AUGUST/SEPTEMBER CYCLE BUDDIES!

[Christin]

Kelly
Since I am not a vet, I can't answer. But wanted to wish you all of the luck in the world for tomorrow! I bet you are going to be pleasantly surprised with the number and quality of eggs retrieved. I am so happy for you and DH!!

Sonu911
Congrats on your stimms!!! Also, I once read somewhere that the first place your body strips water away from when your body isn't hydrated enough is the ovaries. So I have been doing my best at consuming as much water as possible. I didn't realize the affect of water on the ovaries, and ultimatly fertility.

Lee
Hi Lee...glad to have you with us!! Thanks for your information on Accupuncture. At what point during IVF is it too late to do it? How about after pregnancy? I am on day 7 of stimming. I would love to do it, although I am sure it will take a while to get an appointment. In my town, there aren't very many people that do Accupuncture.

Julieboo and Lala...How are you two feeling today?

In terms of the spots from the shots, my tummy has a lot of little spots on it. I also have bruises on each side of my belly button. I have found that my skin has toughened so it is harder to get the needle to slide it. That is the most frustrating to me.

[Lee]

Hi Kelly

Yes it hurts like hell! When I did my HSG shot last time I expected it to be the same as the menopur and got a shock when it went in! It might be quite bruised for a while after as well but worth it in the end.

Hey Sonu911 we are on the same stimming days, we should have ER round about the same time then.

Lee

[lala]

Hi ladies,

Kelly I am sorry to hear that you are in pain. Since I am no veteran, I can't give you any advice. But like most people are saying, it's definitely worth it!!! Have you try icing the area? Best of luck to you tomorrow!!!

Christin I am having lots of bloody spots on my tummy as well. Other than the stinging when I inject, I don't feel so bad. I am also having trouble these days injecting the Lupron with the small needle. It seems my tummy has toughened as well and I often have to jab myself really hard or have to jab myself twice to get the needle in Well, I guess for a lot of us, we won't be doing the Lupron shots or the stimming shots for too long, right? I am so excited!!! Oh, how's that numbing cream working for you?

Lee Thanks for the advice on acupunture. How often do you have it? Does your insurance cover it?

sonu911 I do hope that your DH will be in time for your ER! It's so important that he's around you and give you all the support that you need. Hang in there, ok? Thanks for going the extra mile in making your post colorful. It's so pretty

Hi Hellokitty, Julieboo, and Dexter, how are you ladies doing? Hope all is well with you guys.

You know, I feel so bloated right now and am having some stretchy kinda pain in my ovary area. I am on my day 9 of stimming. Is anyone feeling that? Also, I feel nauseous when I wake up in the morning. Anyone else?

[Dexter]

Hi again ladies,

Thanks for all your responses and kind welcomes. You are all a lovely bunch and I enjoy reading your journeys. This is such a tough thing we all go through and just wanted to let you all know that I fully commend you all and say how wonderful you are in your strength in this process. I have certainly become a much stronger person and definitely more scientifically aware! Who else gets to see their embies on a wide screen TV! At least we have that advantage

Little about my journey to date..
ER is tomorrow morning (Sat) at 9.45am). My doc called me to say not to be concerned about the extra days stimming.( I had to get 2 extra packs of drugs!!) I am now on day 14 and triggered last night, so this is my first day off the drugs - whoopee! Feels good although I am very tired. He said I was just a little slow to start with but everything is now looking great, so believe me when I tell you ladies, by day 12 of stimming, numbers pretty much double. Here's my diary for you all:

Day 6 stimming u/s: Follies too small to measure. Only measured endometrium lining which was 8.

Day 8: Counted 16 follicles - 10 on the R, 6 on the L. Only wrote down bigger numbers. 2 x 12mm, 1 x 11mm, 3 x 10mm. ENDO 9

Day 10: More follicles appearing. Grew average of 1 mm per day.
3 x 15mm, 1 x 9mm, 4 x 12mm, 3 x 13mm, 2 x 14mm ENDO 9

Day 12: 26 follies on scan. Approx 8 of which were over 15mm.

Day 13: Another scan :-/ Final results before trigger shot..
ENDO 10
14 follies on the R - 2 x 19mm, 1 x 18mm, 4 x 16mm, 2 x 15mm, 3 x 14mm, 1 x 13mm, 1 x 12mm

8 follies on the L - 1 x 20mm, 1 x 19mm, 1 x 18mm, 1 x 16mm, 1 x 15mm, 1 x 11mm, 1 x 9mm

Day 15: ER Let's hope we get some decent oocytes

KELLY - How did you go with ER? You had great follies. I am similar to you but in the reverse - more on the R than the L! It will be great to see how our numbers go. My guess is I'll get 8 eggs this time..hoping anyway! Sorry to hear you had pain with the trigger shot. DH did mine last night in the same spot in the tummy..no probs but do feel a bit out of sorts today. More tired than usual. Not sure if that's due to all the sleepless nights tho. Had hot flushes for the first 2 weeks and just broken sleep the rest of time. Hopefully will get back on track soon. I am a performer and was on stage at the time of my trigger shot. Had to drag DH to the gig and run off stage at exactly 10.15pm and shoot up in the disabled toliet..What a life!! Good luck with your developing embies.

LALA - Congrats on your U/S results. I never knew anything about the estrogen levels. Never got told mine! Good luck for your trigger shot. Yes I did feel a little nauseus this time, particularly twds end of stimming and mostly when lying down at night. Bloating is also a normal sign.

JULIE - Thanks for the info re the bowels I haven't been taking anything but it always seems to be in the way to the point where they count the follies and then make me cross them all out and start again. They also push down on my tummy which is a little uncomfortable. Hope you are staying positive. Sometimes thing take a while to kick in. How did you get on today?

KEISHA -Are you down regging? AF was late for me last time too..4 days but didnt affect anything. This time I was on LUCRIN and only got one day of mild spotting. Prior to that they put me on the pill for 2 weeks and I bled all the way through it - go figure! Hope things are on track for you. So sorry to hear of your previous m/c's. xx

ARCHANA - ET a week earlier - wow!! Hope your DH gets there in time. Mine comes in with me tomorrow which is going to be a first time experience for us both as I was under anaesthetic for my very fist IVF ER and this time they do it under mild sedation only so DH and I can be conscious and watch it on the screen. I wouldn't be surprised if mine brings a beer along for the viewing

LEE - Howdy! How are the jabs going? When is your first u/s. Sorry if I am behind. Good luck

CHRISTIN - Here here about everyone and anyone being pg!! I went insane last year. 13 close friends preggers altogether and now on their 2nd most of them. Did my head in. Seriously, I couldn't cope. I had to arrange my best friend's bridal shower after my first failed IVF and it was extremely hard and I don't know how I did it but I can tell you, the champagne helped and her baby was 10 weeks early so my friend could drink with me which helped! Even when we had our first natural BFP and m/c, that very day we had another 3 announcements of pregnancies. It was like the universe was testing us. I was totally exasperated. Last week I got sent 7 week ultra sound pictures on email from a friend that I didn't even know was pg. Luckily a close friend kindly emailed her and told her that was a bit insensitive considering I was undergoing fertility treatment. People just don't get it. You had a fab follie response on day 6! By tues/wed, you will be incredibly ripe. Wow. Loved your idea about keeping busy on D day. I have never gotten that far as AF has always arrived beforehand. My clinic tests 16 days after ER. I would be SO excited to get to test day! You have 3 Golden Retrievers?? My fave dog. I have 2 feathered babies - a parakeet (we call them budgies in Oz) and a cockatiel. Love them so much it hurts.

Sorry if I forgot anyone or got anyone wrong??

I am nervous about tomorrow and I'll be glad when it's all over. Not so glad to start on the emotional 2ww again though. I have my friends bday party tomorrow night and I am hoping to celebrate with a couple of drinks, seeing as I have a couple of days grace before ET.I hope!! Unfortunately I have to work in the evening and am hoping I won't feel too bad...we'll see.

Sorry about the awfully long post-I'm a fast typer

Check in with you again tomrrow..
See ya!
Dex

[hellokitty]

Good Morning Ladies,

I am way early to do my b/w and u/s. I hope my lining is okay because AF never showed. I'm so nervous and anxious. I'll pop in with an update soon.



SONU - Our bodies put us through so much, don't they? They don't pay attention to our time schedules or the "clock" that we hear ticking very loudly. I pray DH come be make it in time...if not, we can be a part of your plan B....backup support !!

LEE - I don't think AF will show. My RE makes sure that my E2 level and uterine lining are okay and off we go for stimming. I pray that everything looks good this morning. Thank you so much for the information on accupuncture. My RE does recommend it but won't make a stand on it regarding helping with IVF except to say it is great for stress.


KELLY - Yeah, I had the same friggin' pain but it only lasted for the first night. I think I remember using a heating pad and that worked for me. So sorry that yours seem a little worse. Pray that ER goes smoothly!

Christin - My tummy looks like a pin cushion too. But it beats the way the PIO makes my tushie look !

[/b]Lala - It sounds like your follies are responding ! I had a lot of achy pain before but I like your word better. I didn't feel nauseous but boy did my boobie hurt. I couldn't stand the shower spray on them!

Dexter - Wowsers....you have a great follie count! The extra days of stimming does help. I know I will need more time and hope to you have your numbers! I pray that your ER goes smoothly...let us know.

Baby dust to all!

[Christin]

I have a question. I have been experiencing some lower back pain, especially when I sit down. It is almost like a sciatic nerve pain. And, I am noticing more lower abdomen pain. Is this normal? I go in for another visit today at 1pm, but was hoping I could get some input from you guys before then. I am on day 8 of stimms.

PS...I am so proud of everyone. Yall are doing so good, and have had some awesome reports from the RE!!!

-Christin

[lala]

Great to hear that everyone is making progress!

I just came back from my day 10 clinic visit and I was told that I may need an extra day of stimming, so ER will be either on Tuesday or Wednesday. I am considered a slower responder But things are still looking pretty good, so I was told. I think I will have about 12-15 that are mature enough to retrieve. The numbers have gone down a little because some follies, like their mommy, are a bit stubborn to grow. My lining has thickened to about 14 mm and they said it's a very good sign because it helps with implantation. I will need to go back again on Sunday. If things look good, that I will do the trigger shot that night and ER on Tuesday. If it looks like I need an extra day of stimming, I will have my trigger shot on Monday and ER on Wednesday. I was a bit disappointed because it's yet another delay. But Dexter's post really comforted me because it really comes down to getting good and mature follies, and the extra stimming really helps. I hope that you all don't have to go through the extra days but if you do, know that it's ok You know another thing that I found out today? I was told that I will be doing the HSG subcuteanously. I thoiught it was intramuscular???

Kelly I am sure you are resting right now. How did ER go? When you are rested, tell us how it went.

Christin I don't have any back pains but I do have lower abdominal cramps/pains. I feel very STRETCHED!!! My tummy looks so big, especially in the evening after dinner. I was told that the tummy pains are normal. I also have some vaginal discharge. Was told that it's a normal sign since estrogen level has increased. Since you are going in this afternoon, check with your doctor about the back pains, ok?

Dexter Like I said earlier, your post really comforted me. Thanks so much! Best of luck to you for your ER. I am sure you will do great this time. We will be here for you.

hellokitty Do let you know how your clinic visit went, and HAPPY STIMMING TONIGHT!

Have a good day!

[KM0803]

Hi Ladies-

I did it! We went in for ER today and everything went really smoothly. I was a bit nervous but they totally put me out and I don't remember a thing after they asked me my phone number. My DH was in the room and got to watch everything on the monitor. He told me that I would usually respond to their commands (scoot up a little, etc) but I don't remember any of it. When I woke up their was a nurse taking my blood pressure and I asked her if they were done yet as I was afraid I woke up too early and she said yep they are all done just sit back and relax. Soon my DH came in to tell me that they retrieved 9 eggs. Origanally they thought it was only 7 but then they found two more in the fluids??

So all went well, I'm really in no pain. RE prescribed some Loratab but I really don't think I'll need it. I've spotted a little bit after using the bathroom but the nurses told me that would probably happen and it's totally normal.

I now get to carry on as normal and wait for the call on Sunday morning to find out how many have fertilized, they will then tell if we are doing ET on Monday or Wednesday.

So tonight I get to start the dreaded progestroen shots . The nurse did tell me that some people think the HCG shots are the worst and I hope that's the case with me. Does anyone have advice on the progestroen shots? I'm really nervous about them. In two weeks my husband is traveling for work so I'm going to have to find someone else to give them to me everynight. I'm thinking about a sister in law who's a nurse, she lives about 20 minutes away but it might be better than sticking myself with that huge needle.

Lala- Congratulations on your follie count. 12-15 is an awesome number!! I did my HSG intramuscular and if your clinic is having you do it somewhere else I would welcome it

Christin- I am so sorry to hear your in pain. I didn't really have much pain until the HSG injection and then my back, hip, leg all ached. Discuss it with the nurses and I'm sure they have some great advice for you.

Hellokitty- Has AF showed her ugly face yet? Or have they decided your lining looks good and you can continue? I hope for the latter.

Dexter- Good luck on ER tomorrow, your follie count sounds awesome!!! you are a trooper for jumping off stage to take your trigger shot and then going back to preform. I was babysitting my neice and nephew at the time I got my trigger shot. We had to let them cry for a little bit while my DH and I went into the bathroom and shot up. I also had them the next morning when I could barely walk or sit down on my left side. What do you do?

Good luck to everyone and have a safe weekend and holiday for those of you in the US.

-Kelly

[hellokitty]

Hi Ladies,

KM0803 - 9 eggies are great news! I'm so happy for you. I'm praying for a great fert report. I've heard that two eggies can be in 1 follie. As far as the PIO, they suck for me! I believe Lala had a prescription for numbing medicine. You could try placing a heating pad to the area before and after the shot. I've also heard some women numb the area with ice and then use the heating pad. Make sure the PIO is not cold when you draw it up...the stinging last longer because all of it is pooled in one place...ouchy! But in the meantime, kick up your feet and drink plenty of fluids!

Lala - I'm sorry that you got a delay but so happy that you got that PMA in place. I'm sure you will be triggerin soon. I thought HSG was in the muscle too. I wouldn't mind at all if it is not !

As for me, today sucked big time. AF being absent is really screwing me up this time. My lining showed a little build up but my E2 level was 236!!! It has to be under 100. So, I will have to wait until next Wednesday to see what happens. That will put me back a full week...that SUCKS!!! So, I'm still in a holding pattern. No idea when or if she will show. I don't want the shot because last time, AF stayed for 3 weeks! Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait and see.

Baby dust to all!

[Julieboo]

Hi, girls!

I'll have to make this quick, as the dog needs a walk...

Kelly, congrats on the 9 eggs! That's fabulous! I hope fertilization goes well for you.

Hellokitty, I'm sorry about the setback. I hope Flo rears her ugly head this weekend.

Everyone else, grow follies!

Thanks for the kind words. I'm still trying to live in the Era of Good Feelings. I had a scan today and there was some growth (slow, of course), but my E2 level was back up. I'm taking it as a positive that they don't want to see me everyday like they did last time.

Question: Is it OK to do yoga when you're on stims? I guess some poses. I should go take a class. It would really take the edge off.

Have a happy Labor Day weekend!
Julie

[lala]

Kelly That's an excellent outcome! Congratulations! I am so proud of you!!! Oh it must be such a relief after your ER. I can't wait to get over that step (of course, others say the two week wait is even more dreadful). Best of luck to you!!!

Hellokitty I am sorry to hear your setback also. Don't you hate those delays! I hope AF comes soon for you.

Julieboo It's great to hear that things are heading in the right way. Keep those follies growing!

Have a great weekend!

[Christin]

Kelly
CONGRATS!!!! This is so so exciting. I am so happy for you. Take it easy and enjoy your days with only one shot a day now!! I am jealous

Can't wait to hear the fertilization numbers. We are all getting so close..it is so exciting. Grow embies grow!!!!

Dexter
I am sure you are going to come back with an excellent report to. You are in my prayers. Can't wait to hear back from you!!!

lala
I am glad that you have that PMA. I was told today that I will need another day or two also. Although I have enough follies, they aren't growing as fast as they want them to. So I will have probably two additional days. But I am happy that my RE is doing this right and making sure that they are the right maturity before going into EC/ER. I think mine is going to be either Wednesday or Thursday. I go back to the ER tomorrow to do scan #4 (This is day 8 for me).

Hellokitty
I am wishing you a huge dose of PMA!! I know that the extra week seems like a huge deal, but in the whole scheme of things, if the extra week puts you on target, then that is the best for you. The last thing any of us want is for the RE to proceed when it isn't appropriate. Try to do some relaxing and taking it easy. Has the RE said what may be causing this or what you could be doing to fix it?

Julie
It sounds like there are a few of us that have slower growth than we want. But it will happen. I am counting on all of us getting there sooner or later....in this cycle!!!

When I was at the relaxation session at the clinic earlier this week, they suggested yoga to us. Just be careful with the difficult poses. I am sure your body will let you know if it doesn't like certain positions. I would suggest running it by your RE, but I have started doing basic Yoga this week.

Sonu911
How are you doing? Any update on the day your DH will be back with you? Looking forward to hear about your stimms!

Update
As I mentioned above, the RE has ordered me a few extra days of meds b/c they want to put off my ER for a couple of days. They want to see the follies growing faster than they are. I think the count is there, but they are just slowing chugging along.

I asked them about the back pain. And as soon as they started the scan, the ultrasound tech mentioned that my left ovary was set further back and deeper. And that is the side of my back that hurts. So they feel that the position and placement of my ovary is putting pressure on the nerves further towards my back on that side. Which makes sense I guess. So they said it is okay, and nothing to be concerned with.

I forgot to ask them about my E2 levels, but they told me that my bw came back fine (whatever that means..lol). Also, I have been very constipated (sorry for the TMI), so they told me to get Senokot (a natural laxative) because they said I want to get a handle on that before the transfer. So in case anyone else is experiencing some "irregularity" that is what my clinic suggested for me. It is an OTC drug.

I go back to the RE tomorrow for more bw and Scan 5. So hopefully they grew more tonight.

Oh, I accidently gave myself too much follistim. I have noticed lately that my Pen sometimes doesn't despense. So tonight we thought it was broken again, so re-dialed it. I think I may have gotten an extra 100IU (I was supposed to do 200, but think I got 300). I hope that is okay. Up until today I was on 300 anyway. I have to remember to tell the RE tomorrow. Has anyone else had issues with their pen?

Okay, I am about to go chill out in bed. Talk to you all later!

-Christin

[Dexter]

Hi beauties,

Well it's all over and I'm now on the couch at home. No pain yet and haven't had to take anything so hopefully I'll be fine for work tonight.
It was great to be awake this time and see the procedure and the eggs on the screen, with DH there as well (although he wasn't too happy about having to put on the hospital gown and plastic socks!!)

I didn't feel a thing and had a mild sedative which hurt more than any of the other needles I've had. The effects were good though..Felt like I'd scolled a bottle of champagne

So...we got 22 eggs!!!!!!! BUT quality not quantity. Of all those only 5 are GRADE 1 (Top grade), 10 are GRADE 2 (average/fair) and 7 were immature. Just want to reassure Christin... Last time I was on a much shorter cycle and with my new doc (Australia's best doc & clinic), he advised me to keep on the drugs longer to get those follies bigger as I was also a "slower responder". Don't be discouraged. Re the follitism injection..Yes I stuffed up last week on day 11. The pen wouldn't dispense all the drugs and wouldn't push down properly, so only about 50m went in. I called the nurses and they said to re-administer it with 175m and that time the pen went all the way down without anything actually going in! (Turns out DH wound the dial bwds instead of unscrewing and starting from scratch). So third time lucky, I administered 175m and hoped for the best! You'll be right. Who knows if I had double doses or not! Didn't affect anything as far as I know.

My doc is hoping for a day 5 transfer but I KNOW about 3/4 of all those eggs will drop off by 2 days and only 75% fertilize if we're lucky. I'm not getting carried away by the numbers. I'm just hoping I get one little beautiful blastocyst out of the 5 good ones...please let them ones fertilize..please!!

Kel, congrats on your 9 eggs. Great number to work with and hopefully all will come through for you. Just getting back to you re what I do .. I'm a singer! I do professional musical theatre but mainly corporate gigs at the mo. Tonight I'm performing for a cancer charity for children called CANTEEN.

I'll check back in later after the grim reaper calls with the stats tomorrow. Now the fun starts - not

Cheers,
Dex xox

[sonu911]

Hello buddies!!

Kelly and Dexter - Great numbers!! Wow!! You both have set a good precedent. The xcitement has just started ...hope both of you get great reports on fertility.
Dexter, great that you could see your follies. Must have been out of the world experience. I will not be able to experience this because I will be completely sedated, thats what they did last two times.

Lala and Christin - Just butting in but just a bit of my experience on the number of days for stimulation... during my first cycle I was on stimulation for 11 days and retrieved 13 eggs out of which 10 were mature but only 4 embies could form, all grade 1 (4celled). 2nd time 14 days on stimulation but could produce only 10 eggs, out of which 7 were mature and 5 embies were formed. but this time all were grade 1 but of lower quality. I never had great numbers but trusted my doc...he wouldn't go for ER otherwise.

Christin- All the very best for ur scan no.5 Surely mommy's prayers would have worked this time and you will definitly have an excellent report.
I never experienced any pain during my stims, only I feel drowsy and sluggish the whole day and ofcourse my stomach area looks like a football by the evening.

Julie - Congrats on ur E2 level!! Keep up ur PMA. Julie, dear...aren't we all trying to live in the same era but I would add something there- 'the Era of Good Feelings and Hope'.
About yoga, there are some breathing exercises which is called Pranayama, you can comfortably do that through out ur stims and 2ww.(except for kapalbharati). It helps regulate the blood circulation in your body.

Keisha - I am sending loads n loads of PMA and baby dust ur way!! I will surely keep you in my prayers and we will have some good report next wednesday.

UPDATE - I am on 3rd day of my stims and have 1st scan scheduled for Monday. Here, doc doesn't tell anything until u ask, I was hardly knowing anything last two times. But this time I know what to ask. This time my PMA is much better than last two times...thanks to u guys.....so ...grow follies grow!!
In my clinic, there's this ticker which displays the number of ivf preganancies accredited to that clinic...the day I went for my Ist Lupron shot, it displayed 813, the day I started my stims it was 820 and today it was 822. Everyone even with IVF is getting preggo!!...I am waiting for the day when I will also contribute to that ticker
GOOD NEWS...My DH is arriving on 9/7 and now he will be with me for this month... Thanks for all your prayers and wishes.

[Christin]

Dexter
Those numbers are amazing. Good job girl. Oh, and you are so much tougher than me. I can't believe you can go to work after the ER. My little lazy and low-tolerance pain butt would be glued to my bed...lol. I actually can't wait for the ER and ET so that I can get served my food in bed...LOL!!!

I am looking forward to hearing about the number fertilized!!! Grow embies!!!

Sonu911 and Dexter[/b]
Thanks so much for the reassurance! You gals make me so much less stressed, it is amazing. I listen to ppl in the doctors office talk about all of their stress and how they have no clue of what is going on and what is coming up next, and have no one to talk to, and I just think of you ladies. You all have made me so much smarter and calmer!!!!

Update
Went back for Scan No.5 today. Apparently the ultrasound tech that I normally use hadn't spent alot of time looking closely at me. Bc previously (aka even as of yesterday) I only had I think 10 follies on the right, and 6 on the left. Today they told me I had 14 on the right and 11 on the left. About 12 or 13 of them are already above 9s and 10s. My largest right now is a 14 and it is on my left, which is funny b/c my left was lagging behind for so long. The nurse said that she thinks I am having a great cycle. So that is reassuring as well!!

The doctor has lowered my dosage to 200 Follistim. I keep doing the same dosage of Menopur and Lupron. I don't see him again until Tuesday. I can't wait to see how big my follies are then!!! So my expectation is that on Tuesday I go in to see him, and then they have me do the trigger shot on Tuesday night, for Thursday retreival!!! It is getting so close

Gotta run to go enjoy the beautiful day today. Chat later gals!

-Christin