproductive Medicine Group in Tampa. Has anyone seen them? Any opinions?


Thanks in advance!

[JADE0199]

Hi Kristin!
I am also in the Tampa area and am going to RMG. I am a patient of Dr. Berhisel, we like him very much. We've been seeing him since Oct 06 and he did a full infertility workup for recurrent m/c's. My history is in my signature. We decided to do IVF w/PGD in Jan 07 but got pg a 3rd time and m/c again a few weeks later to no surprise.

Even though our first IVF cycle resulted in a BFN I was very happy with how everything went and how everyone treated us, I have no regrets. I was on the long protocol (Lupron, Gonal F & Menopur, PIO). Retrieved 9 eggs, 7 fert (3 were abnormal), 4 normal-appearing embies that were 2 cell on Day 2. Cancelled PGD on Day 2 because we only had 4 embies. Transferred 2 embies on day 3, 1-7 cell grade 2 and 1 5-cell grade 1 (the best) on Day 3. Due to so much disappointment, 3 early m/c's a chem pg and a failed IVF, we are moving onto donor eggs. Our cycle is also scheduled for Sept/October. Praying we both end up with BFPs. And as far as RMG goes, they have the highest success rates in Florida. We tried to get scheduled in the Aug/Sept cycle but they are already over-booked.

Please feel free to ask me any questions, anytime. Wouldn't it be awesome if we could be cycle buddies? Right now, I'm doing a mock cycle. I'm on Delestrogen twice a week. I go in Mon morning to find out if my lining is 7mm. If it is, I continue Delestrogen and start PIO shots for 10 days until my endometrial biopsy, that's where I'm at in all this, just thought I'd share with you.

Cathy

[Ghost]

Hi!
I'm new to these boards. DH and I will be doing our first IVF this September/October. EVERYTHING is new to us! Anyway, just wondering if anyone else is from around here. We are going to the Reproductive Medicine Group in Tampa. Has anyone seen them? Any opinions?


Thanks in advance!

Their latest pregnancy rates are found here:

https://www.sartcorsonline.com/rptCSR_P ... cPKID=2058

[Kristin1112]

Thanks Cathy and Ghost!
I'm seeing Dr. Goodman, and so far we're very pleased. Alot of what you were talking about is still Greek to me, Cathy. But I'm sure it will be something we understand soon. I'm very excited for both of us, and hopeful we will both get good news soon!
Take care!!

Kristin

[JADE0199]

Thanks Ghost!

Kristin - That's great that you are seeing Dr. Goodman. I've heard good things. Have you gone thru all the testing already? And may I ask why are you going thru IVF?

Take care!
Cathy

[Kristin1112]

Sure Cathy!
I guess I haven't posted my story here yet, huh?
Anyway, yes, DH and I have gone through all the testing.
my problem is high FSH-15.6, 11.5, 11.4.
DH is missing the vas deferens tubes. So his swimmers are trapped! We had NO idea! So obviously IVF with ICSI is our only option. We have our mock transfer and consent signing on August 17, and hopefully IVF in September. I'm not exactly sure how the cycles work.
Anyway...that's it! Oh, I'm 29 and DH is 32. Married 5 years in December, together almost 12. TTC for a little over 2 years.


Kristin

[JADE0199]

Hi Kristin!

Thanks for sharing your story with me. I am sorry that you have also had a difficult journey. It is rare that your FSH is so high at your age as well. Does the dr seem concerned about that and how well you may stim?? Its unfortunate that they make us all wait to do any kind of testing. For women in the 35+ age group drs recommend testing within 6 mo but b/c I was able to conceive I think we waited a bit longer and still held onto hope that it would happen eventually. But after the chem pg, which was our 3rd loss, we said enough is enough. Because of DH not having the vas deferens tubes, with they have to do the MESA/TESA procedure?

The mock transfer is no biggie. They just measure your uterus with a catheter, so they know where to place the embryos. Only downside is your bladder has to be full which can get uncomfortable. August 17 is just around the corner!!

If you have any questions about protocols or procedures, feel free to ask me anytime. I'm no expert but have gone thru it once already so I'd be more than happy to share anything I know. I would also like to recommend these books, they really helped me get an idea of how the cycle works, timeline, meds, etc.

• IVF: The Wayward Stork--What to Expect, Who to Expect It From, and Surviving It All?
• The Couple's Guide to In Vitro Fertilization: Everything You Need to Know to Maximize Your Chances of Success
and this one if you believe in meditation.
• Nurturing Yourself Through IVF: Improve Your Experience, Maximize Your Odds of Success

And if you are not afraid of needles, you may want to consider acupuncture. I've heard alot of women having successful ivf cycles when doing acupuncture atleast 3 months before they're cycle. I, unfortunately, didn't do it and well, ended up with a BFN. But that's not to say if you chose not to do it, it won't work. I've heard that it can help in circulation, reduce stress, help blood flow to the uterus as well as help you ovulate better quality eggs. I just started acupuncture a few weeks go and I really enjoy it. At this point, I'm doing all that I can to help my chances of success and am leaving no stone unturned. We're paying out of pocket for this entire DE cycle, so there's alot of $$ on the line as well as emotions. Some insurance companies can offer discounts on the cost for the acu-. I save $20 per session going thru mine.

sorry so long. Keep in touch.
Cathy

[Kristin1112]

Thanks for the book recommendations Cathy! I just ordered the Wayward Stork today! I'm looking forward to getting some new info.
Yes, the doctor is concerned about my FSH levels. She has warned us about decreased pregnancy rates, higher miscarriage rates, and the unlikelihood of extra embryos to freeze. She hasn't said much about my medication yet, except that it will be "aggressive".
I'm unfamiliar with the MESA/TESA procedure. Or at least it's name. DH will be going into surgery at the same time as my egg retrieval. They will extract his sperm, inject some fresh ones into my eggs (ICSI?) and freeze some if they can. We have also been told we should have a backup donor, since they are not sure what's in there. Oh, DH did have the biopsy done already, so at least we know there's some in there.

Keep me posted on how things are going with you. And thanks again for all of your advice!

Kristin

[2006sa]

Hi,
I also live in Tampa, and my first ivf attempt was with Dr.Goodman, unfortunately it was unsuccessful. I would highly recommend acupuncture treatments it will prepare your body and maximize your chances. I didn’t do it at the time, but now I am seeing great acupuncturist so hopefully it will help.
Good luck to you,
Sandra

[Kristin1112]

Sandra and Cathy-
I doubt I'll do acupuncture this time around. Mainly because we don't live in Tampa, we live north of Tampa about 40 miles, so getting to an acupuncturist might be tough. But who do you see? Do they specialize in infertility? Where are they located?
I like to keep my options open!
Thanks for all of your feedback!!


Kristin

[JADE0199]

Sandra - So sorry your cycle was unsuccessful. Did Dr. Goodman give you a reason for the cycle failing? I think DH and I and Dr. B just chucked it up to poor egg quality. Even though we transferred a 7 cell Grade B on Day 3, they developed very slowly and whenever I did get pg naturally on our own, my beta #'s never got very high and rose very slowly as well. I agree with you on the acupuncture. I just started in the beginning of July and go every week, I love it. I do regret not starting before our last cycle and wonder if it would have made a difference.

Kristin - There may possibly be an acupuncturist in your area. Some insurance companies offer discounts on the cost. I found mine thru my insurance company's website and get a $20 discount per session. Or you can try getting a recommendation via the forums for someone in your area. Most I think specialize in infertility. They will focus on overall circulation and blow flow to the uterus as well as relieve stress. Its definitely unusual and not for everyone but a person has to try it once to atleast see if its for them or not. Mine is actually located 2-3 miles from RMG North Tampa location.
Integrative Medicine Center
13615 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, #111, Tampa 33613 813-977-2677 or
www.naturalmedicine.com

good luck!!
Cathy

[Kristin1112]

CAthy!
yeah!
I'm pretty sure there's no one I would trust up here for acupuncture. That's why we came to Tampa in the first place! Thanks for the name of you acupuncturist (is that a word?). I'll definately look into that if my first cycle doesn't work!



Kristin

[2006sa]

My acupuncturist is Xiao Zhang M.D
2514 W. Virginia Ave. Tampa Fl 33607
Telephone 813-877-9626
According to Dr.Goodman my problem was low fertilization rate due to egg quality; DH semen was poor on day of retrieval, icsi was performed only one egg fertilized 8 cell, grade B day 3 transfer.
Good luck and best whishes,
Sandra

[ellenm]

Hi all:

I just saw this thread....I'm going through IVF at RMG as well. I'm seeing Dr. Bernhisel; although Goodman did my ER and Tarantino did my ET. I'm in the 2ww right now. I test next Tues, 9/4. i have done an hpt and i get a very faint line, so i'm not reading too much into it.

What is everyone's update?

[JADE0199]

Hi Ellen
So glad you found us!! That is so cool that we are seeing the same doc! I really like Dr. B. Was this your first IVF? How do you feel about how your cycle went, do you feel they retrieved a good amount of eggs? Congrats on entering the TWW! I will say a prayer for you and crossing my fingers that you get your BFP on 9/4!

BECAREFUL of those HPT tests! I've read not to test before 10 days because the HCG from the trigger shot is still in your system.

Well, some of my history is in my sig. I started seeing Dr B for recurrent m/c's in October 2006, I am 37 and DH is 35. We did the full RM panel and for the most part, everything came out normal. We conceived again for the 3rd time naturally in Jan 07 only to m/c again a month later. We then did one IVF cycle with RMG, to do PGD, which we cancelled on Day 2 because we only had 4-2 cell embies and I really didn't think they were going to make it to day 5. Just a hunch. Good thing is that we saved ourselved $5 grand by cancelling. We did a 3 day transfer (1 7-cell grade 2 and 1 5-cell grade 1, both very high quality) but it ended in a BFN. We have now moved onto IVF w/Donor Egg and I start Lurpon on 9/4. Our donor will begin stims on 9/23. The whole process is pretty cool and the statistics on conceiving with donor egg is much higher for me than using my own eggs in my age group. 30% vs. over 50%. And our rate to conceive twins is 37%!!

Praying for your BFP!! KUP!!
Cathy